#public road safety is a hot topic for us

[dinosaurscanblog]

"American views on the lgbtq+ feel so weird rn;

Like 'dont let the gays near the children. The parents might smell the queer and reject the child!!'" --unsolicited tired shower brain thought, July 2023

[babbymochiiii]

🔞MINE: JOHNNY SUH

synopsis: 'you're mine, even if i'm not supposed to make you mine'; where you and your bodyguard have a heated argument while you're at the club with your friends. warnings: afab reader, bodyguard!johnny, "business relationship", reader is a public figure of some sorts, pwp, johnny being a meany, fingering/oral (f), p in v, hair pulling, cumming inside, nipple play, breast play, dacryphilia, multiple orgasms for reader, name calling (brat), sweet names for her (baby, angel), etc. author's note: @jsuh for the gif! @rookthornesartistry for the divider! this fic has come to life bc of a daydream i had due to me reading a bodygaurdxclient story 😖 and let's just say it's lowkey self indulgent just cause of the fact that it was a daydream *sweats* it was hot...so i had to share with yall. also, i'm still working on the lee line fic as we speak just the production of it is rlly slow for me at the point cause i'm hitting a big bump in the road for it. so please hang tight! word count: 4.6k

anon ask related to this post!

NOW PLAYING: 1. if i didn't know better by MACK LOREN 2. PROMISES by EMO

"Hey babes, just want to let you know that your bodyguard is staring mad hard over here." Your friend yelled over the booming music the club was playing as the two of you stood at the bar.   

Looking over your shoulder— just as she said— you can find your bodyguard with his bulging arms crossed over his chest as he sulks in the corner he is in while sending you a hard look from across the club.   

You rolled your eyes at him, before turning around at your friend as you waved a hand between the two of you, dismissing the topic of him entirely. "Forget about him. He's just mad I ended up doing what I wanted without listening to his security measures." You said to her as you rolled your eyes again.  

Your friend gave you an unnerving look before turning her expression back to her drink. "You know—" She stops herself quickly as she felt her face heat up at the words. "—it looks like he wants to eat you alive." She said as she took a quick swing of her fruity drink.   

You arched an eyebrow at her words before a laugh leaves your lips. Causing her face and the tips of her ears to turn red in embarrassment.   

"Are you serious?" You asked her as you chuckled at the silly accusation she made. 

"I mean, his eyes won't leave you no matter what. And on top of it he looked like he wanted to kill the guy that tried to buy you a drink earlier." She said as she played with the rim of her glass.   

You felt your heart thump harder in your chest at her words. But they were just that. Words. Nothing that she says can be true about your bodyguard. Johnny Suh. The bodyguard that was assigned to you due to your agency fussing over your safety because of some unknown person creating threats towards you.   

From the moment you first met, you have been awe struck at his appearance. The way he towered over you, the expressionless look on his face as he looked down at you, the way the black compressed shirt he wore hugged his fit figure, the black jeans he wore how they hugged his large thighs during your first meeting had you clenching your thighs together tightly as you felt yourself become attracted to him.   

No matter how much you tried to drown yourself in some company, or your own, he was always on your mind. Everything about him and the things you wanted to do with him. But you knew there was a border you couldn't cross with him. That was the rule...but who cared about the rules, right? They were meant to be broken.  

Thump, thump, thump.  

Your heart couldn't stop the heavy beating in your chest at the thought of him. You realized you haven't answered your friend and sought out your response as quickly as you could. "There's nothing there, for any of us." You tried not to sound as breathless as you feel as you responded to her. "Besides, it can be the number of fruity cocktails you've been having since we got to the club." You remarked with a smirk.  

"Hey!" She laughed as she gave you a playful shove. "They are good as hell, okay." She said as she downed the rest of her drink in one go. "Anyways, let's go dance!" She giggled as she took hold of your hand and dragged you to the middle of the dance floor.  

Deciding to go with the flow for the night, you followed your friend's lead and started to dance with her. As the two of you danced, having a good time and just laughing at one another over a silly dance move, a sultry song came on.   

You and your friend danced close to one another as you both felt the beat of the music course through your body, completely taking control over the two of you.   

Suddenly, you felt someone come up from behind you and wrap their arm around your waist and bringing you closer to them. The person tried to make you grind against them, but you weren't having it.   

You turned around and pushed at the man's chest. He held onto your waist tightly, refusing to release you from his hold.   

"Let me go fucker!" You yelled as you continued to push at him but all he did was smirk at you as you continued to try and push him away.   

"I believe she told you to let her go." A cold voice speaks out beside you.   

Chills rake through your body, as you look towards Johnny's towering form, as he looked towards the man holding you with narrowed slits for eyes. A warning before a reaction.   

"And what is it to you?" The man laughs as he tightened his grip on your waist, causing you to whimper out in pain.   

Nothing was said on Johnny's end at the man's remark, as he took hold of the man's bicep and held it in a vice grip. This caused the man to let go of you as he tried to pry Johnny's hand with his free hand.  

"Let her go before I fuck you up." Johnny says in a cool, neutral tone, as if this was any other night.   

"Man fuck—" the rest of the man's words were lost as Johnny sent a straight punch to the man's nose. The man wails in pain as he clutches to his now broken nose, where blood started to drip down in a cascade.   

"We're leaving." Johnny said as he took hold of your arm and started to drag you off the dance floor, and away from your friend.   

You looked back at your friend, to which she sends you a wide eye look as she didn't know what to do in the situation.   

"Let me go Johnny! I want to enjoy the night with my friend!" You yelled out as you tried to pry his hold off your arm.   

"It's not safe here and I'd rather not watch you dance with other people and drink yourself away." He said in a harsh tone as he pulled you down the secluded hallway the club has that leads you to the entrance/exist.   

"Fuck off, Johnny! I want to be here. You're always ruining everything! Why can't you let me be!?" You yelled as you felt your anger get the best of you.  

Johnny stops in his steps, before he slowly turns towards you with his own expression of evident anger. "I'm doing my job here. Stop being a fucking brat and listen." He seethed out as he started to walk closer to you, causing you to back up against the wall. He corners you with his towering form.   

"You never fucking listen to what I say to you. And look—" he said as he placed both of his hands on each side of your head. "—it gets you in trouble every. Fucking. Time. And who comes after you?" He questioned you.  

"You—"   

"Exactly. I'm the one saving your bratty ass."   

You were stunned into silence as you looked at the way he breathed heavily after his remark. You felt your chest move up and down to the same rhythm as his. You would be an idiot, if you tried to deny the way you felt a sudden rush of moisture collect in your underwear.   

The look he was giving you made you release a small gasp as you saw what your friend was telling you.   

Pure hunger.   

He looked like he wanted to eat you alive as you looked up at him. You felt your body quiver in chills that causes you to arch your back, causing your hardened nipples to graze lightly against his chest through your thin dress.   

Something seems to snap within him because before you know it, he's gripping the base of your neck and pulling you roughly against his lips.  

Nothing about the kiss was gentle at all. It was all tongue, teeth, and fighting for dominance. This kiss was pure pent-up tension between the two of you, that has been set in place since your first meeting.  

You wrapped your hands around his neck. Your hands tangled themselves in his long black locks as he pulled you closer to him. The sensation of his teeth sinking into your bottom lip causes you to moan loudly at the pleasuring pain that coursed through you.   

He pulled away from the kiss and placed his hand on your lower back. “Come with me.” He said in a low tone as he started to guide you to the club’s bathroom for a more private, and secluded moment.   

Once he held the bathroom door open, he gently pushed you in before he followed suit locking the door in the process.   

You looked up towards Johnny in a breathless state. The whole ordeal was dizzying. You can’t wrap your mind around the events playing in front of you right now. Johnny started to stalk towards you causing you once again to walk backwards until your middle back hit the bathroom’s counter. You looked behind you for a split second, to which Johnny takes the moment you are distracted to lift you up on the counter.   

His placement of his hands on your thighs causes goosebumps to rise and place themselves along the rest of your legs as you felt him gently pull them apart as he placed his body between them.   

“Do you know what you do to me?” Johnny asked as he looked at you with such intense heat that you swear his eyes were intense pools of brown. 

“I —no.” you answered weakly as you looked up at him with doe-like eyes that makes him curse inwardly as he continued his intense stare down.  

Without breaking eye contact, he takes hold of one of your trembling hands and places it on his very evident, aching cock that fights to be released from their tight hold.  

A gasp leaves your lips as you look down at where your hand is. With a trembling breath that escapes your lungs, you look up towards Johnny and see the same hungered look in his eyes.  

“This is what you do to me. From the first moment we met. You have changed everything I stand and believe in.” He purred in a low voice as he squeezed the hand that is on his clothed cock.  

You moaned quietly as you felt the way his cock jumped in your hand. With the way your chest was rising and falling at such a rapid pace, you could swear you weren’t breathing as you basked in the feeling that surrounded the two of you.  

You took your other hand and started to trace it up the arm that held onto your thigh. In the wake of your path, you saw goosebumps following your hand. You continued the path up his bicep and to his shoulder. Once at the top, you followed your hand as it slowly traced down his chest, where his racing heart was trying to escape his chest.   

Johnny started to trace small circles with his thumb in your inner thigh. It was as if a fire had suddenly gone ablaze within your very nervous system as it started to consume your whole being.  

“If we do this —” Johnny cuts himself off as he heard how breathless he sounded. Clearing his throat he continued. “If we do this, there is no going back. You are mine. No other man can touch you. Your body is mine.” He said as he placed his other hand on your thigh while pressing his hands into your skin. “—your pussy is mine. Do you understand?” He says as he leans down and traces your jaw with his nose. 

“Johnny...please.” You whimpered out as you felt yourself getting desperate for his touch.  

“Tell me.” He said as he tangled his hand into your hair.  

When you didn’t answer him back quickly — it was more like you were speechless in what to say to him, you were in awe — he pulled at the roots of your hair tightly, pulling your head back so you were forced to make eye contact with him. “Tell me, angel.”  

“I’m yours...fuck, Johnny I’m yours.” You cried out as you placed your arms around his neck and pulled him closer to you where your lips grazed one another's.  

Without missing a beat, Johnny claims your mouth with the same feverish want. It didn’t feel like you were breathing at all as you let him claim your mouth. You felt the strands of his long hair tickle against your forehead as he presses himself further into you. Johnny’s hands release their hold on your thigh and move them to the bunched-up fabric of your dress. He pushes it up further, showcasing your black lacey thong. Along with the obscene amount of slick coming out from your entrance.  

Johnny’s fingers grazed along your clad folds causing for a moan to leave your mouth and for you to entrap your legs around his slim waist. You felt the sensitivity of your core race up through your body making it become such a high sensing feeling. Seeing the way, you reacted causes for a grunt to leave Johnny’s throat as he starts to cascade down your throat with bites and kisses.  

Distracted by the sensation on your neck, you’ve failed to notice Johnny pushing aside your underwear. The sensation of his callous fingers gliding in-between your folds, makes you pull away from the kiss with a gasp as you look down at him collecting your slick, lubricating his fingers before inserting two fingers into your waiting entrance.  

The stretch of his fingers was both pleasures inducing but brought some pain. Tears brimmed your water line as you tried to accommodate the feel of his fingers.  

“Cryin’ already? What are you gonna do when you take my cock?” Johnny teases as he starts to thrust his fingers in and out of your weeping cunt. “You’re gonna take it like a good girl. Right, angel?” He says as he started to thrust his fingers in faster.  

“Y-yes! Oh—” You moaned out as you felt his fingers start to jerk up inside of you, hitting the spot you deliciously.  

Still fingering you with the fast pace he has going, Johnny uses his free hand to scoot you closer to the counter’s edge where he then went down on his knees and used his mouth to suck on your clit.  

The sensation of his mouth wrapped around your clitoral hood, has you raising your hips off the counter and trying to get closer to his mouth as it made rockets go off in your nerves with a semi-scream moan.  

Not taking his mouth off of where he wanted it most at, he pushes your hips down back onto the counter, and holds them with his free hand. “Never tasted anything so fuckin’ sweet like this.” Johnny moans out as he bit his bottom lip while looking down at your spit-glossed clit and the way his fingers started to have slick cascade down them.  

You were so close to losing it — you were that close to actually losing it completely — he goes down on you again, this time moving his head side to side as his tongue sticks out, collecting all of your sweet juices. The feelings in your legs start to feel like mush as the tightening feeling at the base of your spine continues to build up.  

As if he couldn’t get enough of you, Johnny pulls you closer off the edge to where your hips almost completely hang off of the counter, as a deep husky groan leaves his lips as he felt you gush even more on his tongue. You took one of your hands and glided it against the strands of his dark hair, slightly massaging his scalp before giving it a tug.  

An approved groan leaves his throat as he pushes himself closer to you. His tongue gliding up and down your folds before probing at your entrance where his fingers continue to pump in and out of you. With his tongue joining his fingers, he felt your pussy pulse against his digits causing him to give you a smug smirk. “Such a cute heartbeat baby. Are you gonna cum on my fingers for me?” Johnny said as he looked up at you as he continued his delicious movements.

You gave him a delirious nod of your head as tears started to fall from your eyes at the sensation of being so close to your release.  

“Then come.”  

With just those two words, you felt the tether within you snap with your hips lifting up and your grip on Johnny’s hair tightening while a cry leaves your lips as you come.  

Johnny keeps thrusting his fingers slowly to help you through your orgasm, and with his tongue he laps up your release, leaving you all clean...for now.  

As you gasped for the much-needed air in your lungs, through your half-lidded eyes you see Johnny get up and unzip the zipper of his jeans. With a slight haste in his moves, he unbuttons his jeans and releases his weeping cock out of the tight hold they were in.  

His cock was such a pretty sight to look at. His tip such a flushed pink and leaking pre-cum, and the vein that pulses so meanly along his long, girthy length you felt yourself gush all over again as you tucked your bottom lip between your teeth.  

“Get off of the counter for me angel.” Johnny says in a gentle tone, but the command laid in the undertone.  

Doing as he says, you get off the counter and look up at him, awaiting what he wants you to do next. Both you and Johnny look at one another as each watched the way your chests rise and fall in heavy breaths. You watched the way your arousal and release glistened on his lips and chin. Seeing the way you looked at him made him subconsciously lick his lips.  

Ignoring the way his cock is begging to seethe itself inside of you, Johnny takes hold of your face with both of his hands, kissing you once more. He couldn’t get enough of how your lips tasted. You tasted yourself on his lips and you couldn’t get enough of it. 

Johnny pulls away from the kiss and pulls you around where you are facing the bathroom mirror. In the reflection you saw the way your makeup was running a little bit, and the way you looked so blissed out from your orgasm. The moment you looked up towards Johnny’s reflection, you felt yourself clenching around nothing. Lust, hooded eyes looked back at you through the mirror.  

You felt Johnny press himself against you. His warm and throbbing cock resting against your ass, you pressed yourself further into him. A groan leaves his lips as he looks down at the way your plump ass wants to suck his length in-between them.  

Johnny then leans in towards your ear, another smirk playing on his lips. “Be a good girl and take it, yeah?” He says as he takes the side of your ear into his mouth delivering a small nip causing chills and goosebumps to course through your body.  

You then see Johnny pull himself up, spit onto his hand before he guides it down to his length and pumps himself — getting it ready for your weeping entrance — all through the mirror. The fact that he was about to fuck you in front of mirror had your mind doing all sorts of somersaults as you edge towards that feral feeling growing larger than life in your chest.  

Johnny takes hold of the base of his cock and starts to align it to your entrance. He teases your entrance with his tip, slowly putting it in before he pulls it out. This causes you to whimper at his teasing, but all it does is draw a chuckle from him as he glides his cock in-between your folds.  

The fat of his head hits your clit in continuous glides that almost makes you see stars.  

“Johnny please —” you cry out as you hang your head down as you tried not to cry over the edging feeling he gives you.  

“Please what? Use your big girl voice for me angel.” Johnny teases as he continued his teasing.  

“Johnny please fuck me! P-please fu—” the rest of your sentence falls into a scream as you felt Johnny thrust his hard length into your entrance in one go.  

The burning sensation of the obscene stretch he gave you made your toes curl as he started to fuck you slowly, letting you somewhat get used to his size.  

“What was that?” Johnny laughed as he saw the way the lustful blush takes over your face and chest. You instantly felt yourself getting dumb on his cock as he pounded into you so meanly.  

The way your walls sucked him in drove the two of you crazy. You felt the way his vein pulsed within you that it made you clench down onto him. Johnny swore under his breath at the tight feeling you were creating around his pulsing length. 

“Fuck — keep clenching me like that angel and I'm not gonna last long for you.” Johnny said as he held onto your hips tightly.

Incoherent words fall from your lips as you savored the delicious feeling of Johnny’s cock gliding in and out of your sopping entrance. Johnny traced his hand up from its place on your hips and brought it to the front of your dress. He pulls the fabric down, causing your breast to spill out from their hold. Johnny takes both of your breasts and places them into each hand of his, giving them both a squeeze causing the two of you to moan. Johnny takes one of your hardened nipples between his fingertips and pinches it.  

Moan, after moan leaves your lips as the sensations your bodyguard is giving you. Behind the noise of your moans, you could hear the sound of skin slapping against one another and the squelching sounds coming out from your entrance.  

You felt a hand wrap around your hair and tug it backwards making you look into the mirror to already see Johnny looking at you with such a lustful look you honestly believe you could cum on the spot.  

“Look at me as I fuck this pretty pussy of your angel.” He speaks roughly as he continues to plough into you. “Look at how. You. Take. It.” Johnny emphasizes with each hard thrust into you.  

You bit your lips as you watched the way Johnny started to get lost within your wet walls. You saw the way his eyes rolled to the back of his head, and he tossed his head back, relishing the feeling. It was like seeing a switch flip within his mind as he looked down at the connection between the two of you.  

Johnny's hair fell in his face and started to stick to his sweaty skin as he started to deliver merciless thrusts into your abused whole that it had you on your tippytoes.   

“Fuckin’ take it. Take it like the good girl that you are baby.” Johnny groans out as he heard your cry of how good he’s hitting your walls.  

Johnny snaked his hand around your waist and down to your front. His fingertips started to press down onto your clit and moving them side to side, causing you to moan out loudly.  

“Whose pussy does it belong to?” Johnny questioned as he continued his movements on your swollen clit.  

“Y-you — oh God!” you moaned out as he started to hit that one spot inside of you making you see stars. 

A jolted slap was heard in the room as Johnny’s hand came down on your clit with a sharp slap. A cry-like moan falls from your lips as you push yourself back against Johnny.  

“Whose does it belong to?” Johnny said again as he delivered three more slaps in a row to your stinging clit. 

“You! Fuck — you do Johnny!” you cried out as you started to feel the same tightness feeling at the base of your spine start to coil.  

“That’s fucking right. You're my baby. This pussy is mine. Let me find out you’re letting another man touch what is mine and I’m going to mess you up.” Johnny seethes as he pounded into you even harder than before.  

The repetitive sensation of Johnny hitting your spot within your walls makes you see double the stars than before. “I’m gon—” Without warning you started to come around Johnny’s length. You felt your body shiver at how intense the orgasm was. Your legs started to shake as you started to feel the overstimulation take its course considering Johnny hasn’t relented to his intense pounding.  

Johnny was so close to his release as he continued to pound into you even as you tightened yourself up. He continued to stimulate your overly abused clit, drawing cries from you. “Give me one more angel. Just one more for me.” Johnny said as he sounded restless trying to get that one last orgasm for himself.  

“Nngh! S-so full and—and big! Feel so good!” You cried out as tears started to fall from your eyes as the overstimulation started to take its course officially through your body.  

“That’s right baby, fuck — I make you feel so good.” Johnny said in between his teeth as he felt his balls tighten up, ready to release their load.  

“Where do you want me to come angel?” Johnny asked as he wrapped his hand around your throat, as he looked at your fucked out expression through the mirror.  

“Inside of me! Please, please, please.” You begged as you made eye contact with Johnny through the mirror. The way your eyes glistened with unshed tears, the flush on your face, the way your hair clung onto your sweaty forehead, and just the fucked outlook you were giving him was enough to make him blow his load inside of you.  

Strings of curses left Johnny’s lips as his stomach clenched and thighs shake slightly as he let go inside of you completely. The feeling of his sticky ropes painting your walls, caused you to go into your third orgasm of the night.  

As the two of you rode out your highs together, the weight of the situation between the two of you started to settle within the two of you. As Johnny pulled himself out, cleaning you and him in the process, a deathifying silence fell. You weren’t sure how to approach the topic. Do you say this was a one-time thing or are you guys actually together now?  

“What I said about you being mine —” Johnny says as he helps you straighten your dress out and clean a bit of the running makeup on your face. “—I meant it.” He says in a gentle tone.  

The moment those words left his words, you felt breathless at his slight confession. “Johnny I —”  

“Please spare me if you’re going to reject me after all this.” He said as he played with a lock of your hair. 

“I was going to say, I understood what you meant.” You said as you placed your hands on his chest, closing the slight gap between the two of you. “I don’t want someone else when I have you.”  

Johnny leaned down and you met him halfway where the two of you shared a passionate kiss, sealing the promise you have for one another.

[mariacallous]

NextCity recently published a hot take by Steffen Berr tying the ways in which the US is failing at reducing pedestrian deaths to the misaligned training that most transportation engineers in the US receive. Berr explains that a transportation engineer “is a really a civil engineer who has received a little exposure to the transportation sector.” Due to the structure of accredited degree programs, “In a best-case scenario, a civil engineer will only take three transportation classes during their bachelor’s degree. In the worst case, they’ll only take one: Introduction to Highway Engineering. To put this into perspective, the most educated professionals we entrust to design and run our roads and streets have received only half of a minor with a handful of credits on the topic.”

