#jazz knows there is no return policy

[sparkletastic-cookiedough]

What Jazz did not realize is that if you accidentally adopt one bat kid, you end up with more. She did not ask for this, but she can’t seem to force them to leave.

There are teens, young adults, and children all over her house, and Jazz is fairly certain they’re all vigilantes. She recognizes the signs of child vigilantism after the whole fiasco with Danny.

Her parents don’t seem to realize. Despite one of them being a magic user and opening a pocket dimension in their living room so the teens had a comfortable place to sleep. They’re just excited to have people who share their interests in the house. They’ve been inventing for hours with several of the teens, creating ghost tech.

Jazz stares at the army of teens in her living room and wonders how exactly she ended up with so many.

—————

Barbara is the second to fall.

She’s suspicious the moment that Damian’s tracker seems to flicker, and panics when Damian seems to go missing. She’s a bat, implanting subdermal trackers is a love language, and the fact that Damian doesn’t remove them is a sign of reciprocation.

The trackers work in deep space, they work through various emp and technology based attacks. Short of traveling into another dimension, nothing should take down Barbara’s trackers.

And then Damian pops up in Illinois, and flickers around a small town called Amity Park.

So Barbara dives deeper. She hacks into the towns military-grade encryption. (Why does a small town in the middle of nowhere have military grade encryption?). And then someone notices her, and hacks her back.

That shouldn’t be possible. Barbara’s bat computer has been backed up by magical technopaths from the Justice league.

And yet a file opens titled ThisIsAThreat.mp4. It’s of a teenager calmly eating soup? Barbara is not sure what this means, but clearly something is going on.

Barbara gets the message from Alfred that Damian decided to follow his babysitter home and to not worry about him but it’s too little too late. Barbara is already invested. She grasps Steph and Cass, knowing that Spoiler and Black Bat are always down for a mission. She relays a “me and the girls on our way to investigate something” to Bruce before taking one of his cars and driving off to amity park. One way or another, she will get answers.

—————

Jazz absolutely loves the girls that came to investigate Damian’s babysitter. They’re holed up in her room, painting each others nails, and chatting about psychology. Jazz shows off her current research project for her masters degree: a test of ectoplasmic contamination and its effects on larger populations. She laments of the difficulty in accessing certain blood samples, knowing full well that the vigilantes will have connections that can make her research a lot easier.

An explosion goes off downstairs, and Barbara makes another move to go invent things, but Steph persuades her to stay because her nails aren’t done, and she can always make an ecto-batarang later.

Barbara relents and lets Steph paint a tiny yellow bat on her glittery purple nails.

—————

Dick, and subsequently the rest of the teen titans, were the next to fall.

He received a phone call from Damian.

“Baby bird, you’re on speaker, what’s up?”

Dick would answer this privately, but the titans were battling right now. In Mario kart. Dick would not fall behind, some things were too important.

“Grayson,” Damian began and Dick recognized the tone. As Damian’s favorite older brother, Dick ended up with a lot of questions about subjects that Dick knew next to nothing about. Dick would always do his best to help his little bird out, since he wanted to encourage the good behavior of asking for help.

“What would be an appropriate houseguest gift to give a ghost and their family?”

“A boo-quet of flowers” Dick said immediately.

“This is a serious question, Grayson. I need to offer my thanks as a polite houseguest, per Alfred’s socializing instructions. Danny and Ellie are adequate sparring partners,” which meant that Damian probably got destroyed by a hero he hadn’t heard of. At least Damian was making friends. Star perked up at the phrase ‘Sparring partner’. “I was thinking something related to technology, since their parents are very invested in unusual inventions”. Cyborg perked up at that. “Or perhaps a book on ancient summoning rituals, given the fact that Ellie and Danny are seemingly friends with multiple death gods” Raven perked up at that.

Dick would probably be meeting Damian’s new friend now. He didn’t want to intrude, but Dicks team was invested now, and nothing would stop them.

“You should bake something for them. Everyone loves cookies.” Which was true. Damian had been learning from Alfred. Already his cookies were the stuff of legends.

“I suppose that would be adequate. Thank you Grayson”

“Love you baby bird!” Dick chirped before Damian could hang up the phone.

Raven later opened a portal to Amity park. They had brought one of Cyborgs toolkits and Ravens spell books. Damian had thought of good housewarming gift ideas.

—————

Jason knocked on the door to Fentonworks. An annoyed looking Damian answered it.

“Demon brat. Heard you made some friends.”

“I am not being mind controlled. They were not sent by my grandfather, nor are they a different organization trying to take advantage of me.”

Jason blinked, because he hadn’t even gotten to ask yet.

“Tim came twenty minutes ago asking the same questions.” Damian said. “And I see you brought your team as well”.

Bizzaro and Artemis stood behind Jason. Young Justice being here would explain the explosions that they heard.

“At least Dick brought gifts”.

Jason scoffs and holds up a fruit basket.

“More of your friends, Damian” asks a redhead in the house.

“My brother, Jason. And his friends.”

The redhead extends a hand for Jason to shake. “I’m jazz. Nice to meet you.”

Damian reverse Batman himself

It all started when Damian got a new babysitter, Jasmine Fenton. As his father said, he couldn't help as Robin, and the rest of his siblings were too busy being heroes too. 

So he was stuck with a babysitter, Jasmine Fenton, who actually did let him be himself, and he didn't need to hide or cover it up like normally for civilians and similar. 

That was why Damian later reversed Batman himself and left with Jasmine. 

Jazz only noticed she still had Damian with her as she arrived home, and, well, welcome to the family. 

[asbestos4president]

Hamuel Burger and the American Dream episode 4 trancript

Episode title: Indeterminance Night and the Mercurial Vision (audiobook part one)

Patty: How about this?

Indie: So you're wearing a minecraft hoodie. Puke green cargo shorts. A tamagotchi necklace permanently stuck on the death screen. And on your head is a baseball cap with the text "the only thing I love more than chess is being an aunt". 

Patty: It's funny cause I'm not an aunt! 

Indie: I love it, I really do, but I'm just worried the Australian Prime Minister will see your outfit and not be able to avoid falling in love at first sight. That's how the Trojan war started! Another Trojan War would ruin my vacation!

Patty: You don't have to worry about that. I would never let a horse inside my home. In fact, I'm very afraid of horses. They have this permanently disappointed expression that always reminds me of my mother. Have you ever noticed that?

Indie: Fair. You know we didn't have to go to a thrift store to get you clothes, right? You are currently one of the richest women in America.

Patty: Which is exactly why we had to go to that thrift store! Look at all the bargains I got. Here's a mug that says "I Heart Root Canals!" Here's Glee: The Board Game! Here's a sock I lost back in 2014! I needed to buy all of this for my emotional wellbeing.

Wait, you're not mad, right? I know you weren't exactly your husband's biggest fan, but I get it if you don't want me spending his money on- have I shown you this one? It's a toaster that prints Hello Kitty on your breakfast! Yeah. Sorry. I'll ask if they have a return policy.

Indie: Actually, I think we can salvage this. Just put one of my blazers on over your hoodie and we can call it business casual. If anyone asks what business you're trying to be casual about, run.

Patty: Not the blazer! I don't want to look like Hillary Clinton.

Indie: Oh, honey. Hillary Clinton wouldn't be caught dead in those shoes. Now get out of here! Scram! Pokemon Go to the golf course! I love you.

Patty: What?

Indie: What? That was an exceedingly normal thing for the first lady to say to her wife. In fact, it would be highly suspicious if you didn't say it back.

Patty: Oh. Um. I love you too!

Indie: Oh, you love me? Embarrassing. I'm going to hold a press conference to tell everyone, and they're all going to point and laugh. 

Patty: Ugh. 

Ah, wait. Just one thing before I go. So I had this stack of letters… I usually keep them with me, but I can't find them. I'm really worried they were in that bag we threw out. If you have time to look through our stuff to see if they're there, that would be nice. They're really important to me.

Indie: Okay, love you, bye!

Patty: Nice try. If you find those letters, maybe I'll say it back!

[door closing]

(quieter, to herself)

Oh my god. Was that smooth? That felt smooth. Haha! I am a romance wizard!

Judith the Butler: Is Mrs. The President ready for her private jet to the golf course?

Patty: Ah! Judith! You scared me. Have you been here the whole time?

Judith (over creepy sfx): I have been here since before the world began and I shall remain here long after it ends, sweeping up the ashes in preparation for the next species of sentient life to find themselves in need of a butler. I see all and I know all, but what I see is none of my concern and what I know is none of yours. Does Mrs. The President have any further questions?

Patty: Many!

Judith the Butler: Good. Allow me to escort you to your ride. 

[scene change signified by music change to Mysterious Jazz]

Indie: Indeterminance Night and the Mercurial Vision, book the first. Based on a true story. Dedicated to Dr. Medulla O'Blongata, who said my work was derivative. Look at me now, bitch! Please call me if you read this. I miss us. 

Chapter the first.

Sitting alone on her bed, Space Baroness Indeterminance Night found herself conveniently reflecting on the events that had brought her up to this point. She had been but the Baron's lowly wife before a dashing assassin burst into their bedchambers and vanquished him with a laser sword. 

"Oh my," Indeterminance said, for she was wearing only her bedtime spacesuit, which was lacy and diaphanous but in a sort of futuristic way.

That was when the assassin had removed their helmet to reveal a torrent of violet hair. The most beautiful woman Indeterminance had ever seen was standing in her bedroom, and she made a mental note to introduce her to a better brand of conditioner. 

"My lady," said the assassin, dropping to one knee and taking Indeterminance's hand in her own. Indeterminance couldn't help but notice her sultry Space Australian accent. "My lady, I have come to save you from this wretched fate, for tales of your intellect and beauty have spread throughout the galaxy, and I knew I could not rest until I had you for my own."

"Aha!" Said Indeterminance. "Wait until the groupchat hears about this! They all said I needed to lower my standards because I would never find a hot butch space knight. Fools, the lot of them, and lacking in whimsy, too!"

"I must leave you now," said the assassin, her wide brown orbs clouded by sorrow, "for I have to fight off the guards. Would you do me the great favour of disposing of the body?."

"Anything!" gasped Indeterminance. "But what is your name, beautiful stranger? Will I ever see you again?"

"My name is Petroleum Hotdog. I have hidden seven letters around the space palace. If you collect them all, you shall find within the secret code by which to summon me. Until then, farewell, my love!"

"Like Slenderman!"

"This story is set on planet Mercury. I don't know who that is."

Then Petroleum vanished in a gust of violet petals, and Indeterminance was left holding only her right glove, still warm. She shook her head, dispelling any thoughts that might distract her from her mission, and slung the baron's corpse over her shoulder. Her biceps were large and hauntingly beautiful. She scuttled through the space palace, careful not to knock over any of the baron's space vases in which he kept clippings of rare space plants like dandelions and spinach. Under the sounds of fighting outside, she was able to make her way to the doors of the kitchen. They were wooden, a reminder of the planet humans had fled from long ago, and though Indeterminance had never seen a tree in person, the sight of them filled her with nostalgia. She pushed the doors gently, and-

Judith: Mrs. First Lady. What are you doing in the hotel kitchen, if I may ask?

Indie: Uhm.

(back into reading mode)

The space butler! There was no way she could tell them her secret plan to put the Baron's corpse in a blender and feed him to her pet asteroid, Cousin Rockmorton. They would never understand!

Judith: A blender, you say.

Indie: No! I just got lost looking for the hotel pool. Can you point me to it? And let the staff know that the first lady is in there and wishes to remain undisturbed.

Judith: Of course, ma'am.

Indie: Phew!

(back to reading mode)

Her plan having worked effortlessly, Indeterminance set forth for the space palace gardens, which were mostly full of rocks. Space fact: space has a lot of rocks in it. At the centre of the garden was a crater filled with clear blue water, a man made pool heated and dyed to mimic a geothermal spring. She dipped a finger in and tasted it. Chlorine and food colouring. This pool was the crown jewel of the garden, for though it was neither large nor deep, being able to afford decorative water on Mercury was a powerful status symbol. She positioned the baron's body at its side, ready to push him in. Surely he had just been staring at his reflection in the water when he lost his balance and fell.

Judith: I've brought refreshments for you and your companion, ma'am. I do hope I'm not intruding.

Indie: Gah! 

[splash]

My… Companion?

Judith: Yes, your gentleman friend. I can't quite make out his face under the… Is his skin rotting?

Indie: None of my friends are gentlemen, Judith! You know very well that I only associate with harlots and scoundrels. This is just my inflatable liferaft, and it has a skin condition that it's extremely sensitive about.

Judith: My apologies. I shall sit here and perform lifeguard duty as per section 46 of the Good Butler's Guide to Butlering Goodly, Swimsuit Edition. Look, it even has a centrefold containing a diagram of the proper technique by which to build a construction code appropriate sandcastle. In full colour! How very salacious.

