#currently I have more than 35 parts planned

[sims3fiend]

Sims 3 Settings Setter

Proper release notes and beta edition

I've added support for setting any Config or Option setting, plus live editing of many many others, so it's now release time. Full feature explanation below, but essentially this lets you edit lots of settings ingame directly instead of having to make .package mods, and provides a "better" and more shareable way of editing GraphicsRules.sgr settings (IMO). Sorry if a new post is annoying idk what I'm doing

THIS IS A BETA, I haven't tested a lot of the settings, there are bugs, etc.

DOES NOT CURRENTLY WORK WITH THE EA VERSION

Downloads: Sims File Share Sims File Share - Less stutter config GitHub

More info about what it is (I yap a bunch) under :)

Installation and use

Please note, some settings wont appear until you load into a world.

Download the ASI file and wack it in to your Sims 3 base directory, where the ts3w.exe is located. If you're using one of the presets, make a folder called s3ss_presets and pop them in there (you'll need to activate them in the presets menu ingame).

Make sure you have an ASI loader, these are either from Smooth Patch's ASI portion or dxwrapper. I recommend dxwrapper, just make sure you set the LoadPlugins value to 1 (should be default)

Start the game, you might experience a little more of an initial "freeze" when starting the game than usual, this is from the script logging a bunch of config calls during initialization, there's like 800 or something nuts. It should not have any negative impact on regular loading or gameplay, and I plan to turn the logging off… eventually.

Press Insert to open up the menu. Go crazy and change everything, make the sun huge, crank bloom up, live.

Check the box next to a live setting to have it save for next time you launch, same thing for config but you also have to press save down the bottom because I forgot

Help I crashed/the game doesn't start with the mod!

Please send me your hooks_log.txt if you're experiencing any crashing issues. If the crash is because you set some value to like 7 billion, that's on you, you can just delete the line out of script_settings.ini or go to Settings -> Clear all settings

If you can't get the game to run with the mod, lmk also, please tell me if you're using a launcher, if you're using any other .asi mods, using dxvk, etc. as well as what operating system you're on.

Features

Live Edit

This is the new™ and now main part of the mod. I've mapped out several/most of the exes main "settings" (anything that interacts w/ 0x005a00a0 and some that don't) areas, which allows you to now, in game, change these values whereas before it was a whole arduous process of making .package mods. I mapped these all statically so some of the offsets/addresses might be wrong.

I was gunna list the settings but there's 260~ of them so maybe not?

I plan to add missing specific individual settings from Config eventually. If you think a setting is missing, or if you think I've mapped a value wrong (i.e. you know it has an effect but it's not working with my mod or is crashing you, or one value is changing multiple things), please let me know. Render/er is definitely missing some, that's because the function is scary and I don't like it.

Values (sometimes) have sliders with the min and max value I found in the exe set, if you want to go higher, you can double click to type in your own number.

Some interesting things you can do with the settings:

Set max lots higher than 8 AND increase the radius so it actually shows (will crash if set too high ~35+, need to investigate) by changing values in Streaming

Play in a game where the sun never sets or rises by editing Sky Common -> Sunset/Sunrise Time

Change shadow settings (includes the same thing as LD's shadow extender mod under), extending shadows (they will still look hideous, writing a post about why currently)

Change various light settings to get the perfect look for your game. Some popular mods edit these values for their looks (presets soon?)

Do whatever… this is…?

Game Config

The function we're hooking (0x0058c380) only seems to effect Config (GraphicsRules.sgr in the .exe directory) and Options (Options.ini in the documents/Sims3 directory), but logs a whole bunch of other thing. Feel free to toggle the option in the settings tab and try changing a bunch, it should in theory work because the function is reading and writing but somewhere it gets overridden or something idk 🤷

It lets you set any that fall under those two categories/headings, which means there's some like ForceHighLODObjects that aren't in the actual file and are settable. You might notice some show different values than what they're set as in your config, this could either be that I'm hooking it too early (I don't think I am), or the value is getting overwritten or changed somewhere in the exe. If there's a setting that's in the file but not in the list that you think does something, lmk, but it should capture everything.

I haven't mapped all of the Config/Option settings to Live Edit as they're all split up in the exe, if there's one you want in particular, lmk.

Presets

I've prepared a preset with just the essentials from my GraphicsRules file post with the idea that you can then use this with a stock GraphicsRules file instead of having to manage different versions, giving you the ability to toggle certain things back to default. I might make some visual "enhancement" presets or something later, either based off popular mods or my own insanity, we'll see.

Presets go into the s3ss_presets folder, and currently they stack rather than replace (not intentional but I might keep it)

Known issues:

Rendering toggles need to be re-toggled each load - Easy fix I'm just lazy

Options settings overwrite the actual Options.ini file (idk why??)

Occasionally D3D9 wont hook, I can't replicate this reliably to test so lmk if you can lmao

I mapped all the settings pretty hastily, so some are bound to be wrong

Was flagged as a virus briefly??? Praying this never happens again because I have no idea what to do to fix that dshjakfhhsdaj

Presets stack, if you apply a preset and you have existing values, they stack together… I kind of like that though as a concept so I just added a clear all option to settings, I might rework it later.

Some Live Edit value locations might change during gameplay, resulting in the menu displaying them incorrectly and crashing the game if edited in a broken state. I've checked most off them and they don't seem to, but Render ones did. Let me know if you experience it as I can probably find a static pointer like I did for Render.

Planned things:

Searching. God that'd be good…

Go over existing maps again, some I did early on before I supported static values, 4 float arrays, etc. so I've probably messed some up

Adding every single GraphicsRule.sgr setting to Live

Maybe adding some of my performance mods to it? Or should I keep them as their own individual thing? Mmmm I dunno

I still haven't looked at the way everyone else has been editing the "live" settings, so I should probably do that, there's probably a lot of info out there but at this point I'm too invested in my weird approach djsakfsksaffsa

Updates:

18.10.24 - Hopefully fixed an issue effect people using launchers, as well as a fix for the process hanging after quitting (would look closed but the process is still there in the bg). Also fixed presets applying. 17.10.24 - Hopefully fix a D3D issue that might've resulted in the game freezing/looking frozen. Handles D3D device resets. Will expand in the future to cover other areas maybe.

[krirebr]

I Could Feel at the Time

Pairing: Ransom Drysdale x female Reader

Word Count: 650

Warnings: Explicit language, references to forced marriage and forced pregnancy, angst, drinking, sads

Series Masterlist

Masterlist

A/N: Hello! So, with Part 6 of More Than This, we're coming to the end of what I've been thinking of as the first arc of that story. To celebrate, how about a super angsty ficlet of Ransom's POV of their first meeting???

Ransom sat in his car across the street from the restaurant. He watched you exit and get into a town car. He knew that from this distance he couldn’t actually see how upset you were. What he knew in his bones was just projection. But still. Your car drove away and he stayed where he was.

He’d spent the last week angrier than he’d ever been in his life. He’d sort of thought, as he’d kept getting older and no arrangements came to fruition, that he’d managed to avoid the whole thing. But now, at 35, his time had finally come. It was how condescending they’d been when they told him, his mom and granddad. “It’s time for you to grow up and settle down,” she’d said. “This will be so good for you, exactly what you need,” he’d said. And then they’d told him about the baby.

He should count himself lucky, he supposed, that he even knew. What kind of assholes must your parents be that they didn’t even tell you? Especially since it’d be your body doing the work. They’d left that dirty work to him.

He’d fucked it up. He knew that. But he was just so goddamn angry about the whole thing. He was mad at everyone involved for forcing the two of you into this. And he was mad at you for lying down and taking it. For being such a good girl. He chuckled to himself. Like he was any better.

He finally put his car in gear and pulled out onto the road. He drove for a mile or two before he saw a sign for some shitty chain steakhouse. Sure. Why the fuck not? He was hungry and wanted to keep feeling like shit. It was perfect.

He went in and sat himself at the bar. Everything was neon. It exacerbated the migraine that had been building all day. Fucking good.

They didn’t have any scotch and their best bourbon was some midtier piece of shit, so he just ordered the rail. A glass of shitty, watered-down sadness. Perfect. He also ordered the porterhouse, although that’s not what it was called here. It had some cutesy name that he forgot the moment the menu was taken away. And it came with too many sides. Everything was bullshit.

He’d lied when he told you he had other dinner plans. The plan had been for him to eat with you. But something had happened, sitting there with you. It was like everything was suddenly more real than it ever had been before. This arrangement. This marriage. This life. It was real. It was happening. He wouldn’t be able to get out of it. So as he looked at you, he couldn’t even bring himself to open the menu. And then you’d asked if he knew what he wanted and he’d panicked. It’d just fallen out of his mouth. A way to get himself out of there. 

But then you’d looked so hurt and he’d mocked you for it. Fuck. He was such an asshole. 

His food came. A rubbery steak and two different kinds of lukewarm potatoes. He’d left you at a five-star restaurant. He ate it silently while drinking his “bourbon”.

He had your number. He could call or text, apologize. But that wasn’t something he did. He wasn’t sure he fucking knew how. No. What would it help, anyway? Every time he thought about you, or the wedding, or the baby, there was this tightness in his chest that just wouldn’t let go. Whiskey sometimes helped. The real stuff, not this fucking swill he was currently drinking. Ignoring it helped a lot. So that was what he would do. He’d do what he told you to do, live the next three weeks like none of this was happening. What else was there?

And for now, he’d finish his fucking steak.

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[glowettee]

hiii angel! i was wondering if you could give me some tips on how to get out of the planning stage. i always plan everything super well (goals, assignments, new habits, etc.) but i can't seem to actually do what i set out to do. thank youuu <333

how to get out of the planning stage and take action

hiii angel!

so sorry this reply is a little late, currently have over 20 asks in my tumblr inbox and 39 submissions for glowettee hotline, + i've been busy with school!! <3 trying my best here 😭😭

i totally get where you're coming from. for the longest time, i've chatted with so many lovely souls who plan every detail down to the tiniest nuance but still find themselves stuck in that comfortable space called the planning stage. it's such a familiar feeling – the allure of a perfect plan is hard to resist, yet the leap from paper to action often feels like a giant jump into the unknown.

first off, it’s important to remember that planning is a beautiful part of who we are. i adore mapping out goals, assignments, and habits because it gives a sense of structure and purpose. however, when our plans become so intricate that they keep us from living and experimenting in the real world, they can inadvertently hold us back. so, here are some tips that might help you step out of the planning cocoon and into the vibrant dance of doing.

tip number one: break the step into a micro-action. instead of looking at a major goal as a single massive project, try to identify the tiniestttt action that will move you forward. for example, if your goal is to start a new habit like journaling, begin by simply writing one sentence a day. that small step feels almost trivial, but it lowers the barrier and starts a chain reaction. each micro-action is a little celebration of progress, and before you know it, you’re writing a full entry without even noticing how natural it has become. this is really helpful especially when you tend to procrastinate, (like mee) breaking down a task can be sooo helpful, and checking off little sub-tasks, getting closer to completing the base-task is so satisfying, just make sure to not have too many sub-tasks as it can get kind of overwhelming.

tip number two: embrace the idea of imperfection. our plans often feel like a promise to ourselves that everything must be flawlessly executed. but truthfully, life thrives on surprises and little missteps. give yourself the grace to experiment and to be imperfect. if you try something and it doesn’t go as planned, see it as a delightful learning curve rather than a failure. each imperfect attempt is closer to your goals, one that adds character and charm to your journey.

tip number three: set a playful deadline. if the thought of beginning feels overwhelming, create a fun, short timeframe for starting. set a timer for 15 or 20 minutes and that period is solely dedicated to moving from planning into doing. it’s like a little challenge to yourself, a mini-adventure that transforms the abstract into something tangible. when you’re engaged in this light, timed action, the pressure of perfection fades into the background. i tried this multiple times, for example, after i planned out a workout routine that totaled up to 35 minutes, i ended up procrastinating and not doing it, until i decided to set a timer for 10 minutes and i did a few exercises from the routine i planned, and accomplished about 6 of them! it make me feel so good and a day later i ended up doing the full routine, and now i do it everyday <33

tip number four: share your dream out loud. there’s something incredibly powerful about voicing your plans. it doesn't matter if you chat with a friend, jot your intentions in a personal note, or even share a snippet on your blog, you invite accountability into your space. hearing your plans out loud can make them feel more real, shifting them from thoughts into your life’s reality. i see a lot of tumblr blogs do it, for example the 100-day productivity challenge, it's super common on here. it not only adds commitment but might also bring unexpected encouragement or fresh perspectives from someone who gets you.

tip number five: create an action ritual. sometimes, a gentle ritual can signal your brain that it’s time to switch from planning mode to action mode. for me, it might be making a delciiousss smoothie (i love doing this), or playing a specific calming spotify playlist, or simply taking a few deep breaths before diving in. if you try to create a little ritual, you’re setting a clear boundary, a small, charming ceremony that honors both your planning side and your doing side.

