#it's so hard to find good clear photos of this gear

[wrassledits]

all-time attires: 3/∞

[comphy-and-cozy]

down bad - mat barzal

Pairing: Mat Barzal x unnamed OFC

Summary: Mat takes a late night booty call to the next level.

Word Count: 5.2K

Warnings: Smut (18+ ONLY): Unprotected sex, oral sex (f receiving), fingering (f receiving), creampie. Mega simp Mat. This has barely any plot but has potential to expand into a universe, maybe? Masterlist

The Snapchat notification brightens the screen for a few moments, catching Mat’s eye even while he focuses on shooting down his opponent on-screen. Beau shouts a warning in his ear, and Mat emits a low curse when he gets sniped from behind. 

After one more round, and after bidding goodbye to his friend, Mat’s attention draws back to his phone sitting on the table beside him, tapping to see who the Snapchat was from. His jaw pulses, just slightly, when he sees the name attached to the notification. Instinctually, he feels a gentle throb below the waistband of his gray sweatpants, just at the mere sight of her name.

The photo isn’t set to a timer, and Mat sends a silent thank you to the higher powers that he gets to gaze at it for as long as he desires. The foggy mirror is what he notices first, eyes quickly drawing to the generous cleavage exposed underneath the loosely-wrapped towel, a sliver of delicious skin dragging his eyes down to where the countertop regrettably cuts off the view he would have—of hip bones, leading his eyes down to the apex of two thighs he desperately wants to splay open.

There’s no caption, no commentary needed; the message is loud and clear. A calling that he responds to without fail despite his every effort to remain the nonchalant, professional athlete playboy. Obedient and eager, it’s almost Pavlovian the way his senses kick into gear when her messages come through.

Some might call him whipped, but he prefers the term ‘infatuated.’ He has been, ever since he got that first mirror selfie showing off generous curves clad in Calvin Klein underwear. He’d never admit it outside of the privacy of messages that disappear in 24 hours, but he had never come as hard as he did that night, hand gripping his length while his mind was flooded with images of that body, of those gorgeous lips, of the hips that looked like they were made for his hands.

Mat swipes through the photos he’s saved from her texts, for his eyes only. They’re more private, more sacred; selfies in bathroom mirrors with her top pulled down, videos showing a few specific details of her slutty nurse Halloween costume, and his favorite: his girl, perched on the edge of her bed, a Barzal jersey bunched up around her hips and revealing a gratuitous shot of her ass in a deep blue thong. 

When he first matched with her on Raya, he never anticipated that he’d meet up with her, let alone see her multiple times after that.  A free night in Chicago before a game, he was lying in the hotel room bed in search of his evening plans, in need of a good release. It was her eyes that drew him in first; the same eyes he stared into while she took him in her mouth later that evening. After finding heaven between her legs and climaxing so hard he saw stars, he told her he’d call her the next time he was in Chicago—and he meant it.

Since then, he returns dutifully to her bed when the Isles come to town, and he leaves the door unlocked for her when she travels to New York City for client visits as a CPA (hot and smart; a lethal combination). It’s become an excellent arrangement, the distance far enough to keep things casual, though on nights like tonight, when all he wants is to be buried inside her, he really wishes she was much closer. 

Mat’s attention snaps back to his phone when he sees another notification come through with her name on it, and this time, the dark purple square has his heart fluttering. Clicking into the video, his heart leaps into his throat when he sees the same shot as earlier, only this time, she lets her hand slip so the white towel sags against her body. He’s practically panting, eyes glued to the way she teases him, until she drops the towel altogether.

He’s hard in an instant, flipping back to his Snapchat app to send a photo back of his sweatpant-covered erection.

‘Wish you were here,’ comes her reply. ‘In the mood to get railed.’

Swallowing thickly, Mat feels the twitch against his pelvis. He lets his mind draw back to the last time he saw her; thinking about the feeling of her perfect, wet heat gripping onto him, the way she moaned his name in his ear. He hadn’t gotten more than a few hours with her, hadn’t spent enough time buried between her thighs and worshiping her the way she deserved. The way he craved to. Now, with his last trip to Chicago complete and tax season in the books, he doesn’t know the next time he’ll see her—this fall, at the earliest.

The thought flits through his mind out of nowhere. He considers it for a millisecond, then with a blink, laughs it off. Fly to see her? Tonight?

No, that would be wild, though. It’d be insane.

But you have an off-day tomorrow. You could be back before anyone would notice you’re gone.

Mat shakes his head, pushing away the impulse. He opens his phone, hoping to distract himself by scrolling on Instagram. But the thought doesn’t go away; instead, it patiently nudges at the corner of his brain, lingering until he grants it his full attention. His dick twitches again, as if it knows he’s only a few steps removed from being inside her.

A glance at the airline app can’t hurt, he thinks. Just to see if it’s even a realistic possibility.

He isn’t sure what he’s hoping to see when he opens the Delta app—the perfect timed flight, or a flight that doesn’t work with his schedule. A quick search confirms the former, and he can’t help but laugh out loud at the situation he’s found himself in. Mat shakes his head, the reality of his decision sinking in: are you really about to do this?

He texts her, hoping the distinction of message type symbolizes that he’s serious. The response comes a few minutes later, and he lets out an audible groan when he sees that she’s naked, an arm draped across her breasts seductively. The caption comes next: ‘This is what’s waiting for you if you do decide to come.’

Twenty minutes later, he’s pulling on a baseball cap as he shuts and locks his apartment door, small duffel bag in hand.

Once the Uber drops him off, he briefly notes that it’s strange to be using the public entrance, used to the special business aviation sector that the team used for travel. He could’ve taken a private jet, if he really wanted, but purchasing a commercial ticket was both quicker and easier. And much, much less embarrassing.

He’s halfway through the security line when the reality of what he’s about to do hits him, and he can’t help but laugh at himself. Purchasing and boarding a flight within an hour—for a booty call. Talk about impulsive. And desperate.

The question of ‘why?’ briefly flits through his mind, contemplating his life choices. But then his mind trails to those gorgeous lips, pressed against his mouth, his neck, his—

“Sir, may I please have your ID?”

Mat blinks, coming back to reality, embarrassed that he let his imagination run wild in the middle of the fucking airport. As he pulls his wallet out of his pocket, he does his best to subtly adjust the half-hard erection threatening to make an appearance, smiling innocently at the TSA agent.

If he’s recognized by anyone, no one says anything, though he keeps his head down as he finds his way to his gate. ‘Chicago’ lines the monitor, the flight number and departure times floating across the bottom of the screen. Her last text buzzes in his pocket once he takes a seat, duffel bag seated on the floor by his feet.

The text is actually a photo that has him slapping the face of his phone against his leg, glancing around to make sure no one near him is in sight of his screen. Once he’s sure he’s in safe territory, he sneaks a glance at it again, thirsty for another peek of her completely nude body, a sizable pink dildo pressed against her pouty lips.

Hurry up, the message reads. I’m getting impatient.

Mat hopes nobody notices the way he twitches beneath the dark fabric of his joggers, willing his erection to chill the fuck out as he gets in line to board the plane. 

When he lands 3 hours later, Mat’s knee bounces anxiously as he glances out to watch the plane make its way down the tarmac. A quick check on his Maps app tells him he isn’t far from her apartment, and he sends a silent prayer that he can get deplaned quickly. 

Waiting is excruciating, and he already has the Uber app loaded as he exits the plane, a ride called by the time he steps off of the jet bridge. Mat’s footsteps quicken when he sees the signs pointing toward baggage claim, and it isn’t long until he’s getting into a red Toyota Camry, his driver, Todd, greeting him from the front seat.

‘The door is unlocked,’ her text read. ‘I’m in the bedroom.’

The lights are off when he enters, though the light over the sink illuminates the small kitchen just enough for him to toe his shoes off and head toward the bedroom door. Mat’s heart thuds in his chest as he nears it, nears her, fingers itching to caress every inch of her body. His dick gives another wanton pulse, like it knows its wait is almost over. 

What he sees when he opens the door has him speechless—and that’s hard to do to Mat Barzal. 

The room is dark save for the small string of fairy lights by her window and a sandalwood candle burning on the bedside table. Flickering candlelight casts a warm glow over the room, dancing on the panoramic photo of Wrigley Field on the wall across from her bed.

But Mat isn’t looking at any of that. 

Instead, his eyes are locked on his girl, lying on the bed, gazing straight at him. She’s completely naked, save for the very sheer black lace kimono, untied in the front, revealing her bareness to him entirely. Her legs are spread in a way that he has the perfect view. The warmth of the candle makes her skin look like it’s glowing, soft and golden and delicious.

This time, his dick doesn’t just twitch. It throbs. 

He thinks he might’ve let out a whimper, dropping his bag on the floor; his body moves of its own accord, approaching her bed and immediately slotting between her legs. His lips are on hers before he even realizes it, unable to deny the yearning to feel her touch any longer.

“Hi,” he murmurs against her mouth. She giggles, lips curling into a smile against his own. “Missed you.”

Her reply is a hum, hands carding through his hair, hat knocked on the floor. His lips suck, lick, and nip their way over her jaw and to the place he can feel her pulse against his lips. Mat likes the way she shivers when his breath skitters over her skin, body shuddering at the sensation. 

“Can’t believe you’re actually here,” she breathes, drawing his lips back up to hers for a heated kiss. The pressure mounts, his tongue desperately seeking out the seam of her mouth; involuntarily, his hips begin a slow grind, pressed right against her bare heat. There’s no hiding or denying his own rigid erection, groaning at the feeling of finally getting some friction after hours of waiting.

“Had to have you,” he whispers back. “Teasin’ me with those pictures like that.”

She moans when his mouth makes a sloppy, wet path from her jaw, down her neck, over her collarbones, landing on her breast. Mat licks and sucks every inch of skin he touches, drinking in the taste of her nipple between his lips. “Makin’ me so hard with these tits.”

“Just wanted to see if you were really whipped enough to fly here,” she purrs, raking her hand over his scalp when he takes her hardened peak between his teeth, biting down. His cheeks warm, embarrassed at the attention to just how desperate he is for her.

But he can’t deny it, so he doesn’t. Instead, he allows himself to indulge in her body, thinking that he might as well live up to his newfound title. 

“Need this pussy like I need water, baby,” he says with a sleek grin, letting his hand drift between her thighs, hissing with delight when he finds her drenched.  She rolls her eyes at the exaggerated comment, though she can’t ignore the flutter in her belly at his carnal need for her.

Her mouth opens to quip back, and he revels in the way a gasp usurps whatever sass she was about to deliver when he plunges a finger into her tight heat. She grips his digits snugly, squeezing him so tightly he wonders how he’s gonna fit another finger in, let alone his dick. The appendage gives another wanton throb.

The lemony jasmine of her shampoo invades his senses as his hand continues to pump, working his girl into a slow, maddening frenzy. Her back arches upward, kimono falling open so she’s all but bare to him. The slope of her breasts, curve of her waist, soft breath of her whimper draw him into her, pulling him into her trance.

Mat can tell by the high pitch in her whine that she’s bordering on desperate for something more. Slipping in another finger, he smirks against her lips when he hears the audible squelch of his digits pressing into her drenched center. The sound has his mouth watering, suddenly quenched of thirst. 

Gripping the plush, soft skin of her thighs, Mat pries her legs open—“jus’ a little more for me, sweetheart”—to make room for his broad shoulders before shifting his body down until he’s at eye-level with her waiting, wanting core. He doesn’t wait for her whimper before he’s pressing his face against her, moaning when his tongue tastes her slick. 

His girl is divine, her pussy a certain, secret entrance to the pearly gates. Each lap of his tongue isn’t nearly enough to curb his addiction, the craving never satiated. Her fingers twist into the long locks of his hair, tugging and pulling him exactly where she needs him; he’s pliant, moldable, eager to please. He’d devour her cunt whole, if he could. 

Unabashed moans encourage Mat to allow his fingers to rejoin his tongue, teasing the swollen nub at the apex of her gorgeous, heavenly slit. He drinks in her nectar like it’s the elixir of life, greedy and indulgent. The soft moans that he coaxes from her throat are just an added bonus.

He’s precise, paying close attention to the way she reacts to each flick of his tongue, each twist of his fingers. Between the choked gasps slipping from her pretty lips and the way her thighs tighten around his head, he knows he’s close—that she’s close. 

Another long, languid suck of her clit sends her hurtling into orgasm, spine arching off of the mattress. Mat’s hand rests firmly on her hip, holding her in place even despite the way her body writhes with the force of her release; he savors the taste of her flooding his mouth. 

Mat loses track of how many times he makes her come, flooding his mouth with her nectar. Three? Four? Five? His jaw aches, his mouth, chin and cheeks glistening with evidence of her arousal like he’s at a fucking all-you-can-eat buffet. He wishes Lou would let him grow a beard so he could taste her on his face for hours.

“Matty,” she sighs, and he can hear in her voice that she’s done with the foreplay. Her hands weakly tug at the cotton of his t-shirt in an attempt to draw him up to her. He obeys, pressing his mouth to her lips, letting her taste herself on his tongue; as he does, the clothed tip of his erection bumps against her open, waiting center, and she whines.

“I know, baby,” he coos, massaging the inside of her thigh with a large hand. She’s practically putty underneath his touch. “Wanna fuck you so bad I think my dick might fall off.”

“Too many clothes,” she says, voice still distant and hazy from her orgasms. Mat feels a smug sense of satisfaction at the way she weakly paws at his clothes, fingers searching for purchase in the cotton of his t-shirt. She’s right, though, and he wrenches his body from hers in favor of pulling his shirt over his head.

Heat floods her eyes and Mat watches the way her gaze falls to the cut lines of his muscle, shamelessly running over the abs and the biceps he’s worked so hard on. He’d be lying if he didn’t think of her—think of this—on the early mornings he dreaded getting out of bed to workout; the thought of her lips, her hips, her body never failing to encourage him to do one more rep. Mat knows his role, his duty, as the professional athlete: maintain the god-like physique that has her all but drooling.

And when she looks at him like that, how is he supposed to deny it?

Mat shimmies his pants off, palming his aching erection through his boxer briefs. His girl’s hand reaches up to aid him, the thin material barely a barrier between her skin and his, and he can’t help but groan at the contact.

“How long have you had this?” she purrs, stroking him leisurely. He can hardly process her words and she’s barely touched him.

“Since—fuck—since you sent me that picture.” His voice is more of a choked whisper, breath hitching in his throat when she offers him an affectionate squeeze.

“But that was hours ago, Matty,” she says, but the evil glint in her eye tells him that she isn’t really feeling sympathy for him; instead, there’s smug pride hidden behind a coy smile. “You must be desperate.”

All Mat can do is hum in response, every nerve on heightened alert as her hand drags slow, languid lines up and down his length. He knows if he opens his mouth, only nonsensical gibberish is going to come out and probably ruin the moment.

“Desperate enough to fly from Long Island to Chicago just to fuck me,” she continues musing. “I’m flattered.”

Pulling himself together—eyes closing when she gives him a squeeze—Mat steels himself to say, “Best pussy I’ve ever had. ‘Course I’m desperate for you.”

“Aww, Matty,” she says with a wry, teasing smile. “You have such a way with words.”

Impatience huffs out of Mat’s lips, doing his best to suppress a whine and a plea to please, grant him some relief. “Let me fuck you, baby.”

Her fingers dip into the waistband of his boxer briefs, tugging it down before he’s hurriedly shucking the material down his hips. “You gonna be polite?”

“Please,” he tacks on, pressing himself forward to connect his lips with hers, needing something—anything—to take the edge off. “Please, baby, swear I’ll fuck you so good.”

