#is there also a good amount of free time and opportunities for enjoyment still? also yes

[balteus]

february will be my month

[rising-volteccers]

Hiii hope you're having a great day! If you're still taking requests. Can you do a short fic with the prompt "you’re not getting rid of me that easily. " with Friede and Orla (platonic or romantic, your choice)

THANKS <33

Episode 18 still lives rent free in my mind so have another what if scene based on it! I've also become pretty fond of their ship too since learning of their connection so here you go! Hopefully it's an enjoyable read!

Series: Pokemon Horizons

Characters: Friede, Orla

--

Orla had been going through the somewhat dull, repetitive motions of her construction job until she received an unexpected visit from Friede. It appeared that he still had the habit of popping in and out of her life as he pleased, not that she minded too much. While they kept in touch ever since she moved to Hoenn, it became harder for them to see each other in person over time. Adulthood pretty much kept them busy so Friede’s unannounced visit while she was on the clock didn’t exactly pleased her but she supposed it was nice to see him again. 

That was until he made that outrageous request. Friede was a brilliant man in his own right but at times, she genuinely questioned what went on in his mind. 

"Are you an idiot?" Orla had blurted out in her surprise. Really, he wanted her to repurpose a fishing boat into a fully functioning airship? The first time in years they met up and he dropped that on her? Orla knew other engineers that would laugh him out of the room for coming up with such a preposterous idea. 

"Can you do it?" Friede responded instead in this mildly challenging tone. His expression, with that smirk and slight tilt of his eyebrows, spoke about the confidence he had in her skills. 

Orla tugged the brim of her hard hat down, took a deep breath before meeting his smirk with a grin of her own. “I’ll just have to try!”

For the first time in awhile, Orla felt excitement bubbling within her. Finally she had a good challenge to sink her teeth into. Her job offered her good pay but it didn’t provide her the mental stimulation she genuinely craved. She had full confidence in her skills as an engineer but lacked the opportunity to showcase it until Friede’s outlandish request.

Orla supposed that part of him never changed. Even back when they were kids, he made her life a lot more exciting. She supposed that was why she held a fondness for him that never faded even as distance kept them apart. 

She had to negotiate with her employer about using company equipment on what amounted to a personal project but she reached an agreement in the end. A part of her wondered whether they simply wanted to see whether she could pull this off. Orla wasn’t blind to the ridicule going on behind her back once word got around about this project.

Instead of letting their words get to her, it simply fueled the fire within her to prove her skills. Despite the seemingly spontaneous request, Friede didn’t actually came by unprepared. He showed her the basic layout of the airship he envisioned that Orla eventually ironed out into a functional design since he planned on flying this all around the world.

The construction itself took a couple of months. Orla worked on the project little by little–she still had to do her regular job but thankfully with reduced hours and lesser responsibility–day in and day out. She built around the Asagi, strengthening the foundation before expanding and adding new features.

Friede visited her from time to time as well. Building this airship meant nothing if he didn’t have the proper qualifications to fly it so he spent his days studying to earn himself a license, not to mention going through the process of legally flying through multiple regions. Each time he stated how impressed he was by the progress made, reinvigorating her to see this creation come to fruition. 

At last, after months of time, effort and resources sunk into this project, Orla unveiled the completed airship to Friede. Pleased as pie to see him thoroughly floored, she decided to act upon a thought she had whilst making the newly dubbed Brave Asagi. 

“Let me ride with you,” she said, leaning back against the railing. “The ship will need maintenance, right? I was just getting bored with my job.”

Orla realized that she wanted to see her creation in action. When she pictured flying high in the sky as they soared to new horizons, staying at a construction site became unappealing. While this project gave her plenty of headaches, it was the most fun she had ever since she became a fully fledged engineer. 

Besides, she doubt that Friede had the skill set to keep up with the airship maintenance. The idea of traveling together with him reminded her of their shared childhood too. 

Thus Orla joined the newly formed Rising Volt Tacklers. Together with Friede, Ludlow and Captain Pikachu, they’d travel around this vast world.

…or so she thought. They still had preparations to do before the Brave Asagi could embark on its maiden voyage. Orla had done the majority of her part so it rested on Friede in getting them approved for takeoff. She didn’t envy him at all when it came to all the paperwork he had to do. 

Just like how she’d seen him for the past week or so, during one calm afternoon, she popped into the meeting room to find him with his head on the table. Several stacks of paper were displayed in a semi circle around him. Captain Pikachu was nowhere to be seen, apparently having left his trainer to this nightmare on his own. 

“Knock knock,” she said by way of greeting. “I brought some lunch to ease your suffering.”

Friede raised his head, shooting her a grateful look. If she didn’t know any better, she thought there were tears in his eyes.

“Oh Orla you’re my hero. My savior.”

“Alright, laying on a little thick there,” Orla replied with an amused shake of her head. Friede eagerly accepted the offered paper bag. She got him his favorite sandwich from one of Slateport City’s many restaurants. 

While Friede dug into his lunch like a ravenous man, she ate her own portion in a slower pace. She waited until he was halfway through his sandwich before asking.

“So, how’s it going?”

Friede first washed down his current bite with the juice she also got. “It’s making me wanna tear my hair out but I wanna say that, barring a sudden new policy that makes everything here obsolete and I will cry if that happens, I should have the paperwork ready to be reviewed come next Monday.”

“I was about to make a comment but I decide to be nice instead and say that I’m sure things would go well. This is the last hurdle we need to get over before my baby’s fit to fly, yeah?”

Friede’s expression lit up. “Yeah! I’ve got my license and we’ve gone over the logistics of flying the Brave Asagi so many times that I’m having nightmares about it that when we get approved, we can finally leave Slateport.” 

Orla mimicked his grin. “I’m really looking forward to that day. I’m confident that this ship will fly but it’s different to actually see it happen, you know?”

“I get it. Like I fly around on Charizard but it’s going to be different when I steer this ship into the sky. You get to see what me and Cap see, too.”

Seeing his earnest smile, Orla sipped on her own juice to distract her from the mild warmth to her cheeks. She couldn’t hide her own smile, though. 

“I’m sure it’ll be a wonderful sight–unless it storms. At some point we’ll have to test the integrity of the shields. Those are new technology from Devon Corp and while I trust their products, it’ll be nice to see how it actually holds up.” Orla briefly narrowed her eyes at him. “This does not mean that I want us to fly straight into a storm anytime soon.”

“What do you take me for? Of course I’m not going to do that on our maiden voyage,” Friede replied, sporting a faint pout.”

“Good. If things break so soon, I will demand that payment from you.” The teasing threat made the pout deepen.

“You said that you didn’t need it so no take backsies.” Once he realized what slipped out of his mouth, Friede reddened slightly from embarrassment.

Orla, on the other hand, covered her mouth from the sudden burst of giggles. “Take backsies? I haven’t heard that since we were kids.”

“Well, you get what I mean.” Friede bit into his sandwich with more ferocity, as if the act of his chewing could ease his embarrassment.

She decided to take pity on him just this once. Admittedly, it made her a little? Giddy? That he hadn’t forgot stuff from their childhood. Orla knew that he struggled with his memory at times so knowing that something that they shared still remained in his mind was…

“You know, I think we’ll need more people,” Friede eventually spoke up.

“What, already thinking about replacing me? You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” she replied, entirely teasing him by this point.

“Don’t be ridiculous. No one can replace you Orla. You’re one of a kind.” The ease in which he said that left her briefly stunned, not that he noticed. “What I meant is that it’s realistically difficult to run the ship with the two of us. I’m not going to push Gramps into doing the hard work so we’ll be doing the bulk of it.”

Orla took a moment to ease her emotions before responding. “You’re right. What sort of roles do you want filled on the ship?”

“A cook for starters,” Friede replied, tapping a finger on the table’s surface. “You’ll be busy with the engine room while I steer the ship until we can reach the altitude to turn on auto pilot. I can do the cooking but depending on the sort of weather we face, meal time’s going to be all over the place.”

“True. I don’t think I can handle your cooking all the time anyway.” She flashed him a teasing smile at the wounded look he shot her. “Kidding but yeah, I vote for getting a cook. I’d also propose in getting someone with proper medical knowledge. Health is important, not to mention we don’t know what would happen during our travels. In case there’s an emergency and we’re far from the nearest health facility, having an on deck nurse or doctor is a must.”

“You’re right. While I could put out ads for it, a part of me just… want whoever that joins us is because they wanted to you know?”

Orla hummed, briefly closing her eyes. “I get what you mean. The Brave Asagi’s essentially going to be our base of operations. We’d want everyone to be on board, literally and figuratively, to keep it running smoothly.”

“Exactly but I also don’t wanna put too much burden on your shoulders…”

Here, Orla opened her eyes, fondness gleaming within them. It swiftly changed into a mildly challenging look, lips set into a grin. “Don’t worry your pretty little head there. Who did you think created this baby?”

Friede stared at her before wordlessly shaking his head. His mildly concerned look was replaced with a matching grin. “Course I know. It’s created by the greatest engineer I know!”

“Don’t you dare forget it! I’m all for finding new people for our crew but I want it to be natural, yeah? Maybe you’ll find folks to charm into joining.” Aside from me, she added privately.

“Nah, if someone’s going to lay on the charm, it’d be Cap! I mean, who could resist him?”

For a moment, Orla thought he meant someone else but she supposed that was to be expected with him. He wasn’t entirely wrong too. Cap had loads of charming potential.

“I suppose but before we discuss this more in-depth, I think someone should get back to his paperwork.”

Friede’s expression quickly fell as he stared at the stacks before him. Orla chuckled, rising from her seat to grab the wrappers so she could throw them away. 

“I’m sure you’ll get it done soon. Just think about how good it’ll feel when it gets approve and we’ll be soaring through the sky, yeah?” She reached out to place a hand on his shoulder, giving him a comforting squeeze.

Friede sighed, craning his neck back till he could look up at her. “Thanks Orla. Do you think you can grab dinner too later? Maybe from that nice seafood restaurant we went to last Saturday?”

Orla rolled her eyes good naturedly. “Alright, I’ll continue to play errand girl a little while longer just because you’re working hard.”

“Thanks Orla, you’re the best!” Even if she tried to keep her expression neutral, she found herself smiling regardless at the wide beam he shot her. She just about resist the impulsive desire to ruffle his hair.

Instead, she held out her hand towards his. Friede’s beam impossibly grew larger as he responded by performing the handshake they’ve created back when they were kids. 

Now it served as their connection in being members of the Rising Volt Tacklers.

[prince-rowan-of-the-forest]

I got a prompt, not sure how good it is but:

Patton tries to distract himself from his stress/emotions via stress baking for the sides. This has dire unintended consequences when Patton realizes too late that his negative energy managed to seep in and poisoned his baked goods

Stressed Bakes

----

Patton channels a little too much stress into his baked goods, everyone feels the consequences.

----

| Ao3 |

Warnings: What could potentially be seen as unintentional emotional manipulation, a hefty amount of food mentions (this fic is entirely about baking)

Pairings: gen, no romantic pairings

Word count: 3164

Notes: Thank you anon for the prompt! Anyone please feel free to send prompts my way, they're a very good motivator!

I'll be honest this didn't turn out nearly as angsty as I intended when I started writing it, but I still have fun, I hope you enjoy!!

Tags: @full-of-roman-angst-trash @reptilianrapscallion420 @your-local-random-dino @cutebisexualmess (if anyone wants to be added let me know1)

Patton loved to bake. Ask any of the others and they’d tell you the same thing. It was true! Patton loved making just about anything, cakes, cookies, macaroons, meringues, pastries and pies, sweet and savoury. He enjoyed making cinnamon swirls, belgium buns, and apple tarts. Just about anything, really, if you can name some baked goods, Patton’s probably made them and enjoyed the process.

Baking came to him almost like magic, it was easy as pie (haha, get it?) to whip up sweet treats and savoury snacks for everyone to enjoy. 

That was why, as well as one of his favourite hobbies, baking was Patton’s favourite coping mechanism too.

It was easy, but still took focus, it was time consuming but still enjoyable, it was fun and even resulted in an end product everyone could enjoy! It was a much better way to cope with the stresses he pretended not to deal with than other methods he’d seen, anyway.

Patton would never tell the others, not with them all already upset and stressed enough without everything he had going on being dumped onto their plates as well. The wedding had hit all of them hard, Patton knew. Knowing what he was doing wrong - and that he could fix it - had made things a little easier, but ultimately that fiasco hadn’t ended well for anyone.

Roman was still angry at himself and pushing himself too hard as a result. Logan was working overtime and barely leaving his room aside from mealtimes, Virgil was… well, upset didn’t cover half of it, Patton knew Virgil was angry at him for accepting Janus so quickly, not to mention anxious about what it would do to them. Janus himself… well Patton had no clue how he was feeling, he was just as good at hiding things as Patton himself had gotten, and Remus… Well. 

Remus still scared Patton out of his socks whenever the opportunity seemed to arise for him, it was driving Patton a little mad, with paranoia and then guilt at being paranoid and then worry about how his worry would effect Thomas whilst he also couldn’t help but worry about how Remus was faring despite his own hesitations. 

All in all, it was stressful, Patton was stressed and emotionally keyed up to maximum with worry and sadness and anxiety to the point he was genuinely surprised he hadn’t accidentally summoned Virgil by now.

So Patton turned to his one steadfast trick that was almost guaranteed to help him relieve some of the stress he had been feeling over the last few days. 

Patton baked, and baked and baked. All morning and well into the afternoon Patton was making sweets and cakes and other sugary treats and as he baked he slowly felt his negativity melt away.

His worries about the others, his fears that he couldn’t help them, his overwhelming guilt for the way he had so blatantly manipulated and hurt his famILY without even realising it. All the self doubt over what was right, all the self hatred and pily for not knowing the answer. The terrible feeling that had him wondering if he was even useful anymore, the worry that maybe he really had been doing everything on purpose, maybe he really was just evil, bad for Thomas. All the bad feelings, all the things he tried so hard to push down, down, down with a smile, all the stress he forced himself not to show. It all just… melted away as he baked. 

And when he finally felt like he was done, now that his feet were sore and his arms ached from kneading dough and stirring mixtures but all he felt was the light, happy feeling of pride at a job well done, Patton had a plethora (Logan would be proud of him for that word, he thought) of baked goods for everyone to share, too. 

Since he’d been thinking about Logan, Patton decided he’d be the first side Patton offered his treats to. He grabbed a selection he thought the logical side might like; some jam tarts, made using the various flavours of Crofters they kept in the cupboards, a blackberry and pomegranate mini-pie, an apple turnover cupcake, some sugarcookies that he had decorated in colours for each side (he grabbed the dark blue ones for Logan) and a couple bite-sized pieces of sugar dusted shortbread. 

“Hello, Patton,” Logan said when he answered Patton’s knock at his bedroom door, his face stony and emotionless as it always seemed to be lately, he hoped one of his treats might be able to bring a smile back onto his friend’s face, even for a short while, “Did you need something?”

“Nope!” Patton said, popping the ‘p’ happily, “I’ve been baking! I wondered if you wanted something?”

“Oh,” Logan said, standing up straighter, he looked rigid, like someone could snap him in half, the sight usually made Patton’s heart hurt, but now he couldn’t help but think positively! Was that a hint of a smile he saw? “What did you make?”

