#receding hairline core??

[eggomlette23]

i did this in math class a while ago so it’s kinda bad lmao

[nyaskitten]

human zarkt concept . cus im bored .

[bigification]

Careful What You Wish For

I lay the cheap looking lamp on my bathroom counter as I get ready for a bath. I can't believe I caved and bought it, it's obviously a scam. This stupid lamp isn't gonna grant any wishes, that old man just got some free cash out of me. It doesn't matter, I'll just take a relaxing bath and throw on some Netflix later.

I get undressed and run some hot water into the bath. Some scented candles set the mood for relaxation, and I throw on some music. I dip myself into the warm water, and lay back.

My relaxation doesn't last long however, as a rumbling catches my attention. It's the lamp. It's vibrating with enough force that I can feel it from across the bathroom. Suddenly a purple smoke emerges from the lamp.

"I may grant you one wish." A soft whisper echoes out of the smoke.

What the actual fuck. This isn't possible. Did that guy drug me? Maybe I should just say a wish to see if it's true.

"I wish to be a more mature looking guy who likes sports." I blurt out. I've always hated how much I look like a teenager despite being a full blown adult, so this could fix that. Also I wouldn't mind being a fit guy who likes sports, it wouldn't hurt.

The moment I say it, the smoke starts to travel towards me. All the smoke spirals into my mouth and nose. I should be scared, but it kinda feels nice. A warm feeling sprouts in the core of my body, making me feel relaxed again.

As the smoke fills my body, I feel my muscles twitching. It must be true, my body is changing. My twig like arms thicken, with bulging biceps and defined forearms. My soft hands grow twice as big and fill with rough callouses. My chest puffs out into two juicy pecs and my stomach flattens into a cut six pack. My thighs thicken as I feel my ass plump up. Even my feet look like they've grown a few sizes. I also have to start bending my legs, as Ive become too tall for the bath tub I'm sitting in.

I look at my reflection in the water and see a handsome man in his late twenties. Holy shit, I'm hot! I've got a chiselled jawline with a dark beard covering it. All my features seem more angular, more manly. As I'm observing my reflection, I notice a pelt of dark hair grow all over my body. My chest, my arms, my legs, everywhere is dusted in a coat of hair.

This is everything I wanted. Even the sports. Memories of playing sports all throughout school flood my mind. I especially liked soccer, though I also really liked weight lifting. More memories of my extensive sex life flood my mind, people are almost hypnotised by my good looks.

Just as I'm reminiscing about my past, I remember I should be working out right now. I can't skimp out on my workout routine. I go to get out of the bath and notice I've got my underwear on. Huh, I must have forgotten to take it off before getting in the bath.

As I'm stepping out of the bath, something feels wrong. A warm feeling once again fills my core. I look down and see my six pack fade under a belly of fat. It continues growing until it sags over my underwear. My pecs swell into a pair of man tits, though they still have a solid base of muscle. My arms double in size, though with a soft layer of fat now covering the muscles. My hands thicken until they look like stuffed sausages, as more rough features cover them.

I feel my underwear tighten around my waist as my ass fattens. My thighs thicken until there is no gap between them, and my feet grow many sizes. I even feel my perspective shift higher, as my height increases.

The dark hairs on my body fade to an almost white colour as the hair thickens around my body. As I'm looking down at my body, I notice hair on my head fall to the ground. I look in horror at my reflection in the mirror, I have to duck just to fully see my face. My hairline recedes all the way to the back of my head, leaving me practically bald. My once sharp facial features have softened under a layer of fat. And a double chin has formed under my beard. I look so old.

Though the more I stare at my body, the more familiar it becomes. Memories flood into my mind of my career in soccer. I was a high level player, and a popular one at that. But you age out of professional soccer in your late thirties. I started focusing more on the weight lifting and less on the cardio. There was only so long I could keep that six pack, and turning 50 certainly didn't help with that. I don't mind it though, it makes me feel more manly. And it makes the team I coach more afraid of me.

I snap out of my trance. I grab a towel and start to dry off. Damn I forgot to take off my underwear again, I should get rid of this one anyway, it doesn't fit me anymore. I duck and look at myself in the mirror.

"Lookin good coach." I say as I smile at myself.

I turn to the other side of the bathroom and step on my scale. It reads '350'.

"Damn, I've really let go of myself, huh." I say as I jiggle my gut.

I also measure my height, it reads 6"6. I should have gone into volleyball with the build I had.

I dry off and leave the bathroom. I grab a family sized bag of chips and lay my fat ass down on the couch. I open the tv and it's already on the world cup. I really wouldn't want it any other way.

[your-highnessmarvel]

My Wife

Requested by Anonymous: Can you do a one with Loki getting very jealous at someone flirting with his s/o and he walks over and drops not-so-slight hints of murder? And the s/o is just laughing her head off next to him. I really love your fluffs, they're fluffier than my grandmother's buns! Please never stop writing; your writing makes me grin...

AN: I'm so happy to be back writing fluff for loki omg

Warnings: Female!reader

*gif not mine

Enjoyed this and want more? Send in your requests!

Request Guidelines

MASTERLIST

You threw your head back, laughing.

"I didn't take you for the jester, senator!" you laughed, clinking your glass with the new up-and-coming politician before you.

He was a very young man, one of the youngest to be assisting the king of Vanaheim. Senator York was blonde and tanned, and by what you'd heard around the Asgardian court, he was very good with the ladies.

"Well, beautiful young ladies are prone to make my joking side surface!" he returned, winking.

You smiled politely, but you had a wicked thought of flashing the grotesquely big diamond on your finger. Just so the senator knew that you weren't one of the ladies he could be very good with.

"And what about a Mrs. Senator?" you asked, bringing your champagne glass to your lips and taking a sip.

York chuckled politely. "I have a few years ahead of me before I make president," he answered. "By then, I except the king will have a gorgeous display of choices for me to bride."

Which basically translated to, "I want to fuck until it's socially unacceptable to be unmarried."

You hummed. "Well, I expect presidency soon, senator," you encouraged.

"With such a beautiful sponsor on my arm, I suspect my chances are good," he said, another wink disgracing his features.

You felt a cold, dark wind at your side and something flashed green in your peripheral. "That's the second time in a minute that you've called my wife beautiful."

