#id concept stores

[keideez]

winged weapon

Happy late 4th anniversary ultrakill!

[rheya28]

Leila Square Apartment + Next Stop Cafe [ Apartment + Cafe ] ♥ The Sims 4: Build // CC

➽ Speed Build Video

➽ Rheya's Notes:

An open concept floor plan. Kitchen with all new appliances Bathroom with shower and bath

➽ Apartment Units:

1st Floor [Unit 1: 1 Bed, 1 Bath] [Unit 2: 1 Bed, 1 Bath] 2nd Floor [Unit 3: 2 Bed, 2 Bath] 3rd Floor [Unit 4: 2 Bed, 2 Bath] 4th Floor [Unit 5: 2 Bed, 2 Bath]

➽ Important Notes:

● Please make sure to turn bb.moveobjects on! ● Please DO NOT reupload or claim as your own. ● Feel free to tag me if you are using it, I love seeing my build in other peoples save file ● Feel free to edit/tweak my builds, but please make sure to credit me as the original creator! ● Thank you to all CC Creators ● Please let me know if there's any problem with the build

♥ Lot Details

Lot Name: Leila Square Apartment Lot type: Apartment Complex Lot size: 40x30 Location: Magnolia Promenade

♥ Mods

TOOL MOD by TwistedMex

♥ CC LIST:

Note: I reuse a lot of the same cc in all my builds, specifically cc's from felixandre, HeyHarrie, and Pierisim so if you're interested in downloading past, present, future build from me i suggest getting all their cc sets to make life a little easier! other creators include Sooky, Charlypancakes, Sixam, Thecluttercat, Myshunosun, awingedllama, and tuds. This will also ensure that the lots are complete and are not missing any items upon downloading !

- House of Harlix: Bafroom, Baysic, Harluxe, Livin Rum, Tiny Twavellers - CharlyPancakes: The lighthouse Collection, Slouch - Felix Andre: Chateau (all), Colonial pt 3, Grove (all), Kyoto pt 2, Shop the look 2, Florence pt 4, Soho (all) - The clutter cat: Dandy Diary - Harrie: Brownstone (all), Brutalist, Coastal (all), Country, Klean (all), Kwatei (all), Spoons (all), Kichen - Little Dica: H&B Store, Rise & Grind - Peacemaker: Pointless Renovation, Terra Tiles Horizontal - Pierisim (all): Coldbrew, David's Apartment, MCM, Unfold, Winter Garden, Woodland ranch, Oak house - Simplistic: Rustic rug trio - Sixam: Boho Bathroom, Stylist wood - Tuds: Beam, Cross - Syboulette: Fency

● DOWNLOAD Tray File and CC list: Patreon Page ● Origin ID: anrheya [previous name: applez] ● Twitter: Rheya28__ ● Tiktok: Rheya28__ ● Youtube: Rheya28__

[botanyshitposts]

Well, the lichen test was successful in telling you that it isn't something that turns red when you put that chemical on it, so that's a win. Sort of.

to be honest i didn't realize how funny the lichen chemical spot test concept was until now. like when i was a student my lichenology professor just told us to do it and i was like Aye Aye, but now, like... having read a bit more about the known lichen-specific substances/chemicals, knowing that these specific chemicals number between 850-1,100 currently, knowing not all of these react to known chemicals but some are more common in specific species but don't always occur and have vague or as of yet unknown functions and causes, and finally, understanding that because of this the test boils down to putting known chemicals on unknown chemicals and referencing the reactions, which could be any number of things, with a book.... i'm not saying it's not a useful tool for ID, but i am saying it's really funny.

i think you understand this but listen. a guy walks into a store and is like, i would like to know who that man over there is. the store attendant is like, well if you ask him how hes doing and he tells you about his kids, its bob, he does that a lot i think. the guy goes over and asks and the unknown guy beats him over the head with a chair. we conclude from the test it is not bob, unless it was and he just didnt feel like it that time. in which case maybe it was him

[hermitcraftheadcanons]

current status of most player's code because brainrot its it's just the fun ones

Etho: X took one look at it and went "nope. not dealing with THAT disaster today or ever". It's rather normal, just has a player ID of 0, which is impossible. He doesn't even have a name in his code, just a space. Which is also impossible. Other than that, it's just unorganized. All player data is usually stored into around 50 folders for easy admin access, it's law. However, etho says he didnt have to do that, implying he is older than the concept of admins. Or government. Or both.

Grian: his data is even more unorganized than etho's, which is saying something. He says he knows where everything is. He doesn't.

Pearl: her player ID is listed as a negative with absolute value.

Doc: he is the reason by player code cannot be modified without that player's consent anymore.

Grian is not older than either admins or government, he just didn't want to organize anything. They can't make him do it.

-Mod Mleem

[therobotmonster]

Please don’t use midjourney it steals art from pretty much every artist out there without any compensation. I didn’t know this at first and tried it but then during the creation process i saw water marks and Getty image logos (though I’m sure they’ve hidden that now) so it’s definitely stealing.

No, it isn't. And you've taken the wrong lesson from the Getty watermark issue.

AI training on public facing, published work is fair use. Any published piece could be located, examined, and learned from by a human artist. This does not require the permission of the owner of said work. A mechanical apparatus does not change this principle.

All we, as artists, own, are specific expressions. We do not own styles, ideas, concepts, plots, or tropes. We do not even own the work we create in a proper sense. All our work flows from the commons, and all of it flows back to it. IP is a limited patent on specific expressions, and what constitutes infringement is the end result of the creative process. What goes into it is irrelevant, and upending that process to put inspiration and reference as infringement is the end of art as we know it.

The Getty watermark issue is an example of overfitting, wherein a repetitive element in the dataset over-emphasizes specific features to the point of disrupting the system's attempts at the creation of novel images.

No one denies that the SD dataset is trained on images Getty claims to own, but Getty has so polluted the image search functions of the internet with their watermarked images that the idea of a getty watermark has been picked up the same way the AI might pick up the idea of an eye or a tree branch. It is a systemic failure that Shutterstock and Getty can be so monopolistic and ubiquitous that a dateset trained on literally everything public facing on the internet would be polluted with their watermarks.

Watermarks that, by the way, they add to public domain images, and that google prioritizes over clean versions.

The lawsuits being brought against Midjourney and Stable Diffusion are copyright overreach being presented as a theft tissue. The facts of the matter are not as the litigants state. The images aren't stored, the SD weights are a 4 gig file trained on 250 terabytes, roughly 4 bytes per image. It runs local, does not reach out to image sources over IP. All you've got are mathematical patterns and ratios. I would go so far as to say that the class action suit is based on outright lies.

But for a moment, let's entertain the idea that what goes into a work, as inspiration, can be copyrighted. That styles can be stolen. That what goes in defines infringement, rather than what comes out. What happens then?

Well, the bad news is that if Stable Diffusion and Midjourney were shut down tomorrow, Stable Diffusion is in the wild. It runs local, it's user-trainable. In short, the genie isn't going back in the bottle. Plus, the way diffusion AI works, there's no way to trace a gen to its sources. The weights don't work like that. The indexing would be larger than the entire set of stored patterns.

Well good news, there's an AI for that. The current version is called CLIP Interrogator And it works on everything. Not just AI generated, but any image. It can find what style it closely matches, reverse engineer a prompt. It's crude now, but it will improve.

Now, you've already established that using the same patterns as another work is infringement. You've already established that inspiration is theft. And now there's a robot that tells lawyers who you draw like.

Sure, you can fight it in court. If it goes go to court. But who's to say they won't just staplegun that AI to a monetization re-direction bot like youtube has going with their content ID? Awesome T-shirt design you uploaded to your print-on-demand shop... too bad your art style resembles that from a cartoon from 1973 that Universal got as part of an acquisition and they've claimed all your cash. Sure you can file a DMCA counter-notice, but we all know how that goes.

And then there's this fantasy that upending the system would help artists. But who would "own" that style? Is that piece stealing the style of Stephen Silver, or Disney's Kim Possible(TM)? When you work for Disney their contracts say everything you make is theirs. Every doodle. Every drawing. If the styles are copyrightable, a company could hire an artist straight out of school, publish their work under work-for-hire, fire them, and then go after them for "stealing" the style they developed while working for said corp.

Not to mention that a handful of companies own so much media that it is going to be impossible to find an artist that hasn't been influenced by something under their control.

Oh, and that stock of source images that companies like Disney and Universal have? These kinds of lawsuits won't stop them from building AIs with that material that they "own". The power goes into corp hands, they can down staff to their heart's content and everyone else is denied the ability to compete with them. Worst of all possible worlds.

Be careful what wishes you make when holding the copyright monkey's paw.

[time-woods]

List of the brushes i frequently use !

finally getting around to putting these all in a list ! all of these are from the clipstudio assets store- all of them were free at the time i got them but some may be different at a later date so just a fyi,

(listed by CSP ID then set/brush name)

(Liners)

1895031 - soft liner/ concept sketch

1955540 - Chisel tip

1869310 - Mugs pencil

1966990 - rough pencil

1861712 - brosh

1987012 - jude’s sketch set

(Coloring)

1853846 - Flashito

1394805 - Hoarse feeling watercolor

1861032 - Mugz

1975412 - thick oil paint

1853994 - rake painter

1963920 - P_oil paint

1935013 - chunky painter

1838162 - soft square

1964561 - flat textured :D

1723089 - GM brush pen

1911478 - dual g pen

(Other/misc)

1800143 - Erase along edge

1824552 - Simple margin filled brush 

2015107 - freckle brush

I dont use all of these always, so this is mainly just brushes i think are cool/ fun and have played around with in the past, (I also use the basic G-Pen and felt pen sometimes when drawing- mainly when doodling))

[directdogman]

Commenting on DT fan OCs!

Alright, I'mma take a look at some DT fan OCs! I've been sent quite a few, so I'll try to keep my comments for each one short 'n' sweet!

great name, snappy dresser. diggin' the bowtie! the pins are also a fun accessory!

Another snappy dresser! Tied well to an existing location in-game and the idea to explain the stickers is cute! attire is unique/memorable and the blues/browns compliment each other well. solid design. I do appreciate him!

Yo, this guy was in the last one! what is this, a crossover episode???

the bandage on side of face is a nice touch! digging the pinstripe pants too! graveyard shift at a convenience store is also quite an authentic job for a DT side character to have too! very nicely done.

Solid OC! well-drawn, unique job and her fit's stylish (it probably goes without saying that i'm a sucker for TV heads with dogs on them. that's gotta be a given, right?) The stickers on the back of the head are also a nice addition! well done!

Stanley's a real cad, huh? pizza delivery guy with a novelty pizza phone head is genius - making him flirt with milves on the job is just inspired though. i almost wish i'd come up with this guy, as i can totally imagine people around town talking about him. excellent job!!!

he's aptly named for an arcade dude! dig the fit too, especially the black + purple fingerless long sleeve gloves! the decals on the phone are neat too!