Indie: You know, Judith, I suddenly feel rather too cold to swim. I may retire indoors. Is there a fireplace in this hotel at all? Do you think it may need topping up? I have acquired a rare and beautiful piece of kindling that looks like a dead man and smells like a dead man, but has been certified by several coroners to be a log. No need to look too closely.

Judith: There is a fireplace in the dining room, ma'am, however-

Indie: Say no more! I'm off!

(back to reading mode)

So there she was, Space Baroness Indeterminance Night, stalking through the palace like the mighty tigers of yore. Rather than an antelope, her prey was that most elusive beast: the fireplace! 

Writing fact: there are no tigers in space, but I couldn't think of another simile. 

Space fact: Well, actually, space is famously very large, so there could totally be space tigers out there somewhere, chilling. You're just not cool enough to be invited to their parties. 

Indie fact: Now I'm thinking about all the space tiger parties I haven't been invited to, and it's making me sad.

(out of reading mode)

Oh, there's the fireplace! 

(into reading mode)

She approached it trepidatiously, for it could attack at any moment, but all it did was hum quietly and loop the same gif of the platonic ideal of a fire. Gently, as she was a little sorry despite herself, Indeterminance placed the body down and turned her face away. However, instead of the scent of burning flesh reaching her nose, there was only 

(out of reading mode)

- is that seaweed?

Judith: 'tis merely my cologne, ma'am. It's supposed to be elegant and sensual, yet dangerous and masculine.

Indie: You smell like a dead jellyfish.

Judith: Elegant and sensual, yet dangerous and masculine. I came to inform you that this fireplace is electric, so you may have to find some other method by which to dispose of your government certified log. 

Indie: God. Alright. Well, I suddenly feel the need to perform a governmental inspection of the hotel garbage shoot in accordance with current health and safety standards. You know, making sure it's in good enough working order to transport large, cadaverous, formerly presidential items, just as a random example.

Judith (over creepy sfx): You needn't worry. I already tested the strength of the rubbish shoot this morning by tossing down the head chef of this hotel after he tried to serve you eggs that were one degree too cold. He's still in one piece, but so are airpods after you accidentally run them through the washing machine. 

Indie: I see. Are we paying you for these inspections, Judith?

Judith: Oh, no, I do it for the love of our glorious nation.

Indie: Alright, I'll hide this corpse the old fashioned way- with a shovel and a dream. You must have a shovel and a dream in you somewhere, Judith. Please?

Judith: I own no shovel, and I haven't had a dream in years. What's this about a corpse?

Indie: It was here that Indeterminance was confronted with a choice that would change her life forever. Could she trust the butler with the knowledge of her crime? Between her saintly dead mother, her neglectful father and her two horrible step sisters, Rutabaga and Trout, the only one left to raise her had been the butler. They had brushed her hair, tied her laces, soothed her when she cried… If she could not trust this one person, she could trust nobody at all. And yet, still she hesitated.

Judith: You hired me two weeks ago, ma'am. You're paying me ten dollars an hour.

Indie: Fine. Whatever. Just go ahead and ruin my narrative suspense, why don't you. Here's the deal: the president is dead. I replaced him with a purple-haired bisexual woman who wears sandals with socks and is overly passionate about moving horses around in some ancient boardgame. I feel pretty good about this decision. Now, are you going to help me hide his body, or am I going to have to hide yours as well?

Judith: Oh, the president? I've been trying to kill that fucker for years. Pass him over.

[thump]

Thank you. I shall wrap him up and dispose of him discreetly. Like a tampon!

Indie: It's that easy?

Judith: You're rich, you can kill whoever you want. Would you like a lemonade? 

Indie: But Indeterminance had no time to partake in the sweet juice of the lemon, for one more mystery remained to be solved: where were the seven secret love letters of Petroleum Hotdog? She checked the kitchens, the bathrooms, the dining hall, the study, the jewel-counting room, the observatory, the… Aha!

[phone dialling sounds / ringing]

Patty: Hi, you've reached the voicemail of Patricia Bur-

Asbestos: Whatcha doin'?

Patty: Recording my voicemail. It's kinda like when the library's closed so you have to stick your books in the return slot outside, but the slot is a recording of me saying "please leave a message after the beep". Say hi to whoever's listening to this!

Asbestos: No. I don't trust them. What are your intentions with my earth hostage, stranger? State them immediately or I shall blow up your mobile communication device with my mind! Also, please call back and explain to me what a library is. I've been pretending to know so that Patty thinks I'm smart, but based on the metaphor she just laid out, my prior hypothesis that it was some kind of dairy product or perhaps a fancy dog breed has become somewhat challenged. Love and kisses, Asbestos Sputnik Le Guin. 

Patty: What? You didn't tell me you had a cool middle name! Mine is Tomato. Anyway. Please leave a message after the beep. Bessy, do you want to…?

Asbestos: Beeeeeeeeeeeee-

(prolonged coughing fit)

-eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep! And don't call this number again, you hear me? Bad things will happen if you do! Real bad th-

[recording ends]

Indie: Hello my normal wife. I'm choosing to ignore whatever that was in favour of informing you that I have found your missing correspondence, and that it was in your other jacket. You know, the one that's exactly the same as your regular jacket except in a slightly greyer shade of green. Don't worry, I haven't read your letters! I am a woman of great honour and standing. Sometimes great sitting. I'm multifaceted that way.

[end voicemail]

[Indie hangs up, then picks up the phone again]

[phone ringing]

Operator: You have two new messages.

[beep]

Indie: Hello again, my single-apparition comet. Because I value transparency in our relationship (which we founded entirely on lies) I'm just calling to let you know that I opened one of the letters. I only did it in the interest of national security, and freedom, and because I really wanted to know what was inside. I haven't read it! But I will. I definitely will. Yours truly, love and light, her first ladyfulness Independence Liberty Day.

[beep]

Indie: Hi Patty! I didn't know you had a little brother. He appears to be in severe mental distress. How cute! Listen, there was a letter in there that you must have forgotten to send. So, because I felt a little guilty about reading it, I posted it for you! No need to pay me back for the stamp. XOXO, Indie.

P.S: Okay, if anyone is tapping this phone call, stop it now. I need to talk to my wife ALONE.

Okay, so you want to hear the real gossip? I heard that Independence Day is voiced by Jenny Wang, Patty is voiced by Monkozia, and Judith the Butler is voiced by N.V. May. Asbestos Le Guin is apparently voiced by Bulk, which is wild. I also heard that Spikes edited this episode! Really scandalous stuff. It could ruin their whole careers if it got out that they were such sick freaks! That's why I'm only telling you, and nobody else. K, love you, bye! 

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Topsy Turvy Days in Octavinelle

Sebek would make a decent butler and this is the hill I will die on 😤

The Sea Witch, and her Spirit of Benevolence.

Trey Clover...

… was tasked with overseeing the Mostro Lounge in Azul and the twins’ absence. He’s the only one with sufficient experience in customer service (no thanks to his family bakery) and dealing with logistics/planning (he’s a vice dorm leader, after all)! Trey wasn’t jazzed about the idea (he’d rather not deal with the lofty expectations if he can help it), but after being hit with the puppy dog eyes and fake tears from Octavinelle, he reluctantly accepted the responsibility.

His fellow vice dorm leader, Jade, is so kind as to give him some friendly pointers before his departure. Trey listens and takes notes as best he can, but he’s slightly unnerved when Jade leans in with a whisper and informs him that it is lounge policy to “kindly remove” the customers that disturb the peace of the eating establishment. “You mean asking problematic people to leave, right?” Trey asks—but all he receives in response is a mysterious smile.

There’s a strangely charged atmosphere in Octavinelle as soon as Trey steps into it. The students present as polite and well-meaning enough, but they’re sizing him up in their minds. They’re all angling to see if he screws up so they can swoop in and usurp that power to get ahead with the real boss when he returns. Trey’s not ignorant of those kinds of thoughts collecting—he’ll just have to prove to them how wrong they are.

He’s sort of a pushover in general (which is precisely why Azul didn’t ask Trey to handle contract negotiations in addition to the lounge); whenever a customer complains, Trey is inclined to offer something as compensation: a percentage off the check, a free dessert, whatever will ease their upset. He isn’t super strict with his workers either; Octavinelle students take breaks liberally, knowing they can cheat the system and take advantage of Trey while he’s here. (That’s the Octavinelle way: opportunism.) “Geez, Trey! You’re way too nice,” Cater groans—though he knows that’s just Trey’s way of resolving issues and keeping their patrons and his workers happy. The happy smiles on the customers are proof of that!

When the rush hours hit, Trey rolls up his sleeves and heads into the kitchen to lend a helping hand. He can follow recipes well enough, but it’s in dessert making where he truly shines. Trey had honed his pastries through years and years of practice, so he’s able to multitask and churn out sweets like it’s nobody’s business! It’s pretty convenient for the lounge too, cuz Trey’s sweets are flying off the menu! (It’s not uncommon to have the desserts sold out midday.)

The complimentary after-meal mints also come with single use floss pick. (Temporary) management’s orders. (“What?” Trey asks when people give him weird looks. “You can’t walk around after eating with food still stuck in your teeth.”) Some customers feel watched by a hawk as they pop the mint and leave the floss pick unused (though Trey never confronts them; he’s not the type of guy to pick a fight).

Push his buttons too much, and his serious side comes out!! Trey doesn’t give off the same “cunning mob boss” vibes as Azul; his energy is more like that of a dad that’s “not mad, just deeply disappointed”. (It’s okay though 😂 Even if Trey himself and a firm, “Sir, this is a McDonalds drive thru the Mostro Lounge,” doesn’t intimidate rude people, a fierce Sebek and a legion of Caters on standby sure will.)

Mild-mannered as Trey is, there are rare instances where his true devious nature shows. When his incredible patience is worn thin, a smirk comes along his face and customers vanish into the VIP room… and leave looking shaken, led out by Trey, looking as polite as he usually does. “Thanks for visiting the Mostro Lounge! We hope to see you again,” he calls after them. (“Eh, what do you think he said to that customer?” the Octavinelle mobs whisper among themselves. “I thought he was a totally nice guy…”)

“Ahahaha... I don’t think I’m at all suited for managing a restaurant. If it’s just grabbing and bagging a pastry or two at the counter, then I’m your guy. You’d be surprised at how much more happens at the lounge. Just the other day, we had a guest I had to seat down and have a one-on-one talk with to avoid a fight from breaking out. I guess this is a glimpse of the hardships Azul, Riddle, and the other dorm leaders have to deal with on a daily basis, huh? I don’t envy them one bit.”

Cater Diamond...

… is stoked to have landed this chance~ Octavinelle, being completely underwater, has so many cool sights for him to post in Magicam!! Just walking in the hallways opens up a vast, colorful expanse of the ocean to him—not to mention the beautiful, glittering jellyfish lights suspended over the lounge, and their classy uniforms! He’ll have to bring a portable charger with him to keep his phone alive for all the exciting pics ✨

He loves trying out his new fit. You’ll find several (and I do mean several) pics on his Magicam account of Cater posing in his Octavinelle suit in various states of put-togetherness and hairstyles. Here’s him in a low ponytail and the suspenders and dress shirt, and this one is with his hair down and his jacket fully buttoned… The scarf is looped around the wait and knotted like a belt here, then slung like a boa in the next. There’s a surprising amount of ways it can be worn, and Cater’s been experimenting with them all?

His unique magic is perfect for working at the lounge, especially when they’re short staffed! With Split Card, a handful of Caters can be running around taking and delivering orders, cleaning up tables, and/or booting out troublemakers. Usually Cater isn’t up for being the party pooper, but between Trey (who’s too forgiving) and Sebek (who’s too unforgiving), Cay-kun’s gotta be the moderator here!!

Cater’s general amicable nature makes him a hit with customers at the front of house and his peers in the break room. He’s observant and approachable, able to start and keep a conversation with most anyone. He has firsthand access to the latest gossip and information because of this direct contact with chatty customers and coworkers—which makes him formidable competition for Jade, Octavinelle’s usual information broker. Good thing Cater’s not too concerned with rivalries~

He’s also good at making recommendations based on individual preferences! Cater practically has the menu memorized front to back (on account of having visited the lounge so often himself to try their seasonal specialties), so he might as well utilize his knowledge to help customers decide what they want.

He’s chock-full of ideas for deals, themed menus, promotions, and limited time events to draw in customers! (If they want a music night, he could always call his Pop Music Club buddies in to do a gig!) Truthfully, Cater pitches these concepts because he personally knows what’s popular and this what will net him the most likes, but he frames it as “I think the customer base would like this 🎵” Some would call it clever manipulation and redirection, but Cater prefers to think of it as “mutually beneficial” for everyone, himself included!