York's eyes grew wide at the towering figure of Loki, dressed in his royal black, gold, and green attire, short dark strands pulled behind his ears. He gave you a side look, and you could see murder in his green eyes.

"My Lord," York stuttered. "I was only admiring your beautiful - "

"That's three," Loki snarled. He took a dangerous step forward.

You put a hand on his elbow, culling his murderous gaze back down to you. "Easy there, tiger." Then you smiled hesitantly at York. "Excuse me while my husband and I go fetch something to eat?"

York nodded and gulped.

You pulled and dragged Loki by the elbow, away from the senator, towards the darkened corners of the hall.

"Loki, relax," you whispered, pulling him forward, pressing your red-tipped nail against his cheek to drag his gaze from his prey back to you.

He sucked his teeth. "He was definitely flirting with you," he stated dramatically.

"And?"

"And?" he retorted, dark eyebrows rising. "He's a little man who's been fucking his way up in court. He doesn't deserve your attention."

You huffed. "If I had it your way," you said, "no one in the universe would deserve my attention."

He closed his eyes and sighed, like a child trying to calm himself. "I just..." Then he put his hands on each of your shoulders. "He's just so sneaky and weird and watching him eat you up with eyes made me want to peel that receding hairline off his scalp."

You batted your purse against his chest. "Loki!" you gasped. "How rude!"

He chuckled. "But funny, right?"

You rolled your eyes, chewing on the inside of your cheek. "A little," you muttered.

"Ah ha!" he said with a smile, so delightfully cute and Loki that it made you warm on the side. Heat at your core. "Alright, now let's go converse with someone a little less disgusting," he offered, taking a theatrical step back and offering his hand to you, like a dance.

You rolled your eyes but slid your fingers into his own. He brought your knuckles to his lips and pecked them. "After you, my wife."

[macfrog]

call me

idea came to me in a dream. enjoy also! i made a notifs blog! taglist life is NOT for me, babies. feel free to head on over, follow and turn notifs on to be updated anytime i post! 👉 @macfroglets 👈 you’re gonna wanna do it before this sunday…😉🤠

inspired by @bageldaddy who is the author of the dreamiest series on this site, my biggest crush, and also told me not to tag her but i respect my elders so.

pairing: joel miller x call girl!reader

summary: you moonlight as a call girl, receiving mediocre call after mediocre call. one night, one joel miller dials in, and grants you the most exciting ten minutes of your career

warnings: 18+ (minors dni!!!) this fic is pro-sex work. reader is a phone sex operator, mentions of anal and oral, dirty talk, couple mentions of daddy, praise kink, mutual masturbation, alcohol consumption, cursing

word count: 3k

main masterlist

“What now, baby?” you whisper, laughing to yourself. You’re palming at your breast, your fingers pulling in around your nipple. Your core begins to throb. “You’re gonna touch yourself.” “That what you want?” “’s what I want, angel. Do it for me.”

It started out as a joke, if you’re being honest.

A wine-drunk night with Liv, sat at opposite ends of the couch, legs intertwined somewhere in the middle of the cushions. Her blouse was stained pink – your fault, apparently, for making her laugh too hard. Her glass tilted a fraction too far and before you knew it, you owed her a new shirt.

“Say it again, say it how he said it,” she snorted, patting her chest down with the damp towel you’d handed her.

“…quite frankly, disappointed with your performance,” your head tilted back and forth, mocking the nasally voice of your fifty-one-year-old, receding-hairline-equipped boss. Ex-boss. Asshole.

“Oh, fuck,” she heaved, still catching her breath. “That’s so fucking funny.”

You sighed in agreement.

“So…what are you actually gonna do now?”

You shrugged. “Sell my body.”

“Dare you.”

“I would.”

“I know you would. And you’d be good at it, too. ‘s why I’m telling you to do it.”

You kicked her ankle. “I got bills to pay, dude.”

“What about one of those call girls?”

And, well. That was that.

You’d googled it after seeing her off to her own apartment, watching her wobbly form stagger across the hall and stab her key a few times into the wood before it landed in the lock. The door closed with an accidental slam which echoed up the stone stairwell, and you crept back to your own place.

Palms either side of your laptop on the counter, face lit in a blue glow, dripdripdrip of your busted tap echoing around your dark kitchen. They asked for an email address – you used the one you’d made up before you realized email addresses were permanent – and a phone number. Said someone would call you to discuss it. You shrugged, hit Sign up and went to bed.

Within hours, you’d spoken to some sharp-accented woman who asked quick, snappy questions and uhuhed her way through your answers. Her name was Erica. She told you she’d look after you, told you to call her with any questions or concerns you had.

All she wanted from you were the basics: you liked sex, you masturbated, you knew how to dirty talk. You sorta knew your way around things like anal, and could manage a convincing pitch for things of a more…exploratory nature.

And then she asked when you wanted to start. You told her that night.

Your first caller – like, ever – was some guy with a midwestern accent who asked you to narrate fucking him. Like, spanking him with a paddle, calling him a bad, bad boy. You threw your nerves to the wind and went along with it, and honestly, had a pretty rad time. He was cool.

But one was enough for your first night. You logged out and went to bed. You told Liv the next morning, and she punched your arm a little too hard and yelled, That’s my fuckin’ girl! Was it hot? Did you…y’know?

No. You never get that lucky. Some calls you can lie idly on your couch and let your limp hand surf beneath the hem of your underwear, push lazy circles against your clit as the dude moans in your ear or gasps when you whine.

Sometimes their mics can pick up the faint sound of them jacking off, and your brain slips you an image that makes your stomach flutter. Sometimes you’ll hang up and take yourself the whole nine yards with your laptop sitting on your mattress, porn on the screen, and your vibrator between your open legs.

It’s pretty intense work. Sometimes.

But all in all: no. You never…y’know.

One week in, you were cooking dinner whilst telling Trevor – thirty-nine, Buffalo, New York – how you’d take his huge, throbbing dick in your throat and let him fuck it. He asked to hear how turned on you were, just talking about it. You lowered your phone down to the pot of macaroni and gave it a stir.

“Oh, fuck,” he groaned down the line, “you’re so fuckin’ wet right now, huh?”

Huh.

Tonight, you had pizza rolls. Less sexy.

You just got off another call. Thirty minutes of describing how good you’d take him up your ass. You’re bored, turned off by this point, and tired. It’s almost 3AM.