Berr goes on to address the reasonable objection that in many fields, people learn on the job. But what transportation engineers learn on the job, per Berr, is not things like how to choose the most appropriate intersection for the desired use, how the road system should be laid out at a network/route level, or how to fix congestion (none of which, he argues, they learn in school either.) Instead, they learn “how to navigate the impressive amounts of bureaucracy that have been built up in the industry, memorize an impressive vocabulary of technical jargon, practice with design software like AutoCAD to produce engineering plans, and how to copy the current engineering standards. There is no exposure to deep levels of theory that can help our future professionals create original solutions to fundamental problems like safety, congestion, emissions and ethics.” 

I’m less interested in Berr’s point about the wrong degree requirements than I am in his observation about what the job of transportation engineer actually is. As Stafford Beer observed, “the purpose of a system is what it does,” and by analogy, the purpose of a job is not its stated goals but what the people who do it actually do day to day.1 When talking to people who’ve never worked in government, the biggest disconnect is usually a lack of understanding of the actual jobs of public servants. A rather dramatic illustration of this comes from a Mercatus Center podcast with Lant Pritchett in which he shares an anecdote about advocating for evidence-based policy in the Indian bureaucracy. 

After they had done the RCT [random control trial] showing that this Balsakhi program of putting tutors in the schools really led to substantial gains and learning achievement and reading outcomes, he took it to the secretary of education of the place in which they had done the RCT. And he said, “Oh, by the way, I have the solution to your problem of low learning levels, or at least part of the solution. Look, we’ve got this powerful evidence that this works to improve leading outcomes by putting these volunteer tutors and pulling their low learning kids out.” The response of the secretary of education was, “What do you think my job is? Why do you think that this is a solution to a problem I have? Look around my office. See these piles and piles of files that keep me busy 60 hours a week and not one of these files is about a child not learning. I’m under no pressure about that problem. If I try and transfer a teacher, I’ve got a court case on my hand. If I try and close a school, I got a court case on my hand. My job is to administer the existing education policy such that there’s policy compliance. Super kudos to you for this cute little study you’ve done. It has nothing to do with my job as secretary of education.”

Ouch. And that’s a secretary of an agency serving a county with 1.5 billion people.

I suspect a lot of public servants in the US will read that and think “My job is not quite as bad as that but it sure feels that way a lot.” The people I know maintain enough connection to the actual mission to avoid such a meltdown (though I find the secretary’s frankness refreshing.) But both these stories help explain a conundrum that many who care about effective government (or, shall we say, state capacity) struggle to explain: the contradiction between the dedication, smarts, and creativity of most public servants and the sometimes terrible outcomes they are associated with, like the recent tragic lapses in administering student loans by the US Department of Education. (Or in Berr’s world, the 40,000 traffic deaths we’re stuck with every year while countries like the Netherlands have dropped their own already low number by 46%.2) To be sure, there are often extraordinary outcomes (hello Direct File!), and we notice them far less often, to our own detriment. But while it’s impossible to give government a meaningful overall grade, if its job is to meet challenges we face (national security, climate change, an effective safety net, etc.), we are at risk of falling dangerously short. The problem isn’t that public servants are doing a bad job, it’s that they’re doing a great job — at the wrong jobs.''

The (unnamed in this context) Indian Secretary of Education seems to agree: “My job is to administer the existing education policy such that there’s policy compliance.” I highly doubt that’s the job he thought he was getting, or the job he wanted to do. Berr is on the same general theme when he says that what transportation engineers learn on the job is “how to operate in the industry effectively as it has been currently set up.” Note his use of the word effectively. Effective towards what? Not towards reducing traffic deaths or congestion levels. “All the experience in the world of copying and pasting a standard invented fifty years ago is useless when the problems that the standard was invented to resolve have changed,” he says. “Understanding this sheds a lot of light as to why 40,000 people are still dying on our roads every year and why your local city insists on laying down sharrows [which are known to be ineffective and often dangerous] in their latest round of “safety improvements.” Quite frankly, it’s because we have no idea what we are doing.”

This is a useful nuance as I develop a framework for building state capacity. One of my admittedly obvious and oversimplified tenets is that systems have both “go energy” and “stop energy,” much as a car has a gas pedal and a brake. You wouldn’t drive a car without a brake, but you also wouldn’t drive a car in which the brake was pressed all the time, even when you were trying to accelerate. This is a good metaphor for how we’re dealing with the implementation of CHIPS, IRA, and the Infrastructure Bill, for example, where the clear intent is speed and scale but the public servants responsible are held back from that by the brakes of overly zealous compliance functions. I hear a version of this at every agency I visit: “Congress tells us to do something. Then the compliance offices keep us from doing that very thing.” (And side note for further discussion: This is an issue of representation, voice, and democracy.) The stop energy in our government is currently a lot bigger than it should be. We’re hitting the gas but we’re not accelerating because we’re pressing the brake at the same time. 

Lots of people in government have “stop energy” jobs. We need them, and we need them to be good at them. I don’t want to live in a country where our government doesn’t exercise “stop authority.” I try to remember not to complain when my flight is delayed because I really don’t want to die in a plane crash, and a rigidly implemented checklist is a big part of how we keep safe (the current epidemic of doors and engine cowlings blowing off notwithstanding). I also really like being pretty confident that a pill I’m taking has been tested and not tampered with. I like thinking our nuclear arsenal is protected. You know, little things like that.

Stop energy is critical. Rigid adherence to protocol is usually lifesaving. But it must exist in balance. I recently learned the Navy concept of “front of sub/back of sub.” The back of a nuclear submarine, where the nukes live, is run by the book. You don’t deviate from the checklist. You don’t innovate. You don’t question. The front of the sub, on the other hand, is responsible for navigating through dark waters. You have to improvise. You have to make judgment calls. There are manuals and checklists, for sure, but the nature of the work calls for a different approach, and the Navy recognizes that the cultures of front and back have evolved appropriately to meet distinct needs. 

There are times, of course, when you’ll need front of sub judgment in a back of sub context. If the plane I was on was about to be bombed by an enemy combatant (unlikely in my life, I hope), I would be okay with the pilot using her discretion to cut a corner or two on the takeoff checklist, because the very thing that checklist is there to protect (the lives of the people on board) would under threat from a different vector. Taking every precaution in that scenario could be reckless. That’s a bit how I feel about the NEPA reviews and other bureaucratic processes that are holding back building the infrastructure we need to move to a low-carbon economy. I wish for the public servants in charge to see the threat of inaction – those species the checklist is trying to protect are threatened by temperature rise as much or more than they are by the project in question – and make good judgment calls about getting the plane off the runway a lot quicker, so to speak. This feels like a domain where back of sub culture has more hold than it should given the circumstances. And to Berr’s point, we can’t rely on back of sub culture when the checklist and protocols it uses no longer serve the purpose.

Of course, “stop energy” roles can themselves be balanced – if only I had a dime for every discussion about the value of lawyers who get to yes and the frustrations with those who seem to do nothing but block. The analogy breaks down a bit here because the items on a pre-flight checklist are binary – they are either red or green – whereas the ad hoc checklists that lawyers assemble to ensure compliance before signing off on an action are almost always shades of gray – they can be open to lots of interpretations. Any given lawyer, or compliance officer, or ethics cop can treat their role with appropriate balance, reserving their stop authority only when the risks truly outweigh the benefits. But getting the culture of a team, department, or agency to balance stop and go correctly at a macro level is extremely difficult. It’s rare to see leadership really change that balance, or for it to stick. It’s a retail approach, hugely dependent on personalities and circumstances.

What would a wholesale approach to getting back into balance look like? One answer should be a simple matter of top-down workforce planning, of the kind our Office of Personnel Management should be empowered to do: fewer stop energy jobs relative to go energy jobs. Hire more doers than brakers, both in how the position is defined and in the characteristics of the people selected for the job. But that proposal needs several important caveats. Of course, every great employee is some mix of these energies – a “go only” employee would be exhausting and dangerous in all but the most extreme circumstances – so we’re talking about a general orientation. More importantly, having fewer brakers will only result in enormous backlogs if they have the same stopping power. But there are plenty of functions where its possible to safely move from default no to default yes, possibly with an after the fact correction mechanism.3 Instead of requiring form redesigns to go through a long White House approval process before they can be made available to the public, for instance, allow agencies to apply the appropriate level of scrutiny and sign-off for the form at hand and develop a process for catching and quickly fixing anything determined to be detrimental. This example speaks to the issue of multiple levels of safeguards. Loosening a safeguard that operates at the top level of federal government may not make much difference to overall stop energy if agencies, or in turn their subcomponents, or even teams, react by strengthening their own safeguard processes. There might be something like a Law of Conservation of Safeguards at play here. But it’s still worth considering the value of moving to default yes processes where appropriate. 

Of course, the question of the nature of the job public servants are tasked with is about much more than just stop vs go. It’s about what kind of work we’ve decided to invest in. I go into some depth about this in Chapter 5 of Recoding America as it relates to our lack of investment in digital competencies and how ideologies about private sector superiority led to a big outsourcing push just as digital was beginning to massively transform society.

…these internal competencies in digital became necessary just as we were jettisoning internal competencies of all sorts, not developing them. Instead of digital competency, government has developed extensive processes and procedures for procurement of digital work, and the ins and outs of procurements sometimes seem more complex and technical than the latest programming languages.

This points to another way to understand the disconnect between high employee performance and the outcomes our government produces (or fails to), especially relative to the investment made.4 Take procurement. I know a lot of people in procurement who are really good at their jobs. Some of them are considered really good because they’re great at the “back of sub” tasks of making sure every box is checked, and a manager might feel compelled to give them a high performance rating because of their thoroughness and dedication, even if the people who need the thing being acquired are frustrated by the slowness and rigidity of the process, and even if the thing that is ultimately acquired has checked all the boxes but doesn’t actually work. (For an example of this, see Chapter 4 of Recoding America.) But many of these procurement professionals operate according to “front of sub” principles, and are enormously creative and mission-driven. The other public servants who rely on them to procure things value them enormously. They may or may not receive high ratings, if the manager is judging them based on a “back of sub” approach. But procurement processes simply should not be as complex and burdensome as they have become. Both of these kinds of procurement professionals are doing a job that simply shouldn’t exist in its current form.

Especially with the looming threat of the return of Schedule F under a possible Trump administration, there’s a lot of talk of public sector employee performance and protections. I agree strongly with Donald Kettl, who has said about the left’s silence on civil service reforms in the face of Schedule F: “You can’t fight something with nothing.” I hope to be part of proposing a something there, something that improves government’s ability to fill many open positions and to effectively and ethically manage the workforce. But we could succeed entirely at that and still fail to meet the challenges in front of us if the jobs we fill are the wrong jobs.

Another of my admittedly obvious and oversimplified principles of how to build state capacity is that there are really only three things you can do:

You can have more of the right people

You can focus them on the right things

You can burden them less.

There is obviously quite a lot to say about each of those things, and they are all deeply intertwined. A big reason we don’t have more of the right people is that we overburden both the people responsible for hiring and the applicants, focusing both on the wrong things. We overburden public servants generally because we have designed too many of their jobs to stop bad things instead of to enable the things we desperately need. We are too often asking if public servants are doing a good job instead of understanding and questioning the nature of the jobs they’ve been hired to do. 

We need a much more robust understanding of how to fix the problem of hiring the right people to do the wrong jobs. We need wholesale strategies for tuning the dial between front of sub and back of sub, between stop and go, between brake and gas, and refocusing the job of public servants on the work that’s most directly meaningful towards the outcomes we want. We need staffers in agencies who act as if the climate crisis is the enemy plane that’s about to bomb us. We need transportation engineers whose actual job – as practiced on a daily basis, at scale – is to reduce congestion and pollution and improve and save lives. We need Secretaries of Education who have time in their day to look at the study on improving learning achievement, and maybe even take action on it. We need all of this now.

Imagine a world in which this — not just enforcing rules, not even just helping agencies fill open jobs, but ensuring that federal government fills the right jobs — was the mandate of an empowered and deeply collaborative Office of Personnel Management. They couldn’t do it alone, of course — it’s agencies that define the jobs they think they need and Congress that throws down law after law they must comply with, feeding the need for compliance. The White House Office of Management and Budget adds its own reporting and compliance burdens. Each would need to buy in on an agenda of building state capacity and do their part. But this is what workforce planning should really be, and in 2025, we will need it more than ever. If Biden gets a second term, this is the kind of ambitious agenda he should set.

1

Please read Dan Davies’ excellent new book The Unaccountability Machine for a lot more on Beer and why this is important.

2

The US has 12.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 people, the Netherland 3.6 per 100,0000.

3

I think this is a Guarino-ism… if I’m misattributing it, someone will correct me.

4

Some will point out that perverse incentives in the performance management practices can sometimes make it hard to give public sector employees poor ratings, which may skew the data. I don’t quite know how to evaluate that claim, but I also don’t think it’s all that relevant if you’re trying to

[cprcourseonline]

Is OSHA-10 Training Only For Workers in Construction?

Is OSHA-10 only for construction workers?

The training is not only for construction workers. OSHA-10 is for workers across a wide range of industries. While it is often required for construction jobs, the training is also helpful in many other workplaces where safety is a concern. Here are some industries where OSHA-10 is beneficial:

Manufacturing:

If you work in a factory or plant, you may face hazards like machinery, chemical spills, or falling objects. OSHA-10 training for the general industry is useful for teaching you how to handle equipment safely, what to do if you encounter a hazardous substance, and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Manufacturing jobs often involve repetitive tasks or working in environments with loud noises or sharp tools. The training helps you recognize these risks and take steps to protect yourself and others.

Warehousing and logistics:

Working in a warehouse or shipping facility involves risks such as heavy lifting, operating forklifts, or handling hazardous materials. OSHA-10 covers topics like proper lifting techniques, how to avoid slips and trips, and safe practices for operating machinery. If you work in warehousing or logistics, this training can help you stay safe while managing inventory or loading and unloading trucks.

Healthcare:

In healthcare settings, you may encounter risks like exposure to infectious diseases, hazardous chemicals, or sharp objects like needles. OSHA-10 teaches you to handle these risks and use protective equipment to prevent injuries or infections. Whether you are a nurse, technician, or support staff, this training helps to create a safer environment for yourself and your patients.

Retail:

Retail jobs have their own set of hazards. These include handling heavy boxes, working with ladders, or using equipment like box cutters. OSHA-10 helps retail workers understand how to prevent injuries and stay safe while performing daily tasks. This training can be helpful if you work in a stockroom or manage deliveries.

Hospitality:

Workers in the hospitality industry, such as hotels or restaurants, face risks like slippery floors, hot surfaces, or heavy lifting. OSHA-10 teaches you how to avoid accidents and handle emergencies safely. The training is valuable for kitchen staff, housekeeping, and maintenance teams who work in fast-paced environments with many potential hazards.

Maintenance and custodial work:

Maintenance and custodial staff often handle tools, machinery, and cleaning chemicals. OSHA-10 includes lessons on safely handling tools, proper use of PPE, and safe disposal of hazardous materials. This training ensures you can perform your tasks without putting yourself at risk of injury or exposure to harmful substances.

Transportation:

If you work in the transportation industry, such as driving trucks or operating buses, you face risks like vehicle accidents, heavy cargo, and long working hours. OSHA-10 training helps you understand how to prevent fatigue, secure loads safely, and follow safety procedures while on the job. You must ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road.

Public sector jobs:

Many public sector jobs, such as park maintenance, water treatment, or city services, involve working in environments with potential hazards. OSHA-10 is useful for learning about safe practices when working with tools, machinery, or chemicals in these roles.

[mytripselfdrive]

Understanding the Why behind Self-Drive Cars in Bhopal

In recent years, the concept of self-drive cars has gained immense popularity and has become a hot topic of discussion. With the advancement of technology, self-drive cars have become a reality and are slowly making their way into cities all around the world. One such city that has embraced this innovation is Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, India. But what exactly is the reason behind the rise of self-drive cars in Bhopal? Let's delve deeper and understand the why behind this trend.

First and foremost, the convenience factor plays a significant role in the increasing demand for self-drive cars in Bhopal. With the city being a major tourist destination, people often prefer to explore the city at their own pace, without having to rely on public transportation or hiring a chauffeur. Self-drive cars provide the freedom to choose your own route and schedule, making it a convenient option for travelers and locals alike.

Moreover, Bhopal is a rapidly developing city with a growing population. This has led to an increase in traffic congestion and parking issues. With self-drive cars, individuals can avoid the hassle of finding a parking spot and can simply drop off the car at their desired location. This not only saves time but also reduces the stress of navigating through busy roads and finding a parking spot.

Another significant factor contributing to the popularity of self-drive cars in Bhopal is the cost-effectiveness. With the rise of ride-sharing apps, traditional car rental services have become expensive, especially for short distances. Self-drive cars, on the other hand, offer a more affordable option as individuals only pay for the duration they use the car. This makes it a budget-friendly option for those looking to explore the city or run errands without breaking the bank.

Safety is also a crucial aspect that cannot be ignored when it comes to self-drive cars. Bhopal has witnessed a rise in road accidents in recent years, and self-drive cars provide a safer alternative as compared to traditional car rentals. With advanced safety features such as automatic braking and lane departure warning, self-drive cars reduce the risk of accidents caused by human error.

Lastly, the concept of self-drive cars in Bhopal aligns with the growing trend of eco-friendly transportation in Bhopal. The city has taken significant steps towards promoting sustainable living, and self-drive cars fit perfectly into this narrative. These cars are usually electric or hybrid, reducing carbon emissions and promoting a greener environment.

[fastmusclecar123]

New Post has been published on https://fastmusclecar.com/beginners-guide-to-muscle-cars-handling-all-that-raw-power-safely/best-muscle-cars/

Beginner's Guide to Muscle Cars: Handling All That Raw Power Safely

Muscle cars epitomize cool with their iconic supercharged design. Yet controlling all that growling power poses real challenges, especially for novice drivers. Learning fundamental skills separates fun thrill rides from dangerous fishtails.

This guide distils beginner-friendly handling advice for harnessing muscle cars confidently. With defensive driving basics from 5-hour pre-licensing courses plus supplemental resources, newcomers can tame these beasts responsibly.

Muscle Car Basics

Before hitting the gas, understand what makes muscle cars unique using this glossary:

Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): Engine output powers just the rear tires, enabling wild drifts but increased oversteer risk.

Torque: Twisting force to accelerate, reaching 400 lb-ft or more on many models for neck-snapping getaways.

High Power-to-Weight: Over 400 horsepower shoved into moderate chassis weight jacks straight-line speed through the roof.

Stiff Suspension: Firmer shocks and springs for better launches off the line. But bumpier rides with loose handling if you hit corners too hot.

Temperamental Throttle: Sensitive gas pedals make modulation tricky. Goose it too hard and easily break traction.

With great speed potential comes little room for error. Respect is essential for safely harnessing everything under the hood.

Proper Muscle Car Mindset

Channel patience and self-discipline behind the wheel above all else. Muscle cars actively punish hot dogging. Follow three core principles to avoid OCTM (overconfidence trouncing muscle):

1. Respect the Power Band

Never underestimate the explosive power band. Even veteran drivers get caught out by a twitchy throttle blipping them to triple digits faster than expected.

The inability to restrain the urge to floor it remains the number one cause of crashes. Internalize that showing off leads to expensive wrecks or reckless tickets at best.

2. Master Low-Speed Control

Get truly comfortable with slow-speed maneuvering before trying any Fast and Furious movies. Unlike regular cars, muscle models need extra finesse to avoid stalls thanks to all that torque.

Perfect pulling away smoothly, reversing in parking spots, and running through the gears at moderate RPMs before attempting speed runs and skipping this foundation courts disaster.

3. Seek Continued Education

Consider yourself always learning with these highly-tuned machines. Sign up for advanced defensive driving teachings to polish handling instincts beyond basic qualifications.

Never grow overconfident in your abilities, as that is when mistakes happen. The masters continue honing their craft years into ownership.

Defensive Driving Principles

While tempted to pound the throttle, prudent novices should enroll in 5-hour pre-licensing driving academy courses focused on muscle car safety.

These classes reinforce cautious habits for public roads. Reflect on the core topics regularly even after completing the curriculum:

Oversteer prevention: Smoothly managing RWD power distribution avoids unstable slip angles from acceleration or turning forces.

Braking distances: Increased velocity compounds stopping distances. Give yourself ample room to slow in time.

Steering inputs: During weight transfers, gentle adjustments maintain more control than jerky sawing at the wheel.

Highway merging: Find large gaps for merging onto fast traffic flow without disrupting stability.

Weather factors: RWD loses traction easier on wet or icy pavement. Tread extra carefully.

Peripheral vision: Continuously scan side and rear views to spot other motorists quickly amid velocity.

Consciously implementing these defensive practices keeps rides smooth while engraining vital muscle memory for reacting to hazards.

Supplemental Resources

While essential for initial guidance, 5-hour pre-licensing classes merely scratch the surface given muscle cars’ extreme performance capabilities.

Dedicate time to build advanced competence through supplemental education channels like:

Professional one-on-one lessons – Instructors individually assess strengths and weaknesses, providing customized coaching.

Autocross tracks – Practice cornering, braking, and accident avoidance on closed courses in a safe, controlled environment.

ASTMuscleCar online portal – This multimedia website hosts an extensive video library demonstrating advanced exercises like drifting, collision prevention, and more.

The combination of a structured pre-licensing curriculum, experiential learning at driving centres, and ASTMuscleCar’s on-demand resources delivers well-rounded abilities for muscle car mastery.

Open Roads and Endless Possibilities Await

Muscle cars exemplify aggressive individualism. Yet successfully navigating their temperamental handling and stratospheric speed potential relies on cultivating restraint and discipline.

