#if anybody is reading the tags your hint is that it is in fact based on a dialogue bit from DE

[way-too-obsessed-gamer]

I'm giving an early apology for this really stupid comic idea me and my friend had with Gideon and Kremy. In my defense it's funny to me. Here's some wip of it so far

^this may be a dead giveaway for the bit

[fiendishpal]

hii fiend!!! i literally adore your art its so pretty and it- it just- *inhales* *exha-*💞💖✨💞💖✨💞🙏🛐🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️anyways so- bcz u guided me to the osaaka ship and now im in love w it couldya please offer me some fic recommendations? ok, i just love ur art ur one of ny faves lov u have an amazingly sweet and beautiful day!!! :D

sure thing!!

i’ll put them by category here (i also have some art for some of them, i’ll post them when i’ve got the time)

i’ve put a star ★ beside fics that i’ve read a bunch of times hahaha!

canon-compliant

(fics that i think you should read first. mostly canon-compliant. so these are post-timeskip. after their meeting at the black jackals vs adlers game. these really won’t make any sense if you’re anime-only, sorry.)

stay with me go places by sparksandsalt ★

this fic. THIS FIC!!!!! this started everything for me!!! this is the reason why i started shipping osaaka!!!! the way they handled the characters is sooooo!!! *chef’s kiss* they really stick true to the characters' voices and the care they put into characterizations is impeccable. i also love bokuto and akaashi’s relationship here!! they’re so in each other’s lives that bokuto ends up exposing akaashi’s feelings indirectly and accidentally lmao and also atsumu and osamu’s relationship is so funny and hilarious. they are like how brothers are, atsumu showing his support but also clowning osamu in the process

this fic single-handedly fueled me to create so much osaaka content.

i dont know how many times i’ve read this tbh

wait by sanguinedawns

i love the yearning in this fic. the longing and the waiting and the expectation there. they’re trying to be subtle about their feelings for each other but they’re seen at the end but at 4k it’s narrated so smoothly. i love mutually pining idiots.

in the afternoon by yamaboto

this is so!!! i love this so much!! at 1k we see osamu yearning for akaashi once again. i love how they write this short scene. i could really picture the afternoon light coming in through the traditional panel doors and how the light must feel on your skin. 

take what we love inside by yamaboto

this is an established relationship osaaka and how they got together. in the afternoon (the fic above) is a snippet of how warm the writer could put words together. and it really is so sweet there’s a scene where they slow dance and it’s the best. i also love the simple fact that they put in how osamu cannot let anybody go hungry hhaha 

shout softly by lostsunsets

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS MADE MY HEART FEEL SO LIGHT AND SOFT AND TENDER. THIS FIC IS SO PRECIOUS OH MY GOSH

i love love loooooooove how the author put osamu's love and passion for food and filling in the pieces on what osamu does to fuel this passion --while in the back burner-- while he was still playing volleyball in high school

AND HOW HE LONGS FOR AKAASHI. THIS IS MAKING ME AAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

GO READ IT PLEASE

we’re in au territory

(the setting is not canon-compliant)

sleeping with the enemy by billionairevolleyboysclub ★ 

the setting is in 2013 haikyu volleyball circuit. meaning they’re still in highschool and are still playing volleyball and they just happen to chance upon each other at interhigh.

 i love how sweet osamu is and how he got his crush on akaashi. and it’s lovely how they wrote the budding of a highschool relationship!! and their take on how osamu and akaashi handle ldr??? it’s delicious. dont let the fake/pretend relationship tag fool you this is very cute i love them so much!! i guess the ‘no drama’ aspect is what i like about this a lot bc osamu’s a pretty straightforward guy esp i guess back in highschool. also the second-hand embarrassment is real lmao

welcome in by risquetendencies ★

in this setting osamu’s still the owner of onigiri miya but the au aspect of this is that they haven’t met before. so basically a meet-cute.

and man  oh mannnnn the tension written here is good food. osamu is written so obviously into akaashi (i mean who wouldn’t) and akaashi is affected by this greatly and it is!!! wow!! i just love how smooth osamu is here and how flustered akaashi gets bc “omg a hot guy likes me????” (yes akaashi, this hot guys thinks you’re a sexy piece of ass please believe it)

 akaashi in a gay panic is literally the best thing. 

blood brothers by billionairevolleyboysclub (18+)

miya twins are vampires and akaashi has a thing for fangs. that in and of itself is enough reason for you to read this. i also love how the writer puts a distinction between atsumu and osamu on how they interact with/ feed on akaashi.

like the dawn by eggsan

this fic is actually inspired by my royalty au but im not putting this here bc of that. i really like how the writer introduced their story. i remember telling someone that the atmosphere of how they write is like the voice of a soft-spoken maiden hahaha it's lovely!! think light academia aesthetic. i also love how i get the doki-dokis when osamu, who is essentially a stranger, gets close to akaashi. i can feel akaashi's excitement and trepidation.

forgive the sea, follow the tide by KyryeDuBarie (18+)★

PIRATE AU!!!!!!

i love the fresh twist that they did here on the classic mermaid/pirate au. the twist being akaashi is actually a pearl diver and at the same time being vaguely hinted as a mermaid hhahaha. osamu's a pirate that got shipwrecked and got washed up on akaashi's shores that akaashi, of course, saved. 

there's a bunch of cool things that happened too that i cannot disclose bc that'll ruin the thrill of reading this. the plot is solid and the romance between osamu and akaashi is gradual but so so sweeeeet!! i highly recommend this!! but better clear up your schedule bc this hefty boy comes in at a whopping 40k!!!!

keep time on me by yamabato

this fic is based from my zombie apocalypse au!! and even though it’s set in the end of the world, they were still able to write it so sweet and comforting????? i only wish osamu and keiji the happiness they deserve :’)

i also like the whole theme of time in the story and how the story revolves around it. it’s very good!!!

the contest between by batman (18+)

akaashi is a documentary director and osamu is his subject. i love  love looooove how the author wrote how stubborn both of them are and how they could clash sometimes but not in the explosive type of way. it’s actually cute and sweet, you’ll see what i mean when you read this hhehehe

AND AKAASHI IS SO LOVELY HERE!!! so lovely!!! and he laughs and smiles a ton and those moments were written in a way that just said ‘look at this angel!’ LMAO idk maybe that’s just me. i love akaashi so much

AND THIS BABY COMES IN AT A WHOLE 75K!!!!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!

[feralphoenix]

SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS: The Mechanics of the Infection

welcome back to feral’s essay tag where the hot takes don’t stop from keep being hot!

this particular meta has a Lot of citations from canon, and my plan is to have them as actual footnotes in the dreamwidth mirror when that goes up (as i always crosspost my meta there in case my layout text is too small for any folks accessing these from computer and not mobile).

CONTENT WARNING FOR TONIGHT’S PROGRAM: This essay contains discussion of body horror, cancer, and many of the darker aspects of Hallownest’s society.

ALSO, AS USUAL: I read Hollow Knight as anti-colonialist fiction and all of my meta approaches the text from that angle. This essay is strongly critical of the Pale King and Hallownest, and affords sympathy to pre-Hallownest societies & native characters, including Radiance. If you come from a Christian cultural background (regardless of whether you currently practice the religion or not), some of the concepts I am going to discuss may be challenging for you. Please be responsible in your choice whether to engage with this content, and also, be respectful here or wherever else you’re discussing this essay. Thanks.

SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS: The Mechanics of the Infection

If you’ve ever looked through my Hollow Knight tags, you have probably seen me joke about the Infection like a lot, usually along the lines of Radiance casting Level 9 Inflict Tang on Hallownest, or “(radi voice) the End of EVA will continue until you Let My People Go” or some such. In addition to being some of the most beautiful body horror I’ve yet seen in fiction, its appearance also makes it a veritable meme factory.

It is also something that inspires a lot of very wild theorizing amongst fans, because canon tells us WHY the Infection exists but doesn’t ever directly explain WHAT it is. To name just a few of the guesses I’ve seen, people have posited that it could be some sort of pupa juice, or maybe some type of parasitic fungus.

I have my own guess, though, and it’s based on hints we can find in-game. I would like to share it with the class today, so let’s take a quick look through the sauce, starting with what we already know!

WHY

We learn why the Infection happened from Seer and Moss Prophet, and this is also summed up more directly in Team Cherry’s dev notes attached to Seer.

The Pale King wanted to be the only god of light in the crater,* so he tried to kill Radiance by thralling her children - attracting the moths with his light and making them forget about her,** assimilating them into Hallownest. Radiance survived because some moths still remembered and tried to preserve what they could of their original culture,*** and eventually she attempted to reassert her existence and communicate with the bugs of the crater by speaking to them through their dreams. However, the Pale King realized what was happening and ordered his worshippers to shut her out.****

Radiance did not give up, and continued to broadcast her message through dreams. This unstoppable force VS immovable object conflict could not last forever - something eventually had to give, and what gave was the mortals.***** The Infection was an accident that Radiance did not initially intend, but presumably chose to weaponize after the fact as a way to attempt to pressure TPK into releasing the moths and leaving her alone (or, barring that, a way to thoroughly destroy his kingdom at the very least).

SOURCES:

* “No blazing kin. Only one light shall shine against the dark.” - Lore tablet hidden beside the Pale King’s throne in the White Palace.

** “None of us can live forever, and so we ask those who survive to remember us. Hold something in your mind and it lives on with you, but forget it and you seal it away forever. That is the only death that matters.” - Seer’s 1200 Essence dialogue.

*** “But the memories of that ancient light still lingered, hush whispers of faith... Until all of Hallownest began to dream of that forgotten light.” - Seer’s 2400 Essence dialogue.

**** “The King and the bugs of hallownest resisted this memory/power and it started to manifest as the infection.” - from Team Cherry’s dev notes attached to Seer.

***** “Light is life, beaming, pure, brilliant. To stifle that light is to suppress nature. Nature suppressed distorts, plagues us.” - Moss Prophet's dialogue.

HOW

Now that we’ve recapped why the Infection exists, let’s examine the process of how the Infection works. We see some examples of this with various characters in-game, and the Hunter also shares his observations of the Infection’s mechanics in his commentary on the Infected Crossroads entries.

Since we’ll be bringing up the Hunter's Journal here, I want to first examine three entries to establish its dual authorship and how trustworthy it is: The Shade’s entry, the Lightseed’s, and Radiance’s.

We know that the bottom section of the Hunter’s Journal is the Hunter’s personal notes on each creature because the game itself tells us so. So who writes the notes on top that give a brief explanation of what each creature is? It’s a common fan theory that Ghost writes these, which I believe is indeed the case.

First let’s look at the Shade, which is automatically unlocked when we receive the Hunter's Journal in-game regardless of whether we have died and fought the Shade or not. Mechanically this is important because if the Shade weren’t unlocked by default it would be impossible to attain the Hunter achievements without dying at least once - this would REALLY suck for anybody who likes to suffer enough to try to complete the journal in Steel Soul mode.

The Shade’s entry reads:

Echo of a previous life. Defeat it to retake its power and become whole.

-

Each of us leaves an imprint of something when we die. A stain on the world. I don’t know how much longer this kingdom can bear the weight of so many past lives...

Notice that the top text knows exactly what the Shade is and how it works. In story terms, this would imply that Ghost has died and come back enough pre-game to understand the mechanics of how their revivals work.

The Lightseed’s entry reads:

A single-celled organism, completely infected. Scurries about simple-mindedly.

-

Strange air has been seeping down from above for years. Some of the air became liquid, and some of that liquid became flesh, and some of that flesh came to life. I don’t know what to make of it.

In this entry, the top text assumes that Lightseeds are a Lifeseed-like creature that has been infected, and the Hunter’s notes reveal that this is incorrect and the Lightseeds were actually born from the Infection itself. From this we learn that the top text isn’t omniscient and can be mistaken: It’s written from a limited perspective.

And here’s Radi’s entry:

The light,* forgotten.

-

The plague, the infection, the madness that haunts the corpses of Hallownest... the light that screams out from the eyes of this dead Kingdom. What is the source? I suppose mere mortals like myself will never understand.

Here, the top text has information that the Hunter doesn’t, and which only a handful of bugs are privy to anymore.

From these three examples, I believe it is safe to say that Ghost is in fact the author of the journal entries’ top segments.

It’s important to remember that the observations these characters make can be not wholly correct, and I’ll bring that up when I believe it to be relevant, but for now let’s build a picture of how a case of the Infection generally progresses by looking at the Hunter’s commentary on Infected Crossroads enemies, and at a handful of characters whose Infection we directly observe: Bretta, Sly, Myla, and Moss Prophet.

The Hunter describes the broad arc of Infection progression in the Violent Husk's entry: “First [the bugs of Hallownest] fell into deep slumber, then they awoke with broken minds, and then their bodies started to deform...”

The two NPCs who we can save from becoming Infected, Bretta and Sly, are initially found emitting orange fog and mumbling to themselves. In Bretta’s case, when listened to, she initially talks about being left behind and forgotten** as she assumes that all people will treat her this way even though she craves affection and attention; Dream Nailed either before or after being listened to, she mentions a “shining figure”.***

Meanwhile, Sly speaks about his pupil Oro and someone named Esmy, and when his symptoms subside he identifies that he was led to the Crossroads village ruins by a dream.****

Listening to Bretta and Sly completely brings them back to reality, after which they leave the underground area entirely to return to Dirtmouth. However, when the player encounters Myla after defeating Soul Master and obtaining Descending Dive, listening to her does not cause any change in her condition despite that she is not yet hostile.

During these encounters, Bretta is surrounded by orange fog, Sly is surrounded by orange fog and his eyes have also begun to turn orange, and Myla's eyes are glowing but there is no fog around her. So, we can deduce that for as long as the orange fog is present, a bug may still be awoken and cured (Bretta and Sly both show no signs of relapse over the course of the game), but once the fog disappears the bug can no longer be saved by external means.

The "deformation" that the Hunter mentions in the Violent Husk entry refers to the large blobs of Infection that develop on the bodies of creatures that have been infected for a long period of time. We observe these upon the Infected Crossroads enemies, as well as on Hollow and the Moss Prophet. We also see that these Infection tumors can eventually kill bugs once they grow too large and impede bodily functions, just like real cancer: The Moss Prophet and Mossy Vagabonds are all discovered in this state after the Crossroads become infected, as are the Husk Guards in the Crossroads.

So, the progression we can see here is that bugs become infected through their dreams, and while they can initially be woken, if left alone they will fall into too deep a sleep to wake up. Some time after this they will start to move around again but will be hostile to any creatures that are not infected. And, if left in this state for a very long period of time, they will develop tumorous growths which are potentially fatal.

Potentially fatal. This is an interesting contradiction to a basic assumption that most players - and even Ghost and the Hunter - seem to hold about the Infection: That is, that the Infection functions like a pop-culture zombie plague, and infected creatures are all undead (reanimated dead things that can't be killed); thus that the enemies that respawn after resting or going offscreen are the same ones that Ghost just murdered, and have simply been reanimated by the Infection once again.

But infected creatures can die of the Infection. What’s more, bosses and unique instances of generic enemies (such as Myla and the Moss Knight at the pier of Unn’s lake) do not respawn once killed. And it’s definitely not that Ghost killed them that counts: Traitor Lord dies whether Ghost fights him solo or whether Cloth is brought along, in which case she always gets the final blow. This creates the argument that the respawning generics are NOT in fact the same individuals reanimated over and over, but different individuals of the same enemy class, and that their different respawn rates speak to how plentiful those creatures are - small animals respawning faster because a new one will arrive in the recently killed one’s territory sooner, for instance.

Ghost and the Hunter both seem to assume that infected enemies are all undead - many creatures are identified as “husks” or “the remains of [whatever specific bug]” in the Hunter's Journal. But we’ve already established that sometimes Ghost and the Hunter are wrong.

So, if infected creatures aren’t undead, then what are they?

SOURCES:

* I find it a very interesting tidbit of characterization for Ghost that they refer to Radiance as the Light, as native bugs do, rather than calling her the Old Light, as Hallownest bugs did. This has some fascinating implications for where Ghost feels their allegiances to be, but that's neither here nor there right now lol.

** “Ohhh... please... don’t leave me behind! You... forgot about me...? I knew you would... everyone always forgets about me...” - Bretta’s dialogue, Fungal Wastes encounter

*** “...Shining figure...So bright...” - Bretta’s Dream Nail dialogue, Fungal Wastes encounter

**** “...ugghh, Oro you oaf.... You wield your nail... like a club... ...Esmy... how much deeper do we have to go... Oh! What?! Who are you?! ...I see. This old village. What a strange dream, to have led me down here! If you hadn’t found me, I don’t think I would’ve ever woken.” - Sly’s dialogue, Crossroads village encounter

WHAT

In a move very on-brand for Hollow Knight, there’s actually a line from Seer that gives the whole game away - and I mean this incredibly literally, she declares her loyalty to Radiance and says Fuck Hallownest and also hints at what she hopes for from Ghost all in two breaths!! - except that most players are never going to see this line because Seer only says this if you screw up platforming in the Forgotten Dream and yeet yourself off a platform before picking up the Dream Nail.

