#i doubt it was really connected to the price but the event was like a good omen or something idk

[wilwheaton]

So we have two issues we need to examine here. First, the astonishingly offensive remarks Trump made Thursday night about Jews. His Jewish support should start sinking like a stone. But there’s one Jew who clearly loves him, and other events this week have to make us wonder whether Bibi Netanyahu is trying to start a war with Lebanon and maybe Iran to raise gas prices and screw up the economy (right after Jerome Powell made a move to ensure that doesn’t happen) to help Trump win, but that’s another column, if I get around to it. The second issue is one that must remain front and center in the American political media: Trump is really losing his marbles now. Was that statement about the crowd going nuts for him at the debate a normal Trump lie? Or was it a fantasy of which he has convinced himself? If we hooked him up to a polygraph and he repeated that line, would his pulse quicken? Would he change his speech patterns, avert his eyes, cover his mouth? I doubt it. He wouldn’t even think he was lying. The mainstream media still treats comments like this with diffidence: “Oh, that’s Trump.” No. These are defining comments. They tell us about his mental fitness. They matter. They should be covered. I can’t find evidence that The New York Times or The Washington Post covered those remarks. This sanewashing must stop. Voters need to be informed when Trump makes statements with a tenuous connection to reality at best. He’s disqualifying himself from the presidency every day that he opens his mouth, but much of the mainstream media is ignoring the words coming out.

Donald “Blame the Jews” Trump Is Truly Losing His Sh*t Now

[putschki1969]

hi, how likely do you think that SC does by contract limit Keiko and Hikaru's activity with YK in the future ? because if this reunion live is only a one off event it doesnt seem reasonable to make such long term restriction. And if it does have such restriction in the contract, it is surprising that Keiko and Hikaru would fall for that. Unless Keiko and Hikaru is sommehow being tricked or SC pull some string in a way that Keiko and Hikaru signed the contract without seeing it will come like this

Hi there!

Fair warning, I will be getting into speculative territory with my answer so please keep that in mind and take everything you read with a grain of salt. I honestly don't enjoy speculating about this sort of stuff but it really can't be helped right now since we don't have any details. I'll try my best to keep everything as fact-based as possible.

Also, I can currently not guarantee a great deal of objectivity on the matter since I am feeling very protective of the girls. There's a part of me that is really angry at Yuki Kajiura and while I realise that my anger is mostly irrational and probably misdirected, I cannot help but feel this way. Please forgive me if anything I write in this post comes across as overly harsh towards Yuki Kajiura. If you are one of her hardcore stans, this is not the place to be right now.

Without further ado, let's get to your question...

I personally don’t think Space Craft has the amount of power over Keiko and Hikaru to completely cut them off from Yuki. Keiko is still managed by Tristone and Hikaru is a freelance artist so whatever they signed, or agreed upon, it most likely won't/can't conflict with Keiko's existing management contract and Hikaru's freedoms as freelancer. While I am sure there is some sort of agreement/contract, I very much doubt that it would enforce any sort of long-term commitment that could effectively hinder them from participating in any other activities. As you say, it would be incredibly unwise for Keiko and Hikaru to willingly sign such a restrictive agreement since the costs would far outweigh the gains, especially if they really end up only doing this one concert. They have been in this business for far too long and have surely learned from a fair amount of past mistakes to not let themselves be entrapped like that. They may not have been able to grasp the full extent of their decision (or were unable to predict Yuki's reaction) but to a certain degree, they must have known what awaited them if they agreed to this reunion concert. Just like Wakana knew what she was sacrificing when she decided to stay with Space Craft. In Wakana's case, one could argue that her seamless transition into a stable solo career was worth the price of being shunned. In Keiko's and Hikaru's case, the chance to do a single concert together is hardly worth losing that valuable connection to Yuki. Surely, those decisions weren't made lightly, lots of thought was put into them. So yeah, I don't think such strong restrictions would have been part of the agreement.

As for Space Craft deliberately tricking them, I'd like to believe that they aren't this cruel. Like I have always said, Wakana has decided to stay with them (and continues to stay with them) for a reason so for me, that automatically means that they can't be as evil as so many people make them out to be. I do not doubt that the higher-ups at Space Craft are grumpy old men who regularly take their pettiness to new creative levels just to spite Team Yuki but I'd hope they draw the line at betraying the girls. Basically, I wouldn't put it past them to do nasty stuff like enforcing NDAs, prohibiting the explicit mentioning of Yuki's name or staging news article leaks to publicly embarrass Yuki but I doubt they would intentionally trap the girls in a contract that they absolutely didn't want. I really hope I am right about this because I would hate to see any of them in such a predicament.

In all honesty, I think we mostly owe Keiko's exclusion from the upcoming YKL to Yuki's wheelings and dealings. Keiko's message on Yodel made it sound like she was genuinely hoping to continue working with Yuki and was just as saddened by the announcement as everyone else. As far as we can tell, she took the decision in stride and responded with dignity but she must have been quite disappointed, especially considering she was likely not informed of this decision in advance (she probably had to find out through the official announcement).

Now why would Yuki do such a thing? Once again, I refuse to believe that Yuki would intentionally try to punish or hurt Keiko. Seeing as I can't even imagine Space Craft being this cruel, I certainly struggle to imagine that Yuki would ever be capable of such malice. And I do somewhat believe her when she says she respects the girls. However, and this is a big however, I think Yuki is a very proud (dare I say conceited?) woman. A person of her status is of course allowed a certain measure of pride but I fear it has reached a point where her wounded pride and offended sensibilities are negatively influencing her ability to make rational decisions. As far as I am concerned, this puts her on the same level as all these Space Craft execs everyone keeps complaining about. And don't get me wrong here, I am not trying to diminish Space Craft's role in all of this, they have done their fair share of fucked up things but while everyone was always quick to put all the blame on them, no one really thought to question Yuki's actions during all of this. For me, they are equally at fault. Both parties surely make it difficult for each other and have some sort of leverage they like to use to get the better of the opposing party. But looking at everything from an objective point of view, Yuki has long ago gained significant advantages over Space Craft with all her recent accomplishments so I don't know what she is gaining from continuously manipulating the narrative in a manner that makes her look like she is the only wronged party in all of this while everyone else is either made to look evil or simply thrown under the bus.

I wish she would just swallow her pride, be the better person and make an effort to differentiate herself from the people at Space Craft whose petty behaviour she so clearly disapproves of. Unfortunately, she doesn't seem to recognise the hypocrisy in her own actions and she certainly doesn't come across as the type of person who is willing to make any concessions which is probably one of the main reasons the feud between her and SC still hasn't been resolved.

The higher-ups at Space Craft and Yuki are doing all of the string pulling and as long as they are motivated by pettiness, we sadly won't be seeing any improvement of the situation. The biggest tragedy in all of this is that Wakana, Keiko and Hikaru have always been the collateral damage of this childish feud. From day one, they have been caught in the trenches and forced to bear the brunt of the immature actions of their seniors. Hardcore YK stans may disagree but Kalafina isn't just Yuki's creation, throughout the years, it has become so much more and the girls have contributed just as much (if not more!) to shape the Kalafina we all know and love. How were they repaid for their efforts? First, they had pretty much their life's content, more than ten years worth of hard work and dedication, abruptly ripped from them only to be left to fend for themselves with little to no external support. Then they received nothing but horrible backlash for attempting to recreate something that was so incredibly special to them and now they seem to have been entirely abandoned for simply going through with a project that at its core was only meant to bring joy.

My only hope right now is that this unfortunate situation can be turned into many opportunities to enable some more Kalafina concerts as well as increase their solo activities. It would break my heart to just see them do nothing. I will not say that their sacrifice was completely in vain because that Kalafina Anniversary Live was obviously so important and so special to so many people (including the girls), we all had such an amazing time. But that just can't have been it, it's too high a price to pay for a single night of happiness. The girls need to get more out of this, they deserve it!

All right, I think I've said everything I've wanted to say...Over and out.

[sevs-corner]

Quick one shots on: Tf 141: Mafia AU

Link to prev (connected part to this!)

So, last part ended with you and your first date with Price (well at least you hoped so) and this time, take a walk with me as to how it went with Ghost.

Let's make it clear though that he was one of the last people to "fully" accept you within the family under Nonna and Nonno's guidance.

Despite that, he was the fastest to be so down bad.

Man is so inexperienced- just like the others- but to him, himself

He feels like a man failure

And he tried to make it up to you by getting a plushie...

That he kind of commissioned from one of friends from the knitting group he was in (yes that is his hobby on the side, but he's not gonna let anyone be privy to that information besides the 3- now 4- people he trusts)

He, lowkey, is still shy of showing his own creations- hence, the commission

Of course he also tries hiding this fact from you, but seeing you hold it with so much love and care made him feel more confident and want to create more things with and for you

Not to say you were shocked, but you were…

Shocked.

Gobsmacked?

Befuddled?

Anyways, speechless, from how Ghost had just willingly asked you to come along with him.

“To…” you began hesitatingly, “where…exactly?”

You see him fidget, arms tucked into his hoodie- which you were also surprised by from how casual his fit was. From the jeans, flats, and the plain medical mask on his face- quite a contrast to the fancy suits he’d usually wear while on the job or when visiting the bakery, or whenever you see him really.

You see him mask move but no words come out so you ask if you could repeat it.

He didn’t reply, huffing before tugging you out the door.

“Woa-woah hey!”

Ghost, in all of his bulky self, managed to slip through the ajar door and pull you through it as well with ease.

“Ghost-!” You try and pull to stop him, “Ghost! Wait- I have to change!!”

Though he wouldn’t budge, forcing you down your apartment’s stairs and out the front, and straight in the shotgun of his car. Once you got situated in, he buckled you up, patted your thigh and closed the door.

You didn’t know if you quite missed something when you last talked to the guy.

Or… you finally the crossed the line and they were gonna get rid of you—!

No- no, don’t go there.

They’ve already proven as much that they would never ever do that to you. So, benefit of the doubt, maybe it was an emergency.

Well, it is an emergency-- for Simon, that is.

Simon is in a panic.

Why did he have to drag you outside your own room?!

You were going to hate him for sure…

But he’s a committed man, what happened- happened, and he’s going to stick with the schedule for today (to which he forgot to share with you in his anxiousness and just assumed you knew.)

He also thought that you didn't need to change? You were already dressed up as far as he knew (no you weren't by your standards), he was wearing his 'house clothes' himself, you know?

No, you didn't. You would have assumed that he was alike you in the sense that you had clothes distinct for staying at home and going out.

Too bad for you that this man can't tell the difference! ('cause all he's seen you in are your work clothes for the bakery and the type of clothes you wear now when he visits your apartment.)

Once he rounded the car, he shuts those thoughts out and enters the vehicle, hoping to start off fresh--

"g'mornin'."

He grunts out and you looked at him, quite confused at the timeline of events, but greeted him all the same.

"Good morning to you to, I guess?" You watch him hum and nod, switch the stick to drive, and just-- drive off from your apartment.

"So," you ask, "are you gonna tell me where we're going?"

He grunts again, and you think that's his only dialogue option until he talks a couple minutes later, at a moment when you least expect it when you were gazing at the passing buildings.

"To the park," you hear him mumbled, "didn't you read the itinerary?"

"the what?" your turned aghast, "run that by me again-- the itinerary?"

"Did you not get one?" Ghost looked at you for a moment, his face looking quite pale and similar to his moniker.

"Shite, didn't I send you a text last night?" He speaks a bit more quickly, which makes you in turn and panic yourself because you've never seen this man act like this.

So you check quickly, "just your usual good night cat meme message!"

Which makes him more frustrated, "are you serious? not a link to a document or anything?"

"Seriously!"

You then shoved your phone to his peripheral, but not in the way of his driving, but just enough that he can glance at it to check it himself.

Damn did he wanted to sock himself in the face so much right now.

"Oh," you could see his tense shoulders slump, "m' sorry, prolly' forgot to send it to ya' then."

Clearing the confusion took the whole car ride, from him worryingly planning everything to you reassuring that it was fine and you were even excited to go out with him!

Of course you wanted to get to know better this recluse of a man (for your safety but your curiosity needed to be satiated as well) and find out a way to repay him for taking care of you so far.

(As Soap sometimes drunkenly whispers to you how Ghost would go out of his way and be late to their meeting just because he sometimes passes by your apartment to get rid of some drunkards or teens that's hoping to sneak in to your apartment building to party or what not.)

So, you thought of this as the perfect opportunity to do just that!

Once you arrived at the park hand-in-hand, you quickly pulled him towards the pond where some of colorful ducks where at. You always would coo at them whenever you pass by the area and the ducks seemed to squack back in response! Some even swam towards the shoreline, albeit slowly, still wary of your presence.

Ghost, oh dear his poor heart.

From the way you intertwined his clammy hand in yours and just pulled him without much effort and then now to you, acting so cutely with the ducks.

He swear he could burst at any moment.

But then he sees you turn to him, waving him over with a bright smile, the light bouncing off your hair, your eyes reflecting the clear blue waters-- he swore to himself that he never speed-walked that fast in his life.

He kneels besides you, quite awkwardly because he didn't know what to do there really, and watched you pet the duck, cooing at with the duck honking happily on your lap.

Your giggles, they were so light and uplifting, it just felt like cotton in his ears, bouncing in his brain as if they were echoes.

"Simon?"

Your voice snaps him out of his stupor and he looks at you, one eyebrow raised with a hum.

"Would you," you offer your hand to him, "like to pet... Quaker flakes?"

He chuckles, "why the hell is it named 'quaker flakes?'" Despite his quip, he offers his hand to you anyways, with you grabbing it and gently laying it on the duck's back.

