#i only like found family dynamics when its not a family. its just a larger group dynamic

[aromaniacal]

aromantic’d tropes

enemies to more than enemies

slow burn except it never actually becomes romantic

found friend group (or 5-way rivals)

Only one bed. Only one guy. sleepin

Coffeshop work drama au

Rivals

Unrequitted love but not like an angst thing that guy is simply not into you

[byizoyas]

© byizoyas.

unserious. kamisato ayato x f!reader | NSFW

[ 3,5k words ] RATED EXPLICIT dirty talk, slight degradation kink, masturbation, rough sex, vaginal fingering, oral sex (reader giving), face fucking, slight spanking. soft ending. ceo kamisato ayato x employee!reader dynamic

you never craved praises and recognition.

you had been waking up at the right hour every working day of these past two years. you were always right on time.

the perfect employee. for a perfect employer.

you didn’t need things such as thanks. you thought you did just what you were supposed to do. most of the time you were leaving so late, the night had fallen already but no one was waiting for you at home so it wasn’t a bad thing to stay, right ?

that’s what you told yourself one more time when you looked up at the clock pending on the wall of the open space.

you’ve seen your colleagues leave one by one. and you were now alone. but not fully. indeed a light was still on. you walked in its direction, thinking someone forgot to switch it off and emitted a silly noise of surprise when bumping into someone.

‘i was just about to come and check on you.’ he calmly initiated the conversation. your heart was beating quite fast in your chest, and you gulped several times while trying to calm down.

it was indeed the fear of your life, and for that he apologized, bowing his head before you but you didn’t need such comedy. his only excuses were enough for you to move on.

only when your heartbeat stabilized, did you react to the words he spoke. ‘check on.. me ? why ?’ you asked.

not that no one ever cared for you. your friends and family did of course. but the man speaking to you now wasn’t any of these people. he was only a working man, employing you, giving you money to fill your duties.

but to have such a powerful man care about you, felt different indeed.

a playful smile formed itself on his lips, matching the expression in his purple eyes. the aura surrounding this man was suffocating but extremely attractive; as if you could never manage to go away.

as if he had you wrapped around his fingers. and he did. you just didn’t understand it yet.

‘of course. i see you working so late everyday. i genuinely appreciate your devotion. you are an important pillar to the success of my society, you do know that right ?’

the praises echoed in your ears, and it seemed like he would never stop complimenting you. it did feel good indeed, but you couldn’t handle more. you were already embarrassed to the point of feeling your cheeks burning.

‘aha um. yeah uh; thank you ay- sir Kamisato.’

you were not the most confident person ever, but to find yourself struggling that much was a first. you stuttered on almost every word you pronounced. and if it embarrassed you even more than you already were, it did make ayato laugh.

it was more like a slight giggle. not the mocking ones like. he seemed to genuinely find the situation funny.

‘you have the right to call me by my name, you won’t be punished for it.’ that last sentence sent multiple shivers down your spine.

his lips curled up in a slightly larger smile than before. he found the situation extremely pleasant you thought. yet you found it extremely uncomfortable.

kamisato ayato.

a renowned ceo. a powerful man. a hardworking leader. but moreover, a sadistic person.

watching you struggling around him while he played on your sensitive nerves felt extremely arousing to him.

but he had to admit, you were just the type of woman he liked. clever and passionate. hardworking and stubborn. a woman who could absolutely do his own job right. and perhaps even better than himself.

that last idea pleased him. you looked back at him, who had his eyes glued to you all along.

‘perhaps i should get back to work now, sir.’ you turned your back, hardly managing to break the eye contact. the whole atmosphere surrounding the two of you felt tensed as if anything could happen anytime.

you didn’t let him the time to respond that you were already sitting at your desk and he was still standing on the corridor.

he smiled again. of course you had turned your back on him so you couldn’t see it.

you tried hard to focus back on the several files resting on the wooden table that was yours. your mind was stuck on that image of your own boss smiling at you on a darkened area of your working place.

you were coming into this building everyday. you knew this place by heart after so many time employed here; yet it felt slightly different for a few minutes.

you shook your head, rubbing your face with your two hands. you didn’t give yourself the right to fantasize about that man.

his attitude had been flirtatious. but you were not from the same worlds. you shared a few hours of your time on the same cause, projects but that was all. your brain did think you stood a chance with him for a minute. a chance with kamisato ayato. but you didn’t, right ?

just when you desperately tried to get him out of your mind, you heard his familiar voice from behind your back. and judging by the sounds of steps getting closer to you, he was approaching.

he had no intention of letting go of you and you just understood it.

‘perhaps i could help with something.’ he suggested, sitting down on one of the two chairs resting in front of your desk.

he crossed his arms. looking up at him was already intimidating earlier, and now that he was on the same level as you it didn’t feel any better.

‘surely you trust me enough to take care of your files, do you ?’

it felt like he spoke of a whole different thing. but once again, you managed to reason yourself quickly.

‘surely i can.’ you replied, smiling back at him.

he approached the chair of your desk to get in a much more comfortable position as he started to read these pages. he got quiet all of a sudden and even the smile he always wore faded away from his face. and you did the same, reading your own file at the same time.

you finally managed to focus on your client, you focused so much that you actually didn’t notice the multiple glances ayato threw at you. soft at times. desiring at others. his eyes looked up and down your face.

your focused eyes combined to the way you gently bit your inferior lip while reading felt super attractive to him. and he quickly lost his concentration.

you did subconsciously switch roles. and now he was going crazy over you, imagining multiple things. he never knew his brain was so creative, not until it painted thousands of sceneries that somehow always ended up with the idea of him fucking you.

he pictured himself on top of you on his own office. he imagined you climbing on top of him, right here, right now, taking off your clothes and oh, how he wished he could see you without them.

very unserious behavior he thought.

he threw back the papers on your desk and got up from his chair, surprising you.

‘um. are you okay ?’ you asked. you, who were innocently working on an affair, had no idea of all the dirty things the man with you was thinking about.

‘i am alright. you’ll find me in my office if you need me.’ and just like that he was gone. you heard the door of his office close.

you weren’t much of an over thinker, but after such a weird change in his attitude you couldn’t help but ask yourself thousands of questions as to the reasons that might’ve pushed him to suddenly leave.

but you didn’t feel like going right now. perhaps he needed time. we all need some alone time and you thought he needed it now.

instead of thinking back of him, you worked. you used to do that a lot. work to avoid problems was a good solution. some people preferred to party and others to simply cry over it. well, you thought being productive instead was more beneficial to you.

and since you were super good at it too, you quickly finished treating the file. time had passed you thought when looking at the clock again. 2 am. you never stayed that late.

you heaved a long sigh thinking of all the time it would take you to finally get home; because the last bus had passed more than twenty minutes ago, and you were now forced to use your feet.

the idea sounded very much displeasant to you, already tiring you so you thought you had no time to lose and knocked on ayato’s office door.

‘come in.’ he said, and so you did right away.

he was sitting at his desk. his white shirt was slightly unbuttoned and it seemed he loosened his tie. this was the messiest appearance you’ve seen this man in, because he was always perfectly well dressed with a correct haircut.

if one asked you the meaning of elegance, then you’d tell them to look at the man before you.

you coughed quickly stopping your internal rambling. ‘i’m going to take my leave now, sir.’

you mentally scolded yourself for calling him sir once again after he kindly allowed you to use his first name; but you couldn’t help. he smiled at you, a much warmer smile this time and the atmosphere surrounding you before had long gone.

it reassured you, but you missed it a bit. you had to admit you liked whatever game he was playing with you.

‘is someone picking you up ?’ he asked.

he didn’t want you walking back home at night. not in such a big city. there was nothing good outside so late at night.

‘no, sir.’ you said. a reflex, once again. and you corrected yourself.

‘so you’re single y/n ?’

the question felt so out of place all of a sudden, and you quickly avoided his gaze, looking through the huge bay window that was on the left side of his desk, there was a little sofa in front of it. you kept your eyes on it for a moment before looking back at ayato who was now standing up and walking towards you.

he took your bag and put it on the little table on the corner of the room. ‘have a seat then, i will take you home.’

you felt your cheeks burning once more that night but it felt good, to have someone caring for you. ‘oh t-there is no need sir, i do not live that far from here.’ you reassured him but he insisted.

‘y/n, please. i am not letting you walk around inazuma city at night.’ the gentle smile on his lips melted your heart completely and so you went to the sofa, sitting on it.

it was actually much more comfortable than your own bed and that was when you realized the difference between your universes.

a normal employee, working to gain enough money to live and go out from time to time and that’s it.

a ceo, working whenever he wants to work, giving the equivalent amount of money he spent on clothes to people so that they can pay their bills.

this idea severely broke your heart. thinking back of all the times tonight where you imagined that man being interested by you; and telling yourself you were only being delusional.

just as you were thinking about it, you felt a hand caressing your hair, and quickly turned back to look at him.

ayato’s expression had changed drastically. his eyes were filled with a passionate flame.

‘do you want it y/n ?’ he didn’t enter the details with his question but it was pretty much obvious what he talked about.

you didn’t reply, but the desire starting to burn inside of you seemed to gain control over your actions when you threw yourself into his arms, crashing your lips onto his.

you craved it. you craved his touch, his kisses and you only needed a word to go for it. your eyes were closed, and your senses amplified. he slipped his hands under your white shirt.

the contact between your warm tummy and his cold hands felt electric.

his caressed your back, pulling you closer to him until you ended up on his lap.