I do not doubt that I could wring a whole essay out of this one line by itself (and Seer deserves an essay from me so maybe I will), but today the part we’re concerned with is the third line of this dialogue, i.e. how she describes the Dream Nail to Ghost: “The power to wake this world from its slumber[.]”

Its slumber.

The Infection doesn’t only spread through dreams. It is a dream.

To put it in a more meta/video game mechanics sort of way, the Infection is a status ailment. Sleep exists as a common status ailment in RPGs, strategy games, and even some adventure games and platformers. Usually the status ailment of sleep is a mild nuisance that wears off after time, when a character is struck, or if the requisite curative is used; in comparison the Infection is Sleep But Bass Boosted. Appropriate, for a glorified status ailment that’s inflicted by the literal actual god of dreams.

The Infection can only be cured in the very early stages. Once an infected creature has fallen into a coma, there’s no longer any hope of a third party breaking the curse... and also, infected creatures sleepwalk. Violently.

This may also provide an explanation for why mummified bugs in the catacombs have been infected, too: If they were freshly dead and their lingering spirit was still attached enough to their corpses, and that lingering spirit retained enough of a mind to dream...

Aside from those mummified bugs, though, I believe it likely that most if not all of the infected enemies in-game are very, very much alive.

Beyond all the dialogue and lore crumbs pointing to the Infection simply being a cursed sleep, this explanation makes the most sense when thinking about Radiance as a character. She is the literal embodiment of dreams as well as the sun, so inflicting eternal slumber with bonus malignant sleepwalking is a natural extension of her power and a way to use it offensively without being directly violent.

(I've written about this at length elsewhere, but signs point to Radiance having been a pacifist prior to the Pale King’s invasion. Short version: The Moth Tribe were pacifists and Radiance was the center of their culture so it would be odd if she were an exception; she is incapable of inflicting any physical harm whatsoever in a game where lack of contact damage from an active enemy indicates helplessness and such enemies always flee from Ghost unless they have a tool they can use to fight with; her behavior in her boss battles indicates a lack of combat experience, and her nail-generating spells seem to be based on Hollow’s abilities. Real-life adult moths cannot fight - they defend themselves with flight, camouflage, mimicry, and I’m Poisonous So Fuck Off coloring.)

Now, I don’t want to downplay the harm the Infection causes - it doesn’t have to turn bugs into literal undead zombies to be devastating. What we can glean of Hallownest’s ruins suggests that as a state it was heavily dependent on labor to run its industry, so incapacitating the laborers would have turned the whole country on its head, especially because those laborers cannot be woken. The Infection also created an intense atmosphere of terror throughout Hallownest as bugs tried to discover ways to cure it or at least protect themselves. And as the Hunter observes,* because of how the Infection is caused, the harder you try to block Radiance out, the worse the Infection will get.

(A sidebar: Interestingly, the Infection's progress seems to be very slow when a creature willingly accepts it; Moss Prophet has Infection tumors when met but doesn’t die of them until the Crossroads is infected, though many Crossroads bugs are found dead of tumors immediately. Traitor Lord and his followers opted in to the Infection long ago, but Traitor Lord is still at the “orange fog” stage and could theoretically be cured, if he wanted to be. Both Traitor Lord and Moss Prophet are still completely lucid, too.)

Radiance may not have committed any direct violence against Hallownest, but the Infection does incite violence: infected creatures become hostile to and will attack the uninfected. And as we’ve discussed, the Infection itself can become fatal once it’s progressed far enough for tumorous growths to form.

A god smiting the shit out of her people’s oppressors by nonviolently but thoroughly disrupting their kingdom, Especially if that kingdom is a genocidal colonialist slave state,** as a Let My People Go And Leave Me Alone :) ultimatum is not unreasonable. (And Moss Prophet tells us point-blank that literally just listening to Radiance in the first place would have prevented the Infection before it began!) But despite that Hallownest as an institution is unambiguously awful, Hallownest bugs victimized by their own state (such as the maggot slaves and other menial workers) probably saw much less benefit from Hallownest’s genocides than the rich and nobility, and likely deserved the smiting way less than said rich and nobility.

Meanwhile Hallownest’s neighbors - all native nations who are just as much victims of TPK’s bullshit as the Moth Tribe - did not deserve to get caught up in the smiting at all.

Lateral harm in Hollow Knight is another topic that deserves its own essay - and more than that, lots of in-depth conversation! - but, again, that’s not the topic we want to focus on today. I do want to make it clear, though, that infected creatures being alive and theoretically wakeable if the curse should end doesn’t suddenly mean the Infection was actually no big deal. If you want your jimmies rustled, try Dream Nailing enemies that pull from the generic Dream Nail dialogue pool: They are on some level aware that they’re dreaming and can’t wake.***

Clues that the Infection is literally a dream are littered all over the game, from Elderbug’s initial dialogue**** to the name of ending 3, Dream No More - not only named that because that’s the ending where Ghost sacrifices Radiance’s life as well as their own to end Hollow’s suffering rather than only sacrificing their freedom.

Some of what Bardoon and Moss Prophet have to say about the Infection is suggestive of the nature of this dream, though. Moss Prophet appeals to their audience to find unity through the Infection,***** and Bardoon also remarks on this, though he cautions that this comes at the cost of being reduced to instinct.****** Dreaming does tend to come hand in hand with lack of inhibition and suggestibility, but I’m more interested in what Moss Prophet and Bardoon mean by unity, since infected creatures’ thoughts are different depending on what they are and what they were already doing while awake.

There's less specific hard evidence for this aside from how we can observe that Infection blobs are connected to Radiance, transmitting her heartbeat and birthing the Lightseeds, her unintended creations. But given that those blobs do originate from Infection fluid according to the Hunter... Radiance is not just the embodiment of dreams but the heart of THE Dream. So could the Infection be a forcible pseudo-immersion into that capital-D Dream, the Dream Realm itself?

Whether my hunch here is right or not, I can’t in good faith end this essay without bringing all y’all’s attention to absolutely my favorite bit of The Infection Is A Dream foreshadowing: The way multiple parties mention the fact that the Infection smells and tastes sweet.*******

You know... it’s sweet... it’s a sweet dream... get it.........

And now that you can no longer unsee that brilliantly awful pun, I think I'll see myself out!

SOURCES:

* “The infection that swept through Hallownest so long ago... they say that the harder you struggled against it, the more it consumed you.” - Hunter’s commentary, Slobbering Husk Hunter’s Journal entry.

** I’m referring, of course, to the maggots. See: “Weakest members of the kingdom of Hallownest. Generally looked down upon and forced to do menial labour.” (Ghost’s commentary) and “If they try to bargain for their life, just ignore them. They have nothing to offer.” (Hunter’s commentary) from the Maggot Hunter's Journal entry as well as False Knight/Failed Champion’s backstory. Remember also that maggots are the larval form of flies like Sly (you’ll see the resemblance if you compare Sly’s features to the maggot siblings’), meaning Hallownest employs child slavery. In more cheerful news Sly’s backstory must be absolutely goddamn wild.

*** “I’m not...Dead..” “Am I...Sleeping?” “I can’t....Wake up...” - Dream Nail dialogue from generic Hallownest bugs (Wandering Husk, Leaping Husk, Horned Husk, Husk Bully, Husk Warrior) and from God Tamer for some reason

**** “Perhaps dreams aren't such great things after all...” - Elderbug’s initial dialogue

***** “Embrace light! Achieve union!” - Moss Prophet’s dialogue

****** “Theirs is a different kind of unity. Rejection of the Wyrm’s attempt at order. I resist the light’s allure. Union it may offer, but also a mind bereft of thought... To instinct alone a bug is reduced...Hrrm...” - Bardoon’s dialogue (Listen four times, not counting other dialogue flags)

******* “A thick orange mist fills these walking corpses. It has a sweet, sickly taste to it. I find it foul. After you kill these creatures, I suggest you do not eat them.” - Hunter’s commentary, Husk Bully Hunter’s Journal entry, just for one example.

[jason-pipers]

the jason/piper breakup and jason’s subsequent death

it is a long and angry post so you have been warned 

 I’m really sick of seeing Jason Grace/Piper McLean slander in their own tag, and I’m really, really sick of seeing people justify their breakup/his death as good writing. 

As I’ve been studying literature and text for the past four years at Uni- I can say with absolute confidence that The Burning Maze utilizing Jason and Piper was horrible. Like a bag of shit mixed together then smeared on paper and published kind of horrible. Actually, you don’t even really need a degree to be able to point out the very basic absurdity of them appearing in TBM. So even though I have a paper due on a completely unrelated topic and a lot of homework, I naturally decided this was a much better thing to write about: 

 Maybe in another world, Rick’s ghostwriters will be better at writing his books. The reason why the Jason/Piper breakup was extremely confusing and done very poorly in the sense of their character arcs was that there was no buildup to the breakup. In fact, I think these two got together off-screen and broke up off-screen. Yet, I’m sure Riordan sat at his desk thinking “now why don’t people just like Jason and Piper?? I give them so much!” Actually, you gave them nothing. It’s also considerably easy to disguise their breakup as logical when it isn’t. Now, people will argue that the basic foundation of the relationship was poorly made because of Hera’s meddling and that’s why they broke up. This is a lazy way to think about it because it’s obvious you don’t care about the characters so you should just say that and go. Hera’s meddling (putting false memories of Jason in Piper’s head and wiping Jason’s brain) really only gave Piper a vague notion of Jason (based on real attributes the Mist pulls) and also gave PERCY and Jason multiple relationships after the switcheroo. But Piper actually meets Jason and then has a subsequent breakdown that maybe he’s not her boyfriend. However, once she gets to know the real Jason (very accurate to the one she knew in her memories because Aphrodite said she could sense real possibilities hinting at their romance), she is still developing romantic feelings for him. It’s implied that the reason why Piper is falling so fast is because the memories she has of Jason are based on the real Jason. It’s easy to establish that Piper has real romantic feelings for Jason, not the made up Jason because the majority of TLH is them getting to know each other. If she felt like there was some confusion on her part about developing feelings for him because of Hera switching Percy and Jason- why did it not come up EVER? The months where Jason and Piper started dating. How about that long ass quest on the Argo? It could have been a valid plot line but it never came up. If it had come up near the end of the series or maybe even if it was a small subplot in the series, it would make the breakup logical, at least narratively. But no, we end Blood of Olympus with Jason and Piper coming full circle with the moment in the stars. Flash forward three years later to TBM where everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) about Piper and Jason are thrown into the trash. They’re broken up due to the false memories and overall I guess it’s implied Piper doesn’t have feelings for him anymore or something? Or the trauma of being in something like that prophecy was a lot for her to handle and she needed some time to figure things out? Yeah of course! Just like when she will go through another trauma (Jason dying for her) and start dating someone new right after. This would be so much easier to read and digest if these things are shown- in their own series and maybe not as a side thing to Apollo’s series. Reading it in TOA was completely out of left field. I know SO MANY PEOPLE were like that makes so much sense! Good for you Piper! But I was like girl, who are you? I feel like I have not spent any time with you and none of what you’re saying is connecting to anything you were like before. Which leads me to believe people just did not like Piper in HOO but just say that and go. HOO Piper is not TBM/TOA Piper. RR doesn’t know how to characterize his own goddamn characters. Furthermore, everything in canon up until TBM implies and directly states that Jason and Piper are endgame. It’s not to say they didn’t have problems that were resolved or that the way they got together was conventional. There was not even a smidge bit of reluctance to admit they were canon endgame- I think RR even had Cupid involved. There was no prediction or even hint of what would happen in TBM in HOO, which is a very big narrative problem. Jason, always isolated by loved ones and quite frankly always shouldering way more than a human can handle dies exactly the way he suffers. There is no growth or even a small lovely moment where we can see Jason. 

This brings me to the most unnecessary death I’ve ever read in my life. I know RR’s ego hurt from the complaints about Jason/Piper/Frank/Hazel/Leo (basically a non-Percabeth character) being underdeveloped. I know his ego was fucked when he “killed” Leo but didn’t really kill Leo so everyone was like what the fuck. I know he wanted to prove he is a good writer but like any other bad writer, he decided to jump the shark. And I know he wanted Jason and Piper to be more likable but the fandom really wanted a Leo-esque character. The breakup really happened because he wanted to demonstrate to critics that he could live with couples not being endgame and knew Jasiper was relatively unpopular compared to Percabeth/Caleo/etc. He wasn’t thinking in terms of ‘does this fit what I’ve created’ but in terms of ‘people might be like oh shit this is violent and they’re finally gone!’. I don’t know what idiotic thought process made him reach the point of killing one of them but he obviously got there. See, there is no difference between Jason or Piper dying in TBM. It could’ve easily been Piper who was impaled by Caligula and reminded Apollo “what it’s like to be human”. They were made *that* insignificant in TBM. Pretty much fucking interchangeable. IN DEATH. It also could’ve been anybody else in the world. It could’ve been that cheerleader from The Battle of the Labyrinth. It could’ve been Piper’s dad. It could have been Sally Jackson. Not a single part of Jason’s death was really related to Jason or his growth. Jason was the main/lead from HOO and if he was destined to die (which he wasn’t because RR doesn’t think anything through anymore), he should have died in his own series. That would make his sacrifice more compelling and important, but dying in TOA is just a big fuck you to his character. I think the only equivalent I can think of is if HOO had solely been Jason’s series but RR pulled up Percy to simply kill him and then just kept writing. What the fuck does TOA have anything to do with Jason or Piper? Or even Leo? I usually love when characters make cameo appearances to remind us of the past we loved them in. Kind of like when Lynda Carter appeared as Asteria in WW1984. Conversely, involving them in the plot and then using them as a plot device for the main character- AKA USING YOUR MAIN CHARACTER AS A PLOT DEVICE FOR ANOTHER MAIN CHARACTER IN A SEPARATE SERIES- is not only dumb but it truly makes everything else you’ve written for the first main character devoid of any real significance. Jason was never a fully fleshed-out character, the way he deserved to be written, because RR couldn’t world build as well as he thought and that ‘every single character gets a POV’ didn’t do the legendary thing he thought it did. However, anything that mattered about Jason was pretty much killed in TBM because he was easily killed by a villain that was not even remotely interested in Jason or aware of his existence. What does FUCK does Caligula mean to Jason? Nothing. Did the final battle create a full circle for Jason other than the line “remember?” which is not really related to his amnesia- no. His character arc was about an identity crisis- being pushed and pulled in two directions. Jason barely means anything to Apollo so RR using Jason as a convenient kill to send home a message is also shitty for Apollo. Lead hero characters can die- they sometimes just have to. Marissa Cooper’s death in the OC narratively makes sense due to the nature of the character being a damsel in distress from the very beginning- a foil to her counterpart, Ryan Atwood. But in this case, RR knew he had to shock people to keep getting $$$. I never got the impression RR cared about Jason or Piper, especially since he was incredibly disrespectful and lazy when writing about Piper. (For that- I can link really detailed posts explaining his racism). The truth is Riordan cannot live without putting his characters in relationships- Frazel, Caleo, Tyson/Ella (?), Hedge/Mellie- but he wanted to prove that he could which is why Jasiper broke up.

Piper’s girlfriend in TON- I didn’t read TON for the reasons above and I don’t think I’ll ever read a Riordan book again: I did find out that Piper gets a GF in TON which at first I thought was incredibly neat but then later became angry when I learned it was only months after Jason’s death? I have always wanted Piper to explore her sexuality but RR has this case of never giving important things the development it deserves. He’s incredibly messy and inconsistent when he creates lgbtqia+ characters, usually only including them so he can get credit for including them. He’s never actually explored Piper’s sexuality fully in the series, but he threw her in yet another relationship we didn’t get to read about right after she was almost beaten to death and then witnessed the murder of her ex-boyfriend. If you think that is representation, please rethink that. We don’t get to hear her talk about anything at all, except maybe mentioning the girl’s name. A subtle hint. Just representation is not good representation and it is right that we demand better representation. Don’t settle for less. For fuck’s sake, Riverdale is only really good at queerbaiting but they get so much praise. (Do they? At this point I can’t tell). If we wanted to explore Piper’s sexuality, it could have been done while she was with Jason or even broken up with him in her own series- why didn’t RR explore the nature of being lgbtqia+ in an Indigenous family? He had the chance to demonstrate an awareness of intersectionality through Piper but he fucked up. He had so much to write about. So, people who are yelling happily about that Piper appearance in TON-??? 

 This was long and frustrating to write. But I had feelings.

[keelywolfe]

FIC: Snowdrifts ch.7 (spicyhoney)

Summary:   Uncle Red is always up for babysitting, but is pitting Red against baby Snow the wisest choice?

Tags:  Spicyhoney, Rescued Child, Babybones, First Time Parenthood, Idiots to Lovers

Read it on AO3

or

Read it here!

~~*~~

No matter what the boss thought, Red couldn't actually read anybody's mind. Not that he minded keeping up the illusion, nah, that was pretty fucking useful and back in Underfell, his bro wasn't the only person mostly convinced that Red was able to look right into the dirtiest corners of their mind and see what dust bunnies were lying around.

