#i keep trying to remind myself that i dont need speak perfectly to be deserving of civility

[nabaath-areng]

I've struggled so much with english these past few days and it's so annoying and embarrassing, and what's even more embarrassing is that I'm embarrassed at all in the first place!!! Everytime I make a rushed error with my unmedicated brain, or swap around with word order, or struggle to pronounce things or outright just fail to recall even basic words entirely I get so ashamed and stressed out.

And I hate being told things such as "you're better than some native speakers" because I know that isn't true! And I wish it could just be fine that I'm not! Sure, I've improved immensely ever since I actually tried to learn it properly 10 years ago, but it was such a bumpy and embarrassing road that it's practically a mercy for my self confidence that I was psychotic for a majority of the time, what with all the things I've forgotten or outright never memorized in the first place as a result lmao.

Everytime I have to edit captions and such after hitting 'Post' I always feel this overwhelming sense of dread that people will just pour in to nag and to correct me even over the smallest things, all without anything good to say. Which sucks, cause so many times where I've had people be condescending or outright degrading, the errors in question didn't even impede on the clarity of what I was saying. Just stupid, unimportant things like using 'has'/'have' wrong, using 'were' two times in a sentence, putting words in the wrong order in a sentence etc.

It's been years now since that was a thing that happened regularly, but that fear is apparently still so deeply imprinted that, even now, I can't read what I'm writing right here and now without this looming fear about how it will serve to make native speakers perceive me as stupid and unintelligent or outright infantilize me. Even though I know that's more than likely irrational of me to feel now. I seriously need to figure out how to overcome this mental roadblock, or at least not let it get to me like this. It's rarer these days, but I still feel it too strongly for my liking whenever my reservations do kick in.

[berylcups]

hello! this is going to be me self projecting lol but can I request La Squadra x reader who has SH scars & is insecure of them? If not I perfectly understand and feel free to ignore this request. Ty!

Oooo SH scars! Yaasss—Are we both orange cats because I think we are sharing the same brain cell! Let’s self-project ✨TOGETHER ✨ (sorry it took so long to respond- I was dealing with some mental issues myself lol)

La Squadra comforting Reader w/ SH Scars

CW: Self Harm, wounds, depression , scars, social anxiety due to scars, bullying mention,

Notes: As someone who has and is still dealing with self harm—please know that you are loved and appreciated. You deserve so much better than what you are doing to yourself. ❤️‍🩹 I understand it’s not a habit that goes away. It’s addictive like substance abuse or smoking cigarettes. If you haven’t started harming yourself, DONT START. If you are doing it-please please seek help-from a friend, family member, s/o, etc. And I know it’s not easy to open up but try with someone you trust before you harm yourself again. You are worth so much and deserve everything in this world . As long as you are safe and healthy that’s all that matters. Please stay safe, get plenty of rest, be sure to eat balanced meals, and stay hydrated. Love you all 💜 Beryl

All the guys don’t care that you have scars and feel you shouldn’t be ashamed of them. But they are concerned about your mental health and want to find a way to support you into harming yourself less. Preferably not harming yourself at all but they know it’s not that simple. But your s/o will do everything in their power to keep you wound free. ❤️‍🩹

Risotto:

“You don’t deserve to do this to yourself amore.”

“You don’t have to hide your battle scars from me. Every single one on your body is a testament to your strength and endurance. You are beautiful/handsome and strong. Never forget that cara/o.”

His scars aren’t the same but he’ll show you all of his scars and how he got them through all the near death experiences he had throughout his career. He’s not a man of many words but he lets you know how beautiful/handsome you are through his actions. Usually by holding you close and lovingly caressing your scars. Or if it suits you better, he just doesn’t pay any mind to your scars and treat it like a normal marking on your body.

He uses his stand to find any hidden tools you may have for your maladaptive coping habits and will discreetly try to dispose of them. He knows that he should not mess with your property but he hopes you will come to him for comfort instead of looking for those troubling things.

He may not speak much but he will be here to listen to you when you’re having a tough time. He listens very carefully and makes mental notes on what he thinks he can do to cheer you up and what to do to keep you away from to keep you from feeling bad.

To distract you from your own thoughts he likes to take you out on night walks through the woods. Normally that sounds scary but having Risotto with you, you feel completely secure. It’s a serene experience with a little good hint spookiness in the air. That’s definitely something to raise the spirits. 🎃

Formaggio:

“Aww baby, there’s no need to do that. How could a sweet thing like you deserve something as cruel as this?”

“Sweetheart…maybe I don’t express it enough but I want you to know that I love you no matter how low you may feel. If I can’t love you at your worst, then you bet your sweet ass I don’t deserve you at your best. Now let me kiss each wound so it will heal faster.”

He’s going to frequently remind you how much he loves you and how attractive he thinks you are. He’s very good at sweet talking and it’s very much genuine. He won’t ever leave you feeling uncertain about his feelings for you.

If you’re wanting a way to hide your scars, he would suggest getting a tattoo to help cover them up. He would sit by you and look at designs all day and look for a very special tattoo that will have strong meaning to you. And yes, regardless of your aesthetic, he thinks you can pull off the tatted look flawlessly.

If you’re having a hard time he’s the type to try to distract you from those troubling feelings. He’ll tell you stupid jokes, watch your favorite tv shows with you, and play your favorite video games…even the ones he sucks at 💕

Illuso:

“Oh…you have those scars too huh? I uh…didn’t cause you to feel this way did I? I didn’t mean to tease you so much if I caused it.”

“I don’t want you feeling the way I do. Let’s rely on each other and try to put this habit behind us. I believe you’re beautiful/handsome no matter how many scars you have. I’ll do everything I can to make you happy always and I will be easier on the teasing.”

He’d try to make you feel less self conscious by showing you his scars. There’s a reason why he wears those heavy concealing clothes. He’s apologize for teasing you even if it didn’t bother you. He wants to raise your self esteem so he doesn’t tease you anymore unless it’s in a flirtatious way. He tries to watch what he says in front of you when he’s teasing the guys. If something he said made you feel uncomfortable, please let him know because he knows exactly what you’re going through.

If you want to show off your body but don’t want your scars to show he’ll show you how to use the right kind of concealer for your skin tone and texture. Don’t worry, it’s long lasting and waterproof 💜

Anyone who dares try to judge you for your scars is getting a brutal beating in the mirror realm and left to rot. He takes that shit very personally.

Pesci:

“*sniffle* … what can I do to get you to stop?”

“I can’t even imagine the pain you go through to feel the need to punish yourself but you shouldn’t have to! You deserve only the best in the world. I may only be a mammoni, but please—you can rely on me. I’ll never judge you or treat you poorly because of your imperfections! I love you just the way you are, just like the way you love me just the way I am.”

He’s a good listener and knows how to give good advice. He’ll be there to talk you out of hurting yourself if he can get there before you get a chance to. He’s always there to remind you how worthy of love you are and that you deserve to reward yourself—not punish.

When you’re struggling he’ll baby you. He’ll cook you your favorite meal, give you a shoulder massage, run you a luxurious bubble bath, and be there to dry and brush your hair afterwards. He’s going to groom you from head to toe. You’ll feel like you just came out of relaxing spa treatment. 🧖 🧖‍♀️

One way to get out of a funk is to get out into nature. He’d take you out on a scenic boat ride and show you some fishing tricks. If that’s not stimulating enough for you he’ll take you on a little boat adventure and find a private beach for you to collect sea shells on, and play in the water or sand without having to worry about people seeing your scars. 🐚 🌊

Prosciutto:

“Tell me what caused you to do this and I will take care of it. I don’t want you to ever have a reason to do this again tesoro.”

“I will never love you less for bearing these scars. You are only doing what you can to get by. But I am here now so please… rely on me first before you submit to those urges. Understand?”

Prosciutto is a man of action and wants to take care of all your burdens that cause this painful habit. But unfortunately, things aren’t that simple and he gets that now. He’s going to be here to support you as much as he possibly can. If there’s a solution, he’s going to fix it.

