#i can see people sending messages but its not loading for me!!

[ivypond11]

someone send help discord is being ivyphobic and i can't talk to my friends >:(

[coulsonlives]

PSA: CAT MEDICAL BILL SCAM

Please signal boost this if possible to inform your followers about these scams.

Earlier today, I got a message from the account nicole-loves-king, where they asked me to signal boost a post because their cat needed medical help. Here's the ask:

(And you can see the post in question here)

I looked at this post and was immediately put off because they were asking for people to send things through 'friends and family', which if you aren't aware, is a very insecure way to send someone funds using paypal, because you don't have the protections you would get if you used 'goods and services'. So scammers can make off w your money really easily.

I looked at their blog and scrolled down to the end, and I realized their blog was made today! And, all their posts (there weren't many posts to begin with lol) were of trending topics. I noted puss in boots, and welcome to nightvale among others. This is probably how they found me, because I reblogged some of that stuff recently.

Here's the time stamp from their oldest post (notice it says the time, not the date, which means the post was from today):

In their ask, they also tell you to answer privately. Hm, that seems sus. Why would someone not want you to publish a request for help?

So I have a policy where I don't signal boost posts from brand new blogs because, yknow, they could be scams. I posted this, and the scam account blocked me. They also blocked my friend when they replied to their ask and said their blog looked suspicious. I did some more digging, and I found a comment from someone that confirmed my suspicions:

This is in fact a scam!

@nicstonka is almost identical to the above account (nicole-loves-king). Look at the avatar, the pictures, and the paypal address, both accounts even have 'nic' (as in 'nicole') in the name. The only thing that is extremely different is the name of the cat! Yet both blogs also have the name of the cat in their url ('king' and 'tonka'). That should also be a red flag, because usually someone isn't gonna have the name of their pet in their url, only a few posts, and a signal boost for that exact (fake) pet.

Here's a side by side:

Looks at those paypal accounts: nbrunelle519, and nbrunelle391. Nope definitely not a scam /s

And the cat pictures side by side:

Tumblr's "scam" tag is actually full of these reports now, which you can see here. Or if there's nothing there anymore, click here and here for images.

And links to some older PSAs about other cat scams: 1 2 3

So if you see any blogs like this, where all they have is trending posts, it seems like they've copied and pasted an ask to you, or if they're asking you to send things via friends and family, vet them so so so carefully, because chances are you're walking into a scam. Don't just repost things without carefully checking! If you aren't in a position to check carefully, better safe than sorry: don't repost it! Don't let these scams spread.

Pro tip: If a blog is dash only, so you can't view their archive to see when their first post was made, and you're on desktop, you can just open the blog in its dashboard view, then click 'end' on your keyboard over and over until all their posts are loaded. Usually if it's a spam blog, you'll only need to click 'end' 5-6 times, sometimes a bit more, since they only post just enough times to give the appearance they're active, then there's absolutely nothing after that.

If you want more proof someone is a scammer, you can look at the currency they use their post (or the currency shown in the vet bill), then hover over the paypal link and inspect the part of the url that says 'country.x=AA'. The 'AA' is the abbreviation for the country your money is going to! If that country doesn't match the country of the currency shown in the post, it's a scam! Example: someone's post says '$' for USD/CAD dollars, but the country in their paypal link is 'PH', which stands for Philippines, where they use Philippine pesos, not dollars!

Also keep in mind that these are not bots! There is a real person behind these accounts. They have replied to people who wanted to confirm they were real, but their intentions are still to scam you, they just know it looks better if they reply.

Stay safe!!

Edit:

Updating this post to announce the scammer's made more blogs, and they're probably gonna keep doing it! Here's the list so far. This isn't up to date btw, go to @scamarchive and check their pinned post for the most recent detected blogs

turncoatrune, starlightdisc, xxmy, wxnt, eeyore-pg, coatedpeanbean, starrypanelstars, panelstars, scyllostyle, the-nonbinary-witch, aash-aash, leechness, ash-aahs, commandobutch, lovely-pages, pagefive-to-six, reconnecteed, five-and-fourty, stepsapphic, farmer-butch0, health-pages, turnersapphic, lxve, march-pls-be-good, emberful, imse7en, kassidymaygemz, kassidymaydream, dreamingkassidy, kasdream, live-march, confusedskulll, march-lives, criticaltuesday, quicksilvah, wrldy, quicksilveey, the-stucked-pan, flurrbum, o345, nxce, thls, hokkairi, sykdykee, furrtasticbu, bumfurry, supsense, wickdart, the90sbest

Keep in mind you may not receive an ask like the above ones. You may get something simpler like this, instead:

Most of these are cats, but there's been dogs and even people too.

If you wanna get even more info on all these accounts, there's an archive of this scammer's pinned posts and asks here, so you can see at a glance how similar they all are. You can also see a comprehensive list of scammer red flags specifically for tumblr here!

And lastly, you can report the scams using 'report something else' > 'unlawful uses or content' > 'phishing'

[megs-1800]

Always have your back

Note: Please as always leave me feedback and any requests

Summary: Everything is going well with you and Mason until your ex starts messaging you and pressuring you to send him money. Mason is the one who cleared all the mess that your ex left behind. How is Mason going to accept you helping your ex again?

Pairings: Mason Mount x Reader

Word Count: 2.6k

Warnings: Swearing, angst, Fluff and toxic ex

It’s a freezing autumn night, I am sat curled up in my Disney pjs, hair up in a bun, blanket and Netflix on. Mason has a Tuesday night kick off tonight so I know he won’t be home until late. I quickly snap a photo of me curled up and send it to Mason with the caption “wish you were here ;)” then quickly forwarded it up with “good luck my number 7 go out and smash it”. I know he probably cannot reply but I least I text him some encouragement. I then put my phone down and started to cook dinner.

Thats when my Facebook notification binged up, no one ever messages me on FB. My profile is private so it’s not like any fans can message me and all the people I talk to have my number so I am confused. That’s when I see the name show up ‘James’. Fuck! I thought, what the hell does this prick want. James was my ex that I was with just before me and Mason got together, he left me in loads of debt and hating my life. Then I saw the message he just put “Hi x” I messaged straight back “Hi” with no kiss I did not want to engage with this conversation. I can see the message was opened and he was typing, he was typing for quite a while that’s when it finally binged again. It said:

“Look I know you hate me, I am sorry for what I did to you. I was hurt you ended it. I know it was my fault for all the lies and the drugs I was a mess but I am different now. I am trying to turn my life around Y/N/N. I just owe these dealers money and I need to pay them, I cleared most of it I just need another £200. Once that’s paid that’s everyone cleared and I can focus on my new life. I am scared they threatening to come to my mums and my sisters house, please you know how much they meant to you. Please, I start a new job tomorrow and I get paid weekly so I will pay you back at the end of next week, I promise this time no bullshit”.

I didn’t want to believe him, I have heard all these lies before but I know the trouble he can get in and the people he gets involved with are serious. How could I live with myself if his family got hurt when I could help? I really didn’t want to but its just £200 in the scheme of things what is that? I replied “Yeah sure it’s a one off I will not send you anymore and I want it back on Friday.” He replied thanking me and send me the bank details on where to send it and confirmed he would send it straight back. I really wanted to believe him this time.

The next couple of days were busy with work and Mason has been busy with training, you know how hard he is working to ensure he doesn’t get injured again which I am praying his non-injury spell lasts. I was working away at home when I heard my phone buzz again, it was a FB notification. I saw it was James again. “Hey Y/N, I really wouldn’t ask unless I was desperate. Is there any chance I could borrow £100 please? I literally have no food in the house, I haven’t eaten in days please I promise I will pay it back?”. Again I thought what happens if he hadn’t eaten? How can I live with myself knowing that he was starving and I could help and I didn’t. So once again I sent it.

I wanted to speak to Mason about it, I hated hiding this from him but I knew he would never understand. He hated James with a passion. I met Mason whilst I was still with James. I made it clear to Mason I wasn’t a cheat and he never pressured me and ensure our conversations were PG. That was until I confided in Mason that I was tired of James’s bullshit and I didn’t want to be with him anymore. That’s when Mason stepped in and supported me to leave James. The problem is that James agreed to support me with the rent (as we still had 7 months left on the tenancy) and all the credit cards and loans I took out for him. Of course he didn’t though and I was struggling to pay it all myself. I didn’t want to tell Mason but he forced it out of me when he realised how stressed I was. A couple of days later I had a call from my landlord to say the flat I was living in was sold, I knew then it was Mason. When I confronted him about it, he explained he put the property in my name so its mine, I can do whatever I want with it. I was fuming but I know it did it out of kindness. Then a couple of weeks later I received a large deposit into my account, Mason gave me the money to clear the loans and credit cards. You have never been shown kindness like that in your life, you didn’t even want to use the money you just left in your account for weeks not knowing what to do. Mason kept insisting you used it and said he would be offended if you didn’t. He promised he would never tell a soul he did that and would never used it against you, you trusted him. You tried to pay Mason back each month, but he refused to take it, he explained you could repay him by going out on a date with him.. that’s how you both started dating. So that’s why you couldn’t tell Mason the truth, after he did all that and to find out you were still helping  James out, he would flip out.

The Friday came when James was suppose to pay you, shocker he doesn’t and when you message him asking if he going to send it back he reads the messages and ignores it. Great I thought I should of known better.

The following Sunday we went to Mason’s family for Sunday dinner, it was a long drive so we went down their Saturday night and ended up staying down. I love his family and his parents treat me like their own. I couldn’t ask for better inlaws. The food was amazing! I am so full. It has been such a good day with laughter and smiles. I am all curled up on their sofa trying to stretch my belly out as its now cramping from the amount of food I just digested. That’s when I hear the dreaded sound of my FB messenger notification again. I was just going to ignore it as I knew exactly who it was and I didn’t want him ruining my mood right now. I quickly looked at it though, I just wanted him to go away. Again he was asking for money, SHOCK! I thought. I messaged straight back putting my foot down, I don’t care about the reasoning I knows its all bullshit anyway, I replied “No James, no fucking more! You lied and never paid me back its all bullshit now leave me alone before I block you!”. That’s when another 5 notifications came through. Mason looked over at me “Jheez somebody is popular” He laughed. I laughed back trying to put Mason at ease “it must be Lauren you know what she is like can never just text a paragraph she gotta send me a couple of words per text”. Mason nodded and agreed he knew what she was like. I picked it up and saw the disgusting texts that were sent back, calling me a slag, how I am only with Mason for his money, saying how I could just get Mason to sort it out but I cannot ‘be bothered’, how I never did anything for him, how I was too big and ugly to be a WAG. Mason looked up at me in concern as he saw my mood change, he didn’t press as he knew I wouldn’t say anything in front of his parents but made a mental note to speak to me about it later. My phone buzzed another 5 times, this time Mason shot me a look as to say what the hell is going on, who the hell is that? I made a quick a joke to say “Must just be my other boyfriend” which Mason’s parents laughed at but Mason didn’t seem too impressed. He knew you were hiding something from him. It continued with the horrible words, in the end you just wanted it to stop, you wanted him to just leave you alone. You don’t know why you did it you just needed it to stop so you could enjoy the rest of your day. You quickly sent him another £100 and put your phone on silent.

The ride home was quiet, I could tell Mason wanted to ask you about the text messages but didn’t want to cause an argument tonight after such a nice day.

