#series confessionals ask game

[theminecraftbee]

for anyone wondering where i've been: i got... distracted... by a potential huge project. I was considering running a mcrp project/smp project, inspired by stuff like fan life series servers, with the rest of the sexyman team! but... a different one. a very specific one, even.

now, I'm aware there are probably outstanding questions, so if you're uncertain, please read more event/server details below the cut and see if it interests you!

I don't know anything about Survivor–what would this show even be like?

so if you know nothing about survivor, it's easy to think it's a show about surviving on a deserted island. it is that, but it's not mainly that. survivor, at its heart, is a social deception game, about making close alliances, betraying people, and social dynamics under pressure–hence why i suspect it would be a great fit for mcrp.

the way the show would be structured is this: a certain number of contestants would be placed on a (slightly modified) survival server, set up to be difficult to survive on. they are placed into two "tribes", the teams for the first half of the show. every episode, they would spend time with their tribes bonding, surviving, searching for secrets, and base building. then, they would compete in challenges. the tribe that loses the immunity challenge must go to tribal council, where they vote on which member to send home. this continues with the tribes eventually merging together into one tribe and immunity becoming individual before there are only two contestants left. at that time, they go in front a jury of their former fellow contestants, who will determine who the sole survivor is.

while challenge performance is one key to winning (as it prevents you from being a target in the first place), the other, bigger key, as you can likely see, is forming alliances and voting blocks strategically to get your opponents voted out and yourself kept in. this makes a great vehicle for social emergent storytelling, where narratives emerge about who is honest, who is a liar, who is good at the social game, who is bad at it, and what people will do in order to become sole survivor.

in other words: it's kind of like what current-day mcrp is ALREADY about. except its a gameshow also, and the very construction of the thing is designed to cause tensions by its very nature.

it's great! and you wouldn't be required to know anything about survivor–our host would explain to the audience all of the mechanics as they came up, as would production staff to the players.

You keep calling it "a show"–what do you mean by that?

the result of this project would be an edited youtube series, like survivor, of likely around twelve episodes. each episode would show footage from the game, as well as a lot of "confessionals" shots of the players explaining their opinions, before ending in tribal council! unlike most mcrp series, this would not be a multiple pov affair. it would be one tightly edited project. (this editing, for the record, is the largest overhead; we expect the amount of footage to go through to end up being in the hundreds of hours combined between all the players.)

it's possible that after the show's finale releases we'll release the players to make their own highlights from any footage they take. but the product we're hoping to make is just a single TV show's worth!

what exactly does applying to be a contestant require?

if we get enough interest, once we have enough of the required plugins and builds created and have a better sense of gameplay, we will put out a casting call form. while this will ask a number of questions to help us get to know you as a potential player, you're going to be REQUIRED to have the following things: a tumblr blog that you can link us to, the ability to record an audition tape in minecraft to send to us (so that we can get an idea of what audio we'd be working with, mostly), enough free time for us to be able to schedule recording sessions into, and a willingness to agree to some rules about keeping things secret until the finale airs and about rp etiquette. that's it! there are no other requirements–you don't have to know survivor, you don't have to already do mcyt or stream, you don't have to have friends, none of it, and while we'll ask you for those details, we're going to be looking for a large blend of people from across mcyt! anyone (who can send us mostly clean audio) can be considered!

EDIT: we would ALSO REQUIRE YOU BE AT LEAST 18. sorry i forgot this before! this is for a number of reasons i don't want to get into, but will be prominent on the actual applications.

what exactly would being a production staff member entail?

we're mainly looking for two things in production staff: a willingness to run replaymod for us and act as cameramen by following contestants around getting footage on the actual recording days, and a willingness to work with us on what's likely to be a fairly intense editing and "scripting" period during and after recording, during which we're going to have to scrub through massive amounts of footage and form it into a coherent narrative. we may, depending on how bad we realize we've bitten off more than we can chew, also end up looking for build team members for the production crew. if these things sound fun to you (they sound fun to me god help me), then go ahead and select this option! just know it's mutually exclusive with playing; no one in the production staff will be considered for the contestants. this includes my friends and myself who've already agreed to help me.

these applications would come out before the casting call, since even before casting call we're going to need to do playtests and dry runs and have things mostly ready. so keep an eye out!

will this be run on your blog?

nope we're going to make a new blog (and youtube channel) (and branding!) for this eventually, just want to interest check before we go through all the branding steps. (also, i've even gotten us a specific gmail for this that we will likely end up using for certain communications.)

for now that's all the FAQ i think that is required. let me know if you have more! and i hope you all are interested in this baby of a project that's taken over my mind for the past few weeks!

[foreverisntenough]

‘OURS - The Epilogue'

Summary: A conclusion to what has happened in the ‘You’re Mine’ sequel 'Ours'

Index: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Warnings: This series is 18+ MDNI - if i miss anything please lmk!

Note: Thank you for reading! Please like, comment, or message what you think of the series. 🐑 🤍

Part 2 - 'Baby #3'

word count - 9.7 k

The soft glow of the screen illuminated the dim room, casting a warm light over Trent and you as you nestled close together in your seat. The sound of a football game played in the background, but your attention was divided between the match and each other. Your head rested on Trent with your hand comfortably entwined with his laying over your stomach. You couldn’t get enough of him lately and close was not close enough. The familiar scent and comfort of his cologne, creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere you never wanted to leave.

“I haven’t watched an adult moving in ages.” You giggled cuddling further into Trent in the cinema after an advert for a new film coming out soon flashed across the screen.  It was just after dinner, you’d eaten and finished your outing to the farm and after some showers and baths following it you were now happily in Trent’s arms watching the footie match while Teddy and Theo occupied themselves. You really hadn’t seen a proper movie you had wanted to in ages because of your babies. Honestly, you weren’t even sure what was out at the minute. It had been a lot of Bluey in your house and lately, naturally… Shaun the Sheep.   

“An adult movie, yeah? What kind of adult movies are you watching?” Trent teased you, squeezing your side a little as you laid tucked in his arms. 

“Oh stop! That’s not what I meant.” You playfully swatted at him. He gave you a smug smirk and raised his eyebrow if to say ‘really?’ “Stopp! What? Are you watching any?” You asked with feigned annoyance at his assumption you had been. You bit your lip looking at the mischievous glint in his eyes. 

“Yeah, baby.” His confessional answer took you by surprise. When did this man have time to watch porn without you knowing was really what you were thinking. “You make the best ones.” He continued with some cheek winking down to you before returning his gaze to the match. Of course, that’s what his answer was. Despite being his wife, despite being glued to him for more than half a decade Trent was always greedy for you and the spicy videos you’d make together or send to him were always a more than welcomed treat. 

“Oh my god!” You groaned, rolling your eyes. You tried to wiggle away from him but he wasn’t letting you go anywhere. He just held you tighter with a smug laugh and a few kisses. It was approaching your wedding anniversary once again and you really felt like things had never been better. Since you tied the knot, every year for your anniversary during the summer holiday you would take a trip to as many locations as years you’d been together. It was a sweet idea Trent came up with and this year you had landed on going to four islands in the caribbean for the four years of marriage. You did decide though that Teddy and Theo would join you on this one because you both wanted them to go to the destination.

“You think we’ll be able to find any sheep for Theo? He’s going to miss his little wooly friends.”  You teasingly asked after overhearing a squeal from Theo from the other room. Your eyes sparkling in the dim light as Trent chuckled, his laughter low and warm. He turned his head slightly to press a kiss to your temple, his arm tightening around you.

“We’ll find him some. I won’t lie, I'm a little over it. I’m team Ted now. The smell isn’t it for me but I’ll make it happen if that’s what you want, baby. I’ll find the only sheep on the island if it means making you and our little lad happy.” Trent teased but with a hint of sincerity in his voice. You laughed softly, your heart swelling with affection for him. Trent had a way of making everything seem possible, of bringing joy and adventure into your lives, even in the simplest of moments. As you sat there, you found yourself thinking about your kids and how much they had grown before Trent cut your blissful thoughts. “He’s so strange, baby.” Trent laughed to himself thinking about Theo’s surge of interest in farm animals.

“He’s not weird! He’s curious.” You feigned a faux pout to Trent. You knew he said it with cheek and didn’t mean it seriously but you pretended to be offended by his critique of your perfect baby boy.

“He’s curious and very funny. I love him, he’s goated.” Trent corrected himself with a bit more of a laugh and you rolled your eyes at his unintentional pun. Trent nodded, a proud smile tugging at his lips. “I just want to hold onto you forever, beautiful. My whole world.”  Trent muffled into your hair after a comfortable silence simply enjoying the closeness and the quiet murmur in the cinema around you interspersed with squeals and giggles from outside it. 

“Please.” You childishly cooed, squeezing him more. “Can you hear them?” You smiled hearing Teddy babble away about something to Theo. They were playing outside of the room. You could still hear them though, it just sounded like gibberish. Teddy was an amazing big sister and they would be fine alone for small bits of time so you let them play, more than okay with some time with Trent.

“What are they on about?” Trent asked like you’d know. You shrugged. There were few things as cute and as funny as your toddlers conversing. They were in their own reality happy as can be.

“Thank you for giving me my babies. They’re everything to me.” You sighed to Trent with a gentle smile.

“I loved every bit of it all, baby. Start to finish. Some parts were maybe harder than others but if it got us to right now, right here, I wouldn’t change a thing. Do it all again with you, with them.” Trent kissed your lips with a hum holding you tight to him. The game played on, but your mind drifted somewhere else. You bit your lip, feeling a familiar nervous flutter in your stomach. You shifted slightly, glancing up at Trent through your lashes. 

“So you know…” You sheepishly asked Trent. Your voice was vague, but Trent knew exactly what you meant. He had seen the signs before—twice actually. How you became even more affectionate, your desire to be close to him almost insatiable. How your need for him grew in these specific ways, the way you sought his warmth and touch. The signs had been unmistakable the second time and they were just as clear now to him.

“I’ve had a hunch.” Trent cooed gently, his voice low and full of understanding but then flashed a heartbreakingly beautiful smile. He turned to look at you fully, his eyes searching yours. There was a knowing smile on his face, soft and reassuring. Your cheeks flushed with a mix of excitement and a little embarrassment. You felt your heart race, a familiar blend of anticipation and tenderness filling you. Trent squeezed your hand, bringing it to his lips to press a gentle kiss on your knuckles.

“Well… and your hunch is…” You smiled at him with a twinkle in your eye. You laughed softly, your head dipping slightly in mock bashfulness. You leaned in closer, your lips brushing against his neck, your breath warm against his skin.

“Nah, come on Y/N, did you take a test or not. Don’t play with me. Are we having another baby?” Trent’s smile widened, his heart beating a little faster at your words. Your lips curled into a smile, tears filling your eyes as you nodded. You’d taken a test because of a hunch of your own the other day and were still trying to think of a cute way to tell Trent till now but he figured it out on his own. You could feel that he knew. He did. It wasn’t all that dramatic for him to find out this way, but it was romantic in the way that he knew you so well. He loved knowing you that well, how close you two were, how even after all these years, the spark between you never dimmed. He loved you. He turned his head slightly, catching your lips with his in a soft, lingering kiss. The warmth between you grew, the connection deepening with every shared breath. In that moment, nothing else mattered—not the game on the screen or the world outside the cinema. It was just you two about to embark on another adventure, wrapped up in each other, planning your future and cherishing the present. You felt a swell of happiness as you realized, once again, how truly blessed you were to have Trent by your side. “I love you, Y/N. More than anything in the whole world. I’ll never be able to understand what I did to deserve you but I promise I will never take what you or our…” He paused for a moment, beginning to smile.  “Three babies for granted.” Trent whispered as the kiss broke, Trent rested his forehead against yours in the soft darkness. You smiled, eyes shining with tears of joy. You sat there, wrapped in each other’s arms, dreaming of your next baby and the little life growing inside you, knowing that no matter where life took you, you would always have each other. 

