#shuts off in 30 minutes so thats not an option either

[vagonca-rigo]

i really want to be more active...pretty much everywhere and in many ways but the heat is making me feel really weak

[deathsficbin]

Foxiyo Week; Routine

First off, thank you @foxiyoweek for hosting Foxiyo week. It will be a lovely way to end a rather disappointing year. I’m hoping to participate in all days but knowing my schedule I’ll be lucky to manage more than one or two. 

I sort of took today’s prompt a bit literally? Apparently a certain Coruscant Guard Commander sets his entire morning routine on seeing a certain Pantoran Senator. Its still what I call unpolished but I wanted it down on the day of, so I’ll fix it all up and tweak it before I post it on AO3 here in a week or so.

Rated T  

Set on Ten

06:00

The alarm is sudden. Loud and jarring in the dark room.

Its one of the newer popular songs. A consistent thumping beat that grates on the nerves and sends him scurrying out of his bunk in an effort to shut it off before it becomes stuck in his head for the coming day. Thats happened before. Its not a bad song. Not exactly his taste in music but she likes it and Thorn is not afraid to use that leaked knowledge for blackmail or apparently for sneaking into rooms and resetting the alarm.

Asshole.

06:05

One of the perks to being Commander of the Coruscant Guard is a private fresher. Its not large. It can't even be boasted as acceptable in size. The sink takes four minutes to drain and the shower is always a balmy 10 degrees celsius. The drain is directly in front of the toilet so one basically has to straddle the permacrete while washing.

Its nothing like the freshers belonging to Senators but even so the boys on the frontline would be jealous.

He shaves under the spray and runs a comb through his hair before stepping out. It will need to be cut soon. He used to keep it trimmed short and tight. Perfectly up to regulation standards but she likes it longer and he likes it when she runs her fingers through it.

So longer it stays.

06:15

He's a soldier. Through and through. Bred, born, and raised. So he sticks to his rules, his regulations and his routines. Next is tidying up. Make the bed, neat and tight enough to bounce a credit. Then he cleans his armor. Polished and gleaming, touching up the paint if need be. Afterwards he sends yesterday's blacks to the laundry tube. Bedsheets will go tomorrow, per regulations. He'll have to smuggle the purple blanket out to an offsite laundry hovel to be cleaned. It is definitely not up to regulations and to send it down the tube would be to lose it forever. Something he's not willing to do.

It was a gift and lavender is his favorite color after all.

06:30

Breakfast. Six ration cubes, arranged in perfect symmetry, gray-brown in color and chalky in taste and texture. Some of the men crush it and mix it into a paste but he doesn't see the point. It tastes bad no matter the method. He swallows them quickly. Two bites each, chew well and chase with a mouthful of water. Its not the first time he misses those rare breakfasts elsewhere. With real caf, tea, fruit, cereals, flatcakes, freshly baked breads, sweet pastries and fried nerf steaks. She always leaves the heavier options for him, stating that she prefers a lighter breakfast but he knows she just likes seeing him eat something other than the cubes issued by the GAR. He imagines the last cube is the carved out heart of a shuura.

The taste truly ruins it.

06:45

Its probably the worst part of his morning. Spending time standing outside, inspecting the troops. Thire, Thorn, and Stone do the actual inspections. He's just around to take muster, yell at shinies, and watch the visiting legions take their own inspections in the courtyard over. Its the 104th today. Commander Wolffe looks as bored as he feels and he wonders how much his fellow Commander itches to return to the frontlines. He used to want it himself. But then he'd have to leave her behind and even the threat of daily inspections couldn't make it worth that.

Besides, with his luck he'd get stuck with someone like Skywalker. And one look at the 501st's exhausted Captain is enough to ward anyone off.

07:00

Next is paperwork. Reports from the late shift have to be gone over. Requisition forms have to be signed off. Squads have to be assigned and special requests have to be sorted and either signed or denied. Special orders from the Chancellor are at the top of his pile and subsequent Senators begging for the Coruscant Guard's protection are stuffed underneath. He skims through them, searching for her name.

He's both disappointed and relieved to find it absent.

09:30

He takes his job seriously. No other Commander of the Coruscant Guard will volunteer to make rounds in the Senate Executive Building with the new batch of shinies. Thorn raises his eyebrow when he announces he'll be taking them over the fifth and sixth floors so he sends the resident asshole a rude gesture before he ushers the new batch out the door. So what if the sixth floor is where the office of the Pantoran Assembly members are? That's no one's business but his. 

09:45

Nor is it anyone else's business to remind him how much he actually hates shinies. He's on his fourth lecture before they've even gotten halfway through the fifth floor. He's fairly certain the Nautolan senator they passed will remember to never ever lock his weapon while around civvies. Whether or not the shiny remembers is up for debate. Either way both of them now harbor a healthy amount of fear of him. Expected of the shiny. A pleasant side effect of the senator being within hearing range.

09:55

They're getting close and he's getting antsy. Ten o'clock standard is when she leaves her office to join the Chairman for brunch. He still doesn't quite understand the appeal of "brunch" but she promised to show him sometime and he hopes that day will be soon. Not today of course. Today he has five shinies to babysit but a quick glance is all he needs. Its all he needs to start every day. He hurries the shinies along, glaring at the red haired one when he stumbles onto the elevator. Its probably his fault. He's hurrying them and anyone can trip but a member of the Coruscant Guard must always be put together. Always up to standard.