Cater ups the Mostro Lounge’s social media game! Whenever Trey creates a new dessert, in swoops Cater to take an aesthetically pleasing, expertly shot photo to upload onto their Magicam page! Within an hour, thousands of likes have accumulated and there’s another influx of people clamoring for a taste of that beautiful item. (“Azul should hire you as his social media manager,” Trey jokes, handing over another batch of macarons to be served.)

Sometimes when Cater’s alone in the restroom washing up before service, he glimpses his reflection in the mirror and contemplates his circumstances. Here he is, helping the business be successful and mingling with so many people… and yet some small, fragmented part of him still fears it could all vanish in the blink of an eye. Cater sighs, replaces his hat, assumes a smile, and returns his nose to the grindstone—and the eternal song and dance he puts on for the public eye. “Showtime.”

“You know what? Working part-time at the Mostro Lounge isn’t half bad! Well… not with Trey in charge, anyway! Azul’d probably run Cay-kun ragged! But all that stuff aside, Octavinelle’s peak photogenic! It’s a whole new world down here, full of stuff and treasures you’d never find on land. Maybe it’s true what I’ve heard: that life is just better under the sea!”

Sebek Zigvolt...

… had a hard time detaching from Diasomnia without making a fuss. He knows that Octavinelle will help him improve his skills as an attendant to better serve the young master, but it doesn’t make him any less emotional for his departure!! In the typical Sebek fashion though, he deflects!! No, Sebek insists, he’s just mad that Silver gets to spend time with Lilia, and that Malleus will be unsupervised in their absence! (They all gathered to see him off at the Mirror Chamber like parents helping an anxious kid to his first day of school.)

It was a hassle getting him fitted in his new uniform! Not a single student in Octavinelle comes close to how buff Sebek is, so the largest size of their uniform was still super tight on him and struggled to contain him in its seams. (Think of that one meme where a character’s chest is so broad/big that it causes the buttons to pop off, that’s basically Sebek.) Once the clothes are on properly, they had a whole other issue of trying to clamp down the hat over his wild hair—but hey, they were eventually successful!

Sebek gets on everyone’s bad side right off the bat, referring to his fellow Octavinelle students by a slew of unflattering adjectives. He even managed to piss Cater off by calling him “shallow”… which earns Sebek a lot of passive aggressive glares from his coworkers throughout his shifts (well, not that he cares). “You’re not doing yourself any favors, Sebek. It’s no good to make enemies with the people you’re working with,” Trey gently chides him—but though he vehemently disagrees, Sebek can’t being himself to snap back like he typically would.

IT’S JUST SO WEIRD FOR HIM TO BE AROUND TREY AT ALL. Trey reminds Sebek sooo much of his father that he doesn’t know how exactly to act with him. (There’s a certain degree of respect that must be conferred to one’s elders, even if they are a human and kind of weak and inscrutable…) For the most part, Sebek feels compelled to follow Trey’s orders, even if he doesn’t fully back him as an individual. Every time he has to actually talk to Trey though, hems about 50% more tsundere than usual to get his points across.

Sebek’s honestly less like a waiter and more like a bouncer. Built like a semi-truck with a scowl that strikes fear into those faint of heart and a voice that booms like thunder, his mere presence usually wards off any potential signs of trouble. (When it’s his turn to be at the front of house, you can hear him greeting customers all the way in the consultation rooms. If you judge by volume alone, most aren’t sure if he’s angry or if he’s happy.)

Unfortunately, his proud and somewhat gruff manner of speaking doesn’t exactly make him a people person, especially not when he marches over to drop a check on the table or to demand what they want when they summon him over. Oh, and if they start getting rude? Sebek’s instinct is to fire back, which only adds more fuel to the fire of the argument.

Where he shines is in technical abilities, far removed from his personality or choice of words. (Sebek can brew a mean cup of tea, which pairs well with all the sweets they’re selling!) When he’s commended for doing a good job, his whole face brightens and he gets this huge, dorky smile on his face. If you’re lucky, you may also catch a glimpse of his fangs! (“… How can someone so abrasive also have this surprisingly cute side to him?” the mob students wonder.)

On his breaks, Sebek, thinking the others to be inferior humans, refuses to sit with everyone else. He huddles at a table by his lonesome, shoveling plate after plate of food into his mouth. (It’s convenient to get rid of leftovers by just handing the extra food to Sebek.) One might feel pity for this poor, unfortunate soul—but on the contrary, Sebek feels as though he has a lot of progress to report back to Lilia . _ .

“Hmph, no other dormitory could even hope to come close to the glory and the majesty of Diasomnia!! There was never a doubt in my mind that this is the unquestioning truth!! I will cede that Octavinelle has been useful in some ways. It has provided me with an environment in which I can hone my service skills for the young master. Indeed, THE SERVICE INDUSTRY IS A BATTLEFIELD UNLIKE ANY I’VE TREADED BEFORE…!! Lilia-sama and Malleus-sama will surely be pleased with the results of my training!”

[foldingfittedsheets]

What Might Have Been

For fans of Jazz and Sabine featured in my werewolf comic, here is the rough draft before I started drawing. I'll have little annotations in parenthesis to say why I may have cut something or why I shifted directions. If it's crossed out it's because I made that panel and moved on.

Shelter worker says she can’t do basic commands

Jazz sits, lays down, and shakes in the background

Sabine laughs quietly and says they’d like to take her

Shelter worker assures her there’s a return policy if she’s too much

Sabine tells her she’s going to call her Jazz while putting on her collar, she approves

Enter Sabine’s home- it is a pit of dirty clothes, dishes, and clutter

Jazz is appalled and Sabine apologizes and says she’s been struggling

Sabine tells Jazz her ex has been making her nervous and it’s been hard to stay on top of cleaning

Jazz gets shown a bed but hops up on Sabines and lays on her. Sabine looks nervous, then smiles and hugs her. 

They sleep

Sabine leaves for work and Jazz transforms into human, stretches.

She says free room and board, but the place is so dirty she feels like she needs to clean up

Shots of the room over a few days getting tidier and tidier as Sabine gets home

Sabine pets Jazz and wonders if she’s attracted a brownie

Jazz is inspired, cut to cooking shot

The next day there’s food waiting too. Sabine is so happy, says she should put out milk and honey for the brownie

Weekend and Sabine wakes up smelly. Jazz shoves them to the shower and Sabine resists

Admits to being really scared ex will try to come in while she’s naked

Jazz strikes a hero pose and Sabine smiles and gets in the shower.

Jazz looks away, embarrassed. Sabine notices and smiles, commenting she’s shy

Montage of Jazz encouraging Sabine to take her on a walk, getting them on a skateboard for a ride, nudging Sabine into the kitchen to eat, cuddling with her on the couch

Still shot of Jazz letting kids pet her at the park

Sabine comments that she didn’t know dogs could be this smart or helpful, looks a little thoughtful as Jazz tries to look nonchalant (I was leaning toward Sabine fully figuring it out on their own but at this point I'm realizing the romance aspect is going to feel one sided if Jazz never gets lines)

Sabine gets ready for work and drops silver on Jazz, burning her. Jazz yelps and Sabine apologies but looks suspicious.

Sabine says she’s never had such a good friend, how much she loves Jazz. 

Jazz looks guilty but licks her face.

Shot of them having breakfast, knock on the door.

Sabine looks scared and Jazz raises her hackles

Sabine opens the door and the ex is there looking impatient

Says she wants her stuff if Sabine is going to keep insisting on playing the victim. Sabine wilts and steps back

Jazz is right there and starts growling at ex

Ex is startled and asks what is that. 

Sabine says that’s my dog 

Ex says that thing isn’t a dog but Jazz interrupts by barking and growling furiously

Sabine looks secretly pleased and offers to get ex’s stuff in a box and hand it to her since Jazz is so aggressive

Jazz and ex glare at each other on doorstep

Sabine returns with box and holds it out to ex

Ex takes it and sneers saying it’s good Sabine has a “dog” now since no one else would want her then leaves

Sabine goes to couch and starts to cry. Starts to panic (I think it's pretty obvious why I wanted to shift this ex interaction to have Jazz act more as a protector and keep her from getting the last shot in at Sabine)

Jazz comes and lays on her

Sabine whispers she knows Jazz isn’t a dog

Jazz looks stunned and backs away

Sabine says she’s known for a while but doesn’t mind if Jazz likes being a dog more. She loves her company

Jazz transforms and looks very nervous.

Sabine smiles and pats the couch.

Jazz joins her. She admits that she’s from a small town and didn’t fit in with her pack

She came to the city (shot of 1920’s city with witches flying and a small dragon) to try to see if she could be happy

Got into a ton of debt and tax trouble

No one knew she was a werewolf so she bought a collar and faked her death

Didn’t like most of the people at the shelter so played dumb and difficult but really liked Sabine

Admits to having feelings for her but would also be okay staying her fuzzy friend. 

Check length here, if too long, kiss and Sabine says they can get to know each other better now. If short have her take Jazz’s hand and add a montage of them doing chores together, cuddling, and eventually kissing (Checking length was a fucking joke it was already super long before they even got out of the shelter.)

[burlveneer-music]

Molly Lewis - On the Lips - don't know if I'm ready for a full-on lounge/exotica (re)revival, but it's the perfect milieu for a whistler

Consider this your invitation to Café Molly, a lounge bar like they don’t make them anymore. The lights are low, the martinis are ice cold, the banquettes are velvet, and the stage is set for the electrifying talent of whistler Molly Lewis. Molly’s soft-focus cocktail music conjures up visions of classic Hollywood jazz clubs, Italian cinema soundtracks and lingering embraces between lovers. After the exotica stylings of The Forgotten Edge EP and the tropicalia-indebted Mirage EP, Molly wanted to encapsulate the sound of Café Molly for her debut album On The Lips, a dreamy tribute to classic mood music. That spellbinding sound, which usually comes to life in Los Angeles, has also popped up in Mexico City dancehalls, graced the runways of Paris and London Fashion Weeks, and made a magical appearance at a children's fairyland. Molly Lewis’s love for this smoky corner of the world doesn’t end with her songwriting. She is a devotee and an archivist, capturing and enlivening the pieces that endure. She was a regular at the legendary shows by Marty and Elayne, the lounge duo who spent almost 40 years playing LA’s Dresden bar. The duo came to global fame after an appearance in 1996’s Swingers and kept going long after that spotlight faded, finally finishing their nightly residency after the death of Marty at the ripe age of 89 last year. “That felt like the end of an era,” says Molly. But there are still flashes of that world to be found, and she finds them. “I’ve been spending a lot of time in New York lately, where there are a lot more of those moody, classic jazz bars,” she explains. Over the past few years Molly has flexed her one-of-a-kind musical skill alongside Mark Ronson on the Barbie soundtrack, as well as with Dr Dre, Karen O, actor John C Reilly, Mac De Marco, fashion houses Chanel, Gucci and Hermes, and folk rock royalty Jackson Browne. After a performance with longtime friend Weyes Blood on Burt Bacharach’s The Look of Love during a Café Molly evening at LA’s Zebulon, Molly supported the singer on a US tour, introducing her sound to a brand new audience. “I forget sometimes that what I do has that factor of surprise and uniqueness – it is something that most people have never seen before,” says Molly. She too might never have entered the idiosyncratic world of whistling had she not as a teenager seen the 2005 documentary Pucker Up, which details the International Whistling Competition. Equally amused and bemused by the eccentric event, in 2012 she competed herself. Spending her early twenties in Berlin she then moved to LA to work in film – and returned to the contest in 2015 to take home first prize. One evening Molly did a turn at an open mic at the Kibitz Room, a tiny late-night bar inside historic LA deli Canter’s. Her display led to appearances at performance art happenings across the city, and she soon caught the ear of independent record label Jagjaguwar. On The Lips was recorded with producer Thomas Brenneck of the Menahan Street Band, Budos Band, Dap-Kings and El Michels Affair, at his newly-built Diamond West Studios in Pasadena. The pair bonded over the work of 1960s soundtrack composers Alessandro Alessandroni and Piero Piccioni, and, with something of an open door policy during the sessions, a stream of acclaimed musicians ended up across the album’s 10 tracks. With her intoxicating compositions, and wry brand of stagecraft (she might not be singing up there, but she can sure tell a joke) Molly Lewis looks set to join her heroes in the storied lore of the Los Angeles lounge scene and beyond. So pull up a chair, order your favorite drink, and prepare to fall for On The Lips.  PERFORMER LINE-UP: On The Lips Molly Lewis - Whistle, guitar, vocals Joe Harrison - Flute, bass Eric Hagstrom - Drums, clave Thomas Brenneck - Organ Written by: Molly Lewis

[yallcantread]

Sorry for being late, as @sadgirlcoded asked for.. here’s a thread of the 1975/Matty Healy and their acts of activism/support of marginalized communities ranging from tweets, donations, flags, and rants. Im adding emojis to the titles cause I want to. Yep.

