#propellor room

[elfpylon]

what if we kissed in the rms queen mary propeller room?

haha, just kidding… unless…?

[merakijinx]

A Gift from the Heart (toxicgf!Jinx) ｡𖦹°‧

Summary: It’s Christmas night, and Jinx gifted something special for you! However, your reaction wasn’t up to her standards..

Word count: 1.3k

(a/n at the end)

wlw

You were sitting on the floor next to Jinx’s workbench, hands over your eyes, when you heard a heavy thud land in front of you. “Open your eyes!” Your girlfriend’s voice rang out excitedly, and her cheerful expression matched her tone when you lowered your hands to see your blue-haired girl.

In front of you lay a cardboard box painted in red with a green bow running along the sides, and tied neatly on the top. “Wow, Jinx! What’s this? Looks so cute,” you said, giggling as you brought it closer to you.

“Open it and find out, toots,” Jinx responded, scooting closer to you so she could watch you closely unwrap her present.

“Okay..” You chuckled at her eagerness to watch you open the gift, not keeping her waiting any longer. You tugged on the green ribbon, letting it fall loose to the floor. When you took off the lid, there was a device that lay inside.

You took it out to examine it further, and recognized that it was a… sort of contraption where the center looked like it was altered (Ripped out and stuck in) to fit a mini-figurine of you and Jinx holding hands, rotating together within a ring of sparklers, like a music box.

“Jinx, this is so cute! What is it?” You asked, stifling a laugh at how chaotic the device looked. “It’s a Valdiani. Of us,” Jinx answered, her voice strained as she observed your reaction, chuckling nervously. “You like it?”

You leaned close to her with a hand cupping her face, and brought her cheek closer to plant a kiss. “I do. Thank you so much,” you said softly, then pulled away to tuck the device under the tree.

Jinx looked at you in confusion when you suddenly stood up and walked toward her couch, ending gift-giving time just like that. “So what do you say about watching a Christmas movie before we go to bed? I heard Carol’s a good one,” you said while walking on the propellor.

Her eyes shifted to the gift she got you, just sitting there underneath the Christmas tree while you were on the opposite side of the room. It was still spinning and sparkling under the fir tree. “Uh, a movie?” Jinx repeated, though her mind was elsewhere.

“Yeah, we can finish the rest of the cookies..”

Your voice drifted far away, and the other voices took over. Did you see how she reacted to your gift? She didn’t even like it!

She liked it, but she didn’t say she loved it.

The gift was too messy, she probably thought you half-assed it. She hates it.

How could you mess up a Christmas gift?

When you turned back around, Jinx was still sitting on the floor, spacing out into the void below. “Jinx?” You called out, but she didn’t respond. “Jinx..!” You repeated a little louder, and she snapped out of her trance. “Y-yeah, coming!” Jinx stood up and quickly walked over to you. It was Christmas, she wouldn’t let them ruin this night.

She brushed past you and slumped onto the couch, trying to play off her near panic attack l earlier. You crept up next to her, leaning yourself against her slowly to ease up the both of you. “Hey, you alright?” You asked gently. You could subtly feel her cold sweat, and she didn’t respond for a minute.

“What do you think of my gift?” She finally asked. “Your gift? I think it’s nice,” you replied simply. It was a nice gift, it was cute, simple, and meaningful.

“Just nice? Did you not like it?” You heard a hint of defensiveness in her tone now, and felt, too, the way she tensed up beneath your touch.

“No, I did like it-! I do,” you assured her, sitting back upright to face her directly.

For some reason, your withdrawal from Jinx just fueled her anxiety more. Why did you pull away? Are you fighting her now? No, Jinx, look at the bigger picture..

“You do,” She repeated, suspicious. “Then why did you just… you know, brush it off? Sweep it under the rug, or… Christmas tree in this case..,” She rambled, eyes darting away from your gaze as she slowly started losing herself. “I mean, usually that’s the time when you’re supposed to be all happy and over the moon, thanking me!”

“I didn’t! I didn’t mean to brush it off, I really do like it. I’m sorry.” You tried calming her down with reassurance and apologies, but you weren’t sure it was working.

“I worked really hard on that, you know..,” She finally said, her voice shaking now. “It’s a real Valdiani, you should be grateful,” Jinx dramatized, shifting the blame to you now. Her pink, shimmer-infused eyes were boring into yours intensely.

“What? It wasn’t on your wishlist? Too… tacky for ya’? I poured my heart into that, you know.. Into us.. Don’t tell me you’re just gonna ignore that? Gonna ignore that and… hurt me again,” Jinx ranted, inching away from you and curling herself into a ball. She was glaring at you now, arms crossed at her chest like she’s guarding herself from you.

“No, Jinx, please don’t think like that. I love it, it’s a meaningful gift. I’m sorry for hurting you, I didn’t mean to,” you apologized profusely, reaching out a hand to touch her shoulder, to make her come back to you.

She slapped your hand away, shrieking, “Don’t do that! You’re just faking it, you’re looking at me like I’m crazy!”

In turn, she looked at you with defiance and fear— Fear of what you might do, or fear of how she’s acting, she doesn’t know.

You flinched, immediately pulling back when she pushed you away. “No- I’m sorry,” you managed to speak out softly as you watched her stand up, her hands curled into a tight fist.

“Hah, I give you my time and my-… my love and you’re gonna give me that… half-assed reaction?! My gift isn’t half-assed, I thought about it clearly!” She started raising her voice, but it was hard to tell if she was yelling at you or the ones that haunt her. Then, she looked back at you with a manic glint in her deep magenta eyes.

She placed her hand on the backrest of the couch and the other on the cushion itself, and loomed over you. “And you.. Am I not your… top one anymore? Your favorite gift out of all? Did I lose that spot, because of my tacky, not heart-felt gift?” She spat out sarcastically.

“Do you hate my gift? Is it not good enough, huh?” She looked intimidating but her voice was trembling, like you could hear the little girl seeking for your approval.

“Stop it please,” you whispered, tears building up in your eyes. “I love the gift, I love it. It’s still my favorite, you’re my girlfriend,” you tried to convince her. “It’s a pretty, meaningful gift. I mean, it’s a r-real Valdiani, isn’t that cool?” It was strenuous to smile through the worry and pain, but you would do anything to keep her by your side. Jinx can be terrifying, she could kill you at any time, but you love her, and you won’t let go.

It wasn’t your words that brought her back to reality, it was seeing the tears stream down your cheeks. The desperation and resilience on your face broke her, the walls she tried to build up crumbled completely, and she dropped to her knees before you.

“No, no, I’m sorry,” she mumbled, hands roaming your face like she was grounding herself with your presence. If there was anything she hated more than getting hurt by her loved ones, it was hurting those she loves the most. An angel like you shouldn’t be crying, and it shouldn’t be at her hands.

“Please don’t cry. You won’t leave me, right? I wasn’t being me,” she continued, now crying with you in regret of how she acted out.

“I’m sorry, babe. I lashed out, I’m sorry for ruining this night.. Please forgive me, doll. I was acting stupid, I didn’t mean to make you cry. Let’s just forget about this, okay?”

｡𖦹°‧

This is also my first time writing a fanfic with toxic Jinx, so I hope it was okay and notttt overboard.. I wrote this at like midnight so when I’m awake & sober I’ll probably be embarrassed at this fic

Took inspo from a headcanon where Jinx would overthink if you didn’t “like” her gift enough.

[hometoursandotherstuff]

The part of this home that was decorated by a professional designer is dull as dishwater, but part that was done by the owner is amazing and it all comes with the house. 2022 build in Kissimmee, FL, has 10bds, 11ba, $2.2M + $535mo. HOA.

The designer did all the white with splashes of neutrals.

Triple wide dining table.

The house is new, so it came with the kitchen. I like the counters and big island.

She also did a home theater.

I don't know which bedroom is the primary b/c they're all the same size, not very big, and each has an en-suite.

I like this one a lot.

And, this one. They could be children's rooms.

And, now we progress to the owner's vision. Check this out. He is a collector of military/war history collectables, but this stuff is prime. Look at that car.

Believe it or not, this helicopter that served in Afghanistan & Iraq, is worth $25M alone! So, the house is a bargain.

Inside, it's been converted to a gaming flight simulator w/bunk beds.

The realty description suggests that it can be rented out, and it could, but that's up to the new owner. This stuff if pretty expensive.

This biplane's wings were made into beds. I guess the propellor was removed for safety reasons.

This is a cute touch- clear birds hanging from the ceiling.

Look at the floor, it looks like you're flying.

I like the pink & blue, too.

This table is made from a plane wing and he's got a framed uniform, plus other artifacts, on the walls.

There's a pool in the back yard.

There are also 3 golf courses nearby, if you love golf.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1213-Radiant-St-Kissimmee-FL-34747/130960393_zpid/?

[askinkiskarma]

Cruel Summer | Chapter IV: 'Tis The Damn Season

Pairings: Neteyam x (f)Human!Reader

Word Count: 8.2k words

Warnings/notes: angst, allusions to/mentions of smut, Neteyam x reader being the absolute cutest, some fluff, all the feels, 18+ minors DNI

Synopsis: Neteyam in unable to stop himself from confessing a truth he's tried to bury for years, a truth that will change everything between you. Jake shares news with his son that will threaten whatever peace Neteyam's come to know.