A glare should be enough.

09:58

The elevator door opens to a busy hall. Its not crowded but Senators move back and forth on their way to their respective tasks. Most, he knows, have just woken up. He wonders what it would be like to sleep past eight o'clock. She promised to show him that too someday. He marches his shinies up the hall, making them pointing out possible breech points and the hidden weapon storage next to the door of the Alderaani senator. He's not actually watching any of it of course, his gaze is locked on the door twenty paces up and to the left. Any second it should open.

Any second and he'll see her.

10:00

He can hear the door open from down the hall and his breath catches when she steps out.

Riyo Chuchi stands in all her glorious beauty. The traditional yellow markings of her face stand out boldly against her perfect blue skin. Soft lavender hair is held up by a traditional Pantoran headdress. The two sections frame her lovely blue face perfectly. The gold of her head pieces accentuating her piercing eyes and bright yellow family tattoos. She's dressed in a simple red dress today. Long billowing sleeves with the back cut out and the edges trimmed in swirling gold. He loves it when she's not done up in all the frills and swills of the rich aristocracy. Unlike the Nabooian senator walking with her. That one is a walking speederwreck of color and fabric. He's not entirely sure what's her body and what's padding and pleats. Its not until she turns from speaking with her companion that she sees him.

And oh the beauty of her smile.

They do this every morning. He drags himself along until ten o'clock sharp when he always somehow manages to find himself standing in that hallway, waiting to see her beautiful smile. The same smile that gets him through every day. He might be able to meet with her later. He might not. But if nothing else, the familiarity of their morning routine is enough to get him through his day.

She's always enough.

[tangerinegod]

Hello! I am sorry to bother you but I am a senior getting ready for college this year. I am in the US and I wanted to major in the same thing you did, do you have any possible tips for me? I still haven't even looked for colleges that would be best for animation majors so I figured if you were up to giving out any tips/saying any basic ideas if you wanted to/if you had the time to then maybe I'll have a better idea! I apologise for if I sound weird! I'm tried to word it correctly but I can't 😿

hi!! i’m totally down to share my experiences! someone else also had some questions so i’m going to put them all together in this post haha, hopefully this helps! it’ll get pretty long so apologies ahead of time but art school is a lot to think about so i wanna be as helpful as i can around it, its a lot of time and money. I’m gonna put it all under a read more cus it is really really long!

i wanna start off with the fact that I had the privilege of attending school in a financially stable environment, my parents were/are really supportive so w merit scholarship i only came out with around 20-30k in debt and i also had housing support my entire time in school. they were ok with me focusing on academics so i didn’t hold a retail job unless i was out of school like summer/winter break. Ofc though i regularly take commissions/do merch/cons to try and pay for all bills that arent rent cus i did want to be financially independent where it was possible. I also did try and work during the semester but everytime i did my body would deff start to breakdown from the fact that i didnt wanna compromise schoolwork with jobs.. so just read ahead know this experience is from a student who was able to attend focusing only on school work for most of the time!

the biggest thing is knowing art school is not required to become a professional in either freelancing or industry! there are a huuuge amount of online tools and classes these days that provide the exact same education and for cheaper too. i think it depends on what experience you prefer/can handle/want but it’s definitely possible to make art/animation art your living without higher education. the thing that college will for sure give you though is the ability to meet deadlines, work even when you dont want to, and connections with peers+teachers. i think the connections part is invaluable because you’re basically coming out with a network of people you already know and who know you! 

also its good to know if you want to attend/can handle art school! it’s a lot of time and energy and students get burned out really fast. the best piece of advice i got before going was ‘if you draw every single day, even if its for only like 5-10 minutes or a doodle for a whole year you should be fine’ consistency is super key because you’re attending school to draw, and you’ll have to create work for stuff you aren’t excited for at some point or another. burnout is extremely real and the only reason i didn’t experience it was probably because i got super into drawing naruto fanart again inbetween sophomore and junior year! it helped give me something to draw seperated from school which is the only thing i was drawing for since i had entered rip. a heads up id also consider myself a workaholic so i fit in ok with the ‘art school’ environment but it is suuper unhealthy. if you are fantastic at managing your schedule then it’s definitely possible to take care of yourself! freshman year i got 8 hours a sleep a night and only pulled all nighters for some second semester finals at the end. sophomore year + up though i ended up prioritizing hw over sleep and like for sure, definitely shortened my life span. there’s another q down below where i’ll go more into detail but ya, be careful w ur work balance!

another tip especially for animation is knowing for a fact what type of animation you’re looking to go into, and what the school is offering. I didn’t think i’d get into art school at the time so i only applied to two places + decided if i didnt get into either id attend community to get credits out of the way while building portfolio. honestly? i did not do a lot of research LOL but like i did end up having the chance to tour and stuff! just know that each school will have a very different curriculum. The main differences are schools that prioritize 3D (cg animation, cg modeling, ect) and 2D/traditional (hand drawn, ‘oldschool’, digital or traditional based) this is a huge difference so make sure you do research for it! in most cases a 2D/traditional program will also offer 3D since it’s at the forefront of the industry animation wise rn. My school taught 2D but like hand drawn on physical paper 2D, frame by frame. while it was a good experience it’s super outdated because digital tools make it way faster + easier! i’d recommend looking for a program that is digital 2D over traditional 2D. 