His girl hums, returning his kiss, letting his tongue slide into her mouth; symbolic in its action as he teases, dragging the muscle in and out in intentional, suggestive motions. He shifts his approach, letting his voice take on the sickly sweet, honeyed purr that she loves. “Know you want it, sweet girl. Bet you’re jus’ drippin’ for it, aren’t you?”

“Why don’t you find out?”

If Mat had a single ounce of resistance left in him, he’d tease her back, but he can’t draw out his own torture any longer. He lets his hand trail down her body, meeting her own that’s wrapped around his hard, bare length. His fingers brush against her, placing themselves over her hand before guiding himself toward the apex of her thighs. She smiles against his mouth, exhaling softly as his tip broaches her entrance.

“Think I can hear her purring for me,” he says, pressing his hips forward to plunge into her with a groan. A gasp leaves her mouth, hands quickly finding purchase in the dips of his shoulders. The feeling of her walls gripping him tightly nearly makes his eyes roll back in his head.

There isn’t a whisper of a retort on her tongue, his quick-witted girl rendered speechless with him sheathed inside her. As much as he loves her quick wit and feisty attitude, he can’t deny that it’s extremely satisfying to be the one to shut her up. 

For awhile, he’s content to simply stay that way, feeling the way her walls flutter around him, her body silently begging for more. But then she remembers how to speak, saying, “Mat, fuck me.”

It takes a moment to ensure he isn’t going to completely ruin everything by finishing immediately, but once he does, he lets his hips tick forward, then back, then forward again. He works the pace up to one that earns a lusty gasp in his ear, arms holding himself above her, silver chain dangling between his neck and her chin. 

“Squeezin’ onto me like your life depends on it, baby,” he grunts. “Fuck, this cunt is so worth the 3 hour flight. Would charter a private jet just to have it in my bed every single night.”

She hums, responding by wrapping her legs around his waist, welcoming him deeper. “Better make the most of it then, Barzal.”

And, well, when she puts it like that.

Mat fucks her slow, fucks her fast, doing his best to remember everything he’s thought about doing to her since he kissed her goodbye when he slipped out of her apartment two months ago. His voice is low in her ear, filthy words strung together between nips at her neck and sloppy, heated kisses against her mouth. She feels so fucking good, and he makes sure to tell her that—communication has always been one of his stronger points.

He presses his hips firmly against the backs of her thighs, burying himself as deep as he can go. His hands wander freely, one making a path between her neck and her breast, the other languidly trailing along the slope of her ass.

Her ass. Of course.

Lost in the euphoria of seeing her, touching her, tasting her, he’d almost forgotten about his very favorite body part of hers—the one he thought about on nights where he missed her, furiously fisting his length, that never failed to bring him to orgasm. Slowing his hand’s movements, he matches his smooth strokes to the tempo of his fingers kneading the globes of her ass. 

She loves it. He can tell in the way her hips roll, grinding herself against him, a feral-sounding moan coming from deep in her throat. Mat can practically feel the orgasm building inside of her, keeping his movements careful and precise, unwilling to change a single thing; he can’t tame the desire to feel her come around him.

“Matty,” she whimpers, a hand slipping between their bodies to rub at her clit. His eyes glance down to the movement, cursing lowly at the sight. “M’close.”

“Yeah, baby? You gonna come for me? Come on my cock after I flew all this way just to fuck you?”

If she tries to answer, nothing comes out other than another moan. Her eyes squeeze shut, and he imagines the fireworks that will soon dance beneath her eyelids. Fingers stroke at her soft skin, almost as if he’s willing her orgasm into existence. He lowers his voice to murmur, “I’ve been dreaming about feeling you come all over me for weeks, baby. It’s the least you can do.”

When she reaches the precipice, her body freezes beneath him, time standing still for a millisecond as she shatters. He can almost feel the way it courses through her, the way her pussy clamps onto him so tightly he sees stars of his own. 

It’s glorious. Sinfully, decadently, maddeningly exquisite. 

Mat’s patient with her comedown, whispering soft words of encouragement, hips resuming a gentle motion that probes her sensitive core. She whines, pawing at his shoulder to push him away. Her voice is gentle, a soft command. “Matty.”

“Sorry, sweetheart,” he says with a cheeky smile. “Y’feel too good.”

He’s aware, though, wants to give her a moment of reprieve before he bends her over the way he wants to. So, he suppresses a huff as he pulls out of her delicious heat, distracting himself from the loss by kissing her hotly. She seems distracted, too, sighing into his mouth, enjoying the way it feels like he’s devouring her whole.

“Wanna fuck you from behind,” he murmurs against her lips. “Watch this ass bounce on me.”

Mat helps her up, allowing her to tear her lips away from his in favor of flipping over. Once she’s settled on her hands and knees, the mattress dipping slightly beneath her weight, he takes a moment to admire the view: pussy glistening with the remnants of her orgasm, framed by the globes of her perfect ass. Heaven. 

“Gotta be inside you,” he says, a statement that’s more like a declaration.

“Quit making me wait.”

His eyebrow raises. “Thought we were being polite.”

“You are. I can be whatever I want,” she shoots back with a smile. His dick gives another mild twitch.

Mat hums. “Guess I better give the lady what she wants, then.”

Judging by the way she’s backing up to meet him, he assumes she’s had plenty of reload time and slips back into her. This time, he doesn’t take his time to ramp up, instead setting a grueling pace from the start, his hands gripping tightly onto her hips. 

A groan, followed by a loud curse. “Think about this every damn day. You, taking it from behind like this. Bent over jus’ for me.”

Her reply is to lean forward farther, spreading her arms forward onto the mattress and opening herself to him even more. Mat accepts the invitation to drive deeply into her, hips slapping loudly against the back of her thighs. The thought of her neighbors briefly flits through his mind, but another glance back down at her ass has that consideration slipping away as quickly as it came. He doesn’t care who hears or who he wakes up; hell, he’d be fine telling the entire world that he gets to fuck her.

“Since you came all this way, you deserve a treat,” she says, twisting her head to glance over her shoulder at him. The sight of her peachy, round ass and her bedroom eyes looking up at him makes his balls tighten.

“And what might that be?” Mat accentuates the question by squeezing her hips tightly. He swallows down the comment that this, here, being inside of her, is already reward enough.

“I’ll let you come inside.”

Since their trysts began, she’s made Mat relieve himself elsewhere—her chest, her ass, her face; his mind briefly flits to each, reminiscing on the mental snapshot he took each time. The thought of not just not having to pull out moments before the strongest climaxes of his life, but at the idea of finishing inside of her is enough to have his heart pulsing rapidly in his chest. 

“Yeah? You want me to fill you up?” he says with a grin, leaning forward to brush his lips against her ear. The action presses him even deeper inside of her, his hips snug against the curve of her ass as he whispers, “Fuck my load deep inside this perfect little cunt?”

She nods, mouth opening in a silent gasp when he gives a particularly hard thrust. “Yeah. Wanna feel you, Matty.”

Her eyes shoot open when he pauses his movements, glancing back at him in protest when he pulls away. Both hands pull lightly on her hips, encouraging her to flip over onto her back. When she does, her eyes catch his and he smiles. 

“Wanna see your face when I come,” he says with a shrug, easing himself back into her waiting core. 

“Oh, he’s down bad.”

He laughs, face crinkling into a smile despite the way the burn of euphoria builds in his stomach. A hand drags down the outside of her leg, tucking her calf around his hip. “Fuck off.”

“Are you gonna come in me or not?”

“You begging for it?” 

The four words dramatically change the mood; Mat watches her eyes darken as they sink in. Like he gave a secret code to have her submissive and pliant beneath him. Her voice is barely above a whisper, her lips pouty. “Please, Matty.”

Mat slows his hips, savoring the way her pussy sucks him in, greedy. He can’t help the grin that curls up on his face, watching the way her eyebrows knit together. “You’re gonna have to do better than that, sweetheart.”

“Please, baby,” she whines, “wanna feel you come in me. I—I need it.”

He hums. “Been dreaming about filling this tight pussy up for months, baby. Wanna watch my cum drip out of this slutty little cunt.”

“Please,” is her whispered plea—quiet and desperate.

“You sound so pretty when you beg,” he says with a smirk. The pace of his hips increase, balls tightening with the threat of his climax. He listens to her moans, the sound of his skin against hers, the rustle of the sheets beneath his knees. His girl’s hands tighten around his shoulders, holding onto him as she absorbs the weight of his thrusts, body shifting up and down on the mattress. 

Mumbles of her name, of obscenities, flow out of his mouth, low murmurs in her ear. His rhythm starts to falter, no longer a steady metronome but a series of sloppy, uneven thrusts as Mat finds it harder and harder to stay focused. 

The release starts deep in his core, bursting through with a loud groan as he finally meets his end, reveling in the feeling of spilling inside of her. It’s freeing to have no barriers between him and her, to feel her in all of her pure, whole self, the way she contracts tightly around him as her own final climax barrels through her. Mat’s vision goes fuzzy, and for a moment he’s pretty sure his soul ascends out of his body.

It occurs to Mat that he’s slumped on top of her, panting into the crook of her neck while soft, small hands trace lazy lines up and down his spine. The touch ignites his nerve endings, sending another wave of consciousness through his system. Her nails drag delicious, soothing lines onto his scalp, and he feels his throat vibrate against her collarbone in a moan. His vision gradually grows from fuzzy to just a bit of a haze when he peels his eyes open.

“Baby, that was the—”

“Hardest you’ve ever come?”

Mat blinks, fully back in reality now, shifting his head to look at her in disbelief. “How did you know?”

She chuckles, lips brushing against his ear. “You said that last time, too.”

[evilvillain123456789]

Your daughter has lice so you shave her gross head, & on the back of her head you find a QR code, clearly not tattooed on (She was born with a full head of hair and never got it cut more than a trim until now, no opportunity for anyone to sneak a tattoo in) but clear as day, with crisp lines, no redness so clearly its been there for a while. So you take a photo of it and post it to facebook asking what that is what's going on why is it there and all your friends from church start messaging you directly, saying some pretty awful, out of character stuff. Warning you not to scan the fucking code. Dont scan the fucking code you god damned bastard. Do not. So you don't, cause you're scared. And you put her to sleep without telling her anything, with a head covered in mayo youre gonna wash out the next morning I know its thursday night but you know what, let's, lets get you a three day weekend. Okay? Okay daddy. Love you. Goodnight. Woken up at like 12 am by the sound of your door being smashed in, you see men in riot gear breaking your shit down, breaking all your shit, and you can't fucking stop them. Two of them are grabbing you. Grabbing you hard, holding you down but you can see more of them coming into your house. You see them go upstairs to your daughters bedroom, and drag her out as she screams but they cover her mouth and shes hitting and kicking them and biting their hands but theyre so armored and strong it doesnt even matter. It doesnt matter. And as you see this going down you try to scream but the men restraining you put a dirty cloth in your mouth and you start gagging, choking. And your eyes are bloodshot. Youre crying hot tears. And once you see them drag your daughter out the doors and load your her into a van the two men holding you nod at eachother, before one turns towards you and starts strangling you until you pass out while the other holds a finger to his ear and starts talking, but you can't hear, you cant read his lips...

& you wake up the next morning with your heart pounding, and a gross feeling in your mouth. And you immediately run up the stairs to see your daughter sleeping peacefully in her bed, still bald. Mayo on her head. Mayo smeared on her pillowcase from rolling over. So you rustle her awake. Hey sweetpea. Are you, are you feeling alright? How are you feeling. And she groans and asks if you were serious about not taking her to school today. All sleepy still... Yeah. I meant it.. Lets wash that mayo off.. Come on.. You lead her to the shower and start rinsing.. But there's no QR code. No QR code anywhere. You log onto facebook and check what you posted... Back-of-head pic of your bald daughter, no QR code. Check the comments, its your church friends. Ha! Did someone get lice? oh, that sounds terrible. praying for smooth recovery. Why is she bald? Why did you do this? Is this some kind of joke? Oh, lice. Tell her I send good luck.... All the people who messaged you yesterday. You check your messages. Wiped. Nothing.

Your front door is intact. The shit the men smashed is still there. There's no blood anywhere. You're not bruised. Did you just fucking imagine all that? You pace around but something close to the cieling catches your eye,

a smear of mayo

[mactavsh]

Situational Awareness

Synopsis: The boys get captured following a lead on Shepherd and it’s up to you to save them before its too late.

Relationships: Task Force 141 x Gender Neutral Reader (Platonic)

Word Count: 3.9K

Warnings: violence, swearing, mentions of blood/injuries

Note: someone said feral reader so here we are

Masterlist

You should have been with them. You weren't sure if it would have made any difference but you belonged with your team. The previous mission left you with a decent gash along your arm, just enough that you were benched for the current excursion. While the boys shipped out you worked overwatch with Laswell, gathering intel and guiding the boys in the field.

A lead on Shephard and the remnants of Shadow Company led the team to an abandoned factory compound. Throughout the mission, they were in constant contact with the base at least they were supposed to be. Gaz announced they were breaching another building and that was the last contact you received from them.

After a half hour of silence, Laswell started trying to pull up satellite images, anything that could shed light on what happened. Kate managed to get a drone to the area but there was nothing, like they disappeared without a trace.

Two weeks later you finally found something actionable. You led a small team to a safehouse Laswell discovered. After a bit of not-so-gentle persuading, the Shadows there gave up a set of coordinates.

As soon as you were back on base you practically ran to Laswell's office to give them to her. Much to your dismay, she didn't share in your urgency or so you thought.

"That will take too long!" You paced the room, shaking your head as you spoke.

"We can't go in blind, Y/n"

"If we wait any longer they'll all be dead if they aren't already." You stopped in front of her desk.

Laswell sighed and stared ahead at her computer. She had put the coordinates in and was looking at satellite images of the area. "We have their location that's good but it's not enough. We need to get a team together, find building schematics."

"You know as well as I do, not one of them will talk. As soon as Shepherd gets bored they will be killed."

"I can't authorize an op without more information. We need to surveil the building first. Figure out how many people are there, if Shephard is there." She stood from the desk, her tone shifting. "However, I am technically not your commanding officer."

She turned to face the window and you realized what she was doing. You quickly took a photo of the screen, making sure to capture each image before you stepped back.

"I understand." You spoke as she turned back around to face you. "You know how to reach me."

As you turned to leave Kate spoke once more. "Be careful, Y/n."

"I will."

-

It wasn't hard to formulate a plan, after all, you were recruited by Price for a reason. Your strategic thinking went almost unmatched and your propensity for stealth made you deadly. You waited for nightfall before sneaking off base with all the gear you'd need and some that packed a bigger punch.

The drive was tense as you got closer to your target, you stopped in a clearing a few miles north to avoid detection and hiked the rest of the way. No overwatch and no backup, you triple-checked your gear. There was no room for error here.

The two-mile hike seemed to pass in an instant, your feet carrying you on autopilot through the dark forest. Looking up at the building when it finally came into view you gathered what information you could. Three floors, unknown if there was a basement. One large receiving door and two entrances on the northern and western sides of the warehouse.

Your plan was to use stealth to take out as many Shadows as possible. Moving floor by floor looking for the boys. You knew you would inevitably be discovered, so you'd hoped at that point you would have found at least one of them and that they were in any condition to help you fight.

You decide to enter through the northern entrance. The first objective was to steal a uniform so you could move through the building easier. As you went you were to keep an eye out for weak points, places to set one of the many charges you had brought with you.  After tightening the straps of your vest and double-checking the C4 in your backpack, you readied yourself as you moved out of the tree line and toward the door.

Situational awareness. They practically beat it into in when you enlist, it could very easily be the difference between life and death. You thanked whatever high power was up there for granting you a natural affinity for the skill. You were on high alert each cell in your body buzzing, your highly trained eyes scanning the environment for threats.

