#have a nice day Brose

[milokissa707]

Alternative idea for Cryptid Cal then my usual, this time they’re a silkie. Giant coastline with lots of seals and sea lions. This might go good for most states that are very north, and have a coastline. So places like Maine, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington I guess. Maybe some of the Canadian provinces, but I can think of more cool folklore for them than just that. Might fit like Newfoundland and Labrador maybe, Nova Scotia(I love saying that), and Prince Edward Island as they have a good amount of Irish, Scottish, and Scandinavian influence on the area. You could potentially do this with the great Lake States but there’s not a lot(meaning none, at least that’s from my understanding) of native seals in there so it would be kind of weird or maybe it makes it better I don’t know. Would be a tad jarring for the locals to see, so maybe. Do with this headcanon as you will and I hope you enjoy playing around with this idea. 



[auspicioustidings]

Ae Fond Kiss - Part 3

Brose and Butter

Summary: You finally return the favour and look after Simon while he is breaking and a long building tension breaks. Words: 3k TWs: cheating

Parts: 1 2 3 4

The new place was nice. Bigger than the old one, better area. It wasn’t like you and Johnny had planned to live where you had been forever, you had been looking at houses before he died. Lots of bedrooms. There had been plans to fill them.

This house didn’t have as many bedrooms as he had dreamt about. One master bedroom with an en-suite, 2 other bedrooms and a bathroom on the top floor. A nice open plan ground floor with a kitchen and living area plus a toilet. A garage big enough to have a little workshop in it since Simon enjoyed working on bikes. 

Because he was living there too. It had been an argument you had lost when he had insisted on paying a lot of money into the house but having the deed be entirely yours. It felt like you were taking advantage somehow given that you knew he adored Joseph so had never really went back to his own flat after he had started living with you. It was supposed to be temporary.

But it made sense in a way. He was gone half of the time anyway, so his flat was laying empty for months. This way he always came home to a warm house instead of an impersonal, dusty museum. And J was always so happy when he was home. It was nice to have the help around the house too.

You tried to ignore the amount of justifications you both came up with for the situation. You and Simon Riley did not like one another. You could not like one another. It didn’t matter if you sometimes got caught in his eyes (or that you swore they flickered to your lips, to your body). It didn’t matter if your mind wandered sometimes to imagine how he might kiss you (hard you thought, the first blow in a brawl that begged for retaliation).

The master bedroom was yours. It felt lonely, especially now that J stayed in the nursery. Too quiet, or at least it used to be. Before Simon had left for work a fortnight ago he had given you a little white noise machine. The thing had about a million settings, but in the end you found that the low sounds of snowfall on the window and a log fire always settled the anxious beat of your broken heart enough for you to sleep.

He was due back today. Not that you kept track given that he was just a housemate. Not that last time he wasn’t home when you thought he was meant to be you made yourself so ill with anxiety that Kyle’s partner had to come round to stay with you. Price had shown up a few days later to check in and explain Simon and Kyle had been delayed a week in a location with no signal but they were ok and it wasn’t anything to worry about.

You suspected he only showed up in person because Kyle’s partner had contacted him. You didn’t know what the deal was there if you were honest, the two of them had a strange relationship but whenever you asked about it from them or Kyle you got nothing but pained smiles and gentle dismissals. 

God you hoped he was back as planned. It had been embarrassing enough before although everyone was happy to play it off that you had a stomach bug and that’s why you were completely strung out, hadn’t been sleeping and had been throwing up. You had almost managed to convince yourself of it at this point. 

When you heard the door open and the thunk of heavy boots you should have really just continued on with mixing the brownie mix (you just felt like making them you supposed, coincidence that they were his favourite). Instead you smiled and wiped your hands off on your jeans, going to the door to see him hopping on one foot as he untied his laces to get a boot off. 

“If you’re going to fall over I’d prefer you wait until J is up from his nap so he can watch.”

He swore and nearly did fall, but just about managed to keep himself upright by leaning on the wall to get the boot off. He was in black sweats, hoodie and his balaclava as he usually was when he came home. Only there was something wrong in the set of his shoulders. There was something haunted in his eyes. 

“Simon?”

Your voice was gentle now, soothing. Bad deployment you thought. You had been with Johnny long enough to know that they happened, but he had been so different. When Johnny was on a bad deployment he came back with his blood up. You knew how it had went by how hard he fucked you. 

And you had always taken it. Even when it got bad and he warned you off, you would open yourself up to him and let him use your body to exorcise whatever demons were lingering. His anger you had known how to deal with, you had learned how to take orders, go to your knees and take it with a ‘thank you sir’ to help it burn off. It was scary and it was painful but you would take a thousand days of that strange angry (and make no mistake, devastatingly hot) version of the man you loved if it gave you one more minute with him.

Simon was different. He didn’t seem angry at all, he seemed sad. You felt your heart lurch when he dropped his bag and stumbled across to you, going to his knees for you. He looked up at you as if you were the only thing in the world then. And you don’t know what instinct it was that drove you, but you gently pushed down his hood and pulled off his mask. 

He let you. He stayed still on his knees even as you ran fingers through his hair to fix it back in place. It always was a mess when he took his balaclava off. Fuck. Having Johnny who was usually fun loving and completely willing to let you direct the action turn to an animalistic dominant beast was one thing, but it could never have prepared you for having Simon who you had only ever known as strong and domineering on his knees with his eyes wide and trusting and waiting for orders.

It was a reminder of how impossible the idea of liking this man would be. He was nothing like the man you had lost, the one you had loved. The one you still did. You didn’t think there would ever come a day when you were able to stop.

And still you spread your fingers across his cheekbones to tilt his head up and give him a stern look, one that said that he was going to be okay because you would accept nothing else. He had freckles you realised with a start. He let out a shaky sigh and seemed to take your touch as permission, falling forward to hug you, head resting heavily on your stomach.

You kept petting his hair, feeling like your brain was fuzzing out. You just wanted to take care of him for once. It was always him taking care of you. It didn’t have to mean anything did it? He was sad and you could be what he needed right now without it meaning anything. 

“You’re ok Si, hm?”

“I’m ok.”

“There, that’s good. Come on, you need to help me finish the brownies before J wakes up. He’ll be happy to see you.”

Finishing off the brownies was done in a strange haze as Simon slowly came back to himself. He kept close, almost always having at least one point of contact between you. Warm hand on your waist, the heat spreading out and making your skin feel prickly. A touch of your hair that you felt from scalp to toes. A brush of his thigh on yours that had your pussy clenching. You had forgotten it could do that at such little provocation. You hadn’t thought it would ever do it again after everything.

For one mad moment as the kitchen was tidied and the brownies taken out to cool you were sure you would kiss him. Fuck, you wanted him. You wanted Simon fucking Riley.

And for one mad moment as Simon fucking Riley was dragged out of a trauma spiral instead of languishing in it for days as he had become accustomed to, he was sure he would put you on the kitchen island and taste you. You, the annoying fucking princess who did nothing but make fun of him and have obnoxious taste in almost everything. Fuck. 

The cry of a newly awakened and hungry almost 1 year old broke both of you from what was surely a bout of madness. 

“Do you want to…?”

“Ye, be nice to see him.”

You followed behind, guilt poisoning the brief excitement at watching J react to seeing Simon back. He was getting so good at recognising different people now, his reactions bigger and emotions clearer. 

He was signing already, you had taught him ‘mama’ and ‘more’ and ‘hungry’. God you could burst with pride at how inquisitive he was. A little late with his words but the doctors weren’t too worried about it. You showed him photos of his dad, tried to teach him how to say dada. You wanted so badly for it to be his first word. The poisoning guilt turned viscerally painful when you realised you hoped Simon would be there to hear it.

You just needed someone there to see that Johnny wasn’t forgotten about. You still felt like you were burning up anytime his family called to check in. Joseph was healthy and happy but everything still felt like somehow you were failing him. Failing Johnny.

That familiar guilt slowly settled as it always did, becoming a manageable, dull throb. You likened it to a headache really. Sometimes it was debilitating like a migraine, sometimes it was barely noticeable. When Simon returned it always spiked but quickly dulled down as he settled back in. 

That night, after Joseph was put down with a goodnight kiss from both you and Simon, you went to bed feeling off balance. You about stopped breathing when the door clicked open and a body almost gingerly settled in next to you. 

He had just been in Las Almas he told you. It wasn’t for anything difficult, the mission didn’t go wrong and he even got to see some old friends. But in the dark he bled out his grief that in such a familiar place, Johnny wasn’t there. 

Much like everything else between you two, something changed without it being stated. Simon slept in your bed with you from then on.

–

Joseph’s first word was dada. He hadn’t been looking at the photo when he said it. 

–

Simon heard the thunk of fist on flesh before he felt it. His anger flared and he grabbed Gaz by the collar, growling at him. 

“The fuck was that Garrick?!”

Only for once Gaz didn’t immediately look to diffuse the situation as he always did when the 141 came to blows. This time he bared his teeth.

“Are you fucking her?”

Simon pulled at his collar before shoving him back, anger mixing with confusion mixing with guilt. He hadn’t fucked you. He fucking wanted to. And he was starting to think it was only a matter of time. It was an exquisite kind of torture holding you through the night as he had been everytime he was home for the last 6 months. 

“Not that it’s your business Garrick, but no, I’m not fucking her” he hissed, hating that he even had to say it out loud because it felt like a lie even if it wasn’t.

“But you are sleeping in her bed.”

“That a problem?”

God of course he would think it was. Johnny had died in the line of duty and here he was living his life. The life Simon never thought to want with the beautiful, clever, funny and infuriating woman and the baby who looked at him like he hung the stars. 

Gaz laughed derisively, running a hand through his hair in disgusted disbelief. 

“It’s not… like that” Simon tried.

It was.

“Fuck Ghost, I never took you for a saint but I at least thought you had a shred of humanity left.”

“You think I don’t know it’s wrong to settle in with Johnny’s fucking widow?! With his baby? Christ Sergeant I’m well aware I may as well be pissing on his bloody grave!”

“You-” Gaz choked out, looking angrier than Simon had ever seen him. “You think this is about you betraying him? That’s what you’re worried about?”

“You think I wouldn’t be good to her?”

Simon couldn’t believe this is where the conversation was going. Was he really trying to convince someone he could love you? Out loud? He knew he couldn’t, he knew there was nothing he could say that would make it better. But he wanted you so much. 

“Like you were in Las Almas?”

His blood ran cold. 

“What’re you…?”

“Oh fuck off you twat. You weren’t subtle and I’m not an idiot.”

“It wasn’t… it was one time Gaz. They weren’t… he hadn’t proposed or anything yet.”

He hated himself. He hated Johnny. He wanted to throw up when those words left his mouth, as if a ring on your finger made any difference. 

“She’s my friend. She’s my friend and I had to keep it to myself because I loved Johnny. Because I love you. I fucking picked you two over her. And now what? You can’t fuck him anymore so you’ll take the next best thing?”

His heart twisted and twisted until it was disfigured into something dark and cold. He was a monster. He was a monster because you weren’t the next best thing. He was a monster because if Johnny showed up tomorrow, he wouldn’t let you go. He would fight him for you if he had to. 

“...I’m in love with her.”

“Fuck.” 

Kyle Garrick was no stranger to how love fucked up everything. He hated this situation, but if Simon loved you, if you loved Simon? He couldn’t ruin it with a betrayal from years ago. Maybe that made him a terrible person. But Johnny was dead, what good would it do to ruin your chance at happiness after him and ruin your perception of him at the same time? He hoped it wasn’t the wrong decision to make. 

