#health & personal care

[livewithjoynow]

Beyond the Crossorads

“Sometimes, God brings times of transition to create transformation.” -Lynn Cowell As women journey through middle age, they often find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with questions of purpose, fulfillment, and the paths not taken. For me, this journey began at the age of 40, when I took a long, hard look at my life and realized that I hadn’t pursued many of the dreams and aspirations I…

[aapsychelpaso]

Breaking Stigma: Overcoming the Fear of Seeking Help for Mental Health Issues

Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health is crucial to improving overall wellness. Mental health issues can impact anyone at any time, and seeking help is a crucial step in achieving better mental health. Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding mental health can make it difficult for individuals to seek the help they need. At Alfredo Arellano TMS & Psychiatric Clinic, we understand the…

[genderqueerpositivity]

The Biden administration on Friday proposed tighter limits on the online prescription of some medications, including the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug Adderall and highly addictive opioids such as oxycodone, a partial reversal of policy changes made during the coronavirus pandemic.

The new regulations, which would require health care providers to have at least one in-person visit with patients before prescribing or refilling certain drugs, would take effect after the public health emergency for Covid ends on May 11, the Drug Enforcement Administration said in a statement.

The proposal will undergo a 30-day period of public comment, after which the D.E.A. will issue a final rule, the agency said.

Heads up: If you started testosterone (a schedule III controlled substance) via telehealth during the pandemic and you've never seen your provider in person, the Biden administration is probably going to fuck you over later this year.

Go to the link below for more info:

There is a link at the bottom you can follow to submit a comment on the proposal (but at this time the link doesn't appear to be working, for me at least).

Edit to update:

It has been pointed out to me that the MSN article above misrepresents the DEA proposal on telehealth regulations; the proposal is NOT a ban.

Please check out the most recent reblog of this post and the link below for clarification on the proposal:

[gem-de-lune]

Daily Vibe Check 10/30

All Members Incl.

As always, please take Tarot readings with a grain of salt.

Seunghan

Knave of Chalices + 8 of Chalices

As things amp up, he is feeling very emotional today again, today more so. I think he isn't with anyone else today and alone for much of the day. This creates a mood in which he must "deal with" himself. It is overbearing and confusing because he isn't sure where to even start with how he feels about everything. Though there are good things and opportunities coming, he is a bit afraid of opening that can of worms. Today, he is really contemplating what he wants to do at this point without outside interference, and it's a bit difficult and stressful.

Shotaro

6 of Swords + 6 of Wands

Shotaro is still in a very similar state as the last time we checked in on him, but he is in a better mood and less overwhelmed overall. Notice the 6s are consecutive, and so are Swords (ideas/plans) and Wands (actions). 6 is an earth number, specifically Virgo. He is setting up a routine right now. He is very physically active, could be working out or dancing a lot. Anything as a distraction from stressors. If he does have to face uncomfortable things, he dismisses them via humor and messing around. Very unserious. But it is working for him. He is fine and relatively in a good mood externally due to his efforts.

Sungchan

9 of Chalices + 2 of Chalices

Sungchan kind of sees everything as working out very soon. He is in a good mood. Even if he tried to not put all his eggs in one basket, it seems he is fully convinced of good things transpiring. Again, like last time, this could be that energy in which he needs himself to be the most positive one in the room if no one else will do the job, and feels responsible for setting that kind of moon himself. Even so these feelings aren't fake, they are kind and thoughtful. Also I think he went out drinking or will go drinking with members or other friends bc so many Chalices of wine here lol.

Eunseok

The Hermit + The Devil

Lol, what a diva?? He is very introspective today. This could mean many things, but immediately, what I am getting is a mental health day at home in pjs eating ice cream- and I'm pretty much sticking with that. Now, if he cannot do that, he is just really really in his head today. Thinking about his choices and what he could have done, thinking about how he may have overlooked things or bought into obvious lies before. It's not unhealthy, but it is borderline obsessive. He won't really be able to focus today unless he sits down, takes a break, and chillaxes.

Anton

2 of Pentacles + 5 of Pentacles

He is rather sad today. This is the first time I have seen this sort of pull from Anton. But I think thebweight of everything has really put his fire out, and he is now just sad and melancholy rather than spiteful. He is trying to pull himself out, knowing he has many things going for him. But it is like he keeps looking back at all the pain inflicted on others and can't seem to forget it emotionally. He will be just fine, but he may have lost his appetite today even if food was placed right in front of him.

Wonbin

The Empress + The Hyerophant

Wonbin is feeling so Hyung today? Lol both of these cards are pretty parental imo. Wonbin is usually pretty upright as well as simple. He always gives me simple cards and does not ever have much to say in these things. Very simply put he is feeling responsible for protecting someone or something. This is very strong energy and very direct energy directed at a small group of individuals or even one person in particular. He is giving lots of worldly advice today and coming off as an old wise sage.

Sohee

5 of Swords + 6 of Chalices

Sohee has always been fairly protective. He has a lot of fighting spirit today fueled by his love and memories for those he cares about. He is holding onto these feelings for dear life and to keep him going. I get the vibe he is very unconcerned with how he will be seen as of late, so I would not be shocked if he pulls something within the next 24-48 hrs just bc. Regardless, it seems he is ready today to jump into any ring for any reason pertaining to the fam, so no one should really be trying him today. He will rip them a new one.

[sensualnoiree]

astro notes: daily transits & horoscopes 10/24

Thursday begins with the Leo Moon squaring the Scorpio Sun, marking the Last Quarter phase of the lunar cycle. This is a critical time for reflection and release, especially as the lunar cycle began with the potent solar eclipse on October 2. The focus is on clearing out emotional, physical, or spiritual clutter in preparation for the upcoming New Moon on November 1. The energy shifts to a more optimistic and heart-centered tone by the afternoon as the Leo Moon trines Venus in Sagittarius, sparking desires for romance, pleasure, and adventure. To add to this positive energy, a bold Mars-Uranus sextile gives us the courage to take risks and trust in new experiences.

Rising Sign Delineations:

Aries Rising The Last Quarter Moon in your 5th house of creativity and pleasure squares the Sun in your 8th house, urging you to release any emotional baggage related to intimacy, shared resources, or power dynamics. This is a time to declutter your emotional space and clear out lingering fears around vulnerability. The Moon-Venus trine in your 5th and 9th houses invites you to engage in fun, playful activities—perhaps through a spontaneous trip or philosophical exploration. With Mars in your 4th house sextile Uranus in your 2nd house, you’re encouraged to take risks in your personal life, whether that’s around home matters or finances.

Taurus Rising The Last Quarter Moon activates your 4th house of home and family, squaring the Scorpio Sun in your 7th house of relationships. You may feel the need to let go of old emotional patterns tied to your family or partnerships. The Moon-Venus trine in your 4th and 8th houses opens the door for heart-to-heart conversations at home or deep emotional bonding with a partner. Mars sextile Uranus between your 3rd and 1st houses encourages you to take bold actions in communication, helping you express your needs more authentically.

Gemini Rising With the Last Quarter Moon in your 3rd house of communication squaring the Sun in your 6th house, this is a time to release any mental clutter or outdated ways of thinking that may be affecting your daily routines. The Moon-Venus trine in your 3rd and 7th houses brings opportunities for harmonious and loving conversations with those closest to you, especially partners or close friends. Mars in your 2nd house sextile Uranus in your 12th house encourages you to take financial risks based on intuitive insights or spiritual guidance.

Cancer Rising The Last Quarter Moon in your 2nd house of values and resources squares the Scorpio Sun in your 5th house, asking you to release attachments to outdated beliefs around money, self-worth, or how you express yourself creatively. This afternoon’s Moon-Venus trine between your 2nd and 6th houses supports self-care and indulgence in practical pleasures, such as a health-focused treat or something that makes you feel good in your body. With Mars sextile Uranus between your 1st and 11th houses, you’re feeling bold in social situations, ready to take risks in your connections and personal goals.

Leo Rising The Last Quarter Moon in your 1st house squares the Scorpio Sun in your 4th house, signaling a need to release any emotional baggage that’s been weighing on your sense of self, especially in relation to family or home matters. Today’s Moon-Venus trine in your 1st and 5th houses brings a playful and romantic energy, perfect for enjoying creative activities or spending time with a loved one. Mars in your 12th house sextile Uranus in your 10th house encourages you to take a bold step toward your career goals, even if it feels risky.

Virgo Rising The Last Quarter Moon in your 12th house of subconscious patterns squares the Scorpio Sun in your 3rd house, pushing you to let go of hidden fears or anxieties that may be blocking your ability to communicate openly. This is a time to declutter your mind and focus on mental clarity. The Moon-Venus trine in your 12th and 4th houses supports emotional healing and finding pleasure in private, introspective activities. Mars sextile Uranus between your 11th and 9th houses encourages you to take risks in pursuing your long-term goals or spiritual path.

