#maybe even specifically in the area of canada?

[writingquestionsanswered]

I’ve been reading some craft books and online posts about the world building because my story is an urban fantasy set in present day US, in a fictional town, and theres not a secondary world where the fantasy happens, it’s all in the real world, except the magic is a secret that only certain people know about, but all of the resources I find about world building only talk about fantastical worlds that exist by themselves and not the kind of more subtle world building that I’d have to do. Do you have any tips?

Guide: Creating a Fictional Town in the Real World

Step 1 - Choose Your Location - There are two ways to go about choosing a location for your fictional town. One is to go the "Springfield U.S.A." route, ala The Simpsons, and be vague about the specific location (borough, parish, district, county, region, state, or province) and instead give a broader geographic region... "the East Coast," "the Pacific Northwest," "Central Canada," Northern Scotland," etc. The other option is to go ahead and put your fictional town in a specific location. Just figure out where (for example, somewhere outside of Des Moines, Iowa) and go to Google Maps, click on satellite view, then start zooming in on big empty areas. Choose a place big enough to fit a town. Yes, in reality it's probably farm fields, pasture, or someone's property, but that doesn't matter. You don't have to actually show it on a map. It's just a plausible spot to build your town. Now you can measure how far it is to other places, you know what highways to take to get to it. You can even do street view to get the lay of the land, see what the landscape looks like and try to envision the buildings there. You can also use what's there to create parks, popular recreational areas, and anything else your town needs.

Step 2 - Choose Your Inspiration - Even when you're creating a fictional town, it's still a good idea to use a real town (or two, or three) from that general area as inspiration for your town. For a fictional town in Des Moines, I would zoom in on the map to find a nearby town of similar size... like Elkhart, then I can take a look around to see what it's like. Just looking at the map, I can see they have a couple of churches, a couple baseball fields, a very small main street/downtown area with a couple shops and restaurants, a post office, a few different neighborhoods, and a cemetery. This would be a great model for a small fictional town outside of Des Moines. And, as I said, you could look at a couple other sand combine them. Once you have your inspiration town/s, you can walk around on Google Maps street view, go to the town's web site, watch a tour on YouTube (if one exists), or look up pictures in Google Image search.

Step 3 - Start Planning - This is the really fun part! First, you might want to draw a basic map of your fictional town using your inspiration town/s as a guide. This doesn't have to be a pretty map... just a basic line drawing to help you envision where everything is. Think about some of the basic things this town might have, like the ones I listed in step two, and any other things you might want your town to have, like maybe a library, a hospital, a city hall, school, and maybe a movie theater. It might even be helpful and fun to put together a collage of pictures to represent your town so you've got something in mind as you write about it. You can even choose representatives for specific locations in your story, like your MC's house, school, and their favorite hangout.

Step 4 - Naming Your Town - Start by looking at the kinds of town names that surround your town. Look for common naming conventions... suffixes like -ton, -ville, -dale, -burg, -wood, -field, etc. Words in a particular language, like a lot of French-inspired town names, or towns with geographical terms (lake, hill, valley, river, canyon, gap, etc.) My guide to Naming Locations has additional tips.

Step 5 - Populate Your Town and Give it a History - Last but not least, make up a little history for your town, again, using surrounding towns as inspiration. Who founded it? When was it founded? What's the town's main industry? What are the people like in this town? What jobs do they have? What do they do for fun?

Here are some other posts that might help:

Five Things to Help You Describe Fictional Locations Setting Your Story in an Unfamiliar Place WQA’s Guide to Internet Research Happy writing!

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I’ve been writing seriously for over 30 years and love to share what I’ve learned. Have a writing question? My inbox is always open!

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[purpleyoonn]

The Line Between Love and War 8

C H A P T E R  8:  

JAMES CORDEN AND THE CROSSWALK

“It is said that the night sky is made up of tiny wishes that humans were never able to fulfill. That the stars only became bright by the fulfillment of those wishes. In your eyes, the stars that shine never seemed real, your childhood wishes dark and dim as you grow. But now, now you understand the twinkle in their eyes as they look down at you.”

Summary: Your experiences told you that soulmates were something you would never have the pleasure of having; something not given to you because of who you are, despite the soulmark that resides on your inner left wrist. During your solo trip to Los Angeles, you find out that you are more than capable, that your soulmates had been waiting for you for a long time, and would not be letting you go anytime soon.

Genre: soulmate au, bts au, idol bts, polyamory relationship, eventual smut

Paring: Idol!BTS x autistic!mc

Status: Ongoing (randomly updated)

Warnings: mental illness, talk of disability, lots of angst, miscommunication, feelings of depression, feelings of isolation, polyamory bts, stalking, dangerous behavior, eventual smut,

Chapter Warnings: a shutdown, nonverbal mc, eloping*, protective bangtan, protective seungho, not much

Taglist: @azazel-nyx​​​  @yuzon3​​​ @hannahdinse8​​​ @quirkybtsarmy​​​ @mageprincess7​​​  @fluffy-canada-pancakes​​​ @suckerforv​​​ @chaoticthingpizza​​​ @drissteele​​​ @carolinexkpop​​​ @avadakadabra93​​​ @lachimolala22019​​​  @justaweird0​​​ @singukieee​​​  @welcometomyworld13​​​ @toughbook​​​ @kimana122​​​ @kpopmultistantrashsstuff​​​ @0funsite0​​ @joyless-living​​ @sinceritythatcouldntbedelivered​ @elliott-calls​​ @psychosupernatural​​ @kyuupidwrites​​

permanent taglist: @m1sss1mp​​ @yourleftsock​​ @skyys-universe​​ @cryingpages​​ @strxwbloody​​  @drissteele​​ @dustyinkpages​​ @iamkookiesforyou​​ @crushedblackroses​​ @fluffy-canada-pancakes​​ @blaaiissee​​  @iiitsmaria​​  @carolinexkpop​​  @azazel-nyx​​ @strawberry-moonpies​​ @g-h-o-s-t-b-a-b-i​​ @knjkitten​​ @kleirielk​​ @foreverweareyoung7​​ @lachimolala22019​​ @namuficxs​​ @94z-93​​ @kimgmzmc​​ @thenaverse​​ @dahliasbouqet​​ @black-rose-29​​ @tinyoonsblog​​ @take-u-2-an0ther-w0r1d​​ @stellauniverse​​ @stupendouscookiehumanmug​​ @tinyoonsblog​​ @veronawrites​​ @tatyhend​​ @singukieee​​ @m0v3m3ntsblog​​ @lilcritan​​ @exfolitae​​ @butterymin​​ 

*eloping: elopement involves leaving a designated area without permission. For some it can mean wandering off without realizing it, or it can mean running away. This is the definition associated/specific with the neurodivergent community. 

Masterlist // Chapter 7 // Chapter 9

————————————————–

Previously on The Line Between Love and War:

The rest of the live turned out better than you thought. There were not many questions aimed your way, but you shared that your favorite color was blue, you were from California, and that your ult kpop groups were BTS (of course), Ateez, Iz*one, and Twice, but that you also listened to others as well.

The boys also learned something new, not even realizing that you listened to other groups besides them. They had gotten a little jealous that you liked another kpop boy group, but would wait until later to tease you.

The night ended with plenty more kisses and cuddles after the live ended, discussions of how the week would look, and falling asleep in each other’s arms as you squeezed in together on Jin and Yoongi’s bed.

When the boys woke up the next morning for their concert fittings, you weren’t with them. The place where you were sleeping against Yoongi was absent, and cold, making the group of soulmates frantic. They searched the hotel room for you, not finding you anywhere. They called your name but heard nothing in return.

“Do you think she went out? Maybe to the hotel gift shop? She did like the stuffed animals there?” Jimin questioned Namjoon, who was on his phone looking for Seungho’s number. Jin was on the phone with Sejin, letting him know that they might be a little late to the meeting room that Big Hit had rented for their fittings within the hotel.

Jungkook and Taehyung had gone back to the room to see if you left your phone or not when they heard some rustling from within the closet. Looking at each other, Taehyung motioned for Jungkook to open the closet door, and after rolling his eyes, he moved forward.

He was not expecting to find you, huddled up with your Shooky plushie and the headphones Yoongi got you, rocking back and forth. Jungkook immediately motioned for Taehyung to get the others while he kneeled on the ground, moving to be in your line of sight.

When you woke up that morning, everything was too much. You could feel everything, even the stitching within the sheets and in Yoongi’s shirt against your cheek. The sun burned your skin from where it was peaking in from the window and every breath had you wanting to gag. You were overstimulated…to the extreme.

You thought you had done well yesterday, but it seems your body disagrees with you. Sitting up, you noticed that it was still early and that the boys were still awake. You didn’t want to disturb them when they had a lot going on today, so you quietly got untangled from the mess of limbs and grabbed your headphones and Shooky plushy, rubbing your hands in a pattern over the soft plushie as you tried to find somewhere dark you could sit.

Eventually, the closet seemed to be your only option. You moved a couple of things that had fallen off the hangers and sat in the corner propped against one of Yoongi’s hoodies, his scent helping to calm you a little. 

You even put on one of Jin’s hoodies, pulling the hood over your headphones and eyes, closing them as you tried to calm down and center yourself, something your therapist had taught you years ago when you thought you were having panic attacks.

With your noise cancelling headphones on, you didn’t even realize everyone was awake, or that they had been searching for you. Only when Jungkook crawled into your little space and bent so he could see your face did you realize.

You saw his hand move, his lips moving as he spoke. You didn’t realize you were crying until he began to gently wipe away the stray tears on your cheek. Seeing movement in the corner of your eyes, you turned to see the rest of your soulmates, crouching down so they could sit in front of the closet door.

You watch him as he slowly moves to take your headphones off your head, their words now becoming heard by your uncovered ears.

“Hey baby, you okay? Is there anything we can do for you?” Yoongi’s raspy tone sends shivers down your spine. When you would normally get overstimulated, you would listen to BTS music, especially ones where Yoongi or Namjoon rap in their lower registers. You couldn’t explain it, but their voices were like heaven to your ears.

You knew before you could feel it in your throat that you would be nonverbal; for how long, you had no clue. You just stay quiet, knowing they wouldn’t understand you even if you tried to motion. They were probably just asking to be polite; it wouldn’t be the first time.

“Baby? Can I, can I hug you?” Jungkook asks, holding his hands out to show you his question as well as verbalizing it. You didn’t know if it would help, you’ve never had anyone ask to hug you when you were like this. Normally you had people moving away from you.

But, when you first met them, their touch had managed to calm you down significantly, slowing your racing heartbeat down and calming your anxiety. You remember the way all the tension left your body and how you relaxed against Jin on the couch.

