#i feel like every month is national clean my house month

[kedreeva]

Hey, I saw your post about writing 100 words for every task people do and I love the idea -- don't know if you're familiar with National Clean Your Home Month, my take on NaNoWriMo, but I'd like to play around with this kind of thing for next year -- pairing up NaNo and NaCl people so that one cleans when the other writes and vice versa. Mind if I steal the concept to experiment with? With credit naturally. (And if that's not ok that's totally fine, I won't be offended!) Thanks!

Go for it! Whatever gets people to get shit done is good in my book! It's certainly working over here.

We've been playing a similar game in the writing server for months, where we just trade writing "owe me" amounts back and forth. People like making other people do stuff I guess

[ak4e7a]

Men I Love Fucking — milf lovers!hyung line

hiiiiiiii! i, the president of dumb baby nation, have been gone for too long … here is my surprise comeback to enhablr (it’s so apt of me as mother to schedule my comeback for mother’s day) … i present to you, milf lover!hyung line :D enjoy >:)

minors dni, you know the drill. @karinasbaby and @enha-stars, this one's for you. thank you both for listening to me yap about this and helping me with ideas ≽ܫ≼

cw: degradation, breeding kink, sugar daddy jay, i got super carried away with jake's for some reason idk. sunghoon gets his own warning lmao

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿˚₊

heeseung loves milfs in the sense that he’s pining after his older sister’s best friend. he never looked your way before, but once you announced that you were pregnant, it was over for him. suddenly, he found himself spending his nights ignoring his friends’ requests to hop off the game, and instead in his bed, fucking his fist to the image of you, his sister’s best friend, belly round and tits swollen with milk, imagining that you were pregnant with his child. he fantasizes about which positions he'd use to knock you up with. doggy? reverse cowgirl? mating press? he thinks about it so much that he’s convinced he’s the father. and with the way you let him sneak into your house so he can lay you on your side and fuck you like he’s trying to get you pregnant again, he just might be the father. (he is, but you're holding onto that secret for as long as you can.)

another night of being his sneaky link sounds like:

“i thought us fucking was a one-time thing, but if i knocked you up on the first try, there’s no way i’m letting you go.”

“you just love this dick so much you had to have my baby, hm?”

“f-fuck, pussy’s so good, babe. still so fucking tight no matter what i do to you, isn’t that right?”

“gonna cum, fuck, fuck, turn over, please! wanna cum on your tits. they look so pretty, full of milk for our baby.”

———

jay loves milfs in the sense that he loves the dynamic. if you’re the milf, he’s the daddy who provides. you met him while waitressing at a restaurant that he just happened to be a regular at; he fell in love with how sweet you were whenever you’d be the one to wait on his table. he liked you so much he started requesting you by name whenever he’d come in. one thing led to another, and now here you are, sitting pretty in his penthouse apartment, with everything taken care of for you. he’s paying for you to go back to school, he’s paid off your debt, bought you a car, anything you want, it’s yours—all you have to do is give him your pussy whenever and wherever he wants it. jay’s just so devoted to you, because you make him feel like a man, in the purest sense of the word. he feels like a protector and a provider and he loves it and it’s all thanks to you.

above all else, jay is a provider first and foremost, giving you anything from money to gifts to his cum and his love:

“you like that new purse i got you, baby? yeah? then you know how to thank me. get on your knees.”

“you’re gonna take my cum and keep it in your little cunt for the rest of the day, and if any of it slips out, i might just return everything i bought you. don’t you understand? I’m trying to knock you up so you know who you belong to.”

(and months later, when he’s madly in love with you to the point of no return, begging you to marry him already:) “i’m the one who put that baby in you, i’m the one who loves you, i’m the one who takes care of you so well. and if i have to fuck you every night to prove that i want no one else but you, then i will.”

———

jake loves milfs in the sense that he’s an absolute dog. he’s cleaning pools for the summer while he’s on break from uni, and his clients are all lonely, rich, hot stay-at-home wives. he feels a sick little high just knowing he’s giving good dick to every milf on his roster, knowing that he’s fucking some guy’s wife and giving you orgasms that make you pay him double what he charges. he’s downright nasty, getting his dick sucked on an expensive leather armchair, fucking a beautiful pair of tits that some loser paid for and clearly has no idea how to use. and don’t get him started on when he visits his frat bros on his days off. their moms are fair game for him to fuck, too. he’ll corner you when you’re in the kitchen making apple pie for the boys, mumbling in your ear about how you’re such an angel, groping your ass, telling you to call him if you ever want a creampie instead. you don’t even bother calling him. he’s tiptoeing into your room that night while your son and his other friends are fast asleep.

“what waste of good pussy,” jake spits out, pounding into you from behind. “your husband doesn’t know the first thing about fucking you, because if he did, you wouldn’t be so. fucking. tight.”

“you like that? like taking cock from your pool boy? nasty slut. i bet your pathetic husband would love to know how much you like it sloppy.”

“that’s it, yeah, use me like that fucking dildo i found in your bedside table. feels better than that stupid toy, doesn’t it, baby?”

“what? cum in you? nah, sweets, you’re gonna take my load on that pretty face of yours.”

———

sunghoon loves milfs in the sense that he’s bragging nonstop to his friends about how his girlfriend is a couple years older than him, and he’s basically “preordered a milf”. you might be his TA in one of his classes or his supervisor at work, whatever. either way, while the age gap isn’t so large or even visibly obvious, you don’t like acknowledging it. but when you do, it’s to take charge or to boss him around—and he’s had enough of it. one night, he corners you in your shared apartment, tired of you treating him like he’s a baby. you argue back that he’s your baby, but he’s not having it. “I’m an adult too, you know,” he murmurs in your ear, slotting his knee between your legs while he’s got you pushed up against the door of your bedroom. “let me take care of you, doll. i can show you just how good i can be.”

“my sweet little milf deserves the world, doesn’t she? if only she’d stop being a brat and just let me give it to her.”

“it feels good giving up control to me, doesn’t it?”

“tell me who’s in charge. say it. say my name… louder, baby doll, i can’t hear you. c’mon, let the neighbors know while you’re at it.”

“you’re so beautiful, baby… you deserve to not have to think about shit all the time. don’t you worry your pretty little head. from now on, i’ll handle everything for you… you can relax with me, just focus on how good this cock feels inside of you right now, hm?”

[mysterious-moonstruck-musings]

Closed Position: Week 1 (Introductions)

Closed Position Masterlist ||| Main Masterlist Dieter Bravo x OFC (Katarina)

Series Summary: Dieter Bravo, now sober, was looking to change his bad boy image after hitting rock bottom. His team hoped that having him join the nationally televised family friendly dance competition would be a good first step, if they can keep him out of trouble. 

Katarina Stamos expected her last season as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars to go the same as it had for the past thirteen seasons. That all changed when she was partnered with the infamous Dieter Bravo. 

Dieter and Katarina are reluctantly thrown into their partnership and must learn to work together to succeed in the competition. In the process they form a deeper connection beyond the dance floor that neither anticipated.

Chapter Word Count: 7.1K

👉 Warnings: Themes dealing with intimate partner violence, past alcohol abuse, and past drug abuse. There will be fluff, tears, spicy language, and smut. This will be a slow burn. Read at your own risk. Dieter Bravo comes with his own warnings.

Week 1 Quote: "Fuck. I might be in trouble."

Dieter’s POV

“Lenny, have you seen this fucking schedule? It’s seven days a week for twelve weeks. When do I get a break?” 

Lenny, my agent, sighed through the speaker phone, “D, I told you this was going to be a lot of work before you agreed to do it. You shouldn’t be surprised…and besides, that’s only if you make it to the finals.”

I scoffed, “Thanks for the vote of confidence…asshole.” Lenny chuckled on the other end of the line. We both went quiet for a moment as I continued to flip through the packet of paper that Lenny had sent over for review, “I don’t even get to have any say on the wardrobe or music. Such bullshit…sucking all the fun out of it. Did you at least drop a bug in their ear about who I’ll be partnered with? If I get stuck with someone I don’t want, I’m gonna be fucking miserable.” 

“I did, but the producers said they always do the partner matching themselves. They have a formula…or something. Maybe bring it up again at this morning's meeting and explain why. They may listen to you on it.” 

I huffed as my eyes continued skimming over the weekly schedule, “I have to get a fucking spray tan every week? You have GOT to be kidding me…Lenny, you know I don’t like using carcinogenic chemicals on my body.” 

“Uhhh, no comment on that…Look, I’ll put in a call and see if they can use something natural for that.” 

I relaxed some, “I would appreciate that. Thank you. Tell them I have an allergy or something…just make it happen.” 

I tossed the packet onto the table and picked up my phone, taking it off speaker and putting it to my ear - now pacing as I spoke, “Well, it looks like I’m gonna be pretty busy for a bit. That’ll be a nice distraction. It beats being locked inside the house at least.”  

Lenny hesitated, but still asked, “How are you doing with everything? Still managing ok?” 

I sighed, “Yeah, I mean I’m going to therapy and all the meetings still. I’ve been doing ok…just trying to keep the stress levels down. That’s what gets to me the most.” 

“How long has it been?”

I looked at the date on my watch, “Eight months today…actually. It’s the longest I’ve ever been clean, and I plan to stick to it this time. I’m feeling good and I want to keep it that way.” 

“Everyone is really proud of you, D. You know that, right? Keep at it and we'll have you back on top in no time.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, knowing that it was an uphill battle, “I appreciate that, but good luck getting people to change their opinion of me. I’m not sure if my reputation is salvageable at this point. Everyone seems to think my sobriety is some sort of joke. No one is taking it seriously.”

I could hear Lenny inhale deeply on the other end of the phone, “It’s just going to take time, D. Don’t give up yet.” 

I pursed my lips in thought, “Yeah, I guess. Anyway, I need to get ready for this meeting. We’ll talk later, yeah?”

“Yeah, definitely let me know how it goes.”  

Once I hung up the phone with Lenny, I took a quick shower, then spent longer than I should have staring at the clothes hanging in my closet - trying to pick something that says I have my shit together. My therapist kept reminding me that if I dressed like a slob, people were going to treat me like one. So, I was putting more effort into making myself presentable before I left the house these days. Since it was a work meeting, I went for a business casual look, figuring I couldn’t go wrong with that. After styling my hair and getting dressed, I grabbed my keys, phone, wallet, and sunglasses and headed out the front door.

As I approached my car, which was parked in the driveway, I noticed there was a dead bird on the hood. The fluffy gray, brown, and white stray cat that had been hanging around my house was sitting next to it, looking rather proud of himself. I sighed, “Come on dude, really?” And this is why I need to get the garage cleaned out. I hit the clicker to open the garage door so I could get a broom to knock the bird off the hood. As I waded through the mountain of empty boxes from my move six months ago, I cursed myself for taking my sweet time getting that stuff out of the house. Finally finding the broom, I quickly moved to get the dead bird off of the car and shooed the cat away. He didn’t look happy about it as he moved to sit on the pathway in front of the house, watching me until I was finally on my way to Television City Studios to meet with the producers of Dancing with the Stars. 