Libra Rising The Last Quarter Moon in your 11th house of social networks squares the Scorpio Sun in your 2nd house, encouraging you to release any limiting beliefs around money or self-worth that may be impacting your friendships or community involvement. The Moon-Venus trine in your 11th and 3rd houses invites you to connect with friends in a way that brings joy and lightness, perhaps through social gatherings or uplifting conversations. Mars in your 10th house sextile Uranus in your 8th house encourages you to take a bold step in your career, especially in matters of shared resources or personal transformation.

Scorpio Rising The Last Quarter Moon in your 10th house of career squares the Scorpio Sun in your 1st house, asking you to release any outdated goals or public personas that no longer align with who you truly are. This is a time to let go of professional expectations that don’t serve your personal growth. The Moon-Venus trine in your 10th and 2nd houses brings a sense of pleasure and reward through your work or financial ventures. Mars in your 9th house sextile Uranus in your 7th house encourages bold, exciting developments in relationships, especially those tied to shared adventures or belief systems.

Sagittarius Rising The Last Quarter Moon in your 9th house of higher learning squares the Scorpio Sun in your 12th house, encouraging you to release any subconscious beliefs or fears that may be limiting your personal growth or spiritual expansion. The Moon-Venus trine in your 9th and 1st houses invites you to explore romance and pleasure through travel or intellectual pursuits. With Mars in your 8th house sextile Uranus in your 6th house, you’re encouraged to take risks in matters of health, wellness, or shared resources, trusting that innovative approaches will pay off.

Capricorn Rising The Last Quarter Moon in your 8th house of transformation squares the Scorpio Sun in your 11th house, asking you to let go of emotional attachments or fears around power dynamics in your friendships or community. The Moon-Venus trine in your 8th and 12th houses supports deep emotional healing, possibly through introspective practices or intimate connections. Mars sextile Uranus between your 7th and 5th houses encourages you to take risks in relationships or creative projects, trusting that change will bring excitement and renewal.

Aquarius Rising The Last Quarter Moon in your 7th house of relationships squares the Scorpio Sun in your 10th house, pushing you to release any outdated relationship patterns that may be impacting your career or public image. The Moon-Venus trine in your 7th and 11th houses invites harmony and pleasure in your social interactions, especially within partnerships or group settings. Mars sextile Uranus between your 6th and 4th houses encourages you to take bold actions in your daily routine or home life, embracing innovative solutions that lead to growth.

Pisces Rising The Last Quarter Moon in your 6th house of work and health squares the Scorpio Sun in your 9th house, asking you to let go of any limiting beliefs that may be holding you back from fully embracing a wellness or daily routine. The Moon-Venus trine in your 6th and 10th houses brings pleasure through work or career accomplishments, especially those that allow you to indulge in self-care or wellness. Mars in your 5th house sextile Uranus in your 3rd house encourages you to take risks in creative pursuits or communications, trusting your instincts to lead the way.

follow for more astro insights like this and head on over to @quenysefields or my etsy --> sensualnoiree to grab my new astrology guidebook on reading your own natal chart :)

[pasta-in-the-pudding]

Can you do a Insecure!Jeff the killer x reader??

-⭐

ℕ𝕠 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕡𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕖𝕩𝕔𝕝𝕒𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕡𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕥, 𝕁𝕖𝕗𝕗 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕚𝕟𝕤𝕖𝕔𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕪 𝕞𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕠𝕟 <///𝟛

ℂ𝕣𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕥𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕕𝕚𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕘𝕠 𝕥𝕠 @𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕𝕘𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕡𝕙𝕚𝕔𝕤-𝕟-𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖!! 𝔾𝕠 𝕗𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝕥𝕙𝕖�� 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕤𝕦𝕡𝕡𝕠𝕣𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜!

𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕜 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕠 𝕞𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘!!

Insecure Jeff The Killer

Jeff is insecure about a lot tbh

His looks, his mental problems, his physical health problems, his personality

Basically everything

But it's not like it's super bad all the time

Most of the time, he's actually really confident in himself

"omg im so beautiful everyone loves me sm i'm so perfect"

Stages of how he handles insecurity depends on a lot of things

It depends on who he's around, what triggered the feeling, and his environment

At his best, he will just become a little more quiet than usual and shy away from people

At his worst, he can be completely covered head to toe, and if anyone looks at him for too long he could lash out into a fight (verbal or physical)

Once he gets to that point though, there's not really much you can do to help, you just have to let him ride it out and come out of his shell on his own time

You can however, help prevent his insecurities from getting to that point

His most common triggers are: people saying anything negative about his looks, mirrors if he's having a bad day, and sometimes even if you mention someone else that is visually appealing to you

It'll start out slow, and barely noticeable

He'll talk less and less, and try to back out of any conversations

When it starts to amp up, he will put on a face mask to cover his scars

If you see him do this, let him know how beautiful you think he is, and give him lots of extra kisses

After this, he will put on some sunglasses to cover his burn scars around his eyes

Once he's done this, he will likely put his hood up too

At this point, it's starting to get really bad

The best way to help him is to take him somewhere spacious, yet private

And if you do that, he will slowly begin to remove his coverings

It goes twice as fast if you just sit and hold him, allow him to vent his frustrations to you

However, if you don't manage to catch any of the signs that he is beginning to spiral, then god help you

Jeff already has explosive anger issues, but his insecurity on top of that makes his mental state like a five year old with a loaded gun

You will think everything is fine, when all of a sudden you hear a loud "BANG" and the sound of Jeff yelling at someone

When you and other residents rush over to see what's happening, he will be in a full on fight with the poor soul that looked at him for too long

He won't stop on his own until said person is dead, because in his brain, they have something against him specifically and the threat needs to be eliminated

It will take Tim, E.J and Brian to finally pull him off of the person and get him away

E.J goes to take care of the person that was beat up and the other two carry him to a solitary room where he will be locked in until he calms down

Not even you are allowed to go in when his mental state is this fragile, because while he does love you more than anything, he's in a blacked out sort of state and won't recognize that you're just trying to help

Once you are allowed to see him though, he will either cling onto you for dear life, rambling about how stupid he is and how he should've just backed off

Or alternatively, he will completely self isolate from everyone, not allowing anyone to get too close

And if anyone does get close, he punches the nearest wall as a "warning" and storms off

Moral of the story, make sure to stroke his ego every now and then so we don't end up with dead residents

[cornerfortherats]

what headcanons do you have for bucciarati since you’re his #1 zealot

A Motley Of A Mafioso

Note: Sorry for not answering this right away. I’ve been trying to get a handle on health issues. Also, since I didn’t know what headcanons you wanted, I just decided to list out some random ones.

He walks very quietly, as a result of attuning himself to his profession. Unfortunately for everyone else in Bruno’s squad, that means he frequently scares them. (Even if it’s something unintentional, Bruno thinks it’s funny to see their reactions whenever it happens — not enough to laugh but enough that he has to force himself not to smirk.)

He can’t listen to Miles Davis while driving because he gets too relaxed and doesn’t pay as much attention to his surroundings as he’s supposed to.

Speaking of Miles Davis, he also enjoys listening to other jazz musicians like Chet Baker, Duke Ellington and Bill Evans.

Bruno rarely ever gets sick but when he does, he claims he’s fine and he can work through whatever ailment he has. (For clarification, he’s stubborn enough to insist he doesn’t need help but not enough to reject the help of someone that’s equally as adamant on caring for him.)

During the summer, Bruno will eat kit-kats without snapping them apart so he can eat them with the wrapper on and not have it melt on his hands. He’s aware he’s doing it wrong but he doesn’t care.

Bruno either drinks water or water with the drink mixes in them because he wants to keep track of his calorie intake (staying in shape is pretty mandatory for him) throughout the day and having very low calorie drinks makes it easier for him.

Additionally, since flavored milk isn’t very popular in Italy, I fully believe he’s never tasted strawberry milk.

He enjoys playing Solitaire and Minesweeper.

When Bruno’s in love with someone, he’s more prone to laughing at their innocuous remarks and lighthearted quips. You’d never expect it, considering he’s usually so serious but in a casual setting, he’s able to relax more and you’ll be able to get a couple chuckles out of him. Though, only the apple of his eye can get him to snort at a bad pun or poorly delivered dirty joke. (Everyone in his squad does not let him live it down.)

When it comes to relationships, he’s not very extravagant — don’t expect him to send heaps of roses to your place of employment or for him to propose in public. Aside from the obvious dangers both situations present (bearing in mind the fact that his partner would be dating a well-known criminal in his community), he dislikes romantic gestures like those because they feel performative and shallow to him. Furthermore, he prefers to keep intimate things between him and his partner.