Before I begin I want to stress that Matty Healy is known for being an activist, anybody that’s a fan already knows this but if you aren’t a fan and you’ve come across this post (thank you for reading it) then let me just state that fact.

I’m starting this post with a quote from a NME article a journalist made. He said: “Dubai isn’t necessarily the kind of place you’d expect to find Matty Healy: committed hedonist and full-time stoner; wearer of an ever-changing array of threadbare vintage band T-shirts; reigning Greatest Frontman In Pop, and an outspoken champion of women, youth, the environment, minorities and the LGBTQ+ community.”

1. Malaysia’s Good Vibes Festival 🇲🇾

The most recent act of activism I’d say is the situation at Malaysia’s festival. I’m going to link the rant, articles about the rant, the transcript of the rant, and all that jazz.

“What happened?” In my own words, Malaysia is known to be a highly homophobic country, where being gay is considered illegal, and the rights for LGBTQ individuals are severely restricted. For a more in-depth understanding of their laws and the cultural treatment of LGBTQ people, you can find more information here.

I was unaware of the extent of Malaysia’s homophobia until this recent situation unfolded. The band 1975 performed in Malaysia without realizing the country’s stance on LGBTQ rights. Matty, the band’s lead vocalist, acknowledges their mistake and implies that they won’t be returning for future performances in Malaysia.

During the performance, Matty expressed his frustration with the government’s homophobic policies and openly criticized them, sending a strong message against their discriminatory actions. He then decided to rebel against those stupid homophobic laws by grabbing his bandmate Ross and kissing him on stage.

As a result of the band’s actions, the concert had to be cut short by 45 minutes, and the government cancelled the remaining festival, using the 1975’s performance as a pretext, which many see as an unjustified excuse.

Overall, the incident highlights the significant challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals in Malaysia and the importance of raising awareness about LGBTQ rights and equality worldwide.

A quick summary of the situation from a verified source will be right here.

“Where can I watch the rant?” You can watch Matty Healy’s important speech right here.

“How is this activism? Isn’t this disrespectful to the Malaysian government and people? Doesn’t this make it harder for the gay Malaysian community? Isn’t this white savorism?”

No. If you’re interested in my opinion, I’ll provide it at the end of this post as it might be a bit lengthy. However, if you prefer a concise rundown from a journalist’s perspective, then here.

2. Streets of London 🇬🇧

Streets of London is a charity to support the homeless people of London. Matty Healy amongst other famous British singers like Liam Gallagher and Paul McCartney donated money and prizes to the cause. You can read more about this specific project right here.

If you want to donate to the cause I’ll add a link under the title “streets of London” if you’d like to learn about the homeless epidemic in London click right here. While you’re here there’s a homeless epidemic in every western country especially America. If you need any help securing housing let me know the state you live in and I’ll provide some resources!

3. The 1975 helped finance a new LGBTQ+ center in London. 🏳️‍🌈

This one is very very very very important. I should’ve made this the second one following the Malaysian article but I’m not redoing it sorry. A lot of people in the Malaysian incident wrongfully stated that Matty Healy is virtue signaling or is someone that wants to appear like a hero. In this section, Matty talks about how he doesn’t want to appear virtue-signaling. READ IT ALL.

There’s more to the article but I’m going to input all the important bits in the post. If you want to read the full article here it is.

The 1975 have helped finance a new LGBTQ+ community centre for London, making a significant donation that has allowed the project to secure its fundraising target.

Matthew Healy, the band’s frontman, told the Observer: “You might wonder why it is needed, and even ask yourself what exactly is everyone still scared of, but sadly, I think stigma still exists even in London and we still have some way to go.”

Healy, 29, added that he was surprised to find the capital city did not have a place for LGBTQ+ people to meet and support one another. New York, Berlin, Los Angeles and Manchester already have such venues – and London did once. A Gay and Lesbian Centre in Farringdon was shut down in the early 1990s, because of a lack of funding and management disagreements about its core purpose. But now a team of volunteers, including the activist and journalist Michael Segalov, are attempting to set up a new and more welcoming place for London’s large LGBTQ+ community that could have a more stable future.

“When a friend of mine sent me the link, I was quite surprised that such a good idea had not yet raised enough to get over the threshold,” said Healy, “I am a bit wary of talking about it because I don’t want to appear to be virtue-signalling, but me and the others in the band all felt it was obviously a good thing to put our money towards.”

4. Raising awareness towards climate change + Using funds to donate to a environmental movement☀️🌎.

If you’re a fan of the 1975 then you already know how they worked alongside Greta Thunberg, the young climate change activist, and put an iconic and important message in the opening track on the album “Notes on a Conditional Form”

I’m going to link the interview here but I’ll post important bits of it in the thread like I did before. I’ll be doing that throughout this entire post if you haven’t noticed.

In an interview with the Sunday Times Healy, then 31, said that Greta Thunberg had gone to "bigger artists" than the band to work with but had been turned away.

Healy said: “I feel like big statements will be made by pop stars, but they’ll do it when the cultural narrative has massaged a subject enough for it to be not really a statement any more. A narrative needs to be seen as progressive but also safe. I call it ‘workshop woke’.”

Matty Healy described Greta, 17 at the time, as the most punk person he has ever met, adding that he wanted to include her on the album so her voice was "documented in a formal place in pop culture".

The money raised from the track went to environmental movement, Extinction Rebellion.

“What have the 1975 done to make their tours environmentally friendly?” An annoying conservative of the name David Davies (corny lame name for a lame cornball) asked the same silly question. For more context he criticized the 1975 calling them hypocrites for their track on the climate crisis. He condescendingly asked how the band was going to get to these places such as Asia and other continents.

If you want to read that loser’s open letter here it is.

“But what have they done?” The 1975 have taken steps to make their tours more eco-friendly, introducing hybrid-powered generators with solar arrays and sustainably-sourced Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel to power shows along with supporting reforestation charities through ticket sales. You can read more about that here.

5. Another article/quote I should’ve put following the Malaysian festival.

This is my all time favorite interview. Read it ALL. A quote made by Matty Healy in regards to going to Dubai, a place known for their human rights violations amongst other things. I’m going to link an article of the things problematic things that Dubai is known for. So you can read that right here.

This part of the post is really important because it highlights how strongly Matty Healy believes in people’s rights and how he has always been outwardly against any homophobic or racist agenda promoted by any country. He has always been known to rebel against the government’s policies.

An interviewer asked Matty if he had emptied his bags and pockets for drugs before going to Dubai. Matty mentioned he had to wait in immigration for an hour and that they had went through every pocket he had. He didn’t bring any drugs. After stating this the interviewer followed with “So drugs are not worth getting arrested for. But principles? That’s a different matter.”

Matty responds with:

““I would go to jail for what I stand for, you know – I feel like I’m in one of the only punk bands in the world,” says Matty. “I’m profoundly anti-religion and I always have been. I don’t agree with a dogmatic, pious adherence to scripture, because I believe that creates more pain for more people on a global level than it does solace for people on the individual level. I think it’s a selfish act. But I also understand that religion and culture are two very, very, very different things. So I understand the idea of if you say to somebody, I don’t know, ‘your religion is stupid’, it can for some people be the equivalent of somebody saying, ‘your face is ugly’, because it’s so deeply ingrained in who they are. I would never come over here and be disrespectful to people to make a point. But I’m never going to not stand up for women. I’m not going to not stand up for gay people. I’m not going to not stand up for minorities. So it’s my job to come out here and…”

The interviewer cuts him off and asks “But you’re going to have to really watch what you say tonight, no?”

Matty responds with “Well, I’m not allowed to have ‘GOD LOVES F*GS’ written on my chest, which I probably am going to. So that will be interesting.”

The interviewer replies with “And risk getting arrested before your headline slot at Reading and Leeds? The big one? The one it’s all been building up to?”

Matty responds with “Yeah, that’s the only thing that I’m thinking. But you know, people need to say this kind of shit, man. There’s not many bands like mine that come to this part of the world. What kid in Dubai, who’s coming to a 1975 show, wants me to say nothing?”

The interview says “But it’s not those kids you have to worry about.

Matty replies with “Well, that’s my job.”

If you want to read that entire interview you can do so here. In this article he also mentions how he wanted to create the 1975 styled hijabs for his Muslim fans.

6. More climate change stuff 🌎☀️

I didn’t want to add it to the other climate change post because I wanted it to be its own individual thing. I also didn’t want to make it too long.

But The 1975 has made strides in creating a more sustainable future for the music industry and fans alike. The 2020 merch was made of upcycled, repurposed older merch that is printed with the latest album art. Alternatively, when touring started back up again, the could bring their existing merchandise and have it printed on for free. The 1975 had also partnered with REVERB to make their touring experiences more sustainable.

Their partnership with REVERB can be read here, please click this link. It’s an entire list of environmental things they’ve done.

7. Women’s rights + Pro-Choice 💪

In the summer of 2019, Alabama’s conservative governor Kay Ivey passed a law that banned abortion at any stages for any reasons including sexual assault and for life saving purposes. Matty Healy was one if not the only male with a platform in the music industry that said something about this law in 2019. Many male actors made a tweet or two here and there but Matty Healy made a passionate speech in Alabama about the ruling. He made it at the “Hangout Music Festival”

He started off by saying “The reason I’m so angry is because I don’t believe [the ban] is about the preservation of life, I believe it’s about the controlling of women.”

He went on to criticise those who passed the law, saying “you are not men of God, you are simply misogynistic wankers.”

He added: “You know what else is important? Freedom for women to do with their reproductive organs what they want.”

You can watch the full speech here.

8. Black Lives Matter/Love If We Made It.

Before I begin I want to state again that I’m a black person. No, I am not secretly Matty Healy like many messages in my inbox keep saying that I am. I’m not even British. But I’m flattered?

Anywho. If you were on the internet during the summer of 2020 then you were aware of the death of George Floyd and the protests that followed after it. To give you a run down, George Floyd was murdered by a police officer even though he had no weapon on him, was obeying orders and hadn’t committed a crime. A police officer by the name of Derek Chauvin choked him with his knee. Even though bystanders and George Floyd himself kept saying he couldn’t breathe Derek Chauvin continued to choke George Floyd. George Floyd’s death caused understandable anger, around this time there were other innocent black people who had their lives taken away due to police brutality. Before George Floyd died a young black woman named Breonna Taylor was wrongfully murdered in March of 2020, the police had issued a no knock warrant on her apartment the police shot through her home instantly killing her with one of the bullets. So with all this happening so closely together clearly there was tension growing between police and the public more specifically the black community.

Many white people like Matty Healy voiced their support for the black community and protestors. He shamed those claiming that “all lives matters.” Before the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, in October of 2018 the 1975 created an amazing song called “Love It If We Made It” the song isn’t one of those songs that are baseless and run along the lines of “racism is bad. black people are rad!” or some other corny stuff that has no actual purpose but to pander. If you listen to the song and look at the lyrics it talks about sexual assault, systematic racism, the prison industry and how it profits off of black men, police brutality and more on. The song basically is saying that even though all these messed up horrible things are happening, the song title and chorus saying “I’d love it if we made it” is showing a hopeful and optimistic message basically saying it will get better.

Around the time George Floyd died Matty had tweeted the following:

So, this song caused quite a controversy, and I vividly remember that day on Twitter. It was disheartening to witness how low and desperate some people went just to gain retweets. Let me clarify what I mean by ‘low and pathetic.’ I’m not talking about those who genuinely brought awareness to the situation; I’m referring to individuals who tweeted just for the sake of it, seeking attention and validation.

This behavior is unfortunately common on Twitter whenever a tragedy occurs. Instead of focusing on the actual issue at hand, some individuals choose to preemptively call out others or engage with troll/bait accounts just to showcase their cleverness. It seems as though they are more interested in getting a viral tweet than in contributing constructively to the conversation.

Whether it’s a tragic incident like a drug overdose or police brutality, some people seem to prioritize their online presence over genuine empathy and thoughtful engagement. Rather than blocking unhelpful accounts, they choose to engage in unproductive exchanges, which only perpetuate negativity.

As an example, let’s consider a situation where someone has tragically died from a drug overdose. It’s disheartening to observe how certain individuals with a significant number of followers on Twitter would suddenly tweet things like “don’t tell the family of xyz how to grieve; let them grieve on their own time!” even though no one had actually made such insensitive comments to begin with. Similarly, they might post, “why am I seeing people talking about how xyz deserved to die because he took those drugs?” when in reality, no legitimate non-troll account had said anything of that nature.

Furthermore, these individuals may deliberately twist the meaning of innocent statements just to gain retweets and attention. For instance, if someone were to innocently mention, “man, drugs are so scary,” they might quote-tweet it with “why are you making his death about drugs?” The tweet then gains thousands of retweets, and people start labeling the original poster as a horrible person based on the out-of-context quote.