You pace around your apartment, flicking switches off and tossing cushions back into place. Spilling small sips of wine from your glass onto your tongue as you’re plunged into darkness, one click at a time.

You don’t get much while the sun’s up. Most days, nothing at all. That works for you, though. You can run errands, grab groceries, do sweet-fucking-nothing whilst waiting for the influx of calls that will inevitably come your way by nightfall. When the streetlights come on, the rush hour traffic dies out front, the shuffling of tired feet up the concrete staircase outside your front door slows down – you just log in, and your cell will eventually start to ring.

Your cell, which now lies wedged between the couch cushions. You notice the sound of it vibrating as you’re pulling your curtains closed. Half-way shut, you desert them and wander over. Intrigued.

No Caller ID. The usual. You swipe right. The robotic voice tells you there’s a request on your account for a ten-minute call. Tells you to dial 1 to accept, or hang up.

Ten minutes? At three in the morning?

Usually, at this time of night, they’re longer. They’re drunk, or their partner finally fell asleep, or they just want your attention for a bit. See them through the uncomfortably quiet night.

But ten fucking minutes?

Ten minutes would make you somewhere around thirty-five dollars. They had the option as the timer ran out to extend the call, if they wanted. Most of them did. And that worked fine for you.

You’re unemployed. Who knows what money you’ll have in a week’s time? An extra thirty bucks – probably more – right before bed? A little nightcap?

You dial in and answer the call.

He doesn’t say anything when it connects. You hear the ruffling of clothes.

Your voice naturally dips a couple octaves, coats in something smooth and husky. Glistening, gleaming, sex-driven. “Hello?”

He clears his throat. His voice is deep, rich. More vibration than speech. He speaks with a Southern drawl, like bare skin running over silken sheets. It’s smooth, and sensual, and sexy. “Evenin’.”

You knock the last light switch off with your hip and doddle through to your bedroom. Mornin’, actually. “Hi. What’re you after, baby?”

He takes a beat to reply. More ruffling. He chuckles a little before he says it. “Baby? That what you wanna call me?”

Your glass scrapes softly across your nightstand. You bounce down on your mattress, springs moaning as you roll onto your stomach. Knees bent, your ankles link in the air. “What do you want me to call you?”

“Guess we can figure that one out together.”

“Alright. I like a challenge. You wanna start with your name?”

Another pause. He sucks in a deep breath. “Joel.”

“Joel,” you repeat, thumb picking at your nailbeds. “That’s a sexy name.”

He doesn’t respond. Just gives a non-committal grunt, and a smile pulls across your lips.

“What are you into, Joel?”

He sniffs. “Thought we could figure that out, too.”

Something in the way he says it, the curve in the words, maybe, tells you he knows damn well what he’s into. What he means is: you can figure that out by yourself.

Like you said: you like a fucking challenge.

“You like nicknames? Daddy? That kinda thing?”

A low growl passes his lips. “Not this early on, I don’t.”

You know from the hitch in his voice that he likes it. That little catch at the bottom of his throat, the way the words stumble on their way up. Know you’ve plucked a string deep inside.

“Well, you know you only got ten minutes, right?”

“I’m aware.”

“’kay,” you sing, flipping your hair over your shoulder. You exhale, drawing shapes on the pattern of your bedsheets. “Why don’t you tell me what you’re thinkin’ about, then? What’s on your mind, cowboy?”

Cowboy. It’s the accent. He sounds Texan, or something. His words float through the receiver all wound, coiled up and tight.

Joel doesn’t seem to care. He answers your question truthfully.

“Thinkin’ about what you’re doin’ right now.”

You smirk. Sometimes you like the attention, too. You turn your head, check the clock by your bed. Two minutes have passed.

“I’m…lying in bed, in the dark. Had a couple wines, feelin’ pretty good. But this is all about you, so.”

He chuckles softly. “’m lyin’ in bed, too. In the dark.”

“You feelin’ lonely?”

He takes another deep breath. You figure he does this before he gives most answers. He sounds the contemplative type. Always double, triple checking his sentences before he lets them go.

“Just need somethin’ to take the edge off.”

“Okay,” you breathe, “let me. What do you need?”

There’s a long break between the end of your question and the sound he makes before he answers. You pull the phone from your ear and glance at the screen to make sure it’s still connected. Time says another two minutes have passed.

Joel grumbles. It echoes around your ear like thunder in the distance. “You touchin’ yourself?” he eventually asks.

“Uhuh,” you reply, nails picking at a loose thread on your comforter.

“Yeah? How’s it feel?”

“Good,” you mewl, tugging at the seam. Your teeth grit as you yank at it. “So – fucking – good.”

There’s another growl from the other end. It vibrates through your speaker, purrs in your ear.

“You ain’t fuckin’ touchin’ yourself.”

Your hand stops. Your eyes stick on the thread. “I am.”

“You are?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me how.”

You roll your eyes, turning onto your back. Your fingers play with the buttons of your shirt. Fuckin’ – tell me how. “I’m…” you sigh, “…I’m laying in bed, on my back. My hands are –”

“What you wearin’?”

“Isn’t that the sorta stuff you oughta ask when I first pick up?”

He speaks calmer. Clearer. You can hear the smile on his lips. “’m askin’ you now. What you wearin’, sweetheart?”

Sweetheart. So he’s that type. Whatever. He’s kind of pissing you off.

“A shirt. And socks. And panties. No bra.”

“’n where you touchin’ yourself?”

You huff. “Between my –”

“Watch the attitude.”

You almost fucking laugh. Your breath escapes your chest in a silent burst. “Between my legs,” you tell him, flat and annoyed.

“Mhm. Above or beneath the panties?”

“Beneath, daddy.”

A tiny groan passes his lips. He doesn’t mean for it to, and a second, angry grumble follows, like he’s pissed at himself for letting it slip.

You take a lock of hair and twirl it around your finger, pulling tight until the tip whitens. “You touching yourself?” you ask, voice sickly sweet.

Joel ignores you. “Take it off. The shirt,” he clarifies, when you don’t answer.

You shuffle around a little, making sure he can hear the movement. You unbutton the shirt until it’s lying loose over your breasts, then tug it down over one shoulder.

“Alright,” you tell him with a heavy breath, laying back on the mattress, “it’s off.”

“Yeah?” he asks, and your eyes flutter closed.

“Mhm.”