if after your senior year covid is still affecting campuses in the US to keep them shut down i’d recommend attending a community college to get credits and then transferring into school. one of the negatives is paying money for gened classes when ur not there for them; if you can get them out of the way sooner and cheaper there is absolutely no negative + you could graduate earlier or use the extra time for better work or to work a job! 

these are all the general tips i think i’d give on like a broad basis of attending or not to think about? let me know if u have more q’s! someone asked q’s im answering below that go more into personal experiences + work culture so heres those:

- how many hours a week do u spend studying, in class, otherwise making art? like how much of ur life does it consume?

I was basically working on art.... 24/7! since i wasnt working a job at the same time i crammed as many credits as possible into my schedule so on avg i did 18 credit semesters (around 6 classes) art classes go for 6 hours and non art go for 3, so i’d spent around 30-35 hours in class a week! hw wise it varied on the class but combined it would be around 35-50 hours a week... im guessing? on average studio classes would have 8-10 hours of hw, maybe 5 for a light week, and gened classes 5 hours w them all combined. or this was probably how things were before junior year? junior+senior year i had thesis + everything else ontop.. i’d spend around 30-40 hours on thesis a week with other classes ontop of that bc my film was super long cus im a dummy! 

- is it hard going to art school n realising that altho u were probably quite talented… so is everyone else? Like. all of a sudden. ur not special and everyone seems as good as u, you know? More generally, how do u deal with comparison?

kinda?? i think instead of the idea of like you vs others it feels more of like a competition at first to be the best. this varies hugely on school culture though; my animation year was really friendly with each other and get along extremely well, so my answer to this is v different than some others who attended different schools. i think that the idea of ‘comparison’ only lasts a portion of the first year because at some point you realize that it’s not a who’s better as much as its a ‘these are my coworkers’ type thing? like healthy competition 100% because we’re all working to improve but i think most of us learned pretty early on that viewing each other as peers going into the same workforce helped a lot. also at some point everyone develops their own style/starts to develop their artistic preferences so there isn’t a way to compare whos 'better’ anymore? i dont think there ever is tbh because style is appealing based off of an individuals preferences. If anything realizing everyone else is also amazing makes you wanna work harder ig? or thats how i felt! it’s inspiring to be surrounded by so many people who create such amazing work. 

- is there a lot of workaholic culture? all nighter culture?

100000% there can be a workaholic and all nighter culture. i know people who avoided it and thats honestly fantastic because i fall super easily into that pit. sometimes i’ll pull all nighters on a personal project just because i really want to finish it... i am definitely considered a workaholic all the way through and its not healthy rip... i’d estimate at the worst i was pulling 2-3 all nighters a week and only 4-5 hours of sleep on the nights i didn’t? that was only for one year tho, after that i was like yeah ok this is really bad for my health in the long run LOL so i tried to cut it down to one all nighter a week and around 5-6 hours of sleep the rest of the week! by senior year my decision to cram in full semesters paid off and i was able to consistently get around 7 hours of sleep a night + no all nighters minus finals since my schedule was lighter despite thesis 😭 while there is that culture i don’t think people view it as like a badge of honor or something to be proud of anymore which is good, we mostly view it as a flaw of the art school system and something that needs to be fixed!!

- are you glad u did it? how did u know it was what u wanted?

i am glad i did it! i’m definitely in a limbo right now of if it was worth both my time, money, and my parents money rip but i think with what i got out of it i definitely wouldn’t be as far skill wise or knowledge wise when it comes to the art industry. i would say it was only worth it for be because i had so much support going in though so i was able to focus so much on improving. if i had only been able to put in part of the effort and not make full use of the resources provided i would honestly have a different answer.. 

i knew it was what i wanted when i realized i really couldn’t see myself pursuing a different profession happily! despite all the bumps and stuff im fully in love with drawing still and feel honored that it’s a field that can provide a living. my second profession choice was to go into culinary school? and third option i think going was into music cus i was also a band kid hehe.  

- how do u cope with ur hobby becoming ur job? how do u deal with art going from something u do for fun to something u do on command constantly?

i think seperating work art from personal art is important! in my case im doubling naruto into being personal work so i have something to fall back onto that isn’t work related. its been a hyperfixation for 12+ years? so drawing it at this point is just like personal art imo. some people have hobbies outside of art and only draw for their job! i think after attending classes for so long the idea of hobby turning into job feels extremely natural? also i enjoy doing it so thats a huge plus! 

sorry this is SO long but i hope i answered your guys’ questions! if you have more just lmk!

[strongsassysexysloane]

You and Me - Continues

To say I’ve been enjoying writing this is a huge understatement. Rating may be going up... 

. . . 

"So that date you mentioned last night?" Jack stopped at your desk and Torres coughed on his protein shake.

"Really Jack?" You shut down your computer.

"Hey, they know and.." She looked over to Gibbs. His frustration growing. "And its the end of the business day." He huffs out a chuckle to everyone except Jacks surprise.

"Let's go. Nick. Not a word." You pick up your shoulder bag and nod to Gibbs. You take Jack's hand and lead her out of the office.