tip number six: allow for what i call a “trial and error” mindset. instead of pressing yourself to hit the bullseye on the first try, treat every action as a cutseyy experiment. consider each attempt a hypothesis, and your goal is simply to learn something new from each experiment. this mindset not only reduces the fear of failure but also makes the journey more about self-discovery than about ticking off checklists. over time, each experiment, regardless of the outcome, becomes a stepping stone toward more confident actions.

tip number seven: mix planning with spontaneity. while it might sound contradictory, mixing your structured plans with unscheduled moments of spontaneity can really shake things up. allow yourself a bit of wiggle room in your schedule, moments where you simply go with the flow. these spontaneous choices can open up creative pathways that a strictly planned day might suppress. sometimes, the best discoveries come when you let go and simply enjoy the moment.

tip number eight: reflect on your “why.” before diving into any action, it can help to take a step back and remind yourself why you started planning in the first place. reconnect with the heart of your goal, the emotion behind it, this can be for personal growth, academic success, or simply the joy of creating something new. that connection, that inner spark, can serve as a strong motivator to nudge you out of over-analysis and into real action.

little note from mindy: planning is an art form and a comfort zone, but it’s not the destination. it’s a gentle stepping stone to a world of possibilities where every little step forward counts. your plans are a lovely blueprint, and nothing is more exciting than watching those blueprints come to life bit by bit. take a deep breath, trust in your instincts, and let your actions bloom and flow naturally.

i hope these tips bring a bit of encouragement and help you balance between the beauty of planning and the thrill of doing. sometimes, the journey itself is a mix of trials, errors, and surprising successes. but i assure you, it's all a part of the process.

thank you for sharing your thoughts and for trusting me with your question. your journey is uniquely yours, and your honesty in sharing these challenges is something to celebrate. keep planning, keep dreaming, and most importantly, find joy in taking those small yet bold steps forward.

love, mindy

[bengals-barnesbabe]

Legacy

Tee Higgins x Ochocinco!Daughter

Description: Tee's been dating one of his idol's daughter behind his back. What happen's when the reader breaks her dad's number one rule? How will Ocho react when he finds out?

a/n: I need to start writing shorter, but I physically can't. I hope it meets your expectations ♡

Word Count: 3.6k

Warnings: overprotective father figures, language,

Main Masterlist

♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡

Over the last seven months you’ve been happier than ever. You got a promotion at work, finally moved out of your dad’s house and met him. You’d never felt a love like this, he made you feel things you couldn’t have imagined. He didn’t just care about you, he cherished your love, encouraged your goals, and helped you feel safe. Tee made you feel seen in the world, in his world filled with countless others that would give anything for his attention.

Falling in love with Tee Higgins was easy, hiding it from Chad Johnson was the hard part. 

Every Memorial Day weekend your dad throws a small family kickback. At first it was his way of welcoming the summer since us kids were out of school, now that we’re older he does it so we have an excuse to spend time together. This year it’s gonna be in Miami at his new condo and of course he invited all of us, including any plus ones that we wanted to bring. Funny enough Memorial Day falls on the 7 month anniversary of you and Tee being together. The coincidence of the two dates lining up is chilling. 

Your dad was the stereotypical black father growing up, he didn’t want his daughters dating anyone until 35. While that rule was broken days after him stating it, there was one he would lay his life on the line for. 

‘No daughter of his shall ever date an athlete, but more specifically a football player.’

Real funny coming from him, the legendary NFL wide receiver. It’s also funny that your boyfriend and your dad played for the same team with the same number. Yea you’re pretty much dead if he finds out.

Thankfully there may be someone that can help you.

Calling ‘Future Rich Wine Auntie’…

“Hello?”

“I'm in a crisis.” You huff.

“Oh look it’s my poor little sister crying for my help once again, what did you do this time y/n?” She snickered.

“Jicyra, you’re two years older than me.”

“..and wiser and more stable (financially and mentally).” She mumbled that last part, not very well though.

“Hey!”

You could hear her smirk though the phone. “It’s true, I’m not in my 2nd year of residency making no where close to the current average in your field.” Well she didn’t have to rub it in.

“I know but- look we actually do have a problem.”  

“I knew it, you broke your dishwasher.” She cackles.

“Oh my god, I did not break the dishwasher. Why do you say shit like that? I’m talking about Tee and dad.” You rolled your eyes.

“Oh.. wait you still haven’t told him?”

You sigh. “Not that it’s Tee, he knows I’m dating someone.” 

“ Just rip the bandaid off, no harm no foul.” 

“That’s easier said than done, Cyra.”

“Look all I’m saying is you’re making a really big deal out of nothing. Dad ain't gon do shit, plus he considers Tee a second son half the time.”

ੈ♡˳

After getting off the phone with your sister, you started to devise a plan to tell Tee about the party, but you didn’t get far when he ended up walking through the door less than 10 minutes later. “Baby, where you at?”

“In here!” You forced a smile onto your face as he engulfed you into his fresh cucumber scented body. Probably showered at the facility. “We need to talk.” You both sit.

His face dropped and he slowly released you. “What’s up?”

“It’s not bad, it’s just we need to change our 7 month plans a bit.” You kissed your teeth.

He lets out a breath of air he didn’t know he was holding in, “that’s it. Damn baby you had me thinking this was it.” 

“No, no of course not.” You lean over and plant a brief kiss on his lips. “I would never break up with you like that, or ever. Especially if you didn’t even do anything wrong.”

“I mean there was that one dream you had.” His mouth twitched up.

“I’m a very vivid dreamer, I can’t help that. And blame that bitch from the club who tried to get in your pants.” 

“Ok what’s this about then?”

“Remember those end of school parties I told you about?” He nods. “Well my dad has invited us to his next one. It’s memorial day weekend in Miami.” 

His face shifts in realization, “I guess it’s time to tell Ocho.” He surveys the way you chew on your lips and wont meet his gaze. So he grabs your hands, pulls you into his arms and kisses your head. 

“Hey, I got you. Everything’s going to be fine, knowing your dad he’ll make a joke about it, maybe threaten me then we can have good time.”

You look up at him, “you think so?”

“I know so, baby.” You smile and pulls his lips to yours.

ੈ♡˳

You arrive at Miami Dade two days before the party and without your boyfriend, due to him having an early practice the next day. The 3 hour plane ride gave you lots of time to think of a way to break your big news to your dad without him popping a blood vessel or setting anything on fire. You decided to just break the news to him as gently as possible, give him small details then let Tee speak for himself. Sure is putting all the pressure on him a bit harsh, yes. But he asked you out in the first place, so who’s fault is it really? 

A little over a year ago.

It was your first official week in Cincinnati when Danielle, a long time friend of yours, suggested that you join her at a party that the guy she was seeing was throwing. Being so new to the city, you took her up on the offer so you could meet people. When you got to the party, it was covered in orange and black jerseys and it dawned on you that this wasn’t just some party.

“Dani, did you bring me to a Bengals victory party?”

The dark skinned woman removed her coat and smiled. The number 1 printed on the white fabric made you scoff. “I knew if I told you he was a football player, you’d find an excuse not to come.”

“You’re dating Ja’Marr Chase?” The bright smile painted on her lips couldn’t be wiped off even if tried.

“Yes, it's been 3 months and I really like him, so please just stay.” So you let the woman lead you further into the party.

Let’s be clear, your dad’s dumb rule didn’t cause your destain for the football culture, it was the fact that your entire life was centered around the sport. Dad’s a legend to the team, brother played just like him and it’s all anyone ever talked about. You stayed away from sport all together, it didn’t help when you majored in Biology to be a physical therapist, but you weren’t actually watching them play.

The party wasn’t as bad as you expected it to be, granted you spent most of the time standing by the bar carefully nursing your drink, but the vibes were nice. You’d already met most of the players on the team through your dad and work, so you weren’t surprised when Tee came up to you.

“Dr. Y/n Johnson, I thought you said I’d never see you outside the office.” He smiled discreetly looking you up and down.

“Uno’s dating my best friend.” You said nodding towards the couple on the dancefloor. “She dragged me here without telling me it was for y'all. But I guess congratulations are in order, AFC champs.”

“Oh you know, just another thing to be thankful for, just like you in that dress.” 

“Flattery will get you nowhere Higgins, but buy me another drink and maybe I'll bite.”

“Anything for a few more minutes with your fine ass.”

ੈ♡˳

Minutes at the bar turned into hours on the phone then days just to see that charming smile, so yea flattery got him the world. 

Your phone buzzes knocking you out of your daydream.

Mean Ass Bitch: I've been in the airport pickup line for 10 minutes, where you at bitch?

LOML T💜: missed you when i got home mamas, call me when you get there 

You bite your lip hiding the grin that he put on your face as you click on his contact. It rings once before you hear that deep southern drawl come through. “There goes my baby.. How was ya flight baby?” 

There isn't a moment when you don’t feel the warmness in your chest and butterflies in your stomach when it comes to this man. The charm may have gotten him in the door, but it was his goodhearted, loving nature that gave him the key.

“Hi..it was good, I managed to get a nap in so that was nice.” 

“Only the best for my baby. How you feelin? I know your nerves been goin crazy.” 

Just as you were about to answer, you spotted your sister, your very mad sister. “Hold on babe, J looks like she wants to kill me.”

“All good, we can't have that. Call me when you can, I love you.”

“I love you more Tamaurice.” You smirk as you get to her car.

“You the only one allowed to say that, wouldn't be gettin away wit that shit if you weren't so beautiful.” His tone lacks the seriousness he implied as his light chuckles come through the phone.

“Sounds good to me, byeee.” You can’t help laughing as you hang up and put your bags in Cyra’s Audi. 

“I hope you ain’t laughing at me dying in this damn heat waitin for your slow ass.” She mean mugged as you ducked into the car. 

“Nah, it’s because you're dressed like goddamn big bird in that damn sweat suit.” You teased.

“I will kick you out of this car, quit playin’ bitch.”

“Okay, okay,” you sigh as she pulls out of the airport traffic. “So how’s my gorgeous real estate queen big sis doing?”

“You know what, I’m good. Charmin’ rich people outta they money for some last leg beach houses that’ve seen one too many hurricanes. I’m very excited to get on this boat with a glass of champagne and just relax.” You nod along as she turns the radio on. “How’s the Tee and dad situation going?”

You take a deep breath and sink further into the seat, “I’ve decided to just let his presence speak for itself. They already know each other, but ‘Tee the wide receiver’ is very different from ‘Tee the man that’s dating his daughter’. I’ll try and ease the idea of him before he gets here, there’s no way I’m taking all the heat from this.”

She scoffed, “you just gon’ let your man take the fall?”

“He has said he’d do anything for me, so it probably won’t be that bad.” You shrugged.

“Yea ok Y/n, I can’t wait to see this blow up in your face.” 

ੈ♡˳

Walking into your dad’s house felt like going through a time capsule, he only bought it a few months ago but the walls and shelves were filled with pictures of us as kids and football memorabilia. “Dad she’s here.” Cyra sings taking your bag down the hallway that you hope has the rooms.

You find him in the kitchen arms deep in hamburger meat. “Uh oh Docta Johnson in the house. Come here and give your old man a hug.” Shaking you head, you humor him as much as you can without touching his hands.

“How you doing old man?”

“I’m alive, I’m happy and I’m excited to meet this boyfriend of yours. Where he at, did you tell him to wait outside? Baby you know I’m good.” He smiles as wide as he possibly can.

“I’m glad to hear it, but he’s not here yet. He has work so he’ll be flying out tomorrow night.” 

He smirks. “At least he has a job.”

Your jaw drops, “that was one time and you said you wouldn't bring it up again.” He chuckles as a frown builds on your face.

“I’m just playing, but this guy already sounds ten times better than what his name.. Jackson! Yea he was a leech.” 

“Okay, that enough boy talk. Want some help there?” You ask gesturing to the mountain of meat on the marble counter.

“I would love some, you always were the better cook. But don’t tell your sisters I said that.” He nods with a hushed voice.

You chuckle walking over to the sink. “You just did.” His brows furrowed. 

“What do you mean?” Chade and Jicyra tapped his shoulders from behind him. He eyes whitened out.

“What I meant was that Y/n’s good with protein heavy meals. Cy you make a mean salad and Chae you make the best cookies.” He smiled.

“Nice try, I do be throwin’ some flour around tho.” Chade remarks.

“Whatever, we’re off to buy some supplies for the party. Bye!” Then its just the two of you, in the kitchen seasoning about 20 lbs of meat and forming it into decent sized patties.

“So is there anything else I can squeeze out of you about this fine young black man? He is black right?”

You scoff, “what if he isn’t, what’d you say?”

“None, nothing. Your hair look too good for you to be dating a white man.” Your jaw drops for the second time today.

“I can’t. I don’t know why I’m helping you.”

