#e ink technology

[brainmachinebroke]

I changed my phone's display to grayscale because I am easily distracted by colors, and I gotta say, I like it a lot :]

I'd love to have an e-ink phone, but the ones that are on the market right now are 1. Expensive and 2. Chinese, which means they're not always seamlessly compatible with mobile data over here and are also full of bloatware.

Keeping my hopes up though, the technology is still being refined and I'm sure more are on the way.

Crazy we got folding screens before e-ink phones though :0 what a world

[arctic-hands]

Ugggh it was free but I had to download an adobe program just so I could download the book I legally paid for from google (also ugh) play just so I could put it on the ancient ass e-reader that'll get here soon. There's got to be an easier way to download the shit you've legally paid for without having to deal with proprietary bullshit, right? On top of all that, amazon (uggggggh) changed their DCRM this very year to something Calibre hasn't been able to crack, so all the books I legally bought from kindle can't be put on the e-reader at all, keeping me reliant on the app on my phone.

Kobo was created by Indigo Books but is now owned by Rakuten, so the Indigo company doesn't get anything if I buy e-books from kobo, right? I wanna say kobo and Barnes and noble/nook don't have bullshit like this for the books themselves, just their proprietary e-readers only allowing books from their services onto the devices themselves, which is why I opted not to get a kobo or nook in the first place

Anyway I hate this crap lol. Someone once stated that when you purchase an e-book (or any media, really) these days you don't own the book, you just rented out the privilege to read it, and that privilege can be revoked at any time. It's so fucking dumb. I don't hate technology I just hate how it evolved into such bullshit. It didn't have to be like this

[theartofsleek]

[keyboard-squared]

I've Owned a reMarkable 2 for One Year—Here's the Truth About It

One year ago, I thought the reMarkable was one of the best investments I'd ever made. Now, it's time to set the record straight.

Let’s be real: most writing tools are overrated. They’re overpriced, buggy, and most of all, they’re usually marketed as a way to somehow magically “fix” your writing. The truth is nothing can take the place of learning how to write well, not even the fanciest writing gadget in the world. But find the right tool, combine it with your practised skill and accumulated knowledge, and your whole…

[umm-whats-going-on]

There's something so beautiful about single purpose technology.

Like yes this device only is for reading books, and it does it's job so well, better than a phone even.

Devices that can only type 3 sentences at a time, can only do so little you do so much you're so much better than general purpose devices I love you.

[biglisbonnews]

reMarkable 2 Type Folio Keyboard Review: Clumsy Typing Experience The Type Folio keyboard case for the reMarkable 2 E Ink tablet works for quick notes, but it’ll unlikely help you write the next New York Times Best Seller. https://www.inverse.com/tech/remarkable-2-type-folio-keyboard-review

[pursuitist]

BMW i Vision Dee: Almost Human

BMW i Vision Dee: Almost Human     Imagine a world where your automobile recognizes who you are when you approach, and greets you by name. A world where the iconic BMW “Kidney” grille can produce different facial expressions, like a smile. A world where you can choose from 32 different colors for your car, and change them from one to another color at will. A world where the high-tech in your car…

[ferdifz]

Color-shifting BMW: how will authorities handle cars like it?

"BMW introduces the i-Vision Dee concept car with e-ink color-shifting technology at the 2023 CES"

...and a thought crosses my mind: how will car-registration authorities around the world (such as the DMV) handle this?

I mean, I wonder how every car-registering authority in the World would handle its registration, once this e-ink color changing technology becomes available to consumers..? Will the DMV's of the world simply give up & declare it road-illegal? If not, then how to accommodate/legalise?

(...and yes there are plenty other more urgent problems in the world, but if the rich can throw money at the problem and it can give them bragging rights, then believe you me they will throw money at the problem.)

---

UPDATE: Discussion at Telegram suggest that maybe the DMV's might not be very concerned about the "obscuring ability" of the "chameleon e-ink skin", and police traffic cameras are advanced enough that it wouldn't hinder the identification of an automobile for the automobile to be able to color-shift. 

And maybe the registries can specify "e-ink/chameleon" as a legal color... such as how (for example) in California a bee is a fish...

[amethystarachnid]

SOULMATE BOND

⤷ ANTHONY “TONY” E. STARK

ᯓ★ Pairing: Anthony “Tony” E. Stark x fem!reader

ᯓ★ Genre: romance, fluff

ᯓ★ Request from: MARVEL bingo

ᯓ★ Story type: one shot

ᯓ★ Word count: 4.5k

ᯓ★ TW(s): stupid rumors go around because Tony is famous, not really anything serious

ᯓ★ Timeline: before the Avengers were formed

ᯓ★ Request: This bingo is absolutely adorable, can you write Soulmates + Tony Stark/fem!reader, please? ❤️ ( @ccbsrmsf1 )

ᯓ★ Comment if you want to be added to the taglist (specify if you want the everything taglist or for a specific character)

ᯓ★ Songs & Superheroes tales - The Game (to make a request, follow the rules on the link!)

ᯓ★ My Masterlist

ᯓ★ MARVEL Bingo (requests open)

ᯓ★ English isn’t my first language

In this world, the soulmate bond manifests in the form of tattoos, inscribed on skin at the moment when you first meet your destined person. Not just any tattoo—it's the first thought they had when they saw you. A sentence or a phrase etched in permanent ink, completely out of your control, tied to the moment your eyes meet.

You've always found the idea romantic in theory, but after your mark appeared, you're a little less enthused. The thought branded on your wrist is definitely not the stuff of fairy tales.

I wonder if she knows she has a ketchup stain on her shirt.

It's funny, sure, but you can’t help but cringe every time you think about it. What kind of first impression did you make that day? You don't even know who your soulmate is, just that somewhere, out there, someone’s first impression of you was that you were a mess. It’s become a running joke among your friends, something you laugh off, but in the back of your mind, you can’t shake the feeling that when you finally meet them, it’s going to be awkward.

For years, you've searched crowds, looked at strangers’ tattoos, hoping to catch a glimpse of something that might give you a clue. No luck. Life moves on, and you stop looking quite so actively, focusing on your own career instead. After all, it’s not like you can control when or how you meet your soulmate. It'll happen when it happens.

But it does happen.