He’ll help you find a comforting cool wardrobe for you to wear that you can hide your scars in and feel comfortable and fashionable while you’re healing. But he also encourages you to be yourself and if there’s anything that you want to wear that’s a little more revealing, he’s going to absolutely encourage it. He wants you to feel comfortable in your own body because he cares so much.

If you’re having a tough time, lean on him. He will be there to give you the biggest pep talk of your life. Anything you feel down or insecure about is going to be put to a stop by him. He will let you know just how valued you are and how much you mean to him with the most sincerity he has. All with his loving embrace to back it up.

He would love to take you out shopping and help you find some beautiful accessories and clothes to compliment your beautiful skin. Yes, your skin-scars and all are beautiful and deserve to be covered in gold and jewels. Even if you only feel comfortable wearing it in the house he’s happy. It’s one step closer to you feeling more comfortable with your body.

Melone:

“There’s no shame in struggling. I love every scar, stretch mark, freckle, mole, and any other feature you have. They all are a part of you and that makes you so special amore.”

“If there’s anything I can do to take some of the pain away please let me know. Even if you have no idea how I can help, just let me know anyway. I want to be here for you.”

If you’re concerned about the stares or people bringing up a particularly bad scar, he’d buy you some scar fading cream no matter how pricy and apply it for you himself.

He has all sorts of medical tools to take care of any wounds that are particularly bad. He has local anesthetic and stitches to help patch you up to make the most minimal scar possible. He’s big on first aid so he’s going to baby you even though you’re fully capable of cleaning a wound and putting on a bandage yourself.

He will be here to listen to you and do some amateur Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with you to help you challenge the triggering thoughts that cause those urges. He’s a good listener and he knows exactly what to say to help you question those negative thoughts.

He gets you a thick rubber band to wear on your wrist that you can snap whenever you feel upset. He knows it’s not the same as SH but he hopes it can help reduce it a bit. The rubber bands have positive affirmations on them to let you know that you are okay 💕 he always tells you himself those positive affirmations with lots of hugs and kisses as well.

Ghiaccio:

“…Why would you do that? Do you get so angry that you can’t help but take it out on yourself?”

“When you’re upset and can’t stand it you should rant it out instead. You can scream and get as loud as you want. I won’t mind. …I just don’t want you to hurt yourself because you don’t deserve that.”

You think his emotions would have gone out of control when seeing your scars but he was very much calm. Saddened, but calm.

He would want to know what triggers you and keep a mental note of it so he doesn’t give you any urges to harm yourself. He’s going to control his emotional outbursts around you so it doesn’t upset you. He cares very much and worries about your wellbeing all the time.

He encourages you to wear shorter clothes but doesn’t force you to. If you’re feeling extra self-conscious and too warm in your long sleeves he’ll stay nearby and use his stand to make a cool area around the two of you so you stay comfortable.

If anyone stares or says anything he’ll turn them into a human popsicle or get in their face and yell at them to tell them to mind their own business.

He thinks having a pet around would be good for you and your mental health. A cat or dog loves unconditionally. He’d prefer a kitten but if you’re allergic or just don’t vibe with them he can chill with a dog. He just feels a deep connection to cats…seeing his stand and his aloof personality, it’s pretty easy to see why. 🐱

[evisamora]

She Ra, season 3, episode 1

Here we go again, Evisa big stupid analyst! I’m sorry but I love doing it and it help me to think.  So here we go with Episode 1.  First, we know that SW left the Horde by “manipulating” Catra and go to Bright Moon to see Adora. Which is interesting, because in a way she has nowhere to go, but she cna still feel safe enough to go see Adora. Is that because she believes in Adora? Or is she really desperate? I mean, the Bright Moon Prison seems... pretty nice. Everyone seems surprised of it. Angella, is it the prison or not?

Well, guess it is.  Plus, Angella got call out by our famous SW. I mean they kinda look a like no?

Well anyway, let’s be honest Glimmer and Angella has the same personality and they are quite a show to watch yelling at each other.  I love how Angella doesnt want Adora to be in contact with SW because she is dangerous, but Angella is aware of the psychological damage she done to her when she was young and she might have an idea how she treated her in the Fright Zone. Plus, Glimmer kind a make of reference that SW knows how to manipulate Adora. BUT Adora kinda make the T post to impose her dominance. 

But it doesnt work. You are such a gay Adora.  Anyway, she will try to infiltrate SW prison to spoke to her, because she came to Birght Moon and it kind of picked Adora curiosity. We can’t blame you Adora, it took all the fandom by surprise too. 

Obviously, the Bestfriend Squad know each other perfectly so... Guess they knew what Adora planned since the beginning. Heres a compilation of Glimmer stopping Adora. 

Ok the first one, Glimmer look like she wants to grabs Adora butt and Adora is like : NO!  And I am not sorry for this.  But yeah Adora try so hard to go see SW.  At the same time, we are learning that SW wants only to talk to Adora and that she is actually dying. I am pretty sure that people who hates Light Spinner/SW was happy to heard that, but eh eh. Actually She Ra will heal her. SW will show her how to use her power.  BUT HOW DID SHE GET IN SW ROOMS?? Actually, this is Glimmer who lets her after a long talk with Adora.  Meanwhile, Bow will distract the Queen and Castaspella with a Magic trick?! (I wanted to see that trick Bow)

I love how Glimmer did her protective girlfriend speech to her future mother in law. Sassy girl. 

To be honest, SW calling Adora “my Adora” make me ... I don’t know to be honest. I really want to think that she really loves her like if she was her child, but at the same time SW took her because she was feeling power in her and knew that she was different. We all know the Weaver loves power. 

Lucky us, Adora didn’t believe her.. well I think? Maybe she did believe her in a way, but at the same time knew that SW had other intention 

SEE

Adora is different because she has power in her! Here we can see a proud girlfriend because Adora doesnt trust SW. 

Even after all this, Adora will accept to heal SW as long as she talks. First she need to make the T post dominance as She Ra to make sure SW is really afraid.

Angella and Castaspella will hear noise or see light? Maybe both! And they will enter the room> Poor Bow, he was trying hard to distract them. Guess you’ll need a little more practice after all. You are such a dork. 

SW finally speak about why she is here. 

AND this is what I find interesting, SW said that Catra betrayed her and that Hordak get rid of her so she wants to take THEM down. Which is kind of true, but at the same time she did everything to keep her alive. I think it’s funny how Catra and SW are alike. Both keep grudge but don’t see how their actions affect people around. It’s at the same time that she told them about the portal, which JOKE ON YOU SW WE KNOW SINCE SEASON 2. Plus, it’s at the same time she tell Adora that she is not from here and Hordak took her and bring her there from a portal. 

TATAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Big intense music during these scene. I mean, it’s not like a big spoilers because many of us fam already saw it. There is when Adora left and ask Light Hope for answer! 

There is the part we know that Mara cut them off from the rest of the galaxy and that is will be really dangerous to open one right now. 

Does it means that if they can reestablish their link with the rest of the universe they can open a portal again without any consequences? For people who finished the series do you know where I want to go with this?  Anyways, after her talk with Light Hope, she goes back to Bright Moon and this is when the bestfriend squad decide to go on a trip to the Crimson Waste and follow he message from Mara. This is how the ADVENTURE begin mesdames and messieurs.

AND NOW! Not that I have my favorites in this show, but I do. The SuperpalTrio, what is happening with them. DO WE SEE THEM? Yes don’t worry. 

As we can see our baby is alive. She is in a prison like SW was. I don’t know if it’s the same cell and tbh I don’t care. And Scorpia is running to trying to make Catra escape so she will not have to be sentenced by Hordak.

***LOOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL WOMAN********

I know, I repeat myself, but Scorpia is a precious bean and she is the friend that no one deserve. ~cancer rights~ But meh Catra doesnt want to because she doesnt want Scorpia to get in trouble for her. Which it shows that Catra really cares for Scorpia because she doesnt want her to get in trouble in the first place. 