“Aww my poor middle child.” You shove his arm causing him to get raw meat on his shirt. 

“Ok, I deserved that.” He nods, side eying you. “Don’t even try it.”

“You no fun. Come just tell me something about the guy.” 

You bite. “Fine, yes he’s black. He’s tall, kind, smart, sweet and I guess he’s pretty athletic.”

He hums, “athletic huh. What we talkin here NBA, NHL, FIFA?”

“I ain’t giving you no more, you’ll see him tomorrow and I’ll let him speak for himself.” You finish your part then walked out of the kitchen.

“I can read in between the lines Y/n! If Ja’Marr walks in this house tomorrow, I’m beating his ass!”

If he only knew how close he really was.

ੈ♡˳

You ended going out to dinner with your sisters when they got back. It was fun it being just being them, you could gossip and chit chat all you wanted without Ochocinco lurking around. Before bed you and Tee talked all about each other’s day and all the nerves about him meeting your dad. He reassured you that there was nothing he couldn’t handle and nothing your dad could say that changed how he felt about you. It felt good going to bed knowing your boyfriend had no worries about your relationship changing at all.

The next day was pretty chill, dad was too busy with the last minute preparations for the party. So you spent most of your time at the mall with your siblings. Your brother pretty much just groaned about the heat and the amount of time you spent in stores, but you reminded him plenty of times that he could go off on his own and he chose to stay. With that said the four of you had a pretty nice time. Until the ride home, when you could not get away from the Tee questions.

“Don’t you think its weird that they shared the same number and team?” Junior spent 20 minutes just going over the similarities between them like you hadn’t already known how odd it was.

“Jr leave her alone. How’s his stamina though?” Chade was the youngest, as anyone could probably tell with her bluntness.

“No sex questions please, this is a rental and Jr’s not afraid to blow chunks.” Cyra joked.

“Yall act like I don’t have sex.”

“Ok so would like to know what Matt and I did at your New Years Party?” Chade smirked. 

He eyes just about fell out of his head. “You and Matt? Matt my best friend? YOU AND MY BEST FRIEND FUCKED AT MY PARTY?”

That was the end of the questionnaire.

ੈ♡˳

The second you pulled into the driveway you noticed two things: your dad’s SUV was still absent and there was another random car by the curb. 

“Who’s that?” Cyra shrugged in response and just motioned you to get out. Normally someone would’ve taken offense to be thrown out of a car, but then your favorite person in the world got out of the other car.

“Damn, he is tall.” Jr’s comment was deaf to your ears as you ran over to your boyfriend.

“Hey babygirl.” He smiled wrapping his arms around you.

“What are you doing here? It’s only 4 and you weren’t supposed to land until 9. You know what I don’t care.” He lifts you onto the trunk of the vehicle so you’re eye to eye and guides your lips to his. Another feeling you could never get tired of, his plump lips against your glossy ones. Your arms wrap around his neck in an instant to pull him closer into you. You love being able to relinquish all control and just let him move you how he sees fit. He pecks your tropical scented lips once more before helping you down.

“Well that is an image I’m never getting out of my head.” Jr shakes his head and takes your bags out of the car. 

“Let’s go in the house so Y/n can properly introduce us to her beau.” You stay glued to his side as you make your way into the condo. 

As Junior rounds the corner to the bedrooms he stops in his tracks and the bags drop onto the floor.

“JUNIOR MY PERFUME!” Chade shoves him and grabs her bags. “Oh shit.”

Cyra being in no mood for their nonsense, pokes her head down the hall. “What the hell is wrong with you- hi daddy.” You shoot her a panicked look. She responds with an equally panicked shrug. The situation is impossible, there’s only one way to the living room and its to pass that very hallway. 

“This is not how this was supposed to happen.” You whine at the lowest voice you could manage. Which didn’t end up being that low in the end.

“How what’s supposed to happen?” Your dad’s voice bellows out. Tee squeezes your shoulder as the man walks into your view.

“Surprise?” 

He sighs. “Damn, I owe Junior some money.” 

“I’m sorry, what?” You blink. All of sudden your brother bursts out laughing and starts dancing around your father.

“I told you! He had his mind set on you bringing either Ja’Marr or Burrow ‘as a wildcard’. I’m ten thousand dollars richer people.” 

“You bet ten racks on who she was dating! Dad I thought you were smarted than this.” Cyra expresses dumbfounded like the rest of you.

“Dad what the fuck? Is that why you wanted to know if he was black or not?” You rolled your eyes before walking past the man into the living room.

“Y/n it wasn’t like that-

“I don’t care, I’m just glad you lost your money to the dumbest person here.” 

His forehead creased, “Was that her way of calling me the new dumbest person?” Both of your sisters nodded. “Got it.”

Then Tee, still standing at the doorway, clears his throat. “Ocho.”

Your dad turns back towards him and pulls him into a ‘bro-hug’. “Well if it isn't the younger taller version of myself. I should’ve known it was you, not because of that but you didn’t exactly take your eyes off of her when she came down to that practice.”

Tee chuckled. “Couldn’t help it, man. I would’ve talked to you the last time you came to practice, but I was under strict instructions not to. When the love of your life tells you something, I make it habit to listen.” Chade nudges you as your face heats up.

“Love of your life huh? Glad to know she’s in good hands, and you have no excuses not to go for my records now. You got a physical therapist on speed dial.” They laugh together.

“See, I told you you were worried for nothing.” Cyra joins you on the couch. 

“Yea I gues you were right.” You mutter bringing a smirk to her face.

“I’m sorry what was that? Did The Dr. Y/n Johnson just admit that she was wrong.”

You pressed your lips together and got up. “You heard me or do you need an audiologist? Cause I can’t help you in that area, you’re just getting old.” You walked over to Tee, quickly grabbed his hand and ducked when a pillow came flying your way.

“Im only 2 years older than you bitch.” You cackled running down the hall to your room.

“Hey, no funny business in my house!” You shut the door and laid back against it trying to calm down while Tee sat on the bed studying you.

“What?” You walk over and stand between his legs.

“I like this side of you.” He sucks in his bottom lip scooting back on the bed.

“Yea, well I know a side you like even more.” You saying climbing onto his lap.

His hands go around your hips and cup your ass. “Oh I like this Y/n very much.” You push him back and place ghost kisses on his lips.

“Woman if you don’t- You go to give him a peck but lightly bite his lip instead. “Fuck.”

He closes the distance between you, sucking in your lips and licking into your mouth. 

Yea you had nothing to worry about at all.

♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡

a/n: reblog if you like, comment or request any scenarios you'd like for me to write for our octopus lover♥︎

[angelswithscalywings]

Happy Anniversary, Angels with Scaly Wings! (+ Sequel Development Update)

Another year has gone by as today marks Angels with Scaly Wing's 8th birthday. Wow! It's hard to believe it's been this long. When I was initially planning the sequel (around 2017 if I remember correctly), I knew that the game with its increased scope and planned improvements compared to AwSW would take a long time to complete. It was then that I decided to create the webcomic Angels with Broken Hearts to both bridge the gap and give greater context to the setting and characters - which will be very relevant in the sequel. Of course, AwBH then turned out bigger than I initially expected as well, which I suppose is only fitting as it continues to tell new stories about the AwSW characters while I diligently continue working on the sequel. With over 300 pages already released, we may end up with over 400 in total when it's all said and done.

For the last few years I believed the end of development for the sequel to be in sight, and we have never been closer to that than we are now. However, after missing the previously announced 2023 release date I am hesitant to make any announcements I may not be able to keep. As such, only expect one when we are very close to release and I'm sure we'll make it this time - even though I do already have a date in mind I'm aiming for. But while development has certainly taken its time, for me it is finally starting to feel like we're getting there. Why am I saying that? Because in our current build, the first playthrough of the game (seeing the first ending) is already fully playable, including the possible endings and all main character routes. Why is this such a huge milestone? Because the first playthrough alone will take the average player longer to play than getting 100% in AwSW (with all achievements and endings). As such, it should be no surprise that the script of this build is already significantly larger than that of AwSW in its entirety. So, what is the current state of development? What have we achieved so far, and what is still missing? Let's break it down: - Planning / Game design is 100% done. This includes the plan for the overarching story, mechanics, mini-games, characters, main and secondary character routes, all endings, etc. - Character designs are about 95% done. - Backgrounds are about 90% done. - Music is about 90% done. - We have finished sprites for 30 story-relevant characters so far.

The sprites for about a handful of these characters are still missing (which makes a total of ~35 characters with story relevance in the game), and after that we only have to add an extra sprite to a character here and there based on other aspects of the game (such as what happens in certain endings and playthroughs beyond the first). AwSW had sprites for 21 different characters (with story relevance) + 8 one-off characters (cameos which only had a very small role in the game). The sequel will have many one-off characters as well, though they are handled differently this time. The current build has about ~30 of these so far.

- Programming/writing is about 80% done. I still need to write and implement everything that is not available during the first playthrough based on my extensive notes for what we have planned for this. This includes secondary character routes, certain endings and things that can change throughout the game based on prior playthroughs. While nothing to scoff at, this is dwarfed by the content that's already in our current build. - CG Illustrations: ? These are pictures that are usually only seen once during a playthrough, such as when meeting a character for the first time (like Adine in the rain in AwSW) or as part of the story. We haven't made quite as much progress with these yet as with the other areas, mostly because many CG illustrations are dependent on certain other things in the game being finalized first. But with the previous milestone being met, making more of these illustrations is a focus for us now. The good thing is there is really no upper limit to how many of these we can include. Most likely, we will just keep making more until it's time to release this game. With all the progress in mind, I feel like I can finally start to share a lot more about the game in the coming months. For example, I already have a gameplay clip in mind I want to release soon. Of course, I know people still have a lot of questions about the game. I believe these are answered best by experiencing the answer, rather than just being told. To that end, I am also considering to release a demo for the game that would feature the entirety of the game's first chapter. With over 70.000 words, the script for chapter 1 alone is already the size of a novel. Preparing something like this might only be possible once we are close to release, though. Perhaps another option could be to release a smaller chunk or two of chapter 1 as their own demos. What do you think? In the meantime, I'll try thinking of more fun and interesting ways I can share more about this game.

[vestaclinicpod]

Audio Drama Sunday - 6th October ✨

🌲 @hellofromthehallowoods (170) that conversation sure packs an absolute punch when heard in full, doesn’t it? 11/10 voice acting!! I can’t believe I didn’t see this verdict coming but now I worry that this isn’t something Nik fully wants anymore and is instead a part of Marolmar’s new plan for him… What an amazing season. I love you Hallowoods and I am already waiting for your return ����

🧳 Travelling Light @monstrousproductions (35) Another lovely episode which made a fantastic birthday treat for me. I couldn’t agree more that getting out for a good chunk of time in nature is the most healing thing ever 🌱 I love Annalisa. 

🎩  @ethicstownpod season finale!!! I’m trying to grapple with the presence of the entire cast in this episode. I don’t know why, but I envisioned Noah as MUCH younger than they apparently are and did a triple take when their vocation was revealed. What a great season! 

🖥️ The Magnus Protocol (fluff ep) OKAY but it’s not really fluff in the context of the current canon, is it? It’s just a bit painful!! Why?!

🗺 Tales From the Lost City @tales-from-the-low-city (11) gave us a fantastic new episode about the dangers of genius. I feel like we’re meant to get our red string out for this season but this show is such a comfort listen for me that I’m happy to just let the stories and imagery wash over me like a gentle breeze. 

Have a great week!

[makeste]

BnHA Volume 36 - Reaction Journey Part 2

continuing on our journey following yesterday’s volume 35 post! some more out-of-context random bullet point reactions taken from my reaction posts for each chapter. the full reactions for each chapter will go up eventually once I finish my manga catch-up marathon (currently at chapter 367).

spoiler warning: just fyi, this post will obviously feature spoilers for chapters 350-362, BUT it will also include a couple of stray spoilers from chapter 403 as well, so just a heads up for that if you aren’t fully caught up!