"Case is wrapped. Take tomorrow off."

"On it boss." Everyone replies and Ellie joins you both at the elevator.

"What are Ellie's plans for this evening and tomorrow?" You look over at your friend. Jack still holding onto your hand.

"Probably have a nice hot long shower tonight and then a nice jog tomorrow and go to the yoga class I have missed for the past two weeks."

"That sounds like an amazing day off." Jack chimes as you step onto the elevator.

"Welcome to come join in the yoga class if you want? Nick is coming." You three quietly giggle at that.

"He'll never admit to it though."

They parted ways at the carpark, no commitment for going to yoga was made, just a we'll see how tonight goes and Ellie laughed. Wishing us a good night.

"About that date, can we just get take out and cuddle on your couch instead?" Jack leans against her car and you do the same against yours opposite her.

"What makes you think that wasn't my plan anyways?" She laughs and you relish the sound.

"Because you want me to get dressed up for you." She pushes off her car and places her hands on either side of you, trapping you between her and the car. You don't flinch, just smirk and rest your hands around her lower back.

You pretend to weigh up the options and tug her closer, she steps in between your legs, her hands move from the car to around your neck, her fingers weaving their way into your hair. "I mean, you are right but right now I'd prefer you naked on my couch and bed and-" You laugh into the kiss she attacks you with.

"I'll meet you back at your place, gonna go home and grab a few things first." She runs her hands from your hair, down the back of your neck then forward down your chest and she shoves herself back and turns to open her car.

"If you aren't at mine within the hour, i'll have to start without you." You squeeze her hip and she kisses your cheek.

"I may just wait long enough for you to get started and walk in to watch."

"God you have a mouth."

"And I plan on using it." That causes you to have a full belly laugh and you watch as Jack drives away giving you a wink before speeding off.

. . . .

You lean back on the couch, brushing your hands together letting the crumbs fall while you watch Jack devour her fifth slice of pepperoni pizza.

"How? Like how?" You run you hand up and down Jack's back and she leans back into your touch. You wrap your arm around her shoulders and pull her into your side.

"Didn't have lunch."

"Should've said something and I would-" Jack reaches up and rests her finger over your lips.

"I can take care of myself." She turns so you're both looking at each other.

"You know that's not why I want to get you lunch." You run your fingers from Jack's temple to her jaw and cup her cheek in your hand. "This is more than just a fling for me, Jack."

Jack closes her eyes and leans into your touch. "I know..." She opens her eyes and you are almost brought to tears with the emotion she is showing. "For me too." You capture her lips in a deep, slow, moving kiss that explains everything you can't quite put into words yet.

You both lay out on the couch, full from dinner and not really caring to move, you pick your favourite show but you're to distracted by her hands exploring over your abdomen and moving slowly, lower. You close your eyes and lean back into Jack whose laying behind you, giving her more room to explore.

"Thought you were distracted, you haven't laughed at anything Phoebe has said in the last five minutes." Jack whispers into your hair and you smile. She traces you neck with kisses and sucks on the spot just above your collarbone while her hand ventures under the waistline of your pants.

You turn around and you capture her mouth in a deep, exploring kiss, your tongues fight for dominance and she gives in which makes her moan as you push her down onto her back and cover her with your body.

"This is your... favourite... show." She manages to speak out between her moans, as your mouth travels south, to give close attention to her breasts.

You dont answer just smirk into your exploration when she moans again and is lost for words. You spend the rest of the episode of FRiENDS finding all the places that turn Jack on and make her squirm beneath you. She really vocal and you love it, expressing what she wants turns you on and you devour her until she’s limp beneath you.

You climb up her body, leaving wet kisses in your wake and rise above her with the biggest smirk on your face when she hasn't opened her eyes yet. Still coming down from her high. You drop a kiss to her parted lips and shes quick, you feel her snake her arms and leg around you and somehow manages to flip you both over without falling off the couch. You laugh but it soon turns into a low grunt as she removes your shirt and kisses her way down your body, paying close attention to your breasts.

"Jacqueline.." It's barely audible but she heard it, you can tell by the low rumble she makes. She smirks up at you as she lowers herself and kisses you were its been aching all day. It doesn't take long, being almost at the edge when you were kissing her and you cry out in ecstacy. She works you through your high but you tug her up. "baby stop." She doesnt and you laugh, squirming at her eagerness and you're so sensitive but its too late, you can feel it building again and she takes you. You writhe under her attack, you hand weaving in her hair, holding her there. She picks up the pace and you are so close. She nips slightly and you cry out. She kisses you a few more times but this time your tug is slightly more forceful and she gives up her assualt but not without one last flick and you almost jump off the couch your that sensitive. "Fuck."

"Pretty much." She has the cheekiest grin plastered on her face as she climbs back up the couch and you lean up and kiss her senseless. "Mmm."

"You always have to do one better, huh?" You kiss her quick again before she speaks.

"It's not a competition babe." She smiles down at you and you nod, pulling her in close, her head tucks under your chin.

"I think I'm fa-" Her head jerks up and a shocked face is looking down at you and you laugh. She kisses you again, slow and passionate. "Can I finish?"