You nod your head at his question, knowing it can’t hurt to try. However, you almost lose your sight to Jungkook’s chest as he moves quickly, bringing you into his lap and moving to get up with you in his arms. You can’t even yelp out of shock as he does so, you only grip onto him tighter, eyes wide as you look to one of the boys for help.

He moves his hands under your shirt and Jin’s sweatshirt, putting his hands on your back and rubbing up and down. His actions help tremendously to soothe you and help to regulate you. 

Maybe it is true what they say about soulmates, physical touch does wonders to the soul.

“Did you get too overstimulated yesterday, Y/n?” Namjoon’s quiet voice asks as he sits on the bed behind Jungkook, his eyes roaming over your face, trying to see if you show any emotion on it. He knows you have trouble with expressing emotions, verbally and physically, one of the reasons he spent countless hours studying body language. He wanted to be able to help you in any way he could.

You nod your head again, answering his question and inadvertently letting them know you weren’t able to speak right now. Namjoon nodded back, his hand moving to cup your hand, mouth going to say something when there was a knock on the open door, announcing the presence of Sejin.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt. I’m glad you were found, Y/n. But we cannot push back the fitting anymore if the stylists want anytime to make any changes.” Namjoon sighed as Jin stood up, moving over to Sejin. You could hear them speaking, Namjoon and Yoongi moving to join the conversation as well.

This meant there was space for Jimin to move in where Namjoon was sitting. He brought his hands up to trace his fingers down your features, reminding you of a dream you had. Smiling a little at the thought, you nuzzled into Jungkook’s neck. Jimin cooed at you while Jungkook blushed, squeezing you a little tighter and adjusting you on his lap.

Your smile remained on your face as long as Jimin traced your features, bopping you on the nose every once in a while. You didn’t want him to stop, feeling calm and relaxed, almost to the point of falling asleep. But all good things must come to an end.

You noticed Jimin start to pout, scrunching your nose up in confusion you watched him start to get off the bed. You reached for him over Jungkook’s shoulders but he held you close.

“Darling, we can’t hold off our fitting. Is it okay if we take you down with us? We can make sure you have a chair down there, and one of us can be with you. We will take turns getting fitted.” Jin spoke to you as soon as Jungkook turned you around in his lap, not wanting to let go of you just yet.

Jungkook couldn’t explain it but he swears he could feel your own heart racing in his chest. He could feel your anxiety and restlessness like it was his own. All of his senses seemed to be in overdrive as he sat there with you and it had him wondering if this was what you experienced all the time.

It made Jungkook become protective, and your soul seemed to call out to his in that moment. He took the time to help put your socks and shoes on your feet and made sure that everything you might need was in your backpack. He even snuck some of your favorite gummy worms in one of the front pockets.

He held your hand the entire way to the meeting room they rented out, holding you close to his side as Jimin held your other hand. Made sure your chair would be near him and that he was your buddy first. He held you close, and like when in the room, he moved his hands under your shirt and held your sides, rubbing his thumb in soothing circles against your skin.

When it was his turn to get fitted, and Jin was on his way to be your buddy, he told his mate what to do, how you liked skin to skin contact and how it seemed to help your heart to calm down.

“Jungkook, I’ve got it babe. I promise she will be in good hands.” Jin reassured his younger mate, seeing just how much your state was affecting him.

By the time the fitting was over with, you were still nonverbal, but from exhaustion. You weren’t overstimulated or overwhelmed anymore, and you weren’t close to a shutdown. The skin to skin contact helped so much, and was now something each of the boys were aware of and placed inside the arsenal.

-*-*-

The next day was the Crosswalk Concert with James Corden taping for the boys. After your state yesterday, the boys were intent on keeping you with them. They had some fear that if they weren’t around you, then you might shutdown again and be alone. That was the last thing they wanted, as they promised you they would always be there for you. You came before anything that had scheduled.

The boys, specifically Jungkook and Yoongi, made sure you had everything necessary for the taping in your backpack. Jimin picked your outfit out this time, wanting to match with you even if he had to change when they got to the studio. He had fun taking selfies with you, saving them to post to Instagram later on.

Sejin had given you an official badge to wear that HYBE had sent in once you were announced to the management team. It had your name and the BTS logo, the words ‘soulmate pass’ on the bottom of the laminated pass. You even got your own BTS themed lanyard that had you excited and putting around your neck.

“Please wear this to all future events. Everyone working with us is fully aware of you and will look for your lanyard and badge when you are not with us or the boys, okay?” Sejin made sure you knew how important the badge was.

“What if it gets lost or taken?” You were worried that if you didn’t have it, you would be kicked out. That maybe they wouldn’t know what you looked like and would only look for the badge.

“That will not happen. Just like everyone knows who the boys are, they will know who you are.” While he thought that may have reassured you, it didn’t. Either way, they were not going to leave your side that day, and Seungho was instructed to remain by your side the entire time. Namjoon specifically told him not to leave your side even if someone else tells him to.

You were currently outside, watching as the boys and James did their skit to be shown before the crosswalk concert actually happens. The boys were in really amazing black and yellow suits. The skit is supposed to be aired on the show in mid-December, and it’s kind of funny listening to them talk about already performing at SoFi stadium.

You watch them practice the skit multiple times before they film it. As they film it, you get bored and decide to move closer to the sidewalk, watching as people move up to the fenced off sidewalk areas and begin to pile into the crosswalks in preparation for the boys’ performance.

It was amazing to you how word of mouth was; there were already what seemed like hundreds of people waiting. You even noticed a couple of cars parked a couple blocks down, waiting with their phones up, so they could move into the lane before the stop lights came up.

You watched James’ employee’s scramble over with all of the props, and the big trampoline practically calls your name. You see pancake and butter costumes which cause loud laughter to leave your lips. Even Seungho laughs a little at the food costumes that go with the “Butter” theme.

“James has a lot of funny ideas.” Namjoon appears behind you, a big smile on his lips as he too spots the butter costume.

Looking over at Seungho, who is holding onto the small handle of your backpack (you told him he could because you didn’t realize you kept walking off and making him freak out in worry, wondering where you went), Namjoon only raises his eyebrow at the bodyguard before pointing at you in question. When he receives a nod from Seungho, your soulmate can’t help but grin at you, dimples proudly showing his adoration for you.

“Yeah, he does! I wonder if he would let me jump on the trampoline after the skit is done. It looks fun.” You respond back, your eyes never leaving the big jumping contraption.

All too soon the shoot is back on, the boys moving into place as the cameras turn back on. You were standing a little bit behind the sidewalk with some of the crew and Sejin, Seungho still holding onto the handle of your backpack. You notice some phones pointed your way, even some people shouting your name or asking you questions you couldn’t quite make out.

“Am I allowed to answer their questions? Or say hi?” You turn your head a little to ask Seungho, knowing he is in charge of your security.

“I would not advise is Ms. Y/n.” His tone is apologetic, but you understand. You almost kind of assumed he would be against it. It didn’t really bother you. You were just curious.

You turned your head back to the boys, who were now rushing into the crosswalk and performing Butter. You saw the pancake bouncing on the trampoline, with the other costumes on either side. It was the first crosswalk concert you were watching and it was amazing what they are able to do in such a short amount of time.

What you loved though, was the people who were just ‘unfortunate’ enough to be stuck at the crosswalk. You noticed a couple of men who looked absolutely confused by the show. One even asked the girls in the car next to him what was going on.

Once the stoplight turned off, everyone rushed around trying to move so the cars could proceed forward through the light. You didn’t know anything past the first part of the skit and was delighted to see Jimin climb onto James’ back and be carted off the crosswalk. Well, more like Jimin was dragged onto James’ back. You were aware of the “Papa Mochi and Baby Mochi” relationship the two had, even if you did prefer Jimmy Fallon’s bond with them.

The boys move quickly to do a costume change, rushing back inside and into their second outfit. While they do that, James comes over to you and Seungho, who pulls you back into him a little.

“How are you enjoying this so far? This is your first time like, watching them do a skit, isn’t it?” He asks, pure curiosity in his eyes.

James was really nice to you when you were introduced when you arrived on set. He immediately made you feel comfortable and even congratulated you on finding the boys. He was actually kind of quiet in person which was nice.

“I think its really funny! I like the trampoline bit a lot. I do find it funny how many people just have no clue this happens and gets stuck at the light.” You tell him, holding your hand over your eyes to block out the sun. You didn’t have any sunglasses and added that to your mental list of things to buy when you got a chance.

“Oh, be right back!” James runs off really quick and to a table of things needed for the crew before coming back, something blue and black in his hands.

“Here you go! We have so many of these.” James hands you a pair of “The Late Late Show” endorsed sunglasses.

“Ooo thank you!” You bounce on the balls of your feet as you put them on your head. They worked really well and seemed to not just be a cheap pair either. They didn’t squish your head and blocked a lot of sunlight so you didn’t have to squint to watch the show anymore.

When the boys were done changing they didn’t have time for another break, moving right back into the skit performing Permission to Dance. This time there were summer backdrops and cactus props.

“You know, Miss Y/n, this would be a good time to start taking pictures and things for the soulmate account that Sejin and Bang PD approved.” Seungho whispered in your ear.

Your eyes widened as you remembered about the accounts you were going to make. Taking your phone out, you move a little more to the side so you could see the boys up close when they come back from the crosswalk. As they came back from the crosswalk, they noticed you holding your phone up and posed or smiled for you. Taehyung even coming up and blowing a kiss at you.

The boys changed once again to perform Dynamite on the crosswalk. They wore different colored suits and looked amazing as they practically glowed in the sunlight. During Dynamite you even noticed Liam McEwan in one of the cars, dancing through the sunroof. You got a little excited and tried to move off the sidewalk to say hi when Seungho tugged you back.

You had almost forgotten where you were. You managed a little “sorry” as your embarrassment grew, feeling the damned blush growing on your face.

“It’s okay Ms. I just don’t want you walking into the street.” Was his only reply.

Once the boys were done with Dynamite, they moved onto do a little more skits and their short interviews before we were given the okay to go home. The entire thing had taken a couple of hours and left you wanting to put on your headphones.

When you arrived back to the hotel room after the interview was filmed in the studio, which took several more hours, pizza had already been set on the small table in the living room with a couple liter bottles of soda and some cups by one of the boys’ staff members. You were grateful as you were hungry, and so without much question, you dropped your backpack on the floor by the wall and moved to grab a plate.

“Okay, so Sejin just informed me that our interviews tomorrow and Thursday have been canceled. There were some questions that both parties refused to take out so Sejin went ahead and canceled them. So, we now have two more free days before rehearsals Friday and the concerts this weekend.” Namjoon spoke as he scrolled on his phone, probably looking through the messages Sejin sent him.