Instead, Bruno expresses his love through acts of service, quality time and words of affirmation — though, his words of affirmations aren’t exactly spoken, as they are written (at least during the beginning of his relationship with his partner).

As much as he’d like to say he’s got the perfect idea of what to tell his partner, Bruno’s barely got an idea of how to approach a romantic relationship in the first place. He spent his early formative years alone with his hermit father, only to join the mafia at age 12, to interact with people on a solely impersonal level. To say he’s fucked when it comes to making and maintaining close relationships is putting it lightly. (That isn’t to say he’s socially inept. I’m just saying he’s inexperienced with romance.)

The best concept he has of romantic gestures is from his favorite movie, Il Postino. So, much like the protagonist of the movie, Bruno will express his love to them in letters and poems. Not only is it easier for him to think about what he wants to say in this format, he doesn’t have to worry about looking his partner in the eye and keeping a straight face while expressing how he feels towards them.

He’s naturally an attentive person, and that quality is amped up 10x more with his partner. Everything they say is commited to memory — even the embarrassing things they’d wish he’d forget. If they needed their laundry done, he’d remember that and help them with it. Or if they mentioned being hungry, he’s already making them food.

As expected of a man isolated from normal society, Bruno would cherish his relationship with his partner more than anything — and that would show with how much time he’d spend with them. Hell, one of the easiest ways to tell if he’s got a crush on someone is to see how much time he’s spending with said person. It’s just a no-brainer that he’d want to spend his time with the person who soothes his weary soul the most.

He has two laughs:

This is his laugh when he’s amused by something:

And this is his laugh when he finds something absolutely hysterical:

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Daily Devotionals for November 9, 2024

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 27:23-24 (KJV): 23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. 24 For riches are not forever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? Proverbs 27:23-24 (AMP): 23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds; 24 For riches are not forever; does a crown endure to all generations?

Thought for the Day

Verse 23 - Although these verses were addressed to farmers, we can relate to them today in regard to our businesses. We are to take responsibility and know the state of our affairs. Large flocks of sheep and goats made a man wealthy in ancient Israel. This proverb advised a wealthy man to personally know the condition of his flocks and ascertain that his overseers fulfilled their responsibilities properly. They were to protect and keep count of them, taking special care of the sick, injured, and pregnant ones; paying special attention to the babies.

Having riches or employment now does not guarantee we will always have them. We need to give diligent care and management to our livelihood. Romans 12:11 says, "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." Negligence creates problems that can lead to severe financial difficulties. Many factors can lead to bankruptcy, such as over-extending oneself (due to greed or lack of sound business principles) or extenuating circumstances beyond one's control. Sometimes it is not people's fault that they are forced into bankruptcy since they are victims of illness, tragedy, or uncontrollable disasters. Despite this, many of the bankruptcies which are filed today could have been avoided if diligence had been practiced. "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich" (Proverbs 10:4).

Verse 24 - Just as a king will not rule throughout every generation, riches do not last forever. There is a good deal of truth to the statement, "money talks: it says 'good-bye'." Money says "good-bye" in numerous ways, such as in poor planning for the future. As people age, their work capacity diminishes, which usually decreases their income. Without wise and diligent care of their finances, people may spend all their money when they are young and leave themselves with nothing to live on when they are old. If we heed the Lord and apply good business principles in regard to our finances, we can rest assured that we will have enough when we are in our senior years. Living for God is one of the best insurance policies anyone can have. He can provide what no human agency can, such as good health. He promises that the righteous will still bear fruit in old age (Psalm 92:12-14), meaning that they will remain productive. We must diligently take up our responsibilities if we desire God's blessings, and not forget to help others along the way. If we bless others, God will return those blessings to us when we are in need.

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for Your abundant provision in my life. I am grateful, not only for financial provision, but for the spiritual blessings that You have also given me. I do appreciate daily strength and health so that I am able to be diligent in all of my affairs. Give me wisdom so that I might prepare for the future properly. Ultimately, my faith and trust are in You, as You hold the future; however, may I not neglect those things in the natural that need to be done, so that I am not ill-prepared. Lord, also, I do not want to forget to give and help others along the way as well. May I be a good steward over all that You have given me. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Good Morning World 11/9/2024 4:03:36 AM Jacksonville, Florida USA From: Steven P. Miller, @ParkermillerQ,   gatekeeperwatchman.org  TM ‎Founder and Administrator of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups. #GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO.

[angel-hawthorne]

No, you're seeing the consequences of adults actively choosing to hit children. Every damn time someone bitches and moans about people not being "disciplined", they're quick to blame those who don’t spank for a laundry list of societal ills. Their genius idea is to hit kids even more instead of addressing the root problems. A lot of these youngsters have received a "good ol fashioned beating" once or more than that, and it still didn't do anything.

"I'm not saying you should abuse [children], but..." stop right there, that's exactly what you're suggesting. What exactly do you mean by proper discipline? Or as this person ever so wonderfully puts it "good ol slap on the wrist"? Ah, it's occasionally hitting the young when they say or do things that offends your fragile sensibilities. Adults in positions of power often get away with pulling all manner of fuckshit stunts under the guise of “discipline”. At this point, y'all sound no different from the domineering religious men who think hitting their wives will make them behave aka "Christian Domestic Discipline". Y'all didn't turn out fine at all. Just grew up to be violent bullies and/or enablers.

You hit them once, and it makes you, the adult, feel powerful. Getting that temporary feel-good rush of being in control. That's all it ever does - grant temporary compliance and relief. What will you do then if that one time with the initial amount of physical force doesn't work? Amp up the dosage (pain intensity) until you achieve that same feel-good high? If that keeps up, then these consequences will result: child goes no contact in the future, end up with a # of mental health issues, the child dies from their injuries (or removed from custody if they survive), and the caregiver gets slapped with legal repercussions. No pun intended. In extreme cases, the child will kill their parents/guardians for their own safety when there's no other alternatives.

Funny how it’s only the adults who care about splitting hairs over differences. A child’s brain doesn’t know, nor does it give a shit about “differences” you adults arbitrate. Their brains don’t stop to think “it’s only a smacking, so turn off your fight/flight/fawn/freeze response and halt the cortisol production��.

"Let me tell you, we only did it once." I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but your sample size of 1 anecdote does not trump decades worth of empirical evidence. Correlation doesn't imply causation. Plenty of children got that "one time deal", and they learned to repeat the same behaviors without getting caught. Last time I checked, discipline isn't something you DO to people. Just because you were raised to believe that assault is okay, doesn't mean others feel the same way. I'd recommend looking up survivorship bias and appeal to tradition fallacy.

This non-parent thanks you for coming to my Parenting Opinion Ted Talk.

[tarotbubbletea]

✨ PAC Reading: Random messages you need to hear ✨

Hey everyone!

I haven't been regularly active on here for a while but I'm slowly trying to ease back into tarot readings. Here's my comeback attempt at a pick-a-card reading. It has some really random messages. You may resonate with just 1 or all in your pile.

As is standard in most PACs, I intend these readings to be timeless. Take a deep breath and clear your mind. Then pick the sparkles that you feel most drawn to. If you feel drawn to more than one, feel free to read those piles. If you feel drawn to none, perhaps I don't have a message for you at this time, but hope to have something for you in the future!

Going from left to right, we have piles 1, 2, and 3.

I'd love to hear some feedback, as I'm coming back from a pretty long hiatus. I'm also open for paid personal readings ($3 and up) or exchange readings (free) via DMs.

Pictures used are not mine.

My kofi ☕

Pile 1

Tarot: The Chariot, 6 of Pentacles, Knight of Cups, Justice

Oracles: You and your loved ones are safe (New Moon in Cancer) and Expect powerful change (New Moon Eclipse)

🌟 In one word? NEW. Expect NEW, NEW, NEW energy coming your way! Could be people, opportunities, places, things... you name it.

🌟 Heard BDE lol.

🌟 One (or some of you) need to get your driver's license. It's time. Get up. Get it done.

🌟 You were nice to someone recently. It's not gone unnoticed. The Universe is about to bless you.

🌟 However, you may have taken someone at home for granted (mom, perhaps?) Be nicer to them, whoever they are. Some of you aren't getting your manifestations or are seeing delays in your wishes (especially if they involve inviting new people into your lives) because you're not physically thankful for the people that are already here.

🌟 If you've been worrying about yourself or your loved ones recently, perhaps due to a health situation or money-related matters, a message coming through is you can take it easy. The Universe has your back. Keep it at with your earnest and consistent efforts and let go of the paranoia gently. You're good. You'll be good. You'll stay good.

🌟 Brush your hair.

🌟 Thinking a bit too much about boys/men? Relax. Please. Just relax. You might be good at hiding that desperate energy from others but the Universe sees all.

