#gold plated medals

[onlinesikhstore]

Unisex sikh guru nanak gobind singh ji khanda eik onkar pendants christmas gifts

Sikh Singh Khanda, Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Eik Onkar Pendant in black thread - Ideal GIFT Item

Please see below variation details of Steel Engraved Pendants in black thread: Silver Plated Guru Nanak Ji - 1 Onkar - Guru Nanak Photo Engraved on one Side and Eik Onkar on other sideSilver Plated Guru Gobind Singh Ji Khanda - Guru Gobind Singh Ji Photo Engraved on one Side and Khanda on other sideSilver Plated Guru Nanak Guru Gobind Singh Ji - Guru Gobind Singh Ji Photo Engraved on one Side and Guru Nanak Photo on other sideGold Plated Guru Nanak Eik Onkar - Guru Nanak Photo Engraved on one Side and Eik Onkar on other side20inch Complimentary Black Thread will be provided free of charge Please see photos showing the details of these items.

P.S. Colour of item may slightly vary due to camera flash and light conditions. Sizes written in variations are approximate and may slightly differ to the specified size.

[blissfullyecho]

Any tips on managing your time when it feels like you have so many things on your plate? I’m obsessed with your blog!! 🫶🏼

How I Dominate My Own Time “Management”

Time management isn’t something I “manage”—it’s something I dominate. While others are scrambling to keep up, I’ve already mastered the art of making every minute count. I don’t waste time on things that don’t serve me, because I know exactly where my energy needs to go. My day is a symphony of productivity, every task executed like I’m winning a gold medal in efficiency.

The key? I know my worth and I know my time is the most valuable thing I have. If something doesn’t align with my goals or elevate my life, it gets cut—immediately. I prioritize what moves me closer to my dream life, and I don’t apologize for it. Other people may be “busy,” but I’m always “productive” because I’ve learned the art of doing what matters. So, while they’re still figuring it out, I’m over here creating a life that’s nothing short of extraordinary. Keep up, darling.

1. Know Your Worth and Don’t Waste Time on the Unimportant: If it doesn’t bring you closer to your goals or level up your life in some way, don’t entertain it. Time is money, darling, so treat it like gold.

2. Prioritize Like a Pro: Every day, identify the 1-3 things that will move you forward the most. No distractions. Knock them out first, and everything else can wait.

3. Plan Your Day Like a Boss: Don’t just go with the flow—dictate it. Block out time for the most important things and stick to it. You’re not waiting around for opportunities; you’re making them.

4. Delegate Like a Queen: You’re too important to be stuck in the weeds. Delegate the tasks that don’t require your unique brilliance and focus on what only you can do.

5. Be Ruthless with Your Time: Say no more than you say yes. Protect your time like it’s the last thing you have—because, honestly, it is. People will try to take it, but you’ve got to guard it fiercely.

6. Use Time Blocks Instead of Multitasking: Multitasking is for amateurs. Use time blocks to focus on a single task at a time—get in, get it done, and move on.

7. Learn to Let Go: Not everything needs to be perfect. You’re not here to waste time trying to make every single detail flawless. Focus on the bigger picture and let the small stuff slide.

8. Create Routines That Work for You: You’re not following trends; you’re creating your own. Design routines that keep you productive without feeling like you’re chained to a schedule. Flexibility is key, but only when it works in your favor.

9. Set Boundaries Like a Pro: Protect your personal time. People will try to pull you in all directions, but you’ve got to know when to say no and stick to it. Your time is precious.

10. Never Stop Learning: Efficiency doesn’t come by accident—it comes from obsessing over ways to make your life more streamlined. Keep learning, keep improving, and keep staying one step ahead of the rest.

Use these tips to keep your time in check and your life on a never-ending, upward trajectory. Anything less than perfection isn’t an option for someone like you.

[sweetmesquite]

so the "mav maybe getting a medal of honor for the events of tg:m" thing has stuck in my brain. namely the fact that moh recipients get a lot of additional honors and benefits. things like a boost to pensions and retirement pay. things like invitations to presidential inaugurations AND inaugural balls. things like members of uniformed services being encouraged to salute, regardless of whether the person outranks the moh recipient. (i would pay money to see cain, with gritted teeth, saluting maverick because he was peer pressured to, but that's not the point of this post)

it also affords things like a custom license plate in certain states. california offers that, and california also waives all fees associated with ONE vehicle for that individual. (it also explicitly states that one plate may be kept as an heirloom so bradley gets to keep it)

something else to keep in mind is that a number of military cemeteries have a parking spot reserved for moh recipients. i'm uncertain if the national cemetery in san diego has one and am currently a very long ways too far to check and google maps is not helping me, but i'd like to think it does.

so. i'd like to paint y'all a picture.

fort rosencrans national cemetery in san diego. it's early evening on a gorgeous, clear day in late summer. there's a breeze blowing in from the ocean. in a very specific parking spot -marked with a gold plaque- there's a kawasaki bike resting on its kickstand. any passers-by would notice it has a very uncommon plate affixed to the back. its owner is a ways off; he's here to visit two of his best friends.

he leaves a quarter and a dime when he's done.

[lostloveletters]

Something Borrowed (Michael Corleone x Reader)

Summary: Michael Corleone is the last person you expect to see at your best friend Connie’s wedding, and the last thing you expect to happen upon seeing him again after so many years is spending the night together. Maybe, it'll turn into something more.

Note: Female reader, but no other descriptors are used. No hate to Kay, she’s my girl, but wedding scene Michael drives me crazy🤭 She’s off living her best life elsewhere in this. Also, it was a lot of fun writing pre-everything Michael. Do not interact if you’re under 18, terf or radfem, or post thinspo/ED content.

Word count: 2.8k

Warnings: Sexually explicit content involving unprotected sex. Light play fighting.

Champagne and giggles overflowed at Connie Corleone’s wedding to Carlo Rizzi. Plenty of red wine was passed around in pitchers for the old guard, of course. For you and the other women conscious of not staining the rainbow of cocktail dresses and flowing gowns that dotted the backyard, you opted for lighter fare in tall flutes that sparkled in the early autumn sun. 

Perhaps you were a bit too enthusiastic about the drink offerings, having already exchanged three empty champagne glasses for ones filled to the brim with glittering gold when the bride engulfed you in a hug. With a delighted laugh, you returned the gesture, kissing her cheek.

“I wanted to say thank you one more time for coming!” Connie exclaimed, her cheeks flushed pink from the excitement of the day. “God, it breaks my heart we couldn’t have gotten you a bridesmaid dress in time, but you look gorgeous.”

“Me? Connie, you look like a princess.”

“I feel like one,” she giggled.

“When you see your gift from me—I’m sorry it’s not more, I haven’t—”

“Stop it!” she scolded. “You came all the way from Europe just to be at my wedding. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.”

You didn’t bother correcting her. Her version of events sounded much nicer than you just got lucky with when the Red Cross put you on a boat home. “Anything for you.”

“I won’t keep you. This is probably the first time you’re eating real food in years. Mama, Sandra, and Theresa made most of it.”

Connie was right. You tried to savor your plate, packed with pasta drowned in homemade sauce, antipasto and crusty bread, and sandwiches that towered with fresh cold cuts. The Corleones knew a thing or two about good food, and had the means to pull the strings for the unfathomable ration books such a feast required.

A familiar yet unexpected voice startled you when your fork pierced a piece of mozzarella. “Is this seat taken?”

“Michael,” you practically gasped, taken aback by his even attending the wedding in the first place, but also how good he looked in his uniform. Cap tucked under his arm, medals and decorations on his chest, the photos you’d seen in the magazine didn’t do him justice. Finding yourself again, you gestured to the empty seat across from you. “Go ahead.”

“I can’t remember the last time I saw you, but you look great,” he said, his gaze fixed on you as he set his plate and glass down. He took you in, the girl he’d grown up seeing around the house and at school, now, without a doubt, a woman.

“You too, Captain,” you said, nodding toward the double bars on his uniform.

He snickered at your little joke, making you feel a bit more at ease in his presence. “I’m surprised you aren’t in the wedding party.”

“Honestly, I wasn’t even sure I was going to make it until a few days ago. I only just got back to New York on Thursday,” you said.

“You volunteered with the Red Cross, didn’t you?”

You nodded. “I was in England, and then France after the liberation.”

“Clubmobile, right?”

“Did Connie tell you?”

He shook his head, smiling the slightest bit. “All the pretty girls worked the Clubmobile.”

A mortifyingly girlish giggle escaped your lips. You quickly brought your glass to your mouth, though the champagne in it was likely the culprit of your embarrassing reaction to Michael’s compliment. Averting your eyes to the dancing guests, you tried to ignore the warmth that spread across your face.

You allowed yourself to look at him again a few moments later, relieved to find he was still sitting in front of you, amused, maybe even endeared, by you.

“You’re such a jerk, Michael,” you mumbled, only because he was your friend’s older brother, and when you were younger and starry-eyed and figuring out what it meant when your heart wouldn’t quite beat right around a boy, it was him who those tender emotions were kindled in secret toward—until you had your first real boyfriend.

He grinned at your remark, and the two of you ate and caught up in between his various family members stopping by the table to say hello. You weren’t sure what to make of his seeing you before any of them—flattered, a bit confused as well, but he laughed at your jokes and moved his seat closer to yours, so you must have been doing something right when he finally asked, “Do you want to dance?”

“I’d love to,” you said.