“I brought you a selection!” Patton said, grinning fully now as he offered the plate, “I made a lot, so I thought I’d let you choose.” 

The corner of Logan’s mouth twitched upwards as he took one of the jam tarts, thanking Patton before biting into it. Instead of the smile Patton expected to see in response to Logan’s favourite jam, though, his face twisted almost immediately into a frown whilst he looked mildly surprised.

“Is… something wrong?” Patton asked, entirely confused, he had made those tarts the same way he always had, and Logan had never frowned like that before.

“Nothing- wrong, per-se,” Logan said softly, “It’s just, strangely bitter, is all, I was surprised.”

“Oh?” Patton said, somehow even more confused, “Well that’s- odd- maybe I accidentally got some of the lemon into the jam by accident…”

“Could I take another? To check?” Logan asked, Patton modded immediately, offering the plate. Logan took another tart, one of the other flavours, this time Roman’s Royal Raspberry flavour, instead of his own. Again, he frowned and said that that one was bitter too. How strange, Patton thought, 

“Maybe those jars of Crofters were a bit off,” Patton chuckled, trying to hide his embarrassment, “You’re welcome to take the plate, if you’d like- I don’t know if the others will be ok, but these ones I made for you?”

“That is appreciated, Patton,” Logan said, taking the plate from him, his face briefly ticked into what might have been something happy, before smoothing out again, “Please be sure to check the use-by dates on products when baking in the future.”

“Will do! Enjoy the treats!” Patton called with a wave before Logan shut the door. Patton turned around, taking a deep breath. The Crofters must have just been a little out of date and he must’ve just not realised, that was fine, just a little mistake, nothing to worry about. Patton was sure the rest of his treats would be just as yummy as he expected. 

—-

When Patton arrived back in the kitchen to grab the next side on his list a similarly plated up selection of snacks he found that Remus had beaten him to it and was currently stuffing his face with the mini French Fancies Patton had made a couple of batches of. 

“Hey bud,” Patton said, announcing his presence from the doorway, Remus jumped and turned to him, looking a little sheepish as he popped the final Fancy into his mouth. 

“Hey Pat!” Remus called through a mouthful of sponge and icing, waving a hand, “D’you bake all this?”

“Mhm,” Patton said, trying not to cringe at the way Remus was getting crumbs everywhere, “Did you like those Fancies?”

“Oh yeah, delicious,” Remus grinned, finishing his mouthful, “Jan never lets me eat any of his stress bakes, I didn’t know you did it too!”

“Janus stress bakes too?” Patton asked, curious despite himself, Remus took one of the chocolate chip cookies from the side and bit it clean in half, pausing a second before answering.

“Yeah, he usually throws everything he makes away though! I never get to have some,” Remus huffed, tilting his head a little.

“Well you’re always welcome to mine, kiddo,” Patton said, putting on a smile that he was sure was slightly awkward. If Janus stress baked too, why would he throw it all away? Wasn’t that a waste?

Remus gasped, “I get a kiddo? Must be my lucky day, cookies and a kiddo!”

Patton chuckled, “Well, you’re part of this famILY too now, aren’t you?”

It hurt, just a little, how astounded Remus looked by that statement, as if he thought Patton would still shun him after everything that’s happened now. After a moment of awkward silence, Patton realised he’d forgotten about his original mission, delivering sweet treats to the other sides, and set about making up another plate of the baked good left. 

“Where’re ya taking those?” Remus asked, hopping onto the counter when Patton picked up the plate. He swung his legs, kicking the cupboard beneath him with every swing. 

“These are for Roman, I’m gonna take some for Virgil and Janus too when I get back,” Patton explained. Remus frowned for a moment, before shrugging and going back to eating Patton’s sweets. That was odd, wasn’t it?

—-

Once Patton had delivered his treats around to everyone in record time, he settled into the couch to work on a bit of crochet. A hobby he had had barely any time to dedicate to since all this mess had started. He made himself busy picking up a half finished project for almost half hour before he was interrupted by Virgil coming down the stairs in floods of tears.

Well, that wasn’t normal. Patton didn’t think he’d ever seen Virgil cry at all, let alone sobbing so hard he had to cling to the banister for support. Patton immediately dropped what he was holding and jumped up, rushing over to Virgil.

“Kiddo!” Patton cried, “What happened? What’s wrong- oh, are you alright with touch? Would you like a hug?”

“I- touch- touch is fine,” Virgil said, surprisingly lucid through the tears. Regardless, Patton reached for him and pulled him tightly into a hug. When they separated, Patton gently tugged Virgil over to the sofa, sitting him down and pressing their shoulders together. Virgil was still crying, attempting to wipe the tears that wouldn’t stop coming away from his eyes, though he seemed a little less distressed than before, at least. 

“Can you tell me what’s wrong, Virge?” Patton asked, rubbing circles between his shoulder blades. Virgil had hunched forwards a little, hands clenched into fists.

“I don’t- I don’t know-” Virgil choked out around the sobs, “I don’t- I don’t understand why I’m crying- it’s- I was fine ten minutes ago- not- not even panicking too bad or anything and- and now I can’t stop-,”

“Alright kiddo, I hear you,” Patton said softly, “Can you maybe talk me through what you’re feeling right now?”

“Confused,” Virgil said, “Really fucking confused.”

“Language,” Patton chided gently.

“Sorry,” Virgil muttered, “I just- I just feel this weird sense of… worthlessness, like, like I’m messing up everything, all the time, like I feel like I can’t make any good choices, or say the right things but- but they’re not my feelings, but- I don’t know how the heck to describe it, but it- it hurts, Pat, it’s painful and- and I haven’t been able to stop crying since it started it’s so awful-”

“Gee that does sound confusing,” Patton said shaking his head, “Well- well I’m here for you, if you want to talk it out, or we would just sit, if you’d like?”

“I think just- just sitting would be good,” Virgil said, wiping his eyes with his hoodie sleeve yet again, Patton summoned a box of tissues and silently passed them to him, “Thanks- I just- I feel so, so alone and empty it’s just- it’s just nice knowing you’re here, I guess, eugh, that’s gross.”

Patton chuckled, at least the Virgil he knew was in there beneath all the tears that had been brought on by who knows what, “Well I’ll always be here for you, kiddo, don’t you worry.”

“Thanks, Pat,” Virgil said, leaning his head on Patton’s shoulder. They sat in silence, every so often Virgil’s sobs would get worse and Patton would squeeze his shoulders, offering quiet murmurs of comfort and otherwise they sat there quietly. Patton didn’t pick up his crochet again, happy to dedicate all of his attention to Virgil for now. 

That was until, during a bout of calm in Virgil’s tears,  Roman came crashing down the stairs, rushing into the living room and collapsing to the ground in front of them and taking deep breaths. Virgil let himself slide off the sofa so that- despite his tears- he could guide Roman through the panic attack he seemed to be having. 

“Roman?” Patton asked, once Virgil had seemingly gotten him to a state of relative calm, “What’s wrong, kiddo?”

“I don’t-” Roman took a deep breath, “I was doing my own thing in the imagination when I was- was overcome with this sense of panic, about whether you were all alright, and I suppose I worked myself up over it until I was thinking what if one of you were hurt or upset and I wasn’t there to help and I just- well I ran here to try and find you, where’s Logan?”

“Logan is safe, kiddo,” Patton reassured, he knew how it felt, he always worried about the others too, he knew the feeling almost as if it was his own, “And me and Virgil are fine too, right kiddo?”

“But- but Virgil, you’re crying-?” Roman asked, seemingly only just noticing that fact, Patton had to hold back a giggle at Virgil’s startled expression as Roman swooped forward to cup his face with his hands, gently wiping away the tears.

“I’m fine Princey, you oaf, just- just something weird’s going on, I think,” Virgil said, batting at Roman’s hands halfheartedly. 

“How about you two come and sit with me up here,” Patton suggested, “Then I can hug you both, if you’d like me to.”

“I- I think I’d like that very much, padre,” Roman said, shifting to sit back up whilst Virgil sniffed and mumbled an agreement.

—-

Only maybe five minutes later, Logan silently walked down the stairs, book under his arm and with a wary expression on his face, and sat down on the floor in front of them with his back to the sofa. He brought his knees to his chest and opened his book, beginning to read. A few minutes in, Logan reached over and placed a hand on Patton’s ankle. 

Patton couldn’t quite fathom what on earth had gotten all three of them so upset all at once, with Virgil’s quiet sniffles and choked off sobs every now and then buried in Patton’s cardigan. Roman’s hands that shook where they held onto one of Patton’s and the featherlight touch of Logan’s hand on his foot, grounding and safe. Patton was certain he’d head Logan’s breath hitch more than once too, but he wouldn’t bring it up. Logan hated showing emotion, after all, and if he was willing enough to seek comfort then Patton wouldn’t ruin it by pointing it out.

“Well isn’t this just a lovely pile of joy?” Said Janus, completely shattering their moment as he appeared around the side of the sofa.

“Hey- hey Jnaus,” Virgil mumbled, wiping away yet more tears, “What do you want?”

“Oh nothing at all really,” Janus said, waving a hand, “I just heard from my sources that someone was being irresponsible with his stress bakes.”

“What do you mean?” Patton asked, tilting his head in confusion, he had remembered to give Jnaus some of his bakes, hadn't he? “Did I forget to give me some?”

“No, you gave me some,” Janus confirmed, “Tell me Patton, have you ever stress baked in the same capacity as you did today before?”

Patton’s face scrunched up a little, eyebrows furrowing and nose wrinkling in confusion, “I- suppose not? Today was- today was pretty bad, I suppose…”

“Well I suppose that explains your complete ignorance as to what’s happening here,” Janus huffed. 

“Why’re you being so mean,” Roman snapped from his place leaning against Patton’s side, “Patton just wanted to share his sweets with us.”

Janus recoiled only slightly, before taking a deep breath and ignoring him, instead continuing to focus on Patton, “By channelling your emotions into your baking, Patton, with… the way we are… the emotions seeped into the goods, making them bitter and impacting everyone who ate them.”

“Wh-what?” Patton squeaked, leaning forward and startling Logan by accident, “Sorry, L, but Janus, what? Are you- are you saying I’ve- what- poisoned them? With- with my negativity?”

Virgil gripped tighter to his arm, whilst Janus sighed.

“That is entirely incorrect,” He said, swiftly walking over and offering a glass of water to Virgil, “I see you’ve already made progress by calming them down, but they’re feeling your feelings, the ones you wished away into your cookies, and it won’t go away until you confront them.”

“And there’s- there’s not gonna be a way around that, is there?” Patton asked, cringing a little. Already knowing the answer.

“I’m afraid not,” Janus said with a sad smile, “Luckily for you, I had only eaten one cookie before Remus informed me what was going on, so I’m definitely not in a mindspace to help you sort this out.”

“Alright,” Patton took a deep breath, “Are, um, are you guys ok with this- I suppose having to help me sort out… my own feelings.”

“It does not seem like we have much of a say in the matter,” Logan said, voice quiet and subdued.

“If it’ll stop this crying I’ll do literally anything,” Virgil groaned.

Roman just nodded, so Patton gently nudged him with his shoulder, hoping to comfort him at least a little.

“Alright,” Janus said, moving over to sit down, “It’s time for some group therapy.”

“Wait!” Patton cried, “Um, surely uh, surely we should get Remus here too? He definitely ate far more than his fair share of the cakes.”

“You are correct that Remus has been affected by this incident, as well,” Janus said, before waving him off, “But I would recommend that you deal with him individually, considering.”

“Considering… what?” Patton asked, wary.

“Remus has landed himself with all of your intrusive thoughts,” Janus explained, “As is his name, as well as the thoughts you try and push away about wishing you could let loose every now and again, he is… incredibly excited about it.”

“...ah.” Patton said softly, nodding, “Alright, I’ll find Remus later, group therapy with just us five for now.”

“Alright,” Janus sighed, sitting down in an armchair, “Let’s get this over with, shall we?”

[thepiscesclub]

3 books to read when moving to a new city alone

Earlier this year, I moved out of my childhood home on the countryside to Berlin. Alone. With no money, no job and no safe place to stay. To pursue my dreams and escape the literal hell a small village with no artistic opportunities can be. Because the space in my suitcase was limited, I could only bring a few books. These are books I took with me into this new era of my life where I have felt so lost and lonely in the beginning.

Just Kids - Patti Smith

This book inspired me so much when I first read it. Patti, who is now one of the greatest female rock musicians in the world and played her music along some other legendary people, moved to New York City on her own when she was a teenager, having no money and no concrete plan. She even had to live on the streets for some periods, starving and desperatly working any job she could find. But through all this, she never lost her vision, her love for the arts. And she made it, met amazing people and slowly built up her life. There was so much struggle, despair and pain involved in her journey, which gives any young artist striving to get out there so much hope. Also Patti is a great writer, carefully arranging her words and pairing them with amazing visuals, like old pictures that make you feel like you are there with her, eating donuts and smoking cigarettes.

Looking for Alaska - John Green

John Green is a legend when it comes to writing about the mind and struggles of the average self concious teenager trying to fit into society´s standards. Looking for Alaska has been one of my favourite books for a long time. I have read it about 15 times and it gives me an enormous amount of comfort. Miles, the a weird and lonely teenage boy moves to another school, away from his parents and his home town, where he is confronted with strange characters and a whole new hierarchy. Sounds intimidating, right? He manages to find friends, fall in love, experience all the stunningly beautiful and dirty aspects of being a teenager. This book always reminds me that even if there is sadness and pain and grief, that should never stop me from acknowledging the small things that define life. To have gratitude and take it all in, the good and the bad. Coming of age is a challenge, but it is not something to avoid, it´s something that has to be felt.

The Catcher in the Rye - J. D. Salinger

I hated this book. It is extremely uncomfortable to read, I completely despised the main character Holden and his way of dealing with people around him. But still, to be fair, he is just a 16 year old jerk, trying to find some meaning in stagnant every day processes. Even though he is not very likeable, his desperate tries to do someting meaningful are heartbreaking, you feel like you are just wandering the cold streets with him. It is a story about alienation in a big city, feeling incredibly alone and excluded from society. When I was sitting in my new apartment on my own, with no one to talk to, I felt like Salinger describes the feelings you have in such a situation quite well. Loneliness just creeps up on you. And not always can a comforting word help with that, sometimes you need to hear the experience of a character who is just as lost in the world as you are. That is what Catcher in the Rye did for me.

...

Being alone can be so freeing and extremely enjoyable! But if you seek for some comfort, consider reading these books.

Have a wonderful day xx

[dumpster-fire-deluxe]

Good time of day to you, most preeminent rubbish receptacle! I hope this obnoxiously long (1) book rec finds you well, I took my (prescribed) adderall today if it's any consolation lmao

As a fellow palpatine enjoyer, I was wondering if you have read "Lords of the Sith" by Paul S. Kemp? Kemp commits one cardinal sin, in that he uh, he makes Darth Vader run lol, like a lot. He uses the word "sprint" often. But other than THAT, it's stupid good. It's about the early days of the empire and the subjugation of Ryloth.

Both plots are given a similar amount of time and meet together at the end so idfk which is the A plot and which is the B plot, but let's call ryloth's rebellion the B plot, since our sith friends arent in this one til the end.

The A plot? Darth Vader and the Emperor crash land on ryloth (a la RoTS, palpatine even makes a fucking joke about the similarity) in ryloths single jungle, its equatorial (think the amazon for climate, but spread over the entirety of south america for size) with just 2 of palpatines red guards, and all the radios on the whole planet, including imperial transmissions, all of it, are down.