A/N: there's no earthly reason why this chapter had to take so long except my own inability to write it and procrastinating with requests instead. i hope this was worth the wait, and as this is the second to last chapter, prepare yourself for the main meal soon. I don't think that will take that long, cause I've had the last chapter in my mind before I even started writing this story to begin with. I hope you enjoy, i'd love to hear your thoughts, i love to hear from you besties.

: ̗̀➛ listen to the Cruel Summer playlist here : ̗̀➛ masterlist (x) : ̗̀➛ series masterlist (x)

 

I'm stayin' at my parents' house

And the road not taken looks real good now

And it always leads to you in my hometown

Neteyam’s head was spinning with worry and mind-numbing fear, watching his sister’s spirit be taken out of her, her bioluminescent freckles that usually shine brighter than any other Na’vi he’s ever seen so dim they were barely alight anymore. He was picking at his nails nervously, a habit he hasn’t had since he was 7, watching as his mother was trying her best to shake her awake, almost like she was trying to will life back into her. The wails got to Neteyam more than he cared to admit, and eventually, he excused himself and left the family marui, settling instead for watching the tiny glowing fish as they surrounded and circled his ankles. Neteyam rarely felt powerless in his life. No matter what the situation was, no matter how dire, he always felt like he could somehow make it his own, he could somehow make it work. But now, as he stood there, listening to cries and tries, listening to his family trying to figure out how to save his baby sister, Neteyam felt hopeless and helpless, like a child. In moments like this, he missed you most. It was hard being without you always, his body having to unlearn and relearn instincts and feelings, having to rewire his brain from having been so accustomed to you and your body, and your mind and your soul for the past 19 years of his life. You would know what to do. You’d have some medical trick or a human way, you’d scream everyone out of the room and you’d just somehow figure it out. You always were able to just… figure things out. He missed that, along with everything else. 

“I’m going to contact Norm and Max, ok, baby? It’s going to be alright, they’ll know what to do. It’ll be alright.” 

Neteyam was terrified as the hours passed, waiting for the flying machine he knew would be coming any minute, and what would it bring along with it. His questions, his biggest dream and biggest nightmare, all plaguing him and his mind for the past few hours, were swiftly answered as from the helicopter came three figures, one blue one and two humans. One human in particular he cared about. His heart was beating so loudly it was almost completely covering the incessant, deafening sound the propellor blades were making. You were so beautiful, even more beautiful than he remembered. He couldn’t help the way his eyes trailed over your body and focused on scars that have appeared in the time you were apart, scars that made his stomach drop, or the way your hair was shorter, or the way you have gotten leaner and more muscular. He couldn’t help his mind wandering and twisting every change, a deep feeling of sorrow and weird jealousy, for the people that got to watch you grow, for the people that had to touch your body to heal your wounds, for the people the got to help you when he didn’t - when he couldn’t. 

Your eyes immediately found his, the way they always had the power to, and his breath hitched in his throat, the way it always seemed to when you did. He didn’t miss the way your eyes widened imperceptibly as you noticed him, nor the way they hardened as his presence took his toll on your mind. The frown and the hurt, the slight glistening of tears threatening to spill reminded Neteyam of the last time he saw you, the time that could have gone better, should have gone better than it did, and how he never got the chance to say goodbye. So many words he wanted to say, so many confessions that have rested in his chest for years that needed to be let out but weren’t, now close to spilling out as a blurt of messed-up feelings. So close, yet so far. Because this wasn’t the time - it never seemed to be when it came to you and him. You stood in the back and watched as Norm and Max greeted his father, and you all made your way back to the tent, the attention fully back on his sister who was still unconscious. The sight of her tugged at his heart so much it was making him sick, so he refused to walk in and see what they were doing, what human devices and contraptions it took to bring Kiri back to them. 

There's an ache in you put there by the ache in me

But if it's all the same to you, it's the same to me

His skin felt like it caught fire as it perceived your body in its vicinity, as you walked out of the marui and settled on the weaved pathway by the edge of the water, feet dangling off it. It felt so strange, having you back in his space. Like so much and yet nothing had changed. Like he hadn’t left you, and his life behind, his happiness and hope, like you didn’t kick him out and refused to send him off and at least pretend to make it easier on both of you. Like he never had to keep pretending his life wasn’t permeated fully by your very essence, your very being, by everything you were. 

“Vol…” 

You didn’t look at him. You couldn’t. Neteyam felt anger bubble up inside him. This whole thing was so fucking unfair. You were so fucking unfair. He didn’t choose any of this. He didn’t want to leave you, why can’t you see that? Why could you not at least try to understand, try to be a little sympathetic towards the fact that this was killing him, and he suffered everyday, and the cold he felt from you cut worse than any blade, hurt worse than any wound. 

“God fucking damn it, Vol. Can you stop with the attitude and just please talk to me? I don’t see you in months, you show up here, clearly, you wanted to see us… see me. I’m here, so just talk to me. If you have to scream, or shout, or kick me, you can do that as long as you fucking talk.”

“I’m not here for you. I’m here for Kiri.” 

“Oh, stop it. Norm and Max could take care of Kiri well enough, and you know that. You’re not just here for Kiri. You’re here for me, too. I want to talk, we have to talk.” 

“No, Neteyam. We don’t have to talk. There’s nothing to talk about because nothing fucking matters anymore. None of it. We’re just strangers now, right? Acquaintances. I’ll see you every few months whenever Jake needs something and that’s about the extent of our relationship. Nineteen years of being there for you, of being your best friend, and in a day, you somehow became a stranger. You gave away the right to talk to me the second you walked out that door.”  

Neteyam watched as you took your leave, going back into the tent, leaving him once more to deal with all that stood to plague him.

It took hours, but Kiri’s condition wasn’t improving even with all the contraptions and equipment you were using on her. None of you knew what was wrong, although Norm and Max thought it was epilepsy. It looked like epilepsy, you thought, but if it had been, she would be back by now. It hurt you watching her like that, laying on the floor, the light of her freckles so dim they were barely visible anymore, and you touched her, running your hands over her chest and arm, hoping you could pray the light back into her, so you could tell her you’re sorry that you didn’t say goodbye to her. You would tell her that every time you are in the forest and you find a bead or flower that you’ve never seen before, you collect it with her in mind and keep it there in the hopes you’ll one day see her again, and she could use them for her tops or for the jewellery she always makes for everyone she loves. You missed her, the same way you missed them all, and you needed her to know that, despite all the hurt and the pain they’ve left behind, she would always be your sister. 

Neytiri eyed you curiously while you spent time with her daughter, and you cowered a little under her gaze. You knew it was dumb, but you’ve always loved Neytiri. You watched your whole life as she was the best mother to her children, and how patient and caring and funny and attentive she was, and you always hoped one day she’d learn to love you too, and that through her you could finally feel what it was like to have a mother, a loving mother. But she never did, no matter the time that passed or the efforts you made, so you stopped trying and forsook your futile aspirations. It was time to grow up, and you did - not fully whole, never quite the person you hoped you would become, but there was no point in dwelling on matters of the past, of realities you’d never be able to undo. 

“Will she live?” Your eyes snapped to her in shock as she spoke. She very rarely ever spoke to you directly. And not only did she do just that, but she asked you a question. A genuine question about the well-being of her daughter. You couldn’t believe she cared what you thought about it to ask. She sounded so sad and desolate, her voice hoarse and nasal from the amount she had cried. 

“I’m sure she will… she’s a tough girl. She’s special, she always has been. I think she’ll be just fine.” 

“Then why isn’t she awake yet? If it’s what they say it is… why?” Her voice broke at the last word and yours was not far off when you answered her. 

“I don’t know. But I don’t think they are right. I think it’s more complicated than that.”

She looked confused at you, then approached and sat down in front of her, across from you, as her hands also found Kiri’s body, pushing the bangs out of her face. 

“Her seizure happened at the Tree of Souls. At the bridge between this world and Eywa’s. I think nothing we, humans, or our technology could possibly do could bring her back. I think she needs the Tsa’hik.” 

Her eyes widened at your words and she immediately got up and sprinted out of the tent, and you hoped you were right, partly because of Kiri and partly cause maybe this way, not that it mattered anymore, but maybe she’d finally stop looking at you like a stray dog and more like an actual person.  

The next thing you knew, Neytiri came in with an array of people, the most imposing of which was a woman, who you assumed was the Metkayina Tsa’hik, who intimidated you beyond belief from the second she walked in, all tall and beautiful and imposing… and pregnant. You instinctively rose from your spot and got out, feeling a sudden chill in the room and knowing for a fact it wasn’t a place you were welcomed in anymore. You didn’t care, as long as it meant Kiri would be fine. You joined the rest of the family and the scientists outside, the silence thick as all of you watched with heavy hearts, hoping for a miracle. It took a while, but eventually, the silence was disrupted by gasps of relief as Kiri did indeed wake up, immediately tackled by several of her family members hugging her, consoling her as she cried. 

So we could call it even

You could call me babe for the weekend

'Tis the damn season, write this down

Early in the evening, when everything settled down, you made your way outside the marui once more, looking at the sky as it was preparing itself for eclipse, finally able to take in the beauty of this place, unlike anything you’ve ever seen before and more breathtaking than you could have ever imagined. You felt Neteyam’s presence flood your own as he approached you - your senses might never be as acute as theirs, neither your vision, or hearing, or touch able to hold a candle to their own, but none of that ever mattered when it came to him. His being was enough to turn you inside out, and sharpen your senses so that it would pick up everything about him, from his slightly musky and woody smell, that changed throughout the month as his heat approached, to the sound and cadence of his footsteps that were unmistakable to you no matter how far they were approaching you from, to the slight clink of the beads in his hair, that sometimes felt like it moved on its own accord, to even his breathing and its pattern, and the way it seemed to increase whenever he was close to you. 