‘ha- ah- are you sure it is right for us to do this sir?’

ayato laughed. a genuine laugh. and you didn’t know what was so funny to him. but him laughing while biting your skin sent vibrations through your body.

his caresses felt good. his kisses too. but the way his warm tongue explored your neck felt insanely arousing.

‘y/n…’ he whispered against your skin while dropping kisses on your shoulders and he started unbuttoning your shirt, quickly throwing it away. ‘do you want to go back y/n ? i believe i won’t be able to control myself any longer now.’

to his question you only pulled his hair. ‘i want you to lose control of yourself.‘

a smile painted on his face, and he pushed you to his side, getting up and pulling on your arms for you to do the same.

he kissed you, much more gently than before, caressing your hair again, putting a strand of your hair back behind your right ear.

‘i am going to fuck you the dirtiest way i’ve ever fucked anyone.’

his vulgar words did surprise you. he; who always talked calmly with a very much classy vocabulary, was now dirty talking to you and you loved the sudden change.

he made you turn around, and you both approached the window.

his lips found their way back into your neck, kissing, licking and biting it as if it was his. ayato was truly changed now. all he thought of was your body, fully naked, shaking in pure pleasure.

he needed this.

he needed you. fully.

‘admire the view y/n. isn’t it breathtaking ?’ he asked, and shoved two of his fingers inside your cunt without warning.

‘a-ah ayato’ you moaned, doing as he ordered. the view was indeed beautiful so up in the skyscraper, but you found it hard to focus on it with ayato fingering you.

his left thumb was caressing your clit pretty slowly, meanwhile the fingers of his right hand was caressing your insides, finding just the right spots to touch to make you shiver.

‘ngh right there’ you said after ayato found your sensitive place, and he sped up the pace. he didn’t care how fast you’d reach orgasm, because he intended on fucking you all night.

take you home he said ? he didn’t think he’d be able to let you go now.

‘do you want me to fill you up ? see the state you’ve put me into’ he said, approaching his cock to your ass and you indeed felt how hard he got.

‘what i want, is to take care of it.’ you said. you never imagined yourself being this bold when you pushed him back onto his desk chair and spoke these words.

you quickly got on your knees, ready to do as you said and take care of his boner. ‘oh y/n, you’re making me go insane.’

he observed the slightest movement of yours when you went to unzip his pants.

he brought his hand to his face, but couldn’t stop himself from moaning after you shoved his full length inside of your warm mouth. it felt good. your mouth circling his cock pleased him indeed and you could feel it from all the little noises he tried to hide but failed to.

you adored how vocal he was. he moaned again and again. ‘ngh~ let me fuck your mouth y/n. fuck you feel so good.’ he gripped your hair and moved his hips. the sight of that man moving his body to please himself with your mouth was just too good and you couldn’t help but moan too.

you were just like a sexual object but you didn’t mind being treated as such. ayato’s moans were so good to hear and his dick tasted heavenly good.

he kept on face fucking you for a while, enjoying both the feeling of your mouth warming his cock and the lewd sounds filling up the room.

he pulled on your hair and masturbated himself. ‘lick my balls like a good whore y/n’ he commanded. you sticked out your tongue moving it up and down his length and finally licked his balls as he asked you to. ‘mh~ yeah you’re so fucking good. fuck fuck, stop.’ he pushed you away, getting up from his chair.

‘i won’t cum before i fuck your cunt.’ he locked your chin in his thumb and index, forcing you to look up into his purple eyes. the reflection of his desire for you was pretty hot.

he threw his stuff away from his desk, and made you lay on it. your tits against the cold wooden counter sent a few electric shocks in your whole body.

ayato held your neck with a hand and helped himself slip inside of you with the other.

‘oh~ngh fuck, it’s even better than i imagined it’ he said, starting slowly thrusting in and out of you and as much as he wanted make it last, he had the urge of reaching the orgasm after he craved you the whole night.

‘you’re taking me so well y/n. and you’re fucking yourself on my dick too, i like it.’

in the end he stopped moving, leaving you the full control over the sex you had. ‘fuck me harder, and faster too ngh’ you managed to ask between two desperate moans.

ayato was panting, and his irregular breath was hot to hear, arousing you to the point where you felt yourself getting even wetter.

ayato wasn’t going easy on you after you begged for it to be harder. he gripped your plump ass. ‘your pussy is squeezing me so tight mhh you like it rough don’t you ?’

you didn’t reply, but he didn’t need you to, to know he had made a correct assumption. his thrusts got harder by now and he spanked you several times, slapping your ass so hard you actually had the mark of his roughness on it. and you craved for more.

‘who knew a sweet and perfect employee, wearing a religiously correct outfit to work, was hiding such a dirty whore craving to be fucked merciless. you’re so fucking hot y/n.’ ayato pulled on your hair, kissing your neck eagerly, moaning into your ear.

‘ayato~’ you moaned his name.

you who found it hard to say it earlier, you were now making it sound like the most vulgar thing in the world with the way you screamed it. good thing no one was left at the office to hear your slutty whines as you asked for more of his cock.

ayato giggled. he loved to think he was the only one able to see you in such a vulnerable way. naked. asking for him to fuck you.

a moaning mess that’s what you were but you couldn’t help it, he felt too good when stuffing your dripping cunt with his hard cock.

‘turn around and look at me while i cum.’

you did as he said, laying on your back.

he got back inside of you and you missed it even if he had only retire himself for about ten seconds. it felt too long already. you felt the need to have him thrusting in you all night long, but he was close to cum and you knew it.

one of his hand was playing with your tits while the other took care of caressing and pinching your clit, making you cum a few times. crazy how he only discovered your body now, yet it seemed like he knew it by heart, touching you where you specifically liked to be touched.

‘will you let me cum inside of you y/n ?’ he asked. you weren’t so sure but the way your body naturally invited him to replied for you.

‘fuck’ ayato moaned one last time, his brows pinched together and his face slowly turning into an ecstatic expression. he was so hot. you felt the urge to kiss him again and so you pulled him closer, his chest resting on yours and both your tongues caressing each other’s in a very lustful and languid kiss. he had reached orgasm. with you. and now you were making out on his desk, your legs wrapped around his waist, as if subconsciously begging for him to never let you go.

and he didn’t. he planted many kisses on your face and chest, slowly trying to calm down his breath.

‘you’re beautiful.’ there he was again. the kamisato ayato who treated you with respect. the one who called you anything but a whore.

you loved both parts of him. although you only got to know his dirty personality tonight as he fucked you raw. but he had warned you, and you pretty much asked for it.

indeed you loved both parts of him, but when he stared at you with a gentle look you’ve never seen before, and asked you to go out on a date with him later, you thought he actually had a soft spot too.

and you loved that third aspect of that man, making you want to get to know everything about him. perhaps that’s why you agreed right away;

making him the happiest man ever at this very moment.

A/N: so at first i simply wanted to make a long version of my hcs BUT HOLY SHIT THIS IS THE FIRST SMUT FULL FIC IVE EVER COMPLETED KDWKKDD so idk how it’ll be received and if y’all will like it but i can say i am satisfied w it

[moseslikellamas]

♱𖣂 Redfork Menace ♱𖣂 pt.8

Benjicot Blackwood x Bracken!OC

Summary - Benjicot continues making plans and Shanda lives through her first “trial”.

Warnings - fem!reader, suspense, mentions of injuries, adult language, period typical misogyny, condescension, adult language, complicated family dynamics, feud behavior, misplaced rage, feelings of guilt, manipulation, benjicot brainrot, Kieran Burton fancast.

Word count - 2.2k

I do believe in women’s rights I swear. I’m just willing to let one (1) man talk about women’s wrongs for a moment. Whatever you say, gorgeous.

!MINORS DNI!

Shanda was awake before dawn. The weather had taken a turn for the worse during the night and she had awakened to the rumbling sound of thunder. The very ground beneath her had shook in its wake and she had lied there, listening. She probably should’ve spent the extra time on preparing a defense against the crimes raised against her but she didn’t. Instead she allowed herself a rare luxury and thought of her mother. Her mother had been larger than life, eclipsing her in the best way possible.

Her mother was always telling jokes, crafting them in such a way that they landed only for who she intended. She would make jokes about Shanda’s father with him in the room and none the wiser. She had been a master at solving arguments, a skill Shanda was sorely lacking. Her own internal fuse seemed permanently set to dangerously short. She needed distance from the problem and time to map it out. She was afforded neither at the present time and so she didn’t try. Whatever mockery of a trial they decided to conduct wouldn’t satisfy her father, of that she was sure. But she still yearned for her mother’s jokes. She hadn’t had a good laugh in ages.

A girl had been sent in eventually to help her dress. She had allowed it once she saw the dress lent to her. It was spun gold, so beautiful it made her want to cry. The fabric wasn’t fancy by any means, the pattern simple but it was gold. She briefly wondered why they’d possess such a color but dismissed it from her mind. Surely not everyone’s mind was so poisoned by the feud that even certain colors were off limits. Once dressed, she’d simply stared out the window waiting. The storm raged on, still swirling out of control. Not a far cry from how she felt inside, a bizarre twisting horror of emotions.

