#real estate trivia answers

[wistfulpoltergeist]

Amadeo Goldfield

Son of Elon Goldfield (filthy rich real estate developer and investor). A gorgeous young man of high origin trying to cut ties with his influential, oppressive family by setting up his own business. Awfully cheap Victorian house on the hill seems like a good start.

Dr. Mark Stonefall

Professor of Psychology, war veteran and member of the Parapsychological Association, investigates the paranormal with his loyal army pal and assistant, Jason. Author of several works on telepathy and extrasensory perception.

Gloria Heartaway

Mark's ex-girlfriend and therapy couch for a short time after the war. They graduated together from one faculty, yet Gloria is skeptical and finds parapsychology all fake, has strong belief in scientific methods and medicine. Mostly deals with trivia problems of high society wives.

Jason Analu

Former soldier and war veteran, Mark's flatmate and assistant. His family came from a lineage of (Sulani) healers and shamans, making him curious about his friend's research.

Elliot O'Brian

Wonder boy, a young man who beat the telepathy test giving 90% correct answers. While the world admires his abilities, his own family wishes him dead. Simply because you can't hide anything from Elliot. A cook from some small pizzeria who dreams about opening his own restaurant.

Pani Freya Burana

Hereditary witch, Tarot expert and medium who speaks with the dead through automatic writing. She lives in her own world of occult and believes she was born to give the living a well-deserved magic kick (for a small, almost insignificant fee of a few thousand). Author of ten books on how to open a Goddess within you and one on how to buy all your Goddess wants but can't afford.

Mr and Mrs Rogers

Servants in Hillhouse, strange pious, somber siblings who look after the mansion as their parents did before them, and their grandparents before that… They know that the house is haunted and the only way to avoid being cursed is to leave before dark, stay loyal and do their bids solemnly.

Hecate Moreno

15-years old Russell's half-sister, left by their father to Russell's care. Her mother died in a car crash when she was five. After Mr Moreno married a prosperous journalist and TV hostess and had three more kids with her, he lost any interest in his older kids as a painful reminder of his stressful past. Hecate is a grim, angry teen with a heart filled with dark thoughts and an irresistible appeal to horror movies. The only person she truly cares for is her brother. Secretly, she dreams about Russell turning into a vampire and eating up all their happy, successful family. She'd buy popcorn to watch that.

Russell Moreno

The plumber.

[superbellsubways]

ok thanks so you ever heard of jackbox games. they make incredibly silly party games you can play with your phone. one of my faves is the fibbage series, specifically the most recent one fibbage 4

in fibbage you get a weird fact with an important word(s) blanked out. and every player has to write something to fill in that blank (that’s called a lie). then everyone picks what they think is the real answer (the truth). you get some points if someone falls for your lie, but more points if you find the truth

the main reason i like jackbox’s games so much is because of the voices in each game that narrate stuff like tutorials, prompts, etc. the fandom usually just refers to these guys as the Hosts of the games. some of them have official designs that appear sometimes throughout a game (m bubz in job job, rue meringue in roomerang, etc.)

others don’t have appearances Or official names (like the hosts of talking points, quixort & fixytext) and some More others, while not ever being seen, they do have names that they refer to themselves as. there’s schmitty from quiplash and lord tippet from weapons drawn

ok back to fibbage now the host of fibbage is part of the last category i listed, his full name is Cookie Masterson. he’s such a wild guy let me talk abt him for a moment. he has a niece named Lexical Semantics, his house is infested with bats, he once tried to drive down local real estate prices by dressing up as a ghost & the fandom has collectively agreed that he’s bisexual. those first three facts are from various voice lines that he has in fibbage 4. go try to look for them i dare you

fibbage 4 also has 5 special episodes with pre-decided questions (oh did i mention that the players take turns choosing the questions using random words relating to the questions? well in the special episodes they can still kinda “choose” the questions but every choice in one round leads to the same question. does this even make sense anymore i’m sorry) that relate to an over-arching storyline that each episode has, like there’s one where cookie’s on a date and hosting the game both at the same time, one relating to the bats infesting his house that i mentioned earlier, one where an ai clone of himself traps him in a closet and takes over the game for a bit. sorry for going on for too long i just really like sharing crazy shit i enjoy. anyways here’s a link to all 5 special episodes i have no idea if the embed will show or not

https://youtu.be/bSjrVTXS5C0?si=_ZlB8dgIclnUQs3u

also idk if i made it clear or not but cookie does Not have a canon design, meaning we in the fandom draw him however we like. do with that information what you will

OK THIS IS ALOT MORE THAN I WAS EXPECTING but its OK!! I don't mind this at all prommy

I am aware of Jackbox and a couple characters in it :) (I have actually made a design for the host of Trivia Murder Party once before but never finished or shared it!) Though I haven't been able to play many of the games myself 💔

This Cookie guy does seem very interesting tho and I'm sure I'd love him just from the stuff ur telling me fhjsdjd I'll probably check out the eps later and look more into this along with the other characters and hosts 😁 I love disembodied voice characters!!! (and by ur name i could tell you do as well LOL)

[sam-glade]

Happy WBW! I got some weird associations running through my mind, so let's talk about dating in your world. Are there any traditions or conventions for courting? What about engagement or marriage proposals? Bonus: Do any of your character stray from this?

Wynne! You're a mind reader.

I was told earlier today, and I quote: 'for someone who hates romance, you write a lot of [romantic] relationships'. And... huh, yes, actually, I do, but I don't think any of them would be considered a typical relationship?

I'll be answering for Days of Dusk. I've got a post on wedding customs here, so let me focus on things that come before that.

A couple of things first:

It's a long lived culture, with the age of majority being 35

It's a queernorm society, a fair bit more promiscuous than the real world.

And because I have no idea how to logically order this, have a smattering of trivia:

For adults up until they're about 100, it's pretty normal and expected that they'll have some casual relationships and figure out what they want from life. Normally, they won't get any pressure from their relatives to settle down until then. That might not be the case if they get pregnant or if they become the head of the house (i.e. their older relatives pass away, and they inherit the estate and title in case of nobility). But let's go with the happy path for now.

It's still a fairly stratified society, and in general people will look for partners within their social class. That also dictates where they're looking. E.g. Lissan, coming from a small, rural community, was trying to impress guys at a market/fair. Ianim, being the Prince Successor, has to be rather careful about who he asks for a dance at a ball - and which dances in particular - to not give them the wrong idea. There's a whole elaborate code which dances mean 'I'm looking to hook up' and which are for relatives or friends to enjoy an activity together, etc.

Having said that, since everyone is beneath the Prince and her Successor in terms of social status, both of them decide to marry whoever they want. In fact, they deliberately don't want to marry to anyone who'd leverage their influence to further their own political goals.

Marriage has the implication of merging two families into one, and especially among nobility it serves to solidify alliances, settle land disputes, basically it's a tool. And while marriage isn't necessary to achieve this - the same legal ties can be achieved through a contract, it also shows 'I'm taken, stop flirting with me'. And this will hopefully answer your bonus question.

At the beginning of book 3, one of my characters ends up happily in a 'friends with benefits' sort of arrangement, but because he's not seen with his partner that often, he's still getting proposals from various people. Thankfully, saving the world becomes a higher priority than deciding whether they want to get married to prove a point or not. As for what happens after the world is saved...

[enterprisewired]

40 fun questions about Christmas trivia to double the cheer

As you think of Christmas, the thought of Christmas trivia of course crosses your mind. The holiday season is not just about decking the halls and roasting chestnuts; it’s also the perfect time to gather friends and family for Christmas trivia fun. Whether you’re planning a virtual gathering or a cozy in-person celebration, these 40 Christmas trivia questions are sure to add an extra layer of merriment to your festivities. This comprehensive guide presents 40 Christmas trivia questions designed to double the fun at your celebrations.

1. What feast does the Grinch hate the most?

Answer: The Grinch hates the Whos’ Christmas feast.

2. In the song “Jingle Bells,” what kind of sleigh is it?

Answer: One-horse open sleigh.

3. Which country is credited with the creation of the candy cane?

Answer: Germany.

4. Who wrote the classic Christmas tale, “A Christmas Carol”?

Answer: Charles Dickens.

5. In the movie “Home Alone,” where are the McCallisters going on vacation when they leave Kevin behind?

Answer: Paris.

6. What beverage is also known as “milk punch” and is popular during the Christmas season?

Answer: Eggnog.

7. What is the name of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’s dad?

Answer: Donner.

8. According to the song, what did my true love give to me on the eighth day of Christmas?

Answer: Eight maids a-milking.

9. What is the main ingredient in the traditional Christmas drink known as wassail?

Answer: Apple cider.

10. What is the name of the character played by Jim Carrey in the movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”?

Answer: The Grinch.

11. In the song “Frosty the Snowman,” what made Frosty come to life?

Answer: An old silk hat.

12. What is the angel’s name in “It’s a Wonderful Life”?

Answer: Clarence.

13. According to the Bible, what brought the three wise men to Bethlehem?

Answer: The Star of Bethlehem.

14. What is the last day of the Twelve Days of Christmas?

Answer: January 5th.

15. What popular Christmas song was written for Thanksgiving?

Answer: “Jingle Bells.”

16. What decoration do people traditionally kiss under during the holiday season?

Answer: Mistletoe.

17. In the movie “Elf,” what is Buddy’s favorite food group?

Answer: Candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup.

18. What well-known Christmas carol’s original title is “One Horse Open Sleigh”?

Answer: “Jingle Bells.”

19. What is the name of the young boy in the “Polar Express” movie?

Answer: Hero Boy (The character is often referred to as “Hero Boy” in the credits).

20. In which country did the tradition of exchanging gifts on Christmas originate?

Answer: Rome.

21. What is the name of George Bailey’s guardian angel in “It’s a Wonderful Life”?

Answer: Clarence.

22. What does the word “Noel” mean in English?

Answer: Christmas.

23. Which popular Christmas plant is known for its red and green foliage?

Answer: Poinsettia.

24. What is the highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time?

Answer: “Home Alone.”

25. What are the names of Santa’s reindeer?

Answer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph.

26. In the song “Winter Wonderland,” what do we pretend the snowman is?

Answer: Parson Brown.

27. What famous department store hosts a Thanksgiving Day Parade every year?

Answer: Macy’s.

28. In which country did the tradition of Christmas trees originate?

Answer: Germany.

29. What are the traditional colors of Christmas?

Answer: Red and green.

30. Which Christmas ballet is based on a fairy tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann?

Answer: “The Nutcracker.”

31. What holiday beverage is made from mulled wine and spices?

Answer: Wassail.

32. Which Christmas plant is known as the “Christmas Flower”?

Answer: Poinsettia.

33. What country did the gingerbread house originate from?

Answer: Germany.

34. In “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” what does Lucy ask for from Schroeder?

Answer: Real estate.

35. What well-known Christmas carol originated from a poem written in 1816?

Answer: “Silent Night.”

36. In what year did Coca-Cola begin using Santa Claus in its advertisements?

Answer: 1931.