“Now can we talk? Kiri’s fine, she’s finally fine. Please, Vol…” 

“Neteyam, I can’t make myself any clearer. I have nothing to say to you.” 

Neteyam felt anger overtake him again. What would he have to do to get you to listen, to get you to give him one second, just one second to explain to you, to talk to you? It was so fucking unfair, to have to lose so much and yet be painted as the villain by you, the person who’s supposed to know him better than anyone else in the world, who used to understand him, to whom he never had to explain any of his thought process because there was no need. You always just knew. He hoped he didn’t have to do this, but desperate times called for desperate measures, and with that rationale in mind, Neteyam approached you suddenly and picked you up, throwing you over his shoulder and making his way out of the village. 

“Are you out of your fucking mind?! Put me down!” Neteyam pondered her question for a second. Maybe he truly was out of his mind. None of this was like him at all, this is not something he would ever have done a while ago, never before you. Neteyam was selfless, that’s how he was brought up to be, that’s the only way he knew how to be. But for the first time in his life, he needed to be selfish. For the first time in his life, he would do what he wanted to do, and he wanted to talk to you. Alone. He wanted to feel you, he wanted to remember what it was like for his heart to jump out of his chest and for his nostrils to be flooded with the only scent that drove his senses haywire and for his mind to scramble trying to understand the myriad of emotions running through it while he looked at you. He hasn’t seen you in months, haven’t felt you in months, and he was supposed to let it go without a fight?

No fucking way. 

You were so light in his arms, it felt like he was carrying a doll, and he barely registered your tiny ineffectual fists punching at his back, although he did feel like your legs were definitely stronger, just like the rest of you was since he last saw you. He didn’t stop until he hit an isolate meadow in the mangrove forest, your annoyed huffs and croaky screams drowning out the beautiful melodies played by the birds and his family’s ikran, that now had a home in these trees.

“I have no problem with holding you like this the whole time, but I’d rather look at you while I speak. I will put you down, but I swear on everything I hold dear, Vol, if you run, I will drag you back by your feet if I have to. We are talking, whether you like it or not.” 

With that threat, he lifted you off his shoulder and put you gently on the ground. You stood where he placed you, but refused to look at him, a deep frown marring your beautiful face. He sighed, feeling defeated and unmoored, but kneeled in front of you so he can look at your face properly, and you could look at his. 

“Vol, we haven’t seen each other in months. I didn’t know whether I’d ever see you again, but you’re here. You came here, out of your own volition. I know you wanted to see me. I know you, Vol. And you know me. You’re the only one that knows me.” He takes a hold of your mask gently and angles your face with barely any force to make you face him. “I was so mad at you for the way you shut me out. For not allowing me to say goodbye the way I wanted to, the way I should have. I needed to hold you, and tell you that I’ll miss you and that you’ll always be my best friend. That I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” 

Your eyes could barely hold it in, the urge to let it out and cry. Cry at seeing him again, at how frustrating he was, how angry you were, but how happy at the same time to finally see him again, to feel his touch on your skin and the way it lit it on fire, the way desire and ache and love pulsed through your veins at his mere proximity, how, despite all the months, all the time, all the hurt, it felt like nothing had changed between you, like seeing him again was exactly like coming back home after a long day outside, exhausted and spent, and happy to be comfortable and safe again. 

“I don’t care. I don’t care how sorry any of you are. You left your clan behind, and me, all of us behind, to go hide while we stand and fight and worry for our lives and the lives of everyone in the clan.”

Your words struck a chord in Neteyam and he felt the anger prick painfully at his mind, and despite priding himself on his composure, he couldn’t hold it in any longer, not anymore. Months of anguish kept inside finally came out and there was little he could do to stop it.

“We left so we could protect you! Why must you be so stubborn all of the fucking time? This wasn’t done to hurt you, Vol. This has nothing to do with you! None of us wanted to go! Believe it or not, you’re not the only one affected by this. I understand that you are upset and you have every reason to be, but what was the alternative? Either we stayed and the whole clan was even more at risk than it already is, or we brought two humans with us across the oceans to a new clan that hates humans?! Stop being so fucking selfish for one second and understand this isn’t only about you! I fucking lost everything that day! I lost my home, and my friends, and my future as Olo’eyktan, fuck, I lost the woman I lo-“ 

Your eyes go wide in shock at the words almost spoken, words that you imagined all your life but couldn’t believe right now. That can’t be what he was telling you, right? After all this time apart, after all the time together, in which you shared anything and everything under the sun, in secrets kept and broken promises, it couldn’t be that Neteyam was confessing to you something you swore you’d never feel for each other, something you wanted nothing more than to hear, something that would somehow both kill you and put you back together at the same time. 

“What did you just say?” 

Time flies, messy as the mud on your truck tires

Now I'm missing your smile, hear me out

We could just ride around

And the road not taken looks real good now

And it always leads to you in my hometown

His own wide eyes settle after a while, deep, settling breaths calming his heartbeat that he could feel in his throat, in his ears, in his temples. This was it. After all this time, after everything you’ve gone through, ironically now when there was no chance for you, not that there ever was, now when he was mad at you, when he would lose you again in just a short while, now he was about to confess something that has plagued him for years, that he’s wanted to tell you, that he knew he never could. 

He slowly brought his hand to your neck and collarbone, eyes tearing up mirroring your own, and he knew it would be easy telling you this, because loving you was easy, and falling in love with you - the easiest thing he’s ever done. His thumb caressed your soft skin and he watched in wonder as your mouth opened slightly, a soft exhale escaping you, and he followed the tear that rolled down your cheek when you closed your eyes from the overwhelming feelings trying you. 

“I lost the woman I love. The only woman I’ve ever loved. The annoying, aggravating, impossible woman who I’ve watched become the most beautiful, intelligent, incredible person, who taught me everything I know about anything that matters. Who I promised I wouldn’t fall in love with, but I did. A long time ago.”

You shook your head slightly, feeling the tears fall down your face, the stitches that you managed to put in the wounds deep in your soul coming loose around him, bleeding once more, and you wondered if despite wishing to hear these words for years, now that you have, it was the last thing you were ever going to hear. Because how are you supposed to survive this now, this overbearing pain of loving him, and losing him, knowing all this time he loved you, too, and that this was so far past what you agreed on… that it was love, requited love, crazy, stupid, incredible, one-of-a-kind love?

“You can’t say shit like this to me, Neteyam. You think I’m selfish? How about you? Why would you say these things to me now? I’m about to leave, I’m about to lose you again. It took me months to put back together what you broke, and I’m still not there yet, and now you say this shit, and what am I supposed to do with it, huh? How am I supposed to move on? To accept that I love a man that’ll never be mine, that I’ll never have except in fleeting moments, in secret affairs, that I’ve had to watch turn his back to me and choose duty over me, over and over and over again. You’re being mean. You’re being selfish.” 

“You fucking taught me to be selfish. You told me over and over my whole life to be more selfish. Well here I am, I’m being selfish. I want something, and that something is you. I want you. I need you. I need you to know that I’m in love with you, and to know that at least once in my life I get to make love to the woman i love and know that she loves me too, and that this is real, and that I’ve known this feeling and lived this feeling, at least once. Please. Please just tell me it wasn’t in my head. That all these years, despite what we told each other and ourselves, I loved you and you loved me too. And it was real, the only real thing I’ve ever known.” 

He sounded so forlorn, so desperate for you to ease his pain and mend his heart that was just as broken as yours, that suffered through as much, if not more, that was laid bared on the table for you to see it, to feel it, to either take it gently in your palms or squish it under your feet. No matter how mad you were, it was hard not to be taken aback and awed at his confession, not to feel privileged to be loved by him, by the best man you’ve ever met, a man who could have anyone in this world easily, whose mere presence in a room commands respect and attention, whose mind and words inspired Omaticaya songs, whose body motivated young men and enamoured young women. He was the best there was, and he wanted you. A human, who had none of the qualities praised and admired in the clan and in his world, but all the ones he wanted and hoped for. Because you were his best friend. And you understood him, and you stood by him through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, your whole entire lives. And you loved him, despite his shortcomings, despite being different to you, and you smiled at him in the way that put the sun to shame, and your eyes lit up when looking at him in a way that put the stars out of work. And you found him funny, which few people did - Lo’ak was the funny one, not him, that’s what he has always been told, but not to you, and if he was honest with himself, he only made jokes to hear your laugh and to feel the way you punched him whenever you found something funny. You have loved him all your life, you’ve been in love with him for years, and despite all that stood against you, all that you knew would prevent your own happy ending, despite your mind telling you it’s easier to just walk away, it’s safer for you to just leave and protect your heart, your heart needed to feel his, and feel him. Your heart needed to know what it would be, to be with him knowing what you knew now, knowing for a fact this is real, and it’s everything. 