The basics taught in 5-hour pre-licensing defensive driving courses must lay the groundwork. Supplementary hands-on practice and multimedia guides like ASTMuscleCar build advanced capabilities steadily over time for await anyone daring to tame these iconic beasts.

With an incremental learning plan in place, that evocative growl passing viewers on the highway soon plays as the soundtrack of your own thrilling muscle car road adventures. Now cue up Radar Love and hit the gas wisely!

[xtruss]

A gas range can produce as much benzene in a home as a cigarette smoker does – and that’s when the range is off. Photograph: Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images

Americas Dirty Divide: Are Gas Stoves Really Dangerous? What We Know About The Science

New studies show just how harmful to health they can be, but there are good alternatives to the open flame

— Brian Kahn | Sunday 15 January 2023 | The Guardian USA | Explainer

Gas stoves are a hot topic. A new study linked them to one in eight childhood asthma cases, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission said it would look into banning them, and Republicans expressed anger at the mere suggestion.

At the same time, federal and state policies are aiming to give gas stoves’ main competition – regular electric stoves and the ballyhooed induction stove – a boost.

Are Gas Stoves a Source of Indoor Air Pollution?

Without a doubt, yes. There are two ways gas stoves pollute your home. The first is the most obvious: when they’re in use. Burning gas creates heat, which causes nitrogen and oxygen to bond among the flames. They combine to create nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, collectively known as NOx, which can irritate the lungs. But that’s not the only compound to worry about. Cooking with gas can also emit carbon monoxide, particulate matter and even formaldehyde. Those all have various deleterious health impacts, and can affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

There’s likely a more insidious form of pollution emanating from your stove. A growing body of research shows gas stoves emit toxic compounds even when not in use. Among the most worrisome is benzene, a carcinogen. A study by PSE Health Energy found benzene in 99% of samples it took in homes in California. Other chemicals discovered included xylene, toluene and ethylbenzene, which can also cause respiratory issues and may cause cancer as well.

Talor Gruenwald, the lead author on the new asthma study and researcher at Rewiring America, said the finding “demonstrates that this is a real public health challenge that we have to address”.

Just How Much Pollution are We Talking About Here?

A lot. The PSE Health Energy study found that gas stoves can emit as much benzene as a cigarette, making them akin to secondhand smoke.

“You can achieve the same level of benzene just from having a stove that’s off in your house as you’d expect to see as having a house with a smoker in it,” said Seth Shonkoff, the executive director of PSE Energy Health and associate researcher at the University of California, Berkeley.

That’s, of course, just when the stove is off. Research published last year found that NOx emissions when a stove is in use can exceed federal safety standards for outdoor air quality in a matter of minutes. For that reason, Shonkoff referred to stoves as “stationary air pollution machines inside people’s houses”, albeit ones that aren’t subject to the same outdoor air pollution standards.

Gruenwald also compared stoves to having a smoker around, saying: “The stove is frankly going to be the main source of pollution if you don’t live in a home with a smoker.”

Gas stoves are also terrible for the climate. The methane emissions from gas stoves in the US are equal to adding 500,000 cars to the road each year.

Can You Test For Gas Stove Pollution at Home?

Not really. While there are a variety of indoor air quality sensors for things like carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter, there aren’t cheap home versions for testing for NOx, benzene and other home pollutants. There are somewhat affordable instruments to detect gas leaks, but Shonkoff said those are more geared toward significant leaks rather than everyday gas stove emissions. (And if you smell ever gas, call your utility or the emergency services right away.)

He added that the tools used by academics cost in the tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Does Using a Hood/Vent Make a Difference?

Absolutely yes. Turning on that vent when cooking is vital to ushering air pollution outside. This is admittedly not an ideal solution since it just turns indoor air pollution into outdoor air pollution. But it’s better than having it in high concentrations in your home where it can do more damage to your lungs.

What Else Can be Done to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution From Gas Stoves?

For those who lack a hood over their stove (such as myself), Shonkoff said that even opening the windows is a good tactic to clear the air. Even better would be to put a fan in the window to help suck the indoor air out.

Of course, the best way to cut down on gas stove pollution is to not have a gas stove in the first place.

Air Pollution: Fine particle pollution, or soot, is spewed from power plant smokestacks, tailpipes and wildfires. Photograph: David Hawxhurst/Alamy. Biden administration seeks to limit deadly air pollution. Proposal sets out lower limits for soot, which is estimated to cause early deaths of thousands of Americans each year

What are Some Gas Stove Alternatives?

Electric stoves come in two main flavors: standard and induction. Standard electric stoves run electricity through a wire to generate thermal heat.

Induction stoves are increasingly in vogue. Rather than generating thermal heat, induction stoves generate heat electromagnetically. When you turn an induction stove on, electricity flows through a coil that creates a magnetic field. I won’t go into exactly how this heats your pots and pans (more information here if you’re interested), but it does.

What you need to know is that the magnetic field directly heats pots and pans – and their contents – rather than transferring heat like traditional stoves do. The stove itself doesn’t get hot. In fact, you could turn on an induction burner and put your hand on it. (Just don’t do it after a hot pot has been on the surface.) Also unlike traditional electric stoves, induction stoves don’t take time to heat up. That makes them more analogous to gas stoves. But they’re more efficient than gas stoves. Tests have shown they can bring a pot of water to boil in half the time of a gas stove.

How Much Does an Induction Stove Cost Compared to a Gas Stove?

Switching from gas to induction can be pricey. A cursory glance at big-box retailer Lowe’s shows the cheapest gas stove is $529 while the cheapest induction stove is $1,199, at the time of publication.

Swapping from gas to induction also comes with other costs. Induction stoves don’t plug into standard wall outlets, so an electrician will probably have to rewire your kitchen. And induction stoves only work with certain types of pots and pans. If you own a set of copper or aluminum cookware, you’re probably going to have to invest in some new pots and pans.

Are There Ways to Bring the Costs Down?

You’re in luck, because the answer is yes. If you’re induction-curious and want to dip your toe, there are plenty of single-burner induction cooktops to get you started. Wirecutter’s top pick clocks in at $117, making it a reasonable point of entry, while its budget pick is even less expensive. You could conceivably buy four and place them on your gas stove and voilà, you have an induction range for less than $500. This is admittedly a clunky solution, though.

In the US, the Inflation Reduction Act includes rebates of up to $840 for buyers buying an induction or electric stove. If you earn less than 80% of the median household income in your area, you qualify for the whole rebate. For those earning between 80% and 150% of the median household income, you can get a rebate for up to half the cost of the new stove.

For people switching from gas to electric, there’s an additional $500 for covering installation costs. Rewiring America has a calculator to reveal what tax credits and rebates for stove and other electrification benefits you qualify for under the Inflation Reduction Act.

[slightlymore]

the cave

fratboy!jeno x fem reader

Genre: One-shot | Smut | Haters (kinda) to lovers (kinda) | a little fluff

Words: 5.7K 

Warnings: rough and dirty, semi-public setting (car)

For my 🍓 anon ❤️

It was late afternoon and you were in Jeno Lee’s car. 

Yes, that Jeno Lee. 

How did that happen and where were you going? You had no idea. 

Just a few minutes ago you were walking through the parking lot, fuming and wanting to fight him. You had a stupid presentation for a terrible class and not only you were paired with him but you also did the majority of the work alone since he was “busy”, and he didn’t even show up.

This was the time you would choke him. 

You heard the voices of his friends first, loud and obnoxious, then you saw him. Sprawled on the hood of his car, Jeno Lee was smiling with not one single worry in mind. You tightened your fists. 

The chatter slowly died as you approached them like a bolt, and Jeno sat up, putting one leg down and keeping the one up manspreading as if he was the king of the world. 

God, you hated him. 

“Why didn’t you come to class?” you hit his foot with yours. 

A chorus of voices reacted to that with loud “woo”s, laughing, hitting each other in the ribs like children. The only one with a poker face was Jeno himself as he looked down at his now slightly dusty shoe then slowly at your figure. 

You were standing there, arms crossed on your chest and furious eyes. When he reached them he smiled. 

“Why? You missed me, doll?” he asked instigating a new flood of giggles. 

You rolled your eyes. 

He wouldn’t be so snarky without his group of frat boys to shield his back. 

You looked at them one by one, with their matching leather jackets and their friendship bracelets, with their weird chants and intricate handshakes, and you really wanted to hate them. 

And you did. 

But it would be a lie to say that they weren’t also somewhat intriguing. 

You would follow them with your eyes as they walked around the college campus, untouchable but weirdly friendly with everyone. Thoughts about their secret meetings and discussion topics would roam your head at night, as well as thoughts about - well, Jeno, because you hated him - and the main thing everyone was curious about: the Cave. 

The Cave was a place, god knows what kind, where they would spend most of their time when not illegally racing with their flashy cars in the city or flirting with girls at some party. 

The Cave was almost a legend, talked by all students and even professors. No one really knew what they were doing there but the rumors were wild: they had a giant trampoline, they had a fighting ring, they did blood sacrifices. The boys never tried to make them die and you were almost sure that they secretly created some of them themselves. 

“I don’t think you’d be so carefree if I told Mark that you messed up with his car last week,” you said nonchalantly while lazily picking at your nails. 

The chatter died. You smiled satisfied.

No one knew anything about the Dreamies but somehow everyone was aware of their first three rules. 

1. No one besides the Dreamies can know the Cave’s location. 

2. No one besides the Dreamies can enter the Cave. 

3. No one can touch Mark’s car. 

This Mark guy was the Dreamies’ leader but took off a semester for some family business leaving Jeno in charge. They’ve been good for a while, following the rules and behaving as usual. It was not until last week that you accidentally - or not so accidentally - overheard them talk about their plans to use Mark’s car for that day’s race. 

“But we didn-”. One of the guys, Chenle?, started to talk but Jeno stopped him by lightly hitting his chest with the back of his hand before he could complete his sentence. 

Then with a fluid movement, almost like a cat, he descended from the hood, landing on his feet right in front of you. 

Your breath hitched and you definitely jolted. He was as close as to kiss you if only you raised your head to look at him. But you kept it low, staring at his throat instead, trying hard to not step back and look intimidated. 

Jeno wanted to look at you in the eyes though, and he did as he pleased, dragging one of his fingers along your jaw before placing it under your chin and lifting it up to meet his gaze. 

His eyes were dark as one has when aroused or angry. The sudden tingle in your stomach indicated that you secretly wanted for it to be the first case but as soon as Jeno spoke, you knew that it was the latter one instead. 

“I can recognize a threat when I hear one,” his deep voice said almost in a whisper. “What do you want?” he asked soon after. 

You gulped. 

Staring at him like that you realized you lost your voice and if only he let his hand fall down to your neck Jeno would know just how fast your pulse was. 

“T- take me to the Cave,” you sputtered out trying to sound confident but ending up stuttering. 

The boys starter to chat loudly again, surprised and shocked, trying to convince Jeno to not do it. 

“Listen, what’s worse? Breaking the third rule or the first one?” one voice asked, probably Jisung. 

“Why are we even having this conversation? Tell her how to behave like a good girl,” the only lazy and unbothered voice said, definitely Jaemin. 

While the others yelled Jeno’s expression didn’t shift. His eyes stared at you as if trying to read something deep inside yours and after a while you found yourself sweating. 

“So?” you spoke up. “What’s your decision?” you asked faking fearlessness. 

“Ok,” he simply replied letting your chin go and stepping back. 

Everyone yelled, even more, surrounding both of you. 

“Jeno, I swear, you’re fucking dumb sometimes,” Renjun said crossing his arms on his chest. 

“Sometimes?” Haechan raised one eyebrow, amused. The boy hopped off the hood as well and smiled at you. 

“Let him do it,” he added getting closer and walking around your body until stopping behind you. 

“But...” Haechan placed his hands on your shoulders and leaned in as if wanting to whisper in your ear, “...we’re going to break only the second rule,” he added and from the tone of his voice, you could tell that he was smirking. 

Jeno, still standing in front of you, smiled as well looking at whatever expression Haechan was making. 

This was not a good sign. 

“Hop in the car, doll,” Jeno suddenly ordered, and before you could make a step Haechan was already pushing you towards the passenger’s seat while Jeno opened the door of the driver’s side. 

You looked at everyone’s expressions and by now, they were all smiling knowingly as if the message from before passed to their minds telepathically. Was this also a Dreamies thing?

Sitting down, Haechan put in the seatbelt for you. 

“Safety first, love, remember it,” he winked and in a second the door was closed and you were on the road.  ______

You’ve been driving in silence for a few minutes. The car was warm from being under the sun the whole day but the air conditioning kicking it gave relief to your hot cheeks. You’ve never been in a guy’s car before and you’ve never been alone with Jeno Lee. You dared him to take you to the Cave but you didn’t think he’d accept. You’ll go there and see it, then what? 

You shivered, feeling uneasy. 

Jeno was looking straight ahead and you weren’t able to decipher his expression. With the corner of your eyes, you kept on staring at his profile then quickly glancing at his hand placed on top of the wheel, then even quicker as if not letting even yourself notice it, at his thighs. 

Oh God. 

You looked away. 

You gulped down and breathed in and out to calm your nerves. 

Fuck, his car smells just like him. 

You closed your eyes annoyed. 

“Seriously, why didn’t you come to class today? I had to do the presentation all alone,” you said suddenly, hoping that talking with him would prevent your mind from roaming to dangerous places. 

“I wanted to make you angry,” he replied with a little smile. 

Your head snapped towards him. 

“And are you satisfied now?” you asked irritated. 

“I am very satisfied,” he glanced at you for a split second but it was enough for you to see his flirty eyes. 

You opened your mouth to continue with the bickering when he suddenly pulled over to the side and turned his whole body towards you. 

You felt your eyes widen and you looked outside the window. 

Finally. 

The Cave. 

“Is this it?” you asked gazing the anonymous buildings running along the street. But then you felt his body getting closer and the first thing you thought about was worrying that your breath wasn’t fresh enough for him to kiss you. 

You turned your head towards him and placing a hand on his chest you stopped him, embarrassed. He looked up surprised. 

“I’m-” you stuttered trying to say something, unable to look at him in the eyes. 

He chuckled and placed a hand on top of yours, caressing it for a second, pressing it on his body - and those were definitely some hard pecs - before forcing it down on your thigh. 

“I need to get-” he said leaning towards you again and moving your legs by touching your bare knees, “-this,” he finished the sentence as he opened the compartment in front of you and retrieving a black scarf. 

You jolted at his touch and jolted again when he straightened his back, getting behind the wheel and making you feel the soft material on your skin in the movement. 

“I would never kiss you without you asking me, doll,” he smiled seeing your embarrassed expression. 

“What?” you asked as a reflex, the hope of him not noticing that, vanishing. 

“I said,” he repeated slowly, “I would never kiss-”.

“I heard what you said,” you interrupted him.  “I meant, why do you think that-,” you went on with your question but Jeno talked on top of you as well. 

“Because I can see it”. 

Your words died in your throat. He was staring as if ready to eat you all up, with those eyes of his and that fucking smirk. 

“Well, it’s not true,” you finally replied then you cleared your throat. “What are we doing? Is this the place?” you added trying to deviate the discourse from kissing, looking around you, but Jeno didn’t budge.

“Tell me again”. 

The silence became the protagonist for a moment after he said that and air got suddenly warm and thick.

“What do you want me to say?” you asked. Your voice, previously high, imitated his tone.

“Tell me that you don’t want me to kiss you,” he explained. 

“I said it already”.

Jeno placed one arm around your seat and leaned in again, this time close to your ear. 

“Tell me ‘Jeno, I don’t want you to slowly taste my lips then grab my sides as I whine into the kiss from wanting more and I don’t want you to slide your tongue into my mouth as I climb into your lap and sit on those thighs that I definitely didn’t stare at the whole drive while your hands fall down to my ass and press me down hard as I start to grind-’”.

You kissed him. 

Yeah. 

Just like that. 

You pressed your lips on his and you liked the way his breath hitched for a split second. 

He was teasing you and you hated him so much that you had to do it. Because he was irritating and mighty and obnoxious and you hated him. You would look at his long legs under the class desk or at his back, you would look at his hands twirling the pen on his long fingers, you would hear his laugh on the university corridors, you would look at his bare arms as he played basketball, and you hated him. 

So fucking much. 

But then the kiss didn’t go into the direction you hoped it would go. 

He broke it off after a little while making it more like a longer peck rather than kiss. 

You looked up at his face surprised and flustered. 

“Put this on your eyes,” he gave you the scarf. You looked down at it confused. 

Uhm? Hello? We were kissing. 

“I’ll show you the cave but you can’t know where that is,” he explained. 

You looked up at him again. 

Okay, but what does that have to do with you kissing? Was he playing? He just wanted to see you all worked up for nothing just like he wanted to see you angry? 

Yes, you hated him. 

You slid the material from his hands in a single movement, trying hard to not let him know how embarrassed you were from trying to kiss him while he refused. 

You stared him down daringly while bringing the scarf to your face and knotting it behind your head. 

“Is this alright?” you asked irritated mostly because you were feeling embarrassed out of your fucking mind and acting angry was better than letting him know just how weak that peck made you.

But Jeno didn’t reply. The only sounds were your breaths, yours - quicker and sharper, his - deep and relaxed. 

"Jeno? Are we goin-" but he shut you up by brushing his lips with your again instead, this time wrapping your jaw with his hand and placing the other one on your side, touching the bare skin on your lower stomach that the t-shirt revealed. 

You whined surprised putting your hands on his chest and whined again as you felt his velvety tongue on your bottom lip, nudging at it for you to open up, and you did, letting him slide inside, playing with your tongue. 

Fuck, you were kissing Jeno Lee. 

His fingers caressed the side of your face before letting them fall down to your shoulder and down even more. Wrapping your waist with his arm he pulled you closer and you let out a little yelp as you let yourself be dragged towards him. 

You sat down on his thighs and unable to see, you brought your hands up to feel his lips, caressing his neck and face in the process. 

You heard him chuckle as his hands went up and down on your back, sending shivers all over your spine. All of your other senses got sharper and your skin shivered under his touch, your ears picked up the notes of his voice, you breathed in his perfume feeling dizzy. 

When you finally reached his lips you couldn’t do anything but lightly moan as your finger got wrapped by their softness, sucked in, and played with. 

“Jeno,” your voice trembled surprised. He hummed back as a reply. 

You let him circle it with his tongue then kitty lick the tip and you were almost ready to deadass ask him to eat you out just like that when the car made a weird noise and you fell on his chest with a high pitched scream. 

“Jeno! Don’t recline your seat so suddenly,” you whined, sensing what just happened. 

Jeno chuckled on your lips and wrapped his arms around your body before kissing them again. 

“Say my name again just like that, doll,” he whispered. 

Your knees got weak. 

You were panting, adrenaline kicking in making your limbs trembling. His presence was so strong, overwhelming you. You were sitting on Jeno Lee's hard cock while he was making out with you and suddenly you remembered that you were supposed to hate him. 

Whining as he bit your lower lip and as his hands palmed your ass cheeks you broke off the kiss just enough for you to whisper. 

“Give me a reason to call your name like that,” you replied feeling brave, like a challenge. You wanted him to feel weak and hopeless in front of you as well. You wanted him to whine and moan as you made him feel good. 

But you regretted it the same second as the last syllable left your lips when Jeno’s fingers draped your stomach and got underneath the fabric of your jeans. 

“Jeno!” you shifted your body surprised. “Wait-” 

Jeno’s fingers stopped right on top of your clit. You moaned softly under your breath and hid your face in the crook of his neck at the sensation. 

No, no, this was no good. You had to stop. 

"Fuck, oh fuck, wait-" you mumbled. 

“Doll,” he chuckled, “you have to let my hand go if you want us to stop,” he added. 

You gulped realizing that his hand was trapped under your body weight and you tried to collect all the force you had to lift yourself up and just stop whatever he wanted to do to you. 

But your hips just started to move on their own and you whined fighting with yourself. 

Jeno chuckled again and nibbled at your neck. 

“Doll,” he warned you still keeping his hand still, “you said you didn’t want this,” he added as you rocked on his fingers slowly. 

“Shut up, I want this but you make me so angry so I hate that I want this,” you breathed into his ear. 

“Oh, so you hate me?” he grabbed your hips with the other hand stopping your motion while the other started to circle your clit slowly, getting in charge of the action. You buried your face into his neck even more to muffle the sounds you were starting to make. 

Fuck it felt so good. 

“Yes,” you replied. 

“Because I make you angry?” 

“Y-yes," your voice trembled. 

“Do you get this wet every time someone makes you angry?” he nudged with his nose at the side of your face before placing a kiss there. 

“No, it happens only with you-” you whined stretching the last word in a high moan as Jeno slid one finger inside of you with a soft groan. 

You had no idea why you were so honest with him. You dreamed about that situation happening so many times but you had no idea how good you would feel by having your body pressed on his, one hand caressing you while the other pumping slowly inside, touching places you didn't know could make you feel so dizzy. 

“You get so worked up that you want me to fuck you? Huh? Perhaps I should have taken you right when you came up angrily at me, in front of everyone,” he said and you moaned as a reply, not stopping your mind from imagining all of that, you bent over the hood of his car, Jeno thrusting inside of you-

“Oh, you like that? You want everyone to watch?” he added a second finger as he felt you clenching, making your whole body shudder on top of him. 

You nodded and he let out the air through his teeth, picking up the pace and ending up rubbing himself in the process as well. 

He pumped hard inside of you, letting his other hand rise under your t-shirt and palm your breasts on top of your bralette. He definitely liked the thin material of that as a second soft groan escaped his lips while rolling one of your nipples with two fingers. When he pinched it and sat up to reach it with his teeth you let your head fall back and intertwined your fingers in his hair. He pulled your bra down and sucked on your nipples, biting down, then sucked on the skin above that, then on your soft neck. 