"It's only been about a week. Do we really need to admit to things now?" She was back up, suddenly you feel foolish for admitting such feelings but you can see shes nervous, possibly scared of what could happen.

"It's been plastered on your face all week. Why can't we admit it?" Her brow furrows, she tries to put more distance between you and your arms are snaked around her waist holding her in place.

"What has my face been telling you?" She raises an eyebrow.

"That you love me. You don't have to say it, maybe you don't even have to admit it to yourself and I don't mind if it takes you three years or 30 Jack. I'm falling in love with you. Your smile brightens my day when I see you, your laugh warms my soul and your sass makes me want to kiss you senseless." You wipe away a stray tear thats fallen down her cheek and you see her frown at it which makes you laugh. "I know certain things are hard for you, I can't begin to imagine what you've been through but I'm here and I will be here for as long as you want." You watch the words sink in. Her nerves are right there on the surface and if she goes to bolt again you'd let her but thankfully she doesnt move.

She leans down and kisses you softly, you let her control the kiss, wanting to see where she takes it. Its the softness shes ever touched you, its painfully slow but she deepens it and you feel tears fall onto your cheeks and you stop the kiss.

"What is it?" You cup her cheek with your hands and she slowly opens her eyes.

"I don't des-" You stop her words with your mouth, kissing her with all the love you can muster.

"Don't finish that thought please." It comes out in a beg and she nods.

"I'm so nervous, so unsure. We work well together, god you're amazing and beautiful and I have very, VERY strong feelings for you but it's -"

"It's ok, that kiss you gave me kind of scared me a bit though."

"I'm not going anywhere." She smiles and you kiss the tears away.

"That's all I needed to hear." You both smile and she falls back down, head tucked under your chin.

Another episode of friends starts playing and you both just lay there and watch it, your mind is racing but you can feel Jack's breathing even out and you hold her tighter. Thankfully tomorrow is a day off and all you want to do is lay here with her and let the world spin on around you both.

"Can we go to your bed now?" You laugh, she'd been silent now for two episodes and you thought she'd fallen asleep.

"I don't know. You in my bed, you might not get the option to leave, ever." Jack pushes herself up and sits on the edge of the couch, you get up, pulling her with you.

"I can live with that." She hugs you from behind and you both awkwardly walk to your bedroom without letting each other go.

She walks around, taking it all in. It's your privat place, she hasn't been inside before. You watch with baited breath as her fingers glide over your dvd collection, old comic books and photo frames of memories long gone. Little trinkets on your dresser of things you've collected from your travels. Everything has a memory attached and they flash before your eyes when her fingers touch them "Exactly how I pictured it." She walks back over to you and you sit down on the bed, pulling her down so shes straddling you. "My knees aren't liking me tonight."

You laugh and flop her onto the bed beside you and she giggles. "Sorry I forgot the age difference." You wink and she not so lightly shoves your shoulder.

"I'm not old." She shoves you again for the smirk you try your hardest to hide but she can read you like a book. "Hey!"

"Never said it was a bad thing baby." You lean down and kiss her. "Definitely works in my benefit most of the time." You wink and she laughs.

"I can live with that. Nick did mention the age thing."

"Doesn't both me one bit. You're sexy, charming and clearly I'm attracted to you." You lay on your side next to Jack, elbow propping you up and you head resting in your hand. This vulnerable side of Jack is quite sweet.

"I can tell." She matches your position, her spare hand reaching out and her fingers running up and down your side, you close your eyes at the touch. "You enjoy tickles now?"

"I enjoy your touch." You open one eye to see her reaction, satisfied with her soft smile, you close your eyes and laugh when she tugs you down so you're on your stomach and continues to trace patterns on your back. You turn your head so its facing her and watch her facial expressions as she explores your back and all your minute reactions of where it's more ticklish. "You tell anyone how ticklish I am and-"

Jack drops a quick peck to your lips and you stop talking. "Your secret is safe with me and anyhow. Why would I let anyone else tickle you?"

"Jealous Jack. I like her." She lightly pinches your side and it only makes you laugh more. You stay silent and close your eyes, relaxing under her touch and a lazy smile spreads across your face when you feel your bed dip and her lips are on your skin. Your body involuntary shivers under her touch and you can feel her smile against your lower back.

"Hey!" Jack almost shouts and your eyes shoot open. "You fell asleep when I was trying to seduce you." You cant help but laugh at her pout and you roll over onto your back and tug at her arm until she is on top of you with your arms around her waist.

"I am tired, remember and-" you lean forward and peck her pouted lips which are softening. "I feel safe and content with you." That crumbles her pout and you kiss her slow and long drawing a whimper from her lips.

"How can I stay angry with that?" Jack captures your lips and you both smile.

"We have all of tomorrow for you to seduce me again but you just smile at me and you have me weak at the knees." Jack rests her chin between your breasts and you wish you can take a picture of how cute she looks. "I need sleep baby. Sorry if you aren't tired." You grunt as she rolls off you but are happily surprised when she tugs you into her side.

"Go to sleep, we have lots of time." You hum and snuggle closer. Listening to her heartbeat as you drift off to sleep.

. . . .

What do you think? :) Anyone need a cold shower? :P

[ampabd-17-blog]

Let’s Get Married - Kim Mingyu Fic

Part 1

Total words: 1956

Type: Fluff? Marriage AU? 