This, my friends, this is the part where we know Catra doesnt believe in herself anymore.  Yes, she never had a big self esteem, but she always thought that shw could proove herself to SW, to Adora and to Hordak, but now she doesnt believe in her at all, she thinks she is a loser and she will never win. Win what? Win to be the favorite? The trusted one? The good one? I don’t think she is talking about power. Yes, in the Horde she needs to have power to have all of this and this is why Catra try to have it.  And we can see her girlfriend being mad at her future mother in law. Man, SW you need to watch your back. 

But good one Scorpia, because we all know she is not right. 

SCORPIA FACE FOIEQHFIEQHJFQFIHVQFQFJ. Man, SHE IS YOUR FRIEND AND YOU ARE HER BESTFRIEND! 

IS THAT A LOVE CONFESSION BECAUSE OOOOOF IT’S HOT IN HERE! But no for real, it was really kind from you Scorpia. Man, Scorpia, I know you love your friend lie if they were a part of you, but you can’t realy on someone like that it’s really bad for you. It’s even worst because Catra has self destructive behaviour. Even if Catra doesn’t have any, you need to rely on yourslef more and being your world. You dont need to make someone else our world because yours is already amazing.  Entrapta and Hordak relationship/friendship is stronger than never before! He pretty let her do everything she wants or she doesnt listen to him so he just let her do it?! 

Entrapta will safe Catra life by using the development of the Horde since Catra was in charge and how it get better. She will told her that she need her to find a first one tech in Crimson Waste. 

Tbh this is me with my gf everytime she is trying to win an argument with me and that she is right.  I mean, I understand Hordak to trust Entrapta complety because she is kind of the only one who can face him and be totally honest with him. Look at my baby grumpy face. Can I marry her? 

After, Catra will be sent to Hordak to have her punishment. Lonnie is so worried about her cat girlfirend. 

Hordak will call Catra a failures and want people to take note of her mistake, but Catra kinda of call him out. I don’t know if it’s because she thought she will die so she let out everything she wanted to say before?! I mean she seems pretty ready to die and to let herself go. OR maybe she thinks it will save her by trying to convince him that he needs her? 

Ok Lonnie is totally laughing. She is proud of her girlfriend. 

Catra are you fingering guns Hordak?! HOney, we talked about that. 

The fist remind me something..... wait ....

OH YEAH! Dam. Thats scary Arthur... EH HORDAK! 

Catra will learns that she is going to Crimson Waste to retrive first one techs (where no one survive and that’s why Hordak send her there). He is sure she will never return. Guess Entrapta really have high hope in Catra!

[supersoldierslover]

My Fake boyfriend Part 9

Summary: After receiving a very rude letter of your ex on the mail saying that he is going to get married. You see yourself not knowing what to do, you can just let it go or accept the help of your hot neighbor and pretend he is your boyfriend.

Paring: Bucky x Reader

Words: 2146

Warnings: Just fuffly and maybe some aganst

Thank you @drinkfantasy you are the best

You are in shock…

All happened in slow motion, one moment you are pushing Lucas away from you and the other Bucky is holding Lucas by his shirt lifting him in the air. Bucky punches him in the face, you can feel that Bucky didn’t use half of his strength and that he even pulled his punch back a little.

Sure Lucas would wake up in pain and with a black eye tomorrow, but Bucky could have killed Lucas with just a punch, after all he is a super soldier. Bucky drops Lucas on the floor and his expression soften when he looks at you “Are you okay?” He asks gently.

You nod and he takes your hand. You watch as Lucas gets up from the floor and all you can feel is rage because Lucas has a smirk on his fucking face. How dare him kiss you? Why did he think that he had the right to kiss you? For that moment you let the rage take over you.

As soon as he gets up, you punch him again. Different from Bucky, you don’t hold back, you use all your strength and you are glad that Natasha taught you how to do it properly a couple months ago “You are getting married your asshole and I have a boyfriend. Do you really want me to hate you that much? Do you really don’t respect woman at all? Just because you have a small dick do you think you can do everything you want? You are an excuse of a man.”

Bucky starts to caress your back, trying to calm your down. One of Luca’s friends comes to help him get up saying that he didn’t want a fight and that they were just leaving. Bucky nods and watches as they go. He pulls you into a hug before asking “Are you sure you are okay?”

You take a large sip of Bucky’s beer, trying to take the taste of Lucas kiss from your mouth. "Yes, I think I need a mint.” You say frowning in disgust, Bucky nods, offering you his hand “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

Bucky insists to drive, he notices that you are distracted and he knows that you hate driving at night. “Do you want to go home?” He asks opening the car's door for you. “Not really… keep driving, I will lead the way.”

Bucky drives for almost 20 minutes, you only talk to him when you have to give him some direction. You took him to the same park you two were a few days ago, but on the other side of the lake.

The place was almost like a small forest, there were a lot of trees and you could see the moonlight reflected on the lake. It is a beautiful night out, there are a lot of starts in the sky and the atmosphere is so romantic.

“This place is beautiful, doll, I can imagine you coming here a lot growing up.” You smile at him “Not enough, I always preferred the other side of the lake, being here in the woods always scared me a little.”

“I am here to protect you.” He says in a very charming away and you can't help but smile “You are my hero, Bucky Barnes.” You leave the car and turn going straight to the trunk“ You know what is the best part of borrowing my Grandma’s car?” You ask as Bucky follows you like a lost puppy.

“I have a feeling you're about to tell me.” He says hugging you from behind “ Well, she always has a blanket and a bottle of wine in the trunk, she says that you never know when you are going to need a romantic get away,”

“Knowing your grandmother, this doesn’t surprise me at all.” He says coltish, you two sit on the floor over the blanket and start to drink the wine. You are lost in your mind looking at the stars, you feel Bucky’s hands on your arms keeping you warm.

“You are awfully quiet tonight, what are you thinking about?” Bucky says taking you away from your thoughts “So many things, I am thinking about Amy. She deserves better than Lucas, nobody deserves to marry a cheater.”

Your voice is so sad, you feel sorry for Amy. This could be you if you hadn’t caught him on act “You could try to talk to her, but I don’t think she would believe you, but don’t feel guilty, this isn’t your fault, doll. This is Luca's fault, he is the bad guy here.”

You rest your back on his chest; his human hand starts caressing yours “You are the best, Bucky. Thanks for coming here with me, you have no idea  how much this means to me.” Bucky kisses your lips gently before saying “I would do anything for you, and believe it or not, I'm having a lot of fun, especially with your grandma and Julian.”

“They are truly the best ones in the family.” You say honestly “Julian reminds me of Steve growing up, sure with a lot more energy but that boy doesn’t run away from fights.” Your heart melts a little just from hear him talking about Julian with such love “I hope he finds himself his Bucky… everybody needs a Bucky in their lives.”

Bucky doesn’t answer you, he just place his lips on yours, placing you on top of him. You can taste the wine on his lips and you moan to the taste. The kiss is sweet but intense; his hands explore your back resting on your butt. While your tug his hair gently.

Bucky let you take control of the kiss, making sure that you were confortable with whatever he is doing. You stop it, you are feeling a little dizzy and you curse yourself for drinking so much wine right now. 

He kisses you again, before pulling you into his chest as he lies on the ground “This is gonna be one of those nights, right? That we're never gonna forget.” You nod cuddling him trying to keep yourself warm.

“Bucky, can I ask you something that is totally too far ahead for me to ask?” He kisses your forehead pulling you even closer to him “Do you think about getting married?" He laughs at your question and answers in a playful tone “Are you proposing?”

“Nooo... Not yet, I mean I always imagined being proposed to... it is just… forget it. You don’t have to answer, it's pure curiosity because we are in a wedding and you are from the past but because of everything...” You babble. It’s not that you want to get married right now. You just wanted to know if a wedding was something that he wanted in the long run.

Bucky was a tortured man, you won’t be angry at him if he didn’t want this. You just want know where you stand with him.