A knock on the door turned her attention outwardly. The door opened to reveal the heir once again. Today he wore a dark colored tunic and for once, no sword. Upon closer inspection of the shirt, she found it looked the color of dried blood. So he wanted them to contrast.

“Good morning, my lady. You look well. I trust you slept well?”

She stared at him, dumbfounded.

“How did I sleep?”

“That is what I asked, my lady.”

His expression was serious and unwavering as she stared at him, her mouth near agape.

“I slept horrible, my not so good sir. I’ll thank you for naught.”

Then he looked genuinely concerned, confusing her even further.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Was it the storm? This has been an unprecedented season. Might be we’ll have an early autumn this year. No way to tell just yet, I’m afraid.”

He blabbered on about gods know what and she let him, still trying to restart her brain. What was with the lady bit? And since when did he speak to her like a normal person? She wondered if Alysanne had knocked him over the head in his sleep, changing his brain chemistry. That seemed like a viable option. Or maybe the change in air pressure was messing with her head.

“-en the limbs are on the ground, tangled in the roots. Not a good time at all. But no worse than an errant leaf in the eye while you’re trying to swin…”

Maybe she had died when she fell in the river and this was some weird vision from the gods. This could be an atonement for ripping her family apart in a war over her death.

“Anyway your trial awaits, my lady.”

She looked up from her clasped hands to him at that. “Uh huh, for sure. Tell me, what exactly are you hoping to achieve at this trial?”

She walked up beside him and he grabbed her arm without her permission, as if to guide her out.

“That’s easy, my lady. Justice.”

***

Benjicot did not sleep a wink that night. He lay awake dreaming of the woman just a room away. He’d made sure to place her in his personal wing of the castle. There was no chance, he was letting her out of his sight. Not with her propensity to jump up and start running. He couldn’t throw her in a jail cell, she was a lady. So he posted a guard and slept next door.

He had spent the entire night planning his arguments for the trial. Not so much for the one following in the morning, but the inevitable one at Riverrun. The majority of his plan relied upon wooing her before then. He was not very concerned about that aspect. He was more concerned with how to frame the situation in a way Lord Elmo Tully wouldn’t be able to refuse. That meant lots of wooing. How would he look proposing a marriage if all she had were stories of him being a brute? He stood by knocking her in the mud, and desperately yearned for a chance to do it again, but it didn’t exactly scream ‘suitor’. If he played his cards right, she’d have more positive thoughts than negative.

Phase one of this was finding ways to drag out the conflict. He needed to spend time around her, get to know her. Allow her see that life was definitely better outside of Bracken walls and maybe give her the sense of purpose she was obviously looking for. That’s why he had called for the trial at dawn. It was unusual to hold a trial this quickly but when he heard the storm raging, he escalated it. His father had grumbled at him, something about ‘young idiot men’ and then said he’d be in the main hall. He called for it because the storm was raging. Every brother she had would be itching to get over here and represent her in a trial. He wanted to deny them that privilege, the gods were not going to decide this trial. She would have no representation if she called for a trial by combat and he would break any Blackwood who volunteered knees.

His mind drifted back to her, lying in bed. She had looked softer, more relaxed despite him barging in on her sleep. Most of all he thought of how soft her skin was and the way she had leaned into his touch. He knew she had an unholy amount of siblings, an emotionally unavailable father and a recently passed mother. There was no doubt she wasn’t getting enough attention at home, he doubted she got any at all. But that was fine, because he had plenty of free time to share and more than enough affection. He wondered how he might next get his arms around her.

***

Shanda stood accused, her face pinched in a sour expression. She was right in her assessment of the trial being a farce. In the main hall was Lord Samwell Blackwood, herself, the accuser, Alysanne and a Maester for recording purposes. She had burst out laughing upon seeing the ink and parchment the Maester was holding. Unable to help herself, she had nearly doubled over before she had recovered.

“I beg your pardon my lord. I suppose every circus must have an audience even if it’s false advertising. For who’d read this script and call it a court? Have we no witnesses?”

Lord Blackwood had simply stared at her his face unamused but his eyes holding a familiar sparkle.

“Right. Well, Benji read the charges.”

“Excuse you, do I have no rights here? Do I not get my own council or perhaps a trial by combat?”

In a bored tone, he’d replied, “Have a look outside dear, no soul is coming in this. Not even one from the village, let alone your neck of the woods. Benji, read the charges.”

She quit listening then, not even bothering to try to hear the case being made against her.

“Your defense?”

“I’ve committed no crimes. Lord Grover Tully ruled the river to be the middle of the borderlands which is shared land. It's not my problem your guards cluck like hens the second they're left alone. I protest these charges and I protest whatever half-cocked sentence you see fit to bestow.”

“Right well. If that’s all we’ll move to sentencing.”

She nodded her assent.

“For the crimes of trespassing, spying, and attempting to cause grievous harm upon the heir of Raventree, I Lord Samwell Blackwood, do hereby sentence you to death. Court adjourned.”

She stood frozen to the spot as the disinterested lord left his seat, the door echoing closed behind him. She felt a hand on her shoulder.

“I did tell you not to protest.” Alysanne said, before exiting herself.

She stood there seething with rage before spinning around to face the evil that had signed her death sentence. He stood behind her looking grim.

“You. You absolute buffoon!” She accentuated every word with a shove into his chest. But he never budged an inch.

“Oh I hope Lord Elmo turns you into a toad with the help of a Crannogman. Of all the stupid things to start a war over, you know my brothers might die for this? For this gossiping guards trial? Oh let the Stranger take us all, Blackwood and Bracken both. It’s become clear to me we do not possess the mental faculties needed even to take in air.”

She wasn’t even really talking to him in the end. She was talking to herself. Martyn bloodied on the borderlands grass, Royce scattered about the Redfork, that was not a future she could bear to live in.

“Ah you worry too much, my lady. Your father has probably already written to Riverrun. You’ll be out of this in n-“

“Call me lady one more fucking time, you piece of utter garbage, and I’ll scale the walls out of a window. I swear it on the gods and the memory of my mother. I don’t want to go to Riverrun, I’ve been to Riverrun. We go there, have a stupid argument that sullies the mind of anyone who hears it, receive a ruling no one likes and then go home and ignore it! Ugh, men. No accountability, just whatever happens doesn’t matter because you’ll take it as it comes. Well here’s a shocking concept, not everyone is as privileged as you. What do you think happens to me when we hash out the finer details of this matter?”

She’d continued to shove him throughout the tirade and it was helping her mood exponentially.

“Something bad happens to me. Because I don’t get to carry a sword and say what I want.”

She ran out of steam at that. Her hands dropping back to her sides and her head slumping. Looking down at her feet she was taken by surprise when his arms wrapped around her. For a moment she thought the worst of him, thinking she’d said too much. Maybe she’d finally pissed him off. But his arms remained soft and he pulled her gently against his chest. He was hugging her. She stayed there, stiff as a board for a moment before relaxing. When was the last time someone had hugged her?

His chest rumbled as he spoke into her hair. “Don’t worry baby, I wouldn’t let anyone harm you.”

She felt cold and hot at the same time as his words registered. His hand spanned most of her back and was holding her firmly, rubbing back and forth.

“We won’t put you to death. And I think we will find a good resolution this time at Riverrun. It’ll be your trial and I promise not to advocate for war. That sounds better right? I promise not to call you my lady again.”

Shanda stood there in the arms of her enemy while he pledged to make her happy. It was laughable, it was preposterous. It was… an addictive rush. It was wrong, fucked up in the purest sense. It gave her the same feeling as sneaking out of the castle had. Alive, lit up like lightning striking.

“Come on, doesn’t that sound better. Answer me baby.”

She couldn’t breathe as he nuzzled into her neck, breathing lightly against her ear.

“I… I, um. Yes.” she managed in a strangled whisper as he wound his hand through her hair to cradle the back of her head.

“Mm. I think so too.” He pulled them apart, still holding her head, so they could look at each other.

The hand that wasn’t holding her, came up to rub her bottom lip. “I’m full of good ideas. You should listen to me more often.”

“I would not care to hear what you have to say.” She lied.

He leaned in closer, causing her breath to hitch involuntarily.

“Are you sure about that?”

“I’m…”

Incapable of communicating human thought. Her logical brain was gone. It was off somewhere trying to triangulate how she could sneak a letter off to Martyn. A letter that screamed for him to come now, come today. Better yet come yesterday and save her from this moment. Because she did want to hear more of his ideas. It was antithetical to what she should want, what she had convinced herself she wanted.

“That’s okay, pretty baby. Let me do the thinking for both of us.”