“If you hurt her, I’ll kill you myself Lieutenant. And don’t think Captain and the gorgeous little psychopath waiting for me to come home won’t help.”

Simon knew he would as well. But now that he had finally stopped lying to himself about what he felt for you there was nothing he could do to stop the feral possessiveness that demanded he claim you.

–

“You’re just being sensitive princess.”

Oh you could strangle him. Simon had been off when you had gotten back from dropping J with Kyle’s partner. Price had been there and you had not asked why. Kyle was off as well you thought, eyes darting between you and Simon before hugging you and heading off. 

It was only the second time J had stayed without you overnight. You were less a mess this time than you had been the first time at least. You needed it. You loved that kid more than anything else in the world, but you needed a break. A full night’s sleep. A night to relax which was being ruined by Simon being a bloody dick because you had asked what was up.

“Top form tonight, that why someone clocked you?”

He’d probably have a black eye tomorrow based on how the skin was already puffy and discolouring. You assumed it must have been Kyle. Right now you wished he was still here so you could thank him. 

“Thinking of taking a swing? Don’t think you could reach but I’ll crouch if you ask nicely.”

“If I ever ask nicely for anything from you then I can only hope someone takes me out back and puts me out of my misery.”

You were getting angry. Of course you were. Because it was… well it was Simon. Nobody could wind you up anywhere near as easily as he did. You thought maybe it was mutual as he sneered and got up in your face, looming over you as you crossed your arms and glowered up at him. Stupid, tall fucker.

“You think I couldn’t make you ask nicely princess?”

“And you really think you could casper?”

He leaned down, arms caging you to the kitchen island, teeth seeming sharper somehow, like at any moment he might sink them into your throat.

“I could have you begging like a bitch in heat” he whispered in your ear.

It affected you. Of course it did. But you could hear the huskiness of his voice and you could feel the heat of him. You weren’t the only one affected. 

“Yeah? Prove it Riley.”

The tension that had been slowly tightening for the last year snapped violently. You tasted blood on his lips when you bit into them, you felt bruises form from how roughly he gripped your hips as he hauled you onto the counter. 

Two brutal and torturous hours later, thoroughly fucked every which way and still not having been allowed to cum, you did beg. You begged and cried and thanked him when he finally sent you into an earth shattering orgasm. Another hour and you were begging and crying again for him to stop. He laughed darkly and wrung two more orgasms from you even when you told him you couldn’t cum again. Only when you truly had nothing more to give did he feed you brose and butter.

The last thing you remembered before passing out, exhausted, sated, cleaned and cuddled up, was mumbling hoarsely to Simon that you loved him. Maybe it was just your head being muddled from the events of the evening, but you swore you heard him say it back as you drifted off. You swore he apologised for it.

[journeytothewestresearch]

Chapter 8

@journeythroughjourneytothewest

I'm not doing the read along, but I wanted to point out something that others might find interesting.

You will recall that the Buddha has a not so nice opinion about South Jambūdvīpa, a.k.a. the Land of the East (China).

I have watched the Four Great Continents, and the morality of their inhabitants varies from place to place. Those living on the East Pūrvavideha revere Heaven and Earth, and they are straightforward and peaceful. Those on the North Uttarakuru, though they love to destroy life, do so out of the necessity of making a livelihood. Moreover, they are rather dull of mind and lethargic in spirit, and they are not likely to do much harm. Those of our West Aparagodānīya are neither covetous nor prone to kill; they control their humor and temper their spirit. There is, to be sure, no illuminate of the first order, but everyone is certain to attain longevity. Those who reside in the South Jambūdvīpa, however, are prone to practice lechery and delight in evildoing, indulging in much slaughter and strife. Indeed, they are all caught in the treacherous field of tongue and mouth, in the wicked sea of slander and malice (emphasis added). However, I have three baskets of true scriptures which can persuade man to do good (Wu & Yu, 2012, vol. 1, pp. 204-205). 我觀四大部洲，眾生善惡，各方不一：東勝神洲者，敬天禮地，心爽氣平；北俱盧洲者，雖好殺生，只因糊口，性拙情疏，無多作踐；我西牛賀洲者，不貪不殺，養氣潛靈，雖無上真，人人固壽；但那南贍部洲者，貪淫樂禍，多殺多爭，正所謂口舌兇場，是非惡海。我今有三藏真經，可以勸人為善。

This is similar to foreign views of China that the historical monk Xuanzang encountered in India. Brose (2021) writes:

For many of the monks he had befriended, the decision [to return to China] was hard to fathom. “India is the birthplace of the Buddha,” they reminded him. “Although the Great Sage is gone, his traces remain. To travel around and venerate them is enough to make one’s life content. Why would you want to give this up after having come here? China is a barbarian land where people are neglected, and the Dharma is despised. That is why no buddhas have ever been born there. The people have narrow aspirations and deep impurities, so sages do not go there. The air is cold and the land is dangerous. How can you think of returning there?” Xuanzang reportedly responded by quoting an exchange from the Vimalakīrti Sūtra, where the noble layman Vimalakīrti asks Śāriputra, “Why does the sun come to Jambudvīpa?” The answer: “To illuminate it and eliminate the darkness.” If Xuanzang remained in India, the true Dharma might never be known in China (pp. 61-62).

Xuanzang believed he lived in the latter day of the law, so he felt it was important to return to China with fresh sutras so that Buddhism would continue to flourish there for centuries to come.

Sources:

Brose, B. (2021). Xuanzang: China’s Legendary Pilgrim and Translator. Boulder, Colorado: Shambhala Publications, Inc.

Wu, C., & Yu, A. C. (2012). The Journey to the West (Vols. 1-4) (Rev. ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

[roseband]

My VVVIP experience with The Rose (very long):

I did the triple VIP package in Stockholm, Sweden with the boys <3

For the green room tour, they all started with a hug, which was very nice... they're all very short hahaha, but so handsome.

When I first got into the room, Dojoon commented that my top looked like some of the jackets they wear on stage, so I was happy that he noticed that lol (done on purpose!!)

The first thing they asked all of us is if we wanted anything to drink, I asked for a diet coke knowing that Hajoon is a diet coke drinker too, which turned into a conversation with them about how diet coke isn't really sold in that area of Europe cause of the chemicals in it, and how we should probably all.... stop. (I drink like 3-4 a day I have a problem)

They asked why I came all the way from NYC, I mentioned that I had a buttload of unused PTO (which they didn't know what that was, which, honestly... artist problems same reason I didn't use mine, I told them that I finally got a staff graphic artist job (forgot to mention the brand and i wanna kermit cause sammy and their photographer both own a lot of stuff from the brand i work for, and like a ton of other idols lol.... like Eric's whole family is a fan of one of the things I do some art on lol (I should seriously send him one of the toddler outfits I did a bunch on for his nephew lol)), vs the freelance I had been doing for 3 yrs before), asked if I had come to multiple cities or had gone on vacation only, and I told them I was on vacation in Sweden/Denmark.

They don't usually get to tourist when on tour, so mainly just plane/train, hotel, concert venue, maybe one part of the city, which is kinda sad ;_; also it must be so tiring, like Dojoon looked super tired and not the healthiest, so I hope he's okay, he kinda kept his distance from us during parts of the tour and also "brain farted" during Q&A......

But they asked how I got there, mentioned plane ofc, but I made a joke that u could probably take a cruise...?? Hajoon said UBER which made the others all laugh

I kinda froze a bit, it was a loooottt, so Dojoon made a joke that I could just stare at them even and it'd be okay...

I asked them if they were going to ever release the old songs (like photographer, omg, greed, can't let you go) that they used to play on their tours in 2017-19, when I mentioned omg/photographer I told Jae I like his little slap bass solos in them <3 <3 <3 (Jae def still has the most idol'y mannerisms cause he did the classic idol compliment, head turn, heart eyes and hands to chest lol)...

They're planning on releasing them in a special way for broses, and Sammy was thinking some sort of like, scavenger hunt type thing on rosarium. (pls give them to meeeeee <3)

I told them I like those (omg and photographer) the most cause I play a bit of bass guitar, even though it's not my main instrument... and that the VIP package made me want to get out my guitars again,, Sammy asked what it was and if it was guitar, which I was like CLARINET!!!! and Bass Clarinet which is like a super big clarinet that goes up to /here/ *stands and gestures height*.

Sammy and Hajoon both came to the conclusion that it's a "clarinet cello" and "like a cello to a violin" which YES!!!

So when they got the ukulele out to sign, going with the violin joke, Jaehyeong mimed it being like a violin hahaha, and as they went to sign it Sammy kvetched about how sharpies smell lol.

So I was still talking to them about the old tracks, and mentioned I was a predebut fan.... and /used to/ (at least my noggin worked there) run a tumblr page of them, and sammy mentioned he used to be on tumblr and would follow/look into fan accounts, so HELP ME, (now i'm certain they've seen that awful video ;~;) but there's no way that he hasn't seen my acct then and that's big bad energy for my brain now lol.

but for the 4 selfies they first asked who your bias was, and when I said jaehyeong soooo quickly they all made fun of me for how fast it was, but OFC!! bass baby.

Jae and I took the two selfies, plus he almost dropped my phone in the middle, so I have a third really derpy one that wasn't supposed to be taken, and then we had the two with ot4...

Pics:

I wanna know what witchcraft they use to look taller in pics though...

And also... my precious (I have to build my display for it now)

___

So after that we went for the stage tour....

I had initially hung by Jae while going on stage (and he helped me up cause their circle part of the stage was a big step up and i was wearing heels and am a klutz)

But I ended up hanging with Sammy and playing Skylar which <3 <3 <3

So two of the girls who were in my group played piano and were hanging with dojoon, and were both super good at piano btw!! <3

When I first put Skylar on I played a little bit of blackbird by the beatles and Dojoon sang alongggg, and then I played the beginning/chorus of back to me like the melody part (IDK I may slip in the audio that I recorded on my watch later, but not sure, I think I may wanna keep those private for me)

But Sammy asked if I wanted to keep playing (so I didn't get a chance on Juicy w/ Jae but that's okay, next year hopefully) and he showed me the chords to b2m and a little bit of the chords for alive.

It's really hard to play on stage, I'm not a guitar family main, and mostly play by tab/ear, so the delay you get from when you pluck/strum the instrument to when you hear it without the IEMs is really confusing.... so now I totally get why when they had that issue with their sound team with their IEMs they kept having such extreme issues cause it's like off by a half second from you playing and hearing it. (I can really only handle that delay on my reeds lol)

Also, rather than having a pedal board where they can change effects during tracks, they actually have them preprogrammed for each song, so they can change distortion type effects based on which song is in the setlist vs what effects they want at the moment. Which is different than when I went on their stage in 2018, cause they had a typical pedal board setup then.

Also when I took off Skylar, I asked Sammy what's with the heavy relic customs (cause he has two now) and he said that he just likes them..... and I sorta joked that in nerd instrument world that's not ok (even though I know someone who played at carnegie with duct tape on her fucking contrabass clarinet) and he said "well guitar can be a nerd instrument too" and like dude u do not know how weird woodwind players are... u do not get it but ily so much

___

Q&A/Soundcheck/Concert was... normal, waiting for fancams to upload now

___

We had one final group photo with the 5 VVVIPs where they also gave us the signed ukuleles and the posters they were holding backstage for us.

We got to hug them all again and we thanked them for the show.

We technically weren't allowed to give them gifts, but that was the only time we weren't watched as much, so one girl slipped them some black rose pins she ordered thru Dojoon, and I gave the keychains that I drew and had printed/manufactured through Sammy.