When I arrived at the studio, I was met by the two executive producers, Stacia and Joe and led into a conference room. I let them do their spiel about what’s expected and the schedule. Nodding along in all the right places, being as polite as possible even though I hated how little say I had over anything. Once they moved on to the topic of how they choose partners, I spoke up for the first time, “I would really like to have input on my partner.” They both moved to speak before I held up my hand to signal that I wasn’t finished talking. 

“Look, I know you all have your formula or whatever, but I have a legitimate reason for asking. As I’m sure you’re aware, I’ve been trying to clean up my image. I’ve been sober for eight months and I would really like to be placed with someone that doesn’t have a reputation for partying…someone who isn’t gonna be a negative influence on me. It’s actually really important to me because I’m actively avoiding being around anyone who is into that kind of lifestyle.” Which is why I spend most of my time alone.  

Stacia and Joe looked at each other, obviously surprised at my reasoning for the request. They were actually stunned into silence. Since neither of them said anything, I continued, “I had my team check into the dancers, and based on their recommendation…I’m requesting that Katarina Stamos be my partner. She has a good reputation and I’m also told she’s very professional and isn’t judgmental…because that’s been an issue here lately that I’d really like to not have to deal with.”

Stacia’s brow furrowed, “Are you looking to actually win? Because Kat hasn’t won a single season that she’s been with us.”

I narrowed my eyes on her. What an asshole thing to say about someone. “Well, maybe that’s because you keep giving her shitty partners.” 

I gave Stacia a sarcastic smile. She had the audacity to look offended by that statement. I had watched the show and seen the people Katarina was partnered with. It was always the older guys that could hardly move. Stacia’s attitude made me more determined to have Katarina as a partner just to prove a fucking point on her behalf. 

Joe interrupted the silent standoff that Stacia and I now seemed to be having, “Alright, let’s think about this…” He turned to Stacia, “Physically, they work together. Their height and proportions are a good match…and Kat is very patient. She would work well with him. Also, if he wishes to be with someone who isn’t into partying, Anika is not the person he needs to be with.”

Stacia looked frustrated and unwilling to give in as she glared at her counterpart. Joe smirked, “If you're worried about the change in narrative, it’s possible there may be other options we haven’t considered.” 

What the fuck does that mean? I leaned forward on my elbows, “What narrative?” 

They both turned to look at me, Stacia now had a sly smile on her face. It was Joe who answered, “We always consider the possible narratives that could come up between partners. How they’ll interact and get along personality wise. It’s an important factor for the show.”

I felt a crease form between my brows, “So basically, you try to manufacture drama for TV.”  

Joe shook his head, “Not exactly, I mean ultimately, yes. We just take personalities and such into account when we pair the dancers with their celebrities. I mean, we do want everyone to get along with their partner, obviously.”   

So, you’re fucking meddlers. Got it. I arched my brows, giving them a tight smile as I nodded, going along with what they were telling me. I now realized I would have to keep an eye on these two. I didn’t feel like they had my best interest in mind. Especially if they were initially planning to put me with the known party girl. 

I cleared my throat before speaking again, “So what does that mean…do I get to work with Katarina or not?” 

Stacia looked at me, now smiling, “I think that may actually be a good match now that I think about it. So yeah, we’ll let you work with Kat. Hopefully you’ll both make it through to finals.” 

What is this woman’s deal? Geez Louise. I eyed them both suspiciously for a moment, “Ok, good. Now I’m finally a little excited about this.”   

They went over a few more details about the schedule before taking me out to meet with a production assistant, who was tasked with giving me a tour of the building and showing me where my dressing room would be. This part of my day couldn’t end soon enough… 

Katarina’s POV

As I was pulling into the Television City Studios parking lot for the first day of my last season on Dancing with the Stars, my phone pinged with a text from Alec, my fiancée.

Alec: I finished up my meeting with production. Are you here? Have you had yours yet?

I leaned my head back against the seat. What the hell has he been doing? I know his meeting was over an hour ago.

Me: Just parked, I have mine in 10 minutes. I’m on my way in…Meet you in the lobby. 

A few minutes later, I found Alec in the lobby. He seemed more excited than he normally was on the first day as he greeted me with a quick kiss on the cheek. 

I leaned away from him, “What’s got you so smiley this morning?” I could tell he was trying to temper it down and have a more neutral expression on his face as he shrugged, “I didn’t realize I was. Guess I’m just excited to see you.” 

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. What are you hiding now you asshole. He didn’t know how well I could read him at this point. 

I arched a brow instead of returning his smile, “So, I assume you found out who your partner is gonna be?”

He continued his attempts at a neutral expression, “Yeah, Lana Thompson…she’s an actress, I think. There was apparently a last minute change to the lineup this morning. You know her?” 

I gave him a tight smile, “Yeah…I know her. She has a bit of a reputation…”  

He feigned ignorance, “Oh? I don’t know anything about her. I’m sure she’ll turn out to be one of those stuck up, bitchy types like the rest of ‘em. Ya know, you’re lucky it’s your last season so you don’t have to deal with these people anymore.” 

And there it is. He doth protest too much. He was excited to be paired with her, I could tell. He saw it as an opportunity. As far as I knew, he hadn’t strayed to another woman in some time, but that didn’t mean he had changed. He still hadn’t earned my trust back and his current excitement only made me more suspicious of his commitment. 

Alec could sense the tension taking hold of my body as he rubbed at my lower back, “Everything ok, baby?”

I gave him a half-hearted smile, “Yeah, just peachy. I’ve gotta go or I’m gonna be late. I’ll catch up with you after.” 

As I was walking down the hallway toward the conference room, I saw Lana Thompson exiting the bathroom. I suspected Alec had already met his partner and liked her more than he let on. Which probably explains why it took him as long as it did to text me. 

When I entered the conference room, Stacia and Joe sat huddled together. They seemed to be engrossed in whatever they were whispering about, but abruptly stopped talking once they realized I was lingering in the entryway. They both smiled, almost over enthusiastically as they welcomed me and motioned for me to have a seat. They studied me for a moment before Stacia finally spoke, “How are things going with you?” 

That’s an odd question and an odd tone. I wasn’t sure what kind of answer she was looking for, “It’s going good, why?” 

She gave me a small smile, “I know it’s your last season because you have things going on…but do you think you’re feeling up to the possibility of making it to finals?” 

I gave her a confused look, “What is that supposed to mean?” 

Joe leaned forward, “What Stacia is trying to say is…the person we have you partnered with this time is going to be a little more physically able than your usual partners. So, you may be in it for the full twelve weeks…if you can pull it off. Are you physically able to handle it?” 

Should I be offended by that? It’s not like I can’t function. It was just painful some days, especially when there were a lot of rehearsals. My joints couldn’t handle the Latin dances like they used to - the jerky movements exacerbating the inflammation and discomfort. That didn’t mean they had to treat me like a fragile porcelain doll though. 

I narrowed my eyes at them, “Of course I can handle it. I could handle it this entire time…which is why I’ve been asking for more capable partners.” 

Joe smiled, “Well, good. Maybe you can go out with a bang this season.” 

What the fuck was this about? I dug my teeth into my bottom lip as I tried to figure out their angle. There was always an angle with them, “Why do I feel like you’re trying to sell this to me?” 

Joe grimaced slightly. “We’re not trying to sell it, but we do worry you won’t be happy about it.” 

I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned back into the seat, “Who is it?” 

Stacia smirked, “It’s Dieter Bravo.”

I looked between the two of them, “You’re joking?” 

They shook their heads in unison. This didn’t make sense. Wouldn’t he be better suited with one of the girls that enjoyed a lifestyle similar to his? 

“What makes you think he and I will work well together? I know I have a lot of patience, but it does have its limits.” 

Joe chuckled, “His people requested you specifically. He’s actually eight months sober and they want him with someone who isn’t going to get him into trouble. He’s trying to clean up his image.” 

I scoffed, “I thought you didn’t let the celebrities have any say in who they’re partnered with?”

Joe leaned forward onto the table, “We don’t normally, but given his request and the reasons for it, we felt we should make an exception. We were thinking of putting him with you anyway.”

I shook my head, “You are aware of his reputation, right? Alec is gonna lose his shit over this.” 

Stacia smiled, “It’s not your or Alec’s choice. We run the show.”

It dawned on me then. Alec had said there was a last minute lineup change this morning and that’s why he was put with Lana. I had somehow managed to fly under the radar when it came to the producers' manufactured bullshit, but now I was right in the middle of it. They were making moves to create an underlying narrative for the show. 

“Who was he partnered with originally? I know it wasn’t me.” 

Stacia looked surprised by my question, “He was never partnered with anyone else before you.”

Stacia was lying. She couldn’t look at me directly when she answered my question - it was her tell. I knew how their minds worked. Dieter Bravo had a reputation for causing trouble and they were looking to exploit it. I’m sure his request caused a hiccup in their plans, so now they were making adjustments to cause drama surrounding him any way they could. 

My eyes shifted between the two of them, “I don’t know what your endgame is here, but I have no intention of playing, just so you know.”

Stacia and Joe sat expressionless, not giving anything away. I assumed they expected this sort of response from me. My tendency to push back at their plans was one of the reasons I wasn’t a favorite of theirs and most likely part of the reason they always worked to get me off the show as soon as possible, every season. Which sucked for my bank account. To add to their reasoning, I wasn’t interesting enough since I never had issues with my partners or whirlwind romances that made for good TV. However, this season they were taking a chance, throwing two bombs in the form of Lana and Dieter into my already tumultuous relationship with Alec. Hoping for an exciting outcome that would play out behind the scenes to stir up tabloid fodder and result in free promotion for the show.  

Joe sighed, finally speaking to break the tension in the room, “For what it’s worth, we met with Dieter earlier this morning…he was actually very pleasant and agreeable. I don’t think he’ll be an issue for you, so long as he continues to stay sober.”

My brows furrowed, “It sounds like you have a lot of faith in him. Good to know.” I moved to stand, “Well, if there isn’t anything else you need from me…”

Joe smiled weakly in my direction, “No, I think that’s it for now…just make sure you review the schedule and let us know if you have questions.” 

I gave them a sarcastic smile before moving to leave the conference room. As I rounded the corner in the hallway, looking down at the floor lost in my thoughts and frustration, I ran into someone. I started mumbling my apologies as I looked up at the stranger. I was met with a mess of curls, piercing dark eyes, and a dimpled lop-sided grin. It was Dieter fucking Bravo looking like he just stepped out of a GQ magazine. 

“Hey there, sweetheart,” he said through a chuckle with his hands on my shoulders to catch me from running head first into him. We stared at each other in silence for a moment. You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, he can’t call me that.  