🌟 Be careful when you walk. Look out for bumping into things and hurting your knees/ankles.

Pile 2

Tarot: The Magician, 3 of Swords, 6 of Swords, 5 of Wands

Oracles: Emotions are running high (Supermoon) and Your hard work is paying off (New Moon in Capricorn)

💫 Some of you recently got into your dream school. Perhaps even an Ivy league school. CONGRATS! You worked hard and you deserve your success!

💫 Your manifestation powers are amped up right now. UTILIZE THEM!

💫 Some of you may be going through a bittersweet moment in your life. Perhaps you're moving away from home for school, work, or another reason, or your closest friends are. Might be a breakup for some of you. It's okay. You know it was time, though. Mourn the loss, say your thanks, but be ready to keep moving forward.

💫 Anxiety may be getting the best of you or of those around you. It's just a phase. Don't let it get to you, but also keep your own tongue in check. You don't want to say something while emotional and then deeply regret it.

💫 A part of you is tired of having worked your butt off and now wants to rest and party. Party if you can! But prioritize rest.

💫 Drink some juice, if you can't get yourself to drink water on the regular.

💫 Some of you have been swearing a lot recently. Uncharacteristically so. Stop it.

💫 Some of you may have lost some weight recently. Good job! Keep going!

💫 If you're struggling to find a way to rest (typical Capricorn energy) just watch a movie. Trust me. Sit your ass down and watch a movie.

💫 If you've been stuck between buying 2 options, go with the green one.

Pile 3

Tarot: The Hierophant, King of Swords, The Devil, The Hermit

Oracles: You are good enough (Full Moon in Virgo) and A new romantic cycle begins (New Moon in Libra)

💖 This is my fashionista pile. You know this but some of you may be too modest (or too perfectionistic?) to admit this LOL but GURL. SLAY.

💖 Also, do you like dancing? Or have you been thinking of taking up dancing? Go for it!!!

💖 This is going to sound silly if you’ve seen the Rider-Waite versions of these cards but trust me, it's honest advice: Get up. Get your ass up. You've been spending way too much time sitting. Get up a move around. DO IT. Especially if you've been spending way too much time on Tiktok.

💖 You might have some really opinionated and, frankly, judgemental energies around you right now. Perhaps a lot of expectation weighing down on you, or just criticisms being thrown at you that are in no way constructive, useful, or warranted. Breathe. It's unfair, I know, but just breathe. Don't waste your breath retaliating. It shouldn't be happening, but it is. No, it's not your fault. There's no real reason as to why you're having to bear the brunt of this. Maybe it'll make sense down the line, maybe it won't, but for now, just breathe. Be like a rock and let these waves wash over you. They can't break you down. Trust me. You're GOLD. This season too shall pass.

💖 Also turn on the goddamn light in your room. Your habit of sitting in the dark is doing some potentially irrepairable damage to your eyes, hun.

💖 Love is coming your way, and in a pretty unexpected way *wink wink.* Your next date could be a sushi date (for some of you).

💖 Read a book. Some of you were ardent readers but haven't had the time/chance/motivation lately. Try reading again; it'll ground you. Go for something nonfiction or historical, but steer clear of philosophy/religion for now.

💖 Spend more time with your dog; it'll do you both good.

I hope you found a message here today! And if not, I hope to have a message for you next time. Wishing you all love, light, and success! 🤎

Don't forget to leave feedback if your reading resonated in any capacity.

My kofi ☕

[crypticjackal13]

So I saw in your bio that your requests were open so I had to jump on the opportunity( if they aren't open please ignore this)

Could I request macaque, Mk, and wukong( separate) x chubby nonbinary reader. Like the reader has issues with eating infront of people. They just feel like they need to eat less than everyone else and should hold back on the food. And it progresses where they don't eat out with anyone and isolate themselves to avoid what they deem as judgement.

Yeah, of course! Enjoy!

MK, Wukong, and Macaque x GN!Chubby!Reader Romantic Headcanons

!! WARNING! HEAVY CONTENT AHEAD! MENTIONS OF EATING DISORDERS/DISCOMFORT! IF YOU ARE NOT IN A GOOD STATE OF MIND PLEASE MOVE ALONG TO A DIFFERENT POST! THANK YOU FOR BEING RESPONSIBLE ONLINE :) !!

MK- concerned lad :( I hc that his favorite thing to do when hanging out with people he cares about is having some good food for good company. So when you turn the noodles down, when you don’t even partake in your favorite snacks that he bought for you–he feels bad and worries a lot. However he hates the idea of pushing your boundaries so it probably takes him a while to even ask about it. He tells you that while he can’t force you to eat anything he is worried about your health. He loves you the way you are, he would hate to see you destroy yourself by not eating. In an effort to help he offers to maybe hang out just in his apartment more often so you don’t feel so watched and he will definitely turn around if it makes you feel better. He also amps up his complimenting game and focuses on you as a person rather than just your physical qualities. 

Macaque - he’s upset, not at you, but at the reality that he can’t do more to help you. He loves you and how sweet you are to him, how could you treat yourself badly? He shows you some professional resources like therapy, since he knows that he himself isn’t exactly cut out to solve this problem. He also makes an effort to indulge you in the foods you really like to hopefully encourage you to partake, even if it means he has to face away from you or that you two end up eating in his dojo rather than a restaurant. He always reassures you that he thinks you’re perfect and that he would never judge you for something like this. Macaque will also become more physically clingy so be prepared for that. He may also write some poetry for you ;)

Wukong - feels terrible!! That’s his s/o!!! And he has to help!! Obviously, he gives you some time to see if you’ll come to him about the issue on your own. However if you don’t he’s inclined as your boyfriend to express his concerns for you and ask what steps you’d like to take and which steps you want him there for. He’ll do his best to make you feel comfortable with food and eating, especially around other people. May start off small like eating in his hut and gradually expand to a place like Pigsy’s–either way he will not throw you into the deep end. He gives you a lot of encouragement, even for “small” steps. To him, seeing you make any progress at all is a victory and he makes sure you know that regardless of how you look, he’s proud of you and he loves you unconditionally.

[aapsychelpaso]

Patient Reviews Speak for Themselves: Why Our TMS Treatment Works

Reviews From Healthgrades.com As a TMS and psychiatric clinic, we understand that mental health treatment can be a daunting and often frustrating experience. But our commitment to providing exceptional care and utilizing cutting-edge treatments has led to countless success stories from our patients. Don’t just take our word for it, though. Take a look at what some of our patients have to say…

[actrixquadras]

So Far Away Part6

Chapter 5: Returning Snow

“From what I can see, Miss Schnee is doing quite well. Just like always, you are doing a phenomenal job taking care of her, Mr. Arc”, the lady dressed in a shirt and jeans says as they gently place the sleeping beauty’s hand back on the bed.

“Are you sure, Dr. Wissend? Weiss has been breathing differently lately” Jaune asks with concern as he enters the room, looking at his sleeping friend anxiously. 

It's been six months since Jaune had moved back to Ansel with Weiss. After taking over the log cabin from his father, he had spent most of his waking hours trying to bring the place to a hospitable condition. He had personally replaced the defective wood. He had hammered the nails in place and placed the missing glass. He had treated the house against any possible pests just so that Weiss wouldn’t have a problem recovering her health. His mother and sisters took turns to watch over her when he was not around and within three weeks, after the talk with the town board for electricity and running water, the cabin was ready to be occupied.

The cabin was not huge per se. It had two bedrooms, out of which the master went to Weiss, while he took the smaller one. Much to his chagrin, his sisters went out of their way to decorate her and his room. The living room was not big but shared its space with dining and kitchen, and it had an old-fashioned fireplace to keep the place warm during nights and winters. There was a loft as well, but currently, it was left unused. There was a patio both at the front and back, opening the space to sunlight, a cool breeze, and a good view.

It was a space, ideal to raise a small family but now, only he and Weiss were living here. Not a day went by when Jaune wasn’t busy. He would be either outside the cabin, cutting trees to make way for the orchid that his father proposed, or he would be attending to his huntsman duties. By now, 80 percent of the woods have been cleared. The discarded wood was not wasted at all. It was either converted to firewood or was reused to make a shed for the jeep and other trinkets Jaune was planning to make.

Speaking of his father, the knight was doing his best to assist him whenever he could. He would sometimes help him at his vineyard and sometimes he would help at the ranch. Even though Jaune insisted against it, his father always paid him for his job, saying that no work should be done for free. His father was still awkward, but now, the knight of Rust found it easier to talk with him. Sometimes, they would go to fish, sometimes they would head out to town to get supplies for the house and the farm.