Sammy was impressed that I had all them and that the sticker on the back of Brittany is on the back, but when I mentioned I drew them he was like "wait you DREW these" so i'm super happy lol

...and then now i have world's worst post concert depression hahaha

[the-communist-unicorn]

First Line Game

Tagged by @malmuses

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line. Then tag 10 of your favorite authors!

I d o not have 20 published stories, so I'm going to do all of them, plus supplement with teasers from a couple pieces I haven't posted yet.

"Dean had no idea why it seemed so important that Cas get laid before he died."

- Last Night on Earth (SPN, Destiel)

"Castiel took his time stretching the kinks out of his back before he deigned to pay attention to his new master."

- As You Wish (SPN, Destiel)

"The bunker was enormous."

- Burnt Toast (SPN, Destiel)

"Cas really couldn't blame Bartholomew for ditching him."

- Okay (SPN, Destiel)

"It had been a really good day."

- Domestic Bliss (SPN, Destiel)

" 'You're gonna remember to pick me up at the airport, right?' "

- To Be Alone (with you) (SPN, Destiel)

Spoiler: Dean does not remember to pick Sam up at the airport because he's too busy making heart eyes at Cas. But you probably guessed that.

" 'Dude, I get that you're worried about him, but can you please get your scent under control?' "

- I Need You (SPN, Destiel)

"He wasn't snooping."

- Every Part of You (SPN, Destiel)

"But he didn't get more than a second to be smug before that grin was being kissed off his face."

- Affection Joe/Nicky Sex Scene (The Old Guard, Kaysanova)

This one was a coda for a fic by another writer which has since been orphaned, so the actual first sentence is from the fic "Affection". The above sentence was the first sentence written by me.

"Castiel often wished that there was a recipe for life with step by step instructions telling you exactly what to do to achieve the desired results."

- The Secret Ingredient (SPN, Destiel)

"If there was one thing Dean Winchester was absolutely, positively, one hundred percent sure of, it was that he was not in love with Castiel Novak."

- Obvious (SPN, Destiel)

"Dean jolted awake as the front door slammed so hard the windows vibrated."

- Home For Christmas (SPN, Destiel)

As Yet Unpublished Works:

"There was no better way to wake up, Patrick decided, than pressed up against the warm, naked body of the man you loved."

- Good Morning (Schitt's Creek, Brose)

"It happened without warning."

- Flying Sparks (911 Lone Star, Tarlos)

"Dean's day began with feeding the animals."

- Babies and Unicorns (SPN, Destiel)

"There was so much food."

- Solstice Brew (SPN, Destiel)

"It was a nice house."

- A Way With Words (SPN, Destiel)

****

Well my favorite one is definitely either "Last Night on Earth" or "Obvious" because those two are just such classic Dean obliviousness. I don't know that I see a lot of similarities except that I usually like to keep them short. The majority of them are less than ten words.

I apologize if I tag someone who's already been tagged.

@a-mandala-rose @gates-keeper @followyourenergy @ioascc

[im-a-writer-sometimes]

Make Me Happy (Ambrose Spellman x reader)

A/N: this gif does things to me djskshdbsj. Why aren't ppl in real life this attractive???? Chance Perdomo has totally fucked up my standards, jesus.

Warnings: none I think

---

Your family had been close to the Spellmans for as long as you could remember. You had spent countless hours in their company, especially the company of one particular warlock. Ambrose and you went way back. As in, you were there when he tried to blow up the Vatican and you were the first one to tell him how stupid he was. You were there when he was sentenced to remain in that house and you were his shoulder to cry on.

So, when your mother told you that your family was going over to the Spellman's for dinner, you thought nothing of it. It was nothing out of the ordinary. When you arrived on their front porch, Ambrose was the one to open the door, sending you a smile as soon as he did.

"Lovely to see you Mr. and Mrs. Y/L/N."

You parents filed into the house, you following close behind.

"And you as well, Y/N."

"Nice to see you too, Ambrose. How are things at the Academy going?"

He closed the door behind you, raising his eyebrows.

"It's, well, interesting, to say the least."

"And how is Luke doing?"

At this, Ambrose stopped in his tracks, freezing on the way to the dinner table.

"We broke up, actually. Just the other day."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," you rested a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"I'm holding up just fine. It was for the best."

You nodded as you both sat down at the table, joining in on the conversation that had started up with everyone else.

Dinner flew by, and soon everyone was just sitting around the table covered in empty dishes, talking and laughing.

"Do you want to head up to my room? Maybe talk? I feel like we haven't seen each other in forever."

You looked at Ambrose when he spoke, his voice barely audible. Sending him a smile, you nodded. You both excused yourselves as you ventured up towards his room. As soon as you walked through the door, you plopped down on his bed, sitting with your legs crossed.

"What did you want to talk about?"

Ambrose smiled as he sat down next to you, leaning back and resting his weight on his hands.

"Nothing in particular. Just wanted to spend some quality time with my favorite witch."

"I'm flattered. So what did you mean when I asked you about the academy earlier? What's so interesting about it?"

Ambrose chuckled, shaking his head.

"Let's just say the other warlocks there are not on the same page as me. I feel like they're part of some secret 'boys only' club."

You grimaced. "Yikes."

"That's a great word to describe how I'm feeling. I want to earn my freedom and all, but something feels off."

"Just follow your heart, 'Brose. You're smart enough to know what's right for you."

Ambrose looked at you and smiled.

"You always give the best advice, Y/N/N. It's infuriating."

"What?" You gasped. "How is that infuriating?"

"Because sometimes I simply want to bitch and moan and you have to go all deep on me."

"I'm sorry, I'm trying to be a good friend," you said, shaking your head with faux annoyance.

Ambrose laughed, scooching closer to you.

"Oh, don't get all salty on me. You know you love me."

You looked up at him, smiling.

"Yeah, unfortunately, I do."

You rested your head on his shoulder, and he pressed a gentle kiss to your hair.

"You're too good to me, Y/N/N."

"I know," you sighed. "I don't know what you did to deserve me."

"Oh, shut up."

You laughed, savoring the sweet moment you two were sharing.

"How are things with you? I feel like all we've talked about is me," Ambrose said after a little gap of silence. You perked up at this, remember the news you had forgotten to tell him.

"I got a job at the Academy, teaching divination."

Ambrose gasped, and you looked up at him.

"No!" He smiled. "Does that mean I'm gonna have to see you every day?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Oh, it would be too bad. You'll just get to hear me complain about Father Blackwood's Satanic Boy Scouts even more."

"Oh, joy."

"Honestly, though. I'm really happy for you. I mean, technically we'll be co-workers."

"Thank you, Ambrose. I'm excited. Hopefully, I'll get to teach 'Brina."

"When do you start?"

"This week, I'm not sure exactly when. The current teacher is retiring, so Fr. Blackwood said he'd let me know when she leaves."

He nodded, looking at you with a soft smile on his face.

"What?"

"Nothing."

You frowned at him.

"There is something going on in your head. Tell me."

"I just... you make me really happy, Y/N/N."

You smiled at his words.

"Thanks, 'Brose. You make me happy too."

"Y/N, we've been friends for a while. Do you maybe wanna try being something more?"

Your eyebrows shot up.

"Like.. date?"

"Yeah. I mean, we're gonna be seeing a lot more of each other, why not give it a shot?"

"Okay," you smiled, nodding your head. "Why not?"

There was a silence as you both looked at one another with a gentle smile on your faces.

"Can I kiss you?"

Ambrose laughed at your words.

"I thought you'd never ask."

[leavesfromthesametree]

2. Naomi Davis (they / them) Ecologist Photographed by Matt Horwood Tell us something about yourself that nobody else knows. I wish I could share something really exciting but I don't have any secrets! What do you enjoy doing in your own time? If the weather is good I help out with bird ringing and survey projects for the British Trust for Ornithology. But on those rainy days there's nothing better than getting comfy on the sofa with bottomless cups of tea, a craft project, and binge some feel-good TV (at the moment it's Gilmore Girls)!    Tell us a bit about what you do for a living. I work part-time as an ecologist, which means I survey wildlife as part of the planning development process. It's a nice mixture of indoor and outdoor work; I get to spend time in the field birdwatching or looking for bats, but I also have to spend time on the computer reading about protected sites and writing reports. If you had to pick one thing, what are you most passionate about? I'm definitely most passionate about nature, all of it. I love learning about wildlife because the number of different plants, animals, fungi and everything else is so vast that it would be impossible to know everything and we're finding new things all the time! The natural world is a continual source of artistic and creative inspiration to me; I love the fascinating patterns and colours you can find in nature, and that's before you get on to the weird and wonderful behaviour!   What makes you angry? Cutting down trees! Trees live long, slow lives and provide for wildlife at every stage of their growth. Even in death trees provide a food source for rot-loving insects like bark beetles, but only when they're left to decay naturally. The UK has some of the oldest trees in Europe but they receive less protection than some historic buildings, I'd like that to change. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? I would love to change our modern world's obsession with buying things we don't need. We live in a world where excess is the new normal, we can buy almost anything we want on a whim and bin it just as quickly. I'm worried that all this stuff, and the pressure to keep buying it, is clogging up our lives, our homes, and our brains. I think we could all do with a physical and spiritual clear-out!   Do you feel connected to nature and/or wildlife and if so, tell us a bit about when you first found an interest or felt connected.

I feel more connected to nature more than anything else and have always felt that way, ever since I was a toddler. My parents always encouraged outdoor activities like stream paddling, rock pooling, and looking for autumn leaf rainbows;. I had a really great childhood full of positive outdoor experiences thanks to them. Children in modern Britain are living nature-depleted lives, sometimes because parents are scared to go outside - it just goes to show that it's more important than ever to start those nature connections early in life.

*** Naomi Davis (nhw) Ecolegydd Llun gan Matt Horwood Dywedwch rywbeth amdanoch chi eich hun nad oes neb arall yn ei wybod. Byswn i’n hoffi rhannu rhywbeth cyffrous, ond does gen i ddim cyfrinachau!   Beth ydych chi’n mwynhau ei wneud yn eich amser rhydd? Os yw’r tywydd yn braf byddaf yn helpu i roi modrwyau ar adar a chynnal arolygon ar gyfer Ymddiriedolaeth Adareg Prydain. Ond ar ddiwrnod glawog does dim yn well na swatio ar y soffa gyda phaneidiau diddiwedd o de, prosiect crefftau a gwylio rhywfaint o deledu sy’n codi calon (Gilmore Girls ar y funud)!  Dywedwch ychydig wrthym am eich gwaith. Dwi’n gweithio’n rhan-amser fel ecolegydd. Mae hyn yn golygu fy mod yn arolygu bywyd gwyllt fel rhan o’r broses datblygu cynllunio. Mae’n gymysgedd braf o waith dan do ac yn yr awyr agored; dwi’n cael treulio amser yn gwylio adar neu’n chwilio am ystlumod, ond mae’n rhaid i mi hefyd dreulio amser ar y cyfrifiadur yn darllen am safleoedd gwarchodedig ac yn ysgrifennu adroddiadau.   Pe bai’n rhaid i chi ddewis un peth, beth ydych chi’n teimlo’n fwyaf angerddol yn ei gylch? Dwi ar dân dros natur, popeth sy’n ymwneud â natur. Dwi wrth fy modd yn dysgu am fywyd gwyllt oherwydd bod nifer y planhigion, anifeiliaid, ffyngau a phopeth arall mor helaeth byddai’n amhosibl gwybod popeth ac rydyn ni’n dod o hyd i bethau newydd drwy’r amser! Mae’r byd naturiol yn ffynhonnell barhaus o ysbrydoliaeth artistig a chreadigol i fi; dwi wrth fy modd gyda’r patrymau a’r lliwiau rhyfeddol sydd i’w gweld ym myd natur, ac mae hynny cyn i chi fynd ymlaen i’r ymddygiad gwych a rhyfeddol!   Beth sy'n eich gwneud chi’n flin? Torri coed! Mae coed yn byw bywydau hir ac araf ac yn darparu ar gyfer bywyd gwyllt ym mhob cam o’u twf. Hyd yn oed pan fydd coed yn marw maen nhw’n ffynhonnell fwyd i bryfed sy’n hoffi pethau sy’n pydru, fel chwilod rhisgl, ond dim ond pan fydd y coed yn cael pydru’n naturiol. Mae gan y DU rai o’r coed hynaf yn Ewrop ond maen nhw’n cael llai o warchodaeth na rhai adeiladau hanesyddol, byddwn i’n hoffi gweld hynny’n newid.