Approaching the door you turned the handle slowly. Peeking in you checked both directions before entering fully.

The door opened to a long hallway that was empty as you entered. Slowly you moved in deeper, listening closely for movement. The familiar weight of the rifle in your hands was welcome as you delved further into unknown enemy territory.

The rifle however was simply to keep up apprentices while inside until all hell broke loose. Shooting it would attract every Shadow in the building to your presence. You had also attached a silencer to your sidearm but even still the shot could be heard if someone was close enough. Even if the noise wasn't heard, the blood would certainly be noticed. Snapping necks or choking them out was dangerous because you had to get up close but it was clean and quiet. Stealth takedowns are your best option for ensuring no one knew you were infiltrating the base until you wanted them to.

A single set of footsteps could be heard approaching from behind you so you ducked into a closet. Leaving the door open a crack you waited for the Shadow to be in front of it before pouncing. You grabbed him in a chokehold and dragged him back into the closet. He thrashed in your hold but not long before you had enough of a grip to snap his neck. He fell limp and you slowly guided his body down to the floor.

Lucky for you he seemed to be about your size so you made quick work of relieving him of his uniform. You momentarily removed your tac vest to put on the jacket with the Shadow Company emblem. Your vest was already black so it fit in with the uniform. It had seen you through countless missions, quickly becoming an extension of you. Price had given it to you when you joined the 141 and it has been with you ever since. You grabbed the gaiter and helmet next, adjusting them to fit properly over your face, effectively shielding your identity.

You strapped the dead man's rifle to your back for later and brought yours up as you exited the closet once more. Head held high you continued pushing forward.

Turning down the next hallway you paid close attention to the attached rooms. It was quiet, you couldn’t hear many voices if any. You didn’t have time to clear each room but some of the doors had windows allowing you to confirm those particular rooms were empty. You stashed that information in your mind for later.

Footsteps approached from in front of you but you held fast. A Shadow rounded the corner, not paying any attention to you. A plan quickly formed in your head. You waited until he passed you and was standing next to the door of one of the empty rooms before calling out to him.

“Excuse me,” He paused his walking and you approached so you were standing in front of him. “I seem to be a little lost, could you tell me where the armory is?” You lied.

He rolled his eyes and just as he was about to speak you lunged, maneuvering him into the empty room and kicking the door shut behind you. He fell lying on his stomach, so you straddled him and held his wrists against his back. "Where’s the 141?"

He gritted his teeth as he squirmed. "Fuck you, I’m not telling you shit.”

You tutted in his ear. “Is that really how you want this to go?”

“I’m dead either way." He grunted as he struggled beneath you.

“So you’re not entirely stupid then.” You shifted both of your positions so you were on the ground behind him, holding him firmly with your thighs as you pulled his arm at an awkward angle.

"You have a choice here." Your voice was low, calm. "I can kill you quickly and painlessly. Or," You tugged on his arm earning a groan from him. "I can make sure you bleed out nice and slow where no one will find you."

He grunted at the pressure before he spoke. "The Captain is in a cell on this level, south hallway with the Brit two doors down from him."

"What about the other two?" When he didn't answer right away, you pulled on his arm once more, popping it out of the socket.

He yelled in pain and you quickly brought a gloved hand over his mouth to muffle the noise.

You waited for the man to still before removing your hand. He spoke hurriedly as soon as the barrier was gone. "The Scot was being annoying so they pulled him out of his cell and brought him to the top floor. The big guy is there too."

"What's up there?" You shifted again, putting him in a chokehold.

"Interrogation."

“What about Shepherd?”

“He left a few days ago, I don’t know where.”

"Good boy." You patted his head before snapping his neck. You stood and dragged the body deeper into the room, out of view from the door. You planted some C4 in the room before readjusting your gear back into place. Stretching your neck you headed out of the room and toward the southern end of the building.

The building was large and you mentally kicked yourself for entering on the opposite side of where the boys were, not that you could’ve known. The long walk however did give you an opportunity to take out many of the patrolling Shadows as well as get a better idea of stairwells and possible escape routes.

Finally, you entered the hallway in question. There was only one guard stationed outside the doors. Obviously, they didn't think anyone would be stupid enough to storm their castle. You waited until you were right in front of the guard to pounce. Quickly reaching up and snapping his neck then lowering the body quietly to the floor. You pulled the keys off his belt, opened the door, and dragged the body in with you.

The cell was dimly lit and smelled strongly of blood. Price was chained to a chair in the middle of the room. He slowly raised his head looking at the dead Shadow then at you, a weary expression crossing his bloodied features. You pulled your mask down as you approached him.

"Y/n?" He spoke, voice horse.

"Nice to see you, Cap."

He paused squinting at you through a black eye as you unlocked his bindings. After you finished you hooked the keys back onto your vest and stood in front of him.

"Where's your team?" The Captain questioned, finally noticing no other soldiers were with you.

"My team went and got themselves captured."

Price grabbed your bicep as he stood. "Y/n, did you come here alone?"

"Didn't have a choice. You boys were running out of time and Laswell's hands were tied."

"Christ."

"I know, reprimand me later. Gaz is down the hall, Soap and Ghost are on the top floor." You handed him one of the guns you looted off a Shadow. "We're all we got."

He took the gun and nodded. "That's all we need."

You moved toward the Shadow you had just killed, quickly relieving him of his uniform and helmet then handing it to Price. "Can't have you breaking my cover just yet."

"As soon as we have everyone, we're blowing this place to high hell." He spoke as he got dressed, wincing when he tightened the vest over his chest.

"What d'ya thinks in my backpack?" You smirked.

"Remind me to separate you and Soap from now on."

"Aw come on, sir." You feigned offense as you stepped up to the door, pulling your mask back up and preparing to move. You pulled more explosives from your back, carefully affixing them to the wall.

With your back turned you couldn't see the small smile that crossed Price’s features as he looked at you, a sense of pride swelled in his chest. He pulled up his mask as he took position behind you. "Take point, kid."

"Copy." You opened the door, looking both ways before stepping fully out. Quickly you moved two doors down. You unhooked the keys from your vest and unlocked the door.

"I'll watch the hall." Price spoke, closing the door for you as you entered the room.

Gaz's cell was the same as Price’s; same dim light and metallic scent. You pulled your mask down and the scent hit you hard. Shaking it off you moved toward Gaz, his head was limp against his chest, slow breaths could be heard emanating from him.

"Gaz?" You kneeled down and set a hand on his shoulder as soon as you were close enough. Blood slowly trickled from his nose and you assumed it was broken by the new angle it was bent at.

"Come on Kyle, we gotta go." You gently shook him, a light groan left him as he woke.

Bleary eyes met yours as he regained consciousness, a smile forming from cracked lips. "My hero."

You rolled your eyes and smiled at him before gently removing the chains holding him in place and standing in front of him. "Can you stand?"

Tentatively he stood grabbing your shoulder for support. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before opening them, clearer than they were before. "Ready to roll."

The door opened and Price dragged a dead guard in with him. You felt Gaz tense next to you and realized Price still had his mask up, so you addressed him. “Having fun out there without me, Captain?”

Price pulled his mask down and looked toward Gaz who relaxed his grip on your shoulder. "Wouldn’t dream of it. Good to see you're still standing, Sergeant."

"You too, Cap." Gaz let go of you, rolling his shoulders back in preparation for the fight to come.

"Get dressed," You pointed at the Shadow Price just dragged in. "Soap and Ghost are on the top floor."

"Don't you have a squad with you?" Gaz questioned.

"No, they came by themselves." Price interjected.

"Badass." Gaz moved to high-five you.

Price grabbed Gaz's wrist before his hand could meet yours, placing the Shadow's uniform in it instead. "Don't encourage them."

You smiled sheepishly at Gaz as you moved back toward the door. "We should get moving. I've made a dent in their numbers but it's only a matter of time before someone finds the trail of bodies I've left and sets off some alarms." You pulled some C4 from your pack and affixed it to the wall next to the door. "Ready?"

"Got your back," Gaz spoke as he finished getting dressed. Price handed him the gun that the Shadow had been carrying. He pulled his mask back up and you and Gaz mirrored the motion.

You opened the door, the two men falling into step behind you. You lead them to one of the stairwells you’d noticed earlier, it would take you straight to the top floor. You didn’t want to prolong your stay here any longer, neither of the men with you would admit it but you could see the physical toll their time here had taken. They both moved cautiously and you could see a slight limp from Gaz.

After ascending the stairs, stopping a couple of times to plant explosives, you slowly approached the door. You peeked through the small window in the door. The top floor was much smaller than the rest, the door opened to a large room with one door situated to the right, and one guard stationed in front of it. He was a hulking figure, taller than Ghost but leaner. He stood between you and the room that held the rest of your team.

Years of sparring with Ghost had taught you how to fight an opponent who was stronger and bigger than you. He wanted to make sure you knew how to defend yourself in any situation. Mentally, you thanked him as you formed a plan of attack.

"Let me get him out of the way. Keep going," You unhooked the keys from your vest and handed them to Price. "Ghost and Soap should be through that door. As soon as I engage, move."

"Y/n-" Gaz began to protest but you cut him off.

"Neither of you are in any condition to fight him off and we can't make too much noise until we get through that door. That big fucker is the last thing standing between us and them. I'll be right behind you." You pulled three comms from your vest and handed one to Price and Gaz then put the other in your own ear. You pulled out two more and handed them to Price who tucked them into his pocket. "And if we're still doing our dance by the time you're done then I'll shoot him and we can blow these fuckers sky high."

“Shouldn’t I be giving the orders?” Price spoke with no real heat.

“I’m open to suggestions, I’m a just and fair tyrant.” You smiled and Price shook his head.

"We'll be fast," Gaz spoke up and patted your shoulder.

"You better." You spoke as you exited the stairwell and headed straight for the guard.

He stood up straighter as you got close, eyeing you incredulously. “No one is allowed up here. Name and rank?” He spoke, voice stern.

“Ah yes,” You stopped right in front of him. “Sergeant none ya business.” You smiled and could have sworn you heard Soap’s voice from the other side of the door.

“Who’s your commanding officer?” He raised his voice more, crossing his arms as he stared you down.

“That would be Captain kiss my ass.” This time you were sure you’d heard Soap laughing. Deciding not to further press your luck with the bantering you sent a swift kick into the man's crotch. It was a low blow sure but this was Shadow Company and they deserve far worse for their actions in Las Almas. He doubled over and you used your leverage to throw him to the side and away from the door.

“Now, Price!” You yelled into your comm. Quickly the pair ran from the stairwell and toward the door, unlocking it and heading inside.

Your opponent had recovered and lunged toward you, but easily you dodged. Kicking a leg out you knocked him off balance and onto the floor.

It was a momentarily lapse, your mind focused solely on the opponent in front of you, and you didn't notice the one that had just exited the stairs. A shot rang out, then a scream tore from your throat. The bullet lodged itself into your pelvis and you fell backward. The first guard lunged positioning himself on top of you and wrapping his hands firmly around your throat.

“Y/n what’s going on?” Price’s worried voice sounded in your ear but you couldn’t respond. Your body acted on pure instinct then, grabbing your sidearm and firing two shots. One for the man above you and one for the other, both bullets hitting their mark.

The Shadow fell limp on top of you, effectively knocking the wind out of your lungs. Your side screamed in protest at the weight but you were unable to move.

"Y/n, how copy?" Price's voice rang through your ear again as your vision began to blur. Strength slowly left your body as you tried to push the dead Shadow off of you to no avail.

Suddenly the weight was lifted off of you. Ghost and Price threw the Shadow to the side while Soap kneeled next to you. “Y/n you keep those pretty eyes open for me, aye?”

“Doing my best, Johnny.” You wheezed out, the fog quickly leeching into your mind.

He smiled softly at you. “I know.”

Ghost was staring at you behind his mask, worry creasing his eyes. “What’s our exfil?”

“There’s a truck two miles north of here in a clearing.” You spoke, wincing as Soap put pressure on your wound.

"Reinforcements?" Ghost questioned.

Price sighed, "Y/n came alone."

"Bloody hell." Ghost feigned disappointment, despite your current state, he was impressed.

"That's fuckin' badass." Soap beamed at you, squeezing your shoulder.

"That's what I said." Gaz smiled, wincing when he reopened his lip again.

"Stop encouraging them." Price shook his head as he spoke. “Ghost grab them let’s get the hell out of here.”

The conversion sounded further and further away as blood pooled beneath you. You used your last bit of energy to pull the detonator from your vest and handed it to Soap.

“Do the honors would ya?” You breathed out before the world went dark.

-

Heat radiating in your side brought you slowly to consciousness. Your brain struggled to regain traction in the fog that clouded it. The mission came back to you slowly, the fight, the gunshot, the boys. Panic set in, you didn’t know if they got out. Your eyes shot open as you sat up, violent dots danced in your vision and you could hear movement near you, something beeped incessantly to your right.

A familiar voice entered your ears. “Hey, you’re okay, I got you.”

Calloused hands settled on your shoulders, grounding you. The beeping slowed. “You’re in the hospital on base.”

Your eyes finally cleared and you could see Price standing next to your bed. He gently guided you to lay back down and that's when you noticed the rest of the team at the foot of your bed. Various bandages and bruises littered their bodies but they were alive.

You tried to speak but ended up coughing instead. Ghost appeared in front of you and silently handed you a glass of water with a straw.

“Did I miss a party?” You managed after wetting your throat, voice still hoarse.

“It seems we did.” Soap smiled patting your shin.

“How're you feeling?” Gaz asked.

You shrugged. “Good as I can I guess. Just glad everyone made it out.”

“You did good,” Price spoke. “But don’t ever do that again or I will sign your discharge forms myself.”

“Yes sir.” He smiled at you and patted your shoulder. You knew the statement came from a place of worry. Your infiltration could have easily gone a different route and you could have been sitting in the morgue right now.

Instead, you were surrounded by your found family.

A light atmosphere settled in the room, you watched content as the boys chatted amongst themselves. You laughed at the terrible jokes Ghost and Soap were telling each other. Smiled while Gaz and Price told the story of Gaz falling out of a helicopter for the millionth time. The 141 would live to fight another day and god help anyway who tried to stand in their way.

[coffeelomort]

Blue Bouquet Ep 2 Part 2 Livestream Summary

They talked about that oshi card tool they introduced a while ago, you can find it here

They showed the cards that the seiyuus made! You can see the other seiyuus and their oshi cards on their respective Twitters! (Side note, it was really fun watching the JP speaking fanbase go absolutely ballistic with the tool)

(Myunna's seiyuu struggled with the present announcement for this stream)

They chatted for a while about the story (both Episode 1 and the first part of Episode 2); parts they liked and whatnot.

Louterstella's seiyuu called the first part of Ep 2 the "Rakkyo and Baking Powder Incident", or something along those lines.

They showed the relationship chart that was posted to Twitter before the episode aired. (An interesting point is that Willmesh's lord is listed as unknown in this graphic...)

(The energy for this livestream is so much calmer without Nobunaga and Kurode's seiyuu...)

They're doing a little quiz game as they usually do before the episode starts.

(Nevermind what I said about the calm energy thing, Willmesh and Myunna's seiyuu seem pretty high tension...)

I think the quiz this time is the seiyuus pairing up, with one of the seiyuus drawing a constellation based on a word they pulled from a box and the other trying to guess what it is. I don't know if Willmesh's seiyuu was fucking around or what, but he got the extremely obvious answer at the last second. Louterstella's seiyuu's constellation was extremely hard to decipher... it was a gear lol

I'm not entirely sure why, but Klarkstella's seiyuu started making face at the camera... I think it's because he didn't get the answer in time but they gave it to him anyway.