It was his father who had introduced him to the local huntsmen and Weiss’ current doctor in charge, Dr. Allison Wissend, who preferred to be referred to as Dr. Al Wissend. They were a traveling doctor, a neurologist to be exact, who would drop by Ansel once a month to check on patients who suffered from ailments related to what Weiss was dealing with. The town has a fair share of clinics and medicine practitioners, but there was no neurologist, so Dr. Wissend is a blessing to have whenever they are around.

Right now, they were here at their place. Dr Wissend had come over for Weiss’s monthly check-up. The past few days have been rough on Jaune. The sleeping woman’s breathing had changed a lot, causing the knight to be scared. He can’t rush the doctor to come over, nor does his aura amping help ease the breathing. All Jaune could do was sit beside Weiss’s side and worry. Even though he knew about the brother gods’ existence, Jaune was not a believer, but he was praying to those very gods for the good health of his friend.

“That’s quite normal for a patient like her. Did you notice anything else?” Dr. Wissend asks.

Jaune shakes his head in denial and says, “Other than occasional twitching, nothing else. I believe you told me that twitching is normal as well”.

“If it's beyond normal, I wouldn’t call it twitching but rather a seizure”, they say as they jot something down in their notebook. They look at the blonde knight and say, “Her bladder movement is good. Her pulse is good. I didn’t find any bedsores and she is very clean. All I have to do is send her blood to the lab and you can pick it up tomorrow. As far as I’m concerned, she is very healthy”.

“Is there anything I have to keep in mind for the future?” Jaune asks earnestly.

The doctor shakes their head in denial and as they gently remove the sleeping woman’s nasal cannula, they say, “No. You are doing well, Mr. Arc. You are doing very well. I don’t have to say anything, because you are already doing it. But if there is anything I have to add, she is ready to start a liquid diet. She is showing enough strength to digest, maybe you can start with something. If she throws up or appears to have a digestion issue, you can switch back to glucose. Do take care to make sure that she doesn’t choke. Also, her lungs are getting strong as well, so we can get her off the ventilator. ”.

Jaune just nods. A moment of silence grows between the two and suddenly, the doctor asks, “Is there anything you want to know, Mr. Arc? Is something bothering you?”

A lot of things were bothering Jaune. It’s been six months. He was already halfway through the time he had agreed with Winter. Weiss… She was not showing any signs of recovery. With every passing day, he was growing anxious. Was the effort he was putting in not enough? Was he lacking somewhere? He was using his semblance on her every day… Was it hampering her progress? Jaune had too many things to ask, but he needed to consider Dr. Wissend’s time as well. They were busy people after all. So, he decided to ask a question that mattered to him the most at that moment.

“Doctor… when can I expect her to wake up?” Jaune asks after taking a deep breath.

Dr. Wissend lets out a huge sigh. They shrug their shoulders a bit as they reply, “It’s tough to say, Mr. Arc. Patients like her tend to be unpredictable. She might wake up in a few hours, a few days, or maybe in a few months as well. She might not… You get what I’m trying to say. We must also consider the damage that has happened to her brain. If she wakes up, she might be able to articulate her words properly, she might not be able to walk properly, she might not even remember you. With therapy we can recover most of Miss Schnee's cognitive function and mobility, but memories… I have doubts about that. All I can say is to prepare yourself for the bad news”.

Jaune couldn’t help but grimace at their reply. The doctor continues to say, “I know that as a doctor, you have certain expectations from me, but this is the most I can do”.

Jaune shakes his head and with a small smile, replies, “It’s fine, doctor. I appreciate you making time for Weiss”.

Dr. Wissend nods and as they return the smile, they say, “You have no idea how much I appreciate your understanding Mr. Arc”. They begin to gather their belongings and as they are putting it together, they say, “I shall get going then. I shall mail you the recipes and supplements that you should add to her diet. If there is any problem, don’t hesitate to contact me. I will be leaving Ansel tomorrow evening”.

“Oh yes... Your fees?” Jaune asks as he reaches behind for his wallet.

“You know… the regular amount you pay” Dr. Wissend replies and Jaune doesn’t hesitate to fork out the Lien. The exchange goes without a hitch and the knight sees the doctor off at the main door. As soon as they were out of sight with their rental car, Jaune let out a sigh and headed back into Weiss’ room and flopped down on the recliner that Saphron and Terra had brought in for his comfort. 

He reaches out to the scroll in his pocket. This was a habit he had developed since the doctor had made their first visit. He searches for the contact he wanted at that time and with a quick swipe he dials and places the transparent device against his ear.

After a series of short incessant rings, a connection is formed and a crystal clear voice fills his ear saying, “Hello Jaune”. 

“Hey, Winter. How are you doing?” Jaune asks as he sits up. Speaking to Winter on the scroll has always been weird to him. The knight always felt a need to sit appropriately around the elder Schnee even though she was not physically present in the room. Was that because she always talked to him with a formal tone or was it because she was his superior? He had no idea.

“I’m doing good. What did the doctor say about Weiss?” asks Winter.

“They said that it's quite normal for her breathing to change. She is off the ventilator”, Jaune replies as his gaze falls on the sleeping woman.

“Did they say anything about… you know…?”

“They were not sure about that. Told us to be prepared for bad news”, was the reply Jaune.

A moment of silence fell upon the two, and the knight could hear sounds of heavy breathing coming from the other side. He doesn’t say a word as a quiet sob passes through his ear. For a moment, he thought of saying something to cheer her up, but words died in his mouth as his tongue failed to articulate his thoughts. He doesn’t hang the call and lets Winter take her time.

“Did they say anything else?” Winter finally asks.

“Yeah. Apparently, Weiss can start a liquid diet”, Jaune says.

“Oh… Weiss is going to hate that”, the knight heard his superior let out a chuckle and he couldn’t help but smile.

“I will try to sneak some of her favorite stuff into her diet”, he says with a smile.

“Please do. She would appreciate it”, Winter replies cheerfully. Then she asks, “How are Mother and Whitley doing?”

“Oh them?”, Jaune starts as his sight then moves to the corner of the room where he had set up a small shrine for them. He swiftly gets up from his place and as he walks up to the shrine, he replies, “They are doing well. Always making sure that they are dust-free”.

The knight hears a content sigh and he hears the former maiden say, “Thank you for your efforts, Jaune. I appreciate it”.

The knight shakes his head in denial and says, “I should be thanking you Winter. If you haven’t given me this task… I wouldn’t know whether I had enough to hope. Weiss… she means a lot to me. She helps me focus”.

“Well then you shouldn’t worry about her much. I have some news for you”.

“What is it?” Jaune asks as he pauses himself mid-stride.

“Do you remember how I said that it would take me a year to find the remaining relics?” Winter asks.

“Yeah, it's been six months since then. What about it?” Jaune asks, remembering. They already had the Sword of Destruction on hand thanks to Ruby holding on to it and over six months, the Staff of Creation and the Lamp of Knowledge were unearthed from the ruins. The Crown of Choice was yet to be found and from what he had heard from Winter, the situation had started getting tense at the sight since now the Grimm had started to converge to that area.

“We found new signatures. We have pinpointed the location of the Relic of Choice. It’s only a matter of time since we will be able to get it out”, Winter replies and the knight can sense the tone of excitement in her voice. 

“How long do you think it would take to get it out?” Jaune asks, breathlessly.

“A month or two, give or take. Four months if you consider the formalities that will follow after. Headmaster Theodore suggests that we encase the relics in the concrete and throw them out at sea. That way we could divert the Grimm migration a bit. We are planning protocols for that right now. This would be my last duty as an Atlesian Specialist. So in four months, I will be moving to Ansel and taking Weiss from your hands”.

“That’s great news, Winter!” Jaune beams. The knight was elated to hear this.

“Well, yeah… That’s all I had to say. Once again, I’m very grateful for you doing this for me Jaune. I don’t have enough words…” Winter awkwardly ends and the knight couldn’t help but smile. She might be his superior, but small talk was never her forte.

“It's all good, Winter. Weiss is my friend, and for all the things she has done for me, this is the least I can do”, Jaune replies with a small smile, as his eyes fall on the said person, who was unconscious to the world.

“Take care, Jaune. I shall assure you that I will do my best to finish this as soon as possible”, says Winter.

“Don’t overwork yourself. Bye Winter”, says Jaune.

“Bye Jaune. Give Weiss my love”, Winter says before the connection to her scroll ends, and the knight is flabbergasted, trying to figure out how exactly he is supposed to do that.

