#how can i tell that this number i'm calling is even in-service anymore. or if this number is even the office's number at all?

[fuctacles]

Changes

@genderthings ST Women's Day: bouquet T | 805 | Pre-Steddie | Transfem Eddie, coming out, canon adjacent, phone calls | I am not sponsored by Lego but they can call me wink wink | Ao3

"Hey, you're good at making gifts, right?"

"Who is this?"

For a second, Steve blanks, wondering if he's dialed the right number. But the voice in his ear sounds right. 

"Steve? Steve Harrington?"

"Dude, I haven't heard from you in forever."

"Come on, it's been a couple of months at best," Steve protests, but as he starts doing calculations in his head, it doesn't sound as short anymore. 

"Uh-huh, try half a year."

"Shit. Sorry, Eddie. Moving had been... a lot. Guess I've lost track of time. How's life?"

"A lot of work. We have a few labels interested in working with us, but we have to make a few more demos to get signed for an album. But it's... It's good, it feels good."

Steve smiles at the receiver, happy that another one of his friends is following his dreams. 

"That's great! I'm happy for you guys. We should meet up when you're less busy."

"Yeah, totally," Eddie agrees quickly. "I have something to tell you, actually."

"Yeah? What is it?"

"I, uh... So much has changed, man. Different city, different life... It's not Hawkins anymore, you know"

"Tell me about it," Steve chuckles. 

"And I'm changing too. And I'm worried it might be too much."

Steve frowns. Change was always scary, and often meant someone would be left behind, usually him. But he soldiers on with a joke. 

"What, you got even more tattoos? Human painting style?"

"You bet your ass I did," Eddie laughs. 

"Well, Hawkins might hate it, but as long as you're happy, your friends will have your back. We didn't save the world for nothing, right?" 

"Right," he parrots. "So, what did you want to ask me?"

"Ah! Women's Day is coming up and I'm completely blank on what to give Robin."

"Dude." There's a shuffle in the other side, like Eddie changed his position to be more comfortable. "You're her weird cosmic bestie, shouldn't you know her best? How could I possibly be of service?"

"Well," Steve draws out the word, slumping against the wall. "She buys all the books she wants, she's against expensive clothes, we're stocked on candy for a year, and we have limited space. But she said she'd like something to decorate her room, make it more homey."

"Uh, a plant?" Eddie suggests. 

"Eddie. Would I be calling you if the answer was as simple as a plant."

"I'm guessing Buckley is a serial plant killer then."

"She murdered my basil plant and I haven't forgiven her yet."

Eddie snorts before making a loud hum.

"Alright then, well. A painting, a poster?"

"She already has so many posters," Steve groans. "I'm not sure there's even space left on the wall, not after she stole that huge Madonna one."

"I see the big city is doing her good, huh?"

"I need ideas."

"I don't know, man. You're close enough, get her a vibrator or something."

"Already got her one for Christmas."

It's Eddie's turn to groan.

"Just give her fake flowers, Jesu— wait. Does she like puzzles?"

"Uh, yeah? But we have nowhere to display them, so—"

"Did you know Lego has flower sets?"

"It was a great idea, thank you so much! I forgot how much fun it is."

Eddie laughs on the other end of the line. 

"I'm glad to be of help. What did you get?"

"A bonsai tree. It looks great."

"Good to know you're living my dream," he chuckles. 

"What do you mean?" Steve asks curiously, before flopping down on his bed for the conversation. 

"I fucking love Lego, but this shit is so expensive. And, don't tell anyone," Eddie lowers his voice. "But I do like flowers, and can't keep them alive neither."

"I'll keep that in mind," Steve chuckles. "Sooo, when will you be free to meet up?"

"When you said about changes, I didn't think you mean...."

"Tits?" Eddie finishes for him, her shoulders angling in to hide. "If you can even call them that."

"No, don't hide! They're—"

A smirk grows on Eddie's face. She might be wearing make up and style her hair differently, but her dimples are all the same.

"Yeah? How are my tits, Harrington?" she teases.

"Shut up," he grumbles. "You look good, okay? And you'll keep changing, right?"

"Oh, yeah. I'm aiming for a rack..." she forms her hands into cups in front of her chest. "...this big."

"Who'll pay for the chiropractor?" he raises his eyebrows.

"Uh, my rock star salary? Duh," she rolls her eyes. 

"Mom, I am a rich man?" 

"Exactly," Eddie grins at him.

On their way back, Steve pulls her into a florist's and buys a single rose. 

"For the Women's Day I've missed," he explains, handing it over with a wink.

Next year, Eddie gets two bouquets: live red roses and a sunflower Lego set.

tags: @blasvemous @phantomcat94 @wheneverfeasible

[anonmousegosqueak]

So, I'm stuck in Dallas right now 🫠 My flight was supposed to be at 17:30 local time, connect to Dallas, then fly home. But instead, my flight out of OKC took off at 22:30 local time, and now I'm sitting in a hotel room in Dallas, my flight in the morning learning at 10:30 :(

I'm sitting in some writers block rn (the stress of my flight has not been helping) so I'll stick with bullet points for now.

John is the type of man that will deal with customer service and the airline staff and even the fucking janitor if it means getting a hotel room or the next available flight. Especially if it's not his fault for missing the flight or the plane is delayed.

Kyle will go with whatever he's told. Airline staff told him to call the 1-800 number, so he did that. Sure, he'll be a day later than he wanted, but he's never in much rush.

Johnny ends up in bed with the pilot. He's happy to help them relieve some stress in return for an upgrade to first class. And he even keeps their number for some 'flying classes' later.

Simon just doesn't like dealing with airports. His flight got delayed? He's renting a car and driving if he can. If it's overseas, he books the next available flight and sleeps in the airport.

Nik never flies commercial. He's got contacts on top of favours on top of friends. He's flying some ratty old plane across the country/wherever and he's loving it.

Roach has been banned from flying alone, so he'll follow whoever he's with. He got lost in the airport and ended up in the luggage storage on a plane to Russia. Nik just so happened to be in Russia at the time visiting family, so Bug Boy got an impromptu meet-the-parents.

Red is banned from flying, but I feel like they would much rather prefer the train or a boat, something they can get up and walk around in. They've probably tried telling the team to let them go alone, to go ahead and take the plane without him, but they never listen.

Kate and Laura (her wife) fly first class every time. Their flight got cancelled? They've been given a full refund of their flight and been given a room quicker than John ever was. These women are treated like queens because they're kind and respectful and terrifying.

am I projecting my problems onto them? Absolutely, they all deserve it.

- 🦴

So I'm gonna assume you aren't still stuck in Dallas, considering I've accidentally left this ask to rot in my inbox for a week now. More than a week? I don't even know anymore.

I HOPE YOU GOT HOME SAFE!! <3

Price is absolutely talking to everyone until something gets fixed. He's not rude, he's not pushy, I mean he literally has years of experience of being polite and keeping cool under pressure. He's just determined. He's probably getting back on a plane the soonest out of everyone.

Ghost once stole a car. He's not proud of it but thankfully no one found out. Why did he commit grad theft auto (wait that's a different game-)? Because his flight was delayed and he was overstimulated. You cannot tell me this man doesn't know how to hotwire a car, he just needed to get a few towns over so he could get in contact with one of Nikolai's contacts. He left about $70 (in whatever currency) behind as an apology.

Soapy boy is taking the opertunity and having a good time 😎. Piolets are probably people too! Everyone needs a little stress relief, he's just the guy. Also yes- he has turned straight men gay just for him.

Gaz is such a good boy. I wanna say him and Soap are swapped but that's probably just my favoritism speaking. He's not picky, he's not pushy. He's just polite and charming and gets a good deal. Customer service loves him and always gives him a discount, it's just part of the Gaz experience™

Roach... He's just a puppy honestly. If he's with Price? He stands behind him and looks cute, happily trotting around from person to person. Gaz? Turns the cuteness up to 11 and no one can resist giving the pair a nice hotel. Soap? The pilots room is big enough for three~ He also has Nik on speedial whenever he travels, often needing someone to pick him up from whatever forest or city or ocean he got lost in.

Speaking of Nikolai- I already said he hates flying. Now if something were to go wrong? Well that just proves him right, never should have trusted the commercial airline. It's fine, he has someone he can call up, but he's still muttering to himself the whole time. Nothing but shitty aircrafts held together with duct-tape and hope and flown by someone who doesn't have a legal license for him!

Laswell and Sara are vip. Y'know how first class people never get their luggage lost? Yeah, that's them. They're important passengers, only the best experience for them.

Red often gets teased (by Soap) about being a "stereotypical autistic 5 year old boy". Why? Because I am BECAUSE THEY LIKE TRAINS. They think it's neat! They wanna look out the window and see the world go past, they wanna close their eyes and listen to the sounds around them. They spent most of their formative teenage years traveling on trains, it's now their favorite mode of transportation. Boats are a bit worse. They don't like boats, actually they kinda hate it, but also... What else are they supposed to do? It's fine, they're fine, they'd rather boat over airplane any day.

[loveisxiu]

જ⁀➴ want you back || kms x reader

⋆˚✿˖° Summary: You and Minseok are exes, but it's quite obvious you're not over each other. (2.8k)

⋆˚✿˖° Content: smut, fluff, non-idol au, female reader

⋆˚✿˖° Notes: i was really expecting this to be angsty, but it's really not... enjoy my first contribution to the exo tumblrscape!!