Brief break happened here for the voice drama!

And we're back!

They're showing off the Wish is... t-shirt for the night concert on the second day! (That's this weekend!)

They also have the functional penlight this time! It has colours for each character. They also have the clear cards modeled after Insta-like sites, the rubber wristband, and the neck towel(?)! (The wristband is surprisingly really well made, judging from a photo I saw on Twitter)

They talked a bit about the episode we just watched. (I got up to make a coffee during this part so I wasn't paying the most attention)

The seiyuus also think Cielomort is suspicious, lol. They were apologising in advance in the case he just turns out to be a normal and honest guy.

New Fragaria info! They're talking about the songs! (Willmesh and Myunna's seiyuus went nuts with the penlights when they played Haikei Akatsuki Someru Niji yo...)

They showed a bit of the new song, "Bouquet of Wishes"!!! It's debuting at 9:30 JST and on streaming sites locally at 07/08 midnight!

I think they'll be livestreaming the live show, by the way, I'm not quite sure where and I think you have to buy a ticket? Don't quote me on that though.

They're revealing some new information about Wish is... this weekend! They showed a preview of the 3D models and dance for Haikei Akatsuki Someru Niji yo!! (They really weren't kidding about the Stella twins being tall, Louterstella is so long)

People who bought the more expensive tickets get some exclusive merch, like the t-shirts the seiyuus are wearing.

Also Ikebukuro Station has advertising for the live show!

There's going to be new goods for game centres coming out in August! New keychains and pouches! There's also the hand fans that were mentioned at some point on their Twitter.

Looks like Animate will be rerunning the coasters they were giving out with purchases earlier in the year.

They're talking about the wafers again! They all pulled cards on stream. They managed to pull both the Red and Noir Bouquet cards, as well as Hangyon and Puruth. Not a single Blue Bouquet card, so they begged the staff for more wafers to try again. Second time around they pulled Louterstella, Chaco, and another Noir Bouquet.

This week's Night Link will be Kurode and Myunna!

[fioreofthemarch]

Finding Her - Chapter 13

Link makes notes, takes photos and keeps time on his quest across Hyrule, in the hopes of finding Zelda and staying sane until he does. [ Previous | Next | First | AO3 ]

Log date: 17:30. 7th month, 27th day 10AC. Location: Gerudo Desert Gateway  Weather: Hot, low humidity 

Started the week at Outskirts Stables. Picked up a few errands here and there — the Stable Trotters have lost their flutist (flautist? flutee?), one of the stablehands wanted to catch a stalhorse so for his own good I said I’d do it, and Penn, of course, had a new lead. 

We interviewed Nell, one of the Zonai researchers, who said he’d been asked by a stranger to help her find her friend. Something felt off he said. I’ve known Nell a while, since before the Calamity ended — he’s one of Zelda’s more sensible researchers, and hard to fool. Believed him right away. 

I had a hunch, and came up with a plan. Fetched a bucket of water from the stable and went in search of the woman, with Penn in tow. Found her shading under a large tree, mumbling something about her friend being lost and in danger. 

Step one: take the bucket, and upend it over the woman. Her shriek made me doubt this, but only for a moment. As she and Penn were demanding to know what was going on, I prepared step two: a Topaz Rod, recently won from a wizzrobe in Hyrule Ridge. The woman’s eyes went wide. ‘What are you doing?’ 

I said that she must recognise me, and know my name, and have heard of what I had done to Yiga like her. I held the electric rod towards her soaked clothes and assured her that I had no wish to hurt anyone, but that I knew what I was capable of, now. And that neither of us should want to find out what that was. 

The woman disappeared in a puff of smoke and in her place — a Yiga in full gear. ‘Kohga will hear of this’, they said, and then they were gone. Do I feel bad? Not sure. A little fear can go a long way, and avoid a lot of bloodshed. Still, Penn’s been nervous around me ever since. 

From Outskirts Stable, we hiked to Gerudo Canyon. Penn decided to join, having heard of further rumours of Zelda’s whereabouts. It was tough going over rocky and sometimes flooded terrain, but it wasn’t all bad: we rescued three lost travellers, and helped unblock the well at the Gerudo Canyon stables. 

I do feel bad about that. It was only after we opened the well (standard issue monster infestation) that I remembered it was Zelda who ordered it closed in the first place. We promised to come back and clear it out, but never did. Thankfully the owner didn’t seem to remember me. Or maybe, he was too polite to complain.

A photograph of the now defunct Gerudo Canyon Stables, its furniture and wears packed into large boxes. Penn is sitting atop some of them, scribbling notes for his next article.  

Caption: I hope they stay, after all. 

---

Warning: Detecting high levels of particulate matter, Purah Pad geographic sensors offline. 

Please keep the Purah Pad ports, buttons and casings free of sand, dust or other abrasives. The Purah Pad’s patented level surface visual-tactile interface is not scratch resistant, at this time.

---

Log date: 12:15. 7th month, 28th day 104AC Location: Kara Kara Bazaar, Gerudo Desert  Weather: Sandstorm. Visibility ten metres. 

Made it to Kara Kara Bazaar. Instinct says turn back. Don’t like ignoring it, when so far it’s kept me alive. 

Not far from Gerudo Canyon the trouble facing Gerudo presented itself — a sandstorm, and a big one. Can’t even tell where it ends, except that it hasn’t reached Kara Kara. If it were just a storm, I’d wait to let it pass – eat a few hydromelons, snooze by the oasis…

But it’s not just a storm. 

I’d just purchased a Gerudo headband to stay cool when I heard two Hylians arguing: You go find him! No, you go! Their buddy was missing in the storm, so I offered to help. They said he’d run off after gibdo attacked the bazaar. Gibdo? They didn’t know how to explain, their only advice being don’t get grabbed. Easy enough. I headed out and met with an ocean of scratchy brown air. Nothing but sand and cactuses and shrubs until… something moved. 

Just one at first, then more, and then they were everywhere. Shambling, creaking things with long mandibles and beady eyes. I hit one with an arrow, and then a sword, and it didn’t flinch. Then it had its hands on me, jaws clicking and oozing, inches from my face. I froze up, but instinct kicked in and I shook free, running fast as I could and stumbling over sand until suddenly it gave way and I was falling — down, down, down. 

The good news is I found Ponthos, the missing Hylian. He’d gotten stuck in a cave below a sinkhole. We made it back to Kara Kara without running into another one of those things, and his buddies were so happy they gave me an orb. Which isn’t rupees, but surely someone is in the market for… orb. 

The bad news is Gerudo Town is at the centre of the storm, I think. And the only way to reach them (and help them) is to make my way there on foot. 

A photograph of Gerudo Desert and the blanket of raging sand that covers it. A Zonai creation - a sled with a fan and steering stick attached - is poised ready to go just outside the edge of the storm. 

Caption: Maybe I don’t have to go on foot, exactly.

---

Log date: 05:35. 7th month, 29th day 104AC Location: Underground Shelter, Gerudo Town  Weather: Sandstorm. Visibility five metres.  

Arrived in Gerudo Town, found it abandoned. Snooped around until I found Riju’s diary (why do people always leave them open and so easy to read…)

She wrote of the sudden appearance of the sandstorm, the hasty evacuation of everyone into an underground shelter, and her wish to do something to help, going off to the North Ruins to train. 

We kept close contact with Chief Riju, over the years. She and Zelda had a lot in common. They were two sides of the same coin in a way; Zelda led through analysis, weighing options, evaluating outcomes, where Riju led through action, trial and error, and gathering feedback. They relied on each other a lot, and together they made it work. 

So no surprise to find Riju taking a hands on approach. She’d been working on a lightning power and just needed arrows to help her guide her focus. I was happy to oblige. When she heard that Zelda was still missing, she paused a moment, and looked back to the storm: ‘Let’s sort this mess out first, Link’.

Mess is an understatement. The gibdo marched on Kara Kara first, and then Gerudo Town. We figured out fast enough that they’re weak to electricity, it practically blows them up. Fire burns them and water turns them to mud, so plenty of options. But there’s also plenty of them, and their nests take a beating before they go down. Worse, some of them fly. Others are fast. We only survived the attacks thanks to Captain Teake’s soldiers and Lieutenant Padda’s cannons, as well as Riju’s lightning. She challenged me to a contest before each fight: whoever downed the most gibdo got the wildberry tart she’d been saving. But we both stopped counting after fifty, so we split the reward.

Now I’m here, in the underground shelter. Suppose they don’t mind a voe around so long as he saved the town. Riju hasn’t slept – she’s working on a lead about the source of the sandstorm. Will help her soon. For now, in the mood for breakfast, and keen to try the fried voltfruit they make here… 

A photograph of the painted mural in the Gerudo underground shelter, a determined Riju standing before it. She is deep in thought, a hand to her chin. There is no hint of fatigue on her features. 

Caption: Never seen a Gerudo back down from a challenge.  

---

Log date: 17:45. 7th month, 29th day 104AC Location: The Mural’s Myth (Lightning Temple), Gerudo Desert  Weather: Sandstorm. Visibility less than one metre. 

Injured. Typing with right hand. Left in bad shape. 

Made it to Lightning Temple. Three pillars in the desert, three lights, metal conduit in the middle. Hit it with Riju’s lightning. “Zelda” was there, but gone soon after. Big stone temple rose from the sand. Mural’s Myth? Probably not what it was called. 

Big bug guarding it. BIG bug – the Gibdo Queen. Not fun. Never any fun. Gotta be source of the storm. 

We chased her off, Riju’s lightning very helpful. But I got bit, left hand. A gibdo jumped me, sunk in its teeth. Hurts bad. Bandaged it up, fairy tonic didn’t do much. Poison? Hand’s burning. 

Going on anyway. Can’t leave Riju alone, can’t let Gibdo Queen escape. Hurts hurts hurts. Riju seems scared, but trying not to show it. Gotta show her we can still do this – that she can still do this. 

A photograph of the outside of the Lightning Temple, the ancient stone pyramid emerging from the sand. The photo is a little blurry, taken with unsteady hands. 

Caption: Stay alive. Just stay alive.  

---

Log date: 10:20. 7th month, 31st day 104AC Location: Gerudo Down Weather: Clear. Hot. 

Where to begin. I, Chief Riju, of Gerudo Town, am making this account, in the season of the Sun, on the tenth day of the fifth Heroine. I believe the equivalent Hylian date is attached to this log, so I will not transcribe it. 

I am pleased to report that all is well in Gerudo Town. By the Heroine’s and the Goddess’ blessing, Link is still with us. We have seen his illness before, many times. The lizalfos of Gerudo Desert often use poison as defence, but a concoction of voltfruit and electric saffina is a powerful salve, and it worked quickly to heal Link’s infected hand. His injuries there still pain him, so I have offered to keep up the task of maintaining this extensive photojournal, for the time being. 

We had just arrived at the Lightning Temple the day before last, to confront the Queen Gibdo. It was there that Link was injured, but he insisted we continue, and that I lead the way. “Your power opened this place, and your power destroyed the gibdos. I’m just a conduit.” 

And so we went on – through winding hallways, treacherous traps, and puzzling chambers, up and up through the huge pyramid structure until we at last reached the roof, and the den of that foul beast. 

She was magnificent, in her own terrible way: six segmented legs with snatching talons, a fluttering scruff from which her shrieks shook the air, and grotesque hairy wings that bent and warped in impossible ways. She, like all monarchs, was fiercely protective of her subjects — and to the death.  

Link’s strength had been waning our entire climb, and there were beads of sweat on his face that I knew were not from the desert heat. By the time we felled the Queen Gibdo – in a desperate and chaotic fight – he could barely stand. When I shook his hand to pass on my Vow, as was my sacred duty as the Sage of Lightning, I could feel him shaking. 

I admit, I don’t know what I would have done, if he hadn’t made it. I have lived with so much doubt for so long ��� am I doing what is right? Am I worthy of being Chief? Link’s confidence in me erased these doubts, and his perseverance was what won the day, I believe. 

After he’d recovered, needing only a day to come back from the brink of death, Link proposed a new way to hone my abilities. “The leader of the Yiga Clan is hiding in the Depths below Hyrule. I’d like your help to root him out.” I wish I could capture the look on Buliara’s face when he suggested it! But she could hardly say no — I am a Sage now, after all. 

Ah, I have never seen such a fearsome and beautiful place as the Depths. Its deadly terrain, fierce monsters and hidden treasure spoke of a land of hardship and discovery, qualities close to the hearts of the Gerudo. No wonder then that our dark reflection, the Yiga, have flourished there. Once we found them at the Abandoned Gerudo Mine, however, it was fast work to dispatch them. They had funny little Zonai contraptions that flew through the air, with which they may have been able to outrun my blades – but nothing can outrun lightning. 

Link held back, confident in my abilities. I thought it a failure when I reported to him that Master Kohga had escaped, but he was not disappointed. “The Yiga and I have unfinished business,” he said. “Hopefully next time I see them, I’ll be ready.” I assured him that he would defeat the Yiga, but he said that was not what worried him. I sensed a darkness in his voice then — the rage of a warrior scorned that the Gerudo know well — and I understood that he had restrained himself from the Yiga for their benefit, not his. 

With our immediate troubles past us, I must now do my part to find the Princess. We saw her likeness near the Temple, but I, like Link, do not believe it was really her. I know Zelda too well: in a crisis, the first thing she ever wants to do is talk. The several hundred letters we have exchanged through the years can attest to that. She would never keep away from us, unless something was very wrong. 

Zelda is out there, somewhere. I know it. It’s not where we look, but how. 

A photograph of Link relaxing on a cushioned sofa in a sunny courtyard in Gerudo Town. His left hand is wrapped in a thick bandage, while in his right he holds a sunset coloured drink garnished with wedges of fruit, in a tall glass with a thin stem and a wide brim. It’s an ice cool reward for a well-earned thirst. 

Caption: Very few women in Gerudo history have known what it’s like to have a brother, and I am one of them (he let me have a sip, when Buliara wasn’t looking).  

---

Incoming transmission… Message medallion activated. 

Answer transmission?

… …

Answer transmission?

… …

Answer—

LNK: Hello? 

JSH: Goddess be praised! Link, where are you?

LNK: Gerudo Town. Why?

JSH: No time to explain. You have to come back to Lookout Landing. Did you find the Lighting Sage? I’ve sent word for the others but—

LNK: Josha. What’s going on? 

JSH: You have to come back, as fast as you can. It’s urgent, really urgent. 

LNK: Why, Josha?. It’s not a short trip.

JSH: We— We found Zelda! She’s at Hyrule Castle and it’s really her, Link, I swear it. 

LNK: Zel…what? How?!

JSH: Dr. Purah spotted her through the telescope. It’s like the Princess is calling out to us. Link, please hurry! 

[A pause, and a sigh]

LNK: Alright, but tell everyone to be ready for a fight.

JSH: W-what? It’s the Princess! 

LNK: Just tell them to be ready. I’ll be there soon. 

Connection terminated. 

[angstyaches]

hi flick! if you’re still taking drabble requests, i had this idea for donnacha and i wanna preface with the fact that i don’t know if it’ll be your cup of tea and that’s totally okay! but if i’m remembering correctly, i think he has a family dog back home and i wonder if you’d write a lil something about him hearing about a minor scare and being nervous? could be as mild as she got out and they couldn’t find her for a bit, but feel free to make it as angsty as you like or not write it at all! 🧡

Anon, since day one with this boy in my repertoire, I have fully intended on using his dog to emotionally whump him, so this is in fact a perfect prompt! Thank you 🖤

This got a little heavier than I originally intended, so keep an eye on the content warnings!