Joel chuckles under his breath. “Know when you’re lyin’, angel. Take – it – off. Don’t be a brat about it.”

This is half the game for him, you realize. This is his thing. He gives commands, you disobey them, and he kicks you into line. Tells you to behave.

You figure you like it almost as much, going by the heat pooling between your legs.

Your shoulders lift and you tug the shirt over them, tossing it to the floor. You lie back, bare against the sheets, and your hand instantly cups over your breast.

“Better,” Joel breathes.

“What now, baby?” you whisper, laughing to yourself. You’re palming at your breast, your fingers pulling in around your nipple. Your core begins to throb.

“You’re gonna touch yourself.”

“That what you want?”

“’s what I want, angel. Do it for me.”

You don’t take much more convincing. Your hand slips down your front, cups over your mound. You gasp when your fingertips brush against your clit.

Joel hears. “Yeah,” he hums, “’s a good girl. Take those panties off ‘n rub that pretty little clit for me.”

Your fingertips give one last kiss to the fabric of your panties. Your mouth tips open a fraction. You suck in a quiet breath, and push your hips up off the bed. The lace slips down your thighs in one motion.

Joel’s grunting steadily now, small noises slipping past his lips and into your ear. You spread your legs and push against your bud again, massaging the sensitive skin.

“Fuck, Joel,” you whine, and he groans in response.

“I know, I know,” he’s saying, and you hear the metal tinkle of his belt buckle. The fraying sound of denim being shifted. One slow, relief-filled groan.

His hands are on his cock.

You’d put more effort into caring that he’s been fully clothed this entire time, if you could think straight. You’re applying more pressure to your clit, rubbing faster, harder, then letting your fingers drift downward, move between your gleaming folds.

“Wish I was there with you so bad,” Joel purrs, and your eyes flutter open.

“Yeah?” you choke.

“Yeah.”

“What would you – do to me?”

He shudders. “Would fuck you real good, sweetheart.”

“Fuck,” you breathe, fingers circling faster.

There’s a gentle tugging; a rhythmic breathing. The odd break in his voice when his hand tightens, or you make a sweet little sound, or he catches himself giving too much away.

“Fuckin’ – be all over you. Nice ‘n hard. You want that?”

“Mhm,” you mewl, panting. “Want it so bad.”

“Yeah, you do,” Joel says. You can hear the sticky sound of his precum, leaking from his tip and running between his fingers, being pumped down his shaft by his fist. “Feels good, angel, don’t it? When you do what you’re told?”

“Y-eah,” you whisper.

“Good girl,” he murmurs, and you picture a tight fist choking a thick cock. Picture that same fist unwinding, curving around your mound, fingers pushing deep inside you.

“Joel,” you whimper, and your fingers move down again, dipping nearer your tight, wet hole.

He grunts in response. “Don’t – not yet,” he tells you.

You whine.

“You got somethin’ else to use?” he asks, then interrupts before you can answer. “Yeah, you do. Go get it, sweetheart. Tell me what you got.”

“V-vibrator,” you mumble, hoisting yourself up and lunging across the bed to your nightstand. You haul the drawer open and sift between balled-up socks until you’re clutching the long, thick shape, fingers tight around the dips and curves.

“Let me hear it, angel.”

You click the button and the toy whirrs to life, vibrating strongly in your hand.

Joel hisses. “Alright, sweetheart, lie back. Gonna put it on that pretty little pussy, alright? Gonna make yourself cum for me.”

“Uhuh,” you murmur, one hand lowering the vibrator between your legs, the other holding the phone to your ear in a vice grip.

You push the round tip down to your clit and your head falls back with a loud moan. Joel sends one straight back at the sound of yours. It fades into a whimper, a desperate cry as you massage yourself with your toy.

Your legs clench as you dip it lower, letting the head nudge against your entrance, sending flutters of pleasure across your dripping cunt.

“Don’t fuck yourself,” Joel instructs, and your hand quickly pulls back. “Save it.”

This mystery man, who you’ve known for – if your clock is right – eight minutes, now; whose name is the most information you’ve gotten out of him; and whose face you couldn’t pick in a lineup…has such a hold on you, that your body instinctively reacts to his every word. An automatic reaction to do exactly as he says, when, five minutes ago, you couldn’t wait to get him off the phone.

You fucking listen to him. Save it for what? your head asks, and you ignore it. You don’t push the toy any closer to your center.

It drives hard against your clit, fast vibrations rippling down on the hot, swollen skin. It sends floods of warmth between your legs, drawing your arousal slick and wet from between your folds.

Your chest is damp, gleaming with sweat. Your breath cuts short in your throat, guttural noises replacing it as they reverberate through your mouth, across your tongue and into your dark bedroom.

Your walls start to clamp around nothing. You angle the vibrator so that it sends deep pulses across your pussy, shutting your eyes to picture Joel’s thick cock burying deep inside you as you climax with a loud, broken cry.

“Yeah, good girl. That’s it. Sound so pretty, angel. ‘s a good girl.”

You’re whimpering his name as you come down, holding the toy to your clit and letting your high wash over you. Your chest jumps, breaths heavy and staggered, gasping for air and then letting it rush out of your lungs in desperate pants.

“You know how good you are at that?” he asks, when your breath steadies again.

You giggle softly. “’s why I do it, baby.”

“Worth every fuckin’ penny.”

You sit in the post-orgasm haze for a few seconds, waiting for the room to stop spinning and your body to feel like yours again. You pull the phone from your sweat-stuck cheek and glance at the time. You have less than thirty seconds left. Joel seems to do the same, for his voice returns to your ear in a gentle, low whisper.

“Alright. Speak soon, angel. Be good.”

The call cuts.

----------

taglist: @slvbl @regalwhovianbrowncoat774 @casa-boiardi @msjarvis @acornacreacure @totallynotastanacc @alejaa-a @aphterthoughtt @pedroluver @earthtogrogu @sexygaypalpatine @cool-iguana @serenaxpedro @lizzyervs @bitchwitch1981 @brittmb115 @stormseyer @scarletthefierce @patti7dc @pattwtf @atticrissfinch @pascalpvnk @lizzyervs @jediknightjana @jessie8605 @iknowisoundcrazy @caitispunk @vickie5446 @mrsquill @uncassettodiricordi @gracieispunk @hellishjoel

(psst! after this weekend my taglist is no more! follow @macfroglets + turn on notifs if you wanna be in the know when i post!)