Pe gallech chi newid un peth am y byd, beth fyddai hynny? Byddwn i’n hoffi newid obsesiwn ein byd modern o brynu pethau dydyn ni ddim eu hangen. Rydyn ni’n byw mewn byd lle mae gormodedd yn gwbl normal, rydyn ni’n gallu prynu bron i unrhyw beth ar fympwy a’i daflu’r un mor gyflym. Dwi’n poeni bod yr holl stwff yma, a’r pwysau i ddal ati i’w brynu, yn gorlenwi ein bywydau, ein cartrefi a’n hymennydd. Byddai clirio ffisegol ac ysbrydol o fudd i bob un ohonon ni yn fy marn i!   Ydych chi’n teimlo’n gysylltiedig â natur a/neu fywyd gwyllt, ac os felly, dywedwch wrthym pryd wnaethoch chi ddarganfod eich diddordeb neu deimlo cysylltiad â natur am y tro cyntaf. Dwi’n teimlo mwy o gysylltiad â natur nag unrhyw beth arall a dwi wastad wedi teimlo felly, ers imi fod yn blentyn bach. Roedd fy rhieni wastad yn fy annog i wneud pethau yn yr awyr agored, fel padlo mewn nentydd, edrych mewn pyllau glan môr, a chwilio am ddail lliwgar yr hydref. Ges i blentyndod ffantastig a oedd yn llawn profiadau cadarnhaol yn yr awyr agored diolch iddyn nhw. Dydy plant Prydain fodern ddim yn cael digon o fyd natur yn eu bywydau, weithiau oherwydd bod ofn ar y rhieni fynd allan - mae’n dangos ei bod hi’n bwysicach nag erioed dechrau’r cysylltiadau hynny â natur yn gynnar mewn bywyd.

[shirotanis]

ok so i was looking forward to doing this and i’m glad it is done eventually ! to make long words short, i recently hit a great follower goal and the number keeps increasing and i’m ??? bc its weird but i’m thankful to everyone following me nonetheless💕💕💕 i’ve had this blog for a month and something but i’ve met a lot of wonderful people whom i grew to love and care for!!!!! some i havent interacted as much as others but i hope to get to know you all in the near future 💖💖💖  

if your url is bold go take a look at the very end where it says ‘read more’ bc there’s a few words for you 💖💕💞💓💖💓💞💓

also i’m pretty sure i have more mutuals but they are sideblogs and idk whats their main to check if they follow me or not but pls know that i didnt forget or that i didnt want to include you!!!!

#: 

@4fnc // @4zammy 

a-g:

@cryogonal-jonghyun // @daypjh // @dojooned // @dojooon // @dowoonhtml // @from-roses-to-dojoon // 

h-j:

@howcaniwait // @ijustcantlie // @iwooseong // @jaeheyong //

k-r:

@lipstick-chathao // @mirinae-x // @rxsewoosung

s-z:

@saekkisongarak // @sangdoldol // @savageday6 // @shelovesjinyoung // @smolpil // @softwoonie // @tasteless-ratatouille // @tennisanon // @thedarksideofthewoon // @thedaysix // @ttherose // @theroseofficial // @wattela // @wonpixel // @woosung-is-my-aesthetic // @woosungs-blackrose // @woosammv // @younghyuuns // @youngks-smile 

@4fnc: oK GIA MY LOVE!!!!! i have sO much to say about you my best absolute perfect !!!! ok first of all we’ve been friends for like, 3 years??? this is the longest friendship i’ve had and it started out so weird like? i was a bts blog and you were an exo blog aND THEN I BECAME AN EXO BLOG AND YOU BECAME A BTS BLOG but over the years, we grew to stan other groups, i parkoured more than you and i admit ;;;;;;  ok but i still remember your most legendary post “my mom bought me cock heck yea - wAIT NO I MEANT COKE NOT COCK WHY WOULD MY MOM BUY ME COCK” and i’ll never let it die. you are such a beautiful person inside out i would have never thought i deserve you but !!! we’ve been together for so long and i hope we meet someday bc honestly? i wanna h*g you so much its a lil gross but,,, you mean so much to me honestly ok i’ll stop now i didnt even say everything i wanted to but i’ll keep that for another time ;)) i love our late night conversations about ??? whatever from memes to long appreciation hours about our faves to personal stuff its just so exhilarating to talk to you ily always gia 💞💞💞💞

@daypjh: oh oh oh my heart is turning into a puddle of joeliness rn thats how soft i am for you :(((((( honestly we have been talking for a few days but i feel like we’ve been friends for years??? when we started talking i was taken aback bc 1) shIT jo noticed me ok gotta act cool 2) it was So comfortable and So smooth and i had so much fun my fist conversations with people tend to be a little awkward and i’m always anxious but with you ??? i was so chill for some reason!!!! also you are the purest jae stan? the softest of them all and i know how much he means to you but you are a lil ho for the rest of day6 too i’m laughing you go all out with your trashiness;; i would have never thought i’d find someone with whom i share so many interests but here we are!! i’m so happy we started talking because i realised i was missing out on some gr8 stuff 👌👌 you are so funny our conversations never fail to make me smile whenever i feel down…i still wanna get to know you more tho but on another note i hope you stay happy !!!!! you deserve everything good i love you pls remember💓💞💓  

@howcaniwait: my fave charcoal 💞 i know we havent interacted that much but i consider you a friend, more than a mutual. you are so cute and funny too also youre so talented when it come to photography like ?? pure goals not even exaggerating!!! you love bri and sammy so much it makes my heart jump a lil :’’’) you also helped me with that friend issue when you didnt have to and i’m still thankful bc it helped me~ btw the way you interact with every single follower of yours is such goals yall like family asdjgldhs cute ;-; lets get to know each other more soon💖💖💖  

also a meme that is a very relative

@ijustcantlie: alice!!!!!!!! one of my fave blackroses 💓💓 i don’t have a lot to say about you bc i don’t know you well yet bUt i want to!!!! anyways your edits are so great they always leave me speechless i wish i had them skills tbh :

@rxsewoosung: hello dora 💕💕💕 in actuallity, he have exchanged a few asks only and thats about it but (though i wish we talk more one day)!!! you are so cute tbh i havent seen you around in a while but that’s bc the rose is kind of dead atm but as i was stalking your blog i realised how adorable you are!!!!you love the boys dearly and i cannot express how happy that makes me also you say i’m your fave woosung stan and that my blog contains a+++ content but same goes for you ;) woosung would be so happy to know such a nice person likes him so much plus your gifs are most pretty in my opinion i aspire to be like you💕 

@thedaysix: MY FAVE DAY6 BLOG HANDS DOWN!!!! bethany ily so much not to be that person but i would have never thought YOU out of ALL day6 blogs would follow me i probably cried a lil on the inside when i saw you had followed me and liked some of my stuff as well askflghlsd ok so basically i have said it before i think but i love and appreciate you so much ik i’m repeating myself lol but you are one of the funniest ppl i follow and your tags are the cutest shit they make me xtra soft 😭😭😭 btw callie is the cutest cat i wish i could cuddle the floof sighs 💓💓

@ttherose: The Blackrose Mom aka Olivia 💞💞💞 I can’t express my appreciation enough tbh ??? without you i doubt we’d exist on tumblr and i’m not even joking!!! i used to be intimidated by you because you are the mvp of the fandom but talking to you in the group chat i???wow you are so interesting and hilarious plus i love how you ALWAYS do your best to update us with everything the rose related and make memes at the same time i’m laughing thats the definition of dedication so i wanna say a big thank you for your hard work bc other fandoms lack what we have (a mom; i mean you) 💞

@woosung-is-my-aesthetic: OH HI FAKE SNAKE JANA oops i mean uuugggh lettuce :))) tbh i thought you were one of those chill stans when i followed you but karma is a bitch i guess bc you are pretty wildt and i like em wildt ;)))) oK I THINK you are one of the most precious ppl i wanna protect with all my heart :(( i love every single meme you send and everything you say is hilarious in one way or another also ??? you are a little trashy prince for shinee and you know i love that about you plus i appreciate the mysme dose on my dash thanks to you my trashy ass wants to download the game for the 4th time :/ one thing i love about you is the mom mode you always like “whO DO I NEED TO FIGHT WHO HURT YOU MY CHILDREN” and that makes my heart blast into outer space and make a colony on mars askflghslahs i’m 2 soft 4 you always thanks for all the help i appreciate it, really!!! and no matter what you do or say i’ll never consider you ‘dark’ you are a lil kitty in need of affection uwu 💖💖 and i’ll only eat pineapple pizza for you but i know i’ll regret it :

@woosammv: 🗣️🗣️🗣️ THE CUTEST BROSE 🗣️🗣️🗣️ julia…you is that one person who is above the rest… like all the other normies are trash for the rose but you are the landfill and that makes you special aslgjhhlshaldhs ok but honestly you are such a great person, always making flawless gifs and keeping the fandom well fed sadly i dont have a lot to say bc we havent really talked but i hope we do soon but just so you know, ily and your blog  💕💕💕

[fen--harel]

marquis: 1, 18, 32, 36, 37, 44; alaina (bc ofc

Luthier (Marquis de Sade)

Do you prefer writing with black or blue pen?

Neither. Red. Always red. It is the sexiest color. 

Tell us about an early childhood memory.

Ohh, there are so many delectable memories from my childhood for me to share. However, for the sake of time i’ll grace you with at least one. It was the summer before I started high school and my parents took the liberty of getting rid of anything “vulgar” from the household due to many incidents that had taken place before. I knew, of course, that our butler had a secret stash of his personal collection stowed away in that dirty thing he called a room. He also had a soft spot for my mother, if you know what I mean. One Friday evening, when my mother and father would have their “quality” time I had told our butler that I thought I had heard my mother calling for him from her room. He went right before my father went to her room and found him standing there while she was naked on the bed. By seven o’clock he was packing his luggage and didn’t even notice some of his magazines were missing! It was such a wonderful and productive day. 

What are you afraid of?

“No Marquis, we cannot use the restraints tonight” or “Are we going to make it ‘official’?”

Do you prefer swimming in pools or in the ocean?

Depends. Is it a nude beach? A nude pool? …Do those exist? I do hope so. If not I may have to do some inventing and investing. It would be a crime to keep such a thing from the world. 

What would you do if you found $50 on the ground?

Use it to pay for the prostitute on the sidewalk next to it. 

If you could travel back to any era, which would you choose?