"Well, it's yellow and looks crunchy!"

He raises his brows in amusement and he couldn't help the smirk that formed on his lips.

"Crunchy?" He asks, "Already hungry?"

He sees your cheeks blossom but immediately misses it when you turn away in a huff.

"Am not!"

"Really now?" He continues to tease, now sitting more comfortably as he got closer to you.

"Yes," you curtly replied, "even though you snatched me away as I was about to eat my breakfast."

This time Ghost pouts at this, throwing an arm around your shoulder so he could use his outstretched hand to swivel your head back to him and he could see your eyes widen by a cinch at how smooth it was.

"Why don't I..." he moves in closer to your ear, "...treat you then?"

His own eyes sparkle at your reaction, squirming and tense- usually he'd take delight in this reactions from the people he tortured but from you... jeez, something was stirring at pit of his stomach.

"For free?"

Yet that look didn't last long with your cheeky grin on your pink chapped lips, and he swore beneath his breath, eyes rolling at how 'you' the response was.

"Yes," he grins, "just this time."

You pout- stop tempting him- and ask, "just a one-time offer?"

He was just inches away from you, one shove from either of you and it would close the distance.

He was hoping, praying, that the would be strong enough to do it because he sure as hell wasn't.

"Just," he bops your nose, "this once." Then pulls away, with him standing up and dusting his legs- hoping you'd miss how dilated his eyes were or how his cheeks and ears felt insanely hot at the moment.

You giggle to yourself, scrambling after him as you both left the pond and duck who honked for you as you left.

Now happy and filled, eating by the bench and the food stand, Ghost decides to hand you a box.

"What's-" you swallow your food quickly, "this for?"

You scrambled to get a napkin, surprised that Ghost- himself- was giving you something out of nowhere.

"A present," he grumbles, "the napkins are here."

With a quick, "thanks," you wiped your hands clean and looked at the box more closely. The wrap was a soft pastel blue with a yellow foil ribbon on top, it just being the size of Simon's palm.

You gazed back at him and you saw the expectance in his eyes so you inhaled and slowly unraveled the wrapper.

Carefully peeling it apart until you opened it, gasping at how cute the crocheted coaster was. It had a flower pattern as the base, colored blue as if it was the water you'd seen earlier, a tiny duck sat at the edge with two small mint green plants besides it, and some tiny flowers around its base.

"I got it made," Ghost explains voice tight, "do...you like it?"

His voice gradually became softer and you had to turn to him, you had to face him when you said--

"I love it, Simon."

Ghost- no, Simon... became a very happy man.

Even more so with your promises to keep it safe, to use it at home when you study, and to take care of it with so much careful consideration because it came from him.

Yeah, you could say that he's definitely downbad now.

Picture of the gift from Ghostie hehe

You can check out more of my works here in this masterlist !

[margareth-lv]

🤕 No pain, no gain 🤕

There's an old saying that goes something like:

You know, the idea that everything ultimately has a cost and nothing in life is truly free.

In this context, the comment @auburncurlslass under my Saturday note gave me food for thought:

Another thought…..how did the B list actress score a seat next to the lead A list actor?? Does Bradley really know Caitriona? If so, how or what is the connection?🧐🧐🧐🧐

*** *** ***

Perhaps my reasoning is too simple, too simplistic. Perhaps the flow of my associations is also too simplistic, perhaps by simplifying I am making a mistake in my reasoning. I take this into account. Especially since I'm making my argument based on a few photos published on Instagram, not based on hard data. But what do we see from a few photos on Instagram?

(By the way, let's not forget that Sam flew to the USA at the time, so there's no doubt that Sam and Caitriona lead completely separate lives and have nothing in common. After all, nobody remembers that they both dropped off the radar in previous weeks. Sure, they weren't in the SM, but they couldn't have been together in real life at the time, as they lead completely separate lives, as they have repeatedly emphasised).

*** *** ***

Well, the course of events, reconstructed from several photos published on Instagram, is that on Wednesday 29 November 2023, Caitriona was standing (with a strange expression on her face) next to a half-dead and unwashed PA (a man who has always and for years had no career and no social media presence). She allowed her (and her PA's) photograph to be taken and published by GettyImages.

They appeared together at the special screening after party for 'Leave The World Behind'.

By the way, isn't the title significant?

This is proof #1.

*** *** ***

Two days later, on Friday 2 December 2023, a completely transformed Cait, with a beaming smile on her relaxed face, poses for a photo with the actress who plays one of the main roles in the film 'Maestro', Carey Mulligan.

We later learn that Cait was invited to an 'intimate lunch' organised by agency Finch+Partners to celebrate #MaestroFilm, directed and starring Bradley Cooper.

[Side note: ‚Maestro’ centers on the relationship between American composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre. The film stars Carey Mulligan as Montealegre alongside Cooper as Bernstein. The film was scheduled for a limited theatrical release on November 22, 2023, before streaming on Netflix on December 20. It received positive reviews from critics. Source: Wikipedia]

During the lunch, Caitriona sits at the table next to Cooper, in front of Carey Mulligan (can you think of a better place to sit at the table?) and laughs at the jokes Charles Finch tells. How did she get there?

This is evidence #2.

Of course, there's no sign of the PA at lunch, it's a meeting in a small circle of trusted people. Caitríona doesn't flinch nervously, but laughs out loud.

*** *** ***

I search Google for a while. The agency Finch+Partners has Lionsgate as a client.

As well as Chanel and DeBeers, among many others.

The connection between Finch+Partners, Cait and Lionsgate is obvious.

Could it be that Wednesday's PA photo was the price she paid for the opportunity to have lunch with Bradley Cooper?

No pain, no gain. And there's no such thing as a free lunch.

The Finch+Partners connection to Cait, Chanel and DeBeers is more fun.

It leads straight to Eleanor May Tomlinson, 31, an English actress.

After all, both Cait and Eleanor are kissing the same guy. This is bound to lead to some amusing associations.

... like the same jumpsuit from Finch+Partners client, Chanel.

*** *** ***

And two years earlier, a shared presence at DeBeers Jewellers London Flagship Store opening event (24 November 2021):

Without a doubt, this is a small world.

💰💰💰

And you see: obedience pays.

If you know your place in the ranks, listen to your bosses and stick to the script of your life written by psychopaths, you can expect to reap the rewards.

Lunching with Bradley Cooper.

Wearing the beautiful clothes of Chanel.

[December 4, 2023]

[fwckriley]

QUICK CHAT ABOUT COD CHARACTERS AND THEIR MBTI TYPES PT 1.

Hi!!! So, I was just scrolling through Tumblr late at night and I saw some headcanons, where the creator mentioned Ghost's MBTI. It reminded me that I had a word file saved, discussing about the characters and their MBTI. But, I haven't finished it, so I'll just ramble some of my thoughts here instead.

I want to begin with Ghost. Seriously, I genuinely want to understand why people type him as an INTJ, the guy is not a Ni dom at all. And also, let’s just exclude here any chance of him being an INTP. But, I do see Ti and Ni in his functions. In my opinion, he is an ISTP 5w6. For those unfamiliar, ISTPs have Ti (dominant), Se (auxiliary), Ni (tertiary), and Fe (inferior) in their functions.

I'll be honest, this inferior Fe makes me doubt a bit because Ghost seems much more like a Fi user. However, considering that Fe is inferior and theoretically his weakest function, it makes sense. And, to me, what makes ISTP the most obvious choice is that this man really isn't a Ni dom or a Ne aux type. But like I said, I do see some Ni in him, but very weak, which excludes the possibility of him being a Ni dom, and adds the possibility of him being a Ti dom. But, he has zero Ne, so he can’t be an INTP. Just to clear things up, I don't think analysts can't be impulsive or that sensors are dumb, not at all. But they do have some tendencies, and you can see differences in how they deal/view the world.

So, let me give an example of a character who's an analyst: Laswell. She's the embodiment of an INTJ. Price and Ghost deviate so much from her. Both of them should have both Ni auxiliary and Ni dominant, respectively. The way both of them deals with Shepherd and Graves betrayal makes it very clear how they aren't intuitive types for me. They’re incapable of seeing the other side of the situation. And I know it might sound like a crappy argument, but speaking as a Ne aux, I always open myself to possibilities even if I DISAGREE, especially if I can benefit from it. You know who else does that? Laswell. A Ni dom. It's very clear her Ni/Te, and that's why compared to Ghost, I don't understand why people type him as an INTJ. Personally, I think Ti and Ni can be easily mistaken. And for me, Ghost's Ti is pretty obvious, the way he is practical, and how he analyzes things, and his Se aux helps him to be very aware of his surroundings (of course, there are more than that in Se aux). But to me? there's nothing more Ti/Se than that. I'll just drop here two brief descriptions of Ti/Ni dom that make me pretty sure Ghost isn’t a Ni dom.

"Introverted Intuition seeks underlying patterns that can predict how events will unfold in the long term. The primary goal is to understand cause and effect accurately, enabling confidence in problem-solving and avoiding causing issues. Individuals with this dominant function tend to be 'perceptive,' often capable of 'seeing through' situations by finding the 'real importance' or 'essence' or 'root' or 'meaning' of things and understanding the fundamental factors that will influence how situations unfold, connecting past, present, and future considerations in non-linear ways. They unconsciously seek vaguely familiar patterns of contextual variables and tend to gather multiple perspectives to synthesize and visualize 'the true truth' or a better version of life. In this way, they tend to be quite certain about how they want their lives to unfold, usually aspirational in pursuing meaningful goals with focus and determination as they seek to realize their personal potential."

"Introverted Thinking seeks to discover rules or direct formulas based on facts to guide thinking and behavior towards greater consistency and coherence. People with this dominant function tend to be highly analytical, preferring to adopt positions/judgments that are as free from biases or undue influences as possible. They often enjoy building skills and accumulating technical knowledge by systematically analyzing and deconstructing ideas/situations, preventing and solving problems, and manipulating systems to fix or enhance them. In this way, they can be dispassionate and self-sufficient in approaching situations with their refined knowledge, often admired for their calm and competent approach to solve problems. However, they may also become emotionally detached from situations due to the excision of the human perspective, incorrectly assuming it is irrelevant to their analyses. When people don't know how to use Ti properly, they tend to be overly reductionist, seeing only a simple cause for a complex situation and unable to recognize the gaps/flaws in their own reasoning process, especially when trying to understand issues in relationships and social contexts."

“The reason the two get confused so often is because, one: they are both introverted functions which makes them hard to see and distinguish, and two: they are both abstract. Ni collects and stores abstract information, while Ti makes abstract connections and conclusions.”

“Ni is a 'perceiving' funtion, which is different from Ti because it does not do the 'judging' which is Ti's role. Ni in simple words is seeing and thinking about things very deeply to find connections and therefore form certain hunches or predictions. Many Ni dominants may have a conclusion which they got to, but they don't know how to explain the way they got to it. Ni uses more subconscious thinking than Ti does. Ti on the other hand analyses even more than Ni does, and sorts certain ideas, sort of like Pros and Cons, it is usually what can be the deciding factor.”

*Quick reminder: Ghost never anticipated Graves' betrayal, and didn't give any reasons that he suspected of Graves before that. He seems unfazed when the betrayal occurs, but that's because it's not something new to him.

So, while I can argue that his lack of Fe may simply be because it is an inferior function, hence less dominant and developed function (though I think he showed a lot of Fe during the whole Mexico situation) it’s hard to argue his lack of Ni because it's a DOMINANT function. And when we talk about dominant function, when is undeveloped, it doesn't indicate a lack of, but rather an unhealthy mode of acting/thinking/coping.

So, about Price... I think he's an ESTP. Stereotypically, he's not the typical ESTP. Unlike Ghost, who has a weak/undeveloped inferior Fe, I think Price has his inferior Ni very well developed, and that's why I think the fact that he is an ESTP is not so noticeable. Just as I compared Ghost to a character who shared the same MBTI type that was attributed to him, I will now compare Price to Makarov. In my opinion, Makarov in this game is a good example of an ENTJ. If you compare the characters and the way they behave, you’ll see that Price has a liiittle more difficulty seeing beyond the obvious, and for me, if he had Ni aux as many point out, he would have anticipated many of Makarov's actions. And I go further, I also believe he would never have let Makarov live back in 2019, recognizing the threat that Makarov was, if he were and ENTJ. Because ENTJs tend to thinking ahead, if they have a problem they’ll think in a way to solve pragmatically, effectively and definitively for once and all. Also, Price is highly reluctant to work with Shepherd, showing a lack of Te/Ni, working with his enemies to achieve his goals is not his first thought (but it’s Laswell “first” thought, a Ni dom). It's not about trust, but personal/team/world gain. Again, he’s incapable of seeing the big picture. And, of course, he has a significant amount of Fe, the way he is a great leader, communicates effectively with people around him, and bond with his team proves that.

I think all the quotes I put up above really show how neither Price nor Ghost use Ni in their first two stacks. But both of them use Ti. There's this stereotype that sensors aren't that smart, so when you've got two characters who should be the best of the soldiers, really smart and skilled, people tend link them with the “best MBTI types” and type them as Ni users (completely bullshit, they just do this because they don’t know how functions work). And again, when you compared them with two Ni users (Laswell and Makarov) you can see how different they are.

I'm gonna do a part two and post it later because I wanna talk about Gaz and Soap too (and some other characters, but the two of them are my main goal now), but I think this one ended up slightly longer than I planned.