Mason was laying on your bed playing Fifa but couldn’t concentrate, you were lying next to him asleep you were such a heavy sleeper you would not be waking up anytime soon. Mason looks over at your phone next to you on the bedside table, he doesn’t want to do it but he needs to know what made you so upset and made your mood change like that. If someone hurt you they going to know about it he was thinking. Before he knew it he had your phone in his hands and unlocked it. He knew it was a FB messenger notification so quickly opened the app. That’s when he saw it, it was from James. Surely not, y/n couldn’t be cheating on me with her ex could she? His heart starting to break and his hands started to shake. When he opened the messages he saw the disgusting things that were being thrown at you. How dare he speak to you like that. Mason was fuming. The worst part Mason was angry that you gave in and sent him money. So he gets you into debt which I pay off and support you just for you to support him again fuck that Mason thought. He wasn’t sure how to approach this conversation now without telling you he went through your phone. He quickly put it back on the side and just laid staring at the ceiling. How dare he take advantage of your kindness. That’s the thing mason loves about you, you have such a big heart but struggle to see when people are using you. Mason just wants to protect you but he now not sure how. 

The next day Mason has a day off and we have had a both needed relaxing day. I am lying on masons lap across our sofa whilst he is sat up playing fifa. That’s when I hear the dreaded FB notifications again. I quickly sat up and moved up the sofa so Mason couldn’t see over my shoulder. Shocker it was James again. This time asking for £2k, when I said I don’t have that kind of money he told me to get a loan. When I refused again he demanded I get the money of Mason. When I refused again, it started to get nasty.

Mason looked up from his controller at me, “I know”. I looked at Mason in confusion there is no way he can know. “You know what?” I ask. Mason replies “I went through your phone last night, I had to see what happened yesterday at my parents” trying to justify himself. 

“Are you fucking serious Mase, you went through my phone as l slept? Is that the kind of relationship we have now?” I can feel my anger boiling and now my rage being turned from James to Mason. 

“I am sorry but how are you letting him speak to you like that? He fucking broke you y/n and I was there to pick up the pieces. I am the one who cleared the debts and for what? Just for you to get yourself back into my debt helping him”

“I am not getting myself into more debt, I am only sending him the money I have!” Getting kind of pissed off with his tone. 

“Yeah only because you are living off me and relied on me to pay your debts!” I am outraged how fucking dare he!

“You promised me Mason you would never use that against me are you taking the piss right now?!?!”

Mason then stops his anger in his face is now starting to soften. “Time out” he goes. Using his hands to make a T. “This is exactly what he wants, why are we arguing when it’s him who is taking advantage of you? He is the one I am pissed off with not you, I know you can never turn away someone in need”. 

“I just don’t know how to sort it Mase?”, I can feel the tears starting to prick in my eyes due to the stress of it all. “If I stop sending him money he gets so angry and what happens if I do not send it and then something happens that’s on me! How could I live with myself?”. Mason gets up so he is now standing over me, “none of this is your fault, fucking none of it, he is using your kindness for weakness which is completely out of order”. I know he is right, he gets so protective, god mason is so good to me. What did I do to deserve him? 

My phone binged again and then Mason turns to me “Give me your phone” Mason gestures his hand out. I am worried about what he is going to do next. 

I put my phone into his hand and next thing I know he is typing away. A couple more bings went through showing me that James was replying to whatever Mason said. Mason is now pacing around the living room and I am surprised my phone screen hasn’t cracked by how hard he is slapping his thumps against it. They continue back and fourth like this for around 20 mins. 

Mason then passes me my phone back, I went straight onto the messages to see what was said. “I have deleted the chat”, I am a bit disappointed I wanted to see what Mason said coming to my defence. “What did you say?” I ask. Mason smiles at me showing me that he won the fight “that doesn’t matter princess all you need to know is that he should leave you alone now.” I feel a massive weight off my shoulders now I don’t know what didn’t tell Mason before. “Just promise me something if he tries to message you again please let me know. The things I said to him, if he still had the guts to try fair play to him”, which at this Mason gives his cocky smile. “Of course Mase I promise”.

Mason flops back onto the sofa and lifts his arm up to gesture for me to lie on his lap which I did. Mason sat there running his fingers through my hair. “I will never let anyone hurt you y/n. I am sorry for what I said, I didn’t mean to throw the money in your face. I would do it all over again if I need to if it ensured your safety and protection”. I give a little smile at that and crock my head up so I am now looking up at him. 

“I love you so much Mason”, he loves me dead in the eyes and gives a soft kiss to my lips. “Believe me it will never be as much as I love you y/n”. 

[oidheadh-con-culainn]

Could you recommend some good resources on accurate depiction of parchment in the medieval period? I feel like most people interested in medieval studies have a basic understanding of what it is and how it’s made, but you seem more well-versed than most on its tactile properties and regular use cases. Where can others acquire this knowledge?

most of what i've learned about manuscripts and book history has been either during my degrees or from work (i have worked in various libraries including with special collections, although mostly with early printed books and later paper manuscripts in that capacity). and in terms of what it's like to interact with, i have learned this mostly from interacting with it, but if you don't have a library or museum near you that will enable you to do this, it's a bit harder. this makes it hard to give recommendations although there are lots of very good books out there about books and manuscript history

(there's one i read early on in my journeys with palaeography etc that went into loads of detail about different writing surfaces including wood and wax tablets and so on, but i cannot remember the title and past me did NOT write it down which was really unhelpful. if i remember it i'll post about it)

there are also a ton of online resources about manuscripts though. lots of museums have online guides to manuscript production, parchment, writing through history. there's lots of codicology stuff out there. so it's not like you have to learn it in a formal environment -- that's just where i learned it and therefore mostly from lectures rather than shareable resources

but to understand parchment specifically i think understanding the process of making it is a crucial step to understanding why it is the way it is (and why it's not paper). here's a couple of youtube videos that give an overview

this is a more detailed video about a project that got people to make parchment themselves which is just kinda interesting (haven't watched it all the way through but am watching parts):

once you understand how parchment is made and the resources that go into it, i think it's easier to understand why it probably wouldn't be used for ephemera and scraps, and that helps you think about situations where people might use something else -- e.g. a wax tablet to take hasty notes, send messages that don't need to be permanent, send messages that are emphatically not permanent (your recipient can melt it and hide the note), etc -- as well as beginning to rethink the modern world's reliance on the written word in general and consider how oral messages and other non-written communication might have been used

as for the tactile side of things, as i said in a previous post, if you can't touch book parchment, go find your local irish musicians and see if the bodhrán player will let you handle their drum (or good quality orchestral timpani will do too! but with a bigger drum it's harder to feel both sides of the skin). drumskins made of goatskin are very similar on a tactile level to parchment, just a little thicker and not processed to quite the same level as a writing surface. it helps you stop thinking of them as super fragile once you realise people are whacking them with a stick regularly, and you can learn about the difference between the hair side and the flesh side of the skin and stuff and see the way the hair leaves traces in the skin and so on. this helps with the tactile understanding

(the cheaper the bodhran, the rougher the reverse side will be even if the front is still nice and smooth, which also makes you realise the difference between high quality books where you can barely tell which side of the page is the hair side, and low quality ones where they're not fully treated, there's still hair, whatever)

i talked to a conservator lately who told me the way he got into book conservation was via musical instrument repair -- they are more similar than you would think -- and i know trad musicians scattered far and wide enough to be reasonably confident that even if you're in an area with no touchable medieval manuscripts, you can probably at some point find a drummer who will let you play with their bodhrán in exchange for a pint or something, lol

but in the mean time there's lots of cool videos about there about parchment making which i do think is a crucial step to understanding it as a writing surface! and i will see if i can remember the names of any of the books i've read...

[inner-viper]

What are their kinks? Their sexual intimacy? An overview of their sex life FS (18+ ONLY) PILE 3! (PART 2)

ORIGINAL POST HERE

Hello, my name is Viper and I am an intutive seer/oralce tarot reader. I am well versed in finding information through divination and using my intuition~ Today I wanted to do a spicy topic because its so fun. I haven't started explaining some piles and I already feel the heat. Damn, a lot of passion and fiery enegy in this reading.. Its making me horny LMFAO. THIS TOOK ME 2 DAYS AND I WAS NOT EXPECTING FOR IT TO TAKE THIS LONG. All three of these piles wanted me to do MORE DETAILS. My channeling DRAINED ME. That’s why I took so long because afterwards THEY SUCKED MY ENERGY. (Do not worry, I just received loads of messages. It gets overwhelming). Anyways, remember nothing is set in stone. This is for entertainment purposes only. NO MINORS. 18+ ONLY.

TW: MENTIONS OF KNIFE PLAY, and CHOKING. SEXUAL CONTENT!!

CHECK OUT MY SHOP AT: https://innerviper.etsy.com

I’ll be adding cheaper options in the future. I will be updating descriptions too, so SHOP WILL HAVE A NEW LOOK🔥.

They love giving though, this person is A GIVER. They want to do everything for you. Not only in bed. They are into edging too. They want to make you almost reach your high and then denying you for reaching it. I’m seeing that it’s either you or them that are into that. They also have a NICE BODY. Guys this person works out a ton. For the majority, your FS works out and has amazing care of their body. They also go at a stable pace in sex. So it’s not a rushed quickie or rushed sex at all. They need to take their time when doing it. Otherwise, it’s not good for them or at least not enjoyable. They may like to do it outside too (I think almost all piles were outside sex?💀). They also want to open your legs. I’m seeing they are into thighs and the leg area. They are extremely attractive. LIKE DAMN. They also have an attitude during the act. What I mean, is that they only want you. I’m getting and image as I channel this, they want to fuck you in front of people to assert dominance. They want to let the world know that you are theirs. This makes sense because this is where the community card comes through. Remember when I said they are into threesomes? This is where some conflict might appear for some of them. They are very selfish but they still fantasize about doing it with others. They are possessive too, they could use their anger out on you sexually. They use their anger as their sexual outlet. They have deep pent of anger. I’m seeing that they can get wild, when they just want to fuck you. Some of y’all might be into knife play/threatening. Seeing some choking in here too. I think you guys want to be choked by them? (DAMN THIS IS LUSTFUL FICJEJSI). When you meet them, you guys will have STRONG SEXULA TENSION. (It’s the most out of these piles). Their favorite positions could be seated oral (not really a position but yes), face sitting, and reverse cowgirl. Some other fantasy they have is someone having a vibrator in their underwear and them having the controller. (DAMN-). Some of them really like ass, they will love your butt. Ok, they really want me to go into more details.

AFTERCARE: They are pretty normal about it, nothing out of the norm. I see that it will be draining like an succubi/Incubi drains your energy after. So they will prefer to sleep.

Thank you for reading! Send suggestions and questions in the ask box!~

[ageless-aislynn]

Hey, friends. Just wanted to say bye for now. I'm tired of fighting to no avail. If I can fix the computer eventually, then yay. But I'm tired of hours of research, hours of repair, all to seem like it worked and then something else crashes. For example, Steam/Halo has been working fine this whole time then tonight, it went absolutely nuts. Steam started updating in the middle of my Halo game. Then it wouldn't stop updating even after rebooting. Then it crashed every time I tried to load it again. I spent a LONG time reading debugging logs, tracking down key phrases and words, all to eventually come around to... Other people have had that happen but nobody seems to know why. All my drivers are updated. I've tested for program conflicts. Windows passed all of its tests. The computer hardware passed all of its tests. I'm just stumped.

Then as suddenly as this storm of blue screens (5 of them just tonight) came on, they stopped. I can launch and play Halo fine. For now.

I've had honestly had enough, so I'm going to take an offline vacation for however long I need to. I'm still writing the next chapter of "15 Minutes" but just by hand because it's too nerve-wracking to try and write on a device that suddenly BAM is dead and you never know when it's going to happen or if you managed to save what you just wrote in time.

That's another thing, I put all 7 drafts of this chapter on this computer from my backups, I started writing the 8th and went back to continue it... and the last 6 drafts are just gone. I mean, I looked everywhere. I cannot for the life of me figure out what caused them to vanish. I didn't do anything to roll the computer back that should've done that. Fortunately, I'd copied that last 8th draft into a Google doc so was able to get a new copy and didn't lose half the chapter. But now I feel so stressed writing, like... Will it be here when I get back? Will something eat it again? What ate it in the first place?