He had a slight smirk on his face now, “Katarina, right? Looks like we’re gonna be dance partners.” 

I shook my head, my lips set in a tight line, “Don’t call me that.” 

His brow furrowed, “What? Katarina?” 

I scoffed, “No, sweetheart. I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea. It’s inappropriate. You can call me Kat like everyone else.” 

He was obviously taken off guard by my cold demeanor as he gave me a confused look, “I didn’t…mean anything by it, I-I call everyone sweetheart.” 

I nodded, “Well, you're not gonna call me that.”

He chewed on the inside of his cheek for a beat, “I guess I’ve earned that. Sorry, I won’t do it again.” 

I inhaled deeply, biting my bottom lip as I did so. It didn’t go unnoticed that his eyes shifted down to my mouth. “Look, this is my last season and I just wanna get through it without any drama, ok?”

A crease formed between his brows as his jaw ticked to the side, “What makes you think I’m gonna cause drama?”

I shook my head, now realizing how big of a jerk I was being, “Umm…I…”

He continued to stare at me with a burning intensity, “Just so you know, I’m sober…have been for eight months. Drama is not my thing these days…”

I gave him a tight smile, “Good…hopefully you can stick to it.”  Fuck. That did not come out how I meant for it to.

I could see his jaw muscles flex before he let out a small laugh. His eyes finally shifted downward. He almost looked hurt by that comment. 

I sighed, “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.” 

His brows arched as he peered at me through his lashes, “You know, I requested to be partnered with you because I was told that you're professional and wouldn’t be judgmental about my past…I guess I heard wrong. I suppose I should just expect it at this point, right? Maybe I shouldn’t have such high expectations of others.” 

My mouth fell open as I shook my head. I’m such a fucking asshole. He didn’t give me a chance to say anything before he spoke again, “I guess I’ll see you at rehearsals tomorrow. Have a good afternoon.” He gave me a sad smile as he brushed past me. I stood there with my mouth hanging open like an idiot watching him as he walked toward the exit. That was a great first impression. Good job, Kat. 

“Who was that?” Alec asked from behind me. 

I turned, running my fingers through the top of my hair out of frustration, “That was my new dance partner.” 

Alec squinted toward the figure standing near the exit, now stopping to look at his phone, “Is that Dieter Bravo?” 

I could feel my jaw tighten as I took in Alec’s expression, “Yes, it is.” Alec’s head snapped toward me, “I don’t want you working with him.” 

I smiled sarcastically, “Really? And you think I have a choice in that? They made it clear, there is no other option. I asked.”

Alec shook his head, “You could just not do this season. You're quitting anyway. Why not go ahead and drop out?” 

My eyes widened at his suggestion, “Because I need the fucking money, you know that.” 

He chuckled, “Right, for the dance studio.” 

I scoffed, “Yeah, for the dance studio. I don’t understand why you can’t support me on that.” 

Alec didn’t acknowledge my question, “This guy is a known womanizer. I’m not comfortable with this.” 

My head tilted to the side, “So you don’t trust me. That’s rich coming from you. You know…I’m not excited about your partner either, but I didn’t tell you to drop out. If anyone has a right to be concerned, it’s me.” 

Alec moved in closer, causing me to back up against the wall as he got in my face. His eyes were blazing with anger, “You’re never gonna let that shit go, are you? That was ten months ago, and I have been loyal to you ever since. Yet here you are…still throwing it in my fucking face.” 

I had a sudden defiant streak hit me, “You’re the one who brought it up by insinuating that you couldn’t trust me. I’m just reminding you who the problem is in this relationship.” 

Alec moved to put his hand on the wall next to my head as he leaned in further - his nose nearly touching mine as I turned my stoney face away from him, “Don’t you ever talk to me like that again,” he spat out.   

I could feel his eyes drift over my face for a moment before he pulled away and walked off. 

I huffed out a quiet “Fuck” as I exhaled a shaky breath and watched him walk toward the dressing rooms. When I glanced back toward the exit, Dieter was still standing there, frozen in place with his phone halfway to his ear. Once he realized I was looking his way, his head dropped downward, and he slowly turned to exit the building.   

 Dieter’s POV 

As I walked out into the scorching afternoon sun, I ended the call to check my voicemail, deciding I wasn’t in the mood to hear it. I was frustrated by my first interaction with Katarina. It didn’t go how I expected, and honestly, she had hurt my feelings. Based on everything I had heard about her, I didn’t think she would throw my past up in my face like that. At least not immediately, if at all. She did seem a little flustered, maybe she was just having a bad day? 

What followed after our exchange was even more bizarre. It looked like she was having a tense conversation with the man that I assumed was the one she was dating. Lenny had mentioned she was engaged to one of the other dancers. When the man first leaned in, I initially thought they were just having a private moment, but then I noticed the look on Kat’s face as she turned away from him. Something about it was unsettling and for a brief moment, I considered interrupting them. Luckily, I didn’t have to. However, I was left feeling that I had witnessed something I wasn’t supposed to.

Even though our conversation didn’t go as well as I hoped, I was still struck with how beautiful Katarina was in person. Pictures and TV didn’t do her justice. It was probably a good thing she was seeing someone, otherwise I would be in danger of making a fool of myself. Then again, I probably would anyway. My sober self didn’t seem to know how to act around a pretty lady. My confidence and self-assurance definitely weren’t on the same level these days. 

When I got home, I spent more time than I would like to admit staring at my reflection in the mirror - trying to remind myself that I was no longer the piece of shit that everyone still saw me as. It was still hard for me to accept that the old me and the new me were two very different people. Some days it really did seem like it was easier being the old Dieter Bravo, because he didn’t care about how he was perceived by others. I often longed for him to come back, just to quiet the thoughts of self-hate and inadequacy. Those thoughts really could be suffocating and hard to overcome. It was near impossible living with myself on those days.

The anticipation of how our first rehearsal would go was starting to get to me. So, I decided to spend the rest of the evening trying to relax and take my mind off things. With classical music blaring from the sound system, I moved through the house to check in on my plants - watering, misting leaves, and pruning. It was a new hobby I had picked up since rehab. It started with one succulent plant that had seen better days. My neighbor had left it sitting next to the trash bin on garbage collection day. For some reason, I had an urge to attempt to save the shriveled mass. After a few weeks, it was showing new life as the deep purple hues started to form on the leaves. My plant obsession bloomed from there. Now I wasn’t even sure how many I had. I was fairly certain my housekeeper was going to quit if I brought any more home. 

After I was finished with the plants, I spent some time painting until I couldn’t hold my eyes open any longer. It was nearing midnight by the time I had showered and crawled into bed. Even though I was completely exhausted, I couldn’t shut my mind off. The anxiety was now building to problematic levels. It was always at this point that I thought about using the most. By now, the old Dieter would be a couple lines in and a few drinks deep to block out the thoughts. The new Dieter suffers through it as he lay in bed alone, staring into the darkness. I drug both hands down my face and huffed loudly before moving to switch on the lamp beside the bed. I reached for my latest self-help book and began reading.  

I was startled awake by my 7 AM alarm. I groaned as I felt around next to me on the bed for the shrilling phone to shut it off. I sat up, still half out of it, causing the book that had been lying on my chest to fall to the floor with a loud thump. I got up from bed, wiping the sleep from my eyes as I walked toward the bathroom to splash some water on my face. I stood staring at my reflection again, “You look like shit, Bravo.” It was clear I hadn’t gotten much sleep from my dark circles and puffy eyelids. I threw a warm rag over my eyes for a few minutes in hopes that would help.

Standing in my closet staring at the pile of gym clothes my stylist had picked up, I selected a random pair of shorts and a t-shirt, then pulled the tags off. We weren’t allowed to wear anything with brands or logos on filming days, so I had to break down and buy more clothes. It was probably for the best, my old gym clothes were looking a little ratty anyway.    

Once I was dressed, I grabbed my backpack that had a few essentials in it and headed toward the front door. As I stepped out onto the porch and pulled the door shut behind me, I was greeted by my furry squatter who had left another gift near the steps - a dead mouse. I sighed, “Well, at least it’s not on top of the car this time…” The fluffy menace meowed at me as he rubbed against my legs, as if to say, “Look what I did!” 

I was determined to not give in to the furry intruder, so I disregarded his attempts for pets. “Don’t you have a family somewhere to annoy?” I muttered to him as I continued toward the car. He followed me halfway down the pathway before sitting down and flicking his tail around as he watched me get into the driver's side and shut the door. He didn’t look happy about being ignored. 

I gave myself a quick glance in the rearview mirror, reaching to comb down my hair with my fingers. I hadn’t bothered to fix it, knowing it was going to turn into a mess no matter what I did to it. Then, I started the car and drove in silence to the dance studio, not even really sure how I got there as I pulled into the parking lot. I found myself wondering if I had run any redlights as I walked through the main entrance. I felt like I was in a haze as the camera team talked to me in the lobby to fill me in on the plans for filming. 

They wanted to do a brief interview with me before I went into the studio with Katarina. They wanted me to give the whole spiel about how excited I was to be here and working with my dance partner. Truth is, I wasn’t excited. I was nervous as hell, and I was supposed to act like this was the first time I was meeting her. I was unsure of how to act toward her, so when the time came for me to walk through the door to greet her and act excited, I turned on the Dieter Bravo charm the best I could and pretended like yesterday’s conversation never happened.

I was surprised to find how well Katarina did the same thing as she came over to greet me with a smile and a hug and gushed about how excited she was to work with me. However, we were both avoiding looking at the other directly. Clearly there was still some lingering awkwardness between us. After they filmed the introduction, they wanted to get some quick shots of us rehearsing. 

These first few days of rehearsal were meant for learning the basics. We were not actually getting into the first routine yet. We started with some simple stretches and moved into learning the proper frame, the different types of positions, and spacing for the different types of dances. It was all very high level and fast, but Katarina had promised that we would go over it in more detail once the film crew left for the day. The quick pace was mostly for the benefit of the film crew so they could get what they needed and move on to the next couple. 

Once filming was done for the day, we took a seat on the floor for a water break as the crew gathered up all of their gear to leave. We mostly sat in awkward silence until we were finally alone. I could feel Katarina’s eyes on me as I stared at the water bottle in my hand. She spoke first. 

“I feel like I should apologize about yesterday…I was having a shit day and kind of took it out on you. I’m sorry. I honestly didn’t mean what I said.” 

I pursed my lips and shrugged, “It’s fine. I’m used to it at this point.” 

She reached out and grasped my wrist with her left hand, the heat of her touch raced through me as I looked at the glittering ring on that finger for a moment before meeting her eyes, “It doesn’t mean that it should keep happening though. It’s not right and it’s not fair to you. Everyone deserves a second chance.” 

I huffed out a small laugh, “Yeah, except I’m on like my tenth chance. I understand why no one takes me seriously. Really, it’s not that big of a deal.” 