37. What animated 1966 Christmas special features characters called Heat Miser and Snow Miser?

Answer: “The Year Without a Santa Claus.”

38. What is the name of the Grinch’s dog in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”?

Answer: Max.

39. Which country does the tradition of Christmas stockings originate from?

Answer: Netherlands.

40. In the movie “A Christmas Story,” what does Ralphie want for Christmas?

Answer: A Red Ryder BB gun.

Conclusion:

With these 40 Christmas trivia questions, you’re armed and ready to double the fun at your festive gatherings. So, gather your loved ones, pour some eggnog, and let the joyous competition begin. Christmas trivia is not just about the right answers; it’s about creating lasting memories and sharing laughter during the most wonderful time of the year. So, this Christmas, aren’t you gonna have a blast at Christmas trivia? Merry Christmas and happy trivia!

Also Read: Christmas Games: Fun and Festivities for the Whole Family

[parkpavilion]

Intimate Lives

Philosophers have been posing the big question for as long as anyone can remember: What Makes Life Worth Living? But the more pertinent question for booksellers is of relatively recent vintage: What Makes Life Worth Reading? I don’t know who first asked that one, but I know who gave the first good answer.  John Aubrey was born in Wiltshire, England in 1626, and from an early age took an interest in the world around him, especially those portions of it that even then were ancient and disappearing. No detail was too petty to escape his attention. He listened to old wives’ tales, sketched ruined abbeys, and made systematic studies of, among other monuments, Stonehenge and the still larger stone circle at Avebury. He was one of the first moderns to recognize that these weren’t built by Romans or Danes, but by ancestral British peoples; today some call him the first English archaeologist.  He also had an avid interest in the newest developments in natural philosophy, becoming one of the first to experiment with the transfusion of blood and befriending such scientific luminaries as Robert Hooke and Robert Boyle. Political theorist Thomas Hobbes, author of Leviathan, was another notable in Aubrey’s circle, as were Isaac Newton, John Locke, Christopher Wren, and many others. In comparison to these, Aubrey had little significance in his time, serving a supportive, peripheral role in the lives of better-known men. He said of himself, “I perform the function of a whetstone, which can make the iron sharp though is itself unable to cut.” Few of the projects he undertook on his own behalf were ever finished.  Partly, this was because his interests were so varied and his attention so divided. No matter what intellectual edifice he was constructing, a shiny, unrelated pebble would appear in the corner of his eye, one that had to be collected before it was lost. He spent a great deal of time gathering baskets full of building material, but not much in stacking it up. He also spared a fair amount of time to spend in society; he once lamented, “How much work I would get done if I did not sit up with Mr. Wylde until one or two in the morning, or if there was someone to get me up in the mornings with a good scourge!” Still more detrimental to his productivity were the frequent financial and occasional romantic reversals he experienced. He was born on an idyllic estate that was lost to creditors, eventually relying on generous friends to provide him hospitality, and he remained a bachelor all his life, suffering unrequited love and at least one acrimonious broken engagement. Throughout all of this he beavered on, storing up arcane knowledge and trivia in the hope that posterity would care more about it than his contemporaries did. Since I am writing at such length about a man dead more than three hundred years, you are correct to assume that Aubrey’s trust was not misplaced. By the end of his full life (he died in 1697) he’d assembled and organized a sizable collection of notes on the contemporaries he knew and on the immediate predecessors they’d known. His Brief Lives were filled with details both incidental (poet John Suckling invented cribbage between verses) and, in his time, shocking. Describing one knight of the realm, Aubrey wrote, ”Drunkenness he much exclaimed against, but wenching he allowed.” His manuscripts may have been titillating at the time, but they were never scurrilous. Their author conducted interviews, checked the records, and told the truth as best he found it—all of it. His methods defied the then-prevailing hagiographic trend, but his Lives outlasted his era, circulating ever more widely and providing us with much of what we know about the men and women of the 16th and 17th century. A major accomplishment, to be sure, but his real legacy is as the inventor of a literary art form—the biography. He provided the model for all the work that’s done today to give us full, true, affecting portraits of actual human beings, not plaster saints. A full, true, affecting portrait is exactly what Ruth Scurr has painted in John Aubrey, My Own Life. Few biographies do the excellent job this one does of capturing daily life in a bygone age, and even fewer leave their readers with such a strong sense of knowing their subjects. By the time the last page is turned, Aubrey has come to seem a friend rather than a historical curiosity. Who could help wanting to spend time with a man with this much perspicacity and good humor?:

I think it is strange that magnifying glasses were so long unknown about in this world. Any good fellow at a tavern cannot escape noticing how much the threads of linen cloth are magnified by a glass (of sack or white wine) that has a stem and a hemispherical or conical bottom to it. At least, so it seems to me, when I stare into the bottom of my glass in a tavern and think about what I can see.

Scurr achieves her effect of intimacy through an approach to biography nearly as innovative as Aubrey’s. She takes his words from scattered letters, notebooks, and documents and weaves them into a coherent, chronological diary in his own voice. In so doing, she satisfies all the requirements of scholarship and adds a storyteller’s flair. I can’t imagine a Life better written or more worth reading.

[icarusthelunarguard]

This Week’s Horrible-Scopes

It’s time for this week’s Horrible-Scopes! So for those of you that know your Astrological Signs, cool! If not, just pick one, roll a D12, or just make it up as you go along. It really doesn’t matter.

Aries 

When was the last time you checked the safety devices in your home; specifically the fire extinguishers? Chances are it’s been a while. If it’s 10 years after the manufacturing date, you probably want to replace it. And consider this - with a 2-pack running about $50 they make great holiday gifts… to spray at the feet of all the Trick or Treaters! Actually use the old ones for that instead.

Taurus 

If you’re trying to decide on what movie to watch this weekend, consider some of the campy 1950’s horror flicks! THEM! Is all about radioactive ants, Godzilla is about a radioactive lizard, Creature with the Atom Brain was about radioactive zombies… It Came from Beneath the Sea was a radioactive octopus… Man, they were really worried about atomic bombs in the 50’s Whatever you pick, just don’t make the popcorn in the microwave oven. Use a wok for the best popping. 

Gemini   

All we ever hear from you is, “Gimme a naughty ‘Scope. Make my ears turn red. You’re not being naughty enough.” Well you know what Susan? We keep fucking trying! You know how hard it is to skate that line between PG-13 and NC-17? We’re only allowed one F-Bomb, and we just used it because you’ve gotten us so flustered. So you know what? THIS week you’re getting exactly what you deserve: A big fat NUTHIN’! We’re leaving you in the dark about what’s coming up next. How’s THAT, huh?  

Cancer Moon-Child 

OH! You’re on our shit-list this week TOO, Cancer! Remember back in July when we used the expression, “imitation is the most sincere form of flattery”? Well guess what. The whole quote from Oscar Wilde goes like this, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” This week start carving your own pathway instead of doing what someone else’s done. 

Leo 

If you haven’t looked it up, now’s a good time to see where The Rocky Horror Picture Show is playing. The movie is almost 50 years old and it’s still as horrid as you remember it to be… IF you watch it alone. This week, plan on getting out and enjoying a midnight screening, assuming you can stay awake for it. 

Virgo 

The rule of real estate is “Location, Location, Location”, but with interdepartmental corporate drama it’s, “Document, Document, Document”. No you don’t need to have things printed out all the time, but having your information together will really help you when someone’s got it out for you. This week get to know the names of your data storage technicians; they love to help with a good screwing when it’s richly deserved. 

Libra 

Planting your own veggies is all well and good, but you’re not getting any avocados out of that Hass pit for at least three years. Worse yet, they don’t like the cold, meaning if you’re in Hardiness Zone 9, 10, or 11, you’re OK. But we’re betting you have no idea what zone you’re in. This week stop growing weed in your basement and switch to avocado plants instead. 

Scorpio 

Supposedly if you go to sleep thinking, “Tonight I’ll control my dream” you’ll be able to do just that. How cool will it be to live out every fantasy you ever wanted? Be every hero you ever watched on TV. Be the Mad Scientist who beats the good guy and blows up the world. That last one might be a bad idea - if you die in your dream do you die in real life? This week buy a spinner.  

Sagittarius 

It might have been unfair of us, throwing that trivia question at you last week, but at least we gave you the answer. If you’d read the Tumblr post and actually read the whole thing… Including The Hashtags At The Bottom… you might’ve actually seen it. You figured out how to break the ScanTron Answer Key Setting in high school, how could you miss that being right in front of you? This week just accept that your best days were in high school and there’s no going back again.  

Capricorn 

After being all upset with Gemini and Cancer, it’s so good to get to you, Capricorn. You’ve always been our go-to for someone to keep our mood level. Seriously, thanks for that. This week treat yourself to a couple albums on us: “The Music from Peter Gunn” by Henry Mancini and “Johnny Costa Plays Mister Rogers' Neighborhood”. Put them on, get some brandy, and just enjoy the night.

Aquarius 

Halloween season means costume season. Consider something more minimalist than a full-priced expensive one. Maybe revisit a costume you had back in your childhood days - with the crappy mask with no ventilation, minimal eyesight, and glorified rubber band holding it on. Yes, those OLD-OLD Ben Cooper Costume Kits are BACK for 20 bucks and in your size! This week you’ll be playing chicken with the chocolate discount sales. 

Pisces 

You’ll be invited to watch a play this weekend, so you better be on your best behavior. You don’t need to wear a three piece suit, but at least wear a long sleeve shirt… and pants! And no, you can’t sneak someone in under your trench coat. How do you even have a trench coat that tall? You know what? Forget it. Just… Just enjoy the show. And please, please… Theatre is NOT conversational. Just sit back and shut up this time. 

And THOSE are your Hobble-Scopes for this week! Remember if you liked what you got, we’re obviously not working hard enough at these. BUT! If you want a better or nastier one for your own sign or someone else’s, all you need to do to bribe me is just Let Me Know! These will be posted online at the end of each week via Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook and Discord.

[profbruce]

Prof Bruce real estate trivia quiz ANSWERS

If you’d like to send the quiz (sans answers) to your friends, use this link, https://profbruce.tumblr.com/post/618276969564471296/prof-bruce-real-estate-investment-trivia-quiz.

1. in which decade from 1950 to present day did mortgage interest rates reach their peak?

1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s

[21.46% peak, 2nd half of 1981]

2. what does PIT stand for?

planning and information technology

principal interest and taxes

3. how many square feet in an acre?

10,000

43,560

45,000

4. where does Archie Andrews live?

nowhere, he’s a comic book character

Rivendell

Riverdale

5. what famous real estate mogul supposedly cowrote The Art of the Deal in 1987 with journalist Tony Schwartz?