Summary: Dating is all fun and games until your best friend suggests that you and him should make a pact. A pact to get married at the age of 30.

Creds/Inspired by WongFu, We Got Married, person who suggested the fic

Blind dates are basically the epitome of dread and anxiety. Who exactly trusts their best friend in setting you up with their friend?

"He's hot do not worry" or "Girls practically wait in line to date him", is actually not reassuring or truthful coming from a guy himself. Who actually knows if he's hot, or even a good personality, or even remotely okay to date? Surely, not me. Everything is so difficult, you could not even know the person's name or see their picture. Thanks Mingyu, thanks so damn much.

So many thoughts, pros and cons, and scenarios rush through my head as I wait at the small urban cafe Mingyu told me to go to. My hands tap at the light wooden table anxiously looking out the window to see if I could see anyone who was not on their phone, on a date, or a business filled person walk in or by.

"Calm down ___. It's okay Everything is going to be okay, because this mysterious guy is going to show up, he is going to be amazing, you're going to fall in love with him, and you're going to date him, you’re gonna thank your amazing best friend for putting you up this." I say to myself while I keep my hands busy by either tapping, moving the plant around on the table fixing its position every second, throwing my phone up in the air, clenching my fists.

"Hey," I looked up with huge anticipation, oh. He's really cute, "Would you stop rocking your feet? You're wearing heels and I forgot my earphones, it's been going on for about 5 minutes. It's getting annoying and quite distracting. "Just kidding, he's just a passerby.

10 minutes later

The same cute guy came up to me, hoping he would stay, "Hey stop tapping your phone against the table." Great. It’s not him.

30 minutes later

"Do you have earphones I could borrow if you will not be making noises?" I dug through my handbag and handed him a pair of extras. I found it in the taxi, that's what I get for being a jerk.

40 minutes later

Slowly, I'm giving up. What guy does not show up for a date for two hours? Absurd.

I stand up, grab my handbag and started to walk out the door. 

“Hey hey hey your earphones!” The guy chased after me but I ignored him, it was an extra just keep it dude.

Reaching for my phone in my back pocket I pull it out and start to dial Mingyu's number.

"Are you kidding me Kim Mingyu."

"Woah woah woah woah woah, calm down calm down. What happened? "I heard muffled laughter through the speaker

"You're not joking right? You are one hundred percent serious right now." Walking furiously towards the busy street I start to flag down at least one taxi to take me to go beat Mingyu's ass.

Silence filled the other end as mumbles of "What if she even talking about?" Erupted once in awhile, "OH! You mean the date with Kim KiHo? How'd that go ??" He sounded genuinely curious. This poor boy is going to die tonight,

"It went great you know! He was amazing! Aesthetically pleasing!" I roll my eyes at my sarcastic comment

"Tell me about it."

"Oh well first I arrived to the cafe you told me to go and sat in the table closest to the window without ordering anything you know because well, that'd be rude to order something without him being there. Secondly I waited for about 2 hours for this guy to show and throughout the whole time there was this obnoxious cute dude that was sitting near me who kept telling what to stop what I was doing. And lastly? HE DID NOT EVEN SHOW UP MINGYU. ALSO YOU DECIDED TO TELL ME THE NAME NOW? HOW WAS I EVEN SUPPOSED TO FIND HIM WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU." I pull the phone away from my ear and start yelling at full on

"___...  I'm so sorry. Holy crap I didn’t think he would ditch. "

"Well he did."

"Do you want me to call him? I can call him for you. We can set another date up ag- "

"Save it Mingyu. I'm not going on anymore blind dates that you set me up on. "

"I'm sorryyyyyyyyyyyyyy."

"Don’t drag out your words."

"___. I'm sorry."

"Well sorry isn’t enough,” I paused for a second, “I'm coming over."

"Okay front door will be unloc-, wait. Are you mad right now?"

I didn’t answer

"Okay... So you are. Are you coming over to fight me or beat me to death?"

I only smirked, he knew me so well.

"I'm leaving the house." I heard shuffling in the back

"You, you better stay." I hung up the phone with a huff as I arrived in the busy streets of the city

I flagged down a taxi and gave the driver the address of my best friends apartment. Kim Mingyu is going down.

I kept ringing the doorbell, knocking on the door, banging on the windows, and still nothing.

"Mingyu I swear, if you do not open this door I'll force my way in." I yell hoping he would hear me

"Never!" His muffled yell shook my ears

I continued to bang on the door, why did his parents choose today to leave on a holiday? Still banging on the door his next door neighbor spoke up, "___."

I met his smug, laughing face, "What do you want." I glare at him

"You”, Laughter, "both", Laughter, "are ridiculous." Laughter.

"Shut up."

"Seriously the best romance comedy sitcom I have seen in my life."

"Romance? Comedy? Romance comedy? What kind of drugs are you taking? God I'd rather die then ever date him.” Disgusted that the thought of ever dating Mingyu had crossed my mind

"Hey, doesn’t erase the fact that I love you guys together."

"That's gross."

"Maybe you think soooo~ Also his family keeps a spare key under the tallest plant." He winks and waves goodbye

"Aw bro why'd you have to tell her that?" Mingyu whines as the window pops open next to his door

"If I didn’t, she would have done damage to that window, and even more damage on you."