Not to be biased, but I think I would be very blessed to be in France in the 1700s. If I ever met the actual Marquis de Sade I would surely die of a heart attack. Either that, or whatever horrible sexual torture he inflicts on me. Ohhhhh….I hope he would use one of his quills for something deliciously devious. 

Alaina

Would you prefer to live in the country or the city?

I think both are wonderful in their own ways!! But I guess if I had to pick one…mnnnn…the city! Because that’s where all my friends are! …But I want to own a cow! Being a farmer would be fun! Maybe i’ll ask Stefan if we can have a cover farm out in the country! *insert stupid Alaina giggle*

Do you prefer baths or showers?

I like baths because then you can have bubbles! And you can be creative with them like making your tub pretty with flowers and candles! And you can lay in the bath and do practically anything! Well…I tried doing paperwork in the bath once, and that didn’t end well. 

Do you like your cereal crunchy or soggy?

I don’t eat cereal too often since i’m lactose intolerant, but when I do, I do it without anyone knowing since they’ll yell at me for drinking milk so I have to eat the cereal fast! Shhh! Don’t tell anyone!

What would you do if you found $50 on the ground?

I would ask whoever was nearby and if they dropped money and what the amount was! Because I know sometimes people can be sneaky! But if no one claims it, I would use it for tip for a nice employee! 

Have you ever seen a shooting star? Did you make a wish?

I haven’t!! I hope to see one soon though! I want to wish for everyone in my Famiglia to be happy!! And also for Brose to get those cute shorts that go on sale this Friday!

What is your most used emoji?

I have so many!! 😋🐶🌼🍓🐍

Etienne

What was your favourite book as a child?

I didn’t learn how to read until I was a teenager, you didn’t need to read and write in a brothel. Fleur, however, would tell me stories that she had remembered from her childhood and my favorite was Barbe Bleue. It had a happy ending, but the way gruesome way Fleur always described finding his dead wives in the closet in such detail made it my favorite story. 

What can you see outside your bedroom window?

Not much actually, I live in the middle of the city and my view is mainly made up of other buildings and busy roads. However, if you look past the buildings I have a slight, but still very marvelous view of the Luxembourg Gardens.

Do you like ice in your drinks

*laughs* This is a question? If it’s an ice drink then yes, I would indeed like ice in it. But I certainly hope someone wouldn’t put ice in my hot drinks. 

Where do you feel the safest?

Hm. That is a hard question. In all honesty I suppose when you live deep in a life of crime it is hard to feel “safe”. But I suppose with my Familgia. I trust them more than any of the scum that roams Paris’ streets.

What is one thing you want to overcome/conquer?

Conquer? That is a secret. And something that I want to overcome? My past. It still troubles me to this day. You’d think one would stop caring at some point.

What is your favourite season? Why?

Spring. I like taking rainy walks through the park and it’s green in the spring so there’s more nature to look at. 

[kazimirov-archive]

Cor: 7, 10 (u gotta pick another name !), 18, 27, 34, 42, 44, Brose: 3, 16, 18, 20, 29, 39, 40 Orlan: 47, 39, 18, 30, 17, 11, 5. :D also i gave them all 18 lol

Cor

1. If you could be a mythical creature, which would you choose?

“Oh. Hm. I don’t know if I’d want to be any fantasy creature that I can think of? Of course, elf is always the immediate reaction, but if we mean Tolkien’s elves, and I assume we are, they’re really kind of boring aren’t they? But I guess I’m also boring also. Or actually! a Water horse or hippocampus. They’re not super smart or anything, but there’s something infinitely cool about being a sea monster of sorts, but a sea monster that looks friendly enough to not be perceived as a threat.”

10. Do you like your name? Would you ever change it?

“I mean, yes? My parents gave me this name of course I like it. But if I had to change it, probably...jeong?? it’s weird to have it as a one character name, but one of the hanja for it means quiet or calm. i believe in choosing names for their meanings so having a name that actually fits me, and doesn’t just mean war horn would be nice. though i guess you could argue war horn does fit me since i think the horn players didn’t fight. they just played music and died, which sounds about right.”

18. Tell us about an early childhood memory.

“When I was little, my mom really tried to keep her Korean heritage alive for me. She spoke Korean to me and fed me Korean food and told me stories about her side of the family and their lives. I don’t remember very many details about my childhood, but I remember on several instances  sitting on her lap in bed as she went through Korean children’s books with me. She would point to the rabbit and ask, “Mwoya?” ‘What is it?’ and I would giggle and shout, “Naya!” ‘It’s me!’. To this day I mutter “naya” to myself whenever I see wild rabbits.”

27. Do you like your cereal crunchy or soggy?

“I don’t like the use of soggy here. Soggy has bad connotations. I like my cereal soft with a little bit of a crunch, and that is definitely not soggy.”

34. Do you address older people by their first or last name?

“Usually by their last. It’s very rude in Korea to address a stranger, particularly an older or higher ranking one, by their first name, so even though I grew up speaking Korean in America and Italy, you get into the habit of using last names anyway because the language is structured around that. And also both my parents and my aunt were very strict in regards to politeness, so last name was always safest.”

42. Where do you feel the safest?

“At home, wherever that may be. There’s something comforting about being surrounded by your own stuff in your own home and knowing that you belong there. I also find safety in certain people. Marcus, for example, is a very grounding person and I always seek him out in crowds or stressful situations because he makes me feel protected. Cesaire is also a very safe person to be around, but moreso on the ‘will neutralize any threats instantly’ end of the spectrum rather than the ‘chill person’ end.”

44. If you could travel back to any era, which would you choose?

“Well, we’re living in objectively the best era to be in, right? The best healthcare, the highest life expectancy, the most equality, and all that. So permanently? I would stay right here. But if it was just a trip, probably pre-colonial Africa or Asia or South America or something. It would be fascinating to see what those cultures were like before European influence, to see what they thought of religion and time and gender and all that. I’m not sure which one I would want to visit, though, I’ll have to think on that.”

Brose

3. If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?

“oh oh oh! knitting. it’s really domestic i know but paris is SO COLD and i want to learn how to make everyone aesthetic mittens and hats and all that! alaina and i could match :D”

16. Who do you want to be closer to?

“everyone??? i want to be closer to all my friends i want to be the most important person in their lives 800000% of the time. but more seriously, probably asiel?? weirdly enough. we’re friends of course but i dunno the bond he has with alaina just seems really nice, even though i also have that bond with her i guess. i just want more bonds!!”

18. Tell us about an early childhood memory.

“when i was almost three italy made it to the final round of the world cup, literally for the first time in like 12 years. so like my family was PUMPED. and i was really little of course but i remember being forced to stay up super late and watch the game and my parents gave me espresso because italians i guess. and then we lost BUT we still got second place and it had been 12 years and ohmyGOSH the shouting and cheering was insane!! and i was the tiniest 2 1/2 year old ever so i was literally passed around like a trophy and hoisted up into the air as everyone celebrated. it was amazing. i still have a picture of me swimming in my cousin’s jersey.”

20. What can you see outside your bedroom window?

“uhhh the city? lots of cool buildings and stuff i guess? also the seine which i hate to admit it but is a much nicer river to look at than the tiber. still not as nice as my hometown, though. ((((but a million times better than new york so i’m not bitching.))))”

29. Do you like reading? What was the last thing you read?

“uhhhh i don’t?? read??? i’ve never been much of a reader- i’m dyslexic and it’s just not my thing. the last thing i read was probably actually the bible?? i joined this online bible study and it’s been very interesting to compare people’s ideas about passages. but, fun trick i use: i have an audiobook of an italian translation, so it’s reading but only sort of.”

39. What is one thing you would want to teach your children?

“only one thing?? probably acceptance. acceptance of people’s differences, acceptance of life’s hardships, acceptance of your own existence, acceptance of truth even when it hurts. fighting is good and all, but being able to sit down and say ‘i accept whoever and whatever comes my way’ is really powerful. no that doesn’t mean you never stand up for yourself, you have to also accept that certain people and things might not be right for you, but it means that you are able to be at peace with life and if they come away with any lessons, i want it to be that.”

40. If you had to have a tattoo, what would it be and where would you get it?

“i actually cracked and got one! i have my mom’s birthday on my ribs with my favorite bible passage under it. and and then alaina and i are getting ones, but the design and everything is a surprise!”

Orlan

47. How would you spend your ideal day?

“my ideal days are ones when things go right. i like being able to sit back and relax and not worry about plans or people messing up. on a day when everything is going right i would probably spend it lying around with thelry and just relaxing and watching tv and maybe cooking some real food. y’know, maximizing the relaxation.”

39. What is one thing you would want to teach your children?

“to always fight for what they believe in. that’s what my mamma taught me and it’s been my driving force my entire life. never stand down and let people walk over you or let the bad guys get away with it, because if you do you’re just as bad as them.”

18. Tell us about an early childhood memory.

“i don’t have many positive ones, especially since my mom died when i was fairly young, but we shared a bed and i remember having her arms around me and she would be right there if i had a nightmare or wanted a hug, ready to pull me closer and chase all the darkness away. i miss that.”

30. How do you show someone you love them?

“with closeness. like emotional closeness and also physical closeness. i let myself be open with them and let them be open with me and spend as much time in their presence as possible. i’m pretty obvious.”

17. Do you miss someone at the moment?

“mamma, always mamma.”

11. Who is a mentor to you?

“there’s no one in particular, but i like to study revolutionaries and rule breakers of the past. they inspire to me to stand behind my beliefs and morals, but also to be smart and not just charge ahead aimlessly. i particularly like studying insurgents of the past, it’s interesting to see how they played the game from both sides. as for mentors in my real life?? weirdly enough, probably some of the bosses i’ve come in contact with. our morals are the exact opposite,if they even have morals, but they are ruthless in their execution.”

5. What was your favourite book as a child?

“we had a copy of fiabe italiane growing up and my mother used to read to me from it and i’ve always said it was my favorite book. the problem is that she would rework the stories to make them less gory, because she thought fiction shouldn’t be violent if real life already was, so when i finally read the book on my own after she died i was shocked! so maybe not fiabe italiane, but i’m not sure what else to say.”

[ardenssolis]

Puts a red BROSE on top of his head. He better not ruin the pun this time

Send 🌼 to put a flower in my muse’s hair!; accepting || @conqucror

     FLOWERS AGAIN? HOW UNLIKE the other man to give him such things. They shared food sometimes, shared drinks, stories, and other such things, but this great bear of a man did not seem the type to just give flowers to anyone. Then again, Ozymandias loved flowers though one might not assume such from his lavish lifestyle, however, he truly did. What made this odder still was just the fact that said flower was comfortably placed into his hair. Didn’t these red flowers have some profound meaning in this era? Ah, he supposed that didn’t matter. Alexander seemed disappointed by his reaction the last time he accepted a rose from him, so…he was…at a loss.

     How was he meant to react then? 

     ❝You are going to fluster even a pharaoh like myself if you keep giving me gifts like this.❞ He was teasing, really. It took a great deal to get him flustered. ❝Perhaps I should put a flower in your hair one day. I am sure it would look nice in that vibrant red hair.❞

[apsbicepstraining]

Am I Shallow For Disliking That My Boyfriend Is Fat? Ask A Pro

Dead Head Pro,

Fully understanding how shallow I am going to sound, I’ll descent right in.

I “ve never” dated a fat person, until 6 months ago. My lover is not obese but “he il be” undeniably fat. Although I think he has put on some weight, he was already overweight when we started dating.