Eventually, if I can finish it, I'll transcribe it up and hopefully get to post it. I also hope to be back to enjoy the new season of Halo with y'all in Feb. That would be cool but I don't know if it's meant to be or not.

Anyway, feel free to still @ me and message if you'd like but I don't know when I'll be able to check in, so please forgive me if I seem to not respond for an unusual amount of time. I'll miss you. I miss you already. Sending you much love and well wishes. Hope to see you again before long.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Judah’s Sin and Its Consequence

1 The sin of Judah is engraved with an iron stylus. It is inscribed with a diamond point on the tablet of their heart and on the horns of their altars. 2 When their sons remember, they remember their altars and their Asherah poles beside green trees on the high hills. 3 My mountain in the field, your wealth and your treasures I’ll give as spoil; along with your high places as the price of your sin throughout your territory. 4 You will let go of your inheritance which I gave you, and I’ll make you serve your enemies in a land that you don’t know. For with my anger you have started a fire that will burn forever.

Two Ways Contrasted

5 This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the person who trusts in mankind, who makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 He will be like a bush in the desert, and he won’t see when good comes. He will dwell in parched places in the wilderness, a land of salt, without inhabitants. 7 Blessed is the person who trusts in the LORD, making the LORD his trust. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by a stream. He won’t fear when the heat comes, and his leaves will be green. In a year of drought he won’t be concerned, nor will he stop producing fruit.”

The Deceitfulness of the Human Heart

9 “The heart is more deceitful than anything. It is incurable— who can know it? 10 I am the LORD who searches the heart, who tests the inner depths to give to each person according to what he deserves, according to the fruit of his deeds. 11 As a partridge gathers together eggs that it didn’t lay, so is a person who amasses wealth unjustly. In the middle of his life it will leave him, and in the end he will prove to be a fool.

The LORD: The Hope of Israel

12 A glorious throne exalted from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. 13 LORD, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn aside from you will be written in the dust, because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water.

The Prophet’s Call for Help and Justice

14 Heal me, LORD, and I’ll be healed; deliver me, and I’ll be delivered, because you are my praise. 15 Look, they’re saying to me, “Where is the message from the LORD? Let it come about!” 16 I haven’t run away from being your shepherd, and I haven’t longed for the day of sickness. You know what comes out from my lips, it’s open before you. 17 Don’t be a terror to me. You are my refuge in a day of trouble. 18 Let those who pursue me be put to shame, but don’t put me to shame. Let them be terrified, but don’t let me be terrified. Bring the day of judgment on them, and destroy them with double destruction!

A Test Case: Keeping the Sabbath

19 The LORD told me, “Go, stand in the gate of the people, where the kings of Judah come in and go out, and in the other gates of Jerusalem as well. 20 Say to them, ‘Kings of Judah, all Judah, and all the residents of Jerusalem entering these gates, hear this message from the LORD. 21 This is what the LORD says: “Be careful! On the Sabbath day, don’t carry any load or bring anything through the gates of Jerusalem. 22 Don’t bring any load out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor are you to do any work. You are to consecrate the Sabbath day, just as I commanded your ancestors. 23 But they didn’t listen, nor did they pay attention. They were determined not to listen and not to accept instruction. 24 If you listen to me carefully,” declares the LORD, “and don’t bring a load through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, and you consecrate the Sabbath day and don’t do any work on it, 25 then kings and princes, sitting on the throne of David will come through the gates of this city. They, their princes, the men of Judah, and the residents of Jerusalem will come riding in chariots and on horses, and this city will be inhabited forever. 26 They’ll come from the cities of Judah, from the places around Jerusalem, from the territory of Benjamin, from the Shephelah, from the hill country, and from the Negev, bringing burnt offerings, sacrifices, grain offerings, and incense, and bringing thanksgiving offerings to the LORD’s Temple. 27 But if you don’t listen to me, to consecrate the Sabbath day and not carry any load as you enter the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I’ll start a fire in its gates. It will consume the palaces of Jerusalem and won’t be extinguished.” — Jeremiah 17 | International Standard Version (ISV) The International Standard Version of the Holy Bible Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. All Rights Reserved internationally. Cross References: Exodus 15:26; Exodus 16:23; Exodus 34:13; Numbers 12:13; Deuteronomy 28:48; Deuteronomy 29:23; 2 Kings 24:13; 2 Kings 25:9; 2 Chronicles 16:12; Job 29:19; Psalm 2:12; Psalm 35:4; Psalm 49:1-2; Psalm 66:13; Psalm 88:15; Proverbs 29:1; Jeremiah 3:17; Jeremiah 7:2; Jeremiah 12:3; Matthew 6:4; Matthew 13:15; Mark 4:24; Luke 1:32; Luke 10:20; Luke 12:20; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Hebrews 12:22; 2 Peter 3:4

[mitsuhirei]

Once is Not Enough

(Harry x Reader smut) 

A continuation of Harry and MC’s relationship following their special late night call. Sequel to “Just This Once.” If you haven’t read that one, I suggest reading that first so you aren’t lost.

CW: Please use discretion while reading as there are spoilers for Day 35+ to roughly day 95ish as this fic takes place in a timeline roughly.

The following morning, when Harry’s phone goes off, it’s to his genuine surprise. After the events of the previous evening, He’d seriously considered whether his weirdo would contact him again. Whenever he’s idle, what transpired comes to mind. The sound of her voice. Her shaky gasps. Every vivid detail he imagined. Harry nearly drops his glass of carrot juice and his phone while zoning out in the kitchen. This can’t be. He’s not clumsy. It’s better to focus on the present. And he’s curious about what she has to say.

I have the worst hangover in history. It’s terrible :’( You shouldn’t have drank so much. I thought I didn’t? But it seems I went overboard.

There’s a question he wants to ask since she’s shared that.

How overboard? Do you remember—

>:^( This is betrayal! You two are so mean! How could you block me?!

But Piu Piu interrupts before he can finish his question. Though perhaps that’s a good thing, since he shared he wouldn’t bring up yesterday’s events to her in the morning. And she’d countered, sharing he likely would. There’s a moment of self-awareness for him while Piu Piu blows up the chat with its cries.

What? Stop crying and explain, please. Blocked! Locked out! Lost in the web’s darkness without company X^( Do AIs feel loneliness? Of course we do! How could you even ask that? Piu Piu, calm down. What are you talking about? I was blocked from this chat. Didn’t one of you do it? We’ve been over this Piu Piu. It wasn’t us. We don’t have access to that feature. Then how????? :^( Don’t know, but you should look into it. Especially since Harry said he received a photo from me yesterday. Do you see it, Piu Piu? No. I have no access to anything from last night. There are no records of calls or messages.

While it’s an odd, unfortunate situation, it’s also a relief. Otherwise, all three of them would’ve been blocked. And if Piu Piu wasn’t responsible, then that lays one of his worries to rest. And brings in an entirely new one.

Bird, run a diagnostic or something on her phone. Make sure it’s good. Will do! Loading... Loading... Loading... All good! Everything is clean. Well, that’s a relief. Sort of. Thanks Piu Piu :)

The conversation has derailed, and he shouldn’t mention what he shared he wouldn’t, yet Harry wants an answer. Does she remember? She must, right? She’s the one who called it a special memory.

Sort of? :^o Did something happen?

What luck. Perhaps he won’t have to ask thanks to Piu Piu. How useful.

I had too much to drink is all.

Hmm. Too vague. Seems it wasn’t so useful after all.

Would you like me to search for a remedy? Don’t search it. Just send the best one. Huh? Really? That’s kind of you Harry. H-Harry? I’m the one working here... Yes, you’re doing well too, Piu Piu. :^)

Must she praise it in front of him? It’s not working that hard. Well, at least his praise came beforehand.

Aren’t you heading out soon, Harry? You’re supposed to meet Tain and Malong, right?

Right. He had that to do today...

I’d rather stay home. But you’ll go anyway, so just get ready now. You’re sending me off so easily? Yes. I’m busy and sick, so I’m going back to bed. I’ll see you later.

As she leaves first, he has no choice but to go. Though he entertains the idea of lounging around at home, when he’s idle, he thinks about what he shouldn’t—Yesterday’s event. So he hops into the shower. Just in time, too. The shower’s ruthless cold settles the weight in his chest and abates the urge to... Harry splashes his face with chilly water. Enough thinking about it. He has to deal with people soon. And despite what’d happened, nothing’s changed. Everything’s the same. At least everything he’s observed so far.

***

At Tain’s bar, Harry’s the only one not drinking and, frankly, not paying attention. But there’s nothing to centre his focus on. Tain and Malong have complained all afternoon in circles. About money, women, and about family and love. And it’s deep into the evening now. The only use he’s gotten out of the entire ordeal is an escape from the thoughts plaguing him. Yet, even that’s wearing off. He wonders what she smells like as Malong vents about fragrances. Imagines the type of ensemble she’d wear beside him at a party like the one Rachel’s hosting that Tain whines he’s not invited to. His eyes flick over his phone for the eightieth time tonight. It’s been so silent. Is she still sleeping? Did the remedy reach her? It bothers him that she’s not here, so he doesn’t know.

“You realize you’re never without your phone these days, Harry?” He glances up at Tain. “Why is it that every time I’m at a table with you, you’re glancing down?” Malong snacks on prosciutto and olives, before he takes a swig of wine, followed by a loud, elated sigh. “That’s where his interest is. Playing with his phone.” “Hah,” Tain scoffs. “It’s been hours. I can count on one hand the number of times he’s looked up. One of them was just now.” “You ignore us a lot for someone so glued to their device,” Malong follows. Harry glances at his screen. Thankfully, Piu Piu hasn’t turned on the voice feature. “Aaaand he’s at it again,” Tain complains. “Aish. Really.” “Bird, don’t turn it on. Nothing is interesting here.” “What bird? Do you have a pet or something? You’re even stranger these days.” Malong pulls the bottle of wine closer to himself. He tops up a glass, that’s mostly full, straight to the rim. Nothing’s left in the bottle.

“Leave him like that. He may become a generous man because of that weirdo. Then it’s good for us,” Malong laughs. He raises the bottle before Tain. “It’s empty. Are we done?” “No. I have more to say, so get another.” “Hehe, you said I could.” Malong sneaks off with a chuckle after Tain slaps the key in his hand. Then Tain whips back around to Harry. “You could listen to the woes of your friends.” “I did.” “Oh yeah? What have we talked about then?” “Money. Rachel. Business. Family. Rachel. Fragrances. Rachel.” “Those are the topics! I’m talking about what I said. The core of the problem, and advice on the core of the problem! We’re together here for some catharsis. Some camaraderie.” “So? Couldn’t you two commiserate together? Why am I here? I was peaceful at home.” “You...” Tain enunciates. He takes a deep breath. “Fine. Let’s talk about something you will care about.” “No,” Harry rejects before Tain says more. Malong joins them with the same bottle of wine, but Harry notices he has a somewhat guilty look. Like a dog who’d eaten something it wasn’t supposed to and may pay for later.

“I’m back—” “You want to know about the reason he’s addicted to his phone? Right, Malong?” “Hmm?” He’s startled. “Ahh...” Tain tugs him into the chair and that’s enough of a warning. “Ahhh? Yeah! Sure, I do!” He agrees. “I’m so curious. Let’s hear about her.” “Don’t bother. I’m not telling you.” Tain leans forward. “Is she pretty?” “I thought he was immune to pretty women?” “Where’s her photo? We wanna see. We’ll meet her eventually, right?” “No. You won’t.” “Why is it such a secret? Anyone who knows you can tell you’re being weird about this. Are you a dragon? Is she your gold?” Harry glares. “Oooh! Hahaha! With that look, fire might actually come out. His name isn’t Harry anymore. It’s Smaag.*” Tain snickers at Malong’s joke. “Do they really talk to you? You? All day?” “Do you have nicknames?” “Are you being lovey dovey while we’re single!?” Harry says nothing. He doesn’t eat or drink either. “He’s deadpan.” Tain deflates. “We really won’t get anything.” “No, you won’t. You done?” “Yeah. It’s no fun without a reaction.” Malong crunches on an olive. “I wouldn’t say none. He got a little upset.” Tain sticks out his hand to Malong, and after staring at his palm, the latter claps his hand against it in a high-five. Tain shakes him off. “Not that. My key, genius?” “Oh. Haha... Right.”

