#oh and don't worry I started learning German too

[thatfoxnamedfinley]

It's happened. I've discovered Rammstein.

I am utterly taken

I don't normally like this kind of music either

but its just so SO

So this may be all I blog about for a little bit

JUST A LITTLE BIT

This man (frontman Till Lindemann) has a fucking CHOKEHOLD on my lesbian soul like WTF

[blue-devil-of-the-lord]

Hey there~ If you are still taking requests for Kurt Wagner imagines/scenarios, can I suggest one with a mutant who has plant powers? Plant manipulation is my go to power. Nothing specific, I just really want more Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler content 😊

Mother Nature

Kurt Wagner x reader Words: 1,6K A/N: Alright, first of my requests is done! I made some kind of mix between headcanons and oneshot because it just fit well in my opinion. Also, the gender wasn't stated so I tried to keep it neutral. Hope you like it :)

Let's start with some basics, shall we? In my opinion, Kurt would adore a partner with plant manipulation powers.

Yes, flying and teleporting are all well and good, but plant manipulation? He's absolutely fascinated and will watch you every time you use your powers. And don't you dare stop him watching...

You are, even if it's not immediately obvious, an incredibly powerful mutant. Control over plants means control over almost everything, trees, flowers, grass, even the earth if you try hard enough (through roots, of course). Kurt is a gentleman, of course, and it doesn't always sit right with him if you want to do certain things on your own that he could help with, but oh boy... If he doesn't get weak in the knees when you go into full mutant mode.

The first time he met you was in the old garden shed, which was pretty run-down. He hadn't really wanted to end up there himself, but in retrospect he is very grateful that he did. The professor had never really had time to look after the garden house, which is why you took on the task. And let me put it this way: the first time he saw your powers? The man was smitten from day one.

Plant nicknames. You won't escape them. Neither in German nor in English. “My flower”, “My lucky clover”, “My rose” but also references, especially to mythological creatures “Little garden fairy”, “Persephone”, .... The full program.

When he gives you plants - which he loves to do - he makes sure that they are planted so that you can enjoy them for a very long time. Kurt brings you plants from different cultures and countries, keen to give you as much diversity as possible. However, if he is forced to give you a bouquet of flowers, that's no problem either. You may prefer living plants, but hey - what can you manipulate plants for if you can't bring them back to life?

One disadvantage of your power is that you don't feel very comfortable in an environment without plants. It's fine in the institute, as it's mostly made of wood (dead, but still plant-based), but Kurt makes sure that there are always at least four living plants in your classroom as well as in his room.

Also loves listening to you. You teach a kind of mixture of theoretical biology and practical manual work in the gardens and there's almost nothing better for him than listening to you talk passionately about the plants. Or kneeling down in the garden bed, your eyes gleaming in the sunlight...

Should you move in together later? Be prepared for this man to go all out and fulfill your every request. Nothing is too good for you. Big garden? No problem. Plants all over the house? Already done. House in the country, surrounded by nothing but nature? Your wish is his command.

You have also quickly become his favorite training partner. And that's not just because Kurt can't keep his eyes and hands (and tail) off his partner. For one thing, it helps him to avoid moving objects, because he has learned the hard way how painful it can be to get an ivy tendril in the face. On the other hand, the two of you are simply perfectly attuned to each other. Kurt teleports a little too far to the left? Don't worry, the branch likes to stretch out a bit to catch him. The vine was a bit too short and not quite enough to catch you? Kurt is there to pick you up with ease. In other words, you don't want to compete against the two of you.

Kurt loves it when you make him flower necklaces or flower crowns. They last forever thanks to your power and as soon as you put them on his head? Don't expect him to take them off any time soon. He wears them with pride.

Kurt has always liked nature as he has traveled a lot in his life, but since he's been with you? He's become a huge fan of garden or nature dates. Whether it's a picnic outdoors, a walk in the woods or an afternoon in the greenhouse, he'll take it all. And if you do some magic with your power? He's in paradise.

Speaking of the greenhouse? Although it was initially your project, over time, especially after the relationship began, it has become your and Kurt's project. He doesn't know much about gardening, but he's willing to learn as long as that means continuing to listen and watch you.

Kurt materialized in the middle of the greenhouse and immediately the scent of the different types of flowers, of which he did not know the names, wafted towards him, but he knew that they made you happy and that was all that mattered to him. His eyes wandered around the open room, looking for you, and he realized again how much you had already done.

Yes, he had helped too, but it was you who had done the main work.  Kurt still remembered the dead beds, the dried up earth and the broken sidewalks.

The glass panes were dirty and partly broken and the rain had caused mold to grow on some things. None of the garden utensils, the few that were at least there, were usable and pretty much everyone would have labeled this greenhouse a lost cause.

Not you.

You set to work yourself and improved everything yourself without using much of your powers. Kurt had caught you at the beginning of your project, so he was able to assess the improvement pretty well. You had cleaned and partially replaced the glass of the greenhouse - the latter admittedly with his help, as it was easier for him to reach the panes above - knocked out the path and replaced it with a loose, albeit well-kept, gravel path. The old borders of the beds were torn out and replaced with a large partition to the gravel path, allowing the plants greater freedom to grow.

One day you had grabbed Logan and Scott, Kurt had come along voluntarily, and had taken them to a gardening store to buy the necessary equipment and seeds. Logan and Scott had both grumbled while carrying them, Logan a little more than Scott, but your results were impressive.

Dozens, if not hundreds, of different plant species were growing neatly in every direction and it no longer resembled a greenhouse, but a rainforest that rivaled even the true jungle in diversity. Kurt smiled slightly and ran the tip of his tail over the soft petals of a red hibiscus flower.

You had made it possible for many plants to grow here, even if the conditions were not ideal, but they thrived under your guidance.

However, just as he was about to bend down to smell a new, previously unknown flower, a frustrated groan sounded, which seemed all too familiar. Kurt could already guess where you would be. He disappeared into a dark cloud and emerged not two meters behind you.

For a few moments he gazed at you lovingly as you knelt in front of the lily patch, but he quickly stepped towards you when he realized you were about to snap with anger (last time it had taken a week and a lot of affection from Kurt to remove the rampant thorny vines from the school grounds).

„Liebling," he knelt down next to you and tilted his head. "What's the problem?" You glared angrily at the beds in front of you and began to poke around in them with the shovel. "Snails. Snails are the problem. What's the point of being able to manipulate and grow plants if those blasted bastards eat all my lilies?"

Despite your frustration, Kurt had to smile. "You still haven't given up the fight."

"No," you replied, throwing another slug into the bucket next to you with a disgusted look on your face. "That's my greenhouse. Let them find their own."

Kurt couldn't help but find your behavior endearing and pulled you closer to him, even though you tried to fight it. You might be better with plants, but he was the stronger of the two of you, whether you liked it or not. "My love," he murmured in your ear and you gave up your fight, just snuggled up against him, pouting.

"You can't possibly remove all the slugs, the greenhouse is too big for that. Besides, it's late. Let's go back to the institute. I'll make us some hot chocolate, we'll snuggle up on the sofa and watch that movie you've been wanting to show me for weeks."

You hesitated but his tail wrapped around your middle and the tip slowly traveled up and down your side and Kurt knew he had won.

You groaned in defeat and grabbed the bucket, which you promptly emptied out of one of the windows and closed it. You cast one last angry look at the beds. "You may have won the battle, but I will be the victor of the war."

Kurt laughed softly, wrapping you in his arms again as his tail wrapped boldly around your waist. "You will." With a sweeping motion, he picked you up bridal style and pressed you tightly against him, making you squeal and then laugh. He pressed a soft kiss against your temple.

"Tonight, though, you're mine." You disappeared in a cloud of black and blue mist and let it be said, you didn't think about the creatures that had declared war on you for the rest of the evening.