You circled his wrist with your fingers and your other hand found his hair, that you pushed away from his face. You couldn’t help your smile that felt like the first real one you’ve cracked in months, and the way your heart skipped every other beat taking in his beauty, marvelling at his eyes that were pools of love and lust, of sadness and hope, of anguish and fear. 

“Of course it was real, skxawng.” You said with soft sobs. “It’s all real. It’s always been real. My whole life, you’ve been the only thing that’s been real.” You took off your mask, and closed the distance between you and kissed him, and you both melt into it, feeling the months apart fade away, feeling your mind empty of everything outside of him and his taste and his scent, and the feel of his skin as your palms traced his face and neck, of the way your own skin tingles under his touch. As you put your mask back on, struggling to catch your breath, he reaches for the buttons of your linen shirt and undoes them with surprising gentleness and accuracy, so tiny in his huge hands, and slides the shirt down your arms until it falls on the floor. You shudder a little under the breeze now caressing your bare skin and at the way Neteyam’s thumb flickers over one of your nipples, still covered by a black lace bra. 

“You’re so beautiful. So, so beautiful. I can’t believe I get to love you, I can’t believe you’re mine. And I’m yours, Vol. I’m yours, I’ve always been yours. I’ll always be yours.” 

You said nothing as the seed of doubt didn’t allow you to hope or even consider the future, instead getting lost in the pleasure of his skilled hands on your body, that still knew everything about you, as he laid you down on the ground gently and hovered over you, as his lips drew maps of unknown marvels on your soft skin, so different to his, but still so familiar, and he felt for the first time since his ikran landed on that beach months ago that this place could finally feel like home. He hated how despite memorising every curve, and beauty mark, and scar on your body, there were things that he had to relearn, curves he had to discover as his mouth came to terms with the changes he wasn’t there to witness, wasn’t there to get accustomed to as they happened to you. He pushed the unpleasant thought aside. It just meant he needed to relearn it, and he was happy with that. He was happy to hope he would get to once again know everything about you, and never get the chance to miss you again. 

Despite your silence, the tears still came and went, fogging up your mask listening to him and thinking about how much you’ve wanted this, and how much it will all hurt when it will inevitably succumb into nothing again. He stopped and came back to your level as he heard your quiet sniffles, ears perking up at the sound. 

“Vol…” 

“We shouldn’t be doing this, Neteyam. When you left, it killed me. It took me months to get back together enough to be normal again, if we do this, after everything you’ve said, after what i know, if i lose you, I…”

 

For the first time in his life and in your life, it was Neteyam who removed your mask covering your face and kissed you, and you swore you could have died then and been happy about it, and thank your lucky star you got to go while feeling his lips on yours, but soon enough he covered your face again and caressed your hair gently. 

“We have to do this because of what I said. Because of what you said. Because you are the only woman I’ll ever love, because for all intents and purposes, you are my mate. I want you to be my mate. Because all I’ve dreamt about for years is doing this with you knowing that you loved me too.” His expression changed, and in a serious tone, he continued. “But we won’t do anything you don’t want to, Vol. If you don’t want to do this, just tell me.”

Damn him, you thought bitterly. Damn him for having the ability of making you completely forget and forsake reason or any critical thinking when it came to him, when it came to what he meant to you. Of course you wanted to do this. You wanted nothing more than to do this. And despite how much your mind was screaming in pain at the eventuality of his loss, another part of it was screaming at the possibility of never feeling this feeling, at least once. All you managed was a meek shake of your head, and he smiled, a stupidly handsome smile and you couldn’t help yours from blossoming on your face as well, or the sense of fleeting happiness that enveloped you like a warm blanket. 

Despite whatever feelings of love you now knew were harboured in your convoluted relationship, you and Neteyam very rarely acted like it when you had sex. Your love was mostly tangible in the way you healed him, in the way he listened to your endless chattering about human stuff, in the way he looked at you when you said something that he found particularly endearing or the way you looked for him first whenever something anything of note happened to you. Sex, on the other hand, was a means to an end to you most times, just a way to relief tension and stress, a way to give your body what it needed, what it wanted, with someone who knew how to get it there. It was rough, and teasing, it was pushing your bodies to the extremes and testing your own and each other’s boundaries, but there was no need for that now. Because right now, in the way he touched you, in the way you felt, you knew this was different. You knew it was going to change everything yet again, more so than a mere confession ever could. Because now, knowing what you knew, feeling what you felt, you were making love, and it was an intimacy you’ve never experienced before. 

Back then, no matter how thoroughly he got you ready, no matter how long the foreplay, there was always a sense of urgency. It lasted all night, and there was still urgency to it. There was none of that now, as he explored every ounce of your body in languid, deliberate movements in between sonorous whispers that sounded a lot like adoration and wonderment, that told you how much he loved you, how much he’s missed you, how you were everything to him and listening to it felt a lot like heaven, a lot like comfort, a lot like home. 

He caressed your thighs from your ankles to the hips, and gently removed your shorts and placed them on the ground, next to your shirt. He inhaled sharply taking in your body and how much he missed it, and how much despite all the little changes, you were still very much yourself, and your body was still the one he used to get drunk on every night, that he got to once more tonight. You helped him out by removing your bra and underwear, and you smiled at the way his pupils dilated watching you, his eyes almost black now. You pulled him by his loincloth until he was over you again, and he took no time in attaching himself to you, and his lips to your neck, and his hands to your waist. Your heart was beating loudly as you felt him and he smiled against your chest when his lips felt your quickening pulse, knowing that his was just the same, that this was so much more than it ever was before. He never quite understood while people put so much emphasis on sex, why it was regarded as such an intimate act, especially to humans, but he understood now, as he felt you, as he knew you were in love with each other, that there was no doubt in either of your minds, that this feeling, and what you were doing, was something he could only conceive of doing with you, that this was going to bind you for life, regardless of the bond, regardless of a mating ritual, regardless of anything else. You were his and he was yours, forever. 

You reached over and untied his tewng and threw it with the rest of your clothes and just as it happened every time, you were always taken aback by his length, that somehow was always bigger than you remembered, and in light of the months spent apart, you were genuinely wondering about the logistics of how it was ever going to fit. 

“I know, I’m a little concerned, too.” 

You laughed, relieved that it was a thought shared between you, and doing your best to compose yourself and take a deep breath in, you removed your mask once more with one hand and pulled him towards you with the other, your lips meeting in a wet, messy kiss, filled with euphoric smiles and breathless moans, and for the first time in your life, you felt happy. Even it was just for a little while, just for a short, fleeting moment in time, you were wholly happy, and you had everything you ever wanted. A maskless kiss in the beautiful nature that surrounded you, shared with the man you loved, that you now knew loved you too, and the quiet hope of tomorrow. You didn’t want it to end, even as you felt the world slowly disappear from view, even as he reluctantly put some distance between you and helped you fasten it back onto your face. 

“I never missed your room more than right this second.” 

“Tell me about it.” 

As he slowly entered you, you were reminded of your first time, nearly two years ago now, and how sweet he had been, and how thoughtful and kind, and how he was the same now. He took his time, comforting you at every point, and held you as you cried from the pain of being stretched out after so long, by a length and girth no human normally was supposed to know, and he talked you through it, and you cracked a few jokes in between soft sobs and muffled cries, and you understood then what it felt like to be whole, and mended by a touch or a gaze, as long as they came from the one person in the world that mattered. 

When the pain subsided, it was replaced by ecstasy and the best feeling you’ve ever felt, as the pleasure he was always able to coax out of you was magnified infinitely by his confession, and you knew he felt the same by the way he looked at you, by how isolated tears fell from his eyes and onto your mask, how his smile was radiant and reassured, how he held you and touched you like he’d never let you go again, and God, you hoped he never did. When you came, you came together, and the overwhelming feelings left you a panting, limp mess around him, your mind empty from the high and full from the simple “I love you” that followed.

“I have missed you so much, Vol.” suddenly, he picks you up by your waist and turns you so that you are placed gently on his chest, and you sprawl on his body, with him still deep in you, tightening your arms around him and your head on his chest. You lay there for a long while, while he places kisses on your head and runs his fingers down your back and thighs, taking you in, and you listen to his heartbeat, fast and erratic, so much like your own, so much like the soundtrack to your dreams, the music of your deepest fantasies. 

It took forever for either of you to move at all, just content being in each other’s presence, making up for months of lost love and lost nights. Eventually, you removed your head from where it has found its once-more home, and looked at him. 

“I missed you, too. I can’t believe I’m here. There’s so much I want to tell you.”

And so you did. You spent hours talking, catching up, talking about anything and everything, like you always used to when you were young. You told him about training and how Tarsem is doing a good job as Olo'eyktan, how he wants both you and Spider to be a more involved part of the plan, how he’s got you training and how you feel excited to be more involved in this part of his life that you never quite got to be involved in before. You tell him about every new scar on your body and he does the same, and he goes over the village and the training, and all the new people he’s met and how he likes Tsireya and Rot’xo but not Aonung, he tells you about all the ways Lo’ak is testing their dad’s patience and all the dreams he’s had of you. That takes a while, and you laugh at the sillier ones and cry at the more emotional ones, and cry at the way he was right that you had been selfish, and how much in your attempt to deal with your own heartbreak, you forgot that he was going through his own. You never separated from each other, still hugging, or cuddling, or pressing at least one leg against the other’s, refusing to be more than a couple centimetres apart at a time, if you could help it.