Chapter 351

friends, we are about to embark upon the most dramatic, theatrical, Shakespearean disaster of a fight this series has ever witnessed. brace yourselves

yes Shouto, that’s just cuz he literally doesn’t feel pain and doesn’t care if he lives or dies :’)

IS THIS PART OF THE PLAN??? IS SHOUTO NOT FIGHTING BACK BECAUSE HE’S TOO BUSY CONCENTRATING ON WHATEVER THING HE’S DOING?? BECAUSE IF NOT HOLY SHIT. YOU’RE ALLOWED TO FIGHT BACK SHOUTO

actually come to think of it, he hasn’t attacked once so far. not even the usual giant ice wall opener move. he’s definitely got something up his sleeve. but my god man in the meantime this is hard to watch

sorry Touya, but as justified as your grudge against Enji might be, your grudge against Shouto? not so much. I get it, life handed Shouto the keys to your dream life and he had the audacity to say he didn’t want to drive. but Shouto is allowed to make his own choices, and want his own things. for that matter, so are you. but you’re just stuck. gah. it’s so frustrating and yet the psychology of it is so incredibly compelling

“I might not have the clearest sense of my own identity, but at least I didn’t kill 30 people” fjdsjd gottem

“phosphor” is such a next-level attack name. pretty sure it has more to do with light than fire/heat, but with as white-hot as this attack looks to be, I get it and it definitely works

Chapter 352

love that Kaminari’s instinct when seeing this giant flaming X on Shouto’s chest is to immediately poke it. repeatedly. while Shouto just stands there and vibrates uncomfortably

finally!! a proper half-cold-half-hot ultimate supermove!! though I still don’t quite understand how “making fire that doesn’t actually burn things” is going to help in a battle in any kind of way. BUT I CAN’T WAIT TO BE PROPERLY EDUCATED

he’s thanking Deku. for helping him start to discover his true self all those eons ago. what a sweet sweet boy

omg here it comes ULTIMATE MOVE YESSSS

SLAM DUNK NAME AND VISUAL!!! 10/10!!! HELL FUCKING YEAH WAY TO LIVE UP TO THE HYPE HOLY SHIT

fuck. okay, yeah. if you give me a shounen character reminiscing over his hard-earned personal growth, and feeling profound gratitude toward his friends who helped him get this far, and then you suddenly hit me with the crying little kid panels to remind us of who these two characters really are, at the end of the day, once you strip away all the rest of it. you show me little baby Touya who’s just desperate to be loved and validated and acknowledged. and you show me little baby Shouto who understands his brother’s feelings completely, and doesn’t want to actually be here doing this, but knows that he has to because there’s no one else who can. if you go ahead and show me all of that!! well then!! I mean, good fucking job!! you knew exactly what you were doing!! well done!! you got the tears again so well done to you!! lmao

Chapter 353

okay is every single person here trying to jinx themselves now?? you guys do realize how absurdly lucky you are that Shouto finished his epic battle in the span of only 2 chapters? are you trying to draw more misfortune to yourselves??

“hey guys! great news, Todoroki already finished his fight” fdfklskf Kacchan’s gonna fucking lose it lmao. to say nothing of poor Deku who’s still busy hurtling across the Pacific

WHO IS THIS??!

lol what. he’s wearing a shirt collar and suit jacket as pants. and he’s got weird carpet hair and a disquietingly sexy face. AND FLOWER POWER?? who, is this, and why has it taken us 353 chapters to meet him. OR HER??? GENDER-AMBIGUOUS ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE. YOUR FIGHT BETTER BE COOL AS HELL YOU WEIRDO

how is Spinner actually TWENTY FEET TALL NOW??? like, that earlier panel wasn’t actually a fluke or something, that was actually happening?? you smashed a bridge to pieces?!? somehow you’re a Kaijuu now???

this seriously cannot be it though, especially since Iida didn’t even get to do anything. and I really, really, really fucking hate how nervous it’s making me noooo whyyyy

Chapter 354

there is no possible way anything Endeavor tries here will actually work. he’s giving off so many dead man walking vibes right now and I am not okay

DOES FIRE EVEN WORK ON AFO?? LORD KNOWS IT DOESN’T WORK ON ANYBODY ELSE

Hawks is shouting at him lol. “remember what happened to All Might in Kamino!” for real though! how do they keep falling for it??

oh my god what a sickening realization. to learn that the reason you never found your child was that he was taken. not killed, but taken. that it was never even an accident at all, but deliberate. he was targeted and hurt and taken because of you. and the man responsible for it is standing right here in front of you

YOU HAD SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLDS??? YOU HAD MORE SUPERPOWERED OP SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLDS IN RESERVE THIS ENTIRE TIME???? AND YOU DIDN’T THINK TO USE THEM????

what’s AFO even going to do to them lol. I would love to see AFO stumble around and try to come up with some big intimidating weak-point-attacking speech for Tokoyami “The Darkness Is Where I Make My Home” Fumikage. he would probably love it. just sit there hungrily lapping it all up. “no but please keep telling me more about how tormented my soul is, this is great”

Chapter 355

I can’t believe Jirou and Tokoyami are about to fight god

I love Tokoyami and Hawks’s relationship so, so much. there’s just so much trust between the two of them. like on the surface it might seem like Hawks keeps underestimating Tokoyami every step of the way. but in reality it’s more that Hawks, being a former child soldier himself, is extremely reluctant to subject someone else to that, regardless of whether the circumstances are the same, and regardless of how capable Tokoyami keeps proving himself to be. yet another example of Hawks being continuously forced to walk a razor-thin line between decisions that he can live with, and decisions that will actually keep him alive. Tokoyami is a phenomenally powerful fighter, and his presence here absolutely helps tip the scales in their favor. but it’s also an insanely dangerous place for him to be, and so of course Hawks doesn’t want him here

meanwhile on Tokoyami’s end, he started out simply wanting to prove himself to Hawks, but once Hawks opened up to him, his exasperation almost immediately gave way to admiration and respect. and then he almost lost him at Jakku, and I think that really did a number on him, and so he’s so attached to and protective of him now. and I think that in turn has caused Hawks to try and keep his distance a little more, both because he has no idea how to deal with that emotionally, and because he doesn’t want Toko getting hurt. it’s such a delightfully complex relationship and I want to hold it and protect it with everything I have

AFO IS A BAD BITCH YES, BUT YOU ARE EVEN BADDER JIROU GET HIS ASS

lol he is REALLY cheesed about her showing him up in the previous chapter. definitely took it personally

I’m getting so many Bakugou vibes from this. legit getting chills over here. “shut your stupid mouth already.” she recognized the small dick energy a mile away

DIDN’T EVEN NEED ENDEAVOR AFTER ALL LMAO. THAT’S THE COOL, REFRESHING POWER OF JIROU

Chapter 356

AFO LITERALLY CAN’T EVEN PROCESS WHAT’S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW AND IT’S AMAZING

it’s okay to admit you just suck and are getting your ass whooped by Hawks and the sixteen-year-olds

what are you, a Zelda boss?? so he’s got a fucking phase 2 now?? WHY ARE YOU THE MOST ANNOYING MAN

DON’T DIE ENJI YOU FUCKING LOSER YOUR BOYS NEED CLOSURE AND SO DO I GODDAMMIT

ARE YOU REALLY DOING THIS WITH JUST THE ONE ARM YOU ABSOLUTE LUNATIC

anyways, wow. after getting COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY shown up by newly minted main character Jirou Kyouka, Endeavor got his moment after all. whatever else he may be, he’s a damn good fucking hero. and if anyone deserves to get punched so hard they burst into flames, it’s AFO, so yeah

Chapter 357

what a sassy little birb. like how he now has the sexy soon-to-be scar as well! you are now officially a Todoroki

YOU CAN SHOOT FIRE OUT OF YOUR EYEBALLS NOW?? YOU SHOOT LASERS?? THAT’S JUST A THING THAT YOU DO NOW???

fff Endeavor please don’t die :|!!!!

please zap AFO’s other hand!!! I am getting so freaking anxious right now. he’s either gonna win it all here or else something terrible is about to happen

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK

DID HORIKOSHI KNOW??? WHEN HE WAS DRAWING THIS??? THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE THE SINGLE WORST THING ANYONE HAS EVER DRAWN!??!?!!

OH MY GOD I SCROLLED DOWN AND IT WASN'T ACTUALLY THE END OF THE CHAPTER AHHHHHH. FOR SOME REASON I JUST ASSUMED IT WAS. POSSIBLY BECAUSE ALL I WANT RIGHT NOW IS TO FLING THIS MANGA AWAY FROM ME AND INCINERATE IT WITH A BLOWTORCH

Chapter 358

did TomurAFO really just slap a huge chunk of the iconic U.A. school building to pieces with his disgusting infinityhands all unceremoniously just like that. is nothing sacred anymore. what are you gonna do next?? kill off the most popular character??

“so anyway here’s 1000 words on why me becoming a despot is actually a good thing” dude just shut up and get back to slapping shit already

KACCHAN WENT TO THE SUPPORT COURSE FOR AN UPGRADE?? AND WE WERE DEPRIVED OF THAT ENTIRE INTERACTION?! YOU’RE TELLING ME THAT KACCHAN HAS MET HATSUME MEI AND IT WAS OFFSCREENED?? I am suing this manga for wasting my life

magnificent. inspired. I can’t believe this child is going to be fucking dead like three chapters from now (˘̩̩̩ε˘̩ƪ)

THE PALPABLE FUCKING CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!!!

FUCK YEAH KACCHAN MAKE THE BAD MAN GO BOOM

Chapter 359

is this dude actually livestreaming the battle

bitch he’s going toe to toe with the final villain while you’re down in the basement making a Tiktok. you are not the same

HIS FUCKING ARM, FUCK ME. FUCK. FUCK!!

his arm is literal splinters right now and all he cares about is that TomurAFO wasn’t impressed with his new cluster move :’’’’) it’s okay. it’s okay this is fine

this is literally Aizawa’s worst nightmare. greatest fear come to life. one of his students is hurt and in danger and he can’t do anything. Shirakumo all over again. Bakugou is about to die right in front of him and he’s so fucking desperate but he can’t do anything

omg. what a goated fucking chapter. Bakugou angst! Aizawa angst!! Aizawa Being Terrified Over An Imminent Threat to Bakugou’s Safety angst!! and to top it all off, “YOU’RE CLOSER TO MIDORIYA IZUKU THAN ANYONE AND THAT’S WHY I’M ABOUT TO MAKE YOU SUFFER” angst. hoooooooooooly shit

Chapter 360

so he’s literally just. torturing him. just fucking around. wow

WHY IS TOMURAFO JUST CONTINUING TO HAVE ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD TO KEEP ON DOING THIS. WHERE THE FUCK ARE ALL THE REST OF THE HEROES?? FFS, DEKU’S NOT HERE TO THROW A BACKPACK THIS TIME, WHY DOES EVERYONE ELSE FUCKING SUCK SO HARD AT SAVING HIM?!

Studio Bones is gonna have to utilize some sort of AI program to autogenerate these hand things for all their fight scenes. I feel really sorry for that AI and I just hope that it doesn’t somehow develop sentience and take revenge on us all. it would be within its rights to do so

MIRIOOOOOOOO. ACTUAL BEST CHARACTER IN THE SERIES!!! YOU CAN LAUGH AT KACCHAN’S HERO NAME ALL YOU WANT YOU FUCKING STUD. YOU EARNED IT

why was this man not our vanguard. why, when we lost our trump card in the first ten seconds of the fight, did it not occur to a single person that, WELL HEY, SINCE IT LOOKS LIKE THE DEKU THING MIGHT NOT END UP WORKING OUT. WHAT IF WE JUST, YOU KNOW, MIRIO

welp. if anyone needs me. I’ll be in my room crying over fictional characters

Chapter 361

QUICKLY NOW! WHILE HE’S DISTRACTED REMEMBERING HOW HE USED TO BE CUTE AND NOT-EVIL!!

why do I feel like Mirio also got the strange, fleeting impression that he was talking to someone else other than TomurAFO for a moment there? he looks like he’s WEIRDED OUT AS ALL FUCK, but also genuinely sorry for offending him lol

JEANIST IS STANDING UP AND TRYING TO DISTRACT TOMURAFO TO PROTECT KACCHAN, I AM YET AGAIN AWASH IN FEELINGS

I know I sound like a broken record here but Tamaki, not allowed to die, etc. etc. just so we’re clear Horikoshi. I don’t trust you to remember!!

WHAT THE FUCK DID THEY FEED THIS KID BEFORE THEY WENT INTO BATTLE OMFG!!!!!!!