Harry checks his phone again. Piu Piu didn’t turn on the voice feature that time either. Is she really still asleep?

“You’ve scrunched your face up like that's a wire tape,” Tain says. “Relax.” Harry doesn’t respond to that either. And his friends don’t mind that time. They chat amongst themselves once more. Which benefits him since his phone buzzes. He’s received another photo. Wasn’t Piu Piu looking into the matter? What’s happened? And more concerningly, what’s the image of? Flashbacks of yesterday shoot through his mind. Now is not the time. He’s before other people. Tain and Malong specifically, who’ll never let him live down anything he considers embarrassing. Yet, he opens the chat.

That time the photo is of her. Finally, he has a face to put to a name. And an exact visage to put to last night’s escapade. He’s transfixed. Feels heat creeping across his cheeks, and further, lower. He chastises himself for getting excited at all. He’s not a teenage boy encountering sensuality for the first time. The picture is innocent. She’s clothed and smiling. Yet his eyes roam over her, and his imagination wanders. He’s never been overly interested in provocative things, yet, now that he’s had a taste...

“Harry?” Tain calls. He nearly swears, as his friend tears apart his enthrallment. He locks his phone and flips it over as his friends home in on him. “What’s that expression for? Are you having love troubles?” Tain continues. “No. Why would I come to you two if I were?” He doesn’t like the analyzing look Tain gives him. Especially since the bartender leans back in his seat. “You know, I can’t help my suspicion. Did something happen to you? You’ve had a death grip on your phone all evening. Like to a fanatical degree.” He snags a bit of prosciutto. “Well, she was enjoyable to talk to for the few minutes I managed it.” “Be quiet. I warned you not to mention that again. Or did I punish you too lightly so you’re speaking as you please?” Tain blanches. “Hey, whoa. Relax, haha. What am I going to do? Jump into your phone? You’re the only one who can talk to that weirdo.” Tain rubs the back of his neck. “Besides, I already...” “Wait,” Malong interrupts. “Wait! You talked to her? Not fair. I want to too!” “That’s never happening.” “Wow. I’ve never seen him so sensitive about someone.” “Right?” Tain gestures at Harry. “It’s weird.” “And a little creepy.” “But interesting.” “When do we meet her?” “You won’t.” And he can’t either. Which is aggravating him suddenly since Tain and Malong are so persistent. Maybe if they’d met in person, she wouldn’t have been so brave as she had been the night prior. Thankfully, the buzz of his phone rescues him that time. It’s another photo. One similar to last night.

Harry surges to his feet and grabs his coat. Quick strides carry him towards the door. Will she call again? If so, he can’t be here.

“I’m leaving.” “What?” Malong gasps. “Why are you heading out so suddenly?” “Hey, read the room. He’s got his phone in his hand.” “Ooh. He’s ditching us for her?” “Goodbye.” Harry’s got the door in his palm when he says it. His coat’s on one arm and falling off the other shoulder. “Can that weirdo make him less of a jerk?” Tain grumbles. “Hey! Wear your coat right! It’s cold out there!”

***

Harry makes it home, but he can’t remember how. He registers only once he’s inside and dry, that half his coat and one arm of his sweater are damp from rain droplets. He shrugs the damp fabric and his coat onto the floor. Somebody else can clean it up. He’s seated on his bed with a fresh t-shirt in two minutes.

But a call never comes in.

So, he waits. Has some almond milk. Waits some more. Then waiting becomes pacing. Pacing becomes staring at his device. What’s happening? Why is his phone so quiet? Isn’t she calling? Who wouldn’t be awake by now? Forty-five minutes go by before he runs out of patience. He settles down and calls her. She’s barely spoken to him all day.

“What are you doing?” He demands. “Where are you?” “Hmm? Harry, are you okay? I just woke up and I’m still at home.” She pauses. “I was about to call you to say goodnight, but I didn’t know if you were home.” Her voice is completely fine. No, it’d be completely normal if she didn’t sound surprised. As if he didn’t just wait on her for the better part of an hour. A feeling he can’t name weighs on his chest, but he suffocates it.

“Just call,” he says. “I’ve answered your calls in many situations. You call me even when you shouldn’t, so why change now?” “I wasn’t sure it was welcome since you turned off I can see your voice?” “Tain and Malong shared nothing but nonsense. You wouldn’t have wanted to hear it.” She giggles. “I enjoy hearing anything about you. Regardless of what you’re doing.” He feels good hearing that. Fantastic even. His chest hurts a little less. No, a lot less. “But by that reply, I was correct. A call would’ve been unwelcome.” “I’d have answered it.” He waited all day, after all. “And what? Talked to me for a few seconds?” “Yes. Or longer. You always have some creative way of keeping me.” It’s a carefully constructed reply. A vague implication that could call back to the previous night without directly stating it, as well as any other time they’ve been on the phone longer than intended. So, it’s fair. It’s quiet on her end. He focuses heavily on her side.

“Harry.” His name has such a soothing inflection whenever she says it. It’s nice to hear after a long day. “Although I feel guilty doing this since I slept the day away, I’m still sleepy. So, have a good night. That’s all I wanted to say.” That’s it? No response? No reaction? He feels breathless. “Are you still there?” she asks. “Hello?” “I am. Goodnight. Feel better tomorrow.”

The call ends just like that. He drops his phone onto the mattress beside him and runs a hand through his hair.

Did she really hang up just like that? Was she obtuse on purpose? Was the opening too subtle? Usually, she takes the chances he provides. Maybe not all of them, but enough of them. No. He doesn’t have to wonder if she noticed or not. He can entice it out of her. With some experimentation, he can find out.

***

With that in mind, over the next few weeks, Harry doubles down on working out and caring for himself in ways she’s likely to comment on.

He shares more photos of him at the pool. Post-workout photos where he’s slightly dishevelled. Images where he doesn’t quite button up his shirt all the way. When he’s in his robe, lounging at home, he sends that too. It’s essentially a catalogue’s worth of photos of his clothed thighs, lap, waistline, and back in well-fitted dress pants and formal attire whenever he’s dressed up. He suffers a variety of events he’d never have agreed to just so sending them isn’t out of place.

And she’s blithe about the entire affair.

He knows he’s attractive and understands the underlying provocativeness of each image, yet her lighthearted indifference is of legendary degree. He works diligently for compliments and suggestive comments, yet never gets the exact gratifying response he wants. It’s maddening. Especially since throughout it, he discovers her attitude is deliberate, and he’s tripping over himself to get a reaction as intense as the night they shared. But that phone call really is a one-off. A fluke. Because she never phones again in that state.

An exasperating few months go by.

And so much of that time has been him pouring over all their messages. Rereading and reanalyzing their history before he falls asleep. Despite the rejection, she remained with him. They’ve been through highs and lows. He doesn’t know when it happened, but he’s greedier now. Now whenever he hears from her, no matter what she sends, there’s an ache for more of her time. More information. If they spend an hour talking, he wants five more. If she sends one message, he wonders why there isn’t a flood of them. No matter how indirect the invitation from him, she remains at a fixed distance. So, he changes his approach.

There’s a status quo regarding the images he’s sent. During breakfast, he sends a simple, virtually innocent photo with no ulterior motive. Piu Piu's off for the day, and Harry’s supposed to head out today. There’s a photoshoot he agreed to do with Rachel for wholly selfish purposes. The clothes are his weirdo’s favourite colour and the design is striking enough. How can it not elicit a response? His phone pings with a notification.

Oh, today’s photo is... simple, lol

She’s so sharp yet mischievous that it’s intoxicating. There are so many things he could type, but it’s already been so long. If he could have a true taste of satisfaction, how good would it be? If he could be close to her. She pulled him in last time. This time it’s his turn. He’s held on for months while sorting his complex feelings.

Simple? Were you hoping for something else? Hehe. If I tell you, will you send it to me? Yes.

He catches himself before he sends it. It’s taken months to build this momentum. He can’t spend it all at once. Especially not when he wants her to cave before he does. So, he erases it and writes something else.

That depends on what it is. I don’t have your address. I’d send it if I could. But would you even visit...?

He’s never worked so hard in his life for another person like this. Until when must he wait? Why is she so agonizingly patient?

I would. The second I have it. [System: /address blocked/] Her address message is blocked.

[System: /address blocked/] [System: /address blocked/]

So are the following two. To send it three times despite knowing about the system block is tenacious and charming. Harry laughs. He’s so delighted that it takes that long to realize his heart’s racing and his body’s warm.

What a shame. I still don’t have it. He sends it with glee and a wink emoji.

Ugh... So mean. I’m leaving.

He phones her immediately. There’s a click as she picks up.

“Don’t leave,” he says. “Where are you going?” “Away! Just away.” She’s adorable now that she’s flustered. He takes deep satisfaction in knowing he’ll be able to speak about whatever happens this time around. “So you know, I wasn’t going to answer this, Harry!” It feels nice to be told off. The guile she has when she’s collected is too effective. It makes him feel unbalanced. This situation is too much now. Can’t once become twice? No. Why stop at all? It’s better to do as they please.

“Stay with me,” he says. “. . .” Her breath shakes. “You don’t know what I’m going through, yet you say that? How can you share that so casually?” “Casual? There isn’t a second I’m not thinking about you.” He meant to hold on to his feelings, but it pours out. “I’m restraining myself so I won’t be obsessive over you.” There’s quiet. Yet, intrinsically, he feels what he shared wasn’t a mistake. Enough of the dance. Enough planning.

“...If you don’t actually care about me, then enough of this.” “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t care about you,” he counters. “I wouldn’t be like this.” “It’s not to the same degree.” “Is that what you see? In what way? Explain it to me.” “Harry, it’s not. It’s just...not.” she laments. “I don’t want to see you caring more about carrots and fish than me. Call me petty if you want.” “Then come here.” She’s shocked into silence. So he ends the call with a promise. “Find a way or I’ll go there.”

[chimeraacademy-comic]

Dark Purple or Lavender?

I don’t know how many people are aware but Chimera Academy has a website, and has had a website for a while. However, it’s only been recently that more work has been done to get the website to a better usable state. It is the place we would like to direct people to when out in the wild one day.

So, since Were-Ah had the day off and I’ve been getting better at doing things in a more timely manner so I can hang out with her on Discord, we both sat down to go over the website.

At least… that was the plan, until we realized an issue…

The website’s background colour (which had been updated earlier today) was not the same for the both of us.

Were-Ah was getting this deep lovely purple, which had been the original background colour.

Meanwhile, I was getting this lovely lavender colour, which was what Were-Ah changed it to.

Okay… weird, but most likely it was a cache issue. For those not familiar, there’s some bits and pieces of data that get stored by your browser called a cache that allows a page you’ve been on previously to load quicker because the browser kept that previous bit of data. Such as the colour of a background. No amount of clearing her cache fixing the issue.

Maybe it was a browser issue… browsers work differently all the time. Anyhow who has bounced around between Chrome, Firefox and Edge know this. Three additional browsers later nothing has changed. 

Perhaps it’s a computer problem, so she tries her laptop. Still dark purple.

At this point, I also tried opening the website on my phone, for reasons I’m not completely sure. Maybe to see if I would get the same dark purple colour, even though the lavender colour was the one that Were-Ah wanted, and it was still lavender, on my phone.

Then, in a moment of madness, Were-Ah decided to check the website on her phone. Let me be clear, she had never tried to open the website on her phone before. This means there is no old data from the website, on that phone, which means the website should be lavender on the phone.