You and Minseok broke up four months ago. It was a mutual break up, as the both of you were constantly fighting. What were you fighting about? Honestly you don't remember anymore. But you do remember that some of them sparked because of the frustration of not being able to have time together due to your busy schedules. 

It's been months, yet here he is, fixing your sink.

"Alright, I think it should stop leaking now."

"Thanks Minseok." You say as you stand awkwardly behind him. You are aware how weird and a little pathetic it is that you called Minseok for this, but he didn't seem to mind.

"Anytime." He says as he starts gathering his things.

"So um... how much do I owe you?"

Minseok looks at you, an eyebrow raised. "Don't be ridiculous."

"Come on, I bothered you for this."

"You're never a bother."

You fidgeted in your place. It was such a simple comment but it made your heart flutter a bit. Although it still made you uneasy because the both of you are no longer dating, so somehow you feel like you owe him something. As he is finishing up, you approach him. "Do you want me to cook you something?"

He turned to face you, and he seemed surprised with the closeness. "Oh! Sure." 

You and Minseok did not talk for a week after that. The next time Minseok heard from you was when you asked him if you could lend some money.

"Hey, so I accidentally lost my wallet at the club, and I don't want to be a bother to Joy, she's already taking care of Yeri. So um, maybe you could lend me some money so I can go ho—"

"Stay right there, I am picking you up," Before you could tell him that he doesn't have to and that he can just send you money, he hung up. There was some rustling on his end too, so it seemed like he was already getting ready while you were telling him about your predicament. You sighed and went back to your booth inside while waiting.

"You found your wallet?" Joy asks, while taking care of a sleepy Yeri. You shook your head and bit your lip, unsure if you should tell her that instead of looking for your wallet, you opted to call your ex instead.

"Okay, what did you do?" Joy's raised an eyebrow, clearly aware of your guilt. You sighed and leaned back against the cushion of the booth.

"I called Minseok," you closed your eyes to get some reprieve from the flashing lights in the club. You hear Joy's gasp from beside you.

"Your ex?! Why would you call him? Didn't I offer you a ride home instead?"

"Yeah, but your boyfriend is coming to pick you up, and you're already taking care of Yeri. I didn't want to be a bother."

"Y/N, you are never a bother. And what even made you want to call him? You guys have broken up for months now."

"I don't know... whenever I need help, I... call him. I think it's one habit I can't shake off since the breakup.."

"Wait... 'whenever I need help'? What do you mean?"

You sheepishly scratched your arm. "So... last week my sink was leaking and I may or may not have dialed his number to ask for help..."

"What?!"

"Trust me! Originally I was just going to ask him for suggestions on plumbing services, but he insisted he could fix it himself..."

Joy sighs. "Y/N, I swear—"

Your phone vibrated in your pocket, and your attention shifted. Joy seemed to notice and stopped her train of thought to take a peek into your phone. "I'm outside," Minseok's message read.

"Well... I guess I'm going now." You quickly stood up, and Joy reached out for your wrist.

"Just be careful, okay? And we are not yet done with this conversation," Joy let go, and you nodded.

As you exited the club, you saw Minseok leaning on the hood of his car with his phone in his hand. He was wearing a sleeveless top, which showed his defined arms. You feel yourself blushing when you imagine how it would feel around you, again. You shook off this feeling and coughed to get his attention, and he quickly looked up.

"Are you ready?" He asked, while opening the car door for you. You feel your chest fluttering at the simple act. It's just how he is, you tell yourself. It doesn't mean anything. 

"Yeah," you said as you went in. He closed the door and quickly went to the driver's side. You still couldn't get over his outfit choice, and wanted nothing more than to be underneath him as he railed you into oblivion while you were holding on to his arms for dear life.

Minseok, on the other hand, wasn't doing so well either. Before getting in, he whipped out his phone, pretending to text someone. In reality though, he is trying to calm himself down because the dangerously short black dress you wore was driving him insane. He absolutely adored it when you wore dresses, and this was no different. He wanted nothing more than to kneel in front of you and show you a good time.

When he finally settled into his seat, you tried not to stare at his arms too much. You shifted in your seat, trying to ignore the heat between your legs. You rolled down the car window a bit, to try to cool off.

"Did you drink?" Minseok asked from beside you as he buckled his seatbelt. You decided to do the same.

"No, I just went out with Yeri and Joy."

Minseok started the car, and the slight vibration made you tingle down there. You couldn't help the quiet 'aah' that escaped your lips. He seemed to have noticed. "Are you alright?"

You contemplated on how to answer. Do you straight up just tell him, 'Minseok, I am horny as hell because seeing your arms are way too much for me' or maybe a simple 'Yes, I am fine' will suffice?

"Yes, I am horny as hell."

Ah.

Maybe a mix of both.

Minseok was taken aback by your blunt response. He turned his head towards you, and you decided to be brave. You removed the seatbelt, and leaned against the door. You lifted one leg to show him the wet spot in your panties. You hear his breath hitch, and clear his throat.

Minseok removed his seatbelt as well, and rubbed your calf. He couldn't stop watching you as you rubbed yourself through your panties. You can see the outline of his semi hard-on through his sweatpants.

You both snapped out of it when you heard people approaching, quickly settling properly in your seats. "Do you want to go somewhere more private?" Minseok asks while placing a hand on your knee and rubbing it.

"Y-yes."

He removed his hand on your knee and quickly started the engine. He placed his hand on your knee again once the both of you were on the road. You were incredibly frustrated, and he could probably feel it too because he started inching his hand closer and closer to your heat.

"M-Minseok, please."

He didn't answer, instead he placed two digits inside your panties and you gasped. He rubbed your clit, and before inserting a finger inside. You were absolutely losing your mind. You gripped his wrist to anchor yourself as you threw your head back. He retrieved his hand after a few pumps, and it left you feeling empty. In your peripheral vision, you see him sucking your juices off his fingers.

Once you arrived at a secluded parking lot, he turned off the engine. You quickly jumped on to his lap, engaging in a heated kiss. He placed one arm on your waist and one hand was mindlessly rubbing your thigh. He really, really liked the dress you wore tonight, giving him easy access. You broke off the kiss to breathe, but he quickly attached his lips to the most sensitive part of your neck.

You couldn't control the moan that escaped your lips, as you buried your hand in his hair to keep him there. Though his wandering hand below was dangerously close to where you needed him. 

"This fucking dress is driving me crazy," he whispers against your skin as he grabs a handful of your ass.

"You like it?" You asked innocently while pushing your boobs together in front of his face. He quickly attached his mouth to your cleavage. He hummed in satisfaction, and you felt him rubbing his clothed hard-on against your panties. "M-Minseokie, you really like dresses don't you?"

He grunted in response, "I like you in dresses, you look so fucking beautiful in them."

You looked him in the eye, and you felt the wind knocked out of you as you saw how sincere he was. You smashed your lips together, and started palming him through his clothes. He pulled you away, and moved his head to signal you to go to the backseat.

"Let me taste you."

You scrambled your way through the backseat and let the straps of your dress fall. You settled in comfortably and raised one leg. As Minseok settles in his place he mutters a low 'pretty,' and you feel yourself heating up.

He licks a stripe up through your panties and your hand quickly finds their place in his hair. Minseok intertwined one of his hands with your other. He kissed your clothed clit and when he heard you whine, he pulled the panties to the side to fully taste you.

As he alternated between licking and sucking your clit, he started inserting his middle finger into your eager hole. Once he feels the warmth of your wet heat, he feels his dick twitch. He tried inserting another finger and you were unbelievably tight, he felt like he was going insane.

You gripped both his hair and the hand you were holding really tightly. As your thighs begin to shake, you try pushing his head further to your heat. He does not stop with his ministrations even as your orgasm subsided, but the sensitivity got you gripping his hair really tightly you were sure it hurt.

Minseok didn't mind. He pulled out his fingers to taste your pleasure, and he was absolutely addicted. He tried inserting his tongue as far as he could to get more, but you whined as you tried to remove him due to your sensitivity. He freed his hands to grab on to your legs. Even if you suffocate him between your thighs, he would die a happy man.

"Minseokie... I want more." You whined, playing with your boobs. Minseok hummed to show you he was listening, but the vibration felt so good you moaned.

"Minseokie... I want your cock inside me please..."

The sound of you begging for him fills him with pride. He looked up and the sight of your fucked out expression while playing with your breasts as he eats you got his dick impossibly hard. As he gives your clit one final kiss, he reaches behind you to find the zipper to your dress.

Once you are undressed, Minseok quickly attaches his mouth to one of your nipples. He pinches the other, and you palm him through his sweats. He moans against your skin, and you start tugging on his pants to take it off.

He got your signal and quickly removed his pants. He took off his tank top as well, and his defined abs got you biting your lips. He took really good care of himself, and you can't help but want to mark him up. As he positions you to lie down on the back seat, you rub yourself on his thigh.

"Impatient, aren't we?" He teases you, and since you are in no mood to be a brat tonight, you decide to indulge him.

"Yes Minseokie, I miss your dick so much. It fills me up so good."

Your candid answers to him tonight surprises him every time, and this time it is no different. He quickly composes himself. If you were going to be a good girl, he was going to reward you for it.