Word Count: 1,305

CW: (CONTAINS SPOILERS) missing dog who gets found, anxiety, irritability, references to uneasy family relationships, reference to injury, reference to childhood trauma, homesickness.

___

“Shit!” Donnacha growled as he turned around from his wardrobe and whacked his shinbone against the foot of his bed. Gritting his teeth, he tossed two pairs of underwear in the general direction of his gear bag and focused for a moment on clearing the stars from his vision. His heart was pounding so hard, he could feel it in his ears when he slowed down. 

“What’s wrong?” came a low, tentative voice from the door. 

Donnacha clicked his tongue. “Nothing, Hen, it’s grand.” 

“I’m coming in.” 

“Yeah, why not?” Donnacha muttered under his breath. He scooped up his clothes and started stuffing them into his gear bag. His actual rugby gear lay in a pile on the floor at the other side of his wardrobe. 

Henry held the doorknob tightly as he eased himself into Donnacha’s cramped room. He poked his head around the wood and frowned behind the thick lenses of his glasses. “What’s happening?” 

“I told you, it’s fine.” 

“No, you said it was ‘grand’,” Henry said in a gentle mimicry of Donnacha’s country accent. 

Donnacha didn’t respond to that, partially because he didn’t care to, but partially because he was too busy mashing his teeth together and yanking on the zipper of his gear bag. The damned thing was in a pitiful state after three years of being dragged to and from lectures and training and matches and the occasional trips back home, but somehow, the thought of buying a new one never occurred to Donnacha until moments like these, where he either hadn’t the time or the means to go and do it. 

“Shitting thing,” he hissed as the zip finally made it all the way shut. 

“Donnacha, why are you packing?” Henry touched the frame of his glasses. “You never go home on Sundays. You have college tomorrow. And training.” 

“You don’t think I know that?” Donnacha exclaimed breathily as he heaved the strap of his bag onto his shoulder.

He snatched up his phone from the floor, ripping it free from the charger in a way that made Henry visibly wince. Donnacha unlocked the screen. It still displayed the post, made by his cousin Gemma, that had started Donnacha on this zip-sticking, shin-bashing packing nightmare. 

‘This is Millie, went wandering from my cousin’s farm Wednesday nite. Call myself or Aoife if you see her in the area x’ was the text that appeared above a photo of a top-down view of Millie’s head, displaying her black-and-white markings. It wasn’t the best picture of her, and didn’t really convey her size or give a good sense of what she looked like in profile, but Donnacha had hit ‘share’ on it anyway. 

He hadn’t been able to yell at his sister and ask her why he’d had to find out through their cousin’s social media that their border collie had been missing for almost four entire days, because no matter how many times he tried her phone, she never picked up. Anger blazed in his chest every time he got cut off, because what if someone had found Millie and was trying to reach Aoife? 

“Are you sure you’re okay?” 

When Donnacha looked up from his phone, he had to blink tears out of his vision to see Henry’s face. 

“Um...” He glanced down at the photo of Millie again, hesitating. He cleared his throat and rubbed his wrist over his eyes. “No. Sort of. It’s probably stupid, but Millie’s... Millie’s been missing for a couple of days, so –” 

Henry started when he realised Donnacha had turned the phone around to show him the post, and he squinted diligently at the screen. 

“I-I’m going to head down home and see if I can help find her.” Donnacha sniffled, then ground down his back teeth again. He couldn’t be a slobbering mess for the three-hour drive ahead of him. He couldn’t be red-eyed and snotting down himself when he saw Aoife, when he saw Gemma, when he saw his father. A shiver curled through his lower spine at the thought. 

“Donnacha, I’m so sorry,” Henry said in a very steady voice. Too steady. Too unemotional. As though he were speaking from a script in a language he could voice but not understand. It didn’t usually bother Donnacha, but right now it did, and he found himself waving a hand in the direction of the door. 

“So, can you move, so I can get out of here, please?” 

Henry started again. “Of course,” he muttered, turning and hobbling out of Donnacha’s room with Donnacha following closely behind.  

Donnacha stopped to switch off the light and trudged towards the front door of the apartment. Buried in the pile of four flatmates’ shoes were his beat-up Air Maxes, which would be ideal for hopping gates and trudging through fields whilst yelling Millie’s name. As Donnacha dug for them, he sensed Henry coming further down the hallway without having to look over his shoulder. 

“This wasn’t supposed to –” Donnacha sighed heavily as he pulled the runners from the pile and started to put them on. “I’m not stupid. I knew what it meant when I moved away. I knew I’d miss stuff. I knew I probably wouldn’t be there when Millie... when she – but I thought we had years still. I thought she’d get a bone condition like Poppy – that was... that was our Jack Russell, she was already ten when I was born – and we’d know when we had to say goodbye. You know?” 

“You’re upset,” was Henry’s succinct response to the information given. “Do you want me to come with you?” 

A light scoff rose in Donnacha’s throat. The image of Henry standing in his mother’s kitchen, drinking tea from one of the mugs left over from Donnacha’s upbringing, looking increasingly alarmed as Donnacha’s mother and sister spoke rapid-fire at him with their heavy accents was mildly amusing. But then he thought about Henry meeting his dad and Donnacha’s gut turned cold. 

“No.” 

“But are you alright to drive?” 

“Yes, I’m grand to drive, Henry!” Donnacha snapped as he straightened up from tying his shoes. “I drove the van back up from the far fields, six kilometres, with my dad in the passenger seat after shattering his wrist, screaming like the fucking banshee, and that was when I eight! So, like, yeah, I think I can handle this right now.” 

“Donnacha,” Henry breathed. He didn’t blink, he didn’t touch his glasses, he didn’t sway where he was standing. He was just looking. And that was what made Donnacha realise he’d overdone it. To distract himself from the packet, he whipped out his phone again, refreshing Gemma’s post out of muscle memory at this point. 

Only now there was an updated line at the top of the post. 

‘FOUND!!!!!! Beautiful Millie is home with her folks safe and sound. Thnks for all the love and support everyone x’ 

Donnacha all but threw his phone at the floor, not caring that it was relatively new and that it bounced twice on its corners before finally settling screen-down.  

“They found her.”  

“Amazing,” Henry said. “You must be relieved.” 

Donnacha gawked at the floor. He was waiting for the relief to set in, sure, but without being there, without being home, without having Millie physically in his arms or at least in his sights, how could he be sure that it was true? She could have never been missing in the first place. She could have still been missing. She could have died four months ago. And Donnacha would have been none the wiser. 

He jumped and looked up when he felt Henry’s bony hand on his arm. Now that his heart wasn’t racing, those green eyes didn’t seem quite as cold. 

“I’ll put the kettle on,” Henry said quietly. “Okay?” 

Donnacha let his gear bag slide to the floor. It landed far more softly than his phone had. “Okay.” 

[mrswhozeewhatsis]

Hello! Sorry to bother you, but I saw your picture of Philemon and started poking around your photography blog... and loved how you were able to capture the moment in a lot of them. I'm going to be attending my first con ever in about a month, and am looking for tips/advice partly because while I have done some manual shooting for sports/street, it's been predominantly outdoors and during the day and also partly because I love your photos and would love to hear some of what works for your if you are willing to share (please don't feel obligated to share if you don't want to or don't have the energy!).

While I have a ton of questions, maybe the one I'm most curious about is if you've found the lighting at cons hard to work with. I don't have a particularly fast tele zoom lens (f4-5.6), and pretty much all I've seen online (besides up iso) is to buy a fast lens. I have a 56mm f1.4, but I'm pretty sure I'll be sitting too far away to get the detail and dof I want with that. Is it worth bringing a slow telephoto zoom lens for the con though or will the lighting just make taking my 56mm make more sense? I don't want to buy a new lens that I don't need otherwise for this, and I also am a bit unsure about what/how much to pack given that I've never been to a con and am not experienced enough shooting indoors to guess based on the con videos how bad the lighting is.

I know it's not only the gear that makes the photo, but if you have any advice for a novice, I'd be happy to hear it. Thank you for making it through my ramble ask. Sorry again for bothering you...

First of all, thank you so much for your comments in my photos! I consider myself one of the least experiences photographers you'll find at a con, so Knowing that someone likes my work really makes my day! 😍😍😍

Gonna put the rest of this under a cut cuz it got long. lol

To give you an idea of what I'm working with, I was in seat B40 this year. That's all the way on the side aisle. My camera is a Canon EOS Rebel T6i, and the lens I used was a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. Occasionally, I sat in empty seats that were closer and snapped a few shots, but not many. (I sat in the front row for the shots I posted of Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum. Tom was on stage, Michael was just... EVERYWHERE. 🤣)

The lighting at Creation cons is not great. Also, it can change from panel to panel. It would be lovely if they could mount their lights higher so the guests don't get blinded and ask for the lights to be brought down. But, since that will probably never happen, we work with what we've got.

Personally, I love a zoom lens because I'm always zooming in and out, trying to catch different things. I know other photographers favor not zooming because they get better quality photos in other ways, but I'm not clear on how that works.

Now, for my first suggestion: rent a lens. It's fairly inexpensive to rent a lens, and you get to try different lenses out without spending a fortune on lenses you later figure out aren't what you want. I believe a few of the other con photographers use a site called lensrentals.com. I rented a lens last year from Unique Photo in Philly, since they're not too far from me. You can also rent from UP online at uniquephoto.com. I went in person to talk to one of their experts to help me decide what kind of lens I wanted to try since I'm so new to this. They also have a store in Fairfield, NJ, so if you're close to either of those places, I would definitely suggest you head in there and check them out!

The reason why I'm suggesting that you rent a lens is because I think you'll want a lower f-stop than your zoom lens has, and if you're further away than the first 3-4 rows, you're going to want to zoom. (Gotta get up close and personal with the pretty!!! And good lord, but they're all so freaking pretty.) Renting a lens is a relatively cheap way to test things out. It's possible you may rent a lens and then later realize that your own lenses would have done the job. You'll only be out a hundred bucks or so by renting. (UP did require a deposit of half the retail value of the lens, but they were great about getting that back to me quickly.)

ISO - I'm always trying to use the lowest ISO I can get away with because noise is a pet peeve of mine. (I adore Lightroom's new Denoise AI!!!!) I know other photographers aren't as picky about noise and raise their ISO. I try to keep mine at or below 3200. One of my friends shoots at an ISO I didn't know existed, it's so high. (She yells at me. "You need to increase your shutter speed and your ISO, Michelle!") She's got a Nikon, though, and I sometimes wonder if camera make and model might also affect things like that.

As far as packing is concerned, I'm a bad person to ask. I bring freaking everything, even when I know darn well I'm not gonna use it. Seriously, the only thing I left at home this con was my lens balls. I'm terrible.

The biggest thing I learned early on is that you can always lighten dark photos in processing, but it's really hard to darken overly light photos.

Renting a lens and shooting darker are the two big suggestions I have. Every photographer I know at cons does things a little differently though. Most are willing to stop and chat about what settings they use, too. @mandileaphotography, @brooksba, and @ditchlilytiger are three awesome photographers and people that I know are here on Tumblr and I can tag them. lol! They each may have their own tips and tricks to suggest! Mandi has helped me and countless other newbie photographers over the couple of years I've known her.

Something that Chris Schmelke said to me about editing, but I use it when shooting, too: If you're not sure where to start, see what Auto does, and then make changes from there until you're happy. If I'm really not sure where to start with my camera settings, I take a burst or two of photos in auto mode and see what settings the camera thinks are right. Then, I adjust until I'm happy.

Non-photography tips for your first con: Take snacks because forgetting to eat is totally a thing. Hydrate hydrate HYDRATE. Have a binder or something to keep your photo ops in. Drink more water. Wear comfortable shoes. Take a water bottle with you. Take Chris Schmelke's photography class because he's a sweetie and loves to answer any questions you might have about photography of all kinds. And don't forget to drink plenty of water. Have I mentioned staying hydrated? You think I'm kidding, but I failed at both eating and drinking water last weekend and then wondered why the room started spinning. And that was my 9th Creation con. I know better and I still did it! More tips like this can be found at @spncontips!

If you're on Twitter, check out @spnconphotogs there. A bunch of us run that account and we have lists of con photographers you can follow and get to know. We also have a Discord server that we don't use much, but it's there if the ex-bird app ever truly dies. DM me or one of the others for an invite!

Sorry for the babbling, but this is everything I can think of off the top of my head to help you out! Even the "big name" fandom photographers are all nice and sweet as pie and willing to help you out if they're not running from one place to another. Just find someone with a really big lens and say hi!!

[packersandmoverinmohali]

Fragile Item Care by Packers and Movers in Panchkula: A Detailed Look

Shifting homes can be hard. But, if you hire an efficient moving service in Panchkula, most challenges can be easily handled. They would pack all your items and set them up in your new home. Packing delicate items is a tricky part of moving. But with the right care, you can make sure they reach your new place safe and sound. Items like glass items, ceramics, photo frames or items of sentimental value need spe¬cial protection from damage. We provide insurance for any goods damaged during transport. Our team will carefully pack and move all your discreet items. Our Packers will secure the packing box with layers of tape. For extra delicate items, we use a method known as "double boxing". So, it remains scratch-free from any jolts during the move. We'll also transport packed goods in a secure place to protect it from jolts during transit.

Tips for packing delicate and valuable items:

Packing fragile and valued items can be a daunting task when moving. However, with the right procedures and materials, you can ensure that your belongings arrive at your destination intact. In this blog, we will discuss numerous tips to help you pack fragile and valued items effectively.

Use proper packing materials:

It's clear that de­licate items nee­d unique packing. You can't use the same­ packing materials for furniture and a decorative­ sparkler. The best me­thod to pack fragile goods is with their original packaging. If you don't have the­se, typically available materials like­ blankets, corrugated fiberboard, bubble­ wrap, sturdy paper can be used. If you can, try to find some­ separate moving boxes for the­ various items.

Clear out Your House

Clearing out can assist you in determining the actual items worthy of packing and relocating, preserving your dynamism and time in the packing routine. Cleaning out your house prior to packing and moving comes with a multitude of benefits. It enables you to identify and rank the items genuinely required, cutting down the count of items to box and transport. It doesn't just spare time, energy, and packing supplies, but also downsizes transport expenses, since you'll require less room in the movers' truck.

Mark Boxes Well

It's important to clearly tag boxes containing delicate items. Use big, bright labels that say "FRAGILE." This lets movers know they should be careful. Also, packing items tightly and vertically can lessen the chance of damage.

Hold on to precious belongings

When moving day arrives and you've got fragile or special things, think about keeping them close. Don't pack them in the truck. Carry these delicate items yourself. It's a simple way to secure them and reduce chances of loss or harm.

Think about employing expert Movers and Packers

These pros are great at working with breakable items. They've got the gear and skills to do the job right. This lessens the chance of stuff getting ruined. Need to pack and shift delicate, valuable stuff? Hiring movers and packers could really help. They can keep your things secure and safe. They are pros, so they know what to do. They have loads of practice and know-how with delicate things. They know the top ways to pack, carry, and shift your items, keeping them safe.

Extra Advice and Thoughts

It's smart to use pros, like packers or movers, when you're working with things that could break easily. Here's the best way to pack these items when moving: Pros know their stuff and they'll make sure everything arrives at your new home safe and sound. It's worth your time to look into moving companies. Damage can happen when you move, but you can really reduce the chances by letting professionals, who know how to handle delicate items, take care of them.