It was a perk he was gonna miss, at least for a little while. Shouldn’t be hard to get reestablished around these parts, hell, prolly a lot easier. His bro might be having some regrets about abandoning the old place, but Red was more’n happy to set up as a cuckoo in their shiny new nest. The rubes in this ‘verse were ripe for a little mystery and already the gossip was flying about the kid, where she was from and who played incubator. Smart money was on his bro as mama; word around town was that Stretch’s slutty ways took a downward trend a few months back and everyone was real damn interested in seeing who the local bird went cold turkey for.

Red gave ‘em a week before the locals started showing up with casseroles and curiosity. Never underestimate boredom and a hearty rumor mill when making plans. Red never did and he would bet good money he’d have the folks in this Snowdin watching him with awe and suspicion in no time.

Well, more than they already were.

Except Muffet but that didn't surprise him none. Multiverse theory could go hang, he figured she was gonna be a sharp slice of cheddar no matter what world she was from. ‘Least if this one was gonna suck you dry it only meant your wallet. Gal had an eye for talent, he’d give her that, hired him on right away, and Red was looking forward to a long, mutually benefitting relationship.

Anyway, mind reading, eh, not so much. What Red had was a carefully cultivated skill in knowing when people were carrying around a steaming load of bullshit. He'd been learning that knack since he was in short pants even if his pants only got wider over the years, not longer, and right now, there was a week-old baby bones trying to convince him her little soul was gonna break if she didn’t have her daddy close by to lug her around.

Kid was putting on a hell of a show. Lying on her back in a pile of blankets on the living room floor that was also Red’s part-time bedroom, feet kicking up a storm and her little hands clenched in fists that she waved like a prizefighter. Fat tears were rolling down her chunker cheekbones as she howled, awful loud for someone without a set of lungs. Kid was pissed, sure, but pissed ain’t hurt and Red might’ve been kinda impressed by her tenacity if it weren’t for the simple fact that his bro needed some rest. Here they were in marshmallow world with two extra bods helping foot the bill and his bro was still exhausting himself trying to do everything. Difference was, here Red had Stretch running interference and between the two of them, they’d shake the ants out of his brother’s pants.

‘Course, Stretch had a different way of doing it and there was a thought Red wasn’t gonna examine too close. His baby bro’s pants and Stretch could do whatever they wanted out of his line of sight.

Only problem was, the two of them were only upstairs. Kid was getting pretty loud and Red scooped her up into his lap, giving her a gentle bounce. “gonna have to do better than that, snowmonster,” Red told her. ��i survived my bro and he’s an expert pain in the ass.”

The wails paused as his voice caught the baby’s attention. Snow goggled at him her mouth still open, and after a moment the cries began again, this time with an uncertain waver.

“nope, try again.” He propped his chin in his hand. "you got my bro fooled, but i ain't the gullible type. might try a little sweettalking, sweetheart.”

A short, shrill cry only got her a chuckle. "sorry, honey, it ain't gonna work on me."

The tears dried up pretty damn fast without someone to break down the dam. Kid hadn’t quite given up yet, Underfell tenacity must be built-in from creation. She gurgled out a pleading cry, her tiny hands reaching for Red’s face. He let her pat his cheekbones, wincing at a particularly firm little slap.

He took the offending hand and gave it a loud kiss, earning a smile for his troubles. "nah, your daddy bears are tired, kiddo, they need a nap. you got 'em both dancing like popcorn on a hot plate, not bad for your first trick."

Hm, daddy? Paps hadn't been too clear on that yet, and fuck them all anyway for renaming his little brother Edge, keerist, might as well name him Gloomy Ass Kissy Pants. Already took himself too fucking serious as it was.

Eh, that probably wasn’t gonna change, Red didn’t need to be a mind reader to know that; he’d been that way since he was about the size of this one, and someday he was gonna show Stretch the pics that were saved on his phone of his lil bro back when he was little. Might have to wait until they were more settled in for that, though.

He’d give it a week.

Red looked down at the baby in his arms, her wide, pale eye lights gazing back up at him. Always watching, this one, learning, figuring things out. When she learned how to crawl, she was gonna be an ever-fucking nightmare for his bro, exactly how Paps had been ever since the very instant he got mobile. Kid hadn’t stopped since.

Red couldn’t wait. Payback really was a bitch and this bitch was gonna slap it right on his little brother’s ass.

“tell you what,” Red told her, “let’s get you a snack, kiddo, and see what other toys the mutts brought over for you, how about that?”

Kid was clearly disgruntled, but she accepted the bottle when Red handed it over, suckling noisily. Red dug into the bag that was still in the corner. Blocks were well and good, but he’d bet there was something in all this junk that made some real noise.

~~*~~

Despite his brother's innuendo when he’d shooed the two of them upstairs for a nap before another night of baby-watching began, there was nothing sexual going on in the bedroom and for that, Edge was guiltily grateful. He would admit to being exhausted, his first day as a caretaker left him as weary as if he’d spent a day running the traplines, and if Stretch had given any indication at all that he was interested in sex, Edge would have been torn over his response.

The answer was a difficult one. On one hand, Stretch had been utterly appalled even a hint of the idea that Edge might pay some of the debt he owed the Swap brothers in that fashion, but on the other, Edge did feel some sense of obligation to Stretch that made him reluctant to beg off. Best not to say that aloud, it wasn't a difficult guess that the very notion would upset Stretch a great deal.

There was also the fact that they'd been sleeping together for some months now, anything at this point would have a diminished value.

Not that it mattered in this situation. Stretch didn’t give any indication that he was hoping for anything past a solid eight hours of putting the mattress to its more traditional use and barring that, at least a couple hours of decent rest.

Still, Edge couldn’t help teasing, “Are you sure you want to use our time to sleep? My brother seemed to think we could make other use of it.”

There was a tiny sprinkle of bright freckles across Stretch’s nasal nodule and Edge could privately admit that the way they scrunched together when his face twisted was rather adorable.

"baby, you know i'm always up for it," Stretch grimaced. "but i don't think i can get it up right now. unless you want to drive…?"

Tempting as the idea of being inside Stretch was, whatever desire the image managed to rouse was closer to a wet firecracker than a spark. "To be honest, I think I'd rather nap," Edge confessed. If he even could, through the closed door he could hear Snow’s wails and it was only his brother’s firm edict that they were not to come back downstairs for at least two hours that was keeping him in this room at all. The penalty for disobeying a direct order from Red was not usually a subtle revenge and Edge didn’t care to see what sort of creativity his brother might come up with in new surroundings.

"nap it is then." Stretch scrambled into the bed, sprawling across the mattress. He turned back to Edge, both arms spread wide, "since we ain’t taking off, you may as well come on in for a landing!"

Edge rolled his eye lights but crawled in with him. Stretch squawked as Edge firmly rolled him over on his side and snugged up behind him. He murmured against the smooth, sensitive bone at the base of Stretch’s skull. "I believe it's my turn to be the big spoon."

The way Stretch shifted against him nearly made him rethink his urge for sleep. Stretch laughed, a touch unsteadily, "sweetheart, you can handle my silverware anytime you like. after a nap."

After a nap, yes. The crying from downstairs had petered out and Edge pulled the blankets over them both and settled in. Napping was still unfamiliar to him and he didn't sleep so much as drift, resting in the fog of exhaustion. That alone was an unaccustomed pleasure and there was no telling how long he drifted before he resurfaced to unexpected movement.

The faint shudder of Stretch in his arms didn't wake him so much as nudge him from that fog and the loss left him disoriented and surly. Edge pushed up on an elbow, frowning down at the other skeleton and his irritation faded as he caught his breath at what he saw.

Stretch was crying. He was curled up on the mattress, still sleeping while tears seeped from his closed sockets and left wet trails down his cheekbones. His breath was clotted with the quiet sobs racking him and without the pressure of Edge’s arm holding him down, he curled up tighter into a fetal ball, his long legs drawn up against his skinny ribcage as he wept at whatever his dreams were showing him.

No amount of rest was worth this kind of pain and Edge gave him a gentle shake, saying softly, "Stretch? Stretch, wake up."

He did not anticipate Stretch lurching up and scrambling away from him, his joints lit with magic and his eye lights flaring wildly as he flung both hands out as if to ward him away, brilliant orange engulfing his fingertips like candle flames.

Edge kept still, waiting for the dregs of sleep to clear away. Long experience with his brother’s occasional bad turns at night had taught him that while his HP could easily survive an attack, the guilt that followed was always so much worse.

Sure enough, recognition slowly filled Stretch’s gaze, followed almost immediately by horror. Stretch sank back against the wall with a heartfelt groan, the flames of his magic extinguishing as he buried his face into his hands. "fuck, i am so sorry."

"If I don't need to thank you for all you’ve done, then you don't owe me any apologies for this. Come here?" Edge held his arms open in gentle offering and after a moment, Stretch did, crawling back into his arms. His bones were chilled, clacking against Edge's as he shivered, and Edge tucked the blankets back around them both.

"There we are," Edge said, as softly as he would have to Snow. He set his chin on the top of Stretch’s skull, careful not to let it dig in painfully. "Was it a bad dream?"

"more like a memory." Stretch shifted against him, his cheekbone pressed to Edge's sternum. He did not look up as he asked softly. "do you remember anything about the lab?"

"Only from recently,” Edge admitted, “not as a child. My brother doesn't talk about it much, but I do know I wasn't there for more than a couple days before he fled with me in tow."

"yeah." Stretch said nothing else, no commiseration, and Edge did not ask it of him. He didn't need to press for an unneeded explanation, not when the answer was so obvious. Memory dredged up by those numbers on one of Snow's fragile ribs, engraved too deeply to easily heal. He only held Stretch close, petting from the back of his skull down his cervical vertebra with gentle fingertips as those bone-deep shudders slowly eased.

Petting shifted to a careful massage, rubbing at the delicate cartilage between the spinal joints until all the tension wound through Stretch faded, leaving him as boneless against Edge as a skeleton could manage. He sighed, his warm breath gusting humidly over Edge’s collarbone, and his long limbs wound around Edge in a bony sort of cage, loosely holding on.

Edge was drowsing himself, his stroking gone idle, when Stretch spoke again in a low, barely audible mumble that Edge nevertheless heard very clearly, snapping awake as his soul began to pound in his ribcage. Couched on an exhale, three words that were so complex in their very simplicity.

“hnnnn,” Stretch sighed out, “i love you.”

There in the darkness, Edge lay with wide sockets staring up at the ceiling as every thought of sleep fled to the corners of his mind, leaving it utterly empty. Obviously, such a declaration required a response, and yet his thoughts were a panicked blank, his hands still on Stretch and surely he was already regretting saying such a thing, surely he was rethinking his choice as Edge only lay here like a useless fool, unable to reply.

“Stretch,” Edge choked out, faltering, and before he could manage to unstick his tongue from the roof of his mouth came an unexpected reply. A faint snore that rumbled through them both as Stretch snuggled in closer, his sockets closed in sleep.

Edge almost sagged in relief, letting out a slow, shaky breath. But he knew the reprieve was a brief one. That declaration would come again, he should have already been expecting it, and he would need a ready reply.

He wasn’t fool enough not to know what reply Stretch wanted. He just wasn’t sure it was one he was able to give and what consequences would come if he couldn’t? Their place here was so precarious despite what the Swap brothers said, they couldn’t be expected to stay here if there was resentment between them. Snow needed a safe home, free of arguments and snide verbal attacks and Edge meant to see she had one. No matter what it cost him.

tbc

[starkeygirls]

J O S S L Y N

(gif credit to @williamschcfield) 

summary: based off the song JOSSLYN by OLIVIA O’BRIEN. angst... break up?

wc: 2.5k

a/n: this is my first fic in a while, and my first fic in this fandom. lowkey (highkey) extremely nervous to post this bc everything in the tags is so good.. but ya girl has had a lot of inspo so.. we writing now. also i didn’t proof read it.. knew if i read it over i was gonna find 800 things wrong with it, so figured it was better to just get it out there so I would be more comfortable with my writing to get back in the swing of things. i’ll 100% take any bit of advice in the ask but only if you do so *nicely*. 

______________________________________________________________

“Has anyone heard from JJ?”  You asked, locking your phone and tossing it on the couch you were sitting on. Looking up to the three others that were in the living room with you, they all shook their head. Inhaling sharply, you let it out. John B, Kie and Pope all looked to you. You weren’t dating, you didn’t label it, but you were something. You had been hooking up for almost six months, you had been spending most nights at the chateau in his bed. It was like an unsaid exclusivity, which Kie had her own opinion about. She had told you time and time again it wasn’t a good idea. JJ hooked up with girls, that was his thing. He didn’t do relationships- but neither did you something was just different with the two of you. 

“If you don’t know where he is, we’re even more clueless.” John B replied after a short moment of silence, pressing play on the movie. Wednesdays were movie nights, every week for the past three months. The five of you would be at John B’s at 7pm every week- no if’s, and’s or but’s. Running your fingers through your hair, you shook your head, eyes trying to focus on the screen. There was a bit of tension in the living room, nothing anybody could control, but the fact that JJ had skipped out on movie night without any bit of warning left a weird feeling lingering in the room. 

Halfway through the movie you saw your phone light up, the familiar name crossing the screen. ‘sorry, got caught up at the hotel. be back 2nite’. Feeling eyes on you, you looked up, your gaze catching six eyes all glued to you. 

“Woah, calm down ya’ll, you don’t have to look at me like I just solved world hunger.” You laughed, re-adjusting your legs on the couch, crossing them in front of you. “He said he got held up at the hotel, he’ll be back tonight.” Pope and John B shrugged, looking back to the screen as the movie continued to play. They accepted the explanation, but Kie’s eyes didn’t leave you.

“Hey Y/N, can you help me find the skittles in the kitchen?” Kie asked, standing up from the couch and waiting for you to follow.

“They’re in the cabinet next to the fridge.” Pope muttered as he filled his mouth with popcorn, eyes not leaving the screen. 

“Mm, no. I looked there earlier, couldn’t find them” She said with a smile, looking back to you. You stood up, following Kie into the kitchen. You opened up the cabinet, pulling out the skittles. 

“They were literally right where Pope said they were why-” Your eyebrows furrowed as you turned to her, your words being cut off.

“You really believe he got held up at the hotel? We’ve had movie night every night for three months, Y/N. No one’s ever skipped out. You get your shift covered if it’s a late one, we take off, switch days, whatever you have to do.” She was right. You did what you had to do to make it to movie night. It wasn’t so much about watching the movie, usually it was one someone had already seen, but it was about spending an uninterrupted night with everyone all in one place. 

“Things come up, Kie. What are you trying to hint at, though?” Your tone was a little harsher than you meant for it to come across, but you were annoyed. Sure, JJ wasn’t your boyfriend, you didn’t need to protect him, but he was your friend. 

“I don’t know. Something just seems fishy.” Kie wasn’t reciprocating your tone, obviously not in the mood to fight. You could tell her intention wasn’t to fight to begin with. If anything, it was a warning. You grabbed the bag of skittles, walking back into the living room without another word. You plopped back down in your spot. 

You didn’t watch the rest of the movie, though. Your mind was too busy thinking back at what Kiara had said. Smiling to everyone as they left, you picked up the bowls popcorn had previously been in and walked them to the sink. 

“What’s on your mind?” John B said, startling you a bit as he broke the silence- broke up the thoughts in your head. 

“Nothing?” Your tone was simple. You didn’t want to talk about where your brain had gone. There were countless scenarios you had stumbled upon, most of which either involved someone else, or JJ stopping at his house and his dad getting to him. You didn’t want to believe them, though. You wanted to believe JJ was telling you the truth, so that’s what you kept telling yourself to believe. 

“You just didn’t seem to pay attention to the movie.” He tossed the empty beer bottles into the trash, leaning against the counter. John B probably knew you better than anyone, well, almost anyone. He could tell you were lying to him, he wasn’t prying to be nosey. That wasn’t his goal at all. If anything, he wanted to try and protect you. Even if protecting you was from your own mind. You shrugged, shaking your head.

“Just wasn’t interested.” Turning on the sink, you let the water run into the bowls, leaving the dishes for tomorrow. You jumped hearing the front door smack close, seeing JJ walk in, backpack slung on one shoulder. A wave of relief came over you. The conversation with John B was over now that JJ had interrupted, and you could see JJ wasn’t bruised. 

“Sorry, crazy night at the hotel, some sort of kook party? Rented the whole ballroom out, it was a shit show in the kitchen.” He huffed, dropping his bag on the chair. His hair was a mess, tousled every which way. Placing a small kiss on your lips, he walked to the bathroom, starting the water almost instantly. You felt as though a tornado had just ripped through. Usually JJ invited you into the shower- in fact he would even take a second shower if it meant being able to fuck you in the shower. You didn’t realize your brows were furrowed until you relaxed them. 

“It’s nothing, John B.” You huffed, walking to JJ’s room. You undressed, tossing your clothes into the hamper. Grabbing one of JJ’s shirts you slipped it on, getting yourself situated in bed. 

You scrolled through your phone until you heard the water turn off, looking up as you watched JJ walk in. Something seemed off. His lips pressed into a straight line, his body looked closed off. He didn’t give you the typical JJ smirk he gave you every time he walked in to see you sitting in bed wearing one of his shirts. He didn’t make a comment about you being ready for bed but him ‘being ready for a midnight snack’. 