So they're just, stuck there, no help, traipzing through a huge ass old growth forest trying to find "out" with stampede amounts of large bug-like feral carnivorous animals and a small rebellion trying to personally hunt them down (the bug monsters are included in the "personally hunting them down" bit, btw lol)

You get so much insight into how palpatine works, thru his actions, thru how the red guards react to finding out palpatine has the force, what they think of him in general and also through Vader's perspective (pov character), and theres parts throughout where it's clear Vaders being a bit of an unreliable narrator (lol @ him being a reliable narrator) which is always fun, and palpatine's teaching vader darkside lessons and philosophy on their trek, including some excellent zingers and one liners which are v in-character actually, and hes actually participating in the action and violence too, no one but vader and his personal redguard are there so he can use the force willy nilly without having to keep up the weak old man persona and dude goes ABSOLUTELY ham. That robe of his generates ungodly amounts of static electricity, just shocking.

And the A plot, that's Cham Syndulla and his freedom fighters (the characters from the TCW ryloth episodes) and there's twilek/ryl political stuff on the ground and senate levels and theres guerilla warfare and secret missions and theres even spycraft! Really good spycraft!

It's set riiiiight after RoTS, so this is like, the FIRST act of resistance against the Empire. Actually wait, maybe that's why vader keeps running. He hasn't learned he doesn't need to yet, slow learner and all that. I'll downgrade that to a venial sin. But it still displeases me.

It's ~350 pages (8"×4" book, avg paperback size if that helps anyone), but both times I've read it, I finished in under 3 hours, cause its that captivating. It also reads a bit different each time, I noticed new stuff that enhanced the story on ea read, so if you(or followers) have read it already but it was over a year ago, it's def worth it to read again imo.

*****

Medium CW for fatphobia; one of the lady moffs gets compared to a Hutt (only in a few chapters, but its constant in those chapters) and her appearance is spoken about by her direct underling (a pov character) in very, uh, conducive to fascism way. which, apropos ig lol. Hes pretty much the only one doing it tho, like palpatine and vader absolutely have the opportunity to jump in on the fat bashing but neither do.

No wait, palpatine makes fun of orn free taa's appearance, but to my mind it's a 50/50 on whether he was mocking him for being fat or if he was doing a "Jesus this guy sweats a LOT when he's around us, eh vader? Embarrassing for him, huh? Probably thinks he's gonna die. Go ahead and toss him into the bulkhead on your way out I need to make a point later" and the second is more, uh, in character for him, so.

The fact that you're into palpatine of all ppl indicates to me there's probably not a lot of cw's that you'd need, but just incase I wanted to give it cause it's like, very realistic (it's the most realistic part of the damn book, it's star wars lol) and there isn't any warning in the text that its coming. At all. Belkor (pov character) complains about mosquitoes and then goes on a spiel in his head about how fat and gross and gluttonous and lazy his moff is out of fuckin nooooowhere just cause shes in the room now, it's our literal introduction to her character. And I KNOW I have friends that'd be at minimum bothered by that for sure, so, its getting mentioned.

Also by nature of the story being set on ryloth, there's slavery, there's forced sex work, there's a vigilante ex sex worker that murders imperial johns sometimes, for fun. Theres on page drug use, cause its ryloth, the planet where they mine the drugs. But like, nothing about spice remind me of any singular drugs IVE taken (unless you've somehow got access to opium concentrate to mix with some cocaine and a micro dose of lsd lmfao) so i doubt anyones gonna be jonesing for the shit han solo's smuggling if you feel me.

The fatphobia IS jarring though if you're not expecting it, i think Kemp got free reign to be an asshole about her cause shes an imp. He doesnt do it to the other imperials, but i dont think there are other female presenting imperials for him to rub his 2015-era internalized mysogyny all over either.

So, okay, 1 venial sin, 1 cardinal sin that wasnt considered a sin by publishers when the book was written, and probably wouldnt have a hard time going to print today. But (spoilers: but not really, this tells you nothing i could mean anything by this) she gets hers. Also she's a lesbian.

(And no they don't burry their 1 gay if any of your followers want to know before diving in, but also shes not in a relationship it isnt a gay story there's no romance shes just a random fictional facist who likes bush, and its v likely that someone figured they could squeeze a queer in there for brownie points if she was in the bg and a bad guy. She's still a v compelling character tho, and one of the few characters who expirience growth and betters themselves, and good lord the tragic backstory.) Either way id probably hang and that means i say shes cool.

Got it in paperback off thriftbooks for smth like $3, if you/anyone don't have access to a library!

Adderall made me aggressive so you're doing much better on it than I did 😂

and palpatine's teaching vader darkside lessons and philosophy on their trek, including some excellent zingers and one liners which are v in-character actually, and hes actually participating in the action and violence too, no one but vader and his personal redguard are there so he can use the force willy nilly without having to keep up the weak old man persona and dude goes ABSOLUTELY ham

Okay I'm sold I'm gonna read it lmao

The fact that you're into palpatine of all ppl indicates to me there's probably not a lot of cw's that you'd need

Idk why but I laughed so hard at this. "If you're into THAT then you must not be shocked easily". Like, it's so true, I'm known for being stoic or apathetic (I'm the one people confess or vent horrific things to because they know I stay cool as a cucumber). Guess the Palpa-porn was on-brand all along 😂

Thanks for the recommendation! I'd heard of a "Vader-Palpy buddy road trip on Ryloth" book, but I hadn't read it yet. I found the audiobook so this is going to be fun 🎉

[mrjoelgarcia9]

Let's Talk #TheLoudHouse: Season 6 Final Thoughts

While it lacked any major changes, Season 6 of The Loud House built upon the fifth season with a variety of highs and lows.

For my thoughts on Season 6, feel free to keep reading. There will be spoilers.

The sixth season for the most part followed up on the fifth's change in the status quo by expanding upon the siblings. It also felt like the writers rectified some of the fifth season's flaws, as there were less episodes about Lincoln at school and more featuring his sisters to varying degrees. Nearly every sibling got an equal amount of episodes and Lily began to play a much more active role.

During the season's absurd length of 14 months, including hiatuses, the show saw both the end of The Casagrandes and premiere of its live action spinoff The Really Loud House. The former's cancelation appeared to occur at some point midseason, giving the show a chance to reintegrate Ronnie Anne and their respective original characters. Their reappearances were basically the spin-off's unproduced episodes, especially by how the Louds were often sidelined.

For Ronnie Anne, it marked her first appearance on the show since Season 4. It also followed up on the spin-off's finale with Bobby now living in his own apartment and Lori finally meeting his father Arturo.

Season 6 also surpassed The Fairly OddParents to become the third longest-running Nicktoon, with the season finale "Love Stinks" surpassing that show's individual segment count. It is an impressive feat considering how it took ten seasons over multiple hiatuses and inconsistent episode orders for OddParents to reach that goal, while this show did it after only six seasons with no breaks.

When it comes to the season's best episodes, there were a few.

The Taunting Hour: Seeing how people can't stand the family made this come across as an unofficial response by the show's writers to their online detractors.

Time Trap!: After teasing the concept, the show finally embraces time travel in a half-hour episode in the vein of Back to the Future.

Puns and Buns: A rare episode focusing on a supporting character, in this case Luan's boyfriend Benny.

Small Blunder: Lily plays an active role in this episode and for the first time ever speaks in full sentences.

Fashion No Show: This felt like a salvaged story from The Casagrandes, especially by how Carlota plays a bigger role compared to Leni. It finally offered the opportunity for the two fashionistas to clash in the perfect premise.

Despite those positives, there were still several bad ones.

Sofa, So Good: A retread of the ending of "Come Sale Away", right down to the siblings running around town, the only difference being Lily getting involved in lieu of Lori.

Eye Can't: A lackluster Lisa story that sets up a conflict about her eyesight but instead focuses too much on her robot Todd.

Sleepstakes: Lana's fears about sleepovers could have worked better with a sibling whose friends have previously appeared, such as Lucy, Lincoln, or even Lori (albeit the latter two as flashbacks).

Food Courting: This was straight up boring, and the most memorable thing to come out of it was a GIF of an excited Leni.

Doom Service: It tries to turn Vic (a recurring character) into an ongoing antagonist. Instead, it just comes across as being written by a fanfic writer who hated the show only to then be hastily rewritten to have a happy ending.

If there is anything else left to say about Season 6, it was overall enjoyable. Possibly the only other thing to say would be that it would have been great to see more stories with Luna and Sam as well as Benny and Luan.

Season 7 will be much shorter, with only 20 half-hour episodes rather than the usual 26. It remains to be seen if the show will get an eighth season. Considering Really got renewed for a second season and has an upcoming Halloween TV movie, the recently announced Casagrandes movie, and a second animated film (unintentionally confirmed via a LinkedIn profile), it is only a matter of time.

It will also break another record. At some point during Season 7, the show will surpass the episode count of the original Rugrats. By the end of Season 7, The Loud House will become the second longest-running Nicktoon (by episode count).

As for the upcoming season, it will feature the show's first serialized arc where the Louds go on a road trip. Within those episodes, they will visit not only Great Lakes City (the setting of The Casagrandes) but also the White House.

Hopefully, Season 7 will feature more great episodes and preferably less vitriol from certain commentators.

Until next time, thank you for reading!

[vacationstrategy]

Finding the Best Vacation Deals: A Guide to Affordable Travel

Planning a vacation is exciting, but the costs can sometimes put a damper on your enthusiasm. The good news is that with a little effort and smart planning, you can find vacation deals that make your trip both affordable and enjoyable. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the process and get the most out of your travel budget.

Why Seek Vacation Deals?

Vacation deals aren’t just about saving money; they also allow you to:

Extend Your Budget: Use the savings for extra activities, dining experiences, or even an additional day of travel.

Enjoy More Luxuries: Deals often include upgrades or perks you might not have considered otherwise.

Simplify Planning: Many deals bundle flights, hotels, and activities, making it easier to organize your trip.

The Importance of Timing

Timing plays a critical role in snagging great vacation deals. Here are some timing tips to consider:

Travel During Off-Peak Seasons: Avoid peak travel times such as summer holidays or year-end festivities. Off-season travel often means reduced rates and quieter attractions.

Book Flights Strategically: Airline tickets are usually cheaper when booked months in advance. Conversely, last-minute bookings can sometimes yield great savings, especially if airlines need to fill empty seats.

Monitor Prices Regularly: Use tools like Google Flights or Hopper to track fare changes and receive alerts when prices drop.

Make Use of Online Resources

The internet is a treasure trove of vacation deals. Here’s how to use it effectively:

Explore Travel Websites Sites like Expedia, Kayak, and Travelocity are excellent for comparing prices and finding deals on flights, accommodations, and car rentals.

Sign Up for Alerts Subscribe to newsletters from airlines, hotel chains, and travel agencies. They often send exclusive discounts, early bird deals, and flash sales directly to your inbox.

Utilize Social Media Follow airlines and travel brands on platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Many companies post real-time updates on sales and promotions.

Search for Coupon Codes Websites like RetailMeNot and Honey can help you find discount codes for travel bookings.

Bundle to Save More

Booking vacation packages that include flights, accommodations, and even activities can save you a significant amount. Many platforms, such as Expedia and Orbitz, offer packages tailored for different types of travelers, from romantic getaways to family vacations.

Maximize Loyalty Programs

If you travel frequently, signing up for loyalty programs can pay off in the long run.

Airline Programs: Most airlines offer frequent flyer programs that allow you to earn miles or points on flights. These can later be redeemed for free tickets or upgrades.

Hotel Rewards: Hotel chains like Hilton, Marriott, and IHG have loyalty programs where you can earn free nights and other perks.

Credit Card Rewards: Travel credit cards often provide additional benefits such as cash-back offers, points for travel expenses, and travel insurance.

Flexibility Can Be Key

Being flexible with your travel plans can unlock more opportunities for savings.

Flexible Dates: Flights and hotel rates fluctuate based on demand. Traveling mid-week or adjusting your dates by a day or two can make a big difference.

Alternate Airports: Flying into or out of nearby airports can sometimes reduce costs significantly.

Destination Alternatives: If a popular destination is too pricey, consider similar, less-visited alternatives.

Destination-Specific Tips

Different types of vacations offer unique opportunities for deals:

Beach Getaways

Look for all-inclusive resorts offering bundled deals on food, drinks, and activities.

Consider lesser-known destinations, such as quieter beaches or islands that aren’t as crowded.

City Escapes

Stay just outside the city center to find cheaper accommodations while still enjoying easy access to attractions.

Research city passes that bundle transportation and entrance fees to popular sites.

Adventure Trips

Check for discounts on group bookings for activities like hiking tours or safaris.

Look into off-season rates for destinations like ski resorts or hiking lodges.

Work with Travel Agents

Though online booking is popular, don’t underestimate the value of travel agents. They often have access to exclusive packages and deals that aren’t publicly advertised. Additionally, they can save you time and provide tailored recommendations based on your preferences.

Don’t Overlook Travel Insurance

While it may seem like an additional expense, travel insurance can save you from unexpected costs due to trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost baggage. Many insurance providers offer coverage at affordable rates, ensuring peace of mind during your vacation.

Popular Destinations for Affordable Vacations

If you’re looking for inspiration, consider destinations known for offering excellent value:

Mexico: Affordable resorts and beautiful beaches make this a favorite destination for budget travelers.

Thailand: Known for its vibrant culture and inexpensive accommodations, Thailand offers incredible value.

Eastern Europe: Cities like Budapest, Prague, and Krakow provide rich history and culture at a fraction of the cost of Western Europe.

National Parks in the U.S.: For domestic travelers, national parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon are ideal for budget-friendly outdoor adventures.

Final Thoughts

Planning a vacation doesn’t have to drain your wallet. With careful research, strategic timing, and the use of modern tools, you can find deals that fit your budget while providing unforgettable experiences. Start planning today, and make your dream trip a reality without breaking the bank. Happy travels!

For more information click here: Vacation Deals

[frostfall-matches]

[ hello autumn - paired ♡ ]

🦀 anon : spending fall with…

✧ Inumaki Toge

-> [ Inumaki has no complaints when hot, humid summers start to cool as fall approaches. ] It makes being outside that much more enjoyable, when you two don’t have to deal with sweating like crazy outside - however, he also gets the urge to stay inside and get all cozy with you. Cuddling up and taking naps with you during the afternoons sound absolutely amazing to him. He tends to keep a throw blanket around just for these little cuddle sessions with you.

-> [ When you two do enjoy the outdoors, you two usually engage in quiet activities like walks or picnics. ] The colors of the trees changing are always nice to see; you two usually head to nice little nature parks in Tokyo in order to really get a decent glimpse of nature going through its early cycle (though the Jujutsu High campus is surrounded by trees, too). It’s also the last opportunity to have a decent picnic before the weather really starts getting cold.

-> [ Inumaki likes to pick up the weird fall-themed snacks from the convenience stores. ] The weird things like the pumpkin spice Oreos. He honestly doesn’t think most of the seasonal snacks will be good, but sometimes there are some pleasant surprises! Of course, he insists that you try them with him - he sits down by you with an orange or yellow themed package with leaves, and he places a snack right in your hand. He also insists on getting at least one pumpkin spice beverage at some point in the season.