You moved to grab him a plate with a couple slices of pizza, seeing he was the only one not eating.

“Here you go, Joonie.” Namjoon looks up from his phone to see you sitting in front of him, holding a plate out for him. He smiled before kissing your forehead.

“Thank you, baby.”

“So does this mean we can go out tomorrow?” Hobi asks Namjoon, who nods his head.

“Just talk to security.” Hobi nods his head at the suggestion, already thinking about which clothing stores he was going to go to. His parents and sister would be landing on Thursday and had wanted to take you out Friday while the boys rehearsed. He had security already prepared as well as a couple of reservations set up.

You were quick to realize that each of the boys wanted to do different things for their new free days. You had your own things you wanted to do. You wanted to do some exploring and finish your list of things you had planned from when you first got to LA. You also needed to get some more personal items like shampoo and lotion.

You turn around to Namjoon, resting one of your arms on his knee. “Hey Joonie?” You look up at him.

“Hm?” He hummed as he chewed a bite of pizza.

“Am I allowed to go out tomorrow too? I need to get a couple of things and I wanted to do some exploring?” You also wanted to get Taehyung a birthday gift, seeing as his birthday was at the end of the following week. You didn’t know if you would have any free time then.

“Of course, baby. Just message Seungho and let him know what time you wanted to leave. Did you want one of us to go with you?” You were happy he asked if you wanted one of them to go instead of assuming. While you loved the boys and were happy to be their soulmate, you were still introverted and needed time away to recharge. Plus, you didn’t want them to have to change their plans around to go with you. That wasn’t fair to them.

“No, it’s okay. I can go with Seungho. I like him. You guys can go do what you have planned.” You respond back with a slight shrug as you return to your pizza slices.

“Alright. Just keep in touch with the group chat, okay? Let us know if anything happens or if you need us.” You nod your head in reassurance, letting Namjoon know you heard him.

“I will.”

Once pizza was done you all just relaxed for a little while. You were lounging on the couch between Yoongi and Taehyung. Yoongi was napping and you were leaning on his shoulder as you looked through your camera roll.

You had forgotten until Seungho mentioned it that you were supposed to make a social media account, Sejin suggested Instagram, where you posted behind the scenes stuff for the boys. Well, Yoongi explained that it would be more like your own official Instagram account that would be public, while your own would remain private and just for friends and family.

You had a lot of photos already of you and the boys and then the boys separately. You particularly liked the funny pictures and videos you took of them, like Jimin doing a funny dance to Boy With Luv or Taehyung and Jin playing with the snapchat filters on your phone and recording themselves singing to Dynamite (they used the iconic puppy ear filter which made you have literal heart eyes for them).

“Hey Tae?” You turned to your soulmate who was scrolling through twitter.

“Yeah, love?”

“Do I need to talk to Sejin before I create that Instagram account? You know the official one where I would post “official behind the scenes” images and videos?” You asked him, moving and leaning your head on his shoulder instead.

“You mean your own official Instagram account? I don’t think so but it would be good to let him know. I can message him right now.” You watch him move from twitter and over to his messages.

“He says to just let him know your information like password and username. He also recommends making the username something to do with your name, so it’s easy to find and locate.” You nod your head as you move over to the Instagram app.

“Wait!” Taehyung exclaims as he takes your phone from you, moving to hold his phone in his other hand. He sends you something before moving back to instagram. He does a couple of things before giving you your phone back.

“Now you have a cute profile pic.” You look and see a really pretty candid you didn’t know he took. It was from the day you had gone shopping, you were looking up at Jin and smiling. But from the angle you could see your eyes looked closed and your smile was wide. You looked beautiful.

“Thank you, Tae.” You kiss his cheek in thanks before moving to the username section. You tap on your phone as you try to think of a good username. You didn’t want to include anything about the boys or being their soulmate in your username, feeling that it would take away from the page being yours.

You ended up just choosing a shortened version of your name, one of the nicknames the boys had begun to call you by. A grunt from Tae has you knowing you made a good pick. You think a little before adding the little number seven to the end of your username causing a little chuckle to leave Taehyung’s lips.

“Now for the bio.” You say aloud. You didn’t want anything to personal and decided to take a little inspiration from the boys’ own bios. You added your name, your age, and added a cute song lyric from one of your favorite songs. If this was going to be your official account, you wanted it to be your own account and not like a robot controlled it.

You made sure Taehyung sends Sejin the information he needed and received his approval, even sending him a screenshot of the ‘add account’ page. Once that was done you hit the ‘create account’ button, officially making your own official account. 

Sejin confirmed that he would make sure that you get the blue check mark for your account so that people knew it was really you and not someone else. He said they already had people trying to pretend to be you all across social media and wanted to be safe.

Unfortunately, you had no clue what to post first. You didn’t know what would be a good post, seeing as anything you posted would be scrutinized by people everywhere. 

Seeing your struggle, Taehyung grabbed your phone again and scrolled through your pictures before picking one of the eight of you. It was from lunch the other day. It was a selfie that you made Jin take of all of you, scrunched together and leaning in to the middle of the table to be seen. You all wore large smiles or were laughing as the picture went off.

It was one of your favorite pictures.

“This is a good one, baby.” He handed your phone back with a small smile and watched as you quickly typed in the caption that came to mind.

“happiest when im with you<3”

Very quickly, with the exception of Yoongi who was still sleeping, all of the boys and the official BTS account followed you. Once this happened, your phone was quick to begin to slow down due to the intense number of notifications you were receiving. Taehyung helped you turn off the notifications before putting your phone on the small side table next to him.

“Well, that was nerve wracking.”

Next Chapter 

[clove-pinks]

A delightful part of the Fort Meigs museum is this dress-up area for children, with child-sized replica clothing for different groups present in 1813, and an illustrative mural on the wall.

The soldier at far right is labeled Native American but looks more Shawnee specifically, and is from Tecumseh's Confederacy. The British redcoat is from the 41st Regiment of Foot, who were deployed to Canada in 1799 and saw action throughout the Niagara region and the old northwest. I like that the fatigue dress at far left shows the US forage cap, although I think the long, tasseled style was also in use.

19th US Infantry uniform looks correct... Ohio militia maybe not so much? All US War of 1812 state militia are always depicted in that stupid hideous frontiersy get-up, especially if they're from "western" states. I think it's supposed to imply that they did not have standard uniforms like a professional army. An extant Ohio militia uniform in the museum looks nothing like this, however!

This wool militia coatee was worn by Thomas Armstrong at Fort Meigs in 1812-1813. His militia company was raised in Lisbon, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border. Typical of the problems with state militias in the War of 1812, most of Armstrong's company returned home before they even reached Fort Meigs, because their terms of enlistment had expired.

It was an emotional experience to be so close to an extant uniform! Armstrong does not appear to have been small in stature, from his coatee, and the waist is not small, although clever tailoring with the dolman-style buttons and piping makes it look more pinched-in. (Remind me to show you the absurdly wasp-waisted War of 1812 uniform from Kentucky). More civilian fashion influences can be seen in the long coattails.

[racefortheironthrone]

Since you talk about labour issues a lot, do you have any tips or resources for organizing where there's little history of unions? For context, I work at a large-ish tech company (not a gigantic one or twitter, but one people would have heard of). I'm a SWE so I do okay for myself, but non-engineer coworkers do less so. I'm not sure what laws/orgs to look at because I'm in Canada working for an American corp. That's probably outside your expertise, but maybe you have suggestions where to look?

Sure! Before I give a list of recommendations, I do want to start by saying not to worry unduly about organizing in areas outside of those traditionally organized by labor unions; before the advent of industrial unionism, it was widely believed that the only workers who could be organized were skilled members of a craft, and that unskilled and semi-skilled immigrant factory workers couldn't be unionized. And the 1930s happened, and all of the sudden those exact workers became the bulk of the labor movement. After that, it was widely believed that public sector workforces, largely composed of women and racial minorities, could not be unionized - and the 1960s and 1970s happened, and all of the sudden those exact same workers became the bulk of the labor movement.

If you're working in Canada, Canadian labor law applies even to American corporations - but it's important to research the labor laws of your specific province or territory as well as the Federal code, because there are regional and industry-specific variations.

In terms of organizations to reach out to, you probably want to start with the Canadian Labour Congress, which is the main Canadian trade union federation. In terms of which Canadian unions have tech worker organizing projects, I know of CODE-CWA, and UFCW-Canada, but the CLC would know more than I do.

[sabyfangirl]

Alone

After the brothers had a huge argument, Chris accidentally fell out of the Tortuga and into canadian woods in the middle of a snow storm, leaving his guilt-consumed brother to go looking for him with the help of the team.

After another successful creature rescue, the Tortuga team had decided to head North America, Canada to be more specific. Unfortunately, the timing was not the best since there had been serious ice storms and blizzards in most of the areas, forcing the gang to stay inside the Tortuga for what they planned to be a "short period" of time, which quickly turned into days - driving the Kratt brothers insane.

"Martin, turn that racket down! Can't you see I'm trying to read?" Chris yelled from across the room. He was reading a book in his hammock - about science and biology - while Martin was playing the guitar on a floor cushion.

"Well I wanna play my guitar, I gotta do something to keep myself from getting bored!" Martin replied moodily, strumming even harder this time.

They both stared at each other angrily.

From the other side of the room, the girls watched as the tension between the brothers intensified.

"Oh, the storm outside is nothing compared to the one inside," Aviva sighed exasperatedly, Koki nodding her head.

"Yeah, I've never seen them fight before, like ever!" she pointed out with a disappointed tone.

"It's really not like them, we've been cooped up in here for so long it's making them crazy!"

After bearing the sound for one more minute, Chris had enough. "Will you stop playing for just five seconds?!" he snapped.

"You're not the boss of me, so no," Martin said with all of his chest.

"That does it," Chris slammed his book closed, "I'm going to the garage where I can be alone," he shot his brother a hard look from the corner of his eyes.

Martin, barely looking up, simply shrugged. "Whatever," he scoffed while tuning his guitar. Aviva and Koki shared unhappy looks as Chris disappeared out of sight.

"Enough is enough." Martin looked up to find Aviva looking down at him, Koki right beside her. "What has gotten into you guys?" Aviva started.

"You've been fighting over small things lately, and it's getting worse," Koki persued, a firm look on her face.

Martin layed down his guitar and got up. "Oh come on, he's the one who started it!" he said defensively.

Aviva and Koki gave him the uh huh look. He kind of felt as though it was his fault, but wouldn't admit it. He walked by the girls only to accidentally sit on a particular switch.