You’re at a charity gala in New York, your company hosting a benefit for technological innovations in renewable energy. As someone involved in the development sector, it's part of your job to represent the company, socialize, and network. That’s how you end up near the bar, scanning the room for anyone who looks like a potential business connection.

And that’s when you see him.

Tony Stark.

He’s hard to miss, obviously. Tony Stark, genius, billionaire, Avenger, and all-around larger-than-life personality. You’ve seen him on TV and in interviews, but there’s something different about seeing him in person. He’s wearing a perfectly tailored suit, drink in hand, looking amused by something someone just said.

Your first thought?

Huh, he’s taller than I thought.

Then, just as quickly, God, how does his suit fit that well?

You’re about to turn away and rejoin the group when, out of the corner of your eye, you see him glance in your direction. And then he starts walking right toward you.

Your heart leaps to your throat as you quickly glance down at yourself, suddenly self-conscious. Is there something on your face? Hair out of place? Ketchup stain?

“Hi,” Tony says, stopping in front of you, looking at you with a smirk. "You look like you're about to sprint off somewhere."

Your mouth opens, but no sound comes out for a second. You're so stunned that Tony Stark is standing right in front of you, speaking to you like you're someone worth noticing.

“Uh—hi. No, just… thinking,” you manage to say, your voice sounding much calmer than you feel.

He raises an eyebrow, amused. "Well, careful with all that thinking. Could lead to dangerous places."

You can’t help but laugh. It’s a stupid joke, but it lightens the mood, easing some of your nerves. Tony Stark is surprisingly… not intimidating? Maybe it's the easy confidence, the humor that makes him feel less untouchable.

“You’re here for the renewable energy thing, right?” Tony asks, leaning casually against the bar. “What do you do?”

You quickly tell him about your work, grateful that you're able to form coherent sentences again. The conversation flows surprisingly naturally, and before long, you’re actually enjoying yourself.

“So,” Tony says, eyes gleaming as he takes a sip of his drink. “Soulmate tattoo. What’s yours?”

You blink, surprised by the sudden question. You hadn’t expected the conversation to go there so quickly.

"Uh, well…" You hesitate for a moment, but then you figure, why not? It’s not like he’s going to see it. “It's… kind of embarrassing, actually.”

“Oh, those are the best kinds. Now you have to tell me,” he grins, leaning in with mock curiosity.

You laugh again and hold up your wrist, showing him the words you’ve grown so familiar with.

“I wonder if she knows she has a ketchup stain on her shirt,” you say, reading it out loud for him.

Tony bursts out laughing, a genuine laugh that lights up his entire face. “Wow. That’s… that’s actually amazing.”

“Yeah, well, I try not to think about it too much,” you reply with a self-deprecating smile.

Tony’s laughter dies down, but the smile lingers. "You never know. Could make for a great story when you meet them."

“Maybe,” you say with a shrug. “What about you? What's your tattoo?”

Tony hesitates, something almost unreadable flickering across his face. For a split second, he looks vulnerable, which is strange to see on someone like him. Then he smirks again, the mask of confidence snapping back into place.

“Oh, mine’s ridiculous,” he says, holding out his wrist.

You glance down at his tattoo and freeze.

Huh, he’s taller than I thought.

Your brain takes a moment to catch up. It’s your first thought. Your words. The exact thing you thought the moment you saw him across the room.

Your heart starts pounding. “Wait, this is…”

Tony looks at you, his expression shifting from playful to serious in an instant. “Yeah. Looks like we’ve got a match.”

You stare at him, speechless, as the weight of the realization sinks in. Tony Stark is your soulmate.

“I—I don’t understand,” you stammer. “When did you…”

“When did I think you had a ketchup stain?” he finishes for you with a wry smile. “About five years ago. Tech conference in Palo Alto. You walked in with a coffee in one hand and a sandwich in the other. And, well… you had a ketchup stain on your shirt.”

You blink, the memory slowly coming back to you. You remember that conference. You remember spilling ketchup on your shirt. But what you don’t remember is Tony Stark being there.

He watches you closely, almost like he’s waiting for something. “I didn’t think you’d ever find out,” he says softly.

“I—" You look up at him, everything finally clicking into place. "I can’t believe this.”

Tony shrugs, but there’s something tender in the way he looks at you now. “Believe it, sweetheart. Looks like we’ve got ourselves a story.”

You take a moment to process what just happened, your mind racing. You never imagined meeting your soulmate would be like this, in a crowded gala surrounded by the elite, and especially not with Tony Stark.

“So…” you say, trying to regain your composure. “This is kind of a big deal, right? I mean, we’re soulmates and all.”

“Big deal? That’s an understatement,” he replies with a playful smirk, clearly enjoying your flustered state. “But you have to admit, the ketchup stain part is pretty entertaining.”

You laugh, the tension easing slightly. “Yeah, it really is. I suppose it could’ve been worse. At least you didn’t think I was a complete disaster when you first saw me.”

Tony grins, tilting his head slightly. “I’ve seen worse. And I’m pretty sure I was the one who looked like a disaster when we first met. You, on the other hand, were effortlessly charming.”

Your cheeks flush at the compliment. “Effortlessly charming? You must be joking.”

“Nope.” He leans closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “You had a coffee in one hand and a sandwich in the other and you still managed to look amazing. That’s not something everyone can pull off.”

You roll your eyes, but you can’t help the smile creeping onto your face. “I appreciate that. But what are we supposed to do now? I mean, how does this whole soulmate thing work?”

Tony leans back against the bar, his expression turning thoughtful. “Well, there’s no manual for this kind of thing. But I guess we could start with getting to know each other better.” He gestures to the gala around you, where people are mingling and enjoying themselves. “Want to escape this place for a bit? I know a great rooftop view.”

Your heart races at the thought of spending more time alone with him. “Are you sure? Won’t people wonder where you’ve gone?”

“I’m sure they’ll be just fine without me for a little while,” he says with a wave of his hand. “Besides, I’m sure they’re all busy trying to impress each other. And I’d much rather be up there with you.” He grins, and the sincerity in his eyes makes you want to take a chance.

“Okay,” you agree, surprising even yourself. “Let’s go.”

You follow Tony through the crowded room, weaving between groups of people, past waiters carrying trays of hors d'oeuvres, and up a set of sleek glass elevators. The ride is quick, and your stomach flutters with anticipation. You can’t believe you’re about to spend more time with him—your soulmate.