Her face softened as she stared at me for a beat, like she was trying to decide what she wanted to say next. Then she shifted her body to face me as she crossed her legs, “It is a big deal. It’s a big deal to me because I know better. You know…” 

She paused, appearing to gather her thoughts. I moved to lean back on my hand and face her more fully with my legs stretched out to the side. My teeth bit into my bottom lip as I watched her face shift to a somewhat pained expression. It was brief, but I still caught it before she gained her composure. 

“My uhh…my dad was sober for about 14 years before he passed. I know how hard it was for him in the beginning…with everyone doubting him and not giving him a chance. It’s one of the reasons he relapsed the first few times. It can be hard when you don’t have any support from the people around you. I know that…and I don’t wanna be one of those people. You haven’t given me any reason to doubt you, so I wanna make sure I’m giving you a fair shot and support you as long as you’re actively trying to better yourself. I know first-hand that people do change.”

Is she fucking serious? I couldn’t move or speak. She had stunned me again for the second day in a row. I never would have guessed she would share something so personal, especially on our first day together. She seemed sincere in her apology.   

I finally managed a curt nod before I reached to rub at the crease between my brows, “Thanks…I uhh…I appreciate that.”  I let out a small laugh, “I appreciate it more than you probably realize, actually.” 

She gave me a tentative smile, “Does that mean I’m forgiven for being an asshole then?” 

I chuckled, “Of course…and I didn’t think you were an asshole. Not really. I had a feeling you were having a bad day.”

“Whew…ok. Good. I was worried I had already fucked this whole thing up before it started.” 

Ok, it’s kind of hot when she says fuck. I smirked, “Does this mean I get to call you sweetheart now?” 

She narrowed her eyes on me and shook her head, “No. No sweetheart.” She laughed quietly, “But, I might consider a different nickname if you come up with a good one.” 

My lips spread into a cheeky smile, “I think I can come up with something.” She laughed into the top of her water bottle as she took a sip with a slight flush creeping up her neck. Am I flirting right now? I don’t even know what I’m doing. Geez. I looked away in an attempt to reign myself in. I can’t be doing that.  

We were soon back at it, now with a more relaxed atmosphere. We again started with getting my frame right. I stood in place as she moved my arms to the proper position, pushing in between my shoulder blades to straighten my posture. After several minutes in the position, I couldn’t help the groan that slipped out, “This is gonna do a number on my back muscles, isn’t it?” 

She snickered, “You will definitely have better posture by the time I’m done with you. Now, elbows up, you should have a horizontal line from elbow to elbow…and hold it there.” 

She then stood in front of me, taking in my form for a moment before manipulating my hands into the proper position. 

Smiling, she nodded in satisfaction as she stepped closer, “Ok, now let’s go over the hold. The hold is important because it’s how we connect…how our bodies communicate movement to lead and follow.” 

As she spoke, she moved closer, placing her arm along the top of my right one and clasping my left hand in hers. She was very matter of fact with her words as her eyes bore into mine. It was almost distracting. 

“I need you to make sure there’s no space between our arms…here, so keep your elbow flush against mine.” She bounced her arm against the top of my right one to emphasize what she meant. “This is an important connection point because I can feel the pressure from your arm, which will tell me how to follow. As for your left hand, keep it at my eye level. We apply pressure here as well for another connection point.”    

All I could do was nod along with her words, completely mesmerized by her intensity. Once she felt we had the hold down, she began to explain the differences in spacing for standard ballroom versus Latin dances. 

“So…in Latin style dances, we’ll have more space between us…like we are now. It gives us more room to move. We’re gonna be slightly offset from each other while maintaining this closed position. Got it?”

I nodded again as I chewed on the inside of my cheek. I wanted to look at her directly, but I couldn’t. Between her eyes burning into me and the tingling from her touch, I felt like my skin was on fire. I didn’t know what to make of it and it was sort of fucking with my head.

Then she stepped even closer, the front of our bodies nearly flush as she slightly adjusted the position of our arms. I swallowed hard over her proximity and the tangy citrus scent that was now invading my senses. Fuck. I might be in trouble. 

“For standard dances, like the Waltz and Foxtrot, we’re gonna be closer…like this. Our frame will be a little wider and our arms will be positioned slightly lower. We’ll both be looking off to our left instead of directly at each other.”   

I cleared my throat, stepping back slightly, “Sooo…umm…do we look off to the left for Latin dances?” 

Her brows arched as her eyes widened, “Good question. I should have mentioned that. There’s typically more direct eye contact in the Latin dances. It’s actually another form of connection…another way for us to communicate without words.”

She moved back into the Latin dance hold, now making direct eye contact with me. I couldn’t help how my eyes roamed over her face, taking in the minor changes in her expression as she spoke. I wasn’t sure if the close proximity of the standard hold or direct eye contact with the Latin hold was worse. They were both a little overwhelming. 

“Alright, let’s try some steps. We can start with the Rumba.” 

She broke away for a moment to show me the foot movement, then had me give it a try. After a successful attempt, she positioned us back into the Latin hold and we began moving together. Once it seemed we had the footwork down, she backed away with a smirk on her face. 

“You’re actually really good at this, you know. We do need to work on eye contact though.”

I smiled nervously as I looked down at my feet and rubbed the back of my neck, “I’m sorry…I know. Direct eye contact is a little weird for me.” I glanced up at her through my lashes, slightly embarrassed by the admission. 

She smiled and arched a brow in my direction, “Really? I never would have guessed that based on your love scenes.”

My eyes widened. I do not need to think about her watching me dick someone down on screen. Focus, Bravo. I chuckled nervously, “Yeah, I’m not usually looking directly into their eyes during those. I tend to stare between their eyebrows.” 

She gave me a sly smile now, snickering, “Oh, is that why you usually look cross eyed then?” 

My brow furrowed as I gave her a mock look of offense, “I don’t look cross eyed. That’s rude.”

She cackled over my response, “I’m joking. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen one of your love scenes to know how your face looks.” 

I scrunched up my nose, “Ouch, ok…so you don’t watch my movies. Got it.” 

Her laugh had simmered to a quiet chuckle now as she lightly smacked my shoulder, “I’ve seen some…just not any with a love scene. So don’t be so offended. I’ve seen those TikTok videos though…they gave me a good idea of what I’m working with.”

I rolled my eyes, “Ugh…those fucking TikTok videos. They’re so bad.”  

I had to admit, it was nice to be joking around with her after all the tension that had built up from yesterday. I took it as a good sign that this might actually go ok. What I didn’t expect was the attraction that I was starting to feel as our day went on. However, the obnoxiously sized engagement ring she wore on her finger helped keep that in check every time I saw it sparkling in the light when she moved. As long as that shiny reminder was there, I would be ok... 

Right?

Next: Week 2

✨FUN FACTS: All cast members on Dancing with the Stars are in fact required to get a weekly spray tan. They also do not get to choose their partners, costumes, music, or themes. They can make recommendations obviously, but the producers do not have to honor the requests. When it comes to pairing partners, the producers do have a "formula".

A/N: I wanted to take a quick minute to welcome all of my new and old readers! So happy to have you all with me for my next adventure with Dieter Bravo. For the new folks, I'm a sucker for predictions and theories. If you have them, drop them in the comments so we can discuss. Now on to my normal nonsense...how are you guys feeling about the first chapter? How do you feel about Dieter and Kat's first couple of interactions? What about all the characters that were introduced? I'm curious to know who you want to throat punch more, Alec or Stacia? I'm already in love with these two and I can't wait to share more of them. This Dieter is...something else. I love sharing things from his point of view. He is going to be a good time, as expected. Kat is...kind of a mess, but also not? It's been interesting being in her head. How do you see things progressing with these two? Lastly, a quick thank you to @maggiemayhemnj for giving this first chapter a quick read through to make sure all these plot points were introduced in a way that made sense...because seriously, there is a lot going on here. She also found the perfect disco ball looking dividers for this...and I fucking love them. 😘 👉 I did a fun post about Dieter's plant hobby and his furry visitor. Check it out HERE. 👉 In case you missed it, I also did a character introduction post, which you can find HERE. Until next time, 💜 Mysty

Taglist: @secretelephanttattoo @titlee78 @maggiemayhemnj @legendary-pink-dot @linzels-blog @morallyinept @survivingandenduring  @wannab-urs @harriedandharassed @hisandsnakes @misstokyo7love @readingiskeepingmegoing @runningmom94 @sin-djarin @cakipy-blog @missladym1981 @guelyury @weho2kcmo @alokaerza @girlofchaos @trulybetty @rhoorl @bitchwitch1981 @madnessofadaydreamer @darkheartgatita @jazzloveslatte @timpletance @musings-of-a-rose @samiamproductions @myloveistoolittle @for-a-longlongtime  @copperhalfcent @auteurdelabre @drewharrisonwriter @burntheedges @stevie75 @pedrostories

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Credits: Support/MDNI Dividers: @cafekitsune Disco Divider: @deadbranch

[drivemetogeek]

I was hoping that committing to posting about salty pirate/National Clean Your Home month would help hold me accountable and make me be fully consistent, but I didn't fully factor in the reality of election week. So didn't do something EVERY day, but still did some things:

Monday, November 4: Excavated my kitchen table from all the piles of stuff on it (remember how I said my house has descended into chaos over the past few months?).

Listening to: An episode of Code Switch.

Tuesday, November 5: Made a trip to the town recycling center to drop off a bag of non-thriftable clothing and the like as well as some Styrofoam packing inserts I had lingering around.

Listening to: An episode of You Are Good.

Weds-Fri: spent my free time either building a LEGO typewriter or blowing glass, cause eff being a responsible adult for a little while given all things US politics.

Saturday, November 9: Back to our regularly scheduled programming of cleaning/organizing:

Did four loads of laundry.

Cleaned out and reorganized my bathroom cabinets.

Listening to: Episodes of The Thing about Austen, Life Kit, and You're Wrong About.

Sunday, November 10: How do I own this many things that need laundered?!?

Did another 2 loads of laundry.

Put all the laundry away.

Listening to: A playlist I made to help work through all my election feels.

[rockofeye]

At the End of the Year

Despite this being a very hot, very active part of the Vodou year, I have found myself feeling very contemplative and reflective as I head towards the change of the calendar. This is unsurprising; the older I get, the more I prefer to sit quietly and drink in my understanding of my own self.

And yet, the poto mitan is still on fire and the air is still filled with flames and the smoke and dust of pounded leaves. I feel like I am sitting in the middle of a fire tornado watch the lwa light the flames to burn away what does not serve us as we move into a new year.

It is not by chance or accident that Makaya season spans the last month of the old year and a piece of the New Year. It's the good kind of burning.

2023 was The Year for me. A lot of goals I had set quite awhile ago have come to fruition and all the groundwork I laid became the foundation for the rest of my life. I didn't do it on my own, of course...all the work (and accompanying blood, sweat, and tears) was done with the lwa, who held me up when I legitimately thought I was done.