Warren Buffett

Donald Trump

Steve Wynn

6. what does “cap” rate stand for?

capitalization rate

the end cap of an aisle in a grocery store

7. can you write out the formula—how to calculate cap rates?

cap rate = AR – AP, accounts receivable less accounts payable

cap rate = NOI/FMV, net operating income divided by fair market value

8. what are the three main types of return from real estate investing?

animation

mortgage principal paydown

real estate appreciation

interest paid

cashflow

9. what does “agritainment” mean?

a new type of cash cropping

a combination of agriculture and entertainment

10. what does Warren Buffett prefer in terms of investing strategies— timing markets/buying and selling/trading or buy-hold-drive-up-value-refinance-rinse-and-repeat?

timing markets/buying and selling/trading

buy-hold-drive-up-value-refinance-rinse-and-repeat

11. what’s the difference between a partner and an investor?

a partner just wants an ROI, return on investment, while an investor wants a say in the business

an investor just wants an ROI, return on investment, while a partner wants a say in the business

12. what’s the best/optimal number of partners to have?

1 in a 50/50 deal

1 in a 51/49 deal

more than 1

zero

13. why do so many municipalities want to ban tiny homes?

because they’re unsafe

because they can’t be assessed for property taxes (because they’re on wheels) and NIMBY neighbors may complain

because they’re too small to live in year-round

14. how long does it take to pay off an interest-only mortgage?

20 years

25 years

30 years

never

15. In Scotland, folks paint their front doors red:

a) to ward off evil spirits,

b) because they’ve paid off their mortgages or

c) to celebrate Scotland Independence Day?

16. in what town did Fred and Wilma Flintstone live?

Bedrock

Bedford Falls

17. what is glamping?

glamorous camping

a new form of mountaineering

18. what is the High Line?

the 12.9 km (9 mile) Confederation Bridge joining Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island and Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick

a 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park in NYC, developed on a former New York Central railroad spur on the west side of Manhattan and now the no 1 tourist attraction in New York

19. what is a “garden level suite?”

a home with French doors opening up at grade into a garden

a lower level or basement in-home suite with its own separate entrance from the street first made popular in inner-city brownstone designs in Brooklyn New York in the late 1880s and early 1900s

20. what is the one neighborhood in Ottawa Canada that does not allow coach houses or in-home apartments?

Westboro

Rockcliffe Park

Rothwell Heights

Wuthering Heights

21. how did Gustave Eiffel get his Paris tower approved in the 1880s over the NIMBY objections of the “Committee of 300” (one for each meter of the tower’s height) who described the project this way, “…imagine for a moment a giddy, ridiculous tower dominating Paris like a gigantic black smokestack, crushing under its barbaric bulk—Notre Dame, the Tour de Saint-Jacques, the Louvre, the Dome of les Invalides, the Arc de Triomphe, all of our humiliated monuments will disappear in this ghastly dream?”

by bribing the mayor of Paris

by falsely promised that the Eiffel Tower would only stand for 20 years after the 1889 Exposition Universelle

by suing the Committee of 300

22. what does NIMBY stand for?

not in my backyard

no is my best yes

23. what does PIMBY stand for?

prevention in my backyard

please in my backyard

24. what are the three main ways to appraise/value property?

on the basis of comparables (what other properties of comparable type in similar locations sold for recently)

by examining its cost to complete (or replacement cost less accumulated depreciation)

by asking neighbors what they think

on an income basis (by dividing its NOI (net operating income) by the applicable, market-set, cap rate)

by asking your accountant for his/her opinion

25. can you select buyer conditions you might see in an agreement of purchase and sale—the things a buyer might want to check before buying property—from this list?

finance

title search

environmental report

building/plumbing/electrical/structural inspections

pre-consultation with the city (to check on things like zoning and development potential)

approval by buyer’s attorney

review of leases/management agreements/chattels/fixtures/inventory/survey/building plans/property tax assessments/operating costs/utilities etc

insurance

examination of all deliveries

approval by seller’s attorney

Cheers,

Prof Bruce 

FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND BUSINESS COACHING THAT’LL HELP YOU PROVIDE FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FOR 3-GENERATIONS, PLEASE CONTACT:

Bruce M Firestone, B Eng (civil), M Eng-Sci, PhD Real Estate Investment and Business coach Century 21 Explorer Realty Inc broker Ottawa Senators founder 613-762-8884 bruce.firestone@century21.ca brucemfirestone.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/profbruce https://brucemfirestone.com/blog/ profbruce.tumblr.com/archive https://www.youtube.com/user/ProfBruce/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/reiroi https://bruce-firestone.c21.ca/

BOOK YOUR FREE CLARITY CALL WITH PROF BRUCE NOW, https://brucemfirestone.com/coaching/prof-bruce-real-estate-investment-and-business-coaching/talk/

• MAKING IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE • FREEDOM VIA REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND PB4L, PERSONAL BUSINESS FOR LIFE • FEHAJ, FOR EVERY HOME A JOB, FEJAH, FOR EVERY JOB A HOME • MAKE YOUR HOME WORK FOR YOU, INSTEAD OF YOU WORKING FOR IT • HIGHER ROI NOT JUST FOR OWNERS AND INVESTORS, BUT FOR TENANTS, GUESTS, VISITORS, NEIGHBORHOODS, COMMUNITIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES, CITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT TOO

image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Game_Show.jpg

[qqueenofhades]

Just to lighten up the mood a little bit in these exhausting times here’s a bunch of light-hearted trivia I learned about Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the last few days: 1) Before going into politics, he was an actor and played the role of history teacher turned… president of Ukraine in a popular comedy series. 2) He won the Ukrainian edition of Dancing with the Stars in 2006 (there are clips on YT!). 3) Although referred to as “former comedian” by many media outlets, he holds a law degree. 4) He was voted “Sexiest Ukrainian” in 2008 by a lifestyle magazine. 5) He was the voice actor for Paddington bear in the movie Paddington (2014). 6) Aaaand he played Napoleon in a Russian movie. All things considered, he seems to be doing quite alright, unlike some other celebrities turned presidents… Thanks for taking the time to answer your asks. Sending hugs!

Zelenskyy is a 100% certified stone-cold badass, and I'm praying that he somehow survives this (though if Russia is dumb enough to turn him into a martyr, they will be paying for that FOREVER). I've also seen Jews on Twitter pointing out the fact that he is an Ashkenazi Jew and descendant of Holocaust victims (his grandfather was the only one of four brothers to survive; the rest were killed) who is leading the defense of a democratic country against a brutal fascist dictator, and that this is incredibly meaningful to them. So yeah. You go, sir.

I do think the fact that he played the president of Ukraine on TV before actually becoming the president is the sort of detail that would get disregarded on TV itself for being too "unrealistic," because truly, TRULY, what even is this timeline we are living in. And yes, America elected a failed game-show host and real estate mogul and got an orange tyrant, while Ukraine elected a former TV actor and got someone who has turned out to be dignified, resolute, brave as hell, and earning worldwide admiration. It's true that what you're really made of shows up under pressure, and since he could have fled the country ASAP like Afghanistan's ex-president did and gotten a safe ride to the US, the fact that he is putting his own life on the line is pretty extraordinary. Please keep him safe, Ukrainians.

And you're welcome; I am getting a lot of asks today, but I think it's understandable. Sending hugs back.

[kanraandchrome]

If I may: What’s the last line you wrote? Do you write scenes in order, or do you jump around? Do you enjoy research? Which fic of yours required the most research?Do you prefer writing AUs or canon fics? aka 6, 11, 18, 20.

Thanks a lot for your questions !! Of course you may and I shall answer promptly ♪

What's the last line you wrote ?

"That was a thing she was used to and could deal with in the morning." from Candy's and her Strang Cat's Strange Halloween Eve.

Do you write scenes in order, or do you jump around ?

Contrary to popular belief I'm a very well-organised person xD I first write a draft with a tick list of all the elements I want to put inside (private jokes with friends, lyrics from a song I like diluted in the writing, ...) then I write the plan, then I mix the two lists, and then I start writing while checking my list to be sure I don't go off-track. The thing is if I don't do it I just end up running in circle and all the scenes end up too rough-edged and therefore not fitting.

Do you enjoy research ?

I LOVE RESEARCH. I'm a mythology, space, dinosaurs and history nerd, I love little anecdotes and trivias you can incorporate in a story to make it more grounded in an existing setting (like in Eitan, it was partly based on trivias from soldiers coming back from war and my grandfather's own anecdotes). I love to research fields I know nothing of (Après l'Automne... killed my braincells with all the swing and rock dance lessons I followed to be accurate in-text) or having to ask people who are experts in their fields to open the door to a whole new world !! I'm a sponge of knowledge !! Please let me slurp all of it.

Which fic of yours required the most research ?

It's a tie between Après l'Automne... and Eitan I think. For Eitan I had a lot of previous knowledges since Talvisota is one of my hyperfixations, but for Après l'Automne... I had to research peaceful eras I remembered very little from history lessons during middleschool and had to reasearch even more about the fashion, the songs, the dances, how psychology was handled at the time, ... it doesn't show much in the writing (as in, it's not flaunted) but I definitely am grateful to have researched all of it to write some scenes with a few added touches that people often quote to me as their favorite scene (which makes me super happy).

Do you prefer writing AUs or canon fics ?

Oh that's a tough one ! I'd sayyyy I prefer writing AUs because I can put the couples I want in the settings I want like in Confort with the nekocafé and Avicii's song, but at the same time I like writing canon fics because it means intensive researches or diving back in medias I like to research characters I like. In some sense, I take writing canon fics as a challenge to respect as much canon as possible ? It sure narrows my possibilities, but at the same time I like a good challenge from time to time ! (Yes, I'm either free real estate or narrow corridor you can only go forward in, no in-between).

[kitty8804]

Historian Butterfly AU Chapter 2

Shinobu x Female OC

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 3: Coming soon

An 18 year old Fukuro walked up to the middle school as kids were just starting to leave the building. Her hair was down showing off how wavy it was. She seemed to be wearing contacts and some makeup as well. She looked around for a few moments before someone slammed into her side.

“And here I thought Kurasshu was my nickname,” Fukuro teased as she looked at the young boy clinging to her legs.

“Dang it! I was trying to scare you! How did you know it was me, big sis?”

“Older sisters know these things, Akio. Now where is Emiko? You didn’t leave her behind to be trampled by the crowd again did you?”

“That was one time!” Akio exclaimed, lifting his arms up in the air to emphasize his exasperation. “And that was a complete accident! I swear she was right behind me a minute ago! But then I saw you and got excited.”

Fukuro laughed and patted her little brother on the head. “It's fine. She probably is not far.” She looked around for a few moments before she spotted a familiar flash of platinum blonde hair. Her eyes locked on to the person and it was Emiko. Emiko was nervously making her way out of the crowd of students. She fiddled with her hands and kept her eyes on the ground. “Hey Emiko! We’re over here!”

Emiko perked up at Fukuro’s voice and looked up. Once her eyes locked on to Fukuro’s own, the nervous look on her face disappeared, and was quickly replaced with one full of joy. Her smile was not much bigger than a very small gentle one, but the look in her eyes said she was a lot happier than she looked. She immediately ran over to Fukuro and lept into her arms.

“Whoa!” Fukuro stumbled back a bit as she was not expecting the sudden added weight. Thankfully Emiko was small so Fukuro did not fall or drop her. “Hey kiddo, how was school?” she asked as she set Emiko back on her feet.