I have a nice torso, am very physically active, and desire to share that life-style with my lover. I hoped that my speciman would motivate my lover to get into determine. Even though it is has gone him to talk about it, he still hasn’t taken specific actions. It doesn’t repulse me that he’s fat; what bothers me is that he speaks of misplacing load but hasn’t actually changed any of his habits.

We met after the holidays and he showed that he was conscious of his load, went on to say that he had fallen off the wagon during the holidays and was trying to get back into a number. Since then, we have gone on two beach vacations that he was “going to get in shape for” and if anything he has only gotten bigger.

As I mentioned, I have tried to influence him through my sample,( talking about the foods I’m eating, ever telling him when I’m at the gym) and when he makes explains about his heavines, I don’t reject them with “you’re not fat! “, I try to discuss a game plan for get him back on track. Over the past few months though, he has moved accommodations and switched business so the author claims he hasn’t given an opportunity to get back into a routine because of the time and stress. I’m nervous that this will continue to happen because there is obviously never going to be a perfect time to change.

Obviously this is important to me but everything else in our relations is reverberate and I’m happy, so I’m not looking to end happenings, just some advice to assist get thoughts done.

Sincerely,

Skinny Betch

Well, you’re not glad, are you? You’re emailing me, plainly, but you also said “I hoped that my speciman would motivate my boyfriend to get into shape.” There’s an old relation proverb along the lines of “women marry men hoping they’ll change, servicemen wed wives hoping they never do.” It’s principally true-blue and, even more importantly, neither objective is ever realise. Men who are unambitious losers rarely be transformed into millionaires, and women who is the beginning as party girl nymphos who like to get drunk and give hummers in movie theater rarely remain that road. C’est la vie . So you’re miserable that your stellar sample hasn’t magically diverted your glistening pig of a boyfriend into an adonis. No shit. Seeing a nutrition that a) works for you and b) you can stick to that outcomes weight loss is certainly fucking hard. And given that your best bet provides support to that diet with musing exercise, you’re talking about an entire paradigm transformation in his procedure. Combine that given the fact that weight loss simply gets harder the older we get, and he’s standing at the foot of the world’s tallest mountain, and all you’re doing to help him climbing is devouring kale and texting him from the elliptical . That’s not a moral neglect on your percentage, either. Short of preparing all of his nutrient for him( which would be ridiculous ), there’s not much you can do. The only real proposition I have is to maybe find certain kinds of activity that you can do together — tennis, hiking, paddle boarding, whatever. If that happens, there may be some to be expected that laying bare his physical paucities will press him to get serious about health and fitness . In the end, you’re on two sides of a segment. He, like likely 90% of specific populations, qualities weight loss and fitness but can’t find it in himself to prioritize it. You’re the opposite, in that you prioritize it in both yourself and him( despite going into this knowing exactly what you were get ). You have to get wise through your skull that things are unlikely to change for the better, and ultimately decide what’s more important to you .

Dearest Head Pro,

I’m caught in a lineage love triangle. A several weeks ago, your best friend placed me up with his little. Yes, little as in frat little. I don’t know why this shit is still relevant in the real world, but here “weve been”. So, regardless, we hit it off. The little is a great guy, though the fornication is medium-minus. Hoping to educate the young boy in the wiles of sexual encounters, I began to train Medium-Minus with the expectations of seeing him a solid medium.

So, a little backstory here. Medium-Minus just got out of a really fucked up tie-in, so he suffering from significant emotional PTSD and goes back and forth between wanting to date me and wanting to be swear off all women( including me- which is crazy, I know ). But although there are the sex is medium minus I still really like him. Emotionally unavailable humankinds seem to be my form these days!

Okay , now the actually fucking crazy side. While he’s been out of municipality for the past few weeks I inadvertently separated 3 bottles of rose (# roseallday) with his big and we wholly made out. Brose over here caught me off his guard with his good looks and even better wine-drinking abilities. I’d told that that was a onetime occasion, but I cant aid but do it with him when I’m drinking …. And a girl’s gotta stick to her diet.

Well….it’s all fun and games until someone catches the feels. And someone happened to be BOTH of us. Brose thought it was a bright idea to tell his little( aka Medium-Minus) in on his feelings( except for the component about us making out ). Are a bit incestual no? They’re like mostly bros (# frat #brotherhood #lineage) and I’ve somehow placed myself in the middle of their bromance and fucked everything up. And it gets even more awk…because Medium-Minus cuss he’s trying to date me when he recalls from his travellings. Can’t say I wouldn’t likewise be defensive about misplacing a total fucking catch like me.

So….Medium-Minus and I have hindered talking while he’s been away, but the combined effects of sexting and “I merely can’t be with you right now” is getting v old .. especially when Brose is just sitting pretty on the back burner. I know that I need to at least wait until he gets back from wherever he is, but I’m not sure what my game plan is when he does. Chiefly I fantasize I need to stop dating frat boys( line-up note- I never even dated them in college, irony ?). But in the meantime, are you able help a betch out? The striving is real.

With drunken love,

XXX sratstar

Wait, waitwaitwaitwait: This entire email is premised on existing conflicts arising under their college brotherhood association, and you’re not even in fucking college ?!?!? Like, I’m speaking this word, reputing “wow, ok, this could get actually sticky if they’re living under the same house, ” and at the very end you cease the missile that college is in the past-tense for you? You were somehow “caught off guard” by his good looks( had you, uh , not viewed him before ?) and his boozing abilities? A bottle and a half of wine-colored isn’t even all that impressive for a buster, fyi. Not that I would know, or anything . Anyway, you don’t actually have a problem here. The one person is coldness and good and into you( somehow !), and another guy is good in bottom and one screening away from spurting some despicable bullshit on a Men’s Rights subreddit. There is not a real choice, and the fact that you had to dig up their college fraternity brotherhood( which no one cares about after college, I predict) to construct one sees me think you might enjoy the( non) drama a teensy weensy fragment . If you genuinely want to stop “re kidding”, you don’t need to wait for the one guy to get back from “wherever he is.” I necessitate, if you don’t even know where he is and half the time he’s calling you a jezebel, that’s not exactly a relationship that expects a lot of closure. If anything, him being gone is a perfect opportunity to use remote communication to avail him of the notion that you’ll be a pair .

In the future, past frat relationship is maybe not a good signal of a guy’s tone. Being bad in bunk and a borderline misogynist, nonetheless, emphatically is .

The post Am I Shallow For Disliking That My Boyfriend Is Fat? Ask A Pro appeared first on apsbicepstraining.com.

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[travellerr2017-blog]

The 29th of July was a day of drinking and being silly. Adam picked us up at the corner of Kippax and Elizabeth Street at 6.45am waiting 5 minutes for the last minute arrivals before heading on our way to Hunter Valley. The morning journey was rather pleasant and interesting compared to the other trips where everyone just wants to fall asleep. This one everyone was up singing and chatting away which was rather nice.  Chatting away to Adam, Bec’s and I were telling him about our Blue Mountains trip and which route we took. We got talking about his dreams for his business and where he’d like to be in the next couple of years. About an hour or so into the journey he got pulled over by the police. Now the police in Australia are ridiculously strict, they pull you over for shit that we poms wouldn’t even think twice about. So here we are at the side of the motorway with a police officer chatting away to Adam and getting him to blow into the breathalyser. This in all was rather amusing for the rest of us; the morning had taken an interesting turn.

Two hours later we had arrived at our first stop; Tamburlaine which makes organic wines. We were taken into a room to do our first lot of tasting with our host Mitch. Who thought he was hilarious and kept making jokes (he wasn’t too bad ha). From the top of my mind, one of the first things Mitch said was that he enjoys all the fine girls that Adam brings around; the first compliment of the day goes to us all! The first wine we tasted was a 2016 Blanc de Blanc sparkling and then the Scarlett Bubbles named after the owner’s daughter. Once the sparkling wines were out of the way it was onto the whites.  There were five whites for us try; the 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, 2016 Verdelho Semillon, 2017 Gewurztraminer which was a new release next was the 2015 Chardonnay which gave me the chills as if someone had just walked over my grave and last but not least was the 2014 Late Harvest Riesling (sweet) which was not sweet in a good way! Whilst everyone was finishing off the last drops of white wine Mitch brought out the rose.  During one of the tasters one of the American girls Leah called the wine ‘Ratchett’ and not listening properly it was misheard as ‘Ratshit’. So we walked away with a new saying ‘Ratchett girls are Ratshit’.

There was only one rose for us to try which was the 2017 Petite Fleur Rose. As a joke, he was calling it the ‘Bad ass Rick Ross rose’, ‘call it brose –don’t freeze it and call it Frose’. Apparently, this is the most Bogan thing you could do it. After a little chatter and Mitch telling me that I had just flashed him the red wine was left to be tasted.  So out came the first bottle to try and this was the 2016 GSM (Grenache/Shiraz/Merlot). Carrying on with his bizarreness this is the fresh shave, clean sheets kind of wine; if you know what that means. Next and last was the 2016 Full house ‘date wine, bring two might get lucky or pass out’ as Mitch put it.  As we thought that was the last one, no one was expecting the Muscat. This was the type of wine you’d have with dessert or on your pancakes as it’s that sweet, tastes like honey but has a sharper sweeter taste to it.  Before leaving it was our chance to buy the wine for $17 a bottle rather than paying the full price which was around $22-$25. So as no one could resist themselves I ended up with three bottles; the Scarlett Bubbles, 2016 Verdelho Semillon, and the 2016 Full House. These wines were all organic so don’t panic!!!

After a quick pit stop and photo shoot we all headed back onto the mini bus on our way to our second winery; Moorebank, private vineyard. As we walked up to this it looked like a cabin surrounded by beautiful hill tops and scenery but as you walked closer and went inside you could see that it was a very classic old winery. The room next to us was where they made the wine, and in the middle of the room was an old fashioned grape crusher or something along those lines, we all got a little distracted by the Kelpie that came running up to us as we sat down. The saying they have at this place is ‘wine you enjoy with food you enjoy’. I’m not quite sure as to how many wines we tasted at this place but the ones remembered are; the 2015 Press room white S.C.G, 2014 Shiraz Viognier which was a red and white wine mix, 15% of this was red. Then there was the 2015 Moore-Scato which is not a bottle fermented wine and has 6%alcohol in it and last but not least was the 2014 Truman’s Late Harvest Semillon. After the wines, we were given what is believed to be a tart with a spicy apple topping.  The setting of this vineyard was lovely so was the presentation but the wine tasting just didn’t last that long and seemed to be lacking fun. Adam believes it was because the lady was nervous as this was the first time going here. It was rather nice, to be honest just needed that extra little boost! The views and Kelpie helped it though. We stayed there for lunch before moving onto the brewery.

Arriving at Potters Brewery we came across the most disgusting stretch pink hummer ever. It’s a known fact that hummers don’t look nice when they’re stretched, and having a bright pink just isn’t classy in any way shape or form. Moving on we went inside the brewery where a young lady gave us an insight as to how beer is made and what the three main ingredients are; grain (mostly malted barley), hops and yeast (and of course water). The brewery itself was rather small but interesting to look around and to learn something new. Once the little tour and presentation was over it was finally time to drink some beer!!! Only a few of us were excited to drink beer so the lucky ones like myself got some extra beers due to some girls not liking the stuff.  At this point, Adam had wandered back to the bus to sleep whilst the rest of us soaked up the sun and drank. Time flew by too quickly and it was time to head back onto the bus to go to the chocolate factory where some chocolate fudge was bought and ice creams were tasted. After the chocolate factory was the cheese factory. Due to staying on the bus and chatting away I didn’t get a chance to see it but the talk was worth the miss.  40 minutes later everyone had arrived back on the mini bus and it was time to head home.