“Jeno- I’m about - I’m - I think - fuck,” you stuttered about to cum but you probably shouldn’t have said that as he retrieved his fingers from you in the same moment. 

You gasped about to whine for edging you like that but you didn’t manage to as he shoved his fingers inside your mouth. You sucked on them, tasting your own arousal. 

“Get back to your seat,” he ordered. 

“Jeno-,” you lifted your hands to your face as to remove the scarf from your eyes but he stopped you by grabbing your wrists. 

“Be a good girl and maybe I’ll make you cum.”

“But-,”

“You wanted to see the Cave, now you’ll going to see it.”

In a second your ass touched your own seat and the engine of the car rumbled indicated that Jeno started to drive. You still couldn’t see but you were sure that you were going very fast. 

“If you touch yourself I’m going to spank you,” he warned you seeing one of your hands glide between your legs. You were so close before that your mind was all foggy. You didn’t stop at his words and let out the dirtiest moans instead fingering yourself on the passenger seat. 

“Perhaps I would like that,” you replied breathlessly. 

Jeno swore quietly and you would have loved to see his expression. 

“Doll, stop or I’m going to lose control of the wheel.” His voice was low and threatening. 

“Then stop driving and fuck me,” you replied, and right at that moment, the wheels screeched and you heard Jeno getting out of the car slamming the door. 

You were breathing so heavily from edging yourself for the second time and for the excitement of what was about to happen. 

You jolted as your door got opened and your wrist grabbed by his strong fingers. Jeno dragged you out of the car and made you walk hurriedly into a certain direction. As a door creaked after the sound of keys and the air suddenly changed - leather and men - you knew you were entering the Cave. 

You walked a few steps on what seemed concrete then the sound of your shoes got muffled as you stepped on something resembling a rug. Jeno pushed you towards what seemed like a couch, your face met a leathery surface, your jeans got dragged down and your ass got spanked, all in a second. 

“Here you go, doll,” he groaned after the second slap making you jolt. "Do you like this? Hm?" 

You clenched your jaw and you felt your core dripping. 

After the third slap, his hand wrapped your ass, kneading the softness of it and his fingers slid inside of you again. This time he didn’t play, and finger fucked you the way you wanted. You whined, the new angle making your whole body quiver. You felt exposed, unable to see and it was an assault on all of your nerves. 

Your toes curled just like his fingers did inside of you and he drove you insane until your body trembled and your throat hurt from moaning his name, coming all over his fingers. 

Trying hard to catch your breath and come down from your high you whined when Jeno suddenly took the scarf from your eyes. You narrowed them, hurt by the sudden exposure to light, and tried to focus on what was around you but didn’t manage to see anything as Jeno made your turn around and sit down,  coming up in front of you, hands slowly unbuttoning his jeans. 

You sat upright, looking at his face first, showing how fucked up you were, then at his fingers as they dragged his boxers down and wrapped his hard cock. Jeno let out a relieved moan, stroking it slowly for a few seconds then with the other hand he cupped your face. You opened your mouth, staring at him and letting your tongue out. 

"Fuck," he swore through his teeth as he made his cock bounce on your tongue a few times, hitting it lightly. You let him do that then licked the tip, slowly and delicately, teasing him. He hissed, breathing sharply through his teeth. 

"I've always wanted to see you like this," he said, caressing your cheek with his thumb as you had his cock like a lollipop. “Teary-eyed, fucked dumb, sucking me off,” he added caressing your skin. 

You whimpered and took him in as much as you could, giving him a deep suck and he reacted just the way that you wanted, eyes closed, head fallen back, a low moan escaping his lips. 

You went on fast, wanting to drive him insane just like what he was doing to you. 

"Slower, doll," he breathed out and seeing him like that, with hooded eyes, you knew that you could break him if you wanted. 

Or so you thought. 

Because after you ignored his order again he yanked your face away and grabbing your wrists he made you stand in front of him before turning you around. Your bare ass was against his cock and his arms wrapped you tight, bending you down until your hands reached the couch arm and you pressed your fingers into it to sustain yourself. 

"I said," his dangerous voice sending shots of adrenaline through your body, "to slow down. If you're so eager I'm going to fuck you on my terms," he slapped your ass again and you felt your back snap as a response. 

Jeno dug his fingers into your flesh and slowly slipped his cock between your thighs, right below your dripping pussy but without touching it. He groaned and held your waist, thrusting slowly, fucking himself. 

You whined clenching.

"Jeno," you begged him. 

"You want my cock?" he groaned and you nodded. 

"You should have been a good girl and I might have let you bounce on it," he added, accompanying his words with another slap on your ass. You moaned again feeling him so close yet without giving you any friction and you shifted your body to grind on it but his fingers kept you in place. 

"Stay put doll," he warned with a low voice. You ignored him again and slid one hand on your stomach, directing it towards your clit, aching for release. 

Jeno growled and grabbed your arms, making you hit your face on the soft couch not being able to sustain yourself anymore. He held your wrists with one hand and put them behind your back, his hips never finishing chasing his high, rubbing his cock between the soft skin of your thigh, and - fuck - it was so hot, it was driving you insane. You were feeling it, hot and thick, and looking down, you could see how the tip of it would poke out, wet thanks to your dripping pussy above it. 

"Jeno, I hate you," you whimpered. "I want to cum." 

"I don't think you hate me, doll," he chuckled with a short breath. 

"I do," you replied tightening your legs around him and making Jeno moan deeply for the first time.

He grabbed your ass and in a second he was on his knees. You shivered in anticipation as his fingers caressed your lips, opening them up and licking a long stripe along your core. Your lips parted in a silent moan.

"You still hate me?" he asked and his breath on your plump pussy made you shudder. 

"Yes," you replied with a muffled voice as you were pressing it on the couch. 

Jeno clicked his tongue as if disappointed and suddenly buried his face into you, eating you out just the way he sucked on your finger before. 

You were fucking gone. 

The moans you let out were the dirtiest you've ever made and the wet sounds of your arousal mixed with Jeno's saliva made you light-headed. 

"I love it, yes, fuck, I love it, Jeno, Jeno-" you cried out, your hands gripping the couch until your knuckles got lighter from effort. 

You came a second time, trembling hard, and Jeno didn't stop. He fucked you with his tongue through your orgasm, making you jolt, making you scream, then he got up leaving you a second to breathe, too short for you to get down from your high. 

You wanted to look back, to see his face but he grabbed your arms again, pushing your body into the couch, filling you all up with his cock until his balls hit the back of your thighs. 

You cried out, almost sobbing. 

His thrusts were deep and quick loading the air of your moans and his grunts. Your whole body was bouncing and the side of your face was rubbing on the rough leather of the couch. 

"Do you hate me, doll?" he groaned, moving his hips in short and controlled hits. 

"I don't," you replied weakly, all force leaving your body. 

He hummed pleased and slowed down with a deep rumble of his throat making you feel every inch of his cock. 

"You've been frustrated for a long time, right, doll? You wanted my cock so badly, didn't you?"

You nodded. "Yes, yes, please" you wailed. 

"Is this why you wanted to come to the Cave? To beg me to fuck you?" 

Your body shivered, aching for him to go faster. 

"Yes," you breathed out. "Fuck me harder, please". 

“Shit, you’re so fucking hot,” Jeno mumbled. 

He yanked you by the arms, lifting your torso again and holding your wrists with one hand he wrapped the other around your throat. You moaned as he picked up the pace, finally letting himself go, messily thrusting into you. 

You screamed as you reached your third orgasm, this one even stronger than the others and your voice got accompanied by Jeno's groan as he released into you as well. 

You were on the verge of passing out when he pulled out slowly, limbs weak and blood boiling. 

He let go of your arms gently and you sunk into the couch on your stomach, breathing heavily.

Jeno was panting as well as he sat down beside you, letting his head fall back to catch his breath. 

You both rested, with closed eyes until you were able to raise your head and look at him. 

"I didn't notice you were wearing a condom," you said with a hoarse voice and Jeno opened up his eyes to look back. 

"Of course I would wear a condom, you silly," he replied quietly. His voice was tired and soft while his hand approached your head to caress your hair slowly. Then it went to your swollen and abused lips, touching them delicately. 

You felt your cheeks heat up. 

Both empty and burnt-out, you suddenly felt embarrassed for everything you've said before. Also, you've never seen Jeno like that, with no smirk on and without flirting. Your heart fluttered seeing him with rosy cheeks and feeling his fingers play with your hair like that. 

"Well, I-" you started but got embarrassed even harder trying to get up, unsure of what to do next. 

He smiled and pulled you closer to make you rest your head on his lap, then leaning down he pressed his lips on yours. 

"Why? You wanted me to fill you all up with my cum?" he whispered and you froze for a second before lightly hitting his chest. He chuckled at your reaction. 

Yeah, you still kinda hated him and no, he wasn't soft at all. 

Jeno was about to open his mouth to say something snarky again when the sound of multiple cars made you both look towards the door. 

"Must be the others," he just said unbothered. 

"Fuck," you sat up in a hurry and grabbed your jeans. 

Your legs were all wobbly as you tried to get dressed before the boys entered the cave. Looking at Jeno you rolled your eyes. 

"Hurry up!" you ordered and he chuckled again, lazily buttoning his pants. 

The sound of the Dreamies' voices made you turn around your head. Your heart was pumping blood at a crazy speed. 

"Knock knock, may we come in?" Renjun asked amused. 

You sat down beside Jeno as he replied that yes, they may, and tried hard to stop yourself from panting. 

The boys entered laughing and looking around curiously. 

"Everything alright?" Haechan asked with a smirk. 

You acted nonchalantly. "Yes". Your voice came out too high pitched for it to be considered casual though. 

Haechan raised his eyebrows once at you then looked at Jeno. You jerked you face to Jeno to see his expression, afraid that he would give everything away, but whatever face he made it was already gone as he looked at you as well with an innocent face. But Haechan was satisfied since he chuckled. 

"I hope that seeing the cave was a nice experience," Jaemin sat down on the couch beside you. 

"Oh yes, I had a good time," you replied, suddenly unable to carry on a normal conversation. 

The others spread around the room and you looked around, finally being able to see what the Cave was even about. A garage, full of the weirdest things such as expensive motorcycles and arcade games, but also normal stuff, a low table, chairs, food, empty bottles of beer, a fridge, a guitar, drums, blankets, videogames. No trampoline, no blood. 

You had to admit, you were a little disappointed but it was definitely a cozy place. 

You were about to relax, listening to the boy’s chatter as the conversation went away from you when Jaemin looked down near his foot, keeping it up a few centimetres from the ground as if not wanting to step on something. 

"Oh, I bet you had a good time," he commented amusedly. 

You looked down as well and you felt your world collapse as you noticed the used condom. Haechan turned around and laughed at the scene. 

"I'm glad you took my advice," he joked. 

Everyone giggled. 

Fuck. 

You sat up, dying from the embarrassment and mumbled that you had to go. You made a few steps as everyone tried to stop you. 

"Y/N, wait," Jaemin spoke up. You turned around. 

"You forgot these," he smiled with your panties draped on one of his fingers. 

Your eyes widened and in a second you yanked them from his hands. Jeno had the courtesy of looking embarrassed as well. 

"Oh, they're still damp," Jaemin commented rubbing his index and thumb together. 

"Shut up!" you said putting them away from their eyes. 

Jeno chuckled and got up. "Leave her alone Jaemin," he straightened his pants and walked towards you. "Wait, I'll drive you," he said to you. 

"I don't need you. I can go home alone," you crossed your arms on your chest. 

Jeno's smile didn't flatter and he took your hand, pulling you towards him. 

"This act is useless now. I know you don't hate me, doll. On the contrary," he whispered on your temple before placing a kiss on your forehead. 

Fuck it. 

You bit your lower lip and let him wrap your shoulders, walking towards the door showered by the Dreamies' cheers. 

[pinkhairedlily]

Chapter 1 - Student Council President Sakura

SCPS AO3 | PREVIOUS CHAPTER

Sasuke’s first year was rather uneventful. He wasn’t in the same class as Naruto and Sakura, and thank God he wasn’t because from what he heard in the hallway and in the classroom during breaks, they were described as having uncontrollable bursts of energy. The other likable, the other a menace to mankind. He kept to himself most of the time, never went to class late, recited perfectly, ranked first on all tests. When there were group works, he would submit a finished output before they could even hold a meeting. He didn’t bother with his classmates’ workarounds – hanging out in cafes just to discuss menial matters or having sleepovers as an excuse to make a move. He didn’t have the energy to bother. And so from orphan genius, he became the stuck-up genius. That was okay with him. He had been called worse names before.

He didn’t know when it exactly started, but the yard behind the library had turned into his refuge. No one really visited it because of the tall piles of recycled materials, but there was a small clearing hidden by thick vines and untended trees. There, Sasuke found small minutes of peace.

Past the shrubbery and the foliage and the fence, one can see the lake behind the school. It was deep and wide enough that dragonboat teams would practice in it during summer. Couples would frequent it after school hours and think no one can see the kisses, the hand-holding, the hugs. Beyond the lake was a museum he frequented when he was a child, and then the city center wherein all roads connected to the train station. One can get on it, travel for three stations, and disembark on the fourth. It usually took thirty minutes if one strictly walked on the streets, but Sasuke would cut across the mini-bamboo forest in that area, emerge behind the bakery, still have the time to buy his favorite cream puffs, walk past two houses, and arrive at their family house. It was closed since then, the sales proceedings wrapping up after months. It would take another three years for the trust fund to be entirely turned over to him. By that time, he would be safely out of the clutches of his memories.

His exclusive space and time for musings was suddenly cut off in the middle of the school year when Naruto accidentally stumbled upon him eating an egg sandwich for lunch. Sasuke heard distant screams from the usual troublemakers and saw the silent plea on Naruto’s face. It wasn’t hard to know who they were looking for. He angled his head towards the blonde who was sweaty, had cuts on his arms, and twigs on his hair. Naruto flashed him an apologetic grin and crawled to his side.

“They said my laughter was annoying.” Naruto fixed his almost tattered clothes and laid on the grass. “Quite an oasis you have here.”

Sasuke sighed, too defeated right now to muster a retort. He fished another sandwich from his pocket and gave it to Naruto. “Eat.”

“Grumpy! You are a lifesaver!” He grinned sheepishly and ravaged the food in big bites.

“Keep your voice down, will you?” Sasuke snapped. “By the loudness of it, one won’t need a tracker to find you.” He opened his water bottle for a drink but that too was stolen by a choking Naruto.

“Sorry about that. I’ll pay you when my stipend arrives.”

“Never mind that.”

Finally full, Naruto went back to lying on the grass and closed his eyes for a quick nap. Sasuke saw the bruises on his knuckles and smirked. This kid can fight.

So he is on scholarship too.

“Uchiha Sasuke. That’s your name, right?” Naruto still had his eyes closed, enjoying the light breeze, and the silence that ensued when the troublemakers left the area.

“What about it?” He was waiting for the patronizing statements or the pity looks.

“We’re the same,” Naruto muttered, kind of like a matter-of-fact. “You just had the better side of the coin. Wished I had the board scholarship, but I’m bad at studying.”

The board scholarship was inevitable. Albeit being public in a sense, it was awarded to him as some sort of posthumous act because his father was a member. It was an open secret among the school officials, but he wasn’t sure if the students caught up on it yet. He wondered what common denominator tied him to Naruto. “So what do you have then?”

Naruto opened one eye and smirk. “Are you interested in knowing me?”

The school bells rang. Time’s up for lunch break and Sasuke’s impulsive interrogation. Looking back, he felt some kind of humiliation because he was explicitly giving interest in someone else’s life, however minute it was.

------------------------------

His peaceful abode didn’t revert back to the way it was. Naruto had invaded it as his hiding place from the bullies. He would come sometimes with an onigiri or a sandwich but most of the time, empty-handed. Before Sasuke could pick up on their previous conversation, the blonde would fall asleep, or at least pretend to. Absent parents then, he thought, noting the absence of prepared lunch and frequent convenience store purchases. Like him. He confirmed this the following day when he heard the bullies attacking him on the hallway.

“You should die, orphan kid. No one would miss you anyway.” A bald student aimed to kick him on the stomach, but Naruto blocked this with his arms. There was a reserved glare in his eyes, but before he could return the attack, two other kids forced his arms to open and give access to the target point. Sasuke found his feet walking briskly towards the scene, his hands ready to grab Naruto’s collar to safety.

“Sakura!” Students yelled out in confusion. A pink flash in his periphery.

She kicked the attacking student on the back with such force that reeled him forward to the ground, definitely knocking a tooth out and him unconscious. She planted both of her feet on his prone body and glared at his backup. “Bullying has no space in this school. Let go of him or I’ll tell the faculty to raise your disciplinary actions to suspension.” She was assertive, her every step unwavering in front of crisis.

Sasuke briefly wondered if she wouldn’t get disciplinary action as well for kicking a student. Well, she could frame it as self-defense. As if on cue with his thoughts, several teachers came to the scene and took the bullies to the faculty room, including Sakura.

“It wasn’t her fault,” Naruto yelled. He was supported with muffled agreements from other witnesses.

“Don’t worry about me. What’s important is you’re safe,” she flashed him a wink and waved goodbye. Sasuke can only see Naruto’s back, but he guessed the blonde dude was smiling from ear to ear and probably blushing. He also saw that she limped. Quite devious of her to distract everyone with that smile and that cherry pink hair in a ponytail.

------------------------------

Naruto was whistling when he joined Sasuke behind the library the next day. He didn’t have a sandwich or onigiri with him, but he had a bento lunch box. He must have seen Sasuke’s slight quick eyebrow raise because he immediately boasted about it.

“Sakura gave this to me!” Naruto showed it around like it was a product advertisement. “She said she made it herself! I feel loved.” He then hugged it like a child would a prized teddy bear.

“Wow, that escalated quickly.” Sasuke was feeling snarky. He continued munching on his sandwich. For today, it was tuna and cheese flavor.

“I might have a crush on her! The way she kicked that bully to the ground was such a sight to see. I think all of us in our class already admire her.” Sasuke didn’t reply. She was the hot topic in his classroom, along the halls, and at the school gates. Everyone was gushing about her bravery and her contrasting personality from her feminine looks, as if strength and beauty was so sparingly exclusive.

“Maybe she felt sorry for you.”

“Would take her kind of pity any other day.” Naruto opened the bento lunch box, the aroma arresting the two boys’ senses. Rice seasoned with shiso, karaage chicken, a small piece of salmon, lettuce wrap, tamagoyaki, and potato salad. How she fit them all inside a small container was a mystery, but it was an amazing food presentation that even Sasuke’s mouth instinctively watered at the sight.

“She wasn’t overbearing at all. She just greeted me this morning while introducing herself, handed me a bento box and left in time for the school bell. As if I didn’t know her already.” Naruto brought the bento box closer to his nose and made a loud sniffing noise. “Maybe she likes me?”

Sasuke grimaced outwardly. “Get lost. She likes everyone.”

Naruto laughed. “That’s true. That’s true. She’s the kind of person that everyone wants and wants everyone. Since you’re letting me share your hideout, want to share this box?”

Sasuke fished out some tamagoyaki slices and karaage and directly placed them in his mouth. He stared at Naruto, expecting him to get angry but the blonde was happily devouring the dishes as well. They both nodded in approval of the taste. For a moment, they tasted again the joy of homemade cooking. Two orphans in a secluded area, hiding from the realities of the world, comforted by the works from the distant hands of a stranger.

That afternoon, Sasuke went back to that hideout, not wanting to go home with his classmate. His attention perked up when he heard some heavy footfalls near the area.

“Kakashi-sensei?” The voice was familiar. He heard it several times already, but he can’t connect a face. “You don’t have to do this really. It’s quite embarrassing.”

“Well, who was stupid enough to physically fight bullies in school and in plain sight? Look at your leg. You cannot even walk.”

It was her and Hatake Kakashi, the handsome Math teacher who loved reading on his free time, the teacher with sleek silver hair, the teacher all female students liked. Of course.

“It’s amazing how you noticed it, Sensei.”

“I’m your homeroom teacher, Sakura. Of course, I’ll notice the welfare of my students. You should have called in sick. Now, will you let me bring you to the school clinic?”

“Sorry about that, Kakashi-sensei.”

It wasn’t the voice of an inconvenienced student. It was the giddy voice of a girl with a budding crush. Their comfort stranger being comforted by another stranger.

------------------------------

The bullies went back to school after a month of suspension, just in time for the final exams before the winter vacation. Sasuke noticed that the bullies didn’t touch him even though he was an orphan himself. Acting with this knowledge, he started not to mind the greetings of Naruto whenever he would pass by his classroom. He would even sometimes walk with him in the hallways, earning weird looks from his schoolmates, because why would the stuck-up genius hang out with bully-magnet Naruto?

One caught on their weird connection. The two of them were walking towards the cafeteria when they passed by Sakura. Sasuke noticed she was no longer limping. She spent the whole month with a bandage around her ankle, and students would gush in concern over her. He found it comedic that they only showed this empathy when the bandage was visible and not immediately after that encounter when she was obviously in pain. It was brief but their gazes locked with each other, and she flashed him a smile. Naruto was too busy ranting on making up for extra classes so he didn’t notice her. Was the smile intended for him? Sasuke quickly shrugged this off, remembering Naruto’s comment about her being wanted by everyone, and also his incidental eavesdropping on her and Kakashi.

The annual cultural festival soon came around. This was one activity he was actually waiting for – he would skip and spend the whole week holed up in his apartment, but fate apparently wanted a different scenario. Naruto was their year’s head errand boy. Under him were other errand volunteers. When Sasuke saw the head coordinator for their batch, he understood the reason why. Haruno Sakura tied a red ribbon around her forehead and directed instructions to everyone.

He was too late when he realized this. “Uchiha Sasuke!” She knew his name, dammit.