-> [ He tends to spend a decent amount of his free time on YouTube; he likes the influx of streamers playing scary games as Halloween approaches. ] If you want to watch with him, he’ll make sure to situate himself so you can both see his phone screen; or maybe he’ll cast it onto the TV. But if you prefer doing your own thing in his presence, that’s perfectly fine too - if you’re watching something else on his phone, he might scoot over towards you here and there to see what you’re up to.

-> [ Inumaki definitely gets you a few fun cat-themed things to spice up your space. ] These are probably going to be those silly Halloween black cat decorations - but sometimes they can actually look pretty cool or cute. Whichever your style tends to be, he’ll pick something out that’ll suit your preferences. He doesn’t really put a lot of emphasis on decorating depending on the season, but a few seasonal pieces here and there can be fun.

✧ Kirishima Eijiro

-> [ He invites you out to any big fall-related events that may be going on. ] Especially considering you don’t really celebrate fall where you live! Even in the city, there are fun little autumn festivals. Nothing too wild or exciting; and the only major holiday is Halloween. Speaking of which, Kirishima definitely has fun dressing up and putting on a little get-together with close friends, and he’d really love it if you participate.

-> [ Kirishima definitely likes summer, but he enjoys the cooler seasons too. ] Autumn and winter are a bit more comfortable (so long as winter isn’t frigid!), and you enjoy the cooler weather quite a bit anyways. He loves going out on walks with you, enjoying the combination of the warm sun and the chilly breeze. He seems the type to get you a cute hat or scarf before the weather gets too cold; matching scarves would be his guilty pleasure, honestly. It’s cheesy, but there’s just something he loves about matching couples’ items.

-> [ Please carve pumpkins with him! ] Definitely more of a Halloween activity, but it’s still super fun. Kirishima isn’t particularly artistic, so he’s probably not going to carve much more than a typical Jack-o-lantern face, but he cares more about the process than the end product anyway. A messy activity for sure, but he’s got enough sense to clean up decently afterwards. He never really thought about roasting the pumpkin seeds after, but he’d be down to try if you were interested.

-> [ Kirishima really enjoys spending time with you in the evenings, each of you doing your own thing. ] He absolutely has his moments where he’s a bit physically clingy and affectionate, but even he needs his own space and time to do what he wants. There are nights where you’re both dressed in cozy pajamas (themed, per his request; at the very least, it’s probably some thicker flannel type), you on your phone, sketching, or listening to music, while Kirishima is playing a game or watching a movie.

-> [ Speaking of movies, he insists on doing at least one horror movie binge. ] Kirishima insists that it’s a manly activity to participate in during the spooky season - you’re not sure you agree or not, but you’re willing to spend this time with him regardless. He’d also be open to playing scary video games if you happen to have any in your arsenal. Spoiler: he does, ultimately, get spooked enough that he has a hard time sleeping that night. You can’t help but find it a bit funny.

[a1poolremovals]

The Benefits of Removing an Old Spa

Spas and hot tubs have long been associated with luxury, relaxation, and a touch of indulgence. For many homeowners, they represent a private retreat right in their backyard. However, as with all things, spas age and can lose their appeal and functionality over time. If you have an old, rarely-used, or malfunctioning spa, it might be time to consider the benefits of spa removal Melbourne. Here’s why taking out that old spa could be one of the best decisions you make for your property. 

Revitalised Outdoor Aesthetics

Over time, even the most well-maintained spa can start to show signs of ageing. The once-pristine surface may become discoloured, tiles might crack or chip, and the overall structure can begin to look dated. An old spa can clash with the rest of your landscaping efforts, dragging down the overall appearance of your yard. Removing it can dramatically improve the visual appeal of your outdoor space. Without the bulky, ageing structure dominating the area, you can implement new design elements such as a garden, a deck, or even a modern outdoor seating area. This transformation can breathe new life into your property, making it more enjoyable and visually appealing.

Boosting Property Value

When potential buyers tour a home, they are often looking for spaces that require minimal investment to make them usable or enjoyable. An old spa that’s seen better days can be a red flag, signalling additional costs and headaches. By removing it, you can make your property more attractive to buyers. The absence of an old spa means one less thing for new homeowners to worry about, making your home more appealing in a competitive real estate market. Additionally, the extra space gained from removing the spa can be marketed as a blank canvas for buyers to create their own outdoor oasis.

Significant Reduction in Maintenance Costs

Owning a spa, especially an older model, can be a costly affair. Regular maintenance is necessary to keep it running smoothly, including balancing the water’s pH, cleaning filters, and checking for leaks or malfunctions. As spas age, they often require more frequent repairs, which can be expensive. Pumps may fail, heaters may need replacing, and cracks can form in the shell. These costs add up over time, not to mention the time and effort required to keep the spa in good working condition. By removing the spa, you can eliminate these ongoing expenses and free up both your time and budget for other projects or activities.

Enhanced Safety for Your Family and Guests

Old spas can become a safety hazard, particularly if they have not been well-maintained. Cracked surfaces, exposed electrical components, or malfunctioning jets can lead to accidents or injuries. Additionally, if a spa is no longer in use but still holds water, it can attract mosquitoes and other pests, posing a health risk. Standing water can also become a breeding ground for algae and bacteria, which can cause unpleasant odours or even health issues if left unchecked. By removing the spa, you remove these risks, creating a safer environment for your family, pets, and guests.

Energy Savings and Environmental Benefits

Older spas are notorious for their lack of energy efficiency. They often consume large amounts of electricity to maintain water temperature, power jets, and operate filtration systems. If the spa is rarely used, this energy consumption can be a significant waste. Removing the spa can lead to substantial energy savings, reducing your utility bills and your home’s overall carbon footprint. This move is not only good for your wallet but also aligns with environmentally-conscious living, which is becoming increasingly important to many homeowners.

Unlocking More Usable Space

One of the most significant benefits of removing an old spa is the opportunity to reclaim valuable space in your yard. Depending on the size of your spa, you could gain a substantial area that can be repurposed in various ways. Whether you’re dreaming of a lush garden, a play area for children, an outdoor kitchen, or even a small pool, the space formerly occupied by the spa can be put to much better use. This newfound flexibility allows you to customise your outdoor living space to better suit your current needs and lifestyle.

Peace of Mind

For many homeowners, an old spa that no longer gets used can become a source of stress. Concerns about potential leaks, electrical issues, or the overall safety of the unit can linger, even if the spa is not in use. By removing the spa, you eliminate these worries. No more wondering if it will cause problems during the next heavy rainstorm or if it will be a point of contention during a home inspection. The peace of mind that comes with a clear, worry-free outdoor space is invaluable.

Simplified Yard Maintenance

An old spa can complicate routine yard maintenance. Mowing around it, trimming nearby plants, or dealing with overgrown areas can be more difficult when there’s a large, immovable object in the way. Once the spa is removed, yard maintenance becomes much simpler. You can mow, trim, and care for your lawn or garden without having to navigate around the spa, leading to a tidier and more easily maintained outdoor space.

Hassle-Free Removal Process

One of the biggest concerns homeowners have about removing an old spa is the perceived difficulty of the process. However, professional spa removal services can handle everything from start to finish, including dismantling, hauling, and disposal. These services are equipped to manage even the most challenging removals, ensuring that the spa is safely and efficiently removed without causing damage to your property. This hassle-free approach means you can focus on planning your new outdoor space without worrying about the logistics of the removal.

While spas can provide years of enjoyment, there comes a time when they may no longer serve their purpose or fit your lifestyle. Removing an old spa offers a multitude of benefits, from improving the appearance and safety of your yard to reducing costs and energy consumption. It’s an opportunity to reimagine your outdoor space, whether by adding new features, increasing usable space, or simply enjoying a cleaner, more open environment. If you’ve been holding onto an old spa out of nostalgia or uncertainty, consider the significant advantages of removal—it might just be the change your home needs.

[hops-hunny]

College Girls

Pairing: Rodrick Heffley x Reader

Pronouns: She/Her

Word Count: 2.2k

Request: anon “How about Rodrick invites the reader to a party (he’s been crushing on her for the longest) but she plays hard to get and at the party her friends try to convince her to give him a chance and later it leads to them playing 7 minutes in heaven and they confess to each other and it goes from there ;) it could end in smut or fluff your way ly <3”

Summary: (college!au) College girls and their games, good thing Rodrick loves to play.

Warnings: Mentions of weed and alcohol, making out, teasing

A/N: Ok I forgot to make them confess but it’s implied sorry anon. I still hope you enjoy it!

If there was one thing Rodrick knew, college was a shit ton different than high school was. However, that wasn’t a bad thing. Unlimited booze and bud, hot chicks, and parties that never ended? He was practically in heaven! He had grown into himself, feeling more confident than ever since Heather had rejected him his senior year. In fact, he couldn’t recall the last time he thought about her but if he had to pinpoint it, it was a few months ago when she had hit him up, begging the boy to give her a chance. Oh the irony behind that. That was another good thing about college. In high school, all the girls thought he was just some loser who wasted too much time on a band that would always be shit. 

But with years of experience under their belt and more free time to practice, Löaded Diaper was beginning to become a big deal in their rinky dink shithole off a small town. God was he glad too because with clout, also came hot girls in skirts that barely covered their ass. The opportunity for endless amounts of hookups was an absolute dream come true, but all dreams lose their shine eventually. When fucking became a mere thing to pass the time between class, gigs, and parties, he realized that it wasn’t as great as he thought it was. He was starting to crave something more, something like or, someone like- her.

God she was a babe. Rodrick still remembered the first time he saw her. Löaded Diaper was doing another house gig, everyone in the crowd dancing and moving to the intense music. And all of a sudden, a strobe light glossed over her perfectly, almost like a halo of blue light and his eyes were hooked. She was there with her friends, one of them whispering something in her ear which caused her to lock eyes with his. Pretty (e/c) eyes meeting his own brown ones. It was almost perfect, almost. As soon as they had finished the last note of their song, without missing a beat she swiftly made her exit and he made his way after her. Rodrick jumped off the stage, chasing after her and her friends all the way till they reached the curb. He grabbed her arm causing the girl to look back.

“Hey, uh, did you enjoy the gig?” He asked, running his fingers through his sweaty hair nervously. He felt his nerves rise even more at the sound of her friends’ giggles.

“I wouldn’t have stayed the whole gig if I didn’t, would I?” she retorted, rolling her eyes as she began to open the passenger door of the black mercedes.

“Yeah, I guess that was a dumb question..” he trailed off as she closed her door. His eyes widened at the fact he hadn’t gotten her name prompting him to take off after the car. He felt relieved as the girl rolled down her window, looking up at him through her thin framed sunglasses. “Wait! I didn’t get your name, I’m Rodrick.” he smirked, watching as she pulled her sunglasses up to rest on the top of her head.

“Didn’t give it.” she quipped, sending him a wink as her friend took off into the distance. Who was she? All he knew about her was that she had a mouth on her and lived on the other side of campus. A lot of girl’s fit that description so it wasn’t easy asking around about her. However, as he stood here in the corner of the party his fraternity was throwing, he’d recognize a pair of nice legs like that from anywhere. His eyes took in her appearance. She had on a denim mini skirt, black turtleneck and a pair of knee high boots that matched. The boy had to practically stop himself from gawking at how good she looked, curves clinging to every bit of the form fitting outfit. He cleared his throat as his friend nudged him, looking to see what he wanted.

“Uh don’t look now, but I think that girl you were eye fucking is definitely eye fucking you back dude. Is that the chick from the gig a few weeks ago that you won’t shut up about?" Rodrick glared at the man, shoving him into the wall before walking towards her. He watched as her friends “coincidentally” all began to head off in other directions, leaving her to offer him a flirty little smile behind the drink she’d been nursing.

“Well if it isn’t the little drummer boy! To what do I owe the pleasure, Rodrick?” she purred, sitting down her now empty cup. She stepped forward, leaving them to be pressed chest to chest. It could easily be blamed on the crowded room but the two knew otherwise. He smirked back at her, wrapping his arms around her waist securely.

“I’m a simple man. I see a pretty girl sending looks my way, I come.” his eyes widened as he began to overthink his word choice. “N-not like that! Like I come over not like cum in my pants. I-I’m not like some virgin...well I’m not some man whore either! I don’t fuck around a lot. Not like the option isn’t there bu-” he quit his nervous ramblings at the sound of her laughter. He relaxed, smiling as the girl wrapped his arms around her neck. He began to lean in thinking she would ask him for a kiss but instead she missed his lips, putting hers next to his ear before whispering,

“Wanna dance?” Before he could answer, the girl (who’s name he still didn’t catch) was dragging him to the dance floor, moving his hands to rest on her hips. He tried to keep his movements as fluid as possible. It took him a bit but eventually his movements matched hers, as they swayed to the beat of the song. She pressed her head against his shoulder, looking up at him as she continued the movements against his pelvic area. “I love this song, it’s one of my favorites.” she whispered. He didn’t know if it was because he was cross faded or his enjoyment of the movements but D’Evils by SiR was beginning to become one of his favorite songs too. How could it not when there was such a pretty girl pressed against his front?

“Yeah? It suits you.” he muttered, leaning his head down to hover his own chapped lips above the girl’s soft gloss covered ones. She hummed in agreement, both of them slowly inching towards each other before she stopped, letting out a cheeky giggle.

“Did you really think I was going to kiss you that easily? You’ve gotta earn it.” She said, dragging a manicured hand against the skin of his neck. He shivered a bit as goosebumps formed, watching as she disappeared back into the crowd. He swore some, groaning as he fiddled with the growing bulge in his jeans. Was he out of the game for too long or had girls always been this hard to get? Either way, he didn’t care. Rodrick was gonna get this girl and her name by the end of the night if it was the last thing he ever did. He broke out of his thoughts, keeping sight of her figure making its way through the beaded curtain which led to the basement of the large frat house. Quickly he chased after her, trying to keep up with her. And, as if on purpose, every time he’d get close she’d flash him that breathtaking smile and continue on her path. Finally, she reached her supposed destination, a small group of people on couches, discussing the plans to play something. 

“So, what’s the game?” He asked, causing everyone to look up at him as he sat on the couch farthest from her. He looked at the bottle in the center of the table, proud of himself and his seating choice. The further he was away, the more likely the bottle was to land on the pretty thing across from him.

“7 minutes in heaven. You down?” A brunette girl asked, a flirty look in her buzzed eyes. He ignored her small attempt at an advance, nodding as he locked eyes with the girl of the hour. He shot her a wink, smirking as she rolled her eyes, biting her lip to hide the smile that was making its way onto her face. For someone so adamant about playing this game of cat and mouse, she seemed to be fighting off her feelings very harshly. None of that mattered now though. If there was a god, he hoped he’d be on his side. Never had he wanted to be stuffed inside a muggy dark closet with someone so badly.

“Of course I’m down. Do I look like a pussy to you?” he asked, watching as the (h/c) haired girl opened her mouth. He gave her a pointed look, tilting his head at her. “Don’t answer that, legs.” The girl looked surprised at the nickname but didn’t say anything, trailing her acrylic nails up the curve of her thigh. His brown eyes followed curiously, jumping slightly as she closed her legs quickly giving him a mocking pout. Tonight was going to be a long night.