In the garage, Chris was looking for a good spot to read in peace. "Argh, why does Martin have to be so annoying," he let out with a frustrated tone.

He eventually sat down against a pile of boxes.

"At least he won't be bugging me here," he buried his face in his book... but couldn't bring himself to focus on reading. He looked up and sighed deeply.

"Maybe I should-"

Suddenly, the garage hatch opened right in front of him.

"Oh no!" Chris yelped as he got sucked in, his hands grasping the edge of the hatch as he held on for dear life, having let go of his book as it disappeared into the darkness.

Other objects flew past him, but just as he thought he was going to make it, he got hit in the face by one of the boxes, sending him falling out of the Tortuga.

"AAAH!"

"It doesn't matter whose fault it was, you gotta talk things out with Chris," Aviva insisted.

Martin looked away, arms crossed, but deep down he knew he had to do the right thing. "Okay fine, I'll go and apologize to him," Martin sighed in defeat as he reluctantly made his way to the garage, Aviva and Koki sharing delighted expressions.

"That's more like it."

"Chris," Martin called out as soon as he entered the garage.

No answer.

"I know you're in here somewhere, I just wanna talk-" he stopped short when he noticed the garage hatch was wide open, and Chris was nowhere to be seen.

His stomach dropped. "Chris!" He ran over and looked down from the hatch. It was like staring at a black hole, only being able to see endless snowflakes, but no sign of his brother.

"No..." He stood there for a moment, processing what had happened.

"NO! CHRIS!" Martin cried out, but it was pointless.

He then rushed back to the main room. "The garage hatch is open! Chris is gone!"

"WHAT?!" Aviva and Koki looked stunned.

"But how?" Koki looked over her shoulder. "Someone sat on the switch," she glared at him.

Martin's eyes widened as he realized what he had done. Just a moment ago he felt angry, but now he was consumed with guilt.

"And it's freezing out there!" Aviva paused and slowly turned her head to look at Martin. "...What was Chris wearing?"

The question caught his breath. "Nothing but shorts and a sweater..." Martin's voice trailed off as he gradually felt himself panicking on the inside.

Noticing this, Aviva grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him hard. "Martin focus, we gotta go back and find Chris." Martin took a deep breath and nodded.

"I'll go tell Jimmy to turn back and let him know what's going on," Koki dashed to the pilot room, leaving Martin and Aviva looking at each other with concerned eyes.

"Oh, brother..."

In a snow-covered forest, lay an unmoving body. Suddenly, weak moans started to escape him. The green Kratt was slowly returning to the world of living, the soft but horribly cold touch of the snow making it harder for him to get up from the ground. He gritted his teeth as he sat up and brushed the snow off his clothes before he looked around with blurry eyes; it was pitch dark, with nothing but the harsh winter wind howling in his numb face, snowflakes dancing around him. Part of him was actually grateful he had landed in soft snow. Cold but soft. Though he wished there was such a thing as warm snow, as silly as it sounded in his head. In a shiver, he wrapped his arms around himself as he tried to stand up, almost failing at it. He was so cold, acknowledging that his attire wasn't suitable for the weather. His skin felt like it could easily rip any moment. His teeth chattered so badly, the vibration could reach his brain. A thought suddenly came to him; he dug his trembling hand in his pocket...only to find that he didn't have his creature pod on him. He must've lost it during the fall.

Fantastic.

He squinted his eyes as he tried to spot anything that might be useful; the boxes that accompanied him during his fall were mostly wrecked, some were even sticking out of sharp branches, like marshmallow during a campfire. He swallowed hard as a chill went down his spine. It could've been him.

"This is g-great," he muttered to himself, trying hard not to panic. He had no clue where he was nor for how long he was out cold, all he knew is that he couldn't stand there for too long. "G-Gotta f-find sh-shelter." He picked a random direction and dragged his feet in the thick snow.

"Land the Tortuga right here, Jimmy!" Aviva pointed at a clearing, which could be seen thanks to their searchlights.

"Righty-o!" Jimmy landed the Tortuga, slow and steady.

With no time to spare, the gang got geared up and ready to go out on the search. They all headed to the garage and decided to take the Creetera - Aviva had modified it to make it move through the toughest of conditions, including snow. With Jimmy behind the wheel, Koki next to him and Aviva and Martin in the back, they took off to find their brother and friend... Before it was too late.

"We're coming, Chris."

Everything around him felt cold, vicious, biting and blinding. The wind was roaring in his ears, he had snow in his hair and he was shivering badly. The black and brown thorns wrapped around the forest, almost like teeth waiting to tear at him. Each trudge felt longer and harder than the last. He was getting colder and weaker. He couldn't stand it anymore. All he wanted was a warm bed and a soft blanket, and to think that he had all that and more not long ago. He stopped and looked down at his hands: his fingertips were already turning blue.

Blue.

Martin.

Part of him wanted to blame him for everything, but the other just missed him so badly. He could even hear his voice echoing in his head.

Well I wanna play my guitar, I gotta do something to keep myself from getting bored!

The random cracking sound of wood suddenly snapped him out of his thoughts. His eyes danced around to spot the source of it, when they landed on what seemed to be... a hut.

Wait... A HUT!

Slowly but surely, he made his way to what he considered to be the perfect shelter, but when he got close enough, he began to have doubts; the hut was pretty small, so small that not even a horse could fit in it. It had no door, and even with all the snow, he could still tell it wasn't very solid.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Without another thought, he bent his head to enter the hut. It was dark and he could hardly see, but at least he no longer had snow blowing at his face. He walked deeper into the hut, until he found a corner where he sat down. His numb hands touched the ground and he felt smooth, humid grass, which was more preferable than snow. A shaky sigh escaped his chest as he looked around him. A bit of dim moonlight pierced through the cracks and holes, creating a somewhat comforting scene. A weak smile crept across his face, but it faded as soon as he remembered his misery. He also remembered the moment he fought with his brother.

Will you stop playing for just five seconds?!

That does it, I'm going to the garage where I can be alone.

Alone.

Now he was truly alone.

He felt a small tear forming in his eye, but he held it back. He wondered if the crew noticed he was gone yet. He hoped they were already looking for him, having no idea how long he could possibly last out there. The weather was bad enough, but the lack of clothing made it far worse. He calculated the possibilities and the chances he had to survive. He felt his breathing getting faster as the realization hit him. He was freezing. His whole body ached from the cold. He already recognized the early signs of hypothermia; he felt numb, sluggish and his heart rate and breathing had increased. He knew that by staying completely immobile, his symptoms would only get worse. But just as he had the idea of getting up and walking around a little, he heard the loud booming sound of snapping wood right outside, then-

BOOM.

"Stop!" Martin cried out. Jimmy immediately smashed the breaks, and the Creetera came to a halt. Everyone turned to look at Martin who was pale as a sheet.

"Martin?" Aviva approached him, concerned. "What's wrong?

Martin slowly looked up at her, a petrified look on his face. "It's Chris," he swallowed hard.

"What about him?" Koki raised an eyebrow.

"He's hurt, I-I can feel it." He placed a few fingers on the side of his head.

The others exchanged worried looks. "You think you might know where he is?" Jimmy asked.

"N-No," Martin shook his head, still staring into the void. "All I know is that he's hurt." He then looked at them, distress painting his face. "We need to find him fast!"

"We will." Aviva placed a hand on his shoulder. "We promise."

"Uhh, guys," everyone's attention turned to the ginger guy. "What's that?" He pointed at something sticking out of the snow in front of them, illuminated by the headlights.

Martin was the first to hopp off. He went over and pulled the object out of the snow, letting out a loud gasp.

"Martin, what is it?" Aviva knelt beside him.

"It's Chris' book," he managed with a trembling voice, eyes fixated on the title.

"Wait, that means we're on the right track," Aviva said. "...Martin?"

You're not the boss of me, so no.

"Martin?" Aviva shook the blue Kratt. "Snap out of it!"

"It's all my fault," he muttered.

"What?"

Martin looked at her dead in the eye. "This is all my fault. It's my fault Chris is lost out here, it's my fault that he's probably hurt and it's my fault that-"

"Hey, hey, hey..." Aviva cut him off, her voice calm and gentle. "None of this is your fault, we'll find your brother." She grasped his shoulders in a comforting way. "Everything's gonna be okay," she smiled reassuringly.

With glassy eyes, Martin gave her a thankful smile.

"We better get moving," they heard Koki say from behind them. "If he landed here, Chris most likely would've taken...that path." She pointed with her finger, before heading back to the Creetera, followed by Aviva and Martin.

The ringing in his ears grew larger and larger...before it stopped. He gasped as his eyes flung open. The pain was so intense. He tried to move, but his body screamed in response. He put up a shaky hand to his throbbing head, and flinched... He looked down; blood. He felt crimson flowing from the side of his head. Cuts and bruises were all over his body, but he was in too much pain to notice. He then stared at both hands with wide eyes. No!

At that moment, tiny splinters of wood started falling in front of his face. He looked up to find, to his utter horror, a HUGE tree trunk that had burst through the roof, having completely destroyed half the hut. The damage was indescribable. And since the tree trunk was only a few inches above him, Chris used all of his remaining strength to crawl away from it. Oh, the pain was immeasurable. He finally made it to a safer corner, sucking in his fragile, frozen body. He couldn't feel his limps anymore. He then looked at his hands one more time...and his eyes filled with tears. It felt hopeless. He could feel himself slowly slipping into unconsciousness. He clenched his achy chest, his breathing shaky and unsteady. He just wished he could've seen his brother one last time, just hear his sweet voice, or feel one of his hugs.

"M-Martin," his voice was weak and stained with agony. "Help..."

Then the world around him turned black.

Help.

Martin gasped at the familiar voice echoing in his head. He clenched his chest. "Chris?"

"Jimmy stop!" Aviva let out as soon as she noticed. "Martin?"

"He's near, I can feel it." Martin looked around frantically. "Over there!" He pointed at a strange structure in the distance. 

When the Creetera got close enough, the crew gasped at the sight. "A tree fell on this hut!" Koki exclaimed.

"Whoa, that's some serious damage," Jimmy let out in awe.

"You don't think...?" Aviva's voice trailed off.

"Only one way to find out." Martin hopped off the vehicle, not forgetting his bag. "You guys stay here, it's too dangerous for all of us to get in."

The crew nodded. "Be careful," Aviva said.

Martin took out a flashlight as he entered the half-demolished shelter. As he walked deeper, he noticed the trunk sticking out of the ceiling, the sky vomiting snow all over. Then, he noticed an unmoving form in the corner. His eyes widened as he held up the flashlight with a trembling hand. When his eyes landed on him, he felt as though he was stabbed in the heart.