The chaos from Johnny Fontaine’s unexpected arrival and impromptu performance subsided when Michael led you out to dance. He held you close, the way soldiers had at the dances the Red Cross put on for servicemen, all to boost morale, or, as the war went on, to offer a break from reality. Among the many rules meant to be followed—and typically broken in one way or another in the haze of war—was to keep some emotional distance from the enlisted men, for your sake and their own, but with bodies so close together, tender touches and soft whispers over songs of twilight and moonbeams, it was tough not to be caught up in romance’s alluring snare.

Even then, with the war behind both of you, something about being in Michael’s arms made you truly understand why some girls risked their assignments for a man. There was something in how he looked at you, different from your childhood together, even from a few minutes prior. You felt breathless despite the slow song you swayed along to.

“Did you like Paris?” he asked quietly, throwing you for a loop.

You furrowed your eyebrows. “Paris?”

“You were in France, weren’t you?”

“Not Paris.”

“Where in France were you slinging doughnuts, then?”

“Little villages a few miles out from the front, mostly. More cows than people, but nice enough once the fighting stopped, and it was finally quiet—as quiet as it could get, anyway,” you said. “When Connie wrote you’d been wounded, I couldn’t help but think the worst. Plenty of guys out there—well, that article sure put me at ease. All the girls were jealous when I said I knew you.” You smiled. “I’m glad you’re alright, Michael.”

He glanced at your lips, and for an aching moment you were sure he was going to kiss you, but instead he gave you a smile, one that was real and made your heart flutter nevertheless, but left you disappointed.

“Where are you staying since you’ve been back?” he asked.

He seemed familiar with the hotel you were staying in when you mentioned it, offering to drive you back after the reception ended, and Connie and Carlo left for their honeymoon. 

“It’s only until I can find a boarding hotel that has space,” you said. “I mean, it doesn’t have to be the Barbizon, but I’m not moving back in with my parents.”

“Here’s to that.”

The rest of the day and into the evening, Michael hung around you, unless he was pulled away by members of his family, each instance an annoyance to him. You knew they weren’t exactly supportive of his enlisting, but the situation couldn’t have been that bad, not since he was home, safe and sound at his sister’s wedding.

The Corleones, though endlessly kind to you, always been an odd family, and you learned through your friendship with Connie not to ask too many questions.

But Genco Abbandando was dying, and Vito insisted Michael go with the rest of the Corleone men to pay his respects to the elder. When you offered to take a cab back to your hotel, Michael promised the visit wouldn’t be long, suggesting you wait at the house with his mother until he returned to drive you into the city.

Your foolish desire to spend more time with him led to your waiting in the Corleones’ kitchen for a little over an hour, when you likely would’ve been showered and in bed in your hotel room by the time he arrived back for you, in one hell of a hurry to get you into his car and presumably get away from his family.

“Do you ever think about leaving New York?” he asked when the house was out of view.

You laughed. “Michael, I only just got back.”

“That’s not what I mean. The war—it wasn’t going to be forever, but it let you see what life could be like away from all of this, didn’t it?”

“Of course it did. I’m honestly not sure what I’m going to do with myself now,” you said. “How about you? Are you going back to school? Dartmouth, I mean.”

He nodded. “I start again the spring semester.” At a red light, he glanced over at you. “New England’s nice. Better than French cow country.”

“And do you suppose I could study in the department of pouring coffee and serving doughnuts?”

“You’re smart. I think you have a real future,” he said, the sincerity in his voice startling you. “All of that back there, that’s not for us. It never has been.”

You were silent for a few moments. “I guess you’re right.”

The city lights twinkling in the distance took the place of the stars they blocked out from the sky, growing larger as Michael crossed the bridge into Manhattan, the center of the universe. You’d never tell a soul how you cried just a few days prior upon seeing it again for the first time in years.

Besides his talk of the future, Michael kept the conversation light, and you could’ve sworn he was flirting with you. Working the Clubmobile, you learned quickly how to pick up on it, some men laying it on thick while others were irresistibly smooth. Michael could’ve easily just been teasing you, the way a friend’s older brother would, but when he pulled up to your hotel, either your ego or curiosity prompted you to invite him up for a drink.

You sobered up on the drive into the city, enough to remember you didn’t have any drinks in your room. The two of you would have to go to the hotel bar for that, but then you and Michael wouldn’t be alone, not how you wanted, anyway.

To your relief, he agreed.

With Michael in uniform, few questions would be asked by hotel staff as to why you suddenly had a man with you when you checked in on your own. It would have been easy to lie, claim he was your fiance who had only just gotten back Stateside. But you supposed you and Michael already looked the part, walking arm-in-arm through the lobby without an issue.

Your confidence soared on the elevator ride up to your modest room, which you let Michael into, knowing he wouldn’t judge the state of your accommodations.

“Mind if I make myself comfortable?” You didn’t wait for his answer, pulling your blouse from where it’d been tucked in your skirt. Slipping out of your heels, you sighed softly in relief.

“It’s your place,” he said, setting his coat over the chair in the corner and loosening his tie.

You grabbed his cap from where he set it down and placed it on your head, tilting the brim over your face a bit and posing in front of him with a hand on your hip. “How do I look?”

He sat down on the edge of the bed, giving you a once over, “I swear I saw you pinned up in some guy’s tent looking just like that.”

You laughed, taking the cap off and flinging it aside. “Oh, I don’t even know why I invited you up here!” Your laughter faded as something in your stomach turned sour, the situation feeling achingly too good to be true. Alone in a hotel room with Michael, the two of you entirely capable of making your own mistakes on the off chance he wanted you too. “Or why you even agreed to come up.”

“I didn’t come up here to drink.”

“No, you did it to be nice, because we’ve known each other for so long…” You sighed, sitting next to him. “I always figured you thought of me as your kid sister’s annoying little friend or something.”

He shook his head, saying your name softly in either protest or reassurance. His hand cupped your face as he turned it toward him, his thumb rubbing soft circles in your cheek. “Not for a long time. Especially not tonight.”

You kissed him, hands gripping his shoulders, closing your eyes as you melted in his embrace. Your skin feverish at his touch, you shuddered when his hand slipped up your untucked blouse until his fingertips reached your bra.

To say you hadn’t fantasized about Michael would have been an unconvincing lie to anyone who dared ask, but even in your wildest dreams, it was never quite like this, so bold and irreverent in the face of the tradition the two of you had just spent the day celebrating.

“I came up here because you’re beautiful,” he confessed against your lips, “because you’re the only familiar face I saw at my sister’s wedding that didn’t make me wish I were somewhere else.”

Silencing him with another kiss, your fingers raked through his soft black hair as your body pressed flush against his, unsure if you could withstand hearing more of his tender words without falling to pieces. You couldn’t, not so early in the night, but his desire grew difficult to ignore when he pulled you onto his lap. The pressure against your pussy made you moan, and with a hasty desperation, you shimmied out of your panties as he unbuckled his belt, freeing his hard cock within a few moments.

You slipped a hand between the two of you, pumping his length, feeling the way it twitched at your touch and gasping when Michael’s hips bucked. His teeth grazed your bottom lip, a whisper of an intent to devour you.

“I need you, sweetheart,” he groaned. “Need to feel you.”

Lifting your hips, you whimpered upon feeling his head brush your clit as you positioned yourself, slowly lowering as he filled you, cock throbbing against your walls that clenched around him. He assuaged the pain of taking all of him with a gentle kiss and soft praises, urging you to take your time, that you had all night together.

All night. The promise he would stay, at least until the morning, sent a teasing wave of pleasure through you. Gripping his shoulders, you tried to keep a steady pace as you rode him, wanted to show him that staying would be worth his while. He’d been right in the car, you wouldn’t be a virginal, wedding white bride. The both of you had seen and experienced too much to be considered innocent any longer, but it was something you shared, that no one else from that day would have understood.

Your thighs ached as you neared your climax, desperately chasing it despite the exhaustion that was creeping up on you. Crying out in frustration, you buried your face in the crook of Michael’s neck.

“I’m close,” you whined. “Michael, I—”

“I’ve got you,” he assured you, his hands making their home on your hips. 

Your eyes fluttered shut as you let him guide your body, his thrusts doing most of the work while you rocked against him, seeking the friction against your clit that would bring you to release. It caught in your throat, a broken groan from your lips to his ears as you came, clenching around him, pleasure rolling through you, rattling your body like thunder. You barely caught your breath when he came, shuddering against you, practically cradling you against him as he filled you.

With a whimper, you lifted yourself off of him and rolled back onto the bed. Placing your hand on your chest, you felt your rapidly beating heart beneath your fingertips, focusing on it as it slowed the following minute or so and ignoring the stickiness between your legs, the evidence you slept with your best friend’s older brother. 

Michael leaned over, brushing back the hair that stuck to your face. “What are your plans tomorrow?”

“Looking through the classifieds for a job,” you said honestly.

“Wanna put it off for a day?”

“With what money, Michael?”

“I’ll give you a line of credit.”

You grabbed one of the pillows from behind you, throwing it at him with a laugh. “Jerk!”

He grinned, pushing it aside to grab for one of your arms. You put up a weak fight, your breathless laughter giving away his almost certain win.

Having pinned you down beneath him, he pressed you for an answer. “So?” He kissed you. “What do you say, sweetheart?”

You rolled your eyes, smiling despite yourself. “I guess I can clear my schedule for a dashing war hero like you.”

“Dashing, I like the sound of that,” he murmured, bringing his lips to yours again, softly, with a tenderness that promised more for tomorrow, and even the day after, if you’d have him. 

You smiled. “Me too.”