I approve of his activities but the lack of a visible mouth threw me off, since i've seen these old toy phones before, ofc.

i was about to ask "how does he drink ocean water without a mouth", before realizing that id been bamboozled into asking the fandom-favourite question of: 'how does he eat without a mouth?', only to then remember that practically no DT characters have visible mouths.

i hope you know that you've strained my weary brain today. cool OC, though.

banana phone's a fun concept! also, i must say your username's quite fitting. crept up on me from my peripheral as I gazed upon the banana phone, like a bizarre centipede of some sort. well, i'd assume so. in hindsight, most centipedes i've encountered have been pretty straightforward with me. i guess i should be grateful for that.

i like mary's fuzzy phone matching the trim of her dress but martin's really got my attention. cool name, neat quirk (he kills people, that takes moxie. hell, even pizzaz too, dare i say?) The dial being a lil clock is a neat touch since it ties his interest into the design. also quite like the cord tail matching the phone head's colour. solid design!

i like his head-type and the attire/pale skin gives a nice bit of contrast!

hard to say how randy'd feel about him, as someone who's only seen his design and 2 lines of dialogue (as someone's personality dictates randy's opinion on them far more than their appearance.) if you feel they'd get on though, you're probably correct! (randy isn't too picky, after all!)

Funnily enough, one of the earliest sketches for crown has a similar bolted plate stuck to a mostly intact phone head. it was even sticking from one of the sides. or corners. i'd have to dig up the notebook, as it's been like 4 years since I came up with the character. Sorry, just made me remember since the earliest sketches had one too.

Copper phone head's a neat idea. Contrasts well with his attire as well (nice and complimentary.) if only his attempts to deter jesse from the za worked out as well, eh?

Alright, that's it for me! thanks for the submissions, these were real creative! good job, everyone!

[oncasette]

𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗦 (𝗦𝗢 𝗗𝗢 𝗜)

KINKTOBER ACT II, eric northman x fem!reader

summary: 2.7k

“You smell fucking amazing,” he groans and his teeth drag against your pulse point. Before you can make any sort of comment on that, you feel his teeth puncture into your skin just as two of his fingers sink into your cunt. His incredibly long and devastatingly thick fingers that are already stretching you out as they slowly thrust in.

or the one where eric has a specific taste for blood. yours.

warnings: not beta’d, smut, significant age gap (eric is like 1000, r is early 20s), dub-con, mind control on the low, blood drinking, high sex (eric's blood/v), smoking

masterlist | taglist | kinktober

When vampires had first come out of the coffin, you’d been barely above the age of seventeen, and their integration into the mainstream had been a whirlwind you’d been utterly unprepared for. Being from the south, your parents had instilled a deep sense of distrust in your fanged counterparts. Or, in your own words, fear. 

Your parents had nearly tried to keep you out of college because of it, claiming you’d be much safer here at home, but you’d nipped that in the bud fairly quickly. Still, that didn’t mean you were going to let it slip to them where you were going on your evenings spent at home over the summer. All they needed to know is that you’d be home in the morning. 

Your friends had been begging you to go to this bar across town with them for ages. They’d been going for years, but, being the only one in the group not willing to get a fake ID, you’d been left out of all the fun. Now, though, that you were over the legal drinking age, you figured it wouldn’t hurt to check it out seeing as your friends seemed to like it so much. Or, as you came to find out, seeing as they apparently liked the owner so much. 

“You’re gonna freak when you see him,” Rachel says, looking over at you from the driver’s seat. You’d been friends with Rachel for forever, longer than you can remember. She’d gone off to school somewhere in the northeast–a liberal arts college with less than two thousand total students–and it’d been ages since you’d last seen her. 

“I don’t get what’s so special about him?”

“Are you kidding me?” Rachel squeaks. “About Eric fucking Northman?”

Anyone who’d been west of Baton Rouge knew the name Eric Northman. It was undeniable. Someone could whisper the name in a corner of a packed ballroom, and a hush would fall over the crowd. 

And, yet, somehow, despite living in Shreveport since your conception, it hadn’t crossed your path. 

“Yeah?” you drawl. “He’s probably just some guy.”

“Some guy,” Gina scoffs. 

“He’s quite literally the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen,” she says as she fiddles with her engagement ring. “He’s a fucking god.”

“Sure,” you say, rolling your eyes. 

It isn’t much longer before you’re pulling into a shady parking lot behind a vacant liquor store. There’s a couple other cars in the lot, mostly what your father would call shit-boxes that have either been sewn together with duct tape or have bumpers that have been left to drag the ground. Slamming the passenger door shut, you reach into the pocket of your jacket to take out the pack of cigarettes, stamping one on your bottom lip as you dig further in the pocket to find your lighter.

Your friends have already walked across the lot to step into line when you finally get a light, shoving your materials back into your jacket as you jog over to where they are at the back of the, thankfully, fast-moving line. 

“Really?” Rachel asks. 

“Just be glad I didn’t do it in the car, okay.” You offer a squint of your eyes in a pseudo smile. 

“Whatever,” she sighs. 

The bouncer lets the three men in biker jackets ahead of you in and stops to examine you. She seems to recognize your friends and nods at them to follow the men, only to stick a manicured hand out in front of your chest as soon as you take a step. 

“I’m with them,” you huff, tapping the ashes out of your cigarette. 

“Sorry, sweetie. I’m gonna need to see some ID,” she drawls. The sweetie comes out in a sharp bite that has you taking a step away from her outstretched arm. She grabs the butt from between your lips and stamps it out beneath her stiletto’d heel.

“Fine,” you say. Digging in the other pocket of your jacket, you grab your wallet and hand over your driver's license. You’re thankful you’d just recently gotten your ID updated and have the horizontal one now, or you’re sure she would’ve kept you back. Where, you’re also sure, your friends would have left you to sit for the rest of the night. 

“Have a good night,” she says, handing it back to you and allowing you to step into the crimson bar. As soon as you’re through the door, you dig your pack out and light a new cigarette. Bitch. 

Your eyes gravitate toward the stage. A very large throne sits to the side of it, flanked by two overgrown men with their eyes scanning the small dance floor at the foot of the stage. The man in the throne is bigger. Much bigger. Large to the point that he dwarfs the chair you think would swallow you whole. You watch as he sits up, spine straightening as he looks the crowd over. 

You don’t think anything of it until his gaze falls on you. He seems to smile, and it’s then that you see the sharp canines extending out of his gums. 

You suppose coming to a vampire bar should’ve made you mentally prepare to come into contact with a vampire or two. 

The man on the throne appears before you in an instant, fangs retracted as he gives you a softer smile than he’d had previously. It unnerves you, still, with the way his eyes seem glazed over and his body hovers over yours. You glance back at the stage, eyes flickering nervously back and forth as if it’d just been a trick of the lights and you’d catch him lounging there again if you blinked hard enough. 

“You are… a pretty thing, aren’t you,” he says, voice growling in a register lower than you’d been expecting. It sends a shiver down your spine. He’s tall. Frighteningly, inhumanly tall in a way that has you cowering beneath him. Even seeing him on the stage before, it’s much more shocking up close. “It’s a shame you feel the need to taint it with that.”

He gestures to the stick between your lips with a flippant gesture, plucking it from your mouth to stamp it beneath his boot. What’s with everyone stealing your cigarettes tonight?

“Hey-”

“Still,” he leans down until his nose is inches away from your jaw and inhales. You don’t have the time to push him back before he’s returned to his full height. 

“Who the fuck are you?” you ask, attempting to take a step back only to bump into one of the bustling–and fairly sweaty–bodies behind you. The man raises his brow in surprise. 

“My, my,” he says. “Coming all the way out to my little bar and you treat me this way?”

“Eric,” you exhale. Your friends were right. He’s beautiful. 

“And you are?” You give him your name in a huff. 

“Follow me,” he says.

“I don’t know-” His fingers come up beneath your chin to tilt your face so that you’re like him in the eye. Something swirls within them, something you can’t place. You do your best to ignore the dull throb emanating beneath your dress. 

“Follow me.”

Your legs seem to move of their own accord, hand reaching up to take his as he leads you across the dingy floor towards a door beside the bar. You dodge bodies crumpled together between tables and chairs and slink behind him as he nods at a bouncer guarding the door. Once it’s open, he gestures for you to enter first. 

It’s a small office looking room. Various pictures and files line the walls and every surface is drowned in boxes and other small objects. You don’t have the time to get a good look at any of them, though, before Eric is spinning you to face him once again. 

You can see the way his lips twitch as you meet his gaze, nostrils flared. His hand lands on your shoulder, dragging down the side of your arm as goosebumps sprout in its wake. You want to blame it on the fact that he’s freezing, on the fact that he’s got fangs. On the fact that he owns this whole bar and now you’re standing in his office with the door locked. Not on the fact that he’s probably got decades of experience. Or, god forbid, centuries. 

“Why did you bring me here?” you ask. It comes out in a whisper, voice hoarse from swallowing hard. Breath hitching, your knees do their best not to buckle as Eric steps into you, forcing you back until your ass hits the edge of his desk. His leg comes to press between your thighs. With a nudge, his knee would be pressing directly against you, and you’re thankful he gives you the space. You inch up the desk until you’re halfway sitting on it. There’s no reason for you to be as hot as you are right now, and less of a reason for him to know about it so soon. Honestly, he can probably smell it on you. 

“Why do you think I brought you back here?” he asks, hands falling against your thighs. There’s no pressure, just their presence. 

“I don’t fuck random guys in bars,” you say. 

He stalls, hands crawling up to rest on your hips. 

“I’m the owner.”

“So I was right,” you say. “You lured me back here just to fuck me.”

He hums. You can’t tell if it's in agreement. His knee presses into you fully and you hope he chooses not to comment on how you’re pulsating against it. 

“Would you like that?” he asks. He brings his hands down again, this time to the hem of your dress. He begins to push up. Slowly. Oh, so slow, you barely register it until it’s bunched up at the tops of your thighs. You’re not sure why you nod. You think if asked you at a different time, a second before or after, you would have shaken your head and allowed him to lead you back out to the patrons, to your two friends who would lose their minds if they knew where you were right now. 

His mouth finds yours as he pushes your dress the rest of the way up. You can feel the way you’re leaving a damp spot against his pants and try not to whimper as he applies more pressure with his knee. You don’t succeed in that venture. He tilts his head to deepen the kiss. It’s not nearly as rough as you had expected it to be, but it’s far from soft. His tongue is in your mouth, licking at the flats of your teeth. His fingers dig into your skin as he thumbs at the seam of your panties, pressing it to the side enough to gather the wetness coating your slit and drag it up to your clit. Your hips jump against him. 

He disconnects your lips to trail his kisses down the dies of your face and down your neck. Pulling back, he draws your eyes up to look, and the dark swirl from earlier returns. “Don’t scream,” he says. “Unless it’s my name.”

Before he re-attaches himself to your neck, you watch as his fangs click out, and you feel the cold rod of fear as it slides down your spine. 

“You smell fucking amazing,” he groans and his teeth drag against your pulse point. Before you can make any sort of comment on that, you feel his teeth puncture into your skin just as two of his fingers sink into your cunt. His incredibly long and devastatingly thick fingers that are already stretching you out as they slowly thrust in. 