"Okay baby. Let me fill you up, yeah?"

He slowly pushes into you, and he swears that it felt like you were swallowing him up. You were impossibly tight and it was taking everything in him not to cum on the spot. You caught his attention when you grabbed onto his arms, "Kiss me, Minseokie?"

He quickly obliges, he always has a hard time saying no to you. You were his one weakness, his kryptonite, his Achilles' heel. He would do absolutely anything for you, and he misses you so fucking bad. The past four months have been the worst months of his life. He didn't even know why he just let you go like that, he was an idiot.

Yeah the both of you were fighting non-stop, but he was still so madly in love with you. If you were to dissect his brain, you would see that it was filled with nothing but you. He genuinely thought you wanted nothing to do with him until you called him a week ago, asking for help for your fucking sink. Thank heavens your sink broke, because he finally had an excuse to see you again.

But you didn't contact him for a whole week.

And now, you called him again to ask for money to get home. Why would he send you money when he could take you home instead? When he could make sure you got home safely? When he could talk to you again and see you face-to-face? You were putting a wall between the two of you, but he wasn't going to let it happen. He wants to be yours again. Because it has always been you.

You pull away just a little from him to get some air, and Minseok keeps a steady pace. Your nails were digging on to his arms, and he was sure it would leave marks, but he doesn't care. You can leave all the marks you want on him. You wrap your legs around him as you whisper against his lips, "Hah, harder Minseokie."

You kept calling him by the nickname you always called him as your lover and he loves it. Yes, he is Minseokie. He is your Minseokie.

He slowly pulled out until it was just the tip inside, and slams his hips against you. He swallows up your moans as he presses his lips against you. He kept up his pace and soon felt the telltale signs that you were close. You were shaking, your hand was gripping his arms tightly, and your walls were throbbing nonstop around him.

"Are you close, baby?" You moan against his lips in response, and he reaches between you to rub your clit.

"M-Min—" you could barely get a word out as you reached your high. Minseok followed closely after.

Minseok carefully placed his weight on top of you as the both of you were coming down from your highs. You closed your eyes to rest for a moment, but quickly felt shy as you felt yourself leaking.

"Y/N," You heard Minseok call out to you.

You opened your eyes, "Y-yes?"

"I still love you."

Your eyes widened. What's with the sudden confession? But it's not like you stopped loving him either. You were the one who initiated the breakup, thinking it was for the best. It wasn't because you no longer love him, but rather that you love him so much that you ended the relationship before the two of you ended up hating each other. You wanted to preserve that love you had for each other.

But it has been hell.

You've gotten used to your life with Minseok. Every morning, he would wake you up with kisses and a soft, "Good morning, my love." And every night you fall asleep with his arm draped on your waist and your legs tangled together with his. "Sleep well, my love," he would whisper into your ear as he hugs you tightly.

Somewhere along the way, the both of you got frustrated with the demands of your jobs and started taking it out on each other. 

Minseok brushed your hair behind your ear, "I will do better this time, my love."

"Minseok, it was also my fault. I will do better as well." You leaned in to his touch. You missed him so, so badly.

"So does this mean we're back together?"

You smiled and nodded, "Yes."

Minseok smiled back, "I am yours, always have been." He closes the distance between the two of you and gives you a sincere kiss.

You pulled away just a tiny bit to whisper, "Why don't you take me home and we can do some catching up?"

Minseok chuckled, "Of course. Anything for you, my love."

[all-for-geek]

The Story Max Jagerman Never Got to Tell (Silly Goofy things I think about if Max didn't die and had gotten a redemption arc)

So I like to think that he is very slow going at the whole being nice to people thing. Like outside of the main 5 he is still very much the Literal Monster, and even within the main friend group still verbally bullies them he just isn't physically hurting them anymore. As he learns and grows with them, he gets better. First learning to treat his friends on the football team better, and eventually tolerating the other nerds. He still slips up occasionally and says things in the moment that he regrets later, but he's learning to apologize when that happens.

I think once he finds out that the prank was Grace's idea, he is convinced that it was Grace secretly letting him know that she liked him back. He proceeds to start full on courting her: he walks to all her classes, he buys her flowers on special occasions, she even has special privileges to go to the football games (still early on in character development). One day when she goes, he introduces himself to her parents, and the Chastitys make it clear that no one outside of the church can date their daughter. So Max converts. Or at least tries to. He can never grasp his head around all the rules, and by the end of the week, he has decided that it's better if he and Grace are just friends.

At first, he mostly uses Pete as a free tutoring service. He's upset that Pete won't just let him cheat off of him like he did with Steph, but it doesn't even take Max that long to figure out why Steph is different. He makes Pete a deal that he will let him date Steph if Pete cheats for him. Pete talks him down to tutoring with the promise that if it doesn't work, then he will help Max cheat. It turns out that Pete is actually a really good teacher. Max also has certain learning disabilities (I'm gonna go with dyscalculia since we know he's in remedial algebra) that never went addressed since his dad refused to get him tested. Pete is able to show Max techniques that help, and once Max's head no longer hurts from looking at numbers too long, he begrudgingly admits that it's not so bad. Pete also notices that the halls are little quieter before and after Max's math class now.

He never really hung out with Steph that much before. They knew each other and flew in the same circles, but they never really talked before. Max definitely learns how not-okay his dad is by seeing how Steph's dad treats her. As they get closer, he starts getting madder and madder about how the Mayor talks about her. It takes a long time for him to reflect on what he's saying and realizes that his advice works on him too. Him and Steph start bonding over their horrible dads and help each other out when home gets to be a lot.

Ruth is the one that it is the hardest for him to vibe with. While the others he either finds something kinda cool about or can use, Ruth is...Ruth. He doesn't actively bully her anymore, but he doesn't go out of his way to be around her either. He does inadvertently teach her how to be cool though. It's not intentional, but he is less willing to put up with Ruth's whining about how unlovable she is than the others. One day, he starts yelling back to her that maybe if she wasn't constantly complaining about never having anyone around her, then maybe more people would want to be around her. The others call him out for being out of line, but it starts a path for Ruth about learning to be more confident in herself.

I think Richie is the first one to be onboard with the whole 'Max is suddenly chill with us' thing. He's seen enough anime to know a redemption arc when he sees one. He also has a more intense look on Max's growth being around him so much as the mascot. He's the first one to reach out to Max about coming over and watching some anime with him. Max is unsure at first, but Richie convinces him that Attack on Titan actual is really cool and has a lot of blood and guts and fighting in it, so Max agrees as long as Richie doesn't tell anyone what they're doing. Max actually does get really into it, but Richie notices that he seems pay more attention to the "found family" aspects and the character interactions than the fight scenes. He gives Max DVDs that he can watch on his own if he wants: a combination of shows and movies about sports, fighting, and some introspective character pieces as well.

Max also spends the most time at Richie's house than the others. Not necessarily because he prefers Richie, but because Richie has the most chill homelife (the Chastity's still bug him about coming back to church, Steph's dad reminds him to much of home, and Ruth's parents are convinced that he and Ruth are dating. Pete is a close second, but his weird older brother is over a lot, and Max just gets a bad vibe from him). He will just casually pop into Richie's window some nights and say that they are going to watch anime. Richie agrees obviously, but he also wonders what else is going on. It's only after a really personal episode of My Hero Academia that Max lets slip about his dad.

In short, Max Jagerman has so much potential, and it is a shame that he has been doomed by the narrative to never show it.

[chiarrara]

I don't know I just feel like....

We just watched a man self-immolate in his military uniform. And I don't want to sound like an idiot, because it's much more than this but, couldn't you say that was a very extreme form of conscientious objection?

He could not be complicit anymore, but there is literally no way out of being complicit in this genocide if you live in America. For him especially, being trapped in military service. But for all of us. All of us are trapped in complicity in some way, and we can try to counteract that sin with as much meaningful direct action as we can possibly do, but all of that action comes with some proportional level of risk.

So, a man burned himself alive in an extreme form of conscientious objection (the only form available to him - one of great violence)

And people are still on here telling people to suck it up and vote for Biden.

I just... maybe I'm really stupid and I just can't see the logic y'all are putting forward. Because the way you lay it out it all seems to make so much sense to you. I understand we're trapped in a two party system. I understand the Republicans don't have the same consciences we do and are gonna vote en masse for Trump. I understand Trump is a danger globally and domestically. I understand all that, and I don't want his second term to come to pass. I'm not ignorant of how dangerous he is.

But a man self-immolated to object to the system of complicity he's trapped in, and the most logical response y'all have to a bunch of people wanting to opt out of complicity in this election, and the next four years of horrors that will be done in their name is to tell them, you just have to suck it up and be complicit. Your only tool is to make a phone call. You can try to protest, but there's a non-zero chance you'll be beaten and arrested and have your life ruined, by the way. You can donate to try and put a bandaid on the horrors you're seeing through your phone screen everyday (and you should, but God it's sure not stopping anything). But you're not allowed to object to being complicit in the selection of the Genocider-In-Chief.

It's not going to stop the genocide. We know this. It's not going to stop the election. We know this. It's not going to change anything directly, and Trump is going to get elected (which he will either way. most people who would vote against him are doing it anyway, y'all are fighting a very very small online minority).