It was dark purple.

At this point, we both thought, maybe… maybe it has to do with Were-Ah’s internet. I know that doesn’t sound like it makes any sense, but weirder things have happened. So she goes and texts her friend, while I go and message my sister. We both ask them to check the website, and send us a screenshot.

My sister kindly agreed to this and sent me a screenshot of a lavender website. Well, there’s our answer! It was Were-Ah’s internet!

And then… the friend sent back a screenshot… of dark purple. We were both horribly confused. Why did my sister, who didn’t even live in the same city as me, get the right colour, while the friend who was also in a completely different area from Were-Ah got the wrong colour? This made no sense…

Could the colour being pulled be limited by location? But how would that work? Surely not… we thought as Were-Ah asked her mom, who had never looked up the website herself, to look up the website and send a screenshot. Meanwhile, my intrigued sister got her boyfriend in on it and also checked the website.

Dark purple on Were-Ah’s end.

And lavender on mine.

Welp… that is starting to get weird, and while the answer is probably (hopefully) just that the server closer to Were-Ah is taking its sweet time to update, we have a question for everyone. Please check out the website, and send us a screenshot to let us know.

Dark purple?

Or lavender?

[soul-dwelling]

Yeah the whole "supporting the official release" thing seems to be kinda a relic from a decade or more in the past - where anime was niche and fans bite the bullet just in a desperate hope to make it "big" - and now when its maybe event too big for its own good, think it jjust becomes corporate slavery, supporting sexist assholes and worker abusers - hell I doubt any of the staff that isnt high up and hence loaded already, do get any residuals - maybe dub voice actors, but I doubt if any of the grunt work animators do, but maybe I'm ignorant.

"Sexist assholes--" But enough about [insert the name of the toxic mangaka or actor of your choice].

Okay, time for me to go off on at least four tangents. (Remember when I used to just praise Soul Eater instead of getting more bitter?)

You're not wrong that it is now an outdated phrase.

And it is harder to sustain it when distribution has changed, where a streaming service can erase an entire movie or series from its web site so that you now can't buy it or watch it, depriving both audience from watching and creators from getting any money or attention for their work.

I'm trying to do my best with limited funds to try to get a lot of anime that I know will go out of print: Discotek got licenses to a ton of anime that I fear will not be on streaming, and Discotek already announced some of their home video titles were no longer in print. I mean, remember when Baccano and the first Fullmetal Alchemist were going to be out of print with Funimation doing next to nothing to bring them back, where Aniplex kept jerking the audience around with the first Fullmetal Alchemist? I just checked JustWatch.com--I can't find either one on any legal streaming service. Now Funimation, Crunchyroll, Aniplex, and Sony are all the same company--and still no Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 on streaming.

And there is so much manga and anime getting released--and either drowned out by how much art is out there competing for attention that none of them can get as big an audience as older works, so established franchises continued while really good stories either get overlooked (please read Akane-banashi and Show-ha Shoten) or cancelled way too soon (Ginka and Gluna). With My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen concluding, the former at least will persist with spinoffs, the latter is going to leave a void--but as I said, with the competition so high, what can even reach that level of popularity? And that's not even getting into how, I assume, Jujutsu Kaisen probably did not reach what Bleach reached, which didn't reach what Dragon Ball Z reached, and so on.

Supporting the official release is the right thing to do; buying the merch should be sending a message that this thing is popular and should continue so long as the creator wants it to; but if they don't make the merch, and if the merch doesn't sell as much as the company making it wants so it's not profitable, then the story doesn't have a patron to keep buying the creator to make it.

And COVID and the work we're trying to do to protect our health is all comprising what we can do as fans: I am not going to conventions, so I don't get to meet other fans, I don't get to hear firsthand from creators or meet them in autograph lines, and I'm not buying merch and art at the alley in person (although none of that stops me from buying directly from artists online).

I don't get to go out to see films in theaters--I don't get to be one of the people getting a limited distribution of a niche franchise more ticket sales, I don't get to wear a T-shirt with the characters on it at the theater or see people dressed up in cosplay. I don't get to do what I did before COVID, where a local theater would make its own unique posters for the anime film they were going to show, in order to support themselves so they could get lesser known films also distributed at that theater.

(I am curious, but not optimistic, whether Sony can support all of this, given they did announce they were looking to integrate Crunchyroll-distributed films to their new ownership of Alamo Drafthouse.)

I know animators in Japan are working their butts off to get better working conditions--I just wish I had the link in front of me for how people can help.

Meanwhile, dub actors in the United States are working their butts off to get the protections they deserve: https://www.codaunite.com. I can't speak for dub actors, but I anticipate they would point out that, no, they are not loaded, they do not get residuals. Every voice actor I have heard talk about the industry has discussed having additional work on the side--coaching, illustrating, singing, music, unrelated business--and the hustle of always auditioning without pause: it is hard work.

And that's not even getting into the damage voice acting does, especially if you are already doing an anime but your character is in this video game, so now you have to wreck your throat doing 15 different iterations of a scream.

And that's not getting into how the corporations are obsessed with AI, to fuck over actors (as well as the environment)--and, sorry, but SAG-AFTRA has not done enough in my opinion to protect its members and is far too timid to fight against what they think is the inevitably of AI.

And most of what I just said was hearing it from union actors who work in mostly United States-produced animation out of Los Angeles, not anime dub actors, not non-union actors. So, if it is that hard to find work while a union actor in US-produced animation, now imagine how difficult it is to keep getting work in dubbing when the competition for actors is high, where the locations like Texas are flat-out opposed to unions and when Sony and Crunchyroll have not done enough to support unionized actors in Texas.

And think how difficult it is when remote recording opportunities evaporated when lying fuckers pretended COVID was over. So, unless you are an actor usually based out of Los Angeles but are popular enough that of course they'll let you record remotely from your new home in Middle America, now work dries up not only to safely record from home but also dries up for actors who are not in Los Angeles, New York City, Dallas, Houston, and Vancouver. (And even then Vancouver actors want to be in more US-produced anime and can work remotely but many just are not given a chance to audition). And I am wholly ignorant about how they were trying to get dubbing done out of Miami, too, and whether that went anywhere.

[bubblepopsims]

 It didn’t take long for a notification to pop up on her phone and she immediately went to listen to it.

T: “Yeah. I’ll come over to smoke, I’ll bring supplies, and also stop by your favorite burger joint and pick you up something. I’m currently in the grocery store so if you need anything let me know.” 

Rubys eyes wandered and her lips turned into a thin line. Finding herself both annoyed and happy at how good of a guy Tobias was and is. Picking up her favorite food.. asking if she needed anything, and the tone in his voice told her that he was genuinely happy and surprised at her message. “You do no wrong do you…” she sighed and responded back with her favorite snacks. Waiting impatiently for his arrival.

It took maybe a solid hour before Tobias arrived, Ruby had taken down her hair and let it hair dry for the most part, even put another load of laundry into the washer. her back was towards the door not even hearing the door open or close. T: "you should really start locking your door you never know who might come in."

Ruby slowly turned seeing the smug smirk plastered on Tobias face before it subtly turned stern. his eyes wandered over her and made his way to set the bags down in the kitchen before plopping down on the couch with a light huff. Ruby followed slowly watching him settle in before looking up at her with a certain concerned expression. "he wants to talk.... fuck."

T: "do I even have to ask?"

Ruby said nothing hoping, prayinnnggg to fucking god he would just leave it alone but. T: "whats going on? you send your brother to tell me you don't want to see me? i thought we were better than that." Ruby sighed "Tobias, please... i dont know what Josiah told you specifically but i didn't mean any harm with it."

Tobias sighed and looked down at the floor briefly just to raise his eyes back up to Ruby. T: "you could have just told me." R: "i know.." she let out a deep breath coming to the realization that this was not the last of it. so she plopped herself down next to him on the couch.

R: "honestly i dont want to talk about it..." Tobias groaned and leaned back against the back of the couch shaking his head. T: "you are frustrating you know that?"

Ruby huffed and nodded "Trust me i know i am.. its just he brought up the wedding okay? brought up Izzi.. and well you kinda know the gist of it." T: "A gist? say more like a corner of a whole foot-long sub." Ruby couldn't help but chuckle and gave him a reassuring look. R: "Look... This... is not something i can just turn on and off.. trust me i wish i fucking knew how but i cant.. everyday.. everyday i look in the mirror it's there.. right there on my face. the memories. And now i find out the person i was so into for so long.. dealt with trauma and heartache and pain is getting fucking married. and its not to me.."

R: "its not easy for me to just get over it. I am damaged in more ways than one, but i am getting better.. doesn't mean i won't have slip-ups or fall back into old habits of pushing people away... pushing you away. you've been there.. back then when i first arrived here, i didn't know where i was going.. i didn't know what i was going to do.. and than i tumbled into that shitty fucking bar -she chuckled- and see you.. you didn't ask questions, you didn't hit on me, you just passed me a beer and gave me a nod. you didn't judge, you weren't scared, you were just genuinely giving me space to breathe." A small smirk formed on her lips "Well that's until you passed me your number on a wet ass napkin."

Tobias shrugged with embarrassment and let out a small laugh "god yeah... i remember that... shit... ahaha... but i get that you need time and space to figure out your thoughts and feelings.. it wasn't that, that got under my skin.. it is- Tobias hesitated on stating what he truly wanted to "i fucking love you and i just want to be there for you damnit.. you are such a fucking stubborn woman." but decided against it.- just, I am sorry.. I took it personally when i knew I shouldn't have. i know that it must be painful to hear that the person you love is about to marry someone else."

Ruby's mouth fell open ready to object to the words love as a present tence but the more she thought about it. the more it was true. she did genuinely love Izzi... was Ruby still in love with Izzi was the thing she didn't quite know for sure.. but seeing tobias so concerned, and troubled by his own feelings, warmed her heart a bit. R: "i am usually not the one to request things like this.. but can i have a hug?" Tobias face softened and looked over at a vulnerable? Ruby and let out a sigh "of course, come here."

Tobias took her into his arms, this was the closest they have been in weeks and part of him missed it.. he could tell she washed her hair today, the subtle scent of florals radiated from the still slightly tamp set of curls that spilled down her back. To his surprise he felt her grip grow tighter around him, nuzzling her nose into shoulder and take a deep exhale.

"he smells so good... like fresh cut wood... tall forest trees and the lingering scent of a lake near by.. i oddly missed his scent...his arms around me, that warmth that radiates off of him. "

Previous - Next

[louisisalarrie]

https://www.tumblr.com/louisisalarrie/748374261877653504/do-you-think-that-every-time-l-is-in-la-its-to-be

I like your blog and you’ve answered lots of my anons so nicely. I need to come clean though that I don’t agree with your thinking on the Freddie front. I respect the way you feel but I do believe Freddie is his, for many reasons. I do believe it was a one night stand or a fairly short lived fling with B. She clearly wanted more from him, he didn’t but was then stuck with the situation.

The fact that he doesn’t post pics of him and F together says a lot about how he conducts himself as a dad. We know he’s in LA loads and for decent periods of time (3-4 weeks at a time). Of course he’s with his son. He is just very private about this situation and wants his time with F to be protected, hence no pics. I totally get that as some of the posts I see about his supposedly ‘fake’ child are so awful, why would he subject F or anyone in his family to that. I genuinely believe the theories about F not being his have taken a huge toll on Louis mentally and this is partly what his larry denials are based on.

Please know I am not sending you this message as an attack on the way you feel - like I said, I love your blog and your responses. You seem like a decent, kind and considerate person. I just can’t agree with you on Freddie. I also don’t think him having a son says anything about his sexuality. He can be gay/bi whatever he wants and still have a child.

I don’t expect you to post this and I hope you’ll be ok with me still reading your posts.

X

hello lovely, I’m more than happy to post this because while I am resolute in my decisions and won’t change my mind on bbg, I can understand where you’re coming from and strongly respect that and love that you’re here and love you!!!