WHAT A TERRIFYING THING TO BEHOLD. I DON’T SEE HOW THIS IS GOING TO DO FUCKALL AGAINST TOMURAFO NO MATTER HOW EXCITED THEY ARE ABOUT IT, BUT EVEN SO, GODDAMN

Chapter 362

oh my GOD WHY DOES MY HEART ALREADY HURT SO MUCH aaaaugh I’m not going to survive this am I. Kacchan we’ll die together

did he already know?! NOBODY FUCKING TOLD ME HE ALREADY KNEW?? HE KNEW HOW IT WOULD END, AND HE WENT WILLINGLY. THE SACRIFICE PLAY, oh my god, my heart is pieces

Jeanist’s eyes are so wide and he’s using his quirk and telling Katsuki to stop. he knows. what tipped you off. was it the “take care of everyone” while standing up with sudden terrifying purpose even though he’s already half-dead. was it that. it was that wasn’t it

I AM SO NOT FINE RIGHT NOW IT’S UNBELIEVABLE

that’s it. it’s over. Horikoshi’s won. it’s all fucking over we never stood a fucking chance in hell

Kacchan’s face, when he’s not scrunching it up in a glare, or a frown, or grinning like a homicidal maniac, never ceases to just effortlessly slip past every last one of my defenses. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, he just looks so freaking young. like the schoolboy he in fact is. far, far too young to be caught up in a war and facing his own imminent death

seeing him like this now, in his own mental landscape, where he’s free to be himself, and seeing how much of a difference it makes in his demeanor almost immediately, just hits me real fucking hard. he was just way too hard on himself. and he never let himself ask for the autograph because he never felt like he fully earned it, and now it’s too late (or so he thinks), and just. guh

Kacchan dying with that much regret in his heart is not fucking okay and I wanna fight a man about it even though it didn’t even actually wind up happening sob

I love, and hate, that every single other hero there actually did try to stop it. they just weren’t fast enough. god

PUTTING HIS PARENTS THERE WAS A DICK MOVE ON HORIKOSHI’S PART. OH HELLO BAKUFAM HOW ARE YOU, AND BY THE WAY, YOUR CHILD JUST DIED. WHAT A TERRIBLE DAY FOR RAIN

[usafphantom2]

NGAD review should end before the end of the year

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 10/31/2024 - 11:00 in Military

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The future of the U.S. Air Force's next-generation fighter jet, the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD), will be decided by the end of the year, the service's top officer said on October 25.

"We intend to have this by December," said the Chief of Staff, General David W. Allvin, at the Conference of Military Reporters and Editors in Washington, D.C. "We also want to be able to influence the Department's Presidential Budget Proposal in February."

As currently designed, the NGAD combat aircraft is a "very expensive and very capable manned platform," Allvin said. The U.S. Air Force paused the project this summer, as it was reaching a point of decision to choose among competing designs to replace the F-22 Raptor. Instead of committing, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall wanted to make sure that the USAF was not betting its future on a capacity that could be obtained at a lower cost if the requirements were changed.

The design of the NGAD precedes the progress that the USAF has made with the semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Allvin said that the Air Force plans to have more than 150 CCAs in service over the next five years.

CCAs do not require life support systems and can be developed for a fraction of the cost of manned fighters. This is raising questions about what the mixture of manned and unmanned aircraft should be.

"NGAD is a family of systems," said Allvin. "A part of the system is the NGAD manned air penetration platform. Some would say it's the continuation of the F-22. ... It is part of a family of systems. This family of systems includes Collaborative Combat Aircraft, which are not manned. But they are already in progress."

The U.S. Air Force is studying its future force design at the same time, driven by China's growing army and its anti-access/area denial strategy in the South China Sea. The manned NGAD platform should be able to penetrate these defenses, but the threat today is greater than it was just a few years ago.

"The ability to say: 'We know that when this platform delivers, it will face the threat' - I think we are less sure about it than we had when we designed it," said Allvin.

"We are now at the point where... if we follow this path, this will be a very, very expensive program," Alvin added. "The question is, with the cost, the capacity and where the threat is, is it the right choice?"

Stoping to consider all the options is not "rolling slowly or stagnating," said Allvin. "I would call this something prudent because, once we pass through this one-way door, it is difficult to change direction."

The U.S. Air Force set the cost of the NGAD at "hundreds of millions of dollars," but Kendall said in September that he wants the capacity of the NGAD on a much less expensive platform: no more than the cost of today's F-35 - less than half the cost of the projected NGAD manned aircraft.

The CCAs were what changed Kendall's thinking. Designed to work closely with the F-35 and B-21 Raider bombers, they could reduce the need for a penetrating fighter jet and make the additional B-21s more attractive to planners. The U.S. Air Force never said that the NGAD would resemble the F-22 or other fighter-type platforms designed to outperform rival fighters. Its mission is to penetrate and suppress enemy air defenses, which can make it more like a smaller and faster stealth bomber.

Would the Air Force consider buying more than the 100 B-21s planned now? Allvin replied: "We didn't take it off the table."

However, developing and fielding manned NGAD aircraft remains a possibility, Allvin said. "I don't like people to have the assumption that, because we are stopping and analyzing, we are moving away from it," he said. "This decision was not made."

A high-level panel, including three former Air Force Chiefs of Staff, a former Vice President of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and two leading civilian experts is reviewing the evidence now and will recommend a way forward in December.

"As we analyze this, we need to understand: 'Is this the best for the cost of what we think the threat will be?' And 'Is this the best way to achieve air superiority?'", said Allvin. "And if we find out that this platform design, as currently instantiated, is the best... we have to figure out how to pay for it."

Source: Air & Space Forces Magazine

Tags: Military AviationNGAD.USAF - United States Air Force / US Air Force

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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[muldermuse]

OMG I LOVE UR FICS PLS MAKE MORE MULDER FICS!!!!! maybe one idea could be him just being all cute and jealous over you being flirted by another cute coworker and scully probs is laughing at how mulder just needs to make a move anytime now because all he’s doing is just pining and jealously watching someone else flirt with his coworker crush!

Thank you sweet angel!!!! Lemme know what you think <3

A/N: I wrote this in like 45 mins so it might not be 100% but I think it's cute AND it was fun to write. Tysm for the prompt.

Pls send more here!!!

He just happened to bump into you; it was pure coincidence. What are the chances that he knew that you went for your pre lunch coffee between 11:25 and 11:35 every day? It was always a filter coffee with half a sugar and creamer in your pink heart mug. Sometimes he noticed that you’d have a muffin but that was usually on days when you looked stressed. You were glowing today so he knew you’d just have your drink, make idle chit chat with some of the other agents and go back to your desk. For the past three weeks, Fox had tried to speak to you everyday. Whilst waiting in the elevator to go to the canteen, he’d rehearse his opening line over and over in his head. If he overheard you talking about something, he’d note it in his pad and make a point to bring it up to you again. Over the past three weeks he had spoke to you nearly everyday, he loved the way your face lit up as he approached you and he swore that you smiled brighter for him than for your other colleagues. It quickly became his favourite part of the day, those ten minutes took him away from everything and all he could focus on was you. The way you rubbed his arm when he made you laugh and how you always asked how he was. He always felt out of place within the building, he knew he stuck out in the canteen and he felt glares as soon as he walked through the door. You made those feelings dissipate, he left feeling warm and welcomed. He swore the next time he saw you he would ask you out. You’d mentioned having no plans for the weekend and how you really wanted to go to this new diner. He had no idea if you were dropping a hint or just innocently talking. He should have done it then and there but your pager sounded and you gave your apologies and left. His heart thrummed with excitement at the thought of asking you.

There was one problem with his plan and that problem was called Carson. That problem was currently leaning against the counter and running his thumb over your hand. Fox had seen Carson before, he was popular with the women of the office and seemed to Mulder as if he based his personality on former glories. In Fox’s limited interactions with him, he spoke about how some of his proudest moments were on the football field and how he still had his Prom King photo framed in his bedroom. Fox Mulder was confident but Carson exuded a confidence that made Fox feel small. Carson reminded Fox of everything he hated and now he was staring as everything he hated in a person was making a move on everything he admired in a person. You looked over at him and waved, your bright smile filling your face as you motioned for him to come over. He nodded and turned around, heading straight back towards the elevator and back down to the basement. His heart was placed firmly in his stomach as he swallowed down feelings of rejection.

***

The clock ticked past 11:36 and Fox had not moved, his fingers were interlocked as his boots rested on the desk and he stared up at the pencils hanging in the ceiling. He should have been in the canteen ten minutes ago but he could not bare the thought of seeing you and Carson. 

“You’re not doing this again,” Scully threw his jacket over his head. “I am not spending another day watching you mope and pretend not to be interested in going upstairs to get a coffee.”

Fox did not move, he stayed in the exact same position with the jacket covering his head. He knew Scully had picked up on his mood and to be honest, he was not trying to hide it. He had spent the past three days doing anything but working and his desk had become stacked with files. Scully had tried everything to get him to engage but the soft approach had so far been fruitless, so now she was going for a different tact. 

“I’m going upstairs to get a coffee and if I so happen to see a certain someone, I am going to ask her to come downstairs and speak to you” He knew she wasn’t bluffing. 

“Scully- that’s not funny.” His voice was muffled under the jacket.

“No Mulder, what isn’t funny is you acting like a high schooler because you’re annoyed about Carson speaking to her.” He heard her heels click across the floor as she switched the light off. "I’m going upstairs, are you going to stay here and suffocate under that jacket?”

You might not even be upstairs, he reasoned. If he went upstairs and was absolutely fine, maybe Scully would get off his back and he could just start going into the canteen at 11:40 so he didn’t have to see you and he could just spend the rest of his working life pining from afar. He heard the elevator ding and the familiar sound of Scully’s heels enter it.

“Mulder, I’m holding this elevator for 10 seconds. Let’s go” He cursed as he threw his jacket to the floor and stomped after his colleague.

She smiled victoriously as he entered the elevator with a huff, “see- it wasn’t that hard.”

***

He smiled as soon as he saw you, you had your usual mug and a muffin. Maybe today had been a difficult day and he suddenly felt guilty for ignoring you. Carson was sat with you but he noticed your face- you looked bored. Carson was laughing about something as you smiled back but it didn’t reach your eyes. You hadn’t seen Fox and he watched as you picked at the muffin, occasionally saying something to agree with Carson. 

Scully brought over two coffees, “She isn’t interested in him you know? Look at how she looks at him, she’s just being polite”. Fox brought the coffee to his lips as he moved his gaze over to Carson who seemed completely oblivious to the negative energy you were exerting. You weren’t even making eye contact with the man in front of you, you traced your fingers over the pink mug and ran your teeth across your bottom lip. 

“Fox Mulder, I have seen you chase down monsters, I have watched you put your life on the line to save the lives of countless people. I have never seen you scared and I have never seen you retreat from anything. But right now...” Scully giggled to herself, “You are hiding in the basement because you are scared of asking a pretty girl to go for a burger with you.” The ridiculousness of the sentence made Scully laugh more. Fox couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face as he heard his partner’s laughter. 

“I can’t just go over Scully, she’s speaking to someone. It would b-“ Before Fox could finish, Scully was on her feet walking over to your table and placing her hand on Carson’s shoulder. She moved her head over to the counter as Carson stood up and quickly apologised to you. Scully raised her eyebrows at Fox as he realised what she had done. She’d removed the problem and left you sat alone. 

“So, you never have a muffin unless it’s a bad day.” You smiled as soon as you heard Fox’s voice. It was a real smile, one that he had not seen on you today and that made all feelings of anxiety leave his body. “Do you want to talk about it over a burger? You mentioned the Diner on Ellesmere Lane? I drive past there and I thought…I mean you don’t have to…” He felt the panic rise as he seemed to start speaking in circles “You might have already gone but I just thought maybe, I could take you?”

Your hand covered his and you squeezed it tightly, “I honestly thought you’d never ask. I’d love to go. Meet there tonight after work? Around 6?”

[moonshine-nightlight]

2024 Writing - Plans

similar to last year, i wanted to post a little look forward at my plans for writing this year are. the necessary disclaimer: this is 100% high level, optimistic, ideal situation and subject to change but i still like thinking about it and posting for anyone who's interested. see this post for last years!

so, i like separating things out it mini goals/sections so see below:

Nothing's Wrong with Dale: with DSM self-published under my belt, I'd like to focus on the NWWD publishing journey next! The main obstacles/costs are time and money. Hiring an editor and a cover artist are the pricey-est part of the process but my own edit (first to convert everything from 2nd POV to 3rd POV and then another high-level edit/revise once i've got it in the right POV) will take the most time and needs to be done before i hand it over to an editor. Then after the editor takes their time (and NWWD is much longer than DSM), and finally i need to process all of their edits as well. And i need to do all of this while i do my day job lol.

i've already converted the first 11 chapters to 3rd POV (i hav some IRL friends/betas who only read that version, so if u feel like the tumblr version took a lot of time lol). the timing of being able to publish this year will all end up depending on how quickly i can do all that and kick off the part of the process that depends on outside parties. Even if i manage to self-publish in this year, i don't expect it to come out until lik December and even that's ideal, super best case scenario.

Long Stories: I want to outline both A Perfectly Ordinary Research Position and Shadow Diplomacy and then pick one to be the new long story on here. I do what i call a chapter outline and a scene outline, which is confusing to not!me because the scene = a chapter on here. i should probably rename that process lol. (NWWD was 11 'chapters' and 35 'scenes' for reference).

once i pick a project, i just hope to post as many chapters as i can. Since this will be new, long, and likely just building steam, i actually think it'll be my lower priority after the Short Stories and NWWD publishing, but we'll see. i'd like to start putting that up in June, according to my tentative 2024 schedule.

Short Stories: Since i didn't get as many of these done in 2023 and they've been haunting my brain longer, i want to for sure get some of these shorter stories done. learning from last years overestimation lol, i plan to post 3 short stories: Courtship Confusion, Feral, and finish Free Piano: Haunted, in that order. i'm excited about all these stories and will let me cover 3 different types of pairings (although technically all are Reader) which is fun. All have been outlined and have parts and pieces written. I wish Feral and FPH could both happen in the fall but the timing just doesnt work out so summers gonna b a little spooky lol.