“Dada? What doing?” Your moment of sheer bliss and emotion was sliced in half by the voice cutting through the room, one of your dogs trailing behind the little boy eager to find Trent.

“My favorite things, mate.” Trent smiled seeing Theo come stand in front of you two.  He looked so innocent. You just wanted to reach over and squish him. Eat his chubby little cheeks. He pulled at the sleeves of his Essentials hoodie covering his hands, making sweater paws like Trent did. Theo wanted to be just like him and he tried but what was funny, was that when he wasn’t trying, he was probably the most successful. Theo swayed thinking for a moment. You figured you’d just let them have their conversation, staring at the other version of themselves. 

“Like whats?” Theo asked as he moved to awkwardly try to get onto the seat. His tiny hands gripping the cushion with all his might. His chubby cheeks puffed up in concentration as he huffed a tiny breath, his brows furrowing in a serious effort. He lifted one leg high, almost too high for his own balance, and placed a wobbly foot on the edge of the couch. For a moment, he teetered on the brink of toppling over but managed to steady himself with a comical sway. With a grunt of exertion, he pushed himself up, his other leg dangling off the side as if unsure whether to follow. 

“Watching footie, having a cuddle with mummy.” Trent told Theo extending his arm out to help drag him up. Theo kicked a few times, trying to find some leverage, and finally, with a burst of clumsy enthusiasm, he flopped his whole body onto the couch with Trent’s help.

“Oh… like those too. My favorite too, dada!”  A giggle escaped his lips as he landed, face first into the cushions, his legs still hanging off the side. He wriggled and squirmed, using his pudgy little arms to pull himself up further.

“Yeah? C’mere then. Watch with me.” Trent smiled at Theo dragging him towards you and him. Trent loved that Theo loved footie. Watching matches with his son was surreal. They’d sit and talk about the game for hours it felt like. Theo asked all the questions Trent was dying to answer for him.

“And give mama kiss.” Theo tacked on telling Trent that was as equally as important as the game unfolding. Trent hummed, agreeing.

“Is that my Theo?” You cooed gently bringing him into a tight embrace. Theo mumbled a ‘hi mama’ into your warm skin. “My best and prettiest boys.” You cooed kissing Theo’s hair and then another to Trent’s chest.

“Dada like football and mama?” Theo asked Trent wriggling in your hold to pick his little head up to look at his dad with naive innocence.

“Like both but I think mummy just edges it though, huh? What about you?” Trent asked him, running his hand over Theo’s freshly braided hair.

“Yeah huh.” Theo giggled squirming to get Trent’s hand off him sillily. “Like mama more but like footie toos.” Your little boy confirmed.  Trent confirmed his statement once again with a quiet ‘agreed.’ He smiled looking at Theo knowing he was a mummy’s boy and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Teddy girl, where are you, baby?” You called out into the room trying to see where she was after assuming she would’ve tailed Theo into the room. “Thank you, baby for picking me over footie. I know you love footie.” You whispered, kissing Theo’s cheek as he moved to wrap his little arms around your neck with a nod. 

“Daddy! Guess what!!” Teddy was quick to run into the room with information for Trent after hearing your call, her eyes sparkling with happiness. She jumped on the sofa and immediately squished herself against him. Her face lit up with a big, joyful smile. She clambered further onto his lap, wrapping her small arms around his neck and nestling her head against his chest. Trent looked down at her, his heart melting at her affectionate gesture. He wrapped his arms around her little body, holding her close as he pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head. Teddy giggled softly, feeling safe and cherished in her daddy’s arms. She looked up at him with pure love. You had no idea what she had to say but you were excited to hear whatever it may be. 

You were due soon. Boy number two, baby number three on the way. This pregnancy had been calm, almost chill. This had been different from the start. With your first two, you had experienced so many ups and downs—morning sickness, restless nights, constant fatigue and of course the chaos that followed in postpartum. But this time around, everything felt smoother, almost serene. The little life growing inside you seemed to bring a calm that you had never felt before, and you embraced it with open arms. This little baby was your peace. Trent noticed it too. He had been worried when you first found out, remembering how challenging your previous pregnancies had been. But every day, he saw the peacefulness in your eyes, the gentle glow of your skin, and the ease with which you moved. It was as if this baby had come with a promise of tranquility, a soft breeze in your otherwise bustling life. You had once worried about how you would manage it all—raising two energetic children while carrying a third—but you soon discovered that you had more help than you could have ever imagined. Teddy and Theo were a dream. They seemed to sense the change in their mum and had grown into their roles as big sister and brother with an almost surprising maturity. Teddy, always the little helper, would sit next to you, her small hands patting your belly with gentle care. You would smile, her heart swelling with love. You softly would brush Teddy’s hair back and kiss her. You were so grateful for her sweet nature and her ability to fall into her big sister role with ease. Theo, on the other hand, had become even more of a cuddle bug. He would climb onto your lap, nuzzling into you, content just to be close. He was still his silly, curious self, but he seemed to understand that things were a bit different now, and he was more than happy to be part of this new chapter. On one afternoon of the many days that had now blurred together as you were sitting on the sofa, Theo wiggled his way under your arm, pressing his face against your belly.

“Baby is in there. I cuddle, too.” Theo muffled, in his adorable, innocent voice. You laughed softly, your heart nearly bursting with joy at how naturally your babies had adjusted to the idea of a sibling. Teddy was particularly thrilled she was still going to be the only girl when she should out it was another boy. Very adamant that you and her were the only ‘Alszander Arnal girls’ as she would say.

“Yeah, sweetheart, baby is in mummy’s tummy. He’s so lucky to have a big brother like you.” You kissed the top of Theo’s head. “You’ll be a little brother and a big brother like how daddy is. You’re just like daddy, huh?” You cooed gently. Theo was gassed anytime he was told he was like Trent so he beamed hearing a new way he could be like him more so. Trent smiled looking on from the otherside of the couch with Teddy. He often found himself watching your family with a mixture of awe and gratitude. He was relieved and thankful that this pregnancy was going smoothly, but more than that, he was overwhelmed by the love and support that surrounded you. He’d never seen you happier or more at peace, and it was all thanks to the little family you’d built together. He got up from the couch plopping Teddy on the ground. He walked into the out of the room quickly and then returned back to you. Trent sat down beside you, wrapping one arm around you. His smile was warm and full of love as he handed you a box. 

“For mummy and our newest baby.” He said softly, his eyes sparkling with joy. Before you could even start opening it, Teddy quickly climbed up onto the sofa alongside Theo, both of their little hands reaching out. 

“Mama! Need helps with daddy’s present?” Teddy asked you, her eyes wide with excitement, while Theo nodded enthusiastically with her, liking the idea of getting to open a present whether or not it was for them or not. You couldn’t resist their enthusiasm. 

“Course, you can help me.” You laughed, handing the soft orange Hermès box in your lap over to them. They eagerly opened the lid with the kind of frenzied energy only children could muster, tissue paper flying everywhere. As an Avalon blanket was revealed, their faces quickly turned from excitement to confusion. 

“A blankie, mama?” Theo asked, clearly underwhelmed and confused. Teddy leaned over to get a better look inside and frowned slightly, not quite understanding it either. You couldn’t help but laugh softly at their innocence. 

“Yeah, it’s a really special blankie.” Trent explained gently followed by a chuckle, rubbing Theo's back with his condolences that it wasn't a more interesting gift in their opinion. “It’s not just any blankie though, lad. Daddy has given one of these extra special blankets to mummy every time we’ve had a little baby. One for Ted, one for Tees, and now one for our new baby so mummy can have a cozy cuddle with each of you.” Trent explained with a warm smile, his voice tender as he pulled Theo into his lap for said cuddle. Trent looked at the soft, luxurious cashmere fabric inside the box. The blanket was exquisite, as it always was, each time. The beautiful, soft cream color of baby number three’s was embroidered with your surname once again. It wasn’t just the blanket itself that made your heart swell; it was the tradition behind it, the thoughtfulness of Trent in keeping up this gesture for each child.

“Yeah, they're so special to mummy. I love these so much because I have one for each of my babies.” You cooed, kissing Teddy and Theo’s heads. “My little Baby Alexander-Arnolds.” Your voice quivered, getting emotional. As you gently lifted the blanket out of the box, you couldn’t hold back the tears that began to well up in your eyes. The reality of this new life growing inside you, the love Trent showed in his own unique way, and the excitement of sharing this tradition with your children — it was all so overwhelming in the best possible way. 

“Mama, tays?” Teddy asked worried after she noticed your tears first, looking up at you, concerned. Her small hand reaching out to touch your arm, scooting towards you on the seat. You nodded, sniffling through the tears. 

“Yeah, my Teddy bear. Thank you for asking. This is just so special to mummy. You Theo and daddy just make me really really happy that’s all.” You cooed softly struggling to get words out. Trent leaned in closer to you, wrapping his arm around your waist and pulling you into a gentle embrace. 

“You’re everything to us, baby.” He tucked his face into the nape of your neck and whispered just to you, kissing your warm skin. Theo clumsily attempted to push Trent off your body to get to you. Trent laughed and let him move him. 

“I like blankie if make mama happy.” Theo softly explained adorably. Theo wrapped his arms around you best he could, still not quite understanding the gift but wanting anything to would make his mummy happy. He laid his head onto you with the intention to nuzzle impossibly further into you. 

“I like blankie too, mama. I like happy mama and I like um… our family.” Teddy told you, looking between you and Trent. Her sweet remark eliciting a real cry. You were so emotional and pregnant, you couldn’t help it. Trent breathily and sympathetically laughed at how sweet the past thirty minutes had been. He pulled you into his embrace once more, reaching out his arm to drag Teddy along as well. You held the blanket close to your chest, you let out a soft laugh amidst your tears, feeling the warmth of your family around you. As you nestled closer to Trent, you realized just how precious these moments were — how they formed the fabric of your family, much like the blanket that would soon wrap your newest child in love.

“Thank you, baby for everything you do for our family. You’re amazing, you know that?” Trent softly kissed your temple. His voice filled with love. “We love mummy so much, yeah?” Trent spoke out into the room. Teddy and Theo noddingtheir confirmation. You leaned into Trent, a content smile on your lips. 

“No, thank you. I couldn’t do it without you, T. I was really nervous at first, but now... it’s like everything is just falling into place.” You rested your head onto his shoulder. Trent kissed the top of your head, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief, gratitude, and happiness. As you sat on the couch, comfortably cradling your baby bump, he held you close, you watched Teddy and Theo move to go create some sort of game to play together on the carpet. This pregnancy was a gift, a calm amid the storm, and you couldn’t have felt more blessed. Your family was your greatest treasure, and you knew, no matter what. The future looked bright, and you were ready to embrace every moment of it. 