“Eric,” you squeal. You’re already dizzy, his tongue laving at the skin of your neck. Finally, he pulls back and you feel seconds away from passing out. His fingers are still inside of you, massaging your walls. His free hand comes up to his mouth, and you watch as his fangs pierce the skin there and he’s holding his bloody palm up to your mouth. 

“Drink,” he says. You oblige and suddenly you’re dizzy in an entirely different way. Every touch feels heightened, every item in the room seems to glow, and Eric truly, honestly, looks like a fucking god. The open wound on your neck stops aching and you swear you feel the holes close up. 

“Eric, please,” you whine. He tugs your panties down first, balling them up in his fist and tossing them somewhere behind his desk. Then his belt comes undone and he’s yanking his pants down just enough to pull his cock out of the confines. And if you thought his fingers were big before. 

“That’s not gonna fucking fit,” you gasp. He jerks himself until he’s fully hard. 

“Trust me, sweetheart. It will,” he says as he notches himself against your entrance. 

“No, I swear, you’re gonna rip me in half!” “Trying hard not to do that, already,” he says. He pushes in with one solid thrust. Even only halfway in, you can feel him in your throat. “Feel even better than you taste.”

Your ankles link around his back and your feet dig into his ass in an attempt to get him to move, to push into you until you can feel his pelvis against yours. He does. One thrust, then an agonizing pull back before he slams back in. 

Every part of you trembles as his pace picks up. 

“Oh my god? Oh my god,” you squeak. 

“Just me,” he quips and his head falls back. He’s fucking you at a superhuman speed, hips snapping into yours with so much force you think he’s close to bruising your cervix. And still. It feels good. It feels so fucking good. Every touch leaves you tingling and you think you’re going to explode with his hand finding your clit again. He pushes your legs open wider, allowing him to press into you further. 

You’ve never been this wet in your life. Not with your vibrator, not with any of your boyfriends, not even with the one you swore you were in love with when you were a sophomore in college. The squelch of his cock driving into you rings in your ears and you don’t think you’ll ever forget the sound. A coil within you begins to wind tight, your body on the precipice of turning into jelly in Eric’s hold. 

“I want you to cum for me, sweetheart,” he growls and it’s enough to send you flying. You clench around him, walls fluttering and throbbing as you feel his dick twitch in you. 

As soon as you’ve regained your consciousness enough to offer him a weak smile, he’s pulling out of you and spinning you around so that the front of your hips are against the desk. He thrusts into you swiftly once more, never once faltering from the ruinous pace he’d started up previously. Your back arches into the desk. Your pussy feels raw, overstimulated, melting into the pleasure he’s driving into you. Another orgasm is sure to follow. And quickly. 

“You are mine, whether you agree to it or not,” he growls. His thrusts begin to grow sloppy, cock twitching with every pump of his hips. With a final push in, he cums and offers you the first bit of warmth he’s been able to give you all night. You fall down the same rabbit hole moments later. Your entire body twitches as you do and you can barely feel anything as he pulls out of you. 

He gives you a minute to catch your breath, to gather yourself and spin around to face him as you tug your dress back down your thighs. You’re panting, still, as he wipes the semi-dried blood off of your neck and brings it up to his lips to lick clean. 

“No more cigarettes,” he says. “I can’t wait to see how you taste when you’re… pure.”

“I don’t know if I can promise that,” you say. 

“You will.”

He grabs your chin between his thumb and forefinger. 

“Sweet dreams, sweetheart,” he says. “I’ll be seeing you.”

He’s gone before you can ask what he means by that. 

[plurapony]

I think eliminating the concept of cringe culture and embracing healing your inner child would benefit everyone actually.

stressful day at work? don't turn to abusing substances - instead grab a pacifier, a blankie, your favourite teddy, make a nice hot drink and put on your favourite show!

normalize age regression for when your emotions and responsibilities are weighing on you too much! a child doesn't have any responsibilities and you can have a little break from all that's bothering you!

go to the toys section in the store and look for all the nostalgia from the toys you loved as a child, did you know they're all being remade?? buy some! you're never too old to be young and plus have you felt the utter excitement of unboxing a toy!!!

you're really obsessed with your favorite show?? tell the entire world!! wear pins of it on all your clothing! draw pictures of the main characters - doesn't matter if you can't draw well everyone can draw and what matters if you have fun! you got an office job? put some figures from the show on your desk! it's your job and you deserve to be comfortable!

you don't like your appearance? well you should customize it until you like it more! get those piercings you always admired!! design your own tattoos and find an artist to make them into a reality! search online for fashion subcultures that speak to you and go thrifting to find inspo! you miss dressing up fancy? have you heard of cosplay!! cosplay in public - it's your life and you should never feel ashamed of feeling content!! you think furries are cool? me too! why not draw a fursona and when you can afford to, buy a fursuit!!! get that crazy hair style! shave off your eyebrows! do wild makeup for that family gathering!

do whatever makes you happy because your life and your happiness belongs to YOU and YOU ONLY! fuck what the world thinks, anyone who thinks otherwise is clearly insecure and wish they could be as happy as you. you should never feel ashamed of your joy.

[IMAGE ID: ponyville is a (pro) endo free zone break dni and get blocked loser! END ID]

[lonestarflight]

Space Station Concepts: Space Operations Center

"The SOC is a self-contained orbital facility built up of several Shuttle-launched modules. With resupply, on-orbit refurbish- ment and orbit maintenance, it is capable of continuous operation for an indefinite period. In the nominal operational mode, the SOC is manned continuously, but unmanned operation is possible.

The present mission management and control process is characterized by a people-intensive ground monitoring and control operation involving large supporting ground information and control facilities and a highly- integrated ground-flight crew operation. In order to reduce dependence on Earth monitoring and control, the SOC would have to provide for increased systems monitoring; fault isolation and failure analysis, and the ability to store and call up extensive sets of data to support the onboard control of the vehicle; and the onboard capability for daily mission and other activity planning."

"Like most other space station studies from the mid/late 1970s its primary mission was the assembly and servicing of large spacecraft in Earth orbit -- not science. NASA/JSC signed a contract with Boeing in 1980 to further develop the design. Like most NASA space station plans, SOC would be assembled in orbit from modules launched on the Space Shuttle. The crew's tour of duty would have been 90 days. NASA originally estimated the total cost to be $2.7 billion, but the estimated cost had increased to $4.7 billion by 1981. SOC would have been operational by 1990.

NASA's Johnson Spaceflight Center extended the Boeing contract in February 1982 to study a cheaper, modular, evolutionary approach to assembling the Space Operations Center. An initial power module would consist of solar arrays and radiators. The next launches would have delivered a space tug 'garage', two pressurized crew modules and a logistics module. The completed Space Operations Center also would have contained a satellite servicing and assembly facility and several laboratory modules. Even with this revised approach, however, the cost of the SOC program had grown to $9 billion. Another problem was Space Operations Center's primary mission: spacecraft assembly and servicing. The likely users (commercial satellite operators and telecommunications companies) were not really interested in the kind of large geostationary space platforms proposed by NASA. By 1983, the only enthusiastic users for NASA's space station plans were scientists working in the fields of microgravity research and life sciences. Their needs would dictate future space station design although NASA's 1984 station plans did incorporate a SOC-type spacecraft servicing facility as well."

Article by Marcus Lindroos, from astronautix.com: link

NASA ID: link, S79-10137

Boeing photo no. R-1859, link, link

[redflagshipwriter]

Halfa Cass 9 pt 2

masterpost

The office, as it were, was a dank garage that stunk of dogshit no matter how much Danny aired it out and what he cleaned. Dust motes hung sullenly in the air.

Danny blew some of them out of the way of his workbench and grimaced as he wiped it clean-ish. The dust settled on the rough concrete underfoot, because effort was nearly pointless and he should probably give up immediately.  He heaved a sigh and looked around. God. It was depressing to be here with enough time to think. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a project to start up yet. His contact was supposed to show up today with a new request. 

He fiddled with his tools as he waited, making sure everything was well-maintained and organized. There was a glut of scrap material for him to use. The local gang had people collect it for him. Danny spent a while sorting it, figuring out what was usable and what was genuinely trash. When that was done he thought about ducking to the corner store to get more cleaning supplies to make being in the garage less painful, but if he wasn’t available when the guy came, well. 

It wouldn’t be good, that was all.

They didn’t know about Jazz. Probably. He was pretty sure that the gang had no concept that he was connected to anyone else in Gotham. He wasn’t on her lease and he didn’t have any kind of legal ID. 

When they’d had to make a break for it, they hadn’t had enough money for everything. As soon as they were stable enough, Danny would ghost this gang and get a new ID. They would set up somewhere else and he could get some kind of unrelated degree so that nothing about them would ever flag as the Fenton siblings. 

There was a bang from upstairs. Danny fixed his slouch a little so that whatever machismo dickbag came in wouldn’t think he was challenging them or whatever. He waited as footsteps thudded down the wrought metal staircase. 

“Mechanic,” called a man that Danny didn’t know. Cocky. Light colored blue jeans, bright orange tennis shoes that were probably expensive.

“Morning.” He nodded genially as his contact came into sight. The new guy was young, weedy, and had a hungry look to his face. Not as in underfed- ambitious. He’d topped his casual look off with a black muscle shirt that showed he didn’t have an ounce of fat on him. He had a little mustache that looked like a mistake.

“I’m Brick.” Brick looked around the garage and sneered a little. Fair enough. It was gross. “The boss liked the bazooka. We need two more of those.”

Danny cringed internally. ‘I really hope they’re not imaginative enough to start misusing those for anything beyond theft. I don’t have enough of a money stash for Phantom to confiscate my tech back yet.’

He dodged eye contact and nodded, wiping his hands with a shop cloth just to have something to do. “Right, I can do that,” he said. “It’ll take a couple of days.”

Brick took a big step forward like he was playing a game. “What if it didn’t, though?” He stared a hole through Danny.

It took a couple of seconds to realize that Brick was trying to be intimidating. 

“It’s gonna take a couple of days,” Danny repeated, trying to avoid sounding like he was mouthing off.

Technically speaking, yeah. He could bang those out today. But they didn’t know that. They were paying him by the day and he didn’t want to flood the streets with too much ecto tech.

Brick scowled at him, but let it go. “And you’re sure that shit can’t work on people?” he demanded. 

Danny kept his face still, because grinning would give him away. “Very sure,” he said blandly. It was true. It might knock a human back, but ecto tech didn’t act on living matter. 

As long as this dumb gang didn’t start a territory fight with a local ghost, he hadn’t really introduced anything too harmful into the local ecosystem.

Brick looked pissy about this. “I’ll be back in two days to check in, nerd.” He turned on his heel and stomped away, up the stairs.

Danny waited for him to be fully gone before he snorted. “Nerd?” he repeated under his breath. “Yeah, sure. I’m the nerd, shiny shoes.” He snickered and started to assemble what he would need. “Brick- who are you kidding, string bean?” He mocked his contact quietly as he got to work assembling a matter displacement cannon. 

[quiteliterallyilliterate]

I legit just see you randomly on my feed and your writing was really good and I thought why not? Since requests are open, may I request for yandere skyward sword link with goddess reader? Reader can either replace Zelda herself or is a whole other goddess that doesnt even belong or own Hyrule. Id love to see what else you have in store here!