But a man self-immolated in his military uniform. He didn't think that act was going to directly stop aid from going to Israel, or stop the genocide, or destroy the US military industrial complex. He didn't think his one small (but extremely brave and impactful) act was going to solve everything. Everything that was going to happen is still going to happen just with one less man in uniform.

But it wasn't nothing. It didn't do nothing. It's not his fault that the military will keep on chugging. It's not his fault that things are getting worse in Gaza every day. But he's not complicit anymore and he sent a message. And he had to die to achieve that.

And y'all are telling us we can't even do the very small act of not being complicit in the presidency. It's a less effective act of protest, but I also don't have to die for it.

It's not a boycott (I've seen this strawman, i don't know why you think we think that). It's not going to "send a message to the government" (obviously, we're not ignorant). It's to the Party that runs these candidates, and makes money off of "pick us because we're not the other guy" then commits crimes against humanity. I don't want to roll over and be fucking complicit in that.

Parties and candidates look at those numbers. they see how many people voted for them last time and how many people this time.

They don't care about our voices, and our protests, and our emails. They care about donations, and they care about votes. That's it. That's all they look at. If the emails and the phone calls and the protests don't result in a drop in one of those two things, they don't fucking care.

I don't know. This is a long ass ramble, but I'm trying to work out my feelings about this. Because we can't opt out of paying taxes, we can't really opt out of the benefits of living and being born in the Global North, we can't opt out of work, we can't opt out of the military, we can't opt out of following the law without extreme violence being brought against us. We can't do a whole fucking lot besides call, email, donate, and protest in a way that doesn't get us beaten and arrested, and if you do get beaten and arrested, you'll be dealing with the legal consequences for years or potentially the rest of your life.

And a man burned himself to death to object but I can't withhold my vote???

[liamthemailman]

im writing this because i realized i havent done any acesoap in a hot minute since i was so busy with House of Cards

me being an oc creator is so fun and its even more fun with canon x oc because i can just go

Johnny woke up with an uneasy feeling. He shifts under the covers but can't find the urge to sleep despite being exhausted the whole day. The room felt unnaturally cold. Johnny turns in bed to find Ace, thinking his boyfriend would give him solace from his discomfort.

Johnny would find that the side that Ace usually took up was empty. There was the distinct smell of the guy lingering in the sheets, but Ace seemed to have disappeared into thin air. Johnny sits up in bed.

Johnny strained his ears. Perhaps Ace just was on a late night bathroom visit. Johnny sat and listened. The air in Johnny's apartment was undisturbed. No movement shook the silent atmosphere, save for some crickets outside. The closing of the bathroom door and the creaking of the floorboards never came. Ace wasn't in the house anymore.

Now, Johnny was really freaking out. He jumps up from the bed and winces slightly when he meets the cold floor. Johnny carefully searches his whole house, more desperate when each room is empty.

All of Ace's stuff seemed to have gone too. Despite it being Johnny's place, Ace would have a toothbrush in the toilet, a sweater or two lying around and a mug for his tea in the cabinet. None of these things were in their places.

Johnny recalls the days leading up to now. Ace hadn't shown any signs of wanting to split up, and he was not one to pull such cruel pranks. Hell, Ace cuddled Johnny as they fell asleep last night as usual, always in each other's arms.

Tears pricked at Johnny's eyes, worry weighing his mind as to why Ace seemed to have just up and left in the middle of the night. Johnny reached for his phone to contact Ace. Johnny's fingers had never dialed Ace's number so fast. He put the phone to his ear, and was sent immediately told that the number was not in service.

What the, Johnny thought. That wasn't possible, since they had called and texted just last afternoon when Johnny called Ace over.

Johnny felt ashamed to call anyone else's help for his issue, unsure how to explain just how he lost his boyfriend. However, he was growing desperate. He dialed Gaz's number despite it being the ungodly hour of 3:28AM on a Saturday.

"This better be important.." Gaz's voice grumbled through the phone. Johnny couldn't be happier to hear his best mate's voice. He immediately spoke.

"Gaz, I dunnae where Ace is! I just woke up not too long ago and he's just gaen! A' his hings tae! Gaz, I-"

"Mate, slow down.. I can barely understand you.." Gaz groaned, interrupting Johnny's babbling. "Who's Ace?"

"Quit pumpin' aroond, Gaz! The man's gone and I need to know where he went-"

"Johnny, calm down. I can't help you if you're all freaked out.. Who's Ace?" Gaz asked, genuine confusion in his voice.

Johnny went quiet. Was Gaz serious? He stared at his phone in disbelief for a moment before putting it to his ear again. Maybe it was because Gaz just woke up.

"Ace? Mah boyfriend. He has a scar going around his neck! Our bleedin' CO!"

Johnny was met with silence from Gaz.

"Ace. Ace Doe! Our lieutenant? Kinda short, angry face, always has his shades on, and wears a hoodie everywhere? Gaz!" Johnny's voice cracked with desperation and panic.

"Johnny. As far as I'm concerned, Ghost's our only lieutenant."

"What?! No, Gaz, I'm serious here-"

"So am I!" Gaz hissed through the phone, quickly silencing Johnny. "..Sorry, lost my temper."

Gaz, on the other end of the line, could clearly tell Johnny was seriously distressed. Whoever this Ace is, was really important to Johnny, and also their lieutenant, apparently.

"Just calm down.. and we can talk to Price in the morning." Gaz says. Johnny, satisfied, thanked Gaz and put down the phone.

Johnny thought about calling Price directly, since he was the first to meet Ace anyway. He couldn't wait another few hours pondering the whereabouts of his love. Johnny dialed the captain's number.

"..ello?" Came the sleepy gruff of Price on the other end.

"Ace is missing." Johnny said in a shaky voice.

"..Who's Ace? Is Ace a dog?"

Johnny takes in another shaky breath, his lips trembling slightly.

"Nevermind.." Johnny strained.

"Well.. I hope you find him soon.." Price says, now confused, and ends the call.

Who is Ace?

This question would echo in Johnny's mind as he slinks back to bed. Exhaustion was catching up to him. He seemed more lonely than alone. It didn't exactly help when his friends didn't even know who he was talking about.

Johnny pulled back the sheets and slipped under the covers. The bed seemed colder than it ever has been with the absence of someone else. The bed smelled different, like someone else laid in it before Johnny did. He shifts a little, the indent in the bed seemingly not fitting him, but someone else instead. Someone else.

Someone else? Johnny pondered.

And it scares Johnny even more, knowing that he was supposed to know. He was supposed to know when remnants of this someone else was in his bed.

Hours passed and Johnny couldn't get a wink of sleep, but he didn't move when the sun shined in through the curtains. Instead, he found himself thinking.

Who is Ace?

[alltheoutsinfreeeee]

"Jo, how're you doing?"

I'm glad you asked, person I made up to use as an excuse to rant!

Remember when I asked if anyone knew where I could still find some 3DS covers? I ordered one! One I really liked even! Shipping and import are fine, and soon I get the tracking number. Everything's fine.

Few days later tracking says my package has arrived at the inward office, is in customs, and soon off to continue its delivery journey. Everything's fine.

Two days later tracking says it's back in customs at the same inward office, and for several days nothing changes. I get nervous.

I decide to call the office via the number they show on their website. An automated response greets me: "This line is unmanned, please call [Other Number]."

I call Other Number. Another automated line greets me. "Are you calling for tracking?" Yes. "Are you the sender?" No. "Please speak the tracking number." [Tracking Number]. "Please speak the zipcode of the recipient." [Zipcode]. "We cannot give you tracking information at this time. Please call back during office hours."

THEN WHY MAKE ME GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS IF I CAN'T GET ANY INFORMATION CURRENTLY ANYWAY--

It's fine, this is fine. I get an idea and check the tracking number via the national tracking service instead of the one I got linked with my order. "Expected arrival September 4th."

Okay. I will give it until then and if it doesn't arrive on that day, I will call every number I can find until I get someone who can actually tell me ANYTHING about my package's status.

It does arrive on September 4th! I still need to pay customs (16,44€) to receive it but that's fine, I expected that. At least it's here. The stress from not knowing is over.

I get my 3DS and my screwdriver, and unpack the cover.

I unscrew my 3DS' back cover and one of its screws snaps off. That's fine, the cover has its own. I put the new cover onto the handheld and get ready to screw it on.

...

It sure is a cover for the New 3DS. But I have a New 3DS XL. I silently turn to my brother and hand him the cover instead. I can't use it but he does have a base New 3DS. I didn't check when I ordered the cover, this is on me. My mood drops but what happened has happened, nothing I can do about it anymore.

I go to screw the old cover back on, one screw is better than none. I notice the other screw is now also gone. With a heavy sigh I click the cover in place and hope it will hold.

Hoping to distract myself with absolutely anything I decide to read the receipt I received for the payment of customs. It says 10,44€.

The whole order, including customs, cost me 70+€. And 6€ of those the postman took for themselves. And I can't even use the cover. I spent 70+€ for effectively nothing.

So that's how my day is going! Hope you guys are doing better!

[gaytrashgoblin]

HI BABY GAY!!!!! pls do all the ones with 5s in them pls and thank you !!!