[annalyticall]

Saw your tags about MHA being a lesson in restraint when it comes to having different opinion than the fandom norm and please take this ask as an excuse to share your MHA thoughts <- I want to know them if you're willing to share

Oh ho ho I will gladly talk about how my MHA opinions differ from fandom thank you for the opportunity. That said I'm basing what 'fanon' is on what seems to be most popular in fan fics and popular posts I see on Twitter and Tumblr

Also I'm breaking this up into sections because I've noticed a lot of my fanon opinions tends to overlap

Fanon uses character interactions as proof of ships, cliques, or found families instead of considering each interaction as part of a narrative whole. Now, I know this isn't unique to MHA, every fandom does this to some extent, however with a cast as large as MHA's it's more prevalent when so many ships overlap. Each major or even minor interaction is "proof" of a ship being canon and is more or less valid than "proof" for other ships - meanwhile the narrative so rarely cares about romance (barring the Toga/Uraraka/Deku subplot) that arguing about any of that feels very pointless. Bakudeku shippers are the most guilty to me about this; for example, in a recent chapter when Deku thinks about how Iida held his hand and helped him feel calm (a moment that ties into the larger narrative theme of helping a lost child by taking their hand), I saw Bakudeku shippers try to pretend Deku was actually thinking about how much he wanted to hold Bakugo's hand since he never took it in their youth, despite that never being hinted at. I don't even dislike Bakugo or Bakudeku as a ship but it gets so grating when I see big moments for other characters get watered down because they don't fit a shipping lens, which goes doubly for MHA where the narrative supports the idea that everyone is important and everyone should help everyone no matter who they are to them.

While I'm beating the Bakudeku hornet's nest I might as well throw in my grievances with the Erasermic Family and its persistence in almost every. Single. Fic. Or at least the ones I read because Aizawa is one of my favorite characters, but so many Aizawa-related fics I've read seem intent on making Present Mic his husband and Shinsou his adopted son. Listen. Erasermic is fine. It's fine. I even like it from time to time. I just wish it wasn't a fanfic staple because I actually think their canon relationship of comfortable-yet-somewhat-strained old high school friends is much more interesting to explore, especially with the twist of Shirakumo's fate. It also cheapens Present Mic sometimes, because Present Mic is usually portrayed in these fics as... how should I say this... motherly? Wife-like. I don't like that. He's a silly goofy guy but he's also impulsive and angry and puts on a facade and that nuance almost never gets translated when he's transplanted into a domestic familial role with Aizawa. Shinsou being Aizawa's son also feels like it cheapens Shinsou's character arc in a way? I don't hate the son theory I guess but Aizawa clearly only trained him, not adopted him, and making Shinsou a "mini-me" of sorts tends to blur his actual character and motivations to be the same as Aizawa's when they're not. The only dynamic here that has any canon foothold is Aizawa being an adoptive father to Eri. I think Aizawa being a dad to most of the other kids is overblown sometimes but he will always be Eri's dad to me. Present Mic is like her goofy uncle.

Fanon loves making backstories too tragic. Two of the most popular fic tropes I see either makes Midoriya's mom abusive or gives Shinsou a muzzle and abusive foster family, which... okay, one thing I really love about MHA canon is that everyone has a good reason for what they do and everyone suffers a little hardship due to the way society is all in varied and relatable ways. Characters like Midoriya and Shinsou DO suffer in canon but not any more than being bullied in middle school for their quirk or lack of quirk, which I think works well enough for two boys who still aspire to be good and still have some faith in the system that hurt them like most people in this universe do. Characters like Toga, Twice, and Shigaraki already have plenty of tragedy to justify their villainy, as well as Hawks who also has a tragic backstory and serves as a hero counter for them, so it doesn't appeal to me to so often give that pain tenfold to characters who don't fit those roles beyond a what-if exercise.

Fanon takes things characters say at face value and accepts the most shallow interpretation of a character. This is especially true for liars like Dabi and Hawks, who often say one thing and mean another. It's not as much of a problem at current since both Hawks and Dabi are probably at their most authentic in canon right now, but it's still an issue in fics I read where Hawks is presented genuinely as a flirty and cocky hero and Dabi is presented genuinely as someone who doesn't care about anyone but himself. It's really frustrating when something I love about Hawks is his nuanced interactions with almost every other character, which are always glossed over in his discourse. I'll give two of the most glaring examples:

I've almost never seen a take about this scene that justifies why Hawks does this - I usually only see comments about how he's getting into Todoroki's space, isn't aware of personal boundaries, or is being too nosy in the family drama. To me, the answer to why he does this is clearly deeper: he's dropping his laid-back facade and asking a serious question all while putting himself in Todoroki's shoes and planting himself firmly on Todoroki's side. He wants an answer to the scar because the answer is important to him; if Endeavor was the one who inflicted it, it would have tarnished the view he had of his old hero because Hawks knows what it's like to have an abusive father. This is only further cemented when later on Hawks says Todoroki is better than he is because Todoroki is finding it within himself to help the parents who hurt him, unlike Hawks, who feels he abandoned his own.

There's also this and other panels during the fight with Twice ("I'll be sure to tell that to the league") where Hawks seems to be rubbing salt in the wound and overall being a dick about betraying Twice's trust, and I've seen the interpretation here that Hawks is simply being a dick because he is one. And, I mean, this isn't to say that Hawks can't be a dick sometimes, but in the moment it feels like a culmination of two things: 1. Half of this interaction is framed through Twice's POV, so of course we're seeing the worst of Hawks here, and 2. Hawks is intentionally distancing himself from the Hawks he knows would have gladly been Twice's friend, because he knows there's a chance he might have to kill him. Whenever we're in Hawks' head during this fight, it's always focusing on how much he doesn't want to fight Twice and how much hope he has for things to turn out for the better. When he finally makes up his mind that he can't turn it in his favor, he turns cold and harsh again, probably as a coping mechanism similar to Lady Nagant's. Also frustrating when people use this as an example of in-universe police brutality when in actuality Hawks is a groomed child soldier acting very hesitantly to fulfill government orders. Those two issues are not the same.

Oversimplification isn't contained to Dabi and Hawks, though. Kaminari flirts sometimes so all he is is a flirt, Midoriya cries sometimes so he's submissive and weak, Iida is bossy sometimes so he's a goody-two-shoes stick-in-the-mud. One-note fanon characterizations plague almost every character and that does almost none of the actual characters justice. Any character with more relevance than, say, Ojiro has more than one side to them in canon that doesn't get captured all that much in fanon.

Fanon overanalyzes things that are Shonen convention. It's funny, on one hand, I think fanon interprets characters too shallowly, and on the other, I think it reaches far too deep to draw conclusions where the actual answer is "because the author wanted it." Aizawa and All Might bear the brunt of this mischaracterization because they're the main adults in this series, so all of their missteps feel overanalyzed to prove an abuse of authority when actually it's just irrational decisions made to keep the story moving forward. "All Might was irresponsible for telling a quirkless kid he didn't have a chance at becoming a hero and leaving him alone on a roof" I guarantee you the implications of that was probably not even a thought when that scene was written, and if it was, All Might certainly wouldn't have assumed them or else he would have dealt with that differently. "Aizawa is a bad teacher for not expelling Bakugo after he almost killed Deku in their first test" if he expelled Bakugo or had properly dealt with their toxic relationship earlier we would not have a story. "Aizawa is a bad teacher for not expelling Mineta for being a creepy weirdo" if he expelled Mineta then Horikoshi wouldn't have his favorite comic relief pervert archetype. Sometimes we just have to say "Horikoshi wanted this to happen so that's why it happened that way" and move on.

Fanon has selective memory and short attention span. Maybe this is just because there seemed to be a falling off of fandom participation around the time of Season 5, but a lot of fanon I've seen seems stuck in pre-season 5 era characterizations, sometimes even pre-Season 3. Bakugo and Endeavor both have some of the best character developement in the series, and Aizawa also has a lot of subtle growth, but people tend to focus on how bad Bakugo and Endeavor were in Season 1-3 and how good Aizawa is in Season 4, even though Aizawa was also kind of an asshole Season 1-3. It tends to lead to some cartoonishly evil takes on Bakugo and Endeavor and overly-saccharine takes on "Dad"zawa. I say this also as someone who loves Aizawa and is fairly neutral on Bakugo and Endeavor, but I just don't think fanon takes in the whole picture of their character arc sometimes.

Those are my big umbrella opinions, I have more minute ones (especially regarding Iida, Aizawa, and Hawks) but I've already ranted long enough. I know a lot of this comes down to a young fanbase but to be honest the people I tend to disagree the most with are my age so I can't chalk it all up to that lol. Anyways thanks for the chance to rant!