Doing these weekend trips are always enjoyable but this was has to got to be the favourite so far. Who doesn’t enjoy drinking all day and acting silly?! With our bellies full of alcohol and junk food it was definitely time to head home and sleep it all off.  The drive home was uneventful and about 2 and a bit hours later we had ended up back where we started. These trips are always a treat and enjoyed deeply. Again the trips are organised by Adam himself and you can find out more information on his Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/groups/441700579364311/, AUSSIE DAY TRIPS, SOCIAL EVENTS & TRAVEL MATES.

A day spent drinking – Hunter Valley The 29th of July was a day of drinking and being silly. Adam picked us up at the corner of Kippax and Elizabeth Street at 6.45am waiting 5 minutes for the last minute arrivals before heading on our way to Hunter Valley.

[mechagalaxy]

Sten Hugo Hiller - April 3320 Front Line Fight

Mountain Climbing Mecha Combat

Brought to you by ANN, A News channel for Mecha Combat

Highlighting the April 3320 Front Line Fight

Round two of the Squad Wars was over, Brotherhood Dragons Gamma had kicked our butts and taken our names. I needed to let out steam, and there was a climb on K3.  Unfortunately there was also a meeting scheduled, supposedly ending at a time that would allow me to attend, but I harbored some private doubts. I am of course talking about the new contract.

Plagued with bandit raids, several planets had banded together and formed Patrolling Against Pirates, Echo Region, Worlds Of Regional Kingdoms. They had contacted several mercenary clans, Star League among them, to find the most efficient way to deal with the pirates. The suggested result, Supreme Headquarter, Region Echo, Directed Defense Endangered Region. The question of how to implement this, and integrate local forces created a Commanding Officer, Newly Formed Echo reaches, Temporary Total Imperator. Of course as this was just a preliminary agreement it had been sent back to the local parliaments for confirmation. The result was the same from all. Good idea, provided OUR man is the imperator, otherwise forget it. The delegation managed to use six hours to tell us this, and then informed us of the new plan. Everything would instead be sent to the newly formed Temporary Regional Alliance, Special Headquarter, Hunting and Exterminating All Pirates.

And by the way, we were too expensive, they would coordinate between themselves. At this point the climb had been under way for minutes. I rushed out and speeded for the mountain, but in vain. My formation was on the Plains, the climb was over, and those who had won Gold, Nephilax and fame this time were:

Div 1 (31 Players): Ben Rail, Cyclops Team (13s) Div 2 (21 Players): James Nickell, Death`s Deceivers (4m,46s) Div 3 (47 Players): German Jaramillo, Brotherhood D. Gamma (30s) Div 4 (54 Players): Karl Kash, Death`s Brethren (27m,53s) Div 5 (44 Players): Duncan Cecil Goetz, Death`s Dawn (3m,57s) Div 6 (61 Players): James Brose, Brotherhood D. Iota (5m,35s) Div 7 (43 Players): Jhong Isaac, Barcode (3m,27s) Div 8 (52 Players): Mortem Orbisque; Brotherhood D. Nu (21h,59m) Div 9 (41 Players): Casandra Proctor, Wrecking Crew Too (5m,50s) Div 10 (19 Players): Bob Geronimo, Wrecking Crew (3h,19m) Div 11 (13 Players): Nathan Soucie (seconds) Div 12 (22 Players): RacerX_, Politically Incorrect (2d,20h)

Number of Participants: 448, Number of Medals: 178 (of 180 possible)

Lots of participants, lots of fighting. Three Gold’s decided last minute, five more during the last six, on the other hand, one was held for over two days.

No single clan got more than one gold, of the families, both AFF and Brotherhood Dragons got three. Only unaligned winner was div 11`s Nathan Soucie, none managed to get a second Gold in a row this time.

After cursing a blue streak on those who drag out meetings, I needed a cold one. LaSalles was open and I went there, perhaps an interview would show him? In through the door came Ben Rail (#459199) waving a Gold medal over his head shouting, "I got my first, drinks to all on me!" Many came over to congratulate him, I scanned my files, put on my reporter hat and waited until he was free before I waived him over.

Sten Hugo Hiller  Congratulation on your win. You have had a long career. first appearance in the KOTMs was back in `70. During these 50 years you have been with quite a few clans. Four seasons in Death Watch, two with Toy Box of Doom and two CW Gold’s with The Isle of Misfit Toys. Then followed 10 CWs with Red Comet, 6 of them resulting in Gold. Then a couple CWs in Orion Nebula and back to T.I.o.M.T. for another two, all crowned with Gold. Then Four CWs with Phoenix storm, two new in T.I.o.M.T. one gave Gold, before Transferring to Zeon in `15. Also worth to mention are six Faction Wars, the first five in the Storm resulting in four Gold’s, the last in Spirit of Zeon. Some might wonder about this constant changing. Are you a drifter, always looking for a new home, or have you finally found a place to put down roots?

Ben Rail  I have been in the game for a long time and started with Deathwatch, which I eventually become the leader of. I was lucky that I was just getting more seriously interested in the game when "Equipment" was first introduced. Initially it was only available for the mid class mecha of which I had a lot of, pretty soon I was beating players with far bigger mechs (and a lot higher in level) so I then progressed rather quickly. I was invited to the MMI clan which was effectively a meta clan. I was always a slow leveler so have tended to move about the various clans within MMI but helped with strategy and tactics across all of them so in answer to your question I would say I've really been with one clan for nearly all my career. The pressures of the game meant a few key personnel leaving MMI and as one of the higher level players in the game I found myself  a little a drift, eventually moving to Zeon where I've enjoyed my time. However the massive leveling that is now part of the game (in Division 1) and the total dominance of Fusion is making the future a little unclear for me. I don't blame Fusion for their dominance, MG has always been a little one-sided at the very top, but we really need to find a way of creating at least 2 powerful clans at the very top to keep things interesting.

Sten Hugo Hiller  Yes, I see. Now as to your statement when you came into the bar. Shouting free drinks for all, I got my first and proudly displaying your Gold medal. According to my files you got your first KOTM Gold in unlimited back in November`73, and this was your 23rd. Am I right?

Ben Rail  First Gold in Division 1. Division 1 contains the best players in the game so just like Clan Wars being Number 1 is a big deal. I know that really it should be a full Kotm not just a Front Line which is definitely a great leveler but have been trying on and off now for a few months now so really pleased. I guess my first Gold in 73 was special too but really any kotm involves a fair bit of luck and timing so I don't get too hung up on it. Just felt like celebrating today, and it's been cool getting some responses back (from both friend and foe) Just too confirm I have 23 Nephilax's so you 23G looks to be correct.

Sten Hugo Hiller  Some are glad for you, others envy you. Now, some want Chronos to, if not disappear, at least be spaced much further apart. About half your Golds are from Chrono event, do you want more of them?

Ben Rail  They certainly have been kind to me in the past, again one reason was the USA based timings of a lot of the events although this is less of an issue now. But I'm afraid I cannot really compete against Fusion in D1 as I said before, they do what any good clan should do and work together making it very difficult to keep  others from gaining too many points. I do not have enough Strong Level 250+ players by my side to help. I do get lucky from time to time and drop down to Division 2 , where I have more of a chance but even then there are some very strong players. To answer the other part of your question, I think there has been a few too many Chronos and perhaps limiting to 2 a month.

Sten Hugo Hiller  Tell me about it, my few forays into div 2 are not big successes. When it comes to limited or unlimited, what is your preference?

Ben Rail  I like variety, not just for my own benefit but for the other players too, it's unlikely I can win or even get a silver in an unlimited event so I'd prefer to see more limited events, maybe a 80% limited, 20% unlimited. (I have no idea what the current ratio is though )It's also good to see some of the very high level crystal players giving the niode players a bit of a beating in some of the limited events too

Sten Hugo Hiller  Interesting from one with over half his golds from unlimited. When it comes to limited there are three broad types. What do you think of the weapon specialist events?

Ben Rail  I must also say my view is somewhat polarized by my Division 1 spectacles, I realize it's a little different lower down the Divisional ladder. My Golds reflect my strengths and before I entered D1 I was one of the strongest players for my level but now I guess I'm top 15, again D1 maths play a part with most of the top players 30 - 50 levels above me. I don't believe the weapons specialist are in any way useful. With 40 200+ Level mechs in your formation you simply can't optimize to a single weapon type, My Projectile bonus is very high but even so I would never consider it in an event.

Sten Hugo Hiller  Nice to get a view from the top. How about the rainbows? Do you lump them together, or are they three separate events for you?

Ben Rail  Definitely 3 separate events. Nearly all my rainbows are run with empty columns as I do not have sufficient mechs of sufficient weight / strength to populate 41 slots. As new Big crystal mechs come a long I do try and bring them into my formations but the time taken is measured in months. Triple Rainbow is a little easier to manage though. Again at my level you have to pick your battles / where best to spend your resources and you simply can't do all of them. For instance the last few Clan Wars I've gone with 90T and have put resources into leveling up some of the mechs I'd moth balled. When I do see another new event though which depends on crystal mechs (A Luison event being a good example) I bought 10 (didn't have any) and they are currently being leveled (at 216 so far).

Sten Hugo Hiller  Yes, have to plan ahead and get mechs early. But all this buying and leveling must cost quite a bit. Have you immense stores or are you to feeling the pinch when it comes to crystal and ferrite?

Ben Rail  Good question . Until the recent changes to Circuit Wars with respect to Crystal I was down to zero every time I leveled. Ferrite the same (Need the Crystal to get the Ferrite. My current Bioptic tally is 12 Million. Even in D1 where XP does not matter I was unable to generate sufficient Ferrite / Crystal to level my (crystal) mechs. For me at Level 235 it only requires 25000 Xp to level (I suspect 6 months ago this was far higher).I can do that in one day, win Gold in D1 is 18000 XP. The recent changes have at least allowed me to claw back some of those resources but I do believe the XP required needs to be 2 to 3x what it is currently.

Sten Hugo Hiller  You mention winning medals to get Xp. There have been yet another decrease in the number of medals lately. What do you think about that?

Ben Rail  With a lot of the changes within the game there are two sides, for lower divisions encouraging competition is a good thing and making players work a little harder is a good way to prevent the camper mentality. But the rewards for those medals needs to make the effort worthwhile. I'd like to see more special prize mecha like the Nephilax and some "Prize Only " weapons / equipment that outperforms Niode equipment. However I know from my own experience that a Division can be dominated by a few players that then become more and more powerful. I have seen D1 Kotms with Fusion holding nearly every single medal place (Gold, Silver and a fair few bronze) so maybe add a tin medal . I noticed in my earlier kotms you got a medal for Top 25.

Sten Hugo Hiller  Those were the days. I almost forgot the third event type. When it comes to weight limit do you prefer mech type or max weight, say 50ton max or Oggun?

Ben Rail  As I mentioned earlier, I like variety so both are good. That Luison event was a good example, A lot of players simply don't have them so anyone lucky enough to have some stood a good chance of winning something. But also like the tonnage events if I have enough to make up a force. I have virtually no Niode mechs below 75T so it's just a case of choosing the best crystal mecha for the job. Also sold off most of my low ton niode equipment.. Just before Chef introduced specialism D'oh.

Sten Hugo Hiller  Sometimes I deplore my lack of foresight as well. Now, if you could create your favorite KOTM event, what would it be?