"CHRIS!" he cried out, throwing away his flashlight and dropping on his knees. "No, no, no, no, bro, wake up, it's me, Martin!" his voice was filled with despair, holding his face close to his. He then grabbed him by the shoulders and almost shook him, but didn't. He had to remain calm for his brother's sake. He noticed the dry blood on his face, already getting an idea of how it happened. If the trunk were a person, he would've punched them so hard. He then noticed the state of his hands and gasped quietly.

Frostbite.

He gently leaned in and pressed an ear against his chest, holding him close with his arms as he closed his eyes. "Please, please, please..."

...

Thumb. Thumb.

A faint heartbeat. It was shallow, but very much there.

Martin breathed the biggest sigh of relief he ever had, tears welling up in his eyes. He felt like breaking down and sobbing right then and there, but he abstained himself. He quickly wiped his eyes with a sniffle, then dug his hands in his bag and took out a weighted blanket. He wrapped the fabric around his brother's delicate, frozen body, careful not to harm him.

All of a sudden, Chris gave a whimper which startled his brother.

"Martin, is it time to go to school?" his voice was inaudible, barely louder than a whisper.

Martin's heart ached. He gently picked him up bridal-style, his brows furrowing with inquietude. "No, bro, just go back to sleep," he whispered, but it didn't stop his brother from rambling, only making him even more worried. "Hang in there, Chris."

Back outside, the crew was patiently waiting for Martin to show up. Once he stepped out of the hut, Aviva and Koki gasped in horror while Jimmy let out a screetch at the sight of Chris hanging in his brother's arms, with his head all the way back, a sign of his body's complete and utter limpness, blood covering nearly half his visage.

"Is he okay?!" Jimmy cried out.

"His head's bleeding, he's ice cold and he's delirious," Martin said, almost mechanically, positioning his brother in the back of the Creetera, laying his head on his bag. Then he stole a glance at his hands sticking out of the blanket. "And his hands took a beating," he sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned around. "Hey, he'll be alright." Aviva smiled warmly, Martin forcing a feeble smile in return.

"Step on it, Jimmy!" Koki earged.

Without a second to spare, Jimmy smashed the accelerator and the Creetera instantly took off like a bolt of lightning.

Soon enough, the team made it back to the Tortuga, the entrance wide open and welcoming.

Everyone burst in the emergency room, Martin carrying Chris behind them.

He layed him on the emergency bed, then rushed off to grab a piece of cloth to wipe off the dry blood covering his pale face. Koki took off his blanket and threw it away, then she opened an IV bag warmer to heat IV fluids up for Chris before administering it to him. Aviva filled up a recipient with warm water before placing it on the bed, then she slowly dipped Chris' hands in the liquid. He instantly let out silent cries, whimpering at the newly discovered pain. "Sorry Chris," Aviva said with a desolated tone, "I know it hurts but it's for your own good."

Just then, Martin walked up to him with a cool washcloth and knelt beside the bed. "Hang on, bro, this will only take a sec."

Just as he pressed it against the wound, Chris grunted, slightly moving his head to avoid the contact. Regardless, he continued the process. Just as he placed the bloody cloth away, Jimmy walked up with a pile of blankets, carefully covering Chris up as much as he could without touching the recipient or the IV needle. He was making a huge effort at hiding his discomfort from it all, being slightly hemophobic and all that. Finally, Martin took care of wrapping up the wound on his brother's head, finishing with the gentle brush of his hand against his cold cheek.

Dead silence. Everyone circled around the bed, contemplating.

"That's all we can do for now," Koki finally said. "We should all go get some rest, it's been a long night."

Martin pulled a chair close to the bed and sat on it. "You guys go ahead," he said, not taking his eyes off of his brother. "I'm staying."

"Martin-" Aviva tried to reason with him but was instantly cut off.

"I said I'm staying," his tone was harsh and intense. Aviva sighed in defeat, knowing there was nothing she could do to make him leave.

"Fine." She walked by him and sympathetically patted him on the shoulder, before exiting the room, followed by Koki and Jimmy.

They were alone. Just the two of them.

Martin looked down at his brother's face, his eyes were closed shut, almost in a lifeless way.

The memory of everything that had happened flashed before his eyes. He sighed heavily, rubbing his face. He hated himself so badly.

Just then he heard a timid knock on the door. It was Jimmy. He walked in with a mug full of tea in his slightly shaky hands. Martin turned around and tried to wear a small smile.

"Thanks, JZ." He grabbed the mug and the ginger guy made his way out of the room.

"No problem."

Martin looked down at his brother's icy face, the cold refusing to go away, and gently lifted his head before approaching the mug to his slightly open lips. Chris drank most of the tea which made Martin feel at ease, then he placed the mug on the side table and slowly lowered his head back on the pillow. He adjusted the blanket around his form as much as he could, his eyes twitching at his fingers dipped in the water.

Another sigh, this one filled with mixed emotions; he was scared, angry with himself, overwhelmed with relief. But mostly, he just hoped his brother would ever forgive him for not being there for him when he needed him. He wished he could've been there sooner, wished he could've done something to prevent this, but all he could do now was hope he'd recover and that his hands wouldn't suffer from permanent damage. The thought formed a lump in his throat. He reached out a shaky hand and brushed it against Chris' slightly warmer face, tears on the edge of his eyes.

"Everything's gonna be alright, I promise," his voice cracked. And before he knew it, tears were streaming down his face. He buried his face in his brother's chest, sobbing in silence. At some point, he drifted to sleep, a protective arm unconsciously wrapped around his brother.

Hours later, he woke to the sound of grunts, followed by a faint call. "M-Martin..."

Martin's head immediately flung up. He looked down at his brother's closed eyes. "Chris?" his voice was hopeful. "C'mon, buddy, wake up." He squeezed his shoulder.

Chris' eyes slowly started to open, not completely, but enough to look at his brother through half-opened eyelids. "Chris," Martin's voice contained a shred of relief, "Can you hear me?"

Chris stared at him weakly, before nodding.

At that, Martin sighed shakily then reached out to feel his temperature... A little feverish, but he was awake and that was all that mattered.

"How are you feeling?" Martin tried to fake a smile to bring comfort to his agonized brother.

Chris opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Instead was a dry cough, followed by a shiver. Martin looked at him with sad eyes. Chris slowly looked down at his hands to find that they were in a recipient full of water, also noticing the IV needle sinking into his skin, like a snake's fangs. His eyes widened.

"It's okay, bro," he heard his brother say with a tender tone. "You're gonna be fine."

Chris looked at him for a moment, then smiled weakly. He then gave him a familiar look. Martin knew what it meant. He leaned in and gently wrapped his arms around him, trapping him in a long embrace.

Chris sighed as he snuggled in his brother's shoulder. If his hands were free, he would've wrapped them hard around him and never let go.

Sniff. Sniff.

To his shock, he felt tears falling on his back. "I-I'm so sorry," Martin sniffled between his words. "This is all my fault, I never should've gotten angry with you." 

Chris pulled away from the hug, looking into his brother's eyes. "I-I'm sorry, too," he managed with an unbelievably raspy voice, tears on the edge of his eyes. "I was s-scared, bro... I-I thought I'll never see you a-again, I..." A single tear rolled down his cheek.

"Shh," Martin wiped off the tear with his thumb. "Everything's gonna be fine now, I'm not going anywhere," he smiled warmly, his voice soft and reassuring.

Chris seemed to relax after that. "Thanks bro," he sniffled.

"You get some rest, I'll go let the others know you're awake." Chris nodded weakly and closed his eyes with a quivering sigh as Martin got up from the chair and headed to the door. He stopped, turned around to steal one more glance at his brother, smiling sadly...then left the room.

A few days had gone by, and chris was gradually healing; the hypothermia had completely gone away a few hours after his first conversation with his brother after the incident. His head injury was slowly getting better, and according to Aviva, he didn't seem to be having any internal issues that might've been caused by it, much to everyone's relief. All that was left was the frostbite. His hands stayed dipped in warm water 24/7, day and night, which was driving him a little crazy despite being told a million times it was the best way to treat it. He was mostly scared, however, that his hands would never get any better and that he would never be able to use them again. The thought always nearly brought him to tears, but thankfully he had his brother by his side to cheer him up and bring him hope, every step of the way. The older Kratt kept his word and never left his brother's side, he even went as far as reading him that book he had lost in the snow since he never truly finished it, and it always brought a smile to his little brother's face.

One day though, a miracle occured. Chris woke one morning, his brother sleeping beside him, his head resting on his bed, still sitting on that same chair. The sight always made a warm-hearted smile crack on his face. He always told him to sleep in his own bed but the stubborn sibling refused, not surprisingly. The green Kratt looked around the chamber, a bit of sunlight shining through the window and creating a golden string, his eyes following it until they landed on his hands. His hands. Something felt...different about them. He cautiously sat up to look down at his hands, still trapped under the water, and with slight hesitance, he slowly took them out, droplets of water raining on the cover as he approached them to his face.

He paused for a moment, gulped...then curled his fingers into a fist. His eyes widened, a short laugh escaping him, followed by a cry of joy and relief.

Martin suddenly came back to the world of living, he looked around frantically, still not fully awake. "Chris, wha-" He rubbed his eyes and noticed his brother staring at his hands with an exaggeratedly large smile on his face, his remaining sleep disappearing.

"Are you okay? What happened? Are you feeling worse?!" He shot him with a bunch of questions, Chris only laughing even harder.

"Martin, look!" He extended his hands for him to see; the frostbite was gone. Both brothers cried and hugged and sobbed for a while, they were just so happy.

"See? I told you everything was gonna be alright!" Martin cried, the smile on his face accompanied by matching tears.

"Yeah," Chris wiped his face, the amazing sensation of using his hands again washing over him. "I don't know what I would've done without you."

Martin gasped softly, smiling warmly.

After updating the others on what happened, Martin came back to Chris' room with some tea, his brother finally being able to hold his own mug. He then took out the book for Chris to grab.

Chris reached out his hands, but paused...then lowered them, seeming pensive. Martin looked confused.

"Actually..." Chris snuggled back on his pillow with his tea. "I like it better when you read it for me," he smiled.

Martin looked at him for a moment, then a smile spread across his face. "No problem," he chuckled.

[tellthemeerkatsitsfine]

Most days, this bit would have made me smile a bit in the moment, but I wouldn't have found it significant enough to actually cut out and post. Because "broadly in favour of gay pride" is hardly a controversial stance for a comedian these days to take, it's not a particularly big deal.