“Did I do something?” Your voice was small, too small. You hated it, it made you sound weak, and that’s not how you liked to come across. JJ turned towards you, his blue eyes staring right at you. It seemed like it was the first time he was actually looking at you since he had gotten home. 

“What? No.” His words were simple as he opened his dresser, getting a pair of boxers and shorts. Sliding them up, tossing his towel over the closet door. “I just had a long day at work. Feeling..” JJ paused for a moment, as if his brain was buffering while he was looking for the right word, “whack. Feeling really whack.” Your lips formed a smile as you heard a typical JJ word come from his lips. A sense of normal coming back as the blond climbed into the bed, pulling you closer to him and kissing your neck. 

Something just felt right with JJ. He knew you, and you knew him. You always went to each other at low points, when something pissed you off, or when you had good news. You could completely be yourself around each other, no filter needed. Neither of you could put the exact moment you had gone from just friends to hooking up. Sometime around six months ago. It started as a drunk hook-up, you woke up in his bed and you swore it would never happen again. That was, until the next day it was like a complete repeat. You had hooked-up two nights in a row. You weren’t mad, and he didn’t seem to mind. Later that week he invited you over, and before you knew it- JJ Maybank was no longer hooking up with random girls, it was just you. As the months passed, nothing was ever said- but the other pogues were well aware of what was going on. They had to know, there was no denying it when you walked out of his room one morning to the three of them sitting in the kitchen, all eyes on you in one of JJ’s shirts, hickies lining your neck and thighs. You had never felt that feeling again, the feeling of your stomach dropping so low. Though it was nice to finally be able to kiss each other whenever you wanted. 

You swung your leg around JJ after his lips had made their way to yours for a few minutes, before he pulled away. 

“Not tonight, Y/N. I’m way too tired.” You pouted, looking to him in the moonlight before he leaned up, pecking your lips gently. “Tomorrow morning?” He suggested, a devilish grin appearing on his lips. Letting your body fall off of his as you nodded, you then rested your head on his chest. 

“Goodnight JJ.” You mumbled, running your thumb along his chest. You felt him kiss the top of your head, mumbling goodnight to you.

Waking up the following morning you turned over to look at JJ. His blue eyes shut, arm slung over you, still very much in deep sleep. Pulling his arm off of you, you slid out of bed, grabbing your phone and heading out to the kitchen. Peering around, you saw John B had been awake- though by the looks of it he had left, you assumed work.

Walking into the kitchen, you grabbed a coffee cup, pouring yourself a mug. You made a mental note to thank John B for making a pot of coffee and leaving it every time he had work. Your feet wandered around the kitchen a bit, humming a song you couldn’t name at the moment. That’s when your eyes caught sight of JJ’s backpack. He had never brought it into his room last night. Your eyes caught his phone in the side pocket, knowing it had to be dead, and if it wasn’t, it was close to it. 

You walked over, grabbing the phone and bringing it to the charger that was plugged in on the counter. Plugging it in, your eyes couldn’t help but glance at the screen as it lit up.

‘thanks for last night, i had a good time ;)’ 

There it was. That feeling of your stomach dropping, the feeling you thought you had forgotten. But you would take walking out to your friends ten times over than this feeling. Could you really even be mad at him? You shouldn’t have looked at his phone, but it was right there. You were doing a nice thing by charging his phone. As if almost on queue you heard a door open, eyes catching JJ sleepily walking from his room to the kitchen. You couldn’t quite place the feeling that was coursing through your body. Maybe you weren’t supposed to be able to name it, but you for sure felt it. You felt it everywhere, especially when he lazily tried to kiss you. Your feet stepped back, causing you to hit against the counter. 

A confused look spread across JJ’s face as you avoided his kiss. His eyes searched your face as if it had the answer to your actions written somewhere. 

“Good morning?” His voice was hesitant, brows furrowed. You stayed silent though, knowing if you spoke, it would turn into a yell. “O..kay..?” His fingers ran through his hair as he took a step back, grabbing a mug for his coffee. Pouring himself a cup, his eyes glanced up to you every now and again, the same straight face meeting his confused one. 

“Where do we draw the line, JJ?” You finally mustered up. It didn’t make much sense at all. He didn’t know what you saw, and it was apparent when his brows furrowed once again. 

“I’m.. not following.” 

“You lied right to me last night. It’s one thing to lie to me through text but you literally stood right there and told me and John B you were working all night. That the hotel was busy.” You scoffed at the words that fell from your lips. Watching his face fall- the full conformation you needed. “I get we never spoke about whatever the fuck was going on between us, but I thought we were on the same page with feelings. I mean, fuck JJ, I know we weren’t together but we were sure as hell more than friends.” The anger was building up inside of you, watching him stay silent and take it ticked you off, too. It was like he didn’t even want to fight for you. “You fucked another girl and then came home and kissed me.” Your words at this point were yells. You felt rage course through your body at the thought of him kissing another girl and then coming home and kissing you with the same lips. 

“Y/N.. I can-” 

“I don’t want to fight about this. There’s no argument to have, I’m done. I hope that it was worth it for your quick fuck.” You spat, shoving passed him to get to his room. Your hands were shaking as you shoved your clothes into your bag. “Don’t really have any reason to be mad. Was never really yours.”

“I’m fuckin’ sorry. I don’t know what came over me, Y/N. It was a spur of the moment thing.” JJ pleaded in the doorway. He knew there was nothing he could say to make the situation better. It was more so trying to diffuse the situation as best as possible. Get your mind from what had happened. He had the same feeling in the pit of his stomach as you did, you knew it. He was found out. He was caught in a lie, proof on his phone- not that he knew it yet. But you knew the truth, and that’s all that mattered.

“Save your bullshit apology. You can go have more spur of the moments now. Can’t believe I was so fucking stupid.” You breathed out, shaking your head. “Just another girl you ruined.”

But know we're off and we'll never be on again,

I hope that it was worth it, fucking Josslyn

[phinieseavor]

title: if my life is going to mean anything, i have to live it myself

about: Phoenix comes toe to toe with the truth and his fate.

when: April 25, 2020

tagging: n/a

warnings: n/a

ORACLE !!

Headmaster Cristian leads you away from the dinner party towards a long, dark hallway. Unlike the typical modern decor the school has, the corridor is lit by only flaming torches. You can barely even see Cristian next to you. You’re left to your thoughts of what you could potentially encounter. Eventually, you reach what looks like an open door with runic inscriptions engraved at the top. αυτή που ξέρει όλα. You’re able to read ancient Greek as a god. The words written are as follow: “She Who Knows All.” 

 You can’t turn back now, so you enter the room. Before you leave, the headmaster gives you a pat on your shoulder. "I shall wait out here and escort you back when you are finished," he remarked, before motioning for you to continue. He doesn’t go in with you, as this is your task to fulfill. Inside, more torches and candles mysteriously light up the space with each step you take. In the middle, sitting on a wooden chair is the veiled corpse of a woman. There are various trinkets and offerings laid out by her feet. It looks as though she’s been dead for centuries. That is, until her eyes glow a bright white and she starts to speak to you. 

 “…I am the Oracle. A link between the mortals and the divine. Speaker of Prophecies. Tell me your name, seeker…”

PHOENIX !! 

Anybody normal would probably run at this point. But after being greeted by minotaurs and witnessing several different creatures roaming around freely, Phoenix a long deep dark corridor was the least of the shock. Walking down the hallway, any normal person might turn tail and run, or maybe be more curious, asking about what is to be expected or flipping out over the dark mysterious corridor. Not Phoenix though. Phoenix was focused forward. His mind running through the list of questions that he had for this so called Oracle. His blue eyes bore into blackness as if he could see past it all. He kept his normal strut, chest held high and a permanent scold molded into his face. 

 Phoenix stopped before the door, almost expecting it to open without his touch. When he realized it would be him to open, he shifted to opened it. But before he did, he felt the pat on his shoulder. He merely looked over at the man and nodded, as if that were enough to tell him that he understood. Phoenix pulled the door open smoothly and stepped inside. He advanced down the natural path and came upon the body. He stopped in his tracks. Did he just come upon a trap? Was this a test for him? Where was he? Would this be his last couple of breathes? This was the first time since he got to the school that he was thinking about something other than his initial questions. He advanced carefully to the dead body. 

 When she reanimated, Phoenix jumped back nearly a foot. His body froze for a second. He regained his composure as she explained herself. He spoke with clear tone in a deep voice. 

 "Phoenix Seavor."

ORACLE !!

Staring back at you with impassive expression, it is impossible for you to tell how she feels. The face that stares back at you with glowing eyes is devoid of emotion or expression. As she opens her mouth to speak, the audible clacking of bones and teeth clicking together is heard. Thus, divinity is breathed into the old, withered body. “…So he chose you to be his vessel… The last was undeserving in his eyes…” Extending a long, bony finger, the Oracle beckons you to come closer, demanding respect from you in the presence of a highly revered being. “…You hold his temperament. A mood like no other, there is a storm brewing within your heart…”

PHOENIX !!

How she spoke and held herself was unlike anything Phoenix had ever seen before. But he didn't flinch nor back down. Instead, he straighten himself from before and listened carefully. The way she spoke sent shivers up his spine but he didn't crumble. 

                                    ...Vessel? 

He took in a sharp inhale as she extended her boney creepy finger. Phoenix could feel himself shaking now. Was it fear or was it adrenaline? He steadied his breathe once again, however he felt it was difficult. He stepped forward, feeling her pulling him in. He soaked in the words then asked his first question. 

"Who...?"

ORACLE !!

If the Oracle had any expression, it was hard to tell from her words and her appearance “…That is not how things flow, child…” she stated plainly, bright white eyes unmoving. "...Be still. Questions upon questions, and still you will remain troubled..." Around the Oracle, a hazy white bubble began to form, the air in the room vibrating and pulsing with an ancient power. 

“…Prove to me that you are deserving of my assistance. If you are truly worthy, then he shall speak freely through you, vessel. Search within yourself, and you will know the truth...” The Oracle’s words crackled through the air. “…I provide answers to the world’s greatest questions… But tell me, can you answer me? Are you worthy in your pursuit of godhood?” There is a lingering pause in the musty air with her question, the creaking voice almost reverberating with a divine power. “…Tell me, young God:

It thrashes with darkness hiding beneath. 
Untamed, it bears power that are ice cold. 
 On its crest rises its salty, white teeth. 
 Beneath its layers rests treasures of gold. 


What is its name?”

PHOENIX !!

Phoenix was a bit taken back when she had snapped at him. But rather than backing down, rage filled his body. Who was she to come here and tell him that he was a vessel then snap at him when he asked whose. The storm filled his body and the energy around his radiated around him like one of his usual tempers. 

When he was young, Phoenix had heard tales of the seas and it's owner. As he got older, he was convince they were just fairytales. Just stories that would distract children from the harsh reality. He remembers sitting down in his bedroom, news of what happened to his father loomed like a cloud in the next room over. He was brought back to the moment when he was five and just coming into the kitchen to see his mother. She sat there with her water in front of her at the table. She started off the story with his name; explaining to Phoenix like he won't understand what happened. 

He didn't need her riddle to know. He'd felt it before. It was like it all made sense to him though. He was brought to the clouds to stand among the gods- because he was meant to be one. Vessel... whatever. He was here and he knew it. The word left his lips after she posed the question. 

"Poseidon."

ORACLE !!

There is a flicker in her bright, white eyes, and the Oracle shifts her head ever more slightly at Adam's words. “…Poseidon… Where was his domain? When the sailors prayed to him for safe passage, what did their ships travel over?” The question lingers, as her eyes flicker to a more intense hue. By her wayside, the trinkets begin to rumble and shake from the divine pressure building in the room. There is a building sense of dread; if the god does not speak properly through the vessel, then perhaps the Oracle would not deem it worthy.

PHOENIX !!

Even though his first answer was incorrect, her reply had hinted in a more obvious direction. "The sea." He breathed, unintentionally letting the answer out in a furious growl. His anger only became more apparent through his stiff face. Why had he made such an obviously wrong answer. His fist clinched, as he awaited her to accept it. He almost had a mind to shout 'well...' 

ORACLE !!

The Oracle remains impassive, although it is clear she was not satisfied with the delayed answer. Nevertheless, she accepts the offered words from you. The eyes fixated on you glow brighter, almost piercing into your soul. At once, the room begins to spin, almost swirling and transforming into a void of darkness. You blink once, and then twice. Before your very eyes, as the blurriness begins to clear, you find yourself sitting atop of a large rock, surrounded by water. The waves crash and billow into the stone, letting its salty, cold droplets spray over you. For a moment, you realize that you are wearing nothing, but that fact does not phase you. In fact, it feels right, as though it were natural. You do not even notice the coldness or the wetness against your skin, only liking the way the sea spray coats your body.

In your hand weighs a golden trident, while a fitting crown lays nestled in your hair. Your eyes case out over the stormy waters, raging and billowing about. It feels tumultuous, and in your chest, you know that it has already capsized multiple boats. As if it were second nature to yourself, you raise the trident and let the base of it fall onto the stone you are sitting upon. A clear, metallic ring radiates from the contact, casting out waves of the sound all over the waters. And instantly, you know that the sea bends to you and follows your bidding. You are its source of turmoil, and your eyes glow a brilliant color at the realization of this power. Excitement and adrenaline fills your veins, as you realize that you are the king of the sea. In the waters, you find comfort. In here, you find peace. But with it stems your anger and your boiling emotions.

You hear the Oracle’s voice in your head again. “…They will rely on you for passage across your seas. They will pray for you to guide them safely and to bring them home to their loved ones. But wary are they of your wrath and your anger, for your emotional temperament is the source of catastrophes. Steady your emotions, king of the sea. Let your power rise to your head or your emotions cloud your judgment, and you will be the only one drowning, left alone on the cold, bottom floor.”

PHOENIX !!

Phoenix nearly lost his footing. His body waivered as he begun to loose control of the situation. He shut his eyes tight and did his best to hold his body upright through the motion. His teeth clinched together to fight against screaming. His body twisted and turned until it all stopped. Only a second passed before he could taste that familiar salt of the ocean. With haste, he opened his eyes, expecting to find his home before him. He hung there for a moment to take in his surroundings. 

At first, he thought it was unreal. Minutes ago, he was just talking to what seemed like a corpses. But the reality of it was undeniable. The way the ocean felt on his pale body and the salty sandy smell that filled his nose was clear that everything was real. Just like before, his eyes could focus on the tossing and turning of the dark sea and he could feel it's energy pulsing through him. It wasn't strange to him as he held up the trident and slammed it into the rock beneath him. He was claiming what he already knew was his.  His knuckled turned white as he balled his fist around his weapon. The anger from before boiled inside of him and in a fit, he let out a loud angry yell. In that moment, he felt the waved from the sea burst upward as the gallons of water were thrown into the air. 

During his cry, they world returned to what it was previously. He could barely hear the woman above the anguish. The vision ripped away from him. "Why me?!" His voice burst from his lips and echoed all around the cabin. He felt shaking in his body ad he looked upon the lump of creepy bones. His eyes lit up with the fire that he always had when he lost his temper.

ORACLE !!

As the vision faded away and the colors faded into darkness, it is then that you return from your previous life into reality, laying on the dusty, wooden floor. The ancient advice rings in your eyes, the vision etched into your mind. With it, the Oracle remains on the wooden chair, eyes lifeless and body motionless, just as you had first seen when you entered. Your words and your anger fall upon empty, dead ears. Taking it as your cue to leave, you exit from her chambers.

Congratulations! Phoenix has met the Oracle!

[valor-selfships]

little villa in sicily ch 2 - jjba sorlato babyfic

Ao3 Link -- Tag on my Blog (read the rest here!)

Summary: "Gelato..." Sorbet says. His voice hovers just above a whispering tone. "Oh my God. I could've lost both of you."

"And I could've lost you," Gelato says back. He's not a man to cry, never has been, but damn is he on the verge right now. His eyes burn, and he blinks to clear them. "Even -- even if they hadn't killed me, too, I could've lost you. And I swear, I swear to God I had no idea that I was -- that I might be --"

It's still hard for him to say it out loud.

After narrowly escaping their own deaths and finding out something shocking, Gelato and Sorbet do the only rational thing: they up and run off. Too bad Risotto Nero has incredibly strong paternal instincts, and Pesci can't keep a secret.

Notes: because there’s not enough sorlato in the world and i have yet to find a single fic of them with a baby, biological, adopted, or otherwise???? like officially, at least. there’s plenty of “team as family” but i haven’t seen any where they’re officially adopted soooo. have this. and yes, title is a play on “little house on the prairie.”

Wanna know more about this AU? Boom! Click this link.

There will be a mildly detailed birth scene later in the fic, so if that bothers you, feel free to not read.

I'm a trans guy myself! No hate comments.

Chapter Two - And I Would Walk 500 Miles...

A little under two weeks ago, Italy, 2000. La Squadra headquarters.

"You've gotta be shitting us. You're shitting us, Pesci. There's no way it was that easy." Formaggio's shocked voice rings out through the for-once completely silent headquarters. "You're tellin' me that Sorbet just... straight up texted you his location?"