Emiko’s voice was barely above a whisper. “...Good…”

Akio interjected as he leaned against Emiko and used her shoulder as an armrest. “You should have seen her in biology class today! We had a trivia game and thank god I had her on my team because I would have failed if she hadn’t helped me. She got us the win and our teacher gave us some candy for winning! Everyone was basically dying while they tried to answer the questions and Emi was just answering them with no effort!”

“...Akio beat all the kids in track today…” Emkio muttered.

“It was easy as cake!”

“...Except for Kumi…He ate her dust,” Emkio finished.

“Emiko!”

Fukuro laughed at her sibling’s antics. “Well that certainly sounds like a good day. Don’t worry Akio, I’m sure you’ll beat her next time,” she said as she patted him on the head.

Akio pouted. “I bet I can run all the way home within 5 minutes. That will show you that I’m the fastest. You guys will be far behind me!”

“That’s a shame. I was going to buy you and Emiko ice cream, but if you want to rush ahead…”

Akio immediately perked up. “You know what? Being the fastest is overrated anyways.”

Fukuro laughed as she walked with her siblings holding onto Emiko’s hand as Akio jumped around excitedly.

***

“Fukuro, can you help me organize the cleaning supplies?”

Fukuro looked behind her and gave Kiyo a smile. “Sure! Let me just finish helping Naho with the sweeping real quick and I’ll be right with you!”

It had been two weeks since her sudden travel through time. Fukuro’s injuries had healed for the most part. She was worried about where she was going to go at first, but Shinobu ended up offering to let her stay at the butterfly mansion since she had nowhere to stay. Fukuro was incredibly grateful, so she decided to use her time to help around with chores. In any free time she had left, Fukuro spent either researching or getting to know Shinobu and the rest of the residents of the estate.

It was a little embarrassing to admit that she had gotten attached to everyone very quickly. Kiyo, Naho, and Suma were just so cute! She loved kids a lot and it helped that they were always so sweet and helpful when Fukuro was adjusting. They reminded her of her own siblings a bit.

Fukuro had first met Aoi when she was scolding her for reopening her wounds again. Her stern demeanor was enough to make Fukuro shrink back a bit and she was 5 years older than her for Pete’s sake! But it didn’t take long for Fukuro to realize that Aoi was truly a very caring and kind person under her mask. It took some time to get past Aoi’s walls, but after about a week Aoi started showing Fukuro her softer side a lot more often. She even started making sure that the mansion always had natto in stock when she found out it was her favorite food, despite the fact that most people don’t like the dish.

Fukuro didn’t know what to think about Kanao at first. She was convinced that she hated her after she bumped into her and, despite her apologies, Kanao didn’t respond. Fukuro was actually pretty stressed about it until Shinobu explained that Kanao simply had trouble doing anything that didn’t require orders, which included talking. Fukuro made it her mission to track Kanao down and try to get to know her as much as she could, which wasn’t often because she was training for final selection. Fukuro still hadn’t learned much, but Kanao did not seem bothered by it and Shinobu seemed to be glad that Fukuro was making an effort. She really liked Kanao a lot since she reminded her of her younger sister.

Then finally there was the master of the butterfly estate, Shinobu. She was always patient with Fukuro, even when she would excitedly ask her everything about the demon slayer corps. She never seemed to find Fukuro’s clumsy nature annoying. In fact she seemed to find it endearing. She gave her a place to stay with her own room before Fukuro could even ask her. She always made an effort to check in on Fukuro without it feeling overbearing after her freak out. She even gave Fukuro a kimono, when she asked. Even if her old clothes were repairable, Fukuro thought it would be safer to wear something from this timeline and not her own. Fukuro couldn’t deny that she found Shinobu very attractive in more ways than looks. Whether or not those feelings would continue to grow was something that she would find out after time passes. But for now Fukuro was satisfied with the relationship that they had, even if she knows very little about her.

“You don’t have to help us with all of the chores you know. There are probably better things you could do,” Aoi said, walking by with a basket of laundry.

Fukuro set her broom off to the side and went to join Kiyo. “I don’t mind. It keeps me active. Besides, it gets boring reading my notes over and over again. I should really try to find a library. It would be nice to go to a nearby town and take a look around. Maybe find a way to actually make some money. The thought of finding some new books to read makes me so ex-AHH!” Fukuro proceeded to trip over the medical supplies that Kiyo had gotten out to be able to organize them.

“Just be careful so that you won’t get yourself killed,” Aoi said.

“Will do, ow.”

***

Fukuro couldn’t sleep. She had developed a bad habit of working late into the night or just not sleeping at all, so it was difficult to try to get a decent night's sleep every night. Even before that she didn’t sleep well as a kid. Fukuro just always seemed to be more active at night. Ironic considering her name. She did have medication for her insomnia back home, but obviously she did not have access to it now. Usually Fukuro would just work or read, but she didn’t want to accidentally wake anyone up. She also did not want a lecture from Shinobu or Aoi. But she had been staring at the ceiling for what felt like hours, and she couldn’t take it anymore!

Fukuro got out of bed with a sigh. She went through her beat up bag, and pulled out what was by far her favorite source she found on her expeditions. It was an old diary of a girl who Fukuro assumed was a demon slayer. She wrote about her work as a demon slayer a bit, but most of it was about mundane things like how cute one of her friends looked in her old kimono or gushing about the boy she obviously liked. It wasn’t the best source in terms of research, but Fukuro liked the passionate writing of the person’s day to day life.

Fukuro wandered around the halls a bit before she decided to go outside to get some fresh air. She looked around for a place to sit and saw a ladder that someone must have left out. She climbed the ladder up to the roof, and sat down. It probably wasn’t the safest option, but she liked being in high up places. It was easier for her to relax. Fukuro would commonly go to roofs, trees, or bunk beds just to read a book. Another thing that was ironic considering her name.

Fukuro let out a sigh and opened the diary carefully. The pages were old and worn, and some of the writing had faded. She wondered how much longer this diary would last. It would be a sad day when it eventually falls apart. Sure she had a scanned pdf of the diary back home, but she obviously couldn’t use it right now and might not ever again. That thought was almost enough to make Fukuro cry.

“It’s a little late to be reading a book don’t you think?”

Fukuro squeaked as she fumbled to keep herself from dropping the diary she was reading. She looked to the side and saw Shinobu looking at her with the same smile she grew used to, as well as an amused spark in her eyes.

“You scared me Kocho!”

Shinobu responded with a small giggle. “Mind if I sit here?”

Fukuro shook her head and Shinobu sat down next to her.

“So what are you doing awake on the roof so late?”

“Oh! I couldn’t sleep, so I decided that reading would be a better use of my time instead of staring at the ceiling. I like being high up when I want to relax so I used a ladder to climb up here.”

“If you find anything about your room uncomfortable then you can tell me. I don’t mind.”

“No! No! No! The room is great! I have really bad insomnia, so I have a lot of trouble sleeping! I’ve tried different relaxing teas, but they don’t work. I used to have medicine for it but I left it at home and I can’t exactly go back…” Fukuro trailed off to think of a way to phrase her words that didn’t make the fact that she was from the future obvious.

Shinobu put her hand on her shoulder. “You do not have to say anymore if you don’t want to, Fukuro. I understand.”

Fukuro sighed in relief. She was pretty sure that Shinobu thought she lost her home to demons, even if she never said it. Fukuro felt bad that she was deceiving Shinobu, but it was easier than the truth or trying to make an excuse on her own.

“It’s just hard, you know? It’s not that I don’t like it here, because I really do. You all have been so nice to me and I can’t be more grateful for you letting me stay here. But I miss my family a lot. It’s both nice and heartbreaking how much the girls remind me of my little siblings.”

Shinobu’s expression didn’t change but there was a curious glint in her eyes. “I did not know that you had any siblings.”

Fukuro scratched the back of her head with a sheepish look on her face. “That's because the subject never really came up before. I also did not want to annoy anyone by rambling about my siblings. Once I start it’s hard for me to stop.”

“I think it’s cute that you’re so passionate about the people and things you care about. If you are comfortable with it I’m happy to listen.”

Fukuro’s cheeks grew bright red from the compliment. “Gosh, where do I even start?”

“I think their names would be helpful,” Shinobu teased.

Fukuro blushed even more in response. “Well I have one younger brother and one little sister. They’re twins and are both 5 years younger than me, so they’re around Aoi’s age. My little brother’s name is Akio and my sister’s name is Emiko. Despite the fact that I was WAY older than them we were still very close. Akio was a very loud and energetic kid. He’s very passionate about what he does, and can be a goofball. He and I were always teasing each other, but it was all for fun. It actually sounded like we were insulting each other, but we both knew we didn’t actually mean what we said. His nickname for me was Kurasshu because the earliest memory he has of me was when I was trying to help my mom take care of him but I ended up tripping and crashing into a trashcan.”

Fukuro could feel the heat radiating off of her cheeks as Shinobu put a hand to her mouth to try to muffle her laugh. “Sorry, sorry. I’m not making fun of you I promise.”

Fukuro pouted a bit, but she wasn’t offended at all. “It’s fine, get your laughs out now.”

“It sounds like your brother was a handful.”

“But he was also a very polite boy too. Akio always showed everyone around him respect. He would be running around the house like a maniac, but as soon as our parents told him to stop he did without a fight. No yelling was necessary. A lot of people would be very surprised because only close friends and family actually got to see both parts of his personality. Emiko was very shy and quiet. When we were younger she would only talk to my parents, Akio, and I because she would get so nervous. She was selectively mute until she was 14. She’s the genius of our family. Akio and I could never beat her in any trivia games unless all the questions were either sports or history related. Last time I checked she was planning on becoming a veterinarian, but she also has a passion for theatre so she might try to have a career in that field too. Emiko was always the sense of reason when we all were together. My clumsy nature and workaholic tendencies combined with both Akio and I having no sense of fear when it comes to dangerous situations are not the greatest combination.” Fukuro laughed as she seemed to be looking back on a fond memory. “We had a lot of fun together and ended up in a lot of crazy situations.”

“It sounds like you had a very wonderful family,” Shinobu said.

Fukuro nodded. “Yeah I did,” she said absentmindedly. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. “So why are you awake so late? Aren’t you always the one lecturing the other slayers on how important it is for them to get plenty of rest?”

“Is that teasing I hear? I didn’t know you had it in you, Fukuro,” Shinobu teased, which turned Fukuro’s cheeks a bright pink. “I had a lot of work to do today, and I must have lost track of time. I decided to get some fresh air before going back to work.”

“You’re still planning on working?! But it’s so late!”

“May I remind you that we are both in a similar situation.”

“Hey! This time it is not because of my bad working habits. I genuinely can’t sleep!”

“Well then, I’ll start having a better sleep schedule when you do.”

“That would be impossible unless you can make your own medication for it.”

“Challenge accepted.”

The playful banter ended with both girls laughing. Fukuro was a lot more open about it while Shinobu’s was quieter with her hand muffling her laugh.

“What are you reading anyway? It looks like a very old book.”