As he pockets his scroll, his gaze falls on Weiss. In a few months, their situation will come to an end. He takes her hand gently and says, “Did you hear that Weiss? Winter is finally wrapping up her duties. I will be out of your hair once and for all”. As much as he didn’t mind taking care of Weiss, knowing that his time with her would shorten brought joy to him. The sleeping beauty should be around people close to her heart, not a stranger who she had just known for six years at best. He was maintaining her rapier anyway, so once she is up and about she would like to use it. He was already planning things to do once Winter took Weiss away from him. Maybe he could visit Nora and Ren and see how Kuroyuri is coming along. Maybe he could take a trip to Menagerie and pay a visit to Blake’s grave. Maybe he could do the same for Oscar as well. He definitely would like to visit Patch.

But a part of him still wanted to be around Weiss. The feeling was indescribable. Taking care of her made him feel enabled. It made him useful. Something that he was never. Something that he was supposed to be when Ruby needed him the most. It made him feel fulfilled.

It made him feel satisfied.

He hated this feeling.

It was as if he was put with Paper Pleasers again. But this time instead of fragile sentient paper, it was a fragile friend. Jaune didn’t mean to think like that, but he couldn’t help but draw comparisons to both of them. How Paper Pleasers were always in danger of killing themselves if he was not around, he felt Weiss was just like that.

And he loathed himself for thinking like that.

Weiss is strong. He was not.

Weiss is graceful. He was not.

Weiss is perfect with her flaws. He was inadequate.

She doesn’t need a dead weight like him around. She was better off without him. All this time, he believed that he was taking care of her to help Winter, but in truth, it was just to ease his guilt for not saving Ruby and others a bit.

But the guilt only grew.

That was when Jaune decided. If Weiss tells him to get out of her life, he will leave without any hesitation. He would not protest. He would not beg. He would just leave.

The chime of the bell at the front door fell into ears and the knight broke out of his reverie. He looked out of the window to see that the sun had already gone down and darkness was claiming the land. He was still holding onto Weiss’ hand. Was he brooding all this time?

With a flustered face, he sets down the sleeping beauty’s hand gently and walks towards the door to get it. Knowing his arrangement, it was one of his sisters. Thrice a week, one of his sisters, except for Saphron, would stay over at the place to watch Weiss. They were doing this so that the knight could get some very much-needed sleep. At first, Jaune was against it but his sisters didn’t take no for an answer. After an intense debate, the knight caved in and allowed them to come over, but only with the condition that if anything happened to Weiss, they would wake him up no matter what.

Till now, there was no incident and he was grateful for that. He was having lots of rest and that made him feel even more guilty. He was already busy with occasional huntsman work and orchard, with his mother and sisters taking over for him and now they let him sleep. He only got to attend to his friend during the mornings and nights. He was not putting in enough work.

He opens the door and Violet walks in, in her pajamas and a backpack.

“Wasn’t Scarlet supposed to be here today?” Jaune asks as he eyes his little sister suspiciously.

“Oh yeah… Well you see, do you remember the guy Big-sis-Letta was crushing on? She finally asked him out and he said yes! So I will be taking over her role for tonight as she goes out there enjoying her youth”, Violet beams.

“You seem to be more excited than Scarlet”, Jaune asks with a smirk.

“Well, I would like to let you know that I have been shipping them for a very long time. And now… my ship is sailing! Of course, I would be excited!” Vi exclaims exaggeratedly.

“Don’t use your sisters as material for your fanfiction”, Jaune grimaces as Vi settles down on his recliner and brandishes her laptop from her backpack.

“So you won’t mind if I use you as my inspiration?” Vi asks without looking up.

“What are you going to write about, a clown?”

“I was thinking more of a second lead, but sure… let's go with that”     

Jaune couldn’t help but grimace and his sister shooed him away, saying, “Just go and sleep bro. If there is anything that needs you to be awake, I’ll wake you up”.

“Much appreciated”, Jaune says as he walks out of Weiss’ room. The knight without a thought crashed on his bed, hoping for once that he would not dream in his sleep.

The feeling of the blowing winds.

The sound of the crashing sea.

The smell of the dirty soil.

The sight of the wheat fields.

The combination of the above elements was very much unlikely in real life and it gave way to Jaune that he was dreaming. But the sensation and sight in front of him soothed his soul. He takes a step forward, his bare feet taking in the feeling of every single loose grain of soil and wheat. He takes a deep breath. He does it again while getting addicted to the smell of sea salt and the feeling of the wind blowing his hair.

“Jaune…?” a familiar voice fills the knight’s ears and his eyes widen like a deer caught in the headlights. He turns slowly in the direction of the voice, and his sight is filled with a woman he always seemed to occupy his mind during his resting hours.

Her hair was slightly longer than before, but they were still lustrous black with red highlights. Her skin was pale, but not in an unhealthy way. Her silver eyes were gazing at him lovingly and the white sundress covered her frame modestly.

As much as he remembers, this woman always came into his dreams. The scenarios were different but the ending was always grim and covered in blood. But this… this was different. He was not getting the sense of foreboding that he always felt in his dream. 

He was at ease. 

And this easiness made him doubtful. 

Was this really a dream? 

Or was this his longing for a real connection? 

Jaune doesn’t know. 

“Are you joining me?” Ruby asks as if he was with her all this time and he takes a step forward. No matter how repetitive his dreams got. No matter what the situation was. He was always drawn to Ruby. She didn’t have mass but her presence caused Jaune to gravitate towards her like the moon who found its world.

Ruby leads him through the wheat fields, while playfully touching this crop. The silence that was growing was filled by the wind and Jaune was racking his brain, trying to make sense of the situation. A person usually dreams of things he has seen. It doesn’t matter if the things are detailed or vivid. Detailed things tend to be more accurate while vivid sights are more based on a person’s interpretation. The wheat fields reminded him of the fields that surrounded Ansel. The sound of the sea reminds him of the time he was stranded in Ever After. 

Is his mind implying that he saw Ever After as his home?

Or was it more related to Ruby’s presence?

Jaune hesitates, but the silence is deafening to him. It was getting to him. He needed to say something or he would act out.

“Ruby?”

“How is life treating you, Jaune?”

Great! He is hallucinating in his dreams now. Could it get any worse for him? Real Ruby would ask this but Dream Ruby never asked stuff like this. The Dream Ruby was like a broken record, saying the same things repeatedly.

“So and so”, Jaune replies, because he loved to hear Ruby speak.

“So and so?” Ruby asks, turning to him, her one eyebrow raised.

“Nothing interesting is going on. Well if you think taking care of Weiss is interesting that is”.

“Hmmm….” Ruby ponders and for a second she doesn’t say anything. Then suddenly, she turns around and as she starts to walk backward, with her arm behind her back, she asks, “So… what were you going to tell me after the war?”

“I forgot”, Jaune replies, trying to move away from the topic.

“Forgot?” Ruby asks.

“Yeah…” 

She stops in her tracks and suddenly exclaims, “So the thing you were so excited to talk about to the point that you walked in on me changing and you forgot!?”

Jaune couldn’t help but go red. Well, that did happen, but in his defense, Ruby always told him to not bother asking her permission to come in.

“Please leave it… It’s embarrassing!” Jaune exclaims, his blush growing.

“Hmmm…” Ruby says with a shit-eating grin. Jaune couldn’t help but grimace. This woman was enjoying his discomfort. Look at her rocking on feet. The audacity of this girl!

“Well… I wanted to marry you”, Jaune says in a matter-of-fact tone and the grin on Ruby’s face falls. Her face slowly got flustered and she was doing her best to avert her gaze from his eyes.

“That… is something. Isn’t there a sequence of things you are supposed to do before you pop the question? You know, like asking for a date, then being your girlfriend, then… you know the other stuff couples do?” Ruby asks sheepishly.

“Yeah…” Jaune asks, mirroring her awkwardness. “But you see….” he begins to protest, but words die in his mouth. As much as he wanted to refute what the silver-eyed woman said, she was right and he couldn’t help but realize that he was being an idiot for not thinking about other stuff.

“You’re right”, Jaune replies with a sigh.

“You know… if you asked… I would have said yes”, says Ruby.

Jaune couldn’t help but let out a sarcastic chuckle and say, “Who is saying this… the Real Ruby or the Dream Ruby?”

“Who knows?” Ruby replies offhandedly.

For a second, they don’t say anything. Well, Jaune didn’t have anything to say. How could he? He has seen so much stuff in his life that it is hard to say what was real and what was not. He would like to believe that this is the real one, but at the same time, he wishes it was not. The silver-eyed woman had done a lot for this world. She doesn’t have to bother herself for a guy from her grave just because the said guy loved her. She deserved to be at peace and Jaune’s existence denied that.

He was suddenly pulled out of his thoughts when he felt something on his cheeks. His vision dials back in, and he sees that the woman in front of him is caressing his cheek, with a loving gaze in her eyes. The touch felt real. It felt so real that the knight of rust couldn’t help but lean into it. He and Ruby had never touched each other intimately, but he missed this a lot.