Although his voice is far more shocked than accusatory, Prosciutto shoots the other man a withering glare from across the room should he dare change his tone. Formaggio pretends not to notice him despite the obvious shudder he gives.

Pesci, on the other hand, looks nervous, but what else is new? Even so, they all have to admit that it's a little bit different this time. For months, they've been searching for their missing comrades on and off with no success. And then, suddenly, out of the blue, Pesci gets a text from Sorbet's number with an address in Sicily?

"This feels like a trap," Ghiaccio squints from where he sits on the couch. From next to him, Illuso nods.

"You two do have a point, but if they were trying to bait any of us, why would it be Pesci?" Melone points out. "It's not like he's the leader, or even close to it. It'd make more sense to send it to Prosciutto, or Risotto himself."

"He's still a member of the team," Prosciutto growls. "Regardless of whether or not you personally think he's important or worth being here, him being a part of the team means that they could still use him to get to us."

"Well, uh, I'm pretty sure it was Sorbet, though," Pesci says. He sounds uncertain, and Prosciutto presses his finger to his nose.

"You're pretty sure, or sure? We don't have time for pretty sure, here," Prosciutto says. Though his voice is undoubtedly irritated, it lacks the same type of venom he uses with everyone else. "You need to be absolutely positive before we make any moves."

Pesci gulps, and then nods rapidly. "N-no, no, I'm sure it was him. I got another text right after, it looked like he'd sent it real fast 'cause there was a ton of misspelled words." Ready to show them the proof, he pulls out his little phone and opens up the text he got from Sorbet's number. "He was begging me not to tell anybody about the address, but I couldn't keep it quiet. I-I didn't wanna make anybody mad -"

Finally, Risotto holds up a hand to stop Pesci and announce he needs to speak himself. "That wouldn't have been possible, given the circumstances. Either you would have kept lying to us, or you would have had to reveal what Sorbet sent you. But you chose the best choice." He narrows his eyes a little. "I am not sure what drove them all the way to Sicily. I have... a small theory. But it may not be true. So there is no reason to voice it right now." His tone signals that he's not willing to continue discussing it at the moment, so the rest of the team decides not to pry. "But... as I said, this is the best outcome. Now that we know for sure where they are located... we can finally find them and ensure their safety."

"And, preferably, figure out why they fled in the first place," Prosciutto adds. "If it was something involving gang business, they should've told us. We shouldn't let them off the hook, Risotto."

Risotto presses his lips together and shakes his head. "I never said I would. But what I ultimately decide to do... will depend on whether or not my hunch is correct."

Somewhere in the Sicilian countryside, about a week ago, 2000. In a little villa.

"What're you doing up and on your feet, mio caro? You should be resting."

Gelato looks over his shoulder from where he stands in the kitchen, in front of the open fridge. Drat. He could've sworn Sorbet was still asleep when he'd snuck out of bed, but then again, given how heavy on his feet he is these days, he supposes it wouldn't be all that surprising if he did wake him after all and simply didn't notice.

"Just getting a snack," Gelato sighs. "Honestly, tesoro, you worry far too much. The baby isn't due for another week."

Sorbet steps up next to Gelato, puts his arms around his waist so he can rest his hands on his belly. "I know. But you do need to try to stay off of your feet. There's always the chance she could come a little early."

Gelato snorts. "I'd be lucky if that were the case. Then I might finally be able to get some sleep... decent sleep, at least." As if proving his point, he yawns and stretches, closing the doors to the fridge. He doesn't move his feet, though, just rests his hands on top of his husband's and leans into his touch. It's warm, and secure, for the moment.

Suddenly, he lifts his head a little, like a dog on alert. "Car. Pulling up outside," Gelato says under his breath. Sorbet stiffens, carefully stepping away from him and towards the front door. "Sorbet -"

"Just stay right there," Sorbet tells him. There's no hint of fear or wavering in his voice; instead, he sounds strong and steady, a real change from only a few months back. He's completely determined not to let anything put his family in jeopardy again, no matter what that is. Even though his mind is racing through the worst case scenarios right off the bat, he doesn't let it show on his face as he puts his hand on the doorknob, unlocks the door --

"YYOOOOUUUU ASSHOLES!"

As soon as he unlocks the door, it swings open and nearly smacks him square in the face. Luckily, his upcoming fatherhood hasn't dulled his reflexes, and Sorbet leaps back out of the way of the door...

Only to then get body slammed by a small, very cold, blue-and-white blur. A very familiar small, very cold, blue-and-white blur.

Despite the fact that he's now lying flat on the floor, Sorbet allows himself to relax for the first time in several months, a laugh leaving his lips all on its own. "It's nice to see you again, Ghiaccio."

"Eat shit!" Ghiaccio frowns down at his target, then stands up and brushes himself off. As expected, the rest of the team files in after him, apparently satisfied that there's no danger based on what's going on. Even so, Ghiaccio isn't done, and he keeps right on talking even as Risotto parts from the group and goes around Sorbet. "You two scared the hell out of us, what the fuck, man?! If you wanted to leave or whatever, you could've at least told us! They say to "forgive and forget" or whatever, but I for one -"

"I was right, after all."

Despite not being nearly as loud as Ghiaccio, the deep rumble of Risotto's voice resonates through the room. He's standing in front of the couch, looking down at the person sitting on it. Immediately, all of the team's eyes are on their leader first, then they look towards who he's looking at.

Gelato looks rather unimpressed with the whole situation as he uses the fork he's holding to grab a chunk of the chocolate cake he's got on his plate and shove it in his mouth. At first, what he's referencing isn't obvious to the team, until he speaks again.

"You must be due any day now, am I right?"

You could hear a pin drop with how quiet it gets in the room.

And then, as per usual, the silence is shattered by Ghiaccio screeching out: "He's pregnant?!"

Gelato chooses to ignore him, and the resulting echoes of "what" and "oh my God" in favor of answering Risotto. "Yeah. I'm supposed to have a week left, so they say."

"Mmm... wouldn't bet on that," Risotto says. "Don't take my word for it, it's just a feeling. Either way, I hope you don't mind if we stay here for a while. We haven't gotten a hotel."

Gelato gives a little sigh. "Do you want me to be honest?" Risotto nods, and Gelato looks around at all of the sudden new house guests. "Stay as long as you'd like, as long as you can distract Sorbet from me for a little while."

The argument that ensues only goes to prove that, while you may be able to put distance between yourself and your family, some things never change.

[actuallylorelaigilmore]

I CANNOT DECIDE which fic i want headcanons and/or trivia about, so would you please pick one or two of your ODaaT fics that you want to talk about, and do those? :D Thanks!

you know, i can’t blame you for having trouble! i have 47 fics just for odaat and i know you’ve read some of my others too. i had a hard time choosing, myself. also thank you for sending this!! i was hoping to get some for this game.

ETA: i forgot the game was ‘five facts/headcanons’ and also i couldn’t sleep, so instead you got way more commentary than that...

We Hide Within Our Veins The Things That Keep Us Bound To One Another

i have to talk about this one, because this is the fic that started it all. if i hadn’t decided to be brave and do what seemed crazy and write this story, i would never have written all the others, and i wouldn’t have made graphics and fought for renewal and become such an involved part of the fandom and met friends like you. :)

so the story behind this fic started with how quickly i fell into the ship. basically in the time it took me to rewatch s1 the night before s2 came out: i realized i shipped it during the quinces, realized that s2 made me feel validated in shipping it, realized that i had a lot of feelings about how both penelope and schneider were damaged but in different ways, and dipped my toe in the water by posting here about how i was thinking of writing fic for them.

in addition to fandom enabler (and the official ship name inventor) @outfieldlove encouraging me to write it, a couple of total strangers found my post in the tags and cheered me on. (they both later became friends of mine which is awesome.) i was sure i was crazy, even trying to write fanfic for odaat, because it was a sitcom and i’d barely seen it and wasn’t it better to stick with the otps i had gotten really great at writing because i wrote them all the time? but i went for it.

and what’s most important about this story is that i posted the fic on january 27, 2018. 

season 2 of odaat came out on january 26, 2018.

which means (and i didn’t actually remember this until i started on this ask) that i rewatched s1 of the show right up until midnight when s2 dropped, then i watched all of s2, possibly without sleeping until i finished it, and before the following day was over, i wrote, edited AND posted this fic, based off characters i had never even imagined ficcing before s2 came out. 

fun fact: i frequently get some specifics of this fic and my forehead kisses fic mixed up in my head because that was my other big fic for them that i wrote when i was just starting out…so i was planning to tell the dwayne story in this post but hey, wrong fic, lol. 

the whole reason why this fic unfolds the way it does is because i was obsessed with 2.09 and everything we learn about penelope, schneider, and their relationship in that episode. i was especially fixated on pen’s line that i quote at the beginning, because if odaat were a different kind of show, penelope going to him in the middle of the night and trading serious moments the way they do would make ‘there’s got to be another way to feel happy’ a lead into romance, or sex. 

obviously it wouldn’t make sense for that to happen in the canon we have, but i couldn’t get it out of my head, and it got me thinking about the differences between how penelope sees schneider and who he proves himself to be, and the way that that episode shows us that on some level, schneider understands her better than anybody, whether she’s comfortable with that fact or not. 

a headcanon for this one: penelope is so not ready to deal with the gravity of their friendship turning into more when it starts this way, so she tries to focus on the fun makeout sessions and put off the serious conversation…but lydia walks into schneider’s living room unannounced halfway through makeout number two.

Like Sun On The Rise

this is the longest one-shot i’ve ever written at just over 10k, and i’m really proud of that but also it means it was much more of an experience to write! i learned things for this fic and i put more of myself into it than i usually do. the plot bunny for it seemed simple at first–a sleepover that started out platonic. fluff! fun! but i was incapable of writing it quickly and making it brief, because….sleepover.

i was a kid who looooooved sleepovers, and had such a wild childhood that my friends stayed over unsupervised a lot. even now, i’m the kind of adult who would still totally have sleepovers with my other adult friends, if that was a thing people did. i love talking for hours and junk food and not sleeping, i was made for sleepovers. 

so basically, this fic exists because i wanted to cheer up a friend with fic, and because once i started writing a sleepover, it had to be a sleepover FULL OF THINGS. which is why i watched videos to learn hula hooping technique (i’ve never done it, but i needed penelope to seem like she had) and researched horror movies that had come out around that time. 

the one i chose for them to watch was hereditary with toni collette, and i read such a detailed synopsis (in order to hint at their viewing without being too obvious about it) that i will never ever watch hereditary now. nope nope.

i don’t think my original plan was for them to end up together at the end of the night, honestly. i think my first idea was just fluffy fun with some flirting, but as the fun and games intensified along with the feelings, them sliding into more made sense to me. 

i’m sure i got the idea of lime-sugar popcorn from research, presumably looking up cuban-american food trends? or something like that. i don’t remember specifically anymore, but i know i found it somewhere because i myself only like butter and salt on my popcorn (or very rarely caramel corn as a treat).

little bits of me in this story: 

the ben and jerrys flavor schneider went to target just to get penelope was brewed to matter, which is a coffee ice cream with fudge and brownie swirl mixed in. whenever we make a rare target run and they don’t have any in stock it makes me very sad. it’s really good.

i have never tried to make microwave popcorn blindfolded, but like schneider, i wear glasses, and i have since i was ten so i’m used to dealing with the very fuzzy world that lives more than two inches away from my face. it was fun for me to mentally walk through how i COULD make popcorn with my eyes closed.

i definitely tried to summon bloody mary at a slumber party or two in my youth.

send me one of my fic titles and i’ll share secrets or trivia about it

[abigailskoda]

Social Media Marketing Guide for Beginners

Social Media Marketing is the method  buy instagram likes for $1 of gaining attention and net traffic via the social media sites. During this manner, generally innovative content material to attain the loads thru publicity coming from a 3rd-party depended on source wishes to be created in order for people to proportion the content material in their hobby with others and create a vicious chain that might make commercial enterprise cowl and cross past the marketplace target audience meant. Every on-line marketer needs to have a goal, a product, a provider and a motive to sell thru the significant and overwhelming World Wide Web. If you already have the ones matters described in your mind, then congratulations! That could be in all likelihood the hardest part of entering into the social media challenge, and from now on, every unmarried attempt will make a contribution to reach the ones dreams correctly and flawlessly till you put your toes at the Social Media Guru repute.

The Social Media global is huge and more big than ever. It is a very strategic marketing platform that reaches extraordinary cultures, ages, religion, sexes, places, interests and such, therefore it makes it the suitable car to attain and target the right target audience and acquire general success. The whole world might not care approximately video games, for example, however best the humans that video video games is a part of their pursuits. If you target male audience with advertisements of high heels on sale, maybe a number of them would pass and purchase a couple or 2 for their better halves, but a couple or 2 isn't exactly the kind of impact you need to have. Therefore, you focus on sure organization a long time and positive other factors that purpose some products and services, films and information to head "viral"

First, we want to recognize the fundamental social media sites

Facebook Holding greater than 900 million users, in case you're already a Facebook consumer this could now not be sincerely new to you, however there are plenty of functions really worth citing. You can create a dedicated business web page and have interaction directly, and free, together with your clients importing unfastened snap shots, merchandise and videos of the carrier you wish to offer or the product you are trying to sell. That way, you could build a facts base of human beings on the way to proportion your posts to their pals and therefore create the by no means finishing chain. Most of these social media web sites have seamlessly mobile integration so human beings whether or not it's far a transportable PC, a laptop, pill or mobile smartphone get continually linked with media in a way which you should take advantage of. People log in to Facebook, in any state of affairs, at the same time as commuting, in the park, at domestic, at college, at work. Then you're there, promoting your business for it to be displayed within the news feeds, and you will be there, continuously doing the thoughts trick game to the factor that people will find some thing appealing and worth checking according to their pursuits. Many large groups like Starbucks, Microsoft, Apple, Rockstar, Pepsi and so on. Are doing the same, and it really works perfectly!

Blogs Blogs are an smooth way for humans to communicate in a semi-expert manner with regards to quality of content material. Quality content is always the key to a great writing and consequently, a very good blogging. There are many blogger CMS (content material management service) in which you can get yours up and running for free in less than 5 minutes, some of these are Blogger, WordPress and probable the maximum user pleasant one, Tumblr. One of the hints right here is knowing your target market, your marketplace, who you are concentrated on and what you need to perform with that. Now this has to do with some search engine optimization or Search Engine Optimization expertise, that is in different phrases, the use of the proper keywords to rank as excessive as feasible in a seek engine i.E. Google, Bing. It must be associated with your posts and at the equal time, you need to ensure you operate a key-word search device to test the opposition and range of seek this given keyword has. The lowest the competition and maximum range of searches it gets in a month, the extra handy for you. If you have been to put it up for sale your website retaining a service of technical guide chat, you'll have to make the key phrases very specific so humans that are searching out your carrier would discover you first. It is, for example technical help for Windows, then you will have to consist of specific words, as going a bit more instantly to the factor. Since the competition could be genuinely excessive and Windows technical support is a wide content, you'll focus and go in addition the specific offerings your product offers, therefore, including additional keywords to move instantly to the factor would be the most a success way to do it and you'll rank higher in a seek engine and those would discover your product without difficulty. From "Technical Support Chat" to "Technical Support Chat for Windows 7 and XP" you may see how we are narrowing the concept of the service you provide making it greater precise, exact after which opposition of guide for mobile running structures, cellphones, Mac, iPhone, Windows Vista, Windows 8 and such, are left behind and people web sites supplying the services you're now not related to may not scouse borrow your possibilities to be discovered for human beings which might be merely seeking out chat assist for Windows 7 and XP. Once understood the key-word concept you may proceed and create content material on a blog that might be smooth to discover on a seek engine by way of including the right tags.

Then we've got the Social Media integration once more in the blog area. There are many alternatives to percentage the content of your blog. Many Content Manager Services like Tumblr have the social media buttons to share and prefer or dislike. You want to look for the alternatives to permit them (inside the rare case they may be not enabled via default) so each submit of yours would have the buttons for percentage on Tweeter, Google+, Facebook and so forth. And Reblog in the running a blog network you are affiliated to. With outstanding quality and eye catching content you're encouraging humans to share your testimonies on different media web sites just like the ones noted above plus you sharing them and there you have first-rate probabilities to reach a much broader target market.

Twitter A rapid growing, very popular social media site. With over 340,000,000 tweets an afternoon and round one hundred forty,00,000 users worldwide, this platform is quite attractive to commercial enterprise and corporations as well as for celebrities, musicians, actors, anyone! A tweet is a message of a hundred and forty characters most that you may write and post and followers can study and notice any time in their information feeds. Talk approximately it, engage at once and start new conversations is one of the things that make this platform extraordinarily a hit. The way they observe Kim Kardashian and examine and speak about the whole lot she tweets in a day, the identical way they could do with advertising and marketing and marketing campaigns about manufacturers and products in their hobby.

One hundred forty,000,000 users to target the proper audience would possibly sound like a hard mission, however visible it from the opposite aspect of the coin, meaning greater capability clients for a enterprise. Once you get into the already mentioned vicious chain of any social media web site, things simply keep coming alongside by way of themselves and primary factor you will word is hundreds of masses of humans engaged on your emblem, speakme about it, reviewing it and telling others about occasions, broadcast and such.