“Oh! This is a dairy I found on one of my explorations. The person who wrote this is just so bubbly and bright that I can’t help but smile and be in a good mood whenever I read it. It’s hard to think of the world as such a cruel place when I read about someone who is able to see something good in everything and everyone.”

Shinobu hummed as she thought of something. “Sounds a lot like a close friend of mine. I should introduce you to her when I have the chance. I think you would get along quite well.”

“I would be honored to meet any close friend of yours Kocho. Let’s just hope my social skills don’t make me humiliate myself.”

“What’s with the formalities? I thought we were friends, Fukuro,” Shinobu teased. Before Fukuro could respond to defend herself Shinobu continued. “I think your social skills are just fine. You have a very charming personality that shows itself in the cutest ways. Besides, my friend is not known for being judgmental.”

Fukuro was pretty sure that her face was bright red at this point. Why does someone so pretty have to be such a tease?! “As much as I trust your judgment, it's going to be hard to make a good impression when I am half awake and sleep deprived. Hopefully I find a way to fix that problem. Aoi is going to be so mad when she finds out how late I have been staying up. I already made a mess of the medical supplies today, and I know she thinks I work too hard,” Fukuro said.

“I heard about that. She also told me that you’re interested in getting a job.”

“I just want to feel useful, you know? I know the help with the chores is appreciated, but I know Aoi and the girls don’t actually need it. I’m not opposed to learning combat, but I don’t think becoming a demon slayer is the best choice to make. Not right now at least. I also suck at anything medical! The amount of times I have almost gotten myself killed because I almost took the wrong medication is honestly concerning. I know that as Hashira you get paid any amount you want, but l feel bad for constantly leaching off you.”

“Trust me when I say that helping the girls out with the chores and keeping the girls company is more than enough help. They’ve grown really attached to you, despite the fact that you have only lived here for 2 weeks,” Shinobu said, her smile becoming a bit gentler than before.

Fukuro sighed. “I know. I just wish I could put what I am good at to use. But I don’t think many people are looking for a girl who is good at researching stuff. Especially since I don’t have access to a lot of sources right now. Even if I don’t find a job in town, a library would be nice.” Fukuro turned her head away from Shinobu in slight embarrassment. “Gosh, I kinda made this conversation about all of my insecurities, haven’t I? I’m sorry for rambling and bringing the mode down.”

“If you don’t stop apologizing then I will make you go through a day of training with Kanao.”

Fukuro gulped. She had seen the type of training that Kanao would do and it was insane. Fukuro might be fit, which was only due to her experiments with total concentrated breathing, but she was pretty sure Kanao would completely murder her within minutes. “Yes ma’am!” Fukuro exclaimed before letting out a yawn. “The sun is going to come up soon so I should probably try to sleep. Are you coming with me?”

“I think I’ll stay out a little bit longer.”

Fukuro had started to climb down the ladder. “Alright but go to sleep soon okay. We can’t have two sleep deprived workaholics here.”

Shinobu giggled. “Have a good night Fukuro.”

“You too.” Just as Fukuro finished her response her foot slipped. “Well sh*t.” She ended up falling off the ladder hitting the ground with the solid thud. “Oww.”

Shinobu peeked her head over the roof. She looked both concerned and like she was barely holding back her laughter. “Are you alright down there?”

“I’m fine!”

Shinobu jumped down, landing on her feet with seemingly little effort. “Perhaps I should take you to your room so that you don’t hurt yourself more.”

***

“You want permission to have access to the Demon Slayer Corps main library?”

Shinobu took a deep breath before answering Ubuyashiki. She wouldn’t say she was nervous, but she definitely was asking for a pretty big favor. “For the new girl taking residence in my estate, Master. She has taken an interest and I think her skills in research could be of great use to us. She managed to figure out almost entirely how the corps works with only a few books and scrolls that she found by herself. She hadn’t even met a corps member until we met.”

“Ah, yes. Fukuro Hitomi. She is quite the interesting young woman. Her ability to gather information would be a great asset right now. But I would like to be certain of some things first.”

“What do you mean? Do you think giving her access to this information would be dangerous?”

“No, not at all. My concerns are more personal. It is nothing that you should worry yourself about. I would just like to meet her in person. If you could bring her to me for a private meeting I would be most grateful, my child.”

“Of course Master. Right away,” Shinobu said before she gave Ubuyashiki a bow before walking out of the room.

Ubuyashiki smiled. “An interesting woman indeed. I wonder if your presence is apart of something much bigger than we realize.”

***

Welcome to I have never written for Ubuyashiki before and I have no idea how to write him! I’m really sorry for this chapter took so long, I honestly did not think it would take me so much time! School suddenly decided to hit me like a truck so I had very little energy. The amount of times I wrote a scene for this chapter, then decided I did not like it, and then delete it was immense. Hopefully the nest one is less of a struggle. I know not a lot happened in this chapter but I hope it’s still enjoyable! I’m thinking of doing small headcannon and fun facts posts to keep up some content between chapters. The little details I think are cool, but I won’t be able to go in depth with in this story.

[aint-love-heavy]

What threatens local newspapers now is not just digital disruption or abstract market forces. They’re being targeted by investors who have figured out how to get rich by strip-mining local-news outfits. The model is simple: Gut the staff, sell the real estate, jack up subscription prices, and wring as much cash as possible out of the enterprise until eventually enough readers cancel their subscriptions that the paper folds, or is reduced to a desiccated husk of its former self.

The men who devised this model are Randall Smith and Heath Freeman, the co-founders of Alden Global Capital. Since they bought their first newspapers a decade ago, no one has been more mercenary or less interested in pretending to care about their publications’ long-term health. Researchers at the University of North Carolina found that Alden-owned newspapers have cut their staff at twice the rate of their competitors; not coincidentally, circulation has fallen faster too, according to Ken Doctor, a news-industry analyst who reviewed data from some of the papers. That might sound like a losing formula, but these papers don’t have to become sustainable businesses for Smith and Freeman to make money.

With aggressive cost-cutting, Alden can operate its newspapers at a profit for years while turning out a steadily worse product, indifferent to the subscribers it’s alienating. “It’s the meanness and the elegance of the capitalist marketplace brought to newspapers,” Doctor told me. So far, Alden has limited its closures primarily to weekly newspapers, but Doctor argues it’s only a matter of time before the firm starts shutting down its dailies as well.

This investment strategy does not come without social consequences. When a local newspaper vanishes, research shows, it tends to correspond with lower voter turnout, increased polarization, and a general erosion of civic engagement. Misinformation proliferates. City budgets balloon, along with corruption and dysfunction. The consequences can influence national politics as well; an analysis by Politico found that Donald Trump performed best during the 2016 election in places with limited access to local news.

[...]

The story of Alden Capital begins on the set of a 1960s TV game show called Dream House. A young man named Randall Duncan Smith—Randy for short—stands next to his wife, Kathryn, answering quick-fire trivia questions in front of a live studio audience. The show’s premise pits two couples against each other for the chance to win a home. When the Smiths win, they pass on the house and take the cash prize instead—a $20,000 haul that Randy will eventually use to seed a small trading firm he calls R.D. Smith & Company.

A Cornell grad with an M.B.A., Randy is on a partner track at Bear Stearns, where he’s poised to make a comfortable fortune simply by climbing the ladder. But he has a big idea: He believes there’s serious money to be made in buying troubled companies, steering them into bankruptcy, and then selling them off in parts. The term vulture capitalism hasn’t been invented yet, but Randy will come to be known as a pioneer in the field. He scores big with a bankrupt aerospace manufacturer, and again with a Dallas-based drilling company.

By the 1980s, this strategy has made Randy luxuriously wealthy—vacations in the French Riviera, a family compound outside New York City—and he has begun to school his children on the wonders of capitalism. He teaches his 8-year-old son, Caleb, to make trades on a Quotron computer, and imparts the value of delayed gratification by reportedly postponing his family’s Christmas so that he can use all their available cash to buy stocks at lower prices in December. Caleb will later recall, in an interview with D Magazine, asking his dad why he works so hard.

“It’s a game,” Randy explains to his son.

“How do you know who wins?” the boy asks.

“Whoever dies with the most money.”

Even in the “greed is good” climate of the era, Randy is a polarizing character on Wall Street. When The New York Times profiles him in 1991, it notes that he excels at “profiting from other people’s misery” and quotes a parade of disgruntled clients and partners. “The one central theme,” the Times reports, “seems to be that Smith and its web of affiliates are out, first and foremost, for themselves.” If this reputation bothers Randy and his colleagues, they don’t let on: For a while, according to The Village Voice, his firm proudly hangs a painting of a vulture in its lobby.

[...]

Most of his investments are defined by a cold pragmatism, but he takes a more personal interest in the media sector. With his own money, he helps his brother launch the New York Press, a free alt-weekly in Manhattan. Russ Smith is a puckish libertarian whose self-described “contempt” for the journalistic class animates the pages of the publication. “I’m repulsed by the incestuous world of New York journalism,” he tells New York magazine. He writes a weekly column called “Mugger” that savages the city’s journalists by name and frequently runs to 10,000 words.

Randy claims no editorial role in the Press, and his investment in the project—which has little chance of producing the kind of return he’s accustomed to—could be chalked up to brotherly loyalty. But years later, when Randy relocates to Palm Beach and becomes a major donor to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, it will make a certain amount of sense that his earliest known media investment was conceived as a giant middle finger to the journalistic establishment.

[icharchivist]

The thing that's on my mind the most about The Strength to Wield is, if Mordred is apparently Ywain, then who is Vane supposed to be?? He clearly got a lot of the same motifs as Ywain, so was he just a red herring or did they split Ywain into two characters? Is Vane supposed to be just an ordinary dude? That would actually fit pretty well with his character but I just, I want answerssss

OH GOD YEAH

y'know i'm like, really glad to hear that, because i know with friends we have been going on and on about "of course Vane must be Ywain, it's a given" for YEARS so when the Ywain reveal happened in StW i was just. so distraught?? and i felt like i must have built up that theory with friend with no real basis but i'm just so happy that any Vane Connaisseurs were sharing this one theory enough to be completely dumbfounded by this reveal.

also sorry i rambled a little, so, under cut

this was really unexpected because, yeah Vane has all of the Ywain's motif, his name could be a way to pronounce Ywain's name (esp if adapted from english accents that would put the tonal syllab on the "wain" part and make the "y" a little more muted), and of course, the Lion Knight in general when we have Vane with a Lion skin AND his CA name that has consistantly been about Lion.

And it fucks me up too because Arthur also has the Lion motif in his own CA, which for so long i thought was just because he took after his mentor, and probably it is meant to be since it's still the same name as Vane's, but it's especially distracting now knowing that Arthur and Mordred's shared unit don't have the Lion motif carried over in their CA. The moment Mordred is involved we're losing the Lion motif while we're being told that Mordred IS the Lion Knight???

And i know it was overreading because gbf tend to freely adapt the myths, so of course it was only a 1% possibility, but there's also the fact in the myth Ywain and Gawain are cousins, which was Vane's Past Theory Free Real Estate for a long time, especially since they share similar physical features and we know Vane's parents died when he was young leaving possibilities for weird stuff with his family to be talked about in the future.