[androidcharles]

Hey did you know that soon-ish is now? I'm sorry, I was just so proud of how I wrote this part that I had to kiss and tell, so here's a small sneak peek at the next filler story (or at least the first chapter) in the android!Charles series!

Amelia was about to finally leave in two hours. Dr. Vinschpinsilstien just had to run some diagnostics and she would be out of her hair. But there was something itching in the back of her mind while she was waiting. And it concerned Charles’ boyfriend.

The name Rupert sounded very familiar. Almost a little too familiar, like she had heard the name before in conversation or in passing. What about it was so familiar that she felt like it warranted a bit of further investigation?

So she decided to ask her dad about it. He’d been running the clan for a few years and had been in it for a lot longer. So he would know something about this Rupert person.

GlitterToppatGirl: Hey dad can I ask you a question?

ToppatKingReg: Yes, what’s your question dear?

GlitterToppatGirl: Do you know who Rupert is?

ToppatKingReg: You’re going to have to be more specific.

GlitterToppatGirl: I think his last name was um Prince or something?

ToppatKingReg: Price

GlitterToppatGirl: So you do know him!

ToppatKingReg: And I babysat him when he was quite young. Though I highly doubt he recalls it. Rupert Price, along with his mother are two very valuable people.

GlitterToppatGirl: How so?

ToppatKingReg: In the fact that Rupert and Minerva both share blood with a Toppat. An agreement was signed that in the event that if one of the two got into law enforcement, for better or worse, they shall not be captured.

GlitterToppatGirl: Really? Is that why we always ignore him?

ToppatKingReg: Yes, indeed. There are a few more people like that, your little boyfriend for instance, but Rupert is one of them. Which may become a problem later if he becomes captain. Although, back in the day, the government did sometimes rub elbows with us for information…

GlitterToppatGirl: Does Rupert know about this?

ToppatKingReg: That’s only if his mother told him. But for the last few years of that certain Toppats life, she kept him as far away from the clan as possible.

GlitterToppatGirl: Why?

ToppatKingReg: A multitude of reasons I can’t get into right now. Just know that if Rupert doesn’t know, then he has to find out through his mother. And she hasn’t told him well I can only hope he takes the news well.

Amelia sat in silence before thanking her dad for the information and signing off. She read over the chat log over and over again, trying to think about the best way to bring this up to Charles as a door appeared in her room. It opened and Charles peeked in, grinning really wide.

“Hey, Amelia!”

“No you can’t borrow my body.”

“Like I’d want to! I just wanted to see how excited you were to get back out there because-”

“Charles did you know that Rupert is related to Toppats?” Charles’ eyes widened as he glanced from side to side, as if someone was going to come and sedate him.

“Who told you that? Wait you’re a Toppat so of course you’d know…”

“Yeah, obviously!” Amelia lied, “So you knew too?”

“Um… it came up in conversation at the base when Rupert was being recruited. I was doing background checks for his mother in case she was up to no good and she still had connections to the Toppats. But apparently the only connection she had was the fact that she was related to a former leader,” Charles explained.

“Which one?” Amelia asked, her voice a bit wary.

“Jaques Kensington,” Charles answered.

“HIM!? The guy with the really creepy painting, oh my greater ones, aaaah…” Amelia covered her ears as Charles chuckled.

“It’s true, he’s related to him. Apparently it’s his uncle,” Charles said.

“So does he know he’s related to Toppats?” Amelia asked.

“Uh, no… I mean when he first joined, I asked him if his mom talked about the Toppats, but he just gave me this sour look. If his mom talked about it, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t anything good,” Charles said.

“So you never told him…” Amelia said, “Doesn’t that feel wrong?”

“No, not really. I highly doubt the government forces even care if he knows but… I know they’ve really been keeping him under a microscope because of me. I’d hate to be the reason he doesn’t become a captain, but if he finds out he’s a Toppat…”

“Maybe he’ll be fine with it! I mean, as annoying as it is, he’s still a good guy, right? There’s no way he’d go nuts because he found out he’s related to a former Toppat leader. I think he’ll be fine. Maybe you should talk to him about it,” Amelia suggested.

“What? Why?” Charles said, “I know that it’s not technically secret and I don’t HAVE to keep it secret, but what if he finds out and he spirals?”

“He seems a lot more mentally stable then Dave. And he still jumps every time he sees my dad,” Amelia said before looking at her UI, “I gotta go plug in. But think about it! I mean it can’t hurt to let him know right?” Charles summoned a door and exited Amelia’s headspace, heading back to his own quickly as he sighed, pondering what Amelia said.

Maybe he should talk to Minerva about this first. So he could get a good idea of how to approach this...

[thepermanentrainpress]

CONCERT REVIEW: COLDPLAY W/ H.E.R. AT BC PLACE - SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

Coldplay has been consistently selling out stadiums worldwide for two decades, and for good reason. Their live shows are more than a concert: they are unique, colourful, active participation events. The audience does not just experience the show, but they become an essential part of it.

Opening acts comprised of hip-hop artist Bobby Gonz, pop-rapper 070 Shake, and R&B singer H.E.R.. H.E.R.’s set was especially fun, featuring a full band. The artist played multiple guitars and even the drums while singing, and performed multiple rock covers. A mashup of “I Love Rock 'n Roll” and “We Will Rock You,” followed by Lenny Kravitz’ “Are You Gonna Go My Way” to close the set really warmed up the energy for the main event.

Of particular note for this tour was the efforts Coldplay took in social responsibility and sustainability. Videos detailed how the tour dollars went to support global environmental initiatives, and how much of the show was powered by renewable energy. The set was opened by members of local First Nations, who gave a speech welcoming everyone to their shared lands. The young people and elders on stage gave gratitude to Coldplay for being the first group to create this space for Indigenous peoples of the area.

Each audience member was given a biodegradable LED bracelet that lit up in different colours. Throughout the show, a sea of lights soared across the stadium. This created a really neat, gorgeous visual effect. Thousands of pinpoints blinking in tune and hue. It’s really unlike anything I’ve seen at a concert, particularly with the number of people involved and the amount of detail put into the synchronization. There were lasers and balloons as well, as if BC Place had become a giant rave party.

The majority of Coldplay tracks are upbeat, dance-worthy tunes. But even the mellow piano-focused tracks (“The Scientist” and “In My Place”) were accompanied by a sing-a-long of thousands, creating a unique, warm energy in the vast room. In fact, every single track – no exaggeration – featured people singing along. I’ve never experienced a show quite like that.

No doubt, part of Coldplay’s longtime appeal is their direct, personal connection with the fans. It’s obvious these guys are so grateful to be on stage and appealing to so many two decades later. Chris Martin profusely thanked everyone for their work in making the show happen, from stage crew to bus drivers. He gave gratitude to the audience for enduring the high prices of tickets to parking to beer – and for giving the band their Friday night. 

Chris scanned the pit for signs and flags, trying to shout out as many as he could. “You came from Australia, you came from India... Wow! Happy birthday! Happy anniversary!” As with every show, they brought someone from the audience up on stage – in this case, a young married couple. They joined Chris by doing backup vocals for “In My Place,” the lady going so far as to have written the chords on her arm to help. It was a sweet, endearing way to bridge the gap between artist and audience.

Perhaps “Yellow” was the biggest shine of the night. The whole venue lit up with tens of thousands of bright yellow points as the band performed their most popular song. The loudest, most intense singing, dancing, and rocking occurred at this time. It was physically impossible not to smile and feel the joy in the room. Any energy that hadn’t been captured yet was released at this midway point.

The visuals got extra strange towards the end of the set. The band wore alien head masks and LED motorcycle helmets for “My Universe” – part of the concept for their whole Music of the Spheres album. The last song of the main set was “A Sky Full of Stars.” We were politely asked to put “our hands in the air and our phones in our pockets” for this one, leading to a phone-free, shared moment of 50,000 people, shining lights, and a chanted chorus across the stadium. It really did resemble a sky full of stars.

The encore did not let up with the energy and visuals. Large balloons resembling planets floated around the pit, as if the floor was a solar system. This echoed the theme concept for Music of the Spheres. At this point, the band brought out a surprise guest: Vancouver music icon Bryan Adams. Apparently this was a last-minute decision made by everyone backstage. They all performed “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You,” primarily sung by Bryan and backup vocals joined by H.E.R.. It was a big hit with the crowd. 

Even the grand finale was an impactful image. For one of their latest singles “Biutyful,” Chris was joined on stage by a female alien puppet known as Angel Moon, part of the album concept. It was rather odd – particularly if one doesn’t know the context – but also “biutyful” in an alien way. 

I was a little disappointed to not hear more of their earlier work, especially with only one track played from Viva la Vida. But with nine albums and dozens of singles, there’s always going to be some shuffle. There’s truly nothing like a Coldplay tour: whether a longtime or new fan, casual or devout, few artists bring people together and create memories like these men. Their style may have evolved, but this tour has proven the show is only getting bigger and better. I already can’t wait to see them again.

Written by: Cazzy Lewchuk Photographed by: Timothy Nguyen

[hifilounge]

YG Acoustic Speakers / Bel Canto Electronics & Cardas Cables Open Day - February 22nd!

Hi all,

Here's a date for everyone's diary, February the 22nd for an Open Day for 3 newish brands for us that are proving very popular so we thought it would make sense to do and Open Day showcasing them all together.

We will have 3 demo rooms running showcasing 3 systems of differing levels of performance and price, personally I am really looking forward to this one as I have really become a big fan of all 3 of these brands that in all honesty weren't really on my radar till 18 months or so ago but once I heard them all, especially when working together, I was sold.

Upstairs Demo Room!

So for our traditional 'smaller system' upstairs room we will be running 2 pairs of speakers from the the YG Acoustic 'Peaks' speaker range, this is basically their entry level range starting with the Cairn stand-mount speaker and then we will switch to the floor-standing Ascent, both being driven by the Bel Canto E1x all in one streaming amplifier and all connected with mid level Cardas cables.

A quick word on Bel Canto, now I knew the name but had never really listened to any of their kit, now I feel I should mention it is Class D but that really shouldn't even be in the conversation really as Class D of old was frowned on in HiFi for amplification but once you have heard what Bel Canto have achieved with it I know you will be blown away as I know I was, extremely musical but detailed and engaging, the perfect balance really, it is just a different way of amplification really just a Class A and A/B is.

1st downstairs Room!

In our first downstairs room we will be moving to the entry level of the YG Reference range with the stunning Carmel 3 speakers, don't let their diminutive size fool you, these really are something else, these will be partnered with the Bel Canto Black series ACI 600 Integrated, this is their flagship one box solution and really is something. This system will showcase a really elegant system comprising of one box for electronics partnered with a pair of High-end, but small speakers, to show you don't have to go to a huge system to get the quality.

Highend Room!

Now this promises to be very special with nothing spared here, YG will be lending us a pair of their Reference Hailey 3 speakers priced at £69k and these will be driven by Bel Canto's flagship Black separate system comprising of a 2 box DAC/Streamer/Pre and a pair of Mono amps, all hooked up with the flagship Cardas cables, now this is one room I really want to hear as I have yet to hear YG's at this level which I have no doubt will be incredible, especially when partnered with Bel Canto and Cardas at this level also.

RSVP

So as you can see it will be a really great day for all music lovers out there, we will be having an open house with no presentations as such but we will have representatives here from YG, Bel Canto and Cardas to help run the day and answer any questions you may have, even the President of Bel Canto, Michael, is flying over for the event which is incredible.

We will have refreshments throughout the day as normal so if you'd like to come along can you just let me know on the e-mail address below -

paul@hifilounge.co.uk

Many thanks and hope to see you on the 22nd February.

Please find a link to the 3 brands website below -

All the best,

Paul.

[edenmemes]

skyward sword sentence starters

more to be added !