When the doors slide open, you step out onto the rooftop, greeted by the cool night air and a stunning view of the city skyline. The stars twinkle overhead, and the lights of New York stretch out like a sea of diamonds.

Tony leads you to the edge, and you lean against the railing, taking in the breathtaking scene. The city buzzes below, alive and vibrant, and for a moment, everything feels perfect.

“Wow,” you breathe, trying to catch your breath. “This is beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you,” he says without missing a beat. His tone is playful, but the way he looks at you is serious, intense even.

Your heart skips a beat. “You’re really laying it on thick, aren’t you?”

“Only when it’s true,” he replies, moving a bit closer, so you can feel the warmth radiating off him. “It’s crazy to think we’ve been living in the same world for years and didn’t even know. I mean, the odds of us meeting here, of all places, are wild.”

“Yeah, it is,” you agree, your voice barely above a whisper. “I guess I always thought when I met my soulmate, it would be all fireworks and fate and romance.”

He chuckles softly. “And here we are, talking about ketchup stains and fancy suits. Very romantic.”

You smile at that. “It has its charm, I suppose.”

Tony turns to face you, his expression shifting to something more serious. “So, what do you want to know about me? I mean, besides the obvious—that I’m a genius billionaire superhero.”

You can’t help but laugh again. “Okay, let’s skip the superhero part. What’s something about you that no one else knows?”

He thinks for a moment, and you can see the wheels turning in his head. “I’ll give you a fun one. I have a massive fear of failing. It’s part of why I push myself so hard. If I’m not the best, then what am I?”

You blink in surprise. “Really? I would have never guessed that. You always seem so confident, so in control.”

“That’s the façade,” he admits, looking out over the city again. “Most people don’t see the doubts that keep me up at night.”

“Wow. Thanks for sharing that with me,” you say softly. “It’s refreshing to hear something real.”

“Your turn,” he insists, turning to face you again. “What about you? What’s something that keeps you up at night?”

You take a breath, the weight of your thoughts pressing down on you. “I worry that I won’t ever be enough. That I’ll never make the impact I want to make in the world. It feels like I’m always chasing something, you know?”

Tony nods, his expression understanding. “Yeah, I get that. But you’re doing something amazing. You’re involved in renewable energy. That’s huge.”

“I suppose,” you say, a little shyly. “But I still feel like I could be doing more. I just want to make a difference.”

“You already are,” he says, his voice steady. “And now you’re my soulmate, which is a pretty big deal in itself. We can make a difference together.”

Your heart swells at the thought. “Together, huh?”

“Yeah. Together,” he repeats, stepping a little closer. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I think we could figure it out. What do you say?”

You look into his eyes, and it’s as if the world around you fades away. It’s just you and him, standing on a rooftop overlooking the city, two souls destined to find each other. “I’d like that.”

“Good,” he says, a smile breaking across his face. “Because I definitely plan to keep you around.”

With that, he leans in, closing the distance between you, and for a moment, everything else fades away as your lips meet. It’s gentle at first, exploratory, but then deepens as the realization hits that you’re sharing this moment with your soulmate. The world is electric, and you feel the connection between you ignite.

When you finally pull away, breathless, you know this is only the beginning. There’s so much more to explore, to learn, and to discover together.

“Wow,” you breathe, your heart racing. “That was…”

“Yeah,” he interrupts, a teasing grin back on his face. “I know. Better than a ketchup stain, right?”

You can’t help but burst into laughter, shaking your head. “Okay, I’ll give you that one.”

And in that moment, as you stand together on the rooftop, laughter spilling into the night air, you realize that this was only the start of your incredible journey together. Soulmates, destined to make each other’s lives a little more colorful, ketchup stains and all.

For the next few weeks, life is a whirlwind. After that rooftop moment with Tony, things between you and him move fast but not in the way you expected. You see each other regularly, grabbing dinners, texting late at night, meeting up when you can. The chemistry is undeniable, and every time you're together, it feels like there's something bigger building between you two. But Tony's life is complicated. It comes with a lot of attention, and soon, the press starts to notice.

It begins with whispers, rumors on social media. Photos of you two at events surface, and the internet goes wild, speculating about who you are, what your relationship with Tony is, and, most importantly, whether you’re his new girlfriend or just another passing fling.

At first, it’s just gossip. But then it escalates.

One morning, you wake up to your phone buzzing uncontrollably. Texts, emails, and missed calls flood your notifications. You sit up in bed, confused, before your eyes land on one of the headlines plastered across your phone screen:

"Tony Stark’s New Mystery Woman: Another One in a Long Line of Flings?"

Your stomach drops. Another headline follows:

“Who is Y/N L/N? Stark’s Latest 'Arm Candy' or Something More?”

The articles are brutal. Some of them dig into your personal life, questioning your background, even speculating that you might be using Tony to further your career. Others call you names you can’t even bear to read. Worse, they paint Tony as a playboy who moves from one woman to the next, suggesting that you’re just the flavor of the month.

You throw your phone down on the bed, your hands shaking. How did it escalate so fast? It was just a few dinners, a couple of public appearances. You didn’t ask for this.

Later that day, you sit at a café, your mind buzzing with everything you’ve read. You're sipping your coffee when Tony shows up, his presence always commanding, but today there's something different in the air. He sits down across from you, the usual playful spark in his eyes replaced with concern.

"You're upset," he says simply, cutting right to the point.

You nod, swallowing the lump in your throat. "Have you seen the headlines?"

Tony leans back, crossing his arms. "Yeah, I saw them. Look, this happens sometimes. People like to talk, especially when they don't know what's going on. You just have to ignore it."

“Ignore it?” You stare at him in disbelief. “Tony, they’re tearing me apart online. They’re acting like I’m some… some gold-digger who's using you, or worse, just a fling in your long history of flings."

His jaw tightens, and you can see the frustration building behind his calm exterior. "You know that’s not true. I know that’s not true. Who cares what some gossip sites say?"

“I care! I’m not used to this, Tony. This isn’t my world! I didn’t ask to have my life dragged through the mud because of who I’m spending time with.”

He reaches across the table and takes your hand, his thumb rubbing gently over your knuckles. "I know this is hard. But people are always going to talk. I’ve been dealing with this for years. It sucks, but it doesn’t last forever."