The closer you go to the end of the pregnancy the atmosphere in the house grew more expectant and filled with excitement. Winnie had come to visit, eager to help out and spend time with your family, her family. She loved her niece and nephew,  and couldn’t wait to meet the next addition. Tonight, she found herself curled up on the couch with Teddy, who was nestled in her arms. The soft glow of a living room lamp cast a warm light over them. Teddy’s sleepy eyes were fixed on a bedtime story Winnie was helping her read. George had just come over as well. He had stopped by to check on you and catch up with Trent but it was clear that Winnie’s presence was a pleasant surprise for him so he stuck around offering to help out. Theo welcomed his stay with open arms, squeals and giggles. George had always harbored feelings for Winnie, but he had kept them to himself, especially after hearing about her breakup about a year ago from Jadon. It wasn’t messy or bad per se, they just didn’t work. Winnie was finding she wanted more, Jadon had known he wanted less, no one wanted to compromise. Ultimately it might've been maybe more of a physically driven connection that lasted longer than they each expected but it was meant to end. George typically didn’t press about things but he genuinely cared for Winnie. Seeing her now, so close and yet so distant, stirred something in him. Later that evening, you and Trent had gone out to enjoy a quiet dinner together before your baby's arrival, thankful you could leave George and Winnie in charge of putting Teddy and Theo to bed. The house fell into a serene quietness once they had. With Teddy and Theo tucked in and the night settled, George and Winnie found themselves alone in the living room, the silence between them both comforting and charged with unspoken emotions. George leaned back in his chair, watching Winnie with a soft smile instead of the TV. 

“So, I haven’t had a chance to ask but how are you really doing, Win? I know it’s been a while since the breakup, but… you know, those things take time.” George asked Winnie gently, his voice low and sincere. He wanted to know, genuinely. Winnie sighed, her gaze drifting down to her hands in her lap a little embarrassed. She was well aware that George probably knew more about her breakup than she would have liked via you and Trent. 

“I’m doing okay, I guess. It’s honestly fine. It really is. It was meant to end. It’s just… I’m finding out I’m not so great at being alone. You know when you get out of a relationship and you just are sitting on a sofa and are thinking to yourself now what…” Winnie explained examining her manicure to not make eye contact but she flashed her eyes up to George to see if he did know what she was talking about. He did not. “Of course, you don’t.” Winnie laughed. “I’m just saying I miss a cuddle, you know? The intimacy of it all. But I’m learning to be okay with it. With it just being me.” Winnie softly admitted with a hint of sadness. You growing into a family of five and Winnie recently single really stung a lot. She felt it every time she entered her one bedroom apartment, she felt it everytime you facetimed her with Teddy and Theo. George’s heart tightened at her words. He had always admired her free spirit and independence, but he also knew how much she valued connection and affection. He wasn’t sure if Winnie even knew how much she needed that.

“I know you don’t need anyone but if you ever need a cuddle, I’m here.” He sheepishly told her with sincerity. “Just as a friend, you know.” He clarified his offer hoping it wasn’t something Winnie would be taken back by. George sweetly looked at her. He meant it harmlessly, genuinely not trying to make a move. Winnie looked at him, surprised by his offer but not shocked by his kindness. Without thinking too much about it, she scooted closer to him on the sofa, allowing herself to lean into his side. George wrapped his arm around her shoulders, holding her gently, dragging her in closer. The warmth of his body against hers was comforting, and for a moment, they simply sat there in silence, enjoying the closeness. But as the seconds ticked by, something shifted. Winnie turned her head slightly, her eyes locking onto George’s. In that moment, caught in the tenderness of his gaze and the safety of his embrace, she felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to kiss him. She leaned in, her lips brushing his softly. George pulled back, a look of surprise and conflict on his face. He gently held her shoulders, creating a bit of space between them.

“Win, I’m sorry. You know I like you, I do. So much. I just can’t be a momentary comfort for you. Not for you. Please. Don’t do this to me.” George haphazardly spoke to her. He was soft but firm, his voice filled with emotion “You know I like you, Winnie.” He repeated to make it clear this wasn’t a rejection because he wasn’t interested. He was saying no because he was too interested. Winnie’s heart ached at his words, the realization of his deep feelings settling heavily in the room. She hadn’t meant to hurt him with her kiss; she just got caught up in the moment. 

“George, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. It’s just…” Winnie sighed, embarrassed. It was a rarity that she ever got rejected but this hurt a lot because she knew George liked her and it occurred to her that she had always liked him but purposely chose a more dangerous option time and time again. He didn’t need to say he did because if she was really honest with herself she’d known since she met him. “You know I’ve always found you attractive though. That wasn’t intended to be a momentary comfort.  I guess I didn’t know how to handle things before. I thought I wanted something else, but I was wrong. I know that now. I was just… I needed to mature, to understand what I really want in a man. And…sorry this is stupid.” Winnie paused, turning her head away from him feeling something she rarely felt, fear. George kept his eyes on her though. He reached out and cupped her cheek, turning her face back to him. Winnie took a deep breath. “I want you, George.” Winnie’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke. She was earnest, eyes wide with emotion. George’s breath hitched, his eyes searching hers for sincerity. He had hoped for this moment for so long but never imagined it would happen this way. He could see the honesty in her expression, the vulnerability she was showing. His grip on her softened, his fingers brushing her skin gently.

“Win..” George cautioned her. Of course, they had good chemistry but he didn’t want to mess things up. Not now. They were friends. “You're not just saying that or… just missing what you had?” His voice was full of hope but uncertainty. Winnie shook her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. 

“No, G. I mean it. I’ve realized that what I thought I wanted isn’t what I need. I want someone who truly cares about me, who’s kind, smart, and patient… but hot….someone like you.” She shyly smiled. George tried his absolute hardest not to grin at the complement. “I just was being ignorant before, and I’m sorry it took me so long. I don’t expect you to do anything. I don’t know. Now you know but I definitely understand why you..” Winnie tried to keep explaining that she accepted the rejection but George cut her off before she could go on.

“Shhh. Just shhh, Win.” George felt his heart swell with hope, a slow smile spreading across his face, he couldn’t hold back any longer. He leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers before letting their lips collide eliciting a feeling neither of them expected. “I just want to be there for you, however you need.” George muttered trying to make sure they weren’t making a massive mistake before their lips drew together creating the perfect rhythm.

“You. That’s all I need.” Winnie whispered as her lips pulled off his as they curled into a smile, her hands moving to cup his face gently. The room had gone dark besides the glare of the tv on them. Their gaze on eachother was heated. Winnie’s eyes went even darker than room, lids gone heavy. This is what she was good at. She was confident now. Soon they were breathless in a makeout that was the best thing either had felt in a long while. This hook up had feelings behind it. Winnie moved from his lips and began kissing down him. George’s head fell back onto the sofa cushion. He’d thought about this alot. Winnie smirked, relishing in the sounds she was able to draw from someone who was normally so composed. When you and Trent got home unbeknownst to you things were heating up further in your living room. You went upstairs right away when you arrived back to check on Teddy and Theo. Trent on the other hand walked into quite the scene. He suddenly stopped when he heard George groan as Winnie gagged. Trent’s eyes widened and he spun on his heel immediately changing directions, running to find you. He literally almost physically ran into you on the stairs torn between the excitement and shock of his discovery.

“Is George like that?!” You asked Trent through a giggle as you both sat on your staircase after Trent relayed what he heard; George with a commanding ‘just like that’ had shocked you both. George was just so unassuming it caught you out. You stayed there not wanting to interrupt them but you also didn’t go upstairs yet. You were close enough to know what was going on but not close enough to gross yourself out and hear too much. 

“I don’t know! I’ve never like heard him, baby.” Trent looked at you like you were crazy for thinking Trent would know that type of information but then fell into a laugh when you started to giggle. You hid your face in Trent’s neck blushing at the entire situation.  “I feel like low key Winnie’s always held a torch and well we knew George did.” Trent kept talking and you agreed with both sentiments. As much as Winnie loved to say she wanted a bad boy, someone who liked to party, you knew Winnie preferred to be the wild one in a relationship and come home to someone to take care of her. After 20 minutes of you and Trent giggling, you got bored and just wanted to go upstairs and get up to your own antics. After an hour or so Trent received a text message from George asking if he could crash at the house. Trent laughed knowing what the incentive behind the text was but he played it off naively with a ‘course, mate.’ Needless to say George and Winnie were about to have themselves a good night in a guest room on your first floor. 

Late into that night or really it was well into the morning you stood in the dim kitchen, rummaging through the walk in pantry with a growing frustration. Your pregnancy cravings had been all over the place lately- craving crisps one minute, ice cream the next, and on some days, the distinct taste of Percy Pigs or the following day it’d be pepperoni. Tonight, your stomach growled with a hunger that couldn't quite be pinned down, making you even more restless. As you fumbled around in the dark, you heard soft footsteps behind you. The overhead kitchen light flicked on, casting a warm glow over the room. You turned to see Trent standing there, a soft sleepy smile playing on his lips.

"Number three keeping you up, pretty girl?" He asked, his voice thick with sleep. His eyes were gentle, full of that mix of concern and amusement he often had when he caught you in the midst of your midnight cravings. You gave a sheepish shrug, half-smiling. 

"I'm just... I don't know what I want," you admitted with a frown, still scanning the shelves as if the answer might suddenly appear in front of you. "I thought maybe some crisps, or maybe something sweet, but now I just... I'm not sure." You sighed. Trent chuckled softly and walked over to you, his bare feet padding quietly on the kitchen floor till her got to you wrapping his arms around you and gently swaying you back and forth in front of him. He let you go after a kiss to your cheek to go get himself a drink of water.

"Well, tell me what you fancy, and I'll help you find it." He offered. "Or I could go out and grab something for you." His offer was sincere, but you could see the sleepy haze still clinging to his features. You turned about to say no when you watched Trent as he stretched his arms above his head, a lazy, broad stretch that made the muscles in his chest and arms flex. Your gaze followed the movement, catching sight of his toned abs contracting and the waistband of his shorts dipping just low enough to reveal that tantalizing V shape that always drove you wild. Your mouth watered instantly, but not for anything in the pantry. A completely different craving took over, one that had nothing to do with food. You felt a sudden, undeniable pull toward him, your body reacting instinctively to the sight of him standing there, half-asleep yet effortlessly sexy. "Actually..." you dragged out the words, your voice dropping to a sultry whisper as you turned to face him fully. "I think I've just figured out exactly what I want." You cooed with a mischievous glint in your eyes. Trent's sleepy smile turned into a knowing grin as he caught the change in your tone and that look in your eyes. 

"Oh yeah?" He asked, stepping back to you, his voice low and teasing. "And what might that be, beautiful?" He gave you a devastatingly handsome smirk. You reached out, fingers grazing his bare chest, feeling the warmth of his skin under your touch. 

"You," you said simply, letting your hand trail down his torso, fingers dancing over the firm lines of his stomach. Trent's grin widened, his eyes darkening with a mixture of amusement and desire. 

"Well, I can help you satisfy that craving.," he murmured, stepping even closer until his body was almost flush against yours. He dipped his head down, capturing your lips in a slow, sensual kiss that sent a shiver down your spine. You melted into him, your craving for food completely forgotten as you wrapped your arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.Trent's hands moved to your waist, pulling you against him, his grip firm and possessive. His mouth moved against yours with a hunger that matched your own, and you couldn't help but moan softly into the kiss. His lips left yours and traveled to your neck, planting soft, teasing kisses along your skin. "You know, baby." He murmured between kisses. "If you keep waking me up like this, we're going to have to invest in some midnight snacks of a different kind." Trent whispered. You laughed softly, but the sound quickly turned into a sigh of pleasure as his hands slid under the hem of your shirt, fingers tracing the curve of your back. When you groaned, his heart leapt in his throat while simultaneously his dick hardened in his shorts. 

"Maybe I just have a taste for you, Trent Alexander-Arnold." You whispered, tugging him closer.Trent pulled back just enough to look at you, his eyes filled with that familiar spark of playful mischief. 