[xxzlushiez]

My American dream

“You’re so Art Deco out on the floor, shining like gunmetal, cold and unsure”

Bill Kaulitz x f!reader

Synopsis: I’m in such a mood right now I just want to write everything that comes to mind. Basically, bill takes a liking to a teen singer that came from America to Germany

Tags: 18+, implied smut, Name is from America, Tom being Tom, kissing, bill is a tease but means well, making fun of American accents, language barrier (this is based before the members spoke fluent English), confusion, reader smokes weed

German in bold

English in italics

- it started with your tour manager saying you should consider going to another country to gain more popularity

- you believed it was a good idea and could benefit your career so you agreed, easy enough right?

- you were wrong…so so wrong😭

- Communication was ROUGH

- Your team had to rent out a whole car because talking with transportation workers was too difficult for everyone without a translator

- Your managers were definitely getting gray hairs because of you

- When the day of the interview came, your manager surprised you last minute saying you would be collaborating with a popular German band in the interview

- It was a good idea essentially

- Rising teen artists from two different countries hanging out would cause some attention

- But both parties couldn’t even speak to each other so it was a wreck for everyone up until the interview finally started

- you rambled about how excited you were to your makeup artist and you swear he pressed down on your eye extra hard while applying the makeup just to get you to shut up

- When the interview started and you settled into your seat you took time to look at all 4 of the members

- You looked for who your manager had described as the main vocalist of the group and he easily caught your eye

- The same could be said about you

- Bill noticed when you walked out that your styles were similar and he was mesmerized

- you saw the way he was eyeing you up and down while the other band members were answering questions

- “he’s definitely judging me rn”

- In a way…but he was just checking you out don't worry

- the interviewer decided you should all play a game of charades between languages and see who wins

- And with his luck he had gotten partnered up with you

- While you were so excited to be partnered up with another lead singer, he was shaking in his skinny jeans💀

- he was also very happy he just got a little nervous because he had to speak English which he wasn’t completely confident in

- He sat with you on the cramped sofa and tried to introduce himself to you

- “I'm Bill, it’s nice to finally meet you! I’ve heard some of your songs”

- You stared at him with the stupidest look of your face

- Bill:😊 you:😁

- “Oh I didn’t know the game started already”

- It was so awkward for the first few minutes that the translator had to come help you guys out out of her own secondhand embarrassment

- But once you properly introduced yourselves you were able to “talk” with each other so easily

- the convos flowed so naturally between you two that fans started to get jealous🤭

- half way through the game he was trying to help you understand a German word and saw you had gotten extremely close to him

- When he noticed he went dead silent and went as still as a statue, fans swore he turned into concrete and you were just 3 inches away from his face like-

- “Why’d you stop? I almost had it.☹️”

- there was so many urges he was holding back on when he was near you

- was staring at your lips the whole time but played it off as learning the pronunciation of the word you were saying when you asked him

- everyone noticed how he was looking at you, and how he touched you even when there was no need

- You guys both had undeniable chemistry with one another

- the band teased bill on how quick he cozied up next to you during the game

- Tom dry humping the air and George pretending to make out with Gustav to embarrass Bill and he’s just there like…

- 🧍”and that’s why I’m leaving”

- He would go off to find you and complain abt how annoying they were as you both munched on some snacks until the break ended

- He would always giggle when you spoke and you thought he was making fun of you

- He kinda was in his mind but he mostly just loved the way you sounded and when you tried to speak German it made him all giddy for some reason

- couldn’t contain himself around you he was always laughing at your jokes and smiling so hard when you talked to him and he himself didn’t even know why

- wouldn’t stop complimenting you because he loved how happy you got when he did

- always positioned himself so he was touching you in someway be it your thighs being smushed against his when sitting down or his arm slung over the sofa to play with you hair

- sat with you even after the game was over not caring how his band mates were snickering at him

- he loves your accent it’s his new favorite thing

- you always caught him staring into your soul while you were speaking with the interviewer (he doesn’t know how mean he looks pls forgive him)

- fans got butterflies on how he would just randomly stare at you for a few minutes before looking back at whoever was talking

- Tom said you looked like a tomato the whole time and wouldn’t stop making fun of you and bill had to smack some sense into him (literally) to get him to stop

- during the middle of the interview some random questions were asked and he saw how quick you got weirded out

- was annoyed the rest of the time, he was sitting there giving the interviewer the biggest stank eye ever while talking to you

- He’s good at making ppl look stupid I just know it

- The interviewer would ask him something and he’d be like “Idk, what do you think?😐”

- his manager had to tell him to get his act together bc ppl were starting to notice💀

- when the interview ended you made your way out to the balcony to relax before you had to leave to the hotel

- You didn’t notice Bill had rushed off to follow you until you heard the emergency exit door being pushed open

- he looked around the small balcony until he spotted you

- His face lit up when he saw you 😕 to -> 😃

- he waved as he jogged over to you

- he tried to apologize for the questions but it came out more in German than English but you understood

- You smiled and looked up at him with heavy eyes before puffing some smoke out of your nose and telling him it was “whatever”

- He was practically drooling over you he thought you looked so pretty

- the way your eyes looked with that lazy smile on your face was doing something for him

- But he just smiled like he understood what you said before grabbing the blunt from you and taking a drag

- He coughed

- so much

- it was nighttime and dark so he thought it was a cigarette and quickly found out it wasn’t

- “you, okay?”

- “Ja! 😊” (He’s not okay)

- it was fine though you both laughed and made fun of the incident after

- he was basically caging you between the chain fence with his body (I’m going crazy) without noticing

- When he finally did the blunt was dying down and you were gazing at the stars while he gazed down at you

- “I wanna kiss you so bad right now”

- you just stared at him with the sweetest smile he’s ever seen because you didn’t understand what he was saying

- if you knew the things you did to him oh my god

- before you put out the joint you shot gunned some smoke into his lips and that seemed to finally pushed him over the edge

- when he kissed you he tried to be slow n soft but it escalated quickly bc he has no self control with you

- he’s a lightweight and was so out of it, eyes droopy and everything

- so noisy with it to, gasping into your lips the whole time when your fingers even slightly grazed his skin

- had his hands tangled in the fence and his knee pushed up inbetween your legs to rub against you

- rutting himself into your thigh while making out (dude’s starved)

- since he was so much taller he was basically hunching over to reach you

- everywhere you touched all you could feel was him and it made you so dizzy

- whined into you neck the whole time, he couldn’t get enough of you, wanted all his senses to be filled up with you

- “Want you, need…need you. Need to feel all of you”

“Name please- need you now, please I’ll be good”

- makes his brain all fuzzy and he can’t think when you kiss him

- gets out of breath so fast bc he’s so overstimulated but doesn’t wanna stop so it leads to him panting like a dog in heat

- he’s never had it so bad for someone like he had it for you

- grins into the kiss when you notice his tongue piercing

- you had your arms around his neck to bring him down to your level and played with a hair for a second and his eyes rolled back and he let out the most pornographic moan you’ve ever heard and had no shame abt it

- kept doing it when he noticed how heated you got from it

- forgets how to function when making out w/ you

- got a little to frisky and you had to stop him before you went to far and risked being caught

- your manager was so frustrated with you both when he found out but you both just giggled and ran off to go do it again

- if you googled ‘dumb teens in love’ you two would show up as the definition

- you hung out with him and the other three the rest of the time you were in Germany

- you and Tom scare him all the time and he’s so extra abt it

- Screams, then gasps for air, and then pats down his body to make sure he didn’t ascend before glaring at you both and throwing whatever’s nearest to him at you

- the media loves you guys together

- some thought the relationship was fake because you guys were just that couple

- He helps you learn German and you help him learn English

- literally started bawling into your neck when you had to leave a few weeks later

- whined abt how you should “just move in with him bc it’d be easier”

- travels to America lots but mostly pays for you to come out to Germany because he thinks it’s easier

- always calling and texting each other when your both free

- go to each others concerts to support one another (so cute!)