You pull your hand back, frustration bubbling up. "But it’s different for you. You’ve been in the spotlight your whole life. People expect this from you. For me, it’s… humiliating. My colleagues are seeing these headlines. My family. Do you know how embarrassing it is to be called a fling? To be dismissed like I don’t matter?"

Tony exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I’m not dismissing you. I never would."

"It’s not about you dismissing me. It’s about everyone else thinking that’s what’s happening." You bite your lip, looking down at your coffee cup. "I just… I don’t know if I’m ready for all of this. The attention, the gossip. I wasn’t prepared for any of it."

“I can’t make the headlines go away,” Tony says softly. “But I can stand by you through them. If this is too much for you, I’ll understand. But if you want to stay, if you want to try… I’m not going anywhere."

There’s an honesty in his eyes that makes your breath catch. You can see the vulnerability there, the rawness he’s trying to share with you. Tony Stark, the man who is larger than life, standing before you and offering something real.

You take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision you’re about to make. "I don’t want to walk away from this, Tony. I just… I need to know that you’re in this for real. No games, no casual flings. If we’re doing this, it has to be serious."

“It is,” he says immediately, no hesitation. “I’m in this for real, Y/N. No games. No flings."

The sincerity in his voice melts some of the fear inside you. You nod slowly, your shoulders relaxing just a bit. "Okay. Then… let’s do this."

A smile spreads across his face, that familiar Stark confidence returning. "Good. Because I wasn’t planning on letting you go that easily."

You smile back, feeling some of the tension lift. For the first time in days, you feel like maybe, just maybe, this could work.

But as soon as you begin to relax, your phone vibrates again. You glance at the screen, and your stomach tightens as you see another headline flash across the notification:

"EXCLUSIVE: Sources Claim Stark’s ‘Soulmate’ is After His Fortune—Friends Warn He’s Being Played."

You feel the blood drain from your face. Tony’s brow furrows as he notices the change in your expression.

“What is it?” he asks, but before you can answer, his phone buzzes, too. He pulls it out, glancing at the screen before cursing under his breath.

“I’ll handle this,” he says quickly, anger flashing in his eyes. “This is just some idiot trying to stir up trouble. I’ll talk to the press. I’ll clear this up.”

But it doesn’t feel like it’s just gossip anymore. It feels personal, and it feels like whoever is behind this wants to tear you apart.

“Tony…” you start, your voice barely above a whisper. “What if this doesn’t stop? What if this just keeps getting worse?”

His jaw tightens, and he steps closer to you, determination hardening his gaze. “I told you, I’m not letting this come between us. Whoever’s behind this, we’ll deal with it. Together.”

Tony doesn’t waste any time. The moment he sees the new headline, he’s in action mode. His jaw clenches, and his eyes narrow with determination. He’s dealt with attacks like this before, but this time, it’s personal—and he’s not going to let someone mess with what the two of you have.

“We need to find out who’s feeding these stories to the press,” he says, already typing away on his phone. “There’s no way this is just random gossip. Someone’s deliberately trying to stir things up.”

You sit there, still shaken by the headlines, but his confidence is a bit reassuring. “How do we even start? I mean, the media… they don’t just reveal their sources, do they?”

“They don’t. But I have people. We’ll find out who’s behind this.”

Over the next few days, Tony taps into every resource he has, which, unsurprisingly, is a lot. He calls in favors from friends in the media, tech experts, and even digs into security footage from recent events you’ve attended together. The digging takes time, and while Tony handles most of the legwork, you can see the toll it’s taking on him. His usual carefree attitude fades into something more serious. He’s laser-focused on protecting you, and it makes your heart ache to see how much he’s willing to fight for you.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Tony gets a lead.

“Got it,” he announces one night, barging into your apartment with a determined look on his face. “It’s someone on the board at Stark Industries. A guy named Victor Lanning.”

“Victor Lanning?” you ask, the name unfamiliar to you.

Tony nods, his expression darkening. “He’s been pushing for more influence within the company, and apparently, he didn’t like that I’ve been ‘distracted’ with personal matters lately. Decided to use our relationship to try and weaken me publicly. Classic power move.”

You blink, trying to process what he’s saying. “So, this was all about business? About him trying to make you look bad so he could… what? Get your job?”

Tony sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Something like that. He figured if he made me look like I wasn’t focused, the board would start questioning my leadership. And what better way to make me look distracted than to spin it like you’re using me? It’s a dirty move, but it’s not the first time someone’s tried to pull something like this.”

Your stomach churns with a mixture of anger and disgust. “All of this because I’m your soulmate? Because he thinks I’m a distraction?”

Tony steps closer, his hand finding yours. “He doesn’t matter. What matters is that we’re going to set the record straight. I’ll deal with him. But first, we need to clear your name.”

You nod, feeling a spark of hope. “What do we do?”

Tony smirks, that familiar glint of mischief back in his eyes. “We go public. Officially.”

The next morning, the press conference is set. Tony’s team works fast, organizing everything within hours. You’re nervous as you stand beside him backstage, waiting for your cue. Tony notices your fidgeting and gently takes your hand, squeezing it reassuringly.

“Hey,” he whispers, leaning in close. “You’ve got this. We’ve got this.”

You nod, feeling a little steadier with him by your side.

Finally, it’s time. The two of you walk out to the flashing lights of cameras and a sea of reporters, their voices buzzing with curiosity. Tony stands tall, confident, as always, but there's a gentleness in the way he holds your hand.

“Thank you all for coming,” Tony begins, his voice firm yet calm. “I wanted to address some recent rumors about my personal life. It’s no secret that I’ve been in the headlines recently, and a lot of the things being said are completely false. Someone from my company decided to spread lies because they didn’t like the fact that I’ve been spending time with Y/N. But the truth is, she’s the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. And if people want to attack her to get to me, well, I’m not going to let that happen."

You glance at him, and he gives you an encouraging nod before continuing.

“But more importantly, I want to clear up something that actually matters,” Tony says, his tone softening. “The woman standing beside me, Y/N L/N, is not just some ‘fling’ or ‘arm candy.’ She’s... well, she’s my soulmate.”

A wave of murmurs spreads through the crowd, but Tony keeps going, his eyes steady on yours. “Yeah, you heard that right. We’ve got the tattoos to prove it.”