She was dressed down to a white shirt two sizes too big for her with sleeves rolled up and jogging pants under her skirt. She handed him a hammer and pointed to the structure they were building. “Uchiha Sasuke, that’s your name, right? I’m pretty sure you heard me loud and clear.”

He grunted to himself and took the hammer from her hand. “I’m not deaf.”

“You just need to secure those two wood pillars on this scaffolding. More hands, the better, the faster.” He didn’t know if she was talking to him or to her companions. It didn’t actually bother her if there wasn’t any response. She continued pounding on the nail, pausing for a few seconds and looked at him. “You know how to use the hammer, right?”

You’re amazingly burdensome, Sasuke thought. He sighed, dejected at this sudden turn of events, and hammered his frustrations away. They continued to work in silence, well at least he was quiet. Every now and then, she would give instructions from her position, keeping everyone in check and in track of the year’s progress. It was in the middle of this particular moment that she missed and hammered her own finger. Sasuke waited for her to yell in pain, wince, or withdraw her hand from the task, but she continued as if nothing happened.

Sasuke pounded the last nail in its place, finishing his part before anyone else. He turned to Sakura’s side and saw that she was still working, rather slowly, and she was hiding the finger she hit. He pushed her away the second she paused for a break and ignored the hushed protests.

“That’s my part, Sasuke. Why are you working on it?”

He quickly finished attaching the remaining wood pillars, took both of their hammers, and returned them to the toolbox. He was eager to be rid of this task, but there was something tricky he needed to do.

“I guess I should thank you,” Sakura said, shyness somehow showing through her usual energetic demeanor.

He grabbed her hand and placed a few band-aids on her palm. Before she could say anything and demand more work from him, he quickly walked away.

“I’ll beat you in the exam ranking though!” She shouted after Sasuke, a statement which made him smile.

That was how he would describe his first year of high school and the start of his unintended relationships.

AO3 LINK | NEXT CHAPTER | CHAPTER 2

[marril96]

The Distance Between Us

Chapter 23: The Debt of Gratitude

Pairing: Rowena x reader

Summary: Sam has some unexpected advice. Rowena takes it.

Editor: @miss-moon-guardian

*****

"How are you doing?" Sam asked.

It was exactly three days after Christmas and Rowena hated every moment of it. She loved a celebration, and she especially loved receiving gifts, but it was all too mushy for her tastes. Too emotional.

Why did major holidays have to be so bloody family-oriented? Why couldn't everyone just exchange gifts, get drunk, and get on with their lives without any feelings involved?

She was glad her extended family was in Scotland, a whole wide ocean away.

She could only take so much of her mother's holiday spirit.

The Winchesters were spending the holidays on the road. They traveled from one city to the other, from state to state, visiting various friends and acquaintances of their father's. John Winchester was the only blood relative Sam and Dean had left, so they made do.

They seemed to enjoy it.

Rowena couldn't, for the life of her, comprehend it. Traveling was one thing; she loved going from place to place, roaming new malls, dining at various exquisite restaurants.

But visiting people?

Ew.

"I'm good," she said with a smile. An honest one.

She may not have been in holiday mood, but she was glad to hear from Sam. It had been a while since they talked, really talked. She missed her friend.

She would have preferred to do it in person, but Skyping was the next best thing. Beggars couldn't be choosers.

"That's great," Sam said. "Y/N told me you guys talked."

Was that why he wanted to talk?

"We did."

She was glad for it. Happy. It was hard for her to open up, and a part of her had wondered if she'd made a mistake. But you were so kind, so patient, so bloody friendly that her worries vanished as if they'd never been there.

She shouldn't have doubted you. Shouldn't have doubted your intentions, your friendship.

Unlike the people back in Scotland; unlike Gilroy, and Lucifer, and Olivette, you were genuine.

You cared about her.

Your actions, however angry she'd initially been, showed it.

You were right about Lucifer and Olivette. She deserved better than them. As much as she wanted — craved — their power, their influence, it wasn't worth the hurt they'd inflicted her.

It would be difficult to navigate the school halls without them. Rowena knew they would spread rumors, that they would turn people against her, try to squish her as if she were nothing but a filthy pest. Her heart raced in fear every time she thought of what they would do. She could picture it clearly in her head, different scenarios with the same outcome — her shunned, the pariah, the school's slut once again. A traitor for she was certain that was all she was to them at this point.

Then she thought of you — of the light in your eyes, of the kindness in your smile — and her worries subsided.

You were right — she wasn't alone anymore.

She had her brother.

She had Sam.

She had you.

What more did she need?

The entire school had heard the argument. They'd heard what had happened, had witnessed it firsthand.

Olivette couldn't erase that. Lucifer couldn't charm his way out of it.

Their friends would, no doubt, have their back, believe their lies, but the rest of the school?

They knew better.

"So you're good now?" Sam inquired.

"Aye," Rowena said.

"That's great. I'm happy for you guys."

He was a sweetheart.

What had she done to deserve such a wonderful friend?

Even when she was at her worst, he stood by her. Had always believed in her. Had, no doubt, had a hand in getting you to give her a chance.

How could he be so good to her after all she'd done?

"Um, Rowena, can I ask you something?" Sam asked, a tad awkward.

It was quite an endearing sight.

"Ask away."

"You and Y/N—are you… you know…"  His cheeks flushed bright, ripe red. "Is there something going on?"

Rowena blushed a matching color. "What?" Did he know something she didn't? "No!"

"Oh," was his only response.

"Why would you ask that?" she demanded, growing flustered.

"I just thought…" He cleared his throat. Sucked in a breath. "You guys seem pretty close."

"We're friends!"

"I know. I just… Never mind."

"Has Y/N said something?"

"N-no. Why? Is there something to say?"

"No!"

She may have said that a tad too fast. With a bit too much ferocity.

If Sam picked up on it, he didn't show it. "Okay. That — um, that's great."

Aye.

Bloody great.

"She really cares about you."

Rowena's face brightened. "I know."

She cared about you, too.

So much that it hurt to be mad at you, to resent you.

Lucifer had hurt her. Abused her. Had played with her feelings, with her trust, with everything she had.

You, on the other hand, had never shown her anything but kindness.

You fought for her when she'd given up on herself. You knew you could lose her friendship, and you still wanted to protect her.

Rowena wanted to weep. You'd done so much for her, and how had she repaid you?

With coldness.

With indifference.

She was so caught up in her past that she never, for a moment, considered that you weren't like the people who had hurt her.

"I care about her, too," she admitted reluctantly, unsure if she should say it out loud for saying it made it real and she didn't know how to deal with that.

Sam smiled, encouraging, kind. "You should go for it."

"What?"

"You should go for it," he repeated. "If you… you know, if—"

"I don't!" she blurted out, cheeks burning. A denial a tad too swift to be believable.

What was it with him all of a sudden?

When had he started playing cupid?

"Okay," he said with a nod. "But if you ever start caring caring, you should go for it."

"Right."

Och, she already cared.

She cared so much.

Too much.

She — goodness, it hurt to admit, even to herself — loved.

She wasn't sure how it happened, or why. It certainly wasn't planned.

She just… knew.

She felt it with everything she had; with her entire soul; with every beat of her heart.

You were so kind, so perfect, so you. She couldn't not love you.

But did you feel the same?

Did you see her as a friend, or was there more to it for you as well?

Were you ready to give her that kind of chance?

Was she ready?

She'd only just ended a relationship. One that had destroyed her body and — she was certain — had almost destroyed her soul, left it in tethers, barely held together.

Was she ready to start another?

Was she ready to try again?

Could she trust anyone to get that close again?

Yes, she thought. She could.

You weren't just anyone, she reminded herself. You were her friend. She trusted you with her safety, with her wellbeing.

And she could trust you with her heart as well.

*****

A call from Rowena was unexpected, but certainly not unwanted.

You were surprised to see her name flash on the screen, especially at ten PM sharp. Her usual modus operandi was texting. If you dared be away from the phone when she needed you, you would find it spammed with dramatic messages a theater actress would be proud of.

Dramatics seemed to run in the family.

It was as endearing as it was annoying.

"This a booty call?" you joked as way of greeting.

"Och, you wish, lass," Rowena said, voice a rich velvet, hungry, teasing. Accent thick in every word.

Damn.

She sure knew how to get you worked up.

"Yeah," you said, hoping your sarcasm was convincing enough, "your ass is all I wish for."

"It's an exquisite arse."

It definitely was.

As the saying went: like owner, like ass.

"Did you call me to talk about your ass?"

As much as you enjoyed the topic, you were getting a tad too flustered for your liking.

The girl had no right to have so much power over you.

"You're the one who brought it up, dear."

Fair point.

"My sincerest apologies."

"No need; it's a topic I'm quite well versed in."

"I'm sure you are."

Was she doing it on purpose?

Was she teasing like that — in that tone of voice, with that thick an accent — just to rile you up, to get you all hot and bothered?

Was she flirting?

Heat scorched at your cheeks, set them alight with what felt like a thousand degrees.

Maybe you were looking too much into it.

No — you definitely were.

Rowena had always been a shameless tease. There was no deeper meaning to it, no hidden agendas. No hints whatsoever that she looked at you as anything other than a friend.

You loved her. Wanted her with everything you had. You could never have her — you were well aware of that — and that only made you want her more.

We always wanted the most what we could never have.

After all, nothing tasted sweeter than forbidden fruit.

Rowena chuckled, a spicy, rich sound that made your heart race. You could picture her smirking; lips curled, eyes sparkling, mischief painted all over her face in bright neon color.

"Rowena," you said exasperatedly, more mad at yourself, at your body, for having such a reaction to her rather than at her.

"Fine, fine. All business, no play it is." It came off playful, mischievous. "As it goes, business is the reason I'm calling, actually."

"Really?"

"Mhm." A short pause. "Well, soft of."

"Is it about tutoring? 'Cause I'd totally like to sign up for more lessons."

As much as you hated math, you loved studying with Rowena.

You loved being with Rowena. Loved being around her. Loved listening to her go on and on about numbers and formulas that, thanks to her endless patience, made slightly more sense than they did when Ms. Hanscum explained them in class.

"No, but that is good to know," she replied, amused. "Remember our little cinema date?"

How could you forget?

It was the first time you'd held her hand. The first time she'd let you touch her, comfort her. The first time you were out in public, among so many people, afraid of being recognized and at the same time wishing people you knew were allowed to know what you felt — even though, at the time, you didn't know — didn't want to know, didn't want to admit it — yourself.

That day would forever remain seared into your memory.

"Yeah."

She was still calling it a date, you realized. She still thought of it as such.

And, really, what was it if not a date?

You'd gone out to a public place — to the movies, of all places. You'd sat next to each other, watching — you with delight and her with distaste and a tinge of fear — people screaming and dying on screen. Teased each other. Tossed banter. Held hands.

If that wasn't a date, you didn't know what was.

"Then you also remember that I owe you one," Rowena said.

You did.

She'd agreed to go out with you on the condition that you accompanied her to the place of her choosing.

In short — another date.

You swallowed. "I do."

"Have you got any plans for New Year?"

"The usual." Remembering this was the first time the subject had come up, the first year the two of you spoke and had reason to bring it up, you elaborated, "A fun movie, some music. Just my computer and me."

It was sad, now that you thought about it. While your friends went out, had fun, got ridiculously drunk and enjoyed the night to the fullest, you were confined to your room.

Which you liked, but it didn't make it any less sad.

Maybe you really were a loser.

"How would you like to spend it with me?" Rowena proposed.

"What?" Your heart skipped a beat, adrenaline filling your veins like lava, burning bright hot. "For real?"

"Aye," she said, and you could picture her licking her lips, knowing she had you. A naughty little spider she'd lured in her fly.

"Don't you have plans?"

The outgoing, living-the-life Rowena MacLeod was bound to have some.

"The people I used to call friends turned out to be utter fannies. What do you think?"

"Right." You cleared your throat. "What did you have in mind?"

"The same thing as you. Movie, music, laptop. Only," she purred, "my room."

Well, shit.

You almost dropped your phone, fingers momentarily going limp before squeezing the phone as if your life depended on it.

Movie.

Music.

The two of you alone together.

Almost exactly the same like your little movies date, only this time she was single, you were closer than ever, and your feelings for her were through the roof.

She couldn't reciprocate, could she?

She was a tease, but she'd just ended an abusive relationship and abandoned a friend who'd stabbed her in the back.

It was too soon to even think of starting anything, let alone trying to.

You were looking into it too much.

You wanted her, and it was only natural for you to wish that she wanted you as well.

But just because you wished for it didn't make it true.

Rowena was just playing around. Pushing limits. Wreaking havoc because that was what she did, what she thrived on.

She wanted to hang out with you because you were her friend; one of the only friends she'd had left in the world. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Oh, really?" you asked, clearly interested.

"Mmhm. Fergus will be out, getting drunk somewhere."

You could imagine the distaste on her face as she said it, the unfiltered disgust, and you had to chuckle at the visual.

"Mother will also be out. I convinced her to join her colleagues at the bar. The woman needs to live, aye?"

Clever girl.

"And Gavin will be asleep," she finished. "We will have the house to ourselves. Though I think my room is quite enough."

There she went again, the little tease.

If only she knew what she was doing to you.

Would it make her stop, or would it prompt her to keep going, to keep working you up?

"Doesn't sound half bad," you mused.

It sounded fucking amazing!

"Knew you'd think so."

"And how long would this little party of ours last?"

"All night, if you want. I love a good party."

All night?

So she wasn't asking you to just celebrate New Year — she was asking you to sleep over.

Your heart pounded against your chest almost painfully, racing as if you'd just run a marathon.

An entire night with Rowena.

Alone.

That was what dreams were made of.

"Should I bring my pjs?" you joked, trying to hide your nervousness.

"If you wish," she replied amusedly. "Though I don't think we will be doing much of sleeping."

Just kill me, why don't you?

"Seems like you've got it all planned out."

"I am a professional, dear." Then, in a softer tone, she added, "Think of it as thanks for helping me out."

"You don't owe me anything, Rowena," you hurried to say. You helped her because she was your friend, because you loved her. Not because you expected anything in return. "I'm your friend. I—"

"I know," she cut you off. "I do owe you a date, though, and I saw it as a chance to show my gratitude."

"You don't have to do it."

"I want to," she assured you. "You know me. When have I ever passed on a good party?"

Fair point.

"Okay," you conceded. "If you're sure."

"One thousand percent."

Sounded good to you.

"When should I be there?"

"How about nine?"

"Sounds great!"

"Perfect!"

You smiled. "Should I bring snacks?"

"No need," Rowena said. "Just get your arse over here. I'll take care of everything else."

"It's a deal," you said, giggling.

The best night of your life, here you came!

*****

Tags: @werewolfbarbie @oswinthestrange @songofthecagedmoose @apurdyfulmind @getthesalt-sam @metallihca @salembitchtrials @jay-eris @hellsmother @elizabeth-effie @victoriasagittariablack @rowenaswife @wonderifshelikesroses @xfireandsin @liddell-alien @hotdiggitydammit @lae-lae @darkhumorsblog @gaysnakess @angel7376 @cherrypierowena @ruthieconnells @evil-regal-vampiress @collectorofsecretsandsouls @angel-e-v-a @tasyahilker @a-queen-and-her-throne @carryon-doctor-lock

[bizprofben]

Caravan to Calamity or Aspiration

In 1502 Amerigo Vespucci, another Italian sailing for Spain, landed in Honduras and on returning to Spain declared that Columbus had not discovered India, but two conjoined continents. In his honor this discovery these new continents were called the Americas. Later termed North and South America. So when one says “America First,” or “Make America Great Again” should that not mean all of the Americas?

There is what is called a “Caravan” of people moving northward to the US border. This is not an invasion, these are impoverished, hungry migrants with just their sandals on their feet and their clothes on their backs walking 1000 miles seeking a better life. What is needed is humanitarian investment. Let me explain.

Making all of North and South America Great means that all of America (and England also in the case of Belize) must intervene. Mexico has already stepped up and offered all migrants resettlement in southern Mexico with rights to live, work, healthcare, banking, children’s education etc. These migrants simply want the opportunity to “pull themselves up by their boots straps.” However, we must see to it that they have bootstraps.

Where these migrants come from, mostly Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, there is little industry, high unemployment, no healthcare. What they are forced to tolerate is injustice, and little if any police protection from violent gangs. These people see no future for themselves, so they are forced to leave to seek new hope.

We, primarily Mexico, US and Canada, need to seek:   1. Stabilization of all Central American Democratic Governments and economies,  2. An environment such as Mexico has to welcome refugees,   3. New opportunity for these refugees.

In North America, particularly the US, there is a void of skilled and semi-skilled labor.  This is because vocational training has all but wiped out. Mexico, the USA and Canada needs plumbers, cement workers carpenters, electricians, and shopkeepers. I also see a greater need for sheet metal workers, auto mechanics, road paving and public safety.

After World War II the US sponsored the Marshall Plan for Europe and Japan. Certainly, with North America and South America working together as we could under a new NAFTA and a newly created SAFTA, we can uplift the economies in Central America. Factories can create low cost products just like originally Japan in the 1950’s, Korea in the 1960’s, and China in the 1970’s once did.

Immigration reform is a hot topic. In the US we already depend on migrant labor for harvesting most of our vegetable and fruit crops. These refugees need place to go. Let’s give them the legal option of applying for green card status. With Mexico’s permission, the US, Mexico and Canada could set up a migrant processing center in southern Mexico. Migrants can apply to stay in Mexico as Mexico has already offered resettlement, others may be documented and apply for US or Canada residence based on their past history, education and vocational skills.  

Many of these refugees want to learn a vocation, Vocational educations are in demand in North and South America. What I propose is to set up a non-profit 501c3 corporation to assist In preparing migrant refugees with attaining needed vocational skills. Basic at first, such as road paving, painting, landscaping and public utility work, then add carpentry, plumbing, electrical trades. Other trades such as auto mechanics, sheet metal work could be added later. These migrants want to work, not live on the streets or on welfare.

The location: It would be easy to find and or construct some basic buildings preferably within walking distance from where they would be living with the assistance of the Mexican Government or possibly southern Texas. Next we need to find some teachers, preferably some retired volunteers, who speak Spanish. I want to establish a Go Fund Me Account to raise money for a 501c3 non profit.

I am just throwing some thoughts out there to generate a response, conversation, feedback on these ideas. Write to me on Linked In.

[sorasunao]

the GazettE ~ Aoi about World Tour’13 [part 1]~

What did you feel when, after 6 years, it was decided about the Gazette World Tour'13?

Aoi: I thought, "It will be hard" (laughs). Because most of all I hate to move from place to place. Moves during 3-4 hours is tolerably, but in Europe it was necessary to go for 16 hours, and in Central America about 8 hours. I thought, "I'll soon grow bald" (laughs). Besides, I did not really know anything about South America: neither about the local atmosphere, nor how well they know about the Gazette. But as the tour approached, I was more and more looking forward to it. From abroad, messages like "We are waiting for you with impatience" began to arrive, and I genuinely wanted to answer these feelings. I wanted to make concerts such, so that the people who came there wanted us to come again. Besides, in some things I wanted to test myself. I decided to perform abroad with a minimum set of equipment.

What caused this decision?

Aoi: Because that's what Nuno does * (laughs). [* Nuno Bettencourt is the guitarist of Extreme] He uses only a small set of equipment. At first it was dictated by a new trend, but later, by trial and error it became clear, that the minimum equipment is without a doubt the most advantageous option.  If, for example, the guitar and amplifier are connected to each other by the smallest possible number of equipment, this helps prevent to deaden the sound.  Trying to do so in a foreign tour, I was pleased with the result, and I'm thinking of resorting to the same method in the upcoming national tour.

It turns out that the tour was a great chance to experience something new. Before the tour, you also took part in the Russian festival KUBANA FEST and in SUMMER SONIC.

Aoi: In Russia, I felt "That's what a real festival is!". At home, we played many times at festivals, but our performances were mainly during the day, and at nights, we always stuck out in the dressing room, so I didn’t have a feeling that this is a festival. Even at SUMMER SONIC, security insisted that we stay in the room, and then to go to the stage, and on sensations it almost didn’t differ from an ordinary concert. At KUBANA FEST, first of all we performed late at night, and there were already a lot of spectators. However, even though it was forbidden, many fans recorded the performance on camera. And during the live, here and there I noticed flashes. "Ah, I already saw this somewhere" (laughs). At first, the audience seemed to be perplexed: "What kind of colored clowns are these?", but then gradually they began to have fun, mosh pit began and like this, and the area turned into something incredible. Then I thought: "You, assholes, you don't listen to us at all" (laughs). Never before at the concerts of the Gazette the public didn't react as well as at the concerts of some melodic metalcore band. I could see it live, and it became for me a precious memory... And also there hefty guys ran naked (laughs). SUMMER SONIC, hmm... I especially don’t remember anything. Is it only that this year we were in the neighboring dressing rooms with  coldrain, although usually we are always lodged next to absolutely strangers. Since I'm familiar with RxYxO [* bassist of coldrain], I came to an excellent mood, after seeing him.  After watching the coldrain’s performance, I was able to say only "That's cool" and thought that we, too, should try harder. Recently, I rarely feel such a surge of enthusiasm, so that case served as a good impulse for me.

The world tour in this sense has given you a great return. The first part of it took place in South America, and the first stop was Mexico.  