But this happens to be a week when a town in my own country has voted to outlaw public depictions of pride, and I usually try not to use this blog to talk too much about current events (because 1) I don't think social media is the place for actual news, and even if it is, maybe news can be okay if coming from journalists' social media accounts, it shouldn't come from random people like me, and 2) if I comment on one current issue then I get concerned about all the other ones I'm leaving out, so I avoid all of them, everyone could safely and accurately just assume that I am constantly paralyzed with horror at everything going on in the world so I don't need to spell every single one out), but that particular banning of pride stuff has been particularly depressing me lately, in addition to the larger issues across Canada and the United States of a massive backlash against queer people. I think in the area of queer acceptance, the Overton window is start to move to the right for the first time in my lifetime, and that is fucking awful to watch.

So given that, hearing John Robins and Elis James say some fairly basic "gay pride is good" stuff was, actually, pretty fucking uplifting. And I happened to listen to this bit while on a break at work, in a job where I'm an autism therapist and that job has a lot of overlap with the job of being a teacher. And my sexual orientation... okay it sometimes involves theoretical attraction to men, like I can find certain men attractive if they fall into the narrow range called "my type" but in actual practice I know from experience that even being very attracted to a man is not enough for me to actually enjoy sleeping with one, so on a practical level the word "lesbian" probably describes me accurately, even though when describing my own sexual orientation I tend to use the word "gay" because that feels a little bit broader and like lesbians aren't allowed to sometimes be attracted to men, even men with whom they don't wish to actually have physical sex, but "gay women" are allowed that because there's more scope in that term, I think, I'm not really sure... but anyway, my sexual orientation is certainly not far off from lesbian, and my job is not far off from teacher, so hearing those guys say they're in favour of lesbian teachers was a pretty fucking cool thing, while I sat in an empty classroom on a break at work and listened to this podcast. Might have got mildly emotional hearing that, specifically because I've spent most of this week being depressed about some of the local rulings on pride in Canada, and the implications they have for more regional areas that have just been looking for opportunities like this, and of course the significant backlash against queer people that's happening all over North America right now.

I don't know. I realize a British comedian saying queer people are fine is hardly groundbreaking. But if anyone's feeling depressed about The Backlash right now, and how many comedians have turned out to be disappointingly fine with said backlash, here are John Robins and Elis James in 2017 talking about how great pride is. John Robins even suspending his usual policy of getting furious at people who don't follow the rules, because that's just how great pride is.

[ohsalome]

Sorry if this is a really annoying way to do this, I’m still a little new to tumblr and I’m not sure what’s the best way to go about this, but I saw the question from the Ukrainian Diaspora person and since I’m from it as well I thought I could maybe help.

(Note: a lot of this is from a Canadian lens, but a lot of it should apply to the states and maybe to other commonwealth countries to some extent)

So if you live in a town or city, my first go to would be to look for dance groups. This is definitely true in Canada, and I’m pretty sure true in the US: dance is at the centre of most of the diaspora culture here. Nearly every event will have performers, if they aren’t hosted by dance companies themselves, and it is the opinion of many older Ukrainian Canadians that dance is the most important thing here (there’s a long thing about diaspora history and trauma in there but that’s for later). Even if you don’t want to/can’t join a group, you can keep an eye out for zabavas to go to, especially around malanka (side note: the North American diaspora has a type of Kolomeyka that I believe is unique to us and originated in the Canadian Prairies, which is at most parties and Ukrainian events)

There’s also Ukrainian churches, which of course will have a number of Ukrainians, but if you’re not Christian maybe not a good choice

Ukrainian diaspora members are pretty obsessive about preservation and recording stuff, so anywhere there’s a population there’s a decent chance at a museum and a number of them have online portions. If you look up Ukrainian museum (insert country/region) stuff should come up, but for specific recommendations: the Ukrainian Village in Edmonton, AB is an open air museum detailing life of early Ukrainian Canadian settlers, and has some online tours, there’s the Ukrainian Museum of America and Canada respectively, and the University of Alberta has the Kule Folklore centre and the Bohdan Medwidsky archives.

On the topic of the University of Alberta, it at one point had one of the largest Slavic studies programs in North America, rivalling Harvard’s, and I would argue unlike others is Ukrainian centric rather than R*sso centric. It along with the University of Manitoba and Saskatchewan has a number of Ukrainian and Ukrainian diaspora resources (I’ll try putting some links at the end)

I found music to be a good way to connect with my heritage, especially folk songs. If you look up Ukrainian Folk Songs on YouTube you’ll get a lot to explore, but I’m sure that the Ukrainians here on tumblr can plug in a lot of people to check out

Finally, see if you can look into any Ukrainian political organizations in your area. In Canada we have the Ukrainian Canadian Congress as a sort of political representative for Ukrainian Canadians, but there’s other as well such as the Ukrainian Student Society in many universities. I’m not sure what the equivalents are in the states. There’s also scouting organizations such as Plast and SUSK, but I have no experience with them

As promised, links

Kule folklore centre

CIUS

Love Letters from the Past

The Ukrainian Village

Songs and Bands

Ukrainian Canadian ones

Zeellia

Balaklava Blues

Zubrivka

Millenia

Hloptsi z mista

Korinya

Ukrainian ones

Go_A

Один В Каное

Dakhabrakha

Христина Соловій

Тріо Маренич

Veryovka

Eteria

Individual Songs

А Льон Цвіте

Ой Розвиайся та Сухий Дубе

Хай Живе, Вільна Україна

Сонце низенько, вечір близенько

Ой у лузі червона калина

Ой чи є чи нема

Водограй

This is brilliant, thank you!

@bat-anon

[imstillhere-butallislost]

Testosterone gel vs shots, and why I switched

Testosterone gel is gel that is applied topically to your body, and I was on this for over a year.

In September, I switched to intramuscular injections done once weekly.

I'm going to explain my dosage and why I switched methods! This may not apply to you, this is my specific experience.

I was very happy with testosterone gel when I started. I was on 1% gel, starting at one pump and moving to 2 pumps. Each pump was 12.5 mg of testosterone I believe.

Gel was really easy to begin with. You have to keep it and the area you apply it on your body away from animals and children and others who might not want extra testosterone on them, but this was not a problem with me. The gel is daily. This helps if you need to do something daily to get it into your routine.

The gel also takes very little time to put on, it is the same consistency of hand sanitizer. It's honestly really foolproof to use, it's very easy and consistent. I noticed some changes within the first couple of weeks! (I have a timeline posted on this blog)

The gel also gives you a very consistent dose of hormones each day, which was definitely good for my mental health.

The cons of gel for me started around summer when It was warmer and putting on gel and then wearing long sleeves over it just was not fun. Going hand in hand with this i also got a boyfriend and did not want to get gel on him accidentally.

The daily nature of the gel also wasn't helpful if I was going to stay the night somewhere because I would need to bring a bottle of gel if I wanted to put it on first thing in the morning, or I could do it when I got home but risk forgetting to do it. Daily gel became a slight hassle with my new routines.

Gel was also so so so very expensive. I'm in Canada and have no insurance. The gel was around 200 dollars monthly.

My levels were also not where I wanted them to be on the gel. This may have been solved if I went on a higher dose, but the higher dose would cost more money that I do not have. This may not apply to you if you have insurance. Male testosterone levels are between 10-35 nmol/l. I was at 3 nmol/l after over a year on testosterone.

For the shots, I've been on intramuscular shots since September. I take .25ml every week. There is 50mg of testosterone in each injection.

My levels have already went up into the male range although I haven't experienced many further changes yet. I'm at 23 nmol/L.

I only have to worry about doing my shot one day a week, and I could have chosen to have those farther apart but I feel like my mental health would suffer if I did them too far apart.

I don't have to worry about gel rubbing off onto anyone or anything like that.

I pay nothing for my testosterone as my local insurance covers it.

The WORST part about doing the injections is... actually doing the injections. It hurts sometimes, and the times it doesn't I'm anxious about it hurting. It's stabbing a needle into your own body, it's difficult.

This makes the shots unpredictable. Unlike the gel, the shots can hurt sometimes and not other times. If predictability is important to you, maybe don't go for shots.

I do understand that the more you do it the better you will get at choosing the correct spot to inject, but for me it's been really hard not knowing if I'm going to be in a lot of pain or if it will not hurt at all. I'm not even a person who is afraid of needles or pain, it's just hard to do it to your self. That being said, it has never been so bad that I've missed an injection before.

That's all I got for now, ask me any questions you need too!!

[tutuandscoot]

I’m sorry you had a bad day! Sending you hugs and kisses. My go to serotonin boost is that 2010 worlds interview where they’re in their farrucas costumes and T can’t stop giggling 🥰 she’s so cute because 95% of the time T is so poised and polished in interviews but if she gets hit with a Scott-induced giggle fit 😂 she’s hopeless and it’s adorable. And idk how to explain but Scott’s voice does something so cute the way he says “she’s so happy, she has the giggles.” Also they must’ve been so tired?? They were truly insane doing worlds right after they won gold at their first freakin Olympics. I love that pic of them on the worlds 2010 podium with T holding onto S with his arms wrapped around her, his head leaning against hers. They look like they could just fall asleep right there 🥺

That last bit: maybe THAT’s what he means when he says she’s often restless when she sleeps 😄🥲🥹

Also on that last bit YES I always feel like that in their hugs (The Hug™️or just any cuddles) and I feel weird saying that bc.. @ the crazies but it’s not in a sexual/romantic way it’s just that they truly are each other home and feel so safe they could legitimately loose consciousness and wake up in the same safe place they left 🥹 (kinda said something along the lines of that in this post from my bby blogging days).

Ahh that giggle moment at worlds is the cutest!! I also find the story behind it really funny: apparently he has a habit of picking up accents when they’re in other counties and he retells it that he was speaking kinda in an Italian accent.. which I don’t really hear.. he seams to just be speaking in his normal super lovely Canadian accent.. but as with many things them it must’ve been something so tiny and subtle that only T picked up on and that just sent her packing.. which tbh makes it even more endearing. And poor sweet T she was trying so hard to pull it together, not appear rude and he does such a good job of covering for her like saying ‘oh well I’m ready for tomorrow but T we’ll have to sort out’ and you just know after this whole thing they both cracked up into a fit of laughter (once they were out of the press area). I love this side of them- that silly best friend stuff and where they know eachother so well and the inside joke is so specific and they can tease each other in the most harmless way 💖

Later in that clip the interviewer asks them ‘who is your biggest competition’ and I have to say (while I’m sure all skaters/teams get asked it) it’s always really bothered me how they would be asked about their competitors.. like wtf this is VM’s interview. Completely off from the event we are talking about here but like their interview after winning 2017 worlds, how she asks about the 🇫🇷. WHY?? How rude to take the focus away from VM in their moment of glory to praise their competitors (which VM being so sportsman like and humble and nice to everyone would of course say great things- things the 🇫🇷 probably don’t deserve considering their lack of sportsmanship). It’s like a 1 min interview and they have to spend half of it talking about another team. I’ve seen quite a few instances of it happening with DW being the ‘other team’ but god it makes me mad..