Sleep in half the day just for old times' sake

I won't ask you to wait if you don't ask me to stay

So I'll go back to L.A. and the so-called friends

Who'll write books about me, if I ever make it

And wonder about the only soul who can tell which smiles I'm fakin'

You didn’t talk about the future. About how you knew you would have to leave soon, and what would happen after, you didn’t talk about the hurt or the pain, or the way it would come crashing down in front of you so soon, because right now, it didn’t matter. Because you knew for the first time in your life that all the pain the world could possibly throw at you would be worth this, and if you had to spend your whole life paying for it, you’ve made your peace with that. At least, you got this. And no matter what you lost, you’d always have this. 

In the morning, he took your hand in his and lifted you, and watched as you put your bra and panties back on. He didn’t say anything as you bent for the rest of your clothes, clearly enjoying the view, but stopped you as you were trying to get dressed. 

“Let’s go for a swim. You have a mask, you can breathe underwater better than me.” He chuckled a little. “I want to show you my new life, I need you to be part of it.” 

You were touched by his words. You nodded and dropped the shirt, and removed your hand from his swiftly. Without warning, you started running towards the beach, not looking behind you as you screamed after him. 

“Last one in the water has to do whatever the other one wants.” 

Neteyam rolled his eyes, but watched as you ran away from him, as you always did, wild and free, and he was relieved to realise some things would never change, and this was definitely one, alongside the eternal love he felt for you. He gave you quite the headstart, but eventually started running, and it took very little on his part to catch up to you, and he listened to your screams of annoyance as his feet touched the water first and he dove in, submerging his body and grabbing your waist and pulling you under with him. He allowed you to take the unearthly beauty in, with a shocked expression on your face, your mouth agape as you noticed the coral and all the fish that were circling you curiously. You reached out for them and they immediately dispersed, and he smiled at how it made you jump slightly, his heart swelling with affection and jubilance at this moment that he never thought he’d get, that he would never forget, that he would cherish forever. 

You swam for hours, and for the first time in either of your lives, Neteyam felt grateful for your mask, that allowed you to breathe underwater for extended periods of time, much longer than he could, that allowed you to go with him on an ilu and experience this new feeling that felt so different than an ikran, and yet somehow just as liberating and freeing, and you loved it, and all of a sudden he loved it a little more than he did before. 

"So what do you want?" you say playfully as you resurface, your head in his neck, his body flush against yours as you float aimlessly. He just tilts his head, not understanding your question.

"You beat me in the water. I said that whoever wins gets to tell the other what to do."

Neteyam thought about it for a long while.

"I have everything I want right now." he held you a bit tighter as he answered. "I still can't believe you're here. I can't believe these last few hours have been real. There's nothing else I could ever want."

You sighed against him, and he couldn't tell if it was happy or not, and right now, he didn't want to know.

"You're a better person than I am. I would have asked for eternal servitude."

He chuckled as his lips found your wet hair again.

"You got it, Vol."

And the heart I know I'm breakin' is my own

To leave the warmest bed I've ever known

As you walked back to the village, the dream world you lived in since he brought you to the forest was quickly fading before your eyes, and the worries, and the fear were settling in again, like they always seemed to, and it felt a lot like greeting old friends that never left, just hid a little under a curtain of flowy incandescence, ready to pounce at the slightest opportunity. Neteyam's voice broke through the dark feelings overcoming you, like he always had the power to.

“I know it's scary, thinking of what's next. I know. I'm terrified, but seeing you again, Vol, this night, this morning, it made me realise I can't lose you again. So just stay. I’ll talk to my parents, I’ll talk to the Metkayina. We’ll figure it out. Just please stay.”

His words managed to put your mind as ease almost as much as they shocked you in their spontaneity and craziness. Neteyam wasn't a rash person, or a person who just blurted out big life decisions, such as this one. You laughed awkwardly, trying to defuse the tension you felt in yourself and in the air around you.

“How would that ever work, silly?”

“I don’t know. It will work. Or I’ll come back with you, I’ll come back home. We’ll figure it out, ok? Just please say yes.” 

You roll your eyes at him, but you were grateful. And so, so happy. Because despite everything, this was everything you've ever wanted, and everything you thought you'd never get. You didn't know why you came to Awa'atlu. To yell at him, to check for yourself how he was doing, if he managed to move on easier than you could. To be angry, to get closure, to say goodbye forever. But now, it felt a lot like you were here for a new beginning, for a second chance at love, and how could you ever say no to that? The little nod makes Neteyam beam, and he picks you up and spins you around, once again kissing each-other against the ticking time bomb of your forsaken mask, laughing against his lips and his cheeks as he peppers kisses throughout your whole face, on your eyes, and your cheeks, on your forehead and your nose.

"Thank you."

We could call it even, even though I'm leavin'

And I'll be yours for the weekend, 'tis the damn season

"I'll go check on Kiri. You talk to your parents, ok?"

Neteyam did just that, as he found his dad sitting alone by the edge of the water, cleaning his favourite weapon, the way he liked to do when there was something on his mind, or something weighing heavily on his shoulders. Kiri's condition must have taken a bigger toll on him than Neteyam realised, he thought absentmindedly. He was so nervous, so afraid of what he had to say and how his parents would react. His mating situation has been a matter of great debate in their family for a years now, and so to tell them he's chosen... a human, essentially giving up his chance at feeling the bond, at a child... he knew would be a lot to take in, but he was ready, and he had chosen, and for once in his life, Neteyam would have his way.

"Dad?"

His father was startled as he got pulled out of his musings, another rare occurence.

"Neteyam, it's good you're here. I need to chat to you."

Neteyam took a seat by his dad, eyeing him keenly.

"Is everything alright, you seem off."

"Neteyam..." the former Olo'eyktan winced a little, refusing to meet his son's gaze.

"The situation with the Metkayina is... a little more dire than I told you before. Tonowari told us the clan is not fully willing to accept us, that they don't consider us one of them, even despite the Uturu given by their own Olo'eyktan. He's worried for our future here, and honestly son, so am I. I don't want us to have to leave again, to have to uproot our family once more.

He's... thought of a solution. For it to be an easier transition. A way forward, a way to unite the clans, the power of the Omaticaya, the blood of the Toruk Makto with the ruling family of the reef people. As you know, Tonowari has an older daughter, a warrior. She's said to be one of the most proficient and skilled warriors this tribe's ever seen. They say she's beautiful and smart. Kind and charismatic.

Neteyam... in order for us to stay, you will have to mate with her."

And I’ll be yours for the weekend..

‘tis the damn season.

Taglist: @liluvtojineteyam @pinkpantheris @fanboyluvr @bananafruityawne @zaddyneteyamlovergirl @netemoon @www-interludeshadow-com

[technoarcanist]

If you were a transformer what would you transform into?

>> Hi there Leem! Thank you so much for this ask! I have given it an awful lot of thought, and I hope you enjoy my answer. >> So, there are three angles I will be answering this from, all within a similar theme, but all with varying levels of limitation: 1. Real Earth Vehicles Only 2. Hypothetical Earth Vehicle 3. Cybertronian Vehicle >> In terms of overall themes, I picture my Transformers role as a Logistics, Transport and Technology specialist, carrying extra weapons, vehicles and smaller bots, or even just raw energon if needed. I would also have an array of technological equipment that provides backline support, and scouting potential. A flying vehicle with cargo space, for sure. In vehicle form, it will be a VTOL style aircraft with a lot of cargo space. While large in vehicle size, the empty space of the cargo hold will mean that I will still be a fairly average sized bot in robot form.

>> If we are picking only from the pool of real earth vehicles, I would have to go for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. I love the way it looks, the way its wings turn and unfold, the way its VTOL capabilities work, with the rotating propeller engines.

>> Expanding this concept out to hypothetical earthlike air vehicles, some form of in-wing ducted fan design would look super cool, ones that can rotate. The below image gives a vague outline of what I envision, only with more cargo room, maybe closer in shape to the Marvel Quinjet. This version would be faster, with auxiliary rear jets for extra forwards propulsion.

>> Finally, the cybertronian form, going full in on the sci fi, we're looking at a similar shape and design, but the VTOL turbofans have been replaced with more Sci-Fi Hover rings. The below image shows the sort I am picturing,t hough the below image also has a much skinnier hull than the form I would take. Picture the below image,b ut with a much bulkier body, and more wing surrounding the hover rings, and two sci fi plasma jets at the back.

>> In regards to how these would translate to the robot form, the rear tailwings and rear hull would fold down and split to form the feet, with jets at the ankles where applicable. The wings would become the arms, with the propellors/hover rings sticking up at the shoulders, allowing for basic robot-form flight. The main hull would naturally fold in on itself into a feminine torso, with the glass cockpit on the chest. >> But, of course, the real question is if I'd be Autobot or Decepticon. To that, I am uncertain! I'll see what both sides have to offer [:3]. In terms of names, maybe something like Skylift, Dropwing, or something like that! >> Thank you so much for this ask! It was super fun to speculate and think about it. I hope this gives you all the info you were looking for <3

[lunasilvis]

You are so gorgeous wow

Haha thank u! I think I cannot complain. But there are times I wish my exterior channelled more goofy girl energy so it would be a more representative/realistic extension of my heart and spirit? I spent my childhood and teens being the ugly duckling (overweight, super fair-skinned etc), so I developed my goofiness as my core rizz 🤌

Now, I'm 30 years old. And I sometimes just feel there is too much woman for me to handle in the mirror. She needs space and room, too, how she does. But sometimes I think I need to wear a cap with a propellor lmao, just to regain the balance

[simmearly]

Only the slight vibration of the mighty ship's propellors could be felt as the Titanic glided through the north Atlantic, passengers strolled her luxurious decks, and parlayed in the reception room for Afternoon Refreshments as the light, airy ragtime was played by the ship's band throughout the space..