❝ you promised to meet me before it starts, remember? ❞ ❝ you seem pretty...relaxed about the whole thing. ❞ ❝ is something wrong? what’s the hurry? ❞ ❝ sometimes i just don’t know what’s going on in your head. ❞ ❝ i'm not like you. i fail at everything i try. ❞ ❝ a shrimpy boy like you hardly looks the part of a hero. ❞ ❝ swatting a few monsters will be no trouble for you. ❞ ❝ run and play this time. get in my way again, though, and you’re dead. ❞ ❝ don’t even pretend that was an accident! ❞ ❝ do you doubt these eyes? i look upon your shirt and i see a single thread loose on your sleeve stitching. ❞ ❝ this is no place for one such as you. and yet here you stand. ❞ ❝ i need to vent all this unhealthy anger,     and your agony is such a great stress reliever. ❞ ❝ remember what we discussed. restrain yourself. focus on the task at hand. ❞ ❝ do my words anger you? do my words sting? let them. ❞ ❝ you don’t come by here just to see me, do you? ❞ ❝ what’s wrong? you just made a face like you wanted to say something. ❞ ❝ oh, i get it. you’re trying to weasel out of having to practice. ❞ ❝ i guess it’s not all bad. at least i’m getting paid. ❞ ❝ there’s something i’ve been meaning to talk to you about.... ❞ ❝ would you wake up, straighten up, and grow a backbone already? ❞ ❝ nice try, but you’re not fooling me. ❞ ❝ i...i have to go. i’m sorry. ❞ ❝ folks were always cheering me on like it was a parade. but as you know, time passes. ❞ ❝ you keep some very strange company, friend. ❞ ❝ i don’t know if it’s safe yet...i’m going to stay here awhile longer. ❞ ❝ oh no. you’ve done it now! there’s no escaping this one! ❞ ❝ so, what now? are you going to cry? ❞ ❝ i can’t begin to tell you how sorry i am for pulling you into all of this. ❞ ❝ what is wrong with you? just look at what you’ve done! ❞ ❝ what we’ve seen here today defies explanation. ❞ ❝ you put up more of a fight than i would have thought possible out of such a soft person. ❞ ❝ did you really just draw your sword? foolish. ❞ ❝ should you heed the call of destiny,     i don’t know what dangers you may have to face. ❞ ❝ i can’t help being such a coward...i’m really sorry. ❞ ❝ i fear i spent far too long teasing and toying with you. ❞ ❝ you do your people proud. ❞ ❝ how long do we have to live in constant fear? ❞ ❝ i'll just beat you within an inch of your life! ❞ ❝ dawn is drawing near. it has been a long night for the both of us, hasn’t it? ❞ ❝ you were limp and unconscious. i feared the worst. ❞ ❝ what do you think you’re doing sneaking out with that? ❞ ❝ such a beautiful day, but we’re too busy to enjoy it. some things never change. ❞ ❝ i guess you’ll never learn unless you run into trouble one day. ❞ ❝ look at my face. if that’s your idea of a joke, i’m not laughing. ❞ ❝ you appeared to be relishing that snooze, so i declined to wake you. ❞ ❝ huh? oh, uh, nothing. really, i was, uh...talking to myself. ❞ ❝ you’re looking a little pale... ❞ ❝ i imagine you and i will cross paths again. until then, do not lower your guard. ❞ ❝ you certainly are persistent... ❞ ❝ all that may be well intentioned and true, but it doesn’t mean it’s right. ❞ ❝ i’m prepared to pay the price for what i’ve done. ❞ ❝ i had no idea we were fated to carry such a heavy destiny. ❞ ❝ i need your strength to tip the scales in our favor. ❞ ❝ all this training, and no results! ❞ ❝ all i’ve hears so far is a bunch of babbling about destiny,     but that’s a load of garbage. ❞ ❝ when night draws her tenebrous curtain across the sky, i come here. ❞ ❝ what in the world just happened? did you use some kind of magic? ❞ ❝ please, see it through and prove the legends true. ❞ ❝ i was happy just spending my days hanging around with you. i wanted that feeling to last forever. ❞ ❝ you are vital to a mission of great importance. ❞ ❝ the chances of that happening are just about less than zero. ❞ ❝ i hate to break it to you, but today’s the day i bust up this adorable little fantasyland you’re living in. ❞ ❝ this is a war, and the fate of the land hangs in the balance. ❞ ❝ i know you, and you’re no hero. ❞ ❝ you’re messing with me. say it again, i dare you. ❞ ❝ you float through life with your head in the clouds. ❞ ❝ i don’t do charity for wimps. ❞ ❝ what’s this...? what is it that my eyes behold? ❞ ❝ don’t even think about it! are we clear? ❞ ❝ the point is your work here is done. i got it covered from here. ❞ ❝ my eyes foresee a hazardous, thorny road ahead for you... ❞ ❝ you...this is your fault, you know. ❞ ❝ my heart is bursting with thoughts of you. ❞ ❝ i have a serious dilemma on my mind right now, and you’re distracting me. ❞ ❝ i’ll make you proud. you’ll see! ❞ ❝ feels dangerous. something could jump out at us at any moment. ❞ ❝ we’re talking about a tale that’s been passed down over a lot of years, so i wouldn’t put much stock in it. ❞ ❝ i have the right to experience an unfettered and passionate love, don’t i? ❞ ❝ i’ll tell you, it gives even a big guy like me the creeps. ❞ ❝ oh...how can i get you to notice me? ❞ ❝ i get the feeling nothing i can say will talk you out of it. ❞ ❝ my love for you is wider than the horizon and deeper than the clouds. ❞ ❝ trust my piercing eyes...listen to my pure and innocent voice. ❞ ❝ i feel so excited, so cheerful, so full of life. ❞ ❝ i sense a silent power dwelling somewhere in your frame. ❞ ❝ this turn of events has left me with a strong appetite for bloodshed. ❞ ❝ there’s no doubting it. the gears of fate have begun to turn. ❞ ❝ i'm sorry. i was lost in thought there for a moment. ❞ ❝ don’t men open doors for a lady anymore? how long am i supposed to stand here waiting for a little chivalry? ❞ ❝ i hate even saying this, but i guess you got it all figured out. ❞ ❝ you must not push yourself. you’re still recovering. ❞ ❝ you think you’re pretty suave, don’t you? ❞ ❝ i know you’re in a hurry, so i really appreciate you taking the time to help. ❞ ❝ i saw it, but i was able to escape by the seat of my pants. ❞ ❝ do you have any idea how that made me feel inside? furious! outraged! sick with anger! ❞ ❝ you’re really something else. i could never imagine myself doing what you’re about to do. ❞ ❝ i must aid you in fulfilling the great destiny that is your burden to carry. ❞ ❝ i should have believed you...i’m sorry. ❞ ❝ lately, when i think about you, my head gets all fuzzy, my heart races, i get short of breath, and i feel all dizzy... ❞ ❝ you should know better than that to fret about me. ❞ ❝ thanks for jumping in there to rescue me. ❞ ❝ hey, hold on there! what are you trying to pull all of a sudden? ❞ ❝ your face cries out in earnest wonder, and that cry is: ‘what’s this?!’ ❞ ❝ i promise up front not to murder you. ❞ ❝ you...didn’t hear any of that, did you? there’s no way you heard, right? ❞ ❝ i tell you, all sorts of weird things are going on lately. ❞ ❝ calamitous visions appear before me... ❞ ❝ you...make me so happy...i think i’m going to keel over... ❞ ❝ i wanted you to be the first to see me like this. ❞ ❝ i can’t imagine a more fitting color for you. it’s as though you were born to wear it. ❞ ❝ i bet you can’t even decide what to have for lunch on your own, huh? ❞ ❝ amazing, right? wrong! it is beyond amazing! ❞ ❝ it can’t be easy for you, can it? ❞ ❝ you’ll see in time that you have your own role to play in all this. ❞ ❝ trust in fate to guide your feet. ❞ ❝ i bet you’re here just to check me out, right? ❞ ❝ i just hope nothing has happened. i’m worried sick thinking about it. ❞ ❝ whoa...you’re kind of imploding my mind right now. ❞ ❝ if you wanna live again one day, you should head for home. ❞ ❝ you have a great journey before you, and those clothes...they don’t look up to the task. ❞ ❝ did you manage to get even a wink of sleep last night? ❞ ❝ ever heard of banging your knuckles against the door? it’s called knocking. ❞ ❝ so, uh...yeah. just how long have you been standing there? ❞ ❝ honestly, it’s almost as though you become a completely different person when you worry about me. ❞ ❝ you showing up here must mean we’re connected somehow. like fate. ❞ ❝ sorry to put you through that. i guess i owe you one now. ❞ ❝ to tell you the truth, i’m feeling a little frustrated, and right now i just need someone to vent to. ❞ ❝ what’s with you? leave me alone if you don’t want anything. ❞ ❝ hearing that is such a...huge weight off my mind. ❞ ❝ though your journey will put you in harms way, you must endure. ❞ ❝ i'm just deadweight. what kinda use is that to anyone... ❞ ❝ seriously, what is that thing over there?! ❞ ❝ before i say another word, i feel like i owe you an apology. ❞ ❝ during your long journey, you’ve grown so much. ❞ ❝ from the moment i laid my eyes on you, i could tell you had a gentle and generous heart. ❞ ❝ oh dear...i don’t know what’s come over me all of a sudden... ❞ ❝ you don’t appear to have any serious injuries. for that much we can be grateful. ❞ ❝ i can see into those dopey eyes of yours. ❞ ❝ i can finally smile and laugh again! thank you ever so much. ❞ ❝ i think i might of broke something. ❞ ❝ is that it? i thought it was going to put up more of a fight. ❞ ❝ i thought we were goners this time. sort of glad i was wrong about that. ❞ ❝ what? i don’t seem like my usual self? ❞ ❝ this place needs a name. a name fitting for this rugged, adventurous wilderness. ❞ ❝ what were you thinking? you scared a year off my life! ❞ ❝ care to explain just what you meant by ‘our special moment alone’? ❞ ❝ my advice? work hard and wish with all your heart. ❞ ❝ say, you look all flustered. ❞ ❝ i fear we can’t dwell on our success. ❞ ❝ the world is bursting with undiscovered surprises, isn’t it? ❞ ❝ you're not exactly mr/mrs.perfect either, are you? ❞ ❝ this is easily as scary as i thought it would be. ❞ ❝ i swear this neighborhood’s getting crummier every day. ❞ ❝ you ain’t as dumb as you look. ❞ ❝ i was going to ask if you wanted me to take care of you forever... ❞ ❝ i need to learn how to keep these delirious dreams in check. ❞ ❝ maybe you should forget about everything that happened here tonight. ❞ ❝ can you imagine a more gruesome fate? ❞ ❝ there are more monsters about than before, so be careful. ❞ ❝ human desire is an insatiable, fearsome thing. ❞ ❝ i sense an evil presence on the other side of this door. ❞ ❝ you understand, don’t you? i’m not wrong about this, am i? ❞ ❝ i never wanted to lay eyes on you again. ❞ ❝ i would have gotten discouraged if you hadn’t come by to cheer me on. you gave me motivation. ❞ ❝ who do you think you are, getting involved in my business like that? ❞ ❝ i just wish there was more i could do for you... ❞ ❝ i don’t even understand how you could make such a wild accusation! ❞ ❝ it was at that moment i finally realized. i realized that...i love you. ❞ ❝ make sure you come home every now and then. nothing like a good sleep in your own bed. ❞ ❝ you’d better not keep me waiting. ❞ ❝ make sure you put your heart into it! i won’t stand for anything but your best. ❞ ❝ how could you be swayed by the temptation of material gain?     do you have no honor? ❞ ❝ you really want to hear about all my troubles? that’s kind of you. ❞ ❝ you...weren’t supposed to see that whole spectacle. how embarrassing... ❞ ❝ you have only succeeded in buying us a little more time. ❞ ❝ watch it! that’s no way to talk to someone who just saved your life! ❞ ❝ you look like you need to get something off your chest. ❞ ❝ know that all the questions you have now will be answered in time. ❞ ❝ there is nothing natural about these tremors. ❞ ❝ you might just be the person i need! you seem pretty good with the ladies. ❞ ❝ it’s great to hear you’re so confident in me. ❞ ❝ ideal love is unfettered and passionate. anything less than that can’t really be called love at all. ❞ ❝ you're incessant buzzing around my head like some irksome gadfly when i’m this busy is...making me very disagreeable. ❞ ❝ you may not have noticed, but i’m trying to hide here.     could you please scoot along? ❞ ❝ you'd better keep your eyes to yourself, if you know what i mean. ❞ ❝ have you come to laugh at me in my miserable state? ❞ ❝ you...you came to see me! i’m so happy. ❞ ❝ your job is simple! you make sure none of these monsters lays a claw on me. not...one...claw. ❞ ❝ now is not the time to be picky about who will help you. ❞ ❝ watch carefully while i demonstrate what a real hero looks like. ❞ ❝ you are something else! there is nothing you cannot do. ❞ ❝ if you think about how often we meet, you have to admit that our relationship has gone beyond friendship, you know? ❞ ❝ i’ll make the affair so excruciating, you’ll deafen yourself with the shrill sound of your own screams. ❞ ❝ i was right, then. there is something special about you. ❞ ❝ i should have reprimanded you the last time we met, but instead i was...soft. ❞ ❝ ha-ha! you didn’t see that coming, did you? ❞ ❝ you really are a snake in the grass. ❞ ❝ you are indeed worthy of being called a hero. ❞ ❝ i’m not used to getting stared at like this. it’s making me blush. ❞ ❝ i can’t hide anything from you, can i? ❞ ❝ the longer i train, the more i realize i’ll never measure up to you. ❞ ❝ whoa...you took out every last one of them. ❞ ❝ i know how bad this must look to you right now, but i assure you i mean no harm. ❞ ❝ it’s all very strange, but i doubt there’s much of a connection between these things. ❞ ❝ you're a weird one, climbing all the way up here. ❞ ❝ don’t cry --- it’s perfectly, mostly safe! ❞ ❝ you and i, we’re bound by that thread of fate. destined to fight. ❞ ❝ meet me in battle, and the thread of fate that binds us will be soaked crimson with your blood. ❞ ❝ i do not wish to dwell on what may have happened if you hadn’t been here. ❞ ❝ you have awakened a wrath that will burn for eons! ❞ ❝ you really like those fantasy stories, eh? ❞ ❝ there is one teensy, tiny thing i lack...namely, mercy. ❞ ❝ i must warn you, i won’t go easy on you this time. ❞ ❝ i might be willing to forgive and forget if you’ll strike a deal. ❞ ❝ since i know i can be honest with you, i’ll admit i got a little sulky. it was frowns all around. ❞ ❝ i see you’re still among the living. ❞ ❝ i saw them dragging you off unconscious, so i tailed them. ❞ ❝ i want you to visit me at my house tonight. ❞ ❝ you don’t have to say a word. i can see how you feel by the spark in your eye. ❞ ❝ you’ll see. i’ll be as tough as you in no time. ❞ ❝ it’s not like ‘oh, hey, that person’s back! i’m so happy!’ or anything like that... ❞ ❝ whoa...that’s some really terrible handwriting. ❞ ❝ i would very much like it if you would go out with me. ❞ ❝ truly? you choose me? ❞ ❝ i swear to you, whatever it takes, i will drag you into an eternity of torment. ❞ ❝ you and i, we’re bound by a thread of fate. ❞ ❝ i’ll watch over you, protecting you from afar. ❞ ❝ until then, we’ll keep our love secret. ❞ ❝ this news has just filled my heart with rainbows! ❞ ❝ this place seems strangely familiar... ❞ ❝ don’t you gotta take care of your own business first? ❞ ❝ they’re not going to do anything nice if they catch you. ❞ ❝ it’s not humane to tease someone this bored. ❞ ❝ i’m not some sideshow for you to gawk at. ❞ ❝ it’s weird to say out loud, but that’s just how i feel right now. ❞ ❝ you can’t break me with interrogation. you’ll never make me talk. ❞ ❝ word is there’s a huge treasure hidden in these here ruins... ❞ ❝ what? that’s not weird to say! ❞ ❝ ...i understand your true feelings. better than you know. ❞ ❝ all the fairytales that we heard growing up...they appear all too real. ❞ ❝ do i look sad? no, i’m doing what i want to do! ❞ ❝ i don’t know what came over me! i had no clue i had the talent to make something like this. ❞ ❝ you shouldn’t be out here in the open with no way to defend yourself. ❞ ❝ you do have the tendency to cause trouble for those you ‘help’. ❞ ❝ as far as i’m concerned, i got nothing but time. ❞ ❝ don’t you play coy with me. i know that you know, so why not let me in on the fun? ❞ ❝ so you really think a sob story like that is going to work on me? what a joke. ❞ ❝ i’d take pleasure in punishing you, but i have no time for recreation. ❞ ❝ sorry to leave you on your own, but you look like you can handle it. ❞ ❝ remember --- it’s a secret to everybody. ❞ ❝ it isn’t as action packed as what you’re doing, but maybe this is my destiny. ❞ ❝ don’t you just love the way it smells down here? ❞ ❝ defending the land...it’s my purpose, i think. it’s why i’m here. ❞ ❝ what do i know...you might just surprise me. ❞ ❝ fibber! you’re a fibbity fibber! ❞ ❝ you needn’t even say it. i can tell from the look of sheer astonishment on your face. ❞ ❝ you have had this destiny thrust upon you without warning...    or choice, for that matter. ❞ ❝ don’t do anything heroic and get yourself caught. ❞ ❝ ...you want to tell me but you can’t? ❞ ❝ you know, i really worry about you. it’s a weakness of mine. ❞ ❝ try not to get in the way of my shots, ok? ❞ ❝ i haven’t slept a wink in...ahhh...i don’t even know how long. ❞ ❝ i had my suspicions, but until now i wasn’t sure. ❞ ❝ you seem a good deal stronger than the last time we met. ❞ ❝ i would be remiss if i didn’t let you know of the weight on my heart. ❞ ❝ i have a reputation to protect, you know. ❞ ❝ listen closely. do you hear that? ❞