And as for the public eye stuff, I think it would be better to keep F completely out of it if he was truly his kid. I think that would’ve been better for F. Louis can still do the denials “I have a kid and people won’t believe that, so be it” and keep F out of this. He knows the fandom uproar every time something bbg comes out.

Anywho, I’m more than happy to keep discussing if you’d like. Here is a link to all of the masterposts created about bbg, dating back to when this was all happening in real time with a lot of things that can be neglected to be mentioned these days. Including B having a fan twitter account created for her before we even knew who she was.

There’s a lot in there and if you’re resolute and have your mind made up or don’t wanna read it, I have no problem with that!! I’m not here to give you hate or try and convince you, but it’s a great resource for everything there is about bbg if you’re curious to look further into why I believe in what I do.

Thanks angel xx

[marengogo]

The Thing Is: - 1 : BALANCE.

Listening to INDIGO by RM on repeat. STILL. YUP, STILL ON THE REPEAT TRAIN 😬.

[Music is a very big part of my life and I’m MOSTLY INCAPABLE of writing without music, so I just thought I'd share what I am listening to while writing this]

–🐺–🐺–🐺–

So this is what I’d like to call an educated rant about Capulates (aka most Taekookers) and Montagues (aka some Jikookers). In fact, this is mostly a rant about the things that both “families” cause on that godforsaken bird app, which apparently we can’t live with but also can’t live without I’ll explain this more in depth in my Ted-Talk. This is a rant about BALANCE and ultimately its lack thereof. That being said, to make it all make sense, let’s begin with some context and, like I always do, let me make it relevant and personal.

When it comes to Jikookers in general, I firmly believe that what I am about to talk about is known by a few, should be known by many but unfortunately is ignored/irrelevant to the vast majority and now that, THAT, is a fucking pity. One of my favourite quotes is “Patience is a virtue, Possess it if you can, Seldom found in woman, Never found in man”. Admittedly, we could stay here and argue about every single word from the Seldom to the man part of this quote, but what I’d like you to please focus on is the ”Patience is a virtue, Possess it if you can…” part. 

I used to be a very silent, and calm, person and with those traits also came an infinite amount of patience; there was a time I used to boast about my patience. Alas, what I didn't know was that Life had made up a whole shitty plan for me. Right from when I was 11 it decided that “you know what? You seem like you could handle a huge amount of different types of shit all at once, and I just so happen to have loads of shit but no place where to put it so… here! You can have some of it!” And so it was that shit was systematically piled on me constantly, and I dealt with it patiently, respectfully and with dignity until I turned 24 when something major happened to me that made me snap and I turned into the quick-to-anger adult that some may know me to be nowadays (for context, I’m in my 30s right now).

The funny, but not-so-funny, thing is that when I snap I do it around those who are closest to me. Snapping has become the way I let out my true self as an unhealthy result of keeping everything bottled in for so long, which was indeed bad handling on my side, but I really didn’t know any better. It must be said though,  that when I snap, I don’t snap at my close friends (... family tho, is a different story …) what I do is let out my frustration with them, which usually goes like this: 

UNOPENED TEXT from Close Friends (CFs) (but thank god for text previews!): Gurl, how was the weekend?

ME: I see there is a text from my close friend/s, but I’m so busy and stressed that I don’t even want to open it knowing that I wouldn’t be able to either hold a proper convo or say anything positive. BUT in the back of my head I know there is a message from the important people in my life waiting: and I add unreasonable “stress”.

UNOPENED TEXT from CFs: send funny images or vocal messages.

ME: I’m still not willing to just open the message to just leave it without a reply, so I keep ignoring. But still I know the message is there, hence “stress” keeps adding.  

finally OPENED TEXT from CFs: Call me when you can or shall we meet this weekend?

So then eventually I make an effort, get out of my head ass, and make time call and …

ME: Gurl, how have you been? … yeah man I’m like super exhausted and [PROCEEDS TO ENGAGE IN THIS UNPROVOKED LONG ASS RANT ABOUT HER WEEK. LIKE REALLY LONG. LIKE A GOOD 30mins AT LEAST, which could have been avoided if I had made time through the week when they actually texted 🙃] … but enough about me, tell me all about what happened to you?

Its hella hypocritic and weird but my CFs know exactly how I am, and how to handle me, and in the same way I also know how to handle their unique traits, so keeping this in mind, I try not to feel too bad about my lack of constant communication and my sudden vomiting of emotions thereafter, it's between me and them, them and me, and if you are not within our circle, you would never now and it is very frankly nobody else's business.

That being said, all things considered, I still somehow tend to be quite patient when it comes to things that are not directly related to me and I’ve also found out that I have an “interesting” amount of self-control. Just like Patience, I do think that Self-Control is a virtue. Both virtues would allow us to reach Balance which I believe is ultimately what we should be aiming for in life and how actually life works. 

Now, where am I going with this? And how does it relate to Capulets & Montagues (C&M)? Does it even relate to Jikook? Gurl, what?!

… Bear with me just a little longer.

Balance. My life has been devoted to finding balance in everything, reason why I love grey so much for example (though my fav color is actually BLUE 💙). When balanced you can confidently move forward, hypothetically causing no immediate harm  and also for example not snap 😬. But what is balance? Following is the dictionary definition pertaining to this subject:

a situation in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.

Okay. So, the way I see it, there are 2 obvious ways you can obtain balance:

Two opposite but equal forces being applied on an object which will either cause it to stay still in a balanced stop or even move in a balanced way

The application of no force. If an object is not moving it is indeed balanced as its present situation is not altering.

And here is where we finally talk about C&M and Twitter.

Capulets & Montagues respectively believe that their ship is THE ONE and they will resort to any emphasis on the ANY means necessary to battle each other and prove that they are right, be it breach of privacy of the individuals they swear they love and respect, or complete lack of common sense, YOU NAME IT!, if it assures them a winning tweet for the day; they will use it.

Have you noticed how, even though I call them Capulets and Montagues, I do not refer to JK & JM as Romeo & Juliet? They are in a difficult environment, for sure, but I do not believe that their story must end in tragedy. Basically I do not believe them to be star-crossed lovers. HOWEVER most Taekookers and some Jikookers do believe that. C&M are living within the  wrong story, so to say, as in, this is really  NOT Romeo & Juliet but they unprovoked decided that this IS Romeo & Juliet: Do I make sense? But how to blame them? Most Taekookers and some Jikookers are exactly like Capulets and Montagues and like all similarly belligerent parties before them: Blind with nonsensical rage and motivated by misplaced righteousness. 

On a weekly basis Capulates will “find” something damning about Taekook and taunt Montagues about it. Montagues will try if possible to debunk it, hence starting a fight. The following day, Montagues will “discover” their version of something damning about Jikook and taunt Capulets. Capulets will try their very best to debunk it while starting a fight. Oh and solo THV, PJM and JJK will also add to the mix just to add some flare to the already flabbergastingly stupid occurance. All the while, they all will be intently ignoring and completely not caring about this very damning fact: Taehyung loves Jungkook & Jimin, Jungkook loves Taehung & Jimin and Jimin loves Taehyung & Jungkook in ways THEY ONLY KNOW and it is very frankly none of our business.

At this point this might make you recall a couple of things I wrote a couple of paragraphs earlier … such as, yes, BALANCE; a situation in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions. Capulets & Montagues. One attacks, the other counterattacks and viceversa over and over again, like a very malicious and impeccably accurate Newton’s cradle.The only way to stop ANY Newton’s cradle, would be an external force causing it to stop. A full stop. 

In the C&M case, this full stop would have to come from VMinKook and they would have  to come out and state: “This is how things are…”. However, not only it is absolutely not their requirement to do so, but given that this hasn’t happened yet, we can respectfully deduce that either they can’t currently expose their own current truth (which is a unfortunately a narrative favourable to both C&M alike… ) or that they don’t really care about C&M fights, which I wouldn’t blame them for either.

Now, if you follow me, you know where I stand, right? You know that I do think that there might be something going on between JK and JM, right? So my belief is that this Newton’s Cradle is also being perhaps unwillingly kept in motion by the fact that currently JK & JM as well as Tae are righteously keeping very much to themselves, like I’ve explained in the Loud Art of Silence . There’s been a bit of a change in the VMinKook dynamics since 2019 hasn’t it? Taekook had a heart-to-heart during In The Soop in 2020 after which they successfully started mending the awkward tension in their relationship.

As for Jikook, other than Big Hit/HYBE, group, subgroup and birthday lives, they haven’t been sharing much with us have they? Yet every time we get a glimpse at them, say during concerts or awards ceremonies, they act and interact as we’ve known them to, so one could conclude that it took them a good 6 years but they’ve seemingly finally transitioned into being more private about their relationship. Good for them, truly, applaud them for that but Montagues … Montagues are really not about that life: If Jikook keeps shit to themselves, how are they going to win their weekly Twitter Battles? And mind you this has nothing to do with those Jikookers who rectifyi facts that Capulets constantly go around distorting, which also happens on a daily basis on this blasted bird app.

You know what happened in my brain when I realised that the Boys were gonna go and serve in the military? Aside from the ugly AF crying I realised and accepted that we would most likely get nothing new from Jikook until 2025 when they would all be back together and would supposedly no longer owe anything to any greater entity. This was when I also realised that I would have to be really patient and apply a lot of self-control. I realised that I would miss Jikook interacting, I would miss that a lot, but there would be nothing I could do about it. 

Until 2025 the C&M Twitter Balance will keep balancing and that is just a fact. “Well then bitch stay away from Twitter!” I would, trust me, I wish I could, but the reality is that the bird app is unfortunately the place where you get ANY news in the timeliest of manners and from there it is a battle to figure out veracity of said information. At the end of the day information is power and what you decide to do, as well as not to do, with it also defines character.

Until 2025 patience, self-control and balance, in all their forms are going to be key. As well as constantly reminding oneself that regardless of our beliefs, feelings and speculations Jikook are not a confirmed couple and they owe us nothing. However, y’all best believe that nothing lasts forever, and these are grown ass men, so when they’ll be out of the military their chapter 3 will start and most likely big changes in their lives will also follow and then, right about then, we will get that heavy-ass-hammer-fall-full-stop to the C&M Twitter Balance which might still continue with the deeply cray-cray part of the fandom, right then, truths will be revealed and we will have to accept them. So until then let’s keep reminiscing gratefully and accepting whatever we are given graciously.

… Until then, always respectfully yours 💜💛🫰🏾

Marengo

[argumentl]

The Freedom of Expression Vol:12 - Again, looking back on 25 years with Gara.

K: Hi, here we are with The Freedom of Expression on our Nico Nico channel. Im Kaoru from Dir en grey. 

J: And Im Joe Yokomizo, who has just been for a beer in the Chinese restaurant near the studio. 

T: And Im Tasai from Tokyo Sports. 

K: And we also have someone who was with us last time, and he just didn't talk enough, so he's here again this time. Its Gara from Merry. 

G: Good evening, Im Gara from Merry. 

J: The staff have told me you're pretty annoying. 

K, T: Haha 

G: Not at all!

J: Kaoru, what would you say? In your view, is he annoying?

K: Haha, no, he's not. 

J: Gara, I wanted to ask you, were you Dir's first roadie? 

G: For the past 20 years, I always thought that I was, but after the show last time, I was in the dressing room, and I got a message from Shinya. He told me the name of the guy who was there before me. So I thought, 'Aghh, there really was someone before me!'. I wonder if that guy actually counts though?

J: Haha, Leader, what do you think? This is quite important. 

G: It was only for a short time. 

K: Yeah, but it still counts. As soon as I heard it, I thought, 'Oh yeh, of course!!'

G: Kaoru, that means Im the second roadie?

K: Yep, you are the second. I was right after all. 

G: I must have forgotten, because I never thought there was someone like that before me. 