[sspacegodd]

The fire began to gush rhythmically from the hearth, undulating and crackling, coyly licking the floor until small sections finally flickered, then each flame raced to merge with the others to burn an octogram brightly into the center of my living room floor.

I pushed the couch back a little.

The fiery star roared and whirled anti-clockwise forcing the monks in Tibet to chant louder and lifted into the air. Most people assume a pentagram is best for this kind of operation.

They’re wrong.

The octagram's scorpionic section is the door that purifies whoever enters with destruction, death, and dissolution. The trick was seeing through that kind of illusory transition by using Sleight of Mind--the act of seeing without resulting in a discernible vibration--tossing our consciousness into a free-range organic shredder.

When the see-saw becomes a propellor.

We must not be trapped by our own perspective! That’s limiting!

The only way to not be pinned down like a butterfly on a piece of Styrofoam is to shed our old dog-eared perspective and dogpaddle beyond.

It’s always in the last place you look because then you stop looking, haha, like jumping into a flaming octagram at just the right nanosecond when everything lines up perfectly like the door of the revolving bar at The Gobbler, a one-shot chance to get out and open a can of Vulcan Mind Meld on whatever super-meta force was acting all hard and shit and flip its lingam to the OFF position.

[scopostims]

alex the great stimboard for 🗺️ anon :•]

[ID: A 3x3 stimboard of 8 GIFs surrounding a central image.

GIF 1: A red rose blooming in front of a black background.

GIF 2: A closed glass in a dark room, a glowing light behind it showing red liquid rising up and falling down inside it in bubbles and streams.

GIF 3: A semi close-up of a fluorescent red seahorse swimming around, the ocean so dark it appears black.

GIF 4: First person footage of sitting in a dark room lit only by a lamp and pressing a button on a remote, the TV across the room turning on, revealing an eye on it opening.

Image: Alex the Great from Bioshock 2, a floating TV with a propellor on top, a closeup of a light-skinned person's eye on the screen.

GIF 5: A view of a TV, a closeup of someone's eye as they put on eyeliner looping on the screen.

GIF 6: An iridescent blue and green betta fish with red flowy fins drifting in water in front of a black background.

GIF 7: Darkly lit footage of red powder being dripped into a beaker filled with clear liquid, the powder turning the liquid red.

GIF 8: A timelapse of a red rose blooming.

End ID]

[comical-icicle]

@exist101 I blame you for this idea

Basically a small story of Steamworks, mainly centered around Zack, Sprocket, and Sully before the events of the island. Under a keep reading because I got carried away

Sully’s Garage had strong metal pipes running through the place, transporting water and heat from the furnace- located in the corner of the building- around the place and to Sully’s Steam-Powered Paraphernalia, the pipes were kept separated, curving around one another whenever they intended to overlap in locations. Crates of mechanical parts were spread around the place and a few screws had fallen out, glinting against the light provided, while the tools were neatly hung up near a table with gears and a small can of oil. Since many of the machines the islanders have created were steam-powered, the oil was only used to make sure that the metal wouldn’t rust but it was also the strongest smell in the garage.

The sound of metal clanking against metal filled the air of the garage as a young man worked to adjust one part of the machine he was working on. The man had red hair and pale skin, though his face had freckles revealing the time in the sun he had spent previously. His brown gloves currently wielding a wrench as the suit was leaned down in front of him. Sighing he ran his fingers through his hair, the tangles getting caught and the man winced at the accidental tug. He attached the wrench to the toolbelt that hung loosely around his waist as he moved to grab the welding equipment, thankfully having enough sense to readjust his goggles - circular ones with a gold tint around the lenses- over his eyes. His brown welding jacket and heavy brown boots had already been put on over his light blue shirt and dark blue pants. There was only a moment of hesitation as he glanced over at the garage door, making sure no one was paying a surprise visit before having the device hum to life and he did brief segments to weld the two metal pieces together, making sure to look away right before each push of the button.

The machine itself was a maintenance mech, a mech suit that the young man had designed to be multi-functional. What the multi-functions were? He didn’t quite know yet, but that was the fun of being an inventor, trying out and designing new attachments. However, the suit itself wasn’t quite done yet. The young man huffed and went to the chalkboard, quickly scribbling down the two parts he still needed. The two parts would be easy to install and were all ready to go, the mech crank was currently in his room as he had pulled an all-nighter to finally get it done but had just forgotten it when it was time to head down to the garage and the steam motor were sold by Sully, another inventor that let him rent out her garage.

The sound of a propellor approaching suddenly filled the young man’s ears along with the faint sound of footsteps following behind. A loud squeak was heard as the mechanism he was standing on was lowered to the ground, followed up with an almost human but the electrical buzz giving away the machine, “Zaaaack!”

Zack turned to the two figures approaching with a smile and a small wave. The first that quickly approached, stopping just before crashing into him, was a robot he had built that he had named Sprocket. Sprocket was a smaller robot, at least compared to ones the other inventors have been building around town, but had more expressions that Zack had built in with a system where Sprocket would have his head blocked from view by metal plating, similar to a knight’s helmet movement, before coming back into view with the different emotion. Sprocket also had two spindly arms and was light in weight. Considering that his main way of moving was to use his propellor to fly, this was not a surprise. The second figure was another short haired red head with pale skin, Sully. Her goggles were adjusted to the top of her head and had a brown vest with a blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up, wearing similar pants and boots to the ones Zack was wearing, and had a more peach-like color for the lipstick she wore. In her hand was a small bottle filled with water.

“Thanks for letting me borrow Sprocket for a bit. He’s been a lot of help and the customers love him.” Sully said, handing him the bottle of water, which Zack gladly accepted as he now realized just how thirsty he was. He shrugged as he struggled to open the bottle with gloved hands and responded, “It’s no trouble, Sprocket likes your shop so he never really gets bored there. Technically, I should be thanking you for watching him while I was busy.”

Sully glanced behind Zack and over at the Maintenance Mech with a raised brow. She commented, “Ah, still working on your latest project I see.”

“Yeah, it’s been-“ Zack was saying before being cut off by Sprocket saying, “Three months and fifteen days.”

A look over at the powered down machine had Sprocket add, “and counting.”

Zack laughed at that before finally managing to get the bottle open and taking a sip of the water before pulling the bottle away and stare at it for a moment. Tilting her head, Sully asked if something was wrong. Shaking his head, Zack responded that the water just tasted a little strange, but may have been from his lack of drinking anything all day. He pretended not to notice the disapproving stare down that Sully gave him as he awkwardly took another sip.

“Well, what else do you need to do before I finally get my garage back?” She asked, returning to her usual state with a playful jab of her elbow to Zack’s arm. It didn’t hurt, but he still rubbed the area that was hit. Zack responded that he just needed a steam motor from Sully’s store and the mech crank at his home and then he would have all the parts he would need to complete the device. His eyebrows raised as a low hiss of an inhale was heard and he asked if something was wrong. Sully’s face scrunched up slightly as she informed Zack, “I wish you told me earlier, I just sold the last one. They’re installing them into the bridges to help them raise and lower more smoothly.”

His face fell at the news and let out a small sigh. Not wanting to see Zack in such a sad state, Sprocket piped up, “Well, the factory should be making a fresh batch since they’re so popular right now. You could get one then!”

“Yeah, I’ll place an order and store one away. Shouldn’t be a problem.” Sully added with a small nod. Zack lifted his head and gave the two of them an excited smile, “Really? You’d do that for me?”

“Of course, you’re my best friend!” That came from Sprocket.

”Yeah, you’ve been stinking up my garage. Need to get you out before it’s permanent for future customers.” That came from Sully.

Zack let out a small laugh before setting his toolbelt on the table and suggesting, “Hey, why don’t we take a walk around town? I heard they were installing a new platform system.”

“That’s what you’re excited about? I’ve seen it and it looks like it’s gears would stop turning in… I give it about a year.” Sully responded, crossing her arms. Shrugging, Zack told her that he still wanted to see it, and maybe they could suggest improvements if it was really that bad which made her wave her hand in dismissal and say, “Well, you have fun, but I should head back to shop. Captain Ziggs is supposed to come by some time today and I don’t want to miss him.”

“I can go with you, Zack!” Sprocket offered, which made Zack smile and nod. After their plans were made, the three walked out of the garage, leaving behind the strong smell of oil and the faint smell of freshly cut grass behind.

[stellaendless]

Nanowrimo

I couldn’t imagine you inside me

you, breaker of words

couldn’t a body, no wheezing no squeezed next to me. I couldn’t imagine that finding me pleasing

The matte of outside is laying on my face everyday in climate altered sleep

I go outside get wet all over

Mycelium air, wavy in the flier highway

Inside me a terror, wailing like a banshee roach

Can’t be touched or nothing angelly

like that

Like a racket of carcinogenic meat

Displayed in-sight

In the sunlight, in the case outside

God, we paper and might

Fairy tooth medley

Goblet of snow

Laced by diamonds,

Jail smuggled rubies

I’m distracted by the paper today,

It has a give or take price

It covers the declining breath of cloud foundations

Give me paper or give me death

Your rock foot.