[avissapiens]

How to be a Jock Ch8: Elements

(Model ID: David Laid // https://www.instagram.com/davidlaid/)

Sharp, hardened, honed. Forged in the fires of ruthless ambition  until that jock edge is so fine you can cut through the competition like butter. Mined out of the rough ground up masses and refined into something finally valuable. Pounded and molded into the shape you know will suit you best. Melted down and recast at the smallest sign of failure or impurity. Always polished and glinting in the sunlight like a medal on a star athletes chest.

The Metallic Jock core might seem cold and unapproachable at first. But when jocks meet the clashing and crashing of those ores can glow red hot. Sparks flying as they compete to be the best. Yearning for more. Never stopping the constant battle for self-perfection. Squeezing, bending, deforming, but never breaking. Never stopping. Too powerful to ever be broken. Both a link in a chain and the chain itself capable of holding the whole world up. Rewarded with glittering treasure beyond belief. The steely gaze of your eyes claiming conquest over every resource you covet. Flaunting that ownership and superiority with your weaponized body. Those cut, abs like titanium plating. The sheen from your sweat and exertion over bronze sunkissed skin; the perfect mirror for lessers to gaze in with envy. That vice grip over what you have won and what you desire to win. Abundance and endless victory totally magnetized towards you.

Let your potential and greatness surge through you like a copper wire. Let them lust after your success like gold and silver while you remain as stainless and strong as reinforced steel. You are sharper and harder than damascened iron.  Clear the path ahead of you and become something pure and great. Authors note: I was very annoyed that tumblr doesn't have Yellow as a font colour which is my go-to for jock. So just imagine all the Blue highlights are Golden.

For Resources to help embody your Jock Journey you can check out the Jock Archetype guide for free on Patreon. Support me on Patreon, where you can find a number of high-quality Jock file exclusives. And go and follow me on Youtube for just a taste of my catalogue. Also be sure to Join me and my community on Discord where you can get instant updates for everything important in the abyss.

[kteezy997]

the director's daughter-part one//t.c.

this is going to be a revision of the story I originally wrote and posted on Wattpad but got deleted. Luckily, my Beta has it saved for me<33

Warnings: cursing, yearning/sexual tension

While shooting a new movie, Timothee Chalamet was staying at the home of the film's director, Colleen, along with his costars, Florence Pugh and Zendaya, as well as Zendaya's boyfriend, Tom Holland. After getting off their plane, Colleen's driver brought them to a massive, modern-styled mansion.

Upon entering the house with their luggage, they were all greeted by the lovely Colleen, who gave them a quick tour of her large home and assigned them their bedrooms.

Later that evening after everyone settled in, the director and the cast met in the living room to go over the shooting schedule. As they spoke of the coming weeks, they eventually heard some footsteps.

In walked a young woman wearing a white tank top and some trendy striped boxer shorts. She was seemingly so preoccupied with the AirPod Max headphones on her ears and the iPhone in her hands, that she didn't even notice the group of people sitting on the couches.

"Oh yes," Colleen piped up, "I almost forgot I had a daughter." she joked, speaking louder to get the attention of the young lady. "Y/n!"

Y/n was startled and jumped slightly at her mother's yelling voice. She removed her headphones, smiling awkwardly.

"Honey, you probably already know all of these people already, but, Timothee, Florence, Zendaya and Tom, meet my youngest child, y/n. She's twenty-two and she is also visiting me for the summer along with the rest of you."

"Wow, thanks for the marvelous introduction, Mother, but hey everyone, I'm y/n." she smiled kindly now to the other young adults.

The actors all raised from the couch, greeting y/n with hugs and sweet words. But it was different when Timothee stopped in front of her. She could see why the world, especially females, were so taken by his boyish good looks and his curly hair. She felt like those green eyes were seeing into her soul.

"Y/n." he said, giving her a soft smile and then hugging her.

She hugged Timothee, feeling the softness of the shirt on his back and taking in his sandalwood scent. As they both backed away from the hug, she said, "I didn't mean to interrupt, I was just going to grab some water and head up to my room. Goodnight everyone, it was great meeting you all." She parted to the kitchen with a wave of her hand.

Timothee could not get y/n out of his mind for the entire evening, not even as they all dispersed to go to bed. He laid awake for two hours that night, just letting his brain wander to repetitive thoughts about the mysterious young woman who just waltzed into his life.

The next morning, y/n took it upon herself to make breakfast for everyone, to kick off the summer. The cast members were in awe of the yummy smelling spread on the kitchen island she had put out for them. The entire household sat in the kitchen and had breakfast together.

"So, y/n, are you in college or..?" Florence asked, taking a piece of bacon from her plate and biting into it.

"Oh, no, I'm actually, well I was an Olympic diver." y/n answered.

"Oh that's so cool!" Tom said, "So do you have like medals and all that?"

"Yes, I've got three Gold and two Silver." she said, taking a bite of her waffle off of her fork.

"We never could keep her out of the water when she was little. And we are so proud of everything she's accomplished." Colleen said, the pride evident in her tone and she smiled.

"Hey, I knew I'd seen you before." Zendaya exclaimed looking at y/n, "You were in those Nike ads, right?"

"Yeah, they sponsored me for three years." y/n blushed, wiping her mouth shyly with her napkin. She wasn't used to being so recognized, especially not by someone as famous as Zendaya. As they continued the morning meal, y/n couldn't help but notice that Timothee was being much quieter than the others.

After breakfast, Colleen made an announcement: "Okay guys, we are heading to set today. I want you all to see the work being done and have an idea of what it is going to look like." She then looked at her daughter, "And I am trusting you to stay here by yourself and not break anything or burn the place down."

"Mother, I am twenty-two years old, I think I can handle it."

“Yeah, she did cook us breakfast and the house is still immaculate.” Florence pointed out, making the others giggle.

.......

Once everyone else had left, y/n showered and put on a little bit of makeup to go with her white lacy top and black jeans with the knees ripped to catch the summer breeze outside. She ventured out of the house to go to the art supplies store. She wanted to indulge her painting hobby.

It was a quick little shopping trip, the movie gang was still gone when she returned to the house. She went to her room upstairs and kicked her shoes off. She turned on her music, letting it blare through the speakers in her room as she set up her canvas.

After seeing the set, Zendaya, Tom, and Florence made plans to grab some food and then go grocery shopping afterwards. Colleen had a meeting to go to.

Timothee, however, opted to go back to the house instead of dinner, claiming that he didn't sleep well the night before and just wanted to relax.

Upon entering the mansion, he could hear the muffled music coming directly from y/n's room. He smirked to himself, shaking his head. He decided to get a shower and freshen up. It was one of those summer days where you started to sweat just by stepping outside.

After getting out of the shower, Timothee wrapped his towel around his waist. He stopped at y/n's room when he left the bathroom, intending to greet her and let her know that he was back. He knocked on the door, but there was no answer. The music was so loud, she didn't even hear him enter her room. He stopped to watch her for a moment, she was painting, but also swaying her hips to "In the Night" by the Weeknd.

She slathered a bit of paint onto the canvas, did a twirl and squealed when she saw someone in the room with her. She nearly jumped out of her skin! "Timothee! What the fuck?! You scared the hell out of me, dude." She put her hand to her chest to still her raving heart.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to let you know that someone else was home, I didn't mean to scare you."

"How long have you been standing there, you creep?"

"Hey, I'm not a creep,” Timothée put his hands on his hips, “I only stepped in here for a second."

Y/n found herself distracted by the water beads streaming down his naked chest. "Um, okay. Where is everyone else?"

Timothee smirked, noticing her eyes scanning his chest. "Out."

"mm." she hummed, nodding.

"Is there anything you want from me?" he asked, daring.

She then shot her gaze up to his eyes, "What do you mean?"

"Look, we're both adults here. I see the way you're looking at me, and honestly, I want you too. Everyone else in the house is going to be out for hours. If you want me, I'm yours."

“But,” she shook her head in disbelief, “you didn’t say a word to me this morning.”

Timothée shrugged, “Yeah, I felt kind weird because I wasn’t sure if you were in to me. But now I’m pretty confident you are.”

She grinned, giggling, “Hmm, what makes you so sure?”

“Because you were just looking at me like you wanted to fuck my brains out.”

@gatoenlaciudad @thebetawolfgirl @musicandbooksaremyhappyplace @softhecreator @tchalamss @lixzey @bitchyunknownuser @ducktapebar @aoi-targaryen @yukideadinside @elloise0 @thatoneweirdgirl17 @mel-vaz @sammy-halpert @iwishchalamet @that-one-fangirl69 @jindongdongie @briefkittenearthquake @imnotoverlyobsessive

[thebeautifulbook]

Electroplate Book Cover by Lilian Simpson (c1871-1897)

The Cover was ‘designed and modelled” by Miss M. Lilian Simpson, on a commission from the Council of the Art Union of London, and gained for the Artist a gold medal in the National Competition of all the Schools of Art under the Science and Art Department in 1894. It was exhibited in the Royal Academy in 1896.

The idea embodied in the design is that of the growth of Life (represented” by the flowering and fruit) watched over” by Spirits (shown in the eight angles), whilst Love (the central figure) kisses the buds into bloom, and, as shown on the clasp, binds together the pages of the Book of Life.

THIS WORK ISSUED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ART UNION OF LONDON 1896’

This copy plated in silver

source

[ladykailitha]

Never Hold Back Your Step Part 4

One month later...

Sorry about that guys. Hopefully now that Batshit Soulmates and Not All That Glitters is Gold is coming to end next week, you'll get more of this story.