5. Four turn ons- ummmm, smooth voice, intelligence, humor, and the ability to have rational discussions about things we disagree on without it devolving into an argument

15. Favorite quote- the first one that came to mind was the "it's rotten work" "not for me. Not if it's you"

25. Ever done a prank call? When I was like 12 sure

35. Favorite holiday? Halloween for sure

45. Where am I right now? At work sadly. So at a 7-11

50. Do I have someone of the opposite sex I can tell everything to? My younger brother!

51. How often do I wear a fake smile? Frequently? I work customer service. But ither than that not much

52. When was the last time I hugged someone? Last night? I hug my dad and stepmom at least once a day.

53. What if the last person I kissed was kissing someone else right in front of me? Would not be a problem. My partner and I are poly so. I'd probably be psyched? Bc I like the other girl too so

54. Is there anyone I trust even though I should not? Nope. We cut those kinds of people right out ✂️✂️

55. What is something I disliked about today? My manager messed up the schedule so I'm going to have to stay later than planned tonight which sucks

56. If I could meet anyone on this Earth who would it be? Idk maybe Eichiro Oda

57. What do I think about most? Probably what I want to do with my life- like work wise.

58. What's my strangest talent? I'm pretty good at impressions? Other than that I'm not sure

59. Do I have any strange phobias? lizards. And anything that looks like a Lizard so like geckos and iguanas and oahdbaksb no no no thank you

65. Do I believe in luck? Absolutely. No other way you get born into a tax bracket you're stuck in for your whole life. At least for Americans.

75. What was I doing last night at 12am? Writing my pitchmas fic for Max @ridiculously-over-obsessed

85. What would be a question I'd be afraid to tell the truth on? Oooo probably something about my history of SH or similar topics I'd only like to talk with my therapist about

95. Ever left the house without my wallet? Nah

105. Ever been underweight? Also nah

115. Ever been in an airplane? Yes for the first time ever just a few weeks ago!

125. Ever rode in an ambulance? More times than I could probably remember

135. How many kids do I want and what will their names be? Don't really think I want kids.

145. Am I afraid of heights? Not really. Used to have really bad anxiety about it but not anymore

150. The meanest thing somebody has ever said to me? Paraphrasing but my mother told me I would never amount to anything other than a leech who lives off of other people

151. What I'd do if I won the lottery- buy my dad, myself, and my brother houses and cars. I'd donate a bunch of it. Ya know the usual

152. What do I like about myself? I'm generally a pretty empathetic person. Like I can understand what you're going through even if I haven't and extend care and compassion

153. My closest Tumblr friend- probably @hintatake, as we talk the most regularly!

154. Something I fantasize about- not having to work, being able to freely pursue academics without fear of cost.

Send me numbers

[tehri]

Meanwhile in Sweden - Banking-Edition, or Why Do I Still Have This Account, or We Have Customer Service (Allegedly)

I really have to wonder if the bank I have an account with in Sweden even wants customers to be able to contact them. Or if they just want anyone who is not already a customer to be unable to contact them.

Context: This bank relies heavily on a digital identification method (as does a lot of shit in Sweden, but that's a whole separate rant). They rely on it to the point that if you, as a customer, try to call them for help with something, you have to identify yourself with that. There used to be a number you could call if you didn't want to use that; this was just for general questions and wasn't really for customers to use. I say that there used to be a number like that, because I tried calling it today, and it demands that particular identification method now. Fun.

Extra context: My old phone is a 2012-model that doesn't support the OS demanded for the new update for the app running this digital identification method. Since March, I haven't had access to any online services for my account, which is An Issue. I recently got a new phone as a graduation gift. A gift that I did not really want and very specifically only got because I am pretty much softlocked out of everything in Sweden if I do not have this particular identification method. Tax-office shit, banks, fucking anything, you NEED this thing (again, separate rant). I still have a fucking student loan to pay off in Sweden, so I've kept the account with this bank for the purpose of Minimal Fuckery (which has turned into Maximum Fuckery).

The problem?

I cannot activate this digital identification method on the new phone. It won't let me. You can normally do this in three differnet ways - using your old phone's one (obviously not possible, it won't even let me use the app now), a security calculator thing (think two-step authentication device; I Had one, but it's dead, and you can't switch batteries in them and the bank doesn't send them to addresses not in Sweden, so this is out too), and a passport or ID. I tried using my passport. Works fine - up until I agree to the final terms and conditions, upon which it suddenly gives me the message that it doesn't work and that it's to do with the bank's terms and conditions, but it doesn't tell me what part of those terms and conditions are broken, so Idk what's up.

The additional problem?

I can't contact the bank for help with this. Can't call - all the numbers are softlocked behind this goddamn identification wall. Can't use a chat-service on their site - it's a virtual assistant, which has always been absolutely useless and pointless and stupid. Can't email - they don't accept queries like these via email or even their own internal messaging system anymore. Can't visit an office - the only branch office in Finland doesn't deal with private customers, only businesses.

I resorted to their Facebook page. Got the answer of A - check the page for how to activate this identification method on a new phone (already checked that multiple times, nothing pertainin to my situation there), B - call [insert number here] and use a code with 5 numbers that you picked yourself at some point as identification method instead (I already called that number, did not receive alternate identification methods as an option, and do not recall at any point ever picking a code for anything, so ?????), or C - visit an office in Sweden to get help (which I do not even know when that could possibly happen, if it's next year or the year after).

Gold star, guys. Such great possibilities to contact you. And no, I'm not mad at the customer service person who sent the answer, I'm just mad at the system they've set up where they are literally impossible to contact for anything if you do not have access to these specific things.

[donnerpartyofone]

I don't know when this started happening, but it seems like I increasingly cannot get certain medications by just going to my pharmacy anymore. There's a whole bunch of stuff that my doctors now have to (for some reason) route through a "specialty phramacy", which is actually a startup-y online business with a cute little app I have to use, and they take care of both delivery (meaning every time I need my meds I have to add $5 to the price tag in order to tip the delivery guy, since I can't just go to a place and I refuse to not tip) and also they seem to have a lock on insurance pre-approvals, like if my insurance company needs an OK they can't or won't get it straight from my doctor anymore. In June, I didn't deal with any of these companies, just my regular old pharmacy. As of a month later, I have to deal with THREE of these "specialty pharmacies" if I want all my meds, so I have to keep track of different apps and logins for individual scripts basically. And I mean, TWO of these companies are connected to ONE of my doctors, so that's how well this whole thing is going. Here's today's adventure with the latest one of these things:

I get a text message from the actual physical pharmacy (also new to me) compounding my new medication, and the message includes a link to log into the specialty pharmacy so I can pay for the medication and schedule delivery. The specialty pharm is called Nimble. I open the link in a browser and get all the way to the part where I give them my email address "so we can send you your receipt", and I can't go any further because apparently my email address is already attached to an existing account. It wasn't clear to me that I was setting up a new account, I thought I was just completing a transaction...and also I don't remember Nimble, but I guess I must have used them a long time ago, so ok fine, I'll start over and try to log in first. Now the text message link just opens an error page. So I go to Nimble's home page and try to log in from there, and it asks for my email address so it can send me a "magic link". Every single magic link it sends me is preemptively "expired", and it also appears that I'm not actually getting a new one when I request it, it kinda looks like they're just forwarding the first email over and over again? 15 minutes later I receive a text telling me to download the Nimble app, which I REALLY don't want to do just on principle--plus apparently the app shows fucking ads, so they're getting paid to force me to do this--but like, maybe this is the only way to get my medicine? I won't even describe all the complications I had just downloading the app, we can just skip to the part where the inside of the app is exactly the same as the browser version and it is magically sending me the same expired "magic link". So I click into the help chat thing in the app, and I learn that:

Whenever the fuck I used Nimble before, it was under my maiden name. My email address is locked to my maiden name. My current script is under my married name. I am still using the same email address, but there is no technical way to merge the accounts and apparently there is no way for a customer to simply update the spelling of their own name that they use in real life, even though this might have to happen at any time for many reasons including typos. I could have given them my private email address instead of the old one that I give to scammy businesses when I'm forced to, but since WHY THE FUCK would I do that, the solution was for customer service to go into the back end and put a fake email address in my old account, and add my real email address to the new account. No online account I've ever had has been set up like this, where you can't put in your email address or phone number and update something like a password. There was also no way for me to independently enter my name first, even though that is the key unchanging piece of information the way phone/email is normally, and ultimately, there was no way for me to find out what the problem even was without like penetrating to the center of the labyrinth to have it explained to me why I wasn't allowed to get my meds.

I'm on Tumblr like 24/7 and it's obvious that I'm no luddite, but I'm really angry that the whole world has bought into the idea that as long as some system is based on new technology, then it is automatically more efficient and superior to whatever we used to do. This entire experience is NOT superior to me physically walking to my pharmacy and getting all my meds, and it is STILL NOT superior to me calling the physical pharmacy to pay over the phone and book a courier. We need to stop pretending that shit like this is making our lives better just because it feels shiny and new; now it's just like, if I wanna do something totally normal that I'm dependent on doing--like getting drugs that I might need to live as far as all these assholes know--I have to appease some 3rd party alien entity that does not contribute in any way to the success of the process or the quality of the outcome, it's just this random extra burden that takes so long to get through that they should honestly pay me to do it. Because right now I'm fucking sitting here doing this shit like it's my job, and it absolutely is not.