Upsetted by bedrot

The dancer invades the species,

Figurine in a wagon

Frauded language. This Barbie pill-box fails to say

To write is an art,

So you can’t employ it.

So you can enjoy it,

Or maybe you can, yes?

I need to eat, please

So I said at this beginning

To begin the story, that I can’t imagine being inside you

Or vice versa

Which is to say, all my attention is maladaptive

Is the stories of a sweatier, meltier hunchback

The doctor or expert has to encourage to speak

They write it down as therapeutic note

You came up to me in a form I loathe

Which is to say, to fish out love would cause me to mass explode, like a little protruding nation, is as abnormal as a nation.

A bib rushes for me. Explores me. Adores my frightened futile body. Dotted with the pins,

of final springtime. Pins from panic

wind

and whiskey clovers

Giving dust mites away, this bizarre yard sale

thought they were rolling towards history

thought they would outlast time

a bloody nose and a schizoid shiner

of my great great grandmother,

locked away in a room with the arriving sun,

destroyed on acid, on cymbalta dose

I destroy my sneakers

playing in the patch

spooked unspooling dirt

a gentle coolness

a feeling of something important missing

breathing too fast

neck hungry for a scarf

Nicorette glass tubas are what is scattered

Like everyone on earth has gone home

Flood draws its perspective

all over manhattan

Fog blows like white grapes on Hester street

Mott St beagles under panda bear bars

I go home, but it’s moved away

My map takes me to different bodegas, malt stores, in water and tough

On the outskirts of being officially lost

At least the night begins in time

Lets in less light than it had previously allowed

Ochre gradiential memory

everything lost, cheap enough to replace, I keep telling myself

but my nothing is now nothing nothing

I face life in its true black and curtain white

I’m no longer innocent like I once was,

Fidgeting with a crushed propellor

A corroded screen

The apocalypse has always been

Around the corner, down the street

A jam jar, a heat so simple in November, a lie said before,

a square of sound, directed at one spot

placed in there by tending rangers

Spread out, observing the underthing

the underneath of this apartment,

Mapped in 1922

When secrets creaked and crept

Flecked a city in shiny weather

Kept a people together

A boxer, an orphan,

a crossing of this twisted country’s border

Gorge on mixed up words,

English’s varnishing finish

Cross a picket line

Become a grift

A starlight wedding

A neighbor’s scorn

A troll doll smell

Smell like a generated Strawberry patch

Smell like a flask of yarn

Snowflake smell

Smell of smile

Smile garden

Gumdrop swell

I dreamed I was kept in a locked chained room

Don't all dreams dream like that?

I dreamed and dreamed

I whispered No

I wet the bed

I figured to go on with it would make it less dead

I’ve had dreams like this before

Where I am 3 or 4

But old enough to think

Old enough to drink

And the captor’s face

Is unmarbled sand

Is growing sebum

Off his tongue

Has growths of many things

In the garden grass

On the dirt dungeon

Strapped to a bed

I think

This sounds so loud

He can see my dreams

He observes them in a room on the upper deck

He’s in the sprig

He’s in the chandelier

He’s in my ear

He’s praying

He’s saying

Some disastrous fucking hymn

Some call like a Christian

Some laything

Like a fucking low

Like some low spoke traveler

Smelling like antler smoke

[libraryofcirclaria]

Airships and Gyroplanes: Typical Structures

Library of Circlaria

Blog Posts

Image by Leslie Faye

Airships

Short-Distance

Throughout roughly the latter half of the 1200s, short-distance airships in Remikra were used to transport passengers and lightweight cargo between Counties within each Province. This blog entry will focus primarily on passenger transit.

These short-distance airships were known as Compound-Aerovehicles, "Cavies" for short, or Commuter Vessels, CVs for short. CVs have existed since even before the advent of hubstone technology during the 1080s. And though a great deal of modifications and technological updates occurred over the following 200 years, all happened with only one type of short-distance airship: the CV-100.

A typical CV-100 airship consisted of a dirigible gondola below which hung a passenger-and-crew cabin firmly attached. The Propellors Engines were attached to the back of the hang-down cabin while the Tail Fin was attached to the back of the gondola.

The Flight Deck of a typical CV-100 was staffed by a Captain, First Officer, Flight Engineer, and Maintenance Technician. The Flight Deck interior was twice the width of a typical automobile with windows spanning around the front perimeter of the Deck in the shape of a semi-circle. The Captain sat on the left-hand side of the front row of the Deck while the First Officer sat on the right. In front of each the Captain's and First Officer's seats sat a control column while a single column stood between them for the throttle and flaps. On the left side of the Flight Deck behind the Captain sat the Flight Engineer, whose seat faced outward from the Deck. Meanwhile, on the right side behind the First Officer stood the Maintenance Tech's quarters, which consisted of a sitting area and a storage space for necessary equipment.

Immediately behind the Flight Deck stood the Passenger Area, which consisted of two Sections. The layout of Section One consisted of four-person Group-Seating on the left hand side and an Aisle accompanied by Lounge-Seating on the right. On the Lounge Side bordering the Section Two stood a Snack-and-Coffee Bar accessible to the passengers. The layout of Section Two was very much similar to Section One except that the Group-Seating was on the right side while the Aisle and Lounge-Seating was on the left. The placement of the two Sections differed from aircraft-to-aircraft with some having Section One in the front and others having Section Two in the front. Carry-on luggage typically went with passengers to their seats and was typically the most common thing transported. For longer-distance flights, like from a County in one end of a Province to one on the other end, passengers did occasionally carry larger pieces of luggage, which were placed in Section Three in the back between the Passenger Area and the Engine Room.

A service gangway, restricted solely to Flight Crew members, ran through the luggage compartments of Section Three connecting the Passenger Area to the Engine Room, which housed the two Propellor Engines behind each of which was a hubstone battery. On the other side of the Engine Room from the Engines stood the Motherboard which directed electric currents to important amenities like lights, heat, water, and flight controls.

Long-Distance

Long-distance airships, each labeled in the Remikran Union as Remikran Air-Ship, or R.A.S., followed by the vessel name, served to transport passengers and freight between other Remikran nations as well as overseas destinations. They existed in multiple generations, ranging from double-gondola vessels to quadruple-gondola vessels. In this instance, focus will be made on the R.A.S Regeland, a triple-gondola airship built and commissioned for common transit in North Kempton (present-day Maxima).

The Flight Deck of the Regeland was staffed by a Captain, First Officer, Navigation Officer, Communications Officer, Flight Engineer, and Maintenance Technician. The space and window layout of the Flight Deck on this vessel was roughly the same as that on a typical CV-100 ship, except that the perimeter was more triangular with the front row closer together than the back as well as the overall area and width being larger. In the front row sat the Captain on the left and the First Officer on the right, each with their own control column while they shared a throttle and flaps column in the center. The second row of the Flight Deck consisted of the Navigation Officer on the left and the Communications Officer on the right, each of whom faced front like the Captain and First Officer. In the third row sat the Flight Engineer on the left hand side facing outward and the Maintenance Technician on the right side with a rotating office chair. The Tech Quarters were here while there were service closets located in each Section of each gondola. To note, each of these Sections was covered by an Assistance Technician who reported to the Maintenance Technician on the Flight Deck.

The Passenger Area of the Regeland was divided into three Gondolas, with the Right and Left Gondolas positioned laterally beside each other over the Center Gondola and each connected to the other two by a series of passenger gangways and a Center Aisle between all three Gondolas. The Center Gondola consisted of the Flight Deck, a Dining Room and Kitchen area, a Lounge Area, a Performance Hall, a Ballroom, and a Gymnasium. Each of the Right and Left Gondolas consisted of a Passenger Lodging Rooms all of which had windows facing outward, and each having a special closet to store all light and heavy luggage. Each Passenger Area was divided into three Sections: First-Class, Business Class, and Economy Class. Each Section was subsequently divided into three levels traversed by their own series of gangways. The Center Aisle Room, situated above the Center Gondola and between the Left and Right Gondolas, consisted of a Grand Walkway lined with gardens and fountains on its lower level, and a Skyway in its upper level which stood beneath skylights along the Center Aisle's entire length enabling visitors to look upward and outward from the airship. To note, both levels of the Center Aisle were home to numerous stand-shops selling food, clothing, and other accessories.

The Regeland was driven by a total of six Propellor Engines, with each one and its hubstone battery source housed in a chamber hanging separate from the vessel attached by a steel fixture lined with a service gangway. Both the gangway and engine chamber were pressurized to enable in-flight repairs if needed. The six Engines were affixed in this fashion in the form of three pairs, one of each pair on either end of the vessel, spaced out equally along the length. To note, pressurized gangways also connected the Passenger and Crew Cabins to the Tail Fin as well as the void lift chambers.

Gyroplanes: First-Generation

Short-Distance

Beginning in the 1310s and 1320s, First-Generation Commuter Gyroplanes superseded CVs and commuter planes in transporting Remikran travelers between Counties.

The Flight Deck of a typical short-distance gyroplane was staffed only by a Captain, First Officer, and Aircraft Engineering Technician, as more things were automated. The Flight Deck space was much smaller than that of an airship, being about the same size as the interior space of a passenger automobile. Likewise though, the Captain sat in the front row on the left and the First Officer on the right, as each had their own control column while they shared a column for the throttle and flaps. In the back row sat the aircraft computer on the left and the Engineer Tech on the right.