Ben Rail  Easy Max1020T Torrent only event.. In part because I'd love to see all the moaning posts in the forum  Seriously though I would like to see a crystal mech only event. I used to have a full crystal setup and use it to show others that it wasn't all about Niode mechs (although Niode equipment / weapons should be allowed)

Sten Hugo Hiller  Well, wouldn’t be too much competition in the Torrent event. Only say 8-10 players competing. but from your lips to the Developers ears. Many would like to get hints on what mechs/equipment/weapons you recommend to become more competitive?

Ben Rail  I've spent most of this game trying to work out the best options and that's why I'm still here as I've don't really know . First off optimize what you have, learn how to evaluate your formations. Pay attention to what the players who beat you are doing / using / buying. Focus your resources on making strong lines, don't dilute what you have across all your mechs. Join a good clan. Yes an unlimited check book will make you stronger but that doesn't mean you can't get stronger without one.

Sten Hugo Hiller  Thank you for your insights. I guess you want to return to your clan for further celebrations. Do you have any final words?

Ben Rail  I'm a quiet guy so will be retiring early, and have Squad Wars tomorrow and I feel we're going to get a bit of a beating. Thanks for the opportunity to chat and good luck to all those clans competing tomorrow may all your lasers burn brightly.

Sten Hugo Hiller  Good luck to you as well and may your missiles explode.

Ben Rail  Hopefully on the enemy not me

And off he went, probably to prepare mayhem in the Squad Wars. I finished my drink and went back to prepare survival. We would face Death in the morning.

Upcoming event: Point Mech Panic This is it. Give your best mech your best weapons and equipment and slug it out with those who think their machine is better. Remember; the scramble can last a anywhere from a few seconds to an whole hour. Sending supers to friends and getting them back is the best way to increase your staying power.

Event ends February 23 between 1700 and 1800 New York Time.

[goofbcll]

"Hey I know it's last minute and junk but happy valentine's day, my guy." Lance hands over some flowers he picked on the last planet they were on. They looked like regular daisies except more purple. "I'm like 93% sure they're safe so... I hope you like them." He flashes Hunk a smile and laughs. "I wish these were roses, ya know? 'Broses' for my bro." @blu3t3amtrul3s

    “Aww, bro! You shouldn’t have.”

He takes the roses into his hands. He wasn’t good with keeping plants alive. It was nicest gift he had gotten so far and he appreciated that! He sets them into a nice vase, “I got you some Chocolates!”

[kazimirov-archive]

Brose: 10, 26, 31, 45, 57 - Cor: 79, 93, 98, 73, 62 - Orlan: 45, 57, 73, 80, 93 - Gabriel: 98, 59, 41, 50, 21 - Ibrahim: 32, 6, 31, 40, 57 !!!

Brose

10 - How many boyfriends/girlfriends did you have?

oh god so many??? as for important ones, uhhh 4?? but only if you count asiel so i guess technically 3 that he actually considers like important to his life: jenny bc she’s cool and was a good friend, nat bc fuck him, and eskandar bc, y’know, marriage

26 - Name someone pretty.

HIMSELF!! okay but actually if you asked him on the spot he’d probs say alaina and it’s 75% because why wouldn’t he say alaina - she’s his best friend and gorgeous - and 25% because they at least look sorta similar so he can compliment himself too bc he’s awful

31 - What kind of person do you want to date?

some who WORSHIPS him. like he wants to date someone that dedicates themselves to him, which sounds terrible and kind of is, but he’s high maintenance. and like he just needs total and complete emotional support as a person or he’s super unhappy :( and he gives it back!! like he gives his all to his partner too so it’s not as one sided as it sounds

45 - Describe your dream date.

okay SO. the date is somehow in italy even though he lives in france don’t question it. it’s a two part affair. the first part is going to the beach or into the city or something nice. like just spending the afternoon together. brose gets to try on clothes that him feel good. there’s lots of sun involved. after an idyllic afternoon spent together exploring and sunbathing and holding hands and lots of pda brose and date arrive at a nice restaurant that’s been pre-approved by him. they are seated somewhere quiet. there’s candles on the table and nice music playing. throughout the first course they make light conversation, which gets heavier as they get to the main course. they talk about the future. brose says he wants 90 kids and his date agrees. over dessert (tiramisu or s/t stereotypical) and wine brose’s date admits they love him and want to be with him forever and he cries and it’s very romantic. and then they go home and bang and brose looks at himself in the mirror the whole time because he’s vain :D

57 - Have you ever done something bad but you don’t regret?

ummmm nothing brose does is ever bad??? he’s perfect?? but probably invading nat’s privacy i guess. he usually feels bad if he does something wrong and normally wouldn’t condone snooping, but sometimes it’s justified such as when your fiance is cheating.

Cor

79 - Have you ever been jealous?

!!!! yes!!!! okay so in a broad sense he’s jealous of people who have their lives put together always. but he’s jealous of benii for getting actual affection growing up and he’s jealous of pretty much everyone he knows in healthy relationships (which on further reflection is just brose?? alaina and stefan don’t get together until right before he leaves oops). but he’s jealous of samir! and nica for a bit because they get to have unrocky relationship’s with cesaire. like he’s really good at hiding this and not being bitter, but he kind of always just wants his life to be better and is jealous of people who have “better” lives :(

93 - Do you believe in destiny?

he would never admit it, but absolutely! for all his “the universe is random” and “there are too many paths” he definitely believes that some things are meant to happen and some people are meant to meet and that kind of thing. it’s comforting, almost, that maybe all his suffering wasn’t for NOTHING.

98 - What should you be doing right now?

either sleeping or working. like he only has two jobs which are “man store” and “self care” and does he manage to do either of those ever?? no.

73 - Have you ever sacrificed something important to you for someone you love?

i don’t know if he actually sacrificed anything?? he kind of sacrificed his own happiness to keep benii ignorant of how bad his mom was, but also benii was only a little kid and didn’t really understand anyway. cor isn’t self serving in a negative sense, but he’s worked really hard to bring himself back up so he’s not the kind of person to just throw away his own life for someone else. he sacrifices what little sleep he gets so cesaire can have kids! does that count?

62 - If you can change anything about yourself, what is it?

GOD that’s loaded. i don’t think cor would change anything if given the chance if only because he likes to be difficult, but i think he would like not having so much trauma?? like being neurotypical would be nice for him, i think, and being able to not be coping 98% of the time. he would also change his last name back to ford if that’s allowed! though he does eventually ACTUALLY change that back it just takes forever.

Orlan

45 - Describe your dream date.

orlan is really boring and such a BOY. his dream date would be something super chill, like a movie night in with popcorn and cuddling. something where he can wear only underwear and he just spends time with the other person- nothing fancy, no grand gestures, just, like, the avengers and a couch and takeout.

57 - Have you ever done something bad but you don’t regret?

E V E R Y T H I N G!!!!! like legit i don’t think he’s ever regretted anything in his entire life??? like maybe he regrets not being more opinionated when he was young, but when it comes to the big stuff?? the like killing and being vengeful stuff??? NAH. no regrets there because he’s working for his cause and nothing is more important than that, nothing.

73 - Have you ever sacrificed something important to you for someone you love?

NOOOOO. ohmygod he’s terrible like i actually don’t know if it came down to it if he would sacrifice something important for thelry?? maybe for rosa because fatherly instinct or whatever. but like as much as he adores thelry and would do almost anything for them, almost is a key word. like something important that’s not his Cause or whatever probably? but anything involving his revenge and beliefs? never.

80 - How can you prove your love to someone?

NOT BY SACRIFICING YOUR BELIEFS I GUESS!! but in all seriousness, orlan proves his love by trusting you? like he’s not super closed off, but he keeps his plans and feelings close to his heart because he’s afraid of them being thwarted/used against him. so if he loves you, like truly LOVES you, he’ll actually tell you about what he believes and what he wants for the future and that he loves you at all! like if he admits that it’s super serious.

93 - Do you believe in destiny?

yes! he thinks he’s destined to avenge his dad! which is bad. but he doesn’t think of destiny in a religious context or anything. it’s not a higher being deciding things, but he thinks the universe is laid out in certain ways and patterns that some things are unavoidable, including people’s natures. if the universe has decided you must be cruel, you must be cruel and you can’t fight it, that sort of thing.

Gabriel

98 - What should you be doing right now?

TAKING A FUCKING BREAK!! listen this boy never fucking stops like every moment of his life is doing something. he’s working or planning or helping people or teaching jamie something useful or cooking. he barely sleeps because he just has 2803480 responsibilities and they’re all his fault. what he should be doing is sitting down for FIVE MINUTES and focusing on himself.

59 - Does anyone hate you?

uhhhh everyone he hates?? like the government and ppl who side with them aren’t very fond of him because of the whole “revolting” thing. so like them?? and maybe some of the people he technically abandoned when he decided to go rogue for that little bit oops.

41 - What’s the nicest thing have you given to someone?

hmmm. this one is hard because he doesn’t have much to give in terms of material goods? and emotionally he gives himself off to everyone basically. like anyone who needs him at all will get help from him he’s dedicated to improving everyone else’s life. so maybe his emotional labor? his love? his energy? if he goes to bed not having dedicated his entire life that day to helping someone it’s been a total loss.

50 - Do you regret your past? 

a thousand times yes. he doesn’t regret helping people or trying to start a revolt or anything of that kind of broad ideological stuff. but whatever specific things he did that led to joanna dying he regrets, even though he can never know exactly what he should have (or could have) done differently. he regrets going rogue and hurting his family. he regrets every moment he spent with ibrahim not being with ibrahim emotionally. gabriel is very hard on himself and so if he operates below perfection (or what he perceives as perfection) that’s Bad.

21 - What is your favorite dish?

i don’t think he has one! they’re not super impoverished or anything, but gabriel really tries to eat economically and not waste food or money or anything, so food in general would be his favorite? anything that tastes good and doesn’t cost a ton? they don’t get much luxury unfortunately :(

Ibrahim

32 - Do you have troubles sleeping at night?

yes :(((( he has nightmares all the time about his childhood and about the possibility of bad things happening to the people he loves and just tons about gabriel in general, especially after joanna dies!! :( like he’s just worried that something will go wrong OR he’ll have memory-nightmares of all the shit that already went wrong and he has nightmares all the damn time.

6 - What is your favorite song as of the moment?

you know i want to say something calm and cool?? i was listening to heart of gold a lot the other night so probably that? he’s really into gentle folk rock type music- the kind of stuff you can listen to when you’re just chilling and it doesn’t make you sad or happy or anything really it’s just good music to have in the background, but it’s still emotional, like him :D

31 - What kind of person do you want to date?

gabriel. like that’s it. he never cared about anyone else like that before gabriel so gabriel kind of is his type. but i guess in general he wants someone who can counter him? he wants someone who’s passionate, maybe, or at least more energetic, but they have to accept that he’s not and temper him without pushing him. and they need to be willing to get Deep about shit and not be super prying. ibrahim isn’t intensely private but he doesn’t like being confronted. 

40 - Did you try to change for a person?

if you have to change for someone are they worth changing for?? nope. ibrahim changes because of people, though! knowing gabriel and the Crew helps him to open up and be more generous with his emotions and trust people again, so he becomes a more happy, open person in general :D but they all love him even when he’s distant and scared.

57 - Have you ever done something bad but you don’t regret?

ibrahim is the kind of person who doesn’t like to dwell on regret or the past. like he regrets ratting out gabriel probably? and maybe not helping other dogs? but he’s the kind of dude to push forward and not think about it because when your life sucks as much as him it’s really not healthy to focus on the bad things all the time? and he doesn’t need more pain