Mingyu's eyes widen as I let myself in and step right in front of him

"Ohhoho. You're dead meat." The window slammed shut.

"You hit me and scratched me. I'm bruised and bleeding. I hate you.” I dab his injury lightly as he groans

"It wasn’t even that bad."

"This is an abusive relationship and you're the abuser. I need out. "He starts to stand up

"Shut up and let me help you." I push his chest to get him back down

"Why is the abuser also the nurse. You make no sense." His finger tapped the tip of my nose

“Don’t touch my nose. You’re going to rub off my highlight.” I pushed the rubbing alcohol infused cotton ball harshly onto the open wound which would hopefully get him to shut up as well as leave me alone and let me do my work

"OW. ___ GOD HELP, OW THAT HURTS. "

"You deserved it."

"No, you're just mean. I don’t deserve this abuse."

"Shut up. But over all that you love me for it. "

"As if." 

I pushed the cotton ball down harshly again

“IT HURTS WHEN YOU DO THAT! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS?”

"Movie night?" I've dropped 3 movies on the couch we were lounging at later in the day.

"Me Before You? Can you even understand it Gyu? "Scoffing into my bag of shark popsicles, boys are so dumb sometimes I swear

"There's different options ___." He plops down next to me and steals a bite of the bar I was currently starting, I stare at him. What kinda monster...

"Sad Movie and 200 Pound Beauty. What's up with you and romance? "

"They’re quality movies as well as classics. So which movie? "He shrugs off my question

"Me Before You. How do you have this anyways?”

"Wonwoo gave it to me, apparently he cried during it." Mingyu got up and collected all the disks and put the right one in the DVD player and sat back down next to me

An hour into the movie Mingyu and I somehow ended up cuddling. His arm was hugging my shoulder while my head was on his chest. We were just laying on the spacious couch peaceful and undisturbed. This is what best friends of all the time! Right..?

"Look at her dress Gyu, oh my god it's beautiful." I point at the lit up screen that was red whenever she twirled around, that was indeed a gorgeous dress

"Your color is red. I bet you would look great." His chest vibrated everytime he spoke

"You're right, but pulling off that dress? You’d have to be insanely gorgeous and have a good body. Which I don’t have. But I can never pull off red lipstick."

“Yeah you do. Don’t doubt yourself, my best friend is beautiful~ You look like a chili pepper when you wear red lipstick.” I smack his shoulder while he was laughing, “I’m sorry I’m sorry.”

Throughout the whole movie a question I loved to ponder about erupted in my mind, 'You read all these books, hear all these stories, and watch all these films about how a couple of people find each other to be their soulmate and they end Up in love. But what if I never get to experience that? ' What if I never cross paths with my supposed soulmate and I never find true love? What if all my dates are like the dates I experienced today? Am I going to-

"Die forever alone?" Mingyu was looking at me as the credits rolled onto the screen

"Uh ___ ...." He spoke up when he realized I was deep in thought

"What?" My head shot up to meet his gaze

"You have been unconsciously speaking for the past five minutes."

"You're kidding." He only shook his head, "So you heard everything I said?" I nodded, "Well it's true I'm going to die alone, sad, and lonely."

"Ayy, thats not true."

"It is true.”

"Not true." He bickers back, he never knows when to give up.

"True."

"Not true."

"Look I know you're my best friend, you don’t have to spare my feelings."

"I know, you're a strong independent woman and I'm being truthful.” I tried to hide his laughter before I grabbed a pillow and started to hit him, “Hey hey hey, I'll stop, I'll stop.” He managed to get out during his fit of laughter

"You're still wrong."

Mingyu only shook his head and proceeded to grab both of my shoulders to face him, face looking deadly seriously, no sorts of jokes written on his face. Whenever I've been placed in this situation, I know exactly what’s going to go down. I know what he's doing, and when he’s like this, he's dead serious.

"If you think so, then let's make a pact ___."

"Depends." Not breaking the deep eye we were giving each other

“If you really think you’re going to die alone and you’re never going to find your soulmate, and I’m not interested in dating right now but if my relationships fail one by one. By the time we’re 29, let’s go on 17 dates and do romantic stuff that couples do, and if we think that we are right for each other and that we fell in love, that we are each other’s soulmates. At the age of 30,-” My breath hitched and no words would roll off my tongue, “Lets get married.”

[comicteaparty]

September 21st, 2017 CTP Archive

The archive for the Comic Tea Party chat that occurred on September 21st, 2017, from 5PM - 7PM PDT.  The chat focused on The Changeling’s Sister by yondoloki.

Featured Comment:

Chat:

RebelVampire

Good day everyone~! This week’s Comic Tea Party is now officially beginning. Today we are discussing The Changeling’s Sister by yondoloki~! (https://tapas.io/series/The-Changelings-Sister) For those new to CTP, discussions about the comic are freeform, so please feel free to bring up whatever you wish. However, every 30 minutes I will be dropping in a discussion question to help those who would like a prompt. These questions are totally OPTIONAL to answer so pay them no mind if you wish~! Remember, constructive criticism is allowed, but the primary focus here is to have fun and appreciate the amazing comics that the community makes~! Each chat a top comment will be picked and featured on an ad for this chat, so let’s have a great discussion~! With that said, let us begin with this first question~!