After battling for my husband's visa for three years, I got it done. It took a federal court case that I filed (because who has lawyer money?) and lamp after lamp after iliminasyon. Every time something changed or didn't change and we found another speedbump, another lamp with the work doubled in Haiti. More prayers, more struggles...but I won the battle in the end and it is sealed. I have never felt the kind of satisfaction that I felt when we made it through the final hoop of customs to enter the US. The phone calls from the airport to family and friends back in Haiti and in the US were the best phone calls ever. The airport dinner was the best dinner ever.

And despite all the work that went into it...I know we were blessed in the process because it only took three years. While waiting for processing at the American embassy in Port-au-Prince, S met people who had been in process for years longer than us for the exact same visa. There were moments where we could have been turned back and yet with grace we were not. When you are in the fire, it is hard to see where the hands of the lwa might be, but when it was finished....I see how they both made the road, cleared the road, and accompanied me on the journey.

I did all that, and I am super proud of it.

There have also been many other wins and successes but that's the big one, and I am satisfied.

2024 doesn't look like it will be an easier year in this world bent on destruction, but I am hopeful. There is lots to look forward to; my husband is getting ready to launch his atelier that will showcase his talent in traditional drapo and boutey lwa making, as well as his painting and garment skills. There are a couple of book projects simmering away and maybe the formation of an artist collective based in Haiti, as well as other Haiti projects. I hope and plan for success as a foundation moving forward.

We are busy getting ready for this new year. The house has been cleaned and every bit of laundry done, the baths have been made, magic refreshed, and tomorrow's soup joumou will be a reward for all of the running around. May these preparations solidify my blueprints to success.

We not only witness the New Year arriving, but January 1 marks the 220th anniversary of Haitian independence from colonial rule and the liberation of all enslaved individuals in the territory of Haiti. It is a poignant new beginning within a new beginning, particularly at a time when worldwide we are faced with the spectre of colonialism, poisonous nationalism, and the reminder that the world has not yet quashed the reality of subjugation of those we deem lesser. Liberation is an ongoing active process, and the fire lit by our revolutionary spiritual ancestors still burns. The lessons of Dessalines, L'Ouverture, Ogè, Papillon, Pètion, Christophe, Capois, Makandal, Boukman, Fatiman, la Prophétesse, and all whose names were not written or were forgotten are still important.

I do not wish for peace, but for revolution that brings new life. In that revolution, may you find prosperity, health, a sense of purpose, the knowledge that that the world needs your presence and participation, and balance in deeply unbalanced times. May you be accompanied by your ancestors and spirits who love you, and may the hope for a new year burn bright!

[drippinpeachesnhoney]

Vent non Ana related

I’ve spent this entire month decorating, planning, and preparing for our first real Christmas as a family and my in laws invited my BIL. Who I use to think was a great friend.

He’s actually an asshole. His core he’s a good person but he doesn’t think of others at all. We were super close when he was fat. Then he lost a bunch of weight (proud of him) but he just changed. He doesn’t check in on a single one of us. His dad is literally going for open heart surgery in a month and he wants him to take him and his gf hiking in a huge national park because he’s too scared to drive up there in the snow. Although we live close to it my FIL will either have to hike around with them or sit in the car alone for hours…fun.

They moved in with us for a little bit last year, completely trashed the living room we had no where to sit. It was just treadmills. Then when they moved out he left it that way. Knowing I’d have to clean it because I take care of the house and I cleaned his bedroom when he left the first time. Idk if he just doesn’t think of things like that? He’s literally in his 30s. I would think he’d be more considerate. (We live with my in laws btw)

Now he’s coming here for Christmas because he doesn’t want to be alone while his gf is with her fam. Which I get but he doesn’t contribute anything at all to anything. We had so much planned and I was going to cook so much because I enjoy it but I will not cook for him. He’s so ungrateful. So to not make things awkward I’m just not cooking. I’m not even being sarcastic when I say this but I’d have more interaction with a fake plant that’s how little he contributes to just life, with us at least.

We had a convo with my in laws telling them how we felt and that we just don’t want to be around him. We told them that if they invite him that’s totally fine and we will leave for the holiday. They said they understood and would reach out to plan for him to come around new years instead of Christmas. I’ve been telling my MIL to call him for the last 2 weeks. She finally did tonight and came and told us the news that he’s coming. After I’ve literally planned everything for just the 5 of us because she told me he was for sure not coming.

I just hate that she waited until last minute when we could’ve known this weeks ago and I wouldn’t have gone so hardcore in all my planning. It feels like she waited so it was like “too late it has to happen”. So tonight I moved all the decorations I put up in the living room into our room. I know it sounds petty but I (alone) put so much work into it and planned so much just for it to go to shit idc.

I’m usually down for being fake nice with distant family but I don’t even talk to my own mother anymore for not giving my little family the same effort we gave her. I’m sure as hell not gonna do that with a brother in law.

This is long and probably makes me sound horrible. I do feel bad about it. I hope he succeeds in every single thing he does but I don’t want to be apart of any of it. He was what I considered to be one of my best friends. We went through an insane amount of shit together. My alcoholism, some seizures (I’m epileptic fun fact), a huge move back into the in laws place. He was just nice to have around and the three of us did so much together. So to watch him use my partner for money to get back into college and then just dip and never ask us how we are after starting our own family hurt. My partner and I have the same birthday so it’s not easy to forget lol and we heard from everyone except him. When it was his birthday we reached out. When he graduated college we congratulated him. He never wrote back. We had our daughter and didn’t hear a thing from him. We heard from everyone in the family. I even heard from his gf. I had only met her once before! So I’m just a little annoyed and I feel like I wasted a lot of time. Okay that’s it. If you made it this far you’re an mvp. Goodnight! 💜

[luminalunii97]

This post is a rant since I don't have any other place to release my anxiety

I feel like I'm suffocating. These days there's not a single place left in my country that's safe. In university, fellow students are getting randomly suspended. Some of them have never partaken in any protest. On days that there's a national calling, students get arrested left and right. Some of them are released in a day or two but some of them haven't come back to classes yet. Around 150 students have been arrested and not released in my university only. You'll never know when would be your time. Would you get suspended and banned from entering the uni or would you get arrested? Will you be released or taken to prison? Many prisoners have been tortured and some raped. Would you be one of them?

Recently, they threatened students that they will be banned fron leaving the country for 10 to 15 years if they participate in protests. It's not that different from being jailed. They make the whole country a prison for you if you dare to speak against them.

When you post or make a story about protests, you should always expect a call from court and even though it's illegal to call people in like that, they do it anyway. I know local celebrities who haven't gone home for days and weeks now, because if they do they either get arrested or worse. I don't know a single public figure who haven't been called to court, arrested, or on the run.

You go to streets and you might get killed, or get blinded, or get arrested. Many of the victims in the last two months haven't been part of the protests. They were just passerbys. People, a woman coming back from work, a child playing in balcony, have lost their eyesights to pellets.

You take the subway and there's a chance there would be conflict that results in getting beaten, getting a tear gas in your face, or getting arrested. My friend faced a tear gas once in the subway on her way back home from work.

Even at home, in occasions where people are chanting behind the windows they shoot at your home. So you have to stay a safe distance from the windows and then clean bullets from your balcony the next morning.

You ditch the hijab to walk on the streets bare head. It looks cool but it feels like hell. Any moment you might get arrested. Or shot. Or beaten. Or taken pictures of and then identified.

You decide to participate in national boycott. Therefore you close your business temporarily. The government send you a warrant and they close your business permanently. They take away your working license.

Let's not talk about going to streets for protests. No matter where you are or how safe you try to be, there's a good chance you're not coming back home. So you write down your will at only twenty something.

And every morning you start your day with news of your people being murdered.

Yes I'm suffocating. I want this nightmare to be over. I want this regime gone already. I take a handful of anxiety pills everyday, that's how I function. And everyday before leaving the house, I think about all the scenarios that make my death fast and clean. I rather die than to be taken by the regime. Or loose my sight. I just want this nightmare to be over.

[ranveer--singh]

The nights are tasteless without you: part 9 ~ Ari Levinson Fic

A/N - This is my first proper multiple chapter story which came to me while watching a Bollywood movie. It is set in Mumbai India where Ari is a professor at a university meets a person of colour - Marathi girl at the train station. There will be other Chris Evans characters as professors and Henry Cavill   characters as professors  

Warning: Please read this before reading the story. 18+, smut, sex… etc

*3rd date*

For the 3rd date, they took a stroll through Juhu Beach with Ari holding a picnic basket. They found the perfect spot, opened up the blanket and sat down to enjoy the view and each other's company.

*5th date*

With both of their schedules being tight, they both ended up having late-night coffee on Marine Drive. They sit down and over the sea, with the Moon's reflection. Soft music played in the background as they both played cards, Maddy beating him. 

*8th date*

Ari planned a date at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and they both spent the day together looking at the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies. Both of them loved nature, and Maddy took loads of pictures. 

*12th date* 

It was the weekend; after a long week they decided to stay at Maddy's and order in. Ari was excited to see the inside of her house, and see what she likes. 

He arrived at 7pm with kingfisher beer and hugged Maddy. Ari sat on the sofa with her, deciding on what to order, both agreeing on some pizza and vada pav. While waiting for the food to arrive, they talked, Maddy, moving closer to Ari. He started to move closer to her, making Maddy blushed, leaning in to kiss his soft pink lips. 

Ari moaned; her perfume made his body tingle while he wrapped his arms around her. They were kissing like crazy, like their life depended on it. His tongue slips inside her mouth, softly but passionately, and it was nothing Maddy had experienced. Her fingers went to grip his hair, pulling him closer to her.

His musky scent made her stomach churn, and her heart beat fast. Ari smirked and pushed her backwards, lying on the sofa, making out. All he wanted was Maddy; the weight of his body on top of hers made her go crazy. She could feel everything press against her; Maddy inhaled his shaving cream, his shampoo and his different scent. 

It was the most delicious smell she could ever imagine. Maddy wanted to breathe him in, lick him, eat him and, of course, drink him. Ari's lips tasted like honey; his face had a beard rubbed against her skin. Maddy loved that feeling, making her pussy wet just thinking about it. Ari's hands were everywhere, exploring her body when their heated make-out session got interrupted by the doorbell. 

They laughed, Ari, getting up from the sofa to get the food. His stomach started to rumble, smelling the food in his hands. Ari placed the food on the table, leaning down to kiss Maddy again before grabbing a pizza slice.

After the food was finished and the boxes were cleared away, Ari looked at Maddy before asking her a question. 

"So we've been hanging out for a little while, and I'm starting to have feelings for you. Would you like to be my girlfriend?"