[poisonmaximoff]

BELATED FATE (Elizabeth Olsen x FemReader).

The whole story: here.

Chapter 14. Two women, one me

Y/n's POV:

After parking my car, I immediately go to the entrance of the club. To say that I'm nervous would be an understatement, because I haven't seen Taylor for a couple of months and now she suddenly calls me of all people to take her home.

I came here as quickly as possible, because I still care about her as a person. We had a lot of connections in the past and she did a lot of good things for me, so even though she's my ex now, I still can't leave her in such situation.

Getting inside, I ask the security guard where the bar is, assuming she's still there. Making my way past dozens of sweaty bodies dancing to almost deafening music, I begin to look through the eyes of the person I need.

And there she is. I expected that she wouldn't be in the best condition, but it turned out to be even worse. Now she looks like she's a 40-year-old loser, who was abandoned by his wife and forbidden to see his children, and therefore decided to go on a drinking binge for three months. I mean, she's still pretty of course, but her bewildered sad stare into nowhere and drooping posture give her such a look.

Yeah, I think I actually have a soft spot for older alcoholic blondes, who I can't build a normal relationship with, but what can I do about it? Whatever, probably the heart wants what the heart wants.

Collecting my thoughts, I go up to the woman and lightly tap her back so as not to scare her. I doubt she'll even understand who I am, given that she's still holding an unfinished cocktail in her hand, but after a few seconds, she looks up at me and her lips break into a drunken smile.

"Y/n? What are you d-doing here?" She asks slurring, as if she didn't call me half an hour ago herself.

"You asked me to take you away from here, so here I am. Let's go, I'll drive you home," I almost yell, because of the loud music almost nothing is heard.

"We're going home?" she raises her eyebrows in surprise, staring at me with her senseless drugged eyes.

"Yes. I hope you can at least walk to the car, yeah? Come on, get up and let's go." With a deep sigh, she somehow gets up, staggering, and I take her to the parking lot, putting her hand on my shoulder so that she doesn't accidentally fall.

"My life is a total mess," I think, looking at the blacked out body in the back of my car as I drive down the familiar route to Taylor's house. I still can't fully understand my own thoughts and desires, and then one woman, who constantly makes me extremely confused with her behavior falls on me out of nowhere, and a woman from my past, for whom I have ambiguous feelings appears in my life again. I must have sinned really badly somewhere.

When I finally get to her house, I get out of the car to wake Taylor up and let her know that we've already arrived.

"Hey, drunk ass, wake up, we need to get you to your house," I say, shaking her by the shoulder and hear only a disgruntled growl in response, but she still opens her eyes, which reflect only confusion as she tries to get out of the car.

With toil and dread, I lead the stumbling woman to her room and lay her down on the comfortable bed, after helping her remove her coat and shoes. A small "thank you" said in a whisper is the last thing I hear before she falls into a deep sleep. I guess, I'm going to stay here for the night, because I don't want to find out the next morning that Tay felt sick and something happened to her, since there was no one to help. Guilt wouldn't let me sleep for the rest of my life, so a night here is the lowest price I can pay for a possible avoiding that.

With that thought in my mind, I sit comfortably in the large armchair opposite the bed and sink even deeper into the reasoning that has haunted me all the way here. Why is everything so complicated? Am I really this bad at understanding things in my own head, that I can't put everything in its place?

So many events and unwanted feelings in one evening don't allow me to relax and just sit in silence or even scroll through social media. I know for sure that I'm attracted to Elizabeth, but at the same time seeing Taylor so vulnerable and helpless caused the need to take care of her suddenly appeared in my heart. Again.

She really helped me a lot, for example, in overcoming some of my insecurities and mental health issues. She gave me a bunch of happy memories, the opportunity to love and feel loved. She is the only person I wanted to lose my virginity to, because it just felt right. So I can't just get her out of my head once and forever, no matter how much pain our relationship has brought us both.

And now Elizabeth has come into my life, who causes me the same feelings, the same butterflies in my stomach and the desire to be there for her any minute she needs it, completely giving a piece of my heart to her for ever and ever. But the pain, that comes from knowing that I'll never have this opportunity, squeezes my chest so hard that the only thing I want to do is forget about this woman and my stupid feelings, that should never have appeared inside of me.

The sudden thought that I need to get back with Taylor in order to forget about El flies into my head, making me seriously think about it. But no, that would be a disgusting and vile act towards both women and towards myself too. I know for sure that there are no romantic feelings left in me for Tay and love, locked in my heart, has already begun to find its solace in my green-eyed blonde colleague.

After torturing myself with all sorts of overthinking, scenarios of future events and possible distractions from my overwhelming emotions, a few hours later my body betrays me, allowing itself to fall into a slumber.

She stands between my legs as I sit in the chair and her slender fingers gently brush over my face, causing my eyes to close in pure delight.

"Open your pretty eyes, honey," her hoarse, seductive voice causes a damp stain to form on my underwear. I obey and meet her piercing emeralds, which are examining me with pure hunger and desire in them.

A thin translucent fabric that cannot even be called a dressing gown falls to her feet, revealing the perfect curves of her body, covered with black lace. My tongue refuses to obey me and I seem to be unable to utter a word, dumbfounded by the heavenly beauty that is just a few inches away from me.

"Only you and me exist today, Y/n," she takes my chin with two fingers, "make sure to be as loud as you can, baby, and then you'll be rewarded." Her smirk fuels even more desire in me, accompanied by a new flow of wetness between my legs.

"Now be my good girl and lay down on the bed for me." Elizabeth's authoritative tone almost orders me, leaving no choice and no chance for any objections. Once again, I obey and silently do what she wants me to.

Humming approvingly, she gracefully climbs on top of me, pinning me to the bed with her thighs on either side of my body. Lifting my T-shirt, she begins to trace patterns on my stomach, slowly moving her finger towards my chest. Reaching for my nipple, she teasingly circles my areola before suddenly squeezing my entire boob in her hand, causing my mouth to let out a loud needy moan.

"Please!" My desperate cry is only now making me realize how unbearable the burning knot in the pit of my stomach is. Elizabeth just chuckles softly at this, looking at me with a victorious look.

"Just one touch and you have already turned into an obedient pliant slut." She enjoys my weakness for her too much, completely ridding me of my T-shirt and leaning to my ear, taking a lobe in her mouth. I feel one of her hands go down to my panties, detecting the wet proof of her influence on my body.

"All for me, isn't it, babygirl?" I can only nod my head back at her, staring pleadingly into her eyes. She warmly smiles at me and barely touching my lips with hers whispers: "Good. We both know that only I can turn you into such a mess."

My body shudders when I sharply wake up in someone's room, not understanding what is happening and where I am. After giving my brain a few seconds to recover, I realize that I'm sitting in the same chair in which I fell asleep several hours ago. "So it was just a dream," I think, still feeling her touches on my skin and see that the wall clock shows only 6:38 a.m.

Turning my gaze to the woman ten feet away from me, I see that she is, thankfully, still sound asleep, snuffling from time to time. If she didn't feel sick at night, then she will be fine until waking up, which means I can already go home. Walking out of her room on tiptoes, I quietly head to the door and go outside, locking it with a spare key.

Getting home after another almost sleepless night and sitting on a chair in the kitchen, I pick up my phone and see a few unread messages.

Liver:

"dont tell me it was THIS taylor you ran to"

"y/n u know that i love u but i'll beat yo ass if u get back together with her"

Mads:

"Bitch, you better be joking"

"Leaving in the middle of conversation cause your drunk ex called?"

"I swear i'm gonna kill you if i know that you spent the night with her"

Elizabeth Olsen (Colleague):

"Are you home already?"

Oh my god, typical besties. Rolling my eyes at their messages, I answer both of them that anything like that isn't going to happen and they should relax. When I see El's message, I'm genuinely surprised, because firstly it was sent at 2:31 a.m., when she should have been asleep, and secondly, I didn't expect her to be interested in such stuff, especially after what happened.

"yes, i'm home already, thank you for caring :)" I press a "Send" button and decide to make myself some breakfast.

Her answer isn't long in coming, although again I thought that she should be asleep on Sunday morning.

"Did you come home just now?"

"yes :)" I answer without attaching much importance to it and start making my sandwiches.

The next day, as usual, I came to work, but surprisingly in high spirits, probably because I finally got a good night's sleep. I swear, I slept for probably 12 hours and the alarm clock barely woke me up. If it weren't for it, I probably would have fallen into hibernation.

Sitting at the table and doing different origami out of boredom, I suddenly remember one important thing and immediately quickly head to Elizabeth's office, hoping that I will find her there.

The blinds are closed, so apparently she isn't there, but I still decide to knock on the door to make sure of it.

"Come in" is heard from behind the closed door and I pull the handle in surprise, entering the office. Elizabeth is sitting at her desk, intently typing on her keyboard, and doesn't even look up to see who has entered her cabinet.

"Hi El, I have to tell you something." I kind of fucked up, because I forgot to reschedule one of Elizabeth's appointments today. Well, she never gets mad at me, so I hope I can get away with it.

"What is that?" She asks in an indifferent tone and it's weird, but she still hasn't even looked at me.

"I forgot to tell Mr. Baker that you won't be able to meet him today at 1 p.m."

"And what do you want me to do about it?" The cold voice and clenched jaw tell me that this time she is really displeased with me.

"Nothing, it's just almost 12 p.m. and I can't cancel it this late..." I say, looking down at the floor. Now I'm really ashamed of my irresponsibility.

"I missed the part where it's my problem. Can't you handle such a simple task?" Well, she has the right to be mad at me.

"El, I'm really sorry. Can't you just go there at the agreed time?" I ask in a small voice, hoping that she will now calm down and forgive my oversight.

"Can't you just do what you're told and not point out what to do to your boss? And it's Ms. Olsen here, not El," she gives me a fleeting glare and my heart goes right through my feet. Excuse me?!

"What? Elizabeth, what's wrong with you today? You've never talked to me like that before." Now it's my turn to get annoyed at the attitude I got from her.

"I clearly should have then." I meet her heavy gaze, which makes my skin covered with light goosebumps.

"Did I do something wrong or are you just in a bad mood today?" I try to smooth things over and ask this in a softer tone.

"It's none of your business, Y/n," she replies, as irritated as before, getting up from the table and grabbing her purse.

"Thanks for ruining my plans for today." This is the last thing she says before she leaves the office, slamming the door right before my face and leaving me completely puzzled.

A/n: a demo version of smut and angry miss olsen😳

[arty-chase]

A Failed Betrothal (5)

This is going to be the last part I am going to post in a while. My school is finally starting up again and I am sure to be swamped with homework. Without further ado. Enjoy ❤

[Masterlist]

(Part 1)(Part 4)

-----------

Damian laid in bed, thinking about the recent turn of events. Lady, who told them that they can call her Marinette since they might as well get acquainted while the Waynes were in Paris. She had found out Jason’s identity after a few google searches and by extension, the rest of the Bats while they both were taking a shower. It had taken a few arguments and one sentimonster attack that cut one of the arguments short to trust the Dupain-Chengs with their secret identities. His bride was apparently a superhero too. Has been for a few years. In a different world, he might have actually dated her out of his own free will and fought crime with her together.