“I don’t know, before the war it was something I wanted. Find a nice girl, have a few children. Now, I don’t know, I dont allow myself to think about that… who would want an ex brainwashed assassin as a boyfriend? Much less as a husband and I never thought that you would feel the same way about me.”

You kiss his chest in a sign of reassurance, before he continues to talk “ I don’t think a lot about marriage, after Wakanda I needed to find myself, but I would marry you anytime. Maybe a small o…” You kissing him before he continues to speak “When the time comes we can talk about it, but we can’t let Tony throw the party.”

You yawn nuzzling on his neck, he holds you closer to his body. You close your eyes, saying to yourself that is only for a few seconds “Would be an honor to be married to you, Bucky Barnes.”

When Bucky wakes up with the sun, he can’t believe you two fell sleep in the middle of the forest. He looks down, you look so peaceful in his arms that it would be a shame to wake you up. Luckily, he manages to get up, with you in his arms without disturbing you so he get you both home.

“You two had a fun night.” He smiles when he hears your grandmother's voice, it would have been really awkward to explain this to your father “She drank too much wine and a little of vodka.” Your grandmother consented saying “Take her upstairs, then come down and drink some coffee.”

He gently places you in bed, kissing your forehead and making sure to leave a glass of water and some painkillers on your nightstand.

Downstairs, he finds your grandma making coffee “You two must have had a wild night.” Your grandma says coltishly “You know your granddaughter, she is impossible to wake up. But we actually had a pretty good night.”

“When she was little, it was impossible to wake her up to go to school. I used to put her socks on when she was still sleeping just to save some time.” Your grandmother says handing Bucky a cup of coffee “Surprisingly enough, I can perfectly picture this, once she asked me to wake her up at 6 a.m. to go running, when I managed to wake her up it was almost 7.”

You grandmother leads him to the living room, as soon as he sits on the couch she asks “Are you going to tell me what is in your mind?” Bucky arches his eyebrow, that woman could only be a spy “How do you know?”

“You are distracted and you have a certain look in your eyes. Your eyes always say too much about you.”   Bucky takes a deep breath before answering “Lucas crashed on our date and kissed her.” Your grandma doesn’t look surprised, but instead she looked very annoyed “Did you kick his ass?”

“I punched him, not as strong as I could but he is gonna have a black eye today.” She sweetly nods and asks  “So what is the problem? Are you jealous of him?” He could see the confusion in her eyes.

“No, Lucas is pathetic. But I don’t like to use violence around her. She never saw me as The Winter Soldier, sure sometimes she helps me with the aftermath when I ask for help, but I've never used violence around her, I am always afraid of losing control and hurting her or that she ends up seeing me differently.”

Your grandmother caresses his arm, trying to bring him some comfort “What happened when you punched him? Was she mad?” She asks trying to understand everything that happened “No… actually she punched Lucas again and screamed at him. I never saw her being so fierce .”

“I wish I could see that, but I wouldn’t worry too much about the punch… you really shouldn’t let your past define you, James. You are not going to lose her” She says sincerely. Before Bucky can respond, you show up in the living room and sit by his side. Resting your head on his shoulder.

“You should be sleeping.” Bucky says sweetly pulling you closer to him “I woke up confused and lonely without you there.” Your grandma gets up “Why don’t you two go upstairs for a nap? I have a few things to do and a couple of phone calls to make.”

You nod taking Bucky by the hand leading him to your room, you two cuddle together.  Your back on his chest, he holds you by your waist pulling you closer, and this makes you fall sleep in seconds.

You two slept all morning, the afternoon you spent getting ready to the weeding. Your hair is simply in waves and your make up was done in a nude style with a bold red lip. All this with your red dress and your high heels makes you look incredibly beautiful.

You almost faint when you see Bucky in a black suit, with his hair pushed back. He looks unbelievably handsome, your favorite part is the tie that matches your dress “You look amazing in a suit, Bucky, I think you could only wear this for now on, or be shirtless.”

He blushes at your words, not used to compliments “ Doll, I would say that you look amazing but you always are the most beautiful woman in the room.”  You kiss him not even caring about your makeup or the fact that Bucky would have red lipstick all over his face.

He holds you closer to his body, even when he breaks the kiss he doesn’t let you go. You two stay in each other’s arms just to enjoy the closeness. He breaks your embrace asking “Ready to go?”

Part 10

Pretty please leave feedback I want to know what you guys are thinking of this series.

[dorothydelgadillo]

The Website 6: Key Characteristics of the Perfect Inbound Website

It's safe to say that most - if not all - businesses want a website that brings them perfectly packaged, highly qualified inbound leads. That is the most common goal we hear from our clients here at IMPACT, and why so many marketers pour hours of time and thousands of dollars into their websites.

So how do we achieve this goal? I’ll tell you, but first a quick story.

Last year as my son’s second birthday approached, I remember freaking out just a bit about what to do for his birthday party.

I have proudly attended many a toddler birthday party, and I think everyone has seen the ridiculously amazing pinterest birthday party ideas out there (all the moms out there know what I’m talking about). The over-the-top, no-way-is-it-DIY, must-cost-thousands-of-dollars type of parties have apparently coined a real term called “pinterest stress”.

Meanwhile, I fail just trying to glue two popsicle sticks together.

So, needless to say, I was stressing just a little bit about what to do for his birthday. Then a realization struck! My son was turning TWO. He could care less about decorations and party themes. His favorite things were sugar, rolling in mud, chasing our chickens, and playing “dinosaur” with his friends.

So I stopped everything. I gave myself a virtual slap in the face and reminded myself that his birthday party was for HIM and not for anyone else.

I made a perfect toddler party, and NONE of it was pinterest-worthy, but my son thought it was the most perfect day in existence. I made banana bread instead of cake, we dug holes in the backyard, the kids held monster truck toy races, and the adults drank mimosas (because let’s face it, some of the party is for the adults 😉😏).

Ok, so why am I talking about toddler parties?

It’s simple really.

As businesses, we suffer from the exact same problem when it comes to our websites. We have a really hard time getting over our pride and remembering that our websites aren’t for US, they are for OUR CUSTOMERS.

I was spending all of my energy focusing on how I could make everyone else think I was a great mom by throwing a picture-perfect party when I should have simply been focusing on how I could throw the perfect party for my son so HE thought I was a great mom.

There is a huge difference between those two goals.

Similarly, the way to build the perfect inbound website that generates the results you want is to stop focusing on your own ego and start thinking about who our website is really for.

There are 6 key drivers that make a great inbound website and will take your marketing results to the next level.

1. Sales Driven

If you've been thinking that your website is a marketing tool, I've got news for you: you're wrong. You need to shift your mindset and think of your website as a sales tool.

Your website is your best salesperson. It is available 24/7, it never asks for a raise, and it is always collecting data on your most qualified customers for you. Really, what else could you ask for from a sales rep?

Now, if you start to think of your website this way, you need to ask yourself one question. Have you really invested everything you should into it?

The best ways to ensure that your website can become a conversion machine are to ensure your sales team views the website as the most valuable resource they have and your website visitors have very easy ways of self identifying as prospects.

To make your website a valuable sales tool, all you have to do is answer the questions that your reps answer in the sales process on the site itself. Then, tell your sales people about it.

Here is an example of the Sales Content Directory that our Director of Web & Interactive Content, Liz Murphy, keeps updated for our sales team on a weekly basis. It gives them a one-stop shop to search for helpful resources to send to prospects.

If your sales team isn't using your website every day, you have failed to create the perfect inbound website.

2. Customer Driven

There are lots of ways you can make your website more friendly for your customers that you might not be doing right now, but you should be obsessing over how to make your website more customer friendly on a daily basis.

Did you know that 70% of the buying decision is typically made by a consumer before they ever speak to a sales rep or go to purchase a product? This means most of the purchase process is totally out of your direct control.

Nonetheless, there ARE ways to guide that first 70% of the conversation.