So, packing breakable­ stuff carefully for a move is key. It make­s sure your things get there­ in one piece. The­ guide includes using strong boxes, adding lots of padding, making e­dges and connecting lines stronge­r, and marking boxes right. These ste­ps cut down the chance of your things getting broke­ or hurt on the trip. Plus, think about hiring pro movers like Divya Shakti Packe­rs and Movers in Panchkula. They pay extra mind to your spe­cial stuff. Our services include moving home­s, keeping stuff, and packing in Panchkula. We're­ skilled and keen on handling spe­cial items, promising your stuff are taken care­ of. Put the time and hard work in packing delicate­ly. It'll let you relax. It also kee­ps your things safe during the move.

[dankusner]

Beto O'Rourke says Texas Democrats are in a fight against fascism

Beto O’Rourke thinks this year’s election is not just a battle between Democrats and Republicans but a fight between democratic values and the spread of facism in America.

“There’s no use trying to save people's feelings in the process,” he said in an interview Friday from his home in El Paso. “I think we just have to be really direct. And make sure everyone’s eyes are wide open and understand the stakes of this election.”

At the kickoff event for the Texas Democratic Party’s biennial convention on Thursday — held in El Paso for the first time in 20 years — the former congressman and two-time Democratic candidate for statewide office said former President Donald Trump is seeking to “bring dramatic facism to this country” in his bid for a second term.

O’Rourke said Trump’s talk about immigrants poisoning America and his since-deleted social media post last month mentioning a “unified Reich” would have been at home in Mein Kampf or straight “from the mouth of Adolf Hitler.”

O’Rourke has been largely out of the spotlight since his defeat two years ago to Gov. Greg Abbott.

After coming within 3 percentage points of unseating U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018, followed by failed bids for president and governor, O’Rourke says he’s now ready to help elect other Texans.

Right now that’s U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in his bid against Cruz.

O’Rourke, with an Allred sticker on his chest, said he intended to do “anything (Allred) asked” to help his campaign.

On Friday night, he co-hosted a fundraiser for the Dallas congressman and former NFL linebacker.

“We talked with Colin and just told him, you know, he is welcome to put me to work. Anything he asked me to do, I will do,” O’Rourke said. “So as his campaign continues to gear up, I just await orders.”

The former congressman is clearly still a massive star among Texas Democrats.

He received a standing ovation from the crowd when he spoke Thursday, and he was the last to take the stage that night.

When he stood on the convention floor Friday morning by the booth for Powered By People, his voter registration group, delegates lined up to take photos with him and shouted his name.

Two young women approached him with homemade, Taylor Swift-style friendship bracelets saying “Beto” and “skateboarding” that he still had on his wrist hours later.

Throughout the weekend, he hosted multiple fundraisers at his home for different campaigns or Democratic groups.

And on Thursday afternoon, a slow cooker of queso bubbled next to a table with white bowls of tortilla chips.

O’Rourke said a group of 100 voter registration volunteers from around the state would soon be visiting.

Since his loss to Abbott in 2022, O’Rourke has run Powered By People to identify, register and turn out new Democratic voters.

O’Rourke said he learned in 2018 that Texas is “very winnable” — so long as candidates can get enough outside support.

“I'm convinced the more effort, the more of us putting in the effort, the less we'll have to wait to get the change that everybody wants here in Texas,” he said. “So, the big lesson for me is that we can win. It's also very clear that it's going to be very hard.”

He believes the issues that Democrats stand for, including reducing gun violence, allowing access to abortions, raising the minimum wage and legalizing marijuana, are popular with voters.

If Democrats can find a way to win in Texas, he noted, the state’s huge haul of electoral college votes would ensure that “a Republican will no longer have a viable shot at the White House.”

“I see extraordinary opportunity at the same time that I see extraordinary peril,” he said. “At some point, our kids are going to ask us, ‘Hey, when all this was going down, where were you?’ And we need to have a good answer.”

Colin Allred attacks Ted Cruz as self-serving ‘me guy’ at Texas Democratic convention

The U.S. Senate election is the party’s latest hope to reverse a long losing streak in statewide races.

EL PASO – U.S. Rep. Colin Allred on Friday said Sen. Ted Cruz cares only about himself and not the needs of Texans, a pointed attack designed to unite Democrats around his effort to unseat the Republican incumbent.

Allred called Cruz a “me guy” who flew to Cancun during the state’s deadly winter storm in 2021 and “spends hundreds of hours podcasting because he thinks the sound of his voice is more important than doing the work for Texas families.”

“Unfortunately, Washington, D.C., is full of me guys,” Allred told delegates at the Texas Democratic Party’s convention in El Paso. “No one is more self-serving, more disconnected from Texans than Ted Cruz. Ted Cruz is the ultimate me guy.”

If reelected, Cruz would work to raise the retirement age and cut Social Security and Medicare, Allred told delegates.

“When the lights went out in the energy capital of the world, only a me guy was thinking it’s OK to fly down to the Ritz Carlton in Cancun,” Allred said. “That’s not my Texas. In my Texas we believe that ‘we’ is more powerful than ‘me.’”

Allred’s convention speech came as Democrats pondered how to make political gains in Texas.

The party hasn’t won a statewide race since 1994 despite a long list of hopeful candidates, including Beto O’Rourke, Wendy Davis, MJ Hegar, Bill White and Ron Kirk.

In 2018, O’Rourke lost to Cruz by 2.6 percentage points.

The Real Clear Politics average of polls shows Cruz leading Allred by 8.2 points.

Cruz’s campaign officials did not comment Friday on Allred’s speech but referred to an earlier news release that said Democrats were putting forth a “radical platform” focused on “unrestricted abortion and open borders.”

“Colin Allred and the Texas Democrats are putting their radical platform on display for all Texas voters to see,” campaign officials said. “Colin Allred has shown Texans just how extreme he really is and they won’t forget it come November.”

In response, Allred’s campaign aides said the Democrat is not for open borders and supports restoring abortion rights to the standard outlined in Roe v. Wade, a ruling the Supreme Court reversed in 2022.

Allred, a former NFL linebacker and Baylor football standout, on Friday officially accepted the Democratic nomination for Senate, calling it his honor.

He grew up in Dallas and went to Hillcrest High School.

His mother was a teacher, and his family navigated difficult situations, including the need for affordable health care.

“I know that a story like mine is only possible in Texas, a state that was once a country, a state that was once in the grips of Jim Crow, and then produced the president who ended it,” he said. “I stand before you now as our nominee. And with God’s grace, and with your help. I will become the first African American to ever represent our great state in the United States Senate.”

Allred’s keynote address ended a long evening of remarks, and by the time he closed the general session, many delegates had left.

How to beat Cruz was an issue in the Democratic Senate primary. Allred stressed the need for bipartisan solutions.

His main rival, state Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio, called that approach fantasy.

Allred won the nine-candidate primary without a runoff.

Still, there are issues that threaten to fragment Democrats in November, including immigration and border security, the environment and foreign policy, though much of that didn’t come up in Allred’s speech.

Allred supports building barriers along the nation’s southern border “when they make sense,” and he’s chided President Joe Biden for not doing more to stem the flow of migrants and illegal crossings.

“I don’t pursue bipartisanship just for the sake of it,” Allred said. “It’s how you get things done. That’s what Texans expect in their leaders, that you roll up your sleeves and get to work, just like they do every single day.”

Reproductive rights was a big theme at Friday’s general session.

In August 2022, Amanda Zurawski was 18 weeks pregnant when she learned a medical condition made miscarriage inevitable.

Because her life was not in danger, Zurawski said, doctors told her they could not perform an abortion.

She returned to the hospital three days later in septic shock.

“I nearly died on the watch of Ted Cruz, [U.S. Sen.] John Cornyn and mad Republicans in Texas,” Zurawski told delegates. “Time and again, Republicans insist that the law is working as intended. The reality is that the chaos unleashed across the country is causing pain, suffering, trauma and grief.”

Last month the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court ruled against Zurawski and 19 other women who sued, arguing the state’s ban on abortions delayed or denied medically necessary abortions.

“Republicans showed us how they feel about women and pregnant people,” Zurawski said. “In Texas, it’s time to show them how we feel about their job performance.”

Friday was the biggest night of the three-day convention, and most of the major speakers urged unity to defeat former President Donald Trump and Republicans.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told Texas Democrats to keep fighting to flip the state blue, a mantra their counterparts in Michigan embraced en route to statewide victories in 2020 and 2022.

Two years ago, Democrats won control of the state House and Senate for the first time in 40 years, and voters approved protections for abortion rights.

“Through it all we never stopped hustling. We kept doing the work,” Whitmer said.

“Texas Democrats, I feel the same hunger for change in this state,” she added. “I see the same future for all of you in the Lone Star State.”

Whitmer then borrowed a phrase from the late former Gov. Ann Richards.

“I’ve been tested by the fire and the fire lost,” Whitmer quoted Richards as once saying. “I promise you Texas Democrats, if you keep fighting, if you keep clawing for progress one yard at a time, you will beat the fire.”

Whitmer and U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, were among the few speakers who gave full-throated praise of Biden.

Escobar and Whitmer are co-chairs of Biden’s reelection campaign.

“We need to make sure that we don’t wake up with the same level of dread and horror that we woke up with the day after Donald Trump was elected,” Escobar said. “We cannot go back. … We cannot let that happen.”

TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENTION

Delegates back abortion, snub school choice

Platform planks also address immigration, Israel-Hamas war

EL PASO — Delegates to the Texas Democratic Party’s state convention unanimously adopted a platform Saturday that supports a guaranteed right to abortion and repealing the state’s latest border security law and opposes legislation allowing public money to be used for private schools.

Other platform planks include ending Gov. Greg Abbott’s border security initiative and passing legislation aimed at reducing gun violence in Texas.

Delegates voted on a 64-page platform Saturday afternoon, near the end of the Texas Democratic Party’s three-day convention in El Paso.

“We’re hitting some things that are very topical for Democrats heading into 2024,” said Odus Evbagharu, state party treasurer.

“And not just Democrats, independents and Republicans as well.”

While much of the platform’s wish list of policy priorities was focused on the 2025 legislative session that begins in January, it also addressed the war between Israel and Hamas.

The platform recognized “the creation of the state of Israel and its ongoing right to exist in safe and secure borders” and supported establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.

Delegates also supported facilitating the rebuilding of Gaza and the West Bank, which has been hit hard by the Israeli military in response to the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas militants.

The platform committee did not include a potential plank that called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

“This is all about making sure that we’re calling out [Israeli Prime Minister] Ben Netanyahu and some of the failed leadership he has had in Israel, and then recognizing that Hamas is a terrorist organization and making sure we’re holding those people accountable,” Evbagharu said.

School choice fight

The Texas Republican Party platform, adopted last month during the party’s convention in San Antonio, called for a more prominent role for Christianity in public schools, including Bible instruction.

It also supported eliminating access by mail for abortion-inducing medication.

The Democratic platform included several planks opposing the state’s near-total ban on abortion, including opposing “dangerous” restrictions on access to the procedure.

It also sought to protect doctors and hospitals from “politically motivated” attacks that block access to abortions in medical emergencies.

On public education, the platform opposed school choice plans allowing some families to spend public money on private or religious schools.

Abbott has made school choice one of his top priorities and supported successful campaigns to unseat House Republicans who blocked such legislation last year.

Abbott says he now has enough votes to enact a voucherlike program next year.

Other public education platforms included prohibiting the state takeover of local school districts and ensuring the median salary for public school teachers is equivalent to the national average.

Border, gun violence, more

On immigration, delegates called for repealing Senate Bill 4 — the 2023 immigration law that gives the state a role in arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants — saying it would lead to racial profiling.

The law has been temporarily blocked while a federal appeals court weighs its legality.

In addition to calling on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform, the platform supported allowing undocumented migrants to attend state colleges and universities and qualify for in-state tuition rates.

It called for protecting the ability of children who are undocumented to attend public schools in Texas.

The platform also backed eliminating Operation Lone Star, Abbott’s border-security crackdown using Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and National Guard soldiers along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Operation Lone Star has cost taxpayers more than $10 billion since 2021.

Delegates also adopted planks aimed at reducing gun violence.

Policy goals included repealing the state law that allows concealed handguns on public university campuses.

The platform called for individuals who have had a protective order issued against them in the past three years and those convicted of a violent crime to surrender their firearms until a licensed psychologist determines it is safe for them to own a gun.

Delegates also called for the state to allow transgender minors to receive gender-affirming care and allow LGBTQ students, faculty and staff to be their “full authentic selves” in public schools without disciplinary action.

The Texas GOP platform calls for banning transgender people from teaching in public schools.

Texas Democrats embrace Beto in El Paso, even as they try to move on

“Beto! Beto! Beto!” the crowd chanted as former Democratic congressman Beto O’Rourke told a room of Democrats that they have the power to defeat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in November.

If this sounds like 2018, perhaps it was by design.

But it was the kickoff for the 2024 Texas Democratic Party convention, hosted in O’Rourke’s hometown of El Paso.

Clad in the dark jeans and dress shirt with rolled up sleeves that has become a trademark, the man who nearly unseated Cruz six years ago was like an aging rock star on a reunion tour – he played the hits.

“That extraordinary campaign that we were all a part of in 2018 — a campaign not about the candidate, not even about the political party, but about the people of Texas — it got within 215,000 votes of Cancun Cruz,” O’Rourke said.

“Do you think that you can find 215,000 votes over the next five months to make sure that Colin Allred is the next United States senator from the state of Texas?”

O’Rourke shot to fame in the 2018 contest.

But even with a celebrity candidate, record-breaking political contributions and a political environment where Democratic candidates surged across the country, it wasn’t enough to put a Democrat over the top statewide.

Six years later, the party looks back on 2018 as its high water mark.

And Democrats are facing another tough election cycle this year with internal divisions over immigration and the Israel-Gaza conflict, as well as sluggish voter enthusiasm for President Joe Biden.

Party conventions are a delicate balance of exciting political speeches and the more rote, behind-the-scenes work of party building and maintenance.

Despite the energy surrounding O’Rourke and other party leaders, many Democrats in attendance acknowledged that it was time to shift the party’s focus toward the latter.

In other words, celebrity Democratic candidates won’t be enough to win the state on their own.

To win long-term, attendees said in interviews and speeches, the party needs to build out its network to recruit and support candidates, including turnout operations, voter and volunteer databases and skilled political staffers.

It also needs to register more likely Democratic voters.

The party’s standard-bearer this year is U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, a more outwardly measured figure than O’Rourke who touts his moderate positions and willingness to buck national Democrats on immigration, the Israel-Hamas war and energy policy.

Early polling shows Allred trailing Cruz by about 8 percentage points.

Reflecting on her 2014 run for the governor’s mansion, Wendy Davis said there “wasn't really a lot going on underneath me on the ballot, there was really no infrastructure on the ground.”

“When you don't have it, it feels like the biggest, loneliest, hardest job imaginable to try to turn the state,” she said in an interview.

For years, Texas Democrats have pointed to the rapid pace of demographic change in their state, believing that growth in nonwhite populations could eventually drown-out the ruby red GOP margins in white, rural areas and carry them to statewide victory.

But after the party failed to make gains in 2020, it commissioned a report that found it had fallen short on identifying and turning out persuadable voters.

With more investment and turnout efforts, the 2021 report said, Democrats could win statewide by 2024 and “Texas can be a reliably Democratic state in the next decade.”

“It still isn't what it needs to be. There's no question about it,” Davis said of the party’s progress to date. “The investments that Republicans are making in their own ground infrastructure is still significantly greater than what we've been able to employ, but we are working to change that, and I believe that we are changing it.”

In an interview, O’Rourke said more time and attention needs to be spent on registering likely Democrats.

“We cannot just rely on candidates and campaigns and their fundraising ability in a given cycle because sometimes it comes in, and sometimes it doesn't,” he said.

Although his 2022 loss to Abbott by 11 percentage points took much of the shine off, Democrats now look back on O’Rourke’s 2018 efforts with nostalgia.