"Then let's make sure Trent Alexander-Arnold’s wife is satisfied." He said, his voice low and teasing, sending another thrill through your body. His hands glided over the curve of your ass. He lifted you effortlessly onto the kitchen counter, his mouth finding yours again in a deep, hungry kiss. As his hands began to explore your body with a slow, deliberate intensity, you knew that this was one craving that wouldn't go unsatisfied tonight. “Can you be a good girl and be quiet f’me?” He cooed as he pulled out a chair at your kitchen island to take a seat in front of you. You nodded as he pulled your legs apart as you sat on the marble countertop. You slid one foot down the cold surface spreading your legs further apart for him  “Did I ever tell you how fucking much I love our kitchen.” Trent spoke quietly, not looking at the kitchen at all. He moved to place a feather light kiss onto your ankle working them up your leg, purposefully skipping over where you wanted him most, continuing down your other leg.  Subconsciously, your thighs widened more for him. You whined desperate for him but very aware that he was not going to let you close your legs now. You complained about his playful kisses, feeling a deep desire building within you, heat radiating to your core as your arousal intensified and your clit began to pulse. The gentle brush of his stubble against your bare skin was utterly sensual. “Such a good girl f’me always so wet, baby.” His eyes lit looking at your glistening pussy. He was quick to place his thumb over your clit, rubbing it gentle circles keeping his eyes locked on you. Trent wrapped his arms around your thighs and pulled your core to his face. He dragged his middle and index fingers through your folds and then dragging his tongue in his wake making your head drop back. He moved his perfect plump lips to focus on your clit as he gently slid his index finger into your warm, wetness, groaning at how turned on you were. You stifled a moan as the feeling of just one of his fingers inside you ignited your desire. His tongue danced around your clit, teasing and licking the area, deliberately steering clear of the exact spot you craved his mouth the most. You tried to arch your hips off the cold countertop beneath you desperate to find more fiction. Trent grunting attempting to reprimand you as his arm laid across your hips holding you down. He knew you were growing impatient. He added another finger, and then another, moving and furling in and out of your throbbing pussy. He flattened his tongue against your clit. 

“Fuck fuck fuck.” You groan and tried to stifle your words. Trent tried to shush you but couldn’t help his laughter just vibrating against you only amplifying your pleasure. You inhaled sharply. You knew he was holding back on you because when he got into it an you weren’t trying to muffles the sounds of his impromptu late night kitchen eats from Winnie and George from hearing, he could ravish you like you were his favorite meal. His lips sucked on your bud and parted your folds with his tongue, the tip frantically teasing you mercilessly, circling as his finger pumped in and out, hitting the spot he knew would have you reeling and moaning your name. “T… I can’t! Oh my god.” You whined but Trent was quick to try to lessen the noise he was evoking from you. His arm across your hips moved to bring his hand up to your mouth, seamlessly and sexily.  When his lips closed around your clit, sucking on it, you became a begging mess.

“Such a good fucking girl.” He muffled into you smug as can be.Trent loved to find himself in between your thighs, lapping his tongue through your folds. Hearing and feeling you falling apart on his tongue was the best trophy he could ever win. You were clenching uncontrollably around his fingers as his sucked on your clit with just enough pressure. “Cum f’me, baby. Cum now.” He demanded quietly as you felt your thighs begin to quiver. In low warm lights sprawled from Trent in your quiet kitchen your back arched as you fell into an earth shattering orgasm courtesy of the man who would always take care of you. You twitched as he dragged out your high. The risk of being caught out fucking in your kitchen at god knows what hour of the morning had you feeling unreal. He moved from sucking at your sensitive throbbing clit before he dragged his tongue back through your folds lewdly slurping the slick from your pussy. He kept his fingers thrusting inside of you, going a little slower as he worked kisses up your body. His lips on your neck, the slick on your skin and post orgasmic feeling sending a shiver down your spine. 

“Can you give me one more?” Trent asked you, desperate for more of you and you weren’t going to be the one to deprive him of that.  Hell, he had come all the way downstairs to help with your midnight snack. You were ready for him to fuck you on this counter so you could wipe it down after and happily hand him his breakfast on it tomorrow. He gently laid you back against the marble. He kissed your jawline up before bringing you into a passionate kiss. You sat up on your forearms as he cupped your face.

“Fuck me, T, please,” you begged, sounding some how even more desperate then before. His cock twitched hearing your voice. You blinked up at Trent with doe eyes after your orgasm continued to linger. He pulled his hard cock out stroking it and teasingly dragging the tip through your folds as he pulled you into another steamy kiss. You whined, unable to wait any longer. He lifted your hips a little for him to push into you both of you gasping in a breath. He slid his hand up your body up to your exposed tits. Trent's eyes glazed over seeing your tits bounce as you laid back for him as you whined out. His big hands slid up your body coming to play with your hard nipples. You hiccuped a little as he picked up the pace, hitting deeper, drilling into both of you fighting your hardest to bite back the moans you were dying to let out. 

“God, I fucking  love you, baby, so much.” He was able to get out a strained whisper, feeling the warm pulsations as he eased in and out of you. You wrapped your legs around his waist, dragging your heels down his muscular back. Your body was being rocked against the surface beneath you when Trent slipped his fingers into your mouth. Flustered by his pace you gaged around them, drooling, sucking desperately before he dragged them down to rub perfect circles on your clit.

“You’re gonnna make me cum. Please T. Just like that. Please baby.” You begged him as the knot in your stomach tightened just before it snapped. You clenched tighter around his throbbing cock. He took his fingers off your clit as he leaned forward to kiss you.

“Yeah? I make you feel so good, huh? You love cumming on my cock, beautiful. Look so good cumming for me. I’m gonna fucking cum, hmm?” You nodded desperately. His cock twitching deep inside you seconds before he came, painting your insides, filling you up. “I know, baby, I know,” he mumbled, silencing you with a kiss. You whimpered at his words, your walls clenching around him as if your body understood what he wanted as he voiced it.Your eyes squeezed closed, a whimpered moan accidentally escaping you lips. You knew it was just as hard for him to stay quiet too. Honestly, this was as quiet as you two probably could get, so it was impressive that you both had to manage to pull it off.

The kitchen then was filled with quiet, post-craving giggles as you and Trent tried to compose yourselves. Your bodies were still pressed close together, both of you breathless and flushed from your late-night adventure. Every time you made eye contact, another wave of laughter threatened to spill out, and you had to bite your lip to stifle it. Trent pressed his forehead against yours, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

“Shhh,” you whispered, your shoulders shaking with silent laughter. “We’ve got to be quiet, or Winnie and George will hear us.” Trent chuckled softly, his warm breath tickling your cheek.

 “You’re the one who couldn’t keep quiet,” he teased, his voice a low murmur. He pulled you even closer, his arms wrapping around you in a tight, comforting embrace. “But I’m not complaining,” he added, pressing a gentle kiss to your temple.

“Stop! You made it hard to be quiet.,” you replied, your smile widening as you leaned into his warmth. Despite your teasing words, there was nothing but love in your voice. You swayed gently in his arms, moving in a slow, lazy rhythm as if you were still caught in the afterglow of your midnight rendezvous. You exchanged a few whispered “I love you’s,” each one filled with the depth of your affection and the quiet joy of this stolen moment together.Eventually, Trent helped you off the counter, his hands lingering on your waist as you both reluctantly pulled away.

“Come on,” he whispered, giving you a soft, playful nudge. “We should get back to bed. You need rest after all that” He cheekily told you. You nodded, still grinning as you slipped your hand into his, letting him guide you back to your bedroom. The two of you tiptoed down the hall, stifling giggles every step of the way, feeling like mischievous teenagers sneaking around in your own home. The next morning, the house was filled with the comforting smell of breakfast. You were at the stove, humming softly to yourself as you flipped pancakes, a content smile on your lips. You were ready to tease Winnie about her own evening, eager to see her reaction. Trent sat at the kitchen table, entertaining Teddy and Theo with stories while they waited for their food. Just as you were about to make a cheeky comment, Winnie strolled into the kitchen, George trailing behind her. She stretched her arms above her head with an exaggerated yawn and then dramatically dropped them, smirking at Teddy and Theo. 

“Did mummy and daddy wake anyone else up last night?” she asked, her tone teasing. Teddy’s eyes went wide with curiosity, and Theo, ever the observant one, scrunched his nose in confusion. 

“Wake ups?” Teddy echoed, looking between you and Trent. “Whys? What doing last night?” She asked slightly worried she had potentially missed out on something. You felt your cheeks heat up instantly, a burst of laughter escaping you. 

“Winnie!” you exclaimed, trying to sound scolding, but failing miserably as you started to laugh. Trent chuckled, shaking his head as he stood up from the table. He walked over to you and wrapped an arm around your waist. Winnie just grinned, clearly enjoying herself. She winked, making her way over to the table to sit down.

“Nothing, cute girl. Did you sleep okay?” Winnie cooed, dragging Teddy into her lap who nodded her answer. George laughed.  As you served breakfast, you couldn’t help but shoot a playful glare in Winnie’s direction, but the smile on your face never wavered. It was just another morning filled with love, laughter, and a little bit of teasing—exactly the way you liked it.

Another night came, this one without Winnie and George. It had passed Teddy and Theo’s bedtime, it was approaching yours. The house was finally quiet. The kids were asleep in their rooms, the soft hum of the baby monitor the only sound breaking the silence. You and Trent were getting into bed, the glow of two bedside lamps casting a warm light over you both. It was one of those rare moments of calm where you could just be together, without the usual chaos of family life. Trent had been quiet for a while, his arm around you as you leaned into his side, your head resting against his shoulder as you scrolled on your phone. You could feel the steady rhythm of his breathing, the warmth of his body grounding you. He turned slightly, and you felt him shift so he could look at you more directly, you hadn’t noticed that he had been staring at you the whole time. There was something in his eyes—an intensity, a depth of emotion—that made your heart skip a beat.

 “YN, I need to tell you something.” Trent softly muttered out. His voice filled with emotion. Trent had been watching you closely all evening, his eyes filled with a tenderness that was impossible to miss. He took a deep breath, his hand finding yours beneath the blanket, and gently squeezed. You turned to face him, your heart suddenly aware of the seriousness in his tone. 

You looked at him, a little puzzled but intrigued, sensing the depth in his tone. Trent took a deep breath, his eyes searching yours as if trying to find the right words. “I just… I don’t think I tell you enough how much you mean to me.  Every single day, I watch you with our kids, the way you care for them, love them, teach them… and I’m just in awe. You’ve given me this beautiful family, a life I didn’t even know I could or wanted to have.” His words struck a chord deep within you, and you felt your throat tighten with emotion. Trent reached up, brushing a strand of hair away from your face, his touch tender. “Lately, I’ve been thinking back to when we first started this whole thing… this relationship. I was so nervous, so unsure of not how much I loved you but if I was good enough for you. But you… you bought in. You took a chance on me, and it changed my life. You changed my life, YN.” Trent’s voice broke slightly. You could feel tears welling up in your eyes, the weight of his words sinking in. He squeezed your hand, his thumb gently stroking your skin. “I don’t know where I’d be without you. I don’t even want to think about it. Because with you… with our kids… I have everything. I have a home, a family, a love that’s deeper than anything I ever imagined. And it’s all because of you. You make me a better man, a better father. I’m so thankful, every single day, that you’re mine.” The tears spilled over, and you couldn’t help but smile through them, overwhelmed by the depth of his love. He shifted closer, his thumb brushing over your knuckles as he gathered his thoughts. His eyes were misty, his voice carrying a mix of admiration and concern. "Just thank you, baby for trying so hard to persevere. I know it hasn't been easy, dealing with everything you've gone through... your struggles. I can't imagine how hard it's been for you, but I just want you to know how proud I am of you." He cooed gently. You felt a lump form in your throat, the sincerity of his words hitting you deep. Trent reached out, cupping your cheek with his hand, his gaze unwavering and filled with love. "All I could ever want is for you to see yourself the way I see you. I wish you could see the way our babies look at you, baby. The way their faces light up when they see the most beautiful mummy in the whole world. They adore you, YN. They see you as this stunning, loving, strong woman who means everything to them… just like I do." 