[phierecycled]

that one tiktok of the guy talking in his car before he looks out the window and says “hold on there’s a man with a receding hairline walking past” and starts barking is actually so whizzer core ive never seen anything like it

[shithowdy]

What's something Niram is really bad at? What would he say his best trait is and what is it actually? How do his health complications impact his day-to-day? What would you say his most striking feature is? (Other than not having hands anymore) What subjects does he most like to paint?

Oh man oh man.

-So he's obviously really bad at anything that involves physical activity. He's an emaciated little shrimp with the core strength of a bean burrito who doesn't have any hands and is slowly making his own legs atrophy by choosing to levitate everywhere instead of walk like a normal person. His STR is 7. His magehand weight limit is probably higher than what he could have comfortably carried around before.

But no, his actual weak point that causes Real Problems is he sucks at lying. He sucks at it so bad. Whether it's some deep ancient fae ancestry nonsense or horrible contingency spiraling about having to maintain the lie like he claims isn't really clear, but he will avoid having to lie at all costs. He cannot force his way through one. He would rather be truthful and face the consequences of this than have to keep track of falsehoods and who knows them, although sometimes this also just means he has a big mouth about stuff he doesn't think matters.

This doesn't mean he's *compelled* to truth, though. He can simply stay quiet about a subject, or give only partial information, and he can lie for the sake of a brief joke or surprise, but if forced into a "yes or no?" type of situation his honesty is almost guaranteed.

-The biggest complication when it comes to his health is definitely his diet, at least when off campus. Turns out a lot of people take it as an insult when you won't eat their food, even when you explain why, and people can also be really weird about abstinence from drinking! His teammate Sayid graciously assists Niram in purging what his body can't filter by taking on some of the malaise for him and going through bathroom hell (just Ilmaterite things, we call it the holy dialysis), and it's one of the few things in life he grapples with guilt about.

I do also acknowledge in games the frequent toilet trips he needs, though don't derail RP for them unless they're narratively relevant or funny.

While not directly related to his internal health, he also encounters a lot of accessibility issues now that he doesn't have hands. The magehands allow for him to manipulate objects, but the disconnect from his actual body still presents a lot of challenges-- the session before last they actually had to work with Yuri's dad (an artificer) to modify special slot-style handlebars for him to attach to his magic broom that he had previously just been wrapping his elbows around for dear life.

Also sometimes he just... forgets they're not there anymore. It's been such a short while compared to a whole life of having them. He's had a few bodily collisions with things where a well-placed hand should have stopped that. Like... leaning against a wall.

-His most striking feature is probably that receding hairline and extreme widow's peak. Content-aware scaled, color-inverted Vegeta lookin mf. He would probably agree.

-He loves doing portraits/figures of all kinds but I think after a lot of practice and honing his skills he'll find he likes dragons, dragonborn, lizardfolk, aarakocra, and other scaled or feathered individuals because he finds the patterns/color variety soothing rather than tedious.

This differs from his sketching in his journal, which is a less time-consuming process in which he doesn't try to get so lost. His favorite things to sketch/ink are bones. Of course.

[j-psilas]

Have you seen THIS (EVIL) MAN?

This is the Silent Chief Yurt, a notorious character from FromSoftware's Demon's Souls. More specifically, it's concept art for the face beneath his armor, which, due to the game's technical limitations, is never revealed in-game.

Yurt is a nasty trick by the developers. Everything in Demon's Souls is permanent: quest choices, leveling, missable loot, and the lives and deaths of NPCs. The game trains you to be very careful with something as important as a key NPC, because they could just die permanently, leaving you without access to their associated quests and gameplay functions.

So with that in mind, you discover Yurt as a prisoner in a hanging cage, and naturally you free him.

Literally everything about this guy—his voice, his mannerisms, his sinister black armor—says that he is evil, and not to be trusted. Still you hesitate, because of what the game has taught you about NPCs thus far.

And if you hesitate for too long, and leave Yurt alive, he will assassinate nearly every key NPC in the hub area, one by one. No magic, no miracles, no advanced items, no quests. Your entire playthrough will be ruined because of this evil bastard.

So that's Yurt, who lives in infamy to this very day. They gave him a suitably villainous face design, no?

Cold, calculating, remorseless. Lacking both scruples and volumizing conditioner.

Imagine my surprise when, watching Death Note for the first time last year, I spotted this motherfucker sitting at a board room of sinister businessmen:

This is Kyosuke Higuchi, a smarmy evil business executive—and yeah, he sure looks quite a lot like Yurt, doesn't he?

Sure, his hair is spikier, with more volume, but he has the distinctive widows peak, receded hairline, and long sideburn-like pieces. He also has the same long face, hollow cheeks, pointy chin, sharp nose and cheekbones, and narrow, suspicious eyes. The design suits him as well as it suits Yurt. He's more hot-headed than Yurt, more reckless and prone to mistakes, but he's murderous, duplicitous, and rotten to the core.

When my partner @impossiblejellyfishfart and I first noted the similarity, we lost our ever-loving minds. It seemed improbable at first, but it made more sense as we mulled it over. Death Note aired from 2006-2007, a popular adaptation of a popular manga, and Demon's Souls was released in 2009, just two years after the end of Death Note.

With this timeline in mind, it seems likely that the character artist for Demon's Souls took inspiration from Higuchi's design—crumpled him up a bit, slicked his hair down, made him look more cold-blooded and serpentine. Yurt's face is only a quick sketchy portrait, after all, never seen in-game. Likely it was meant only to inspire the character's writing and vocal performance.

That was our assumption... until!

This is the villain from Wicked City, a schlocky OVA from 1987 that my partner and I watched last weekend. (I don't recommend it, by the way. Visually interesting, textually vapid, morally repugnant; it's exactly what you'd expect from a sleazy unrated OVA. At best, it offers a glimpse into the period, and could be a valuable piece for a textual analysis. But it's miserable watching after the first twenty minutes or so.)

More to the point...

That's the same face again, right? That's nearly the same face!

Sure, he's missing the long, dangly sideburns, and his widow's peak his very slight—but it's a very similar face, about as different from Higuchi as Higuchi is from Yurt.