- so many pictures of one of you at the others concerts cheering for them in the crowd

[nrdmssgs]

Best part of his life

Masterlist Angst Pairing: König X afab reader TW: No mentions of death, but this all is an allusion. AN: Sorry, guys, I know, you come here for comfort. I'll be back with it in some time, promise.

The best days of his life started with a mission. It was a huge success: he and his team were so effective, they managed to end a whole operation a week earlier than it was originally planned. König was proud of his men and happy to return home, return to her so soon.

He can barely restrain himself from calling her - he doesn't want to spoil the surprise. A bouquet of fresh cut flowers is lying on the seat next to him. König touches tender petals and smiles, remembering her soft lips. The lips, that he hasn't ever kissed yet, but this time he sure will - now that she confessed her feelings before his deployment - he is not afraid, that they are on the different pages.

König never noticed, how close to the KorTac base she lived. Previously, the journey from the base seemed endlessly long, but now he only managed to get on the train and barely look around - and it was already time for him to get off. For the first time, he isn't bothered by a crowded station, noisy streets and cars leaving little to no space on the sidewalks. All that matters now is his destination and fresh flowers with drops of morning dew on green leaves.

He doesn't have to knock on her door, as someone left it open. König slips into the hallway just before the front door slams shut by the wind.

"Schatzt?" He calls her, and, not receiving any answer, searches for her in every room.

He's already starting to worry when he finally gets to the kitchen. She sits at the table, staring straight ahead. Large tears roll down her cheeks.

"My love, what's wrong?" He lets go of the bouquet and rushes towards her. She doesn’t answer him - she just exhales and her whole body shakes with a strangled sob.

König takes her hands and kisses them. Once, then again and again... Then he turns his gaze to the table. In front of her lies an opened envelope from the KorTac.

"Verdamte Idioten, diese Mistkerle hätten mir diesen Brief schicken sollen, wahrscheinlich ist es nur eine Gehaltsabrechnung für das Finanzamt!*" Konig notices, he is shouting. She was always afraid, when someone raised a voice in her presence. But now, she doesn't flinch or cover her ears. She sits absolutely still, looking down.

"Oh no-no-no, I'm so sorry, Schatzi! I didn't mean to scare you, my poor little love. Here, look at me, I'm smiling, I'm happy, no drama here, I promise." She doesn't react to his words, so he continues to cover her hands in kisses, hugs her tightly, strokes her hair. In a desperate attempt to distract her, König cups her face and gives her a long and incredibly soft kiss on the lips. When he realizes what he just did, his heart skips a beat. He shuts his eyes for a long moment, too afraid to see fear and anger in her face. But when he finally looks back at her - she looks calm.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want our first kiss to be this... out of blue, I guess." He presses his forehead to hers. "Its just... I've been dreaming about it since you sent me that message with confession. I was daydreaming to come back home and do it. I had this crush on you for god knows how long, but hadn't the guts to make the first move... A-a-a-and, I'm talking too much, yeah?"

He laughs, brings her closer and hides her subtle figure in a tight embrace. Peppering her face with kisses, he mumbles, "Don't worry, my love, I'll never leave you from now on. No more letters from KorTac - I won't come back to them. From now on, I'm yours. Only yours."

If anyone asked him - König won't be able to say, how did he grow so bold with physical touches suddenly. Must it's her charm, or he just never was so desperately in love before.

Every next day of his life is better than the last one. They walk together, he helps her learn German, tells her stories from his childhood, reads her his favorite books, or just lays his head on her lap, as she is watching TV, sitting on the sofa.

König couldn't ask for a better life. He is so happy with it - he is even ok with her crying sometimes and never setting her kitchen table for them two. He genuinely understands, how overwhelming this love can feel - König himself is ready to burst into happy tears every other minute, he sees her. So there is no big problem in him to drop whatever he is currently doing and rush to her when he hears sobs. And when he sees only one set of tableware ready... Who is he to judge - König lived alone for so long, he would probably do the same automatically. So he just chuckles, takes out another plate and sits near her.

At first, he hesitates to sleep in her bed. "It's ok, I'll spend this night on the couch," says he, watching, as she goes to a bathroom before going to sleep. But one night he wakes up from whispers from her bedroom.

"I'm so cold without you, König... So cold."

He gets up from the sofa, hesitantly approaches her bed, and freezes. No, he's not going to lunge at her the minute she lets him get closer. But he still remembers how scared she was when they first met. He obviously seemed too dangerous, too big, too strong. Now König is ready to do anything just to prove to her that he needs all this strength, all his skills in order to protect her. For her, he is absolutely harmless.

"Why aren't you here, under this blanket..."

"I... I didn't know, you... needed me." Suddenly his mouth goes dry. He carefully climbs under her blanket, presses against her back, and drowns in the sweet scent of her hair.

"I love you." He brushes hair from her face.

"You will never be alone. Never be cold again, I promise." His lips brush against the back of her neck.

"I won't ever hurt you, love." He holds her in the most tender and warm embrace and watches as she slowly falls asleep. König is happy that her body is no more as tense as it was every time, he stepped too close. He is so happy that he does not even notice how the morning comes.

For breakfast, she again sets the table only for herself. But this doesn't upset him. Nothing will ever upset him.

Verdamte Idioten, diese Mistkerle hätten mir diesen Brief schicken sollen, wahrscheinlich ist es nur eine Gehaltsabrechnung für das Finanzamt!* - Damn idiots, those bastards should have sent this letter to me, it's probably just a payslip for the tax office!*

[ego-meliorem-esse]

Do you hc America to speak other languages or is he a fully English bimbo? To my knowledge, NASA requires Russian fluency, I don't think many other US-government level agencies require another language but I could be wrong. I know Spanish translations of official documents are increasingly accessible but English is still the de facto language.

What I will say is that the notion that Alfred, as a superpower in the modern age, does not speaks several languages is absurd to me.

The languages i hc him to know, besides English, are:

Spanish - first and foremost. Though Alfred does have more of a Mexican dialect when speaking Spanish, which slightly annoys Antonio. As it should.

German - very good at it! Gets the accent almost perfect. For Alfred, German was one of those easier languages he learned. With most nations, Alfred speaks English. And not really because he doesn't want to or try to speak their language, but mostly because it's rare that other nations expect this dude to speak their native languages. Not with Gil tho! Their conversations are full of German-centric memes. Alfred is a big fan of Mitten im Leben. Unapologetically so! He knows enough German to understand the shitty acting in the show.

Mandarin - this on is very straight forward, it's good business. He uses it too much for diplomatic purposes to find joy and interest in speaking it. Sad really, as its a fascinating language.

Russian - also very straightforward, he works at NASA for commissions and contracts and its very common to speak it. Even besides that, the Cold War required it as well. His Spotify playlists are full of post communist songs of Russian, Polish, Yugoslav origins but he'll die before show it to anyone.

Japanese - He stutters and takes his time when speaking Japanese. He learned it but rarely uses it nowadays.

Korean - man, he tries. It's a relatively new language under Alfreds belt. But his problem is that he sounds very flat when speaking Korean. Nowadays he uses it more than Japanese though!

French - oh this is a very fun one for me to get into. Contrary to popular headcanoning, I hc him to struggle with it. He does understand most of verbal French, but as a child he started learning it and at that point he wasn't really all that interested in other languages. He had other shit keep his focus. So, while he did hear a large amount of it growing up, he had few attempts to speak it himself. Even during the American revolution, when he made his way across the pond to woo his french patrons, he was mostly spoken to in English. In their minds he was not very cultured. A mixed race country bumpkin putting his big boy pants on for the first time. As annoying that was for Alfred, he had other shit to worry about. And Matt rarely spoke French when living with Al and Arthur so there wasn't really an opportunity there for Alfred. This is one language that he is constantly passively learning, which is hilarious bc it's one of the first ones he should have known lol. I get that this is a very niche hc and makes little sense but i find joy in it. And also in François' frustration.