The reporters lean forward, the flashes of cameras intensifying as you and Tony raise your wrists, showing your matching tattoos. There, in plain sight, are the words that started it all. Your tattoo reads: "I wonder if she knows she has a ketchup stain on her shirt." and his reads: "Huh, he’s taller than I thought."

The room falls quiet for a moment, the weight of the reveal sinking in. Then, slowly, Tony speaks again, his voice quieter but more intimate, as if he’s speaking just to you, even though everyone can hear.

“The first time I saw her, I wasn’t thinking about business or my reputation or anything else. I was just thinking about how she had this charming, messy moment, and it made me smile. She was real. And that’s the thing: Y/N makes me feel like I can be real, too.”

Your heart swells at his words, and you can’t help but smile.

The room erupts in questions, but Tony raises a hand to quiet them down. "That’s all we wanted to say. The rumors? Ignore them. The truth? It’s right here."

He turns to you, his eyes soft, and in that moment, it feels like it’s just the two of you again. “So, are we done with the press?” he asks, the corner of his mouth twitching up in a playful grin.

You laugh, relieved, and nod. “Definitely.”

As you walk off the stage, hand in hand, you feel a weight lift off your shoulders. The truth is out there now, and it’s your truth. No more hiding, no more rumors.

Once you’re out of sight from the cameras, Tony pulls you into a gentle hug, his lips brushing against your temple. “Told you we’d get through this.”

You wrap your arms around him, feeling a sense of peace settle over you. “I know. I’m just glad it’s over.”

He pulls back slightly, his eyes locking with yours, a soft smile on his face. “It’s not over. This is just the beginning.”

And in that moment, you know he’s right. Together, you’ve faced the storm, and now, with the world finally knowing the truth, you can move forward. Together, as soulmates.

Flaws, ketchup stains, and all.

[thebad-lydrawn-sanses]

How well are the 500 yr old grandpas w/ technology? I already know their asses write like founding fathers

Nightmare: Killer! how do you say "this meeting will be a waste of my fucking time, fuck you" in professional e-mail terms Killer: Thank you, Name. I appreciate the offer, but I would like to know what I contribute to the meeting before attending. Cheers, Nightmare Nightmare: <- uses text-to-speech and autocorrect

Ink: you spelled captcha wrong Ink: and how Ink: and frustrating Ink: adjectives go before the noun Ink: you used "fml" right though so good job Ink: oh, you're also texting. in case this was meant for a search engine Ink: <- being annoying on purpose

[pencilbrony]

I kinda like the idea of being able to layout your keyboard however you wish-

Have your own keybind builder application to create and upload new keyboards. Make some keys huge, remove some keys entirely, put in virtual joysticks, track pads and sliders.

You could have a niche game league that springs up trying games with dumb key layouts, help visually impaired people with typing, create pseudo ergonomic layouts

That kinda thing

If you can't see good or want cool sliders

[chocokayke]

Here's Alkaloid for my Splatoon/Enstars AU! All weapons are referring to their Splatoon 3 kits, because that's what I'm most familiar with. I wanna give a shout out to @mdkm444 for making this fanart that inspired this whole AU in the first place. : )

More info on each character below the cut.⬇️

Hiiro

I'm giving him the highest honor I could bestow on a character... My main.

I think Splatana Deco fits him, and how he sees himself at the beginning. It's a very mobile weapon and aggro with a supportive kit. He can easily strife with opponents to draw fire from his teammates, while also setting up beacons, and setting of tentamissles to displace enemies.

The idea is that he mostly sees himself as his brother's "shield" at the beginning, and I feel like having a weapon that supports and takes fire suits that role.

As he grows and gets more comfortable with his place in Alkaloid, he would pick up more aggressive weapons. I just really like the idea of him with dualies. I think he has a lot of fun zipping around with dodge rolls. : )

He runs a lot of Quick Respawn abilities.

I think his backstory would stay mostly the same, actually.

Aira

He's 100% that guy who draws hearts in the enemy base.

He strikes me as the type of person who would play weapons that are meta without fully understanding WHY they're so good.

He started out playing vanilla Splash-o-matic, but he sucks so bad at Crab Tank. Mayoi thought something more mobile would suit Aira, so he recommended Inkbrush and Carbon Roller to him.

Hiyori wears his eye makeup the same way. This is a very important piece of Aira lore.

Mayoi

Mayoi has the biggest change to his backstory out of Alkaloid. He was originally an Octarian Soldier under DJ Octavio.

He was there for the Splat1 final boss and the Calamari Inkantation. He is NOT Agent 8, to be clear. He escaped after Marina, but before Agent 8. He wasn't in the subway. (But the idea of him in the subway is very fun, and that might be something to explore in an AU of this AU.)

He's a huge Squid Sisters fan.

He first escaped to Inkopolis, but it was too overwhelming for him, and he ended up traveling a lot before settling down in ES.

He plays a lot of weapons, and at knows a lot about the weapons he doesn't play. He's extremely skilled and knowledgeable. He's a fantastic coach, and everyone wants them to coach their teams! (Help him.)

Unfortunately, he is still Mayoi and still has severe anxiety! Despite how skilled he is, he's too scared to play alone and is pretty low ranked. That's why he got his status as an "underachiever."

Generally plays a lot of long ranged weapons to stay as far away from the action as he can. Snipewriter is his main, but E-Liter deserves an honorable mention.

Any closer ranged weapons he plays are more supportive than aggressive. This bad boy can pop out so many Inkstorms and Tacticoolers.

I probably should have added Hydra Splatling to his list instead of Heavy Edit tbh? But, eh, he can play both.

I think Snipewriter fits his main really well due to the fact that it has super long range, paints well, and has a supportive kit. At the time I'm writing this, it's also the best competitive weapon in Splatoon 3.

Tatsumi

His backstory is also similar to his canon one.

His leg got damaged and wouldn't repair itself when he respawned, so he had to get it removed it let it regrow naturally. Squids can do that, don't worry about it. : )

The guy who makes sure your base is 100% inked during Turf War.

Me and my friend both agreed it is extremely funny for Tatsumi to run around with his beginner weapon going like ^_^: so that's what he mains.

Then my other friend recommended me what they call "noob trap" weapons, which is mostly short ranged shooters (Sploosh and Aerospray) so I immediately added those to the list. I feel like they suit Tatsumi, and kind of mirror how inept he is with technology in canon.