Upon recognizing the Evil Bastard Face™ here as well, we knew that it must be some kind of convention in Japanese animation, stretching further back than we'd initially thought. What is its origin point? What is the first major instance of this face appearing in popular screen media from Japan? I'm asking your assistance here, anime scholars of the Internet. When was this combination of facial features codified as "The Evil Bastard?"

Wicked City is derivative in many, many ways—I sincerely doubt it was the first appearance of Evil Bastard Face. Can you all find an example that predates 1987?

[chevvy-ryder]

[NC_RES]_27022048-NCA steyr_v_portraits_020_1_WB_JPNTWN.file ///core:_vijay_steyr.file\\\

—

⚠️ READ: Please do not repost/reupload any of my art here or to any other platform, or I will be forced to do anything to get it annihilated.

—

"Ya ain't seen that comin' huh?"

Sometimes, he does that. That's Vijay as well.

Livin' out his colorful side mostly inspired by Vaporwave.

Tbh, I legit never thought I'd ever change his hair (yeah, I did for backstory reasons but I mean the current timeline), but here we are. Somehow it felt right to do that. It's still a bit odd, tho. I think it makes him a bit more mature as well? So, I might see this as second option for current timeline Vijay (2078). Haircut is nearly the same, from the length I mean just styled differenlty.

I'd love to keep the vanilla hair he had since the beginning for many reasons as well but I'm currently thinking about commsioning someone to edit it for me because bc that vanilla hair could have been done better and with less receding hairlines.

[wellthatwasaletdown]

Only harries find him attractive. He's a complete joke to people outside of his fantom, especially after his receding hairline and wig allegations. I used to be a hard-core Harry girl and he looks like a basic musty white man to me now.

.

[justassorted]

Oscar

Enthusiastic naturalist who breaks into tears of adoration over baby creatures of any sort. Has a strong respect for life and death. Can’t lie to save his life, and can be a bit of a blundering busybody at times.

.

Bio

Name: Oscar Roseflare

Gender: Cis man (he/him)

Sexuality: Gay

Species/nature: Human

Age: 25 - 65 depending on thread chronology

.

Personality: Oscar is a kindhearted soul with some strongly held beliefs and poorly controlled impulses. He wears his emotions on his sleeve... in most cases. The fact that he cries at the drop of a hat somewhat disguises a core of steel – and if he weren’t capable of containing his reactions to what people often think of him, he’d never get anything done.

.

Skills and Employment: Naturalist and dabbler; will try everything from alchemy and druidism to adventuring and the arcane arts. Has also tried to write a book or two.

.

Fears/Disabilities/Issues: Oscar has achondroplastic dwarfism and ADHD. (Even in contemporary settings, the ADHD is undiagnosed.) Chews at his fingernails and knuckles when stressed.

.

[Image description: An illustration of Oscar sitting on a table, gesturing excitedly. He is a little person with a handlebar mustache and a receding hairline. End ID.]

Appearance:

Eye color: Blue

Hair color/style: Ginger, curly, and long; sometimes in a bun

Skin color: Light, somewhat ruddy

Other features: Beard and mustache of varying lengths depending on age; by his 60s, he wears a prominent handlebar mustache and a bushy mane of a beard.

Height: 4′2″

Build: Fat

Usual manner of dress: Rolled up sleeves, hiking shoes, and a purse, bag, bandolier, or fanny pack of some kind.

Manner of Speech

Quaint, somewhat fluttery; prone to repetition of exclamations

Likes and dislikes

Favorite foods: Tea, wine, raspberries, sweet potatoes

Likes: Adventure, reading, animals, prairies, sunflowers

Dislikes: Cruelty & rudeness, being rushed, losing things

Deepest Fears: Abandonment, futility

Other

Oscar is open to romantic shipping

In fantasy settings, Oscar has a fey familiar named Lilly who generally takes the form of either a rat or a magpie.

In other settings, Oscar generally keeps at least a few rats as pets; rats don’t live long, and their names vary. He may also keep other eclectic pets, such as pigeons and a tortoise, and/or farm animals, such as chickens and goats.

.

History

TBA, and flexible to a thread’s needs! (I have a good idea of the general arc, but particulars are easy to change, hah.)

Main / D&D verse:

Oscar is a level 4 Circle of the Shepherd druid by the time he is 40

Contemporary / urban fantasy:

Contemporary mundane:

[jadhav1999]

best Homeopathy Treatment for Hair Loss

Best Homeopathy Treatment for Hair Loss

Hair loss is a widespread concern that can affect individuals of all ages, often caused by factors like stress, poor diet, hormonal imbalances, and genetics. While numerous treatments are available, Modern Homeopathy offers a unique and effective approach to combating hair loss with its research-based homeopathic formulations. These advanced treatments aim to address the root causes of hair loss, improve the structure of hair follicles, enhance blood circulation, and balance hormonal levels. Modern Homeopathy is known for its painless treatments with no side effects, working at a cellular level to reverse the damage and boost the immune system for a healthier life.

Understanding Hair Loss

Before exploring treatment options, it’s essential to understand the common causes of hair loss, which include:

Genetics: A family history of baldness is a significant factor.

Hormonal Changes: Imbalances during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause can trigger hair loss.

Medical Conditions: Issues like thyroid problems, alopecia areata, and scalp infections are common culprits.

Medications: Certain drugs can have side effects that lead to hair thinning or loss.

Stress and Lifestyle: High-stress levels and unhealthy habits contribute to hair loss.

Conventional Treatments for Hair Loss

Despite the longstanding availability of remedies promising hair restoration, many individuals find that conventional methods do little to reverse hair thinning. Common solutions include wigs, hairpieces, hair weaving, or even tattoos to simulate lost eyebrows and eyelashes. While these methods can offer temporary cosmetic relief, they do not address the underlying issues of hair loss.

Hair loss, or alopecia, can affect just the scalp or the entire body and may be temporary or permanent. It can result from heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions, or aging, with hereditary hair loss being the most common cause of baldness, especially in men.

Some individuals choose to accept hair loss, while others may hide it with various accessories or hairstyles. However, alternative treatments, such as homeopathy, offer options to prevent further hair loss and promote regrowth.

Common Symptoms of Hair Loss

Hair loss can manifest in various ways, including:

Gradual Thinning on Top of the Head: This is the most common form of hair loss, often seen as a receding hairline in men and a broadening part in women.