-------------------------------------------------

Round after round was filled with surprises, none involving Rodrick or the mystery girl of his affections. Sometimes, the two people involved would cheer or jump up excitedly, ceasing the moment that they were desperately waiting for. Other times they would groan in disgust and hell, he couldn’t blame him with the hygiene of some of these people. Have they ever even heard of a shower, deodorant? Only their BO could tell. However, his odds grew more and more as it was finally his turn to spin the bottle. He picked it up, kissing the empty beer bottle as he made up some prayer. He let out a deep breath before spinning the bottle. As he watched it spin, the only thought he could seem to form was, ‘Please, please please. Cmon, cmon, cmon!’

Finally the bottle began to halt, making a rumbling noise as it stopped. His eyes followed the nose of it, letting out an internal cheer as his eyes met the (e/c) eyes from across from him. He pulled up his jeans before walking over to the girl, holding a hand out to her. She eyed it before smirking up at him, allowing her to pull him up. Rodrick looked down at her hand before tangling his fingers with her own, pulling her towards the closet. Once they both were in there, silence overcame them leaving the muffled music from upstairs to be the filler between silent space. He cleared his throat some, catching the shorter girl’s attention.

“Sooo, um. Would this count as earning it?” He quipped, giving her a flirty grin. The girl rolled her eyes before moving closer to him, pulling him down to her own height as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Rodrick wasted no time, pulling the girl by her hips and planting his on hers. The kiss was everything he’d hope it’d be. Passionate, hot, and filled with every bit of desire that had built up over the course of the party. He nibbled at her lip, causing a moan to slip from her lips. He smirked a bit, pulling away some to look into her eyes a bit.

“I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting you to be a good kisser. You looked like you would give me a lot of teeth and too much tongue.” she giggled some, tugging his bottom lip between her teeth before releasing it. He rolled his eyes, smirking as he leaned in, nibbling on her neck a bit. He felt victory overcome him at the soft whimper that came from her lips.

“My pride’s a bit wounded, princess.” he purred, lifting her up as he pinned her against the wall. He leaned back in for another kiss, this one more deep and intense than the last. He groaned softly as she tangled her fingers in his hair, gripping at it slightly. He slid his tongue over her bottom lip, quickly tangling it with hers when she opened her mouth. They’re tongues danced a bit, fighting for dominance before he won. He absorbed her moans, sucking on her tongue as he slid a hand under her skirt, stroking the skin of her upper thighs. Rodrick noted how soft her skin was before gripping at it harshly, stroking her hips with his thumbs.

Just as he slid his hands under her shirt, a knock broke them out of their kiss. He groaned in annoyance, pulling away and fixing her clothes for her as the door was ripped open. The (e/c) eyed girl was the first to walk out, looking back at him as if she had something to say.

“(Y/n).” she said, causing him to look at her in confusion. “My name? It’s (Y/n). I hope this isn’t a habit of yours, making out with girls whose names you don’t even know.” she said, looking up at him expectantly. His mouth opened and closed as he stuttered, searching for the words to say. He cleared his throat before grabbing her hand, beginning the path to his own room.

“Not anymore it isn’t.”

[critrolesideblog]

Caleb Widogast pushed his hair out of his face for the ei--nineteenth time in about as many minutes. Caleb and Essek were reading for pleasure this evening, with the aid of Comprehend Languages: Caleb the collected poems of Erdan Niemi, a famous Drow bard, and Essek, Die Waldhexe und andere Zemnische Volksmärchen. They were seated at opposite ends of one of the sofas in the tower salon, their legs in the middle not quite touching. But some time into Essek's reading, the repeated scrape of sweater against paper edge and rustle of hand in hair became too much for him to ignore.

It was a long time coming really. Essek recalled that it had been Veth who had braided back Caleb's hair for him, when they were in Aeor last. Since there was no Veth to braid it this time around, Caleb had fallen into the habit of roughly tying it back in a ponytail or bun, with varying degrees of success, depending on the amount of effort he put into it, which, lately, was middling, and tonight, none at all. There were times when the mess was charming: when Caleb shuffled into the dining room in the morning, stray locks framing his face; when he ran his hand through his hair in excitement at a new discovery; when some friendly wind caused wayward strands to brush just so against his lips. At the moment, though... Essek took a large sip of his wine and set the glass gently back on the table. "Caleb?"

"Hmm?"

Despite the response, Essek knew better than to continue right away. Caleb's head tilted up toward him slowly, but his eyes lingered on the page a moment longer. When blue finally met lilac, Essek took a  deep breath breath. "May I... braid your hair for you?"

Caleb blinked once, twice, three times, before his eyebrow and lips quirked up with a humor that was a little too insightful. "Well, if it’s bothering you..."

Essek gave a huff of laughter at being caught, before pressing his hands together in front of his lips, arranging his features into a semblance of solemnity. "It is driving me insane." Caleb laughed, as Essek hoped he would.

"I apologize if I have driven you to distraction," he replied, in a voice that sounded not remotely contrite. Essek averted his eyes and took another small sip of wine to provide an alibi for the warmth in his cheeks. "Please, by all means." Caleb pulled free the tie holding his hair in place, and with a small shake of his head, the copper strands fell down around his face and shoulders.

Essek gathered his composure, clearing his throat slightly. "Excellent -- ah, Liesl?" He said quickly, turning to the tortoiseshell cat relaxing in front of the fireplace. She opened one amber eye in response.

Liesl was Essek's right-hand cat. She had been standoffish at first, it was true, but it seemed Essek's years in politics were not wasted in the ruins of Aeor. "Liesl, would you please have Jaakko fetch me some additional hair ties and a comb?" Liesl, without raising her head from her paws, turned her gaze to the cat in question, all black and slender, whose interpretation of cleaning apparently included batting a piece of crumpled paper around the legs of a desk with incredible enthusiasm. At some unseen signal, he turned his attention to Liesl, and after a series of tail twitches, trotted off into  a nearby cat door. She turned her gaze back to Essek. "Thank you, Liesl. That will be all." She chirped at him in response and returned to her nap.

Caleb's eyes were back on his book now, but Essek did not recall anything in Niemi's works amusing enough to justify the grin on Caleb's face, which Essek now had an excuse to give due consideration. He did not think the braids that Verin favored in their youth would suite him particularly well, and they were a bit elaborate for a night in, besides. Perhaps just a variation on the Gwardanian-style braid Veth employed.

Jaakko returned in no time, the items required laid out neatly on a tray held aloft by his long tail, and, with one last small sip of wine, Essek rose from the sofa and moved to stand behind Caleb. He took a deep breath as he picked up the amber comb from the tray. There was no cause, he told himself sternly, for his heart to be racing as it was, which was, of course, a lie. He raised the comb above the copper strands. "I am going to begin now?"

"Ja, danke."

Whether the thanks was for the impending braid or the warning, Essek was not sure, but he drew the edge of the comb gently back along the scalp, carefully delineating a section of hair at the top of Caleb's head. He tied the sides and back out of the way, and if his face warmed at the brush of fingertips on neck, there was no one able to see it. He gathered up the hair closest to Caleb's face and divided it in thirds, before weaving the right third over the center and then left over center. He repeated the process, carefully gathering more strands in on the sides as he went. He was about halfway through with the braid, when Caleb leaned to the left without warning, nearly pulling the locks from his grasp.

"Pysy paikallasi!" Essek hissed, decades-old habit causing the words to spill from his lips in Undercommon, but it did not matter. Comprehend Languages was still in effect. "Mitä sinä teet?"

"I want some wine," Caleb explained, extending his arm to the side to demonstrate that the glass was just out reach.

"Did Veth allow you to move around when she braided your hair?"

"She never complained."

"Then she spoiled you terribly."

"Will you hand me the wine?"

"No," he replied sternly, gathering the strands into one hand, careful not to mix them up, and then leaning over and passing the goblet to its owner.

"You are a riot, Herr Thelyss," Caleb said dryly, but Essek caught a glimpse of a grin as he straightened.

"I am glad you think so. I have been thinking of taking my comedy show on the road when we are done here."

"You should ask Veth if she has any material you can use. Will there be a Mighty Nein discount on tickets?"

"Please, if anything, I should charge you all extra for the honor of heckling me."

Caleb gave a mock gasp. "The Nein? Heckle you? We would never."

"Ha! Tell me another one!"

Caleb's shoulders shook with quiet laughter.

Essek stopped gathering new hair into the top braid, braiding the remaining length of the locks together, and tying them off. He then shifted to the left and began the process again with a section starting at Caleb's left temple. From this vantage point, he could spy the gilded edges and precise black script of the book in Caleb hands (and what hands they were! Capable, as he knew, of both great destruction and healing. And, perhaps, from this vantage, he could also glimpse the stately sweep of his cheekbones, the curve of his nose, the strength of his jaw, but who was to say.).

"How are you enjoying the poetry so far?" He asked, affixing his eyes firmly to the task in front of him. He had not known whether Caleb enjoyed poetry, when he gifted it to him. He had doubted, though, that Caleb had much opportunity to avail himself of Kryn literature during his time in Rosohna, and Caleb had seemed delighted, even touched, by the gift. He did not seem to be making quick progress through the text, however.

"Very much so," Caleb replied after taking a sip of wine. "I imagine I am sometimes missing some nuance or cultural context -- Comprehend Languages is a bit of a blunt instrument -- but I am enjoying it even more than I thought I would. You almost made it sound dry in your description, when you gave it to me."

"Ah, no, not dry. Only, all young Drow are forced to read his works as part of our schooling, and it colors our enjoyment of it somewhat."

"I see."

"Do you have a favorite passage so far?"

Caleb did not respond right away. "Yes..." He admitted, at last, and added, "It is from the Courtship of Lael."

Essek nearly lost his grip on the braid as he fumbled the strands mid-crossing. He had forgotten the Courtship was so early in the text. "Oh?" He asked, hoping it came across as polite interest.

"Would you like to hear it?" Caleb's voice had a softer, deeper hue than usual.

"If you like."

There was quiet for a moment.

Caleb did not turn to the page -- he did not need to. He merely cleared his throat lightly, and began:

"My lover's skin is a field of stars. What bliss to wander among the heavens! Let me approach as a pilgrim from the dark. Let me worship on my knees before the holy light. Let no beacon go without a prayer from my lips."

Every opalescent freckle on Essek's skin was now a flame. He swallowed hard. "That--that was, ah ... evocative."

"Ja, I thought so too." Caleb chuckled.

Essek tied off the left braid and moved around to the opposite side. They passed the time in quiet, as Essek's dexterous hands, having found their rhythm, made quick work on the braid on the right. And if he had a new awareness of the freckles that made fiery constellations along the slope of Caleb's neck, he gave no indication.

"You know it is a good thing you are braiding my hair up, with us going deeper into the Genesis Ward tomorrow." Caleb said at last, as Essek gathered the braids and the loose strands left over in the back up into a neat ponytail, tying it off with Caleb's original tie. There was more than a little mischief in his voice. "I should hate for Devexian to see me for the first time in months with my hair a mess."

"You are a riot, Caleb Widogast," Essek drawled.

"I'm glad you think so."

.

.

.

----

Notes: Pysy paikallasi! Mitä sinä teet? -  Stay still! What are you doing?

[eponymous-rose]

Talks Machina Highlights - Critical Role C2E123 (Feb. 2, 2021)

After last week’s thoroughly relaxing and brief episode, tonight’s guests are Sam Riegel and Liam O’Brien!

Brian, to Sam: “You look like Tim Curry moved to Nantucket to become a sommelier.”

How did Caleb and Veth approach the ally-ship with the Tombtakers? Sam: “I mean, we got some information, and I think we got a little closer to Lucien and knowing whether he has any of Mollymauk inside of him, which is I think the most important knowledge that we’re seeking right now. Is there someone to be saved inside there? We got glimpses, and we got a little hint that Mollymauk is maybe still in there? Maybe? And we got a little more insight into their plans, so that was useful.” Liam: “We know why we were having that fucking dream.” Sam: “But other than that, it was just a road trip with assholes.” Liam: “All our plans have been ripped in a new direction, and it’s just been improvisation.” Sam notes that it feels like we’re always about to rip into Caleb’s backstory, but haven’t yet followed that thread all the way through. Liam: “It’s partially frustrating, to be sure, but also I like the idea that-- his whole shit has been selfish, it’s been dealing with the trauma that he’s been through and not the greater world, and that’s been shifting somewhat.”

Does Caleb think the book was worth it, and is he still interested in reading more? Sam: “How do you ask Caleb not to read a book?” Liam: “Caleb has spent enough time with the Nein to know you shouldn’t put a hand on a hot stove. After what happened with the book, he knows it’s a terrible idea. But maybe. But it’s a really bad idea. But reserve judgment, but it’s a really terrible idea. I think that Caleb is very aware that mages and people like him very easily fall prey to their curiosity and it can lead to bad places. But there is still that amount of scientific endeavor where you think there is value in knowing and learning, and maybe we can ride that line. He was True Neutral at the start of the campaign, and maybe he’s Chaotic Good now, but part of him is hubris, even if it’s a little bit, still.”

What about Otis has drawn Veth’s focus? Sam: “I mean, he’s a little shit. She was curious about Otis because he’s a small like she is, and in talking to him, he seemed to be real creepy, but he was just creepy and distant and didn’t value his past or family or anything like that. She sees someone who’s like her, but so not like her, and maybe that scares her a little bit more.”

How does Caleb feel about Beau being on this ride with him? Liam: “The dream is another example of how Caleb had very narrow vision of the things he wanted to do. It used to seem so massive to him, but now... To have Beauregard involved feels right. If anyone in the group is going to stop him from grabbing something he shouldn’t, it is probably Beauregard. She’ll punch him in the fucking face to stop him, which I think he needs, to a certain extent. They’re two different kinds of nerds, and I kind of like that, that this group of nine philosophers, they’ve reached out and somehow grabbed the two nerds in the party.”

How do Caleb and Veth see the Somnovum? Sam: “I mean, they seem real bad. Anything that’s a quorum of powerful entities heading towards your planet to unleash an energy of any kind, typically bad? I assume they’re bad, or at least the Tombtakers wish them to do ill.” Liam: “I think they want the kind of peace that comes from snapping your fingers and turning people to dust. Caleb sees them as a cautionary tale; they’re the worst-case scenario for arcane inquisitiveness.” He sees Allura Vysoren as the antidote to that.

Why the staunch refusal to use Halfling Luck? Sam: “I don’t like Luck! I just don’t like Luck. I think it’s cheap, I think it’s a cheat, I think it’s stupid. It just feels like a do-over.” Liam: “I am your antithesis! If I ever voice a halfling, I am going to hammer that feature!” Sam: “What I love about D&D is that you don’t know what’s going to happen. If you roll bad, okay, that’s it. If you roll well, it makes the success more enjoyable to know that it’s a pure success and don’t one where you’re like well actually... it’s so stupid. If someone was about to die, I would probably use the fuckin’ Luck feature. Well. It depends who. If it was Travis, yeah, no, he’s fucked, sorry.”

Liam drops that he’s picked Sam’s character class and race again for a hypothetical campaign three. Sam: “It’s not what I was thinking for future characters, but I’m excited to explore.”

Cosplay of the Week: an amazing Mollymauk by KatofValkyrie!