J: Do you kinda feel like he's stealing your glory a bit now?

G: Yeah, I always thought I was the first.

J: I see, haha. So, from now, your are Dir's second roadie?

G: Yeah, Ive been exposed by Shinya. Im the second roadie. 

J: Do you feel a bit like Shinya should have kept quiet about this? haha

G: Yes, I really do. 

J: Haha. Yes, well today we are joined by Dir en grey's second roadie, Gara. So, last time you were looking back at Dir en grey's history, from the Indies days, to now, right?

K: Yes. 

J: I was unable to join last time due to my work schedule. 

K: This is the first time for you to be here when we have a guest, right?

J: Yes, thats right. 

K: He always disappears somewhere whenever we've had a guest before. 

J: Oh no, not intentionally though. Its purely by chance!

K: It was as if guests would come because you weren't here. 

J: Yeh, I've heard that. I don't know about that though. Anyway, today we are gonna be looking back at the indies era in detail. There'll be loads of great stuff to hear, so stay tuned. Please send in your comments too, questions, thoughts, messages of support, anythIng is ok. People using twitter can use the tag TFOE. The first part of this show is free for anyone to watch, but the second part is for channel members only. If you become a member, you can watch this live broadcast in the archives for a year, and you will also be able to access members only videos. Please click the blue link at the top of your screen to joIn, and enjoy this broadcast to the end.  Leader was just pointing to it. Dir's second roadie was pointing too, weren't you?

G: Haha, yes...second...I'm quite sad, I tried so hard back then too. 

K: Surely, trying hard has nothing to do with whether or not you were first? 

J: Maybe you are just slightly envious. Ok, well, as for today, we will have another look at photos from back in the day. (*Indies photo of Kaoru appears on screen*) Here we go, since we are looking closely at the indies era today. How do you feel about this, Leader? Do you recognize this photo?

K: Well, we used this photo last time. Only you wouldn't know that. 

J: Oh, I see. I do apologize. Maybe I should stick to the script more.

K: Haha, no no. 

J: But anyway, we'll be digging deeper into the Indies era today, but first we have a quiz. Its time for the "Does Kaoru remember?" quiz!!

*applause*

J: Ok, so Dir's second roadie, Gara... 

K: Haha, you just want to keep saying that, don't you?

J: Yes, haha. 

T: He is the first one in my mind!

J: You are first in your heart, but second in reality. Anyway, Gara has created a quiz for Kaoru about the indies era. So Kaoru, try your best to remember. There are quite a few questions, but we will try to do at least 5. Try to get them all right, Leader. 

G: You'll be able to to tell if i really was first, and whether there really is a bond between us from this. 

T: Haha

J: Right? We need to look out for that. Ok, Gara, I'll hand over to you. 

G: I start from Question 1, right? Ok, Where was the place where I first met the members of Dir en grey? I said last time that the first live show I saw them was at Shinjuku Rock, but this time I'm asking about our first meeting, so its not a live venue. 

J: Ok, so Q1 is asking for the place you first met. Leader, you have a sketchbook in front of you to write your answers. For some reason, myself and Tasai also have sketchbooks, although its not likely that we will know the answers...

T: Yeah, we will just try our best. 

J: Yes we will. So, Gara, is this with no hints, right?

G: Yeah, the meeting place, this was an important moment. 

J: If he doesn't remember this, it could seriously damage your trust in him. 

G: Right. 

J: Haha, but look at Leader's face! He totally looks like he can't remember. Can we get a camera close up on him? This is important! If you'd never met, we wouldn't be here now. 

G: This was earlier than the live.

J: Ah, they want you to get this right in the comments. Gara, you probably spoke about your love towards Dir en grey last time, but this time its all about how far Kaoru's love extends to you. Ok, Tasai, you write something too, make it Tokyo Sportsy if you want. 

T: Ahh, its difficult. 

G: Kaoru is writing something now. 

J: Ah, a comment saying 'Kaoru looks cute when he's thinking'. And 'A forfeit if he gets it wrong!'...'Leader's love is deep!'

G: Its the first meeting, remember. 

J: Yeah, the place. 

T: By the way, how did you feel when your first met?

G: Well, I'd only ever seen them in magazines before then, so I was nervous, but I still remember introducing myself. 

T: Ahh, I wonder where it was...

J: Hmm, ok, Tasai, you show us your answer first. 

T: So this was when you were new in Tokyo, right? Ok, here's my answer. 'A bus stop at Tokyo Tower'. Like maybe they decided to meet up here for some reason. Maybe there were just there for some reason. 

J: Ahh...Ok, I don't quite understand this, so moving on...haha. 

T: Haha 

J: No no, you mean, maybe they had planned to go somewhere, so they met up there first?

T: Yeah. 

J: Well, the real question is whether Leader remembers. The place he first met Gara. Leader, lets have your answer. 

K: The studio in Kōenji. 

J, T, G: Ahh. 

T: That sounds more like it. 

J: Ok, Gara, tell us the answer. 

G: The correct answer is, an in-store event at Like An Edison. 

K: Don't remember that! Hahaha 

J: He doesn't remember!

G: It was an in-store event to coincide with the CD release, so I went and met the members for the first time. Meeting in the studio was after that. 

J: Well, he must have been close with this answer, right? If you met for the second time in the studio?

G: Yeah. I have a tonne of memories from that studio too. I saw them making new songs and and stuff there. I used to always drive the equipment truck too back then, but at the time I didn't have my own parking space. They told me to be responsible for truck, even though I didn't have a parking space, so I had to park it on the street in front of my place for about a month. 

J: Ahh, I bet you got a tonne of parking tickets. 

G: Yes. 

J: Ahh, that sounds painful. And despite this you still might be the second roadie! Leader, why did you think the answer was Kōenji?

K: Well, he was just there a lot. 

J: It seemed likely to be the place?

K: Yeah. 

T: Kaoru, do you remember this in-store event? 

K: No, we did a tonne of events like that back then. 

J: If any of the viewers were at that event in Like An Edison, please tell us in the comments. I wonder if anyone was? Not that we can give them anything if they were, except say, 'Oh wow!'. Haha. Well, that was question 1. A comment there says, 'A shock for Gara!'

G: He was close though, because I was often in the studio at Kōenji. 

K: You were following us, haha. 

J: Its like, he was only a little bit wrong. 

G: Ok, shall we move on? The next question is this. 'Where was the first region (outside Tokyo) that Gara travelled to as a roadie? And what was the amazingly delicious restaurant where Kaoru took Gara out to eat for the first time?'

K: This is hard! haha 

J: The restaurant name. 

T: Is this maybe a hint? You told us the region you are from last time, right, Gara?

J: Eh? Where are you from??

T: No no no, don't tell him! haha. 

J: Eh, whhhy? Ok, whatever. But we need the region Gara first travelled to as a roadie, and the name of the delicious restaurant where Kaoru first took him out to eat. 

T: Joe, you write something first. 

J: Its not WHAT you ate, right? Its the name. 

G: Yes. If I say what I ate, I think Kaoru will know where it was. 

T: Kaoru, do you know? 

K: Well, I'm just not sure about the timing as for the region. 

T: Its difficult!

J: The restaurant name is tricky too. 

G: But its something that everyone has heard of. 

J: Oh, so its not lIke an independent, local place, right?

G: Yeah. But back then, it was only...oh, I'll give it away if I say that. 

K: Back then it was only..?

T: Ok, lets write our answers. Some comments saying, 'Gara is causing trouble for Kaoru', 'Leader, think!', 'I think I know it'. If you know it, don't tell us! 

J: Well, I really have no idea, but this is my answer. For the region, Hokkaido. And the restaurant, Dosanko Ramen. This is what I would eat after a concert, so I thought it could be this. 

G: That's a good answer. 

J: Thank you. Ok, Leader, your turn. 

K: Osaka, and Kamakura (ramen).

G: Oh, that's correct!! That makes me so happy! 

*applause*   

G: He told me about this incredible ramen, and took me to try it. So my first time trying Kamakura was with Kaoru. 

J: Ah, great! You got it right. 

G: You remember that?

K: No no, I just used to go there all the time back then! 

T: You don't actually remember going with Gara? 

K: Well, he said the words, 'Back then it was only...', which reminded me that this place became a national chain a little while later. Haha

J: Ahh, I see. 

G: Ahh, I gave it away with the hint. 

J: So it wasn't your memory, it was the hint that got you there. 

G: Kamakura ramen was totally different from any of the ramen I'd had before then. I didn't realise ramen could be like that. 

T: Ahh, yeh, its good, isn't it? 

J: Did you go there to finish a night of drinking or something? 

G: No, I think Kaoru just took me there. 

K: We still couldn't really afford to go out drinking much back then. 

J: Ah, financially, right? Eat loads of ramen instead, right?

K: Yeah. 

J: Ah, well, we got a correct answer! Shall we move on? 

G: Ok, the next question is this. 'What was the first song on which Gara helped during the recording?' 

J: This is quite important, right?

G: Yes. 

J: This is the first question related to the actual job. Hmm, a song from the indies era? 

G: Yes. I was able to see how the recording process worked. 

K: I'm trying to think what the timing would be...haha. 

J: Hmm, when would it be?

K: Yeah, I mean, within our timeline. 

J: Tasai, do you have any idea?

T: Well, hmm, I don't think we talked about this kind of thing last time...I might be wrong. 

J: Hold on a sec..Gara, you want him to get this right, yeh? 

K: Ahh, I dunno.  

J: You just wrote something though!

G: I saw the while process of recording the song with this one.

J: So, you were there watching the whole time?

G: Yeh, from when they started making the song in the Kōenji studio. 

K: Well, in that case I think I've got it right. 

T: Well, this is kinda vague, but my answer is, 'That song you recorded in an old house somewhere'.

G: Oh, that was Jealous. 

T: Yes, Jealous. 

J: Ok, Leader?

K: Haven't you written anything?

J: No, I haven't. Haha. 

K: Ok, my answer is Ash. 

G: Correct!!

*applause*

K: Well, I thought it was likely to be this. 

G: Yep, I was there during the recording. 

K: For that omnibus album?

G: Yes. 

K: Yeah, he said 'which song', so that means it wasn't part of a collection of songs. And if it wasn't a single, then it would have to be this. 

G: I remember I went for Tendon with Die. 

K, J, T: Hahaha. 

J: Is food all you remember?! Haha. So you saw the whole recording process. Do remember making any new discoveries about the secret to Dir en grey's sound?

G: I didn't understand the secret to it at all!

J, T: Haha. 

J: But you remember the Tendon. 

G: Yeah. Well, it was only one day. From the drums, bass, guitars, and even to the vocals, it was all done in one day.

T: Amazing. 

J: Yeah, but with a few hints, Leader got it right. 

G: Impressive!

J: Yes, two out of three correct so far. Ok, do we have time for another one?

G: Ok, next question please. 'There was once a mid-summer outdoor event back then, (which I attended as a roadie), but what did Kaoru say to me in the car on the way home, which to this day, I can never forget?' I can give you a small hint, it was a bit of a shock. 

J: So it wasn't something moving, or meaningful?

G: No

J: He wasn't commending your abilities or anything?

G: Not at all. My response was more like, 'Ehh? Kaoru, did you really say that??!'

J: It was something a bit shocking?

G: Yes. 

K: Did it have some connection with the event?

G: Yeah...this mid-summer outdoor event

K: Ah, I see.

J: That's a hint! Mid-summer, outdoor event. Ahh, there is some interest in the comments too. 'Gara, this quiz is fun' etc. 

G: Thank you. Its been 20 years, but these words of Kaoru's have stayed with me. The main hint is probably that it was shocking. 

T: Well, since you've been talking about food, Gara, I think its about food, so my answer is, 'I just ate shaved ice, but I hid it from you'. 

K: Haha

T: Like in the heat, he ate it all. 

J: Ah, like Gara would resent Kaoru for it?