This behavior on Twitter exemplifies a disturbing trend of seeking validation and attention through manipulating sensitive situations. It undermines genuine empathy and thoughtful discussion, instead promoting a culture of unnecessary outrage and divisiveness.

If you’re familiar with Twitter, you probably know what I’m referring to. However, if you’re not on Twitter, it might seem absurd and overwhelming.

During the time of George Floyd’s death, there was a lot of discourse and discussions on the platform. Unfortunately, much of the conversation seemed performative, with people sharing opinions just for retweets and validation. The way these tweets were phrased and how people reacted to others’ tweets revealed their intentions.

At that time, the discourse predominantly revolved around police brutality and George Floyd, and any deviation from that topic would often result in attacks. People would reply to your tweets with condescending remarks like “hello?? read the room” or other judgmental statements to make you appear selfish or ignorant. Even on personal occasions like birthdays, people expected consistent tweeting about George Floyd or police brutality.

This behavior created an atmosphere where genuine conversations and empathy were overshadowed by a desire for online recognition. It became difficult for people to have meaningful discussions about a wide range of topics without fear of backlash or being labeled as insensitive.

I recall a situation where a user on Twitter got upset with me because someone had formed a moment of silence or something similar for George Floyd, I believe. During that moment, people were supposedly not “allowed to tweet,” but I did tweet something unrelated, and I ended up being labeled as a horrible person.

Looking back, it seemed amusing at the time, but it was also incredibly absurd.

This is basically what happened with Matty. During this time Matty tweeted the above photo, people attacked him and said things along the lines of “why are you making George Floyd’s death about you?” “Why are you using his death to get clicks??” or other crazy things. I remember this day vividly cause I defended him. They’d tweet things like “Matty Healy using the death of innocent blank people to promote his music is disgusting” when clearly that was not what he was doing. And those people knew it.

Because of this Matty deleted the tweet and made a new one (I’m horrible at adding photos to tumblr I’m young but this site still confuses me even though i was frequent on here in 2013 so I’m copy and pasting the tweet)

“@Truman_Black: Sorry i did not link my song in that tweet to make it about me it's just that the song is literally about this disgusting situation and speaks more eloquently than i can on twitter XXX”

Then he replied to the tweet with the song link, but later after facing more backlash he deactivated his twitter. When asked why he stated he didn’t want to be used as a pawn in a culture war.

I was going to add a bunch of tweets that matty had made years ago but for some odd reasons the tweets are cropped and i can’t post them to where they’ll show all the way. Sorry guys I’m really shit

If there’s something I missed send it to me and I’ll add it!

Also here’s my opinion on the Malaysian festival and Matty kissing Ross.

My thoughts:

In case anyone wants to debate with me, I want to make my position clear:

Idk if you can swear on here but F word 🇲🇾. Malaysian government’s homophobic stance is unacceptable, and anyone defending such a country’s discriminatory policies deserves criticism. Matty Healy’s act of kissing his bandmate does not hinder progress towards gay rights. The real issue lies in the government’s foundation on religion, particularly when religious beliefs are used to oppress people. As long as religion is the forefront of your laws, you will never have rights. And you know it. People want someone to blame instead of admitting that religion is the problem. It’s easier to blame Matty Healy then blaming the system you were instilled to believe in.

People’s rights and the ability to love who they want are of paramount importance, and they should take precedence over religion. We know that gay and trans individuals exist and are human beings, while the existence of God remains unproven. It’s perplexing how the lack of evidence for something can lead to numerous human rights violations, wars, and deaths.

Matty Healy’s actions were commendable, and it is not “white saviorism.” The term itself is often misused and is stupid. It came from that dumb tumblr blog “your fave is problematic.” The Malaysian government tries to manipulate public opinion, making it crucial to stay critical and not be swayed by their attempts to evoke pity or misconstrue the issue as a matter of cultural disrespect.

Even if you’re Malaysian Idrc lol. A person named O'Shae Sibley was dancing to Beyoncé this month outside of a gas station and these group of men came up to him and told him to stop dancing, then one of the men proceeded to STAB him. He got murdered just because he was dancing to Beyoncé. That’s homophobia. And you want to know why they asked him to stop dancing, “A witness, Summy Ullah, told the Daily News the young men had been harassing Sibley's group because their behavior offended them.

“They were saying, ‘Oh, we’re Muslim, so don’t do this in front of me,’” said Ullah, 32.

Ullah added, “Nothing else was going on. They were only dancing.” He said someone asked, "Why are you dancing in your underwear?”

I don’t know why religion ever took precedent over someone’s sexuality but let me be clear, your right to religion doesn’t trump over someone’s right to love who they love and to be happy with who they are.

Homophobic government isn’t just “wahh gay people can’t get married” it’s “oh a man was walking in a feminine way, so i murdered him.” And the government siding with the homophobic person that murdered the random stranger. Homophobia is extremely dangerous. If a government is homophobic, most likely they’re misogynistic as well. They see femininity or any form of being feminine as a threat. There’s nothing wrong with being feminine and there’s nothing wrong with liking the same sex. People deserve better, not religions and not God but people. People we can feel and touch.

You aren’t entitled to feel comfortable, if your right to feel comfortable trumps someone’s right to love who they wanna love then you have no right to comfortability.

[lgcmanager]

NEWKIDS NEWDREAMS 003

SCHEDULE TYPE: TRIMESTER ( PART 1 OUT OF 2 ) SCHEDULE RESTRICTIONS: cannot be paired with another trimester schedule, unless stated otherwise. for reference as to whether your muse is eligible for this event, please click over HERE.

the eight trainees are back in the meeting room and CHOI DAEHYUN (president of US GEN and member of DBSD),  KIM HYUNCHEOL (the trainees' head manager), SEO YOUNGJAE (kim hyuncheol's assistant) and LEE YONGSEOK (DBSD DAEHYUN's manager) are present with them. DAEHYUN claps once. "alright! let's begin! first, i want you to look at the trainees on your left and those on your right. as of today, they are your future GROUPMATES. barring any unforseen circumstances, the eight of you will be debuting in late Q4 or early Q1." 

NEWKIDS NEWDREAMS SYSTEM REMINDER

members currently set to be part of the debut group. as long as you do the requirements for NKND, you'll be kept in the group. should you want to drop out, simply ignore the requirements. one missed trimester will move your character to the TRIAL MEMBERS group.

RETURN ON LAST TRIMESTER

MAY 1: launch of USGEN youtube channel and first episode of NEWKIDS NEWDREAMS

MAY 22: since episode 4 of NEWKIDS NEWDREAMS, content from the boys only; digital release of NEW KIDZ ON THE BLOCK + performance MV

JULY 8: 'DOOM DU DOOM' digital release + MV

STAGE NAMES AND POSITIONS

BAEK BYEONGKWAN: BK

HAN NOEUL: NOEUL

HWANG MINKI: MK

KURAMOTO MISAKI: SAEM

LAI WENJUN: WENJUN

MAE JASPER: JAZZ

SUNG HANEUL: EDEN

XUE YICHEN: YICHEN

"first, lets broach the topic of skills. some of you likely wonder what we want you to work on. LEGACY and USGEN policies are alike on this; you have been picked for your particular skill set, we will never ask you to change that, only request that you continue to push forward and grow in your trade. if any of your skill seem to be falling behind, or if something needs immediate correction, we will let you know. an example of this, is how some of you were requested to attend additional language lessons. most of you have reached the target we've set, so thank you. however, WENJUN," he turns a stern look towards the young man. "your ENGLISH coach noted that no progress have been made in his class nor your skills during the past 3 months. we'll give you until our next meeting on SEPTEMBER 2 to work on the skill, otherwise i foresee two consequences: first, some of your lines in the upcoming songs will be redistributed to other members and, second, you will not be allowed to take part in a certain opportunity i'll talk about in a moment." he lets the words sink in before moving to the next topic, still stern when he returns his attention to the whole group. "while we're on more touchy subjects, let's talk about positions. you'll be in a generation where positions aren't fixed, but even as such, it's clear that some are more talented than others for some things. we've therefore divided you in 5 lines and two teams."

VOCAL LINE: YICHEN (main), MISAKI, WENJUN [potential to join: JASPER]

RAP LINE: BYEONGKWAN (main), NOEUL, HANEUL [potential to join: JASPER]

DANCE LINE: MINKI (main), NOEUL, MISAKI, YICHEN [potential to join: WENJUN, HANEUL]

PERFORMANCE LINE: NOEUL (main), YICHEN, MISAKI

WING LINE: HANEUL, JASPER

PRODUCER TEAM: BYEONGKWAN, NOEUL, WENJUN [potential to join: JASPER, HANEUL]

CHOREOGRAPHY TEAM: MINKI [potential to join: HANEUL]

"the first four lines speak for themselves. during rehearsals, if you struggle with any of these skills, you may turn to anybody within these lines for help. the WING LINE are our versatile members that will switch roles (vocalis or rapper) depending on the need. our current CENTERS are NOEUL (rap focus) and MISAKI (vocal focus). when it comes to stage performances, whatever they say goes. if YICHEN or WENJUN have anything to say about your singing or MINKI about your dancing, same. this is a team and you need to be able to work as such. your positions are supposed to be an ecosystem where everybody can work together, lean on each other, and learn from one another. which brings me to the next topic: the LEADER. i've been in the industry for a while now and seen the concept of 'leader' applied in various ways. some are just here to gather the herd from a place to another, while others take on a role of teacher and others even serve as promoter of the group. after giving it some thought, we decided that we want the LEADER to serve as pillar, glue and number one believer of the group. the person who will take on that role needs to be ready to give up on personal ambitions for the sake of the group. on stage, the centers might be at the front, but you'll be at the back making sure that everything is cohesive, that everybody has what they need to focus on their job. you'll be in charge of resolving personal issues on the day to day. your managers will be in charge of taking you places, of making sure that the fridge is full, of insuring that schedules are respected, ect., but they cannot be with you constantly nor are they in your shoes. and unless things escalate to a certain level, they are also not in charge of making sure that everybody is getting along right or on the same page. as a leader, this will be your boat to stir. it goes without saying that no MAIN or CENTER role is compatible with this position. also if you have ambitions of becoming an ACTOR-IDOL, the time required by this particular line of work also makes it incompatible with the role as we want it to be fulfilled. NOEUL, HANEUL, JASPER; the three of you showed interest in leading the group. if you are still interested after this, i'll be meeting with you individually."

NEWKIDS NEWDREAMS

"okay, moving on!" daehyun continues. "with the members now confirmed, we're moving to the official predebut period. you'd normally be rehearsing from morning to evening 12 hours a day, but LEGACY has decided that you'll be participating in the 2024 LGC FAMILY CONCERT as a proper team. which means, you need more songs and more stage experience, everything will - of course - be documented on NEWKIDS NEWDREAMS."

BACK DOWN: DBSD'S SEOHAN once again composed, wrote and choreograph an anthem-sounding song that would show the future group's colors. the song titled 'BACK DOWN' is the result. the group will be learning an practicing the song for the next month before they will be evaluated by a panel composed of DAEHYUN, SEOHAN and various coaches. if they should pass this evaluation, they will be filming the music video of the song some time in AUGUST, with a digital release around AUGUST 28.

GIRLS, LOVE BOYS, LOVE GIRLS: DBSD'S DAEHYUN and HYUNBIN teamed up to do the same for the b-side release of 'BACK DOWN'. with a more laid back sound, closer to new kidz on the block, 'GIRLS, LOVE BOYS, LOVE GIRLS' is the result. same as with their other songs, the group will be learning an practicing the song for the next two weeks before they will be evaluated by a panel composed of DAEHYUN, HYUNBIN and various coaches. if they should pass this evaluation, they will be filming the music video of the song some time in AUGUST, with a digital release around AUGUST 28.

RISING: for LGC FAMILY CONCERT's NKND's members will be performing TWO special stages with NOVA, with one of those being the boys performing future dreams' 6 song 'RISING' with the girls as back dancers. all the lyrics for this trimester can be found HERE.

GUERILLA CONCERTS: starting  AUGUST 9, NKND will be performing GUERILLA CONCERTS, in 4 different cities in KOREA. the city and location will only be revealed the SAME morning. 