What was it like to bring the Tombtakers into the tower? Liam: “It is complicated, because he does not like him. Lucien’s just a fucking dick. But Caleb also knows that Molly’s in there somewhere. That tower’s only for the M9, and Lucien’s not in the M9. Their situation with these people is shitty, it’s terrible. Caleb doesn’t feel like they have the upper hand. He doesn’t like that they’re even going on this journey per se, because life is bigger than his bullshit. He feels like they’ve been losing over and over again, so it was a gamble to try to get on equal footing.

What spurred Veth into making sure she and Yasha have some one-on-one time? Sam: “Yasha hasn’t been getting a lot of moments to shine. Now that she’s back, I just got the impression that Yasha feels out of place sometimes, or timid, or unsure of herself. When Veth was Nott, Nott certainly had her share of those moments. I think she sees a kindred spirit and wants to make sure that she’s been giving all the opportunity she can to flourish and thrive. Dani, you’re just laughing at my mustache, aren’t you?” Dani: “Yes, that’s the only thing I’m laughing at through this whole bullshit.” Sam denies all knowledge of trolling, but eventually admits, on the topic of Yasha and Beau getting together: “They’ve made me wait this long... I’m going to make them wait a little bit longer!”

What was it like to show his friends the upper floors? Liam: “I kinda expected somebody to sneak up there before that. That being part of the tower is not even a conscious choice of his, it just is. The reason Caduceus has creeped Caleb out for a long time is because he talks about how-- Caduceus is a really kind person and wants Caleb to let go of the past. And in a really simplistic way, turn that frown upside-down. And that’s just not who Caleb is, and it’s not who everybody is. There is something to be said for trying to stay open and positivity, but thinking you can shut out the past, especially a traumatic one, is just not true. When things happen to us, we carry them. But to candy-coat it and say, ah, I’m free, or everything is good, or I’ve turned the corner... life is way messier than that. It’s not flipping a switch, it’s not bad-to-good, it is such a work in progress. Even when you make strides and start to get to a better place, you can backslide a lot. So the tower is who he is, and the tower is 7/9ths love for his friends, and 1/9th hope, but there’s still a percentage of him that carries everything from the past, and knows that he should, and knows that he should not go back to where he was. And the way to do that is not to say everything is rainbows, but to remember it. The tower is just like an extension of who he is. He’s never going to forget the past, and he’s never going to be like, I’m good, or I’ve turned a corner. He should remember the past, and he should do better, always.”

Does Veth still believe it’s possible to get Molly back? Sam: “Well, she was a person trapped in another body for many years, so has some experience there, and definitely believes that the spirit and soul of Molly is in there and just needs to be unlocked somehow.”

Fan Art of the Week: an amazing group shot by HarpySN!

How are Caleb and Veth dealing with their guilt and fear about being in the middle of this? Sam: “It definitely was a deep conversation that might have repercussions going forward. The problem with all of what we’re doing now is that we don’t have time to deal with our petty problems anymore. It’s all high tension all the time!” Liam: “It’s true; they’re not in control of their situation at all anymore.” Sam: “It’s good to have these check-ins, but it’s not like we can do anything about them. We’re reactive right now.” Liam: “He’s not happy with where they are, but they wouldn’t even be this far if the goblin hadn’t pulled him out of the mud. So part of it is, you saved me from where I was and got me on my feet again, and now it’s disconcerting to see it all just get knocked sideways by something he never could’ve predicted. I think Caleb felt nostalgic for when things were simpler, in a way, for them, when we’re both troubled drifters.”

What was it like to see Gelidon’s return? Liam: “I am the least superstitious person at the table. Ashley’s dice suck.” Sam: “It was fun fighting a dragon!” Liam: “Two massive battles in one episode, neither of which came away with a victory. I guess surviving is a victory.” Sam: “I’d forgotten about the dragon, honestly.” Liam: “I loved it. I was so upset at the idea that we were going to stealth and not get into it.”Sam: “Mercer doesn’t keep a live dragon around and not do something with it. That dragon’s coming back.”

How do Caleb and Veth feel about going to see Essek? Sam: “He can be very helpful, I believe, but as Sam Riegel, a player of D&D, I’m super suspicious. What the fuck is Essek doing up there, so close, now? I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. And I can throw him pretty far because he floats.” Liam: “I 100% agree with you. I do not understand what Essek could bring to what we are going through. I know the audience loves him, I love him too. He’s a really cool character. But he’s fucking toxic. He out of curiosity caused a war between two nations. And Caleb has been changed for the good by the M9 from months of travel with them. Essek has had none of that. Caleb has changed for the good, but not because of people like Essek. Essek is where Caleb came from. We kept the lid on the pot during the whole treaty at sea and it almost all went fucking sideways, and only because we pressed him into a corner. I hope that guy finds some sort of balance and peace for himself, but I do not see how his input here would be helpful. There’s other heavy hitters that I would try to pull in.”

Liam notes that the Cloven Crystal is in the Bag of Holding. Sam: “Do I have Fluffernutter, or is Fluffernutter gone?” Liam: “Nope. 300 pounds of fireworks? Gone. A dead mage, a threshold crest, and fireworks.” Dani: “Your basic essentials.”

[jammatown919]

Best Laid Plans

Several months ago, an anon asked me to write a piece in which the group tries to play matchmaker for Ruby and Penny. This is what that turned into. 

Ruby liked Vacuo better than she'd thought she would. Sure, it was unbearably hot most days and a fair amount of the locals seemed rather disgruntled about having more refugees around, especially Atlesian ones,  but she'd take this over Atlas any day.

She was especially relived that she and her group had been allowed to enroll as students at Shade Academy rather than having their Huntsmen licenses renewed. They hadn't been at all ready for the position when General Ironwood had offered it to them, and while there was still a lot to worry about, everyone was glad to have some of the pressure taken off of them. Unfortunately, however, the lowered stress and extra free time had given them an opportunity to concern themselves with things that absolutely did not require their attention, such as Ruby's love life.

Two weeks ago, Ruby had made the horrible mistake of confiding in Yang about her crush on Penny, which had resulted in most of the rest of their friends knowing about it too. Most of them were alright about it, but Yang and Nora were absolutely hellbent on playing matchmaker, and they weren't taking no for an answer.

Every single time one of them caught Ruby alone, they'd plead with her for permission to set up a date so everyone wouldn't have to watch her 'pining' anymore, and no matter how many times she said she didn't want to burden Penny with her feelings, they persisted. Eventually she'd started trying to avoid them altogether, which was a lot easier with Nora than it was with Yang, considering they shared a room.

On their second Friday living at Shade Academy, also the second Friday since Ruby had confided in her sister, Yang found Ruby alone in the dorm and made what felt like her millionth plea of the week.

"For the last time," Ruby snapped, flopping down on her bed. "I don't want you to set up a date! It'll just make everything awkward."

She was trying to keep her cool, but honestly, this was starting to piss her off. This was none of Yang's business, or Nora's for that matter. She didn't need their input.

"Oh, come on, Ruby!" Yang groaned, her voice laced with exasperation. "You have to know she's into you!"

"Give me one good reason to believe she actually likes me back." Ruby retorted, rolling her eyes as Yang let out a dry laugh.

"I'll give you ten reasons," she said confidently. "You two are basically attached at the hip, she gets that little pouty face every time she gets told she can't pair with you for combat training, you literally share a bed-"

"Only because there weren't enough beds when we moved in!" Ruby quickly sat up, warmth rushing to her face.

"Yeah, but when Blake and I starting sharing, I asked Penny if she wanted my old bed and she just about cried." Yang replied. "Unless you want to sit here and argue that all of that is platonic, you know she likes you back. So why won't you just talk to her about it?"

"Look," Ruby sighed. "Even if you're right, I just don't want to give her anything else to worry about. She just lost her home, she's still getting used to being the Winter Maiden, and now she has all this human stuff to deal with. She needs my support right now, and I don't want to accidentally push her away."

Yang's expression softened at that, and she slowly crossed the room to sit down beside Ruby.

"I get that," she said quietly, suddenly much more sympathetic than frustrated. "And I know I'm being kind of pushy, but I don't want you to miss out. This could be your only chance for a while to actually go on dates and have fun with her."

Ruby let out another, heavier sigh and leaned back onto her hands, tilting her face toward the ceiling.

Yang was right. They might have a respite now, but Salem could show up any day. This chance to be students again wasn't going to last forever. They were getting to be kids one last time, and that would be over the moment Salem made herself known again. Then there would be no dates or time to worry about feelings, probably just regrets if she didn't do this now.

"What do I even say to her?" she asked quietly. "I've never liked someone like this before. What if I screw something up?"

"Just be honest with her." Yang put an arm around Ruby's shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. "Tell her how you feel, ask her if she wants to go out, and let Nora and I take care of the rest. We'll find a nice place for you to go, and I'll tell you everything I know about impressing girls."

She winked good-naturedly and released Ruby, who then took a deep breath and stood. She didn't feel even remotely prepared for this, but there was a decent chance it could be now or never.

"I'm gonna go see if I can find her." Ruby decided, steeling herself. She made her way toward the door, giving her sister a nervous grin over her shoulder as she left. "Wish me luck."

---------------------

Ruby found Penny an hour later in Shade's library, sitting at one of the tables with a pile of books. From the looks of it, she'd been here a while, possibly making her way through a series.

"Hey," Ruby said quietly as she reached Penny's table. "What are you reading?"

Penny glanced up, looking mildly startled.

"Oh, it's just a fantasy story," she replied sheepishly, lowering the book in her hands. "It's a bit silly, but I've never had time to just sit and read before. I'm finding it quite enjoyable!"

"That's good." Ruby smiled and took a seat across from Penny, clasping her hands anxiously in her lap. "Sorry if I'm interrupting you or anything, I just wanted to ask you something."

"Of course." Penny put her book down and leaned forward attentively.

"I was just wondering if, um..." Ruby squeezed her fingers, trying to steady her voice long enough to get the question out. "If you wanted to... go out with me sometime? Like, on a date? I-If not, it's totally cool, I just... y'know..."

Penny blinked at her slowly, and Ruby shrank back as much as the chair would allow her to.

"A date?" Penny inquired.

"Yeah," Ruby replied, her face burning. Dear God please let her know what a date is, she thought frantically. "I really like you, like more than just a friend. I've been wanting to tell you for a while, but I was scared of making you uncomfortable, but then I realized that with everything going on I might not get another chance for a while, and- Penny?"

Caught up in her rant, it had taken Ruby far to long to realize that Penny wasn't listening to her. Instead, she was just staring blankly, her expression completely unreadable.

"Are you okay?" Ruby leaned across the table and waved her hand in front of Penny's face. "Are you bluescreening?"

Back when she'd had a mechanical body, Penny had occasionally 'bluescreened' when struggling to process some new piece of information. She usually snapped out of it within a few minutes, so Ruby wasn't particularly concerned, but she had to admit she was surprised that Penny was still doing it even in a human body.

"Yes." Penny said suddenly, shaking herself a bit.

"I- what?"

"Yes, I will go on a date with you." Penny clarified, her face turning slightly pink. "I like you too, quite a lot."

"Really?" Ruby's shoulders sagged with relief, and she couldn't help the grin spreading across her face.

"Of course." Penny said with a little smile. "I would have said something much sooner if I had thought you might feel the same way."

"How could I not?" Ruby asked softly. "You're so sweet and beautiful and kind. It was kind of impossible not to fall in love with you."

Penny's blush intensified, and she looked away bashfully.

"You are all of those things too." she replied, her voice quiet and shy.

Ruby chuckled softly, then straightened herself and cleared her throat before either them could get any more flustered.

"So," she went on. "I was thinking maybe we could do dinner tomorrow around six? Or, well, Yang was thinking that, but I have no idea how to plan dates so I'm just listening to what she says."

"That sounds perfect." Penny said enthusiastically.

"Great," Ruby smiled and rose from her seat. "I'll let you get back to your reading. See you tomorrow."

Ruby turned to leave, barely hearing Penny's quiet "Goodnight," as she rushed out of the library. The moment the doors slammed shut behind her, she let out a loud, shaky laugh. She'd done it. She'd actually done it. She'd managed to land herself a date, and now all she had to do was survive it.

--------------------

Penny had to admit, she'd been surprised to hear that her best friend had a crush on her. Delighted, of course, but so very surprised. She'd been planning to keep her own feelings a secret forever, lest Ruby find them unusual or inappropriate, but that was no longer necessary. Ruby shared the same feelings, and apparently they were quite normal.

It was a relief to know that, but Penny couldn't say that all of her anxieties had been quelled. According to Ruby, the next step after confessing their feelings was going on a date together, a concept with which Penny was not particularly familiar. She had a basic idea of how it was supposed to work, but she wasn't sure of the correct way to behave or what she was supposed to say while they were out.

Penny had gone to Nora with these concerns, hoping for some friendly advice, and had been promptly and quite literally dragged into Team JNPR's dorm room for a pre-date pep talk.

"You really don't have all that much to worry about." Nora said as she worked on lacing up the back of Penny's dress. It was quite similar to one she'd worn to Beacon's dance; light green, knee-length, and very soft. She'd borrowed it from an upperclassman named Velvet, who she knew by association due to her team's friendship with Team RWBY.

"But what if I say something wrong?" Penny asked anxiously, running her fingers through her hair. She'd already brushed through it twice, but perhaps one more time couldn't hurt.

"What would you say wrong?" Nora inquired as she finished with the dress. "You two are already friends, so you don't have to deal with any of that 'getting to know each other' business. Just go and have fun. And make sure you laugh at all her jokes."

"All of them?" Penny echoed unenthusiastically. Her sense of humor was quite different from the majority of her friends, and she sometimes had trouble discerning whether something was a joke. How would she know what to laugh at?

"Unless they're offensive or something, but it's Ruby so I doubt that." Nora shrugged and grabbed a bit of Penny's hair, gently fluffing it out. "Think you're ready?"

"Maybe?" Penny replied. "Do I look presentable?"

"You're gorgeous, Pebbles." Nora turned Penny around so they were face to face, placing two firm, comforting hands on her friend's shoulders. "Everything's gonna be fine, okay? You've gone places with Ruby hundreds of times; just act how you normally would."

"Okay." Penny nodded. She could do that.

----------------

The restaurant Penny had been invited to was a small café hardly a stone's throw from Shade's campus. From what Penny could tell, it seemed to be primarily frequented by the school's students, as the majority of the people sitting in the outdoor area were wearing school uniforms.

Of the three that were not, one was Ruby, clad in a black top and bright red skirt that just barely reached her knees. She spotted Penny from her table near the café's front window and waved her over with a shy smile.

"Hey," she greeted softly as Penny approached. "You look really nice."

"As do you." Penny replied politely, sincerely hoping that the grin on her face didn't look too silly. She stood there awkwardly for a moment before taking a seat, leaning forward so their table's umbrella could better protect her fair skin from the sun.

For a good two minutes, they sat there in silence, Ruby seemingly avoiding eye contact and Penny quietly fidgeting while she tried to think of something to say.

"This place is pretty cool, right?" Ruby offered at last, glancing in Penny's direction.

"I think it's quite hot, actually." Penny replied. Ruby let out a soft chuckle, and she quickly realized her mistake. "Oh! You meant- yes, it's very cool."

Penny briefly averted her gaze as her face grew warm, but she was saved from any further embarrassment by the arrival of a tired-looking waitress.

"Have you two decided on anything?" she asked, placing two glasses of water down on the table. As she did so, she fixed Penny with the same vaguely suspicious look every Atlesian refugee had been receiving from the locals.