Round or Patchy Bald Spots: Small, circular patches can appear on the scalp.

Sudden Loosening of Hair: Hair may suddenly loosen due to physical or emotional shock.

Complete Body Hair Loss: Medical conditions or treatments like chemotherapy can lead to the loss of all body hair.

Patches of Scaling: This can indicate ringworm, accompanied by broken hair, redness, swelling, and sometimes oozing.

Modern Homeopathy’s Approach

Modern Homeopathy offers a holistic and individualized approach to treating hair loss, focusing on advanced research-based remedies that are painless, free from side effects, and promote overall well-being. Here’s why it stands out as the best homeopathy treatment for hair loss:

Personalized Treatment Plans: Modern Homeopathy practitioners create tailored treatment plans based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient's medical history, lifestyle, and specific symptoms. This personalized approach ensures that the root causes of hair loss are effectively addressed.

Boosting Overall Health: A core principle of modern homeopathy is treating the person as a whole rather than just addressing symptoms. By improving overall health and addressing underlying issues such as nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and stress, Modern Homeopathy promotes healthy hair growth and prevents further loss.

Stress Management: Recognizing stress as a significant factor in hair loss, Modern Homeopathy includes remedies and techniques to manage stress effectively. Relaxation methods, lifestyle adjustments, and specific stress-relief remedies are incorporated into the comprehensive treatment plan.

Success Stories

Many individuals have reported remarkable improvements in their hair health through Modern Homeopathy’s treatment. Patients often experience reduced hair fall, improved hair texture, and even regrowth of lost hair. The holistic approach not only addresses hair loss but also enhances overall well-being, making Modern Homeopathy a preferred choice for those seeking a sustainable solution.

If you’re struggling with hair loss, Modern Homeopathy offers a safe and effective treatment that addresses the root causes and promotes overall health, leading to healthier, fuller hair. Book a consultation to start your journey towards better hair health today!

VISIT SITE =

[sfplasticsurgeryandlasercenter]

Unlocking Your True Potential: Empowerment through Aesthetic Transformation

In the bustling heart of San Francisco lies a sanctuary of self-discovery and empowerment: the San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center: Dr. Usha Rajagopal. Here, under the expert care of skilled cosmetic surgeons, individuals embark on transformative journeys that transcend mere physical appearance, unlocking their true potential through aesthetic enhancement.

In today's world, where self-confidence and self-expression are paramount, the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery is often deeply personal and empowering. It's not merely about conforming to societal standards of beauty but rather about embracing one's unique identity and reclaiming agency over one's body. At the San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center, this ethos is at the core of every procedure performed.

Led by a team of board-certified cosmetic surgeons, the center offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the diverse needs and goals of its clients. Whether it's enhancing facial features, sculpting the body, or rejuvenating the skin, each procedure is approached with meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to achieving natural-looking results.

But beyond the physical transformation, the journey towards aesthetic enhancement is also about self-discovery and empowerment. It's about recognizing and embracing the inherent beauty within oneself and gaining the confidence to fully express it to the world. For many individuals, undergoing cosmetic surgery is a deeply transformative experience that goes beyond the surface level changes, impacting their self-esteem, body image, and overall quality of life.

Take, for example, Sarah, a 35-year-old professional who struggled with insecurities about her nose for years. Despite her numerous accomplishments, she found herself held back by self-doubt and a lack of confidence. After much contemplation, Sarah decided to undergo rhinoplasty at the San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center. The results were not only transformative physically but also emotionally. With her newfound confidence, Sarah felt empowered to pursue new opportunities and embrace life with renewed enthusiasm.

Similarly, John, a middle-aged executive, had long been self-conscious about his receding hairline. Despite his success in his career, he felt that his appearance was hindering his confidence and holding him back from reaching his full potential. After consulting with a cosmetic surgeon at the center, John underwent a hair transplant procedure that restored his hairline and, more importantly, his self-assurance. With his newfound confidence, John felt emboldened to take on new challenges and assert himself in both his personal and professional life.

These stories are just a glimpse into the transformative power of aesthetic enhancement. Beyond the physical changes, cosmetic surgery has the ability to unlock the true potential that lies within each individual, empowering them to live their lives to the fullest and embrace their unique beauty.

But it's important to note that empowerment through aesthetic transformation is not solely about undergoing surgery. It's about making informed choices that align with one's values, goals, and aspirations. The San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center understands this implicitly, which is why they prioritize patient education, transparency, and personalized care.

From the initial consultation to the post-operative follow-up care, clients at the center are supported every step of the way on their journey towards self-discovery and empowerment. The experienced team of cosmetic surgeons takes the time to listen to each individual's concerns, goals, and expectations, developing customized treatment plans that are tailored to their unique needs.

Moreover, the center utilizes state-of-the-art technology and techniques to ensure optimal results with minimal discomfort and downtime. Whether it's advanced laser treatments, minimally invasive procedures, or surgical interventions, patients can rest assured that they are in capable hands at the San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center.

In conclusion, aesthetic transformation is a deeply personal and empowering journey that has the potential to unlock one's true potential and enhance quality of life. Through the expertise and dedication of skilled cosmetic surgeons at the San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center, individuals are empowered to embrace their unique beauty, gain confidence, and live life on their own terms. So why wait to unlock your true potential? The journey towards self-discovery begins today.

San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center: Dr. Usha Rajagopal 1244 Larkin St Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 392-3333

[delawarescalpmicropigmentation1]

Unlocking Confidence: The Transformative Power of Scalp Micropigmentation for Women

In the world of cosmetic innovations, scalp micropigmentation (SMP) emerges as a groundbreaking solution, uniquely tailored to address the specific concerns of women dealing with hair loss or thinning hair. At Delaware SMP, we understand the profound impact that hair has on a woman's confidence and overall self-image. Our commitment to empowering women through transformative solutions is at the core of our scalp micropigmentation services.

Revolutionizing Aesthetics: The Art of Scalp Micropigmentation

Scalp Micropigmentation for women is a specialized technique that goes beyond traditional remedies for hair loss. It involves using tiny needles to deposit pigments into the scalp, creating the illusion of a fuller and denser hairline. This innovative approach not only addresses the physical aspect of hair loss but also serves as a powerful tool for restoring confidence and enhancing natural beauty. At Delaware SMP, we take pride in offering a solution that is as much about artistry as it is about science.