Linkedin Possibly a no longer so popular platform making it boring for a few human beings, however a very expert and strategic one for the rest. Some humans won't spend lengthy hours chatting or speakme to other about silly, trivial matters, alternatively, this social community is going straight to the point. People on Facebook and Twitter for example, follow anybody in their interest for the sake of definitely socialize as well as agencies and agencies, however Linkedin is meant to filter out and go away the fun behind to attention deeper in professionalism in social media.

In Linkedin, you could be part of the people searching out a process/ service, or part of a agency supplying a activity/ service. You can create either a personal profile with your professional information about your self, research, contact facts, interests, certifications, identifications and so on. Or, create a commercial enterprise or organization page, equal way as you do it on Facebook or Twitter sufficing the identical cause: share information approximately your logo, carrier, product and preserve your audience and followers updated with the state-of-the-art records approximately your organisation.

YouTube YouTube is a completely thrilling platform. People go watch movies of any type or receives redirected with the aid of any internet site that has a backlink to it or search engines. Once people is there on a given there you've got some more "Related Videos" on a column on the right side of the display screen. Clicking from video to video makes you find belongings you by no means concept you'll find, thrilling topics, humorous movies, how-to type of motion pictures, exposure and so on. Your probabilities to be seen are overwhelming and you may also get humans enroll in your Channel, that's in other terms, your very own YouTube area in which you add your movies. Some people discover it manner more interesting and simpler to just watch a video in preference to reading an entire article. You have the aid of visuals. If you were to promote fashion garments and that is the reason of your entire social media advertising and marketing, you may, along with other options, upload a video with humans modeling your clothes, redirect people to your main enterprise website online, suggest humans to percentage your video, to subscribe for future video updates, to go to your "style weblog", like your web page on Facebook, comply with you on Tweeter, Google+, Linkedin, and so forth. Close your eyes and try and visualize the Tree Diagram of the whole Social Media advertising method and how it gets to potentially reach every unmarried nook of the World Wide Web. Ambitious, is not it?

Google+ A pretty new comer on the social media site warfare, Google+ gives integration of a spread of services together with Gmail, Google+ Basics, Google+ Circles that assist you to share information or "statuses" in a manner Facebook does, but has much less recognition so far. You have the "Stream" feature similar to Facebook's News Feed that would assist you to see what others are up to, an choice for following very similar as well to Tweeter.

[theboywhocan11]

Fallacies of an Ant*: “Honeststarwarsopinions” on Tumblr

In full text:

“Some clarification, although I think I made this clear in my original posts: I do not think that every Reylo shipper is acting or thinking the way I explained in my posts. However these are all things I have seen multiple times and they are, regardless of any excuse or explanation, unacceptable to me and hurt the fandom. This is what I meant to say, not that there is no unproblematic way of shipping Reylo. Simply that there are many many problematic ways which I have explained. And the fact that all of these issues arose from this one ship is making me avoid this part of the fandom.

Also… I have never said that all of Kylo Ren is evil. In fact I don’t think so. My personal belief is that there will be some kind of redemption arc for him due to the hints given in TFA. However that the character as a whole is at this point constructed as the villain is not my head canon, it’s a fact.

Also reylo is not meant to be the only topic of this blog. It was simply what I had to get off my chest first. However this obviously still means that I wouldn’t necessarily advise Reylo shippers to follow me. “

Point 1: “I do not think that every Reylo shipper is acting or thinking the way I explained in my posts.”

Even though this is what you think that is contrast to what you wrote, what you wrote can clearly be mis-interpreted as if you are condemning an entire group. If you were making observations about only the bad apples in a certain fandom group, WHY DON’T YOU SAY SO…CLEARLY in the first place? Why don’t you make first a Disclaimer that you were addressing only the bad reylos? You should have been more so specific about that in the first place. Not only that, why weren’t you specific and consistent that you are only targeting bad reylos?

For instance, when you said this on your other post: 

“From slight, internalized racism to open, inexcusable racism - we have now seen it all. This has to stop! And it will not stop by the Reylo fandom insisting it’s not all of them. Of course it isn’t. But that doesn’t make it any less of a giant problem! I could as well now draw the conclusion that Reylo fans are okay with shipping Rey with a facist because they are okay with facism…. and racism. It would be unfair to many of them, sure… but let’s be serious…can anybody be blamed if they come to this conclusion at this point? And is it such a crazy idea to assume that this ships draws in racists and facists??”

Link: https://honeststarwarsopinions.tumblr.com/post/159271955958/reylo-and-why-its-a-problem-beyond-any-shipper

Are you simply saying that entire group of Reylos are racists and fascists all because of their viewpoints about how in-canon there is a connection between Rey and Kylo and how Kylo is a misunderstood ant*-hero that is being hinted to come back via redemption?  

How about the Reylos just minding their own business and NOT hurting anyone? So, your drawn conclusion about “Reylo fans are okay with shipping Rey with a fascist because they are okay with facism…. and racism” mean that these Reylo fans minding their own business and not hurting anyone are also considered to be racists and fascists??? Really??

So, what is this? A label based on some conclusion to imply that Reylos on Tumblr, Instagram, and YouTube are this same giant, hive mind group are all considered to be bad people just because of this “said conclusion?”

Do you realized that the people on Tumblr are different from the people on Instagram, on YouTube, and other social media site? Also, not all Reylos on Tumblr are also on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and/or other social media sites? 

[Continue reading below the cut]

Do you want us, “Reylos,” to do a 1984-style “Self-policing” on other Reylos on a 24/7 basis like a big government spying ring just to “stalk”, “invade privacy”, on everything that a Reylo is doing just so we can stop them from being the bad people you claimed them to be?

I am not saying that all Reylos are good people. There are bad people in every facet of fandom and we should do something to call out these bad ones for doing bad things that they do. But, for you to imply to drag everyone in Reylo fandom to do Salem-Witch-Trials witch hunt on our fellow members in order to prevent them from doing bad things just to please your “feelings” is abhorrent. This is especially when you say “unacceptable to me and hurt the fandom.” Like, are you the center of the Universe that we should do something to appease you?  Who is it to you to say that it hurts the fandom when there are people in fandom that are not into shipping at all?

You want to force us, Reylos, to go at each other for every bad thing that they do and start an internal Reylo Civil War just to please you? Not many people do not have time to do that and many of us Reylos on Tumblr and many other social media outlets just want to mind our own business doing our own thing and for you to say that we have to spy each other to prevent bad things in order to just please you is wrong.

In case you don’t realized, it’s the freaking internet where social media outlets have block buttons, blacklist tags software, and the rules of non-engagement with bad people where doing these things allow you to have your own peace of mind in enjoying star wars in your own way.  Also, if have anonymous asks and anonymous submissions turned on on Tumblr, then turned them off for the time being to prevent people from sending harassing messages at you. 

On another note about “Hurt the fandom”…you think the entire Star Wars fandom (outside of Star Wars shipping) is being hurt because of these bad reylos? Well, there are reylos getting hurt by “bad” ant*s as well. Also, the online star wars fandom only makes up a small percentage of the wider star wars fanbase.

Not only that, on Pablo Hidalgo’s tweet chain, there is a star wars fan tweet saying “let them fight” each other as in let the Reylos/Antis fight each other. They don’t affect us.

So, this shows how a Star Wars fan within the fandom is not getting hurt by the Reylo/Anti Wars going on Tumblr, Instagram, YouTube, and other social media sites. So, how do you say it “hurts the fandom” when this one fan is not getting hurt at all. Not only that, Pablo Hidalgo tweeted this…

Link: https://twitter.com/pablohidalgo/status/745675986667114496

Basically, Pablo’s perception of the Reylo/Anti “Warring” Fandoms as nothing more than just two groups having a meaningless discourse that does not affect the larger whole of the greater Star Wars Fandom.

Separate note: People in the Reylo fandom will call out the “bad” Reylos for the bad things that they do when it arises from time to time. But, you can’t expect every Reylo person to do that when they have lives outside the Internet or not be there when the bad Reylo incidents do happen (because of real life obligations outside the internet) nor should the entire Reylo fandom be condemned for not being there when a bad reylo incident do happen. This is because Reylos can’t be forced into spying each other 24/7 in order just to please you and your criteria on what a good fandom is.

Furthermore, when you say, “it will not stop by the Reylo fandom insisting it’s not all of them. Of course it isn’t. But that doesn’t make it any less of a giant problem!”

It does not make it  any less of a giant problem also when there are bad ant*s like Ekateri28 who made racist ant* Semite/ant* Turkish / ant* John Boyega comments. Where are the ants like you when this happened? None of you have  done anything to address such racist commentary by such ant*.

Here’s an example of Ekateri28’s racists commentary:

Here is Ekateri28’s reblog where she said along the lines that rest assured holocaust will come again. In context, this is Ekateri28’s post in her liking the death of the Jewish people and wising for the holocaust to return.

Link: https://ekateri28.tumblr.com/post/149532439933/eretzyisrael-today-is-international-holocaust

Here’s Ekateri28′s ant* finn post:

Here’s a reblog citing the evidence of how the Ant* Ekateri28 talked about how Finn the “English Black Cock” does not deserve Rey. Read the full text below and tell me if that is racist or not.

“Do you really want to ship Finnrey? The English Black cocky dude playing Finn is no Sidney Poitier, Samuel Jackson or even Morgan Freeman. It disgusts me to see Rey, a Jedi with Skywalker/Amidala blood and possible Organa Royalty flowing through her veins, to fall in love with a Stormtrooper who worked in Sanitation at Starkiller Base. Finn is not good enough for her to be shipped. She deserves better.”

Link: http://reverseracism.tumblr.com/post/141795097341/jawnbaeyega-ekateri28-phamsa-there-is

Link: http://sicarkenoldurulenkral.tumblr.com/post/129560275865/doctorbayanwinchester-ekateri28-ekateri28

Link: http://memoriesofcigarettes.tumblr.com/post/129556276398/sleepybutcantsleep-ekateri28

Here is your fellow Ant*, Ekateri28 making Anti-Turkish remarks at people.

If for you to say that it is still a problem for us, Reylos, to insist that all Reylos are not bad. Then, how about this? Not all Ant*s are bad when a racist like Ekateri28 is posting this at people and not get called out on???

Where in the heck are the other ants including you to call out Ekateri28 for her wrongful actions? There have been messages by Ant*s saying, we do condemn Ekater28. But just ignore her. All ant*s are not bad people. Does such message like this do not make it any less of a giant problem about the bad ant*s hurting people? You condemn reylos as being the bad group when we say not all reylos are bad. But, to imply or say that ants are always innocent only because “not all ant*s are bad” when ant*s actual do bad things? Such double standards you have.

Oh wait, I see what’s going. Because you are on some HIGHER MORAL GROUND that you will not call out Ekateri28 for her racist/fascist remarks only because it is ONLY Reylos that are deemed racists and fascists. Therefore, you give people like Ekateri28 a pass.

Another separate point: It also do not make it less of a problem when there is an ant* called “Dahanci/Exshipper” that has been doxxing someone and making up lies about a Reylo shipper.

Here are the posts:

So, where are the ant*s to call out for Dahanci/exshipper’s bad actions?? Anyone??

Final note about the this Bad Ant*s/Bad Reylo Dichotomy: So, Reylos are racists and fascists. Then, Ant*s are also racists, fascists, and criminals.

Point 2: “ I have never said that all of Kylo Ren is evil. In fact I don’t think so. However that the character as a whole is at this point constructed as the villain is not my head canon, it’s a fact.”

So, you are saying that Kylo Ren is not evil, but then in another post you said that “Kylo Ren is a fascist”. Here’s the excerpt of your post.

Link: http://honeststarwarsopinions.tumblr.com/post/159271880518

In addition, according Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

“Definition of fascism

often capitalized:  a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition

a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control early instances of army fascism and brutality — J. W. Aldridge ”

Link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fascism

Also, fascist is an advocate of that belief system as shown above. Furthermore, we know in history that fascism is such an evil and unjust belief system that led fascists, who are evil people, to commit evil things before WWII and during WWII. Therefore, facisim was later overthrown at the end of World War II. Thus, you are contradicting yourself in this loop argument that Kylo Ren is a fascist, but then he is not evil, but then fascists are evil people because of real life historical context of what they’ve done, therefore Kylo Ren is actually an evil being. So, what is it that you are trying to say? Are you implying that Kylo Ren is in fact a misunderstood anti-hero who turned bad guy because of Snoke’s abusive manipulation on him, which contradicts your earlier post that it is a bad thing to paint Kylo Ren as a misunderstood anti-hero? Also, your posts made the argument that Kylo Ren is such an villain, who is evil in some jumbled way based on what you were saying and implying that he should not be redeemed at all and/or paired up with Rey. This is because of what you said about how that would send a bad message about “terrorists should be paired with their victims??”

I need to ask you this. What are you exactly talking about? Darth Vader was a villain and guess what he got redeemed. So, you basically that because Kylo Ren is such a “villain” that he should not be redeemed at all? Are you saying that Kylo Ren is such a bad person that making him redeemed sends a bad message to people who can’t think for themselves that bad people can get away of things?  Uhh…guess what?   That same argument applies with Darth Vader and by the way, in canon novels, where Darth Vader is still seen as a bad person by much of the galaxy’s inhabitants after his death. Darth Vader can be considered as fascist too based on one of your Tumblr posts. Furthermore, Darth Vader did get his redemption but never the forgiveness by a majority of the galaxy’s inhabitants. Who is it for you to say that all Reylos want Kylo Ren be all forgiven for his crimes just so he can get with Rey? That’s not true…there are countless Reylos who believe that Kylo Ren is not going to get it an easy life, post-redemption. Heck, he will get redemption, but not the forgiveness from anyone. Heck, he might end up in exile before reuniting with anyone in general, including Rey. And for you to paint it like all Reylos are bad due to your horrible unclear writing assessment that all reylos want Kylo Ren be forgiven so he can get Rey is just pure false accusations to some members of the Reylo fandom who do see Kylo Ren not getting forgiveness or excuse for his bad actions. Such false accusations on an entire Reylo fandom is utterly immoral and unjustified.

On another note, let me give you examples of villains turned heroes in Star Wars Canon: 

Agent Kallus from Star Wars Rebels: He was one of the villains and got redeemed by defecting to the Rebels even after doing some horrible stuff for the Empire. 

Sinjir Velus from the Aftermath Novel: this Imperial Loyalist Officer/Interrogator did the most horrible stuff during his time…but he got his redemption after the battle of Endor where in turned he helped Norra Wexley, Temmin, Emari and others to help hunt down imperials.

So, based on your long and tangled posts of fallacies, these villains-turned-heroes should also be condemned because simply they “were” set up as the villain and “fascists” in the first place and that’s a fact (not headcanon), right?

Point 3: “If anyone has followed her, they will know she took down her instagram. I can only assume that this incident did not do anything positive for her view of social media.”

Link: https://honeststarwarsopinions.tumblr.com/post/159271955958/reylo-and-why-its-a-problem-beyond-any-shipper

The incident that “honeststarwarsopinions” was referring to is the racists reylos on Daisy’s Instagram posting racist commentary about John Boyega. First of all, there are reylos that do condemn this. Again, like my point made above…there are Tumblr Reylos that are not on Instagram. Not many Reylos were aware of this and not many of us were not Instagram at the time when this occurred. Had we were, yes… we will condemn it, but for you to say that it is still entire Reylos fault for still being racists for this to occur even when we do not make racists remarks, is a false accusation of “guilty by association.”  

Your sentence makes it sound like she later quit her Instagram because of the racists comments on her Instagram post. Whereas in contrast, it is as follows:

(1) Daisy Ridley made a post about #stoptheviolence in referring to the gun violence going on in America. Her point is about Stopping the Violence in general, not taking away gun rights. But, due to the commentary made by gun-rights activist, telling her to stop butting into American politics, caused Daisy’s specific #stoptheviolence post to be deleted.

In addition, this #stoptheviolence backlash came JUST before Daisy Ridley deleting her Instagram. The racists commentary on John Boyega on Daisy’s Instagram came way before he #stoptheviolence post that led to Daisy leaving Instagram. So, based on that circumstantial evidence, it was the #stoptheviolence backlash, not the racists reylos’ comments, that led to Daisy leaving Instagram.

Link: http://thenerdybird.com/daisy-ridley-harassed-off-instagram-political-opinion/

(2) Later on, Daisy Ridley clarified in an interview that she turned off Instagram because of the enormous pressure of having to update it all the time for millions of followers that she has. 

“Speaking at the Student Academy Awards in Los Angeles after she revealed her Instagram departure, Ridley said she had a “lot of growing up to do” and had no immediate plans to return to the site.

“I felt a pressure being on it,” she said. “I was like ‘I need to post. Oh my God, it’s been this many days’. It’s actually been kind of nice not to be on it.