It wasn't entirely uncalled for, considering everything her nation had done to theirs, but it made her uncomfortable nonetheless.

"Um..." Penny glanced down at the menu, eager to get the waitress's eyes off of her. Impulsively, she ordered the first thing she saw. "The fried scorpion, please."

"I'll have the same." Ruby said immediately.

"Interesting choice." The waitress remarked as she took their menus. 'For a couple of outsiders' was implied.

Penny watched her walk away, mildly dreading the sight of what she would return with.

"What the hell did we just order?" Ruby mumbled, so softly that Penny couldn't be entirely certain the words were for her.

"It will likely be fine," she answered anyway. "Scorpion is a common dish here."

"Yeah, I guess." Ruby replied, once again avoiding eye contact. Penny's brow furrowed and she leaned a bit closer to her date over the table.

Ruby seemed remarkably uncomfortable, wringing her hands and glancing about as if searching for a way out of the situation. Did she not want to be here? Had Penny done something wrong?

If so, she hadn't the slightest clue what her mistake could have been, but relationships were so complicated that she wouldn't be surprised if she'd broken some unspoken rule. Perhaps she'd missed a joke she was supposed to laugh at, or-

"Penny?"

Penny was jolted out of her thoughts, only just realizing that Ruby was waving a hand in front of her face. She blinked hard, mildly startled.

"Are you okay?" Ruby asked gently.

"Yes," Penny said with a quick nod. "Yes, I'm fine."

"You've got to stop bluescreening on me." Ruby gave her a small, kind smile. "What were you trying to figure out?"

Penny hesitated briefly. She almost didn't want to say it for fear that she might be right. Yet again, if she had somehow messed up the date, she wanted to know what she'd done wrong.

"It's just..." she began eventually. "You seem as if you don't want to be here. I was wondering if maybe I did something wrong? Or if you regret asking me out?"

"Of course not!" Ruby's eyes widened in mild alarm. "What made you think that?"

"You just seem so uncomfortable." For emphasis, Penny mimicked the hand-wringing motion Ruby had been doing. "I was worried you thought this was a mistake."

"God, no," Ruby reached across the table and gently took Penny's hands in her own. "You didn't do anything wrong, Penny. Asking you out was not a mistake."

She brushed her thumbs along the backs of Penny's hands; an intimate gesture, if Penny remembered correctly.

"I think letting someone else plan this for us might have been a mistake, though." Ruby admitted. "I don't think I'm really a dinner date person."

"What do you mean?" Penny inquired.

"I mean this all feels a little... stuffy, I guess." Ruby shrugged. "I don't like sitting here in formalwear trying to make awkward conversation with a bunch of other people around. This doesn't feel like us, y'know?"

"I think I understand." Penny nodded slowly. She had to admit, this wouldn't have been her first choice of venue either. "What do you think would feel like us?"

"Do you remember that night with the fireflies?" Ruby asked. Penny nodded again, a small smile spreading across her face. "That felt like us. It was just you and me having fun, enjoying nature and stuff."

"That was a very special night," Penny agreed fondly. "But I do not believe we would be able to recreate it here. As far as I know, no species of a firefly is native to Vacuo."

"It doesn't have to be exactly the same." Ruby seemed thoughtful for a moment, quietly drumming her fingers on the table. "What if we went up on the roof of Shade's dorms? We could be alone and just enjoy each other's company."

"I like the sound of that." Penny almost stood up, but suddenly remembered that they'd already ordered. Would it be considered rude to leave?

"It's alright," Ruby seemed to read Penny's mind as she rose from her seat. "I don't think it counts as dining and dashing if we haven't gotten our food yet."

Penny supposed that made sense. She hesitated a moment longer before standing up, glad that she wouldn't have to see that waitress again. Ruby extended her arm, and Penny linked it with her own as they began walking away from the restaurant. As soon as they'd cleared the tables, Ruby visibly relaxed.

"This already feels better," she remarked.

"It does." Penny agreed. They walked together in silence for a few minutes, Penny's face growing warm as an unfamiliar sensation spread throughout her body.

Suddenly overtaken with boldness, Penny leaned over and pressed her lips to Ruby's cheek, holding them there for a moment before slowly pulling away. Ruby's eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't seem at all bothered.

"Was that... okay?"

"It was more than okay," Ruby replied, glancing over at Penny with a smile. "That was perfect."

"It seems our night has been salvaged." Penny smiled back at her, faltering briefly as Ruby rested her head on her shoulder.

"Yeah," she said, her warm breath tickling the skin of Penny's neck. "It has."

--

If you enjoyed this piece, please consider reblogging to share it with others and help the post gain a bit of traction! It would absolutely make my day and make the three months I spent trying to finish this feel worth it! 

[blackradandmad]

why blippi is rotting yr children's brains

preface: i literally expect no one to read this. it is an essay length, strong opinion piece critiquing a niche youtube-based children's show that i don't expect most of y'all to even have knowledge of lol. but like, i promise that even if you know nothing about what i'm talking about, in my incredibly, super humble opinion, it's a good piece of writing and interesting nonetheless. anyway if you read this whole thing for some reason yr really hot and we should kiss.

i thoroughly vet everything my child watches before he watches it, episode by episode. and we rarely watch youtube for entertainment; we usually just look up educational videos when he has a question about something and wants more detail than i can provide him. and that's mainly because children's content on youtube is so fucking troubling and distressing. i don't judge parents who give their children a tablet at a restaurant at all bc i've been there and sometimes it's easier on everyone to just put on a video and avoid a giant scene, but i do judge parents who just leave their children alone with youtube kids on autoplay.

take stevin john, a literal millionaire who got famous from dressing up as a silly character called blippi and going on tours of places like aquariums, zoos, construction sites, etc and posting it on youtube. this has branched into a whole empire of blippi videos, hulu shows and specials, live shows and tours (that he outsources to another character actor), merchandise and so on. this 30-something year old man cites his main influence as being mr. rogers, but i question if he's ever even seen an episode of that program.

mr. rogers had no background in early childhood development or media production, but he revolutionized the world of children's media, because he respected his audience and didn't shy away from real world situations, all while creating a show with an enormous heart. mr. rogers begins his episodes by inviting the viewer in, literally changing his attire to be more comfortable, and talking about/doing things he genuinely cares about. whereas mr. rogers calmly and maturely addresses the viewer, blippi puts on a high pitched, contrived voice, interjecting every other sentence with a forced exclamation such as, "teehee! we're having so much fun!"

i don't find it a coincidence that john (blippi) is a veteran, either. his videos are completely devoid of the absurd, abstract, childlike thinking that makes children's media fun, creative, and entertaining. his thinking and process is methodical, devoid of emotion, and very superficial. this line of thinking clearly shows the kind of creative sterilization and emphasis on sameness and conformity instilled in the military. blippi simply observes things and interacts with them in a stale, matter-of-fact way. "this ball is purple! this ball is pink! anyway... what's over there? teehee! a car! vroom, vroom!" objects are colors, toy cars don't do anything but drive, curiosity is simply not encouraged.

he uses the "it's educational!" excuse to hide the fact that his show lacks everything that makes media a valuable resource for children to consume in the first place. further than identifying colors, numbers, and the occasional letter or shape, there is just this total lack of children's need for social and emotional development. when mr. rogers breaks the fourth wall to address the viewer and let them know they're special, it feels authentic and natural, because we've spent the last half hour building whole worlds with diverse characters and unique stories in a pretend neighborhood, learning about and enjoying different musical instruments, being exposed to and making friends with (even if parasocially, it is still a real bond to children when done properly) children who are similar to us in character regardless of physical or environmental differences, feeding the fish, making art together, and so on. when blippi tells the viewer, "you are very special, and i enjoy spending time with you!" it falls completely flat and feels unearned, because the last half hour was spent running around a soft play center pointing at bright, colorful objects, visiting interesting locations like farms or fruit production factories while failing to acknowledge the humanity of the humans actually working there (everything is machine or product focused; the human workers are simply an extension of the machine), learning "fun facts" about elephants that just list attributes of elephants, not taking the opportunity to inform the viewers of elephants' intelligence, or diet, or matriarchal society. it is a loud, sensory overwhelming display of a man so disconnected from the social and emotional needs and desires of children that he assumes they're stupid, easily entertained idiots who only need some silly dances and fast-moving cartoon graphics to give their attention (meaning time and desire to purchase products meaning $$$). john clearly views his audience as a means to gaming the algorithm and ultimately a paycheck by the hollow way he addresses them.

the show is so narcissistic, so focused on all the fun blippi is supposedly having, but he lacks any of the character traits that make individual children's show hosts memorable, so much so that he was able to have someone else who doesn't even vaguely resemble him dress as blippi and impersonate him and host the show or appear at live shows, and it went unnoticed by most of his toddler and child audience. the show is so formulaic and the character of blippi is so unmemorable that instead of taking the blue's clues route of developing a story of the host leaving for college and his brother now stepping in, or making some sort of believable excuse for the change in actors, they can simply swap him out with some random guy and not acknowledge it at all. although a comedy show for older children, the amanda show in no way could or would try to replicate the show with the same name but swapping out amanda bynes with a random teenage girl who is clearly not amanda bynes. it's weird and nonsensical and shows that his character is so much of a farce put on for a paycheck that not even his dedicated audience is affected or even cares when he is replaced by a random, unknown person.

this is completely garbage content made by an opportunist with no experience with children who saw his nephew watching children's youtube content, took it at complete surface level and still hasn't realized that while children's content only looks and feels so easy, entertaining, and enriching because it is so hard to do well. even with outsourcing his music, that aspect of the show still sucks. famous and successful children's musician, raffi, is known for his song describing the life of a little white whale, called "baby beluga." it opens with a calm strumming of his guitar, followed by the lyrics, "baby beluga in the deep blue sea/swim so wild and you swim so free/heaven above/sea below/and a little white whale on the go." is it silly and kind of pointless? yes, but the point is that he is captivating children and showing them the fun of listening to music, dancing, singing, and appreciating art. the "excavator song" featured in an episode of blippi about construction vehicles opens with what sounds like a default garageband loop and the flatly sung lyrics, "i'm an excavator/i'm an excavator/hey dirt, see you later/i'm an excavator." i don't feel i have to meticulously analyze the aforementioned lyrics; the stark contrast should speak for itself.

i have a million more criticisms about both blippi specifically and youtube children's content as a whole, but this is already so long and i doubt many people will get this far anyway. it's an issue i was completely apathetic towards until i had my own child and had to wean him off these kinds of junk food shows because i realized the fast-paced visuals and bright colors and repetitive songs/lyrics were putting him in this spaced-out, fugue state, and he thought he could demand this show or that show whenever he wanted. the moment he started regularly yelling things like, "watch! cars!" or "no! click it!" i knew i had to be a lot more invested in the things he watched even if just for entertainment or as a soothing message. i showed him an episode of mr. rogers yesterday and feared it would be too slow to hold his attention, but he was mesmerized, greeting and interacting with mr. rogers verbally, asking me, "what's that?" to different objects on the screen. since purging this low-brow children's entertainment, he has had a noticeable increase in attention span and concentration, can focus on a task for longer amounts of times, is more likely to "read"/look through books without me initiating it, and doesn't throw a fit when the tv/my laptop is off.

i just know that for me, growing up with so much unsupervised internet access definitely led me to real-world pain and consequences, and it seems like now children are born with an iphone as an extension of their arm. if my child is going to be consuming videos, i'm definitely supervising every second and am going to be highly critical of the videos and the credentials (or lack thereof) of the creators and team behind it. but i also know, from pure observation admittedly, that parents letting youtube kids autoplay parent their children for hours at a time is not an uncommon occurrence. and it worries me that a generation of children are being raised on videos that rely on being as loud and bright and superficially enjoyable as possible. what's the use of a child knowing their colors and alphabet if they don't know how to treat people with kindness and empathy and respect? there is something wrong for a children's show host to plug the spelling of his name at the end of his videos ("well, that's the end of this video. but if you wanna watch more of my videos, just type in my name! can you spell my name with me? b-l-i-p-p-i!") after essentially rotting his audiences' brains for a half hour. there's something so insidious about the prioritization of naming different parts of construction vehicles over honest depictions of and conversations about dealing with feelings, or why someone with autism may act differently than you, or what to do when you feel lonely, or ways to make art and express yrself creatively. also, not to mention the blatant police propaganda and outright worship is seriously jarring; as a black mother to a visibly non-white child, i cannot sit there and watch blippi show kids how to be a bootlicker for the shittiest profession on earth, but that could be a whole essay in and of itself.

anyway, thanks for reading, if yr looking for quality children's content, i recommend, in no specific order: mr. rogers, sesame street, the electric company, molly of denali, daniel tiger, bluey!, blue's clues, the odd squad, word party, trash truck, puffin rock, uhh... that's definitely not an extensive list but that's just off the dome!!! ok bye y'all <333

[chimtaera]

imagine barista taehyung.

ok first things first.

taehyung runs the most aesthetic, atmospheric, coffee shop of all time.

doesn’t matter if he doesn’t own the place, he’s gonna decorate.

paintings of the walls by local artist and van gogh alike.

boardgames and puzzles on the shelves for rainy days.

will play uno with you on slow days.

and you know the playlist is gonna be on point.

also the most experimental with his drinks. 

like he’s gotten in trouble for experimenting with people’s orders, so now he gives away his frankendrinks for free.

and outgoing as he is he’s on first name basis with everyone who’s visited more than twice. 

he won’t remember your order, but he’ll remember your name, and/or give you a nickname, and/or draw you a correlating doodle on your to-go cup.

you’re probably a tired student in need of a quiet place to read and/or write your assignments. 

you’re gonna need caffeine too, so you might as well camp out in a coffee shop.

taehyung is chatty and wants to know what you’re studying for, what assignment you’re working on, and will you try his iced pumpkin-spice dirty chai latte with cinnamon?

and this being a perfect opportunity to procrastinate, so you strike up a friendship with the barista.

thus you end up being designated test-subject for his new and exciting concoctions. 

dw they’re only undrinkable 2% of the time. you’ll be fine.

taehyung thinks ur cute, but u r kinda clueless.

cue montage of taehyung trying to hint that he’s into you and you completely missing out because you’re either buried in your work or just think he’s being nice:

hearts in all your drinks, in the foam, in the sprinkles, in the whipped cream, even in the chocolate sauce. but that doesn’t have to mean anything right?? that’s just what baristas do, he’s just practicing his craft, right??

brings you pastries and cookies for free, making excuses that there’s something wrong with it so he was gonna throw it out anyway. 

“this cookie has too many chocolate chips, you can have it”

“is this pastry too sweet? you decide.”

“we can’t sell this, it’s on fire. here you go.”