[kerink]

ben and i were on vc last night ironing out some wtse stuff and we got on the topic of what fear rules desert bluffs too and how that all shakes out. and i've talked before about how it's ruled by the flesh but benny finally asked the pressing question: what about the corruption?

and i'm so glad they brought it up because for a couple days i'd been thinking about how, if at all, the corruption fits into it.

in wtse the fears aren't divided and identified the same way they are in TMA,because the fear designations in that universe were just something smirke and his buddies came up with and not The Real Thing and night vale's universe provides different opportunities for the fears to present themselves in different ways. night vale is ruled by an amalgamation of the beholding and the spiral, for example. not the beholding and spiral jon knows, but close enough to be familiar

and while there are slaughter-y elements to desert bluffs, senseless violence isn't a core tenant. the violence is controlled and purposeful, even if it may not seem necessary to someone outside of the culture. it isn't really violence for violence sake, whether it's for food or decor or worship purposes, there is always an identifiable motive or rational for causing harm

and putting aside the fact they worship a big bug, the joyous congregation does have some of the corruption in it, namely the import it places on community and conformity. the corruption is, after all, an entity that works off the power of love, of belonging to a larger process, of being so entwined with it you let it literally eat you alive.

makes me think of a hive of grinning office workers, whose worth is only measured by their productivity.

but also, in it devours when darryl is showing nilanjana the Eleven Stages of Human Education, it seems like the primary figure killed its family to keep them close

the line "had a toothy smile—or possible snarl?" always reads to me in the same tone as when people comment about kevin "is that a smile," and given kevin founded the church and stephanie muses they use fox imagery because kevin likes foxes it makes more wonder about kevin's own beliefs about keeping his loved ones close

which then makes me wonder about what someone (i think it was bulk) said to me about kevin not being interested in carlos' work, only the results. more importantly, that kevin wanted carlos to keep finding results, he wanted to keep carlos busy, and he wanted to keep carlos busy to keep carlos in the DOW

one of the first faults carlos has to over come in WTNV is being a workaholic, it's the first complaint cecil has when they start dating. but when carlos goes to the DOW kevin pulls that fault right back out of him, encourages and enables him to keep working. and work is the excuse he gives cecil about why he can't leave. a toxic dynamic forms between kevin and carlos where kevin brings out the worst in carlos in order to keep him there

and thats what the joycon does: it encourages working yourself so hard you have no energy left for anything else and encourages you to keep yourself ignorant except for what the pastor spoon feeds you. and all of this is for the good of the community, the good of the collective

anyway, i'm at that point where i either need to stop or i'll start really getting on my soap box. the point is, dbt is flesh-corruption aligned

[ben-the-hyena]

So I found out Elemental made a huge comeback and went from the worst Pixar fail to the biggest Disney success since 2019 !!! I am SO happy for it I thought it would have failed but no the word-to-mouth was apparently phenomenal and I can almost boast I loved it before it was cool !

In the dirty face of Encanto who finally got beaten, fuck off narcissictic family dynamics apologizing movie, make way to ACTUAL family pressure that DO seem believable when resolved because it IS apparent they actually do care from the start all while being a great romance and being a social racial commentary at that

And in your FACE Tumblr who HOPED it would bomb and made bad faith posts calling it ugly and problematic without watching it because it wasn't about a LGBT allegory like other movies you were determined to dickride and overly promoted as the BEST MOVIE EVAAAA because no other reason over than GAE (you ALL know which...) and because you keep blaming Disney for being unoriginal but refuse to watch its few original content then do a surprised Pikachu face at the 1828th live action remake, and because you assumed it would be problematic (the word that has the least meaning and impact left nowadays) from bad marketing alone while it is an immigrant 2nd generation story first AND a romance second. But no instead let's praise stunning and brave unnecessary remakes for coloring a character ON PURPOSE TO CAUSE REACTIONS because they know it would have failed otherwise and nobody would care, and those caring only for that shallow bait as if that would beat racism and calling racists those who don't think it makes sense. And now it's gonna rinse and repeat with "WHO NEEDS STRAIGHT ROMANCE STRONG WOMEN DON'T NEED IT THEY CAN SAVE THEMSELVES WOMEN WHO NEED TO BE SAVED ARE WEAK" as if that were not mysoginistic

Either way, Ember and Wade are the superior Pixar couple and I wish they are making out over all those who rejoiced it failed because they can't enjoy anything anymore equally and only see them as RRRRIVALS to their beloved stories, the larger audience ultimately made their choice proving the world is very different from what Tumblr thinks it is and even if I know I won't see any other post celebrating here because "NOT our movie uwu" I just know it is real. The fandom does exist and won't need you

[lavena]

So I've been listen to The Narcissist Cookbook recently and "I think I'm going to leave my phone at home tonight" has been on repeat and for some reason I can't get Michelangelo out of my head with this song. It doesn't sound like him or have the usual vibe of him, but its sticking. So rather than simply satiate my need for mikey content specifically in the 07 verse by scrolling through the entire tag once more, I have been crafting the story my head has been picking at me to make. While I almost feel as though the 12 stem adhd kid that mikey is would work well with this. 07 has a special place in my heart and I was throughly stripped of all my content from that universe. So here is my headcannon:

Splinter sends each of his sons on a journey of self discovery. Leo was the first ( get where 07 is coming in now eh), he went to South America and spent 2 years finding what he though Splinter sent him to find. " What it means to be a Leader and a Ninja" he came home expecting his brothers to fall in line with their old dynamics, but they had spent those years changing just as much if not more than he had.

A bit after the Winters debacle Raph was sent on his journey, he took Splinters words as " find what it is you are fighting for" he left to Canada, spending a touch over a year exploring the wilderness, trying to find inner peace and what it was he fought for. In the end he discovered he was never fighting against anything, he was protecting. Raph may be violent and volatile, but he protects to a fault. He came home with a different sense of self and with a new ferocity to protect the people of his town and his brothers.

Despite Donatellos reluctance to leave Mikey after the relation they had built up during the years of feeling as though they were the only family they had left, Donnie was next to leave. He tried to remain close should any of his brothers need to contact him or need help from him. Don traveled through the US, going from college town to college town, interviewing students in the night and speaking at event remotely in the day. He meet new people, gained a wealth of new knowledge, and found what he felt his purpose was. To learn, and to teach. When he cam back home after two and a half years, he became a professor for online classes with the University of New York, and continued to learn all he could manage.

Michelangelo was the last to leave. He had spent all these years working and making sure the Lair stayed running throughout his brothers excursions, by the time he left he was nearly 23. He left the farthest, a cross the sea to the lands of old. He explored waterfront Europe, looking at the works of the original Michelangelo, finding art and graffiti that caught his eye. Michelangelo had the most trouble trying to figure what his fathers words ment. Throughout nearly 5 years Michelangelo was left to roam, he sent his last message to his family at his 2nd year mark, simply stating " I think I'm going to leave my phone at home tonight". They lost connection with him after that until a single message was sent to splinter alone. His eldest 3 sons peeked in to listen to the video message their littlest brother sent. Michelangelo looked calm. Peaceful, but most of all, he looked serious. In his message he slowly explained his journey in the only way Mikey know how.

The city doesn't look like any other

It is piled on top of itself, like layers of sediment

I followed a path that felt level enough

Across roads and down alleys and then coming to a railing

I look over and I see the roof of a dizzying cathedral beneath me

That ten minutes earlier I had been staring up at, in wonder

The city is a curse on cartographers

Bridges passing over bridges

Streets stacked upon streets upon streets

Parallel worlds, never quite meet

Buildings larger inside than out

Non-descript doors that lead somehow to entire hidden towns

Stairwells stretch ever up and ever down

And all of this, I strongly suspect

Moving, and changing when no one is around

The city sleeps, and it sleeps deeply

Drawing long heavy breaths

You might mistake for the groan of traffic

Or the groan of machinery

And when it dreams

The empty streets swell with figments of its dreaming

Like you

Like me

You and me, we

Peer curiously down back alleys

We scale cathedrals and cling to their spires

To crawl with the gargoyles

We scratch dark prophecy into bathroom stall walls

And answer calls on disconnected payphones

And through our eyes and our hearts and mouths

The city begins to know itself

Through our missed exits, bad calls, and wrong turns

It thoroughly, painstakingly, maps itself out

Michelangelo learned a message much different than his brothers. Michelangelo was know well for making mistakes and his goofy nature often caused problems. But throughout his years he realized that no one is perfect, and those imperfections are what makes life so exciting,. Its why humans, or more closely to him, conscious beings, were so rare. Were we cities they could never be fully mapped out. There will be brilliant sites only seen through hard endeavors, climbing a mountain, scaling a sky scraper, diving deep into an abyss, or following your heart through wrong directions and strange turns. No person can be fully mapped out. But taking the time to search within someone to get to know their strangeness and taking a leap unsure of what lies ahead. We can get to know ourselves just a bit more.

[paragonrobits]

I've seen a lot of discussion lately about how a lot of fandom work that is transformative towards fanfic often tends to just flatten what makes those stories unique in flavor of playing out motifs that people happen to like (example, ignoring relationships in favor of fan-favored ones that lean more towards a common dynamic), and Transformers fandom does a fair amount of this, in a variant that is specifically about ignoring canonical team dynamics and the faction's actual character in favor of a found family dynamic

So apparently its popular, especially among Optimus/Megatron shippers, to depict the Decepticons as a found family that treat Optimus right when he joins them in this fics. That on its own is not too noteworthy; i personally find this off-putting, of course, and the fandom in general has this aspect of ignoring the Decepticons canonically being overly genocidal supremacists whose internal politics tend to shift between borderline worship of a Strong Man or extreme survival of the fittest mentality. That's PARTIALLY related to why I find this particular trope confusing, but that's not the main bit.

Rather, its that the Decepticons almost NEVER (and to my knowledge, I can't think of ANY incarnation of them that averts this) have a found family dynamic. They are not kind to each other. They do not generally love each other. Even at the best of times they barely tolerate one another.

Looking at Transformers Prime as an example, early episodes yield a realizaiton that the Decepticons we see don't really have much of a grasp on positive relationships, or really any kind of relationship that isn't founded in a strict heirarchy or hostility. Knock-Out and Starscream are pretty obviously friends but they don't seem to understand that, or grasp how to interact with each other at all in a way that isn't constant low-key insults that are secretly compliments since they're not overtly hostile.

Prime DOES have a found family that don't think purely in terms of military might, or varying between slavish obedience to their grand overlord or plots to overthrow him, or have an interest in befriending the alien races among which they live- ITS THE AUTOBOTS. THE AUTOBOTS DO THIS. THE DECEPTICONS DON'T.