Anyway..

Then on the podium it’s so clear how exhausted they were.. in the K+C almost non-responsive to the score and confirmation they had won their first worlds (which btw they were the only oly gold medalists to go on and win worlds the same year- Yuna was second and the pairs and mens winners weren’t there). Them ‘singing’ the anthem is kinda sad in contrasting it to singing it at the olys. There’s some commentary (somewhere) of the team Canada person at the time from worlds saying they aren’t sure if VM will continue- many teams/skaters after a success like this would cut their losses and hit the pro circuit. It’s odd to think there were people in team Canada so on the outskirts of what was really going on with VM.. but it also may have just been a non-answer answer as to not give people a narrative VM didn’t want out yet.. but as they’ve said it was clear they would continue.

Such a sweet moment encapsulating a momentous achievement- only the second Canadians to win ID worlds, and after they broke nearly every record under the sun. A moment on top of the world, embracing and just feeling so grateful, a moment of centring, feeling present, eyes closed to shut out the rest of the world. A silent “good job kiddo” from him probably, and T just feeling like she did it, she didn’t let him down, she’s still standing and is a world champion, for now at least.. everything was perfect.

And not to take anything away from this moment- their feels were completely validated, whether it was joy or exhaustion or anything else, but a few years later when she would burst into tears realising after winning a second world title thinking this wasn’t satisfying.. just propelling their journey even further..

-Go to VM moment for a serotonin boost!

[puckgoss]

To the last anon, I wouldn't call it "gold-digging". I would say it's more for bragging rights. I do agree that the status they get is strictly in the hockey community, because being honest we're stuck in our own bubble, hockey is barely, if at all, influential in current pop/celeb culture. Like Tom Brady, Travis Kelce, Lebron James, Messi, those are celebs that could bring fame to their respective partners. So if the girls really wanted fame and money I don't think they would go to hockey players (or maybe yes because they're so easy to get). I think what they want is to say "Yeah I'm dating *NHLPlayer*" because it is relevant in the area they live in, if you notice they're almost all from the same places: some part of Canada, Massachussetts, Minnesota, or Michigan. It's status for THEM.

exactly!! it's status to/for them specifically even if NHL players are largely unknown to ppl who don't watch/pay attention to hockey

[bopinion]

2024 / 24

Aperçu of the Week

"It is an old German disease that by pointing to the best of tomorrow, one does not do the good of today, and the bad of yesterday remains."

(Klaus Töpfer, former German Environment Minister and long-time Executive Director of the UN Environment Program, died last week at the age of 85)

Bad News of the Week

Biologically speaking, humans are just one of many vertebrates. And yet we consider ourselves to be the "crown of creation" - in other words, something better. And reserve basic rights for most other vertebrates. After all, they are "only" animals. I don't want to start talking about cruel animal husbandry or the ruthless repression of habitats here, even if this receives too little attention. Instead, I would like to talk about a species that would not exist in this form without human intervention: Pigeons.

Most of the populations that live in our cities today can be traced back to pets that were released into the wild. And have since been reviled as "rats of the air". And at the same time highly stylized as a symbol of peace, innocence and loyalty. Their phenomenal sense of orientation with the help of their magnetic sensory perception makes them clearly superior to us humans, at least in this respect.

Due to a lack of natural predators, pigeon populations are getting out of hand in some places (at least in the estimation of the top vertebrate). One proven effective method - albeit relatively costly - is the construction of pigeon lofts in which their eggs are replaced with plaster eggs. The inhabitants of Limburg, a town with a population of almost 40,000 in Hesse, evidently find this too laborious.

In a sensational referendum, the majority of Limburg residents opted for a, well, rather radical method of population reduction: a falconer is to lure the animals into a crate, stun them with a blow to the head and kill them by breaking their necks. Creepy. And quite medieval. But Limburg already existed in the 10th century. It's a shame that civilization there hasn't developed in line with the times in all areas.

Good News of the Week

There have been many international summits in the last few days. Including a meeting of the G7 in Italy. There was one real highlight that all participants were able to agree on - despite many differences in day-to-day political business. Namely, further support for Ukraine. This time it is less about the promise of military support and more about cash. Specifically, Russian money. State assets that are also held in accounts in the USA, Germany, Canada, France, the UK, Japan and Italy - and have been frozen since the start of the war against Ukraine.

Legally (as if that were the point) the assets obviously cannot simply be confiscated. But money continues to "work" even when it is frozen. By earning interest. And apparently Russian money earns a lot of interest. Because the G7 is now using the interest from frozen Russian state assets to finance a Ukraine aid package worth USD 50 billion. And money can be used in more ways than weapons. Because it can not only be used to buy ammunition. It can also be used to buy medicines. And pay bus drivers. And rebuild destroyed schools. Who knows, maybe there will soon be a "Vladimir Putin Primary School" in Kharkiv. Because he not only bombed it, but also rebuilt it with his money.

Personal happy moment of the week

I play Wordle. In English and German. And I score quite good. But winning at the second try is pure luck. But it's nice anyway, when you are called "Genius!". Even if it's just by an algorithm. There are weeks when this is enough for the personal happy moment.

I couldn't care less...

...that the UN Security Council has come out in favor of the plan for a ceasefire in Gaza. Because if any country gives a shit besides the US what the UN thinks or says, it's Israel.

As I write this...

...the European Men's Football Championship is underway. And Germany is dreaming of another "summer fairytale". When Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup, a special, light atmosphere prevailed for the four weeks of the tournament, in which it was easy to forget the hardships of everyday life. Especially now, in this culmination of crises, that would be pleasant again. Even if it doesn't fundamentally change anything.

Post Scriptum

The AfD (Alternative for Germany / Alternative for Germany) member of parliament Petr Bystron - yes, as you can see from the name, there are also xenophobes with a migration background - is under investigation for money laundering and bribery. These must now be dropped, at least for the time being. This is because Bystron was elected to the European Parliament in second place on the AfD party list. And therefore enjoys immunity. At least until it is officially withdrawn at official request. It is absurd that legislators, of all people, should be above the law. Even if it is just a formality.

[jdenvs3000w24]

week 3 - Privilege

This week's readings sparked many conversations between myself and friends, in this course and not, mostly about the invisible backpack idea and the $100 race video. I found myself realizing by talking with friends that I had what some would consider to be a rough upbringing, at least relative to them. Most of the details I'd rather not put out on the internet for anyone to see, and I don't want this to be a pity thing anyway. I bring it up because I had a realization; that I shouldn't be so hard on myself. I want to be clear that I know there are others who struggled much worse than I did growing up. I am a Canadian-born, white, cis-gendered man, and I recognize there is a privilege to that. I just wanted to talk about how the race imagery really resonated with me. We're all running the same race in university, and in life, but some have to run longer and faster to reach the same point, and that's just how it is. There's no reason to resent the people ahead of you in the race and there is no need to pity the people behind you. We are in this race, or more so a journey, together.

To me, privilege is relative to the situation, but in general, it is characteristic of someone who has an advantage over another in some aspect due to a specific characteristic or experience. A common example is white privilege, where not only does being white in a nation like Canada shield you from being racially discriminated against but the laws of this country were often written in a way that benefits white people in particular. One could have privilege relative to another in a financial aspect, and because of that may have had more opportunities to play sports, learn skills, do better in school, get a higher paying job, etc. As a nature interpreter, we must recognize not only our own privilege but the privilege or lack thereof of our audience, to ensure they benefit from the experience we provide. While in general people who choose to go on a hike with a nature interpreter may want to be there, there's no guarantee they may have the experience or skills we might assume them to have. Therefore we must be mindful of the areas we choose to go to. Perhaps we want to cross a river by walking across a fallen tree. We might assume that since the water is relatively calm, even if someone were to fall in, they should be able to swim across anyway. But maybe one of the people we are leading never learned how to swim, making that river crossing an extreme risk we didn't account for. 

The point of the matter is, everyone deserves to be treated equitably in an interpreter-led excursion. I’m curious to see if y’all have the same view as me, or maybe there's something you'd like to add.

Till next week

o7

[lindensea]

With all the talks about the WGA strikes, there's been a lot of confusion about where animation stands in this. Let's clear some stuff up! WGA is a writer's strike. Now, you might say, animation has writers too and YES it does. And you might be seeing posts saying that animation isn't unionized. But see, that's where things get tricky! Animation isn't a monolith.

SOME of animation IS unionized, and the biggest union by far is The Animation Guild (TAG), based in LA area (although it's been branching out). Click the link to see which studios are a part of TAG! Writers in TAG studios are covered under TAG, not WGA. That's why when writers strike, there are usually articles about animated productions still chugging away. Well that, and the fact that some studios ARE non-union, which means they also aren't WGA (and should also be striking tbh).

If a studio is unionized, does that mean everyone in the studio is covered in said union?? NO, it does not. Once again, using TAG as the example, since that's what I'm familiar with, TAG just covers creative employees. That's your writers, background painters, vis dev artists, animators, riggers, modelers, technical directors, executive producers, directors, etc etc etc). And that's just for the ones that work in-studio, because it gets even more complicated, but we'll get there in a second.

So what about the people who work in unionized studios but still aren't covered in the union? Well, that would be production (but also post-production and prob more I'm forgetting). Production is the organizational side of animation. Line producers, production managers, production coordinators, production assistants/secretaries, script coordinators/writers' assistants, etc. They keep everything from falling apart and make sure everything is happening that should happen. They're vital to every studio, but since they're not artists, they're not part of the union. There's been a movement to unionize, and TAG has been talking about this for years, but it's slow moving. There are a few studios whose production (or post-production!) staff have unionized in the past couple years, but it's really rare. Walt Disney Animation Studios' production staff has been working hard on this this year! Please support them.

To make things more complicated, union studios can farm out animation to overseas/foreign/partner studios, and these studios are almost always non-union. Union studios will write, develop, design all the art in house, and board the episodes (although in-house boarding has become increasingly optional in this pipeline) and send it all over to their much lesser paid, non-union "partners." This is pretty much the norm for American animated TV shows. It's been on the rise for feature films though, especially those released on streaming platforms.