“I missed this so much…” Ruby whispers.

“I miss you”, Jaune replies, cupping her hand with his own. The woman’s lips quiver a bit, but she bites it to keep it in control. Before he could say anything, a sound of shattering rang throughout the space, taking both of them back.

“What’s that sound?” Jaune asks frantically.

“You are waking up. Your sister is waking you up”, Ruby says as she looks up. Jaune mirrors the direction and sees that the sky is shattering. The cracks were going downwards toward the ground as if the entire reality was breaking. Without wasting any second, Ruby hugs Jaune and as she lets go, she says, “Jaune, when you wake up remember this…”

Cracks grow on each other’s bodies and as a piece of Ruby’s skin falls off like a porcelain clay, she says, “Don’t lose hope”.

With a loud shatter, Jaune jolts up from his bed. His eyes were unfocused, as his lungs searched for oxygen to recalibrate. He looks at his sister, who is panicking, and asks, “What’s wrong?”

“Jaune! Weiss!” was all his sister managed to get out from her mouth and within seconds, the knight was on his feet, racing towards the sleeping beauty’s room. He nearly busts the door down and what he sees fills him with dread.

Weiss was breathing heavily as if she was choking. Her pulse was growing erratic. Jaune immediately knew what was going on.

Weiss is undergoing a cardiac arrest.

Without a second thought, the knight leaps the distance and straddles the woman between his legs. He unbuttons her shirt a bit and starts applying compressions to her chest. With every few compressions, he forced his breath into her mouth and repeated the process all over again. He was so engrossed that he didn’t even realize that his sister had entered the room, about to go under her panic attack.

Time slowed down for the blonde man. All he could hear was his own heart and the Weiss’ pulse flatlining. Tears filled his eyes as he continued to do the chest compressions, only for her pulse to fail.

No….

He can’t do this.

He can’t let Weiss die.

He will be all alone.

He can’t deal with this.

Out of desperation, Jaune slams his fist onto her chest and suddenly, Weiss takes in a deep breath and her pulse stabilizes. The knight, without any thought, pulls her into his chest. He cradles her head as tears fill his eyes, but this time out of joy. He held onto her until he heard a voice.

“Unhand me”.

For a second, Jaune thinks that he is going delirious due to adrenaline rushing through his veins. When suddenly, she feels a force on his chest, and a voice, though hoarse, nearly shouts, “Unhand me, Arc!”

The knight lets go and as he backs up a bit, his words get stuck in his mouth.

Her long hair was waving in the wind. Her pale figure had already shown signs of color. Her face was ever beautiful but it was the eyes that had his attention. 

Her ever-closed eyes he had longed to see were open and they were not looking at him kindly.

“How dare you touch me like that?” Weiss slurs as she asks, with rage and venom seeping into her voice. 

But the knight was shell-shocked. He had no idea how to respond. His brain shut down completely, and he hugged her once again, completely ignoring the volley of insults that was coming out of her mouth.

She is awake.

Weiss is awake.

“I missed you so much!” Jaune exclaims and for a second, Weiss goes quiet. She was fuming, but she was doing her best to regain her composure.

In a controlled tone, she slurs, “Will you please let go of me, Arc?”

Jaune promptly lets go and Weiss is taken aback by seeing tears streaming down his face. He gets off of her and repeats, “I missed you so much!”

“Ok… I get that you missed me, but that was not a good way of responding”, Weiss slurs awkwardly. She then looks around and asks, “Where am I and why am I dressed like this?” Her gaze then falls upon her unbuttoned shirt, and her face starts to go red with embarrassment. Before she could button herself up, Weiss found herself falling back on her bed.

“Wha…” Weiss exclaims, trying to move her body. She then looks at the knight and asks, “Arc! What is going on!?”

Jaune covers the distance between them a little bit and replies, “You have been sleeping for a very long time, Weiss”.

“Wha… How long?” she asks.

Jaune was about to reply, but he was not sure how to give her the news that she was sleeping for six months. He looks at her, and says, “We can talk about that in the morning. I will let Winter know that you woke up”.

“Wha.. Winter! How do you know her!? Answer me now, Arc!” Weiss slurs and that is when it hits Jaune. The smile on his face fell a bit, and judging by now awake beauty, it was quite noticeable.

“A lot of things had happened, Weiss. You should relax a bit. I will let you know tomorrow”, Jaune replies while regaining his composure.

For a second, Weiss doesn’t say anything, but she nods and simply asks, “You promise?”

The knight gives her nod and replies, “I give you my word, and an Arc never goes back on their word”. As soon as he said that, the woman visibly relaxed, and Jaune took this moment to look at his sister and say, “Vi… Can you stay with Weiss tonight? She won’t feel comfortable with me being around her”.

Vi looks at her elder brother awkwardly but she nevertheless nods. Before Jaune could step out, Weiss asks, “Arc… where is Ruby?”

At the question, Vi visibly gets flabbergasted, but Jaune retains his composure and says, “Tomorrow Weiss. I will let you know everything tomorrow. I have given you my word, didn’t I?”

Weiss doesn’t say anything, but from the way she reacted, she didn’t like the answer he gave. But that was all he was going to say at that time. He had to be firm. Weiss would hate him for this, but he was not willing to give her an inch. He was trying his best to hold his composure. He was not sure how to say that. The last thing he wanted was to break the news of what happened to her friend. He will reach out to Dr. Wissend and after getting their consultation, he will act.

He walks out and as soon as the door to Weiss’ room closes, all hell breaks loose. He rushes to his room, fearing that his sister might hear him cry.

Weiss referred to him as Arc.

There was only one point of time in their life where she used to call him that.

She used to call him that while they were at Beacon, training to be hunters.

She doesn’t remember anything after that.

She doesn’t remember how they became friends.

She doesn’t remember how she got stabbed because of him.

She doesn’t remember what happened to Atlas.

She doesn’t remember the Ever After.

She doesn’t remember how she helped him recover.

She doesn’t remember the war.

Weiss was stuck in Beacon.

Jaune couldn’t help but fall to his knees. His friend was back but at what cost!? This was the Weiss he knew, but at the same time, she wasn’t. 

Weiss was in the room beside him but for him, she was so far away.

[defiledtomb]

Ouroboros: Progress

I haven't written one of these in forever, so it's slightly clunky, but I aim to have one of these out at least every quarter, if not monthly. Let's dive into it! Spoiler warning for the sneak peeks at the bottom.

What I got done since last month:

After the update drop, I took some time off the main story to prevent the budding burnout. I’m sure you are well aware of my malaise by now- it's a constant effort to stay on the tightrope.

I don't think I brought it up explicitly but when I started writing Ouroboros it was me riding the high of becoming a person again right after years long sick leave and battle with mental health, meaning that while I am absolutely thrilled that I'm getting so much out of life again, that fragile part of me still lives on and I have to take care not to let it get the best of me, and that means constant vigilance and self-compassion. Writing a project this big could easily be a full time job on its own, but I also have to account for going back to the workforce after being gone for so long. It's tough! irl work/life keeps amping up and will continue to eat my energy. Though, come summer, I might actually have some good news on my schedule and how my writing will fit into that. Fingers crossed.

Otherwise I have really enjoyed interacting and goofing around with you on tumblr again, and I’ve had a blast just reading and playing games. It was a very welcomed break. I still got a lot done regarding Ouroboros:

- Got started on all the short stories you voted on, and built the framework of code for how stories will be unlocked as you progress the story. 

- I got some much needed help with setting up a side-blog for writing content only; it’s getting there! Soon Ouro will have its own space.

- I added about 3k words to the next chunk of act 1. A drop in the ocean, but progress is progress. 

- I started sneak-writing on the next act and specifically, the underwater/caving chapter. I am so excited for it! Besides writing and hiking, diving and caving are core parts of my interests. (Didn't I once say that Ouro is disgustingly self indulgent? x] Because it sure is.) 

What’s next:

I am still taking it slow, since most of act 1 pt2 is already written  (60k words ish), and I have some responsibilities I’m gonna need to devote my time to. My goals for February are leading up to Ouro’s first anniversary, so I want to prepare something fun for us to enjoy! If it will be a chunk of update or something else remains to be decided. On the 8th of March we ride.

My priorities for February are:

-having fun with the short stories

-get the sideblog up and running with a new FAQ and character pages, and a new intro post.

-solidify the code and scene transitions for the next update 

- (stretch goal) edit/rewrite/add to the unhinged mess that the next update still is 

 Re: bug reports

Thankfully, last update was relatively bug free, but there are still a few reports sitting in my inbox waiting for changes, mainly

-the egregious oversight of having id's romance scenes appearing although the hunter is committed to L/not in the poly. More on that here.