In this we have the relay race, Steve getting weird vibes from his teammates, and finally putting his foot down with Nancy.

Again Nancy will get worse before she gets better.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

****

Steve kept catching Ezra looking at him at the strangest times. It made something between his shoulder blades itch. Like it had back in the junkyard with the demodogs. Just that feeling of...not evil. But danger. He just couldn’t shake the feeling.

He stood behind the jump box and shook his arms loose. He hopped up and down on the balls of his feet trying to stay warmed up. All along the line the other competitors were doing the same.

He got into position and pulled his goggles down. Then the shot went off and they all dived in.

Steve was going up against his teammates for the individual events and knew that for this first one, he had it in the bag. Butterfly was his specialty. So he focused on beating them and not worry about the other competitors.

He knew his form was good, his strokes powerful. His breaths perfectly timed.

Before he knew it he was touching the end plate and getting out of the water.

He saw a couple other boys getting out of the water after him, but it was clear he had beaten them.

His coaches were cheering almost as loudly as the crowd was and Steve felt a sense of accomplishment, one that wasn’t tied to other worldly dimensions and protecting nosy ass teenagers from monsters. He smiled up at the stands and waved.

He took off his goggles and waited for the judges to read the results. A boy from Chicago was second and third place was from Minnesota. But Steve was the undisputed winner.

His teammates mobbed him, jumping on him and cheering.

He watched as his teammates won medals in their heats too. Then they called it for the boys for the day.

Steve hit the showers ready to get that oil slick feel of the chlorine off his skin. Grateful that the cap protected his hair.

He scrubbed his skin with the soap and again he could feel someone watching him, but this time when he looked up, he couldn’t tell who it was as there were so many people around.

It made his skin crawl. It was like sharing the shower room with Tommy and Billy all over again. An experience Steve would rather not repeat. But it wasn’t as though he could go to the coaches with anything, either. There was always going to be boys staring at you in the showers. It didn’t necessarily mean they were gay either. Hatred. Envy. Even curiosity.

He quickly got dressed and hurried out to his waiting friends.

Jeff put his arm around Steve’s shoulder. “Hey, are you okay?”

Steve looked behind him, but didn’t see anything. He nodded. “Just jumpy being so far away from home, I guess.”

Eddie frowned.

Wayne clapped his hands together. “All right, Jeff and I are going site-seeing this afternoon. You boys behave yourselves.”

“Never!” Eddie cackled.

Jeff gave him a high five. “The only way to be.”

Steve and Eddie watched as they walked away talking about all the places they were going to see.

“This about your comic, baby?” Eddie whispered.

Steve shook his head. “I’ll tell you all about it when we get to your hotel room.”

Once they were up in Eddie’s room, Steve flopped on the bed dramatically.

“I would give up sports all together if I didn’t think my dad would kill me if I tried.”

Eddie cocked his head to the side. “What do you mean, gorgeous?” He got up onto the bed next to Steve.

“Ever since I fell from popularity or lost my crown or whatever,” Steve grumbled, “it’s been really hostile in the locker rooms.”

Eddie laid down next to him. “Even with the swim guys?”

“Before this trip I wouldn’t have thought so,” Steve murmured. “But I’ve caught Ezra staring at me more than once and it’s making my skin crawl. And I’ve been feeling it when he’s not around, too. I don’t know, it might be in my head.”

Eddie pulled him close. “I doubt it’s in your head, Steve. I know you better than that. You wouldn’t be feeling it if there wasn’t something to it.”

Steve let out a sigh. “I guess.”

Eddie pressed his lips to the column of his throat. “I know just how to distract you.”

Steve hummed. “I was hoping you might.”

****

Steve stood in line for the final event. The 4x100 m/yd medley or relay swim. They were all bouncing on their toes, trying to shake off their nerves.

Steve was up third with the butterfly and Ezra was last with free style, with Nike and Lyle starting for back and breaststroke respectively.

Lyle was their weakest link, and being second, it could really hurt them if Steve couldn’t pick up time. Ezra was by far and away their best and fastest swimmer. His front crawl was incredible to watch.

Nick got up on the podium and readied himself for the starting shot. Steve nodded in approval. Nick’s stance was good.

BANG!

And they were off. Nick slicing through the water like a knife. He spun around and began the backstroke. He had an instinct that couldn’t be taught and that’s why he was the best at his part of the relay.

He touched the plate below the podium and Lyle was off, showcasing exactly why he was on the team. His broadstroke was good, but not great. What he was great at was getting off the starting podium at the precise moment Nick touched it.

Steve got up and focused on Lyle coming back down the length of the pool. Lyle was doing well, keeping up with the other teams and not losing any ground that Nick bought them.

He leapt in and all the roar of the crowd, the splashing of the other teams’ members, even the sound of his heart beat went away. It was just him and the water. No distractions, no worries, no fears, just the way the water flowed around him.

Each movement was flawless, breathtaking. Then he was touching the pad and Ezra was splashing into the water above him. He pulled himself out of the water and the world came rushing back in.

He was handled a towel and he began scrubbing his face so he could watch Ezra finish their heat. It really wasn’t even contest. Ezra turned before the other teams were even half way. Ezra would have to get a cramp and drown in order for them to catch up.

Something he obviously didn’t do. He tapped the panel and pulled himself out of the water. He looked up at the time clock with a frown. They had won. Of course they had, but even Steve could tell that hadn’t beaten the record.

Even though Steve and Ezra were co-captains, they had flipped a coin in the locker room to see who would be on the podium if they medalled. Ezra had won.

Steve smiled at his teammate. They had kicked ass.

They all hurried to get showered and changed so that they could celebrate with the people that had come to see them compete and their coaches.

Then they got the news. Nationals were going to be held in California that year in two weeks. They only had two weeks to raise the money to go all the way out to California and Steve felt in the pit of his stomach that Nancy was going to bring it up again. But he pushed it as far to the back of his mind as he could.

Now was the time celebrate.

All throughout dinner and as they got ready for bed Steve still felt like Ezra was watching him. It seemed less hostile then from when they were in the showers, but it still sent a chill down Steve spine as he tried to keep the conversation light with the other boy.

The next morning they all packed up, ready to go back to Hawkins.

It had been a fun trip, the weirdness with Ezra aside. Steve had a few medals to take home with him. A couple of golds, three silver, and a bronze. And they were going to Nationals. It had been one hell of a trip.

****

Of course, Nancy had made a fuss about them going to Nationals. She had ranted about it in the school newspaper again.

Even Tommy H stopped to ask him if Nancy had it out for him in particular after the article came out.

It was the first nice thing that Tommy had said in literal months. And the thing was, Steve didn’t know.

In fact Steve was speaking more to Jonathan at the moment than he was Nancy. A fact that hadn’t escaped him.

So he finally cornered her about it at her locker after school a couple of days after the article came out.

“Seriously, Nancy,” he growled. “What the hell is your problem with me?”

She straightened up. “My problem, Steve, is that you played with my heart for almost two years and I’m suddenly supposed to be okay that you’re dating a man?”

Steve looked around to make sure no one was around to hear that. He grabbed her arm and dragged her to an empty class room.

“Are you trying to get me beaten up?” he hissed. “First this campaign of yours against the swim team and now outing me in the middle of the fucking school, Jesus Christ!”

“Does Eddie know he’s dating a coward?”

Steve straightened up and squared his shoulders. “You’re jealous.”

She folded her arms and leaned back on one foot. “What? No I’m not.”

“You are!” he laughed. “This make so much more sense!”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Steve leaned down into her space. “Oh but I do. You see, Nancy. Despite everything I did love you, but you never loved me. You’ve always been waiting for something better, for someone better and you moved on the instant you found it.”

“That’s not true!” Nancy hissed.

“You didn’t even wait until we had officially broken up to sleep with him for fuck’s sake!” Steve hissed back. “And now that I’ve found someone who loves me for who I am, you can’t deal with it. Because you want to remain as your second option. Well, I’m not some college you can fall back to when your first choice falls through. I’m a human being who just wanted you to love him.”

She stomped her foot angrily. “You don’t get to say that. You’re gay, Steve don’t give me this bullshit about loving me. Because you can’t.”

“I did love you, Nance,” Steve insisted. “Maybe I wasn’t sexually attracted to you, but we both got off and you know we did. Love isn’t just about romance and sex. There are other kinds. But I won’t let you continue to hurt me because you’re jealous.”

“What are you going to do about it?” she huffed.

“I’ll tell the journalism teacher that you have a vendetta against me and to talk you off writing sports,” he said with a shrug.

Nancy scoffed. “He wouldn’t do that.”

Steve tilted his head. “You’ll find I still be pretty persuasive when I want to be. And who is he going to believe? Co-captain of the swim team or little Miss Priss?”

Her jaw dropped.

“That’s what I thought.”

And he walked away.

****

Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16

Tag List: @mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @emly03

@spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie

@chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @chaoticlovingdreamer @maya-custodios-dionach @danili666

@goodolefashionedloverboi @val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog

@justforthedead89 @vecnuthy @irregular-child @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690

@anne-bennett-cosplayer @yikes-a-bee @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten @genderless-spoon

@cinnamon-mushroomabomination @dragonmama76 @scheodingers-muppet @ellietheasexylibrarian

@thedragonsaunt @useless-nb-bisexual @angels-of-hades @mugloversonly @y4r3luv

@greeniebean911 @birbsauce @acingthecounts @cryptid-system @counting-dollars-counting-stars

[russellsppttemplates]

i just cannot get enough of dad!lance omg 🥹🥹 maybe something like first parents night out and them going back home early cause they miss addy 🥹

"Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight?", Lance complimented, making you blush as you wiped your mouth after taking a sip from your glass, "a few times, yes", you said. "Just telling the truth, sweetheart. I like that colour on you", he smiled.