“T…” You whimpered, unable to get anything else out. You weren't prepared for this monologue. Tears were streaming down your face at this point. His words wrapping around your heart like a warm embrace. Trent's own eyes were glistening, his emotions raw and open.

"God, I love you so much. Sometimes I still can’t believe how lucky I got, meeting you by chance in New York. How you kept talking to me, even though I was just some lad from across the ocean. I can’t believe you took a chance on me, on us. That you flew all the way to England just to visit me... it feels like a dream sometimes.” Trent babbled with a trembling voice. Frankly you always thought it was more insane he gave you the chance so your pouty lips curled a little bit of smile. He paused, his voice catching in his throat as he struggled to find the words. You could see the depth of his feelings in his eyes, the love and gratitude that overflowed from him. "I’m so incredibly grateful for you, YN. For everything you’ve done, everything you are. You’re the strongest person I know, and I just… I want you to see that. I want you to feel that. Because you are everything to me, to them. Everything." He leaned in, pressing his forehead against yours, his eyes closing as he took a shaky breath. You could feel the warmth of his breath on your skin, his words lingering in the air between you.

"Trent, I… I love you too. So much. More than I can even say." Tears continued to stream down your face. You wrapped your arms around him, pulling him close as the tears fell freely. Trent held you tightly, his embrace firm and full of love. You could feel his heartbeat against your chest, steady and reassuring.

“I will always, always take care of you and our family. You have my heart forever, baby. I’m here and I’m yours and they’re ours. Always” Trent whispered against your hair. In his arms, you felt a sense of peace, a calm that only his presence could bring. You knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, you had each other. And that was more than enough.

“T, I… I don’t even know what to say. You’ve given me so much. You gave me a life I actually wanted. You are my best friend, my confidant, my partner in everything. I love you so much.” You hiccuped through the words as he pulled you closer, his forehead resting against yours as he closed his eyes, savoring the moment.

“I love you more than anything in this world, YN. More than words could ever say. Thank you for everything. For being the mother of our children, for being my partner, my best friend. For being you.” He whispered, echoing you. You wrapped your arms around him, holding him close, feeling the steady beat of his heart against yours. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of his embrace, you knew you were exactly where you were meant to be—loved deeply and completely by the man who meant everything to you.

•

Thank you for reading! Please like, comment, or message what you think of the series. 🐑 🤍

Part 3 out now |The Final

[jonquilyst]

Total Drama Sims: Season 2

That's right, baby! We're back. Is your teenaged sim bored and wanting something epic and awesome to do to spend their summer? Does your teenaged sim want a brush of fame and notoriety? Well, you've come to the right place. Total Drama Sims, the freshest, awesomest reality show on simblr, is back for a 2nd season, and I'm ready for you all to send 14 more teenagers to compete in crazy, wacky challenges (safety/lack of danger not guaranteed) in pursuit of the grand prize!

WHAT'S NEW THIS SEASON?

To keep things fresh, TDS2 will be set in a new location and will have new gameplay mechanics! TDS has claimed an abandoned film lot in Del Sol Valley because this season, our challenges will be based off of movie genres, just like the 2nd season of TDS's inspiration!

As for our new gameplay mechanics, TDS2 will be introducing a double elimination (two people are eliminated rather than one), a team swap elimination (someone is eliminated, but instead of leaving the game, the eliminated person joins the other team), and purge challenges (instead of a vote, the worst-performing contestant of a challenge is automatically eliminated) to mix things up and keep the game interesting!

I am primarily looking for people who did NOT participate last season, or their sim got out early. However, everyone may still participate! I just want as many people as possible to get a chance to have their sim play 💖 A lot of people were interested last time and unfortunately spots filled up so fast that some people weren't able to participate because of it (That being said, to promote transparency, I am now REQUIRING RESERVATIONS! That means if you want to participate, you MUST contact me before submitting your sim. You can do this by DM'ing me or sending an ask).

Read on for a refresher on what this competition is all about and UPDATED submission rules (so if you had a sim compete last season, make sure to read them again!)

THE GIST:

This competition is, obviously, based off of the Total Drama series (a show that’s near and dear to me), but you do not need any background knowledge of this show to participate! The show (and this competition) functions similarly to a Bachelor Challenge, where contestants will be routinely eliminated until there is a sole winner.

This competition will also focus on the contestants building relationships with each other (hence the drama part, which is bound to happen when you put 14 teenagers together!)

SUBMISSION RULES:

Reservations for spots are first-come-first-serve. If for any reason you'd like to give up your reservation, contact me ASAP so I can give that reservation to someone else!

Your sim must be a teen

If you had a sim compete last season, you may not resubmit that same sim. I'm looking for an all-new cast!

No occults; contestants must be human only (to prevent unfair advantages)

Contestants must not have high-level skills (they can have some level of skill but nothing above lvl 5; also to prevent unfair advantages)

Any amount and type of CC is fine, just make sure to include it when you send your sim over to me ^^

Only one outfit per category please

Must be okay with slight changes in sims' appearances (as I may use different mods/presets than you do)

Must be okay with me writing dialogue for your sims (for confessionals (example from last season here). I read all entries down to the word and will try my very best to keep everyone in their intended character)

Must be okay with the possibility of your sim entering romantic relationships with other sims (PLEASE SPECIFY THEIR SEXUALITY/ROMANTIC ORIENTATION. Sims with unspecified sexualities/romantic orientations will be assumed to be pan). Nothing NSFW will be shown or mentioned, as of course I'll be portraying minors, but please let me know if you don't want your sim to enter any romantic relationships!

Please give your sims a backstory. The more detailed the better. Describe what they're like, why they're competing on Total Drama Sims, etc.

Your sim can have any traits/aspirations

HERE IS HOW THE COMPETITION WILL WORK:

The 14 contestants will be split into 2 teams of 7

The 2 teams will compete in challenges in attempt to win invincibility (safety from being voted off). The losing team will have to vote someone off (the winning team will not be part of voting)

This process continues until 7 contestants remain. Afterwards the teams dissolve and everyone competes individually (this is known as merge). This means that only 1 contestant can win invincibility; everyone else will be at risk for elimination

When merge occurs, all eliminated contestants at that point will be eligible to rejoin the game through a special challenge. The winner of that challenge will rejoin the game (bringing the number of contestants back to 8)

This process again continues until 2 contestants remain. In the finale, all eliminated contestants will vote for a winner

Challenges will occur half the time. The other half of the competition will be socialization days, where contestants are free to socialize with each other as they please

The competition will start with a socialization day first to establish relationships before the first challenge

If the numbers between teams get too uneven, then a team swap will occur to one random contestant on the larger team

Voting will be determined by relationship dynamics and how everyone did in the challenge. Contestants who do poorly are more likely to get voted. Contestants who have a negative relationship with each other are also more likely to get voted. Conversely contestants who have a positive relationship with each other are less likely to get voted. The contestant with the most votes at the end is eliminated. All of this will be determined by a spinner (in case of a tie I will use a random number generator to determine who’s out). This will also determine who wins at the end of the competition.

REWARD FOR THE WINNER:

This competition is mostly for the funsies, but whoever wins this competition will personally receive an actual reward from me! You have a choice between the following options:

Discord Nitro for 1 month

A tumblr badge

NO DEADLINE! Submissions will close when all 14 spots are filled/reserved. Please provide your sim's tray files as soon as convenient! (Lmk if you need help with this. I will teach you if you don't know how!)

I will be updating the number of spots reserved periodically and will announce when all 14 spots are taken, but if you're ever unsure, don't be afraid to DM me/send an ask!

That should be it! Please comment, DM me, or send an ask if you have any questions, and feel free to reblog or share this with anyone who might be interested in participating!

[museqmeg]

I had a few people ask about my Trigun collection so I decided to do a little...

✨Figure Feature Friday✨

Up first - Wolfwood!

Sculpted by Asai Masaki and distributed by Kaiyodo in 2000. I love this figure because it's one of two canon moments where he has a choker.

He comes with his Punisher, its wrap, a cross-shaped base, multiple heads & hands to exchange, extra handguns, and... his confessional! I especially love the "Traveling Chapel" tag and E.G the Mine's grave. Lots of cool details and manga nods throughout.

This series of figures was made and sold in anticipation of the PS2 game, "Trigun: The Planet Gunsmoke." The Trigun video game that never was.

[hughjidiot]

Total Drama Level Up: Chapter Five Sneak Peak

ETA on chapter five of Total Drama Level Up will be sometime next week. So here's a sneak peak for anyone interested.

On the other side of the warehouse, the seven Turtles rode off: Nichelle and Caleb to the south, Julia and Raj to the center, and the remaining three into the north. The low rumbling of wheels and tires on cement echoed as Zee, MK and Lauren looked around, carefully scanning the skatepark set pieces for any glowing lights and finding none.

“We should probably further split up if we want to cover more ground,” Lauren said after a few seconds.

“Good call, but let’s not go far,” Zee said, nodding in one direction. “I’ll check over that-a way.”

He angled his body to turn, pushing himself along the ground to give him more speed as he rounded a free-standing wooden wall.

“I’ll check this way,” MK said, steering her bike towards a cluster of smooth metal picnic tables. As she rode off, out of the corner of her eye she saw Lauren gliding along next to her. “Hey, you got any idea where they hid those t-shirt canons?”

Lauren shook her head. “’Fraid not. They must’ve placed those while I was messing with the equipment.”

“Damn. Ah well.” MK kept pedaling towards the picnic tables. She noticed that Lauren was still rolling in the same direction with her. “Thought we were splitting up. Did you uh, need something?”

Lauren hummed and shrugged. “We’re partners now, right? This the part where we get to know each other, or…?”

“You expecting us to braid each other’s hair while we gossip about boys, or some crap like that?” MK asked flatly. She shook her head. “We may be in an alliance, but don’t think that makes us friends. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I don’t do the whole ‘buddy’ business.”

“Oh?” Lauren kept smiling as she quirked an eyebrow. “You seem to get along just fine with Julia.”

MK snorted. “That’s ‘cause she’s cool, unlike the rest of you losers.”

“Heh, it was fun watching the last seasons back and seeing her mess with everyone,” Lauren admitted.

By now the girls reached the picnic tables, spaced randomly apart and sitting at different angles. The girls rode between them, watching to see if any were glowing.

“So question, from one girl to another,” Lauren said, “what’s the deal with you and Julia anyways?”

Now it was MK’s turn to look at her quizzically. “Deal? We’re friends, what else is there to know? We make a sick team and ran the island for most of season two.”

“And you’ve been hanging out in person after season two,” Lauren stated.

“You haven’t been stalking us again, have you?” MK asked right away, giving her a slightly-disturbed look.

Lauren rolled her eyes. “Oh relax, I’m talking about your Let’s Plays and livestreams. Heard through the fandom grapevine about your gaming channel and checked out your horror playthroughs. Loved your Sweet Home VII series by the way, very nice work.”

~~~

“Check me out @mkplays,” MK said in the confessional closest. “What? If Chase, Emma and Julia can shamelessly promote themselves then so can I, dammit.”

~~~

“Oh.” MK blinked in pleasant surprise. “Well thanks. Yeah, turned out me and Jules both lived in the greater Toronto area so we… started hanging out. There some law of reality TV against contestants keeping in touch?”