Despite its outward appearance, First-Generation Commuter Gyroplanes each had a roomy Passenger Area. Both sides, however, were lined with passenger seats facing the front and down the middle of the Passenger Area ran an aisle. Each seating group in each row on each side of the aisle had a personal console that dispensed snacks and drinks while a special Hospitality Crew would deliver on special requests for food, drinks, and service. Meanwhile, passengers could bring carry-on luggage to store under their seats while heavier luggage went in a compartment under the Passenger Area.

Each Commuter Gyroplane had a pair of Gyro-Engines built into its fuselage located in the tail fin. Each Engine consisted of a chamber housing an apparatus containing a Solon fuel processor and a network of gyro-steerage nodes. These kinds of Engines are still used today and are known for their fuel and sound efficiency.

Long-Distance

Also beginning in the 1310s and 1320s, Long-Distance First-Generation Gyroplanes superseded long-distance airships in passenger transit to other nations and overseas territories, especially the Ancondrian territories. The Flight Decks of these gyroplanes were identical to those of Commuter Gyroplanes in terms of staffing and spacial layout.

However, Long-Distance Gyroplanes differed in their Passenger Areas, each of which was divided into two Levels. Each Level consisted of a series of four-person Passenger Seating Rooms, while each of these Seating Rooms contained a place to store both light and heavy luggage as well as seats that could convert into beds. Such Seating Rooms lined each side of the aircraft. And lengthwise in between the two sides stood a Center Aisle resembling a fancy corridor of a corporate building. At the back of the Passenger Area stood a two-level Observation Deck lined with a wide back window that gave a view of the outside.

Like with Commuter Gyroplanes, Long-Distance Gyroplanes had two Gyro-Engines in their tails with the exact same propulsion and steerage apparatus. The one exception, however, was that these Engines were bigger in size.

POD Vehicles

Beginning in the 1370s, Personal-and-Occupational Destination Vehicles, or POD Vehicles, began superseding First-Generation Gyroplanes as well as all other forms of transit, in order to serve as a universal mode of transportation for large numbers of Circlarians. Though First-Generation models occasionally service certain public relation and business agendas, POD Vehicles have since become commonplace.

Each POD vehicle has built-in flight consoles for a supposed Captain and First Officer in accordance with international law, though such pilots are hardly required these days to fly POD Vehicles due to the industry being almost 100 percent automated. The Passenger Area of each POD vehicle is much more personalized, as each vessel can only carry up to three or four passengers. A typical passenger space includes a Kitchen, Lounge, Bedroom, and Bathroom. The Passenger Area also includes closet space to store luggage.

Each POD includes two Gyro-Engines which are smaller in size than those of the earlier Gyroplane Generations. However, only one Engine runs during flight while the other serves as a backup when needed. Most maintenance on these vessels occurs automatically on a nanoscale while any extensive maintenance needed is carried out by licensed technicians at service stop locations on the ground.

[ask-agent-rapzutin-vodello]

I got something for you guys that could be useful *leaves a drone and the remote* have fun guys just be careful not to have it above water or it might fall in

[Gisu] (Checks out the drone) Hmmm, not bad, but kinda ...basic. Give me a moment, I'm kinda tinker on it. Adjust the propellor rotation for bette speed, streamline the material for better control, replace the entire internal wiring, and - (Voice fades away as she walks out the common room and out of sight)

[Norma] Aaand, there she goes. Off with another project she'll forget about when the next one comes around.

[Raz] I'm never seeing that drone again, am I?

[Lizzie] Meh, maybe in 6 months. I wanted to mess around with that drone though. Hey sis, what's the budget for our Christmas presents?

[Norma] About "never gonna buy you a drone" amount of dollars.

[Raz] (Laughs)

[dreamstobedreamt]

May 11th 2023

I was working on a camping and was playing with a little girl as we saw a blimp go down. I covered her eyes and watched as thr blimp did loop-de-loops in the sky and eventually crashed into the ground.

Then I jumped into a golfcart to find the crash site and the little girl drove. The camping was a maze off alleys and cottage's and eventually I found a little dog next to a bridge. I left it there.

Then we found the crash site but the only thing left was a propellor so we didnt call the cops. We tried to get out of the maze and eventually found our way back to the bridge. The little dog was still there so I picked it up and put it in my shirt to hide and warm up.

I went inside the entertainment building and saw the mascotte coming my way. He had an overly sexual furry head on and normal clothes. He started talking to me and went with me to the entertainment room where kids were playing. But he just kept on talking in his mascotte suit, something that is absolutely not allowed, so I left him before I could get fired for talking to him.

I took the little dog home with me and we kept it.

Oh yeah, somewhere I think before the blimp even went down the entertainmentbuilding was on fire.

[rk1kinspiration]

Titanic au

He's suffocating.  

The room is crowded and he feels like he's screaming at the top of his lungs, yet nobody seems to hear. He needs- he has to get out – has to -  

Connor doesn't know where he's going, but he's running, the pressure in his chest making him sob as he does. He runs until there's nowhere else to run, until there's nothing but the ocean staring back at him, the water dark in the night.

Watching the waves provides him with a strange calm, he can feel the chains tying him to the ship, to a life he doesn't want, a life that will suffocate him. Without much thought he climbs on the railing and over it, trying to get away from the ship that's dragging him away from freedom.

He stares at the water below, at the propellors that will kill him within seconds. He's afraid, but it's not as strong as the pressure on his chest. Connor takes in a shaky breath as a final tear rolls from his eye, and he leans forward.

“Don't do it.”

Instinctively, Connor grabs the railing tight again, turning his head to see a man approaching him, one hand carefully extended as if he's ready to grab him.

“Stay back! Don't come any closer!”  

The man doesn’t listen, casually tells him he'll just pull Connor back. Back to his prison.

“No, stay where you are, I mean it.” His voice is shaking, lacking the authority it needs, but the man seems to listen and realizes Connor is serious. For good measure, he adds, “I'll let go.”

Connor glances back at the water, and when he looks at the man again, he has a cigarette in his hand. He gestures towards the water, and takes a few steps forwards to toss it away. Warily, Connor lets him.

The man looks at him, his two-colored eyes flicking to the water before making contact. He looks nervous, but he lifts his chin. “No, you won't.”

Connor frowns at him, annoyance rising in his chest. “What do you mean, ‘no I won't’? Don't presume to tell me what I will and will not do, you don't know me.”

“Well,” The man says, his hands now in the pockets of his cheap coat. “You would've done it already.”

The audacity. “You're distracting me, go away!”

He looks back at the water, just wishing to be left alone. Can't he even end his own life without someone else controlling him?

The man talks about how he can't walk away now that he's involved, and that he will jump after Connor if he lets go. To demonstrate his point, he takes off his jacket. He must be crazy, Connor decides.

“Don't be absurd,” He says. “You'll be killed.”

“I'm a good swimmer.”

Connor resists the urge to roll his eyes. Like that matters, the fall alone would be deadly. He tells the man as such, but the stranger seems unconcerned about that.

“To tell you the truth, I'm a lot more concerned about that water being so cold.” He looks up at Connor, trying to gauge his reaction. Connor hesitates.

“How cold?”

“Freezing,” The man says as he undoes his shoes. “Maybe a couple degrees over.” He drops his shoes to the floor and stands straight again. “You ever eh, you ever been to Wisconsin?”

Because of the turmoil of emotions inside of Connor, that question seems so out of place, and it just doesn't register properly. “What?”

The man glances at him before looking at the oceans, telling him about the winters there and how he grew up, about ice fishing and yes Connor knows what ice fishing is but he gets more confused as to what this man is trying to accomplish.

“Sorry, you just-” The man glances him up and down. “Seems more like an in-door guy.”

I wish I wasn't. The despair that's driven Connor here in the first place comes slamming back, and he does his best to listen as the man describes how much water that cold will hurt him. The man shrugs. “Which is why I'm not looking forward to jumping after you, but like I said, I don't have a choice.” He locks eyes with Connor again, face open and hopeful, so different than anyone in Connor's life would ever look like. “I guess I'm kinda hoping you'll come back over the rail and get me off the hook here.”

Connor suddenly realizes how close the man has come, feeling stupid for not seeing through his tactics earlier, but he's also kind of glad. Still, it would be better if he just left. “You're crazy.”

“That's what everybody says but,” He leans closer, and Connor can see him from the corner of his eye as he looks at the water. “With all due respect sir, I'm not the one hanging off the back of a ship here.”

He extends his hand, telling Connor he doesn't want to do this and... He's right. Connor doesn’t want to do this, he wants to live, but he just needed out – needed to breathe.

Slowly, Connor lets go of the rail with one hand, placing it in the stranger's darker one. He turns around, careful to not slip and as he looks up he's met with two gorgeous eyes of the man who just saved his life, and he can't look away.

The man smiles, letting out a relieved phew.

“I'm Markus Manfred.”

“Connor Stern.”

Markus smiles at him and pulls him closer, ready to get him back on the ship, and for the first time in a long while, Connor feels as if it might be all okay.

[callmekorora]

Sup gamers. Spooky month now yada yada but did u know Rookie h*ld my fl*pper on CPR today 😳