In this case customer service was actually helpful when I finally got to them, but basically they shouldn't have been necessary at all. Everything else about the situation was so fucked up that it reminded me of the single worst customer service experience I've ever had: I used to have a REALLY shitty Lenovo laptop (I didn't realize that "basic" and "simple" now just means "doesn't work"), and one day the Start menu got stuck open. It was fully expanded across my entire desktop, so I couldn't get to any of my shit. I had to spend about an hour talking to a service person who, it turned out, had NO IDEA what I meant by "desktop". I could not get the idea into her mind. I did a screenshare with her and she was like "Yeah I see all your applications, everything is there, what's the problem?" I could not get her to understand that it was INCORRECT for the menu to be permanently open and I couldn't get her to understand what it was blocking. I found myself typing crazy shit like "So the Desktop is like, ya know, it usually has a picture you picked out as the background, and there's little icons for programs you use or stuff you downloaded, there's always the little trashcan thing there..." and she just would not admit that she knew what I meant. It was as if she had never used a computer before. And like I don't even remember how I fixed the problem, I stopped using that machine obviously--but to this very day, there's a part of my brain exclusively devoted to running an endless background process that asks, "What's the best way to describe a computer desktop display to someone who has never seen or heard of one before?"

[disco-elysium-via-polls]

2. "I walked the land telling whores and liars of the End to come. There are 9,855 days remaining."

KIM KITSURAGI - "Cool. I'm glad you joined us. Not a lot of money in doomcrying... Let's move on, shall we?"

This next row -- the one that wraps all the way around -- is your number of closed cases. *Closed* is good. It means finished. You've got, let's see…"

"Wow, more than 200!"

"Is that a lot?"

"I would have thought there'd be more."

KIM KITSURAGI - "It's *quite* a lot, even for someone who's been on the force for nearly two decades. Usually clearing more than 10 cases a year puts you in the 90th percentile of *all* RCM officers..."

"See, Kim? I *told* you I was a superstar cop!"

"I used to be good. That's some solace I guess. What's the last number?"

"I don't think I can ever *re-become* this person... What's the last number?"

KIM KITSURAGI - "Call it what you want. You were a valuable member of your precinct. Now, let's look at the last row..."

"Right. Those are your confirmed kills. You've got precisely *three* perforations there."

"So I'm a killer..."

"I was expecting a higher number, honestly."

"That's not... too many."

KIM KITSURAGI - "For an RCM officer -- especially Precinct 41, which is in the Jamrock Quarter -- it's rather... tame. I mean that in a good way."

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Challenging: Success] - "What's it feel like to kill a man, Mr. McCoy?" a young woman asks the man across the desk from her...

Honestly, babe," says John McCoy, crossing his ankles over said desk, "I don't feel anything anymore. It's just like brushing my teeth -- I do it once or twice a week and don't really think about it." There's no trace of guilt in his voice.

KIM KITSURAGI - "There are certain officers who treat their kills like some kind of ghoulish game. If they do happen to *solve* a case it's usually by accident." It's obvious the lieutenant doesn't think very highly of these officers...

"But it seems as though you are, or at least *were*, one of the good ones. So we have that to be thankful for."

"Have you ever killed anyone, Kim?"

"How do you handle the strain?"

"Thanks for this." (Conclude.)

KIM KITSURAGI - "Yes," he says, declining to elaborate.

EMPATHY [Medium: Success] - It's not a problem for him to state it, however.

2. "How do you handle the strain?"

KIM KITSURAGI - "Everyone has their own method of coping, some more effective, or self-destructive, than others..." He gives you a meaningful look.

"Personally, I find it helps to keep up a few hobbies."

"Like what?"

"Maybe I should find a hobby?"

"Hobbies are lame."

KIM KITSURAGI - "Oh, this and that. Let's not get into it now."

"Maybe I should find a hobby?"

KIM KITSURAGI - Why not gardening? You've already got the gloves..." He points to your yellow gardening gloves.

Oh yeah, we're still wearing those.

ESPRIT DE CORPS [Medium: Success] - It's meant in earnest. Please don't mistake it for a jab.

3. "Thanks for this." (Conclude.)

KIM KITSURAGI - The lieutenant nods.

3. "Okay, let's go." [Put the ledger away.]

KIM KITSURAGI - "Right. I'll go turn off the lights..." He presses a remote control on the key.

Task complete: Read the watermarks

+10 XP

TUTORIAL AGENT - You can now see your statistics on your JOURNAL page -- to the right of the task description.

Here are our statistics:

Superstar Cop - 4 Apocalypse Cop - 1 Sorry Cop - 6 Boring Cop - 0

Communism - 13 Fascist - 2 Ultraliberal - 0 Moralist - 1

Good cop/Bad cop - 6 Honour - 1

People killed - 3 Cases solved - 216 Years in Service - 18

[halloweenhamburger]

Night Shift on Route 90 fiction

After getting my first job at a gas station in the middle of nowhere on a mountain. I was eager to finally be able to make my own money, and the job wasn't even that hard. all I had to do was ring up some stuff and that's all, I was working the night shift, so I was not expecting many customers. after being the only car parked outside the gas station, I thought "this looks so creepy" it really was, the light was white and dim and I kind of got the chills, but I decided to brush it off and start doing the job, I needed the money. I'm the only cashier in the store and the first thing i saw was a note that had 2 rules on it " keep the doors closed, and always check the cameras" I thought it was weird. but once again, i decided to do what it says and not think about it that much. i check the cameras and nothing was there. so i did some chores. i took out the trash and threw it in the garbage bin behind the store. at one point, i feel a presence behind me, it felt so real that i thought i even heard breathing, i tightened my breath trying to make any subtle noises behind me, there were non. after maybe 5 minutes i bulit the courage to look, no one was there. i exhaled deeply and scoffed at myself "it was probably just a racoon".

after I take out the trash i go back and check the cameras just in case. I thought it was stupid that i was so scared at that moment, but I checked the cameras, and nothing was behind me. I decide to facetime my girlfriend and tell her about the job so far. she was proud of me, and she was waiting at home with my 2-year-old son. after maybe an hour or two, a man, looking to be in his mid 40's entered the store. he looked drunk because he was starting at nothing for couple seconds and he couldn't walk straight. I told myself to stay calm and it will be over soon. he picks up some candy and a beer, comes over to the cashier and starts mumbling random words. I ignored him and rang up the items, he payed and left. something about that man seemed off..., but once again, I ignore it because he was gone. couple minutes later, the same man was back but this time he has sunglasses and a girl with him, he told me straight up " u call the police, I kill her" he points a gun at her head while stacking up all the beers he can get and ran from the store. i was stunned, I couldn't let out a word. I call my girlfriend and tell her what happened, she told me to call my boss and tell him that I'm leaving early. I agreed, and that what I did. I call my boss and told him everything. he told me that the same exact same man comes in every week and threatens to kill someone, steals beer, and leaves. I asked him why he doesn't call the police and he responded, "this gas station is unreachable." he hung up right after he said that. I was getting scared and didn't know what to do, so I packed my stuff and I left. as I'm trying to leave, the door doesn't open. I checked to see it it was locked but the lock was outside of the store. "What the actual hell" I whispered under my breath. I panicked an at that point I couldn't take this job anymore. i call the police but before i could type in the number, i get no service. then suddenly, that creepy man is in the store, he entered from the back. i couldn't scream from how terrified I was, he had a knife with blood in his hand. he stares straight into my Soul without moving muscle then suddenly pounces at me. i grab a glass bottle and smash it on his head. until i hear sirens and cop cars pulling into the parking lot in front of the gas station. I scream for help and.. my girlfriend and my boss was with the police. my girlfriend was screaming "save him!' at that moment, I felt safer than ever. they arrest the man and shove him in the police car. turns out that mat was a serial killer who would kill his victims, rip of their skin, and feed it to his dog which is now dead.... this serial killer has been missing for 8 years and he killed around 80 people. i am safe now but I'm never working in an unknown area ever again...

This is one of many fictional stories that I am going to write here on Tumblr!

make sure to follow me!

[whoisthisnumberregisteredto]

Who Is This Number Registered To? 7 Free Ways to Find Out (That Actually Work)

Who Is This Number Registered To? 7 Free Ways to Find Out (That Actually Work)

You know that feeling? Your phone rings. You don't know the number. Should you answer?

I get it. Happens to me all the time.

Just yesterday, I got five calls from the same weird number. No voicemail. Nothing. It was driving me nuts.

So I did what I always do. I played detective. And guess what? I found out exactly who was calling.

Today, I'm gonna show you how to find out who is this number registered to. No fancy tech skills needed. Promise.

Why I Started Caring About Unknown Numbers

Here's the thing. I never used to care about random calls. Then something changed.

My teenage son started getting creepy texts. Just random stuff. But still. As a dad, I freaked out a little.

The messages weren't mean or anything. Just... weird. Pictures of dogs. Random jokes. No explanation.

That's when I knew. I had to learn how to track down these numbers. Fast.

Good news? It's easier than you think. I've tested pretty much every method out there. Some work great. Some suck. I'll tell you which is which.

What Can You Actually Find Out?

Let's keep it real. You won't always find everything. Sometimes you get lucky. Sometimes you don't.