Despite that, he's actually quite skilled! He does pretty well with short ranged shooters and has fun playing with them. They're his go to choice, but he's experienced in a lot of different weapon classes.

Anyway, you know how the Sunken Scrolls in Splatoon 3 introduced Squid Jesus--

[glowstickspinalfluid]

WELCOME TO ROLE SWAP AU SQUIDBEAK SPLATOON!! FEEL FREE TO PERUSE THE MENU!! it is a very long post, so I will try to spare you the scroll, but please. there is very cool headcanons on how special weapons work at the end so. please

SQUAD 1: CLOSE COMBAT AND BRUTE FORCE (FORCE SQUAD)

callie mains dynamo roller, orange is a 96 gal, and green is a luna blaster

SQUAD 2: LONG-RANGE COMBAT AND SURVEILLANCE (CALLED SUPPORT SQUAD)

marie mains splat charger, blue is an e-liter, and pink is a squiffer

SQUAD 3: SPECIAL WEAPONS (THE MOST INSUFFERABLE GUYS HERE)

3 mains n-zap, purple is a hydra, and green is an h-3

AND THE TECH GUYS? NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THEY ACTUALLY DO BUT WHATEVER IT IS ITS WORKING

AND OF COURSE

THE CAPTAIN OF THE SQUIDBEAK SPLATOON

moving on!!

ELABORATION ON SPECIAL WEAPONS SQUAD (+pearl)

some inkfish have the ability to naturally activate specials, separate from the general inkfish ability to charge specials from Big Emotions. emotion special charge still needs an outlet, usually ends up being just an ink explosion without one, and as a result a non-natural special activation requires special weapon amplification or refinement tech of some kind. natural special activation is the ability to channel special charge into a natural special, which is a special that doesn’t require any outside amplification or technology to function as a special. natural specials charge with Big Emotions, obviously, but also can be passive or by turfing, or just at the inkfish’s sheer will in some cases. natural special activation isn’t limited to natural specials, if an inkfish has access to any special refinement tech, what they can do with special charge is altered. the refinement tech can amplify a special or refine it, but it’s near impossible to refine a special without amplification.

everyone in squad 3, and pearl, is capable of natural special activation. they each can channel special energy into one natural special each, each of them different. the ability to power up on command in the middle of a war is pretty useful, hence why there’s an entire squad dedicated to it. pearl is a tech guy because she makes and tests specials, but it’s all intuition and explosive trial and error. pearl isn’t an agent instead of a very bad tech guy because she does what she wants, and she wants to dick around with the cephalopod equivalent of WMDs.

ANYWAYS THE SPECIAL WEAPONS

agent 3 can natural kraken, which can be amplified into splashdowns or krakens as we know them from splatoon 1, and later can be refined into reefsliders or triple splashdowns but we aren’t that far yet.

ourple, who I will name later, has natural inktuition, which can be amplified into echolocator, and later refined into wavebreakers

spout, who I will also give a name later, has natural inkvincibility, which can be amplified into ink armor, and refined into bubbler of splatoon 1, and can later be refined for invincibility in other specials and spawn armor.

and obviously pearl has a natural wail, which can be amplified into the princess wail, then refined into killer wail and later the 5.1 version. there's a bunch of other refined wails laying around bc pearl keeps messing around with them though

i'm sure i don't have to go into much detail to get across what the other squads do. we've all encountered scarily cracked charger and roller mains

and that is all, thank you :3

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

BMW i Vision Dee, 2023. Being presented at the CES, a futuristic mid-size sedan with a new and pared-down design language that previews the head-up display which will feature in BMW's NEUE KLASSE models from 2025. The name “Dee” stands for Digital Emotional Experience, it utilises a Mixed Reality Slider that allows drivers to decide how much digital content they want to see on the Head-Up Display. The five-step selection ranges from analogue, to driving-related information, to the contents of the communications system, to augmented-reality projection, right up to entry into virtual worlds. In parallel, dimmable windows can also be used to gradually fade out reality. The Vision Dee has a full-colour version of BMW's E Ink technology allowing up to 32 colours to be displayed. The body surface is divided into 240 E Ink segments, each of which is controlled individually. This allows an almost infinite variety of patterns to be generated and varied within seconds. 

[stevetonyweekly]

SteveTony Weekly - November 12

Happy weekend, friends! I’ve got a short list for you this week, which tbh, is gonna be the trend for a while. Work is increasingly busy, as are family commitments, and grad school is scheduled for January. Sorry about that. Anyway--enjoy these recs and be sure to leave a comment/kudo for your fic authors! 

~*~

stellar collision by Pandemic

He turns sixteen in front of his bathroom mirror with a chill across his skin, goosebumps on his arms, and a burn across his sternum. A wet laugh bubbles up from his mouth, too close to tears, as he watches avidly as ink pours across his skin. He thumbs the mark, presses into it, and gasps when he feels his stomach twist and a feeling he can’t shake that his soulmark is somewhere out there doing the same.

"I loved them instantly. It’s remarkable. Where was that love before? Where did you acquire it from? The way it is suddenly there, total and complete, as sudden as grief but in reverse, is one of the wonders of being human.”

Dedicated to You by mariana_oconnor

Steve Rogers is happy with his life. He runs a small bookshop, has good friends, and he fervently believes that the printed page is not obsolete. He's not expecting Tony Stark, billionaire inventor of the best e-reader on the market and perennial prey of the gossip magazines, to walk through the door.

His friends think he's crazy not to at least get the man's number, considering he's had a crush on Tony for years, but as luck would have it Steve might just get another chance.

A Notting Hill AU.

it's a small world after all by earliebirb 

“Great speech.”

Smiling at the compliment, Tony turns around. “Thank y—”

And nearly drops his champagne flute.

His world comes to a stop.

They had only spent a night together, but Tony would recognize those baby blues anywhere.

It’s Steve.

Steve from Tony’s London business trip. Or, as Rhodey has become accustomed to calling him—The Soulmate That Got Away.

Selvage by elwenyere

When a mysterious knight is wounded in battle while protecting King Anthony Stark, it's hard to tell who's more frustrated: the king, who has so far failed to discover any clues to the missing man's identity, or the king's personal attendant, Steven Rogers, who can't believe King Anthony took the field in the first place.