Aoi: As I imagined, Mexico was an eerie place (laughs). There, people hardly walk around the streets. Well, somewhere on the outskirts of the open place, it happens, you meet local people, going for food, but on the main streets there are almost no one. I certainly studied the level of public safety in every country where we went, and in Mexico it limps on both legs. However, on their own, Mexicans are very nice people. Especially, hotel employees -  they are very kind, polite and try to do their best. Also, in Argentina, it seems, a very high level of female emancipation. Women are pretty self-confident, even waitresses, how to say it, are very harsh and almost do not listen to what they are told (laughs). In addition, the population of South America speaks mostly Spanish and doesn’t understand English at all. They can simply say hello in English, but when you try to speak with them in English, the conversation does not work. In this regard, Russia was also terrible (laughs). In Russia, the makeup was imposed on us at the hotel. And from time to time, some maids, some other people came to us, and constantly spoke Russian. Our stylist answered in English, but they didn’t understand him at all (laughs). I myself speak only Japanese, so it's natural that I spoke Japanese with a stylist. In the end, everything was mixed: Japanese, English and Russian (laughs). I sat and wondered if anyone understood anything, but the maid eventually left us with a smile on her face (laughs). It was very funny.

Yes, Russia cannot be understood with the mind (laughs). Returning to the previous topic, how do you like Central America? 

Aoi: Since Mexico, in every country we have been able to give an excellent concert. The voices from the audience were strikingly loud. I didn't hear well what they shouted, because I use headphone-monitors, but according to Reita, who doesn’t use them, fans constantly sang so loudly that it seemed as if they did not listen to our performance at all (laughs). Fans in South America are very active, especially in Brazil. There the largest number of people came to the airport, and they were all just mad. Brazil is the exact opposite of Japan. And it seemed to me somewhat surprising, that in this place so many people know the Gazette. Fans in Mexico and in general in South America are incredibly impulsive, but they can not be called cheeky. Plus I really liked the food in all countries. True, I would like to see another hall selected for us in Argentina  - why on the stage do you need such an outstanding front-line descent? (laughing) Why did they do that? (laughing) Except this I have only the warmest memories about Mexico and South America. I definitely want to go there again.

Let your desire come true. After leaving Brazil, you once returned home, and then continued your journey across Europe.

Aoi: I don’t remember how I got home at all (laughs). It seems I caught a cold on the road from South America, and although at the time of arrival at Narita Airport I felt healthy, arrived home, I found my temperature at 38 degrees. I haven’t been out of the house all this time and, having only had time to repackage stuff, immediately went to Europe (laughs). Honestly, throughout the European part of the tour I was unwell, so I had some difficulties. In Europe, I tuned in the way that six years ago we were already here. In Mexico and South America, we were for the first time, so there it felt like everything meets you with open arms.  Thanks only to this, my enthusiasm didn’t fade away, I succumbed to this feeling. In Europe, I'm prepared for the fact that there will not be such an atmosphere. Add to this poor state of health, and, I'm sorry to say this, but with the fans who met us at the airport, I was cold (laughs). In South America it was great to be friendly in every possible way, but as soon as I landed in Europe, I became a completely different person (laughs). I prepared for the worst, however, after playing one concert, realized that, despite my condition, I can perform as well as usual. And thanks to this, I found peace of mind.  

Got peace of mind as a musician? 6 years ago in Europe there was a kind of boom on Japanese anime and visual kei, right?

Aoi: This feeling now became almost invisible. I think the other members will say the same thing, but this time our concerts were attended by those who love the Gazette. From the local coordinators, I heard: "If you had come a few years early, this much people would come to your performance", and I answered them: "Even so, I'm glad that we did not come at that time."  Based on the figures obtained as a result of getting into a mainstream, you can give an incorrect assessment of yourself. On the contrary, after waiting for the boom to wane and making sure that this is the number of people who came to look at us, we can confidently make a verdict. At some concerts the tickets were soon sold out, and every live was amazingly hot. I believe that we have a chance to repeat this tour, and next time I want to get deeper into Europe.    

     to be continued...

translation from japanese to russian by haruurara-kazan on tumblr

translated from russian to english by me

as always thx for reading and sorry for mistakes ^^

[origami-goblin]

Complete Starfinder Theme Series - Creation Tips and Character Concepts

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Part 1 - Sculpting Your Backstory - Themes in Starfinder

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Creating characters in tabletop RPGs is an art. Before we even put a pen to the page, our minds might already have a vision of our character’s impulsive habits, their fatal flaws, and their love of honeyed candies. We pick up the misshapen ball of clay and sculpt details until our character is standing there, breathing on the page before our very eyes. To put it simply, a part of ourselves becomes attached to that player and we can usually see our own faces staring back at us. It can give us the opportunity to address shortcomings that we have or learn to see things from a different perspective. So, in a way, we level up in RL along with our characters.

But how do you start with a broad idea and hammer out the dents to end up with a fully-fledged character? In Dungeons and Dragons 5E we could start with a Background, like a Sailor or a Noble, and we also received prompts to determine flaws, bonds, and ideals to help breathe life into our newborns. Pathfinder didn’t have much specifically in terms of backgrounds to choose from, but we could choose specific traits that had some backstory to get the wheels turning. With Starfinder, we are presented with one word: theme.

Instantly I’m reminded of the scene in A Christmas Story when Ralphie’s class is assigned the arduous task of writing a theme centered around what they wanted for Christmas (Red Rider BB Gun, anyone?). Starfinder doesn’t appear to leave us with a similar length of creative rope; only ten options? Really? How am I supposed to develop an original history and genealogy of my character when I’m shoehorned into a limiting background from the beginning?

That’s where I’ll jump in to say that you’re wrong to think that way. Honestly, I LOVE that we are limited to a single choice of ten themes. For one, we already know that there are an extensive number of Feats to choose from and having more starting options to memorize on top of those would simply be too much for a game trying to simplify the rules and character creation process. Secondly, I’m a firm believer that limitations and restrictions breed more creativity than rabbits at a carrot festival. They force us to approach our characters with a fresh perspective. Let’s look at the Icon theme, for example:

Icon Character Concepts

“Thanks to interstellar transmissions and Drift travel, the galaxy is smaller than ever, and this connectivity has facilitated your ascension to celebrity status. You might be a famous performer or a celebrated scientist, but either way, you get recognized on the Pact Worlds and in associated systems. Your reason for traveling to unknown worlds might be to further spread your acclaim or to escape the limelight.” - Starfinder CRB

Popular and respected celebrity who can leverage the public’s adoration for specific needs.

Alright, so this describes a character that everybody knows, for some reason or another. The way that it is phrased, it seems like notoriety isn’t completely out of the question, but it is definitely a gray area. So…for what reasons could somebody be famous on an interstellar level?

Pop Icon - Music, dance, special FX, etc. Maybe you’re part of a galactic Blue Man Group or you’re a Kardashian of the Pact Worlds.

Renowned Scientist - You’ve made leaps and bounds in the discoveries of other species and planets. You could be a geologist specializing in the terraformation of planetary features or an intelligent botanist who has cataloged countless samples from neighboring star systems.

Political Propaganda - Your face was used as part of a political campaign for your Home Planet and you are recognized everywhere you go - it’s kind of like being the Coppertone baby or Justin Long from Apple commercials.

Luxurious Billionaire - Part of a historic family, you grew up in the limelight. Every waking moment was scrutinized because you had to live up to your family’s name. Why you don’t have any of that wealth now…that’s up for you to decide.

Skilled Athlete - Having scored the winning goal in the Interplanetary Scrooving Cup, you brought honor, wealth, and fame to your previously unimportant home planet. It doesn’t have to be scrooving, of course (especially since I haven’t invented the rules…yet), but it could be a podracing variant or even a form of space-jousting.

You see, all it takes is a single word to have a canvas on which to build your character. On any of the examples above, you probably have a loose framework of how that person would act; the scientist might bravely charge into the unknown for the sake of scientific discovery, or the athlete might live a shallow life outside of their matches.

Be bold and stretch your imagination. We are no longer limited by the atmosphere.

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Part 2 - Starfinder Theme Focus - Ace Pilots and Bounty Hunters

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This week I’m going back to the scene of the crime to revisit the themes in Starfinder and offer some possible avenues down which you can direct your creative character-building energies. In case you’re completely in the dark on this topic, Starfinder introduces the concept of themes that you can use as a small puzzle piece in sculpting your character. In addition to providing some RP definition, each theme will give your character a boost to a specific stat and bonuses at 1st, 6th, 12th, and 18th level. As an aside, Paizo’s choice to have the theme progression remain identical throughout the possible selections helps to limit the min-maxing a bit, by ensuring that players aren’t choosing themes based on whichever ones grant them bonuses the soonest. Of course, the bonuses that each theme provides inherently enable some level of power-gaming, but that is going to be the case with nearly any pen-and-paper PRG.

Last time, as a part of my deeper dive into themes, I specifically touched on the Icon and listed several examples of character concepts that a player could use when creating a Startfinder character kissed by the Icon theme. The point of the post was to show that themes aren’t meant to limit creativity; they foster it. Just as there’s no wrong way to eat a Reese’s, there are countless interpretations to each theme and the characters that can be molded into existence. Today, I’ll be firing up my brain engine to offer some different charger ideas for the Ace Pilot and Bounty Hunter themes. Buckle up, we’re making the jump!

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Ace Pilot Character Concepts

“You are most comfortable at the controls of a vehicle, whether it’s a starship racing through the inky void of space or a ground vehicle zooming between trees, around boulders, and across dusty badlands. You might be a member of an elite military force, the recipient of intense courses of training. Alternatively, you might be a total amateur with innate skills that make you a much-admired hotshot.” – Starfinder CRB

Cargo Transport Pilot – You’ve been on the open road…er…space your whole life. Maybe you enjoy the solitude that comes with transporting outrageous quantities of goods across planets or star systems. These goods could be anything – weapons, construction materials, medical devices. Or maybe it’s a grab bag and half of the excitement stems from wondering what the next shipment will contain. The many laws governing tariffs & import/export taxes come second-nature, and your expertise in maneuvering an unruly behemoth transport ship is unrivaled. I’m sure you have some fantastic stories about the characters that you’ve met at depots and docks along the way. Have you operated with a crew or are you more of a lone wolf? Are you ‘by the book’ or are you known to bend the rules when regulations aren’t being followed? And hey, I’m not going to judge if you smuggle something every now and again – that’s completely up to you.

Mining Rig Operator – A specialist when it comes to operating heavy machinery, and someone who’s not afraid to get their hands dirty. Whether it be a massive drill, asteroid borer, front-end loader, or excavator, you have the honed precision required of someone who could easily level a structure or cause a fatality with a minor slip of the controls. You might harbor a deep love of geology, wealth, or the smell of space-diesel. If you’ve seen Disney’s Atlantis, Gaetan ‘The Mole’ comes to mind here, in all his grimy glory. Has mining been in your family for generations, or were you trying to make some credits in whatever profession was available? Have you pocketed any of your unearthed materials and sold them on the sly? What sort of role would you have on a starship that isn’t a dedicated mining vessel?

Stunt Driver – Inhabitants of the Pact Worlds crave entertainment, and you know how to deliver. From hologram tapes to over-capacity arenas, the lengths you go to appease your audiences is unmatched. How do you prepare yourself mentally to be fearless? Is there any stunt that you won’t do? Huge flames, steep jumps, free-falling acrobatics – you’ve done it all! Have you become an adventurer to satisfy a new craving that’s suddenly emerged deep inside? Are you an adrenaline junky with no care for your personal safety? Or are you THAT confident in your abilities that you simply must show them off at every opportunity?  

Military Training Pilot – You’ve risen through the ranks of a military sect, but you figured that you’re done with combat missions. Instead, you are now responsible for grooming the fresh batch of hot-heads in the Academy to ensure that engagements end favorably at the minimal loss of life and equipment. You could be highly decorated and revered by all, or maybe you’ve never actually seen combat but have a brilliant mind for tactics and strategy. Did you develop a sophisticated training module for recruits? Are you a master of physics and can perform complex equations regarding acceleration, drag, and gravity on the fly? Maybe you’re not pleased about being given a non-combative assignment and yearn to be back in the fight, wherever that might be.

Getaway Driver – You’ll ‘wait in the car.’ You know the best nooks and crannies to hide in after a successful operation, be it a heist or a GTA. Apart from having nerves of steel, your ability to handle any vehicle makes you highly coveted in the high-stakes game of evading the authorities. Perhaps you have a catchy pseudonym, like “Leadfoot” or “Afterburner” that adds an edge of mystery to your growing legend. Are you available for hire depending on the highest bidder, or are you loyal to a dedicated group of criminals? Or maybe you’re not a criminal at all, and you’re an undercover agent networking to root out the top dogs of the criminal world. What drives you (pun intended) and keeps your foot on the accelerator? I haven’t seen Baby Driver, but I imagine that he would make for a fun Starfinder character.

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Bounty Hunter Character Concepts

“You track people down for money. It is a dangerous profession, as most of your targets understandably don’t wish to be caught. You wouldn’t have it any other way. You might have a code of ethics, never taking jobs that, say, target children or members of your own race. You might hunt down only escaped criminals. Or you might be completely amoral, taking any job that comes along—for the right price.” – Starfinder CRB

Great Mouse Detective – Maybe I’m getting a little ahead of myself on this one, but a Ysoki Detective? Come on! Okay, we can drop the ‘mouse’ portion of this to generalize it a bit, but a detective makes for a great Bounty Hunter. Searching for clues? Check. Interrogating witnesses? Check. An independent free-lancer? Check, check, check. Now all we need is a mahogany pipe that functions while wearing an airtight, pressurized helmet. Are you a Private Investigator, helping people track down lost relatives? Do you offer your services on a contract basis, assisting the local authorities when your services are required? Maybe you’re exceptional at finding clues, or adept at making accurate deductions based on the information on-hand. Or perhaps your forte involves the canvassing of a crime scene to gather the word on the street, or you could be skilled at poring over historical documents and ancestry lineages.

Gung-Ho Repo-Man – It’s time to pay the piper. Whether it be collecting vehicles or ships that have defaulted loans, or shaking down debtors who are skipping town without paying back the credits owed, there are plenty of avenues to venture down as a repo-man (or woman). Are you employed by a roving band of outlaws or by a seedy brand of space mafia? Do you find honor in returning to others what is rightfully theirs? You can be cold and calculated, or a wild child with a smoking gun. Do you believe in using violence to get the job done, by obtaining the required items by whatever means necessary? Or do you have a strict code of conduct and will only resort to fighting if it is absolutely necessary and all other accessible routes have been exhausted? Either way, you get the job done and collect that paycheck, because if someone is going to get paid, it might as well be you.  

Corporate Headhunter – Everybody’s looking for that perfect candidate to fill the shoes and help their company prosper. Sure, you’re a bounty hunter, but you aren’t collecting the reward on some beat-up Toyota Star-is or trying to bring in a fugitive; you are trying to find the right people and put them in the right seats. Corporations pay you top dollar (after six months) when you track down someone with the appropriate skillset and convince them to accept a position at their firms. You have an absurd eye for noticing talent, even when it isn’t a skill that people recognize themselves as having. These aren’t rush jobs; you know that the only way to scout ability is to dig in beyond the resume and get to know the person behind the paper. Whittling down long lists of candidates to a select few and engaging them in social situations is your true calling, and you truly want them to succeed. If they’re not a fit, it’s on to the next one until you find that diamond in the rough.

Pre-Gap Antiquarian – Not much is known about the Gap (that’s why it’s called ‘the Gap’), but you recognize that there is much to be learned about the past, and that the key to unlocking the secrets of what we’ve collectively forgotten lies in the relics that remain. You seek out machinery, trinkets, baubles, clothing – any odds and ends whose origins have long since been forgotten. Perhaps you scour through old histories and manuscripts, trying to locate legendary items of extraordinary power. Do you have magic at your disposal to aid you in your search, ala a dowsing rod? Do you gravitate towards items of a certain kind, like ancient weapons? What draws you to these items in the first place? Maybe there have been stories passed down through your family and you became attached to them, bringing nostalgia into the mix. Or maybe you believe that the way technology is progressing leaves people disconnected with nature or causes us to lack the stronger bond that comes in a slower-moving culture. You probably hoard some of your treasures and keep an exceptionally special item on your person. You could be a hoarder, or run a shop that deals in the sale and acquisition of oddities and antiques.

Zealous Proselytizer – Instead of being driven by the promise of gold or riches, you seek out the good fortune that comes from your deity looking favorably upon you. Whether it be Talavet, Weydan or any deity in between, you seek out others in attempt to show them the enlightenment that comes with becoming a follower. In a way, you are a bounty hunter of souls. Maybe you preach openly in front of large crowds and then try to personally recruit the ones who come up to your afterwards who show interest and promise. Or perhaps you spend more time watching and listening, following people whose dispositions align best with your deity’s tenets. You don’t necessarily have to be pushy, but you certainly could get aggressive if you become frustrated with your efforts. What if they don’t see the world as you see it? You might not be terribly high on the totem pole, either; you could be passing out leaflets in hopes that you ascend the ranks if you make your quota. Do you have a quota? If so, is it more of a personal goal or an appointed goal? What if you’re not aligned with a deity at all, but you hop between them depending on the one that grants the most benefits? After all, nobody’s perfect.

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And there you have it! Since I’ve already done the Icon in a previous post, our next stop will be the Mercenary and Outlaw themes. I’m really looking forward to these two, as they both have a negative connotation and I want to see if we can’t shrug off those predispositions and put a positive spin on them! The main problem I have with posts like these is that I want to start putting together a bunch of characters, most of which will never see the light of day. So, please - create! I shall live through your characters!

Until next time – the stars aren’t the limit; they’re only the beginning.

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Part 3 - Starfinder Theme Focus - Mercenaries and Outlaws

Three down, seven to go! I’ve decided that I might as well just knock out the remaining themes all in a row so that at the very least they’ll be crammed together on the blog in a loose semblance of order. Check back on the first two posts if you want a bit of background on the Starfinder Themes and the role they play in character creation. There isn’t much more I can expand on regarding themes specifically, so maybe I’ll just impart a few thoughts on backstories as little tidbits for you to ruminate on. Maybe I’ll sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. Maybe!

The point of a backstory is provide a framework and serve as a backdrop for your character - what do they believe? What quirks do they have? Why are they the way that they are? We are all products of our environments, and it is that environment that you are trying to envision. Leave spaces in the narrative to come out during the game; if you fill in every tiny detail then there won’t be anything for the GM to work with and incorporate into the story. Loose ends are the best! They can be woven into the narrative in order to enhance the game. Even if you’re playing a prewritten Adventure Path or Module, a good GM will use the gaps in your backstory to help engage your PC and keep them interested. And when you’re talking about the sheet expanse of the Vast in Starfinder, let your imagination run rampant on WHO your character is! Themes are a nice paste you can spread over your character to stick new things on top of.

Alright - now we are primed to talk about the Mercenary and Outlaw themes. There is a “bad boy” mentality that naturally comes into the conversation with each of these, by lets see if we can list out five brief theme concepts that stretch the boundaries of the basic definitions of these words.

Mercenary Character Concepts

“Whether you take jobs that match your ethical beliefs or you fight for anyone who can afford your services, you are a hired gun. You might take pride in your past accomplishments, proudly displaying trophies of your kills, or you might be laden with guilt over being the sole survivor of a mission gone terribly wrong. You most likely work with other mercenaries and are familiar with the methodologies of military actions all across the galaxy.” - Starfinder CRB

Security Officer - You’ve always seen yourself as a protector - whether someone needs a watchful eye to make sure they stay out of trouble, or if an estate needs to reprimand unwelcome visitors, you can answer that call. Your allegiance follows the flow of credits and you won’t let your personal beliefs get in the way of whoever’s paying. Nobody’s breaking Non-Disclosure Agreements, but you wouldn’t be dissuaded from providing your security services for a direct competitor. Do you run a small-scale Security Detail or are you a division of a larger corporation? Do you specialize in a particular type of work, such as being a bodyguard or providing cyber-security? Where is your base of operations, or do you require on-site lodgings in order to provide the best service? Were you a part of a specific military before becoming involved in security or have you never tied yourself down to a specific group in that capacity? I see Michael Weston from Burn Notice as a decent example of a Mercenary in this vein - providing assistance through the completion of odd jobs and using his unique skills to outthink his opposition.

Divine Crusader - You believe that the Divine shape the universe through the people that inhabit it. And after all is said and done, and your light goes out, you want to be sure that your deeds didn’t go unnoticed from the powerful beings above. For this reason you wear every divine symbol under your shirt, prominently displaying the current recipient of your unwavering homage and devotion. For you, it isn’t a matter of lacking faith; you are just covering your spiritual bases. Or maybe you have followed a strict belief to a single deity for your entire life, pledging your devotion whole-cloth from day one. Do you play a prominent militaristic role while professing your faith or do you sell your services in a more charismatic avenue? Are you convinced that your actions are tipping the doomsday scales in your favor, or is there a crack in your faith? Have you served in any divine-fueled wars or defected from a losing side? A character falling into this category should have their religious preference tied into their backstory, which had likely followed their interests, skills, and hobbies. I can’t stop thinking of medieval crusaders in this regard, but there is a lot of flavor to dip into here.

Corporate Consultant - In the Pact Worlds, corporations might as well be planets for all the power that carry, and they probably have a militaristic presence of some kind. A corporate consultant could specialize in offering recommendations to specific equipment and weapons, or perhaps they aren’t involved in a violent capacity at all. They could be ruthless and tactical, pulling the strings from behind the curtain or offering suggestions on where to shave off the excess fat of the company. I particularly like the idea of someone walking around with a clipboard and conducting interviews with employees ala Office Space. But how does that tie to a Mercenary? Maybe it’s the company itself - weapons contractor, thugs for hire, etc. Or, perhaps the war lies between a rival corporation and you are involved in espionage and marketing attacks to gain market share. Targeted advertisements, facilities sabotage, and staged product recalls are only the tip of the iceberg.