Order up!

Sorry it’s been a while! I’ve been dealing with a lot these past two weeks but hopefully life will improve (?) Love this concept and there’s a mention of @monpalace’s idea with Skyloftians using shed loftwing feathers to propose. Not proofread, I am sorry, this took wayyyy too. Much like Link, i am eepy. That’s about all!

Hope you enjoy!~

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝

There was little refuge for Link on the surface, that much he knew. That much the world made incredibly apparent. Aside from what little lands like that of the kikwi or the ancient temple, there was little non-hostile life. The sun was fading from the sky, Hylia’s light fading from the surface land, letting monsters run rampant across the untamed earth. Not a particularly pleasant situation given the stab wound he’d nursed, limping through the forest as he tried to find a way home. With no statues in sight, he resigned himself to his fate —alone within an unkind world. Not that it’s a first that he’s felt such a manner, everyone knew everyone in Skyloft, his business was never truly his. And with Groose and his goons taunting him for his every breath, there wasn’t much to say for company. He could be surrounded by people, and yet he was —to some level— still alone. That was, aside from Zelda, missing among this realm. There was some small, nagging part of him that wish he needn’t search for her. Sure, he valued her companionship, and yet… it’s been odd lately. Originally he kept from the sky to be with her once more. But now knowing he was a piece in a prophecy —one she knew, no less— he couldn’t help but question the authenticity of their friendship. He feels wrong about it to question. The hylian people serve Hylia, he should be grateful that he’s been sent on a mission she foretold. He should be so many things. It just seems added onto the pile of things he should be. More outgoing, Zelda would say after he’d share his difficulty with speaking to his peers. Less pathetic, Groose and his lackeys would sneer. Dead, He’d often think, looking at the bags under his eyes and tousled hair. So it seemed irrelevant that Hylia wished he’d be heroic. The small decaying temple looked surprisingly stable from the inside. Vines and mosses grew into the cracks within the marble, nature filling in where people could no longer support. The door was easily blocked and the main area was large enough to safely light a fire without smoking himself out. Above a plinth stood a statue, sharp imposing eyes glaring at whomever entered with judgement. Their face was alight with the golds of the fire, setting in the allure within his mind. Looking down past stone ceremonial robes were offerings, placed at their feet, still fresh despite the centuries since any people lived down here. A deity, he noticed a little too late. Perhaps it was sacreligious of him to stay here, the Hero of Hylia taking refuge in a different god’s home. But perhaps that kingdom has since crumbled, their blades too rusted to do him any harm. The blood seeping through his tunic was the least of his concerns as sleep pulled him in familiar as ever.

Link liked to sleep. It was safe and warm, something quite the contrast to the life he’d led. He wished many times both before his journey and since its onset that he could stay asleep forever. It’d be a blessing, to exist in such a state of peaceful serenity outside of a world defined by its wars. And yet, morning after morning, he’d awake to soft sunlight or be shoved out of his bed. Hylia did not wait on him. So waking up to fingers carding softly through his hair as a lullaby —one his memories could just barely grasp at— was a sharp contrast. He felt no pain in his stomach nor the jolt of adrenaline he was used to. Turning around sleepily, he saw you, the very deity he seeked refuge under. He scrambled to apologize, your sharp eyes looking down upon him as he lay strewn across your body.

“I’m- Oh- I-“ He could not, for whatever reason, speak. Much a common theme in his life that whenever he needed his words, they’d fly away faster than a loftwing. Strong arms tightened around him, shushes and soothes whispered to his pointed ears.

“Be at ease. Your goddess cannot find you here” The fingers resumed carding through his hair, twirling the uneven cuts. “You are safe, little hero” Your words bled with a care and endearment he had not been given in so long. His mind latched to you, to your care and your soft treatment of him. He let himself rest limply, telling himself that it would pass soon. Nothing ever stays this good for this long. And yet, there were no monsters to kick in the door or someone waiting on him. There was just you and him. And no other God watching. “She’s put you through so much.” Your statement hangs in the air as Link can’t find the words that dignify a response. “To wander in here bleeding as badly as you were.” His eyes widen and he does his best to pat his tunic, feeling for the blood. And yet there was none. Aside from the rip in the forest fabric, there was no signs of him ever being injured.

“What?” His brows furrowed and he found himself looking up to you. Your skin held an inhuman glint, a glow to it that needed no sun nor fire to illuminate. Your hunter’s eyes had no iris, a scalara of pure white looking back at him. Your lips here pulled to something of a mischievous smirk as you looked upon him.

“I fixed you.” Your tone was a little uncanny, voice unused to conversing. “I used to do it frequently for the before people” He felt his eyes widen marginally. He’d never heard of the ‘before people’ only if what came after them. He knew naught of their societies, nor their deities. You giggled at his curiosity, pressing lightly on his shoulders so he’d lay back down. “It’s been so long since i’ve had such lovely visitors” Your voice was a far off cry in his mind as he buried his face in the nape of your neck. There was no rushing of blood to lull his own rushing mind, and yet you soothed him all the same. “Rest now, little Hero. I will watch the world in your stead.

There were many times afterwards that he visited you. He’d put a beacon near the clearing where your quiet temple sat. Gone was the comfort of absence that came with sleep, that nullifying expanse of nothingness. Instead, he’d seek out you, the glow of your grace soothing the rage he now brought upon the world. At your Altar he’d leave gifts, anything you’d mentioned in passing or anything he knew must’ve been good. You’d offhandedly speak of how much you missed the ancient cistern, and he’d bring you its water. He’d gather the fruit of the Faron woods, making into pies and jam and alcohol for you to feed off of. It wasn’t often, but he’d occasionally get you blood or meat. Not common, he didn’t want to raise concerns, but he knew the spirits would strengthen you. You may have only had a one man clergy, but he was loyal to a fault. He cleared the surface of monsters so you could roam freely, basking in the moonlight as your fingers brushed the grass. His favorite gift to you came in the form of a plume of crimson feathers. You were quite oblivious to the meaning behind the exchange, instead cooing over the bright colors and imagining the majesty of the bird it came from. But he knew that maybe then the other half of his spirit —as the people said— would mingle with your own to care for you as much as you did him. Bound to you perhaps by fate and now with the matrimony of his gift to you, no longer would you lay forgotten to the world. He’d build an empire in your honor if it would be your wish. He’d kill the goddess who subdued you if it were your ruling. Afterall, he was prophesied to kill a deity.

[maidflowery]

Fortified Wager ♧♧♧ 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 ５

♦︎♦︎ Aventurine x Reader ♦︎♦︎ 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕

🄱🄰🄲🄺 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ４】

𝕋𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥

𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽, 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝘆𝗮𝗻-𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 𝗔𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗲—𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝘁, 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘅 𝘄𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀. 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

“𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲?”

╔══ ≪ ♤♢♤ ≫ ══╗

The four of you moved to a secluded spot near the entrance, as far from the bar section as possible.

Upon arriving there, none of you said a word. Instead, you were transfixed at the wallet and the phone on the table.

It wasn’t just make-believe—the “Big Baddie” was real, and he was currently playing poker against Aventurine. A brief glance on the ID card inside the thick wallet, bursting with visa cards and stack of bills, pretty much confirmed that.

Children saw things in black and white. Teo, who worked hard for them, was the “Hero”—whereas Billy, who extorted their brother, was the “Big Baddie.” The Hero would be rewarded for doing good things, whereas the Big Baddie would be punished for doing bad things, because such was justice. That concept was probably as natural as the sun rising in the sky to these children.

And yet, none of that happened that night.

It was the twins’ birthday that day, and they hoped to celebrate it with their older brother. So, they went to his workplace in hopes of bringing him home. There, they saw for themselves how their brother had to work endlessly into the night just to pay the loan shark. Meanwhile, the man their brother missed their birthday for wouldn’t stop wasting money on the gambling table.

Ultimately, no justice was served.

How did they feel at that moment?

You couldn’t know for sure, but one thing was certain.

They felt angry, disappointed, betrayed, and sad enough to take matters into their own hands. To them, what they did was the “right” thing, even if it was “wrong” in itself. All for the sake of their brother.

Now, the results were staring at you.

When the twins said they had “taught him a lesson,” they meant they had stolen from him. They had stolen what were arguably the most important things to a person in this day and age. A wallet with personal identification and financial cards, along with a phone containing all kinds of personal data and delicate information.

During your time working at the family restaurant, how many times did a customer come back frantically looking for their phones because of the data stored inside?

‘Can’t you just apologize and return it or something?’

Seeing the look on Teo’s face made you swallow that question.

“...He’s Billy Burnett, an infamous loan shark around here. My family is in debt, so he’d come to pay us a visit from time to time... A loud guy, often woke the kids...”

Perhaps in an attempt to organize his thoughts, Teo blabbered on. He was holding the hands of both twins excruciatingly tightly, making them fidget restlessly.

“—What’s going on here?”

The two of you turned to the direction of the voice, and saw Marius making his way through the crowds with two other female staff members. They moved so subtly and unobtrusively that nobody paid them any heed.

Then, his dark blue eyes found you. Oh, there they were, the scowl™ and the dead fish gaze™. Simply nostalgic.

“...You again? What did you do?”

“Pffft—!”

Before you could get annoyed at his rude accusation, the pink, kitty-themed Band-Aid on his left cheek stole your attention, and you snorted.

“Tsk.”

Marius immediately covered his cheek and looked away. At least he wasn’t concealing a bruise this time.

“Marius... We have a situation...”

Teo’s weak voice brought you back to the situation at hands.

You stood nearby with a female staff as Teo spoke to Marius. The twins were entrusted to the other female staff, but they were adamant on staying. The female staff member stood with them at a distance, preventing them from overhearing the conversation.

In contrast to Teo, who was shaking like a leaf as he recounted what happened, Marius’ expression didn’t change the whole time. His dark blue eyes were trained at the wallet and the phone.

“...Marius, I’m really sorry about this, especially after the recent incident...”

“What’s done is done. We have to think of a way to rectify this situation.”

Not wanting to intrude their conversation, you turned to the curly-haired female staff beside you. On her chest was the nameplate ‘Christy.’

“...Uh, is this ‘Billy Burnett’ a scary fellow?”

Also, what is this recent incident Teo is talking about?

“He is—!” Christy answered in a shrill voice, not trying to hide her panic. “We always dread it whenever he comes! He’s so vulgar, rude, and always nitpicks his order! In fact, just two days ago, a staff quit because of him—”

“—Don’t say anything unnecessary, Christy.”

Before Christy could continue, however, Marius’ stern voice cut her off.

Then, Marius glanced at you. He didn’t even try to hide the fact that he found you a bother.

“A third party should stay out of this.”

R-right.

Besides, it was nothing new. Every restaurant and nightclub had that one problematic customer, right? Let the staff members and the manager deal with it. It wasn’t like there was anything you could do, anyway.

You began to turn on your heels.

“I’ll take care of this.”

“Manager, please don’t! He remembers your face! He’ll just take advantage of this situation to do something even worse to you!”