“a time traveller licked this one.”

but he’s just trying to cheer you up because he sees how hard you’re studying, right???

dedicates chat baker songs to you, but he’s just being silly haha right ???

gazes longingly at you while he’s steaming the milk until it’s ruined, lmao he’s so easily distracted. totally not in love with you hahaha ha ha h a right???

except he totally is.

and you totally are in love with him too, but you don’t wanna seem like you’re assuming things or make him uncomfortable at his place of work because he’s a service worker yanno, he’s paid to be nice.

but one evening you’ve got an assignment due that night, and you were up all of last night writing, and you’re so exhausted no amount of coffee can keep awake and oopsy daisy you’ve fallen asleep at your table in the coffee shop.

and you won’t know this, but taehyung switches playlists to something quieter and tries to steam milk as quietly as possible which isn’t very that shit is noisy, but it’s the thought that counts yanno.

anyway it’s late, and eventually he has to close the shop and so he wakes you, with coffee of course.

and you panic because you only have an hour until you have to turn in your paper and it’ll take you half that time to get home.

taehyung is quick to comfort you though, it takes him about an hour to close up shop, and you’re more than welcome to stay until then.

this is lowkey a lie, it takes taehyung only half an hour to close up, but he wants to help you out and also just wants to be around you.

and you’re still sleepy and so grateful you blurt some nonsense along the lines of “omg thank you let me buy you coffee some time!!”

and he laughs and you blush because obviously he has more than enough coffee.

but, to your surprise he accepts. “as long as it’s not here”, he says. and he may be blushing a little too.

so he takes his time, cleans extra thoroughly, goes through some of the routines that are only necessary once a week, humming along to some soft jazz.

and the sleep has done you good, so you manage to tie up all your loose ends and complete your paper, with enough time spare to read through it once and correct some spelling. truly a miracle.

and imagine, as you leave together and he locks up your jacket gets caught in the door and he has to help you get it loose and oops he’s really close now

so close you can count his eyelashes and you can’t breathe he’s so pretty!!?!?!? and he smells like freshly ground coffee beans and cookies still warm from the oven, honestly he’s mouthwatering.

and he’s like “hey, actually, neither of us has eaten, you wanna get dinner right now instead of coffee later?” and hells yes you do, suddenly reminded that you are absolutely starving.

so you agree but he’s still so close, like all up in your personal space and you don’t mind exactly, but it makes your heart beat out of control and you’re pretty sure you’re blushing so hard you’re radiating heat.

and then he asks “so, do i have to wait until after the date to kiss you or..?”

and you choke on nothing because, “wait, we’re going on a date?”

“yes, i just decided.” and he steps impossibly closer. “i wanna date you, do you wanna date me?”

“i mean, yes, yeah, of course, i-”

“okay, then i’m just gonna kiss you now.”

and he does, and it’s just a sweet and gentle press of lips against yours, but he’s so close and warm and smells so nice it’s pretty much heavenly.

and after dinner he walk you home and kisses you some more before ushering you inside to get some much needed rest.

needless to say, studying at the coffee shop is a little more distracting after that.

taehyung will straight up push your books out of your lap and sit on you to pepper you with kisses, at least once a day.

and you finally notice the hearts in all your drinks, that are meant especially for you.

but also a lot more enjoyable!!

anyway, nsfw under the cut.

taehyung more like tae-HUNG (sorry.)

i feel like taehyung would be a lot of fun in bed. 

he’s confident, he’s fun, he’s adventurous, inventive, and a little weird, and i think those things all play out pretty well in the bedroom.

or, yanno, shower, bathroom floor, hallway mirror, storage closet, in a boat, with a goat, etc.

best of all he’s very attentive, he’ll pay so close attention to you, very intense at times.

every time you have a reaction he likes he will grin and chuckle to himself and do whatever he did again and again and again until you’re begging him to cum.

also gets really horny at like the weirdest and most inconvenient times and will get really whiny and clingy and subtly rub up against you until you can sneak away somewhere and get each other off. 

imagine his as soon as he has a break from work giving you a look like “now.” and ur like “now??” and he’s like “nOW.”

don’t tell his boss but he will go down on you in the storage closet if you let him. 

relieve some stress, you know, you’re studying so hard you deserve it!!

he’s very convincing.

like i said, pretty adventurous. so he’ll want to try out new positions and stuff all the time. 

not because regular sex is boring, but because it’s fun to explore!

he’s more than happy to just sit back and let you ride him on the sofa.

he’s pretty verbal too, and you can expect a lot of praise.

bottom line taehyung is hot as hell, and sex with him would be too.

lucky you!

[karasuno-chaos]

Recommending Music (Tsukishima x Reader)

What do you think Tsukishima listens to with those headphones of his? 🎵  Also this one’s a bit long and a bit messy, sorry. -Giz

Word Count:  2,381

Fluffvember masterlist

The notebook started in middle school.  You’d befriended Yamaguchi almost immediately, but getting to know Tsukishima had taken some time.  After your first year, you could usually read the intention behind his snide remarks and hard stares, but you weren’t sure you qualified as a friend yet.  At least he tolerated you and allowed you to hang out with him and Yamaguchi sometimes, and you were willing to take what he’d give.

During lunch one day in the middle of your second year, you finally received some clarity.

“If we’re going to be friends, I have a list of songs you need to listen to.”

“You consider us friends?” you asked, feeling a rush of excitement.

“Obviously.”  His expression was annoyed, but he wasn’t being aggressive.  Sometimes you suspected that his frustration with himself surfaced as frustration with other people.

“Is it your top ten songs, Tsukki?” Yamaguchi asked, totally unphased by his friend’s frosty behavior.  “Has it changed at all?”

“Not really.  Pass me your notebook,” he requested, holding a hand out to you.

“Hang on, I don’t have one handy.”  You heard him sigh as you ran back to your desk, but you didn’t know what he’d expected.  You didn’t usually bring school work to lunch.  You grabbed a mostly-empty notebook from your desk and flipped it open to a blank page before slapping it down in front of him.

“Here you go.”

You opened your lunch and ate while he marked the page with his sharp, precise handwriting.  Yamaguchi watched over his shoulder.

“That one’s new,” he said, pointing to the eighth on the list.

“Shut up, Yamaguchi.”

“Sorry Tsukki.”

This common refrain between them had alarmed you at first, but neither friend was bothered by the words.  Like so many of Tsukishima’s remarks, it sounded more aggressive than he meant it to be.

“Here.”  He turned the notebook to face you, and you studied it curiously.  You’d heard of most of the songs, but some of them were unfamiliar.  He’d also written little notes next to a few of them, like “bass line” or “harmonies”.

“So I just need to listen to them?” you asked.  “You’re not going to quiz me or anything, right?”

“Why would I bother?” he scoffed, shifting his headphones from around his neck to over his ears.  You glanced at Yamaguchi who shrugged with a smile.  You looked at the notebook again.  Somehow this list felt like a confirmation that you had a place in their small but very close friend group, and it made you very happy.

A few days later, Tsukishima asked whether you’d listened to the songs yet.

“I have,” you replied confidently.

“Just once, or multiple times?”

“Multiple times.  You can’t fully appreciate a song after just one listen.”

He blinked at you, and a tiny shift in his expression told you that he was impressed.

“Tsukki had to tell me to try them several times at first,” Yamaguchi admitted.  You gave him a sympathetic shrug.  You didn’t want to admit that you’d been so thorough in an effort to impress Tsukishima.  Despite his confirmation that he considered you a friend, you still felt like you might be on a trial period with him.

“What did you appreciate about them then?” he asked, sitting back in his seat.

“Hang on, let me get my notes,” you said.

“You took notes?” Yamaguchi asked, also impressed.  He looked curiously at the notebook when you pulled it out.  You’d scribbled your thoughts next to Tsukishima’s concise script.  “You really took this seriously.”

“Was I not supposed to?” you asked, starting to feel embarrassed at the effort you’d made.

“Let me see,” Tsukishima said quietly.  You handed him the notebook and tried not to fidget too much while you waited for his reaction.  You braced yourself for the cutting remarks and cold criticisms you were fairly certain would come.

“What do you mean by ‘trying too hard’?” he asked after a bit, pointing to a note you’d made.

“The singer kept embellishing the melody like she was trying to impress the listener, and sometimes the guitar came on a little strong.  It was like they wanted to come across as serious musicians, but instead they sounded desperate.”

“The band was still pretty young when they first recorded this track.”

“I figured,” you said.

“Which is why some of those guitar riffs are so impressive,” he finished with the confidence of someone winning an argument.

“I’m not saying they’re not skilled,” you conceded, “but having the skills and using them well are two different things, and I think they could have done better.”

“Interesting.”  He looked at you critically, and there was that shift in his expression again that indicated he was impressed.  Your embarrassment left.  Maybe your extra effort had been worth it.

He asked you about some of your other notes or particular parts of some of the songs.  Yamaguchi chimed in, too, and you could imagine Tsukishima giving him a similar education in his musical tastes.  He didn’t speak with particular passion or aggressively impose his views, but he was much more focused than you normally saw him.  He was actually interested in what you had to say, and you rather liked having his attention.

As your lunch period drew to a close, Tsukishima flipped the page of your notebook and jotted down another few lines.

“Check these out next,” he said, and that’s how it started.  He’d tell you to listen to a few songs, you’d discuss what you thought of them, and you’d do it all again.  You ripped out what little school notes you’d had in your notebook, and it became dedicated to your music exchanges  After a while, you started recommending songs for him, too.  You enjoyed subjecting him to your musical tastes and defending your choices.  Yamaguchi participated sometimes, but the exchange was mainly between you and Tsukishima.

You were surprised when it continued through middle school into your first year of high school, but by then you had cemented your place in this little friend group.  You were pretty sure your debates over music had helped you win over Tsukishima.  At the very least, they helped you understand him better.  His song suggestions felt like snapshots into his mood or the way he viewed the world.  You wondered if he knew how much he told you through those songs when he couldn’t hide behind snide remarks and sneers.

“Ah, look at this.  The hotshot volleyball star graces us with his presence before taking off for the week,” you said in a teasing tone as Tsukishima and Yamaguchi met you at your locker after school.  The Shiratorizawa first year training camp started tomorrow, and you were taking every opportunity you could to tease your friend about it.  You’d noticed a heightened intent when he went to practice as though his attitude toward the sport had changed somehow.  You knew he was excited about his invitation to this camp even though he didn’t say anything.

“Whatever.”  There’s a hint of scorn in his voice as he brushes off your jest, but you’re not bothered by it.  His “whatever” is the refrain he’s given you, like telling Yamaguchi to shut up.  You were used to him hiding his feelings behind his words.

“You’ll be gone all week, right Tsukki?” your freckled friend asked.

“Right.”

“A whole week free of the king of the court and that annoying tangerine,” you said, mocking the way he sometimes talked about his teammates.  “I bet that’ll be fun.  Though you’ll have to work hard, and you won’t get to hang out with Yamaguchi all day, which sucks.”

“You won’t get to hang out with him or me, so who’s the real loser here?”

“Definitely me,” you sighed, leaning against Yamaguchi.  He patted your shoulder consolingly.

“You could always help Kiyoko and Yachi while we practice.”

“I’d rather not work harder than I have to during break.”

“Then you’ll have plenty of time to listen to these.”  Tsukishima tossed the music notebook at you.  You barely reacted fast enough to catch it.

“Hey, I was wondering where this went.”  You flipped to the new list and skimmed over it.  “Did you pick any good ones?”

“Obviously,” he smirked.  “Come on Yamaguchi.”

“Have fun,” you called as they headed off to practice.  “Let me know if you get bored of volleyball and want to hang.”

“Bye Y/N.”  Yamaguchi waved before turning to say something to Tsukishima.  Your taller friend didn’t turn back or spare you a farewell, but that wasn’t uncommon.  You’d message them both later anyway.

You didn’t get around to the new song recommendations until the next day.  After sleeping in a reasonable amount and enjoying an easy morning, you flopped onto your bed.  You compiled the songs into a playlist on your computer, put on your headphones, and hit play.

For your first listen, you always laid back and stared at your ceiling, letting the music spill over you uninterrupted.  The second and third listens were for writing notes and preparing your reviews for the debates.  Anything beyond that was purely for enjoyment.

After jotting your notes for this round, you let the playlist cycle into some of Tsukishima’s past recommendations.  You enjoyed most of the songs he’d suggested lately, and part of you wondered if he was taking your tastes into account or if your preferences had shifted the more you’d been exposed to his.  You flipped through the notebook to revisit the past playlists, laughing to yourself over some of the notes on the pages.  It was amusing to see how your handwriting had changed over the years.

You’d run out of blank pages in the notebook soon.  You wondered if Tsukishima would want to continue these music exchanges, or if they’d fall to the wayside as high school and activities demanded more time and attention.  You began counting how many pages were left when some script on the final page made you stop.

You reread the top line twice to make sure you weren’t seeing things.  Songs that make me think of you.  You sat up and looked at the page carefully.  There were a dozen songs on the list, and from the variance in script and ink color, you knew he must have added songs as they struck him.  When had he started the playlist?  How long had he been working on it?  He hadn’t written any notes next to the titles, so you weren’t sure what his intentions were, but you felt a pleasant squeeze in your chest.

You listened to that playlist four or five times uninterrupted, and each time you felt like you better understood what he was saying through the music.  You could feel the blush rising in your cheeks along with a feeling of happiness.  You’d been keeping your growing crush on Tsukishima a secret.  You never would have guessed he might feel the same, and based on the evidence that he’d been working on this playlist for a while, he’d been keeping his feelings a secret for a while, too.

You spent the rest of the afternoon figuring out how to respond.  Even if it was unexpectedly sudden, you knew you needed to act on this revelation today.  After dinner, you bundled up in your winter gear, grabbed the notebook, and headed over to his house.  You waited nearly an hour, pacing up and down his block, until you finally saw him walking home from the bus stop.  He slowed a little when he spotted you, pushing his headphones off of his ears to around his neck.

“Hi,” you greeted, feeling a little awkward but determined to get this over with.

“What are you doing?”  He was being careful by keeping his tone neutral, but you could tell he was curious.

“I listened to your playlist.”

“Okay.”

“Both of them.”

“Oh.”  You could almost see his guard come up.  You understood him so easily, you were amazed you hadn’t noticed his feelings before now.

“I made a playlist for you,” you said, opening the notebook and handing it to him.  He took it and looked over your selections, keeping his features neutral.  Waiting for him to react was torture, but you let him process the situation at his own pace.  After all, you’d just sprung this on him, whereas you’d had all afternoon to acclimate to the idea of sharing feelings.

“There are too many genre jumps,” he said eventually, and you rolled your eyes as he critiqued the flow of the playlist.  “It’s like listening whiplash.”

“It’s not about the listening experience, it’s about the message of the songs,” you said.  “If I’d expected you to actually listen to it, I would have put in more effort.”

“Maybe I should wait for you to put in that effort,” he smirked, handing you the notebook.

“Tsukishima,” you said.  The seriousness of your tone made his smirk drop back to a neutral expression.  “I know I’m kind of going out on a limb here, but I think I understood what you were trying to say with that secret playlist.  The truth is, I’ve liked you for a while, in a more-than-friends way, and based on the songs you picked, I think you might like me that way too.  So I picked a bunch of songs about falling in love and asking someone out to see if maybe you’d like to be my boyfriend.”

The emotional confession left you a little lightheaded, and you almost couldn’t look at him, but you did, and you saw the way his stare softened a little.

“After you redo that playlist,” he said, walking past you to go inside.

“Is that a yes?”

“It’s not a no.”  He turned back at the door.  “Depends on how good the playlist is.”

You knew he was teasing you.  He wasn’t shallow enough to make his decision solely based on your musical tastes, but you were willing to play along.

“Fine,” you agreed with a grin.  “Tomorrow night, I’ll have the best asking-you-out playlist you’ve ever heard, so be ready to be my boyfriend.”

“Whatever,” he said, but the corner of his mouth lifted in a genuine grin as he glanced at you one more time before heading inside.