GUERILLA CONCERT

for the boys to get further stage experience as a group, the boys will be performing FOUR guerilla concerts during which they will perform their two currently released songs as well as 'GIRLS, LOVE BOYS, LOVE GIRLS' that will be unreleased at that time. for each location, there will also be a SOLO performance done by the 'main' members of their respective lines and a DUO performance with this as the final set list:

NEW KIDZ ON THE BLOCK

GIRLS, LOVE BOYS, LOVE GIRLS

SOLO PERFORMANCE

DUO PERFORMANCE

BACK DOWN

although the dates and locations will not be announced in advance here are further details on the performances:

AUGUST 9: SEOUL (SOLO: Yichen* / DUO: Haneul & Jasper**)

AUGUST 16: DAEGU (SOLO: Byeongkwan* / DUO: Misaki & Wenjun**)

AUGUST 23: GWANGJU (SOLO: Minki* / DUO: Haneul & Jasper**)

AUGUST 30: BUSAN (SOLO: Noeul / DUO: Misaki & Wenjun**)

*as this is tied to their 'line', they are only expected to perform the skill of it, i.e: yichen doesn't need to dance, only sing

**while the duos perform twice, it will be the same song at both location

SHORTS

as written in the article, USGEN aims to be setting trends, and what better way to do so than use YOUTUBE SHORTS and TIKTOK. although no requirements will be tied to the shorts this trimester, here are the themes of the shorts:

NOW - AUGUST 9: 'DOOM DU DOOM' challenge. each member may find one LEGACY IDOL and one LEGACY AGENCY TALENT to film the challenge with.

AUGUST 7 - AUGUST 30: guerilla concert promotion original content by the boys with the goal to hype the next performance wherever it should take place

AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 15: 'BACK DOWN' and 'GIRLS, LOVE BOYS, LOVE GIRLS' challenge. each member may find one LEGACY IDOL and one LEGACY AGENCY TALENT to film the challenge with.

SEPTEMBER 16 to ?: 2024 LGC FAMCON content

REQUIREMENTS

NEW SONGS PRACTICE: write a 300+ words solo about your muse rehearsing with a coach for any of the three new songs with emphasis on something they struggled withfor +5 SKILL POINTS, +5 NOTORIETY !

PERFORMANCES: write a 200+ words solo or headcanon about which song they picked for their guerilla performance(s) and why they made that choice for +3 SKILL POINTS, +2 NOTORIETY ! ** those performing duos may use the same post/do not need to write a different post for each members. you may pick any legacy artist songs or any song released before JANUARY 2022.

MEETING DAEHYUN (only if interested in becoming the leader): write a 300+ words solo about your meeting with daehyun for the leader role. during this meeting daehyun will want to know: how do you plan on helping team building, what kind of image you want the group to project on camera, to become more unified and a proper group what do you think could be done. Fulfilling this will reward you +5 SKILL POINTS !

BONUS:  write a 6 (six) replies (minimum 8 lines) thead with another NKND member during the trimester for +6 SKILL POINTS and +2 NOTORIETY ! (any thread done in Q3 2024 are eligible, including threads for other events)

make sure to use the hashtag lgc:nknd on your threads and solos ! to validate your skill points and collect your notoriety points, please submit the following form ONCE on the points blog before SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 11:59 EDT.

MUSE NAME ∙ NKND 003 - NEW SONGS PRACTICE: +5 SKILL POINTS DISTRIBUTION +5 notoriety [ LINK ] - PERFORMANCES: +3 SKILL POINTS DISTRIBUTION +2 notoriety [ LINK ] - MEETING DAEHYUN: +5 SKILL POINTS DISTRIBUTION [ LINK ] *only if applicable -  BONUS : +6 SKILL POINTS DISTRIBUTION +2 notoriety [ LINK ]

[help-itrappedmyself]

Danny has been in Gotham for a few months now. He moved there with Jazz when she got accepted into Gotham University and had started in the fall semester. Danny was not in college, due to circumstances that caused him to barely graduate high school. After all of that he didn’t really want to deal with ghosts or politics or school for a while, so he decided to get a job instead. 

Now he works at a coffee shop in the morning, five days a week, and in the library three days a week, after his coffee shop shifts. It keeps him busy, but allows him to afford his own apartment. In the suckier side of town, but that’s okay because Danny can handle himself. And he usually doesn’t even have to, he hasn’t had to get involved in anything other than stopping a few muggings out of the goodness of his heart, because this city has like a dozen of its own heroes, It doesn’t need him! He gets to sit back and enjoy the gargoyles. On his days off he sometimes goes out looking for especially cool ones to take pictures of and send to Sam.

However that plan got spoiled very quickly today when one of Gotham’s famous rogues decided they were going to have an early morning. So now Danny, and a few other people that these hoes had pulled off the street, were tied up and sitting pretty in a warehouse waiting for the inevitable confrontation with the vigilantes. 

There was the start of a commotion and what looked like the leader (he was wearing the fanciest halloween costume- looks like his mask is actually made of metal) walks over to him.

“Congrats, kid!” Man in the mask said, yanking him to his feet and dragging him somewhere. “You’re the youngest one here, so you win! And you just so happen to look the part, I have to thank you for that.”

“Is there a return policy for this?” Danny asks.

“Shut up and sit down.” He shoved Danny into a chair and put a gun to his head as the door burst open and the Bats came flooding in the warehouse as the man pulled the trigger. 

The next thing Danny knows he’s on the floor, laying in blood. Slightly green blood, must be his. Oh Ancients, his head hurts. He hears himself groan, but doesn’t do anything to stop it as he tries to stand and get out of the blood.

From experience he knows that he’ll be fine in a few minutes, nothing can really kill him, except maybe other ghosts. That doesn’t make it hurt any less. 

“Fuck, I do not want to deal with this today.” He mutters to himself as he goes over and starts untying hostages. He doesn’t hear any sounds of a struggle, so the fight must have finished while he was unconscious. “I had plans, but now I just want to take a freaking nap.”

He finishes untying the hostages and takes a look around to find that the fight was in fact not over, they had all just stopped to look at him. Guy in the mask was currently being held by the front of his shirt by Batman, and they both, as well as Robin and Red Robin were just staring at him.

“Not my circus.” Danny told himself, doing an about face and heading out of the warehouse after the other hostages.

Danny went home and after showering off the blood and changing, he took a long nap before deciding to go out and do things again, after all he was interrupted this morning. While he didn’t have the time to go gargoyle-spotting, he did still have to grab dinner. He was supposed to go grocery shopping but that sounded like tomorrow's problem.

Prompt three!

Immortal danny in Gotham!!

Danny moves to Gotham (for college, cuz jazz moved there, for fun, whatever you want) it’s pretty cool! The architecture is awesome and there’s already heroes so he doesn’t have to worry!! He’s got an apartment in the Narrows and all is good.

Until he gets taken hostage during a rouge attack.

Mother Fucker- he was having fun living a relatively normal life!! Now there’s some hoe in a holloween costume pointing a gun at his head. Now- Danny knows he can’t be killed by normal means (the Guys in White showed him that) but this’ll still be a pain in the ass.

The Bats arrive on the seen just in time to see A Hostage get killed. The Rogue is ranting and raving about their plans, mocking the bats for letting a citizen die. The bats are trying to focus on making a plan to get the other hostages out safe, but it’s like a stab in the gut seeing someone die because -they were to late-

The bats were about to put their plan into action when The Hostage started tO GET UP??groaning like he’s waking up with a hangover and and very much NOT like he just got SHOT THROUGH THE HEAD 5 MINUTES AGO

He stumbles to his feet and murmurs something about “not dealing with this shit today” unties the other hostages and WALKS OUT THE FRONT DOOR while everyone is processing what the hell happened…

They need to find that guy.

Danny meanwhile, is having a Day. His head hurts like a bitch and he’s been avoiding tons of vigilantes since this mornings… Events. They just keep coming! HOW MANY BATS ARE THERE IN THIS CITY!?!? Spoiler, Nightwing and Batman keep trying to ask him questions, he’s pretty sure Red Robin is STALKING him and the Red Hood tracked him down just to give him a high five RED HOOD WASNT EVEN THERE??? WHY???

[tarathijewelsonline]

Find the Perfect Pair: Tips to Buy Imitation Earrings Online for Every Occasion

Earrings are a versatile accessory that can elevate any outfit, but with so many styles available, it can be tough to know where to start. Whether you’re preparing for a special event or just want to update your everyday look, finding the perfect pair of earrings is key. Fortunately, shopping online for imitation earrings gives you access to a wide variety of designs that suit every occasion and budget.

The first step in finding the perfect earrings is considering the event or situation you’re shopping for. Are you looking for something elegant and understated for a formal event, or do you want something bold and playful for a casual day out? Online shopping allows you to filter your options by categories like “casual,” “party,” “formal,” and more, so you’re only seeing the styles that match your needs. A pair of sparkling chandeliers or statement studs can be a good choice if you’re shopping for a wedding or other special occasion. On the other hand, for a day at work or brunch with friends, simple hoops or minimalist studs might be your go-to choice.

Tarathi Jewels offers a huge range of options, from delicate gold-tone studs to vibrant statement earrings. When shopping online, it’s also important to consider your personal style and how your earrings will pair with your existing wardrobe. A well-chosen pair of earrings should complement your clothes, not overwhelm them. For instance, a neutral outfit can be jazzed up with a pair of bright-colored earrings, while a busy, patterned top might call for something simpler to avoid clashing.

The opportunity to read customer feedback is one of the nicest aspects of online buying. Before you buy imitation earrings online, check the reviews to get an idea of how the earrings look in real life and whether the quality matches your expectations. Many online stores also offer detailed product descriptions, so you can learn about the materials used, the size of the earrings, and any special features. This can help you make a well-informed decision and avoid any potential surprises once your order arrives.

Finally, pay attention to the return policy before you make your purchase. Even though online shopping offers convenience and variety, it’s always a good idea to check if the store offers free returns in case the earrings don’t turn out as expected. With stores like Tarathi Jewels, you can shop confidently knowing that returns are easy and hassle-free.

So, whether you’re looking for a chic, everyday pair or something bold for a special occasion, the next time you need earrings, consider the convenience and variety that comes with shopping online. Trust me, with the right pair of imitation earrings, you’ll look fabulous no matter where you go!

For any order and shipping info please mail to tarathijewels@gmail.com Alternatively you can contact us via Whatsapp on +91 73052 03958. And also visit our website for more collections www.tarathijewels.com.

[aaryanmwablogs]

Best Buying Guide for Guitars

Buying a guitar can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience, especially when there are more options than ever before. Whether you're a beginner looking to play your first strings or an experienced player looking to improve your playing, this guide will help you navigate the guitar world and find one that suits your needs match exactly.

Understanding Guitar Types

1. Acoustic Guitar: Ideal for beginners, an acoustic guitar lets sound pass through its hollow body without the need for amplification. A variety of bodies are available for dreadnoughts, concerts, and auction houses, each offering a unique sound and feel. The dreadnought is known for its powerful and full sound, while concert and parlor guitars have a balanced tone and are easy to handle.

2. Electric Guitar: Perfect for rock, blues and jazz, an electric guitar needs an amplifier to produce sound. They are incredibly versatile, offering a wide range of tones through pickups and effects. Popular body types include the iconic Stratocaster, Telecaster and Les Paul. Each has a different sound and style, so experimenting with different devices is key to finding what you like.

3. Classical Guitars: Classical guitars made of nylon strings are gentle on the fingers and produce a warm, rich tone. They are often used for classical flamenco but are also great for     beginners because of their relaxed strings.

Things to consider

Budget: Set up your budget before you start shopping. Guitars range from inexpensive starter machines to high-end professional instruments. Establishing a budget will help you narrow down your options and avoid overspending. Many stores are now offering the best same day deals, discounts, and bargains while Brooklyn-based VIP PRO AUDIO encourages you to buy some musicians.

       2.  Playability: Comfort is important. Make sure the guitar feels good in your hand, and check the action (the distance between the strings and the fretboard). The low action is             easier to play but can cause hum if too low.

      3.   Sound: Each guitar has a unique sonic signature. Visit a local music store, play instruments, and listen to their voices. What seems great to someone else may not matter to you.

      4.  Quality of Brands and Products: Renowned brands always provide quality and excellent support to customers. While brand isn’t everything, it’s a good starting point for finding            reliable devices.

     5. New vs. New Used: Used guitars can offer good value. Just be sure to check for any damage, such as cracks, fret wear, or electrical problems on electric guitars. Many music          stores offer certified quality used instruments.

Where to buy

1. Local music stores: Visit a local store for a guitar test drive and get personal advice from knowledgeable professionals. It’s also a great way to support local businesses.

2. Online retailers: Many offer multiple models of guitars, and often have detailed descriptions, reviews, and return policies. Sometimes they offer good deals and free shipping.

3. Second-Hand Market: Many Platforms offers great deals on     used guitars. Just be careful and try to meet with the actual sellers whenever possible to inspect the guitar.

New advice

• Research and analysis: Read reviews and watch video demonstrations online to understand the pros and cons of different devices.

• Ask for suggestions: If you know experienced drummers, ask for their opinions and suggestions.

• Accessories: Don’t forget the essentials like cases, tuners, straps and picks. They are essential for maintaining your guitar and improving your your playing experience.