Throughout the weekend, O’Rourke hosted volunteers and party donors at his home.

And his organization hosted a booth in the convention hall, where O’Rourke spent several hours Friday morning with delegates and convention attendees lined up to snap photos with him.

The former El Paso congressman and city council member has spent the last year and a half running a statewide voter registration and turnout group called Powered By People.

The group’s website boasts that its 20,000 volunteers have registered 250,000 to vote in the state since late 2019.

The top sponsor of the convention was a new political group called the Agave Fund, which is aimed at bolstering the party’s infrastructure and data operations.

The group is headed up by Luke Warford, a former state party staffer and statewide candidate for the Railroad Commission in 2022.

Warford said the group is not focused on an individual election cycle, but instead on “doing the work over the long-term.”

“I can say, as a former candidate myself, that winning is going to be about more than just candidates,” Warford said.

Agave is paying for campaign managers at five competitive House races across the state and hiring data experts to work at the state party.

The fund hopes to raise $3 million this year and an additional $10 million to $12 million per election cycle through 2030.

“Let’s just face it, working on political talent and infrastructure, that's not sexy,” said Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, who chairs the party’s caucus in the state House.

“But that is sort of the bread and butter,” he said. “Those are the fundamental skills that have to be done if we're going to win.”

[astronomyforastrologers]

Dodging Asteroid Bullets and Lightning Bolts ~ 27 Jun 2024

Dodging Asteroid Bullets and Lightning Bolts ~ 27 Jun 2024, Philip Sedgwick

While seeking information on superclusters, Google recommended a search about an asteroid intent upon colliding with Earth. If it was click bait, it was indeed curiosity-inspiring.

The short and long of it is that an Earth-orbit crossing Apollo asteroid of extremely recent discovery (last month) 2024JY1 possesses a greater than 70% chance of colliding with Earth on 12 July 2038. Will humankind go the way of the dino? The 160-foot object would do significant damage if it struck Earth. However, calculations have been run and rerun and most calcs lead astronomers to classify the object now as non hazardous. Whew! That’s a relief. Earth dodges another asteroid bullet.

Given that take a breath, ponder nature and reset sensibilities. Here’s a picture to help you do precisely that.

This photo was taken last Saturday following Tucson’s first widespread monsoon event. Even the bird of paradise plants and saguaro blooms were pontificating!

It was a day of quite extreme weather. That day, when the Sun was four minutes of an arc from an exact opposition to my natal Mars, lightning stuck on our property! As I looked out the door enjoying the precious rain, I saw a blinding flash of lightning and the immediate concussion of the thunder shocked all systems! Okay, Zeus, you have my undivided attention. What would you have me include in my next SkyScraping posts?

Regardless of what you’ve recently experienced in life, it’s time for a brief respite. It’s topsy-turvy out there and now with online content of dubious origin, the lodestone needs to shift back within. Taking time for an inner interlude or three to center your spirit, anchor it in your being, and reset all your circuits is a good plan. It’s like performing a hard boot on a computer after disconnecting all power for thirty seconds. Things tend to come back online restored and reset, and ready to operate optimally.

Is it more than cool that personal planet transits intend to assist such resetting circumstances and promote restoration of organic conditions?

Today and tomorrow, Mars in Taurus passes opposite black hole APR 220, brightest object in our local group of galaxies. The irony here is black holes devour light, yet this black hole beams like a lighthouse. Here the message is simple. Take the helm, proceed with a speed appropriate with known hazards, and remain steady as you go. Following this light for guidance is not the same as a moth being attracted to a flame. The intention is purely navigable. You must get there from here and apply all energy and conscious attention to the task at hand and do so safely. Steer the vehicle of your life forward with eyes on the destination! Within your sentient self balance the needs of the moment with the end game.

Virtually simultaneously, in a tidy sextile with Mars, Venus conjoins the remarkable fixed star Sirius in Cancer. Sirius stands for faithful devotion to oneself and life mastery. And Sirius is noted for supporting emotional release that comes from clearing stored reactions. Whatever is required to empty backlogs of reactions, stored sensitivities and hurt feelings, this star supports all such efforts. Burp and bellow if you must, but dump the nonproductive emotional collection of reactions. It support is needed to clear the emotional decks, petition Sirius to aid in finding a healer or practitioner to assist the chore.

Once a person dumps energy and stagnant reactions that do not further, the next step is to fill the empty space with something substantial, and nurturing to the emotions, fostering to fecundity and soothing to the spirit. Recall emotional moments that rewarded the soul. Imagine those feelings infusing the fabric of the being. Eat something fresh and savor its energy entering the being at the same time the digestive process gears up to derive nutritive value. The Sirius energy is assisted by Venus, who is all about receptivity to what is good. Venus supports realizations of what one can receive based upon a personal assessment of worth. This transit declares, “You are more than worth it. Allow in the good and savor it in your soul!”

In but a few days, Venus is followed by the Sun’s zodiacal alignment with Sirius (5 July). Whatever work is done in the next few days settles into the wholeness consciousness of self as next weekend rolls around. Let it fill all crevices in the consciousness. Think of this as applying a carpenter’s level on your system. Position that floating bubble exactly in the place that indicates perfect center. Know this point to be that of balance, perfected equilibrium and positioning such that any obstacles can be swiftly negotiated and clear and non disputable progress is made toward life objectives.

Consider the Universe contains pockets of irresistible drawing potential - black holes, attractors, superclusters and their galactic ilk. When encountering those forces that intend to steer your course and infiltrate your decision making processes in an enhancing manner, let it happen. Work with the tides and the organic flow of life.

At this half way point of the year, restore equilibrium, balance and what it takes to ride rainbows, moonbeams, gamma rays or whatever that keep you in a graceful mode of dodging lightning and asteroids such that being in the right place at the perfect cosmic time becomes your calling card.

Before we know it, it will be Jupiter square Saturn time (detailed in the next SkyScraping). If there was ever a transit destined for placing the cornerstone of major accomplishments, this aspect rises to the occasion. Prepare to be summoned to the helm.

Should life feel a tad off kilter or that some objective celestial guidance might resolve sticking points, the links below will guide you to ordering up consultations, a Galactic Report, asking a couple of clarifying questions and more. If you require no input, you may always contribute to the cause.

One Stop Shopping Order Form Astrological Texts

Meteoric the Movie on Vimeo ZAP! on Vimeo

[misocoupecom]

Kam's 2000 Honda Civic - The "Un-shitbox" Era

From the time I was knee-high to a grasshopper, my fascination with cars was already in full gear. Picture a fourth-grader, wide-eyed and excited, collecting Hot Wheels like they were precious gems. But, my true automotive odyssey began when the school bell rang, and I would race to my friend's house to play Gran Turismo 4 and Midnight Club: Los Angeles on the PlayStation 2. 

As the pixels danced on the screen, I found myself captivated by watching the race replays and attempting to capture the "perfect" photo – the kind that you’d find in the glossy pages of car magazines. And so, my journey into the realm of automotive photography ignited.

Around that time, my older brothers were like modern-day mechanics, forever bringing home various models of Toyotas: an '80s MR2, a trio of Z20 Soarers, and a rare Toyota Aerocabin; our driveway resembled a makeshift garage. My adventure into car ownership was marked by an AE92 Corolla, but my teenage stubbornness veered me toward a 2006 Ford Focus hatch, courtesy of an aversion to the Corolla's short shifter gearbox. Hindsight whispers that I should've stuck with the Corolla, yet the die was cast, and the Ford Focus introduced me to the world of compact cars, eventually paving the way for my 2000 Honda Civic.

I got the Civic in November 2021 during a tough time in my life. It was bone-stock, except for a few upgrades from the previous owner, like an Integra DC5 steering wheel and a set of GSR Blades. At first, I had big plans. I wanted to wrap it in baby blue, get smoked headlights and taillights, a Type R Wing, and Enkei RPF1s. The definition of being a really immature car enthusiast, more interested in making it look cool rather than making it drive better; then again. what else would you expect from a 21-year-old with limited mechanical knowledge.

My interest in the EK Civic came from a family friend named Simon, aka Joydrive. He made a video series documenting his Racewars build, and later buying the now infamous, yellow "ClichEK." I liked the way these cars were designed and having driven a Ford Focus for most of my time on the road, it made sense to get something similar in size. 

My Civic remained untouched for a while, other than the addition of EK9 cup holders, a concession to my partner's beverage-holding fatigue during gear changes. This was a subtle upgrade but one that would prove hugely appreciated in the future. Life was good. I had my dream car which was in good condition for its age and reasonably priced (something that is hard to find in the post-covid car market), then came the transformative phase. I bought a new front bumper, front lip, and Type R grille, as well as "angel eye" headlights, and rear lip, which is still in my garage waiting to be put on as I write this.

The plot thickened on a fateful commute home from work when I had a run-in with a BMW X5 on the highway. The envisioned “RICE” build took a backseat as smashed headlights and a misaligned engine bay/ bonnet demanded attention. Salvaging replacement parts from the wreckers, I resurrected my Civic, mechanically intact but aesthetically bruised. It was demotivating to spend time and money making it look a certain way, only to have it go back to how it was before. Time passed and it simply existed as just another car, until Simon made a video revealing the upgrades he made to his build. 

Fast forward to today, other than hitting a tow ball at the end of 2023, the car remains the same since I fixed it after the accident. I found my dream wheels on Facebook Marketplace, which was a feel-good moment, and after speaking to a couple of people, the road ahead is clear. Cut and polish, installation of the front and rear lip, coilovers so I can put the RPF1s on, and install the replacement number plates which are on its way. The trajectory now leans towards a clean, OEM plus build; a different path from what I first envisioned. For those who are interested in infrequent Civic updates, I often post progress photos on my car Instagram (@EK1WA), until next time; welcome to the “Un-shitbox” chapter.

[bluesky88diary]

Happiness never comes alone. There is always connections... Me with God, with nature around, with beloved, or merely moment. The photo I've made on Sep, 18 in mysterious way reflects another side of universe, where you dive in depth of blue. How could I know? Honestly, there is very little because of me, because I didn't know, but love knows everything.

The week was happy and easy. At my job I got very good position and even better coworker. One awesome guy who tries very hard to make every job done near perfection. Interesting what is his type of character, because it's pleasure to work with him. Yes, he is very demanding and sometimes annoying, asking me to do what I thing isn't necessarily at the moment, but I notice our types cooperate very well. However, I am please to work with this type, but also thought, what if my wife could have the similar character, and... Maybe it's ENTJ, need to ask him pass mbti test. Yet I don't feel myself comfortable with "E" types, they always push things too far. "We have to do this the best we can, and we have to do it right now", I might describe this person this way. But INFJ rarely rush thing forward, and even more I don't like to argue. By the way, his occupation was lawyer back in Ukraine, perhaps good one. Thus, at my job this goes better and better. But at very first opportunity to go full time videographer I will quit this job.

Back to my angel, beloved you. At the moment I saw you waving after turtle with cute fish on its back, I immediately remembered your code when you were waving to... I guess it was cute Mikey Mouse. And this created very cozy feeling connecting this episode that expose your sweet personality. I laterally felt myself as if near you. This was very warm moment. Thank you for sharing. Also that mysterious shark, I think is it any related to the photo I've made? I don't know, but could be interesting to find out.

You know, that you made upset yesterday? I don't know why guys subconsciously have this stupid spirit of competition with each other, but when I noticed you last follow I thought, "What is this about? Somebody is tried you charm you?" And this was sad thought. But then I did what I should do last summer, so I remembered each beautiful moment with you and said to myself, "This cannot be so, she is better than that. Merely grateful for support". However, you what to make me jealous, to bring some fire in our hearts? My baby wanna play? Because recent day I put most of my efforts and everything in work, so you might miss my love and affection. Maybe this way you try to bring it back. But men aren't multitasking, I can be good in everything at the same time. I work hard to make the way toward you possible. Don't you know? I love you so much, my dear Seungyeon.

Till my day I made myself a gift, collected all the professional gear I need for successful work as videographer. Heavenly blessings made this possible, providing me everything I needed for very low price and yet like new quality. Only wide angle prime lens and 3rd light left on my list. But it's very tempting for me as "I" to only collect gear and avoid the purpose, where I have to deal with people, look for clients and do all the business by myself. Sounds scarry, but not for the first time. Clear goal and love in my heart make things possible.

The last good news, today I was asked to lead Facebook page in my local church, makes photos, update spotlights each week, etc. Very good opportunity to practice and show up my skills. Yeah, Jesus takes care of me whenever I go. Very pleasant. And I always pray about you, so you can share my benefits too ^^

Up next our first anniversary. Are you ready? I wish it will be comfortable time together. Then Christmas. I wander what can be more thrilling than last one, such a sweet memory.

All my worries I trust in hands of Jesus and receive back his love, which I can share with my beloved angel, you!!

[merlinband-archive]

Pop In The Supermarket

Source: Melody Maker (uploaded to twitter by user Chrised90751298 and originally reposted to tumblr by user RushingHeadlong)

Date: March 23, 1974

(Transcript Below)

POP IN THE SUPERMARKET

Conveyer rock - is it all a hype? Colin Irwin looks at pre-packed pop and talks to the men behind new bands Queen (left) and Merlin

Hype. An ugly, unpleasant word frequently recurring in rock circles. 

Up in the boardroom of a vast record company the fat cigar brigade are scratching heads. Binn and Batman have come up with another surefire hit and they want somebody fresh to market it. They ponder a few names and finally decide on one with slight but clear sexual connotations - suggestively camp. 

Name settled, they work on the people who will be in this new band. They might be able to find a ready-made group to fit the bill but better to mould their own. There’s a singer who has been around for a few years. 

He’s not great but he knows how to throw himself around a stage, has a hairy chest and can hit the high notes. Give him a new name and he’ll do. Somebody knows a lead guitarist who can play a bit and looks good. They can advertise for the others. 

They’ll work out a sensational stage act, rig them up in some flash gear, buy them the best equipment and arrange a string of appearances in some influential venues. Plunge a few thousand quid in launching them with advertising and posters and “They’ll be the biggest thing since sliced bread,” chief fat cigar tells his underlings. 

Session musicians are employed to record the single and being a Binn and Batman special the radio stations label it “chart bound” and play it twenty five times a day. Seeing the glossy photos in the bop mags the kids gather up their pennies and buy it. 

VOILA, stars are born - or manufactured. An extreme form of hype. 

There’s also a cliché commonly used in the business about people who have been around for many years and finally make it. It’s called talent-will-out. An idealist phrase but there is still a popular belief that if a band is truly talented enough it will win through in the end. 

Yet even the greatest band in the world need a bit of pushing in the first place. When a record becomes a hit it’s not always that easy to distinguish between hype and talent-will-out.

If a record company spends astronomical sums of money promoting a band, is it hype? Or is it a legitimate and necessary weapon in the music business? The argument is that the BBC’s ever-tightening playlist and the effects on the industry of the three-day week have made it harder than ever for a new group to make it - talent or no. Without a big money machine behind it there isn’t a hope. 

The situation is illustrated by two energetic new bands, who both look like breaking. 

Big money has been spent on Queen and Merlin, who have had new singles released during the last month. 

Queen’s record, “Seven Seas Of Rhye,” is already moving swiftly up the chart, while Merlin’s “Let Me Put My Spell On You,” is doing well enough to suggest it might follow suit. 

There is no suggestion that either band is a manufactured or manipulated product in the sense of the Monkees. They play the music on their own records entirely themselves and they are both hard at work on the road. 

Yet the question arises as to whether they would be doing quite so well without the resources of big companies behind them. 

In the case of Queen it’s Trident Audio Productions and EMI and for Merlin it’s Cookaway Productions and CBS.