“Marius, no! Besides, this is my fault... it’s my responsibility...”

When Marius declared firmly, both Christy and Teo were appalled. You also halted.

“It’s my responsibility as the manager. Also, why are you still here, Teo? Didn’t I give you a half-day off today?”

“You’re kidding! Who’s going to make all those drinks?!”

“Tsk. None of this would’ve happened if you had just gone home and celebrate your siblings’ birthday.”

“...Anyway, I’ll take care of this, Marius. ...Just, just take Jonah and Ann home, please. I can’t let them see what’s going to happen next.”

“...Alright. I’ll make sure they get home safely.”

You couldn’t bear to listen to that bleak conversation anymore!

“—Listen, can’t you just, like, pretend that you are giving them back after he accidentally dropped them?” You butted in.

“Two days ago, Judith and I were serving his table. He specifically asked for a spoon, so we brought him one. But then, he got mad, saying he wanted chopsticks. He accused us of looking down on him.” Christy, who was deadly pale, told you about the recent incident.

“That’s just unreasonable...”

But that wasn’t the end of it.

“Judith politely told him that he must’ve forgotten. He flew into rage, saying that she was calling him senile. Then, he threw a punch at her. If Marius hadn’t stepped in at the time—”

“—That’s enough, Christy!”

Marius suddenly interjected and stood between the two of you.

As you glared at the bruise hidden under the kitty-themed Band-Aid with renewed respect, Marius spoke in a cold voice.

“In case I wasn’t clear enough, this doesn’t concern you. Stay out of it.”

He crossed his arms, not even bothering to hide his derision.

“I-I was just trying to help...” You meekly answered.

“How? And why?” Marius asked provokingly.

“H-how about dumping the wallet and phone somewhere far away?”

“And get my entire staff implicated because that guy lost his wallet and phone right after visiting this place. Very good.”

Your alternative solution was shot down mercilessly. On a second thought, it wouldn’t work anyway.

You recalled the phone brand. It was the most expensive brand out there, but most thieves avoided it like a plague. Why? Because of the GPS and the security system. That phone could’ve fallen into hell, and you could still track which circle it landed in.

“Then I guess it leaves me no other choice... Let’s make it so that it never happened!” you said, bouncing back.

Marius didn’t seem the slightest bit impressed.

“Why?”

Without warning, he took a step toward you. The man, who was slightly shorter than you, suddenly looked so daunting.

“W-well, there won’t be any culprit if it never happened to begin with! And nobody will get punched!” you stammered, trying to hold your ground.

“Why would you go this far?”

Deep blue eyes bore into you, seething with distrust and suspicion.

“I consider all of you friends, so I thought—”

At that moment, Marius reached for his left cheek, or more precisely, for the Band-Aid. He ripped it off and tossed it on the ground. Before you could react, he stepped on it, crushing it underfoot.

“We are not, so scram.”

Just as you were about to say something, the twins suddenly peeked out from either side of you.

“—Did we cause Brother a huge problem?” Jonah seemed about to cry.

“Big Bro shouldn’t apologize! It’s none of his fault! We’ll apologize!”

Ann was a sobbing mess. As she spoke, big droplets of tears fell from her eyes.

“NO!!”

Teo panicked and rushed to hug his siblings, preventing them from doing anything rash.

After all, if Billy Burnett could punch an innocent woman, what would he do to two kids who were clearly guilty? The siblings of the person he had been harassing as a loan shark, on top of that.

“Ah, hey!”

You took the chance to grab Marius’ arm and lead him somewhere a bit far away, where the twins couldn’t hear you.

Marius seemed about to protest, but you stared straight into his eyes.

“Those twins look up to Teo and care for him a lot. As if I’ll let them watch their brother—their Hero—get beaten for it!”

“...! Well, they wouldn’t. I’ll be taking them home soon.”

Despite his callous words, you saw how Marius subtly shifted to the side, averting his gaze.

“Do you think that’ll be enough?! They will—no, they already know something’s up! Even if he hides it well, how long will that last?! Once they find out, what will they think?!”

“That’s... either way, it’ll teach them not to steal from someone again.” Marius replied weakly.

He could’ve just dismissed you right off the bat. The fact that he was wavering told you that he disliked this as much as you do. In that case, all you had to do was press on.

“No, it won’t. They’ll only blame themselves for putting their brother in harm, and you know that!”

“Then what do you suggest I do?! Some things just can’t be helped!”

You were taken aback when Marius suddenly raised his voice. He had lost his cool, finally appearing like the youth he was—but only briefly.

“...There’s no use arguing over this,” Marius spoke while tidying his tuxedo. In no time at all, he had reverted to his usual demeanor. His icy cold gaze pierced you.

“Also, let me warn you about something. We've only recently allowed people like you into our prestigious nightclub, letting you mingle with our esteemed regulars as if you were one of them. That might have gone to your head.”

The stoic and levelheaded manager of Primavera was back, exuding ten times more coldness and rejection than before.

“...”

You stayed silent, mulling on your next words.

“Need I remind you what kind of authority they have? A single word from them could ruin the lives of many. I wouldn’t care if you’re the only one affected, but I also have something to protect, so stay in your lane.”

After Marius was seemingly done, you began to speak.

“...I suggest we reverse pickpocket him. Make it so that it never happened.”

“—We’re done here.”

With a look of disappointment, Marius turned on his heels, about to go on his way.

“Then do me one last favor.”

You spoke firmly, making sure it could still reach him amidst the bustling crowd. Marius halted, but you know it wouldn’t be for long, so you kept it brief.

“Check your pants pocket.”

Marius annoyedly slid his hand into his right pocket.

“No, no, the other one.”

“Such a waste of time—huh? This... how?”

After fishing something out of his pocket, he glanced at a certain spot on the floor. The thing he had ripped off his cheek was no longer there. Then, he turned around to meet your gaze. 

“Since when did you...?”

In response, you smirked, staring at the crumpled kitty-themed Band-Aid in his hand.

“There, as if it never happened, right?”

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

You smugly walked back to the siblings, half-dragging the complaining Marius behind you.

Upon arriving, you saw the twins struggling to break free from Christy and the other female staff, trying to chase after Teo.

“Now, Ann, Jonah... don’t trouble Sister Christy and Sister Tasha like that. Brother will be back home in a flash, okay?”

“No! Brother! We’re going with you!” “Big Bro, you can’t leave!”

...Apparently, you returned at the right time, just as Teo was about to sacrifice himself to the Big Baddie.

“Hey, Teo! You’re going way overboard with this surprise! I feel sorry for your siblings!”

You shouted at then, smiling dashingly like nothing ever happened.

After all, how were you supposed to reassure everyone that everything was okay if you didn’t look fine yourself?

“A-a surprise...?” “Big Bro was...?”

The twins blinked at you in confusion.

“I did...?”

Actually, Teo was just as at a loss as they were, but you winked at him—hard—forcing him to keep his mouth shut.

“I-I guess I did...” Teo meekly affirmed.

“Yes! I’m actually one of the staff here!” You went on.

“Hey! I’ve heard none of this! You still owe me an explanation!”

It was Marius’ turn to be confused.

It seemed that he utterly disliked being blindsided, and had been demanding an answer from you ever since. Briefly, you wondered if something happened in his past—but either way, this worked for you.

You glanced at him from your shoulder.

“I will once you let me finish speaking. ...Also, can you stop looking at me like that?”

Marius was seething with suspicion. His eyes said it all.

‘Who are you? Is this your first time stealing? How many times have you done it? Was it in my nightclub? Should I ask my staff if any of their belongings is missing? I knew it! I shouldn’t have welcomed these beggars in our luxurious nightclub!’

...Seriously, who hurt you, man?

Although, this time, his suspicion was kind of warranted. Anyone would praise a talented singer, but not a skilled thief. But you weren’t a thief, though... and it wasn’t exactly “stealing,” either...

“Haa...” You sighed.

Explaining this was going to be troublesome. Besides, you didn’t have much time. So, you decided to wrap this up in one go. You fished for a coin from your waist bag.

Then, you recited a line that you had memorized a long time ago.

“—Ladies and gentlemen, please focus on the coin in my hand."

“Huh...?” “Eh...?”

The twins were stunned, but it took no time for them to recognize that line.

“Don’t blink, or you might miss the magic!”

Their eyes widened as you tossed the coin into the air, before catching it with your other hand, twirling it between your fingers. The coin fluttered from your hand to another, as if dancing. Until finally, you closed both of your palms with a snap.

By that time, the sheer distress on their faces had been replaced by sheer excitement.

“Now, guess which hand has the coin! The one who gets it right will receive a present”

Like children their age, the notion of “present” got them flocking to your hands.

“I actually know which one it is. But as the older one, I have to concede. I choose this one!” Jonah smirked and picked your left hand.

“This!” Ann eagerly picked your right hand.

“Okay, so you’ve made your choice! No take-backs?”

Both twins shook their heads.

“No take-backs! Here’s the catch, though. The coin can also choose! It will appear in the hand chosen by a good kid!”

“...!” “...!”

The twins gulped at that. They stared meaningfully at each other, looking unsure.

“—Sim Salabim, Abracadabra!”

You pretended not to see that and even chanted because kids liked it. Sure enough, they leaned forward on their tiptoes, full of anticipation.

“Okay, here goes nothing!”

You opened both palms and revealed... nothing.

“Huh?! I was so sure—” “Where did it go??”

The twins were dumbfounded.

“—How?! Just how?!”

The one who yelled that, full of disbelief, was Marius. But let’s just ignore him.

“Oh no... the coin didn’t choose anyone in the end... No way, have the two of you been bad lately? Did you... steal from someone, perhaps?”

In response, they both hung their heads, looking obviously guilty. Even their shoulders were shaking. If anything, they looked like they needed someone to listen to them. Children shouldn’t be carrying so much guilt and stress, anyway.

“That guy...! He always thrashes the whole house! Money is all he ever talks about! It wasn’t our debt to begin with, but our good-for-nothing dad!”

“He even barged in during our mother’s death anniversary!”

“Reporting that guy is of no use! Whenever we mentioned his name, everyone got scared! They won’t do anything about him!”

“Unlike those weak adults, we did something about it! We’re stronger!”

“Yes, we are strong! We’ll protect our brother!”

“—By doing the same thing he did to your brother? How is that strong, exactly?”

Amidst Jonah and Ann’s cries, your firm voice rang clearly.

“T-that’s because...” “H-he...”

Jonah and Ann, who were caught off-guard, tried to defend themselves amidst their sniveling. But you already knew what they were going to say.

“‘Because he deserves it’ or ‘to teach him a lesson’? Did you know? Whenever that Big Baddie does something awful to others, he probably tells himself the same thing.”

“Huh...?”

“Do you know how someone turns evil? It’s when they keep excusing their wrongdoings until they’re convinced they did nothing wrong. Eventually, they’ll start believing they can do no wrong, and that’s when someone turns into a Big Baddie.”

“...”

You knelt to match the eye level of Jonah and Ann. They were still crying, and their noses had turned bright red.

“Do you want to become like him? When you look at what you’ve done, can you honestly say that you did the right thing? Do you think your brother will be happy with this?”