Finding the right guitar is a journey. Take your time, enjoy the process, and you'll end up with an instrument that inspires you to play and grow as a musician. Happy strumming!

[swynlake-rp]

Love is in the air!

OTMS

MUN: A! We are more jazzed than a jazz band on Mardi Gras to see Alex back in action, and serving us a demographic we didn’t know we were missing! It’s like Hotel California in here, you can check out but you can never really leave <3 Thank you for bringing us Mal, we can’t wait to see what she and Jake get into!

CHARACTER: FLYNN RIDER! Members highlighted A’s selfpara series that documented big career moves for Flynn, and the cherry on top was the Flolley kiss! Finally!!! We’ve loved seeing Flynn’s career and his ship develop and are so excited to see where these changes take him.

THREAD: CATFISH EXPOSED! Swynrp loves a plot that not only includes multiple characters and muns, but that has additional implications for other characters too. We loved to see Gabriella taking the L for her friend, Bruce’s grappling with it, and Annie and Toby sticking their noses in mermaid business! Can’t wait to see the ripple effect on the merfolk of Swynlake.

TASK: B’ BULLSEYE IN THE MANDALORIAN! Not only was the bonus of B’ original art mentioned, but members also pointed out that her plot description fit both the show and Bullseye’s character so well that it was mind-blowing! 

Honorable mention: A’s super diverse supporting character tasks were highlighted by multiple members, but get this — no singular one was mentioned twice. Members individually highlighted several of her tasks for their unique casting and emotional impact! 

BOARD UPDATES 

EBOSHI IS GONE: She wrote her report (a beautiful one at that!) and returned to her office in London. As a result, Eboshi’s temporary policies (the suspension of Hades, the limits on the Board’s powers, the closing of the forest, and the postponement of the election) have all been reversed. Read on for more information about the election!

PETITIONS PASSED: 

LUCKY CAT: A petition to open an Asian fusion cafe on Main Street

ARETE LAW FIRM: Opening of Arete Law Firm

EMERGENCY ELECTION! Since the 2023 fall election was paused, we’re holding it now! This will be a shortened version of the election, with only a couple of events so that the Board can be back in action. Read more on this doc! The rough timeline is below: 

CANDIDATE APPLICATION DUE: Feb. 7 

MEET THE CANDIDATES MIXER: Feb. 21 - 28 

DEBATE: Feb. 28 - March 7  

VOTING: March 7 - March 9

TASKS

SECRET VALENTINE’S DAY EVENT TASK: Keep your eyes peeled for more information about our Valentine’s Day event!  HOW I MET YOUR [PARENT]: How did your muse’s parents meet? Was it a blind date? The shadowy corner of a bar? An elaborate arrangement by the fae king? Write a oneshot that tells the story (800 words)

EVENTS

FEBRUARY 1-7: SPEED DATING: A Swynlake tradition! Come out to Town Hall to meet new people and maybe set off sparks with a special someone. Canonically on Feb. 3rd. 

FEBRUARY 1-7: SWYNLAKE CREDIT UNION OPENING: Town Hall has a new useful service for everyone from business owners to anyone just trying to get assistance with their financial goals. Stop by to learn more! Canonically on Feb 2nd. 

FEBRUARY 5: VALENTINE’S DAY EVENT ANNOUNCED! 

FEBRUARY 8 - 18: VALENTINE’S DAY EVENT: Keep an eye out for more information!

FEBRUARY 21-28: MEET THE CANDIDATES MIXER: This will be a shortened election season, but we’re still having this classic election event! Come on out to Town Hall to learn more about the Swynlakers running for Town Board.

BIRTHDAYS

Jenny Marsh-Foxworth – February 1

James Jones – February 5

Karen "Voyd" Peterson-Boggs – February 9

Tiana Truitt – February 10

Mary "Boo" Gibbs – February 10

Madellaine Hsu – February 15

Paulette de la Croix – February 21

Finn Flounder – February 24

PLOT ROUND-UP! 

THE ONE WITH THE INTERRUPTED CHRISTMAS DINNER

Characters Involved: Al, Vixey, Jun, Tiana

Plot: In the middle of a FRIENDS Christmas gathering, Al gets a call from Nora and bails! Is he a shitty friend? Is Nora a shitty partner?! 

BREAKDANCE

Characters Involved: Al, Jessica

Plot: Al tells Jess that he's not doing any evening programming for Barn Con this year. Jess decides to host a Nerdlesque event on her own anyway <3 

PHILLIP KNIGHTLEY AND THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE

Characters Involved: Phil, Dipper, Herc

Plot: After going home with Dipper on New Year's Eve, Phillip realizes maybe he's not as good at a certain activity as he once thought. Cue a big research mission -- step 1: ask Hercules

CONGRATULATIONS! IT’S A [REDACTED]

Characters Involved: Ting-Ting, Thomas

Plot: Tom escorts Ting-Ting to the hospital... and she finds out she is having a baby girl!

CATFISH ARC

Characters Involved: Toby, Gabriella, Annie, Bruce

Plot: Annie and Toby use the anonymous merm inbox to catfish Bruce and track the merms to Whosits and Whatsits. They mistakenly assume they were communicating with Gabriella, who doesn't correct them— leading them to expose her identity as a mermaid in the Squire!

ARETE LAW FIRM

Characters Involved: Belle, Hades, Toulouse

Plot: The local law firm, Wigburg, is closing down as Reginald Wigburg has retired. Belle, after convincing from her partners, has decided to open a new law firm! The petition has just been passed and you can now officially ask Belle for law help! Cases both magic and mundane are welcome.

STRAWBERRY HILL

Characters Involved: Simba, Berlioz

Plot: Simber has bought a house in London! It is a historical house, called Strawberry Hill, in the affluent Richmond upon Thames neighborhood. The house came with a twist--it is haunted! After Loud Bell came to visit, Hades informed Simber that the ghost would like to use she/her pronouns and goes by "Strawberry." They also met their neighbors, a lesbian couple, Regina and Anitta, who have two Dalmatians from the Dalmatian Plantation: Dottie and Smith. Regina, who goes by Reggie, invited Simba to join their football team. Jenny has also come for a visit, to look around before things are fully complete! They are doing a ton of renovation as the house fell into disrepair after it sat on the market for years, due to the haunting. Simber will be moving to London at the end of this month, though Simba will be commuting until the end of the school year. 

THE IVY GROVE BED AND BREAKFAST

Characters Involved: Toulouse, Gem, Sebastian, Lucky, Angel, Raksha, Scott

Plot: After someone (Gem) burned down Toulouse's house, he has built it back better than ever by hiring Morey Construction. After speaking with some new werewolves in town, primarily Angel and Lucky, he has decided giving new wolves in town a place to stay for cheap would be prudent. The new location is a lovely B&B with four bedrooms, two of which have already been filled by guests Raksha, her son Dhaumya, and Scott.

HALF A CENTURY

Characters Involved: Elinor, Roz, Moon, Cass, Merida , Flynn, Hera

Plot: Elinor turned 50 and threw a little formal dinner at the castle! Her friends from dinner club were in attendance: Roz, Moon, and Cass. As well as her bestie, Hera. Merida and the boys were also forced to be there. Flynn came over earlier in the day to help with a lighting issue. Moon saved Cass some embarrassment by lending her an evening gown.

WE’RE GOING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION

Characters Involved: Evangeline, Hercules, Hatter, Al, Tink , Tiana, Snow, Jessica

Plot: After getting fired from the gym, Evy has tried several other jobs around town...getting fired from all of them for making mistakes and misunderstanding instructions. Being a star in a human's world is hard. :(

NEW YEAR, OLD FRIENDS

Characters and Muns Involved: Tófi Sethson and Moon Butterfly-Johansen

Plot: Godt nytår: Tófi invites Menodora to the Acorn Drop at Main Street Park. Come to find out neither of them are fond of the cold. Moral of the Story: Takes places after the Morning after the Acorn Drop incident: the two worsties have a heart to heart about their feelings (or lack thereof), also, waffles

NOTHING BETTER THAN REVENGE

Characters Involved: Eilonwy Llyr, Tony Rydinger, Willow Park, Ian Lightfoot, Annie Tremaine, Toby Determined

Plot: Upset by the article and the way it impacted their friend, Eilonwy, Tony, Willow, and Ian decide to get a little revenge on Annie and Toby. First they egged Annie's house and planted some smelly weeds in her yard (). Then they snuck into the Squire offices to enchant Toby's desk so that it would run away any time he was close (Discord)

SEEDLING CARE

Characters Involved: Eilonwy Llyr and Qin Su

Plot: Eilonwy asks Su to be her new co-host for the Women in STEM society and she said yes!

LOSING YOU IS EASIER THAN LYING TO MYSELF THAT YOU LOVE ME

Characters Involved: Mim Ambrosius

Plot: Mim confronted Gabby over what their relationship actually meant to the other woman and decides to end things.

SLEIGHT OF HAND

Characters Involved: Nick Wilde and Gaston D’Avenant

Plot: Nick is accused of using his illusion magic during poker at the Deer by one of Gaston's friends. Gaston sides with his friend, throwing Nick out of the game and banning him from any future games.

[naomi-in-japan]

6月16日 - Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Today, visiting Arashiyama really allowed me to admire the beauty of Japan’s nature. From the bamboo groves, crystal clear rivers, and refreshing summer breezes, one thing for sure is that I definitely would love to find the chance to come back again to enjoy more of Japan’s wonderful outdoor environment.

•••

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 🎍⛩️

As we walked through the bamboo grove, I couldn’t help but marvel at how the stalks shook gently in the wind. I took many photos of the bamboo as I took in the sights and smells. There were many students and tourists also making their way through. We also passed by a log tori with a love shrine behind its stature. Overall a beautiful place to view.

Cafe Takeshi ☕️🥪

When we broke for lunch, I couldn’t help but enjoy the calming sights of Arashiyama. I definitely would like to return to the area next time in Japan. In looking for food, I noticed a sign on the side of the street with directional arrows for a cafe. Deciding to be spontaneous, I followed the directions until they led me to a house. The restaurant was a house run by a friendly family who played some refreshing Latin jazz quietly in the background with their Bluetooth speaker. I felt as if I was in the setting of a slice-of-life children’s book, the way their house was delicately decorated with the view of the river and Arashiyama mountain in the background outside their patio. I had enjoyable conversations with the father and what I presume to be his daughter, as the daughter gave me lots of free candy by the time I needed to be on my way. Experiences like that made me realize how important it is to support local businesses. And also, be open to new conversations because you never know what connections you might make.

Arashiyama Monkey Park 🐵🏞️

While I know I often complain about mountain climbing and walking long distances, I have to say that the top of this mountainside where the monkey park resided was my favorite view thus far. I did feel bad for the monkeys, however. I did not like how close and surrounded some people were to the monkeys (even though I know they’re used to it) who were trying to live their life. I did find it funny the warnings they gave regarding the monkeys, like not to look them in the eyes. It makes me think humans shouldn’t be allowed that close to them in the first place, but I digress.

•••

Today was a chill day where I could enjoy the nature of Kyoto. Honestly, in the beginning, I was not excited to visit Kyoto and wished we had stayed in Tokyo for the whole trip. Still, the longer we’re in Kyoto, the more I notice the beauty of Japan throughout.

————

📚 Academic Reading 📚

There were multiple readings for today that both discussed the history, development, and current policies in maintaining the environment of Arashiyama and more on the Tale of Genji, which had specific scenes that took place in the area which could be seen in the beautiful state of the regions in which we visited and its prevalence today all the way to even back around the Heian period of Japan.

[french-official]

All You Need to Know About Shopping for Chromatic Harmonicas

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to play the harmonica, chances are you’ve considered shopping for a chromatic harmonica. Chromatic harmonicas come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and keys, and it can be hard to know exactly what to look for. But don’t worry—with the right information, you can find the perfect chromatic harmonica for you. In this article, you’ll learn all about what to look for when shopping for a chromatic harmonica, from the different types of harmonicas to the best brands and prices. You’ll also get tips on how to make sure you get the most out of your instrument. With this information, you’ll be ready to start your harmonica journey. Chromatic harmonicas for sale is available in a range of prices, from affordable entry-level models to professional-grade instruments.

What to Look for When Shopping for Chromatic Harmonicas?

When shopping for chromatic harmonicas, there are a few key factors to consider. First, determine what type of music you plan to play on the instrument. Different styles of music require different types of chromatic harmonicas, so make sure to select the one that best suits your needs. Additionally, consider the key of the harmonicas. Chromatic harmonicas come in a variety of keys, ranging from low to high. When you know what type of music you will be playing, you can determine the best key for your needs. Additionally, you should also consider the size of the chromatic harmonicas. Smaller harmonicas are great for those who have smaller hands, while larger harmonicas offer more powerful tones. Finally, you should consider the materials used to create the chromatic harmonicas. Plastic harmonicas are the most affordable, but they don’t offer the same level of sound quality as metal harmonicas.