The number one reason people choose to buy - from any business - is based on trust. So not only do you have to make sure your prospects trust you before they will buy, but you have to figure out how to build that trust during the 70% of the buying process that happens before you even talk to them.

Whew, that is a lot to ask of your website!

Luckily, there are a few simple rules that you can follow to do just that.

Focus on Providing Value: Every page and every word on your website should be there because it provides value to your audience. Your website visitors don’t want a bunch of fluff. Give them real value and educate them in exchange for the time they’ve spent reading the words on your page. Providing value is the first step in building the trust you need oh so badly.

Answer their Questions: Answer the REAL questions your audience has. Don’t shy away from the topics that most businesses are afraid to talk about like pricing or your competitors. Really focus on making sure you are thinking like a customer and answer every question you know they will ask you in the sales process. And here’s the most important part: make sure you answer it honestly. You can’t build trust based on lies.

Use Video: People don’t buy from businesses, they buy from people. Video is the number one way to build trust with your audience and humanize your brand. In today’s environment, incorporating video on your website is table stakes if you want to see measurable, lasting results. There are 7 types of videos that every website must have: 80% videos, bio videos for your team, product or service videos, landing page videos, customer journey videos, videos about the claims you make as a brand, and a video that details who you are not a good fit for (yes, seriously).

Make the Customer the Hero: As one of my favorite country songs so aptly reminds us, our website visitors want us to talk about them, not ourselves. Use “you” statements in your content rather than “us” or “we” statements as often as possible. Customers want to see themselves in your website, not you.

3. Search Driven

The next group you need to be really chummy with are search engines. They are the ones who bring the customers to your website. Luckily it is really easy to be friends with them because they have the same goal as you: providing value to your customer.

To get Google and the other search engines to send lots and lots of visitors to your website, focus on providing value. (Good thing we already covered all that up in the previous section.)

With that taken care of, there are some ways that you can now structure the value you provide in order to help Google more easily understand who they should be sending your way.

You are already doing a great job of writing valuable, educational content for your audience, right? Now all you have to do is make sure you are using the right keywords and organizing your content into clusters, grouped by topic area, to help Google understand where your expertise lies.

Learn more about how to do this exceptionally well from, keyword research to content execution, with our comprehensive guide.

Some of the other factors that Google looks at in order to determine how much value your website is providing are:

User Engagement: Google looks really closely at how your current visitors are interacting with your website as a strong indicator of how happy other visitors they send your way will be. It does this using metrics like Time on Site and Page Depth. The idea is that if people are spending a lot of time on your website and navigating through multiple pages, they are likely finding lots of valuable content and are happy with their experience.

Content Freshness: The frequency with which your website is updated is also a big factor in Google’s ranking. The idea here is that newer content is most likely more relevant to potential visitors than older content, and the longer you’ve been regularly producing content, the more likely it is that you are a valuable source of information. Thus, having a good balance of a domain that has been around for a while and plenty of regularly updated, fresh content is the perfect mix.

And, lastly, Google really cares that your users are having a positive experience with your website regardless of what device (mobile, desktop, etc.) they are visiting from. In order to ensure that Google knows your visitors will be happy, there are some Technical SEO basics you should focus on:

Website Load Speed: Google cares a lot about how fast your website loads because it knows that users are impatient and will get frustrated by things that take too long. As a result, it is less likely to send traffic your way if your website takes too long to give them information. You can test your website using www.webpagetest.org to see how quickly your site loads. Ideally, it should be under 2 seconds.

Mobile First and Responsive Design: More and more users are visiting websites from mobile devices, so Google has been cracking down hard on websites that have poor mobile user experiences. Make sure your user experience is flawless on any device to steer clear of problems here.

Site Security: SSL certificates are no longer negotiable. Not only do website visitors expect them at this point, Google will seriously ding you for not having one. So just get one, please.

4. Experience Driven

This characteristic goes hand-in-hand with being customer friendly, but it deserves it’s own category because it is so important. Treat users that come to your website like you would customers in a store.

I know when I go to a store with my toddler in tow (maybe to buy birthday party supplies), I want to be able to find what I need as fast as possible, and with as little effort as possible.

Your website visitors want the same thing.

Make it as easy as possible for them to find the thing they want with the least amount of effort on their part.

Make sure the entire experience is built to delight them from start to finish. The design of the website should speak to what they like (again, not what you like). My toddler’s design aesthetic is very different than my grandmother’s. Anything I’d design for them would be wildly different from each other, and wildly different than what I personally like.

To provide the simplest experience and avoid overwhelming your visitors, make sure your website is free of clutter and doesn’t provide them with too many options at any one moment. Create an experience that is familiar to them while finding small, pointed ways to inject uniqueness where it makes sense.

A good goal to keep in mind is to structure your site in a way that requires the user to make the least number of clicks to get to their goal. Then, structure and design your menus and individual pages to that end.

5. Conversion Driven

If you're like most businesses, the end goal of your website is probably to drive revenue. To do that, it has to support a solid conversion rate of anonymous visitors into known contacts.

What is better than having our customers tell us they want to buy instead of us having to try and convince them? Nothing is better. That is the holy grail of website results. So how do we get it?

A self selection tool is the best way to help your website visitors feel like they are getting a customized experience, and it allows them to do all the work for you.

Tools that allow users to customize options, select features that fit their needs, or even do all of the qualification your sales team needs without the help of an actual sales person are the best way to do this. Done right, your customer is happy because they got exactly what they wanted, and your sales team is happy because they don’t have to do any work to close a deal anymore!

If you want to see a great example of what I'm talking about, check out the Wix.com website. It has one of the better self configuration tools we've seen (and it's pretty fun to play with!).

Every page of your website should have a goal to move customers to their logical next step in their journey with you. If you haven't mapped out your next step conversion goal for every page of your website, you are leaving that conversion up to chance.

Another way you can improve your ability to convert is to make it insanely easy for your users to convert. The harder it is for your users to contact you (e.g. the more clicks they have to make to get there) and the longer it takes for you to contact them back, the more leads you will lose.

So take the effort and the waiting out of the equation with great tools like Live Chat and Messenger Bots. This allows your user to get right to speaking with a person the moment they are ready. Now who doesn't love that?

6. Marketer Driven

Ok, we are finally ready to talk about you instead of your customer.

Given everything we’ve already said about how your website is for your customer and not for you, there is one small caveat we have to talk about.

If your website is a hassle to update, maintain or change, how often are you going to do it? Be really honest, now.

Probably almost never, right?

So, for your website to do all the great things we talked about above, it should be really easy and user friendly to maintain so that you will actually maintain it.

What do I mean by this? The backend of your website should be intuitive and flexible, allowing for easy page creation, content updates and structure changes. The best way to do this is by building your website on a content management system (CMS).

Some of the most common CMSs that are reasonably priced and allow for the flexibility mentioned above are:

HubSpot CMS

WordPress

WooCommerce

Shopify

The most beautiful, custom coded website in the world that never gets updated with new content will never provide you the results you want. Instead, find the right place on the spectrum from super custom to super flexible to ensure you will update your website regularly and produce content consistently.

Final Thoughts

Your website is the face your company shows the world. Make sure it represents what your customers want to see, allows them to find what they want quickly and easily, and provides them so much value that they can’t help but trust you.

Do all these things, and I promise, your website will provide you results.

For one day, my son thought I was greatest mom in the world when I threw him the perfect party. Allow your website to give that feeling to your customers and they will keep coming back for more.

from Web Developers World https://www.impactbnd.com/blog/characteristics-of-the-perfect-inbound-website

[comicteaparty]

September 7th, 2017 CTP Archive

The archive for the Comic Tea Party chat that occurred on September 7th, 2017, from 5PM - 7PM PDT.  The chat focused on Shades of Men by Jrej.