Now that Mordred is Ywain, it would be really puzzling to have him linked to Gawain in any shape or form (because for starter then Uriens could have asked help to Dalmore instead of Feedranche if their family was linked, feels like therefore this connection is lost in the adaptation. Which isn't specifically a bad thing! it's just, one i overthought too much about to not at least mention it)

(UNLESS we want to start to look at the timeline and do we want to. But anyway, we know that therefore the War that destroyed Merlin's kingdom happened about 13 years ago due to the kids ages, setting it happening when Sieg/Aglo were 18, Gawain/Lamorak were 16, Percival/Lancelot were 14, and Vane was 12. Which doesn't give us a lot of information except if any of the war stuff we learn in Savior of Dalmore regarding the Dalmore situation would be linked, considering the flashback would be around that time, or if it was when Gawain waas younger, there's still the battle against Wales that gained Dalmore the alliance with Wales in the years that followed. Linked? maybe not but i thought about it so i might as well share)

Back to Ywain, was Vane a redherring or did they change their mind in recent years?

There was another theory way back when that Vane could be based on Agravain, which could make sense but we're losing the full Lion motif. That said if any of the theories linked to Ywain were too much, Agravain is *checks the wiki* Nephew to Arthur, brother to Gawain and Gareth (remember when Gareth was a character in that franchise? good times.), Half brother to Mordred, the killer of Lamorak and killed by Lancelot. Once again, gbf and its adaptation and all of that but man would that be ironical. Especially since from what i'm reading Agravain is a bit of the opposite of Ywain in term of what an asshole he was VS the kind lionheart.

But Ywain, in the myth, is indeed son of King Uriens, and a few trivia about his origins fits the Mordred we know and love pretty well (first character of the myth to have been associated to Arthur just like he's always been by his side, or the fact his parentage was never lost or adapted differently compared to others knights which gives all the more account on wanting to keep it that way).

And i do prefer Vane to at least not have royal blood per SE, though we could have done more about his parentage in general, i like the idea that he's Just Some Guy, it's just we were ready to accept gbf's Ywain as "Just Some Guy" so this is a twist.

And meanwhile making Mordred into Ywain seems to also eventually erase the dread caused by knowing Mordred should be Arthur's killer. (though personally i feel like on top of it not fitting the kids, the fact both of them nearly died in Camlenn while it was where the myth kills Arthur and Mordred feels like call back enough to know Mordred will never turn on Arthur now. I mean on top of Everything about Their Friendship This Event.).

Overall it is an interesting twist in and of itself, it is just bewildering after years where we were all pretty much convinced Vane was Ywain.

but so yeah i do wonder now, is Vane like... an OC, based partially on Ywain with Ywain role split between him and Mordred, or based on Agravain?

I don't know if we'll ever get any answers about all of that but this does feel weird to knock off what was one of the biggest theory about Vane's inspirations at least.

so yeah i'm intruigued, i've been thinking about it a lot too and it's a bit hard to let go of Vane=Ywain. Perhaps it WAS indeed a redherring because i don't think i would be freaking out that much about Mordred being Ywain if it hadn't been for that to start with aahah

but man idk. I think eventually now that we know how Vane was orphaned yet still it was framed in kind of a mysterious way, i feel like until the day they actually dive in Vane's backstory i'll always be sort of confused.

but yeah many thoughts i feel you so much and i have so many questions. I don't know how or when we'll get answers to any of them though but m AN.

[ferusaurelius]

Day Thirteen

For @the-wip-project #100DaysOfWriting Challenge

No, I’m not on a tear, why do you ask?

Prompt: Look at your characters, maybe even the one you created yesterday, and be honest. Do you have a type?

Of course.

My fanfiction character ‘type’ is FREE REAL ESTATE, also known as any character who didn’t get a lot of screen time or background development in the source media. 

I also find mission fic pretty appealing, as well as ensemble casts and just being able to fill in potential scenes and background.

Anyone who’s read my work also knows that I’m partial to Alternative Universe constructions and viewpoints. I don’t know if the setting counts as a character? But if it does, I also like to radically shift the general narrative framing and just go bonkers with all the worldbuilding details imaginable.

Worlds and environments, or cultural contexts, are as much characters for me as actual speaking-role characters.

Story time: I once took MBTI tests answering them as if I were a particular character. I’ve written something like 14/16 MBTI types! And yes, their personality results were consistent over a period of months.

Here’s a fun 16personalities trivia result for my existing Saren versions:

Air Needing Light Blackwatch!Saren: Logistician (ISTJ-A) - See also: Sentinels (Roles), Confident Individualism (Strategies)

This will have no bearing on your evaluation. Cabal!Saren: Debater (ENTP-A) - See also: Analysts (Roles), People Mastery (Strategies)

[squarecarousel]

Interview with Caitlin Alexander

Well folks, we're nearly at the end of our Square Carousel journey, and there are just two interviews left – both with two of our longest-standing members! Today, we reconnect with Caitlin Alexander, who has been with the Square Carousel Collective from its very beginning almost 10 years ago. Although we've featured an interview with her here in the past, it's been so long that we are due for an update! When she's not freelancing or performing her duties as an SC admin extraordinaire, Caitlin works tirelessly on her craft, creating prints, products, hand lettered posters, and artwork that embrace the earthy beauty of nature. With a strong focus on environmentalism and a sense of community, her artwork exudes a warmth and complexity that draws the viewer in and invites them to stay a while. Read on for her gems of wisdom!

Make Earth Cool Again

Q: Comparing your early work from your first few years after college to your most recent pieces, you've kept a lot of the textural, playful essence of your style while refining certain elements. Has your process changed much since those early days, and if so, what do you now do differently? 

 A: Such a great question straight out of the gate! My process has changed quite a bit since I graduated in 2011 (almost a decade ago... yikes!). In college, part of my crafted identity as a brand-new illustrator was my traditional use of gouache paint. I actually, in all honestly, was kind of a snob about it, because so many people in our department worked solely digitally. I felt that digital painting was a crutch, which I suppose can be true in some cases, and possibly even more-so when you're applying that to college students, but I certainly had no ground to stand on. In reality, my snobbery kept me from learning critical tools, as I never took Photoshop or Illustrator classes, aside from the one that was required for graduation. This hindered my work a great deal outside of college, given that illustration is so often paired with graphic design, and editing work for clients was so much more difficult traditionally. In 2013, I got a job designing t-shirts, and lied to the company, saying I knew how to use Illustrator. Luckily it was remote, so I was able to teach myself without anyone hovering over me, but that was so foolish, looking back, given the expensive education I got at SCAD should have been my opportunity to learn those things. I introduced digital work more and more over the years, and by 2016 or so, I was primarily a digital artist. Gouache will always have a place in my heart, and I will still break out the tubes occasionally, but working digitally has allowed me to grow so much more as an illustrator, with the ability to edit, paint with more detail, and having more control over color and layering. 

Q: Of all the projects you've done in your professional career, which would you say is closest to your heart? 

 A: Probably the picture book I worked on a couple of years ago, titled "Cool For You." I had a lot of creative freedom for that project, and the subject matter of climate change is personally very important to me. Working with the author, Marianna, was really wonderful, as well. 

Cool For You book cover

Q: The Southwest influence on your work is pretty significant, and I think it's safe to assume you appreciate the majesty of the landscape in your region of the country. However, if you had to live in another state, which would you choose and why? 

 A: Funny you ask that, because I've actually considered moving from Texas to Colorado lately! The culture there is still very western, but I appreciate the liberal point of view (Texas has been grating on me lately, even living in Austin), and the landscape is even more stunning out there! I'd be close to so many inspiring National Parks. Plus, summers wouldn't be 8 months of the year and over 100 degrees for half of it! 

Travel West postcard (1 of 6)

Q: TV shows or movies? 

 A: Lately, Jordan and I have been watching New Girl on repeat. I'm not usually one to watch a show or movie over and over again, but I think we really just needed something light and fun, since life has been so very stressful over the last year.

Q: What's your favorite subject to draw? 

 A: This one is hard! I'm torn between people and landscapes. People are more fun and comfortable for me, and I could knock out a bunch of them quickly. Landscapes are always intimidating, and I'm nervous the whole time, feeling like I can't remember how I did it the time before. It's so strange, because it always ends up fine! But since I feel that way, the payoff is so much greater when I feel satisfied with the final result. 

Q: What would a perfect day look like for you? A: I probably would have answered this totally differently pre-COVID, but in this current world we live in, I would absolutely love to have what used to be a normal, uneventful weekend day for me: Jordan and I would sleep in a little, see an early afternoon movie at the Alamo Drafthouse where we'd eat lunch, then spend the rest of the afternoon browsing used book stores and estate sales, and then meet our friends at the neighborhood coffeehouse for dinner and Trivia Night. I will be so happy to have that again. 

Cover art for East Side Magazine

Book Lover Ladies series- The Book Clubbers

Q: What have you learned from your years at Square Carousel, whether organizing behind the scenes or as a contributor? 

 A: Oooof!! So SO many things! Wow... well, I'll go with the most obvious first: as a member, I learned how to continue to make portfolio-worthy work, even without jobs coming in. That was definitely the most valuable thing about Square Carousel, in my opinion, and hopefully what everyone else got out of it, as well. It can be so hard for fresh graduates to keep up that momentum, and the group saved many of us from becoming stagnant. In terms of running the group... it's been rewarding, but honestly very difficult throughout the years. There have been many ups and downs, and finding the right balance between structure and patience can be extremely challenging. I'm super proud of Elizabeth and myself (OG members!) for keeping it running through the messes-- we've been through some shit together! My major takeaway is the importance of diligence. Projects, businesses, organizations-- they all need at least a couple of people who just keep chugging along, always maintaining the structure (schedule and accountability) and balance (rules and lighthearted encouragement). 

Moth magnets

Q: As the readers are aware, Square Carousel drawing to a close soon. Do you have any plans for what you'll do with the extra time you'll have after our tri-weekly challenges end? 

 A: You know, I actually haven't thought about this too much yet. It's probably because I'll just fill it with more self-imposed projects and deadlines, since I was able to bring that skill I learned in Square Carousel into the rest of my career a while ago. (Or more real jobs! That would be ideal!) I'll miss the community though, and hope to find a way to keep that aspect of freelance life alive. Instagram friends, anyone? 

Q: What's your quirkiest habit? 

 A: Jordan told me recently that he found it weird and endearing that I joke-sing to my cats in the kitchen about really stupid stuff... so probably that! Official Cat Lady© status achieved.

Caitlin and Buster Keaton the Kitten

Q: What advice would you give to a newbie illustrator just starting out today? 

 A: I'd give them the hard advice that our professors didn't really give us in school: there is no way this is going to work out for you if you're not incredibly committed to pursuing it. Now, don't get me wrong-- I'm not telling anyone to have an unhealthy work/life balance because I think that's a toxic sentiment. But you have to keep illustrating and illustrating and illustrating, and arguably more importantly, keep networking and networking and networking. You're going to be rejected or ghosted more often than not, but if you really want it to work out, you're going to keep doing it anyway. And taking critiques if industry folks offer them, to grow and become better. Don't become stagnant in those critical building years.