Chloe offered to look after Addalynn for the night so you and Lance could have a date by yourselves and enjoy some quality time together, and so far, it had been lovely. You left home early to walk along the city before making it to the restaurant, ordering your favourite dishes and actually having adult conversations for the first time in a while. You had put on one of your favourite dresses, and it seemed like your husband thought the same.

"Can I take the plates with me?", the waiter asked as he arrived to your table, noticing you and Lance had been chatting for a little bit after finishing the food, "sure, absolutely! The food was great, as always", you said as he gathered your plates, clearing up the table except your glasses.

"What is it?", you asked Lance, seeing him play with your fingers absentmindedly as he looked at you, "it's just-", he was interrupted by the waiter, "Here's the dessert menu, and we also have the drinks on the back", he handed Lance the card as you fiddled with your necklace. From the beggining of your relationship, Lance noticed that you rarely ever went out without your necklace, the gold piece with your initial, resting on your neck at practically all times, so over the years, he had gifted you a medal for you to add in, later an 'L' piece, and the most recent one, an 'A' piece for your daughter.

"Do you miss her too?", he asked, startling you since you hadn't noticed you were filling with the newest charm. Blushing at being caught, you couldn't bring yourself to lie about it, "I loved this, don't get me wrong. I think we should do this again so we can get used to not having her around for a little bit and for her, too, but I-", you said as Lance set the card down as the waiter approached you again, "can we please have four slices of cheesecake to go? I'll just pay at the front, if that's okay", he checked over with the waiter, who nodded and fixed the to go box as soon as he could.

Lance got up and grabbed your coat, helping you get dressed in it, "I know exactly how you feel. Let's go home so we can snuggle our little princess and have some dessert. Hopefully we can bribe Chloe if she had too much trouble", he winked, lacing your hands as you walked up to pay, thanking the waiter and wishing them a good night.

Arriving home, Chloe was the first to greet you and Lance, "you know you could've taken longer, I was doing just fine, you didn't gave to rush back", she reasoned, "we know, but we didn't want to be away from her much longer", Lance explained, taking off his coat and peeking at his sleeping daughter, "she's an angel, you guys, she fussed a little when I gave her the bottle, but then she fell asleep straight out".

"We have some cheesecake for you and Scotty", you said as you walked to the kitchen after kissing your daughter's head, putting the slices in a container so she could go and enjoy the sweet treat with her husband, thanking her once again for her help.

Sitting on the sofa, Lance kept staring at Addalynn as she slept peacefully, "look at her, not a care in the world, everything is just fine in Addalynn's little world, isn't it, my love?", he cooed.

(Thank you for submitting an ask 🤍)

[mischiefmaker615]

Ghost (Loki Love Story) Ch.14

Your finger tapped, slowly, taking in the scene before you as you sat on the couch, your chin resting on your other hand while Loki cooked.

Cooked.

With a smile on his face, he busied himself at the stove like a pro with the ingredients he gathered from the fridge and cupboards- truth be told you hoped it was still good.

''..your cooking skills are quite there..'' you broke the silence, having stared at him like he was something to be studied for a good 30 minutes now.

He glanced up at you with a grin before returning to his work. ''I learn from the best-''

''the most I've made was a sandwich. Your cooking as if you walked out with a gold medal from Gordon Ramsay.'' You say suspiciously as you shift in your seat.

''..I'm not sure who this.. Gordon Ramsay being is.. but perhaps I did pick up a few things last night on a program mortals use to watch lessons and.. other such things for entertainment.'' He explained sheepishly while you rose a brow.

''you know how to work a computer?" you asked, understanding that he was probably talking about YouTube.

''getting the computer to your destination wasn't quite easy when you are asleep, and you needed to sleep off the alcohol and drugs. I merely opted to carry you if need be to the things I needed to retrieve before returning you where it was necessary. It took quite a few hours but the program was quite educational.'' Loki explained as if it was the most normal thing to say as you took that in. by your silence, he added ''I've been to Midgard before in my lifetime and have picked up a few things on the technology.''

You nodded slowly, your eyes drifting off to the window as your brain pushed back those mixed thoughts and feelings to try to figure out this whole situation.

Sleeping with someone else would yes, end this stuck together thing, but it would also break his heart. Your soul mate's heart.. on the other hand, you cared for him, always have and didn't wish to bring yourself to hurt him while at the same time.. craved the independent life of not being so.. attached to the hip, so to say.

As you thought, your eyes slowly wondered back to Loki, seeing how he was comfortable back in his usual attire, most likely having cleaned it with light magic where his scent was less of Rogers. Not that you minded Steve's.. but everything about Loki was better when it was all.. Loki..

"darling, you're staring again.'' His voice brought you out of your thoughts, causing you to jump a little as he carefully placed the plate down before you with a small smile. ''are you still thinking about the whole thing?"

You quickly nodded and cleared your throat, scooting forward on the couch while he sat down beside you with the plate. ''yes sorry- ..what did you make?'' you asked curiously, feeling dumb when the food was right before you.

''I've noticed pasta is quite the easiest and favored meals to make so I decided that instead of the sauce one stereotypically would put over it, I would together a series of vegetables, avocado cooking oil, perhaps a few more things to make.. a pasta salad'' Loki struggled, having gotten comfortable on the couch, close enough where his thigh was ghosting against yours as you sat with your plate in your lap.

''thank you.. you didn't have to but I appreciate it.'' You said gratefully, taking a bite and tried to ignore his staring while you concentrated on the flavors. Half a second later your eyes widened as you gave an approving nod. ''you are quite the YouTube student, it's really good'' you tease, causing him to laugh as he begins to eat his own.

''it's quite helpful when one is outside the educational buildings, I'm glad you like it'' he said proudly and you couldn't help but notice him bopping his leg up and down- a stereotypical nervous habit one would do as the silence began to settle in the room.

''..you alright?'' you asked after a moment and he gave you a don't worry smile.

''I am well darling, I am just glad you seem a bit more like yourself. Sling is off, not so much of a hangover in sight, and-''

''Loki.'' You pry and his expression gets serious as he sighs.

''yes?''

''..what aren't you telling me?''

Loki stared at you, a stalemate as you slowly set down your plate without breaking eye contact. He didn't look ashamed but you knew he didn't want to tell you as you raised your hands up in a surrender position with a calm face.

''I promise.. I won't get angry..''

Loki took in a breath and exhaled out his frustration, his eyes lowering as if to give in before he waved a hand in the air. His brows furrowed in concentration and the walls around you both flicked with light briefly before loud banging could be heard at your door.

''open the fucking door Laufeyson!!''

You raised a brow at the sudden noise, getting up from the couch quickly as your body tensed and you could have sworn you recognized Steve's voice outside. ''Loki.. what did you do?..''

With a guilty look, he offered a small shrug as he glanced behind him at the door. ''..i may have used a silence spell to deafen the sound outside your home..''

Your body tensed as your eyes flicked to the door and back at him, your face straining to try to keep looking calm. ''and who is out there and for how long?"

Thinking a moment, Loki slowly set down his plate and rested his forearms on his knees as he leaned forward, avoiding your eyes like a submissive puppy. ''..Rogers and the Iron Idiot.. for perhaps over an hour.''

''Jesus Loki- why??" you gasped and quickly moved towards the door but Loki was quick to take a few steps back, making you teleport into his open arms as you grunted from the impact, his arms engulfing you.

''I wouldn't do that darling..''

''why ever not??'' you question with narrow eyes, shoving him away as you expected to hear even worse news.

''they aren't exactly here with good news-''

''you talked to them?? Where was I!?" you shouted.

Another sheepish look. ''I deposited you onto the couch while you were still asleep, conversed with them before slamming the door in their face. I then proceeded to use your computer before I took you in for your bath-''

You quickly shook your head, holding a hand up to stop him from talking more about the situation you still needed to wrap your head around before you pinched the bridge of your nose. ''..let me open the door.''

''if you wish I could merely tell you-''

''open the door.'' You said with a deadly look in your eyes, your wings puffing in while he sighed, his eyes narrowing as he yielded and followed behind you. Taking a deep breath, you quickly opened the door, only for you to jump back out of the way just as Tony blasted from his palm blaster. Thing is, Loki didn't expect it and hit him square in the best- being thrown back while you were jerked into teleportation with him.

Loki grunted as he landed on his back across the room from the front door, you reappearing and landing on top of him, swaddling his hips while your palms landed beside the sides of his head. Panting, your eyes widened at the sudden close contact, noses an inch apart before you felt your lower body rise up a little, feeling his bulge raise through his pants.

''Jesus is that why It took you so long to answer the door?!" Tony said in disgust, stepping into the house in his casual jeans and T shirt attire where he only kept apart of his armor on one of his hands. Rogers followed behind him, not looking happy.

''no- I was unaware of your presence'' you said quickly, your cheeks having heated up as you quickly rolled off him and got up, Loki doing the same as he quickly shifted to try to rid of the strain in his pants.

Steve glanced down at him and glared death into his eyes, earning a smug look from Loki.

''why? You both were-'' Tony started.

''he used magic to deafen the house because he doesn't like you. I was unaware of it all and no- we didn't.'' you said quickly, crossing your arms as you exhaled in frustration and shook your head to change the subject. ''what is it that you both need?"