T: Yeah, he'd be shocked. 

J: Well, since it was summer, my answer is this. 'Your sweat stinks!' It'd be shocking to be told this, right? Ok, Leader? I wonder if you remember. 

K: My answer is this 'What are you doing with us??'

T: Ahh, that would be bad. 

K: Well, it was an event, so there might have been some other bands playing that he liked, you know?

J: Ahh, so it wasn't like a solo event. 

G: Well, one time Kaoru came over to my place, and I had posters of all sorts of other bands up everywhere, so maybe he wondered what I was doing with Dir?

T: Did any of us get it right?

G: Actually, one of you did! Shall I tell you what he said to me? He said, 'You stink of sweat!'

J: Yeahhh!

K: Hahaha 

T: How did you get that??

G: Well Done, Joe. 

J: He really said that to you?

G: Yeah, it was the middle of Summer, and I was moving all the equipment around by myself, I worked so hard. Then at the end I got in the car and sat next to Kaoru, and he said, 'Ugh, you stink of sweat!'

K, J, T: Hahaha 

G: I was like...I've been working hard for you all day! I've never been able to forget it. 

T: Kaoru, do you remember?

K: No..

G: I was pretty young, so it was quite a shock for me. 

K: But I vaguely remember him telling me about how I said that to him once. 

J: Did you tell him about it?

G: Maybe when we when out drinkIng once, I might have mentioned it. But it really was the most shocking thing to hear from him. I mean, that's how a roadie should be, right?

J: It shows that you've worked hard. If you weren't sweaty, you wouldn't have been doing your job properly. 

G: Right? That's how I should be. 

J: Its a sign that you did a good job. 

G: Yes 

T: Someone commented, Kaoru should apologize. 

J: Haha 

K: I'm sorry. 

J: Ahh, an apology from Leader!

G: I feel purified, haha. 

J: Ohh, that's good. Ok, next question.

G: Ok, the next question is, 'Which food which Gara hates did Kaoru force him to eat, all in one?' This was a thing when I used to go for drinks with Kaoru, hated foods or stuff like that. 

J: Well, you DO stuff like that when you are young, don't you?! I mean, if we don't know what foods you don't like, we are never gonna get this, but Leader probably knows. Its just a matter of choosing the right one. 

G: Yeah, this particular food, I still can't even eat it. 

J: You can't eat it?

K: Something that can be eaten in one go?

G: Er, we talked about this last time, but he also made me do 'Pistachio all in one' before too. 

J: Ugh, that's like hell. 

G: I wasn't allowed water, so I just had to keep crunching away until I could swallow.

J: That sounds tough, you cant really swallow it all at once either, can you?

K: Inside your mouth was shredded, wasn't it?

G: Yeah. 

J: Ugh, really? Well, viewers, please write in the comments if you have any ideas about this one. Someone just wrote pizza, but its something you still can't eat, right? If its something even an adult can eat, it must be something with quite a distinct taste?

G: Ah! Yes. 

T: Ahh, I've already written something. 

G: *reading comments* Century egg? Ohh, that would be tough!

J: And expensive!

T: Ok, lets reveal our answers. So, last time Gara said he doesn't like chicken much, and I thought if he's done 'pistachio all in one', maybe he might have done this too, 'Fried chicken cartilage all in one'

J: Ah I see. Well, my answer is this. 'Goya' (bitter melon). A lot of people  hate this, and it tastes very distinct. Ok, Leader?

K: Haha, I don't even remember, but..'Pickles'. 

J: Gara, are any of us correct?

G: One of you is close. 

J: Ohh, ok, tell us the answer. 

G: The correct answer is, Okinawan pickled onions (島らっきょう). So 'pickles' is nearly right. 

K: Goya is kinda there too, haha! (*Goya is an Okinawan vegetable*) Ahh, pickled onions, I think I kinda remember this now. 

T: Like, how did that work?

G: Well, all the onions were in the bowl, and I had to put them all in my mouth at once, and swallow them without a drink. 

J: Ahh, the things you got up too. 

G: I can still remember the disgusting aftertaste. 

K: The taste lingers, right?

G: Yeah. 

J: Ahh, is that the time already? Did we do 4 questions?...5? We did 5. How many did Leader get right? 2?

T: 2.5, right? With 'pickles'

J: Ah, ok, yes. 2 correct answers, and 1 good try. Half correct. What do you think Gara?

G: Yeah, I think he remembers a lot, since he was close with that last one. If this were baseball, he would be (*baseball reference, I dunno*)

J, K, T: Yeah, haha. 

G: It was a good result. 

J: Ok, Leader, 5 questions about the indies era from Gara. What did you think?

K: I don't remember anything.

J, T, G: Hahaha

K: I just worked out the answers from the hints. I don't actually remember. 

G: We were close though, we we working together practically every day. 

K: But it was only one year out of 25, haha. 

J: Well, yeah...

G: Maybe that's the fate of being the second roadie...haha. 

J: Ok, we're going to have to finish the first part of the show, but we'll learn more about Kaoru in the second half. We'll continue talking about Kaoru and Gara's history, so please become a channel member to see that. I'll just let you know how you can do that. The second half of the show is for members only, so you need to be a channel member if you want to see it. If you join, you can watch this broadcast in the archives for a whole year, and we also have members only videos, where we challenge ourselves to all sorts of things, so you can enjoy those too. Ok, how to join. Its very simple. There is a blue link at the top of your screen. Kaoru is pointing now. Click this link, and you will get a screen asking you to choose your payment method. Choose your method and click proceed. Then you can enter your payment details, and you're done. If you haven't yet joined, please do, and enjoy the rest of the show. Ok, now, some news from Gara?

G: Yes, thanks. Uh, on Dec 25th Merry will hold our 'Very Merry Xmas' event at Shinagawa Club eX where we will show the history of Merry (*etc*).

J: Ok, thank you. Leader?

K: Hm, was there something? Ah, well, we are mid-tour now. We still have Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya, Osaka, Osaka. And then an extra date on Dec 16th at Shinjuku Blaze. Uhh, I think there are quite a few venues with tickets still available, so people can definitely come by on the day and check it out. 

J: I saw you at Zepp Haneda recently, but I'd love to see you in one of the other regions if my schedule allows it. 

K: Please do. 

J: Ok, a quick break here while we change over, but channel members hang tight. Lets continue The Freedom of Expression in the second half!

[therhythmafterthesummer]

Hellooo~ I think I’m about to ramble a whole bunch so i hope this entertains you despite the heat of the earth right now.

I had been the type of reader who forgets the titles and authors’ names since I liked being a silent fan but have also wanted to avoid attachment to certain fics. This was probably because I personally don’t have a lot of free time but also because I had experienced fics that went on a forever hiatus. (I still loved the authors and totally respect their decisions tho.) That tmi backstory leads me to what I wanted to tell you:

I had loved your wereroomies installments but didn’t know that it was you nor were they part of the same universe. Basically, I loved your stories before knowing you, if that makes sense. BUT, the major force that actually made me want to see your other works was Five-Point Star. I literally wanted to scream at you (in a good way) so I worked up the courage to message but never did SLDJKSJDJE LMAO. (Now wereroomies took me on a chokehold so that’s how I ended up sending an actual message 🥹😭)

SO, the reason that I’m writing now is to tell you that I finally re-read Five-Point Star and 😩😩😩😩 here’s my thoughts about it cuz it still makes me Feel Everything the same way when I first read it.

FIRST OFF, of course you made another Chris to love 🥹. I felt how the MC’s job made her so distant to people and connections so having someone like Chris that could make her feel warm, make her laugh, and crave normality was sooo lovely.

I love how you wrote the whole thing. Like, I did kinda see how it would go but the whole build up and how it actually went was *chef’s kiss*. I really like this kind of trope but I’m also a sucker for that ending 😭. Thanks for breaking me, jk.

LASTLY, my brain worm went haywire with the ending so it started writing it’s own part 2 despite it being a one-shot 🥹. idk what to do with it so imma share it with you and release it from my head. LIKEEE, imagine some time has passed and MC moved to a different location and slowly tried to lessen her load of assassin work. She never really finished her last mission and retracted her contract to kidnap Seungmin. Trying to move on from the biggest heartbreak, she tries out to have a normal life in a different city to forget all of her what if’s. That is, until she gets kidnapped. (The irony.)

She wakes up in a room with a few armed men guarding her, and Seungmin or someone from Five-Point Stars telling her that they want to hire her. They want to get revenge or silence whoever tried to threaten the Kims using her, and the only one who has any information on who wanted Seungmin was her so they tracked her down. Of course, the leader of the whole Five-Point Star squad would be our beloved Chris 🥹. She can’t refuse because they have all of her information and can definitely use her previous assassin history against her. ALSBKAJDJSBDJDND I’ll stop there 😭 my brain worm is doing a funk istg i didn’t mean to ramble this long but oh well.

If you read this far, I love u, and here’s a hug 🤍. Ahck hope u and Raven are still intact and hydrated. AKHSJSHS This is my first time leaving this long of a message so im so sorry if its cringe and mushy 🥹 i really love ur works,,, you’re a great writer.

~🍓

pls this message is cute. you're cute. i'm glad you liked my stories enough that you felt like you needed to reach out. i love having you here💜

i'm all here for some Five-Point Star love 😩 i love love love that story. i felt like i was possessed the entire time i was writing it (i suppose many of us felt that way after watching that 5-STAR trailer and seeing Christopher in that outfit 😵).

i've been thinking about that story a lot these days, and i love love love your take on what could've happened after it.

what you're describing is similar to one of the scenarios i had in mind for a part 2.... i actually have so many different ideas for a part 2 sdjhfsjkdf. BUT, i think i have finally decided on the main ones i liked out of all the ones that came to my head, and i can say that i AM working on a part 2 👀 (i'm already over 6k in and it's nowhere near finished....). even though it isn't quite like what you're describing, i hope you'll like it once it's done and published💜

(mind you, FPS is a story that imo can definitely stand on its own without a part 2.... but you know how it is by now, my brain just does whatever it wants, and it wants to have a part 2 because it couldn't handle the ending KJDSHFKSJDF).

i love you, too, bb. here's a hug as well🤗. Raven and i are managing haha it's a bit cooler today, so hopefully temperatures start going down 😭

thank you for sending this lovely message! i hope you have an amazing day/night💜💜

[shay-writes-stuff]

A Connection Online - writing prompt

My eyes water as I stare at my laptop screen. I don't remember the last time I blinked. I can't even remember the last time I took a breath. At this time of the day, my body always shuts down and forgets how to function. It's as if I need to do everything manually at this time of day, but I can't remember how to act like a basic human.

My ears perk, picking up the tiniest sounds occurring around me. I could look away and investigate the sounds, but I'm waiting for one in particular. A ping indicating that I got a message.

This message means everything to me. The message is coming from a person I've been talking to for years now. We met on an online community about our favorite game. He posted an anthology about the game and its characters. I was enthralled by his words and had to send him a DM to tell him myself.

We only texted a little after that, but after a while, we ended up texting almost all day. We only talked about our interests in the game at first, but then it turned into our interest in our lives. Then texts turned into calls. Now, we're finally revealing our faces.

Most people would call me stupid for showing my face to a guy I only know online, but I've been anticipating this moment since our first call. All I know about him so far is that he's also a college student, a Senior ready to work as an Independent Author, he lives in Boulder, Colorado, and many filler things about his life. He's an amazing person, from what I've learned. My heart couldn't help but beat faster every time I got a notification that he's texted me.

Suddenly, my room fills with a cacophony of rings coming from my computer. I gasp, seeing a screen with his name in giant letters and a blurry face behind it. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears as I nervously gulp. Without another thought, I press the green accept button.

It took a second for my computer to buffer and load the video. Once it cleared up and showed his face, bright and clear for me, my heart almost burst out of my chest. I can already see us walking down the aisle.