But wait, there's more! What I just described is feature and tv animation in America. But VFX/animation used in live action productions, and gaming studios are, once again, whole other beasts that maybe someone else can talk about. My understanding is that those industries are even less unionized than tv/feature. And then there's non-US studios, although at least in Canada unions have been picking up steam lately

There's also the case of companies owning both union and non-union studios and thus causing more confusion. For example Walt Disney Animation Studios (Disney's feature studios, which makes things like Encanto and Frozen and Strange World almost completely in-house ) is union. Disney Television Animation is union (The Owl House, Gravity Falls, Amphibia, etc) is union but they send their shows to be animated by usually non-union studios. Pixar is non-union. 20th Century Animation is union. Marvel Studios is union, but that's specifically things like What If, not the animation in their live action movies. Walt Disney Studios, the live action feature division farms out their cg/VFX to mainly non-union studios. This is where things like The Lion King remake come from. This makes blanket statements like "Disney artists are non-union" kind of useless. Disney isn't one entity, and even though they're the worst example, that's how animation is becoming. A bunch of really different studios under one umbrella organization.

What I'm getting at here is that the animation industry is waaaaay more complicated than netizens make it seem. And netizens have a Lot of uneducated opinions which are very confidently stated as fact, which spread like wildfire. Please fact check! Look up a few articles. Fact check me even! You don't know who I am! If you genuinely want to help a cause, learning about it is the first step.

[aishathetaurus]

This episode... First of all, I predicted, like a lot of us, this kind of episode. She was feeling contractions in the last episodes, so of course she's gives birth in this one.

Usually I have a thinkpiece after every episode (and I'll still manage to write one regardless), but I don't even know what to say? June is far more forgiving and graceful than I'll ever be.

If I was June, with everything she went through, I would've left Serena for dead. I can't imagine leaving the baby as they're an innocent party, but I would've let Serena die.

Serena was so worried about the Wheelers finding her she didn't think about immigration coming after her ass the second she stepped foot in that hospital... I didn't either. It seemed obvious as soon as Luke said he called them. Of course, she would have to deal with immigration whether Luke called them or not. She left the little area that was considered Gilead, so of course, there's consequences. Its not like as a citizen of Gilead she was ever allowed to roam free.

A part of me expected she'll be able to seek refuge, but her staying in that... embassy/fertility clinic/with the Wheelers was her only hope. This reality makes far more sense than the one I imaged... There's no way Canada would ever accept a literal war criminal in their graces... especially when they're exiting and entering the country illegally when she's barely welcomed in the country in the first place. Besides, when seeking refuge they ask "will you be prosecuted for being a woman?" and as a wife, a widow with a baby to be specific, I don't think she could've answered honestly? She would've had to lie to access the refugee status. Which would've been silly considering who is she is and how wives are treated is generally known, at least amongst those who put in the time and energy to study Gilead and government officials.

Anyway, hearing that her child being taken from her would've been good enough for me. Luke did the right thing calling immigration. I also understand why June was looking at the situation confused on how to feel. Its complicated. All of this is partially Serena's fault, but she was so a woman in Gilead... its complicated. I kinda get it.

Though the killing of Commander Putnam was pleasing... I will say this is one of the better episodes so far. Everything felt so subtle and calm, but so much was said and represented in this one episode. The level of empathy... unbelievable... astonishing. I think the child's name being Noah is foreshadowing. Maybe his birth and the situation Serena is in will be what brings these two countries together, possibly for the worst. Anyway, the way they were able to make Serena having her baby taken away into a sad horrible moment after there was so much hope... wow...

Also, I'm predicting some Luke hate for this episode... just like any episode where Luke shows up... I genuinely feel like the show's refusal to truly address race in all of this has led to a harsh and kinda racist fandom. I think a lot of you, who I'm assuming are mostly white women, have no idea what kind of fear Luke, a black American man, must be living through during all of this.... Keep in mind, Gilead is racist. Its been hinted a few times in the show, but in the book... Gilead is violently racist... Black and nonwhite women aren't wanted as handmaids. They're killed or sent to the colonies. I feel like that's implied whether it was touched on in the show or not, but it must be said. There are so few black men in the show, because they're just killed. Do you understand?

He called immigration, because it was the right thing to do. He didn't come in and ruin everything because that's just what he does. He was doing the right thing based on the information he had, and even if he had more information he still did the right thing. He has never had the time or space to be gentle with his wrongdoers the way someone like June or Serena has... This being a hard time for women, doesn't erase the reality of how black people are treated. Imagine the reality black handmaids are going through. More than one reality can be true at once. Women being treated like slaves doesn't change the fact the country Gildead was built on was built on race based slavery. The hints are few and far inbetween, but the show has made is clear the nonwhite people are still not welcomed in Gilead. They casually glossed over a family requesting only white handmaids a few season back. Racism is still a thing. Brutality based on race didn't change. Luke is doing everything he can in a world that was literally built to be against him. He's doing great.

Obviously, there was context there that would show that the situation isn't what he thought it was, but why the fuck would he pause and consider the possible context when the woman that helped imprison, enslave, and rape his wife is literally sitting around waiting to be plucked? He did the right thing. Get a grip.

[the-calling-of-tales3]

Hello everyone, Welcome to The Calling of Tales, my name is Tayla, and I am currently 29 years old from Trenton, Ontario Canada. This is my first article and in this I am going to be doing the newbie tag question. With that let’s get started…

• Why did I start this blog?

Honestly, I don’t have friends who are interested in books and reading; they don’t even go shopping with me. So I feel alone in my reading journey and want people I can share these exciting books and world’s with, so I created an bookstagram account which has been amazing; but I want to do something more. So I’ve decided to try booktube and blogging.

2. What are some Fun and Unique things you can bring to blogging?

I’m not quite sure what I will bring yet, but I hope to bring my own opinion, and truth to these book from my perspective. I just want to connect with other bookish people.

3. What are you excited about for this new blog?

I’m excited just to start, and talk to all of you. To share my books and read and opinions the best I can. Once I find my footing in this area, then eventually I’d like to do give aways and maybe buddy reads. I know that I might be getting ahead of myself but, we will see how things go.

4. Why do you love reading?

So I want to be an open and honest person on here, and I think a majority or readers read to escape. When I was young I went through a lot of bullying and other stuff and I Hatttted reading to be honest. But I eventually found a book Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong, at the time I didn’t realize it was a series, and it’s fourth in the specific bitten series. But when I read it, it was like a movie playing in my head, I could see all the words as beautiful images, and I was safe and free in my mind. That was comforting to me. So I continued to escape things that bothered me through reading.

5. What book or series got me into reading?

I just answered that, Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong.

6. What questions would you ask your favorite booktubers/bloggers?

Oo this is interesting….let see.

What are you favorite reads?

What do you wish you knew before you started your channel/blog?

Where do you all get your comfy chairs lol and how do you make your bookshelves so pretty 😍

7. What challenges do you think starting a blog will be the hardest to overcome?

I think the hardest thing for me, will be able to communicate my thoughts and feelings about my reads clearly. I’ve never been in front of a camera, talking to well you guys. And I’m quite socially awkward so I think overcoming my fear of communication will be difficult.

8. When did you start reading?

I started at at early age, and of course through public school, hated that because it was always school choice reads which I never read… if someone tells me to read something nope not gonna happen. So it wasn’t truly till highschool that I got into reading and enjoying it.

9. Where did you read?

When I was younger, always somewhere quiet like my room. Now I can pretty much read anywhere except a moving vehicle….

10. What kind of books do you like to read?

I read mostly fiction books. Rarely rarely non-fiction. I just prefer to escape into something that isn’t real rather than reading about real like things. I read a bunch of different genres though, mostly YA books, but some Adult and New Adult reads as well. Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Horror, Thriller, Sci-fi, a mix of in between.

11. What does my book collection look like?

Chaotic; that’s the only word I can use right now. Book wise I think really good. I have a bunch of Kelley Armstrong, she’s my author; I’m trying to get all of her books. I have Sarah J. Maas, Bridgid Kemmerer, cassandra Clare, Colleen Hoover, James Dashner, J.k Rowling, K.A Knight, TJ Klune, Tracy Wolff and a bunch more. Look wise my bookshelves are a mess, recently my room has moved to the basement, and being renovated. So I haven’t set up my bookshelves for my new room. So my books are upstairs and just on random old bookshelves just in random spots. When I get my new ones set up I still don’t know how I’m going to put my books up, or decorate, so let me know below how you do your bookshelves. I might need some inspiration.

[oonajaeadira]

For the specific asks - 13, 17, 21 and 24 🥰

<3 <3 <3. Ah. I see you're going for some of the darker ones, Nonnie. .

first thing you’re doing in the purge?

I haven't watched the movies so I'm not sure if there's any amnesty rules, but if Canada was benevolent, I'd just drive up to Thunder Bay for a getaway. Or, of course, I'd just make sure I was abroad on vacation at that time.

If that wasn't an option? Most likely get a permit for Boundary Waters, take the SO, and portage into a wild area. Maybe get out to Gunflint or Saganaga Lake and find a place to camp on the Canadian side.

If you weren't allowed to leave your city? Then I'd go break into and hide in the one place nobody's going to think to loot: The library.

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an anxious compulsion you do everyday?

I'm a fidgeter. Never thought I was one until a friend of mine showed me all of her fidget toys she keeps on her desk because otherwise she'd start playing with her earrings or scratching her scalp or picking at her nails...all of which I do. I tend to wear rings and earrings every day and I am constantly fiddling with them. If I'm wearing a necklace? Look out. I have a koosh ball on my desk that I rub and toss between my hands while I work (bonus ASMR!). And I carry two crystals in a pouch in my purse--one is a prophecy stone (spikey and textured) and one is a carnelian worry stone (smooth and glossy) both of which I only take out in emergencies because once I start touching those effers I'm never gonna stop....

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a number that weirds you out?

Someone recently pointed out to me that numbers are abstract concepts. Show me 1. Show me 2. You can't. You can show me the written numerals. You can show me two apples. But you cannot show me an actual number unless it is represented by a written symbol or code.

Numbers don't actually exist. Numbers are ghosts that everyone believes in. What is zero even? Some ancient cultures didn't even have a concept of zero. Some cultures believed that numbers were grouped in 13s the way we do 10s and 5s. Animals don't know numbers. A chicken with 9 chicks only knows that there are many. At most, she knows there are 3 groups of 3 because that's what her brain can comprehend and what is counting? What? Why? My head hurts.

And they just keep going? There's no end? Even though they don't really exist? Infinite beyond human comprehension? That's some Lovcraftian horror for you right there.

And in that way, all numbers kinda freak me out. If I think about it too hard.

Also, I'm really bad at math and I think this might be why.

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which do you find yourself using, american or british english?

I am American and do not use American English proudly, but rather out of habit.

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weirdly specific and unrelated asks