''I can tell you what I want..'' Tony flirted with a smirk, making Loki tense and step between them.

''on with it Stark.''

''party pooper..'' Tony rolled his eyes before he waved his hand at Steve. ''we'll give you specifics, basically you both are moving in with me.''

''WHAT?!'' you and Loki said in unison.

Steve sighed and shook his head. ''we figured with him around again, it would be safer and wiser to have him under the roof of Avenger's tower- since you both are quite literally.. stuck, it's got to be both of you.''

''I don't need to be babysat-'' Loki growled, narrowing his eyes at Steve as he stepped closer. ''considering that he's here,'' he motioned to Tony ''it would seem you couldn't keep your mouth shut about all this-''

''your presence back on earth would have been found out eventually. If Fury was standing here instead of me, you'd probably going somewhere worse than the tower.''

''hey-'' Tony said defensively but Rogers continued.

''Fury doesn't know, just the current Avengers still residing under the roof. We don't need that kind of security and lock ups from SHIELD so we'll all keep you a secret.''

''like you have so far.'' Loki scoffed with an eye roll.

''you'll be safe. She'll be-''

''she's safe with me.'' Loki threatened, going chest to chest as they glared at each other.

''she's awfully quiet, what's on your mind Y/N?'' Tony interjected as you tapped your finger on your chin in thought, having blocked out the banter as your mind sorted things out before looking at Loki.

''..we can only do so much while we're stuck together, having extra help would make things easier.. and with extra heads around we could all perhaps find a way to go about this whole situation on what to do..''

''they are most likely not going to vote on keeping you stuck with me..'' Loki shook his head, a whine almost in his voice as he stepped towards you but you shook your head.

''we can at least try it this way, and I can resume work from Tony's computers at least. It will get bad if we keep trying to cope alone around here, if someone recognizes you and snitches, its back behind glass.'' You explain gently, your eyes telling him you were firm in this decision but with a please in the mix.

Loki stared at you, almost pleading back that he didn't want to do this. He hated being around the Avengers, they wont exactly welcome him with open arms. However, if doing this will make you happy- make you happy towards him, it would perhaps still heighten the chances of you staying with him..

''..fine.'' he sighed, slowly transforming himself back into the hot blond in a suit and was ready to go right then and there.

You gently took his hand, squeezing it and you offered him an encouraging smile while your cheeks reddened at his appearance. How could he look like a slightly different person but still be hot??

''I'll just have to grab a few things and we'll meet you by the car.'' You let them know and they give a nod, Tony holding back a laugh as he looked over Loki's new look.

''where's you gun James Bond?''

''below your chin if you don't change your attitude. I'm only doing all this for her.'' He snapped before taking your hand and pulling you towards the bedroom so you could gather your things.

Loki stayed quiet, keeping his arms crossed while he leaned against the door frame while you gathered a few clothes and bathroom accessories into a bag. You've stayed at the tower before, many times while you were on long term missions but having Loki there.. you knew there was going to be an off vibe and you'd just have to help encourage people he was good now..

You both didn't speak, Loki keeping his eyes adverted to the ground as he couldn't find anything to say. He knew your mind was set, and did his best not to look like he was pouting before he took your bag to carry it for you.

Opening the car door for you as well, he gave you a I'm alright smile and let you slide in, his eyes snapping to Steve who walked behind him and opened the driver's seat.

''I know what your trying to do.'' Loki hissed, keeping his voice down for only Steve to hear, making him pause with a raised brow.

''and that is?'' he said dryly, gripping the driver's door.

''just because you move her in closer to you does not mean she'll sleep with you. She's mine and will choose me.'' He growled before he slide in next to her and closed the door.

With careful eyes, Steve held back a scoff and got into the drivers seat, glancing in the rear view mirror to see Loki carefully watching him.

''buckle up kids, we're off'' Tony chimed in obliviously while your eyes slowly looked over at Loki who's jaw was tense and his eyes forward.

Reaching over, you rested your hand in his, feeling him slightly relax but he continued to try to burn a hole through Steve's head with his gaze.

Tag List: @violethaze @fire-in-her-veinz

[vylithscat]

Hi there So this is super specific but I was wondering if I could have a suggestive/nsfw Grand Admiral Levi oneshot where he's on the ship with MC but one of the cooks put the Gold Hellfire Newt Syrup in his dish and this sparks something in him I imagine him to act a bit different then he did in the actual lesson because Grand Admiral and all but yea

hello! thank you for the request! (i'm also very sorry for the wait on it,, hopefully its good enough to make up for that!) funny enough this was super, and i mean SUPER, similar to something an irl was talking about a few nights ago so it looked like she ghost wrote this lol

prompt: you join levi on his navy boat to keep him company, but a certain dish changes up your nightly plans for the better genre: smut, you/your pronouns, gn!mc (as best as i can) pairings: levi x mc (levi's gonna seem,, wildly ooc) word count: 2k

You had been on Levi's ship for about a week now. You weren't informed why he was called to his ship, or how you were allowed to come.. Regardless, you were happy to join him as he sheepishly lead the way. Watching him work as an Admiral could almost be considered life changing. It was like a light switched on the moment his feet touched the docks and he went right to ordering his Apprentices around. He wasn't harsh, but didn't let them go off easy. They got rests, and knew when they had to work. It was so different from what you saw at the House of Lamentation. Really, it brought a tear to your eye.. Despite you knowing he used to be an Admiral, it was even better than you could've imagined.

You overlooked the edge of the ship as it left the docks, waters crashed against it's side and you felt a light mist as it hit your face. Glancing back, your eyes grazed the Apprentices as they fashioned the ship for travel.

"Hope you haven't forgotten about me, Player 2?" Your heart nearly jumped from your chest as Levi's arm made it's way around your waist and a hand settled on your hip. His uniform comfortably complimented his features and his medal caught your eye before you settled on his face. A smile spread across his lips as you looked at him, "You're alright, right? Nothing's cursed you?"

"Of course not." He hummed, "Maybe I feel a little more in my element on the ship? Especially with you here."

Who was this man?

"I hope you didn't mind all the yelling when we initially got on." Levi shook his head, looking out at the water as his brow furrowed slightly, "All those demons look young.. I can't fault you for the ordering around. You are Admiral Leviathan right now." You teased. Red crept up Levi's face as his gaze travelled back to you, "Sunshine.."

"Does the title make you embarrassed coming from me?" You cooed, Levi turned to you and your hands instinctively cupped his face. His face was slower to go red, but you could feel his warmth as it crept up enough to reach his ears, "I'll take your silence as a yes."

"Sunshine, please.. They're gonna see us." A smile tugged on your lips as Levi narrowly avoided fumbling out his words. Levi's hands found their way on top of yours and he gently took them off his face, "I'll see you tonight at dinner, and I'll put in a word or two to make something exciting."

With a quick peck on the lips, you pulled away from Levi, "I can't wait, cutie."

⋆

"Your food," A chef hummed next to you as they set a plate of shadow hog in front of you and where Levi was going to sit, "If you have any problems, be sure to let me know."

Before you could answer, the chef moved to the other room filled with rowdy Apprentices. You watched the door, the stillness of it causing a frown to tug at your lips. You started prodding your food while waiting for Levi. You weren't surprised he was a little behind, half the Apprentices hadn't stepped foot on the ship for centuries. The other half weren't under his command for even longer. But really, can't they give Levi a break? You miss him, he's been busy all day..

"Sorry Sunshine-" Levi fumbled out as he rushed in, he sat down as quickly as he walked over to the table before a sigh escaped his lips, "Hopefully that'll be a one-time thing." His hand reached out to you, an offer, or maybe an attempt at forgiveness, "They're all just a bit excited we're back in the ship."

Your lips were formed into a smile before you accepted his offer and carefully laid your hand in his. Your hand was gingerly trapped in his as you watched him fixed parts of his uniform. Your hand slowly grabbed his and your eyes met. "Sunshine?"

"I've missed you.." Levi's eyes widened slightly, his mouth opening to speak before you continued, "You're practically running to the end of the ship every hour. I'm not used to my Levi putting in so much exercise in one day.." You joked, your eyes drifting to your hands as Levi gently squeezed it.

"I've missed you too, sunshine.. But, now we have some alone time. Let's make the most of it." Levi's thumb slowly grazed your hand in a soothing motion and you let out a small, content sigh before you fixed your posture, "Before that, let's eat?"

With a nod, you and Levi scarfed down your food, albeit at a pace neither of you would choke, "Tastes a little sweet," You comment while carefully messing with the sauce, "A little familiar though.."

"You wanna meet in our room? I need to make sure everyone gets to their rooms before.." You glanced up at Levi as he trailed off. His eyes were firmly fixed on you.

You furrow your brow, a hint of curiosity edging into your voice as you spoke, "Before.. What?"

"Before, uh.." Levi trailed off again as he shuffled in his seat, "You think it could wait?"

"Do you know if that's a good idea? I'm no admiral, so.."

"I'll be fast." Levi stood from his seat before hurrying out to the Apprentices' dining area. You blinked away your confusion before you stood, a server shuffled their way into your area and began picking up your plates, "Excuse me?"

The server glanced at you, waiting for you to continue. "What was in the sauce?"

"Oh, um.. I-I don't know the recipe exactly, but the chefs kept going on about this gold syrup." You felt your heart skip and quickly shook it off, "Thanks for the help."

With a nod, the server left with the plates and Levi pushed the doors open. His footsteps were quick and you opened your mouth to spurt out an order, but his hand stopped you, "Let's.. wait on that, sunshine." Your heart was beating loud enough for it to echo in your ears. Levi's hand gently moved off your mouth and his thumb slowly grazed your lips, "Please."