The schedule i worked out makes it so all this will be possible, but also basically has no breaks in sunday postings after my haitus which is beyond optimistic but i lik to start overly confident lol

Hiatus: this is also your reminder that my work has a specific Busy Season which honestly started already (lucky me) and i will b beyond busy Jan-March at a minimum. i hav more projects than ever with my promotion, a lot to learn, and a lot to juggle so minimum 6 day work weeks will be the name of the game - but hopefully all goes well and i'll get a nice bonus i can feed directly to my editors lol

anyway, that's where i'm at right now and I'm looking forward to all the exciting writing and publishing to come in 2024!

Feel free to send in any asks about upcoming/current stories!

Thanks again for all your support in 2023 and Happy New Year!

[ciciciron]

Commission Info

Injured my shoulder while working a month ago and I'm just now planning to go to the doctor, price of that and any time missed from work + Christmas presents is adding up to more than I expected so I'm reblogging my commission info once more

Info under the cut, support is appreciated!

Lately I've been painting more, a lot of my current references are in that style because of that

Prices range from around $40 to $75 depending on complexity of character design and background, the first image is an example of that lower end of the spectrum while the other two are the higher end, the 4th image is just a more modern example of the style. Max I'd charge is $80 unless you want something huge

I've also got a more simplistic art style if that's more your fashion, it's also cheaper and less time intensive, $20 - $35 once more depending on complexity. I don't have a proper example of the higher end of the spectrum currently but this will all be updated as time progresses

And lastly I've got the simpliest option available, $5 - $10, it's the fastest style out of the 3 of these and will probably be going up as an option on my Kofi

In terms of what I won't draw, it's simple- NSFW content is off limits. I'm best at drawing people but I can and will draw animals/pokemon, as well as anthro characters if requested. I will draw ship art so long as it isn't pedophilia or incest. Note that NSFW in this case includes things both of a sexual nature or depicting severe violence, slight blood or gore is okay

Discounts are offered for things such as a lack of a background or simple shading, and tips are appreciated but of course not required especially with the more complex pieces

All payments are done via Paypal unless that is simply not an option, in which we can find a work around, sketch is provided before payment is expected, for bigger commissions I typically adopt payment in two parts to make everything feel more fair for both of us. I try to work quickly and be receptive to customer feedback to make sure you like the final artwork

Once more all support is appreciated! Thank you!

[klutzymaiden123]

HII, ok so I finished reading the current chapters of the fanfic and I've got to say, IM IN LOVE. The way you portray Helga's character is amazing like that's exactly the image of her than I had in my head. Of course, I love all the characters but Helga stands out to me the most because of this guilt complex she has and the complexity of her character (idk if that makes sense but I hope it does). I wanted to know if you were including a snippet of Arnold's POV in the chapter(s) your currently working on and I also wanted to know if you were planning on releasing chapter 31 when it's done or releasing it when you already have a clear thought of what chapter 32-35 (guesstimate) are gonna include/look like

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I enjoy writing this story so much and Helga is such a fun and intriguing character to write! Most of the girls are, but Helga is the most challenging and rewarding for me to write, since she's canonically already such a complex character!

And totally, of course! Arnold's POV originally wasn't even apart of the drafts. Their encounter in 28 was supposed to be a lot different, but when I was actually writing it, things spurred out of control. So for Chapter 31, I decided to throw in a scene from his perspective, because even I was like, "What's going on with this kid?" It's definitely my favourite scene in the chapter so don't worry, his POV is still apart of the re-drafts. And the Shortaki will be cranking up from now on!

Chapter 31 will be released when I have finished writing Chapter 32. It's taken so long just because it's quite an intense and emotionally driven chapter. I've had it planned from the start and like Chapter 30, I want to get it exactly right. Good news, I'm already on my third re-write for 32, so even if I go back for a fourth re-write (as I did for 30), 31 will be posted before then! 32-35 have been re-organised and to an extent, they still are, but they're falling really well into place because the inspiration that hit me was HAWT.

But thank you so much for your kindness and your comment! I am happy that you're enjoying this as much as I am! Annnnnd normally, I don't squeeze in snippets into asks, but because this chapter has taken awhile and you guys have been so patient, I'm sharing a portion of Arnold's section in the next chapter. Enjoy!

Years ago, when Helga had walked away from him, Arnold thought that there would only ever be ashes between them. That between them stood a barren wasteland. But she had come back and turned everything back around.

He realised how nonsensical that sounded; she had walked away and yet somehow, he had become lost. It was like she had turned the light out. Or led him deep into a maze then sealed it shut as she abandoned him. There had been a loss carved into his chest and he knew that if he tugged hard enough, it would all lead back to her. The guilt. Maybe it had been his fault; maybe it had always been his fault. It was his words that had caused her to pull back until she was with the shadows. He wanted another go so he could make things right.

He had spent years wondering what would happen if there had been a second chance. Did he want something to happen? What was he supposed to say—sorry that I hurt you? Would that ever be enough? He had searched for words that could match his feelings, but he had never found them. He still hadn’t gotten it right because Helga had always been different from everyone that he ever knew.

So when she turned to repeat what had happened between them years ago, he had acted without thinking. He wrapped his hands around her and pulled her back until she was at his side.

And it was weird. He was touching her and yet, it was her touch that sent sparks shooting across his skin. His heart had been in his throat and he suddenly found it hard to talk. And maybe over the years, he had begun to believe her. Maybe, for as much as he had preached that there was more to Helga Pataki, a part of him had also gotten swept up within her performance. Believed that she was hardened and nothing could affect her. But beneath his fingers, her cheeks had turned into rosebuds, and he remembered that she was nothing like the girl she pretended to be.

And when she had looked at him, something passed between them. Something had been passing between them for a while now. It filled him with that feeling. The feeling that he had only gotten when he was around her—something that welled in his chest and flushed him so warm that he couldn’t help smiling. It happened automatically and without permission. He couldn’t control it. He didn’t know when it had begun, only that it had been getting harder and harder to hold himself back from doing something stupid while in her presence.

It had been happening more and more frequently lately. When the lights became tangled in her hair. When her eyes would lift from the ground into his. When her fingers were wrapped around his arm. When she said his name. When she stood so close that he could smell her hair. Daffodils. He loved that smell. But what had changed? Had anything changed? There had been many times where he had looked at her and thought that she was pretty. Beautiful. And it made Arnold’s cheeks burn. His stomach would dance. But why? Where was all this coming from? And why was he checking his inbox again?

[f1-ferraero]

Your analysis is very informative and interesting!!!

I too am looking forward to seeing what the imola upgrades bring.

Correct me if I'm wrong but did ferrari not say they were going to upgrade the floor in miami? Did I hear wrong or plans changed or smth?

Also dis the track temperature in miami have a great impact on ferrari tyre performance? And will imola being colder bring issues like china?

I hope I don't come across as irritating i just really appreciate your takes😅

Hi anon! You're definitely not irritating! I love receiving asks and being able to discuss/rant about all kinds of f1 related stuff. You're very welcome here! And I'm sorry that my answer took a while :)

Floor in Miami:

Yes. After the team's struggles in China they made the decision to bring the floor early, hoping that it might solve their issues with tyre warming. However, a sprint weekend isn't ideal for bringing upgrades and the tyre data from the sim made Ferrari confident enough to revert to the original Imola plan.

Track temperature and tyre performance:

The reported issue in China was that the Ferrari drivers spent about 20 laps (of a 35/39 lap stint) trying to get heat into their hard tyres (track temperatures slightly below 30°c), but when they finally got them into the right window temperature wise they were worn down/past their peak and gave no real performance gains. The mediums were better, but not great.

It's necessary here to make the difference clear between tyre degradation and tyre wear. Degradation is caused by the rubber gradually losing its grippy properties as the polymers break down or deform after continuous heat cycles, which makes them slower as they have less grip. Tyre wear can be better explained as damage or deterioration of the tyre itself. The wear is usually visible through graining or blistering. Degradation can often lead to tyre wear, as sliding and wheel spin caused by low grip will cause more deterioration.

Shanghai is generally a track that is quite harsh on the tyres: asphalt abrasion is very high (a high level of abrasion tends to lead to higher tyre wear), as is the overall tyre stress, the braking and the lateral forces caused by the track layout. As a mouldy cherry on top, asphalt grip is very low, and even lower than usual because of the low temperatures.

This means tyres get worn down quite quickly, especially if they are cold like Ferrari's were. Most teams were therefore on a 2-3 stop strategy, with the only exception being Ferrari and Norris on a 1 stop

Track characteristics of Shanghai:

Miami however is much kinder on the tyres: asphalt abrasion is low, and stress, braking, lateral and grip are all at a medium level. With the high temperatures (track temperatures of 40-45°c) Ferrari had little problem getting the tyres into the right window. Miami was a 1 stop for almost everyone. So to answer part of your question, yes. Compared to China the temperatures and track characteristics of Miami did have a big positive impact on Ferrari's tyre performance (most obvious in qualifying), but at the same time none of the other teams were disadvantaged by it so Ferrari didn't gain anything beyond fixing their own issues.

Track characteristics of Miami:

Imola is predicted to be colder than Miami but warmer than Shanghai at around 20-25°c air temperature, so I'd estimate the track temperatures to be somewhere around 30-35°c (but don't quote me on this lol). Even with the current version of the sf-24 this wouldn't be a repeat of China. While asphalt grip is the same, the asphalt abrasion, lateral forces, traction and tyre stress are all lower than Shanghai which will cause less tyre wear. The downforce of Imola is also a bit higher, which helps put more temperature into the tyres. The point I'm trying to make is that yes, temperature definitely matters, but what made China such a shit show was an unfortunate combination of temperature, track characteristics and bad setup choices by Ferrari. This is unlikely to happen in Imola.

But most importantly, Ferrari will be introducing their first upgrade package next race. Of course, this package isn't centered around the tyre heating issues as these were discovered while the development was already underway, but they've had many weeks now to either tweak it or to include upgrades that will target this issue. Regardless, the floor will most likely at the very least improve it, so I wouldn't be too worried about the temperatures at Imola! Hope this answers your question!

Track characteristics of Imola:

[several-ravens]

@jo1sstuff i'm going to reply to this in its own post so i can find it and add to it later more easily if i need to

also it's under the cut because it's a demonstation that's long af

tldr: technology

so here is the line of thinking that got me to this conclusion:

1) episode 65 presents something totally different from any other category we've met so far, and that is analog horror (so found footage, creepy videos, possessed digital devices, and the likes). usually it is about something that's old, or older than the person who uses it (just like tessa winters in 2017 who finds the (alleged) program made by sergei yshanka in the 1980's)

and analog horror has been a very important part of the 'new age' of horror as technology and the internet grew. there are some very famous things like the movies the ring and blair witch project, or mickey mouse whistling, or the scp foundation, or the new doom mod, or creepy pasta, you get the idea

my personal comment: it's very meta to have an episode on analog horror which is literally an ancestor and relative to tma itself, and i LOVE this

2) tessa winters makes a loooong monologue about the differences between analog and digital and draws our attention to jon's tape recorder

which reminded me of the very first episode where he explains why he records some statements on tape: "I plan to digitise the files as much as possible and record audio versions, though some will have to be on tape recorder, as my attempts to get them on my laptop have met with… significant audio distortions." (unofficial transcripts)

3) in episode 62, gertrude says: "Who does the book come from?" and mary keay responds: "The End, of course." (unofficial transcripts)

notice how she said 'who' and not 'where'. so my guess is the categories are not only there to classify the different types of fears but also have an 'entity' or a 'god' attached to it

my personal comment: i like the idea that they are similar to the great old ones from lovecraft, who also plays a very fundamental part in today's horror

4) i'm then reminded of american gods by neil gaiman (<3), where the gods of the old worships have a war with the new ones (technology, media, etc.)

which brings us back to our point no.2 (analog vs. digital), and the fact that apparently the only things that won't go into jonathan's computer are the statements that fit into the categories, so that are associated with our 'old gods' (the end, and the 13 others)

"why wouldn't they go digital?" you might ask. well, because they are at war with digital and the new technologies (or something of that kind). here i quote the unofficial transcripts from mag47: jonathan says: "You make it sound like there’s a… war." to which delirium michael responds with: "[heh] Then I will say nothing further. I wouldn’t wish to tarnish your ignorance prematurely."

5) the fear of our future being taken over by technology is a very real thing (detroit become human comes to my mind rn, also fallout somehow (even though it's more about capitalism but technology is still important, i.e. nuclear weapons), also the current discourses with ai, etc.)

so its just a draft for now, but my guess is something along the lines of 'technology' or like 'progress'

P.S. (i know editing a post after it has been posted is bad but honetly idc): you (jo1sstuff) said something about the 15th corridor not being there at the time of episode 35, which confirms this theory about 'technology' being a new, emergent deity

[rjschoicesstuff]

2, 27, 35, 59 for the poly asks for Rippy Gabe Cas

Thank uuu!!