Damian shook his head at that thought.

That was the curse talking. Get a hold of yourself, Wayne. Resist. Don’t think about Marinette and her blue eyes.

Back to the akumas, Paris had been under the control of a magical terrorist for years. Lady Noire, formerly known as Ladybug, formed a team to battle against him. He also found out about the Guardian who chose Marinette and someone else, who wasn’t spoken about much except that his name was Chat Noir and she now wields his ring temporarily, to fight against Hawkmoth as partners. The same Guardian that promised her hand-in-marriage in exchange for protection from the League of Assassins. Sabine, the Blue Reaper, had to be restrained from killing the old amnesiatic man by her bear of a husband who was reluctant to do so and also wanted to help her.

Hawkmoth also had a partner who went by the name, Mayura, with a power similar to his and could create sentimonster out of negative emotions. Their top suspect was Gabriel Agreste, with much evidence pointing his way but they had difficulty trying to confirm it and had the time to gather evidence to do it. The local authorities were helpful but getting a search warrant for a famous, rich designer who was a known recluse with circumstantial evidence is not possible.

After informing their father of their kidnapping and the situation in Paris (and racking up the Dupain-Cheng's phone bill), they were told to stay there and help as much as they can. Tim, who was coming to Paris for a vacation (suspicious), got his plans hijacked and was now going to help uncover Hawkmoth’s identity.

When the Justice League had reached out a few years ago, they were rebuffed by the Mayor. Nightrunner got into contact with the one of the heroes, Ladybug who asked for a meeting outside of Paris with Wonder Woman and Batman came along, to assess her. They didn’t expect a young girl to be Paris’s heroine.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 years ago…

“Bonjour, Princess Diana of Themyscira, daughter of Hippolayta, it is an honour to meet you. And you too, Batman.” The spotted heroine greeted both of them with Nightrunner besides her. Their meeting point was in the gardens in the Palace of Versailles.

“The pleasure is all mine, Ladybug. But I am confused as to why you have refused the Justice League’s help.” Wonder Woman was worried that the Ladybug Miraculous was active again and for many good reasons.

“I would be glad for some help but Paris is run by an incompetent fool. He wants no one outside of Paris to think that the city is unsafe due to Hawkmoth and keep the tourism numbers high. The other reason is that my Miraculous Cure can restore any physical damages done during a fight and involving you might result in more damages than I could cure. But I also think it would be better if there were less powerful heroes in Paris, akumas amplifies one’s power and I don’t want to fight you after you had a bad day.” Ladybug explained. Nightrunner murmured in agreement.

“Do you know how Hawkmoth operates?” asked Batman. He had read reports of the situation but wondered the true extent of it.

“Have Wonder Woman explained to you about the Miraculous?”

He nodded.

“Hawkmoth has the butterfly miraculous, and it has the power of transmission. In the right hands, they would be used to grant ordinary people powers as the user’s champions. But in the hands of Hawkmoth, he targets people with high negative emotions, a girl after a bad break-up or a student with a failed grade. He grants them powers to use for revenge or some obscure version of justice. In return, he asks for mine and Chat Noir’s miraculous. With our two miraculous, he can make a wish but wishes always come with a price so it is best if we keep it out of his reach.”

“How have you not captured him yet?”

“Hawkmoth is a coward who rarely comes out to face us. I have never met him face-to-face. He uses people to get what he wants. Not very honourable. The Mayor has refused to help my attempts to stop him or prevent more akumas because his bratty daughter isn’t given a Miraculous to be a hero. I don’t have the time or resources because I am still in school and have other obligations outside the suit. I can’t tell my family and ask for help because the Guardian’s ,the one who gave me the Miraculous in the first place, secret identities rule and some magic thing that makes me unable to tell them.”

The adults were all horrified at what the girl was going through.

“We could help in other ways. Not fight the akumas but provide you the resources to track down and capture him. Do you have any training? From the footage we have seen, you know martial arts and how to use some weapons.”

“I was raised in a forgotten temple somewhere in Asia with brutal training everyday before I ran away. I met someone on my way out who took me in and adopted me.” She said it seriously enough that they have no room for doubt.

“Batman, she just said she was adopted. She may have the features but the answer is no.” Wonder Woman said with a knowing look in her eyes.

“I wasn’t thinking about it. She has a duty to Paris right now and I am not going to take away from her life here. I don’t adopt every black-haired and blue-eyed child I see.” Batman denied.

“I am confused.” Ladybug said, tilting her head.

“Batman here has a bad habit of adopting kids with a tragic past, especially kids with black hair and blue eyes.” Nightrunner explained to his fellow Parisian hero.

“Well, Mousier, you will have to fight my parents for custody. While I have training, Chat Noir doesn’t and he hinders the battles with his ‘help’. I would give him some but he sees them as dates even though I have told him it’s not.”

“His incompetence is a liability. Why is he your partner?”

“The Guardian chose him too like he chose me through some stupid trial I somehow passed the requirements for. I am just hoping that there is a really good reason for choosing Chat Noir. I have some questions on how you are-”

“Ladybug, what are you doing?” A sharp voice cut in. An old man who appeared to be dressed as a tortoise landed in front of them.

“Master Fu, this is Princess Diana of Themyscira and the world’s greatest detective, Batman. I am asking for their help in finding Hawkmoth.” Ladybug explained, confused why Master Fu looked upset.

“Ladybug, that was extremely foolish of you. This is a matter of the Order. You shouldn’t have involved other heroes in it. We can resolve this on our own. I apologize on behalf of her for wasting your time.”

“But, Master-” “We will talk about this later, Ladybug. You are young and don’t understand things yet.”

“Guardian, with all due respect, my mother was a Ladybug wielder herself and the Amazons will lend a hand to any miraculous holders in need.”

“It is appreciated but Ladybug, Chat Noir and I can do it on our own. Come along, Ladybug.”

“Let me at least apologize for my mistake, Guardian.”

“Very well. Meet me later.”

“I am sorry but it looks like I have to fight Hawkmoth without your help. That being said please don’t try to look further into Hawkmoth’s identity and leave any notes of your leads in the mouth of the gargoyle on the northside of Notre Dame where I usually rest after I finish patrol. Salut, Princess Diana, Batman, Nightrunner.” She left using her yo-yo to swing away after giving them a wink.

Batman smirked. He had to give it to Ladybug, she was clever and resourceful and Diana was right, he wanted to adopt her.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Present time…

(Words in bold are French)

Now that the previous Guardian was out of the picture, the Miraculous team would gladly accept any help they can get.

Damian and Jason had picked up Tim from the airport and they had already set things up in one of the Wayne penthouses in Paris. Less chance of nosy maids than in a hotel.

Bilal had already handed over all the evidence he could find. He was also one of the Miraculous team’s trainers when Sabine couldn’t make it. Jason and Damian were going to help in training and be back-up heroes when needed. (Bilal wore a miraculous once to help out. And that one time was weird enough to last him a lifetime and he was never doing it again.)

Sadly, all the magic users who were allies or part of the JL were busy with other missions or MIA so they couldn’t break Damian’s curse yet. Bruce didn’t see the problem with the curse so unless it causes major problems or someone is free to break it. They couldn’t go back to Gotham until they got the necessary things in order so it looks like they were going to be in Paris for a while.

The next morning, Tim was nowhere to be found. Because they were paranoid Batboys, they tracked his phone to see him at the Dupain-Cheng’s bakery with Marinette and a group of other people, having breakfast.

“There you are, Replacement.” Jason shouted as he entered the bakery, “So, this is where you were? I see you have already figured out who Ladybug is and met her.”

Marinette looked at Damian and Jason, then at Tim and back at them again.

Oh.

Oh.

She face-palmed as she connected the dots and realized what the nagging feeling she had around Tim was about.

“Oh my Kwamis, you are Tim Drake, adopted by Bruce Wayne aka Batman. Jason and Damian are your brothers. And judging by your build, you are Red Robin. I feel so stupid.”

Thankfully, there were no customers around yet to hear some of the world’s most important secrets being out.

“I am- We are not- Bruce isn’t- How?! How the hell did you find out? And you are Ladybug?!” Tim was floundering at Marinette’s words and the caffeine from his first coffee of the day hadn’t kicked in yet. He looked at her friends, who were looking at the Wayne boys with shocked expressions….and looked similar to the rest of the Miraculous Team.

The caffeine finally kicked in.

“Oh my God. I was talking to the entire Miraculous Team and I didn’t know it. That means Chloe Bourgeois is a hero. That bratty blonde I met as a child is a hero.”

“Speak for yourself, Timothy, my childhood friend is a hero too. I can’t believe we are all heroes.” Chloe said in total disbelief.

Introductions and alter egos were exchanged.

Nearly everything went swimmingly if it weren’t for Chloe jokingly elbowed Marinette and said, “You get to date a hero too. No need to worry about flaking out on dates.”

“What do you mean dates? Dupain-Cheng and I aren’t dating.” Damian said, “My mother wanted us to marry each other, not date.”

“Mari, looks like you need some explaining to do.”

Marinette gave the short story on how she met Damian and Jason.

“So you guys are absolutely not dating? Cool. Tim, are you still open to being Mari-bug's fake boyfriend?” Chloe asked. Tim looked at her incredulously.

“You called me all the way here to fake-date your friend. Why? Not that I am complaining about her or anything.” “There is this boy in our class, Adrien Agreste and he has a little obsession with Marinette.” Chloe explained. “Romantic Soulmates.” Nathaniel chimed in, doing air-quotes.

“So I volunteered on your behalf to be my best friend’s long-distance boyfriend in America who has video-call dates with her once a week. You are going to have little romantic dates coincidently where our classmates are going to be, especially Adrien. It might put him off from pursuing Marinette for a while. After you leave, we are just to mention you every now and then to prevent him from getting any ideas.”

Damian felt a hot, burning sensation in his chest and clenched his jaw at the thought of Marin- Dupain-Cheng holding hands, cuddling and doing all those romantic actions with Drake of all people. (No, he wasn’t jealous. Not at all. Don’t be stupid. )

“Tch, Drake is going to be busy trying to find Hawkmoth. He can’t go around Paris, being Dupain-Cheng’s boyfriend. Besides, he can’t be a proper boyfriend even in his most lucid moments. I will be her boyfriend instead.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tag list: @alysrose-starchild, @buginetye, @lookatthestars1, @blackroserelina, @macncheesemonster, @mochinek0, @myazael, @tonicxworld, @thewitchwhowaited, @t1dwarrior-of-earth, @kissa-chan, @iwantasecretidentity, @theymakeupfairies, @user00000003, @woe-is-me0, @kashlyn, @mochegato,@moonlightstar64 , @greatcatblaze, @moongoddesskiana, @tazanna-blythe. @tonicxworld, @toodaloo-kangaroo, @frieddonutsweets, @local-witch-of-mn, @lady-bee-fechin, @iglowinggemma28, @indecisive-mess-named-me, @k-tea-and-coffee, @jayjayspixiepop, @all-mights-asscheeks, @idk-j-go-with-it , @loysydark, @thenillabean, @lolieg, @zalladane, @silvergold-swirl, @henie04, @blueblossombliss, @khneltea, @mochegato, @itsmeevie01, @roguishredaxion, @alyssadeliv, @steph-hearthlight, @adrestar, @eliza-bich, @abrx2002, @hikari55ttva, @doglover82, @daminette5074

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(PART 6)

[cyborg-franky]

Hi there! I'm here for the event. Congrats on running this marvelous blog. Always giving us *chef's kiss* content. So, May I request Law and prompt number 5? I was something like... The outcome of "reader" coming out alive of it barely, and Law's reaction (angry, angsty shit, i know i make my man's suffer...) after they treated them. G/N pronouns are fine, thanks for reading, op. <3

Thank you <3 I try really hard to do something I enjoy doing but also making stuff others enjoy reading. I apperiate every kind comment <3

Law x GN Reader SFW Prompt: Injured in a big battle TW: medical stuff Word Count: 625

Law had always been confident in his abilities, on the battlefield and in his doctoring, there wasn’t much that he couldn’t do with or without his devil fruits power. But his confidence as a doctor and captain had been shaken. Leaving him for the first time in years uncertain, stumbling, grasping for threads of hope. He’d never doubted how you could handle yourself; he’d seen you lay waste to marines before, you could hold your own and with that he had become complacent.

And you’d paid the price for his lapse in judgement. The battle had been hard, many of his crew had suffered, even he had almost lost a limb if not for his fruit’s properties. The guilt that wayed down his heart made him ache, his tired expression didn’t match how emotionally exhausted he really felt.

His knee nervously bounced as he sat by your bed, watching with constant nervous anticipation that your chest would rise and fall, allowing him the reassurance you at least didn’t need the machines on you any longer.

He chewed his thumbnail, watching you sleep. He couldn’t lose another person in his life, not someone he cared for so dearly, especially due to his own shortcomings. He blamed himself for losing Cora-san and he’d blame himself if he’d lost you.

Law hated the fact he knew he’d done everything possible, that it all hinged on how your body would fit together and fight to get over the hill. After the battle he’d put you under, he didn’t want you to see or feel what he was about to do, how your heart had been in a light blue cube while he poked and prodded it, patched things up so meticulously.