"Then.. Should we head to our room?" You slowly pulled away before he hurriedly showed you the way to the room you were placed in. Once the door shut, Levi's hands were gliding across your waist and along the hem of your pants like he'd been waiting for this moment. You squirmed in place, your normal instinct was to turn around and watch him melt into himself as you shoved him on a pillow, but anytime you tried, his hands firmly grabbed your hips as a growl slipped from his lips. It was unusual, but you didn't hate it. Not in the slightest.

You did your best to keep still before Levi began slowly undoing your pants and pulling them down, lowering himself with them. A shiver travelled through your body as the cool air touched your legs, and a small tremble soon followed as he planted a kiss on your inner thigh, "L-Levi.." You gasped, his hand teasingly tracing your underwear, "Sunshine."

You choked back a whimper as he kissed again and again, "If you're on top.." You nervously fumbled your thumbs as you continued, "Do you promise to be gentle?"

"We'll have to see," Levi hummed, gently nipping your thigh before he pulled your underwear down and stood, "Wanna make sure they can be gentle first?"

You glanced back at him, your brows furrowing as you were met by a grin, "They..?" You turned to face Levi before he gently encouraged you down, and you followed. With a bit of fumbling, you pulled not one, but two dicks out together and a gasp was caught in your throat.

You've had sex.. Not much, but enough times to have noticed if Levi had two. Maybe the Newt Syrup was getting to you too, but with quick and gentle kisses against them, they twitched back at you.

"W-When.." Your gaze trailed up as pride sparked in Levi's eyes, "Surprise, sunshine." Levi happily hummed. Your eyes slowly trailed back to both of them, unsure how to approach it.

"If it's too much," Levi moved your hair away as he spoke, you could feel a grin spreading, "I don't mind you only taking one in for now."

With a bit of hesitation, you carefully handled the second dick and slid the first in your mouth, slowly moving your head and hand back and forth as you started prepping them for yourself. They felt the same, but the thought of both at the same time was.. Scarily tempting. A groan slipped from Levi as you went on, a small bit of your hair clamped between his hand as he bit back another. Your hands carefully supported the two of them as you moved between the dicks. Your movements were teasingly slow, causing more groans to slip from Levi as he tried to choke out a few words, "Sunshine.." You glanced up at him, his face flushed with red and a small trail of drool came from his mouth, "Up."

You obeyed. Your hands carefully supporting his dicks before he took your wrists and pinned you to the bed. His grip was firm as he slowly slid his dicks between your thighs, "Levi~" You cooed, slowly rubbing them before he grabbed your hips again, a groan slipping from his lips.

"Careful with your wishes, sunshine," He growled, the first one sliding its way in, and then the next. You gasped at the feeling. He was slow with letting you get used to it, after all, both at the same time was new. But his thrusts were anything but gentle. It felt like he was letting out all his frustrations with each thrust, and your moans only encouraged him further.

"L-Levi.." You entangled his name into your moans, his thrusts staggering slightly as he grunted and held onto your hips with a tighter grip. "Sunshine.."

You hid your face in the crook of his neck, your moans sending another shockwave as he thrusted again. Levi's own groans began shifting into moans as his thrusts staggered more overtime. "Levi.." You whimpered against his skin, "C-Cum for me.."

Moans slipped from Levi's lips, and a whimper slipped from yours as you felt him slowly fill you. His body trembled, nearly giving out on top of you, "S-Sun.. shine.."

"What a good boy, Levi.." You purred. Levi's body slowly relaxed into you, soft pants escaping as he tried to gather his energy. You gently messed with his hair as you waited, a shiver passing through as he pulled out. "What did you think, sunshine?"

"It was definitely quite the surprise.." You watched him sit up, a smile spreading on your lips, "But a welcome one."

"I'm really happy you enjoyed it." Levi began undressing further, his uniform carefully being dressed on a nearby mannequin. You shuffled around for a comfortable position as you watched, his gaze continued to travel to you, more loving than ever. You reached out to him, a small pout pulling your lips down. "I'm almost done, sunshine."

"But I already miss youu.." You tease, Levi carefully picked you up and threw the blankets open. He gently set you down, fluffing a pillow before your head came in contact as he slid in next to you and cuddle up to your side, "Get all the rest you need, Admiral Levi.."

"With you here, it'll be a little easier.." He mumbled, his eyes fluttering closed as he gently nuzzled his face into the side of your arm, "I love you, my sweet prince.."

"I love you too, sunshine.."

⋆

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

TODAY’S FROZEN MOMENTS - 80 Years Ago Today - July 14th, 1943, German former athlete and then soldier Luz Long was killed in battle. But just before his death, knowing it would be his last gesture, he wrote a letter to his close friend asking a last favor of him. His friend was American track star Jesse Owens.

Luz Long had been the German long jump champion six times - in 1933, 1034, 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939. He was arguably the best long jumper in the world - that is until he went to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, and had to settle for the silver medal in his event, the gold going famously to American Jess Owens.

But, Luz Long’s greater legacy might be his friendship with Owens, which happened during those Olympic Games on 1936, when Long befriending Owens was a dangerous brave act to do under the nose of Adolf Hitler. As Owens remembers, "It took a lot of courage for him to befriend me in front of Hitler.… You can melt down all the medals and cups I have and they wouldn’t be a plating on the 24-karat friendship I felt for Luz Long at that moment. Hitler must have gone crazy watching us embrace…”

In this last letter Long wrote to his friend Jesse, he said, “I am here, Jesse, where it seems there is only the dry sand and the wet blood. I do not fear so much for myself, my friend Jesse, I fear for my woman who is home, and my young son Karl, who has never really known his father. My heart tells me, if I be honest with you, that this is the last letter I shall ever write. If it is so, I ask you something. It is a something so very important to me. It is you go to Germany when this war done, someday find my Karl, and tell him about his father. Tell him, Jesse, what times were like when we not separated by war. I am saying—tell him how things can be between men on this earth. Your brother, Luz’”

After writing and posting this letter, Long was killed in action, 80 years ago today.

Jesse Owens did indeed travel to Germany after the war and delivered this story and message and gratitude and admiration to Luz Long’s song Karl., fulfilling his friend’s dying request.

These two shots are of Owens with Luz, and then later with Karl.

[h/t and thank you to Mary Elaine LeBey]

[iheart-nana]

xi. strings of fate

☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩⋆｡° ✮

CHAPTER ELEVEN ─ strings of fate.

❛ i'm so in love that i might stop breathing ❜

Narrator's Perspective

The bus ride back home was a quiet one by all means. Sunjae's friends had offered to take him home but he refused and chose to go with Eunyoung. His father had run off to make arrangements to celebrate his son's victory. Not only had he won a gold medal, but he had also beaten a record. It was a groundbreaking milestone, which his father deserved to be proud of.

Sunjae fidgeted with the medal, looking around, not knowing what to say after the rather intimate moment they shared after the match. The scene replayed in his mind; It was almost as if he was reliving the moment again. He could still feel her warm touch against his cool skin and the thumping of his heart had not calmed since then.

"I'm proud of you, Sunjae," Eunyoung spoke with a gentleness and warmth in her voice that melted Sunjae's heart.

"After everything you said about my shoulder, I think I deserve to say ❛I told you so❜," he said cheekily, "I told you I'd be fine."

"I'm sorry I doubted you, Sunjae," she chuckled. The elegance and beauty of her laugh resounded in his ears, pulling at his heartstrings effortlessly. She always seemed to know what to say at the right moment. He turned away, trying to hide his flushed face.

The soft pitter-patter of raindrops against the bus window diverted their attention outside. The rain fell in a light drizzle outside while the sunlight dimmed and clouds began to appear in the once-clear sky.

"It's raining an awful lot lately," Sunjae observed curiously.

Little did he know, that it wasn't just rain; it was the universe pulling them together.

💿

"By the way," Yumi asked Eunyoung at dinner that night, "Where did you run off to today? Who goes out that early on a Saturday morning?"

"Sunjae's swimming match was today," she answered, trying to hide her excitement, "He won a gold medal and broke a record."

"Tell him I said congratulations," she told Eunyoung.

"And me," their mother chimed in.

"I sure will," Eunyoung smiled.

"Speaking of which," their mother began, "What's the deal with him? You ran off to give him the umbrella last night too."

"What're you asking?" Eunyoung asked in confusion, "I thought he would need it since the rain was kind of heavy─ but how do you know that, Mom?"

"I came to see where you were after you said you were going to return Sunjae's umbrella," she explained, "And I ran into his father. He's the one who told me."

"Oh."

"Oh, cut the crap, Eunyoung!" she snapped, "If you're dating just tell me!"

"It's not like that!" Eunyoung said defensively, "We barely know each other. We're just friends I swear."

"His dad knew your name."

"So what?" she looked up from her plate, "I have a memorable name!"

💿

Yumi stood at the bus stop, her eyes wandering lazily with no thoughts in her mind. She fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, which did nothing to drive away her boredom. Each passing moment felt like an eternity, and waiting five minutes for the next bus seemed tiresome after piano practice. She felt increasingly exhausted on that particular Monday, despite the clear, cloudless skies and warm weather. Her shirt stuck to her skin and the humidity irritated her to no end.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed someone crouching in the bushes behind her. The boy wore a light blue biker jacket that shone brightly in the afternoon Sun. As she was about to turn away, he stood up revealing a rather familiar face that was Kim Taesung's. For a moment, she was stunned. He seemed to have a knack for showing up when she least expected it.