"Yes, I would love to," Maddy says, jumping on him and giving Ari the most passionate kiss. The kiss got heated, and Ari started to move his lips up to her neck, he kissed her sweet spot making her moan as her fingers gripped onto his hair. Their make out session made them both hungry for one another. But Ari didn't want to rush anything so stepped away and looked at the time, it was 12am and he kissed her once again before heading home. 

It's been a month since they became girlfriend and boyfriend, and they both couldn't be happier. Ari couldn't stop talking to her, reading to her and, of course, making out with her. 

Ari had invited Andy and his wife over for dinner to meet Maddy, his Maddy, and his girlfriend. They both decided to cook for them, making naan, bhindi and dal. Maddy cleaned his front room setting everything up, biting her lip at domestic Ari. 

She liked that he kept his house in tip top shape, it had character and felt homely. Ari had bought some fancy wine as well as some sweets they could share together. 

It was 7.30pm when the doorbell rang, Ari was wearing dark jeans and a denim shirt. Maddy wore a simple berry red pair of jeans and a white and gold detailed blouse. Ari went to open it, greeting Andy with a hug while he gave Y/N a kiss on the cheek.

"This is for you," Andy said, handing over the gift to Ari which was a bottle of wine and some homemade biscuits Y/N had made. 

"Thanks buddy, let me introduce you to my girlfriend Maddy," Ari said, his hand on her back, smiling at her. Andy and Y/N said hi, both hugging her. Ari poured some glasses of wine, handing it around with some nibbles.

He could see Maddy was nervous, bouncing her leg sitting next to him. Ari while talking to Andy put his hand on her knee to calm her down, squeezing it from time to time. Maddy and Y/N started to chat, talking about India and then Ari got up,

"Let's go eat," he said, rubbing his hands together. Everyone got up and headed to the dining table, sitting down as Maddy brought the hot daal. She served everyone some food, sitting down to eat, watching Ari chew was turning her on.

Dinner was a success, Andy and Y/N loved spending time with Ari and Maddy. Andy enjoyed speaking to Maddy, learning about her interests. He could tell she was right for Ari and hoped they enjoyed one another. Andy and Y/N left, leaving Maddy and Ari to clear up.

[freeworldallahmbaclass]

Name of this page is suppose to be 50 Cent executive MBA class the New York Business class it's hot and I'm feeling it so without further interruptions we proceed to give what you need and get all that nonsense out of the game my name is Allen Henry my other name is Free World it really means to free the human race from all limits , plagues , diseases and ignorance and give them a new world a much better world to live in for all races of people ethnicity cultures all across the globe you got it thank you true humanity and treating each other with love and respect for each other

The story is that 50 Cent kind of dropped a hint to me on wanting to help cure the Aids epidemic in Africa and I heard it and I proposed it to send the cure for aids in Africa to the people in Africa infected with HIV Aids and this is the news headlines in March 2023 of it going through another accomplishment on my list of accomplishment thank you so much and they should be continuing sending it to Africa daily every day week month and years for generations and generations from now on a continuous basis that would be the right thing to do true humanity .

Check the news on CNN The US helped prevent AIDS from being a death sentence in Africa . The us is me and 50 Cent the rapper from his hit show power .

We did it congratulations on the cure for Aids in Africa .

The US helped prevent AIDS from being a death Sentence in Africa

Check the news on CNN on ending HIV Aids in Africa with the cure and new medicine Cabenuva HIV medicine that cures HIV Aids like the common cold and any other kind of communicable diseases

We did it congratulations on the cure for Aids in Africa .

The US helped prevent AIDS from being a death Sentence in Africa .

Cabenuva the new HIV Medicine is the cure for HIV Aids it knocks out HIV Aids like the common cold please send it to Africa to help heal the people .

This is for young mothers without any help in the house feed your babies good food 🥝 so they grow up and play sports and make their mom proud 🪴. It is never too late for your education learn with your kids use free daycare services and self learn any skills you need to increase your value in the employment market .

Celebrate Michael Jackson even now get his whole collection he still is the best to me thank you it has been a honor for me to help serve the people .

Thank you Dapper Dan for my Louis Vuitton Jacket with Junior on the back of my jacket thank you so much that is what the role consist of me playing the role of royalty in the Carter's home and palace thanks , goodbye and see everybody next season and shout out to Meaghan I love her and apologize to her for being late to the party that our fam invited me to see you soon hopefully I will make it there I made it so I just gotta clean up and show up to the party and I also see she doing her thing congratulations to her and the city of Houston . Jay Z and me is Joe Montana and Bill Walsh from the Joe Cool Joe Montana documentary on YouTube it starts until that comeback Joe Montana was just a rumor they say until I appear at work I'm just a rumor which is good for me because he gave me a year more to train to work for him and then I get to pitch and he gave me a job offering letter yep that is true I got that from Jay Z the rapper the owner of Roc Nation records and the owner of Tidal Music streaming service Brooklyn born Jay Z Shawn Carter sent me a job offering letter to work for him and that my brother and sister is a better card hand 👏 than I know a lot of people got right now but it's going to take a lot of hard work getting there let's hope I make it there remember it's get myself together and show up at the party , the game and the events , thanks so much , I love you still trying to get this curse off of me their is a curse on me and I need it off so I can go do my thing in the music scene and the business scene and that is a wrap and goodbye from me thank you see you soon . Hey ask Meaghan if she know Kedrian and Byron she way younger than us but it's Houston and she know the story last time I saw Kedrian he was working at Olive 🫒 Garden that is the savage video with her Beyonce funny story I walk into the Olive Garden and these girls black girls are just laughing at me and I'm like damn I played it off act like I didn't see them now I stay in the gym I got her on the new Elle magazine and another I gotta read she doing her thing I know the mad hatter rocking her music she hot all up here and through the south that's my sister for real see my net bag my shower bag I'm from out there shout out to Baytown Houston and of course my old home town the heart of Texas Killeen Copperas Cove and Highlands Texas I forgot my boys behind me they smoke hella weed now it's legal and I legalized it I'm the guy that legalized weed and South Houston on the map .

Yeah that's me in the video the prince getting my opportunity from the King and Queen it's 52 weeks of the year not 52 days of the year of staying on your A game and bringing your A game and brush the dirt of your shoulder and clothes from the Toure and his books the black carpet guy remember him he wrote a book and gave me my own form of music in music history and I can make that money back I did it for my city now I can do it for myself and I said no to any attachments from the media , music industry and the streets trying to sabotage me filming and recording me I will be the executive producer in anything I'm doing from now on thank you no disrespect to anyone and see you next season . No attachments to me I don't care who these counselors and social services is working for I said no and no I don't need permission from anybody to do anything with my life I go where I want to workout where I want and go anywhere in New York City where I want to go and no I don't take orders from other men or women about anything in the streets the media and the industry and other people and their entourage can stop following me everywhere I go and stop hating and heckling me ain't nothing between us no drama no friendship no disrespect we ain't playing no games together nothing like that and get out of my way in life so I can continue making history , haters thank you Jay Z and Beyonce . Where I'm at right now is that I'm totally brain dead I listen to Jim Rohn all day long but I could hear only drama death and violence in my inner ear and that is other people it's sad people could make you commit suicide or make you want to injure them they are racist very racist the people that's doing and yes they work with police I said no and I'm ignoring you and anything you got going around me and stop harassing me and building your life off of me unless it's the goodness of my page but the way they been shooting through me for the last ten years it's obvious my answer is no to them never about anything and get off of me because I said no to people controlling me anymore again sorry about all the people they disrespected through me they work with police and with police in jail get off of me with that attachment and voodoo period no get off of me with that curse I said no to the people putting curses that's from religious people , nurses , doctors , lawyers , the media , the music industry , Hollywood and women alot of them is straight evil witches and cowards and gang members no thank you nothing to do between us and never will be no disrespect to them but no thank you .

[bobbyinthegarden]

2023 Reading Challenge Essays: Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion

This one might be cheating slightly because I started reading this book in 2022, but didn’t finish it until this year, but I’m counting it anyway a) because I wanted to talk about it and b) because it takes me a really long time to read essay collections, I tend to read one essay and then leave it for a week (maybe even read another book) before returning to the collection. It’s just my MO when it comes to essays.

I feel like everybody who has aspirations of writing non-fiction should read Joan Didion. Her prose is succinct and stunning. It’s no surprise that Didion’s work, and this essay collection in particular, is so influential and highly renowned, not to mentioned loved by many of my own friends, who have recommended her to me time and time again. But it is not only her prose that is so striking. I came across a great article by Nathan Heller in The New Yorker about Didion, which I highly recommend, and which is linked here. Here’s a little quote from that “Style is just the baseline of good writing. Didion’s innovation was something else.”. He’s right, her words are so honest, and her observations so true, that even when she talks about monster movies, it feels profound.

But there isn’t much that I could say about Joan Didion that has not already been said. I am not even half the writer she is. What I will say, is that I feel my perceptions having bene enriched by reading her work, that, in a strange way, she has put into words many of the things that I feel.

Take, as an example, the essay On Going Home, in which she writes:

That I am trapped in this particular irrelevancy is never more apparent to me than when I am home. Paralyzed by the neurotic lassitude engendered by meeting one's past at every turn, around every corner, inside every cupboard, I go aimlessly from room to room. I decide to meet it head-on and clean out a drawer, and I spread the contents on the bed. A bathing suit I wore the summer I was seventeen. A letter of rejection from The Nation, an aerial photograph of the site for a shopping center my father did not build in 1954. Three teacups hand-painted with cabbage roses and signed ‘E.M.’ my grandmother's initials. There is no final solution for letters of rejection from The Nation and teacups hand-painted in 1900. Nor is there any answer to snapshots of one's grandfather as a young man on skis, surveying around Donner Pass in the year 1910. I smooth out the snapshot and look into his face, and do and do not see my own.  

I moved out of my parent’s house when I was eighteen, and (apart from three and a half months when I was twenty-two) I have lived away from home ever since, and always at long distances too, seven hours by car, a plane journey away. During the coronavirus lockdowns I did not see a single member my family in person for sixteen months. This essay, perfectly encapsulates the feeling of returning to a place that has become unfamiliar to you, how, going into your old childhood bedroom can fill your stomach up with knots.

But that is only one example, there are so many essays in her which I adored, and which really hit me right in the chest, Goodbye to All That was another favourite, so was On Keeping a Notebook and the title essay Slouching Towards Bethlehem.

Being now, at the age I am, I think I needed this book now more than ever before.

[simonharms]

A Bit of My Background With Indonesia

When I was 10 years old, my dad was looking for an international opportunity in his organization. My mom had originally consistently said no to going overseas, but she agreed this time. Surprisingly, this was not to go to Indonesia, our family initially would be going to Madagascar, but at some point it was switched to Indonesia. My parents went before we did as a family (I also have a sister), going to Manado, a city in North Sulawesi, one of the most northern reaching islands in the archipelago. Living in Indonesia was wild and exciting and at other times calm and boring. We spent the first nine months in Salatiga, a completely different city on a completely different island, Java, known locally as Jawa.