Intergalactic Lobbyist - You have connections. We aren’t talking about a guy who does your dry cleaning or a farm with the best space radishes; these are high-level, big-time connections that puts credits in pockets and shapes the political landscape of the Pact Worlds. The companies on the money side of the table tell you which babies to kiss and which people to schmooze. If your efforts lead to a political victory, lax taxation, or breaks in long-standing mercantile tariffs, then you get paid handsomely as well. Having the backing of a wealthy corporation is influential in the complicated game of thrones and your ability to reach across planetary lines to make hands meet in a mutual agreement is second to none. Are you employed by a certain company or industry, or do you represent the lawmaking bodies? Do you have morals where you would refuse to make connections that conflict with your personal beliefs? Are you sincere in your work? Have you been known to exercise a position as a double-agent or worked to tack on seemingly insignificant riders to laws that will add up to accomplish a more grandiose goal? You’re likely trained to handle yourself in case seals go sour, and can get out of hairy situations with your wit or your weapons.

Boisterous Revolutionary - The transgressions of the current government have gone far enough and it is time for someone to lead the charge against their injustice. That someone is you. Whether it be a local affair to overthrow a village leader or an elaborate scheme to Take Down an entire planetary government, you have the tactical mind and leadership ability required to gather people behind a cause. This might not even be your brainchild - perhaps you were hired to be the face of the militaristic front or to train the rabble that will be storming the frontlines of the fight. Is your identity a secret while you infiltrate the ranks of the very government you’re trying to unravel? Are you merely a voice blasting through the sound-waves, promoting action or demanding change? Why do you fight? Is it a personal grievance or is your reasoning more utilitarian than that? How is the revolution designed to be won and what are the conditions of a victory? From a grassroots movement to an all-out war, there are loads of potential for a character who wants things to be different.

Outlaw Character Concepts

“Due to the sins of your past or your current unlawful behavior, you are a wanted individual somewhere in the Pact Worlds. You might not even be guilty and are striving to clear your good name. Or you might fully admit to being a criminal but believe the laws you break are unjust. Whatever the case, boarding a starship headed to the Vast might be just the thing you need until the heat dies down—or until you’re dragged off to prison.” - Starfinder CRB

Escaped Convict - You weren’t about to twiddle your thumbs and patiently serve out your sentence. Through careful planning, tactical bribes, and a healthy serving of luck, you have broken out of prison and now you’re on the lam. I’m sure that the going hasn’t been easy - between hiding from the law, committing other crimes to stay alive, and disguising your appearance, it’s been a challenge. Did you have anyone waiting for you on the outside, or have you been begging, borrowing, and sealing to get by? Did your escape because you were wrongfully convicted or did you have some unfinished business to take care of? Were you a part of a criminal organization that lacked direction after you were locked up? What about going forwards - do you have a new identity that you’ve been working to build? Is this a backstory within a backstory situation? Were you partially rehabilitated? Did a couple screws get popped loose while you were in the clink, or are there any specific life-changing moments after your capture and sentencing? From the details of the escape, to acquaintances made behind bars, to plans for the future, this one has some long legs you can use to take some great strides.

Undercover Vigilante - By day you work a nondescript job behind a desk but once night hits you are something else entirely. Alternate personas, white lies regarding your whereabouts, and layers of complex secrets define your alternate exploits. In your primary life you might display yourself as completely average but your other identity has an astronomical bounty on their head. What sorts of activities do you participate in while you’re on and off the clock? Are you more of a Robin Hood character or an independent crime fighter who bends the rules and laws to bring justice to those who would normally get a slap on the wrist? Are your methods questionable? Do you kill? It’s hard not to use Dexter as a point of comparison for someone who uses illegal means to ensure justice is served. Does anybody know about your double life, or do you offer your services to law enforcement agencies? Is there a contact on the force that helps you plan out your next target? Do you wear a unique costume or uniform or do you think it’s unnecessary so long as your face is hidden?

White Collar Criminal - Blood is messy and it will spoil your freshly laundered clothes. Your crimes aren’t rooted in violence of the body, but in the acquisition of funds through discreet avenues. Accounting errors, financial repossession algorithms, malicious software - you alter the bottom line of companies to fill your purse with those sweet, sweet credits. Maybe you’ve forged documents to give yourself access to places you shouldn’t be, or perhaps you’ve run pyramid schemes that have created an almost-cult following behind you. What sorts of crimes have you performed and what sorts of groups do you typically target? How large is he typical score? Do you use an alias or leave a calling card to pump up your ego or would you rather not take those unnecessary risks? Did you have an inspiration or teacher for your work, or were your skills self-taught? Is this a full-time gig or do you have another job so that your extra-curricular activities are more of a supplement? Neal Caffrey from White Collar would be a solid source of inspiration for this one, and he really is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to these sorts of things. Think about how it translates to the world of Starfinder, where technology has progressed significantly and the possibility of scams is abundant - lemon starships, pre-Gap forgeries, and impersonations of diplomats who are literally planets away.

Petty Thief - You are small-time but that doesn’t mean you’re any less talented than the more infamous criminals who are making bigger scores than you. In your eyes, smaller is safer since people are less apt to notice and the manhunt won’t be as dedicated when a booster gets stolen off a personal starship or a couple hundred credits get swiped from a stray purse. Maybe you were raised on the streets and this has always been a part of you or maybe you’ve resorted to crime to rebel against an unfair system. Perhaps you enjoy the thrill you get from the act itself, or you like to cut it as close as possible without getting caught. Do you work independently or as a part of a team? Is there a special role that you fill? How much planning do you do before committing a crime or do you act within the moment? Are you skilled with a weapon or are your talents more in line with dexterity and a convincing tongue? Do you have a stash of Stolen Goods or do you turn around and sell the hot items right away? Is there anything that you’ve stolen that has developed sentimental value? You wouldn’t even have to have an evil alignment depending on your intentions and the severity of your crimes.

Contract Assassin - You have your target and it is your job to eliminate that target without drawing suspicion to yourself or your employer(s). Secrecy is the name of the game and nobody is more meticulous in plotting out the precise details of your operation. As such, your skills come at a high price, but people are willing to pay it knowing that you will be successful in fulfilling your end of the bargain. Your actions have ended wars and started them, reunited countries and torn them apart. From insignificant low-lifes to heavily guarded political figures, you fulfill whatever contracts are the most attractive. Are you driven by money or do you believe that the results of your actions will align with another agenda? Is there a list of prerequisites that must be fulfilled before a target becomes an acceptable contract? How do people get in contact with you? How do you provide your resume for the skeptical clientele without giving away your identity completely? My fallback isAgent 47 from the Hitman series, since he is practically more machine than man which provides an interesting dynamic for the rest of the party.

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Another two themes are in the books! Think about how you can add additional spins to these and how the other aspects of your character might tie into the Theme. Can you picture a Vesk crunching numbers and pushing papers all day just to hit the streets as a brutish enforcer at night? What about a Ysoki rubbing elbows with some of the most elite leaders in the Pact Worlds? Priests and Scholars are up next - stay tuned for more Starfinder goodness!

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Part 4 - Starfinder Theme Focus – Priests and Scholars

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As we continue our journey through the themes of Starfinder, let’s take a second to look back on what we’ve already covered. Things were unofficially kicked off in the startup article detailing each theme individually, in which we shined the spotlight on the Icon (something they’re well-versed with). We’ve discussed the daring Ace Pilot and their mastery over starships and land vehicles. Next came the bounty hunter, searching the vastness of space and overturning asteroids to unearth the location of their prey. After that we made a substantial payment to hire the Mercenary, who gladly offers their services to the party with the fattest purse. Which leaves us with our most recent acquaintance, the Outlaw, who would probably prefer that we mention them as little as possible so as not to give away their identity.

Before we get to today’s scheduled programming, I’d like to mention something about character creation that can be limiting to our creativity. It’s definitely a pitfall that I’ve succumbed to on more than one occasion, and Starfinder Themes can inadvertently recreate the situation. The problem with having specific themes or backgrounds in a tabletop game, is that by selecting one of the options we are essentially putting a label on our PC: Drake is a bounty hunter. Full stop. What tends to happen, is that we have a predisposed definition of ‘bounty hunter’ in our minds; it is a mold that we casually place our character into before we have rolled a single die. It can be limiting and stifling to our creativity, even if we don’t initially see it that way.

Try to get into the habit of generalizing the themes and backgrounds so that all of the stereotypical noise is stripped away, leaving you with a beautiful, hollow shell that you can shape as you see fit. Jumping back to the bounty hunter example: Start off with the bounty hunter definition as outlined in the CRB:

“You track people down for money. It is a dangerous profession, as most of your targets understandably don’t wish to be caught. You wouldn’t have it any other way. You might have a code of ethics, never taking jobs that, say, target children or members of your own race. You might hunt down only escaped criminals. or you might be completely amoral, taking any job that comes along—for the right price.”

Okay, that’s a good place to start but it’s wordy and fills in the gaps unnecessarily. Maybe a regular definition would suffice:

“A person who pursues a criminal or fugitive for whom a reward is offered.”

Better, but the normal definition is making some assumptions that we can generalize even further. Let’s try this:

“A FINDER, paid for FINDING.”

When it all gets boiled down, isn’t that essentially what a bounty hunter does? A bounty hunter doesn’t have to be exclusively searching for people; they can be tracking down objects as well, so long as they’re getting paid for successful completion of the job.

These posts on Starfinder themes have sought to generalize the definition of each theme to give us more creative space to mold and shape our PCs. Of course, your character might be the literal definition of a bounty hunter, and that’s perfectly fine too – fun is whatever YOU find most enjoyable!

Enough jabbering, it’s time to talk about the Priest and the Scholar! In the paraphrased words of Wolfmother, “So I’ll tell you all the story about the Scholar and the Priest of the night!”

Priest Character Concepts

“You are a member of an organized religion or similar association. Your belief, whether it has been a part of you since childhood or it came to you later in life, is an integral part of your character. You might travel the stars proselytizing your deity, or your church might have sent you out on a specific holy (or unholy) mission. No matter what obstacles life puts in your way, you always have the conviction of your beliefs to fall back on.” - Starfinder CRB

Dedicated Pilgrim – Humbled by your beliefs and wanting to strengthen the connection you have with your deity, you have dedicated yourself to a journey of enlightenment. Guided by your immovable faith, you will follow the call of your deity to the end of the Pact Worlds and beyond, if you must. Through the discovery of new planets, people, and technologies, everything serves as a connection to your higher power. Are you specifically travelling to commune with a group of believers at a revered historical site? Is there a tangible beacon guiding you in your pilgrimage, such as a holy relic or powerful artifact? Depending on your deity, you may be driven by or attracted to a multitude of objects, lifestyles, people, etc.

Faithful Preacher – Completely enveloped by your faith, you can’t help but to share the holy words of your divine patron wherever you go. Backing up your speeches with passages from deific texts and reciting countless stories of Even though you are aware that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, are you pushy about spreading your faith or do you focus more heavily on people who are more apt to be convinced? Do you have a specific audience that you are targeting, be it the elderly or are you shaping the young minds of tomorrow? What sort of demeanor does this character have? How do they handle conflict? Have they had an experience that made them question their faith, or is there a profound moment that filled them with their faith to begin with? Maybe you even have a conversion quota that you’d like to reach before you consider your purpose fulfilled.

Astute Theologian – The key to having a solid foundation in faith is to understand the texts and histories that were written to support and document all pertinent information on your deity. Whether you scribe events yourself or focus exclusively on the texts of theologians prior, you enjoy having concrete evidence available at your fingertips. Are you a bookish individual whose vision is damaged by years under dim lights, or are you a young theologian hoping to excel your tutelage under another? Do you collect stories of every deity, or do you limit your studies to a single divine? Are you accepting of other people’s beliefs? Do you have favorite quotes or passages that you constantly reference? Are there any particular ways that you communicate to those of a lesser intelligence? Or perhaps you’re not as intelligent as you initially seem!

Motivational Life Coach – Nothing pleases you more than using your gifts to help others solve their problems. In just five easy steps, anybody can change their life and turn their luck around! Centered around faith, you develop close relationships with others so that you can understand how they’ve gotten to where they are today. How do you encourage people to lower their guard and accept your proven-plan to enrich their lives? What does your enhancement plan entail? Does it have a cost? Have you done any seminars, published books, or organized any retreats to promote your program? Are you just in it for the money or is this a situation where you are the product of your own success? Buzz words and phrases likely leap from your lips – you’re developing a brand after all!

Secluded Hermit – You’ve always found that developing a deep connection with your deity involves peace, quiet, and a whole lot of R&R. You don’t feel a need to proclaim your faith from the rooftops because as far as you’re concerned, faith is entirely personal. By developing your beliefs in private, you can feel that you’re making progress in bettering your soul. How long have you been living alone and why did you choose that lifestyle for yourself? Was it even your choice? How will you assimilate into society and work closely with a party of adventurers? Have you been living a meager lifestyle? Do you have any important possessions that have centered your meditations? Any surviving family? Are you willing to share your faith with others?

Scholar Character Concepts

“You are an erudite intellectual, pitting your brain against problems and puzzles that others would find daunting. You might be an instructor of a specific topic at a large university or a dabbler in a number of fields of study. You could be exploring the galaxy in search of ancient artifacts or new scientific phenomena. Whatever your motivation, you are sure that the answers you seek are out there.” - Starfinder CRB

Eccentric Entomologist – Not limited to just studying the Shirren, you are heavily interested in anything that creeps and crawls throughout the Pact World System. Where others might cringe and crawl, you revel in the opportunity to uncover new species and the possibility of attributing discoveries to your name. What sorts of insects are your forte? Do you specialize in a certain genus? Have you developed any quirks or tendencies that could be attributed to the subjects that you study? Perhaps your studies are strictly limited to understanding the Shirren and their Hive Mind connection and you want to replicate it in another application. Do you keep your samples on you, or do you have a lab where the majority are stored? Any ties to a museum or research facility? Are you an accredited scientist or more of a glorified hobbyist?

Forensic Scientist – Understanding the complex intricacies that go into crime scene investigation, you have an analytical mind rooted in years of study. It’s important that you are familiar with anatomy, physics, and psychology in order to piece together the clues of a murder and figure out the story. Are you currently a part of a law enforcement unit or are you a contractor for hire? Are you an expert in specific types of crimes? Do you often visit the crime scene, or do you focus more on the laboratory side of things? Is there any particular crime that stands out in your mind as most influential or disturbing? What got you into this field of study? How does technology play a role in your investigations? Do you have any enemies that you’ve helped put behind bars that have threatened to make things difficult to you whenever they get out of prison? How will your services be best used out in the real world of adventuring and space travel?

Acclaimed Archeologist – Every planet tells a story under its surface and your job is to discover that story and share it with the world(s). Whether it is the bones of long-forgotten monsters or remnants of an ancient civilization, proof of the past is out there, ripe for the digging. What sorts of equipment or magic do you use to unearth these hidden riches of the world? Are you looking for signs of life, buildings, treasure, or something else entirely? After you find something, what are your goals for your discovery – sharing it with others or stashing it away for yourself? Are you a part of a small team, large corporation, or just working independently? Is there some great mystery that you’re trying to solve? Who are your key contacts in the industry and how do you determine your dig sites? Maybe you also investigate and search for destroyed ships or vessels that we lost in the Drift, hoping to bring closure to friends and family (or to scavenge the wreckage).

Environmental Engineer – Out in the far reaches of space, the environment is hostile and deadly. Maybe you’ve assisted in developing life support systems or you have assisted in the creation of sustainable housing that can stand up to the harshest of elements. Or maybe you are have studied other planets in-depth and understand the ecology, planetary make-up, atmosphere, and other vital statistics about them. Taking it a step further, maybe you’re involved in the preservation of resources and ensuring that the next generation will not be lacking in basic environmental needs. You might be a geologist, pedologist, or meteorologist. Are you focused on environmental usage or preservation? Is there a specialty that others consult you on, like water, air, or weather? Do you design structures? What about terraforming or reshaping existing planets to suit the needs of the people? Are you paid well for your efforts? Did you attend any schooling or are you self-taught? There is a ton of flexibility in this one because the worlds in Starfinder are incredibly diverse and allow for immense creativity.

Legacy Historian – The Gap has left a literal gap in people’s minds – what happened during the period of time before the present-day? Your research is meant to answer that specific question. You might be focused on the militarization of the Pact Worlds, investigating wars and battles that took place during that time. Or maybe you’re more concerned with cultures and race anthologies, trying to understand the people that existed before and during the Gap. Better yet, you might be a renowned historian on Golarion (leaving the player able to exhibit their Pathfinder knowledge). Historians can also be responsible for chronicling events as they happen. Do you write everything down or are you a ‘living’ historian who has an impeccable memory for reciting facts and figures? What level of history interests you the most – individual and familial histories or the rise and fall of empires? Have you ever tweaked a fact to better fit a desired narrative or are you unbiased in your research? Is your work published anywhere? Do you have any powers of foresight were you can recognize past mistakes and see events unfolding as the consequence to those events? Why do you record – so others can remember or so you don’t forget?

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And with that, we’ve detailed out seven of the ten themes. But wait! Aren’t there only nine themes? Do I even know what I’m talking about at this point? You would be correct in saying that there are only nine DEFINED themes, but I’m saving the final post in this series for a brief dive into being Themeless. Even though creating a character without a theme seems like writing a book and forgoing a title, themeless is the perfect solution to the problem of dreaming up a character who doesn’t seem to check off the boxes of a single theme, or one that checks off boxes of multiple themes and you simply can’t decide which one is most dominant.

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Part 5 - Starfinder Theme Focus - Spacefarers and Xenoseekers

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First of all, let me apologize. It’s been MONTHS since I teased the final article on Starfinder themes and leaving this series in a perilously unfinished limbo. I wish that I had a decent excuse to explain it, but unfortunately I don’t have that either. So please, accept my apology, and let’s get to the conclusion of this series!

We’ve covered a lot of bases - Ace Pilots, Bounty Hunters, Icons, Mercenaries, Outlaws, Priests, and Scholars, which means that today we will be talking about Spacefarers, Xenoseekers, and briefly touching on the Themeless concept. That’s still a ton of ground to cover, and I’m a bit intimidated even thinking about it. Concluding this intense detail into Starfinder’s themes will be bittersweet - not only because it’ll be over, but also because there’s no way to fully encapsulate the entire, endless spectrum of characters you can create within Paizo’s Starfinder universe. That’s what’s really great about the Themeless option; if none of the other themes do your character justice in describing their schtick, then you can always go Themeless and solve that particular problem.

Whenever I create a character, I will usually start by trying to find an interesting or obscure feat, characteristic, theme, etc and build the character around that. Some people are really creative and come up with amazing backstories first and build the character to fit their artistic vision. Although that’ll happen on occasion, I’ll generally determine a character’s backstory after I’ve fleshed out their vitals and statblock. The important thing for me is that my characters stand out. Not from a min-max perspective (if that’s what you enjoy then keep doing it!), but from a standpoint of going outside the norm and playing a character with abilities that people may have never experienced before.

Stone Warder Sorcerer? Breadth of Experience feat? Archivist Bard? All of these types of choices go leaps and bounds to hint and what the character is all about. A Stone Warder Sorcerer would be something like an Earth Bender from Avatar, gaining their powers from the rocky world around them. Characters with a Breadth of Experience are ancient, meaning that they’ve seen and heard nearly all there is to know. Bards with the Archivist archetype aren’t going to be dishing out much damage, but they are constantly scribbling down their experiences and every bit of lore they can get their hands on. And just like that, a single piece of your character’s statblock can literally define them.

That’s partly been the point of these posts about the Themes in Starfinder. Sure, you can come up with an absolutely AWESOME character concept and attach a theme that fits that character. No problem. But if you’re having trouble coming up with a character, the options listed in these posts are meant to assist you in launching off into the incredible Imagisphere to create a truly unique character.

Alright, I’ve babbled so much that I’ve turned into a brook. (Sorry if I’ve used that particular moniker already…it’s been a long time since my last Starfinder post). Time to finish off the series!

Spacefarer Character Concepts

“Your longing to journey among the stars can’t be sated. You yearn for the adventure of stepping onto a distant world and exploring its secrets. You tend to greet every new opportunity with bravery and fortitude, confident that your multitude of skills will pull you through. Perhaps you simply find joy in the act of traveling with your companions, or perhaps you are just out to line your pockets with all sorts of alien loot!” - Starfinder CRB

Clueless Tourist - Let’s face it. You saw a map of the Pact Worlds and immediately searched the best places to visit on each planet. Theme parks, monuments, parks - you want to visit them all and document your travels on a blog that you’re still coming up with a creative name for. Experiences are the best currency to be paid in, and your goal is to become filthy rich on them. Now, you might not understand all of the different cultures or customs in the places that you’re visiting, but in your eyes everybody else should be happy that you’re bolstering the economy in all of your destinations. Excuse me - could you please take my photo?

Deductive Meteorologist - Perhaps in the same vein as the Environmental Engineer concept from the Scholar post, this character would be all about the weather and is drawn to the varied climates and conditions present in the Pact World planets. Have you ever seen the sunrise through noxious fuchsia clouds or felt thick, oily rain land on your head? All of these phenomenon can be explained through science. Maybe you’ll publish a scholarly journal on your findings, or maybe your more of a storm-chaser bent on surviving the most wild and dangerous conditions. No matter how you spin it, you’re fascinated by the weather, whether your companions like it or not.  

Hospitable Flight Attendant - Time to make everybody else’s travel experiences as enjoyable as possible. You’re an expert at socializing and keeping everybody’s minds off the baggage fees and severe lack of legroom. In your eyes, there’s no part of a space commute that can’t be made better by a tall glass of sherry or a delicious sack of Zeni’s Zesty Znacks. While traveling, you are sure to keep all the amenities nearby to heighten the enjoyment of those around you. You might have gotten into the gig because you wanted to see the universe, and maybe that itch is just beginning to surface once more.