“N-no...”

“There are many definitions of 'strength' out there. But to Big Sis, being strong means staying true to yourself and holding on to your beliefs no matter what, without being afraid of doing the right thing. You know that stealing is wrong, right? You aren’t so weak that you can’t admit your mistakes, are you?”

“...What we did was wrong.” “We were wrong...”

Their voices were muffled because they were wiping their tears with their sleeves, but it made you smile all the same. Behind them, Teo was watching with a look as if he was about to cry.

Alright, let’s figure out how to take care of that Big Baddie later.

“Do you promise to never steal again?”

“W-we promise...” “Promise...”

“Great—oh no! What is this power surging through me?!”

You grasped your trembling right hand, making a display of panicking and not knowing what was happening.

“I-I can feel it! The coin is about to return...!”

Their tears didn’t stop them from staring closely at your hand.

At last...

“Ta-da—! Presents for good children—!”

You opened your palm, showing two colorful gummies.

“WOW!!” “WHOAH!!”

“Happy birthday to you!”

Immediately, the twins burst into a smile. Even though it was actually your snacks, they took them and started jumping around as if they were the world’s most precious treasure. They even showed them off to the two female staff members and Teo, who smiled happily alongside them.

...Aah, this reminds me of why I took that side gig with the troupe to begin with.

Yes, that was right. You were never a thief, just a magician-in-training.

At first, you only applied as a prop maker for extra cash. But then, by chance, you had to assist the magic show. The looks of genuine excitement on the children’s faces made you decide to try it out. After practicing hard for it, you finally made it on stage! You performed with flying colors. Unfortunately, that was also your last performance. The wandering troupe was scheduled to travel somewhere else after that...

It’s definitely worth it, though...

“Big Sis, Big Sis! Show me more magic tricks!” Ann tugged at your sleeve.

“Of course. Marius, bring me some colorful papers.” You ordered the guy looming behind you.

“Why should I—ah, whatever...”

The guy left and returned with some colorful papers. They were high-quality, too. As expected of Primavera!

Okay, this was where your skill as a prop maker came in!

You started making something out of the papers. Then, your magic show started again.

“Wow! Where did that rose come from?! Big Sis is so amazing!” Ann clapped her hands.

“This is nothing.”

“Show me, munch, something cool, munch...” Jonah asked you while chewing on the gummy.

“Sure. But it’s bad manners to talk while eating, Kids.”

“Whoa! The flags! There are so many! They just won’t stop coming out! Awesome!” Jonah started jumping again.

“I know, right?” You grinned.

“...Would you be interested in working with us? I might be able to hire you as our clown.” Marius asked hesitantly in a low voice.

Since you couldn’t possibly say profanities in front of children, you just silently raised your middle finger to him.

“Why?! Your meals will be taken care of! You also don’t need to worry about salary!”

Huh? He’s actually being serious?

“T-this is actually my first time watching a live magic show... Uh, if possible, can you make more of those paper roses appear?”

“Oh, Christy, you’d like some too? Of course!”

“Wow! How wonderful! The folds and cuts are so clean!”

“I practiced hard for that.”

“Me too, me too!”

“Okay, Tasy—WAIT, WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!!!”

🂥 🂠 🂧 🂠

“...Are you sure about this?”

You and Marius stood side by side, gazing at the table where the two gentlemen were seated from afar.

Aventurine was enjoying himself as usual, casually sipping champagne while holding a few cards. Across from him, sat a giant who could only be described as a cross between a bull and a gorilla.

...Try as you might, that was the best and only description you could come up with.

So, that’s Billy Burnett, the loan shark...

His hair was slicked back with so much gel it looked almost plastic, with a bald top. Glossy brown overcoat, with red, tiger-striped shirt underneath. Sparkly gold jewels—so many of them, from his nose, his neck, his arm, his wrist, his fingers... The man screamed “gaudy” from top to bottom, as if he felt the need to constantly remind everyone that he was filthy rich.

You began to worry about Aventurine. To be precise, for his eyesight. After all, every time the flashing lights hit that gorilla, he shone brighter than the sun.

Maybe you should wear your shades again, Aventurine...

—But anyway, Marius was asking if you’d like to back down.

“One hundred percent serious.”

Of course, you had your doubts. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have entertained the thought of leaving everything to the staff back then. The moment you turned back and rejoined them, you decided to see this through.

“Even the slightest mistake may cause your life to be turned upside down. Once he bites, Billy usually won’t let go. You may end up regretting this.”

“I'll regret it even more if I run away when I could have done something about it.”

“...Blind confidence? Savior Complex? Either way, I’ll never get a reckless idiot like you. I also don’t get why I’m trusting said idiot to begin with. More importantly, Billy will just tell you to get lost if you approach him looking like that.”

“Thanks for that. It’s exactly what I didn’t need to hear.”

You subconsciously reached for the black butterfly mask covering half of your face. You crafted it on the last minute. Usually, a magician would wear some kind of a mask, wouldn’t they? Other than looking the part, it’d also help in hiding your identity. See? You weren’t that suicidal.

“—Manager, I brought the uniform.”

All of the sudden, Christy arrived behind you. The curly-haired female staff smiled at you, before handing Marius a set of uniform.

Marius received it and began explaining. “Wear this. For tonight, you’re one of Primavera staff members.”

Wow, an actual help from Marius!?!?

Marius scowled when he saw how flabbergasted you are. “What’s that look for? You think I’ll just sit back and relax and let a random stranger do all the work? Teo is one of my staff members, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe.”

...Whoa.

Again, you saw Marius in a new light. You reached for the uniform with a sense of pride, only for him to retract his hand. You stood there grasping at air like an idiot, feeling a sense of déjà vu.

???

“...?”

Marius continued in a lower voice. “And that goes for you, too.” His cool, deep-blue eyes were focused on you.

“Huh?”

“Did you forget what I said already? For tonight, you’re one of my staff. If you sense that things are getting dangerous, just run. It doesn’t matter if you fail. Safety is of utmost priority. I’ll handle the rest.”

“!”

Marius...

“The rest goes as we previously discussed. Any questions?”

“O-out of curiosity, how are you going to ‘handle the rest?’” You asked wistfully.

To be honest, you were really nervous. No mistake was allowed—this operation had to succeed no matter what. Hence, knowing there was a Plan B would help calm your nerves immensely.

Marius flashed you his flawless manager smile.

“I’ll personally tell Billy that ‘we made sure to fire this obnoxious staff on the spot and charge her under the suspicion of theft. She’ll have to pay for it for the rest of her life.’”

“—So, you’re just turning me into a scapegoat!!!”

Yeah, I can’t. I still hate this guy.

Marius tilted his head. “Why does it matter? You aren’t foolish enough to tell him your true name, are you? Or maybe I’m mistaken? In that case, might as well invite him over to hang out.”

“N-no, actually... that does make sense...”

Either way, I’m only a “staff” for a night, so it’s the same as being fired.

Also, did he just praise your intelligence by saying that you “aren’t foolish enough”? You were about to giggle bashfully until you realized that was just a low blow, far from bare minimum. Dammit! Hanging around this sadistic manager caused your standard bar to fall on the floor!

Then, you finally received the uniform. At the same time, something shiny fell.

“Oh, sorry about that...”

Christy crouched to retrieve it. It was a silver hairpin.

“Sorry, Judith must’ve forgotten this...” She smiled awkwardly, before whispering to you. “Manager’s just bluffing! For now, just do your best! If he said he’ll take care of the rest, he’ll definitely do so! ...In fact, that was why Judith quit... Even though he got injured because of her, he still treated her so well. In the end, she couldn’t stand the guilt...”

“I see...”

You stared wordlessly at the premium black uniform in your hands.

“Older Sister!” “Big Sis!”

Jonah, Ann, and Teo appeared in tow.

“Older Sister, are you really going to that Big Baddie’s place?” “Big Sis, are you going to be okay?”

The twins asked you with concern.

“Of course! Big Sis is going to cast the spell of love, peace, and friendship on that guy! Hopefully, he’ll change for the better!” You showed them a huge grin.

Translation: you were going to secretly return his stuffs so he wouldn’t have any reasons to be angry! But still, gotta set a good example for these kids!

Teo smiled timidly at you. “I can’t thank you enough. I won’t forget this. We’ll pray for your safety.”

“S-sure...”

G-guys, can you please stop already? Why do I feel like I’m being given a final send-off?!

...And so, it was the deciding moment.

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

You walked toward the now sanctified gambling table in the main dance venue.

In your hands was a wide silver tray. Its glossy surface, polished to perfection, reflected the colorful stream of lights from time to time. Although it was empty, it still felt heavy and solid. It could probably withstand force several times greater than its weight.

Seeing your attire—the authentic uniform of Primavera, and a butterfly mask, everyone naturally scooted away. Honestly, it was probably the mask. Hence, the walk was short—or should’ve been.

The table was right over there, just a short distance away. But to you, it was as if there was a distance of a few miles away separating you. You were dragging your feet, after all.

...N-no! I have to hurry!

Reportedly, the Big Baddie was burning through his suitcases of money. No wonder, his opponent was Aventurine, after all. Once he ran out of money, he’d probably reach for his wallet, or phone, or both.

“Ugh,” You sighed.

The entire walk there was a certified Walk of Shame.

As you brushed past the crowd, all kind of thoughts loomed over you.

Just how did this happen?

Where did you go wrong in life?

Even though you steeled yourself to help Teo, when it came time to do it, all kinds of pessimistic thoughts and doubts hit you full force. You just wanted to get this over with.

You didn’t remember feeling this nervous during your first performance with that wandering troupe. You even looked forward to it. Well, of course. You’d be performing in front of children who were also excited to see you. Right now, you were just going to make a fool of yourself and make enough distraction until you achieved your goal.

Finally, the table was only a few steps away. Two gentlemen sat across each other, surrounded by a crowd of people. The moon and the stars shining outside the tall windows beside them also bore witness to their game.

Ba-dum! Ba-dum! Ba-dum!

Your heart was kicking in your chest as you gripped the tray tightly. In your moment of distress, your eyes instinctively searched for solace—then, you found him...

Aventurine looked as breathtakingly dashing as ever, even more so from up-close. He sat on the glossy red velvet sofa, gracefully resting his long leg on top of the other. At such a distance, you could see how each and every single jewel that studded his coat glimmered under the light.

Forest-green emerald. Navy-blue sapphire. Coupled with the tosca, cyan, green, and gold accents of his attire, he looked like an embodiment of an elegant and majestic peacock.

But something wasn’t right.

Aventurine was staring listlessly at the cards in his hand. No, it was as if he was looking through them. His cyan-violet eyes were also dull. Rather than smiling, his lips seemed frozen in a shape that resembled a “smile.”

But unlike that night, he didn’t seem sad.

He looked like... how do you say this, like one of your classmates who couldn’t be more done with class. Ah yes, dead bored.

This whole time, when you sat in the farthest corner in that venue, you were always under the impression that he was smiling and rejoicing about his win. Yes, just like the night when he first treated everyone.

You wondered why.

Even though he has won this big...