But this illustrates the point; you see a lot of fandom work that broadly attempts to depict the Decepticons as a noble rabble of revolutionaries opposing a corrupt dictatorship that knows nothing of love. And this is very strange in light of the fact that the Decepticons are almost always depicted as strictly military conquerors that think purely in terms of chain of command, or they all hate each other and every single one of them is secretly plotting to take over, or they're just a miserable bunch of smugly hateful assholes who have no real concept of a positive relationship beyond a strict chain of command.

The IDW series saw a particularly eyebrow-raising version of this, when you had the fandom overwhelmingly convinced that the Decepticons were noble revolutionaries seeking refuge on Earth from Autobot oppression, when in canon not only did the Decepticons quickly assume increasingly larger control of Cybertron's political functions, but even the most benign and least malicious Decepticons in the Scavengers were still so bigoted and anti-organic that one of them went on an earnest rant about, and I quote, 'cleansing the galaxy of inferior life-forms too primitive to understand how inferior they were', with the tone of a frustrated idealist.

So in short, it begs the quesiton: what drives the fandom mentality to continually reinvent stories like this to the point of virtually being COMPLETELY divorced from the source material, when honestly you might as well just change the names and functionally make it your own thing?

[visualmerchandising-blog]

Finding Your Perfect Place: A Guide to Estate Agents in Slough

Ah, the house hunt. It can be equal parts exhilarating and exhausting, isn't it? I remember back when I was searching for my first flat – endless online listings, countless viewings that blurred into one, and the constant nagging feeling of missing out on the perfect place. But looking back, the biggest factor in making the process smoother was definitely choosing the right estate agent.

Now, Slough might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of idyllic property hunting. But hear me out! This dynamic town offers a surprising amount, from its close proximity to the buzz of London to its burgeoning business scene and its hidden pockets of family-friendly charm. Finding the right estate agent in Slough becomes even more important to navigate the exciting, and sometimes competitive, property market.

The good news is, Slough boasts a diverse range of estate agents to suit your needs. Independent firms offer a personal touch, often with a deep understanding of the local market and hidden gems. National chains, on the other hand, come with the backing of a larger network and wider reach. Some estate agents specialize in specific areas, like residential sales or lettings, while others offer a complete property management service.

So, how do you pick the winning team in this sea of "For Sale" signs? Here are a few tips:

Know Thyself (and Thy Budget): Before diving headfirst into the world of estate agents in Slough, take a step back. Be clear about your budget, the type of property you're looking for (are you dreaming of a charming period flat or a modern townhouse?), and your desired location. Different areas of Slough cater to different lifestyles and budgets.

Do Your Research: The internet is your friend! Websites like Rightmove and Zoopla are fantastic resources to browse properties for sale in Slough and rental properties in Slough. These platforms also showcase profiles of local estate agents, allowing you to compare their listings and specialties.

Local Knowledge is King (or Queen): When it comes to estate agents in Slough, prioritise those who demonstrate a strong understanding of the local market. They should be able to advise you on property trends, up-and-coming areas, and even hidden gems that might not be plastered all over the web. This local expertise can be the difference between landing your dream home or settling for something less than ideal.

Communication is Key: A good estate agent is your partner in this property adventure. Don't be shy – clearly communicate your needs and preferences. Ask questions! The more your agent understands your vision, the better they can tailor their search and ensure you're only viewing properties that tick all your boxes.

Negotiation Ninja: Finding the perfect property is just one piece of the puzzle. Negotiation is an art form, and skilled estate agents in Burnham can be your secret weapon. They understand the local market and can help you secure the best possible price, whether you're buying or renting.

Success Stories Abound: Don't just take my word for it! Ask your friends and colleagues for recommendations of estate agents in Slough. Many satisfied clients are more than happy to share their positive experiences.

Take Sarah, for example. Working with a local, independent estate agent in Slough, she managed to find a gorgeous canal-side apartment that ticked all the boxes on her list, even sneaking in a balcony with a breathtaking view – all within her budget! Or there's David, who, with the help of a national chain's relocation team, found a modern townhouse in Slough that perfectly suited his family's needs and was just a stone's throw away from his new workplace.

See? With the right estate agent in Slough by your side, navigating the property market can be a much smoother and more successful experience. So, do your research, prioritize local knowledge and communication, and remember, a good agent can be the difference between landing your dream home in Slough and settling for something less.

Bonus Tip: Feeling particularly ambitious? While Slough offers a fantastic range of properties, for those seeking a touch of countryside charm, consider exploring estate agents in Virginia Water. This picturesque village boasts stunning properties nestled amidst beautiful landscapes, yet remains within easy commuting distance of Slough.

Now get out there and start your property search! With the right estate agent on your team, you'll be well on your way to finding your perfect place.

[dallasareaopinion]

The we need third party/independent platform 2024 part 2

This is a new topic for me and it is a single issue post. I am struggling with how to address this problem because it involves two dynamic forces colliding. And maybe not the best description, but I hold fast to this is a dynamic collision in how do you address the best policy.

And this is the housing situation in America. More and more you read that corporate America is buying up homes. The obvious problem is where does this leave individuals and families when it comes to owning a home. Do we let the market dictate everything? And allow those with the assets to have free reign on the market? Or is the opportunity to own your own home at a reasonable price something that allows for government interference in the housing market?

This is a dynamic collision in America. Does one side have an inherent priority over the other? And if we say the government should get involved what exactly does that look like?

And it can become a major political fight if anyone wakes up and realizes how fast corporate ownership of houses is growing. For now, investors have been buying houses for years and some people feel that is one of the problems that caused the 2008-2009 recession. There were too many house flippers buying houses borrowing too much money to do such. Well things are a bit different now. We are looking at full corporations buying into the housing market. They bring a much stronger financial balance sheet than the house flippers so their ability to gain larger market share is real and depending on your outlook potentially dangerous.

Historically owning a home is one of the ways young couples in the working and middle class could start to build wealth or have something to pass on to their children. If the housing market consolidates too much then the wealth gap only increases. And if you are a regular reader you know that I feel the wealth gap is a danger to this country and democracy/our republic in general. I am of the camp that believes a strong middle class is the backbone of a strong democracy. Yet as a conservative I do not want too much government overreach into our lives and this includes the economy. So where does this land us with trying to balance these two competing dynamics?

A strong purpose of an elected government is to defend or protect the public in general, whether it be from external forces or internal issues. You can make the case that at times the government should get involved when the general welfare of its people is negatively affected by an issue. I think this is one of those cases. And since our government is founded on certain ideals such as life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the government can at times look to balance competing interests to help the general welfare of the populace. And owning an affordable home is beneficial to the general populace. Now you also have to realize that owning a home is not a “right” nor is it a privilege,  but being able to afford where you live should be considered a necessity in modern times. And having the opportunity to thrive is an opportunity that should be open to all.

So how do we keep the door open for home ownership to many while not interfering with businesses well, doing business?

This is a interesting question and I do not think it has been addressed enough with ideas. It is talked about in the press somewhat, but there is not a plethora of competing arguments, policy, or platforms that addresses the pros on either side, much less discussions in general that weigh the two competing sides. I will make the joke/statement this is ripe for some dissertational work. I say this knowing we need some immediate action or policy to this before housing does get out of reach for most Americans.

And since I have not seen too much in regards to public policy initiatives and maybe I have missed them and I feel the Democrats and Republicans are just too weak to step up and address this problem I will step into whatever mess is lying on the floor and put forth some thoughts.

And if you read through many of the immediate platform posts you may start to notice a theme so I will state it now. And some will not like it. Since I fear the wealth gap growing some policy proposals will have considerations to tax activities that drive the wealth gap larger. And since I have already stated I feel this is happening with corporations buying home large swaths of the housing market or will have in the near future one approach is to tax at very high rates profits on transactions that remove properties from the open markets or corporations owning too much of the housing market. Does this interfere with business opportunities? Yes, yet something needs to be done to allow anyone and especially young people a fighting chance to create a worthwhile dynamic for themselves for those that choose to want a home. Some people do not want a home and so we are not going to force everyone into that mindset, but for those that do, they should not be priced out of the market.

So what does taxing at a higher proportional rate for business activities in the housing market look like? And that is difficult because corporations owning the housing market is a change from what was considered the norm for the last fifty plus years. I have seen articles that state corporations may own forty percent of the market by 2030. Honestly is that too much and if you support the business models of life you may think not. Yet if you support the wealth gap problem, you would feel way too much.

And if corporations can change the mentality and find a way to make their ownership just a way to make money as a conduit to more people owning a home, you wouldn’t need to tax at a proposed higher rate. For example since the real estate market is changing with the amount of commission real estate agents may be charging in the future, what if the corporations buy the house then sell it at a six percent mark up which was the previous real estate commission rate. That would not be affecting the market in a negative way. Yet if the corporations buy up houses and then start creating their own market for rental pricing then they are taking away wealth from the general populace. One way to determine if rental prices are too high would be relative to past inflation, current inflation and if rental prices are adding to inflation and not being affected by inflation. Quite a few parameters in that scenario, but that could be a start to determine if rent prices should be taxed at higher rates than regular income tax or corporate tax rates. So instead of starting with the formula to determine if it is excessive you force the business  prove their income is not excessive. So the rates start higher and I mean higher so hopefully to discourage corporations trying to raise rates just for profit motives.  To lower their tax rate they would have to prove their income is not driving housing costs up either through buying and selling or rental income. You may say this is quite a bit to prove. And yes that is the point. We are trying to discourage corporations for over owning housing in America so you have to make it difficult for corporations to take advantage of a monopoly in the housing market. Would it be better for them to keep housing prices in line or would the cost of managing many homes for little profit keep them out of this business? If they are doing so only for their bottom line, then they are negatively affecting the market and the higher tax rates are implemental. If they are trying to generate a new way for Americans to obtain housing at affordable housing and this is a new business model, then their profits should be reasonable and taxed at current corporate rates.