Caitlin’s studio

Q: Anything else you would like the readers to know? 

A: Yes – thank you so much for supporting Square Carousel through our amazing ten years of challenges! We really appreciate everyone who has kept up with us, checking out the illustrations for each prompt and reading our posts and interviews. Y'all are wonderful, and we hope you'll continue to find us, wherever each of us fly from here! And on that sweet note, we say goodbye for now! Check out Caitlin’s website for more, and follow her on Instagram for new art when it drops.

Join us next time for our final interview!

[jckelly]

updated intro / 25/09/20

Is that JACK FIELDING? Wow, they do look a lot like VAN MCCANN. I hear HE is an NINETEEN year old FRESHMEN who are studying AEROSPACE ENGINEERING  at Luxor University. Word is they are an ARISTOCRAT student. You should watch out because they can be PHILOPHOBIC and INSINCERE, but on the bright side they can also be WITTY and IMAGINATIVE. Ultimately, you’ll get to see it all for yourself. [YUNI, 20, GMT, SHE/HER]

hello to anyone who has yet 2 be cursed w my presence in their dms, i am yuni and this is  an updated intro for my demon boi jack! this one is a lilll bit more in depth but not to worry there is a tl;dr at the end ion expect u to read this. feel free to dm me if you would like to plot!

01: BASIC INFORMATION

Full Name: Jackson Noel Fielding (previously Kelly; recently changed)

Nicknames: Jack - he dislikes the use of his full first name, and only really answers to Jack, unless joking around with Caitriona. 

Date Of Birth: December 4, 2001 (currently aged 19)

Zodiac: Sagittarius sun, Leo ascendant, and Aries moon. 

Place Of Birth: Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. 

Nationality: Dual UK and US citizenship; he was born and raised in England so was a UK citizen from birth, and acquired US citizenship through his American adopted mother after being formally adopted in 2017. 

Sexual Orientation: Bisexual 

Course: Aerospace Engineering (Freshman)

02: PHYSICAL

Faceclaim: Van McCann 

Voiceclaim: Also Van McCann (but w ... not a Welsh accent LOL think Northern)

Ethnicity: White (English, Irish, Scottish)

Height: 173cm (5′8)

Weight: 52kg (115lbs) / BMI 17.4

Eye Colour: Blue

Hair Colour: Brown

Distinctive Features: Freckles (many), ear piercings (one hoop in his left ear), scars on his wrists which he hides with long sleeved shirts. 

Clothing Preference: Jack really only wears black, or something close to black like grey. He usually opts for simple clothes, just jeans and long sleeved shirts, and beat up black converse. His Sheffield United hoodie makes an appearance more often than not, because he has a ridiculous amount of hometown pride. 

03: PERSONALITY

Overview

Positive Traits: Witty, imaginative, perseverant, passionate

Negative Traits: Philophobic, disloyal, insincere, callous

MBTI: ENTP

Religious Beliefs: Atheist 

Description

The first side most people see of Jack is the side he wants you to see. A total asshole. It’s not an exaggeration - he’s pretty much infamous for flirting with everyone, dating anyone and as a serial cheater. He’ll actively try to worm his way into your life, and then just when you start to care, he does something to hurt you. He’s strangely persistent, probably helping him to push people even further, until they snap. There is nothing which satisfies him more than managing to wind people up to the extreme, get them to the point where they give up. Adopted parents, friends, nobody is immune to this side - he even tries it on the people he genuinely cares about, as if just to see if he’ll still be able to push them away.

The second side, which most people don’t see, is that at heart Jack is a kid. He’s the type of person to ask if owls have ears at 3am, or get some childlike joy out of dumb jokes. Of course, this is the side nobody but a very small number of people see. And even if you do see it, it never lasts long. He keeps his true personality under wraps even amongst those he does like, and it only slips out if he’s extremely comfortable with you. Otherwise, he’ll go straight back to being a sarcastic, flirty piece of shit.

04: PAST

Biography: 

Jackson Kelly was born in a council estate in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, in the UK. His life prior to adoption is not something he routinely talks about, but that’s mostly because he’d rather not give people reasons to pity him: his mother, 15 when she gave birth to him, was a drug addict; he has no idea who his birth father is or was, and no inclination to find out. Jack’s first ten years of life pretty much fell into the same cycle: get put into foster care, his mother would get clean and take him back, and then the cycle would repeat. But when the cycle ended when he was ten, and he was removed from his mother’s care for good, he wasn’t ready for it to end yet.

Sure, she wasn’t the best parent. But she was his mother. Jack quickly developed a reputation for running away, always found back at the same place. Foster parent after foster parent always ended up returning him, unable to cope with his rebellious tendencies and the constant hunt for him after he had run. As he aged, he only became better at avoiding being found. It practically became a game to him, a way for him to entertain himself. So when a wealthy American heiress and her British CEO husband decided that  of all people, they wanted to foster a now thirteen year old Jack, social workers almost wanted to ask if they’d misspoke. (Jack had assumed it was a practical joke.)

Claire and George, his new “parents,” were patient. They said he didn’t have to call them mum or dad, that even after they officially adopted him two years later he could keep his own surname, that they just wanted him to be happy. They moved him to a better school, got a private tutor to make up for lost time, tried to take an interest in his favourite things. But that wasn’t enough for Jack. Eventually, the situation resulted in drastic measures: a rainy afternoon with a social worker being told that Claire wanted to move the family to her birthplace of New York, and send Jack to the school she had attended many years prior. A fresh start would be better for him, they said. As if Jack didn’t know the real reason. He couldn’t run away if he was thousands of miles away.

And that was how a fifteen year old Jack made his way to Carnifex, with absolutely no change to his desire to wreak havoc or to his somewhat disturbing attitude towards other people. Therapists paid for by his adopted parents might say he was pushing people away to manifest emotions about neglect in early life; Jack would just say that he was keeping things interesting. Either way, the next couple years of his life escaped past him, and before he knew it he was in a school office, being told that his birth mother had died.

Obviously, Claire and George freaked, as if he would do anything. Pulled him out of school for a month, flew him back to England for the funeral, and practically wrapped Jack in bubble wrap like he was a baby or something. All he wanted to do was go back to school, ignore the guilt he felt in his stomach for letting them take him away, and go back to what he did best.

Timeline: 

December 4 2001 - Jackson Noel Kelly is born in Sheffield.

2005 - Jack is removed from his mother’s care for the first time. He is frequently removed from her care and then placed back in it for the next seven years of his life. 

2012 - Jack is removed from his mother’s custody permanently and placed in a temporary foster home. He bounces through foster homes for the next few years, including one where he meets Caitriona and becomes close with her. 

2014 - Jack is fostered by Claire and George. He resists any attempt for them to get close to him, and continues to act out. 

December 2016 - Jack is legally adopted by Claire and George, acquiring US citizenship, although he does not change his surname. 

January 2017 - Jack attempts suicide. He is placed in therapy and plans are made for his relocation to the US. 

March 2017 - Claire and George move back to America, taking Jack with them. He begins attending Carnifex. He continues to visit the UK regularly to visit his birth mother, who he keeps in contact with. 

April 2020 - Jack’s birth mother dies. He immediately disappears from school for a month, without telling anyone where he went. 

May 2020 - Jack returns to Luxor. It’s later accidentally blurted out mid fight with Zander that his mother is dead. 

June 2020 - Jack graduates and Leo tells the school Jack attempted suicide. 

September 2020 - Jack legally changes his surname from his birth name - Kelly - to his adopted parents surname, Fielding. 

December 2020 - Zander and Ches spread posters around claiming that Jack is HIV positive and gave it to Balo. They don’t provide any proof for this allegation, and Jack continues to deny it.

(These are the events ur character would probs vaguely know about!!! Anything else is personal info so they wouldn’t know unless Jack explicitly told them. Feel free to ask me if you’re ever unsure if something is ic knowledge or not!) 

05: OTHER TRIVIA

- He has a fairly strong Yorkshire accent which is obviously something other characters would likely notice when interacting with him. So if he uses words you don’t know it’s safe to assume he’s just being his dumb British self so you are free to have your character question the meaning/not know. (LMK if you’re unsure tho!)

- His favourite band is Oasis (closely followed by Arctic Monkeys), favourite film is Fight Club,  go to drink is either a double vodka coke or a pint of Heineken, and his favourite place is Leadmill in Sheffield because it’s where he’s seen some bands (and fucked girls in the bathroom. Such a romantic.)

- Dyslexic, but if you mention it Jack will fight you, although it’s partially why he leans more toward math based subjects where his spelling ability is irrelevant. 

- Notoriously has a thing for redheads, although that doesn’t prevent him from being crude and sexual towards anyone he happens to meet or interact with.

- Chain smokes anything he can get his ratty little hands on (cigarettes, weed, meh) so expect him to smell of ciggies 24/7. 

- Diehard supporter of Sheffield United and insists there is no better football team even though they really suck

- Weetabix, Weetabix, Weetabix 

06: NOTABLE CONNECTIONS

Within Luxor:

- Friendships: Caitriona, Balo, Avery, Zai, Oakley, Lennon

- Former Relationships: Oakley Prescott 

- Current Relationship: Juliet McCoy

NPCS

- Claire Richardson Fielding & George Fielding: Jack’s adopted parents, who just want to love him despite him being terrible to them. 

- Lauren Kelly: His birth mother, who he misses a lot. 

- Violet Richardson: Claire’s mother, who for some reason adores Jack and considers him her favourite grandchild. Meaning Jack will probably inherit everything when she dies, although he doesn’t really think about that. 

- Emily French: His ex girlfriend from back home, also known as the only girl who Jack truly cared about before Juliet. She broke up with Jack for being too toxic, which although fair, fucked him up for a little bit. Not that he’d admit it. 

07: CONNECTION IDEAS/WCS

Exes (Lots)

Jack has a habit of dating people, dropping them as soon as feelings get involved, cheating on them, and generally being an asshole. So if you want an ex for your muse… yeah.

Enemies

Again, he tends to happily mess with as many people as he possibly can. So he’s probably gotten on the wrong side of at least a couple people.

Friends (fake or real)

Like when he dates, he tends to get close to people before ditching them or screwing with them. So people who think they’re his friends but who aren’t really as close as they think are very welcome. I’m also down to have a couple people who can be the few he genuinely cares about.

08: TL;DR

If you already knew Jack at Luxor:

Little has changed! He’s the same manipulative dick as ever except that he has legally changed his surname. Your characters are tots fine to comment on the change, it’s not a secret or anything. 

If this is your unfortunate first experience with Jack: 

Jack is manipulative, crude, outright insulting, and nasty. He enjoys nothing more than messing with people, and often acts friendly initially just to hurt you later. He is British, adopted, and I call him rat man. 

[indiacater]

ADDICTED CH.1

Chapter Title: The incidents

Rating: Mature/NSFW

Prince Liam and Lady Naima of Valtoria have a strange addiction.... to each other. Their fathers are at their wits end of it and are determined to make it stop once and for all. Can it be done or will it fail?