There was a pile of iron suitcases on each gentleman’s side. Suffice it to say, Aventurine’s side was taller.

With only a meter and a half left, you took a step forward, then another, and another...

“—!”

Suddenly, you halted, hugging the tray close to your chest.

Perhaps sensing your presence, Aventurine lazily lifted his gaze from the cards and threw a brief glance at you, before quickly returning his attention to where it had been.

But just as you were thanking every god in the universe, he hastily turned back at you.

In such a close distance, there was no way you’d miss it—that look of utter disbelief and shock on his face...

...or how that pair of cyan-violet eyes lit up instantly, regaining their luminosity.

Brighter than the moon or the stars. Prettier than any gemstones. Richer in color than the flashing lights that illuminated the entire place.

“—WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?!”

A gruff and angry roar snapped you out of your trance.

Gah!!! That surprised me!!!

Thankfully, you were too shocked to scream.

You shot a look at his opponent—the Big Baddie, also known as Billy Burnett, and saw how he had almost completed his transformation into a bull. The guy was snarling, his face bright red, as he glowered at you, totally nailing the part of a “vulgar” and “rude” customer.

You’d be lying if you said you weren’t scared. In fact, your initial instinct was to run away.

Quick! You needed to think of a way to appease him! Otherwise, you could forget of ever returning the wallet and the phone!

...At the same time, you made a mental note that, due to his humongous build, his pants pocket was practically gaping at you.

Hoh! Nice! That makes it easier—almost like putting a basketball into a waist-high hoop!

But looking at his current state right now, which was mad pissed, an impromptu magic show was probably the last thing he’d want to see. Still, you needed to get this show on the road!

Then, as you desperately racked your brain...

“—Now, that’s no way to treat our new friend?”

Someone could be heard saying in a lighthearted voice. Yet, the words were heavy enough to make both of the Big Baddie’s giant shoulders sink.

“A-ah! I see, so you’re one of Mr. Aventurine’s friends! Sorry if I scared you! It’s just that the nightclub is loud, you know? That’s why I screamed!” Big Baddie forced a smile and made up an excuse on the spot.

The raging bull from earlier now looked like a domesticated gorilla.

The pathetic sight tickled you. Rather than a loan shark, anyone would think that this guy owed Aventurine a massive debt.

Placing his cards face down on the table, Aventurine shifted in his seat to face you, smiling all the while.

“The night is starting to get dull, so I welcome the new face. But...” His multicolored eyes swept across the empty tray you were holding, before narrowing slightly. “...I was certain I didn’t place any order, and I was right. To what do I owe the honor of your presence?”

Courteous words, spoken with a hint of amusement, topped off with that charming smile...

Just how did he manage to strike a perfect balance between frivolousness, playfulness, and elegance!?

Had this been your first meeting, he’d have you at hello.

If only you weren’t on a mission right now—ah, right!! You were on a mission!!

Without missing a beat, you curtseyed to him as best as you could.

“Good evening, esteemed guests. We've noticed how long you've been with us, and as you mentioned, the night is getting dull! So, I was sent to hopefully stave off some of your boredom! It’s a pleasure to serve you tonight!”

You just spouted the most plausible-sounding words that came to mind.

At the very least, Aventurine didn’t seem to doubt you.

“Is that so? How nice of you. How about a handshake?”

Deep, mesmerizing cyan-violet eyes bore deeply into you as the owner slowly extended his gloved hand toward you. At that moment, it was as if he had seen through your guise—through everything. Something about those eyes seemed to draw out your base instincts, and before you knew it, your hand was in his.

The coolness of latex wrapped your hand as Aventurine brought it closer to his lips. Locking eyes with you, he asked a question.

“May I have your name?”

A harmless and trivial question. Your real name almost escaped your lips until you realized that was what he wanted you to think.

“I— ...My name is Aschenputtel.”

You answered with a slight stutter, subtly trying to retract your hand, but to no avail. His grip, as gentle as his smile, was equally unwavering.

“What a gorgeous name. The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Aschenputtel.”

Then, while maintaining eye contact, he placed a chaste kiss on the back of your hand. The warmth of his lips contrasted with the coolness of his latex glove.

!#@!#&@!#!#!*!@&#&!@#&!#!#&!(!&!&&

Something inside your head exploded.

“—puttel. Ms. Aschenputtel? Is something the matter?”

A few seconds later, you were brought back to reality by none other than Aventurine. The guy who was responsible for putting you in that kind of state tilted his head innocently.

...Also, your alias smoothly rolled off his tongue, sounding like a unique and beautiful, rarely used word of X language. Even though you picked it because it was tricky to both pronounce and remember...

“N-nothing! Right, so, allow me to present a touch of magic for your enjoyment!”

You forcefully brought back the main subject and pried your hand off his.  

“Magic? As in, a magic show?”

Then, after briefly staring at his now empty hand, Aventurine asked you with obvious curiosity. Whether or not he was acting, you really couldn’t tell...

“Yes! That’s right!”

“Go on, then.”

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

Thus, despite facing a few small bumps along the way, you managed to carry out the operation.

“This one is dedicated to you, Mr. Big Ba—ahem, Mr. Billy Burnett. We always appreciate how sharply-dressed you are. So fiery, you stand out wherever you are.”

Since your target was and always had been Big Baddie, you naturally started with him. Aventurine watched on the side with interest, while you tried not to mind him as much.

“Hoho! Astute judgment! Did you know? This shirt alone cost more than all the wages of the staff here combined!”

True to your previous assessment, Big Baddie thrived on being complimented on his looks and wealth. At first, he was only half-listening to you, but that changed once you took out a few sheets of red paper.

“—I can only think of one flower to symbolize you. Would you like to guess what is it?”

You made a display of crumpling those papers in your fists.

“Ahaha! I don’t care about some grasses, so you tell me!”

“Of course, Sir! It’s right within my hand!”

However, the next time you opened both of your palms, they were empty.

“Oh, no...”

With your back facing the crowd, you could hear some astonished gasps here and there.

“Huh—?! Where did they go—?! Are you trying to make a fool of me—?!”

Instead of taking it as part of the act, Big Baddie took offense from it. But you had predicted that.

“Of course not, Sir! The flower is just shying away because of the man you are!”

You almost choked saying that.

“Huh...? Is that so...?”

“Yes! How about checking your pocket? It might be hiding there?”

“...Now that you say it, my pocket feel heavier than before.” Big Baddie went to check his pant pocket. “There’s nothing here. Only my phone and wallet.”

With a smirk, you told him, “Then, how about inside of the wallet?”

Big Baddie giddily opened his wallet and saw something red inside.

“Ooh—!”

When he pulled it out, he found out that it was a stalk of paper rose.

“How did it get there?! Especially when you never took out my wallet!”

...Simple, cause’ you put it in before returning that wallet.

Instead of answering, you took that rose from the Big Baddie’s hand.

“Still... one rose is far from enough, isn’t it? To match up with your awesomeness, maybe two—no, five? Ten?”

As you spoke, the paper roses in your hand multiplied with each flick of your wrist, corresponding to your words. The crowd behind you began murmuring in awe.

“Wow!”

“How did she do that?!”

“That’s so amazing!”

In the corner of your eye, Aventurine was silently clapping his hands.

“—The answer is: simply infinite!”

You threw the paper roses into the air, and they scattered into red petals, fluttering gently as they fell down, concluding your performance.

Everyone immediately burst into clapping.

“Hey, how did you do that?!” Even the Big Baddie was still reeling from it. He was grinning from ear to ear, a repulsive light flickering in his eyes. “That was so amazing! I like you! Your name is Ashpuddle, right?! Can we—”

“—What about me?”

The Big Baddie was about to grab a hold of you when Aventurine suddenly interjected.

Resting his chin on top of his hand, Aventurine asked you with the same smile as before. But dare you say... there was a hint of dismay in his gaze?

‘Crap! I was overly focused on the Big Baddie that I completely forgot about Aventurine!’

Just kidding.

Of course you had something prepared for him. You just didn’t expect you’d actually get the chance to perform it.

You smiled back at him.

“—Last but not least!”

“Oh?”

Upon hearing that, all trace of dissatisfaction disappeared from his face. He seemed pleasantly surprised.

A curtain had fallen on your previous performance, but now the curtain had risen for yet another one.

One that was close to your heart, and also contained way less lies.

You took out a few sheets of paper. This time, the color was pristine white.

As a waiter, you had learned body language to an extent.

The entire time you were performing, Big Baddie didn’t even turn to look at you. Perhaps, he was preoccupied with the amount he had lost that night. Either way, it helped you immensely.

However, Aventurine was something else. He shifted his position so that he was sitting directly facing you. Multicolored eyes followed each of your movement with eagerness.

Those eyes stared at you, and only you, as if the cards, the towering iron suitcases, and the crowd had never existed to begin with.

Not to mention, he was also friendly! He always responded to any of your questions! Such a great fanservice this was! You could see why he was popular!

“Mr. Aventurine, what is your favorite color?”

“Aventurine is fine. Hmm... that’s a tough one.”

You couldn’t help but laugh when you saw the look of deep contemplation on his face.

“Ahaha, you don’t know your favorite color?”

“I never really thought about it... until recently, at least. You see, a certain color has caught my eye.”

Aventurine spoke while staring into your eyes.

Unlike a certain Big Baddie, he was also keeping eye contact! He was truly outshining that guy in every aspect! ...Though, in reality, it wasn’t that difficult of a feat.

“What about you?”

“Hm?”

“What color do you like? Is it white?”

“The answer is right here.”

With a smile, you presented your closed palm to him.

“A lead-up question, I see.” Aventurine stared at your hand before placing his open hand directly underneath it.

Then, out fell a paper flower with unique-shaped petals. The color—or colors—were blue, purple, and navy.

Similarly colored eyes gazed at it for a moment before turning back to you.

He studied your face, examining your expression as if searching for something. Then, something stole his attention—

—namely, the bouquet in your hands, consisting of a dozen or so of those flowers, seemingly pulled out of thin air.

“To your beautiful eyes, Aventurine.”

“...!”

You smiled in satisfaction, having achieved your personal goal.

Did Aventurine ever stop smiling? As far as you knew, he was an all-smile type of guy.

...And yet, when it fully dawned on him that you had especially made that bouquet for him, the smile he showed was truly unprecedented. That all of the sudden, you recalled a certain line spoken by your friend, Celine.

"... It was as if there were two starry skies—both in the sky and on the ground."

Except this time, the starry skies were in his eyes.

Once again, you found your cheeks burning up.

“May I have that?”

Suddenly, Aventurine pointed at the bouquet you held close to your chest.

“Huh? Y-you mean these paper flowers?”

“Yes. I’ll be sure to cherish it.” He said, trying to reassure you.

“N-no, I wasn’t afraid that it might be ruined, but...”

You stared at him, and then at the paper bouquet. His beauty certainly couldn’t be compared to it. You began to feel self-conscious again.

Dammit! I should’ve asked Marius to bring me real, freshly cut flowers!

Then, Aventurine had a look as if an idea had just flashed in his mind.

“Ah, of course... How thoughtless of me.”

He started fishing for something out of his jacket for some reason.