“Not at all, I know for a fact a bunch of us do. But from what I’ve seen on social media at least, only a few go out of their way to meet up in person, not counting the Hockey Bros of course. Bowie and Raj, Caleb and Priya, Ripper and Axel, you and Julia…” Lauren trailed off and shrugged again. “Just an interesting pattern I noticed, that’s all.”

With that Lauren finally veered away from MK, rolling off. MK brought her bike to a stop, a perplexed look on her face.

“… the hell she talking about? Pattern?” MK muttered. She ran through the list of names in her head. “I mean those other three are just-”

Her eyebrows shot up as realization struck like a speeding freight train. She narrowed her eyes at the back of Lauren’s head.

Lauren gave a brief glance over her shoulder, her smile morphing into a smirk for a fraction of a second.

[edenfenixblogs]

Hello Eden (is it okay to call you that?)

Do you have any current favourite songs? What kind of music do you generally listen to?

And do you have any favourite books? What kind of books do you like to read?

If you are okay with sharing, no pressure.

Sending you love and strength ❤️

Ah!!! Thanks for this ask @sunnenfinster! What a lovely change of pace.

Eden is fine!!!!!

Ok, so I love music and books!

Of all broad genres of entertainment media, music is probably what I follow least closely. It’s not that I don’t like it; I just am always behind the curve in my tastes. I love listening to most confessional singer/songwriters. I love folk, rock, pop, and rap. I also get a lot of music I like from the background of media like TV, Movies, and podcasts. In general, I love confessional singer-songwriters from any genre.

Fave singers (and the albums I’d recommend from them: songs I’d recommend from that album [notes]):

Jem (Finally Woken: Come on Closer, Falling for You, Just a Ride). All songs on this album rock, to me.

Sheryl Crow (Sheryl Crow: A Change Would Do You Good, [about choosing love over anger and stopping gun violence], Redemption Day [about the Bosnian war], Maybe Angels [could be about aliens or being in a cult idk but it’s a good song about misplaced belief] I love every song on this album tbh. Wall-to-wall bangers.

Missy Elliot (Under Construction: Gossip Folks, Work it)

Suzanne Vega (99.9 F: 99.9 F, Blood Makes Noise, Rock in the Pocket, When Heroes Go Down)

Artists and songs I like in general: Aimee Mann (her voice is like butter and I could listen to her sing forever); Eliza Rickman: Pretty Little Head; Sims: Icarus; Dessa: Call Off Your Ghost; Sifu Hotman: Matches (I know no other songs by this artist but I LOVE this one so much. I’m gonna go listen to it right now); Lorde: Yellow Flicker Beat; Björk: Human Behavior; G Flip: Hyperfine, Gay 4 Me, Killing My Time; Aimee Mann: That’s Just What You Are [I love Aimee’s voice and could listen to her sing the phone book. All songs off her Magnolia Album are amazing too]

And gosh. So many more…

As for books!!!! OMG! I love books so much. I love so many different kinds of books. Some fave genres include: Classic Lit, Magical Realism, Sci-fi/Fantasy/Speculative Fiction; Engaging YA Series, Historical Fiction; Culinary History and Analysis; and Mythological Retellings

Classic Lit Faves:

“To The Lighthouse” by Virginia Woolf [This contains my fave quote in all of literature. This could also never be adequately adapted into a movie. It’s a fascinating look into how people think and how we all process internal thoughts. Must be comfortable with long sentences, semicolons, and allowing sentence clauses to wash over you like ocean waves in order to enjoy this book]

“Cider with Rosie” by Laurie Lee

“All Quiet on the Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque

“The Portable Dorothy Parker” by Dorothy Parker

“The Odyssey” by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson

“The Iliad” by Homer — both Emily Wilson’s Translation and Stanley Lombardo’s Translation

Magical Realism

“The House of the Spirits” by Isabelle Allende

“Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter” by Mario Vargas Llosa

“Bless Me Última” by Rudolfo Anaya

“Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel

SFF Faves:

“An Absolutely Remarkable Thing” and “A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor” by Hank Green

“The Martian” by Andy Weir

The Tiffany Aching line of the Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett (“The Wee Free Men,” “I Shall Wear Midnight,” “A Hat Full of Sky,” and “Wintersmith”)

“The Locked Tomb” Series by Tamsyn Muir (“Gideon the Ninth,” “Harrow the Ninth,” “Nona the Ninth” so far)

Engaging YA

“The Hunger Games” Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

“Grishaverse” Series by Leigh Bardugo

“Shadow and Bone Triogy” (related to the Grishaverse) by Leigh Bardugo [note: I didn’t know until making this list that Leigh Bardugo is an Israeli Jew! Very cool]

Historical Fiction:

“Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe” by Fannie Flagg [the associated cookbook is very good. Also, you’ll never eat ribs the same again]

“Tracks” by Louise Erdrich [one of the most interestingly written books I’ve ever read. Has two dueling narrators. This is part of a series of books but can be read as a standalone]

Culinary Analysis History

Bree Wilson’s books (“First Bite: How We Learn to Eat,” “Consider the Fork,” and “The Way We Eat Now,” specifically) are some of the best out there. [I didn’t realize until a couple weeks ago that Bee Wilson and the classicist translator Emily Wilson are sisters! They are both extremely smart, engaging writers.]

“Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan

“An Edible History of Humanity” by Tom Standage

“Food: A Cultural Culinary History” by Ken Albala (this one is a Great Courses course, so not technically a book. But it’s available most places you can get audiobooks. And it’s what got me fascinated with this subject)

Mythological Retellings

“Circe” and “The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

“The Silence of the Girls” and “The Women of Troy” by Pat Barker [TW Rape]

“Norse Mythology” by Neil Gaiman

Genre Defy-ers

(These are some of my All Time Faves that can’t really be confined to any genre)

The “Outlander” Series by Diana Gabaldon [and the related “Lord John” Series by the same author] (TW: for Rape)

“The Anthropocene Reviewed” by John Green

Just Finished Reading

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” by Truman Capote (Wow it was so good. I haven’t seen the movie in a while but I seriously doubt they adapted it faithfully. It was so surprising!!!)

Currently Reading

“Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie

Selections From My To Be Read List

“The City of Brass” by S.A. Chakraborty

“Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus

“The Source” by James Michener

“The Secret of Cooking” by Bee Wilson

“Equal Rites” by Terry Pratchett

“A Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England” by Ian Mortimer

“What You Are Looking For Is In The Library” by Michiko Aoyama

“The Doomsday Book” by Connie Willis

I also love to read cookbooks from various cultures to gain insight into those cultures in a very tactile way.

Sending you love and gratitude! 💜💜💜💜

I’m always down to discuss books!

[nerdieforpedro]

Weekend Update - 01/07/2024

Nerdie! Happy New Year! How was your first week of 2024?

….I could have used more sleep, but it wasn’t horrible. Just okay overall. There were a few high points. I'm getting organized in life and in fanfiction.

That's a good thing. You're taking your planning seriously? This is The Way. So what's on the way? *laughs at their poor joke*

Don't abuse The Way like that. It's to be respected! But that did earn a giggle. Anyway...

1. The New Year began with all the Pickled Peñas! The @pickled-pena challenge fics were posted on 01/01 but by using the tag: trickle pickle you can still write a Pickled Peña fic if you so choose until January 31st. All Pickle Peña fics are listed here.

2. I finished my Space smut with feelings series Sard’ika Sessions. 🥰 You never forget your first series. It’s quite special, I feel I represented Din well and bent The Creed but didn’t remove any helmets prematurely. I put in all the feelings I wanted (because smut can have feelings too!) And Din saying the things that I giggled and squealed as I wrote them. 😘 This is The Way. Din had his way, all the ways. 🥰

3. Working on WIPs via the WIP Tag/Ask game which @trulybetty got me into. I thank her for including me. I may need to work on some of those titles.

Pedro characters from the WIP list include:

Dave York (4 from the list - guess which ones)

Marcus Pike (has 2)

Dieter Bravo (has 3)

Frankie Morales (@i-own-loki he's not dying)

Joel Miller (Frankie and he are tied for one each)

Din Djarin (one as well)

New characters to my writing:

Benny Miller (one listed, 2-3 not listed)

Santiago Garcia (two listed)

When I turn my brain off after coming home. I note different ideas or vibes I had. Sometimes there's bullet points, sentences or just a few words and a description. @tinytinymenace also has this same issue.

Well, there are three people to thank for plunge into the York Pit. The first, is @goodwithcheese with her asks to be about Dave which lead me to write 3-4 paragraphs to each ask. Also her end of the year confessional. Which is hilarious because apparently the way I misspelled someone’s name (I won’t say who, I feel embarrassed about it still 😣) was specific to me. It should also be noted, that maybe one of the two people I’ll mention next reblogged it saying they may know who it is and to DM them. So subtle, and I laughed because my reaction was, “How did they know?!” 🤣 The person who pointed out the spelling error was @for-a-longlongtime who should be a PI 🕵️ and had encouraged me to start writing the Dave cat-mouse fic. As for the reblog, that was the sweet @legendary-pink-dot who I’m not sure if it was my spelling mistake or the way I write. Special mention goes to @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin for her recent Dave York fic Inamorata

So your friends seem extremely observant!

That they are! If you want to learn about physics, keeping track of where body parts are and tantalizing smut you read Adi’s Nothing that I Didn’t Know she’s going to have more and we’re going to need all the hydration. Dot ran the Catfish Pond PhD Degree program in 2023. She knows our dear Frankie “Catfish” Morales exceptionally well, every curl and freckle I’m pretty sure. Both very smart and eagle- eyed ladies. 👀

Sounds like we should check both of them out! They sound like a blast!

They both are! And so is Megan when she and @trulybetty when they aren’t trying to get us all under control and herd cats and organize things. 😅 Or maybe they are with threats usually, but nice ones. You gotta be there.

We don’t know what to make of that. We’re concerned but intrigued.

As am I most of the time. It’s a good place to be. 😎

Making her update long enough, Hornado hooligan departs!

Wait, what does that name mean?

Ask @mysterious-moonstruck-musings and @undercoverpena they know, they’re both menaces. ❤️❤️

Love Nerdie 💕

[beevean]

It’s me ya boy uhhh you know who… Or maybe you don’t 😎

Enjoying media has been so much more fun and relaxing when I’m not so aggressively focused on oh no is this this character… Problematic?! Like it’s genuinely so refreshing and fun, this has nothing to do with your fandoms but there’s a character I absolutely adore the aesthetics and concept of but was afraid to truly enjoy because of like… Incest in his story-

I’m genuinely so open and happy now, I do not view the world of fiction as a personal threat

Sorry I keep using your asks as an anonymous confessional I’m just not ready to be open about this stuff 😭

Hello mysterious friend :P

Yay, I'm happy for you! I don't know if you've read this post, but it put into words something that had been rotating in my mind for a while, about the mental templates and how strong or weak they are, depending on age and familiarity with certain topics and surely other factors. You know when people say "8 seasons of Game of Thrones didn't suddenly convince all of its fans that it's a-ok to bang your sibling"? This is why. Even one of the most popular series in recent history cannot rewire the population's mentality over something as radicated as "murder, incest and pedophilia are bad".