Plus a limited knowledge of other languages. Alfred is trying to make time to learn more languages, but finding time for it is a challenge.

I'll expand on Alfreds knowledge of both specific classifications of Algonquian and Iroquois languages in a later post.

All that said, Alfred is, in heart and soul, an "English bimbo" 🙏

[etoilesbienne]

Hello, I hope I'm not bothering by writing here! I quite like your last statement

I agree with the fact that the German cc was supposed to arrive a while ago + the awards were teased when they were all in LA, so it was planned a while back. I would still have liked a lil reassurance, even a short thing like "we are still working on the administration of the server" but I seem to understand looking at the other ccs that it's quite taboo to speak out about these and they prefer to handle it behind the scenes? Which I can understand

Being French you can't help but feel a little abandoned these days, baghera is busy and Aypierre is kinda a crypto bro and don't want to drop the content that boost his viewer counts, so yeah he his a sore subject lmao. Antoine stream less qsmp than the others and is not as involved in the server, and we (at least I am) are worried about etoiles since he never took a break that abruptly and that long before, moreover he sounded really down ; I was happy to learn that kameto is a sweetheart of a friend and took him out with him to Madrid for valorant esport! (his team is playing)

There isn't a lot of communication these day but I don't really want to see everyone expecting the worse or speculating, it's stressing everyone out... I hope to have news about the server when etoiles gets better (may he takes all his time he deserves it!). I'm kinda sad that the French won't meet Hugo or be there for the awards but we'll see how it goes, I'm hoping for the best since I would love to see etoiles (my main pov) play and interact with all the new (and older player) in the future !!

May everyone take care and if you get too bothered by this situation, try to take time for yourself to not get too mentally drained <3

Oh yeah absolutely I agree 100% on the first part with reassurance, I'm desperate for any sort of clarity or update on the admin situation to know whats going on moving forward. I just felt like the immediacy of people taking Hugo's announcement as a bad sign for admins was leaning a little fearmongering. These can both be true with Hugo not needing to be screwed over but also the admin situation is in desperate need of fixing.

but yeah... on etoiles I was really concerned since he's such a workhorse and streams while injured frequently, you can't put off managing chronic illness forever or it bites you in the ass (I would know lol).

I think your concerns and fears are very fair and valid here, Pierre's got a hot-cold relationship with the community since the start lol. I understand people's aversion to him. At the very least I do take Pierre being on the server at all as a bit of a sign that maybe French isn't totally lost... And knowing if they actually got rid of Pomme more than just the French would quit. People love those eggs.

Either way I hope Etoiles has a good rest of Ramadan & Eid, he deserves his break

[herdarkestnightelegance]

✨Prepare for an unsolicited info dump✨

I was tagged by @onlyancunin - thank you 🖤 Now let's do this.

Do you make your bed? Hahaha nope. Maybe Saturday morning, when my bad conscience forces me to take care of the things I let slide all week.

Favorite number? -7 (a good angle for placing objects in your designs imo)

What’s your job? Art Director in Advertising.

If you could go back to school would you? Oh I don't know. You mean like jump back a few decades? It would be fun for a week probably! Have stupid teenage fun, no cares about the future, only school? No pressure of social media? Sounds nice, doesn't it? But like, learn a new trade/job? There are things I would love to do but I am a nest-builder. I need my safety, and starting off new it too scary for me.

Can you parallel park? No driver's license, so no.

Do you think aliens are real? Little green men visiting us? No. Alien life? 1000%. How arrogant must one be to believe this planet is the only one with life on it in the vastness of the universe.

Can you drive a manual car? Still no driver's license, so no.

What’s your guilty pleasure? Corny German village pop music from the 90s. There's a time of the year when I listen to the songs my parents listened to when I was young and with no worries. If it sounds like a sunny barbecue during your summer holidays I'm in.

Tattoos? No. I wouldn't know what to get? The only thing I've loved long enough to consider putting on my skin forever is Lord of the Rings.

Favorite color? Black and Halloween Orange.

Favorite types of music? My taste in music depends a lot on the season. So I get the whole range from Singer/Songwriter, Electronic Music, Classic Rock, Viking chants, Classical music, Pop, Hip Hop - you name it.

Do you like puzzles? Only if they are not too difficult. I hate feeling stupid and inadequate 🤭

Any phobias? Not phobias, no. But I will slightly panic if a hornet gets to close. Oh, also? Fuck mold! The thought of having to touch moldy food? UGH!!!

Favorite childhood sport? I never played much sport. I'm a big girl. But I enjoyed ice skating the few times I've been.

Do you talk to yourself? I think the occasional phrase is uttered. But it's only saying thoughts out loud, no back and forth.

What movies do you adore? Lord of the Rings ✨. I can't count the number of times I have seen these movies in total. But I've seen Fellowship of the Rings at least 12 times on the big screen, including special screenings, open-air in castle ruins and with a live Orchestra. That does not count my frankly countless re-watches. I take one weekend each winter, just for myself, my couch, snacks, and all three movies. Extended, OBVIOUSLY. (Besides: the white-hair-pointy-ears-kink must have started somewhere)

Coffee or tea? I'm a coffee girl, or rather, "Milk with sweetener and some coffee"-girl. But a nice herbal tea is always welcome. And I have like 8 different brands of English Breakfast the in my cupboard.

First thing you wanted to be growing up? Not quite sure. I think a sculptor? We had these rocks in primary school, they were soooo easy to carve. And I enjoy it so much :) No pressure tags, if you're up for it: @nyx-knox @littlelovelore @vixstarria @wilteddreamsofbaldursgate

[variousqueerthings]

@autistic-puffin Alright, one episode left of season 1 [insert screaming]

So, some of my favourite things about nine:

the way they're clearly relearning how to interact with any kind of person, only really good at conversation at the beginning if there's danger

doctor internal monologue: "what would be the best thing to show rose - a woman I've just met - to make her think I'm so cool? I know, I'll show her her planet exploding!"

the fact that they're really so fragile and learning to be again and scared of rose leaving them on the one hand, but on the other is so scared of getting too close (the "domestics") and opening up for fear of what will happen (and what happens... well, we know...)

but also will have a whole trauma response the second time they ever met ("we're falling through time, you and me, and if we let go...")

in retrospect with the war doctor, the way they interact with the dalek in the last sequence of that first episode almost feels like they can't access those memories, like there's that "version" of them locked in some part that could have been re-released if not for rose, but what's left is these half-spoken sentences that just trail off and into "oh rose. they're all dead." and that sense is there anyway, but as a metaphor with the later war doctor reveal, that performance hurts all the more

the way they smile when they say "fantastic" is like a new person being revealed

nine knew from early on in the episode "father's day" that the way to save everyone was for rose's dad to sacrifice himself, and never even had it as a consideration, never mentioned it to anyone, even said they had no idea what to do (until the tardis key), even though that was an option

"It's brilliant! I'm not sure if it's Marxism in action or a West End musical."