-the questions with Iontif cutting off short in one path

-a section of the flashback with wrong pronouns + other pronoun variables not displaying correctly (the bane of my existence!!)

Thank you to those who reported these, I always note them down if I don't fix them directly. The reason why I am almost always tardy on bug fixes is because I'm treating this as a first draft that will be rewritten; it makes little sense to dedicate so much time to fixing things that will need to be fixed again. I do them when I have little else I want/have to do. I'm sorry! Triaging problem areas is essential to keeping this show going. I hope that it isn't too invasive to have a few errors in the scenes; rest assured that they will get fixed (eventually 🤡)

Re: save system

Something that has really bothered me lately, is thinking about CoG's obstinate refusal to implement save systems. I absolutely won't release Ouroboros without one, as with how much variation goes into the story (and knowing from first-hand experience playing large games, that one miss-click (or that horrendous bug that chooses options for you if you even look at it wrong) will have you go down a path you didn’t want, or you are faced with starting over, which sometimes leads to such fatigue that you just…stop playing.) it feels like shooting yourself in the foot to not have one. And worse, it feels plain cruel to subject the reader to that. There isn’t any possible way to fit every nuance of a choice into the box-text, or to imply a delayed outcome as a result of making a choice that seems very “innocent” at first glance.

So I stand before a really difficult decision; either code a save system from the bottom up, and I would have to do that sooner rather than later, or port the game to twine which brings its own bundle of problems. Right now I honestly no idea what I want to do, and I have to admit that it fuels a bit of writer's block as I feel locked in place until I come to a decision. Heurgh.

Now for the fun part. Sneak peeks!

I wont share the latter parts as they are still... Unhinged. But the next update isn't just romance, its weapons and insidious cults and fighting, too.  More on that, later.

Thanks for your support, your kind words and for sharing your journey in Ouro. It means the world to me. I’m serious!

[mysteriouslytransparentwitch]

hi

I had yet another existential crisis (I perfectly embody this scorpion side)

Since October 2022, I have health problems that I am trying to resolve, I have been part-time therapeutic from April until July 7th. I hope to continue to be until the end of September.

During my long sick leave and then this therapeutic half-time. I had time to take care of my apartment, to paint my furniture, I was finally able to use this friendly meeting application (you sign up for an activity then discover the people with you)

i was able to discover the museum of claude monet (he is a person passionate about this artist) i was able to have a course on poker, curling and now bowling

By doing this, I noticed that I missed a lot of things and I really liked meeting new people.

That's why I want to leave my job as a saleswoman for a quieter job, which gives me weekends, short vacations. I have to wait what the company will decide for its future (the company is in a backup plan)

By doing all these activities and continuing, I feel ready to actually register on love apps (except that according to my cards it's not a good idea) except that I do how to meet someone, the no one will ring my bell!!! (I'm waiting for an answer from my guides)

what was funny is that I had young men of 24 flirt with me except that I am 33 years old. It's nice and flattering but..... we don't have the same expectations.

I said to my colleagues, it's time to lower my standards but how far (that is my question)

I started to inquire at an AMP (medical assistance to procreation) I cannot freeze my eggs because I am not a patient (cancer... according to French laws) not for now but if I have not met the right person, I will opt for this option, I leave myself for another 3/4 years.

I'm starting to see changes in my behaviors, my habits and my emotions, I would like to have it in certain aspects of my life.

I'm still continuing to work on my cosmetic project and I'm making good progress.

@scorpiotwentythree​

[fishing-lesbian-catgirl]

I'm glued to my screen, begging you to infodump to me about lol professionals doing bad builds (also lol item optimisation in general)

The thing that inspired me to make that post was this screenshot a friend sent me of an LPL game. I don’t know which game or which player is the offending person here and I don’t care:

Look at the Leblanc’s items. For those who haven’t been keeping up with LoL meta, Statikk Shiv Leblanc is really popular right now because the ap scaling on statikk shiv gives Leblanc a way to finally clear minion waves without using her W and putting herself at risk. Additionally the statikk shiv proc’s ap scaling gives her enough burst on auto attacks that when paired with items like Night Harvester and Lich Bane it makes her a legitimate threat, despite the fact that you are building an ad marksman item on an ap assassin.

However if you look at the Leblanc in that picture you’ll notice she doesn’t have any ap, she built full ad. Most people would write this off as completely troll because Leblanc has no ad scalings, but I am not most people, I got m7 Ahri by playing exclusively ad Ahri, I like off meta builds that use champions in unique ways. Ad Leblanc has been an off meta build for years because her ranged auto atttacks combined with absurd mobility of her W and RW lets her stay in range to do serious auto attack damage. The Leblanc player in the picture seems to be taking ad Leblanc and statikk shiv Leblanc and trying to fuse the builds. However their build fucking sucks for reasons I will now get into.

Statikk Shiv only scales with ap and level, so without any ap this Leblanc can’t even one-shit backline caster minions. With Statikk Shiv, Essence Reaver, and Stormrazor, the purpose of this build is clearly to front load as much damage into the first auto attack as possible, which is a strange but understandable goal for a build. But even disregarding the question of the viability of ad Leblanc, the mythic item choice of Duskblade of Draktharr is an objectively terrible choice for this build. Said 3 item combo of Shiv, Reaver, and Razor are all attack damage + critical strike items designed to deal frontloaded damage, which give Leblanc a total of 60% critical strike chance. With so much invested in ad and crit you would expect them to go for a critical strike mythic item like Navori Quickblades (ad, crit, cooldowns, ability damage amp), Infinity Edge (ad, crit, crits do more damage), or Galeforce (ad, crit, a dash that deals execute damage and gives you even more mobility). But they picked Duskblade of Draktharr, a lethality item for ad assassins that gives armor penetration, cooldown reduction, a temporary untargetability on takedown, and increase on ability damage against low health targets. Duskblade gives no critical strike, doesn’t help frontload damage on auto attacks, doesn’t help leblancs magic damage abilities penetrate armor, and amplifies the damage of Leblanc’s abilities even though this is an auto attack based build. If Leblanc wanted her abilities to hurt more, she would just build ap. So why did the pro player pick Duskblade of Draktharr? Likely because Duskblade used to be an item that frontloads damage on auto attacks by increasing the damage of your first attack after exiting stealth or the fog of war. Duskblade was reworked completely about 4 patches ago in the same patch that made Statikk Shiv into the item that Leblanc currently loved for ap scaling waveclear and burst. While I don’t know exactly why this player chose to build the way they did, I can make a decent guess that they didn’t know Duskblade got reworked.

As I said in my original post, LoL pro players got to where they are usually by having mechanical skill, not game knowledge. This is especially true of the LPL (Chinese league) and LCK (Korean league) where scouts will watch VODs of players throughout their regions massive playerbases and look solely for those who have good mechanics, because the coaches can just teach them everything else. The players learn how to play their champions and use their fast reaction time and hands to pilot them expertly, while they don’t have to worry about what to build or what is meta because their team’s coaches and analysts tell them what to pick and what to build. This makes sense in terms of creating a league of the best LoL players possible, but it also creates the bizarre current scenario where you will frequently see pro players that don’t even know exactly what their character’s abilities do or don’t understand what items they should build in what circumstances, because they can usually get by with building whatever is the most strong build of the current patch. It’s not just one guy building ad Leblanc and buying a mythic item that is effectively almost useless on his build, it’s players buying grievous wounds items against team comps that don’t have healing, players buying void staff against comps with no tanks or magic resist stackers, players purchasing armor items against magic damage lane opponents, and just hundreds of other small mistakes that very rarely affect the overall outcome of the game but are objectively bad decisions that drive people like me insane. This is less of a problem when their teams have good analysts and coaches with a good understanding of the game, but understandably they are usually focused on things like team decision making, coordination, teamfight callouts, and a hundred other things that are just as important to winning a game as buying the right items. I don’t envy pro players with all the things they have to do and the absurd number of games they have to play to stay relevant, but I reserve the right to harshly judge their itemization choices, as they are supposed to be the best players at this game in the world. I’ve honestly only scratched the surface of bad pro builds but I don’t have any other specific examples to point out right now so

One last thing: there are soooo many pro players who don’t know the details of their champion abilities and how they interact with other champions, and they are frequently unaware of the optimizations people who play their champions have made. The smart pros will talk to one tricks of the champions when they become meta and will learn tips and tricks from them, but very few actually bother. Poppy is my most played champion of all time, and now that she’s meta I have to suffer through watching pro players that don’t seem to know that you can cancel Poppy’s ult channel to put it on its reduced cooldown by recalling, instead of waiting for the full channel duration to time out or just throwing it out and missing. Poppy’s ultimate is an absurdly powerful tool, and if you don’t see an opening for it after you start charging it up you can literally just press the b key and it’ll be back up in just a few seconds