Yes we are walking some thin lines here, but we have to start talking about this issue with more emphasis on maintaining affordable housing and this can be either ownership or rents. The housing market is changing fast and my idea may not be the most ideal. So my goal is to force the issue and bring it to the forefront of political discussion requiring politicians to make decisions on policy to protect the American public from runaway housing costs. Better ideas are always welcome. Until then I am sticking with my general theme that the government can take action to protect the general welfare of its populace as best as it can without completely stifling free market competition. Again a very thin line to walk, but one that is needed always and specifically with housing. Otherwise our illustrious two major parties will sit on this until it is too late since neither has any backbone to really help the American people.

Cheers

[taj-mirror]

Exploring the Majestic Taj Mahal and more Selecting the Perfect Taj Mahal Tour Package

As I approached the Taj Mahal, the air around me felt hushed, as if in deference to the splendor that unfolded before my eyes. Majestic and serene, the structure stood as a testament to an enduring love story, etched in white marble. This architectural masterpiece, located in the heart of Agra, India, was not just a mere structure to me – it was poetry in stone.

Commissioned in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal is an ode to his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It's said that upon her untimely death, the emperor was so heartbroken that he ordered the creation of this monumental symbol of love. As I wandered the expansive gardens and gazed upon the reflective pools, I could almost sense the whispers of lovers and echoes of ancient artisans.

A glimpse of Taj mahal with our guests

Understanding Different Types of Taj Mahal Tour Packages

Same Day Taj Mahal Tour by car

Same Day Taj Mahal Tour by car is not merely a journey it is a sojourn into the heart of India's rich history and architectural splendor. This unique and expedited adventure offers travelers the opportunity to witness the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, in all its glory, all within the confines of a single day. The convenience and flexibility of traveling by car add an extra layer of comfort to this expedition, allowing enthusiasts to delve into the captivating history of Agra and immerse themselves in the timeless allure of this architectural masterpiece. Join us on a brief exploration of the wonders that await those who choose the Same Day Taj Mahal Tour by car, a journey that seamlessly blends efficiency and enchantment.

Golden Triangle Tour 3 Days

Golden Triangle Tour stands as a testament to India's cultural grandeur, offering a kaleidoscopic journey through the historical treasures of Delhi, the regal charm of Jaipur, and the timeless allure of Agra. This classic itinerary forms a triangular circuit, connecting these three iconic cities and encapsulating the essence of India's rich heritage. Travelers embarking on the Golden Triangle Tour are treated to a tapestry of experiences – from the bustling markets and architectural marvels of Delhi to the vibrant hues of Jaipur's palaces and the immortal beauty of the Taj Mahal in Agra. This journey not only unveils the opulence of India's past but also showcases the dynamic present that makes the Golden Triangle Tour 3 Days a must-explore destination for those seeking a holistic cultural immersion. Join us on a brief exploration of the Golden Triangle Tour, where history, culture, and architectural wonders converge to create an unforgettable travel experience.

Intriguingly, there were also Adventure and Activity Packages that included cycling or walking tours in and around Taj Mahal, offering a more immersive experience. The Backpackers' Tours stood out for their budget-friendly and social aspects. These included hostel stays and a more flexible itinerary, perfect for solo travelers like me looking to meet fellow wanderers. Finally, I noticed Family and Group Packages tailored to accommodate larger numbers with activities suited for all ages, ensuring that everyone had an enriching experience at this UNESCO World Heritage site. Each of these packages offered a different lens through which to witness the splendor of the Taj Mahal. It was clear that whatever my preference or travel style, there was a tour package that catered to it. When I first considered visiting the Taj Mahal, I knew I needed a reliable travel agency for best  Taj Mahal Tour Packages then I found Taj mirror as a best travel agency to guide me. My journey to find the perfect partner taught me several valuable lessons, which I'll share with you.

#tajmahaltour #tajmahaltourpackages #travel #agratour #tajmahal #goldentriangletour

[blogger360ncislarules]

“Virgin River” fans looking for more while they await another season of the hit Netflix drama should consider the debut of The CW network’s “Sullivan’s Crossing.” Not only is it a fellow romance series, but it’s based on a book series written by the same author, Robyn Carr.

So how do you know whether you’re a “Virgin River” viewer or a “Sullivan’s Crossing” viewer — or whether you’re both? Variety had Carr and “Sullivan’s Crossing” showrunner Roma Roth, who also is an executive producer on “Virgin River,” break down the similarities and differences between the two titles ahead of “Sullivan’s Crossing’s” U.S. premiere on Oct. 4.

A Canadian drama set in Nova Scotia (already different from “Virgin River,” which is set in the U.S. but also filmed in Canada), “Sullivan’s Crossing” stars Morgan Kohan as Maggie Sullivan, a neurosurgeon who returns to her child home amid a professional scandal. There, she reunites with her estranged father, Sully Sullivan (Scott Patterson), and finds a budding romance with town newcomer Cal Jones (Chad Michael Murray).

Now in its fifth season on Netflix, “Virgin River” follows the life and love of Melinda Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), who answers an ad to work as a midwife and nurse practitioner in the remote California town of Virgin River, thinking it will be the perfect place to start fresh and leave her painful memories behind.

“‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ starts out a bit more intense and slowly than ‘Virgin River’ does,” Carr told Variety. “‘Virgin River’ moves really, really fast. And ‘Sullivan’s Crossing’ reminded me a little bit of the early season of ‘This Is Us.’ It’s pretty domestic, and it’s pretty much like a family drama. And it’s a lot of new characters for us, but they they have quite a long history together. And I’ve really, really loved it. I thought they did just a beautiful job. And they added things that I wish I had thought, like the Indigenous aspect.”

Roth made the choice to add a focus on the Indigenous people of Nova Scotia, while maintaining the storyline of Carr’s book-version of “Sullivan’s Crossing,” which she says largely differs from “Virgin River” in that that show is a “fish out of water” story, while “Sullivan’s Crossing” is “a woman who is coming home to try and reconcile who she is now with who she once was.”

“There’s more of a found-family dynamic, and her life has imploded — and she’s now heading back to a home that she hasn’t been to in years to reconnect with friends and family and an estranged father that she hasn’t seen in years,” Roth said. “We do have the romance with Chad Michael Murray and our lead Morgan Kohan, and you still get all the warm and fuzzies that you want out of romance drama. It still has everything that people would love of the other show, which is emotion, drama, characters that you want to make part of your family. And you want to tune into on a weekly basis.”

For Carr, it’s those character and the community bonds in particular that are the biggest connection among all of her romance novels.

“One of the things that make my series so popular with readers and viewers is the strong sense of community,” Carr said. “You really have to rely on your neighbors. You’re somewhat isolated from the larger crowd. And then even if you don’t like your neighbor, you will always have their back. Because that’s the only way you can exist.

“We’ve been going through a time — for probably about 20 or more years now — when we really as a people have been striving and looking for a strong sense of community. And I think that’s what holds us together and gives us hope.”

[afactaday]

#aFactADay2022

#447: chimpanzees live in dynamic fission-fusion societies, where they would live in extended family groups of 25-120 but may split (fission) or rejoin (fusion) throughout the day or on a larger scale with other troops. research in dallas zoo shows that chimps have favourite other chimps that they prefer to stick to when the troop fuses/fissions, just like you prefer to stick to your friends when picking teams in PE. there is however almost always one dominant alpha male at the head. this also links to Dunbar's number, the theoretical maximum of social relationships one person can have (its 150). Dunbar found a direct positive correlation between a primate's brain size and the friend group size, but i think otherwise: my friend group is smallish but my brain is absolutely humungous.

robin dunbar only actually gave 100-250 as the number, but 150 is often used as a generalised middle ground.

[wherevenusholdssomeofficespace]

I have no idea. Genuinely. The only thing I can say with certainty is I've considered myself a fan for over 10 years. My earliest memory of PnF is watching it at a neighbors house because they had cable... and I already knew at that time that I liked that show and had seen it before and was excited it was on. I probably became an actual fan once I was able to stream it off Netflix (so like 2010ish?), but I liked the show even before then. I loved the show before I even knew what fan culture was. It was one of two shows I would choose when I had tv control as a kid (the other being AtLA) and was a huge part of my childhood. I would say I really started paying more attention to the fandom during MML's run though.