(in reference to wwii) "Beat the Germans, save the world - don't forget the welfare state!"

this is reading into it, because I fully didn't realise all those dancing references in empty child/doctor dances were meant to be sexual (the bits about jack, sure, but all of them? and it doesn't even make sense, anyway) point being, I always read it as a way of showing the doctor coming back into themself, learning to hope and have fun and not always worry about the other shoe dropping. joie de vivre as it were. so I love the bit at the end where nine says they can dance and I will continue to read it as I always have done

nine's very direct way of inspiring people and seeing people once they've started coming out of their shell -- the way they talk to the bride-and-groom-to-be in father's day, to cathica in the long game, to jabe, to gwenyth, to harriet jones, to nancy, to lynda with a y (also so often it's women in RTD's stories). the journey nine goes on is so vast, from rebuffing rose several times in the first episode and thinking the worst of people, to remembering why people are amazing and inspiring better versions of them

I'm always somehow just. sad. and touched. by the way nine talks about the pig that was experimented on and then shot. they were so upset by the callousness of it. nine cares about peoples names as well. they're consciously making a point of life and death mattering

by contrast the conversation with blon in "boom town" about being a killer. nine is doing better, consciously. nine has seen violence on a massive scale and is choosing not to perpetuate that and is learning (also in contrast to "dalek")

by the time "lynda with a y" came into the picture it was like they were ready for a whole family -- rose, jack, the more the merrier

and coming up I know in the last episode: "Coward or killer?" "Coward." and "you were fantastic, you know that. absolutely fantastic. and you know what? so was I."

generally nine was so imbued with a sense of vulnerability that's begging to be seen and coming from being so raw and hurt and closed to the beauty of living because of the violence they've experienced, and then relearning it and re-embracing the classic ethos of dw, as well as that fair play for all idealism that feels quite inspired in some ways by eccleston's own socialism and rtd's ideals (did enjoy the "no third term for thatcher" socialist signposts to indicate the 80s, I feel like we need to bring that energy back into dw again)

[into-september]

Lost scene from the film uncovered in tie-in novel: The Gorilla canonically speaks words, Nathalie worries about Adrien, Adrien has some Thoughts about his father while Gabriel does it all because he can't stand to see Adrien so sad

From the German tie-in novel to the film, translated by yours truly and yes I AM skipping unimportant things too wonky to fit into English sentences without a lot of thinking.

Now, this scene is interesting in the way it pulls in backstory that isn't obvious from the film but seems instead to be taken from the TV show. Some of it comes across as kind of contradictory to the film's depiction of the involved, but there's some interesting depth given to Adrien and Gabriel's relationship in the film in here

CONTINUATION OF THE SCENE WHERE NINO INVITES ADRIEN TO THE FAIR:

Before Adrien could reply, a gigantic figure appeared behind them.

"Monsieur Agreste," it rumbled. It was Adrien's bodyguard.

Nino cowered in fear. "I didn't see the Frankenstein behind me," he quipped.

"See you later," Adrien said and followed his bodyguard outside.

"Don't forget the fair tomorrow!" he heard Nino call after him.

His father's fancy limousine was already waiting in front of the school. Adrien let his body fall against the seat - facing Nathalie, his father's assistant.

"How was your first day, Adrien?" she asked.

"Good, thanks for asking," he replied.

"And... did you make any friends?" she continued the topic.

Adrien instantly thought about the girl in the library. She was funny. And a bit weird. And cute. And Nino seemed pretty nice.

"Oh well, I have..." he started, but then he interrupted himself. It would be better to keep his new aquaintances secret. Who know what would happen if his father learned about it. He would only sentence Adrien to stay at home again.

"No, I haven't," Adrien replied, "I'd rather be alone."

"Well, you won't be alone this evening. You'll have supper with your father," Nathalie announced with an encouraging smile.

"Really? My father is there?" Adrien asked in disbelief.

His father, Gabriel Agreste, was the most successful fashion designer in Paris. The whole world followed his creations, his sketches, his collections, and his father was usually travelling the the whole world. When he wasn't off presenting his newest work somewhere, he usually locked himself into his office. Everyone knew his father - only Adrien felt like he didn't know him at all anymore. Because of that, he didn't allow himself to be too excited at Nathalie's announcement. So far, his father had always managed to disappoint him.

(meanwhile Gabriel is off getting onimous jewelry at the Louvre)

As usual, Adrien had spent the afternoon alone in his room. He couldn't stop the growing hope that maybe he really would get have supper with his father. His father was the only familiy Adrien had left after his mother's death, and he missed the feeling of having a family. To have someone he could talk to about his day, his fears and his sorrows. He knew of course that his father probably would never be that person, but a dinner together could always be a beginning.

He suddenly heard his father enter through the front door on the floor below. He recognised his steps. Adrien ran straight to the stairs as he heard the voices of his father and Nathalie. The two of them stood in the foyer and didn't notice him. Adrien kept quiet and listened.

"First thing tomorrow is an important interview," he heard Nathalie say. Her hands held tight to the schedule. Adrien sometimes wondered if she was afraid of his father.

"Good. Thank you, Nathalie," Gabriel Agreste absently replied. "Was there anything else?"

"Dinner with your son, Monsieur."

"No. I'm busy," he countered.

"He needs his father," Nathalie carefully tried to convince him.

Gabriel Agreste impatiently snubbed his assitant: "Mind your own business!" [note: comes across as far less rude in German]

With those words, he disappeard into his office and locked the door behind him. Nathalie kept silent for a moment, and then she turned around - and discovered Adrien on the stairs.

"I'm sorry, Adrien," she said.

Adrien just shrugged. "I know how it is."

(he mourns Emilie's absence, regretfully without wistful memories in decrepit theatre stages but does make clear she was a stage actor)

Behind the doors of his office, Gabriel Agreste sat at his desk and stared at an old family photo, lost in thought.

How happy the three once had been. He missed his beloved wife Emilie so much. And what had become of this cheerful, happy child? As a father, he had without a doubt failed miserably.

If there was someone who missed Emilie more than him, it was Adrien.

(he goes down to monologue at Emilie's corpse in true show!Gabriel fashion)

"I can't stand the sadness in his eyes."

He once again thought about the family photo, of his once happy family and about the peculiar piece of jewelry, which he now held as hope in his hands.

And then, his eyes one last time on his unconscious wife, he spoke: "If this piece of jewelry really has the power to bring you back... then I'll burn the world and lose myself in the flames. He needs you more than me, Emilie."

[thetwistedronin]

In what language did you start writing?

When did you first start writing?

What was the first muse that you’ve written?

Do you plot a ship or see where it goes?

What people make you happy when you see them on the dash?

What are things you wish people would tag so you can block it?

[Questions for the mun.]

OMG SEVERAL THANK YOUUUU

In what language did you start writing?

English. Only language I know lmao. I tried to learn German in high school but I moved schools early on that year & the new one didn't offer it, so all I know are some Pokémon names & how to count to ten

When did you first start writing?

Writing in general, I started writing fanfic when I was like, 10 or 11. It was mostly me trying to do adaptations of movies I liked but with characters from other canons. You know like Mickey's Christmas Carol

RP came later, I found some Sonic & furry forums that had RP sections & that was my first exposure to it. This was when I got my own computer with internet in 2005 [so I was 14]

What was the first muse that you’ve written?

That would be my Chao!

This is Storm! They are one of my oldest OCs. Personality is a bit like Aang.

Do you plot a ship or see where it goes?

I can do both, but for communication's sake, I prefer plotting or the BEST option, assuming they're already together to begin with so I can write the smut without having to do the slow-burn corn flakes & bullshit.

As for seeing where it goes, this is just usually when me & a partner are playing characters & one of us says "you know a ship between these two could work" and so we do it I guess, XD

What people make you happy when you see them on the dash?

@soaringlikeashootingstar and @bodejustice and @darckcarnival YOU'RE ALL SO GOOD!!!

[only tagging rp blogs otherwise the list would be too long lmao]

What are things you wish people would tag so you can block it?

Mostly just. The Joker. Causes reliving traumatic memories to see his face.

I've unfollowed Sonic blogs that post "Dadow" untagged. I really don't fucking appreciate it when fandoms try and turn a romantic OTP that I've had for nearly 2 decades into "Shadow is actually Silver's dad" how about let's NOT force headcanons that don't make any goddamn sense into the fandom. I'M SORRY, BUT NOT EVEN THE ULTIMATE LIFE FORM CAN HAVE CHILDREN WHEN TRAPPED IN LAZOR.