“I’m 24. I have a lot of growing up to do. I have to deal with loads of stuff myself personally. For that to be projected with millions of people watching, that is like a bit of an extra pressure.“I think some people handle it well. Just right now it’s not for me, but who knows.“”

Link: http://news.sky.com/story/star-wars-star-daisy-ridley-quits-instagram-over-pressure-10589121

To Honeststarwarsopinions, just because you assume something does not mean it is fact. Your assumption that Daisy’s leaving Instagram due to racist reylos commentary on Daisy’s Instagram about John Boyega is NOT a fact. The #stoptheviolence backlash happened just before Daisy left Instagram. Had it been reversed where the Racist commentary happened just before Daisy left Instagram, then yes…it can be argued that it was the racists who pushed Daisy off of Instagram. But, that is not the case.

Point 4: So, your overall argument seems to imply that Star Wars is sending out a bad message therefore…it is the end of Star Wars as a franchise and thus"Star Wars” as a whole should be stopped and/or Lucasfilm needs to stop producing more Star Wars content????

Then, based on that logic that means…Star Wars should be censored? That means the story of Revan who is like a Pre-Kylo Ren who was a dark sider who got redemption and became a hero should not be told?

If that is what you are talking about, then that same logic can be applied to the following:

Huckleberry Finn should no longer be read because it normalizes the N* word and therefore people are not able to understand that the N*word is hurtful and would use it towards people on a normal basis.

Game of Thrones should no longer be read because it normalizes incest. Then, once Jon Snow X Dany ship is canon it sends the wrong message about it is okay to have sexual relationship with a biological family member. Note: In Game of Thrones, Jon Snow is Dany’s nephew. Also, in Game of Thrones, there’s an incestual relationship between Jamie and Cersei Lannister.

Romeo and Juliet should no longer read because it normalizes gang violence, suicide, and it is okay to the date a girl who belongs to a group of people who is your enemy and run away together and commit suicide after everything gone wrong.

Taming of the Shrew should no longer be read because it paints women as bad people and it is okay for boys to marry them after abusing the said woman.

Catcher in the Rye should no longer be read because it normalizes swearing in normal conversation and thus it promotes people to swear all the time and see everyone as a “phony.”

Brave New World should no longer be read because it promotes the normalization of techno-socialism.

Frankenstein should no longer be read because it promotes that it is morally okay to dig up graves, steal dead bodies, and create undead monsters.

World War Z should no longer be read because it promotes the idea that it is fun to create undead zombies to shoot at and fight in a war in.

Harry Potter should not be read because it promotes that is okay to destroy a school, hurt and disrespect teachers, and practice demonic, occult arts called…“magic.”

Animal Farm should no longer be read because it brainwashes people’s mind that animals are going to take over the world, they can talk, and it is okay to set up a government to change rules to make justified killings at people even though it was all about animals in this case. Thus, animals have no rights.

Doom 4, Halo, Call of Duty, Battlefield series, and other First Person Shooting video games should no longer be played because it sends out the wrong message that gun violence is okay.

Ghost in the Shell, the anime series, should no longer be watched because it sends the wrong message that it is okay to become a cyborg and lose your sense of humanity in the process.

I know these points are absurd, but that is the logic of your argument.

Point 5: So, your argument  is about addressing the bad behavior of the bad Reylos and/or the immoral actions of Lucasfilm??? Then, why don’t you just say so in the first place and have your entire content just be all about that???

If that is the case, then why don’t you make your posts just about bad Reylos’ bad behavior, what they have done, and what resolutions should be taken to stop it? Why don’t you make it clear within a first sentence in bold and in large font that you are addressing the bad Reylos and the steps it should be taken to stop their actions?

But, no. You just made a long UNCLEAR posts about how all Reylos are racists and fascists. Therefore, Reylo should not be a thing anywhere in fandom or in canon so innocent people’s mind would not be brainwashed by Reylo. Okay…so, you, “honeststarwarsopinions”, think that it is okay to promote victim blaming because people cannot think for themselves, people need to be hand hold, be patronized, and be treated like children?

If you are so concerned about Lucasfilm’s approach about their storytelling as the source of creating the bad elements in fandom, then why don’t you discuss about the issues that Lucasfilm has done in its history where:

For instance, Return of the Jedi, female pilots scenes were deleted. Every new edition of Return of the Jedi does not include such deleted scenes about these female pilots fighting at the Battle of Endor.

No women of color characters/actors in the Han Solo film.

How a PoC character in Star Wars Rebels (Wedge rescue episode) was introduced for five minutes and then was killed off as the “token” character?

The White-washing of the Mandalorians in Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series in contrast to the diverse races and species that make the Mandalorians in Legends.

And many others.

In summary: Honeststarwarsopinions, you may have a good message about the abhorrent behavior of the bad reylos going on in Star Wars fandom and/or the bad implications of Lucasfilm’s storytelling. But, because of your convoluted “moral of the story” message you presented on your Tumblr, it is going to create more problems than solutions. In fact, after the much abuse made by Ant*s against reylos, many Reylos are going to ignore you. We have enough of your BS opinions of fallacies and thus we are not going to pay any MORE attention to you or even respond much to you. 

You do not even present on ways to resolve the bad Reylos from doing bad things. Like, all you do is complain this is a problem and just hope it’s resolved without finding ways to resolve it.  You just made posts about it, making it sound like it should all be Lucasfilm’s responsibility to stop the bad fans from hurting other fans within the online Star Wars fandom community when Lucasfilm people do not even pay much attention to it or even care about it.

Also, the entire online community within the larger Star Wars Fandom is like a small fraction of the greater Star Wars fandom as a whole. Lucasfilm has a plan for its story already and it should only be held responsible for the story’s execution not the quibbles of fans complaining about other fans within the Star Wars fandom (online and outside the internet). 

Also, it’s the Internet! It’s a big cyber-verse of many mini-cyber-verses. A giant cyberspace of many smaller online spaces where you can create your own small safe space for yourself to enjoy things by yourself or within a small group of people who likes similar things. You do NOT have to be part of a majority fandom just be considered as a True Star Wars Fan. Also, if you do not like a certain person on a social media site, USE THE BLOCK BUTTON, Blacklist the tags, turned off anonymous asks/submissions and do not engage with the bad elements within fandom. Doing it this way allows people to enjoy Star Wars or whatever desired in peace.  Lastly, a lot of the arguments you said about bad Reylos can be applied to bad ant*s as well.   

[bucky-take-the-wheel]

Oh, That’s Just Bucky Part 1

AN: I’M SO SORRY. I haven’t written anything in ages and when I do it’s none of your requests :( This one was purely selfish, but the only thing that I’ve been able to write in a long time. So, selfish writing is better than no writing I guess? This is a fanfiction blog after all, so here’s some Demon!Bucky and Hemophobe!Steve. This is based off this Tumblr post. I saw it and instantly thought STUCKY! And I did promise some stucky for you guys soooo ta-da~!

Summary: Steve Rogers is in a shitty relationship with a shitty guy. However, things take a turn for the weird when Steve moves into a new apartment that isn’t as empty as he thought. Little does he know that there’s actually a pretty helpful demon living there too. It’s just the way he delivers his messages that bothers Steve. 

Pairing: Steve x Bucky

Warnings: Shitty boyfriends, hints at past abuse, seriously just a hint tho

Not my gif!

It was just like any other night at Steve Roger’s apartment. He was curled up on one side of the couch while his boyfriend, Chad, was on the complete opposite end texting rapidly on his iPhone. Steve let out a sigh and snuggled deeper into his blanket burrito. Earlier he was so excited to show his boyfriend his favorite series, Supernatural. However, as soon as the pilot episode started Chad had brushed it off and immediately whipped out his phone and zoned out. He was also going to tell him some exciting news, but that feeling had deflated like a balloon. The smaller blonde had kept glancing at the man still absorbed on his phone. Finally, Chad quickly gave him a sharp look and said, “What!?”

“I was going to tell you something, but you were busy.” Steve flinched. He tried to make himself smaller into the couch even though Chad was well muscled and could easily overpower him. God knows he’s done it before.

“God, just spit it out already then.” he snapped finally setting the phone down in his lap.

“I-I found a new apartment. Brooklyn, two bedrooms one bath. Thought you should know, and I could use some help moving in.” Steve said nervously fiddling his fingers under the covers. Chad just scoffed and rolled his eyes before going back to his social media or texting or whatever the hell he did on that thing.

“Can’t, got a lunch get together with the guys from the team.” he said. Steve didn’t question it, even though he never told him when he was moving in or the fact that it took more than one afternoon to get everything inside.

“Oh.” was all he said. They sat in silence once more until Chad deemed it appropriate to leave with a bored “bye” thrown carelessly in Steve’s direction.

“Where the fuck did you pick him up at again? Cuz I’m pretty sure it was the deepest pits of hell.” Natasha said throwing the last box into Steve’s new bedroom with a huff.

“At some party in college, so yeah, I guess it was hell.” Steve chuckled. He had skimmed over the basics in a text to his best friend and asked her to help him move in the week after. It wasn’t until today that she got the full story between wheezes and gasps going up and down the stairs with boxes of Steve’s things. The apartment building was old and wasn’t the best, but Steve was ecstatic to find one with an extra room that let in so much light. He looked forward to drawing in the closest thing he had to a studio.

“You should really just kick his ass to the curb, Steve. Or else I might do it for you.” she said clapping a hand on his shoulder. He smiled and shook his head.

“Nat, look at me. Do I really look like a guy that would have men and women throwing themselves at my feet? No, so Chad is really the best thing I’ve got going for me right now.” he tried not to cringe at his own words. He was barely a hundred pounds and had too many health problems to count on two hands. He was a small, weak artist with the body of a 95 year old. Not to mention having a phobia that was stupid as hell and prevented him from going into the medical field like his mom, Sarah. There was no way in hell anybody would be interested in him.

“I hope you know just how stupid that shit sounds. You know you deserve better. Hell, you have a degree from NYU and your art is the best I’ve ever seen. You have so much talent and so much to give and you’re letting that asshole drag you down.” she said pulling him into a tight hug. It was rare for Natasha to get this emotional, and Steve had to swallow hard and take a deep breath to keep his tears at bay.

“I’m going to go and get us some sandwiches from the shop down the street. Any preferences, Stevie?” she asked stepping away and smiling down at him. It was easier to just change the subject when they got that serious. Steve smiled gratefully and ran a hand through his mop of blond hair.

“Roast beef on rye with some BBQ chips, please.” he said. She nodded and headed for the front door.

“Be right back, Stevie. Don’t break anything while I’m gone!” Nat said before slamming the door. And just like that, the apartment was quiet and eerie. Steve decided to wander around the space and check it out again. He’d rushed through with the realtor and accepted it in a hurry since he had to meet his client for a commission work he’d done for them. The dealbreaker was of course the studio he was going to get. So this was kinda his first time really looking at the place.

The living room was connected to the kitchen, and the bathroom and two bedrooms were down a short hallway from the kitchen. The living room had a surprisingly huge window that looked out onto the street. Steve wandered back into the bedroom that would be his once he unpacked. The only thing in there at the moment was a mattress and a lamp stacked on some of his favorite novels. It would take a bit for him and Natasha to get his dressers and such inside since he couldn’t afford to pay movers to do it.  

He checked out the small bathroom across from his bedroom next. It held the basics and that was about it. Toilet, single sink with a medicine cabinet and mirror, and a bathtub and shower. It was tinged with yellow, but he expected that due to the age of the place. Steve made his way over into the second bedroom and smiled at the surprisingly spacious room with a huge window that also looked onto the street. This was the perfect room for a studio. He would have to go out and get some bigger canvases now that he had room for them.

Once he was done checking out all the rooms Steve began ripping open boxes. He wanted to get a head start and get as much done as he could to get the place feeling like home. It was drafty as hell in there and still had the unsettling feel to it. Steve quickly began setting up all the knick knacks and photo frames on the built in shelves on the walls that he assumed were left by previous tenants. Without realizing it, he began humming an old tune. One he had heard playing endlessly on his grandma’s record player.

The unsettling feeling gradually became stronger as he worked. Steve tried to shake it off and concentrate even harder on what he was doing, but the feeling was suffocating. Suddenly, as he was placing a small vase on the shelf, he saw a reflection move in the glass of one of the photo frames. He whipped around then, his heart beating wildly as he held the vase to his chest. The thing that was standing, no floating, across the room from him was just pure black smoke. It was in the shape of a man, but it had no features. Shadow figure his brain whispered to him from distant memories of ghost shows.

By then his heart had completely stopped and there was no breath in his lungs. The uneasy feeling was now terror and it was choking him. At the same time the ceramic slid from his fingers and smashed onto the floor, Natasha walked in and with the sweep of the door the black mass and feeling dissipated in front of his eyes. He blinked once, twice, three times and finally inhaled a ragged breath. The thing was gone, and all that stood there was a confused looking Nat with a bag of food in the doorway.

“What the hell did I say about breaking things, Rogers?”

Like what you just read? Send me some love by buying me a cup of coffee!

Part 2

Tags:  @johnmurphys-sass @imladylunaticbitch @plumsforbuck2016

[gethealthy18-blog]

Flower Meanings And What Your Favorite Flower Says About You

New Post has been published on http://healingawerness.com/getting-healthy/getting-healthy-women/flower-meanings-and-what-your-favorite-flower-says-about-you/

Flower Meanings And What Your Favorite Flower Says About You

Shivani K Hyderabd040-395603080 August 20, 2019

Which is that one easy way to include nature in your home? It’s either to decorate your home with fresh flowers or to plant a home garden if you’re a person with some gifted patience and green fingers. While a majority of us are suckers for the classic roses, there are many who prefer lilies and tulips too, right? Each one of us feels drawn towards a particular flower that gets tagged as “special.” But, were you aware of the fact that your choice of flower can talk a lot about you? Tulips, daisies, sunflowers, roses, and more… your special flower holds the key to your personality as well. So, let’s read on to know what our floral favorites symbolize about us.

1. Roses

Shutterstock

Rose lovers are known to be sophisticated and yes, they are slightly prickly in nature too. The real meaning of rose lays in its color. So, red roses obviously stand for love and desire, which we are all aware of already! Dark red roses stand for unconscious beauty. Pink roses symbolize grace, gentleness, and happiness. White ones represent innocence, reverence, purity, and silence. Yellow roses signal new beginnings, friendship, and joy; orange roses symbolize enthusiasm and desire; and coral ones stand for friendship and empathy.

If you pick a rose, you are a person who always thinks from heart. Classic and timelessness define your aesthetics. You become an effortless statement in everything you do.

Did You Know? Rose is the state flower of New York.

2. Tulips

Shutterstock

Tulip lovers are known to be incredibly positive, laid back, and have a crazy lot of friends. The specialty of tulips is that they are one of those flowers, which can bloom on the coldest of days and even on the sunniest. They have varied meanings based on their colors. Red ones are for love, yellow ones depict the sunshine in your smile, purple ones talk about royalty, and white tulips represent forgiveness.

If you pick a tulip, you’re a confident and thoughtful person. You love everything that’s sleek and you like staying coordinated.

Did You Know? Tulip is the national flower of many countries — Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, and Holland.

3. Lilies

Shutterstock

Lily lovers are known to be very pleasant people; they always keep their head held high and help others in keeping themselves happy too. In general, lilies stand for refined beauty and purity. Based on their colors, the white ones stand for virginity and modesty, yellow ones represent gaiety, and the orange ones represent passion. There’s a particular variety of lilies called the Calla lilies. This variety is chosen particularly for wedding bouquets for they represent innocence, purity, and beauty. Oh, and let’s not forget the sweet smell of the lilies, it’s intoxicating!

If you pick a lily, you’re a very hardworking and a happy person, and you’re always proud of whatever you’ve accomplished. Your style looks like it was tailored — it’s that the perfect.

Did You Know? Calla lilies are the national flower of Ethiopia. There’s another variant of lily called Sego lily which is the state flower of Utah.

4. Orchids

Shutterstock

Orchid lovers love living in the lap of luxury, for orchids themselves are considered to be one of the most exotic blooms in the world. Also, they are the moodiest flowers, quite temperamental in nature, you know. All the elements need to be in balance for them to grow. One aspect goes slightly off-balance and they’ll refuse to cooperate. Well, does this sound like anybody you already know in your life?

If you pick an orchid, you’re both mysterious and sophisticated. You aren’t glamorous or loud in nature, still, people find themselves drawn towards you. You love details and make sure they are all on point.

Did You Know? Orchids are the national flower of many countries — Brazil, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Seychelles, Singapore, Colombia, etc.

5. Peonies

Shutterstock

Peony lovers are the ones who believe in living in the moment. Peony is a flower that stays in bloom for a very short period of time. However, it’s sweet, luxurious, and voluptuous nature makes peonies one of those flowers, which are always in demand. Peonies have many varied meanings which include shame, compassion, and bashfulness. They also represent good health, a happy life, prosperity, and a happy marriage.

If you pick a peony, you’re this positive person who’s always looking forward to what the future has in store for you. You’re very empathetic and thoughtful toward others in your life. Your style signifies boldness and brightness, but with an elegant attitude.

Did You Know? Currently, peony is the state flower for Indiana.

Who had thought that your liking for a flower could give others hints about your personality, right? Which is your favorite flower and what does it mean? Let us know in the comments section below.

The following two tabs change content below.