Phineas and Ferb. it was still running when I got into the show. I've seen all three and I love all three. Though I'd also like to give credit to discovering Milo not from any announcements but from seeing it with my family in a hotel room and going this is actually pretty good... wait a minute. So I think its fair to say I almost became a Milo fan separate from me being a PnF fan. PnF's biggest strength is its structure, and the uniqueness of its characters, though it's weakness is the way its anchored to the status quo leaving little room for development in the stories biggest plotlines and for the future, as well as a lack of stakes or long term intrigue. Maybe not a weakness per se, but it is something I prefer about MML. MML's biggest strength is the way the more intense stakes and the more streamlined plot focus and it's weakness is its over reliance on Phineas and Ferb especially in its second season and a somewhat underdeveloped extended cast (But that has far more to do with episode count than anything). H&G has a weak first episode, and generally weaker main premise and many of its villains aren't the most memorable imo, but the character dynamics are top tier.

I've been around the internet for a while, so I've stalked the PnF fandom for years, in regards to fanart and fanfics, so not so much interacting with the fans themselves... so I'm not so well versed in fandom history. But I think the fandom is pretty chill. My recent interactions have been very positive!

Again, just starting to interact with the fandom, but it's probably the most welcome I've felt in a fandom, because I'm usually far to nervous to interact. But I write fanfiction and analysis mostly. I've only recently began finishing/posting it though. I've seen all major dwampyverse related on Youtube, and read a lot on Ao3. I did read from FFN back in the day, and stalked DeviantArt. Recently was Milovember which I did about 2/3 of (IRL got in the way), and some of us wrote Morning Routine fics for the Murphy's which was fun!

Excited about it, but also prepared for it to not be as good as I want it to be. I'm sure it will be at least as good as CATU which I found to be pretty fun. Even if it isn't as good as the original PnF it should still be fun. I'm disappointed we aren't getting MML S3 and would really prefer that, and it already had a great ending, and it's kind of a symptom of a larger problem in the media landscape. But outside of all those other implications I'm excited. (And really, really hoping for some MML kind of episodes the same way MML had some PnF episodes and PnF had some Fireside girl and other gimmicky episodes. At the very least some cameos).

Input needed

Hey, fellow Dwampyverse fans! I need some input for a silly little thing I'm working on. Please put your responses in my notes (replies, reblogs, etc. inbox/messages is also fine). I want to get answers from new fans, old fans, and everyone in between!

How did you hear about the Dwampyverse or any piece of it, and when did you start considering yourself a "fan"?

Which show did you watch first? Which one(s) have you not seen? What do you like and dislike about the one(s) you have seen? What are you excited for and not excited for about the one(s) you have not seen/what positives and negatives have you heard?

What is your impression of the fans themselves? How would you describe the fans you've interacted with/seen around the internet? What have you heard about them that contrasts with your personal experience, if anything? Describe an experience you shared with members of the Dwampyverse fandom that stuck out to you.

What experience do you have with the fandom thus far? What fandom-related events have you heard about? Name the first ones you can list off the top of your head. Have you participated in them, and how did that go? Do you have any fanartists or fanwriters that you really like in particular? Do you follow any YouTube channels related to the Dwampyverse? Do you write fanfiction, make fanart, post/lurk on social media, or a secret fourth thing?

How do you feel about the PnF revival coming out next year?

[thought-bubble-doodly-doo]

I feel like Yandere Simulator should’ve been a visual novel.

Like, just ignoring all the moral issues people bring up about the game and its developer, this post is not about that.  

I feel like a huge amount of the problems with Yandere Simulator were the super stringent, time-sensitive events that made it very difficult to progress the story without a literal walkthrough.  Like in order to kill someone in a certain way, you had to do X, Y, and Z and only X, Y, and Z were able to produce your desired outcome. 

Originally, Yandere Simulator was just a sandbox where you got to go around killing people in strange, fun, ridiculous ways before things got significantly “harder” (i.e. more needlessly complicated), and the game wasn’t as much fun anymore.

Also, he tried to add like six million things to the game that were just as a concept, but really, really, really dragged out the actual coding of the game that’s never ever gonna be finished.  

So I feel like he just should’ve made a visual novel.  I think it would solve a lot of the problems. 

1. If you want to basically force your player to do certain actions at certain points, just make their options linear.  You can only progress as much as you read through the story.  Have branching paths sure, but don’t give the illusion of choice when really there’s a very limited number of things to do. 

2. Visual novels eliminate most gameplay elements of games, so that would remove a lot of the coding issues.  Like, even I could use renpy to make a game.  Also, since you don’t need to pay Info-Chan for ridiculously overcomplicated step by step playthroughs, you could probably get rid of the panty shot mechanic that everyone found so distasteful, and just get rid of that controversy entirely. 

3. Honestly, I feel like the dude juts wanted to tell a story.  Whenever I used to be super duper into the game’s development, all the substantial updates or youtube videos were never about gameplay.  It was all “I’ve added X character!  Isn’t their design cool?  I had a concept for backstory.  Look at this hint to a larger narrative.  Look at these dynamics between players.  Isn’t there so much personality to the cast?”  Like, just tell a story about these characters.  You don’t have to program a sub-par slasher game around it.  Just write a book!!!  

Because as muddled and troubled as Yandere Dev’s storytelling is, I do feel like he had good concepts and ideas to at least a chunk of what he was going for.  And I know this, because the most fun I EVER had with Yandere Simulator, BY FAR, was not the playing of the actual game.  It was the consuming of fan-made content that built upon the ideas presented by the Developer. 

All those fan-fics about Budo and Ayane, the struggle between justice and friendship, nature vs nurture, overcoming desire, trust, and betrayal?  I ATE THAT UP AS A TEENAGER.  

All the fan comics that just shipped the rivals with each other?  Cute girlfriends being alive and cute?  Ideal content. 

The backstory that being a Yandere is a genetic trait, and the relationship exploration between Ayane and her mother, some people interpreting it as a hostile, because the father loved Ayane genuinely, where he only loved the mother because his spirit was broken.  And some people interpreting it as a genuine family affection, because the love she felt for the father opened her up to new emotions?  Very interesting!!!

Heck, the whole backstory with the mother and the Saikou CEO, and the unrequited love and the covering up of her crimes, and the etc. etc. etc.  I WAS SO INVESTED in people exploring that!!! 

Heck, sometimes the fandom pumped out the most horrendously abusive scenarios between characters and the sickest fanart I can remember, but sometimes you just wanted to see something fucked up every once in a while.  Makes life interesting. 

My point is, no one ever liked the game.  They liked the idea of the story it was telling and the characters contained within. 

[rosiethedragongeek]

semi-modern, like, dragons are still there, AU headcanons, that take place in Canada cause thats where I'm from:

They still all live in a mostly forested area, its just out of town, think a trailer park, everyone in the village is actually in a trailerpark and Stoic is the all to kind landlord

The dragons coexist with geese, moose, bears and other large or often easily spited creatures, including humans, but are still considered a taboo in large cities

Astrid has a full time job at a gas station to make up for the money she doesn't get from teaching people self defense, she often times works overtime so she can scrape up enough money

That's not to say she doesn't enjoy teaching people how to defend themselves, she just wishes there was some monetary gain and that getting an actual building wasn't so hard

Dragons like Hookfang and Barf and Belch are considered to large for majority of the towns and cities as a Nightmare would be about the size of at least one and a half trucks, a Zippleback at least the size of one truck

Dragons like Meatlug and Stormfly are considered training dragons in smaller towns and pests in larger towns due to their varying sizes

Tuffnut and Ruffnut still get up to all sorts of shenagins, but it involves less destruction, prank calls and the sorts, one time they got Fishlegs to hack into a supermarts intercom for them

The two work simultaneous shifts at a fast food restaurant to make sure they don't run out of money, Ruffnut working the fryer and Tuffnut working the drive through

Fishlegs is aspiring to become a scientist, but due to his interest being placed mainly in dragons and what they still don't know about them he's been rejected a million times over

He mainly gets spare cash and pocket change from people tipping him over the internet, or when he gets his fair share of tips at the local restaurant

Hiccup is polishing his skills with engineering, in an attempt to create mobility aids that are comfortable and seamlessly functional for both dragons and humans, at first he was doing it for himself, then he realized how many people needed them

On a side note, he works part time at a small shop, like a Dollarama or maybe even a unique one of a kind shop, only in his town, due to being one of the only workers other than the owner, he gets paid a bit more than what would be conventional for a store so small

Snotlout, unlike everyone else with a conventional job, is trying desperately to make cash off of what he catches or traps, as its a family business thats been running since before his grandfather

But, he can't make enough cash to actually impress his father with how successful he is with trapping and fishing, so in a last ditch attempt, he got hired at a Hot Topic, and he has to refrain from buying vinyls and CDs for his favorite bands

They still have Riders Edge, but its just different due to the whole, in Canada on the mainland thing

Instead of their very own island, they just found a lovely little spot off trail that has a two foot wide brook and small pond at the bottom of it to hang out around, most of them are working on a treehouse to place in a nearby tree for winter

The Hideout is even large enough for each of their dragons to tag along despite the fact its a little bit undesired in their town, they still caught and tamed their own dragons, that only respond to them

Astrid and Hiccup plan on making sure the treehouse ends up being multiple ones with bridges and the such connecting them together, making sure one is large enough for their dragons to stay in comfortably

OH MY GOD I LOVE THAT!!! It gives like??? Stardew Valley vibes??? Idk why. I didn't expect this much there's like world-building going on here and I am OBSESSED with this au. I love everything about this. this is all so accurate for them tysm. It kinda makes you wonder how they became friends in this scenario and how their dynamic is different and asdfjkl;sdfjlkadf i will be thinking about this for a while