So enjoy your faves and your problematic™ stories without feeling the need to justify yourself to anyone and without feeling like you're a terrible person :D

[minkdelovely]

S L O W B U R N / P I N I N G.... you're so fucking good at that 😭♥️

But I feel like you create great suspense and build up to a situation, no matter what happens! Unease, smut, anger, etc. Etc. YOURE A FUCKING FABULOUS WRITER. LOVE YOU, IM GOING BACK TO WORK NOW 🫠♥️

THE WAY I COULD FUCKING READ THIS FOREVERRR OMGGG 😩❤️‍🔥 THANK YOU DANNY — I LOVE YOU TOO 🥺

i simply can’t help it… i work a desk job, but pining/yearning is my pro bono side hustle 😂 like… isn’t the pain of wanting so exquisite? 😈

i want to swim in the ocean of feelings (says me, the capricorn moon). make your heart and lungs tight from anticipation or disappointment. pull your hair out from excitement or frustration. make you weep tears of joy or heartbreak. hopefully i have accomplished some of these — and if i haven’t well… tell me in the kindest way possible how i may accomplish the task lmaoo

thank you so much for this compliment my darling, you always shower me with so much love and i don’t take it for granted 🥺💖 and for anyone who hasn’t ummm… 🗣️ GO CHECK OUT DANNY’S FICS PLEASE ❤️‍🔥 lots of goodies to be found but might i recommend the confessional series, if you’re feeling sacrilegious and thirsty for nun alastor? 😈🙏🏻

referring to this ask game ✨ feel free to send something in; doesn’t have to be fic related either 🥰

@sugoi-writes MASTERLIST 😮‍💨🙏🏻❤️‍🔥

[nysocboy]

Pretty Dudes: Gay Asian erasure, Spiderman, a car hookup, and hamburger sex. All in 11-13 minutes.

 I wanted to know how Carlin James, who is apparently straight, got cast on  Pretty Dudes, a webseries about a group of  gay guys sharing a house in West Hollywood and negotiating life, love, sex, and race.  He appears as CJ in four episodes, but unless the titles have changed, only one of Carlin's episodes is streaming on Amazon Prime: 1.9, "All American Type."

Scene 1:  Hustler Jay (Tae Song) and photographer Zario (Brian Michael Nunez) are playing video games when a shirtless Spiderman approaches, announcing that he has super powers now, and can protect the queens.  How special, girlfriend.

Scene 2: Flashback to the day before. We hear Elijah (Carlin James) envisioning oral sex. Psych!  He's talking about a hamburger.  Not a hot dog?

Gregory  (Leo Lam, left) enters from the kitchen and, annoyed, tells him to just eat it, but he continues making sexy sounds.  Wait --according to his page on the IMDB, Carlin plays CJ, but according to the tv series page...heck with it. 

Scene 3: Reality tv confessional room.  Model Sunji  (Yoshi Sudarno, left) confesses that he doesn't understand photographer Zario because he doesn't act gay.  But he'snot normal, so Sunji just tries to be a good friend.

Cut to photographer Zario getting ready for his first job "since the breakup," filming a podcast hosted by artist Kito (Chance Calloway). 

Scene 4: Model Sunji cooking shirtless.  He sees a spider and freaks out. 

More after the break

In another room, the podcast has begun.  From left to right, the hamburger oral sex guy CJ/Elijah; host Kito; and Samuel.  Out of the shot, Gregory, the "just eat it" guy, and Zario, filming them.

 They get high, giggle, and discuss the gay Asian-American experience:  

The problem is, in school, people of color are taught as relics of a bygone era.  Marco Polo visits China,  Japanese-Americans are sent to internment camps during World War II, and that's the last you hear of any Asian person.  They cease to exist. "So Hollywood can't acknowledge us in contemporary roles.  They think of us as relics." So is it the gay Asian-American actor experience? 

Scene 5:  Business law student Ellington  (Xavier Avila) sits in a car. His date, pretending to be a prostitute, asks "What you looking for, Handsome?" 

"Just get your butt in the car," Ellington says, annoyed.

So, what should they do on their date?  First they have to rush over to the guys' house: "I got a text saying that Sunji was trying to burn the place down,"   He's still trying to swat the spider in the kitchen?

Back to the podcast: If a role is described as "an all-American type," don't even bother. to audition. They want a white guy.

Back to the kitchen: Hustler Jay comes in, hears about the spider, and jumps onto a counter. 

Scene 6: Back to the podcast.  Instead of watching Friends, you could be watching Living Single, but you don't, because you are programmed to identify with white people. Or you could watch something from this century.

Samuel continues: "We are all able-bodied straight males, so we could be cast in The X-Men, but we won't be, because Hollywood thinks only white guys can be heroes."  Wait -- I thought these guys were all gay. Maybe it's a podcast on the Asian-American acting experience, with some straight guys who don't actually live in the house. Gregory  points out that he's gay, "So your assumption of privilege is already faulty." He continues: we can be privileged in one identity and marginalized in another. 

CJ/Elijah agrees:  We've been programmed to believe that we can only concentrate on one injustice at a time.  So you can be Asian or gay, but you can't be both. But we need to work on all forms of oppression.

Concluding thoughts: CJ/Elijah wants more Asian representation in mass media. Samuel wants to see an Asian superhero movie.  Gregory wants the revolution to be intersectional. 

Scene 8: Gamer Alexander (Kyle Rezzedy),enters the kitchen. Now there are three shirtless guys cringing in fear of the spider. He must be the one who got bitten, and thinks, or pretends to think, that it gave him Spiderman-type powers "to protect the queens." And it cleverly ties in the "Asian Superhero" reference in the podcast. The end

Beefcake: The guys have their shirts off most of the time. No nude photos outside paywalls except for "coyly covering the penis" shots.

Diversity: All but one of the guys is Asian.

West Hollywood:  No exteriors. 

Gay Characters: I thought this was about gay guys sharing a house, but according to the fan wiki, hustler Jay, the one fighting the spider, and business student Ellington, the one whose date pretended to be a prostitute, are straight.   

What about CJ/ Elijah:  He doesn't live in the house; he just came over for the podcast. But Gregory cooked him a hamburger, so they must be boyfriends, right?  Or it's a misdirection:  Cj/Elijah got the burger somewhere else, and he's messing with Gregory by acting like it's a penis that he intends to go down on.  I can't tell.

My Grade: Hearing about the experiences of Asian-American actors was interesting, but a spider in the kitchen seemed a little weak for a B plot, even in an 11-minute episode. And there were too many misdirections.  Do straight guys really spend a lot of time pretending that they want to have sex with their gay friends?   The guys being shirtless throughout was a plus. B

The full review, with nude photos, is on RG Beefcake and Boyfriends

[surreality51]

Hi, I just wanted to say your ask to Emungere is the reason I have fallen in to the Fedal rabbit hole - so thank you!! I would NEVER have looked them up if I'm not following the Hannibal fandom and her Tumblr. I know next to nothing about tennis in real life but two days ago I saw the hand holding and shirtless posts (among others) from you...My heart just goes to Rafa :D I am now completely converted and wanted to read/watch everything about them. Any suggestions where I should start? Thanks!

Welcome, anon!

I just joined two months ago myself, so I'm new too, but so far everyone on tennisblr has been lovely. I've also delved headlong into Fedal, and there is a ton of great content you can sink your teeth into. I'll put everything I know in this long post, but tennis mutuals feel free to jump in with more recs!

Tumblr peeps

Cool people to follow on tumblr <-everyone on @hubillusion's list is awesome

@tennisandlife is another awesome blog to follow, even though they stopped posting in 2020. I literally spent 3 hours going through their archive, there is SO MUCH quality Fedal content.

@tennis-out-of-context is also fun, although it's not exclusively Fedal content.

Books on Federer and/or Nadal

Rafa: My Story by Rafael Nadal and John Carlin. A must-read for any Rafa fan. Rafa in his own words, through 2011. What I love most is getting Rafa's insights into his own game, his approach and preparation for matches, his journey.

The Master: The Long Run and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer by Christopher Clarey. Probably the most comprehensive Federer biography to date, published in August 2021. Clarey traces the development of Federer from boyhood to 2020 in an attempt to figure out the how and why of Federer. Along the way you get a lot of insights into Roger's game, his team, but Roger himself still remains somewhat inscrutable and untouchable. Not unlike the man himself. If you contrast this to the confessional approach in Rafa, where you actually get into Rafa's head, you could make the argument that the distance in The Master is due to the difference between biography vs autobiography, but I also think it's very fitting for Rafa's personality vs Roger's. Still, given the challenge of the task, Clarey does a commendable job in attempting to unravel Federer. A must-read for any Roger fan.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal: The Lives and Careers of Two Tennis Legends by Sebastian Fest (2018). This was the third book I read, and I assumed that it would retread much of the content from the other two books, but I was pleasantly surprised. Sure, the book rehashes many of the key moments in their rivalry, such as Wimbledon 2008, but it also covers a lot of the behind-the-scenes things that the other two books don't--things like the ATP Players Council and Roger/Rafa's political fallout in 2011-12, Rafa's knee injuries and treatments, how the anti-doping measures impact players, etc. A good supplement that gives an interesting view into the challenges of being a professional tennis player.

I haven't read the following yet, but I'm hoping to get my hands on them soon:

Roger Federer: The Biography by Rene Stauffer

The Roger Federer Effect: Rivals, Friends, Fans and How the Maestro Changed Their Lives by Simon Cambers, Simon Graf

Fedegraphica: A Graphic Biography of the Genius of Roger Federer by Mark Hodgkinson

(I love Rafa, but you can probably guess which half of Fedal comes out on top for me)

Fanfics

I'm not going to recommend specific fics, but rather favorite writers on AO3. Any Fedal from these writers is awesome, you can't go wrong.

Mystivy - everything from mystivy is the best. I just finished reading the "Joy" series, which is simply beautiful. Only parts 1 and 2 are written; part 3 looks like it was never posted so it's technically an incomplete series. 

emungere - you know emungere, so no need for me to explain how amazing her writing is. "Wild Card" is the fic I needed when I first dived into Fedal. You must be logged in on AO3 to view emungere’s tennis rpf.

rilla - "The Long Experience of Love" is probably my favorite Fedal fic overall, even though it's an abandoned WIP.

Serenade - mostly ficlets, but each one is incredibly insightful and makes you go "oof."  “Tennis Is Not A Game You Play Alone” has my favorite line from any Fedal fic: Rafa met his gaze, dark eyes unreadable. "I would rather lose to you," he said, "than win everything in a world where you never exist."

eliane - I haven’t actually read any of eliane’s fics but I’ve seen multiple recs, so this is next on my to-read list. Must be logged in to read on AO3.

louise_lux - I also haven’t read any of louise_lux’s solo work, but I read the joint fics she co-wrote with emungere and they were fuckin’ hot. Also on my to-read list.

Video

Strokes of Genius - feature-length documentary of the 2008 Wimbledon final. You can find it on YouTube (here's one link but not sure it works. I watched it on these links: part 1, part 2, part 3) Also the Rafa and Roger bonus features.

Rafael Nadal Academy - 4-episode documentary series on Amazon Prime. Takes you into the daily life and operations of Rafa’s tennis academy in Manacor. You meet the staff there and follow the stories of 8 students who are pursuing their tennis dreams. And of course you see Rafa in the episodes too, but it’s primarily about the academy. I wish they would do a season 2.

The bazillion videos from 2017, 2019, and 2022 Laver Cup on YouTube. Fedal played doubles in 2017 and 2022, and were supposed to play doubles in 2019 but Rafa got a wrist injury.

Roger Federer: Everywhere Is Home: documentary of Federer’s 2019 Latin America exhibition tour, produced by ESPN: Vimeo

Roger Federer: The Reunion: documentary of the 2020 Match in Africa charity exhibition match with Rafael Nadal. Available for rent or purchase on Vimeo

NBC/Credit Suisse documentary about the art installation project that Roger was part of: Portrait of a Champion

Rafa Nadal Academy’s Instagram has tons of videos and photos of Rafa as well. Here’s a video about when Roger visited the Academy for its grand opening in October 2016. You can find other videos from the grand opening on YouTube, like the press conference and speeches.