For a longass time "AAI2 content of any kind" would be here as well but oh my god I preordered it I;'m going to get to play it and do Ace Attorney stuff again without worrying about wild AAI2 spoilers. IT'S BEEN 13 YEARS. I WILL FINALLY BE FREE and hope the game has lots of edgeworth & gumshoe momenmts sqoaskjflkdsjkldjo;sok;gk ORIGINAL OTP MY BELOVED

[gayarograce]

🌻

(Oh man, the mortifying ordeal of actually having to pick something to talk about when I have so many ideas...)

Uh, OK, I'm talking about galactic algorithms, I've decided! Also, there are some links peppered throughout this post with some extra reading, if any of my simplifications are confusing or you want to learn more. Finally, all logarithms in this post are base-2.

So, just to start from the basics, an algorithm is simply a set of instructions to follow in order to perform a larger task. For example, if you wanted to sort an array of numbers, one potential way of doing this would be to run through the entire list in order to find the largest element, swap it with the last element, and then run though again searching for the second-largest element, and swapping that with the second-to-last element, and so on until you eventually search for and find the smallest element. This is a pretty simplified explanation of the selection sort algorithm, as an example.

A common metric for measuring how well an algorithm performs is to measure how the time it takes to run changes with respect to the size of the input. This is called runtime. Runtime is reported using asymptotic notation; basically, a program's runtime is reported as the "simplest" function which is asymptotically equivalent. This usually involves taking the highest-ordered term and dropping its coefficient, and then reporting that. Again, as a basic example, suppose we have an algorithm which, for an input of size n, performs 7n³ + 9n² operations. Its runtime would be reported as Θ(n³). (Don't worry too much about the theta, anyone who's never seen this before. It has a specific meaning, but it's not important here.)

One notable flaw with asymptotic notation is that two different functions which have the same asymptotic runtime can (and do) have two different actual runtimes. For an example of this, let's look at merge sort and quick sort. Merge sort sorts an array of numbers by splitting the array into two, recursively sorting each half, and then merging the two sub-halves together. Merge sort has a runtime of Θ(nlogn). Quick sort picks a random pivot and then partitions the array such that items to the left of the pivot are smaller than it, and items to the right are greater than or equal to it. It then recursively does this same set of operations on each of the two "halves" (the sub-arrays are seldom of equal size). Quick sort has an average runtime of O(nlogn). (It also has a quadratic worst-case runtime, but don't worry about that.) On average, the two are asymptotically equivalent, but in practice, quick sort tends to sort faster than merge sort because merge sort has a higher hidden coefficient.

Lastly (before finally talking about galactic algorithms), it's also possible to have an algorithm with an asymptotically larger runtime than a second algorithm which still has a quicker actual runtime that the asymptotically faster one. Again, this comes down to the hidden coefficients. In practice, this usually means that the asymptotically greater algorithms perform better on smaller input sizes, and vice versa.

Now, ready to see this at its most extreme?

A galactic algorithm is an algorithm with a better asymptotic runtime than the commonly used algorithm, but is in practice never used because it doesn't achieve a faster actual runtime until the input size is so galactic in scale that humans have no such use for them. Here are a few examples:

Matrix multiplication. A matrix multiplication algorithm simply multiplies two matrices together and returns the result. The naive algorithm, which just follows the standard matrix multiplication formula you'd encounter in a linear algebra class, has a runtime of O(n³). In the 1960s, German mathematician Volker Strassen did some algebra (that I don't entirely understand) and found an algorithm with a runtime of O(n^(log7)), or roughly O(n^2.7). Strassen's algorithm is now the standard matrix multiplication algorithm which is used nowadays. Since then, the best discovered runtime (access to paper requires university subscription) of matrix multiplication is now down to about O(n^2.3) (which is a larger improvement than it looks! -- note that the absolute lowest possible bound is O(n²), which is theorized in the current literature to be possible), but such algorithms have such large coefficients that they're not practical.

Integer multiplication. For processors without a built-in multiplication algorithm, integer multiplication has a quadratic runtime. The best runtime which has been achieved by an algorithm for integer multiplication is O(nlogn) (I think access to this article is free for anyone, regardless of academic affiliation or lack thereof?). However, as noted in the linked paper, this algorithm is slower than the classical multiplication algorithm for input sizes less than n^(1729^12). Yeah.

Despite their impracticality, galactic algorithms are still useful within theoretical computer science, and could potentially one day have some pretty massive implications. P=NP is perhaps the largest unsolved problem in computer science, and it's one of the seven millennium problems. For reasons I won't get into right now (because it's getting late and I'm getting tired), a polynomial-time algorithm to solve the satisfiability problem, even if its power is absurdly large, would still solve P=NP by proving that the sets P and NP are equivalent.

Alright, I think that's enough for now. It has probably taken me over an hour to write this post lol.

[oceangirl24]

BW&VK: Stop the Rave

"Hey, Mistah T," she drawled in a sultry tone no fifteen-year-old should be aiming at someone his age. "Gotta minute?"

Jon raised his brow and gave her an inquiring look. "Sure."

T.K. pulled a paper out of her binder and laid it on his desk.

He took it and frowned. "Why didn't you hand this in before you left?"

"'Cause then I wouldn't have an excuse to come back," she grinned leaning over his desk.

Jon immediately leaned back. He liked T.K. Really, he did. Much like he liked a German Shepherd that was trained to be a part of the K9 unit- from a distance. He couldn't help but feel very uncomfortable around her.

T.K. projected an air of confidence, too much confidence, and she wielded it like a skilled fencer. The student body was equally fascinated and terrified by her.

Jon learned from Audrey that this persona was crafted by T.K. because she felt there was nothing special about her. She sought to stand out from the pretty, preppy crowd by talking in loud, rough language with a New York accent that came naturally to her, despite being born and raised much further south than Philadelphia. She dressed in leather and chains, and miniskirts with crude words on them. He never understood why Mr. Feeny overlooked this.

No one else looked or acted like T.K.

It was sad really.

In class, Jon often saw glimpses of a much deeper, curious kid beneath the facade. Every so often she would come up with an analysis of a scene from the current novel they were studying that rivaled Topanga's. Unfortunately, not even Audrey had been able to get this side of her out more.

T.K. also had the tendency to make very bold and often inappropriate comments about guys both teens and adults, giving the impression that she had much more experience than a fifteen-year-old should have. Whether this was true or not, no one had been able to find out, despite numerous meetings with counselors and social workers. Her remarks were brash enough to make Jon not want to take any chances. He didn't want to be too close even with a classroom full of students.

His door was open, and the hall was crowded, but still they were alone in the room.

Jon wished Audrey would hurry up and get back. Audrey could get her attention off him. Not surprisingly, she connected to Audrey in a way she did with no other adult. T.K. enjoyed boasting that she and Audrey shared a name- Theresa.

"So," T.K. ran a finger across the wood grain of his desk in a way that made Jon want to run, "Ya got any plans for Saturday?"

Jon gave her a suspicious look and scooted his chair back. "Shawn's birthday party is Saturday."

"I know." A slow, lazy smile spread over her face. She looked at him through heavily mascara-ed eyelashes. "I'll be there."

"Good."

The smile turned into a smirk. "It's also Valentine's Day."

"Yes," Jon said slowly. Her tone and body language began to worry him even more. He pushed his chair further away.

"Ya got any plans for that?"

A sickening shock went through Jon as her words sank in. Immediately, he stood up and started walking to the door.

"Shawn's birthday," he said again in a firm voice. He stood on the threshold between his room and the hall, looking for someone- anyone- he could grab and put between them.

"Oh, I'll be there." Slowly she sauntered up to him with a Cheshire cat grin, lazily swinging a metal chain that was attached to the belt she wore low on her hips. "But it is Valentine's Day, surely a guy like you ain't spendin' the whole night a kid's party."