Link to the ask game

Answers under the cut

2. Did the relationship start polyamorous, or was it a monogamous relationship that eventually opened?

Cas and Gabe were in a mono relationship back when they were human (+ a bit as vampires). This somehow feels relevant LOL. This is just specific 2 my version btw @ ppl who never read ID lol 💀.

When it's made Official they're in a vee relationship, but also before that there's definitely already Stuff going on obviously, with Cas DEFINITELY not being open to it and Gabriela also preferring to keep it between them (tho definitely is more like Ripley is free to choose and I would be okay as long as I fit in that picture). I think right before Gabriela went feral and almost kills Ripley they were very close to making it official between them, I think. 2 bad for Gabe That happens and Ripley actually starts looking at Cas differently and he becomes an Option.

27. Of the members who live together, do they all sleep in one bed too? All separate bedrooms? Something in-between?

Right Now none of them live together, Cas and Gabe live with fake families (as do all teen vampires who are currently in school) and Ripley stays at the Nexus until she gets a GRIP lol. I think her bed there is definitely too small for it but Cas still sleeps over a lot. Partly because it's easier to skip school when there's no one to get pissed when you don't get up in the morning. I feel like sometimes she's just like pls no n makes him sleep in her beanbag instead, or they both stay up all night.

Once Ripley moves back in with her mom Cas and Gabe will be staying over there a lot but Ripley's bed there definitely doesn't fit 3 people so one of them always has to go on a mattress on the floor next to her bed.

Im not sure about the future yet but I do like the idea of Gabriela going to university in a big city on a leyline with an allied coven and Cas and Ripley following her and Ripley going to trade school + working part time, while Cas actually gets a job too (everyone is surprised) so they can afford an apartment/a studio, while Gabriela stays in the dorms at her university. And she'd stay with Cas and Ripley often because their bed is big enough for the 3 of them. And otherwise Cas and Ripley just share the bed when Gabe stays at her dorm.

I think after that they'd NOT want to live with parents, real or fake, again, at least for this life. So they'd hire an apartment in Crimson Beech. I think they'd all sleep together but they'd have a guest room where people can retreat to if needed, it def isn't big enough for all of them to have their own room. + also with how vampire sleep works (I hc that they do sleep but they don't really need it, like it serves more to give the brain a break than for rest) some days someone just skips sleeping anyway.

35. Were any of the members raised in a polyamorous family?

None of them were. I think Ripley got the closest experience to it with her mom's friends helping a lot in raising her to the point where it felt like having many parental figures, but in the end her mom was her only parent + never dated anymore at all after her last girlfriend passed away (a few years before Ripley was born).

59. How does the polycule celebrate birthdays?

Not in any super special ways, like the other two will generally buy presents separately + beforehand they tend to decide on if the birthday person wants to plan the day or have the others surprise them with something. + they spoil the bday person all day ofc lol. I think for Cas and Gabe it's all pretty new because I think neither of them really celebrated their birthdays the past decades aside from Gabe with her human friends the past few years. I think a lot of vampires don't but I can see them keeping it up because it's just nice for everyone to have Their Day.

[milarqui]

Scarlet Lady: Prime Queen

Directory | Robostus

Scarlet Lady: Prime Queen

Lila observed the bouncing girl, slightly worrying how she would survive the night, while she kept the phone close.

“Thanks for hooking me up with this babysitting gig, Marinette,” she told her classmate. “I need some cash for Mme. Bustier's present.”

It had been a bit of a surprise that all of her classmates were actually into buying presents for their teacher – something she had never done before – but she really wanted to fit in with the rest of the class, and, well, when in Rome...

“No problem! I already had plans anyway,” Marinette replied. “You might want to record Mme. Chamack's new show tonight. Manon conks out at 8:30, so she'll probably miss half of it.”

“Ugh, an hour long interview with Scarlet Lady,” she complained. “Maybe Chat Noir and Marigold will tie her to the chair so she behaves.”

----

Marigold heard the soft laugh of her classmate and made a grimace.

“That's not a bad idea,” she muttered, as she started to break off the conversation.

It was time for... an interview.

----

“Live in 10 and no heroes, Nadja.”

“They'll be here, Arlette!” Nadja Chamack, TVi's star reporter, told her producer, trying not to sweat: regardless of her assurance, she knew something could still go wrong. “We're gonna break records tonight!”

“You better if you want to keep your prime time slot,” Harlette threatened, as per usual (the slot was coveted by most everyone at TVi and she had been lucky to present the idea for Face to Face and have it accepted). Still, she was certain she had what she needed for –

“Hey.”

“WAH!” Nadja involuntarily screamed as the couch that had been empty two seconds before now had two heroes happily sitting without a care. “How– where did you come from?!”

“Trade secret~” Marigold sing-sang, as Chat Noir leaned towards her with his hands on the table.

“Where's Scarlet Lady?” Nadja asked; while she wasn't strictly necessary for tonight's interview, she could help put the cherry on top of her hopes.

“Oh, she'll be here,” Chat Noir reassured her. “At the last possible second. But forget that, let's talk interview.”

Chat Noir jumped back and sat next to Marigold.

“Off the table topics: Identities. Miraculouses in reserve. Power ups–” Chat Noir counted, while the Bee Heroine looked amazed at him.

Wow, he's like a professional... almost like he's done this before... she thought.

----

“5 minutes, 35 seconds... 5 minutes, 33 seconds...”

Sweet almighty forces of creation (which she wielded on a regular basis), could Chloé get more self-absorbed?

“Chloé, just wait for the show to start with the others!” Tikki berated her.

“As if! I have to make a showstopping entrance worthy of my stardom!”

Never mind.

Every time she asked herself that question, Chloé just proved herself more than capable of saying 'yes'.

----

“Whatever. We don't need Scarlet Lady, we have the two that matter.” Arlette said. “Don't forget the goal, Nadja. Boost the ratings to max audience reactions. Make sure that red turns to green.”

Nadja briefly looked down at the electronic bracelet on her left wrist, currently showing a single red line, as a door slammed and a familiar red and black figure swung her way into the studio.

“Helloooo~ The star is here!”

“Scarlet Lady!” one of the cameramen exclaimed, as the aforementioned landed right next to the table.

“Nice of you to join us, Scar,” Chat Noir sarcastically greeted her, while Marigold sighed.

“As if you could start without me!” Scarlet Lady replied, unaware of how wrong she was in that regard.

----

“I'm Nadja Chamack, you're watching Face to Face!”

“Mommy!” Manon exclaimed, while Lila smiled. When she was calmed down, she was a little angel...

“For our first show, we have Paris' favorite protectors, Marigold, Chat Noir and Scarlet Lady!”

----

Elsewhere in Paris, the Césaires were watching the program with interest, as was a good part of the city. Most times, what they could see of their heroes outside the fight were brief moments before they had to leave, so the fact that they would be for a good hour on screen was interesting.

“Thank you for coming,” Nadja Chamack said.

“Thank you for having us, we're happy to be here!” Marigold replied, smiling.

----

“Ooo, Nadja, the Queen Bee is pleased,” Chat Noir teased.

“'Queen Bee'?” Marigold asked, looking at her partner. “Just how many nicknames do you have for me, Chaton?”

“Do you really want to know?” he asked in reply, grinning at her.

“Good evening, my loyal fans!” Scarlet Lady exclaimed, ignoring the conversation behind her as she hogged the camera.

“Um, please sit down,” Nadja asked as she moved on to the first part of her interview.

----

“We see you saving Paris, but we know next to nothing about you,” the reporter said as the camera focused on the heroes.

“Lucky you, you can ask anything!” Chat Noir replied with a smirk.

“Within reason,” Marigold added. “You never know who could be watching.”

Watching, indeed, Gabriel thought. If there was anything that he could exploit to achieve his objective, then he could well watch this asinine television program.

----

“How about some questions from your fans?” Nadja said, turning to a blank screen behind her. “Hello, caller!”

The screen, turned on, showing–

“Hi, Marigold and Chat Noir! I'm Alya~” their friend said, smiling and waving. “Would you give me an interview for the Ladyblog?”

As they saluted her with different ranges of awkwardness, Scarlet Lady glared at the screen.

“Excuse you, you've forgotten about me,” she said. “You know, the illustrious leader?”

“My followers are interested in the heroes of Paris, not you,” Alya said with a deadpan look.

“WHAT?!” Scarlet Lady yelled.

Nobody cared.

Instead, Alya turned the camera towards her twin sisters, standing next to their beds.

“Marigold! Chat Noir! We have a question!” Etta said.

“Yes?”

“When are you bringing back Koki Marina?” Ella asked.

“She was so cool!”

“I like her hair!”

Marigold smiled.

“Don't worry, girls, Koki Marina is a great hero and we'll definitely be calling on her again,” she replied.

“Yay!” the twins shouted, but then Ella looked at Alya with a curious face.

“Alya, why are you blushing?” she asked, and the camera turned around to show that, indeed, Alya was heavily blushing.

“ANYWAY!” the future journalist said, interrupting the conversation. “Remember to submit your Akuma sightings to the Ladyblog! And tune in for that future interview–”

“NEXT CALL!” Nadja shouted in an attempt to recover control of the situation. The screen stopped showing Alya and turned to show another girl the heroes knew well. “Welcome, caller!”

“Hello~” Lila said, and from a corner of the screen another face showed up.

“Hi mommy!” Manon said, and Nadja smiled.

“Hi sweetie,” she replied, as she silently gave Lila the cue to make her question.

“I'm Lila and I have a question for Marigold and Chat Noir.”

“What, nothing for your ex-best friend, you fraud?” Scarlet Lady said, laughing, while Marigold glared at her.

“Knock it off, Scarlet,” she warned, as Manon reentered the frame with the Marigold doll she had made for the little girl to play with, and Lila readied her question.

“What I wanna know is, how do you put up with Scarlet Lady when she's the worst?”

The heroes froze up at the blunt question, sweating as they tried to come up with something useful, while Scarlet Lady became incensed.

“How der you call in to slander my name and insult me?!” the red-suited girl yelled. “You're just mad I called you out for being the liar you are!”

Lila just stuck her tongue at her as she took a hold of Manon.

“Okay, that's enough!” Chat Noir shouted, sweating as he attempted not to show his true thoughts. “We all work towards the same goal of saving Paris and defeating Hawkmoth.”

“Scarlet Lady has a very important role ensuring we can all continue mostly unbothered by Akumas.

“So you put up with her because you have to, got it,” Lila 'helpfully translated' while Manon waved at the screen.

“Goodbye, caller,” Nadja cut off with a sigh.

“Nadja, get control of your show!” Arlette commanded. “Get to the scoop, now!”

Well, she had hoped to take a while longer to reach that point, but if she didn't act quickly she would lose the chance.

So she turned to Chat Noir and Marigold.

“Numerous fans think that on top of being a couple of superheroes, you're a 'couple', period,” she dropped, leaving them shocked. “Can you confirm it's true?”

“Huh?!” Marigold mumbled.

“What?!” Chat Noir shouted.

“Gross,” Scarlet Lady interrupted. “As if I'd ever be a couple with either of these sidekicks!”

Nadja gave her an awkward smile.

“I'm referring to 'Chatgold',” she said. “No one seems to care about your love life.”

“WHAT?!” Scarlet Lady yelled.

And, yes, nobody cared.

Chat Noir glared ahead at Nadja, while Marigold blushed, looking down.

“We're partners, doing our job,” the Black Cat Hero said. “No feelings involved.”

“That is a very personal, very inappropriate question,” the Bee Heroine added, clearly angry.

“The views are rising, don't let up! Time to give your evidence!” Arlette continued, pushing her to go forward with the plan.

“So then,” Nadja said, as the screen turned to show a still image of Marigold and Chat Noir kissing. “How do you explain these pictures?”

Chat Noir quickly recognized what it was from.

“Oh no.”

Marigold... didn't.

“WHAT?!”

Scarlet Lady...

“Oh, that.”

… didn't particularly care.

Marigold immediately jumped at her partner.

“When did THAT happen?!”

“I was reversing Dark Cupid's spell, I swear!” Chat Noir said, embarrassed. “I was saving you, not kissing you!”

“Then how about these?” Nadja continued, showing more images.

When she scratched him under the chin over his idea to capture Animan.

When she kissed him in the cheek to catch Glaciator unaware.

When he kissed her hand as he gave her the Tiger Miraculous for Juleka.

“Those are out of context!” Chat Noir yelled.

“Excuse me, the kiss?!” Marigold shouted, still stuck there.

“We're partners, friends! Of course we're going to be close, but–” Chat Noir shouted at Nadja, but Marigold...

“THE KISS!”