I want to say that there’s a 20-min or 40-min documentary about Federer vs Nadal in the 2017 Australian Open produced by AO Films or something like that, but I can’t find it now. :( Maybe other tennisblr folks can help? Found it!

YouTube also has highlights or full matches online. I recommend 2008 Wimbledon final, 2017 Australian Open final, and 2019 Wimbledon semifinal, and their associated press conferences/interviews.

Miscellaneous

ASAP Sports Transcripts does the English transcripts of pre & post-match press conferences for multiple sports, including tennis. Here’s the archive of Federer’s press conference transcripts and here’s Nadal’s.

Rafa’s diary from his old website (copied by someone on LiveJournal for posterity). 

I read somewhere that Rafa wrote a couple of tour diaries or blogs for the ATP tour way bay when as well, but I can’t find them. Tennis mutuals, any help? Is that the same as the link to Rafa’s diary from his old website?

Rafa Nadal Fans website - I haven’t really looked at this, but at first glance it looks like a ton of Rafa content.

Stalk Follow them on official social media accounts for Roger, Rafa, Severin Luthi, Rafa Nadal Academy, etc.

Tons of interviews and articles from major publications such as New York Times, Sports Illustrated, GQ, you name it. Just google “Roger Federer cover story” or “Rafael Nadal interview.” There’s also the tons of interviews and articles in Spanish, French (L’Equipe), German (Blick, Tages-Anzeiger), etc, some of which you can translate on Google Translate.

[tayfabe75]

What do you think Taylor's movie is going to be about?

Fun question! I have very little to go on, here, but it seems Taylor has been described as a confessional, autobiographical, and "self-mythologizing" songwriter, often referring to her works as her "diary". She has mentioned wanting to elevate her music beyond just an audio experience, so perhaps it will be an extension of her pre-existing work in some way. That would be my best guess, as well, since she seems very proud of the "house" she has built, and it seems to be that her body of work so far has been telling the same story (her own).

Of course, I think most writers do this, at least to some degree, giving rise to the old adage "write what you know". Even when it comes to "fictional" albums like Folklore, the details or characters may not directly mirror her life, but she is still channeling real, raw emotion into those songs (also rumored to be the case for the upcoming TTPD, too!) Oh! She also wrote a whole damned novel when she was a preteen, so maybe it'll be an edited or adapted version of that?

There was a rumor that there'd be an upcoming series inspired by her experiences with her exes (taken with a huge grain of salt). But it's more likely that she focuses on something with themes of feminism, womanhood, self-acceptance, or maybe even the trauma around her sexual assault trial. These are all huge topics that seem near and dear to her heart that she might want to lend her voice and power to. But then… Taylor is also quite lighthearted and silly! And seems to love romcoms and providing escapism for her fans. If it's fictional, I hope it's something romantic and funny and a little offbeat.

Though, I admit, I often daydream of another documentary, 'The Heartbreak Prince', perhaps…? 👀 Maybe she's even filming it right now! I've heard she brings a film crew with her to the suites when she attends NFL games... But to be honest, I'm not super interested in football, so I don't pay much attention to that (big fan of The 1975 though!) Thanks for the ask!

[ramtracking]

Lakers takeaways: Why Anthony Davis and LeBron James weren't good enough in Game 1 [ Nikola Jokić ]

Lakers takeaways: Why Anthony Davis and LeBron James weren’t good enough in Game 1 [Highlights] The Lakers’ poor shooting and transition defense were part of the reason the team lost Game 1 of their playoff series against Denver Nuggets… A typical press conference for Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham turned into a bit of an embarrassing confessional when Ham was asked how… After mixed results…

[rockislandadultreads]

In Memoriam: Julie Garwood (1946-2023)

For the Roses by Julie Garwood

1879. In Blue Belle, Montana, everyone knew better than to mess with the Claybornes. The brothers had once been a mismatched gang of street urchins—until they found an abandoned baby girl in a New York city alley, named her Mary Rose, and headed west to raise her to be a lady. They became a family—held together by loyalty and love if not by blood—when suddenly they faced a crisis that threatened to tear them apart....

Trouble came to town with one Lord Harrison Stanford MacDonald. Armed with a swagger and six-shooter, he cut a striking figure—but it soon became apparent to Mary Rose that he was too much of a gentleman to make it in her rough-and-tumble town. She asked her brothers to teach him the basics of frontier survival, which he acquired with ease. And soon he possessed a deep and desperate love for Mary Rose. She returned his affection wholeheartedly... until MacDonald revealed a secret that challenged everything she believed about herself, her life, and her newfound love. Now her search for identity and meaning would begin, raising questions that could only be answered if she listened to the truth within her heart....

This is the first volume in “The Clayborne Brides” series. 

Heartbreaker by Julie Garwood 

“Bless me father, for I will sin. . . .” In the still shadows of the confessional, a madman tauntingly reveals his plan for a murder he is going to commit, pulling Father Thomas Madden into a twisted game by disclosing his next intended victim: Tom’s sister, Laurant. In a frantic race to protect her, Tom calls upon his best friend, elite FBI agent Nick Buchanan, to track the predator who is closing in on Laurant. Now, as an electrifying attraction grows between Laurant and Nick, so does the danger—and one false move will cost both of them everything that matters.

This is the first volume in the “Buchanan-Renard” series. 

Shadow Music by Julie Garwood

For Princess Gabrielle of St. Biel, Scotland is a land of stunning vistas, wild chieftains, treacherous glens, and steep shadows--skullduggery, betrayal, and now murder. Prized for her exquisite beauty, the daughter of one of England's most influential barons, Gabrielle is also a perfect bargaining chip for a king who needs peace in the Highlands: King John has arranged Gabrielle's marriage to a good and gentle laird. But this marriage will never take place.

For Gabrielle, everything changes in one last burst of freedom--when she and her guards come upon a scene of unimaginable cruelty. With one shot from her bow and arrow, Gabrielle takes a life, saves a life, and begins a war.

Within days, the Highlands are aflame with passions as a battle royal flares between enemies old and new. Having come to Scotland to be married, Gabrielle is instead entangled in Highland intrigue. For two sadistic noblemen, underestimating Gabrielle's bravery and prowess may prove fatal. But thanks to a secret Gabrielle possesses, Colm MacHugh, the most feared man in Scotland, finds a new cause for courage. Under his penetrating gaze, neither Gabrielle's body nor heart is safe.

This is the third volume in the “Highlands’ Lairds” series. 

Grace Under Fire by Julie Garwood

Grace Isabel MacKenna had a hundred things to do today. Killing someone wasn’t one of them. It was supposed to be a quick visit to Boston for the Buchanan anniversary party, then on to Scotland to collect an inheritance. She checks into the hotel and then decides to go for a brisk walk. But after getting lost she ends up with a wounded man stumbling into her arms, and then his shooter coming after them both. When she fires back in self-defense, she doesn’t expect him to drop dead. Thanks to the Buchanans dispatching Navy SEAL and now a lawyer Michael Buchanan to help her deal with the police, Isabel endures hours of interrogation and is finally free to go.

Isabel knows she should be grateful for Michael’s help, but since she’s harbored an extreme dislike for him for years, gratitude is difficult to muster. Michael has appointed himself her de facto guardian, and she’s stuck with him despite their constant bickering and sizzling attraction. Even when Isabel goes to Scotland to claim her inheritance, Michael follows her, but he isn’t the only thing she can’t shake. Mysterious threats against Isabel surface, and before they can deal with their growing feelings for each other, Michael and Isabel must first survive.

This is the 14th volume in the “Buchanan-Renard” series.

[puckpocketed]

Early 2023. It was the week we were covering creative nonfiction. We’d gotten a taste of Joan Didion, I’d begun to wade through Anthony Bourdain, and by way of their demo tapes I was coming to the conclusion that fiction and prose just wasn’t for me — that maybe my craft would always lead me to the confessional, the glorified diary entry. Like Helen Garner, I quickly realised there’d be casualties if I carried on.

Auto-theory positions the writer — their stories and opinions and personhood — as the pathos that breathes life to their thesis; the gateway into discourses and philosophies that would otherwise be dry and inaccessible. I’m of the mind that you don’t sway people to your cause by citing a statistic; you tell them a story about why that number matters. But if, as Garner says, “It’s impossible to write intimately about your own life without revealing something of the people who are close to you,” I wondered how I was going to manage without somehow misrepresenting people, harming them, plucking their likeness and using it as packing material.

March 20, 2024 - THE ETHICS QUESTION, a seminar reflection I wrote. thoughts under the cut.

minutes in, I have to pause. okay, you know how physics has the big questions of Grand Unifying Theory + The Origin of The Universe; and how neuroscience seeks, on some level, to figure out consciousness; and so on for every given field? my thing is writing and I write about real people. life writing, memoir, autotheory, diary, confessional, biography, rpf — it’s all under that big umbrella of people telling stories about people. MY big question from the second I figured out I wanted to write from life has been about how to do so with a mind towards ethics. How do you tread upon that kind of ground? it all sprawls outward once I leave the private, unpublished pages of my drafts. How do you write a person you don’t know ethically? Do you shoot for faithfulness to the image they put out, do you go looking deeper for a truer “truth”, do you consider their right to privacy fair game if they’re famous or if you are making art? or perhaps this is a person you know intimately, weighed against the understanding that completeness and fidelity to the reality of them is impossible. a dead person, a person who is alive and hasn’t given you permission — do you think in those semantics? that dead person’s family, have they given you permission? or do you even need permission here, are blessings good to have but not mandatory, what do you leave on the table if you don’t have permission? and i suppose for the sake of asking: what use is it dwelling upon the feelings of the dead? a thousand other questions from that one question alone. And every time I engage with documentary, biography, any art that seeks to represent someone’s personhood, I ask them. this is not about condemning the series, it’s not even about the series. as always, when I’m writing, I’m writing about me even when I write about others.

Hobey Baker was a real man. I think about this as I listen to the podcast host recount the painstaking efforts that went into reconstructing his life; “expert” testimony, going through his letters. I don’t know how to feel yet. This wasn’t about coming to conclusions. here are some conclusions I’ve figured out from asking my contemporaries and mentors:

I asked myself. In class, I asked my tutor. Later, in an entirely different class, I asked again during a guest lecture. Not too long after that, at a writing conference, I asked a speaker again during the allotted question time. At the Blaze Exhibit right after that, I asked someone else. Writers are the same animal. Reading Garner is like having those conversations all over again: “This has always been an ethical problem for me, and it always will be. Scour and scourge my motives as I may, consciousness always lags behind action—sometimes by years. Self-awareness is studded with blind spots. Writing, it seems, like the bringing up of children, can’t be done without causing damage.”

Some answers I’ve gathered:

We police ourselves.

We write in good faith.

Probably, damage will be done regardless.

Everyone has their own form of calculus that dictates where the line is. Value of the story, proportional to who it is hurting, which correlates with xyz… and about a hundred other juggled variables.

That line isn’t so much a line as it is a weird, hazy mirage in the distance. We’re walking toward an understanding of it. We won’t ever arrive.

okay. listening to the hobey baker podcast series.

[slightlyrebelliouswriter23]

Let's go with....Six Of Crows for the series ask. Please ma' am

omg okay it's been a minute but....

❤ favourite male: kaz brekker

❤ favourite female: inej ghafa

❤ favourite pairing: kanej 🥺

✖ least favourite character: ummm van eck?

✔ most like me: jesper fahey. definitely.

❤ most attractive: nina zenik 😍

❤ three more characters that i like: oh boy i guess that'd have to be matthias helvar, wylan van eck, and colm fahey.

book series confessionals ❤️