What Lies Inside by Penumbren

When the Avengers discover Captain America in the Arctic sea, they find more than just a new team member: Tony Stark discovers his fated mate. The problem is, Steve Rogers is a man out of his own time and apparently straight, and Tony's not about to force anything on the man he loves--even if it means his own death. Besides, Tony's spent his entire life keeping secrets. How can he possibly tell Steve that he's really Iron Man, let alone a werewolf?

this is the long haul by meidui

It takes them eleven years to go on a first date.

the steve rogers rating system by meidui

Tony has an internalised Steve Rogers rating system, but it’s not standardised. It’s also not a foolproof system because Steve behaves in ways that crash it all the time.

Advice for the Modern Merman by KandiSheek 

It's been ten years since technological advancement finally allowed merpeople to join the regular human society. Steve never thought he'd be dating the man who made it all possible.

Or Call Me Something Else by FestiveFerret

There are things Steve Rogers doesn't like about the future - see: Instagram - and there are things Steve Rogers loves about the future - see: hot, wild, no-strings-attached sex with Tony Stark. That is, until Tony drops the "b" word, and Steve realizes that what he thought was casual fun was something much more serious to the other man.

A platform for love by BladeoftheNebula 

Single parent Steve has a scary moment on the subway, but thankfully a handsome stranger saves the day.

Can't Write One Song (That's Not About You) by FestiveFerret 

Ten years ago, Tony fell in love with his roommate: funny, handsome, kind, smart Steve Rogers, who also happened to be the lead singer and guitarist of a band, The Howlies.

Then The Howlies made it big, Steve moved away, and Tony vowed to avoid any mention of the band, their songs, and the man he missed his chance with.

But chance has a way of giving you exactly what you need, even if you don't know it yet...

you'll be mine and i'll be yours by complicationstoo 

Five words ruin Tony's life.

“He doesn't love me back,” Steve says, and Tony feels his world crumble to pieces at his feet.

Steve loves someone, and Tony knows it isn't him.

The warmth of your cheek against mine by BlossomsintheMist

Steve's hurt. Tony looks after him. Established relationship.

I'll turn hours into gardens by nanasekei

Every week, a plant arrives.

Double or Nothing by RurouniHime 

One of these days, they're actually going to get that sleepover.

Steve's patient, Tony's determined, and Bucky is... wait, what's the opposite of helping? (otherwise known as the sex-filled sequel to Place Your Bets)

Sugar Seeking Sugar by NotEvenCloseToStraight

After Howard kicks Omega!Tony out, Tony is left to raise baby!Peter by himself. Working a crappy job and barely surviving, the Omega is desperate for help. When Omega!Clint suggests a Sugar Daddy, Tony is first horrified then resigned to what might be his only option to keep food on the table.

Alpha!Steve has a career, a big house, and money but is lonely every day of his life and doesn't know how to change it. When Alpha!Bucky suggests a Sugar Baby, Steve is first scandalized and then hesitantly open to at least trying.

The Sugar Seeking Sugar Agency matches Tony and Steve, and sparks fly right away between the pair. One date leads to two, then shopping trips and sleepovers, and Tony has money for bills, diapers and baby clothes while Steve is happy with the company and quickly falling in love.

Alphas usually don't want to deal with another Alpha's kid, so Tony keeps Peter a secret as long as he can but eventually he has to tell Steve about his past, his complicated life and what it might mean for their relationship.

Will the truth put a stop to their slowly progressing romance, or is a family with Tony exactly what lonely Alpha!Steve has always wanted?

[istherewifiinhell]

well here we go folks

[ID: Close on 80s comic Megatron, black helm, large yellow optics. his excessive diaglogue: Indeed, Ravage. We have lived peacefully with the Autobots for eons slowly secretly gathering our strength and pursuing our technology, now we shall strike at those who have brought the stagnation of peace and plenty to cybertron. They shall learn the way of conflict... The way of war... The way of Megatron. END]

oh boy.... marvel transformers no. 1 (or 1-2 in tfuk...) published 1984.

normally id put my credits ABOVE the cut... but um...

plot: Bill Mantlo script: Ralph Macchio pencils: Frank Springer inks: Kim Demulder lettering: Michael Higgins, Rick Parker colour: Nelson Yomtov editor: Bob Buduansky EiC: jim shooter digital re-master by digikore studios limited. collection edits by Justin Eisinger and Alonzo Simon. editorial notes and assistance by Mark. W. Bellomo

jeez.... it takes a fucking village i guess. if youve seen my previous comics blogging, you might know digital remasters arent my fav... but. the amount of READING. in tiny tiny text. in this childrens toy comic. have any of u seen ennervated used in a comic before?? and speaking of reading...

[Caption box: But the Decepticons were fresh, fully fueled for the battle... the word fueled written strangely. END]

does. does that say fubleo?

[ID: 1. same captioned from the uk printing, saying fueled with two L's. 2. from an older US printing, much lower res and smudged, but the E and D still look correct with the rest of the type used. END]

So ADDING text errors. thats a new one.

anyway i couldnt begin to nor would i subject you to a comprehensive summary post. robot shit happens. the comic script seems to be fully printed into the book, even tho... surely the pictures are communicating... some of it. anyway. what are we here for.

[ID: Panel of Megatron walking towards the camera, menacing, canon raised saying "Strike! Strike! With all the might at our command! Death to the autobots and the decay they stand for!" END]

why he kinda...

[ID: Small drawing of Optimus walking, in a awkward maybe hurried way. END]

bigfooting it up here.

[ID: 1. small drawing with huffer doing repairs, hes faced away with his butt kind of popped out. 2. cartoon huffer drawn with really curvy portions at the chest and hips. END]

im not sure why 'huffer baby girl' is a thing but. you know. two nickles

[ID: Starscream and Thundercracker talking in jet mode. S: I told Megatron this frontal assault tactic he's so fond of is foolish, Thundercracker. Guile and stealth are far more effective than missiles in he long run. T: We have to follow Megatron's way, Starscream, It's been successful up to now. I don't think we should openly defy him as you've been known to do. END]

well least thats still the same

[ID: Tall narrow panel of a castle thats more gothic than scifi. "Meanwhile, inside the foreboding Castle Decepticon that was home to Megatron" END]

SORRY? he was just? draculaing it up on cybertron?? okay.