Personalized Precision: Women Scalp Micropigmentation

Recognizing the unique needs of women, our scalp micropigmentation services are tailored to provide personalized and precise results. Whether it's addressing hairline concerns or restoring a fuller appearance, our skilled technicians use their expertise to create natural-looking results that align with each individual's aesthetic preferences. The art of Women Scalp Micropigmentation is a journey towards self-discovery and renewed confidence.

Beyond the Scalp: Exploring Hairline Micropigmentation for Female

The versatility of scalp micropigmentation extends to specialized techniques such as Hairline Micropigmentation for female. This approach caters to those experiencing receding hairlines, offering a nuanced solution to create a fuller and more defined hairline. The attention to detail and precision in our techniques ensures that every client achieves a result that complements their unique features, emphasizing the natural beauty of their facial profile.

Frame Your Beauty: The Artistry of Eyebrow Tattoo and Microblading

Delaware SMP doesn't stop at scalp solutions; we delve into the artistry of enhancing facial features through Eyebrow Tattoo and Microblading. Microblading, a semi-permanent cosmetic procedure, utilizes fine needles to deposit pigments into the skin, creating natural-looking hair strokes. The goal is to frame the eyes and enhance the overall facial aesthetic. This meticulous approach ensures that each client walks away with symmetrical, well-defined, and perfectly shaped eyebrows that effortlessly elevate their natural beauty.

The Delaware SMP Experience: Empowering Confidence

At Delaware SMP, we understand the significance of confidence in every woman's life. Our scalp micropigmentation services are not just about restoring hair; they are about empowering women to embrace their uniqueness and feel confident in their own skin. With our personalized approach, state-of-the-art techniques, and commitment to excellence, we offer an experience that transcends traditional beauty standards.

Mastering the Craft: Scalp Micropigmentation Training Courses

For those aspiring to enter the transformative world of Scalp Micropigmentation, Delaware SMP offers comprehensive training courses. Our courses cover the essentials of scalp micropigmentation, hairline micropigmentation for female, and the artistry of microblading eyebrows. Led by experienced instructors, these courses provide hands-on training, ensuring that participants graduate with the skills and confidence to excel in the evolving field of cosmetic enhancements.

Connect with Confidence: Delaware SMP

As we navigate the journey of self-discovery and empowerment, Delaware SMP stands as a beacon of confidence for women seeking transformative solutions. Whether through Scalp micropigmentation, hairline micropigmentation, or the artistry of microblading, our commitment is to enhance your natural beauty and boost your confidence. Connect with Delaware SMP and embark on a transformative journey towards a more confident and empowered you.

In the realm of Scalp Micropigmentation for women, Delaware SMP is not just a service provider; we are a partner in your journey to rediscovering confidence and embracing the beauty that is uniquely yours.

[oponinnovations]

Reclaiming Confidence: Stem Cell Solutions for Hair Loss

Hair loss, a common and often distressing concern, has led many on a quest for effective solutions. Amidst the myriad of treatments, stem cell therapies emerge as a promising frontier, redefining how we address the challenge of receding hairlines and thinning crowns.

The Quest for a Crown: Navigating the Landscape of Hair Loss

In a world where appearance plays a significant role, the impact of hair loss extends beyond the physical. It can affect self-esteem and alter one's perception of personal beauty. Traditional remedies offer varied results, prompting the exploration of innovative solutions, and this is where stem cell treatments take center stage.

Stem Cells Unveiled: A Fountain of Regeneration

Understanding the Power of Stem Cells

At the core of regenerative medicine lies the remarkable potential of stem cells. These master cells possess the ability to transform into various specialized cells, making them a natural choice for addressing the intricate mechanisms of hair growth. By harnessing their regenerative prowess, we step into a realm where thinning hairlines can find rejuvenation.

Stem Cell Therapy for Hair Loss: A Beacon of Hope

Revolutionizing Hair Restoration

Stem cell therapy for hair loss operates on the principle of stimulating dormant hair follicles and promoting the growth of new, healthy hair. This groundbreaking approach goes beyond superficial solutions, aiming to restore not just the appearance of hair but its intrinsic vitality. Opon Innovations, at the forefront of regenerative medicine, leads the charge in making this advanced therapy accessible to those seeking lasting solutions.

The Opon Advantage: Redefining Confidence Strand by Strand

Holistic Approach to Hair Health

Opon Innovations stands out in its commitment to a comprehensive approach. The journey to healthy hair involves more than just stimulating growth; it requires understanding the root causes of hair loss. Opon's personalized treatment plans consider individual factors, ensuring a holistic strategy for each client.

Cutting-edge technology and Expertise

With a focus on cutting-edge technology and a team of experienced professionals, Opon Innovations ensures that each client receives the highest standard of care. The fusion of scientific expertise and a client-centric approach defines Opon's commitment to transforming not just hair but the confidence and well-being of every individual.

A Future with Opon: Rediscovering the Beauty of Healthy Hair

In the realm of hair loss, Opon Innovations emerges not just as a service provider but as a partner in the journey to restored confidence. As the world witnesses advancements in regenerative medicine, the narrative of hair loss is being rewritten. Opon stands as a beacon, guiding individuals toward a future where every strand tells a story of renewal and resilience.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in the Story of Hair

In the pursuit of addressing hair loss, stem cell treatments bring forth a narrative of hope and transformation. Opon Innovations, with its blend of cutting-edge solutions and compassionate care, invites individuals to embark on a journey of rediscovery. It's not just about reclaiming lost hair; it's about reclaiming confidence, one strand at a time.

[politicintel]

Wednesday I went to Walgreens and while standing in line at the register, a couple behind me were having an argument. The woman’s voice behind me ended it by hissing at the man that he was being a baby. “A big child,” she said. The silence that followed meant two things; either he no longer felt salvaging his argument or he may have been shocked at being exposed as a sham of an adult.

And I thought- is it really so terrible to be a child? …despite having sired children, working for a thirty mortgage and helplessly monitoring a receding hairline? There are worse things you can do than retain your core innocence and love of simplicity. In fact I think most humans between the ages of twenty and forty often get themselves into trouble mostly by attempting to do “the adult thing” and ignore the little voice in their hearts, waking them in the middle of the night with all the simple questions adults dismiss in the workday shuffle. Sometimes our kids lead the way just by reminding us of ourselves.