Here's what you might discover:

Their name

Where they live

How old they are

If it's a cell or landline

What phone company they use

If it's a business

But don't expect miracles. Sometimes you'll only get bits and pieces. That's normal.

The Easiest Way: Just Google It

I know. Sounds too simple, right? But this is always where I start.

Type the number into Google. Put quotes around it. Like this: "555-867-5309"

You'd be amazed. This works like half the time. Especially for businesses.

True story. Last week I missed a call. Googled the number. Boom. It was my kid's school. They have a new number. Took me literally 10 seconds to figure out.

But what if Google doesn't work? Keep reading.

Free Websites That Actually Work

I've tried tons of these sites. Most are junk. But a few are actually good.

My Go-To Free Sites

WhitePages - This one's been around forever. Usually tells you the city and carrier. Sometimes the name too. Not bad for free.

TrueCaller - This one's cool. It's an app. People save numbers with names. Then everyone can see them. Smart idea.

SpyDialer - Weird name. But it works. You can even listen to their voicemail greeting without calling. Sneaky? Maybe. Useful? Definitely.

How to Use Them

It's super easy:

Go to the website

Type in the number

Hit search

See what comes up

That's it. No sign-up needed for basic stuff.

When Free Isn't Enough: Paid Services

Sometimes you need more info. Like when my son was getting those texts. Free sites weren't cutting it.

So I tried the paid ones.

BeenVerified - This is the best one I've found. Costs about 26 bucks a month. Gives you everything. Names, addresses, even Facebook profiles sometimes.

Intelius - Cheaper than BeenVerified. Not as pretty. But it works.

CheckMate - Good for serious stuff. Like if you're really worried about someone.

Pro tip? Most have free trials. Use them. Then cancel if you don't need them anymore.

The Social Media Trick

This is my favorite method. It's free. And it works more than you'd think.

Facebook First

Go to Facebook. Type the phone number in the search box. Sometimes people have their number on their profile. If they do, you'll find them.

Doesn't always work. But when it does? Jackpot.

LinkedIn for Work Numbers

Got a business number? Try LinkedIn. Lots of people put their work number there.

Instagram and Twitter

Long shot. But I've gotten lucky a few times. Some people are weird. They use their phone number as their username. I don't get it either.

Old School Methods That Still Work

Technology doesn't always have the answer. Sometimes you gotta do things the old way.

Just Call Back

Revolutionary, right? But seriously. Sometimes the easiest way is to just call them back.

Scared? Use *67 first. It blocks your number.

Ask People

Local number? Ask around. Your neighbor might know. "Oh, that's the new Chinese restaurant." Problem solved.

Dealing with Spam Calls

Let's be honest. Most unknown calls are spam. Here's what I do.

Check spam websites first. Sites like WhoCallsMe have lists of known spam numbers. If tons of people reported it, it's spam.

Look for patterns. Scammers use numbers that look like yours. Same area code and prefix. It's a trick.

Listen to your gut. Feels sketchy? It probably is.

What About Your Own Privacy?

Here's the thing that freaked me out. If I can look up others, they can look me up too.

Kinda scary, right?

How I Protected Myself

After learning all this stuff, I got paranoid. So I:

Removed my info from data sites

Made my Facebook private

Got a Google Voice number for sketchy websites

Stopped giving my real number to everyone

It's not perfect. But it helps.

When Things Get Tricky

Some numbers are harder to track than others.

Numbers from Other Countries

International calls? Usually scams. Regular lookup sites won't help. Don't even bother.

Internet Phone Numbers

VOIP numbers are tough. They're from Skype or Google Voice. Hard to trace.

Burner Phones

Prepaid phones? Forget it. Nearly impossible to track.

My Craziest Success Story

Remember those texts my son was getting? I finally figured it out using BeenVerified.

Ready for this? It was an old man. He thought he was texting his grandson. Wrong number for months!

We actually met him. Super nice guy. Now he comes to our BBQs. Life's weird sometimes.

Mistakes I Made (So You Don't Have To)

I screwed up a lot when I started. Learn from my mistakes.

Don't pay right away. Try free stuff first. Always.

Don't trust everything. Some sites have old info. Double-check when you can.

Don't be a hero. If it seems dangerous, call the cops. Don't play detective for real crimes.

Don't spread info around. Just because you found someone's details doesn't mean you should share them.

Is This Even Okay to Do?

Important question. Is looking up numbers ethical?

Here's my rule. I only do it for:

Missed calls I'm curious about

Protecting my family

Avoiding scams

Finding old friends

I never use it for:

Stalking people

Being creepy

Anything illegal

Be cool about it. Please.

Those Annoying Robocalls

We gotta talk about robocalls. I get like ten a day. It's insane.

Here's what actually helps:

Sign up for Do Not Call. It's not perfect. But it helps a bit.

Use your phone's spam blocking. iPhones and Androids are pretty good at this now.

Get a blocking app. RoboKiller is my favorite. Blocks known spam numbers automatically.

Don't answer unknown numbers. If it's important, they'll leave a message.

Tech Tips That Make Life Easier

Here's some nerdy stuff that actually helps.

Try Different Formats

Search engines are picky. Try:

(555) 123-4567

555-123-4567

5551234567

One might work when others don't.

Google Like a Pro

Use these tricks:

"555-123-4567" site:facebook.com

"555-123-4567" -spam -scam

Finds better results.

Check Multiple Places

Never trust just one site. I always check at least three. Better safe than sorry.

What's Coming Next?

Privacy laws are changing. Finding who is this number registered to might get harder. Or easier. Who knows?

What I do know? We all need to be more careful. With our info. And with unknown callers.

When Nothing Works

Real talk. Sometimes you just can't find who called. And that's fine.

If it's important, they'll call again. If not? You saved yourself some trouble.

Not every mystery needs solving.

Bottom Line

Looking up phone numbers is a useful skill. We all need it these days. For safety. For peace of mind. Or just because we're curious.

Remember:

Start free

Be ethical

Protect yourself too

Know when to quit

These methods work. I use them all the time. They're not magic. But they're good enough.

Oh, and that old man who was texting my son? Best apple pie I've ever had. His wife makes it from scratch. Sometimes wierd situations lead to good things.

Stay safe. Next time you get a mystery call, you'll know what to do.

Super Quick Cheat Sheet

Skimmed the article? No worries. Here's the short version:

Free Stuff:

Google (with quotes)

WhitePages

TrueCaller

SpyDialer

Facebook search

Paid Stuff:

BeenVerified

Intelius

CheckMate

For Spam:

WhoCallsMe

800Notes

Do Not Call list

Protect Yourself:

Remove your info from data sites

Use Google Voice

Make social media private

That's it. Use these tools wisely. Don't be creepy.

Ever tracked down a mystery caller? What worked for you? I'm always looking for new tricks.

[apoetinthestarrs]

Not In Service

Hey, it's me again. Can you hear me okay?

I've been trying to reach you but the number I have dialed is no longer in service.

I just wanted to call and lie to you and say that I'm fine.

I wanted to fill you in on all the great things I've been experiencing these past few years.

You know, all of the things you have to miss out on?

Like all these concerts and shows I get to go to, and all of these amazing new people I've met.

I wanted to see if you ever go back and reread old messages from each other.

Lord knows I do.

How's the weather? Is it always sunny where you're at?

How's your mom? I bet she is just thrilled to have you back with her.

I'm so happy you get to be with her now. I know how much it hurt when she left.

Do you remember all of the bad things we would get into as teenagers?

I would be lying to you again if I said I wouldn't trade anything to live those memories out again.

Like the time Chloe got so mad at us for getting drunk and skinny dipping on the beach.

Or how everynight on our way back to my dads we would terrorize the caribou over cheesy fries.

All of those memories are just photographs now.

You and my memories have that in common.

I've been trying to get a hold of you for a while now.

But I keep getting the same message.

The number you have dialed is no longer in service. Please check the number and dial again.

I can't begin to tell you how many times I've checked the number, let alone the contact in my phone.

Even though I am unable to reach you there anymore, I can't get myself to delete it.

A part of me believes that if I hit the red delete it will erase you from every corner of my life.

It's stupid, I know, but I just can't get myself to do it.

Because what if one day I wake up, and these past 6 years have been a dream?

What if I wake up back in my highschool bedroom on a warm saturday in august?

What if I look down at my phone and see that I have missed texts from you in the groupchat?

I could let out a sigh of relief knowing you are just down the street from me again.

It's stupid, I know, because the number I have been dialing is no longer in service. I should check the number and dial again.

[alsjeblieft-zeg]

211 of 2025

Was the last book you read for fun, or was it for some type of assignment?

For fun. I'm still reading these horror stories about trains.

Have you accomplished any goals you set for yourself this year so far?

Lol. Better don't ask. I'm failing as hell.

If you could go forward in time and see your life 5 years from now, what would you hope to see?

A happy person still being married to the same person and working in the same workplace.

Are there still movie rental stores where you live or have they all gone out of business?

I don't even know if they still exist, now that we have streaming services.

What was the last thing to annoy you or make you upset?

I don't remember.

Do you think you would be a good match for your celebrity crush/es assuming you have one? Why? If you don’t have one, who was the last person you saw that you found attractive?

The last person I found attractive was probably one of the train conductors lol. As usual.

When looking for something to watch on TV do you tend to pick shows you know you like, or try new shows that look interesting even though you’ve never heard of them before?