My first thought when we got off the plane was that the whole air felt heavy and hot. We walked down the stairs of the plane and I looked around feeling like I was on a different world. I thought Indonesia would look like the Asia I saw in movies but it was different. The mountains had their own song to them as the wind blew threw them. Before any person spoke to me in Indonesia, the nature spoke to me. The land was so green as we flew over, looking clean from the plane but as you get closer you realize the jungle is incredibly thick. I had never really seen mountains or the jungle before, the exception being when I visited Thailand the year before. The next sensation was the adhan from the masjids which I started to realize were every where. At first the volume felt like the loudest thing I ever heard but over my time there, it would become like I didn't hear them anymore.

I had very little contact with people outside of school in Salatiga, mostly a few neighbors who I would play soccer with or badminton outside our houses and an elderly neighbor who would fill me with wonder that he was older than the country he lived in and didn't really speak Indonesian, the standardized variety of Malay spoken nearly nationally at some level. My parents were at a school there for those nine months, learning Indonesian.

After nine months, we packed all our things in a shipping container and brought our things to Manado. We arrived a month before our belongings, and my mom, sister and I left for Australia while my dad was at our house in Manado so we could visit my grandma who was too afraid of malaria and dengue to come to Manado. Before me and my sister enrolled in school, I spent a lot of time outside. There were some students from Papua that built a car port outside our house (our 'house' was an abandoned guest house/hotel), and they spoke English and would tell me little things about the area and play games with me when they took their breaks. I would enjoy building fires and making things out of wood and other things I would find and we had a beautiful coconut tree. The neighbors dogs would also come visit us because we would give them snacks.

When I wasn't in school I would spend a lot of time at the nearby mission campus which was operated mostly by locals, but many of them spoke English, and one of the students there would come by our house a few times a week with picture boards and would tell me what all the things in the pictures were in Indonesian and Manadonese (Bahasa Manado or Malay Manado). This was my first real taste of language and while in Manado I felt my first strange connection with the country I was in. In our kampung (neighborhood or village), there was quite a few traditional Minahasa type houses, and once when asking about Minahasans, I was told the story of Manado Tua, a small volcanic island off the coast of Manado where the Minahasans allegedly lived before coming to Manado. From what I remember the story goes something like this, originally after the voyage of the Minahasans, the people decided to set up a settlement on Manado Tua and stayed there for many years until one day the ground starting shaking and the people took that as an omen that it was time to leave, and later on Manado Tua would end up erupting and the island would destroy itself in the eruption (it is still destroyed today if you find a picture of it, being that it is pretty much a volcano that goes directly into the ocean with no land flat enough to settle and is surrounded by sea urchins).

We left Mando after being there for a year and a half, and it was bittersweet to leave, on one end, there had been a long drought and often we had to buy water or collect it from a river for basic things or conserve water by reducing showers or shower time and on the other hand I left many of my friends when I left and all our dogs (we had close to two dozen when we left because our dog Koko had babies twice). After leaving Manado, we arrived in Salatiga again, and it was fun seeing my classmates from the sixth grade again as many of them still were at the same school, just this time we would go into 9th grade together. I spent the first six months there on a long holiday because for the last semester of school I was in Manado, I had finished two semesters of virtual school, so I was ahead. It took over a year for me to have any real connection with people outside of school. If you're an expat that has lived in Salatiga, you know the bubble effect. The bubble effect is that you live in Indonesia but almost everything you do is either located centrally in or around the school and almost all your time is spent there due to it being a small English and Korean speaking exclave within Indonesia.

My first time feeling that same strange connection feeling was visiting the various candi in Central Java (the area not the province because quite a few of the best preserved ones are in Yogyakarta). Candi are temples or temple complexes from Pre-Islamic Java, the most notable ones being Prambanan, Borobudor and Gedong Songo. When you go there and hear the gamelan, you can almost imagine how it was hundreds of years ago when the candi were still in common use. Ever since then I was hooked on Indonesian history and would often dream that I was an ancient mariner of the Majapahit or Srivijaya Empire. While in Salatiga, I became mostly fluent in Indonesian (and also standard Malay), but mostly spoken with a bit of an accent (mixed Javanese and American accent that is), and of course, I also learned quite a bit of Javanese. Sometimes while traveling or talking to someone from another area, I would pick up a bit of their language too and would often compare the languages I heard to ones I knew.

I loved living in Indonesia and I hope to someday be able to live there again, all in all I spent 6 years of my teenage years there and I really pray to go home soon. Semoga senang semuanya dan terima kasih buat bagi negaramu sama aku. <3

[camp-counselor-life]

Day 2 of vacation. I checked my work email quickly, misunderstood and email, and panicked about it for like 3 hours until I went back in and actually read the text instead of just the preview. Should I have looked in the first place? Probably not. But going back in was absolutely the right choice, regardless of whether I'm on PTO today.

Overall it's been a high anxiety week. Some of it today was the work stuff, but I honestly think it's the lack of structure. I did not pack in this week (on purpose) so I must make my own purpose, hence why I have accomplished 16 of my 34 National Clean Your House Month.

It does make me feel good that I've cut back on blogging in terms of the queue. I usually do post beyond that, but it's less pressure. My other blog is only every three days, and that is plenty for long form blogging. It does make my time off have better balance and less pressure to be constantly creating. So safe to say I don't intend to go back to twice daily posting anytime soon.

My goal for tomorrow is to manage my anxiety effectively.

[sciencewithinawolfsradius]

UWG Alumna Veterinarian is Leader of the Pack at Mobile Animal Clinic

by Julie Lineback

Oct. 11, 2022

Reading time: 3 minutes, 34 seconds

This National Pet Wellness Month and National Women’s Small Business Month, both celebrated in October, the University of West Georgia sat down with alumna Dr. Jasmine Gibbs ’14, owner of Two Beating Hearts Mobile Veterinary Clinic, to discuss her journey to entrepreneurship.

Animals have been Gibbs’ constant her entire life. Before she could walk, talk or even form memories, they’ve been there.

So it seemed natural that she started volunteering at an animal shelter at age 15, followed by her first job as a kennel technician. Gibbs said it wasn’t much different than what she did at home – cleaning, feeding and administering medication – but she was exposed to a different side she hadn’t seen before. 

“I became intrigued by the doctors: how they would advocate for the pets they worked on, come up with treatment plans and perform surgery,” she explained. “I wanted to not only be a champion for the pets, who are unable to speak, but also the families who loved and cared for these fur babies.”

Around the same time, Gibbs was introduced to UWG by an older cousin. Needing that academic bridge between high school and vet school, she decided to check it out.

“Once I visited UWG, I loved how the community felt,” she recalled. “Everyone interacted as if they were family, no matter their background. The diversity of the campus was a huge bonus.”

She enrolled in the biology professional preparation track, one designed to prepare students for the exams and standards of medical, dental, veterinary, physical therapy and physician’s assistant programs. 

“A bachelor’s in biology was not easy,” Gibbs sighed. “Veterinary school was the exact same. I had everything down pat once I hit my second semester at vet school, making sure I had time for myself, my studies and friends. It’s all about balance, and UWG definitely prepared me.”

Dr. Jasmine Gibbs with her dog, Spike

Gibbs checks on Spike's vitals

After graduating from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2018, Gibbs began working for a popular pet-care corporation. While there, Gibbs began working with a mobile pet company on her off days. After seeing how they ran their business and what it felt like to be out of a hospital setting, she decided to open Two Beating Hearts in February 2020.

“I’ve never wanted to work for someone else, although I knew it was needed to become a better business owner and doctor,” she said. “I wanted to be mobile so I could help primarily the disabled and elders since they appeared to have the most difficulty leaving the house with their pets. I also want to ensure my clients are able to understand what I am saying, the procedures that I am doing, and see that I care about not only the pets but them as well.”

Two Beating Hearts currently serves parts of Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett and Fulton counties in the Atlanta area. Services provided by Gibbs include vaccines for cats and dogs, non-emergent diagnostics like bloodwork and urinalysis, reproductive testing and nail trimming.

Gibbs – who serves as doctor, receptionist, administrator and bookkeeper –  allocates 80 minutes for each appointment. In five years, she sees herself with two or three vans expanding to other neighboring counties, from Carroll to the southwest and Hall to the northeast. She hopes to have a brick-and-mortar location for surgeries.

The lessons Gibbs has learned as a small business owner have helped her naturally evolve throughout her career. She hopes to be a role model for future female entrepreneurs.

“There will be times when you feel down, where you feel like nothing is working in your favor, that the world is against you,” Gibbs concluded. “That feeling is normal. Just remember who you are as a person, why you decided to do what you are doing, and keep swimming. I am still learning every day that this journey is a tough one, especially when you are doing it on your own. However, one thing I will never do is give up on myself or my dream.”

photography by Miranda Daniel

Sources:Alpha: UWG alumna veterinarian is leader of the pack at Mobile Animal Clinic. Alpha: UWG Alumna Veterinarian is Leader of the Pack at Mobile Animal Clinic | UWG. (2023, July 19). https://www.westga.edu/news/alumni-and-friends/alumna-veterinarian.php

[tobreakalegacy]

Knife Edge

David

Whoever came up with the idea of house arrest was a sick bastard. 

I suppose I was lucky. I wasn't on house arrest. It was more like I was on probabtion for my blatant rule breaking.

General Monsare may be a rebel but her family words still held true. She did not go gentle. Her first act after arriving back from the North was put me on leave for three months, for insubordination. I couldn’t been so lucky as to think that in the jubilation at having a nation once again, she would forget about my blundered kidnapping attempt and the impromto and unsolicted rescue mission, all in the spanse of less than a week. 

I was surprised that I wasn’t fired or court martialed but now I was bored. I had never been bored in my entire life since. Now it the was a state I found myself constantly, unfortunately. 

I poured myself a glass of water after looking outside. I supposed I should be grateful that I got assigned an apartment for the time of my paid leave but at the same time, I hated the quiet the maddening calm. 

I blew some dust away from the bars on the window. I really needed to start cleaning this house. I could practically hear my mother breathing down my neck about cleanliness being next to godliness and if I didn't get the mold out the house I’d have craw-craw in an instant. I smiled. I missed the old hag. I wondered where she had gone to this time or if she would even tell me where she was. Libe certainly didn't know where she was and we both knew her better than to ask but I could tell it was something to do with the new republic. 

I looked out the apartment window at the hustle and bustle going on down below, the same how it was before. I knew that it looked like nothing had changed but the city was at a tipping point. I could feel it. Getting independence was just the first step. 

I took one last look outside when I heard a bunch of furious knocking at the door. I grimaced, running hand down my face. 

This man had terrible timing. 

I pulled myself off from my sofa and went to open the door and Libe was standing there in a white te shirt with a silver jacket. 

“What happened to phoning before you arriving?” I asked. 