"What were you doing in the bushes?" she asked as he looked at her with the same amount of surprise.

"Why are you always showing up randomly?" he said, as if he had read her mind.

"I could ask you the same thing," she retorted.

As he stepped towards her, moving away from the bushes, she spotted a little black and white kitten where he was crouching. This seemed to be an answer to her earlier question. An uncontrolled gasp of adoration escaped her mouth as she smiled at the sight of the kitten. She advanced towards it, but found that it was eating something.

Upon seeing her contagious smile, Taesung's lips stretched into a smile as well.

"I feed her sometimes," he told her casually.

"This kitten always runs away from me," Yumi complained, "My biggest goal in life is to pet her."

"Look, I'm no expert, but if you run towards her like that she's going to get scared," he explained gently.

"I'll try a calmer approach next time," said Yumi thoughtfully, "But it'll be tough for me. I get really excited when I see cats."

"You like cats?"

"I love them."

💿

Knock knock.

"Come in," Eunyoung answered. It had been several hours since she had looked up from her desk. Loose sheets of paper were scattered everywhere─ on the floor and even on her bed. Some papers crumpled by her sheer agitation lay lifelessly in the dustbin by her foot. Eunyoung's hair was tied into a ponytail that was slowly falling apart as strands of her long hair fell messily on her face. She didn't bother to fix them; All that mattered at that moment was the article about the swim team.

Taking her first step into Eunyoung's room, Yumi stopped in her tracks, glancing at the room from a distance. "This place looks like a war zone." She looked at what Eunyoung was scribbling at her desk, "Oh, is this the article about the swim team?"

Eunyoung only answered with a grunt. Yumi took it as a sign of her focus and determination. She distinctly remembers how Eunyoung became a total wreck while writing articles in high school. Her justification had always been "The chaos on the outside contradicts the organization inside. It's called balance." Yumi never understood it, but it seemed to work so she never questioned it.

Yumi flopped down on Eunyoung's bed, making herself comfortable, "I'm almost done," Eunyoung told her. A few moments later, she finally put her pen down. Her neck made a loud cracking sound as she looked up.

"Dear God," Yumi exclaimed.

Eunyoung chuckled, gathering all the papers around her. She tossed some into the bin and placed some of them in her folder, which she kept in her school bag. "Okay, I'm really done this time."

"Your tape recorder is here," Yumi held up the little device with white headphones dangling.

Eunyoung took a seat beside her, "Yeah, just leave it there. So, how come you're here?"

"This is my house."

"No, I mean here," Eunyoung emphasized, "Here in my room."

"Why, can't I be here?"

"That's not what I said."

"Then?"

"Don't make me hit you."

Yumi burst out laughing, slapping Eunyoung's shoulder playfully, "I'm kidding. I just came to hang out. We haven't talked much lately."

"Aw you missed me?" Eunyoung hugged Yumi, "Tell me, what do you wanna talk about?"

"You remember that cat near the music club?"

"The one you always like to pet? What about it?"

"I think I know how to get it to like me," Yumi told her excitedly, "I got some advice."

"From who?" asked Eunyoung curiously.

"Taesung," Yumi's voice was reduced to a whisper as she said his name.

"Taesung, as in the guy with the motorcycle?"

"Yeah."

"Hmph."

"Don't be so judgy!"

"I didn't even say anything!"

"You didn't have to!" Yumi said, laughing, "Dont be so hard on him. How's it going with Sunjae?"

"Don't even get me started."

☾⋆｡𖦹 °✩⋆｡° ✮

nayoung's notes: taesung feeding the cat is such a funny crossover to me, it's like cat meets cat. eunyoung's mom is such a mood lmfao. hope you liked this much needed taemi content lol.

delphi's notes: taesung was definitely (nayoung- definitely what? complete ur sentence byotch)

next chapter: saturday (out now!) list of chapters here!

[chordophoneoftheday]

Important, historic and unique harp-guitar with bespoke stand made by D. Jose Gallegos of Spain and signed in mother of pearl on a circular plate positioned beneath the sound hole, the back and sides constructed of rosewood, the spruce table with alternating geometric mother of pearl banding and with further ornate mother of pearl inlaid bands enclosing the sound hole, the harp fitted with twenty six strings and the guitar with two double coarse and four single strings; the instrument also fitted with an angled extended cello neck fitted with three strings, all the strings attached to a pierced foliate engraved metal plate fastened to the lower bouts of the table and bearing an oval plaque inscribed Malaga 1849, also bearing a monogram inscribed on a small gold oval plaque to the pierced guitar headstock, with original harp turning key and within a bespoke made plush lined case. This instrument has the original ormolu and rosewood bespoke stand also made by D. Jose Gallegos, the stand fitted with height and horizontal adjustments, supported upon a short hexagonal tapered column and four curving pierced legs with folding extended ormolu scroll feet; also with a bespoke made carrying case.

This instrument was shown at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London and famously recorded in a wood engraved print after the painter C.N. Jarvas, which was reproduced for all posterity by several sources including Dover Books. The instrument was awarded the medal of the council of S.M.D.

 The instrument was commissioned from Jose Gallegos by the Duke of Montpensier as a special present for his wife in about 1846. Apparently the maker took a full four years and spent 2000 duros in expense to complete it. The guitar was then taken to Seville and demonstrated in front of the Duke who unfortunately refused to receive or pay for the instrument. It is also alleged after the sale fell through that Gallegos played it twice for Queen Victoria and also gave several successful public concerts in London and New York.

[zedecksiew]

BLOGGIES 2023 THEORY WINNERS

A week of voting has passed, and the results of the final round are in. We have our winners for the BLOGGIES 2023 Theory category.

And now: winner announcements, medals, acceptance texts!

(I asked the winners to say a few words about their winning work---where they were at when they wrote the posts; whether they have additional insights; how they feel about winning.)

+++

BRONZE BLOGGIE FOR THEORY POST:

🥉 being a problem - playable orcs at the limits of humanity 🥉

from A Most Majestic Fly Whisk

Ènziramire:

Wrote this while putting my nieces to sleep (exhausted by the Pete the Cat incident mentioned in the post) and they helped me pick the Marshall painting so it's only fitting that I name Ms. Amaya and Ms. Malia as my co-authors. Race / orcs talk will probably be bad forever, or at least as long as the hobby is structured this way, but a benefit of The Discourse's remarkable ability to trivialize and misinterpret is that it illustrates the flaws of liberal incorporationism in a manner seldom achieved by other critical traditions. I'd like to thank Sylvia Wynter and white guilt for this bronze medal.

+++

SILVER BLOGGIE FOR THEORY POST:

🥈 Critical GLOG: Base Resolution Mechanics 🥈

from Goblin Punch

Arnold K:

I see no reason why tabletop RPG systems shouldn't be as customizable as the characters; the hobby would very much be enriched if they were.

Certainly there is interest--DMs are continually generating their own small hacks, but only the most adventurous are writing their own systems. The largest obstacle is a lack of familiarity with system design. People may know what they are trading when they sacrifice Dex in favor of Con, but the pains and joys of trading d20 resolution for a highest-in-a-dice-pool are still clouded.

If I have been able to empower even one person to design their own system--the last push that they needed--then the blog post has been a success.

Thank you everyone who voted for me. You guys fucking rock.

+++

(In lieu of a medal, Gold winners will get a linocut print; here's the plate inspired by Marcia's post: a dragon intertwined in / strangled by a banyan's branches and roots.)

GOLD BLOGGIE FOR THEORY POST:

🥇 OSR Rules Families 🥇

from Traverse Fantasy

Marcia B:

Zedeck asked me to say a couple words about this post, so I figured I'd say that (although I'm not sure how many people voted one way or another) I haven't been satisfied with its reception in general. It's been read as a neutral feat of statistics, a basis for taxonomic discourse, or a celebration of the OSR.

As the author I'm obviously dead, but as a fellow reader I'd like to suggest an alternative interpretation: there is so much collective effort spent on making books of rules that are ultimately formal and predictable permutations of each other. Only a few of the books originated rules that would then be incorporated into many of the other books.

Maybe it's that game designers aren't that creative; maybe it's that authors prefer to write systems over adventures; maybe it's that hobbyists feel pressured to systematize and christen their house rules. You can argue for one or more of these angles, each one representing a lens through which to criticize and re-envision the hobby. Whichever lens you prefer, though, I think they are all preferable to seeing no problem at all.

That being said, I am glad that for some people it helped them find a ruleset that works for them, or to just know what's out there. I hope this spurs us to find new ways to (literally, i.e., mathematically) break the norm.

+++

Congratulations everybody!

(Special thanks to Martin / Sharkbomb for his assistance tidying up the medal graphics; I dunno how to photograph art properly ...)

[flebur]

The statue of Athena Parthenos located in the Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee, is a reconstruction by sculptor Alan LeQuire. The original statue of Athena Parthenos was the work of Phidias, it was made in the Chrysepantine technique, the name of which comes from the Greek words gold and elephant. This technique involved covering the wooden structure of the sculpture with ivory plates and gold. Interestingly, Athena was not only a statue, but also a treasury. From 40 to 50 talents of gold were used to make it, i.e. from 1744 to 2180 kilograms. This gold was in the form of plates that could be removed and used in the event of financial difficulties of the city. The statue has not survived to our times. We recreate its appearance based on ancient descriptions, images on medallions and medals, and marble Roman copies.

I doubt whether Phidias carved the serpent in front of the shield. Falsehood.