His arm draped over his stomach, feeling the dull ache of his own injuries, he’d live, he knew he wasn’t in critical condition, able to focus his attention on you fully was the goal. Sighing he leaned forward in his chair, biting his nail harder, his foot tapping on the surgery floor.

“That’s so annoying, fuck” You moaned, voice shallow and pained. The sound of agitated taping had stirred you from a pained sleep. You attempt sitting up was foiled when Law pressed his hand on your shoulder softly, pushing to lay back.

“You got hurt bad, you need to lay still” His tone was firm, strict, leaving no room for an argument but you could also hear the waver in his tone, it must have been bad if Law was shaken.

“Are you ok?” You mumbled, coughing softly, you couldn’t even move your hands, wires coming in and out of you. “I’m fine” Law mumbled, he adjusted the pillow behind you, allowing you the slightest elevation.

“Thank you for saving me” He flinched at your words, he didn’t deserve the thanks, he’d not been the one to find you at the critical moment. “It wasn’t me; it was Bepo who brought you here in time” You rolled your eyes despite how the action irritated your eyes.

“Was it Bepo who patched me up too?” You saw the dark-haired man shake his head.

“Then thank you”

He moved the chair closer to your bedside, sitting once more and watching as your eyes fluttered closed, you were going to be ok, you’d be out of action for a few more days but you’d live. He watched you slip into a peaceful sleep once more, needing your rest. His inked hand reached over, placed gently over your own.

Law wanted you to know he was here for you, would be still here when you woke up, the selfish part of his heart wanted the connection, needed to feel your warmth, that he wasn’t alone, that you weren’t going anywhere either.

[sulietsexual]

I saw you rebloging content about Daisy Jones and the Six, I was curious what were your overall feelings/thoughts on the show? I really enjoyed it personally, I’m a fan of the book but I was able to have a lot of fun despite some things obviously being pretty different

Oh man, I have so many feeling about this series, not all of them good, but I'll start with the positives.

I have a major '70s fetish, have since I was a kid, and so I automatically enjoy media set in that time. While I didn't think the series leaned into the decade as much as it could, I did like the obviously '70s musician influences on the costuming (particularly with Daisy's Steve Nicks looks and Cami's Bianca Jagger-inspired wardrobe). I also loved all the '70s music used and the way the series captured the spirit of music and live shows of that decade.

I really liked the original songs as well, particularly The River, Honeycomb and Let You Down Easy. I loved that all the actors actually sung and played their instruments for real and jesus does Riley Keough have some pipes on her! Those Presley genes are strong!

I also really liked most of the characterisation. Even though so many of the characters were so messy and at times highly unlikable, they were also charismatic, well-written and portrayed in such a way that you really empathised with them and understood their motivations. Daisy is a particularly strong character and I think Riley was perfect casting. I also find Sam Caflin to be quite charming, so Billy became a much more endearing character because of him, despite the fact that he is such an ass.

A favourite character of mine is Simone, and I've heard that she's much more fleshed out in the series than she is in the book. I absolutely love her character arc, her exploration and eventual comfort with her sexuality (her relationship with Bernie is honestly the best relationship in the series) and her dynamic with Daisy. I absolutely love the way she calls Daisy on her crap and the way she is also so supportive of her.

Also Teddy Price is awesome and his relationships with Daisy, Billy and the band are amazing.

The series has a good pace and I think every episode is written well and moves well. I like how we see Daisy's journey paralleled with The Six's until the two finally converge. Also, the way the series opens is amazing, I loved the whole tease of why did the band fall apart?

With all this being said, I have one big fat issue with the series (from which stems many smaller issues) and that is the ending, which gave me horrible echoes of the How I Met Your Mother finale. The minute Older Billy said to his daughter "And when your mother got sick" my stomach just dropped because I knew where we were headed, and yes, the series went there, and had a dying Camila tell Billy to essentially be with Daisy. And I know this is somewhat true to the book, but it just drove me crazy.

I don't know how different it is in the books, but the entire series was built around this "soul mate" connection between Daisy and Billy; I mean, even before they meet they are linked together by music, events and the trajectory of their lives. We see their similarities long before we even see their connection, and once we do see them meet onscreen, it's obvious that the series is about them. Everything revolves around their dynamic and the way it affects the music and the band, both positively and negatively. Everyone interviewed talks about how the two of them are electric together and both Older Billy and Older Daisy talk about one another in terms of being The Other Half.

Which, for me, makes Camila's story that much more tragic.

I don't doubt that Billy loved Camila and their initial courtship and relationship is very sweet. But, for me, once Billy cheated on her on the first tour, there was really no going back. I understand narratively why Camila stayed with Billy initially; this was the '70s, she was pregnant with his child and didn't have the options women have today. She also loved him and, like I said, I do believe that he also loved her. She saw him get sober and work on himself (to a certain extent, at least) and their initial reconciliation was sweet and they do have many sweet moments after.

But once she realised the depth to which he and Daisy had fallen for one another, once she confronted both of them about it, once she had confirmed that Billy loved Daisy - I don't understand why she would ever take Billy back. How could she ever go back to someone knowing that she was second choice, that the only reason he stayed with her was because she represented stability whereas Daisy was nothing but chaos?

And I know that the series was maybe trying to show that Billy was making the "right" choice with Camila, that he was choosing the stable and happy path, as being with Daisy at that moment in time really would have been disastrous for them both. But, again, this doesn't work for me, because it really comes across as Billy settling. The entire series kept telling me that he and Daisy were soulmates, that they were two halves of one whole, which makes his love for Camila seem second-best.

And I don't think that this was actually the intent of the series, nor the book. I'm guessing this was supposed to be a tale of how even though we connect with someone, it doesn't mean that we're supposed to be with them, which is fine, and I think that works for the Daisy and Billy storyline, but I just don't agree with him getting back together with Camila. She deserved better.

In fact, both she and Daisy deserved much better from Billy, as he really treated both women like crap at various times. So the ending of the series, where Billy gets to play Happy Families with Camila until she dies and then gets to reunite with his "soul mate" essentially lets Billy have both women and this ends up feeling very uncomfortable.

I would have preferred for both women to leave Billy, permanently, and for Billy's redemption to be through his daughter; in fact, I liked that they somewhat worked this angle in, when Billy says that he never missed a soccer game or dance recital. But I think the series would have been better had Camila divorced Billy and gone on to have a good life of her own, maybe even marrying someone else. Then, when she's older and maybe feeling nostalgic or reflective as she's dying, she tells her daughter that her father has become a good man and deserves to be happy, and that maybe he should call Daisy.

Also, just as a last annoyance, I really didn't like the reveal that it was Billy and Camila's daughter who was interviewing the band, as that made everything so weird, like, why are these people telling this young women who they knew as a child and watched grow up all these intimate details of their lives, not to mention, all of them are basically telling her "Oh, your Dad's soulmate is actually Daisy, not your mother." Again, I don't think this was the intent and I would like to read the book to see if this maybe comes across differently. But it bugged me.

So, to sum up, I did very much enjoy the series but the ending does bring it down for me, and I think some of the intent got muddled, possibly due to moving from page to screen.

[kurowrites]

"you asked me to the store with you and your child, and now my distant relative we met thinks im married with a baby" for wangxian :3

I doubt this was the thing you expected, but ... [smashes keyboard]

---

It had been a coincidence, really, nothing that he’d planned. He’d just been on his way out of the door to get his groceries done when he came across one of his neighbours in the entrance hall; the really handsome one with the cute little toddler that always smiled at him. The one where the mother of the child had probably left the picture, because he’d never actually seen her.

Quietly, he wondered what woman would leave a man that was so obviously caring well for his child, and a toddler so friendly and cute, but then, that was really none of his business.

In any case, when he ran into them in the entrance hall of the apartment building, the toddler was having a big temper tantrum (that was a first), and his father, despite his best efforts at calming the child, was completely unsuccessful in stopping the wailing. His usually neutral face was, for once, wrinkled in concern and apparent helplessness.

Wei Ying knew the feeling too well, from similar situations with his own family. Recently, it had been happening particularly often because of Jin Ling, his beloved nephew who had taken an unfortunate page from the book of his father and had started an early ‘nonono, I don’t want to’ phase.

So Wei Ying automatically did what he always did with Jin Ling: he made a stupid face at the toddler, and when the toddler looked at Wei Ying in momentary confusion, Wei Ying grabbed him, lifted him up, and wheeled him around. The kid let out a sound halfway between annoyance and enjoyment. Wei Ying took the chance he got, and folded over with the biggest grin on his face, tilting the child upside down with him. Then he flipped back up, and did it again. By the third time, the child was laughing.

“Again, again!”

Wei Ying did it again, and then tried to set the child down, but it was too late. Quick as anything, two hands grabbed him with surprising strength, and he now had a spider monkey on his hands. The child clung to him, eagerly asking for more parentally inadvisable acrobatics.

Wei Ying looked at the father apologetically, who had witnessed the whole event with the earlier frown still on his face, shrugging a little as he held the little monkey in his arms.

“Sorry for barging in like that,” he said. “It’s just something I picked up from handling my nephew. It works with him every time, so I started doing it automatically. You’re probably busy, I should let you go.”

He tried to hand the boy back to his father, but there was no budging. The child clung to him like a leech, whining at Wei Ying to play with him.

“I am sorry,” the father said, clearly unsure how to handle the situation and his uncooperating child. “He is usually not that difficult. Today is…”

He trailed off.

Wei Ying smiled encouragingly. “Hey, parenting is hard. Tell me, where were you going? I was planning to go to the supermarket near the park, and if you’re heading in the same direction, we can walk together until he’s calmed down a little.”

Wei Ying was almost sure there was something akin to relief in the father’s face.

“I was also heading out for groceries,” the father replied. “If it is not too much to ask…”

“Hey, no biggie,” Wei Ying smiled. “If you carry my groceries, all is well.”

He winked at the boy in his arms.

“Always get others to carry your things.”

“Gege is carrying ME!” the boy exclaimed excitedly, and Wei Ying laughed.

“I see, I see, you are a smart one!”

Wei Ying winked at the father, and after assuring him that he was perfectly fine carrying a toddler around, they walked to the grocery store together.

On the way, Wei Yin learned that the names of father and son were Lan Zhan and Lan Yuan, respectively. They hadn’t been living in the apartment building for very long (Wei Ying had suspected as much), and had recently relocated because Lan Zhan had changed jobs.

Wei Ying felt the urge to ask about the child’s mother, but managed to suppress his curiosity.

It was none of his business, he told himself sternly. He had no place nosing around in a stranger’s private affairs, even when the man in question was particularly handsome, and the toddler particularly cute.

---

Shopping turned out to be way more fun than it usually was. Lan Yuan was still stuck to Wei Ying, unwilling to give up the prime real estate in Wei Ying’s arms, so Wei Ying carried him through the supermarket like a little king, and together, they commanded Lan Zhan what he needed to buy.

Lan Zhan was a strict man that was extremely picky about the foods that he put onto the plate of his child, Wei Ying learned quickly. But he was also a father that very clearly loved by his son, and everything Lan Yuan said was considered seriously, even when it was eventually turned down. Wei Ying almost felt bad to ask Lan Zhan to help him with his groceries, since his eating habits were… nowhere near Lan Zhan’s, that was for sure.

Lan Zhan himself frowned a little when he saw all the stuff that Wei Ying was planning to buy, and though he was evidently trying to restrain himself from commenting, he eventually cracked.

“You do not cook for yourself?” he asked, as Wei Ying snatched another box of frozen food out of the freezer one-handed, balancing Lan Yuan on his hip.

“Not really,” Wei Ying replied lightly. “I’m a horrible cook. My sister banned me from her kitchen.”

“Fresh vegetables are important,” Lan Zhan said, clearly not approving of his dietary choices.

“I know! I have them when I visit my sister. She makes the best food.”

He smiled at Lan Yuan.

“Always eat your veggies, mister, if you want to grow as tall as your dad.”

“I’m gonna be taller!”

It was spoken with so much enthusiasm and conviction that Wei Ying had to laugh.

“You have a lot of work to do and many veggies to eat, then!”

“What about Gege?” Lan Yuan asked. “You also need to eat veggies and grow taller.”

“I’m not going to get any taller now, I’ve reached my maximum height already,” Wei Ying replied. “Not everyone gets to be as tall as your dad.”

That opened an entire new can of worms, because now Lan Yuan wanted to know why Wei Ying wasn’t as tall as his father, and why people were tall or small or fat or thin, and Wei Ying found himself inundated with questions he might have been able to answer more easily if he had been able to pull out his mobile phone and search for some scientifically accurate answers.

But Lan Yuan seemed to enjoy the explanations that Wei Ying could give, so honestly, all was well. He’d apparently completely forgotten the reason why he’d had a meltdown in the entrance hall of their apartment block, and seemed to enjoy being babied by someone other than his father, for once.

“A-Yuan is such a good child,” Wei Ying sighed as they left the supermarket (Lan Zhan carrying Wei Ying’s groceries as promised). “If I ever have children, I also want to have a child like A-Yuan.”

Lan Yuan hugged Wei Ying with a smile, and Wei Ying had to squish the little boy, overwhelmed by a sudden feeling of intense affection. He was just too precious. Dammit, he didn’t even have a partner, he couldn’t go around getting baby fever.

“Wei Ying should adopt me!” Lan Yuan exclaimed with enthusiasm. “Like Baba!”

Now that was… Wei Ying looked at Lan Zhan, confused about that little nugget of information.

Lan Zhan, not looking at him but at Lan Yuan, chastised his son gently.

“A-Yuan, you cannot simply ask unrelated people to adopt you. I am your cousin. We were family before I adopted you. The same cannot be asked for from unrelated people.”