Tagging: @bobasheebaby @nikkisha16 @carabeth @aworldoffandoms @mfackenthal @ao719 @hopefulmoonobject @elles-choices @darley1101 @desiree-0816 @sashatrr @emceesynonymroll @isporticus1234 @blackcoffee85 @umccall71 @dcbbw @radlovedreamer @sweetest-marbear @whenyourheartskipsabeat @mrsnazariowrites @jessiembruno @sumbarbietingz

[[MORE]]

Dr. James Sugar sat across from the two most agitated men he’s ever met in his storied career. “Its not every day you’re summoned by a king.” He thought to himself. James is psychologist and sex therapist with a specialty in addiction. He has dealt with very interesting cases, but without truly knowing what to expect, he feels this might be his most interesting yet. After pulling out his notepad and timer he clears his throat and begins the session.

“Gentlemen.” He began. “I'm very honored you sought out my expertise. Let us begin. How can I--" “OUR CHILDREN ARE ACTING LIKE HORMONE DRIVEN DEVIANTS!” Constantine interrupted. “ITS MAKES A MOCKERY OF THIS COUNTRY, THE NOBILITY AND I WILL NO LONGER STAND BY AND LET IT RUIN MY SON’S REPUTATION!!” He finished seething. Lord Darren waited a few moment before speaking. “As his majesty has loudly stated, we need help with our children’s…. Addiction.” Dr. Sugar leaned in slightly baring a confused. Lord Darren sighed as he explained further. “Since they were young kids, babies even, they have been close. They would attend meetings to understand the roles they will one day inherit.” He takes a deep breath before continuing. “It was after the deaths of both of their mothers that they became more intimate.”

Dr. Sugar shrugged. “Explain to me how it started? Did they begin having a sexual relationship or…” he immediately stopped himself as both men's faces drew hard scowls. “Just walk me through how it developed to where we are now" Constantine then spoke up. “It started pretty tame. Adorable even. When their mothers were alive they would entertain themselves, play chess, watch trivia games. After they were gone the kids became closer. First it began with calls to say good morning or goodnight. Then it grew to holding hands, kissing.” Constantine grimaced. Lord Darren interjected. “We had guards keeping an eye on them. And we were told that they would spend hours holding hands. When they were about 13-14 they began kissing. One guard observed them going at least a few hours of them making out with each other.”

“DON’T SUGAR COAT IT DARREN!!!” Constantine shouted. “Their antics are on full display not just here in the palace, but at the estate in Valtoria, hell even their best performances are for when they’re at school or at a social function.” Pinching the bridge of his nose as he wrote down on his notepad, Dr Sugar seem to have a good idea of what to think of the situation, but he needed more specifics. Looking up from his notepad he took a deep breath before asking this question. “Can you both elaborate on these so called antics of your children?” He looks between the two. “Lord Darren. Why don’t you start.”

Darren sighed as he rubbed his hand over his mouth. After a few moments of contemplating he sits up straight, ready to talk. “Okay. There is one incident that happened not too long ago.”

One Week Ago

Darren was never formally given the title of Duke when he married his wife, Aisha. They had met during a spring break in Mexico, had a wild fling and soon after Aisha learned she was pregnant. She then contacted Darren and brought him to Cordonia where she revealed her pregnancy and basically telling him they were to be married so she could secure her rights being Duchess. So it was mutually beneficial for them, Darren received financial security and Aisha's reputation was intact and bonus she became a mother to a gorgeous young woman who like her had tact, sharp wit, and was as violent with her words as she was in her defense training. After the death of her mother Naima was basically in charge but as she was still young allowed her father to have some control to save face but lest the majority of duties to the trusted majordomo. All big decisions were left to her. One the day of the incident Darren was overlooking a new tax agreement for the local business people. Naima and Liam were nearby on the couch watching an American Football game, Seahawks vs Vikings. Darren was from Seattle, and briefly played in the NFL for the Seahawks, plus it was Naima’s way of connecting more with her father. On this day in particular was odd Naima was being her vocal self but Liam was unusually quiet. “Hey Naima!” he called out. Naima slightly turned around to face him. “Yeah dad. What is it?” she responded. “Is the prince okay? He’s awfully quiet.” Naima smiled. “Yeah he’s fine, he’s just acting as my foot stool for losing a bet going against the Seahawks defense. Plus he’s furniture now and furniture doesn’t talk. You have a tax policy that needs your attention more.” She says as she turns back around.

As Darren was unaware of was that Liam was on the floor, Naima’s legs slung over his shoulders as he took to his favorite hobby. Placing light bites on her thighs, as hands snaked over her waist and creeping over her breast playing with her hardened nipples. Liam mostly enjoyed getting her ready. He particularly enjoyed seeing the erotic face she made when she was at peak excitement. Liam smiled as soon as he saw that face. “I wonder how she’ll stay quiet when I do this" he thought as he immediately buried his face down between her legs, Naima made a brief squeal but not loud enough for her father to notice.

Liam began with a slow shallow rhythm, tip of the tongue lightly brushing her clit causing her to shudder a bit. He reveled in the taste of her. Feeling her get wetter by the second. It took everything in him not to give himself away otherwise he have had Naima screaming his name by now. Liam continued at his shallow pace for a bit more before hardening his tongue and making more harder and faster strokes. The sensation made Naima bit down hard on her tongue to keep her from making too much noise. She quickly checked to see if her father noticed anything and luckily for them he was oblivious. Soon she was feeling that pleasurable pressure that could not be stopped no matter what. Bracing herself she had one hand covering her mouth and other hand holding Liam’s head as her hips rocked furiously against his mouth feeling his tongue roughly play with her clit sent her over the edge as she came hard.

“Everything okay there sweetheart” she heard her father say startling her. “Yeah things are good" she responded breathlessly “Or the would be if the damn offense could hold onto the ball.” She continued trying to sound agitated. “Okay let me know when something good happens.” Darren said as he went back to reviewing the papers. Naima leans back on the couch as Liam lifts up head with such a devious smile as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand then bring his lips to her neck as he moves back on the couch lips never detaching. “He can be such a jerk sometimes.” Naima thought as she smiled to herself. Soon she felt Liam’s hard length straining against his pants. Naima knows that they had a push things enough but she had not fully come down from her orgasm to think straight. Immediately she undoes his pants, Liam shoves his pants down enough to free his cock. Naima, making sure to alert her father moves to Liam’s lap and with easy maneuvering slides Liam inside her and it was her turn to watch Liam make a erotic face. Unlike Liam she didn’t have the luxury of time so she had to move her hips at a rapid pace again not trying to raise Darren’s attention. Liam’s neck kisses soon turned into bites as Liam tried to keep quiet but failing miserably. Naima feeling Liam about to explode, pressed her mouth to his in a heated kiss, shooting her tongue inside his mouth to keep him quiet. Naima’s hips moved even faster until she had again erupted and Liam releasing himself soon after.

After a few moments both had detached their lips and immediately pulled apart to fix themselves up to catch the last of the game. The Seahawks had won, just barely. The Vikings kicker completely choked. Darren had finished the tax agreement and left to take the documents to the office to be finalized with Valtoria businessman union. As he came back he over heard their voices.

“Liam, that was stupid and really crossed the line. My dad was right there.” Naima exclaimed as she looks around the couch. “And where the hell are my panties.” “No idea" Liam said, smirking. “Are you sure you wore any today. Besides why don’t we head upstairs and actually make some real noise?” Coming up behind her. “You’re such a bad influence on me. You know that? “ she said as she turn to face him. Immediately she grabbed his hand and they both disappeared to her room. As a shocked Darren stood in the hallway not believing what he just heard.

Present day

Darren looked over at Constantine whose face had gone a shade of dark red. “If this happened that recently why did you not inform me of it until now?” he seethed. “You had already arranged this meeting with the psychiatrist” Darren answered.

“Gentlemen, please.” Dr. Sugar spoke up. “While we are on the subject, Your majesty please enlighten me with the incident you witnessed that brought us here today.” Constantine gave Dr. Sugar a cold stare before finally dropping his shoulders and letting out a huge sigh. “I tried to get Liam to break this habit of his and when I held the government summit I thought I had succeeded. An foreign Ambassador had brought his daughter. She and Liam had met before and got along well. So during the duration of summit I made sure Liam spent any free time he had with her. And things seemed to have been going to plan. Until the gala ball I hosted at the end. Liam had disappeared and a guard and I went to look for him.”

Two weeks ago

Constantine and guard, Andrew walked the halls searching for Liam. He wasn’t in his room, nor was he in the library, his favorite hiding place, and he wasn’t in the garden maze. As he entered the hallway to the training room he came across lady Carmen, crying and visibly upset. “Lady Carmen, have you seen Liam? Why are you so upset?!” he asked already knowing the answer. Carmen pointed in the direction of the training room. “Your majesty. You son is no better than his brother.” She sobbed as she ran away. Against his better judgment both Constantine and Andrew walked towards the training room and cracks open and the training room door and tried to contain his anger.

There he saw his son and Lady Naima passionately kissing on the training room floor. Moments later Liam pushes Naima down as he lays on top. Frantically he undoes his pants and shoves them down while both hurry to remove Naima’s panties. Seconds later and both of them are screaming, panting and moaning like wild animals in heat. “I prinkípissa mou” he could hear Liam say over and over. Disgusted Constantine closed the door and walked to his office.

Present day

Dr. Sugar sat slightly stunned. “This might be one for the record books” he thought, as he finished writing his notes down. Taking a deep breath he looked up to address the men in front of him. “Gentlemen, our time is now up and I think I have of an idea of what’s going on. Before I meet with Liam and Naima respectively I will need to speak with pretty much anyone who is aware of their addiction or antics. Like their friends, maybe a teacher or one of their guards.” He says as he gathered his things. He bid the men good day and as he walked down the halls he saw a young couple, heavily making out, in the hallways. Not even aware of their surroundings as they were desperately looking for a room. After seeing this display Dr. Sugar identified them as Liam and Naima. As soon as he passed them they found a room and then Liam lifted Naima up and she wrapped her legs around him as they disappeared in the room and slam the door behind them. “I think I have my work cut out for me.” He said to himself as he headed out.

"This. is. getting. out of hand. Darren!" Constantine exclaimed as he slammed his glass to the floor causing it to shatter "I thought they had put this disgusting behavior behind them only for both of us to see its escalating." He paces back and forth trying to asses the severity of the situation, glancing at Darren as he sits tensely staring at the clock on the wall. Finally Darren stands up and shrugs his shoulders "What do you suppose we can do? Liam is 19 and Naima is 18. We don't know how long they've been sexually involved like this." He tosses his hands in the air and he begins to pace back and forth. "Maybe the best course of action would be to arrange their marriage?"

Constantine immediately stopped in his tracks. "Darren, you truly are a brainless man." He spat out with irritation. "The media would have a field day if that was to become the agreed upon decision" Constantine would never allow a marriage between them after the gala incident when he heard Liam call Naima “I prinkípissa mou” My Princess.