Different Types of Chromatic Harmonicas

There are several different types of chromatic harmonicas available. The most common types are the diatonic and the chromatic. The diatonic harmonicas are generally used to play folk and country music, while the chromatic harmonicas are used for more complex music. Additionally, there are also tremolo harmonicas, which produce two notes at once and are perfect for playing jazz or classical music. Finally, there are also octave harmonicas, which are designed to produce a range of tones from low to high. 

Purchasing Chromatic Harmonicas Online

Purchasing chromatic harmonicas online is a great way to find the perfect instrument for your needs. There are many online retailers that offer a wide range of chromatic harmonicas, from the most basic models to the most advanced. Additionally, online retailers often offer great deals and discounts, so you can find the best prices. When purchasing online, be sure to read the product description carefully and make sure you are getting the right product for your needs. Additionally, make sure to check the return policy of the retailer before making your purchase. 

Choosing the Right Chromatic Harmonica for Your Needs

When choosing the right chromatic harmonica for your needs, there are a few key factors to consider. First, determine what type of music you plan to play on the instrument. Different styles of music require different types of chromatic harmonicas, so make sure to select the one that best suits your needs. Additionally, consider the key of the harmonicas. Chromatic harmonicas come in a variety of keys, ranging from low to high. When you know what type of music you will be playing, you can determine the best key for your needs. Additionally, you should also consider the size of the chromatic harmonicas. Smaller harmonicas are great for those who have smaller hands, while larger harmonicas offer more powerful tones. Finally, you should consider the materials used to create the chromatic harmonicas. Plastic harmonicas are the most affordable, but they don’t offer the same level of sound quality as metal harmonicas. 

Chromatic Harmonica Accessories You May Need

When playing the chromatic harmonica, there are several accessories you may need. The most essential accessory is a chromatic harmonica stand, which makes it easy to mount your instrument and keep it secure. Additionally, you may also want to purchase a chromatic harmonica amplifier, which allows you to amplify the sound of your instrument. Finally, you may also want to purchase a chromatic harmonica case, which will help to protect your instrument and make it easier to transport.

Where to Find the Best Deals on Chromatic Harmonicas

Finding the best deals on chromatic harmonicas is easier than ever with the help of the internet. There are many online retailers that offer great deals on chromatic harmonicas, so you can find the perfect instrument for your needs without breaking the bank. Additionally, some online retailers offer free shipping, so you can save even more money. When shopping online, be sure to compare prices from different retailers to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

The Benefits of Owning a Chromatic Harmonica

Owning a chromatic harmonica has many benefits. Chromatic harmonicas are incredibly versatile instruments, and they can be used to play a wide variety of music styles. Additionally, chromatic harmonicas are relatively inexpensive, so they are great for those on a budget. Finally, chromatic harmonicas are small and lightweight, so they are easy to transport and can fit in most bags and cases. With these benefits in mind, it’s easy to see why owning a chromatic harmonica is a great choice.

Conclusion

The chromatic harmonica is a versatile instrument with a wide range of tones and sounds. Shopping for a chromatic harmonica can be daunting, but with a bit of research and some helpful tips, you’ll be able to find the perfect one for you. Make sure to consider your budget, skill level, and desired sound quality. With the right information and preparation, you can find the perfect chromatic harmonica that will provide you with years of musical enjoyment.

[spoocys-glade-of-dreams]

*Rayman's brow raised. This sounded too good to be true. A human just helping him out of the blue without expecting anything in return? This was indeed something rare for the guy. Though, if she didn't want to be repaid for helping him, he wasn't going to pry any further. - "Very well. I'll leave you to your drink and head back to my table. I'm expecting a friend of mine to perform tonight."

*Rayman slowly retreated back to his table. He stood the chair back up and made sure the table was fixed up before he took his seat. He kept finding himself looking back towards Ellie, at least until the announcer on stage finally came forward.*

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the United of Eden! I hope you have a wonderful time here with us tonight! I'd like to take a moment to remind everyone that there is a strict "No harassment" policy here in this club. Everyone is welcome no matter their species, race, or birth. Thank you!

I'd also like to thank the voice of Eden himself for blessing us with his presence tonight! I hope you enjoy the entertainment, sir. I know that's why you are here!"

*The spotlight shines on Rayman for a moment. He smiles big and waves to the crowds. The announcer removes himself from the stage and the spotlight over Rayman starts to dim. The curtains open to show a limbless woman, the same species as Rayman. She begins to sing into a microphone as the musicians start to play. She was singing to smooth jazz. Rayman was watching with a smile on his face as if the worries of what had happened previously had just melted away.*

Looks like she spoke too soon. It appears that he still wanted to engage in conversation with her. While Ellie wasn't normally a nervous person, this guy...this guy right here was making her VERY nervous. The redhead may not have looked like it on the outside because she was trying to remain cool, but deep down her anxiety was driving her crazy. Rayman was Eden's biggest celebrity and the woman was specifically told to stay far away from him as possible.

"Thats very kind of you Mr. Rayman, but the fact that you weren't hurt is all that really matters to me. I don't expect anything in return for helping someone who was in danger."

"Jack on the Rocks..." Speaking of drinks, the waiter came back with her drink of choice. "Enjoy madame."

"Thank you sir." After nodding her head, the woman proceeded to take a small sip before continuing.

"I take satisfaction knowing that I was able to help someone in someway, rather than help someone and expect to get something in return. If your only reason for helping someone is just to get something back, then thats not really being helpful at all is it?"

@spoocys-glade-of-dreams

[itshype]

How I Met Your Brother (DC x DP)

Dan joins the Justice League - not as part of his rehabilitation, but as a reward for doing so well.

Tucker makes the grave mistake of mentioning Dan in front of Jazz. And as an eldest sister myself I would not be happy about an alternate version of my sibling being left completely alone in the world, no support, no family to then be turned into a psychopath. And I would be furious for them to then be imprisoned - not for life but for all time?

However, unlike me, Jazz is the world's foremost authority on ghost psychology. She has Dan out of his Thermos and in a larger enclosure within the week.

Now, a lot of fics have Jazz as a magical therapist who can say a few sentences and make any bad guy cry. Sorry, not today though.

First, they resocialise Dan like a feral cat (solitary confinement does make people get loopy), sitting outside his enclosure and hanging out, doing homework etc. This sort of gets him to figure out emotionally that he's no longer in the timeline where everyone he ever cared about died.

Danny discusses with him how many nightmares he's had over just the idea of losing his entire support network the way Dan did and he can't imagine what he's been through. But no emotions are not, in fact superior to having negative emotions.

After a few months, he decides that he does in fact want to actively try and get better. He goes to a therapist (because family members can't do therapy!!!) who's just unhinged enough to get a kick out of counselling a ghost from an alternate timeline.

There's only one relapse. Clockwork fixed it and they don't talk about it.

A month or so later they let him out of the enclosure for good. They offer to symbolically destroy it but Dan thinks they should keep it just in case.

While Dan's humanity has returned, his actual human half is gone forever. But he's interested in doing something with himself. He can't get a GED, or a degree, or be an astronaut. Maybe something in entertainment?

Tucker makes the grave mistake of mentioning that the Justice League headquarters are in space. Dan isn't as powerful anymore now he's no longer a halfa, but he knows he's handy in a fight. He loves space and due to having them repeatedly and ineffectively implemented against himself - a deep knowledge of international war tactics.

NGL, this isn't where I thought this story was going. But Dan is now an international politics, war policy and foreign affairs expert, I guess.

He helps a fair bit on the team, but his key contributions are his encyclopaedic predictions of how different international communities will react to events. If an out of control meta in Paris takes down the Eiffel Tower, he predicts which countries will immediately 'crack down' on their superpowered citizens - that sort of thing. It's invaluable for their PR team and young meta safety.

He's a friendly guy, doesn't judge anyone for losing control of their powers or going 'too far' on a villain who hurt their friends and family. And he never shuts up about his kid brother who is apparently also his best friend. He briefly mentions a baby sister he's never met and that makes everyone pretty sad.

He doesn't consider this Jazz his sister. He's already had a sister named Jazz and isn't looking for a 1:1 replacement. This Jazz is more like a mum-friend. However, he never had a Danny or an Ellie in his last life.

"My little brother told me about the trick to this level in Doomed 17, want me to explain what you're missing?"

"Sorry, I really can't possess you, even for 'anti mind-control' training. That isn't how overshadowing works, you can't become immune without exposure to ectoplasm in dangerous doses. No, I can't get you some pure ecto, my baby brother would kick my ass to hell."

"Yeah, my baby bro and I both wanted to be astronauts, I died so it's not in the cards for me anymore, but he has a real shot still, we're all rooting for him!"

Most Justice League members think he's a dead eldest brother with living siblings he's still in close contact with.

It's all fun and games until he tries to take a bullet for Batman during an ambush and it's actually an amnesia ray designed to make Batman forget about a specific case until the bad guy can complete his plan.

"I killed you all before, and I will do it again."

[thebibliosphere]

Sooo, I have an idea for my own vampire story (it’s cool, with secret society’s and murder and lesbians). How do you go about making it a reality?

Start writing it. You can either plot it out in detail or do a vague outline and see where it takes you from there.

You’ll probs go through a couple of drafts of the idea before you get to the final rough draft. After that I’d highly recommend hiring an editor(s). (Mine are @roselarkpublishing) This advice stands true whether you decide to self-pub or trad-pub.

A good book to read if you decide to go self-pub is Let's Get Digital by David Gaughran. His book helps demystify a lot of the process, especially how to use keywords for optimizing the Amazon algorithm. (This is assuming you are using Amazon KDP which I would recommend for self-pub because it’s the biggest source of reliable income. If it makes anyone feel better, kdp contributes very little money to Amazon’s overall profit.)

If you don’t know what kind of editing you need, check to see if they offer a manuscript assessment. This can help them pinpoint which service you’d benefit from most, as well as which areas you can strengthen on your own as a writer. They might also offer formatting services, which I’d highly recommend you take them up on if you decide to self publish.

Formatting varies from ebook to paperback and isn’t impossible to do on your own (I know some people hate it) but is really easy to fuck up. I can’t tell you how many promising books I’ve returned because their internal formatting was bad enough to be an accessibility issue.

If you are going the traditional route, shopping around for an agent to rep you is your next priority. Most trad-publishers won’t read unsolicited submissions and won’t even acknowledge your submission. Remember, any agent that wants money up front is probably a scammer. Agents take their fees as commission out of the final deal reached with the publisher. The publisher will also handle any additional editing, formatting, and cover art, but you will be expected to do most of your own marketing. They’ll do some marketing for you if you’re lucky, but most trad authors are expected to maintain an active social media presence to boost their work.

If you are going self-pub, cover art should be your next step although you could also be tackling this while things are being edited.

Formatting covers for ebooks is easier than physical books as Amazon and Ingram Spark seem to decide their physical dimensions by planetary alignment and both are different despite Amazon occasionally using Ingram as an overflow printer. *jazz hands*

Using a service like draft2digital will save you a lot of extra admin spoons and will allow for easier global distribution for your ebooks (paperback is currently in beta iirc).

If you decide to do paperbacks you can use the free Amazon isbn if you want, but I prefer to buy my own ISBNs which you can buy in bulk from Bowker. You will need a separate ISBN for Amazon and Ingram iirc but at the time of writing this it’s 7am so don’t quote me on that.

Once you’ve got everything uploaded and approved (pro-tip: try not to submit queer focused manuscripts for approval on Amazon over the weekends. There’s a known issue with one of the weekend approvers being a homophobe who finds arbitrary reasons to knock back manuscripts, especially queer romance which they automatically rate as more explicit than het-romances 😬) you need to decide if you’re going to set it up for pre-order or immediate launch. Pre-order allows you to drum up some advance self-promo which can be good. But it’s really up to you.

Self-promo is a huge factor in publishing whether you’re trad or self-pub so it can also be a good idea to make uniform social media handles with your author name. An author website is also a very, very good idea to give people a main space to find your work.

Audio books is a whole other thing I don’t know much about but am currently in the process of learning about. If this is something you want to do, don’t give audible exclusive rights. At present it binds you into a 7 year contract that makes the author very little money and a bunch of people use their return policy as a library service by refunding the book the moment they’re done. This doesn’t come out of Amazon’s pocket as some people seem to think but directly from the author and is extremely crummy. Wide distribution is the way to go. There’s a service similar to draft2digita for audiobooks but I can’t currently remember the name of it. called Findaway Voices, which is supposed to be good for self pub and mass distribution.

I have likely missed a couple of steps, and certainly didn’t go as in depth as the above the book I listed above. But this is the general gist of how you turn an idea into a book. Hope it helps and best of luck!