Featured Comment:

Chat:

RebelVampire

Good day everyone~! This week’s Comic Tea Party is now officially beginning. Today we are discussing Shades of Men by Jrej~! (https://tapas.io/series/ShadesOfMen-Pages) For those new to CTP, discussions about the comic are freeform, so please feel free to bring up whatever you wish. However, every 30 minutes I will be dropping in a discussion question to help those who would like a prompt. These questions are totally OPTIONAL to answer so pay them no mind if you wish~! Remember, constructive criticism is allowed, but the primary focus here is to have fun and appreciate the amazing comics that the community makes~! Each chat a top comment will be picked and featured on an ad for this chat, so let’s have a great discussion~! With that said, let us begin with this first question~!

QUESTION 1. What is your favorite scene in the comic so far and why?

for me i think my favorite scene is more a series of scenes where they first meet david and try to teach him the ropes of being on the streets. especially when they hit the moment where they cant get shelter for the night so actually have to sleep on the streets. the contrast really impacted me quite a lot

i also liked how it showed some of the warmer side to lev and ricky since they took it in a rather positive stride. i know if i had been in david's shoes, i wouldve been really hit with a brick of reality in that moment

mathtans

Bit late, as per typical for me. Favorite scene... possibly where Lev sees that fax? It throws everything into a bit of a new light, which I usually find interesting, new perspectives and all.

Though I gather the author hadn't expected it to be that big of a deal from glancing at the comments.

RebelVampire

really? i didnt look at the comments and now im curious

mathtans

Yeah, the ropes thing was well portrayed too. I think the way the artwork is done kind of helps with showing the difficulties, somehow... gritty? Words fail me.

Now I'm double checking... oh, the author said they hadn't thought it would be a key moment of the story when starting, but it is.

I only read on tapas this time, not the author's personal site.

I know Tenor read too, I saw a comment near the end. ^.^

RebelVampire

thats okay i read it on tapas too. i just read via the link i was given unless theres situations like with tangled river where there was that page that didnt load.

idk if id say the artwork was gritty personally speaking cause of seen grittier. but i do think the artwork fits really well and has a dark and bleak quality to it

mathtans

Fair enough. I found myself with less free time this week too. ^.^ Made it to the end though.

RebelVampire

to express the bleak quality of life

mathtans

Yeah, gritty's the wrong word... eugh... like... sombre? Maybe it's the colour choices.

RebelVampire

sombre might be a good way to put it

i do think its the color choices cause something about the pallette makes the world feel....kind of mute

mathtans

Mute's a real good word, considering Lev. ^^

The other thing about that reward for David thing, it actually misdirected me a bit. I thought they guys would be trying to track him down, to get the reward money for him to save Ricky. Instead they did the hotel heist.

Lev's got character, gotta give him that, he hasn't said anything about it yet.

RebelVampire

oh that wouldve been an interesting prospect. i honestly did not consider that. i was waiting for something a bit more cliche. like david showing back up of his own freewill like "im sorry lev i was mad lets save ricky dramatic tears "

mathtans

I was wondering a little about that, but considering what the guy had just experienced, I felt like they'd have to stumble on David. Rather than him seeking them out. And possibly getting a gun in his face again.

I would not like that, but then, I'm really not a fan of guns.

Which makes me kind of torn about the comic, because on the one hand, guns are not tools to solve problems, but on the other hand, the homeless guys are kind of responsible in using them and I liked the acknowledgement about conserving ammo.(edited)

RebelVampire

yeah honestly i kind of appreciated david left and didnt comeback. cause i felt that was a bit more true to life. since its not like ricky and lev are bffs with him just for showing him the ropes. theyre more like helpful strangers. and if you meet strangers who get you beat up, probably best not to hang with those people

mathtans

The other kind of true to life thing was how not everybody was immediately on board with Lev and his plans. Some thought things were going too far -- and even before the casino some thought that. I liked that perspective.

I also suspected they'd have at least one casualty, to keep things realistic. Expectations met there.

RebelVampire

i felt really sad for the guy who died. but on the otherhand it was well-deserved in the sense the hobos were in way over their heads. like that went beyond too far XD the fact any of them survived is a miracle(edited)

mathtans

Yeah... I feel like Lev was once in the military though? Or guerrilla warfare? Like, I wonder if his apparent dementia (seeing people as lions) is related to previous experiences.

He knows things, is what I'm getting at. But he got tired of explaining things to people. Maybe.

Now I wonder how he ended up in Paris.

RebelVampire

i feel like Lev had at least used a gun before. it didnt feel like it was his first rodeo. but then again using a gun isnt rocket science persay if in an emergency situation. not to say theyd be mega skilled in those situations and would understand good gun safety. just guns are still pretty easy to use, so idk how much to assume of Lev's skills.

Tenor

I'M LATE AND ON MOBILE BUT I'M HERE???

mathtans

Yay Tenor!

RebelVampire

welcome Tenor

all are welcome

mathtans

Yeah... maybe it was also the whole "we don't leave anybody behind". I dunno. Just a vibe.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 2. One of the main characters of the comic, Lev, is a very mysterious person. He doesn’t speak much, and nobody seems to know his background story that well. What do you think happened in Lev’s life that made him the person he is? Why do you think Lev lives on the streets? Why would he not speak to anybody for so many years? What inspires his loyalty towards Ricky that he’d go to such extreme lengths to help him?

mathtans

You segued that beautifully

RebelVampire

Tenor

And for question 1: my favorite scene has got to be the rescue scenes, mostly as they are poorly constructed and entirely chaotic - which perfectly fits a band of misfits trying to do things they have never done. It takes away from the cliche of heroes always suceed/are lucky/seem to know what they are doing despite doing it a first time and I really liked that

mathtans

Tenor - You mean like when they saved each other from the gun runners, or when they charged in to save Ricky, or generally...?

RebelVampire

yeah i really enjoy that a lot of the rescue scenes have this vibe of like them saying "i saw someone on tv do it like this yolo"

Tenor

2: my bets is either involved, or blames himself, for the loss of someone. He does seem to show hallucinations and strikes me like he suffers from quite a bit of PTSD.

Specifically the hotel scene

Just "well" lmao

mathtans

As to Lev... darned if I know. I feel like he's got that kind of military vibe (maybe it's a PTSD thing I'm sensing, yeah), and a desire to help people who look a certain way (David) or who are good to him (Ricky). Maybe he'll spill to the person he's sitting with on the bench.

In the most recent update, I mean.

Tenor

I'm betting hell spill after he catches david, persobally

Use yourself as a living example for why shut isn't all roses

mathtans

Like, Lev was all "no problem just get me something like a weapon and I'll pull a spiderman". That comes with training, not watching cartoons.

Tenor

Right.

mathtans

Tenor: Good point. Might be a while before David comes back into it though... looking like they'll have to track him down to clear Lev's name.

RebelVampire

i always wondered if lev was in trouble for not paying those hospital bills.

mathtans

Huh. I didn't even think about that. What is the French medical care system like?

(I've actually been there, but not to a hospital, fortunately. Which reminds me, nice depiction of Paris.)

Tenor

And to address on an earlier point: guns can be harder to use correctly than you'd think. He'd have to have known how to turn off safety on all those weapons, how to put ammo in them, how to reliably aim, some of those weapons depending on make and model you need to KNOW. (Look up the wrist breaker lmao). So I'd say at least an occupation around them, yes.

mathtans

Yeah, it's not like the homeless guys can ask Siri.

Tenor

Bc strength of the knock back can duck you up, dislocated shoulders, etc

Fff

mathtans

thinks A bit of a tangent, but have we seen female characters?

Tenor

Slowly making my way to a pc

I think a few headshots

RebelVampire

but side characters. nobody major i think cause i mean, the comic is called shades of men

so i think its pretty clear what its focus is XD

mathtans

Yeah, good point about the title. Guess I was wondering about females and the military suddenly. There's that new character in the latest update though too.

Tenor

TBF men could imply humanity as well.

RebelVampire

true. that could be a double underlying meaning. like a story focusing on men but also about the condition of humanity as a whole

mathtans

Lev being in the hospital means he must be in a database now?