Curious Explorer - Hardly anything fancy about this one. You love exploring. The mystery, intrigue, and discovery thrill you to pieces. Every time you come across a corner, you just HAVE to see what’s on the other side of it. This is known to get you into heaps of trouble and situations where you end up on the wrong end of a ‘No Trespassing’ sign. But, through your foolhardy actions, you’ve been able to experience things that very few other people have, and your stories are the things of legend. There are countless star sectors to visit and only so much time…what are you waiting for?!

Budding Photographer - Your goal? The perfect shot. You might be a movie producer scouting locations for your next sector-buster. Or maybe you’re an artistic photographer determined to capture the essence of the human (and alien) experience. You never miss a moment and you are incredibly easy to track based on the trail of snapshots that you leave behind. Whether your honing your craft or a complete amateur when it comes to lighting, focus, and apertures, space grants you the freedom to create magnificent works of art. Every horizon has another potential shot, and you’ll hitchhike your way around the galaxy if you have to if it means catching your elusive unicorn.

Xenoseeker Character Concepts

“The thought of meeting alien life-forms excites you. The more different their appearances and customs are from yours, the better! You either believe they have much to teach you or you want to prove you are better than them. Of course, the only way to accomplish your goal is to leave the Pact Worlds and travel to the Vast, where a virtually endless number of aliens await.” - Starfinder CRB

Captivated Anthropologist - This concept makes perfect sense. As an anthropologist, you live and love to study the differences between humanoid species. You can even take it a step further to be fascinated with specific aspects of each of the races. What are the secrets behind the Lashunta’s psychic abilities? How tough are the scales of the Vesk? So many questions and not enough time to find all the answers. You might become acutely interested in your crewmates, asking them all sorts of intrusive questions in order to develop an understanding for their specific gifts and talents. Beings with surgical enhancements might be particularly interesting to you as humanoids continue their never-ending quest for power.

Inquisitive Marketing Guru - If you want to sell something, you HAVE to know your market. Double blind surveys, focus groups, experimental expos…you will stop at nothing to understand the people buying the products you’re pitching. Whether you’re a part of an elaborate Ponzi scheme or a well-known enterprise, you are hungry to understand the psychology of buying patterns and habitual spending. If you can unlock those secrets, you will be the most valuable asset to whichever company decides to employ you. And, by developing an understanding for the beings around you, you’ll undoubtedly be an asset in any situation involving sweet-talking with honeyed words. Heck - maybe if you can find some delicious edible aliens, you will be the next great snack mogul in the Pact Worlds! Second only to Zeni himzelf.

Experimental Doctor - You embrace the uniqueness of yourself and encourage others to do the same. Stand out from the crowd, you say. Set yourself apart! Implant yourself with one of the many augmentations that you can provide! Your interest in the countless creeping aliens and obscure creatures skittering around the Vast stimulate your imagination and provide you with the necessary…tools to allow you to develop exciting new attachments for your adoring fans. Or maybe you’re more secretive and don’t think your work should see the light of day. Will you be a mad scientist or a renowned surgeon? The choice is yours!

Calming Zoologist - People will pay loads of money to see an exhibit they’ve never experienced before. There are countless numbers of mindless creatures out in the far reaches of space that would be welcomed additions to a zoological attraction. Your history in taming wild beasts and soothing the animalistic nature in the creatures you’ve encountered makes you the perfect person for the job. There is a fantastic space zoo that’ll pay top dollar for new specimens, and you’re itching to get paid. This isn’t to say that you are inconsiderate of the creatures’ feelings, however. The zoo that you’re working for is more akin to a resort, and they take great care of the residents that live there.

Talkative Space Taxi Driver - While taking fares, you’ve come across just about every type of intelligent being known in the sector. Long nights that turned into early mornings were a staple of yours, and you’ve delivered passengers to slums, clubs, and luxury estates, learning about them all the while. You love a good conversation; it helps pass the time and gives you an amazing repertoire of stories to share with your crewmates. Everybody comes from a different background, and you have learned to appreciate the intricacies and uniqueness that everybody brings to the figurative table. You might have a bit of a lead foot as well…but who doesn’t?

Themeless Characters

If you don’t fit the bill with any of the other themes, then you are probably Themeless. By choosing to forgo a theme designation, your statistical bonuses will suffer compared to a character who has a theme, so if you’re more concerned with numbers and maximizing your character, then this might not be for you. Choosing this option, however, will allow you to portray your character as a vast canvas, awaiting your masterful strokes.

Hopefully I’ve portrayed the wide variety of concepts that the Starfinder themes can cover. With a dash of creativity, you can morph at least one of the themes to fit the base core of your character. Try to think about each of the themes in new ways; don’t get caught up in the specific 'title’ of the theme. Read the blurbs about each one and search for synonyms that line up with the character that you’re envisioning in your mind.

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At the end of the day, play a character that you WANT to play. You should be excited every time that you portray your character, and play the game in whatever way is going to be the most fun for you.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this series on the Themes of Starfinder! See you in the stars!

[sussex-nature-lover]

Thursday 5th November 2020

Remember, Remember...

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In my book the most important things to remember on (and around) the 5th November are wildlife, domestic pets and safety first.

Our hedgehog population is in severe decline and they’re well known for crawling into what they think is going to be a safe space for a long nap. Hedgehogs who are the right weight have also probably gone into hibernation with the recent very cold snap.  It’s possible something might be hibernating within your bonfire pile if you’ve been stacking for a while ahead of lighting it.

Please, please do check thoroughly.

Fireworks are a very stressful event for animals, bear this in mind always and act responsibly. Advice from last year here.

My mobile phone vintage snap at dusk - the Stand Off

OK, lecture over.

Last night we drove by Ms NW the Elder’s, only the fourth time we’ve seen her this year: we had one nice lunch together back in January and two no touching socially distanced chats. This one was about 20 minutes stood in the street at a safe distance from her doorstep. In the short time we were there we saw a bat fly around several times and the local fox trot across the close. For anyone who doesn’t know, she’s in South East London but in a quiet road where she’s becoming more and more interested in the local bird and wildlife population. On the way we knew we were getting close when we heard Parakeets chattering away. We saw two large skeins of Geese flying as well and actually heard more on the way home. Funnily enough they heard Geese in the dark on Autumnwatch last night too.

On the drive back we got snarled in the ridiculous traffic that got mentions in the national press, so it took around two and a half hours to come less than 50 miles. According to some reports that was getting off lightly.

Culinary Note: we ended up having beans on toast for supper as it was something quick and we were both ravenous. Added a couple of drops of Tabasco to the beans which made them just the right amount of spicy and used pumpkin seed bread. Not quite haute cuisine but very tasty and welcome.

 At least there were some pretty fireworks to watch along the route - not huge amounts but some of them were quite spectacular lighting up the skies. As an aside, despite the huge moon, it did seem particularly dark last night. It was crisp and clear too, very cold. I saw Mars shining very clearly when we got home.

When I was little we had a tiny box of  Standard fireworks to light at home. A few candle type, some Catherine Wheels, a packet of sparklers (my personal highlight) and a rocket or two. It was usually something of a damp squib to be honest and there were often failures to light - very dangerous. I preferred the baked potato, sausages and beans on a chilly night.

By the time we had our own children things had moved on tremendously and we wouldn’t dream of getting fireworks for home, it was always the community bonfire and big organised display. I used to love those nights. We’d get all dressed up with our woolly hats, gloves and scarves and everyone from school seemed to go. All the neighbours set off for the local field around the same time, so you’d meet up walking along and once arrived there’d be candy floss and toffee apples and so on. There were hot dogs and burgers too I think, but we’d have our traditional supper beforehand, it’d help insulate us against the November night air. The bonfire was huge and stringent safety precautions were in place before the fireworks were let off. At the end there was a gentle procession home again amongst the excited children scuffling through the fallen leaves and sleepy tots in buggies. I’ve just read this out to my OH and he agrees how good it was. It was very well run and always pleasant company. What lovely memories.

“Remember, remember the Fifth of November” or “Please to Remember” are variations of a rhyme that commemorates the day in 1605 when a group of Roman Catholics including Guy Fawkes, were caught in the act of trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

When news of the plot got out, Londoners were so relieved that the conspirators had been caught that they lit bonfires throughout the city as a celebration. Over the centuries the celebrations have become more elaborate and now fabulous firework displays are a feature throughout England on the night of November 5th. A week or so prior to that, children make effigies of Guy Fawkes which they take door to door asking for ‘A penny for the Guy’.’ On Bonfire Night these Guys are traditionally burnt on top of a bonfire.

Funnily I’ve never known more than the first two lines of the old nursery rhyme

Remember, remember the Fifth of November, The Gunpowder Treason and Plot, I know of no reason Why the Gunpowder Treason Should ever be forgot. Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent To blow up the King and Parli’ment. Three-score barrels of powder below To prove old England’s overthrow; By God’s providence he was catch’d With a dark lantern and burning match. Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring. Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King! And what should we do with him? Burn him!

Two things link up here for me. Firstly by sheer chance the National Trust property Chastleton, which I’ve only mentioned this week, was purchased from Robert Catesby, the leading figure behind the Gunpowder Plot.

That’s a fascinating read in the link, from a local newspaper. I can’t get my head around the intrigue, the danger and the money involved. It’s also a little bit spooky that the plot was originally intended for action the previous year, but was delayed because The Plague caused Parliament to be closed. 

Plague was one of the hazards of life in Britain from its dramatic appearance in 1348 with the Black Death. The Bills of Mortality began to be published regularly in 1603, in which year 33,347 deaths were recorded from plague. Between then and 1665, only four years had no recorded cases.

Secondly, is the matter of organised bonfire celebrations and Bonfire Societies. We’d never come across one until we moved to Sussex, where they are ‘a thing’ around the South East. I don’t know if they’re a thing further afield? Perhaps someone can enlighten me Boom Boom!!! <Pun Claxon> if they are.* see below for details

Back to Bonfire Societies, we’re not all that far from Battle, it’s where our ‘local’ police station is, although you wouldn’t want to walk it! and yes, it is that ‘Battel’ of 1066 and Hastings fame. In fact the local tourist organisation calls the area 1066 Country.

Fun Fact for your Zoom quizzes or how ever you’re going to be amusing yourselves: The Battle of Hastings wasn’t fought at Hastings. It was fought at ... BATTLE. Maybe they thought no one would take it all that seriously if they’d named it the Battle of Battle(Battel) 

The Battle of Hastings is curiously named, because it actually took place several miles away from Hastings, in the place now called Battle. An early chronicle simply states that it was a battle fought "at the hoary apple tree", a name which thankfully didn't catch on.

Anyway, if you do want to know the history of the oldest Bonfire Society and the making of effigies and so on, chose these links

Battel Bonfire Boyes

More info about the Guy

I don’t usually get political on social media, certain topics I much prefer to steer clear of, so take this as topical. Very topical. Quite often now public figures (of all kinds, not just political ones) are chosen as the year’s featured ‘Guy’ Boris Johnson has been a famous Guy too.

Just look at the scale of the build

So there we have it, a bit about nature, a wealth of trivia and some reminiscing and all because from today England is in official lockdown again,  A month long starter for ten - award yourself some cinder toffee or sticky parkin as a Bonfire Night prize if you know that one. If you do make some cinder toffee try dipping it in melted chocolate for your own homemade version of a Crunchie. Tomorrow, Thank Crunchie it’s Friday. Does anyone else recall that advert on the TV?

As we can’t be sure when we’ll all be free to celebrate again, enjoy this, the London Fireworks welcoming 2020. A new year is always full of hope. We just didn’t have a clue what a memorable year this was going to be did we. If we had, we might have decided to blow it up from the start!

Got to admit I thought twice about the Boom Boom joke just on the off-chance those words trigger monitoring by security services! Too paranoid? Well, you can���t be too careful, but no, for the record, I’m definitely not plotting to blow up anything. It’s just another childhood memory.

Plenty of linked reading today then to while away some time in lockdown or wherever you are. Stay safe chaps and fingers crossed for better days.

Poppy for Remembrance (not my photo)

[ziqitzahealthcare]

Ziqitza Healthcare- When Will The Indian Public Transport Open?

 In a country like India where the public transportation serves 7 crore people and road trips that records to 1645 crore km total distance annually, it would be safe to say that the livelihoods of many, many people are affected due to the shutting down of the services in the pandemic. Many questions remain to be answered but here are a few answered by this Ziqitza Healthcare ltd blog.

Why do we even need to open up public transportation?

Unlike companies and schools that can at least moderately operate on an online level, public transportation is a major need for the lower strata of Indian society, involved not only in transportation for their work but also being employed by the public transportation services.

Since a safe vaccine is not within our near reach and with the country being opened up to avoid total economic collapse, there is a desperate need to open up public transport but only with more than adequate safety measures.

What is the plan to open up public transport?

The opening up of public transport as indicated by the central government has been handed over to the state governments. State governments have to decide how the problem of opening up public transport will be tackled.

In states like Uttar Pradesh, more and more public buses are on the road testing out staggered services to devise a plan that will work according to demand and supply as more and more people start going to work. There are guidelines on proper sanitation and ensuring the safety of not only the passengers but of the workers as well, but it ultimately depends on the local government that the people elected to carry out the decision and properly implement it.

In a city like Mumbai where the local trains are the transport service for more than 40% of the entire population (total population- 20 million, local train users- 8 million), a misinformed, hurried decision can lead to a complete disaster in an already ongoing disaster. Although, the Mumbai authorities have indicated that public transport including local trains will start on November 1, 2020. These will be carried on with safety measures decided by the BMC- Bombay Municipal Corporation.

 Does opening up public transportation mean opening up the Metro too?

It has been a topic of hot debate in metro cities of opening up metro rails as the Metro just like other public transportation services serves all people indiscriminatingly but on a much larger level.

The Delhi metro alone serves 1.5 million passengers ranging from students to workers to people trying to get around the city. Opening up such a multi-faceted transport service that some might say is an intricate death trap for a pandemic will be a mammoth task.

Suggestions like clearing up stations and having a maximum station capacity are being reviewed. All passengers will be required to indulge in personal protective gear and no exceptions will be entertained.

 What precautions will the government take to ensure our safety?

Well, there are a lot of suggestions that have been given to local governments by their people which are being considered for forming new rules for public transportation. However, the general guidelines that the state governments should follow are a proper check of employees, sanitization after every use, and maintain social distancing. Though again, all discrepancies are in the hands of the local government.

For Delhi, the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has ordered only 20 passengers per bus with sanitization after every ride. The transport department will be responsible for maintaining social distancing in public transportation and marshals of the said department will help people maintain social distancing.

The DMRC or the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has issued some strict but robust new rules that can help the general public make use of Delhi’s public transportation amidst humanity’s worst pandemic. Tokens will be stripped away and all passengers will be required to be registered on the AarogyaSetu app. Workers will be tested periodically and will maintain zero contact with passengers as before. Personnel will be deployed to ensure no breakage of rules by the general public. The AC will be modified to keep a constant circulation of fresh air and only alternative seats can be occupied.

In Rajasthan, the local intra-state busses will also be sanitized after every ride and will operate with a 50 percent capacity. This was decided by the transportation minister, Pratap Singh Khachriyawas.

What about other forms of transport like Ola and Uber?

Apps like Ola and Uber that provide contracted cab services are considered public transport as well and hence will have to adhere to the government guidelines.

The driver and passengers have to wear a mask at all times and a separation between the two should be maintained through the use of a plastic curtain. Pool services will not be allowed anymore and in addition to that, no more than 2 passengers can get on the same cab. The driver is expected to sanitize his/her car after every ride and maintain as little contact as possible with the passenger.

Is opening up public transport necessary?

Yes, opening up public transport is the first step to reopen India and its economy. As more and more people in the service sector find themselves out of a job, opening up public transport is the need of the hour. Thousands of auto-rickshaw drivers are rejoicing over the decision to reopen public transport and proclaiming that they are being saved from starvation. More and more offices are now opening and on-site work can’t be delayed much longer. Opening up public transportation will be a brave step that we have to take together as a country. As the pandemic goes on, all we can do is take our best precautions and move on with our life.

 How does Ziqitza help?

Ziqitza Healthcare is the largest social enterprise in India and sub-Asia. Our mission is to be the best emergency response and ambulance service provider .

Ziqitza Healthcare ltd has worked under the central government in the National Health Mission (NHM) to launch and operate a nationwide emergency helpline that provides free ambulances to a tax-paying citizen of India.

We can’t prevent tragedies from occurring in India, but what we can do is provide the best emergency services in the world to the Indian people. That’s why Ziqitza Healthcare is now working on developing a tempo ambulance that can house much, much more equipment than regular ambulances. These Ziqitza ambulances will pave the way to sparse ambulance deaths and bring India on the map of the best emergency services.

Ziqitza Limited in past was also the official ambulance provider for the most successful IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians for matches in Mumbai. We aim to be the best ambulance operator in India and provide the Indian people with services that match up to the international level.

Read more about us on our Blogspot site here.

[greetingsfromcleveland]

In the end it was just about a building. I am talking about the December 12 meeting at Franklin Circle Church to hear about Project 29 and the future of "Hingetown", the area around Detroit and 28th and 29th Streets. But it was also about dreams and desires, which is to say it was a real estate developer's sales presentation. It was also a true neighborhood meeting of about sixty well-to-do people. Introductions were unnecessary as everybody seemed to know everybody else and everybody was on a first name basis. It was definitely the In Crowd of North of Lorain. The consortium of real estate developers was all there, as was a cadre from Ohio City Incorporated. But there was only one speaker, and that was Graham Veysey, now prominent Clevelander by way of Shaker Heights and Bates College and recent Congressional candidate and Man Can wine entrepreneur. I like Graham-- maybe because I view him as an underdog in this city, where only 16% are college educated and the people I know declare proudly that they haven't read a book in twenty years. And being featured in Vanity Fair magazine certainly doesn't help his case among the envious strivers. Plus I feel he is really sincere about doing well by himself by doing good to others. Graham took the stage dressed in a red plaid shirt and blue jeans, and if you got a close look you might have noticed he was also wearing a fashionable liberal "awareness safety pin", indicating that marginalized people "can feel safe with him" in what some expect to be a Trump inspired backlash of intolerance. The meeting was important to achieve buy-in and validation for a proposed eleven floor market-rate (middle class) apartment building to be built in the heart of Hingetown. Although plans are not "finalized", groundbreaking is scheduled to begin in eleven months. No objection is anticipated from "the usual block-club process". Concerns were raised about whether existing infrastructure could support such a high population density structure. But the meeting was assured that Detroit Road has already accommodated a much larger population before deindustrialization, and that toilets will still flush and electricity will still flow. Further, the building will not be a monolith, and will be interesting aeshetically. An artist's rendition of the building showed a facade somewhat like a checkerboard of black and white building blocks. ( Mr. Veysey declined to provide that visual for publication in the Observer because the process in still ongoing.) And it was asserted that such a tall building will add interest to the skyline as well as providing the population density necessary to support shops and a walkable neighborhood. Issues like shadows and wind were not raised. There will be 223 underground parking spaces for 171 units. The artist's rendition showed a lawn on the roof. But it was also about buy-in and validation for the Developers' Vision for A Walkable Neighborhood. "Not 'Everywhere U.S.A.'"-- "Not Cookie Cutter"-- "Toronto, Montreal, Minneapolis"-- "Not Uptown's Back Alley"-- "Activity"-- again, "Toronto, Montreal, Minneapolis"--- and an unintended laugh with "I hate Crocker Park (pause). I say that respectfully." I don't know what "Toronto, Montreal and Minneapolis" means, but I never really knew what Ohio City as the "New Brooklyn" meant either. But the territory has been marked by a new graffiti, if you will-- pop art murals in anticipation of a new gang, a gang of achievement oriented young professionals. Actually, I like that idea. Especially considering that what is now branded "Hingetown" was formerly, by all accounts, just a vice district. So I don't believe the Developers' are trying to sell us "Florida Real Estate", nor do I believe it's all just hype. But there is hype, and it's good to know what the hype is. The theoretical underpinnings are extolled in Jeff Speck's book, "Walkable City", Farrar, Struass and Giroux (paperback 2013). It is interesting that Mr. Speck begins his book with somewhat of an apology: "The planners were so wrong for so many years that now that they are mostly right, they are mostly ignored" (p. 3), citing the example of " . . . the famous 'Five B's' of the eighties-- bricks, banners, bandstands, bollards, and berms-- that now grace many an abandoned downtown." (p. 10) But Mr. Speck and the Developers are trying to sell us a new small great narrative of Utopia, of establishing a true community, if not a worker's paradise, where neighbors will know neighbors, walking and good health will abound, and mostly Mother Earth, Gaia, will be saved from the ravages of the automobile. But I for one am holding onto my wallet, at least until Market Square here in Ohio City more resembles James Rouse's "Festival Marketplace", and see the Collinwood economic renaissance achieved by Richard Florida's tipping point of a conentration artists, immigrants, and gays. So I am all for Hingetown as a Jeff Speck "walkable city" of density, pedestrians, shops, parks, bikes, activity and involvement. But I also remember that the dark empire of Suburbia was in it's time a Developers' heaven on earth saving us from the overcrowding, noise, dirt, disease, air pollution and crime of the inner city, where neighbors will know neighbors and children will be safe and nutured in a "green zone". So read Mr. Speck's book, and learn what the new game plan is. Especially interesting is his chapter on Donald Shoup, and the "high cost of free parking and parking lots", since parking seems to be such a hot topic here, from the closing of the Loren Naji Studio, to the future of the West Side Market. Perhaps Ohio City's plans are more the Shoupist ideological fashion of today than practical good business. But as Mr. Speck points out, if parking requirements are waived for new businesses, at least they should pay a proper fee for these requirements being waived, fees that can go to support reasonable public lots.