Jon stepped out fully into the hall that was quickly emptying of students. "It's my kid's party so, yeah, that was the plan."

"Oh, c'mon, Mistah T, I don't believe that for a minute."

T.K. either missed that he did not want her any closer or didn't care. Either way, she advanced on him, forcing him to back up.

Where  is  Audrey?

"Any guy who looks like you do and rides a Harley has gotta have a girl stashed away somewhere." She pursed her lips together and let them go with a pop.

"I don't," Jon said firmly as he continued to back up. "T.K, don't you have a class to get to?"

She gave him a playful shrug and continued to advance.

"No girl?" A disturbing grin spread over her face, and she quickened her pace. "That's' what I like to hear."

Read the Rest:

AO3 FFN WattPad

[the-fangirl-diaries]

92 Thoughts I Had While Watching: A Royal Affair (2012)

Guess I’m learning Danish now. 

I have a bad feeling about this ending. 

Been engaged since she was a child, eh? 

Oh, some of it’s in English. 

Hiding behind a tree? How old are you, 12? 

A little socially awkward, but he’s trying, I guess. 

Isn’t he your cousin? 

The town’s a bit of a fixer upper. 

Aww, doggo! Doggos make everything better. 

Oh, no. Politicians. 

Okay, apparently she’s the Queen Dowager. 

Books under Danish censorship? Guess I’d better throw mine out. 

Girl! You’ve barely known him for a day! 

And she plays piano, too? I say she’s a keeper. 

What? You don’t like it?! 

“Move your fat little thighs?” ~ An actual quote. 

“Oh, so you humiliate me and now you wanna--?” ~ Caroline, probably. 

And next thing you know, he’s with someone else. Figures. 

And she’s pregnant. 

“A true queen delivers with silence and dignity.” ~ An actual quote. 

“ARE YOU PUSHING THIS BABY OUT? I DON’T THINK SO!” ~ Caroline, definitely. 

Wait, as soon as she gives birth, you leave for a year? Nice. *eye roll* 

Apparently believing in equal rights is wrong. 

You don't need a doctor, eh? Good sir. Your mood swings say otherwise. 

How to earn my trust and friendship: quote books.

Yes, make sure the dog is taken care of. 

The dress she's wearing looks like Elizabeth Swann's. 

“You want them to cheer or you'll jump in the canal? Okay, who's stopping ya?” ~ Johann, maybe. 

The king published a poem about the size of someone's derriere? M’kay. 

Look, in his defence, I'd be crazy signing papers all day, too. 

Hi. The only word I understood.

Taking a detour, are we, your majesty? 

She's not your mother! If she were, she would slap you.

Fencing? This just got interesting. 

Forget Grey’s Anatomy. There’s a hot doctor right here. 

Yes, my mood definitely needs improving. *wink wink* 

And you share a love of books and travelling the world? Soulmates! 

That awkward moment when you take your patient riding in the country air and you see a dead man on a wooden horse. 

I think if an expert in the field suggests something, like, say, a cure for a deadly disease, you'd do well to hear him out. 

So the cure worked and you need to administer it in hospitals but you're all worried about money? 

Sitting on a bench together unchaperoned while talking about life. Very romantic. 

‘Two bros, one in a bathtub, and one sitting down, cause they're not gay.’

You don't want your town smelling like waste? Seems like a good law. 

Making doggo an honorary member of the council? Again, good idea. 

Boy, I wish they still had balls and galas nowadays. 

The. Flirting!! The. Eye. Contact. 

They were worried about the age difference. Where is it? I don’t see one. 

She wants you to come to her chambers? For what – oh. OH!!! 

Wow, that was…. okay. I need some water, stat! 

They want Smallpox inoculation? Carriages to drive people who've had too much to drink? A home for orphaned children? Better treatment for peasants? Honestly, these are perfectly reasonable laws, so why are the council rejecting them?

 Of course they want to conspire against the doctor because he has good ideas and because he's German? I didn’t think that sort of thing started for a few more centuries. 

 Yes! Good for you for standing up for yourself and your friend. 

Um, you're just gonna smell the sheets? Not what I would do, but sure, whatever. 

A new TLC show: I'm Pregnant With the King's Physician's Baby. 

Hide the evidence by sleeping with him. Good plan, other than he doesn't like sleeping with her because of….er…issues. 

Hey, Alexa: Play Tango de Roxanne. 

Oh, so there is a problem with money. I thought it was an excuse. 

Of course the Dowager thinks something's up. And of course the maid who smelled the sheets is going to tell on them. 

Baby's coming!!! 

“We’re a family now.” ~ Caroline, actually. 

*Hits stop* Aww, what a great movie! Time to --

Oh, no. There’s more. *sighs and sits down again.* 

No one’s gonna take the child. This isn’t The Light Between Oceans. 

Yes, Your Majesty, you should stay in the castle until the fire dies down. 

A little boy who escaped a Dutch Trade ship? I forgot it was this time. 

The people are suggesting he’s poisoning the king? What do they know? 

Poor woman hasn’t slept in days, but 

Awww, he’s going to take care of her. 

ALRIGHT, I SEE THE MADS APPEAL NOW! 

YOU TOOK A BLOOD SAMPLE OF HIS - UH, YOUR DAUGHTER? 

YES! Protective Mama Bear mode activated!! 

Family dinner, yay. 

So we’re all hugs now? Great. 

Lady, you’re taking this way out of hand. 

Now everyone wants Johann dead? *groans*

The king may be immature, but he won’t betray his friend. 

Don’t listen to them, no one’s planning on murdering you! 

Hold on, Isn’t that Johann’s friend who’s telling him? 

Yes, come bang on the door and scare the baby, why don’t ya? 

Caroline crying makes me wanna give her a hug. 

She’ll never see her son again? 

So torturing a man for days will get you the answers? 

The king wants to pardon you. 

PLEASE LET THIS ENDING BE HAPPY! 

Or not. *cue ugly crying*

EXCUSE ME! DID YOU JUST CALL THE BOY THE ‘N’ WORD?! 

Have I ever told you how much I wanna slap you? 

What do you mean you’ll see her again soon? 

GREAT, SHE’S DYING, TOO! *More crying* 

The son inherited his father’s temper? Oh, goodie. 

Then again, he was old enough to remember what happened, so I guess I can’t blame him for being angry and hurt. 

The laws were reinstated? Good. 

Well, that certainly was a roller coaster! Probably should have stuck with the happy ending, but I was feeling bold today. Bad decision, me thinks.

[thedawningofthehour]

How many languages is Donnie/Galois fluent in at this point?

Hmm, that would kind of depend on what you consider 'fluent'. He's gotten pretty good with Greek, but he'd have trouble speaking it and wouldn't be able to hold a conversation. He can understand it when it's written out, and to a point when he hears it. He's like that with most Romance languages because Donnie knows Latin and studied Vulgar Latin as a kid, so he catches onto those pretty fast. (also-New York, they hear a lot of it) And West Germanic languages, because English is one of those and he's familiar with how the rules work. Greek is really far apart on that tree-though to be fair, he's studying more Hellenistic/Medieval Greek, since those are where Yokai dialects branched off, and Latin stole a bunch of shit from Greek, so it's probably not too terribly difficult. So basically-he can really only 'speak' English and ASL. Or TSL.

He's also learning Mandarin and Japanese, because a lot of Yokai speak that. (he learned some Japanese from Splinter and started studying it more seriously when he found out his dad was actually From Japan and didn't just copy a Japanese accent from someone, but he wasn't that good before he was kidnapped) And probably some other stuff, but this is where I'm hitting a snag.