The one common factor is that money and backing has been provided because the companies have a solid, unshakeable belief in the artists they are promoting. They are indignant about any suggestion of a put-on or that there has been any attempt to con the public. 

Listen to Merlin’s producer Roger Greenaway for half-an-hour and there is no doubting his faith in their ability. “They are going to break, I know they are. I’m convinced the record will be a hit.”

Nobody’s saying exactly how much it has cost to launch either band. “Over a period of months between £5,000 and £10,000” has been spent on marketing Queen by EMI while the figure for Merlin is even vaguer. “A bit, but not a vast amount. Not a fortune by any means.”

“Seven Seas Of Rhye” is Queen’s second single and was recorded as part of the album “Queen 2” which has just been released. Things started to move for them about a year ago when they recorded their first album for Trident, who have a distribution contract with EMI. 

An advance was paid to them to help with the immediate costs of putting them on the road. 

Review copies of the album - about 400 of them - were sent out to everyone who might conceivably have any influence on the record buying public, from discos to the national press. Copies were personally distributed to radio and TV producers and extensive advertising space was bought in the trade papers. 

The launch for Queen was more concentrated than most artist are entitled to expect. 

Trident were completely behind them from the start and found them their American producer Jack Nelson. EMI promotions men Ronnie Fowler and John Bagnall decided they had a product with an exceptional chance of success and they went all out to exploit it to the full. 

Says Fowler: “Every record we release we work to a pattern of promotion. When I went round with the album it was normal procedure. It becomes un-normal when people start phoning you - that’s when you put more effort into it.”

Bagnall adds: “It became obvious after a week or so that it wasn’t standard promotion that was necessary. We did a more complete promotion job than usual on Queen because we thought they were going to make it.

“They’re all good-looking guys and I did a round of teeny papers and all the girls in the office swooned over them. Brian, the lead guitarist, had made his own guitar and a couple of the nationals picked up on that. It was good, gossipy stuff.”

Queen’s publicity machine was working from all angles because they were also getting external promotion from Tony Brainsby’s promotion office. 

He had been involved with them from the time they had been trying to get record producers interested. The intensity of it all paid off when they were invited to do a spot on the Old Grey Whistle Test. Radio Luxembourg latched upon the single “Keep Yourself Alive” and played it regularly. 

Their first tour, supporting Mott the Hoople, got the full works. Local press was saturated with releases about this new band which was shortly coming to their town, elaborate displays were arranged at the front of the house on the night of the concert, local disc-jockeys were informed, and window displays were made in about 200 local record shops. 

“Trident and EMI committed themselves right from the start to this band, to make sure they had a PA which was better than other bands had and to make sure they had the right clothes. Some of their outfits cost £150 each,” said Bagnall. “Spending money on a band isn’t hype. It wasn’t being flash or extravagant for the sake of building an image. It was making sure that everything else was as good as their music.”

Not so far removed from the attitude towards Merlin, although it has been on a smaller scale in this case. 

The first Merlin tour, still underway, is rigorous. They are playing ballrooms and colleges all over the country on a lengthy round. 

An ambitious project for a new, unknown band, but it has already been successful in that it has launched them as a name people now know. A full-page advertisement was bought in the MM. That’s the sort of treatment you might get if you’re Bowie, or Ferry, or even Mick Ronson. But Merlin?

They have only been in existence in their present form since last May. 

They emerged as a result of discussions between Alan Love and Derek Chick about the possibility of forming a band with definite commercial appeal and a glamorous stage act. The idea reached fruition via a band called Madrigal, who had for some time been working the same circuit as Mud before “Crazy” broke for them. 

Madrigal disbanded but reformed with the same drummer and bass player, and Love as singer and Chick as manager. A couple more young musicians were found to join them and Chick started the usual hustling to get them going. 

In due course they came to the attention of Cookaway, and Roger Greenaway was hastily summoned to take a look at them. He had already seen Madrigal and when he saw the new model he immediately saw a big future for them. 

Greenaway says: “I’d been looking for a group of this type for three years - a young under-20s group who can present a good act. There’s a lot more showmanship attached to bands now. I wanted an act with a slightly different approach. I was in New York producing the Drifters and I came back especially to hear them.”

He quickly took them into a studio to see how they reacted there and among the tracks they recorded was “Let Me Put My Spell On You” which had been written by Greenaway in collaboration with Tony Macaulay. Like Queen, the best equipment and some fancy costumes were bought for them and the launching process was put into operation. 

My own experience of the Merlin project was a couple of weeks ago at Reading Top Rank - a bizarre mixture of precocious boppers, ageing teds, and stern-looking heavies. 

Posters and pictures of the group were plastered all over the place and by the time they eventually appeared late in the evening you had been informed quite thoroughly that Merlin had made a record called “Let Me Put My Spell On You.”

Greenaway says of Love: “He’s got star quality and he’s a great charmer. The guitar player Jamie Moses has got a terrific potential too. I’ve worked with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones but for me this guy at 18 is a better player than Jimmy Page was at the same age. He’s the sort of player guys can follow - like Jet Harris - he had an incredible following with the guys.”

He likens the Merlin launch to a military operation. The career of the group has been minutely planned since October. Accepting that it is almost impossible to get airplay for a new band on the BBC they decided the best way to break them was through a solid mass of live dates. 

The dates were booked, once again the best equipment, including a light show, was bought for them, and distinctive stage costumes especially designed. 

“By the time the tour has ended they will be a really tight band. We are getting support in the regions and you can break a record if you can get regional radio stations and disco plays. I believe this record is a hit and the signs are there. This is a ten-year job as far as I’m concerned.”

Not that big money backing is any guarantee of success. 

One of the biggest projects of this type was the launching of young Darren Burn as Britain’s answer to Donny Osmond. To their eternal credit the record-buying public didn’t apparently want an answer to Mr Osmond and the campaign failed. 

The pop supermarket is not a new trend. The attractively packaged mass-produced record has been a part of the industry for a long time. The early releases of Love Affair, White Plains and Edison Lighthouse for example spring to mind. 

The whole thing is justified for the makers by the fact that they still become hits, thus proving there is a demand for made-to-order records. If the public is willing - or gullible enough - to pay 50p for music created in the boardroom. Well it must be OK.

The Merlin single is blatantly, unashamedly aimed at being a big hit - that seems to have been the one criterion in making it. It has all the ingredients and as the whole thing has been done with concentrated professionalism it will probably be a hit. 

Back to Roger Greenaway: “I don’t want to present this as a Monkees type of image. It’s not a manufactured group in any way - these guys have all been in other bands. 

“What Merlin are about is success - reaching people. It’s so wrong for opposing people to criticise. If Chinn and Chapman go out to reach a particular market at the thing they do best, and they reach them, then they’re doing their job. They’ve filled a gap.

"When this record happens it’ll be called hype but we haven’t hyped anybody. Not a vast amount of money has been spent on them. It would be silly to have a tour like this without some sort of advertising. All the money that has been spent on them so far has been towards getting them on the road. 

"It’s expensive but it’s minimal if you think of it as a along term thing.”

It may be unfair to associate Queen with the pop supermarket. The group themselves were apprehensive about appearing on Top Of The Pops and the prospect of a hit record. 

They have always regarded themselves as an album band and were concerned about being connected with the chart groups. The fact remains that they have been on the receiving end of a giant campaign to create a best-selling single and album. 

The first album had sold far better than they had anticipated and there was great excitement around Trident and EMI as the second one was being made. Manager Jack Nelson came in virtually every day to play new tracks as they were completed and many discussions followed on which one should be released as a single. 

A special meeting was held between Bagnall, Fowler, marketing manager Paul Watts and a few others to discuss the approach to the release of “Queen 2.”

“We talked about the possibility of boxing the album, and other various publicity and posters needed to produce an album we were convinced was going to be one of the biggest of the year. We set a high target for it. ‘Seven Seas’ isn’t a housewives’ record so with the daily shows like Edmonds, Blackburn and Hamilton, there’s no chance of getting it played, we knew that from the start. But the weekend shows - Rosko, Henry, and D.L.T. - they all flipped over it. I took the records round personally because I felt so strongly about it.”

The prime plug, however, is Top Of The Pops. If a record gets exposure on that there is a more than even chance that it will become a hit. He played it to the show’s Robin Nash and a couple of days later Nash phoned him and asked him where Queen were. Later he rang back and invited Queen to do a session. 

The band weren’t too sure whether they wanted to do it but eventually agreed although even then they didn’t know until the last minute whether it would be used because they were half expecting a David Bowie film to arrive and take it’s place. But in the end Queen were shown and “Seven Seas Of Rhye” moved dramatically from there. 

“A lot of people have invested an awful lot of time and money in this band but not as a hype,” says Bagnall. “The only truth in the music business is that if a band isn’t good, no amount of money will get them to make it.”

Greenaway may be right that Merlin are one of the most exciting bands to merge since the Beatles. Fowler might be right that Queen are one of the best since the Who. But big business still remains one of the sadder aspects of the music industry today. 

[alpinefitco]

Photographing Alaska, How-To for Beginners

It’s a daunting but rewarding experience, learning how to capture the stunning natural beauty that Alaska has to offer. In 20 years of photographing the rugged landscapes, rough seas and Alpenglow, here are a few of my hard learned lessons...

Plan your trip: Research the best locations in Alaska for photography and plan your trip accordingly. You don’t even need to go far! Some of the best photographs I have are from 30 minutes into a hike. Also be aware of the weather conditions and the amount of daylight available during the time of year you plan to visit. Weather can either enhance or limit your photography depending on your desired outcome. If you are heading out to remote locations make sure you have the right gear, but not too much that it will limit your travel.

Bring the right gear: Bring a good quality camera and lenses suitable for landscape photography. The camera on your phone is fine for instagram but think about how nice the photo will be when blown and mounted on your wall. A tripod is essential for capturing sharp images, especially in low light conditions but can be a bit heavy so plan accordingly. Unless you plan on going crazy, one memory card should be enough. The most essential kit in a variety of settings is a polarized filter; it’s good for days on the water, snow or enhancing clouds.

Shoot in RAW: Shooting in RAW allows you to capture more detail in your images and gives you greater flexibility in post-processing without losing detail or getting those awkward color gradients. Even some phones will allow you to shoot in RAW format now. The only drawback here is that without a filter automatically applied, it does almost necessitate some post-processing. My one tip here, learned the hard way, is to take the time to shoot a well-composed photo that requires as little time on the computer as possible; it’s too easy to take 1000+ photos just to end up filtering through a bunch of bad ones.

Pay attention to the light: Alaska is known for its stunning light, so be sure to take advantage of it. The golden hour (the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset) is the best time for photography in general, as the light is softer and warmer. However, even midday light can be beautiful in Alaska during winter because the angle of the sun is low for so long. A haze does often creep in towards the afternoon especially in summer so the intrepid photographer will be up early when the air is clear, the light angle is optimal, crowds are few and wildlife is undisturbed.

Capture the landscape: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the vastness of the landscape, and look for interesting foreground elements to add depth to your images. Watch out for photo bombs like power lines that are hard to remove in processing. A quick browse through the works of Ansel Adams provides a good baseline of how a landscape photo is best composed.

Experiment with different compositions: Try different compositions and angles to add complexity to your images. We’ve all seen the hero shot at the top of the mountain standing on what appears to be a 1000 ft cliff. Don’t get me wrong, it’s cool but you can do better. Crouch down, get up high, peak from behind a boulder or a bush. Add some perspective with your tent in the background or the little specs of people a mile down that ridge. Capturing the grandeur and immensity of Alaska is challenging but ultimately rewarding when you find that one great shot!

Edit your photos: Once you've captured your images, take some time to edit them to bring out the best in your shots. Adjust the exposure, contrast, and saturation to enhance your images and make them stand out. Numerous programs exist for photo editing. The truly dedicated gravitate towards photoshop, but Lightroom is good enough for most folks. I’ve found that editing is the best way to learn which photos worked and why, thereby making future photos even better. For this reason, spending a few hours in the ‘dark room’ is an invaluable teaching tool.

By following these tips, you'll be able to capture the beauty of Alaska and create stunning images that you'll cherish for years to come.

All photos shared in this post were by Jen or Hale Loofbourrow

[teen--marvel]

listening to my ts playlist i made while making this post 👀

my Rush t-shirts

i love you for putting this amazing band in this series!!! i grew up with Rush (they're my dad's favorite band), so they have a special place in my heart (as well as most 80's metal bands)

~

“What are you doing?” “Peeing?”

i will always love this interaction with them

~

Will does as he’s wanting, smiling and striking a perfect Ghostbuster about to save the day pose for one last photo.

~

“Hey, look all of this is hard, but let’s… let’s just go to Tina’s stupid party… wear our stupid costumes that we’ve been working on for a stupid amount of time, and just pretend like we’re stupid teenagers, okay? Can we just do that, just for tonight?”

i put this here to say that you possibly cannot tell me that steve's hair was peak in season two!!! especially during this scene. i.. uhm... wannagrabontoit.

~

We get out of the car and are immediately hit with the music blaring from somewhere in the house

~

“Doesn’t sound like she wanted even the first chance from where I’m standing” comes from my knight in shining armor standing behind me.

knight in shining armor?!?!?! i'm dead.

~

“Don’t worry– I told him I would find you and take you home myself.” I clear my face with that, jerking back ever so slightly “Oh, well I guess that works too– thank you.” “Yeah” Steve says and shoves his hands in his pockets, looking down towards his feet and not saying anything else. “Well I’m ready when you are” I say in the silence that follows and he huffs out a relieved breath, looking up at me “Oh thank god, let’s go.” Steve holds his arm out for me to walk towards the house first and he sets his hand on my lower back as we make our way through the crowd inside.

you're a fucking tease, ellie.

~

Once we walk outside and get to his car he opens the passenger door for me, chuckling and nodding towards me “So, I didn’t hear earlier but what were you supposed to be?” “A groupie” I reply without missing a beat and climb into the seat, hearing him snort and laugh loudly as he closes the door for me and walks around the front of the car to his driver’s side. He climbs into his seat and closes the door, laughing once more as he points towards my Rush shirt “Well at least you have good taste to be a groupie for.”

steve likes Rush? yup, i have definitely fallen for him even more, lol

~

I look over at him in my shock, which he notices and he clears his face “What?” “Nothing– I’m just surprised you agree” I confess and he scoffs lightheartedly, stressing out slowly “Rush is awesome”

yup. i'm in love.

~

“See I told you, Byers,” “Told me what exactly?” I chuckle out at his reaction and he looks over at me quickly before starting the car up “I told you this friendship is going to work,” he winks at me and shoves the gear into drive “Now let’s get you home.”

in the voice of peanut from jeff dunham "insert your feelings" summer!!! ... now that i'm rereading that, it doesn't make sense, lol

~~~

as i'm rereading these chapters for these reviews, i'm going back to reread my own series, and i can definitely come to the conclusion that summer && olivia are vastly different, as well as their relationship with steve, lol. i honestly can't wait for stranger things day so that y'all can read it!!

anyway, i love you, and let's get onto chapter eleven!!!

also, what that tongue do in that gif, boy

King of My Heart Chapter 10 - Trick or Treat, Freak

Author: @stiles-o-dylan24  Pairing: Steve x Summer Byers (eventually)  Word Count: 6.4k Warnings: canon violence and themes, bullying, language, mentions of partying, drinking, smoking, hint of not letting an implied non-con situation happen  SERIES SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

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My alarm clock blaring instantly pulls me out of my sleep and has me rolling over to hit the top of it. I check to make sure I actually turned it off and didn’t hit the snooze by accident, yawning as I roll onto my back and cover my face with my hands.

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