It depends if I'm in a mood to try something new, but usually I stick to what I like. I have my TV show wishlist, though.

Have you ever been ditched by someone only to find them out and about with someone else?

Nope. I don't recall any situation like that.

How old were you when you had your wisdom teeth removed?

I've never had them removed. I've never felt them grow, actually. One day I just noticed they were there.

What is the last song you sang out loud?

I don't remember, probably something in the car.

Have you ever dated someone you met online?

Hell no. I don't trust people that much.

Do you wish you were taller or shorter?

A bit taller. 5'11 is not much enough for me.

Where was the last job application you filled out sent to?

The place I've been working for the last 11 years and counting.

Have you ever been fired from a job?

Not really. More blocked from going back abroad for a business trip.

What do people tell you your voice sounds like?

Nasal. Well, they're not wrong XD I also sound like a teenage boy, for real.

What financial class are you?

Upper working class, I guess. The people who do physical labour, but are qualified, have diplomas and do the job they're actually qualified for.

What poster is hanging closest to you?

We don't have posters in our house.

What time did you go to bed last night?

Around midnight.

Do you watch any reality shows?

Only when they happen in TV I set as a background noise, but even then, I don't really watch.

Are you more comfortable with men or women?

Men, I think. We all have something in common, after all.

Do you think you’re fat?

Always and forever. Even if my weight was 1 kg, I would still feel fat lol. Not realistic, though.

Have you ever borrowed money from someone and never repaid them?

No. I don't do such things and I don't like when others do it.

Do you have a pet cat?

How did you know, I have Susie. And Susie is a cat. :P Previously we also had another cat, Victoria, but cancer took her away at the age of 12. I miss her every single day.

What is worse: physical or emotional pain?

Both, it's impossible to choose.

If you had to get up at 6 AM tomorrow morning, would it be painful?

Guess what, I have to get up at 6am tomorrow. I have to go to work.

How is your hair?

Still there. At the moment, still wet from the shower. It has to be re-dyed, too. I can see my natural boring brown colour peeking out.

Are you happy with life at the moment?

I'm just okay-ish. Full of hope, though.

Who was the last person who called you?

Some private number. I don't pick up private numbers.

How long does it take you to fall asleep at night?

It depends. Apparently not that long anymore. If I experience hypnic jerks, I know I'm getting there.

How many people have you had strong feelings for in the year of 2012?

Oh lol damn, this survey is old.

What are you doing for your next birthday?

Probably existing. At least I hope so.

Would you go on a date with someone right now if they asked?

No. Why would a married person be going on dates.

When did you last drop your phone?

I don't remember, but I do it often.

Do you believe that if you want something bad enough, you’ll get it?

Happens to me almost all the time, so yes.

Is it ever too late to apologize?

It is. Particularly when you moved on with life already.

Do you think things will change in the next few months?

Maybe they will, maybe they won't. Hopefully the next few months will bring good news to us.

Do you know any of your neighbors?

I know many of them by name.

List three things near you:

Box of handmade earrings, notebooks, smartphone.

What was the last thing you watched on the TV?

Probably that Polish sitcom again.

What do you hear?

The music from my husband's PS5 game.

Is confidence cute?

It's intimidating.

What is the last beverage you had?

Hot leek soup.

Last movie you watched?

I don't watch movies, I'm sick of all these movie questions already.

Who were you with?

No one.

Who came over last?

What?

Where is your phone?

Right next to me, charging.

Spell your name without vowels:

JR. Nothing impressive.

What are you listening to?

How many similar-sounding questions in the same survey yet?

What is your favourite scent?

Vanilla and cinnamon.

Who has the same phone as you?

Jeanmarie, I think. Unless he changed it to a newer one.

Where was the last place you bought something?

The canteen in the sports club in Kanegem. We got leek soup and hot chocolate.

Everybody lies. Do you agree?

Yup. Even saying you're okay when you're not okay is a lie, isn't it?

Have you ever wanted to be a ballet dancer?

Lol no. Not in a million years.

Does your family keep tons of leftovers in the fridge?

Nope. We throw leftovers away.

Favourite FRIENDS character? That is, if you like it.

None in particular, but I can easily say I like Ross and Phoebe the least.

Skullcandy headphones, yay or nay?

I've never had them, so no opinion.

Are you thinking of getting another piercing? Where?

Nah, what I have is much enough.

Do you love when people remember little things about you?

Who doesn't. It means you pay attention and you care.

Do you ‘bless’ strangers when they sneeze?

No. We don't say "bless you" in my country. We say "gezondheid", which means health. Similar to the Polish way.

How many phones have you gone through?

I wish I could remember lol. I've been having cellphones since I was 16, so already for 17 years.

What was your favorite Disney movie growing up?

None.

Are white walls boring?

Nope. White goes well with almost everything.

Any teacher you’ve ever had that’s made a lasting impression?

Yeah, probably.

Have you always lived in the house you currently reside in?

No. I moved here in 2018, after coming back to my country from abroad. My hometown is not where I currently live, too.

Do you own any band tees?

From the top of my head:

Evanescence x3

Volumes x1

Periphery x1

Vildhjarta x2

HRFTR x1

Gojira x2

Tesseract x2

Textures x1

At The Gates x2

Katatonia x1

Veil Of Maya x1

Meshuggah x1

Monuments x1

Eminem x1

Linkin Park x1

Paradise Lost x1

Do you like to drink wine?

I love semi-sweet white wine. But now I don't drink alcohol at all.

Assuming you’ve gone to a concert before, who performed at your most favorite one?

Nope.

Have you ever stayed up all night while drunk or high?

No. When I was drunk, I was falling asleep lol.

Do you think your future will be a good one?

I hope so. For my family, for my workplace and for myself.

[tyrantchimeraart]

The werewolf ran a doggy daycare, or so he said. You noticed that the furs were always the same colour as his own hair, coarse, and stuck mostly on the inside of his clothes. He also tore his shirts a lot. He works out you see, or so he said, and kept forgetting to buy larger clothes, or ones that stretch. You suggested he get a bunch of button-up shirts with those snap on/rip off buttons. You sell them after all. You'd never seen someone look so stupified nor relieved before.

The vampire was a surgeon, or so she said. Or maybe a mortician. She was always so bad at taking the thin labcoats, or oops, so clumsy of her to get a mess all over her when cutting up that beef, or it was nosebleeds or falling down stairs or a great number of things. She'd given you a hard time when she first came in, as you'd made remarks about the amount of blood. A joke about a murder scene. She'd taken offense at it. But hey, you had a right to be annoyed; blood is a bitch to get out of fabric. Now you give her a hard time instead because you're rather petty, and it's rather funny. You have no idea if she's caught onto the gag or not yet. But she keeps coming back, and she even gave you an epic old outfit when you said you were going to a Ren Fair. It wasn't her style anymore, she said.

The faerie was a kindergarten teacher, or so they said. You respectfully refer to them with gender neutral pronouns because, honest to God, you can't tell if they're one or the other gender. Maybe both. Maybe neither. Maybe whatever the hell they feel like that day. Whatever. The glitter on their clothes is from all the arts and crafts, they say. Oh kids! Such little terrors! Your favourite coworker had to climb up a ladder to get their favourite sweater once, when they got the glitter on it by accident and it started to float into the rafters. They're the friendliest customer you have... Even if their five adopted kids can be a bit raucous.

The Karen was a friend of the manager, or so she said. She demanded a discount and screeched in fury that her shitty, fake-silk dress couldn't be cleaned and tailored within the next half hour. It was the exact kind of material to melt with the tiniest bit of steam and it had a horrible wine stain that would never come out. She also demanded you make it two sizes bigger, for free, since that's what tailor/dry-cleaner/whatever! shops were apparently supposed to do. You refused. You can't summon material out of thin air, after all. She accused you of calling her fat. Then she went on a rant about how heathen the place was and she should have known better to expect anything more than the lousiest of service from a place that had a fairy godmother as their mascot.

In some cities in the world, it is safe to be a magical creature. This is not yet one of them.

My favorite coworker came from Africa, or so he said. His skin is as pale as bleached rice. He's happiest in the hottest places in the back, whether that be folding clothes next to the dryer vents, or ironing away next to the heater as steam blasts them in the face. They didn't even blink when we hit record high temperatures three summers in a row. We don't have air conditioning in the back as we're a very small business, after all, and most of the space goes to clothing. They were never thirsty, or so he said. Yet he always had a bottle of ice water handy whenever I needed it. In return, I warned him when his red, pointy tail slipped out of his jeans. We regularly go out for coffee and I've been to his place once or twice to hang out and play games. If the cross on his wall is upside down and surrounded by a blood-red pentagram, well. It's none of my business. He couldn't care less about my soul.

I am not a magical creature, or so I've said. And it's true. I'm not. Yet I'll never sell one out, despite all that horrid propaganda out there. They're some of the best people I know. They know what it's like to be ostracized and, well, so do I. I wasn't exactly popular growing up. Besides, if I may be a little selfish... between Karens and Krakens, the krakens always tip better.

Prompt: 130

The vampire who frequents your dry cleaning service had told you many things. He was a surgeon, he had frequent nosebleeds, he was clumsy. You knew what he was, but wanted to see exactly how elaborate his excuses could get.