… had yet to comprehend everything that had gone on back then.

“OH KNOCK IT OFF ALREADY!!! I'm at my FUCKING limit!”

Everyone on the set turned to look at Scarlet Lady in shock.

“I can't believe you'd waste my time to speculate on my sidekicks' love lives, instead of focusing on what's really important – ME!”

True to form, she did the right thing for the wrong reasons.

“Of course we'll cover your exploits, Scarlet Lady,” Nadja said in a conciliatory tone, “as soon as your partners admit the truth–”

“This is the dumbest interview ever!” Scarlet Lady shouted. “We're leaving!”

Nadja just barely avoided dropping her jaw in shock.

“What?! You can't–”

“Sorry, but for once I agree with Scarlet Lady,” Chat Noir said, giving the presenter an ugly look as he helped an almost comatose Marigold leave. “This has been incredibly unpleasant and uncomfortable.”

“Wait! The show isn't over!” Nadja attempted to call out. “The fans will be disappointed if you don't answer–”

“No means NO, lady!” Chat Noir shouted at her, and the door to the set slammed shut.

----

The command to stop the program came a few seconds after the heroes (and Scarlet Lady) left, and Nadja collapsed to her knees, crying; it had been her best chance to make a program to rival everything else in the channel, and it had sunk within a few minutes.

“Welp, wrap it up, people,” a crew member said after no one started to move for a few moments.

“Do you think we'd have a better success rate if every show at our station wasn't live?” a camera man asked.

No one noticed the black butterfly flitting down towards Nadja Chamack.

At least, not until it was too late.

----

The heroes and their not-so-heroic companion had jumped to the roof of the studios, where the latter of the group proceeded to continue making her displeasure of the previous events known.

“The AUDACITY! What a HACK!” Scarlet Lady yelled. Chat Noir ignored her, instead approaching his partner, who was clearly saddened by the reveal of their kiss.

“Marigold! I'm really sorry!” he said, trying to fix his mistake. “You can punch me if you want–”

“It's fine,” she interrupted, but even he could tell it very well was not. “It was just because of the Akuma, right? It didn't mean anything. So let's drop it.”

Chat Noir tried to come up with something to reply, seeing how hurt she was, but –

“AND ANOTHER THING!”

– Scarlet Lady was still in her tirade.

----

At her house, Lila looked at Manon, who had fallen asleep just a moment before everything went to hell, and saw her being completely dead to the world.

“What a dumpster fire,” she muttered, thinking of how badly Manon's mother had handled the show – as well as Scar's reaction.

“Good evening! Welcome to your new show! I'm your hostess, Prime Queen!”

Lila turned to look at the screen... which showed Nadja Chamack, only this Nadja had deep red hair, fluorescent blue skin, and Tron lines over her dark blue clothing.

“... of course,” she grumbled. After everything, it wasn't surprising that she became Akumatized.

----

“Tonight, Marigold and Chat Noir disappointed their fans by refusing to admit they're a couple in love!”

For once, Chat Noir, Marigold, and Scarlet Lady shared the same opinion on what they were just watching.

“You've got to be kidding me,” they said in unison.

----

“We'll see how far they'll go to hide the truth!” Prime Queen continued – and the screen behind her showed...

“Huh?!” Lila said, shocked. The studio screen was somehow showing her, as seen from her TV screen!

Which, of course, was the point when the Akumatized villain pushed her hand through the screen – and, as if it were an American horror film, Prime Queen's hand was suddenly coming out of her TV!

“What the heck, why ME?!” she complained as she tried to dodge the hand of doom.

Unsuccessfully.

----

“Welcome to the Subway of Suspense!” Prime Queen declared, showing a speedometer to the side, while a column to the side was filled to about a fourth of its size. “If it reaches 100 km/h, you can say goodbye to Scarlet Lady's former best friend!”

“Nadja, you idiot, you just kidnapped your babysitter!” Lila, tied up in cables, screamed at the Akumatized reporter – who ignored her.

“Will you dare to go through the screen to save your dear little Lila?”

Scar scoffed.

“As if I'd get my nails dirty for the superliar.”

Chat Noir sighed. Knowing Scar as he did, it didn't surprise him. Nor did her reaction to him pointing out the obvious.

“It's being broadcast live,” he said.

“Out of my way!” Scar shouted, ignoring the dismissive glares from both heroes as they jumped behind her.

----

Landing into the now moving metro car, the tiny screen at one end showed Prime Queen, looking with way too much interest at them.

“You're going to be the stars to the biggest audience record in TV history!” she declared. “Rules are simple! You admit the truth, that you're a couple in love, and I'll stop the subway!”

“A forced confession is as good as a false confession!” Chat Noir angrily shouted back, furious that she was trying to force something that was untrue.

“I want my scoop!” Prime Queen yelled; much like every other Akuma, she was looking for Number One.

“Seriously, why does anyone even care about this?!” Marigold said.

“If it helps, I care more about the 'not crashing' part,” Lila added from the floor.

Marigold sighed, and began to blush as she spoke.

“Fine, Prime Queen. I confess. I am in love with Chat Noir.”

“Oooo! Saving their fan by admitting their true feelings! The news is going crazy~!”

“Good thinking with that lie, Goldie!” Chat Noir whispered as she looked his way... but then she looked away.

“Superheroes don't lie, Chaton,” she whispered back.

And then he began to blush, as he realized what she meant by that.

“What a sweet gesture!” Prime Queen continued, simpering, as the bar to her right filled up to half. “But! The audience isn't breaking records yet! You'll have to do better than that~!”

As the heroes patently held onto their wish to roll their eyes at the goalposts being moved, Prime Queen gave a little clap.

“Oh, I know! To prove your feelings are authentic, you need to take off your masks! To do so, give me your Miraculouses!”

“Gross,” Scarlet Lady interrupted. “I'm not in love with either of these cretins. And I will do no such thing!”

Prime Queen made a grimace.

“Oh, I forgot you were there.”

“YOU–!”

Clearly unwilling to give up, the Akumatized villain jumped through a screen that took her to the Louvre museum, and then reached through another, grabbing someone else and tossing them into a sarcophagus.

“On to the next segment, dear viewers!” Prime Queen declared, showing her newest victim was–

“ALYA!” Marigold said, terrified.

“Marigold! Please, help me!” Alya – tied, trapped, helpless – begged before Prime Queen slammed the sarcophagus shut. “Ow!”

“Oops! Isn't that the girl who runs the Ladyblog?” Prime Queen maliciously said. “Better hand over your Miraculouses before your biggest fan is mummified!”

“Uh, why should I save her after she snubbed me–” Scarlet Lady muttered.

“Hurry up so I can go back to my room!” Lila interrupted her, shoving her through the screen.

“AH–!”

Marigold and Chat Noir jumped through as well...

“This isn't the Louvre!” the Bee Heroine exclaimed; instead of the museum, they had landed into a freezer room.

“She trapped us in!” Chat Noir added as the screen behind them changed to show Prime Queen's face.

“You got that right!” the villain replied. “Last chance, heroes! Take off your Miraculouses or your biggest fan will take a dip in the Seine!”

“NO! ALYA!” Marigold shouted again, trying to look for something that would help stop the Akumatized villain.

“Don't keep the public waiting~!”

“So what.”

Chat Noir and Marigold turned to look at Scarlet Lady, shocked.

“SCAR!” Chat Noir yelled.

“What? I'll bring her back when we win, so what's the big deal!”

----

“The 'big deal' is that that's seriously messed up, Scarlet!” Marigold shouted.

The other big deal was... well, it was being broadcasted live.

And hundreds of thousands of Parisians were watching.

And they just had seen and heard the so-called 'heroine of Paris' demonstrate a complete lack of regard for a potential victim's death.

And through many minds went one thought.

Is she what we thought she was?

----

Besieged by glares from the other two, Scarlet looked away.

“Oh fine, you big babies: Lucky Charm.”

As she saw the object Scarlet had summoned – a roll of tape – Marigold quickly came up with an idea.

“This'll work,” she declared, picking an empty pizza box – from the same pizza shop where Luka worked, even – and pulled it apart.

And put it on top of the screen, while Chat Noir (who had quickly seen the plan) grabbed the tape and fixed the spread box to the screen.

“Wuh–What's going on?! Why can't I see?!” the villain shouted.

“Too bad, Prime Queen,” Chat Noir said, grinning, as he stood to one side of the screen. “We think we will take off our Miraculouses.”

“And we will reveal our identities!” Marigold taunted.

“You just won't get to see it~!” both of them finished in unison.

“They'll probably make out too,” Scarlet added.

“No, Scar,” Chat Noir added, ready to move as soon as the villain fell for the trick.

“You better not be lying,” Prime Queen said, confirming she had swallowed the bait, and she punched through the screen and pizza box.

Which a prepared Marigold was all too happy to take advantage of.

“Venom~”

“Cataclysm! Free with one freezer exit,” Chat Noir said as he destroyed the freezer's door.

“The fact that that worked was embarrassing,” Scarlet Lady said as Marigold pulled the paralyzed Prime Queen into the freezer.

“Who's the idiot here, her or Hawkmoth?” Marigold rhetorically asked.

----

Once more, everything was fixed through the use of the Miraculous Cure, save for Scarlet Lady's entitlement and reputation, and... the situation between Paris' heroes.

“Marigold, I–”

“Chat Noir, I know we're just good friends and partners, you don't have to–”

“NO!” Chat Noir interrupted. “Goldie, you're AMAZING! And kind and wonderful and the best partner ever!”

“Chat, please, just don't–” Marigold begged, struggling not to tear up in front of her friend.

“I mean it! It'd be easy to fall for you, but --” and here Chat Noir began to blush, “but I'm already in love with Marinette Dupain-Cheng!”

Marigold completely blanked out at hearing those three words, and slowly turned to look at her partner.

She must have misheard something.

Or she had just gone temporarily crazy.

Because there was no way the boy she loved just said he was in love with her civilian self.

“Wuh... buh...” she babbled as she tried to make sense of it.

“You might not know her since I had her swear to stay out of fights around the time you joined the team,” he continued, completely unaware of the storm he was causing in her mind, “but she completely captured my heart! But since I see her everyday as 'myself', I can't just forget her! If you met her you'd get it!”

Marigold's eyes widened, and her blush intensified. What Chat Noir had just said... it really sounded like...

“The two of you are so alike, it's almost as if–”

Whoa, time to cut it off.

“AHAHAHA! You know what?!” Marigold interrupted, smiling. “She sounds awesome and you should totally go for it. Anyway, gotta go!”

“HUH?!”

And, as Marigold left, Chat Noir was left looking at her, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

----

Finally back at home, she watched at the now snoring little girl on her bed, making her pout.

“Wow. Amazing what people sleep through,” she muttered, before putting the covers over her again and moving to another room so she could check her computer without disturbing Manon.

Just in time to receive a call request.

Opening the screen, she quickly accepted.

“Yo!” Alya said, smiling and waving. “Glad you're safe!”

“You too,” she replied, returning the smile. “I guess the Cure has more heart than Scarlet Lady.”

Alya's face turned thunderous.

“She was gonna let me drown! She's dead to me!” she yelled, before shaking her head and breathing deeply. “Prime Queen sorta had a point with these views. Too bad for her they're all on my blog.”

“Seriously? That many people care about the imaginary romance between coworkers?” Lila asked, opening the Ladyblog and seeing the comments.

“Mostly people are split between ship wars, and freaking over Scarlet Lady,” Alya replied, and Lila could tell it was quite the understatement.

DING!

“Huh? An email?” Alya said, opening it – and she squinted at the contents. “You've got to be kidding me.”

“What is it?”

“Nadja Chamack just invited me to be a guest on her new show, 'Side by Side'.”

Her jaw dropped.

“All that melodrama over her dumb show being cancelled and they just handed her a new one?!”

----

“What a looong day, come to me my love~” Plagg sang, hugging a piece of Camembert cheese, but Adrien paid little mind to him, instead going over of what just happened. Which the Kwami noticed. “Uhh, what's got you thinking so hard?”

“Marigold... her reaction was strange.” He turned to him. “Her mood completely changed when I mentioned Marinette. And not in the way you'd expect if she was jealous... is it possible... that Marigold could be...”

Plagg began to sweat.

“Oh, no,” he whispered.

He really didn't want to face Tikki if his boy realized the truth.

----

“WOOHOO~!” Marigold said, landing on her terrace as she changed back to her normal self, letting Pollen come out.

“What a wonderful revelation!” the Kwami said, clapping with her little arms. “Chat Noir is in love with 'you', my Queen! Aren't you happy?”

“Sure, but, uh...” she replied, shrugging, confused. “What did he mean he 'sees me everyday as himself'?”

----

Zombizou

@zoe-oneesama Finally reached the end of Season 4! Let's see how much I manage to do before you end the story...

Also, we're at 498 pages, 199,063 words, 1,073,925 characters!