I mention 'Yokai glyphs' in a previous chapter, which is the written language I figured the Yokai of the Hidden City would have formed and standardized as their Official Language-before the humans swept through and everyone just started speaking English. This pidgin or creole language would have been mostly comprised of the languages spoken by the major groups present-so like, Japanese and Mandarin were really common, because a lot of Yokai are from Japan and the parts of China where they speak that. Norse, like what Draxum probably spoke at a child, had relatively little influence because there were comparatively few speakers. (read: most Norse Yokai died) So in trying to decide what other languages would have been prominent, and thus what languages Draxum is having Galois study in order to understand the evolution of their language, I have to decide where there were large groups of Yokai who fled to the Hidden City en-masse. I've mentioned that there's a very large Indian population there, partially because most of them fled due to political unrest and fear of disease, not because humans were actively murdering them and burning their houses down. Considering how culturally diverse different regions of India are, I'd have to do some more research on where exactly these Yokai were and what language they would have spoken. And there's probably some other groups that I haven't even touched on in the fic, but it's all rotating in my brain like a microwave, don't worry.

That was...a really long answer that didn't even really answer your question, wasn't it? Pardon me. I'm really awful at languages, but I find the evolution of languages absolutely fascinating. Playing with the Yokai worldbuilding is so fun because there's a lot of blending with cultures that historically did not mix in our world, and they did so without that colonization bullshit. Draxum is a faun, which are from Greek mythology, who lived in the Faroe Islands with a bunch of Viking descendants and now he lives in New York's basement wearing a yukata. It's just-there's so many layers to that, how it all got there.

Oh, and Galois also speaks French. Because that's funny.

[schwazombie]

So yesterday while I was out I saw the boldest sticker the Neos have printed and put out yet. It straight up said 'NS Zone' and had the Reichsadler on it. Black red and white. It was right at eye height and the adhesive on the sticker was super strong -- as in, I couldn't even get a corner to come up to at least tear part of it down. The neos in the area had already started putting their stickers up higher and, since we kept tearing them down anyway, changed the adhesive on them or started putting extra glue on the back or something because they won't come off anymore. But this... this is a new level. 'NS Zone'.

So I took a picture of it and sent it to my friends because what in the actual fuck and when I told one of them that I am so fucking tired she said that I had to take it with a bit of humour.

Humour.

These people want me dead. I'm a nonbinary aromantic bisexual autistic unemployed foreigner. I am so many things they hate all rolled into one. I can't 'take it with a bit of humour'. I can't just laugh it off as oh, they're so dumb they spend their money on stickers and we just tear them down. I'm not 'uncomfortable' at seeing this. I am scared. My only saving grace is that I'm white so until I open my mouth it's not obvious that I'm not German. They aren't dumb. They are pushing the limit and defining their turf and letting people like them know that they and their hatred can get a foothold here.

You idiots. You absolute fuckers let them get a foothold with PEGIDA years ago. 'Gib Nazis keine Chance!' and then you let them start railing against Islam, saying they had a right to their opinion, and I had nothing to worry about. I had a colleague eight years ago who told me I had nothing to worry about, and I told her that this was just the start, that hatred was just the beginning and if we let it take root it would grow. Then the AfD came along just a few years later and so many people excused them because these poor people were just fed up, they had no voice, there were problems not being addressed and they were suffering and we needed to understand their position. They wouldn't have voted AfD if someone had listened to them. 'Gib Nazis keine Chance'. What in the legitimate actual fuck did y'all think that meant? Hating Muslims wasn't enough, and so they targeted all foreigners. Foreigners are taking all our jobs, foreigners who aren't learning German, foreigners with accents and their sinful ways. Did y'all not notice when the one AfD politician specifically said that by women she meant 'blau augige, blonde deutsche Frauen'?? Oh, but there's no reason to worry. It's just a fringe group. You're safe. And then I start seeing stickers. Anti-LGBTQ+. Don't hate just Muslims. Don't hate just all foreigners. Hate them, and hate anyone who isn't cishet, too. 'Keine Lust auf Linke Versager!' 'Volksverräter' with the symbol for the green party thrown in a trash can. 'Unsere Stadt Verteidigen!' with the symbols for antifa, Islam, and LGBTQ in red circles crossed out. 'Unsere Stadt hält Stand!' with a website for the Junge Nationalisten.

'NS Zone' with the Reichsadler in black, red, and white.

I'm tired and I'm scared.

[peterlorres21stcentury]

stupid sexy fantasies

I have the same fantasies over and over. It's like my brain refuses to think of anything normal or interesting. These things show up in my writing a lot, to the point where I worry that readers will notice how repetitive I really am.

So here's a brief look into my strange inner self, as I imagine telling all this to a kindly therapist in the image of Peter Lorre because I cannot afford one in real life.

*taking notes* Patient is clearly a deviant and a lost cause.

The following was difficult to write down because of shyness but I'm making an effort to be bolder this year:

I'm sure I mentioned this before but I have a huge fetish for bellies. So much. I don't even know why, but I've had this fascination since I was not quite three years old. At least that's when I first remember it. As time went on it went hand-in-hand with a fat/weight gain fetish. I always made up little stories to myself about hungry characters with grumbly tummies who eventually had the opportunity to eat as much as they wanted, and then they rested with a good full belly that happily gurgled away while they slept. Invariably they would eat more and get fatter because in my head, plump bellies = the sexiest thing on planet earth. I STILL find every opportunity to work these things into my fiction and I'm sure it gets old for literally everyone except me.

And I can't forget belly rubs. Bellies are a vulnerable part of us, and something about being allowed to rest on top of someone to soothe and kiss their bloated belly and listen to their food digest is deeply exciting for me. I love getting the same kind of attention, too. I want to be told how fat I am, or praised for the impressive amount of food I managed to put away (in a nice way. Like an appreciative, admiring kind of way). Also if we're cuddling/making out and things are starting to get hot, and our stomachs press together... 😍😍 It just feels amazing and it's so comforting. It represents trust. (btw if there's some long German or perhaps Yiddish vocabulary word for this precise feeling of comfort/safety/sexual lust/belly and/or food obsession in general, I'd really like to learn what it is).

If I'm in another kind of mood, I also like vore; the impossible fantasy of a person swallowing another person whole. Obviously this cannot be done by humans, but in fiction all manner of weird things are possible. The same belly stuff applies here--the predator ends up with a HUGE belly which is always exciting--but there's also that element of control in play. The predator exerts control over their helpless prey by literally consuming them. I like it when prey gets digested, because I just can't be normal about anything. I'm either a soft cuddle bug or a devouring predator and there isn't much in between. I don't know what that says about me.

ANYway, after all that, it's inevitable that I would start to combine various obsessions, so all these fantasies typically involve Peter Lorre in some way. Now that I think about it, my fetishes may have initially played into my love for Peter. See, my obsession with Peter began when I first saw "Arsenic and Old Lace." And there's a line, right after Jonathan and Dr. Einstein first show up at the Brewster home:

Jonathan: I hope there's a fatted calf awaiting the return of the prodigal.

Einstein: A fatted calf? Oh, Johnny, I'm so hungry...

I remember the exact moment when I first saw that and a few things went through my teenage brain at once: "omg, the little doctor is so pitiful and cute. OMG, he just said he was hungry?? !!!! Must feed him. C'mon, somebody feed him, he's starving. Oh I hope he gets to eat soon." I spent the rest of the scene in a state of confused excitement while hoping nobody else noticed the emotional whirlwind I was in. Ever since then, Peter was my favorite actor forever, the end.

I'm sure I would have loved him anyway even if I didn't have the aforementioned fetishes, but now I'm stuck imagining him as the subject of various tummy fantasies, too. I mean, by all accounts he loved food and sort of naturally tended to be plump. What if he enjoyed this kind of thing too? Would he like it if someone, say me in another life, admitted all this to him and gave him loving belly rubs as a form of foreplay? I dunno... but I hope he would like it.