“It’s a handcrafted piece. You put effort into making it. And there’s only one of it in this whole world. In that case, you should be paid—”

“—NO, NO, NO! You can have it!”

The moment you saw that black card peeking out of his coat—only owned by a few people in this whole world—you immediately gave that bouquet to him.

Aventurine blinked, perhaps finding your sudden change in behavior odd. Still, he gladly accepted your gift.

“Thank you.” Aventurine thanked you, immersed in the bouquet.

“Y-you’re welcome.” You answered sheepishly.

Phew! What a hard day’s work! In the end, everything went smoothly!

You wiped imaginary sweat off your forehead and began to turn on your heels, about to leave.

“—Leaving so soon?”

Just then, you felt something wrap around your waist, pulling you back.

“Huh...?”

You were about to resist until you heard the next words.

“Stay for a bit more. I haven’t complimented you about your stunning sleight of hand.”

‘Sleight of hand,’ he said...

As your field of vision turned upside down, you couldn’t help but dwell on the latter half of his sentence.

That was right. Sleight of hand, instead of magic trick. As if, as if...

In the next moment, you were staring directly into his cyan-violet eyes. They were so close, you felt as if you might be drawn into them.

As you sunk into his lap, you saw his eyes narrowing into the shape of crescent moons. He confirmed your doubts, whispering softly into your ear.

“It’s amazing, what you did with the phone and the wallet.”

“!!”

Just like that, you found yourself on top of the notoriously undefeated hot gambler, known for his endless stroke of good luck.

╚══════╝

🄾🄽🅆🄰🅁🄳 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ６】

[codingquill]

JavaScript Fundamentals

I have recently completed a course that extensively covered the foundational principles of JavaScript, and I'm here to provide you with a concise overview. This post will enable you to grasp the fundamental concepts without the need to enroll in the course.

Prerequisites: Fundamental HTML Comprehension

Before delving into JavaScript, it is imperative to possess a basic understanding of HTML. Knowledge of CSS, while beneficial, is not mandatory, as it primarily pertains to the visual aspects of web pages.

Manipulating HTML Text with JavaScript

When it comes to modifying text using JavaScript, the innerHTML function is the go-to tool. Let's break down the process step by step:

Initiate the process by selecting the HTML element whose text you intend to modify. This selection can be accomplished by employing various DOM (Document Object Model) element selection methods offered by JavaScript ( I'll talk about them in a second )

Optionally, you can store the selected element in a variable (we'll get into variables shortly).

Employ the innerHTML function to substitute the existing text with your desired content.

Element Selection: IDs or Classes

You have the opportunity to enhance your element selection by assigning either an ID or a class:

Assigning an ID:

To uniquely identify an element, the .getElementById() function is your go-to choice. Here's an example in HTML and JavaScript:

HTML:

<button id="btnSearch">Search</button>

JavaScript:

document.getElementById("btnSearch").innerHTML = "Not working";

This code snippet will alter the text within the button from "Search" to "Not working."

Assigning a Class:

For broader selections of elements, you can assign a class and use the .querySelector() function. Keep in mind that this method can select multiple elements, in contrast to .getElementById(), which typically focuses on a single element and is more commonly used.

Variables

Let's keep it simple: What's a variable? Well, think of it as a container where you can put different things—these things could be numbers, words, characters, or even true/false values. These various types of stuff that you can store in a variable are called DATA TYPES.

Now, some programming languages are pretty strict about mentioning these data types. Take C and C++, for instance; they're what we call "Typed" languages, and they really care about knowing the data type.

But here's where JavaScript stands out: When you create a variable in JavaScript, you don't have to specify its data type or anything like that. JavaScript is pretty laid-back when it comes to data types.

So, how do you make a variable in JavaScript?

There are three main keywords you need to know: var, let, and const.

But if you're just starting out, here's what you need to know :

const: Use this when you want your variable to stay the same, not change. It's like a constant, as the name suggests.

var and let: These are the ones you use when you're planning to change the value stored in the variable as your program runs.

Note that var is rarely used nowadays

Check this out:

let Variable1 = 3; var Variable2 = "This is a string"; const Variable3 = true;

Notice how we can store all sorts of stuff without worrying about declaring their types in JavaScript. It's one of the reasons JavaScript is a popular choice for beginners.

Arrays

Arrays are a basically just a group of variables stored in one container ( A container is what ? a variable , So an array is also just a variable ) , now again since JavaScript is easy with datatypes it is not considered an error to store variables of different datatypeslet

for example :

myArray = [1 , 2, 4 , "Name"];

Objects in JavaScript

Objects play a significant role, especially in the world of OOP : object-oriented programming (which we'll talk about in another post). For now, let's focus on understanding what objects are and how they mirror real-world objects.

In our everyday world, objects possess characteristics or properties. Take a car, for instance; it boasts attributes like its color, speed rate, and make.

So, how do we represent a car in JavaScript? A regular variable won't quite cut it, and neither will an array. The answer lies in using an object.

const Car = { color: "red", speedRate: "200km", make: "Range Rover" };

In this example, we've encapsulated the car's properties within an object called Car. This structure is not only intuitive but also aligns with how real-world objects are conceptualized and represented in JavaScript.

Variable Scope

There are three variable scopes : global scope, local scope, and function scope. Let's break it down in plain terms.

Global Scope: Think of global scope as the wild west of variables. When you declare a variable here, it's like planting a flag that says, "I'm available everywhere in the code!" No need for any special enclosures or curly braces.

Local Scope: Picture local scope as a cozy room with its own rules. When you create a variable inside a pair of curly braces, like this:

//Not here { const Variable1 = true; //Variable1 can only be used here } //Neither here

Variable1 becomes a room-bound secret. You can't use it anywhere else in the code

Function Scope: When you declare a variable inside a function (don't worry, we'll cover functions soon), it's a member of an exclusive group. This means you can only name-drop it within that function. .

So, variable scope is all about where you place your variables and where they're allowed to be used.

Adding in user input

To capture user input in JavaScript, you can use various methods and techniques depending on the context, such as web forms, text fields, or command-line interfaces.We’ll only talk for now about HTML forms

HTML Forms:

You can create HTML forms using the &lt;;form> element and capture user input using various input elements like text fields, radio buttons, checkboxes, and more.

JavaScript can then be used to access and process the user's input.

Functions in JavaScript

Think of a function as a helpful individual with a specific task. Whenever you need that task performed in your code, you simply call upon this capable "person" to get the job done.

Declaring a Function: Declaring a function is straightforward. You define it like this:

function functionName() { // The code that defines what the function does goes here }

Then, when you need the function to carry out its task, you call it by name:

functionName();

Using Functions in HTML: Functions are often used in HTML to handle events. But what exactly is an event? It's when a user interacts with something on a web page, like clicking a button, following a link, or interacting with an image.

Event Handling: JavaScript helps us determine what should happen when a user interacts with elements on a webpage. Here's how you might use it:

HTML:

<button onclick="FunctionName()" id="btnEvent">Click me</button>

JavaScript:

function FunctionName() { var toHandle = document.getElementById("btnEvent"); // Once I've identified my button, I can specify how to handle the click event here }

In this example, when the user clicks the "Click me" button, the JavaScript function FunctionName() is called, and you can specify how to handle that event within the function.

Arrow functions : is a type of functions that was introduced in ES6, you can read more about it in the link below

If Statements

These simple constructs come into play in your code, no matter how advanced your projects become.

If Statements Demystified: Let's break it down. "If" is precisely what it sounds like: if something holds true, then do something. You define a condition within parentheses, and if that condition evaluates to true, the code enclosed in curly braces executes.

If statements are your go-to tool for handling various scenarios, including error management, addressing specific cases, and more.

Writing an If Statement:

if (Variable === "help") { console.log("Send help"); // The console.log() function outputs information to the console }

In this example, if the condition inside the parentheses (in this case, checking if the Variable is equal to "help") is true, the code within the curly braces gets executed.

Else and Else If Statements

Else: When the "if" condition is not met, the "else" part kicks in. It serves as a safety net, ensuring your program doesn't break and allowing you to specify what should happen in such cases.

Else If: Now, what if you need to check for a particular condition within a series of possibilities? That's where "else if" steps in. It allows you to examine and handle specific cases that require unique treatment.

Styling Elements with JavaScript

This is the beginner-friendly approach to changing the style of elements in JavaScript. It involves selecting an element using its ID or class, then making use of the .style.property method to set the desired styling property.

Example:

Let's say you have an HTML button with the ID "myButton," and you want to change its background color to red using JavaScript. Here's how you can do it:

HTML: <button id="myButton">Click me</button>

JavaScript:

// Select the button element by its ID const buttonElement = document.getElementById("myButton"); // Change the background color property buttonElement.style.backgroundColor = "red";

In this example, we first select the button element by its ID using document.getElementById("myButton"). Then, we use .style.backgroundColor to set the background color property of the button to "red." This straightforward approach allows you to dynamically change the style of HTML elements using JavaScript.

[lboogie1906]

Gerald Anderson Lawson (December 1, 1940 – April 9, 2011) was an electronic engineer. He is known for his work in designing the Fairchild Channel F video game console as well as leading the team that pioneered the commercial video game cartridge. He was thus dubbed the “father of the videogame cartridge” according to Black Enterprise magazine in 1982. He left Fairchild and founded the game company Video-Soft.

At the age of 13, he gained an amateur ham radio license and then built his station at home with parts from local electronic stores bought with his money. He attended both Queens College and City College of New York but did not complete a degree.

He joined Fairchild Semiconductor as an applications engineering consultant within their sales division. He created an early coin-operated arcade game called Demolition Derby in his garage. Completed in early 1975 using Fairchild’s new F8 microprocessors, Demolition Derby was among the earliest microprocessor-driven games.

He and Ron Jones were the sole African American members of the Homebrew Computer Club, a group of early computer hobbyists. He left Fairchild and founded Videosoft, a video game development company that made software for the Atari 2600 in the early 1980s, as the 2600 had displaced Channel F as the top system in the market. Videosoft closed about five years later, and he started to take on consulting work. He collaborated with the Stanford mentor program and was preparing to write a book on his career.

He was honored as an industry pioneer for his work on the game cartridge concept by the International Game Developers Association. He was honored with the ID@Xbox Gaming Heroes award at the 21st Independent Games Festival for leading the development of the first cartridge-based game console.

There is a display of his contribution to the gaming industry on permanent display at The World Video Game Hall of Fame at The Strong National Museum of Play. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[time-woods]

Your art is absolutely gorgeous!! I love your style to pieces! Do you do shading all on the colouring layer in like a painterly style or do you do the multiply layer thing a lot of artists do?

Also! What brush have you been using for the lines on your cosmic guys comic? I want to eat the art it’s so pretty… can’t wait to see more! 💖

thank you ! for non comic pieces i usually do most of my coloring and shading on one layer but for certain comics i use a overlay and a hard light layer for more intense lighting !

but for the majority of my stuff i usually just do it in more of a painterly fashion

and for my liner on my comics i use soft liner/ concept sketch which is apart of the Illustrat0r CG painter brush pack !

its ID is 1895031 on clipstudio paints assets store