He just pushed past me into the house and then turned back to me with his hands in his pockets. 

“Davido, you do know you're not in prison right?” he said and then made a show of open and closing my front dor. “You can go out if you want to.”

“Of course,I know that.”

“I don’t think you do, because no ones seen you out here for three weeks.”

“How do you know that?” I looked at each of the walls. I had the feeling someone was watching me. I knew this paid leave business in a nice appartment was too good to be true. 

“Relax, bro. Your neightbour, he hasn't seen you out and was worried that you had died in there.”

I coudhged out a laugh. Mr Uchu or at least that's what he called himself always sat out in front of his door every morning and evening. It was nice to know he cared. I should probably go out to reassure him that I wasn't dead. 

“As you can clearly see libe.” I gestured to myself. “I’m not dead.”

“Well, stop acting as if you're under house arrest.”

I grimaced. "I’m not acting like I’m under house arrest. What makes you say that?”

Libe snubbed his nose at me, looking me all over. My skin itched all over from his eyes. Was he cursed? Wouldn’t surprise me, really.

“Looking at you, you’d think that someone had just died.”

Not someone. 

It wasn't until I saw the gentleness in his eyes that I realized that I had said that out loud. 

“Look I’m not saying that what happened didn't matter…”

“I had it coming. Honestly, I’m surprised I'm not dead.”

“Ah David, you're mistaking how violent she is.” 

“Libe she wanted me to kidnap Aria because she thought she may be a threat.”

“Okay, that was war time and that girl wasn’t exactly entirely innocent.”

I winced at the memory of Aria and Aaron holding me hostage in Hellgate. 

“Besides we’re not at war any more.”

I fell back on my sofa. That’s what everyone loved to say but honestly, a small part of me missed the war. I missed having a purpose, now I had to make a new path. The rebellion had been my entire life, even durign my time working the palace. I was itching to go home but then I doubted that would ever become an option. This stage of what no was toojarrign to coperehend. I wasn't sure Libe would understand. 

He sat himself down next to me. 

“You’re angry because you’r e on leave but think about it this has been your whole life, this cause, this war.”

He looked out into the distance and I didn't need to ask to know that he is thinking about Truth. 

My first five older brothers went into business and farming like good dutiful sons, while Truth, Libe and I went a different direction, since the time we were teenagers. 

This was all we knew, all we wanted to know. 

“If only he were here,” I blurted out, breathing deeply so I wouldn’t fall apart. 

“He would tell you to go get your barber and and put him in front of a firing squad.”

I punched him in the arm.

“What the hell?”

“It’s true, remember when he would drag us out of bed just to cut our hair. I swear he was training or something.”

I howled out a laugh. That was Truth, acting more like a father than a brother.

“I’m serious though, stop acting like this is a punishment and you’re in some sort of prison.”

“But it is," I whined unseemingly.

“That woman is hard as nails, and if she wanted to pucnish you you wouldn't be alive and breathing, with all your body parts intact in this nice house that you're not paying rent in.” He had a point, unfortunately.  I was lucky to get off with what I did, with just a slap on the wrist. 

I was lucky that she was in good mood after having the Republic's independance acknowledged. 

I was lucky that she and Aria were on such better terms now. 

I had always been conditioned to accept horror and when there was a reprieve I was ready for it to burst. It would eventually, but something I could do was try to  live as best as I could until then. Be as good in peace as I was in war. 

I clapped a hand on Libe’s shoulder. 

“Notwithstanding the hair comment, thank you.”

“Someone has to make you don’t spend all your ime brooding. People will think it’s the hallmark of your personality.”

I rolled my eyes.

“I am not broody.”

“Keep telling yourself that bro,” he got up and then went straight into the kitchen to inspect the shelves. 

“David Obiakra Soro, have you forgotten how to season food!”

I chuckled and got up to meet the Liberty's ire and ready to see what life held away from the knife edge. 

[enterenews]

Kim Jun-ho and Kim Jeong-hwan passed on parenting secrets

'The Return of Superman' Kim Jung-hwan visited Kim Jun-ho's house and Jonathan visited Kim Dong-hyun's house.

In the KBS 2TV entertainment program 'The Return of Superman' (hereafter referred to as 'Shodol'), which aired on the 20th, the 'Flower Road in the New Year' episode was aired.

On this day, Kim Jun-ho started the new year by cleaning. Kim Jun-ho said to his son, "I don't remember the funny uncle and the handsome uncle. Today, a talkative uncle will come. He's the oldest and has the biggest money, so let's triple it and get a lot of money." Iza, the eldest brother of 'Fencing Attackers', national fencing representative Kim Jeong-hwan, visited Kim Jun-ho's house with his son Roy and visited Kim Jun-ho's house. Kim Jung-hwan joked, “Eun-woo said he would do a triple-fold, so Roy also came to Jun-ho’s uncle to triple-fold.”

Kim Jeong-hwan introduced his son Roy, saying, "I am the father of Roy of 8 months. Roy has a lot of cautious sides. In my eyes, he looks like a man, but unlike his appearance, he smiles well." Kim Jun-ho advised, "When I saw Roy, I think Roy is hungry." Next, Kim Jun-ho said, “You have to change diapers every 3-4 hours” and passed on the secret to parenting generously. Kim Jung-hwan said, “I am a junior who is 11 years younger than me, but I was the first to get married and had a child first.

Kim Jun-ho proudly said, "I improved my cooking while doing Super Doll," while slicing apples, and Kim Jung-hwan refuted, "I didn't do it at all, but now I'm doing it." Afterwards, Eunwoo and Roy changed into hanbok and transformed into baby doryeong, showing a cute three-fold smile. After co-parenting, he expressed his feelings, "If Eun-woo had a younger brother, it would feel like this. I hope Eun-woo loves his younger brother a lot. Let's be healthy and happy in 2023 as well."

[movedtoferinehuntress]

Only Vi could get away with calling her Princess. The amount of venom that would drip from her tongue if someone called her that would make her hiss with annoyance. Instead, a curl of her lips pulled at the corner of her mouth to show a smile as she wanted to check out a party one day. Her hand lifted to her lips at the talk about the wedding and as much as she hated Jinx, Caitlyn had to concur. "Parties, Galas, and weddings are extremely dull. It's why you see me so annoyed when I come back from them. Reminds me of the last one I went to I stomped on the foot of one of the ambassadors of House Utherford," Talk about making a scene. Everyone went entirely quiet and every eye trained on her as she effortlessly insulted him and left him drenched in red wine. A white shirt looking as if he had been stabbed in the shoulder from the way the red wine dyed his clothing red. "But that wedding was a bit amusing, despite the clean up. Did you keep anything from it?" Caitlyn asked as she knew how Vi would collect things from her sister. The last time she was at Vi's place she watched her putting up one of the street signs from Piltover which left Caitlyn amused as she had heard about it in passing at the Enforcer's office.

'Any word on the scandal and vandalism at the corner street?' The words were in a pass as the lieutenant mumbled. 'No, and the commander won't get off my ass about it. I don't think we're going to find anything from it, might as well call it a loss,' It still would not sense to amuse her at the annoyances the enforcers had to deal with and how Caitlyn would snicker at it. The fact they got their breeches all twisted in a knot over something so simple as a missing sign.

Shifting to her feet, Caitlyn stood up at the tug of her wrist and a smile crossed her lips at the sweet gesture. Her face leaned into the gentle touch as her eyelids half close with her eyes trained on Vi solely. A part of her liked that Vi preferred the dress over the uniform. While it was up in her closet she hadn't once tried to use it since the events in the undercity and the events at the abandoned cannery when she last wore it. She didn't want those memories to interfere with their time together. "My sentiments are the same. I like not having to wear the uniform anymore," In some ways, the uniform made her feel like a liar. Dressed in cool shades of blue yet deceiving the populace. Everything she had learned over those months opened her eyes and made her realize just how Piltover corrupted the very edges of their nation. Not just that, but she still saw the twitches in Vi's reaction when they walked pass a pair of enforcers on the streets or how she would growl if one of the enforcers would train their eyes on her as if expecting her to break the law at that second.

Caitlyn intertwined her fingers into Vi's as she walked toward the house and glanced over at her. "How about you pick out a dress? Whatever one you want me in," Caitlyn offered, as she had a carefree nature at the thought of a destroyed dress. And perhaps she wanted to see which one Vi fancied her in. Her thumb brushed up against the Vi's hand, memorizing the rough knuckles molded from fights and punching of walls.

Vi couldn't prevent herself from snorting loudly as Caitlyn remarked that Zaunite parties sounded wild. At the same time though, she was absolutely right. Compared to what she had described of Piltover parties, it sounded very different. Vi said: "Oh, you bet it is, Princess. Though to be fair, I probably wouldn't be able to stay at one of your upper-class parties. The boredom and monotony would make me get my shirt out! Honestly, as much as Jinx is a plague, that time she crashed Count Sandvik's daughter's wedding was actually fun. Yeah, not really fun for us to clean up and take protocol on, but honestly, if it had been me, I would have gotten shitfaced and then proceeded to pick a fight with the nearest rando."

As much as Vi knew that Jinx had to be stopped and put on trial for what she had done, as much as Vi wanted to take her role as Caitlyn's assistant seriously and help her protect the city from Jinx and maybe apprehend her one day, at the same time, she couldn't help but see Powder in some of Jinx's less deadly and volatile pranks. Her little sister had always been playful and wild around her, free-spirited and excitable. Sure, around other people, Powder was more meek and shy, keeping to herself, but Vi liked to believe that the other side of her sister was just as much a part of Powder. It was why even now Vi was convinced that Powder was not fully dead. Maybe with the right timing and the right circumstances, she might finally get through to her.

That flirtatious grin was everything to Vi. It reminded her of the face, she had seen Caitlyn make in the brothel back when she had talked with one of the girls there. So unconnected to her previous stiffer upper lip behaviour, so free and happy, so curious and almost bemused. That face had been like seeing a glimpse of the actual Caitlyn; and if Vi had been honest, it had been this moment, which made her feel like she had just won. She had made the Enforcer be more than an Enforcer and Caitlyn had managed to surprise her.

Feeling Caitlyn caress across Vi's muscular arm, Vi carefully took her girlfriend's wrist in one hand and as she got up, pulled her on her feet with ease. Vi teased: "Then I should definitely make sure I pick one of those roses for you sometime, Caitlyn." Grinning, Vi brushed a streak of blackish-blue hair behind Caitlyn's ear as her girlfriend offered to put on the gloves. "Maybe a dress and gloves for now. I ain't fully sure if I am ready to see you back in uniform yet."

As much as Vi may have fantasised about Caitlyn as an Enforcer, she was still very aware that Stillwater and the Enforcers in it had deeply screwed up her brain. She didn't wanna trigger her fight or flight response upon seeing Caitlyn in the uniform. Besides, her girlfriend had quit the Enforcers for a reason.