It was a very rational explanation, Wei Ying thought. It also answered a few questions about the apparent non-existence of a mother. But it also seriously underestimated Wei Ying’s particular brand of free-spiritedness combined with a healthy dose of disregard for societal conventions, so Wei Ying lifted Lan Yuan higher and gave him a cheeky grin.

“For what it’s worth, A-Yuan,” he declared, “I would totally adopt you if given the chance. I don’t think your father would give you up for any price, but just know that I would.”

Lan Yuan gave him the biggest smile in reply, and Lan Zhan gave him the most severe frown he had ever seen in his life, but he didn’t care.

Lan Yuan was just too cute, and Wei Ying was entirely honest when he said that he would adopt a child like him in a heartbeat. Of course, a decision like that would be a big responsibility. Taking care of a life.  But he had never been the type to think about such things carefully before jumping right in. He had always wanted a family. And he had experience in handling kids. He could do it, he knew.

Maybe I should really start to consider having a child, he thought to himself, snuggling Lan Yuan a little tighter, resting their heads together, even without a partner in the picture. I have Dajie too, I can rise a child on my own.

(He did not notice Lan Zhan’s considering gaze.)

---

“Are you a homewrecker now?”

“Hello A-Cheng, it’s nice to hear from you, I’m doing very well, thank you,” Wei Ying sang into the receiver. “Why are you calling?”

“You were seen with a father and his child at the supermarket,” came Jiang Cheng’s angry voice from the other side of the connection. “Flirting inappropriately. Really, now? Don’t tell me you’re sleeping with a man that already has a toddler.”

“Ouch, A-Cheng, who do you think I am?” Wei Ying asked theatrically. (If he was honest, the sentiment hurt a little.) “He’s just a neighbour, I was helping out like good neighbours do. He is in fact not married and the child is adopted, so even if I was sleeping with him, which I’m not, there would be nothing inappropriate about it. Also, I have never slept with any man of my acquaintance and I’m not sure why this is coming up now.”

“So that means we don’t have to reserve a seat for him at the next family dinner?”

Wei Ying spluttered. “Wha- what??”

“My sister was really excited at the thought of getting a nephew. I guess it was too much to ask. If you start fucking him, don’t tell me, but I need to know if I have to make more reservations than usual. That’s all. Bye.”

The next moment, Jiang Cheng had hung up, and Wei Ying stared at his phone beeping at him in disbelief.

What the hell?

How had Jiang Cheng even found out he had gone shopping with Lan Zhan and Lan Yuan?

Still shaken and repeating the entire conversation in his head, trying to make sense of it, he heard the doorbell ring. He threw his phone aside and scrambled to get to the door.

As soon as he opened the door, A-Yuan threw himself forward and latched onto Wei Ying’s leg tightly, grinning up at him.

“Gege! Play with me!” he shouted in lieu of a greeting.

Behind him stood Lan Zhan, all prim and proper, with his arms folded behind his back.

“He said he was missing you,” he said with an apologetic bow.

Slowly, Wei Ying bent down and lifted A-Yuan up to settle him on his hip. He stared at Lan Zhan, standing there and staring back, and thought about the strange phone call that he’d just had.

Of course he was happy that A-Yuan wanted to see him again. And of course he was happy that Lan Zhan had come to actively seek him out.

And of course he thought that–

Well.

Quietly, he wondered what it needed to make Lan Zhan accept an invitation for family dinner.

Well, maybe not a family dinner, first thing. Something a little more private was appropriate.

He gave A-Yuan a small kiss to the crown of his head, and saw Lan Zhan following the movement intently.

Hm, he thought giddily. Maybe not quite as much as I thought it might.

He smiled at Lan Zhan.

“Why don’t you come in? I doubt I’m getting this little one off of me very soon.”

[welldonekhushi]

Me, trying to sleep:

My mind: What if you created Price as a villain?

Me, opens my eyes wide and remains restless: Really?

Soooo, here you go, guys! Finally, I did my take on how Price would look as a villain, but basically, he's not like "those" villains who would try to threaten or destroy anything much like Zakahev and Makarov's deadly intentions. He wears a formal kind of suit to keep himself mysterious, and a mask on his face to conceal his identity, more like a vigilant.

This story takes place after the events of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, where Price went MIA after Zakahev was killed. Soap, being the only possible survivor, couldn't understand where could the Captain had went away. Time passed, and new reports claimed that there was a mysterious presence who became a barrier for the SAS and stole away the intel they wanted or already acquired.

The fear or doubt remained imminent that the mysterious presence might be stealing all the data for keeping it secure from the Ultranationalists, but what makes it more suspicious, when it was also stealing every single necessary intel from the hidden Ultranationalist offices, leaving no traces or evidences behind — but, by leaving a white rose on the ground. One of the soldiers saw the figure escaping once from the window after killing off a another soldier when they were investigating the office, so he was named as "The Masked Vigilant" because it's appearance was of a formal suit with a black hat and a cloth over it's face.

So, the real question arose within: why would the mysterious person be doing all this so? This was pretty much a challenging task for the task force. Regarding the disappearance of Captain Price, the things weren't being connected well without any piece of proper evidence, except having a white-colored rose as their proof.

On a fateful day, it was a matter of time, Soap would put his eyes over the vigilant one time, and try to catch them up before he escapes. They did had a little fight sequence, but when things were now coming to a reveal, the mask got removed and.. it was the time when Soap realised who the one behind the mask was..

Soap looks in pure surprise, and shock filling his face. ".. Price?"

That familiar face, that Soap cannot forget at all. Price didn't say anything, and proceeded to wear the cloth back over his face, and escaped, without Soap trying to catch him back again.

A lot of questions wandered in the mind of the Scottish soldier. He couldn't believe the man he was trying to chase, was none other than his missing Captain. But.. why would he be doing all this, by being against the SAS too?

This would be remained as a mystery.. until now.

.

Haha, so that's the story of my Price AU! I think it doesn't look as strong as it's supposed to but, hope maybe you guys can also take your assumptions what could happen next! ;)

I hope you like it! <3

[nim-lock]

Art Career Tips, 2021 Edition

Here’s an edited version of my 2019 answered ask, because... this feels relevant. 

It is a problem of capitalism that folks equate their income as a judgement of their value as people; and let me preface. You are worth so much. You have inherent value in this world. Your income is not a judgement on who you are (plenty of billionaires are actively making the world worse). LARPing self-confidence will go a long way to helping you get paid more for your work, because clients will believe that you know what you are doing, and are a professional. 

& real quick—my own background is that I’ve been living off my art since 2018. I went to art school (Pratt Institute). I work in a publishing/educational materials sphere, and a quarter of my income is my shop. Not all of this information may apply to you, so it is up to you to look through everything with a critical eye, and spot pick what is relevant. 

So there are multiple ways of getting income as an artist; 

Working freelance or full-time on projects

Selling your stuff on a shop

Licensing (charging other companies to use your designs)

This post primarily covers the freelance part; if you’re interested in the other bits there is absolutely info out there on the internet. 

IF you are just starting (skip to next section if not applicable) dream big, draw often (practice helps you get better/more efficient), do your best to take "a bad piece” lightly. You’re gonna RNG this shit. At some point your rate of “good” works will get higher. Watch tutorial videos & read books. A base understanding of “the rules”; anatomy, perspective, composition, color helps you know what the rules are to break them. This adds sophistication to your work. One way you can learn this stuff is by doing “studies”—you’re picking apart things from life, or things other people have done, to see what works, and how it works. 

Trying to turn your interests into a viable career means that you are now a SMALL BUSINESS; it really helps to learn some basic marketing, graphic design, figure out how to write polite customer service emails; etc. You can learn some of this by looking it up, or taking skillshare (not sponsored) classes by qualified folks. Eventually some people may get agents to take care of this for them—however, I do recommend y’all get a basic understanding of what it takes to do it on your own, just so you can know if your agent is doing a good job. 

Making sure your portfolio fits the work you want to get

Here is a beginner portfolio post. 

Research the field you’d like to get into. The amount people work, the time commitment, the process of making the thing, the companies & people who work for them. 

Create work that could fit in to the industry you’re breaking into. For example, if you want to do book cover illustration, you draw a bunch of mockup book covers, that can either be stuff you make up, or redesigns of existing books. If you’re not 100% sure what sort of work is needed for the industry, loop back into the portfolios of artists in a similar line of work as whatever you’re interested in, and analyze the things they have in common. If something looks to be a common project (like a sequence of action images for storyboard artists), then it’s probably something useful for the job. 

CLIENTS HIRE BASED ON HOW WELL THEY THINK YOUR WORK FITS WHAT THEY WANT. If they’re hiring for picture books, they’re gonna want to see picture book art in your portfolio, otherwise they may not want to risk hiring you. Doesn’t have to be 100% the project, but stuff similar enough. If you aren’t hired, it doesn’t mean your work is bad, it just wasn’t the right fit for that specific client. 

If you have many interests, make a different section of your portfolio for each!

Making sure you’re relevant 

Have a social media that’s a little more public-facing, and follow people in the career field you’re interested in. Fellow artists, art directors, editors, social media managers; whoever. Post on your own schedule. 

Interact with their posts every so often, in a non-creepy way. 

If you’ve made any contacts, great! Email these artists, art directors, editors, former professors, etc occasional updates on your work to stay in touch AND make sure that they think about you every so often.

Show up to general art events every once in a while! If you keep showing up to ones in your area (when... not dying from a sneeze is a thing), folks will eventually start to remember you. 

Industry events & conferences can be pricey, so attend/save up for what makes sense for you. Industry meetups are important for networking in person! In addition to meeting people with hiring power, you also connect with your peers in the community. Always bring a portfolio & hand out business cards like candy. 

Active job hunting

Apply to job postings online.

If interested in working with specific people at specific companies, you could send an email “I’d love to work with you, here’s my portfolio/relevant experience”, even if they aren’t actively looking for new hires. Be concise, and include a link to your work AND attached images so the person reading the email can get a quick preview before clicking for more. 

Twitter job postings can be pretty underpaid! Get a copy of the Graphic Artists’ Guild Handbook Pricing & Ethical Guidelines to know your rate. I once had a twitter post job listing email me back saying that other illustrators were charging less, and I quote, “primarily because they’re less experienced and looking for their first commission”. This was not okay! For reference, this was a 64-illustration book. The industry rate of a children’s book (~36 pages) is $10k+, and this company’s budget was apparently $1k. For all of it. 

Congrats you got a job! Now what?

Ask for like, 10% more than they initially offer and see if they say yes. If they do, great! If not, and the price is still OK, great! Often company budgets are slightly higher than they first tell you, and if you get this extra secret money, all the better for you. 

Make sure you sign a contract and the terms aren’t terrible (re: GO GET THE  Graphic Artists’ Guild Handbook Pricing & Ethical Guidelines) 

Be pleasant and easy to work with (Think ‘do no harm but take no shit’)

Communicate with them as much as needed! If something’s going to be late, tell them as soon as you know so they aren’t left wondering or worse, reaching out to ask what’s up. 

And if all goes well, they’ll contact you about more jobs down the line, or refer you to other folks who may need an artist, etc. 

Quick note about online shops/licensing and why they’re so good

It’s work that you do once, that you continuously make money off of. Different products do well in different situations (conventions vs. online, and then further, based on how you market/the specific groups you are marketing to), so products that may not do well initially may get a surge later on. 

Start with things that have low minimum order quantity and are relatively cheap to produce, like prints and stickers. 

If you are not breaking even, go back to some of the earlier portions of this and think about how you could tweak things as a small business. Ease of access is also very important with this; for example, if you only take orders through direct messages, that immediately shuts off all customers who don’t like talking to strangers. 

Quick resource that you could look through; it’s the spreadsheet of project organizing that I made a while back 

Licensing is when people pay you for the right to use your work on stuff they need to make, like textbooks or greeting cards. This is generally work you’ve already made that they are paying the right to use for a specified time or limited run of products. This is great because you’ve already done the work. I am not the expert on this. Go find someone else’s info.

“I am not physically capable of working much”/ “I need to pay the bills”

Guess who got a hand injury Sept 2020 that messed me up that entire month! I had a couple jobs going at the time that I was terrified of losing, but they were quite understanding when I told them I needed to heal. So:  Express your needs as early as you know you need them. Also do lots of stretches and rest your hands whenever you feel anything off; this will save your health later. Like, the potential of a couple months of no income was preferable over losing use of my hands for the rest of my life.

This continues to apply if you have any other life situation. Ask for extra time. Ask for clarification. If you tell people ahead of time, folks are often quite understanding. Know how much you are capable of working and do your best not to overdo it. (I am.. bad at this)

Do what MAKES SENSE for your situation. If doing art currently earns you less money than organizing spreadsheets, then do that for now, and whenever you have the energy, break down some of the tips above into actionable tiny chunks, and slowly work at em. 

The original ask I got in 2019 mentioned ‘knowing you’re not good enough yet’. Most artists experience imposter syndrome & self-doubt—the important thing is to do your best, and if anything, attempt to channel the confidence of a mediocre white man. If he can apply to this job/charge hella money for Not Much, then so can you! 

Check out this Art Director tumblr for more advice!

Danichuatico’s Literary Agent guide

Kikidoodle’s Shop Shipping Tutorial

Best of luck!

–

Once again disclaimer this post is just the ramblings of a man procrastinating on other things that need to be done. I’ve Long Posted my own post so that it turns into mush in my brain if I try to read it, but I wrote this so I should know this content. If you got down here, congrats. Here’s a shrimp drawing.

Yee Ha. 

My reference post tag My tip jar