Latest posts by Shivani K (see all)

RELATED ARTICLES

Source: https://www.stylecraze.com/trending/what-your-favorite-flower-says-about-you/

[weblistposting-blog]

New Post has been published on Weblistposting

New Post has been published on https://weblistposting.com/technical-search-engine-optimization-hints-and-recommendation-to-your-a-better-blog/

Technical Search engine optimization Hints And Recommendation To your a Better Blog

Honestly looking into your robots.Txt record might not be enough for checking whether your internet site is crawlable. Robots.Txt does a fantastic process on the subject of stopping robots from crawling and indexing positive pages, but there may be different motives why some of your pages get blocked. That is why you need to use an Search engine optimization crawler, so that you can make sure search engines can get entry to all pages of your website.

Remember the fact that Google has now the potential to render pages the way present day browsers do it. This is why in 2017, it’s no longer enough to make certain crawlers can get right of entry to your pages, as additionally they need to study your CSS and JavaScript files. In case your CSS files can’t be indexed, Google might not see your pages nicely, and their styleless model goes to be illegible. In addition, if you want Google to index your dynamic content, you want to give them get right of entry to for your JS documents.

If you have to test a internet site depending closely on JavaScript or built with AJAX, you can need to discover a crawler which can render JavaScript inclusive of internet site Auditor and Screaming Frog.

Get rid of your “shallow content material” or prevent it from getting indexed.

If your website is old, you can have already got a variety of low exceptional content published and indexed. A few years in the past, the not unusual trend turned into to post 500 phrases articles, so very few human beings stricken with writing longer posts. These days, That is not anything else than a massive footprint for ‘skinny content material’, so I’d do my first-class to Cast off these pages as quickly as possible.

Test out the Search engines like google and yahoo, and check the blogs that rank well Nowadays. They all have very lengthy articles, with masses of useful records.

This indicates you need to look for all of your skinny content and delete it straight away. if you don’t want to bodily delete some of these posts and pages, you can assign them the “noindex” tag, to be able to prevent serps from indexing them inside the Search engines like google and yahoo.

I might in my view delete those pages instead of “noindex” them, due to the fact de-indexing can take a totally long term, and i simply don’t need them on my sites.

If these brief pages comprise content, you shouldn’t delete them. Nonetheless, you have to don’t forget including greater information, so that you can make them extra steady. Once you are carried out adding records, you could ship the URL via Google Webmaster Tools to have it listed once more.

Use Inner Linking to your Gain

Do you warfare to get hyperlinks from excessive authority web sites? You have to leverage your Inner linking above other matters. if you’re starting a Blog, do this from the beginning because it will save time inside the long term.

Take a closer study your sitemap.

You already know that sitemaps are extraordinarily essential in terms of Seo. They are the ones that inform search engines at the structure of your internet site, hence dashing up the invention of your pages. Here’s what you ought to be searching out:

– Freshness: make sure that your XML sitemap receives up to date whenever you upload new content material.

– Cleanness: Remove all rubbish out of your sitemaps via disposing of all 4XX pages, all non-canonical and redirected URLs, and all pages marked with the “noindex” tag. In case your sitemap is choked full of such pages, search engines like google and yahoo may also decide to ignore it completely. you can Check your sitemap for errors to your Google seek Console, under Move slowly > Sitemaps.

– Size: Google crawls as much as 50,000 URLs, so having a larger sitemap is pointless. As a depend of truth, your sitemap should be tons smaller than this. Many Seo specialists say that decreasing the number of URLs in your sitemap may result in having it crawled more often and more efficiently.

Continually Encompass Applicable Key phrases inside the Alt Tag Of Your Pix

Google can’t understand Images, so it has to depend upon metadata to understand and rank Snap shots. That is why your alt textual content need to Constantly Consist of the maximum Relevant Key phrases. Use it to explain your photo.

9 Guidelines For a Better Blog

Blogging is a fantastic way to proportion information, mind, thoughts, studies and reviews however with the millions of blogs obtainable it is straightforward to get lost within the crowd. It takes time to get humans to find the Weblog after which to grow to be loyal readers. Every blogger with a massive quantity of readers/subscribers will let you know that they began off the identical manner as every body else with 0 readers and constructed it up. Blogging no doubt is a long term dedication that cannot be a chore. There needs to be passion that comes through your posts that readers can relate to. Even as some could argue that how can a reader sense your ardour to your the way to Weblog publish, it’s miles there due to the fact you are there every day or whichever your own posting agenda is. you are there to greet them and share what you have to say and this is wherein the ardour begins to return thru. The day you lose the ardour, the day your posts start to suffer and poof the readers pass on. now not even the pro vets will write a publish ever day that ever reader holds onto their ever phrase and loves it. it’s far the truth of Blogging – you simply can not please anybody each day. This is not to discourage however to inspire to hold on writing. Writing a first rate Weblog is an ongoing gaining knowledge of enjoy. Think again to your first Weblog and what sort of Higher the following ones have become simply by means of turning into more secure and also getting a few site visitors. need to have a Better Blog? Right here are some things I’ve found out and positioned to the take a look at.

9 Hints for a Better Blog

1. Pick out your area of interest. That is step one to having a awesome Weblog. See in which you’ll in shape in inside that niche. if you are a social media marketing Blog, then realize all things social and notice what is available and in which you can upload value to readers.

2. understand your topic interior & out. With all the blogs out there you have got if you want to be a face inside the crowd. Knowing the whole lot about your subject matter location could be the difference in putting you aside and getting examine. if you are speakme about a brand new iPhone app. You Better be using it to see how you engage with it and no longer the alternative Blog put up you simply read.

3. read, study and study other blogs. read as many industry blogs and you could as well as interest blogs. Do no longer just examine the real popular ones, locate ones that may not be so famous but have remarkable stuff. Such a lot of thoughts and thoughts for brand spanking new articles come from analyzing different blogs. This helps to maintain you abreast of what goes on and additionally enables with differentiating yourself. in case you simply study 5 blogs which have nearly the identical exact Recommendations, discover ways to alternate yours up.

4. Embrace feedback. Good or awful Embrace Every Weblog remark you get as normally a criticism/critique is a present. comment lower back in your feedback on your Blog. Have a ordinary commenter, send them an e mail thanking them for their contributions.

5. remark regularly on blogs. This was comment on blogs and those ran to as many blogs as feasible and were a 1 or 2x commenter. Of route there are instances wherein there may be a Blog or 2 that writes some thing of interest to you and also you remark and that they never write some thing similar once more. Good enough not those but the blogs that you want to study, comment frequently so people get to recognize you and then come and examine your Blog.

6. Write thrilling stuff. Take a read over earlier than you post and ask your self will they examine something from this? Have I given them some thing to walk away with?

7. Prevent writing for the numbers. Sure the numbers are crucial however to write down a put up with the best purpose in thoughts being to get 10 new subscribers is a in no way finishing chase. Forestall chasing and write to who is studying. The numbers will include outstanding stuff.

8. Be authentic. Getting thoughts and thoughts from different posts or even the usage of them as a part of your put up to emphasise a factor is tremendous but taking a submit and claiming it your very own isn’t always handiest going to get you referred to as out however turn off readers. again, Prevent chasing the numbers.

nine. Be proud however humble. A put up this is referenced in any other Blog that drives site visitors is so rewarding and is so inviting to tell anyone resist the urge. Do cartwheels, high fives and dance round however flaunting in a Blog put up is just no longer the region. E-newsletter might be a Higher area.

Running a blog is something that you need to enjoy and can’t be a some thing you have to do to hold up the numbers. As technology changes what you’re doing These days to sell your Blog may additionally exchange but what’s going to by no means trade is the readers. Write terrific content material that humans walk faraway from being inspired, having learned, share or disagree along with your opinion is what a really Correct Weblog is all approximately.

Suzanne Vara is a precept at Kherize5 Advertising & advertising, a Las Vegas based totally organisation. We offer innovative advertising and marketing solutions by using combining traditional Advertising and advertising and marketing with social interactive media.

[dietpillswatchdog]

FitMiss Tyte

FitMiss Tyte is a water and bloat management diuretic specifically formulated for women, but apparently it’s OK for men to use as well. FitMiss is affiliated with MusclePharm (‘Real Athletes, Real Science’) and is its more feminine side, with the tagline ‘Strong Is The New Sexy’.

Tyte itself is claimed to shed excess water leaving you looking slim, trim and … well … tight, but does it really? We took a closer look.

FitMiss Tyte Pros

Combines diuretic ingredients for maximum effect

Other ingredients balance fluid levels in the body after losing so much water

Formulated to support a healthy urinary tract

FitMiss Tyte Cons

Specific ingredient amounts aren’t listed

It’s formulated with bodybuilders in mind

It’s definitely not for long-term weight loss

Watchdog Rejected Diet Pills

WATCHDOG TIP: Consider using the consumer #1 rated weight loss product – CLICK HERE

What You Need To Know About FitMiss Tyte

FitMiss Tyte’s diuretic ingredients increase urine flow, which reduces water weight and subcutaneous water, which makes you look more toned and defined.

Fitness models and bodybuilding competitors use it to achieve that ‘dry’ and ‘hard’ look they need.

What Are The Side Effects Of FitMiss Tyte?

One side effect of any diuretic is, of course, much more frequent bathroom breaks – but that’s what it’s for in the first place.

FitMiss Tyte is made up of many ingredients, each with potential side effects such as gastric upset, allergic reactions, blood pressure problems and even kidney stones, and in combination there could be even more possibilities.

How Much Does FitMiss Tyte Cost?

Prices vary: bodybuilding.com sells 60 capsules for $9.98, while supplementaddict.com are asking $15.93. Interestingly enough, MusclePharm?–?to which FitMiss is affiliated?–?want $21.99 before shipping and handling.

Our Verdict On FitMiss Tyte

Diuretics are supposed to eliminate excess water, but if you’ve got to drink two glasses of water with two capsules twice a day, you’re already putting a bit of a strain on your system.

FitMiss Tyte is not a diet supplement – it’s for shedding as much surplus water weight as fast as possible in preparation for bodybuilding competitions, and for the rest of us, just looking a little trimmer for those special occasions.

It’s most definitely not for ongoing use, so as far as being a diet supplement goes, we definitely have to reject it.

The most popular consumer choice in 2017 is Phentaslim.

With a combination of proven ingredients, superb customer service and a 60-day money-back guarantee, Phentaslim is making big waves in the diet world.

Find out why thousands of people are choosing Phentaslim to achieve their weight loss goals, and why it's also the editor's top selection.

Read the Watchdog Phentaslim review here.

Key Features

Ingredients

Side Effects

Testimonials

Guarantee

Where to Buy

FitMiss Tyte Review

FitMiss Tyte combines extracts and oxidants to support the healthy functioning of the urinary tract with natural diuretics, to help eliminate excess water in order to reduce bloating and give your physique, ‘optimal definition and slimming effects’.

FitMiss Tyte Facts

FitMiss also create Burn (fat burning system), Cleanse (colon cleansing), Z-slim PM (speeds metabolism while you sleep) and Ignite (pre-workout energy booster).

FitMiss Tyte not only claims to eliminate excess water but also ‘tighten, tone, define with mineral support’, and also support a healthy urinary tract.

FitMiss Tyte is only for special occasions when you want to look tighter and slimmer than usual.

Those slimming effects are fine for special occasions when you want to look a bit more trim than usual like, say, for weddings or parties … or for competitive bodybuilders whenever those final surplus ounces need to be trimmed off before showtime.

How to Take FitMiss Tyte

We’re told to take FitMiss Tyte prior to a particular event, such as a wedding, pool party, or bodybuilding competition. We should take 2 capsules with 16 oz. of water twice a day – once in the morning and once in the afternoon. We also need to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water daily and not exceed the recommended dosage.

And that’s where the diuretics come in: even though you’ve got to drink a couple glasses of water with your two-capsule does in the morning and evening, FitMiss Tyte makes sure all that water – and much more?–?gets flushed out.

FitMiss Tyte Concerns:

Many potential side effects of individual ingredients.

You need to drink a lot of water with the capsules to get rid of excess body water.

A very short-term solution, only good for occasions.

What we’d like to see is something in the dosage instructions to give us a hint about how far in advance of that special occasion we need to take FitMiss Tyte for the maximum benefit with the minimum dehydration.

What Does FitMiss Tyte Claim To Do?

FitMiss Tyte does exactly what it sounds like by helping you shed all your excess water weight and tone you out, to correct any bloat you may have and balance your fluid levels. Not only that but FitMiss Tyte helps support a healthy urinary tract.

Does FitMiss Tyte Work?

Well, it certainly sent users scurrying to the bathroom more often than ever, and since that’s what it’s supposed to do – but only on a short-term basis – then yes, it does indeed work.

What Are The Ingredients of FitMiss Tyte?

Vitamin B6: Balances sodium and potassium levels that can be affected by diuretics.

Potassium: Essential for nerve and muscle support, and fluid balancing.

Cranberry Fruit Extract: An antioxidant shown to help support urinary tract health.

Uva Ursi Leaf Powder: Contains arbutin, a natural compound with excellent diuretic properties.

Dandelion Root Extract: One of the most popular natural diuretics.

Juniper Berry Extract: used for digestion problems such as loss of appetite, upset stomach and heartburn. It’s also used for treating infections of the urinary tract and gastrointestinal systems.

Burdock Root Powder: Another effective diuretic, but also used to treat gastrointestinal complaints and bladder infections.

Buchu Leaf Extract: Used to disinfect the urinary tract during bladder, urethra, prostate or kidney infections.

Terminalia Arjuna Extract: A traditional Ayurvedic treatment used for centuries as a diuretic and for urinary tract problems, but also as a heart remedy.

Cornsilk Powder: Esed for bladder infections and inflammation of the urinary system.

Does FitMiss Tyte Have Any Side Effects?

However, individual ingredients do have the potential to cause problems, and we’ve listed them here:

Cranberry – might be good for your urinary tract, but too much of it can affect your stomach. And if you drink lots of cranberry juice over time, there’s the chance of kidney stones.

Uva ursi – OK for short-term use, but using it for more than a month can result in discoloured urine and digestive problems.

Dandelion?–?there’s the possibility of an allergic reaction in anybody sensitive to marigolds, chrysanthemums, ragweed daisies and other flowers in the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family.

Juniper berry – can make controlling blood pressure problems more difficult and can also irritate the stomach and intestines. Long-term oral or high dosage can cause kidney problems and seizures.

Burdock – even though it’s used as a food not a lot is known about it as a medicine. There’s the possibility of an allergic reaction in people with a sensitivity to marigolds, chrysanthemums, ragweed daisies and other flowers in the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Plus there’s the possibility of lowering blood sugar levels.

Buchu – irritates stomach and kidneys, increases menstrual flow and can cause liver damage. It also might slow down blood clotting.

Terminalia arjuna – there’s some evidence that it’s possibly unsafe for pregnant women.

Cornsilk?–?can lower potassium levels in the blood, as well as causing itching, allergies and skin rash if you’re allergic to it, or corn pollen or cornstarch.

Caution: This is just for shedding water-based weight for a limited period of time. Not for people under 18. Not for use if you’re trying to get pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult your health professional if you’re already taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication. Consult your health professional if you’re suffering from any kind of medical condition, especially heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes or high blood pressure. FitMiss Tyte is produced in a facility that may also have processed ingredients containing milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soya beans.

Are There Any Customer Reviews For FitMiss Tyte?

Obviously any review on a website that wants to sell you a product is going to be favourable, so we looked a little further afield and found these on Amazon:

Only on day 3, I’m feeling very fatigued, very dehydrated even drinking A TON more water than usual. I will come back and post an updated review after about a month on it. UPDATE: I have GAINED 4 pounds in a week. Eating well, working out… Not sure what’s going on.

And,

No difference whatsoever. Working out 6 days a week and taking the recommended dose and had no results with it. 🙁

And,

A good detox or ‘dieters’ tea works far better than this product. Not worth the price tag. Also, I have fibromyalgia and this product (like many pill supplements) gave me migraines with every us. If you have a medication sensitivity, you might want to avoid this one.

And,

I took Tyte for about two months with other FitMiss products, unfortunately, I did not see any result. Not buying again.

And we’ve mentioned this one before:

I took these pills for two months, and after I stopped taking them I blew up like a beached whale. Since my body was getting rid of all the excess water in my system, when I began to drink water once I was off the pills my body didn’t know what to do with it.

Does FitMiss Tyte Offer a Money-Back Guarantee?

We haven’t seen anything in the way of a guarantee that you’ll love the product or your money back, but MusclePharm do have a return and replacement policy, but to find out more, you need to contact their customer service department.

Where Can I Buy FitMiss Tyte?

Obviously you can order FitMiss Tyte from the FitMiss side of the MusclePharm website, and it’s also available from online and offline retailers including GNC, bodybuilding.com, drugstore.com, Walgreens, and Target.

We’ve seen it on Amazon, seriously discounted from the $21.99 MusclePharm is asking, but then again, we’ve seen it for sale on bodybuilding.com for $9.98 before any kind of price reduction.

The post FitMiss Tyte appeared first on Diet Pills Watchdog.

http://ift.tt/20dXvcA