(Sorry I'm all over the place.)

Tenor

It's ok xD

mathtans

I think some of the humanity thing comes across with how the characters are generally treated too.

RebelVampire

see this is a thing im really curious about. how did the hospital know his name? like is he carrying a form of ID on him?(edited)

cause i dont get the sense he wound up at the hospital of his own accord

Tenor

He was also unconcious at time of 'registration'.

So yeah, he has to have been known if not carrying an ID.

mathtans

No, someone brought him in... I think we saw them in the background as Lev was sneaking out. I guess I assumed he did have some sort of ID. He grabbed his clothes while escaping.

But yeah, three months later and no one's followed up on that.

Goes a bit to the theme of homeless people being treated as "invisible".

RebelVampire

well to be fair its not like they have endless resources to find him. the police clearly cant even find him if they have to broadcast about his being a kidnapping suspect

mathtans

Except the newscasters mentioned Lev. Does he have a police record?

There is that. And he's good at hiding.

What with not making much noise.

Tenor

I figured he might have been seen in the images of David from the ...catacombs?

And there was assumption based on that, since David looked pretty beaten then.

(But they still got his name, so, yeah, maybe still a record)

mathtans

I wonder if Lev has family?? Ricky mentioned family. Maybe Lev's family died, and that's why he's so traumatized and wanted to help David.

Well, when Lev, David and Ricky were doing their singing, people had camera phones. I figured the association came from that.

RebelVampire

oh yeah thats def how he became a suspect. its a mystery how they put a name to a face tho. he could have a record. but its also not like being homeless makes you disappear out of the systems. systems will still show you exist if you know the name or number.

so hard to say

i do think lev's family must of died

thats usually something that tears one apart and puts them on the street

mathtans

Also, not sure if it's a tiny plot hole, but after making a whole deal to David about not sitting in someone else's reserved spot... they go and play somewhere that's off limits. Without kind of giving him the heads up about the running.

Maybe Lev is a version of David back from the future. (Just because we haven't had any theories that are real crazy yet.)

RebelVampire

ah then theres the answer. Lev/David from the future is devastated by the loss of the cat

as a cat lover, nothing better happen to that cat O_O

i will be so sad

mathtans

Hah. Could David's parents be dead though, I wonder?

Like, we don't know who he was actually living with. Some guy who's forgetful about keys, and a cat.

Equally possible I'm forgetting something obvious.

RebelVampire

i feel like they showed david's parents in the broadcast

mathtans

Did they say it was his parents? Or maybe he's adopted?

RebelVampire

hmmm or maybe not

mathtans

Also, why'd the change the locks on the house if they wanted him to come home??

Or was David lying about it being the right key?

RebelVampire

well if they suspected kidnapping thatd be reason to change them

cause they couldve thought someone broke into the house

Tenor

I think it was his dad in the broadcast

mathtans

I suppose that's true. But wouldn't they have an alarm system too after that? Well, maybe not.

I'll buy it; I don't remember the broadcast so well.

Shady David is shady.

Tenor

He could also be from an incredible abusive home.

mathtans

Oh, that's very true.

Tenor

So he ran away but of course to say THAT implies they did something wrong so they're saying he was kidnapped.

RebelVampire

hmmm but maybe not. i cant see anything in the broadcast. i might be thinking of a different scene.

well to be fair now that im relooking at first he was just missing

and i think they changed it to kidnapping

Tenor

Yeah the flyer was missing.

It changed to kidnapping after David 'left" Lev's life.

mathtans

Oh, that's interesting. Scandal!

Tenor

(Which was after the more recent updates)

RebelVampire

but the fact he ran away doesnt necessarily mean his parents did anything wrong. some teens are really dumb and run away for stupid reasons.

his parents were stifling his career of being a rockstar

mathtans

Most don't stick it out as long as David though, I feel. But maybe not.

David's real upset that his guitar's smashed now then.

RebelVampire

most dont but david could be in that minority that are just that stubborn. but to be fair im saying not necessarily

his parents could also be shit ppl mathtans

Yeah, not enough info to call either way yet, really.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 3. In the beginning Ricky, Lev, and the other hobos meet David, a young boy who finds himself homeless. David claims this is due to the fact he got kicked out of his house. However, it is later revealed through his missing posters that David most likely ran away. Why do you think David would choose living on the streets over living with his family? Do you think David will be able to learn to live on the streets or will he find himself in deep trouble down the line?

ah look how convenient

mathtans

Actually, that would be a bit of a twist, if David WAS actually kidnapped now. After trying to do it alone. Maybe someone sent a ransom note and everything. (Unsigned, so people think it was Lev.)

Tenor

One hand I want to say maybe abuse? On the other I think it probably was more likely a fight with his parents. He seemed nearing adulthood, he might have wanted to run off to a more bohemian (sp?) lifestyle they didn't approve of and he dipped.

RebelVampire

yeah i personally lean towards a fight than abuse. just that his parents wanted something for his life he didnt and he wanted to be free and all that.

i have been curious who the heck david went off with

like david baby no, did you get involved with a gang

is it a secret cat cult

and you are caring for their god

mathtans

There is a whole underground. But maybe he found honest work somehow?

(Speaking of underground, kudos to the writer for the research on Paris casinos that I noticed in passing. Due diligence for seeing that they're privately owned.)

Kristin

Hi? Is the chat still happening?

RebelVampire

yes it is~!

Kristin

sweet

Sorry I'm late

mathtans

We all have our own time zones.

RebelVampire

no problem thank you for coming

Tenor

Hi~!

And it's ok Kristin I was late too. xD

RebelVampire

@math i honestly doubt he found honest work. he does not seem to be in the state of someone who found honest work. more like someone who just finally adjusted to living on the streets

Tenor

He might have found a good support group for what he's kinda wanting to do.

RebelVampire

yes a good support group who drive suspicious white vans

mathtans

Yeah, you are probably right on that. (I'm usually more of a cynic... but I also tend to devils advocate a lot, and there's a bit of a cynical vibe so maybe I'm just going counter to that here... hoping for the best.)

Suspicious white vans filled with guns? I feel like there's still gonna be repercussions from them stealing all those things.

RebelVampire

yeah there has to be. gangs usually dont like their stuff getting stolen

let alone finding out their stuff got stolen by a bunch of hobos

but to be fair they gotta get repercussions for shooting up a casino

cause i doubt no civilians got hurt

Tenor

I didn't see the guns fff-

mathtans

The casino started shooting first though. Well, kinda... Lev was a faster draw.

Tenor

Oh wait we tlakin earlier?

mathtans

I may be all over the place again.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I'm finally home I hope I'm noto too late

I have to quickly say I really enjoy the dreary feel I am getting from the comic, it's very atmospheric

Tenor

Nope yer good JOIN US. :D

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Paired up with some Silent Hill music I been reading it with that music as background

Specially Silent Hill 2 music

Tenor

...

Oh. My. God.

That is brilliant I should reread with that :|

RebelVampire

you do that Tenor. i think ill sit that out. comic sad enough without making it spooky. XD

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I'm super slow but I really like the stoic main character he looks like he has seen some shit in his life

It's not the spookiness, it's more like the atomshpere

Like not the chase scenes but defintely the town music

mathtans

Oooh, I hadn't even thought about Silent Hill, goodness. Though again, the Paris feel works for me.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I also like listening to some ummmm

What do they call the sounds of people in the streets?

mathtans

I used "sombre". ^.^

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Atomshpere sounds

mathtans

Background noise...?

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Like I like listening to the sound of people talking and moving in a crowded area while reading it and then it clicks me to the location

Yeah I guess

RebelVampire

on a not music note, i do give the creator credit. i really get the vibe from lev in his expressions that hes experienced some shit in life, regardless of what it is

Tenor

Oh yes, def.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Yes I also love the location, I don't see a lot of comics in other locations

mathtans

Agreed.