[ID: Panel showing a young man, buster, looking under Bumblebee's hood. Caption box: And. Not far away... Buster's thinking "The noises coming from this car are really weird! Almost like… Crying! It's been badly damaged-- leaking something that looks like… but isn't… oil!" END]

BUMBLEBEE CRYING??? HELLO??? what are you doing to my boy. (also yes. its not spike the ambiguously aged tradesman teen, son of a mechanic... but, Buster, bookish nerd who's father is disappointed in him reading to much trying to get a scholarship... [Chanel boots voice] okay... i see your foppish intellectualism and pink shirt buster.

finally. finally. IS THERE A SCRIPT DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE. fellas. this is not how a comic layout goes

[ID: Panel of Megatron in front of his assembled troops asking "... Are well all account for on this brave new world?" The panel is absolutely crammed with text, as all NINE of them sound off with a whole unnaturally phrased character bio paragraph, and Megatron concludes. END]

Im not sure that was.... the best way to do that.... but okay

[ID: Panel of Optimus and his Autobots just kinda standing around very 3/4 model sheet style, as Optimus says "Now let me insure that our people have each survived intact," followed by SEVEN autobot intros. END]

guys...... this is painful. WHAT is ironhide gonna do with his liquids?!?! what are bumblebees LITTLE LEVERS? altho... cute that he likes to swim?? at least there was less of them then the--

OH NO

[ID: A full PAGE of 10 additional autobot intros. END]

Head in hands.... why............... are they getting weirder as it goes or, am i just in increasing amounts of pain?

OKAY. thats post theres no more editorial beyond this point. but.... ocr'd these so..... if anyone is crazy enough want to peruse these ENTIRE BIOS. but needs some plaintext aid... (and re/unfixing the remaster errors lol) this ones for you. dont start of frenzy and rumble.....

Skywarp's up for raiding sir. And my teleportational power'll pop me right into their midst to make mischief. As ever, your cause is Thundercracker's great Megatron. Our land-bound enemy will be picked off at will as I soar over them, striking with rockets and sonic booms. As the fastest most maneuverable of Decepticon jet flyers, I, Starscream, shall continue to accumulate Autobot body-counts that enhance the reputation of our leader. Can the speeches, huh, Star? Rumble's back in town and I'm gonna shake the place up with some low frequency ground-waves. You hit em from up top and I'll do the job down here. And I, Frenzy, will shatter our opponents' equilibrium,using high- pitched soundwaves. I will not cease until every Autobot is slain, and you, Soundwave? I will monitor transmissions and read Autobot electrical impulses to learn their plans even my photographic memory serves as a defensive weapon. Does even that compare with Ravages power to slip undetected anywhere? And my own monitoring devices in my nose module allow me to smell, hear and detect electromagnetic radiation beyond that of any decepticon It all pales next to the artistry of Buzzsaw. I can pinpoint a hexnut at twenty miles with my optical sensors. And my beak has carved many an Autobot warrior into a masterpiece of scrap metal. Just leave some for Laserbeak, comrades allow me a few struggling survivors of our battle and I'm certain till pry some useful information from them with my optical lasers… Even if they die in the telling. Come. Our time to strike is later. The ship's brain has placed into our circuits the knowledge that this world possesses enormous untapped fuel resources resources we can exploit in our struggle against the Autobots.

Ironhide's ready to roll, Optimus, I may be old and ornery, but my steel-alloy skin hasn't been dented yet in battle. And I've got a bunch of new liquids I want to test out in my water gun, yessiree. Oh, I say we leave right now and forget about traipsing after the stupid decepticons, I'll use my stress testing sensors and mathematical skill to rebuild the ark and get us back to Cybertron where we belong. C'mon, Huffer, get with it! I only require a drop of fuel to run, so I'm going to explore this whole planet- especially since The Ark said so much of it is water, and Bumblebee's little levers love a good swim. Well, Sunstreaker isn't leaving until the rest of this world gets a look at the sleekest Autobot in the bunch. And if any Decepticon dares to mess with the finish-- he'll get two ground-to-air missiles stuffed where he won't want them. If you were as fast as Cliffjumper is, Sunstreaker, you wouldn't worry about your finish, and while I'm dodging fire my "Glass gas" can make any Decepticon brittle as ice. Hun, Brawn don't need any gas to rip things up, nobody's stronger'n me. One punch and yer buildin'-- or decepticon--goes bye bye. Sideswipe's right up there with you, Brawn, because I use my arms as Piledrivers. I admit, it's a little rash to rush headlong at Decepticon fortifications, but not one of them's stopped me yet.

Frankly, I'd rather be elsewhere hunting turbofoxes than with you roughnecks, but, while we're here, my electro-disrupter is charged up. It not only interferes with decepticon circuitry, it also makes me appear to be where I'm not that's why I'm called Mirage. Nice to hear how you got your name, Mirage. Now, I got mine, Bluestreak by being as fast as a blue streak.. Whatever that is. Some wise guys even said I talk a blue streak--whatever that is. Anyway, here I am. Listening to you, Bluestreak, taxes even the endless patience of Prowl. I have little to say, but my logic center dictates the most advantageous course of action in any situation. Well, that is neat-o, Prowl. But me, Jazz, I'd like to just cruise around and take in the sights. And if I've got to fight well my photon rifle and overhead flamethrowers can make things hot for the big nasties. You burn them, Jazz, but let Hound sniff, them out for you. My infra-red radiation collector makes me the best tracker on or off cybertron, and if I ever get lost, my hologram gun projects terrain maps to get me back on track. Just let Windcharger zoom ahead and scrap a Decept between my magnetic arms. I'll take in this planet's scenery later. The only thing Gears wants to learn about this planet is how to get off it. I hate this place already, I just know you're going to use me as a mobile transport unit again once we have to set up. Nuts. Let's go home Well, at least you don't have to patch Autobots up like old Ratchet does, when one of us busts himself up playing hero, but I've got the tools to fix anything-- even though I'd rather be partying than tinkering. And Wheeljack is the guy you've had to patch up most. I can't help it. I love to mess with gadgets -- especially our weaponry, like my shoulder cannons. I try to be careful, but sometimes it doesn't work. Thanks for being around, Ratchet, old buddy. I don't know how many times I, Trailbreaker had to use my force-field projector and hide behind my own barrier when you're experimenting with those shrapnel shells. You're worse than a wild Decepticon, Wheeljack.