Tenor

And I like the story does pretty well with a nearly-silent protagonist. That can be pretty hard to show and move stories forward with.

mathtans

Also, for that whole bit where Lev wasn't speaking, still really good at conveying it.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

It's like how I am working very hard to make a comic based in Hong Kong because the buildings are amazing

Also yes, Lev has the face of "I seen shit, don't fuck with me" pardon my language XD

Tenor

/omg so offended. /jkjk

mathtans

Purple lions will do that to you.

Tenor

(My mobile was censoring my cussing so it's ok Lmao)

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Also I haven't read all of it, but I headcannon this is all an artistic dream or vision as a person is looking at a picture in a museum, remembering the past or something

crack theories away

mathtans

There's also some good development with secondary characters. I'm (as always) abysmal with names, but eyepatch guy, I've liked him.

RebelVampire

lol omg. really its just david sitting in a museum thinking the "what if i was homeless" scenario. then he goes home after he realizes it sucks.

Kristin

The art evolution is really interesting. Looking back at the beginning the art was a lot gritier. The new art feels softer and more optomistic somehow.

mathtans

David is staring at a picture of Lev... then he realizes, it's a mirror!

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Ohh I need to read more to see the art change :3

mathtans

I'm not always great at noticing art shifts. I don't binge so much as read bits through the week.

RebelVampire

im torn between thinking the art change was on purpose to express more optimism or if it was just something that happened cause of art improvement.

cause its definitely improved which is interesting to see for sure

mathtans

Why not both?

Tenor

I do feel it's a bit of both. You can see the growth in the artist through the pages for sure at least.

RebelVampire

but then again maybe its the calm before the storm

showing life moves on before it pours again

mathtans

I wonder if they'll have to break back into David's house to track him down.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 4. The comic deals with a lot of themes and issues in regards to survival, redemption, and homelessness. Was there anything that struck you as particularly poignant in regards to this? What do you think about the hobos extreme lengths to survive? Do you think any of them will manage to get off the streets or do they seemed doomed to it? Will they find redemption from their pasts?

maybe they go to david's house to explain lev didnt kidnap david. and then things escalate and suddenly lev is holding them hostage

mathtans

I could kinda see that happening. O.o

There was Lev's collapse, and waking up in the hospital. That was actually an interesting one, because on the one hand, he wasn't left to die in the street, someone helped him... but then Lev didn't even seem to have wanted the help. Like, not wanting to accept charity, even at the expense of his life.

RebelVampire

to be fair tho, i wouldve been none too pleased in his situation. greatful for being alive, sure. but mad i could potentially get situated with an enormous hospital bill

cause even if they have a better healthcare system there, when youre homeless you dont exactly have any money to give in the first place

mathtans

Yeah... I guess I'm kind of spoiled, what with having work benefits and the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, I don't think about costs. Unless I'm reading about the US.

It's nice that the homeless guys get together, and even have a system like what Lev used to recruit for Ricky. Solidarity and all. They can redeem each other, in a way.

RebelVampire

maybe. idk about redeeming cause in the same vein they could enable each other to remain in their unredeemed states through encouraging vegetative behaviors

as someone who lives in the US i think about costs all the time

mathtans

Yeah, that's a good point. Though some people didn't necessarily agree too.

I wonder in retrospect what they did with the guns? Sold them? That feels like a bad plan.

RebelVampire

maybe they just kept them. or just dumped them somewhere. i feel like some would just want to throw them away. try to forget all that happened.

mathtans

Yeah.

RebelVampire

cause selling guns just sounds like a recipe for getting into jail

mathtans

Any fave secondary characters? I like the eyepatch guy, as I said... who can apparently see, I didn't expect that little tidbit. (It's nice to have some levity in there at times.)

RebelVampire

that would be my fave secondary character too just for the surprise my eyepatch is fake thing. i really enjoyed the moment in general cause everything was otherwise so serious, so it was good to have something a smidgen light-hearted

mathtans

He helped save them at the hotel too. Nice guy.

Wish I was better with names. (Angus? That feels not quite right.)

Tenor

4: They show Lev's friend is making steps to get clean and hopefully get off the streets. Out of those two he'd def be one to get out. But it's also more complicated than that because if France's homeless situation is any like ours it's not as simple as 'work hard' to get out. Sometimes without the right guidance, resource, will to be helped, or even with all of this you just can't get out. It's a mixed bag, really. Example if this were situated in america Lev, if he was indeed military, would probably be a Vet by the sounds of it and the homeless Vets in our nation is absolutely horrific due to the sheer amount of how the system is out to screw our soldiers.

RebelVampire

yeah i dont think their redemption is solely in their hands for sure. cause even if theyre willing, society is against them from the start. granted i think them being willing is also a big factor too. cause a lot of them do feel like they gave up at this point, which 100% ensures theyll probably not get out. its a sad situation

Tenor

(Also France has a universal health care that's apparently rated one of the best in the world so maybe he won't get sattled with a bill? /yay google)

mathtans

Well, and Ricky's issues with gambling were alluded to... but it doesn't seem like that's a thing he does any more. So that maybe helps him get off the street too?

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Hmm I don't know much about the later part of the story but I like how it seems like all the homeless people have a comunity within each other?

mathtans

Yeah, agreed on that, Feather. They honour their own fave spots and have bbqs and stuff. Nice.

RebelVampire

so with ten mins left, i want to say i didnt realize that the person who sat down with Lev in the latest update was the same person in the bg from the hospital

mathtans

Wait, really? I didn't pick up on that either.

RebelVampire

https://tapas.io/episode/231368

https://tapas.io/episode/819900

unless the clothes are an extreme coincidence XD

mathtans

I'll be darned. I wouldn't buy coincidence, no. But I imagine many people would have forgotten (if I can forget over the 3 days between when I read those, people will forget over 3 months or whatever). So... they know each other. That's all I can think.

Tenor

Considering they're really looking at Lev? Nah I think they recognize 'em.

RebelVampire

maybe theyre the person who helped him to the hospital or something somehow.

mathtans

Well, yeah, but it makes me wonder if maybe that wasn't the first time? Guardian angel in real life sort of thing?

Tenor

could be. Could be someone who knows 'em. Could be a potential major character later.

LOTS OF POTENTIALS

RebelVampire

it was david's sister all along come to ask Lev where the heck david is and why hes getting into white vans

Tenor

Hnn Can't wait to see where it go tho. :D I'm def really eager on seeing where things go with David (because if he's a runaway for being just essentially an unhappy brat I'm gunna shriek because that is a nightmare on a parent /one of my fears, my child is stubborn lmao)

LOL

TBF I did think a relative but only because the blond/light hair OTL

No real backing just a 'huh that'd be funny' xD

RebelVampire

nah that was the only reason i thought of it too

i mean chances are slim but not impossible

mathtans

Maybe she's the reason Lev stopped talking years ago.

He said something he regretted to her and decided not to speak again.

RebelVampire

if davids a runaway for being a brat im just gonna shake my head sadly. cause in a few years hes gonna realize he fucked up so hard.

mathtans

Maybe David reminds Lev of the mystery woman, that's why he wanted to help David.

I dunno. Good catch there though.

Spotting the similarity I mean.

RebelVampire

i only found it during the chat cause i was looking at the hospital scene

RebelVampire

and was like "wait a sec ive seen you before"

Unfortunately, the scheduled Comic Tea Party is now complete~! Thank you everyone so much for joining this week’s chat~! That being said, if you would like to continue discussing the comic, we encourage you to do so~! We want to give a big thank you to Jrej, as well, for volunteering Shades of Men for our reading queue. If you liked the comic, please be sure to support Jrej’s efforts. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions about CTP, please feel free to PM me, or e-mail me at RebelVampire@startfaire.com.

With that said, next week’s Comic Tea Party will focus on Nine Twilights by Andrea Rosales, Anne Mortensen-Agnew, and Chris Hansbrough. Please use this week to read as much of the comic as you would like. Hope to see you next Thursday (September 14th) from 5PM to 7PM PDT~! Until then~! Comic: http://www.ninetwilights.com/