QUESTION 1. What is your favorite scene in the comic so far and why?

i have to ponder this one a bit personally. but i greatly enjoy the page where rose gets pissed at andrew because he told her she looked like her sister. andrew was flirting so good and then that. bro plz, no one takes that as a compliment

overall though i just really enjoy the scenes with andrew. as i mentioned earlier in the week, this is some grade A flirting going on. cause while hes being kind of obvious about it, hes not being creepy and just seems like a sweet guy who just wants to help out

during their flirting though i like that Lily's laughter kind of breaks in and defuses the nice warmness that was developing. it doesnt let you get too comfortable as a reader and instead you have be like "oh yeah shes still here"

wishjacked

I really liked this comic!! I'd never seen it around before and it was cool.

RebelVampire

thats awesome then that you were able to find it now. was there anything in particular that you liked?

wishjacked

Anyways, my favorite scene was also the one where she was talking to Andrew. This comic is already so heavy— DollLily is so terrifying and frustrating that even though the comic is relatively short Andrew's flirting felt like such a nice break.

DracoPlato

I enjoyed when the baby was swapped out in the beginning cause i was like oh that's just like in mythos

wishjacked

and YEAH, I think Lily's constant presence is really well pulled off!! It feels like shes always so close

full disclosure changeling mythology has never been super interesting to me, actually, but I think the concept of one twin getting changed is a really unique take on the idea

DracoPlato

yeah andrew did feel like a nice break(edited)

and same wish

I think the execution here was more interesting than i find the premise itself

RebelVampire

yeah i really like in this case it was a twin that was taken. i think theres an extra level of creepiness added since in this case its someone with the same face who is a doll

wishjacked

yes!! the execution so far has been top notch.

MathTans

Here late, as per the usual (reading about Discord updates). Favourite scene, probably the page where Rose stops Andrew from leaving, but is then scared to speak, so he's all "why am I here?". I laughed, even though it's probably bad of me to do that, because I understand Rose's conflict.

DracoPlato

overall the emotional impact in this comic has been top notch

every page oozes with emotion

wishjacked

yeah, that was a good moment! (and welcome in!!)

DracoPlato

and welcome Math!!!

RebelVampire

@math you're not the only one. i laughed at that moment too cause it was a legit question. even i was like "why is he there if you arent going to say anything"

MathTans

When Andrew was all "let's go inside" and Rose was all "sounds... fun", part of my head was shouting "it's a trap! nooo! Lily will push him down the stairs or something!"

wishjacked

one of the commenters on Tapas noted that the dresses were different colors— overall Lily is so much brighter than Rose and it really drives the point home well.

ahahah ME TOO

DracoPlato

yeah, i noticed that too about the dresses~

and same math XDDD

wishjacked

like NOOOO JUST STAY OUTSIDE…. BETTER YET RUN AWAY TOGETHER

MathTans

Yeah, that's subtle but clever.

Lily probably engineered the dresses.

RebelVampire

yeah i noticed there was a contrast in the colors that was kind of expressing each's emotional state

wishjacked

like that would be excessive, they just met, but it's obviously the safest option. leave lily pls

MathTans

Here's the thing though - is Lily being evil because she's this puppet/doll? Or is she being evil because she feels like Rose has never accepted her? I honestly can't tell. Like, how much of this is nature, how much is nurture.

DracoPlato

i wondered that too math

RebelVampire

yeah i wonder that too. cause one of the prologue scenes is rose literally slapping lily.

MathTans

So did Napples.

Yeah, I thought that prologue thing was clever. It deflects a bit from the idea of an unreliable narrator whlie at the same time raising different questions.

Like, Rose obviously isn't imagining the doll stuff.

But did she bring about her own downfall, a bit? By being too young to deal?

RebelVampire

it could be. i mean to be fair to the prologue scene i was mentioning, she was super duper young so of course she'd be freaked out

i do like that normally lily looks normal but then she gets close to rose and you suddenly see the stitching. very dramatic.

DracoPlato

i keep wondering if anyone else can see the stitching, it seems like others would have noticed that, lol

been like heey why you all scarred up

RebelVampire

but also, just wanna say, man whoever made Lily is super bad at sitching. do they not believe in the power of patterns O_O(edited)

DracoPlato

i know right

lolol, she looks like a chucky doll after the second movie or something

wishjacked

truth.

RebelVampire

i mean i guess the proper assumption would be they just had to piece together scraps? but then that thought begs the question of what Lily is made of

DracoPlato

unicorn tears

i thought it was just their shapeshifting powers

wishjacked

yikes

MathTans

I think I remember seeing the author respond to a comment to the effect that only Rose can see the stitching. Which, if so, is probably related to how they're twins. Faeries likely goofed on not realizing that was a thing.(edited)

DracoPlato

yeah, the comic does make it seem like only rose can see them at least

RebelVampire

it makes sense if its cause theyre twins. cause they share the same face. so i think itd make it easier to notice differences when theyre present

MathTans

Probably why Lily looks normal in the long shots with the party people, and why no one believed Rose and sent her to an institution. Which was a creepy flashback.(edited)

RebelVampire

QUESTION 2. At the beginning of the comic, we see proof of Rose’s claims that her twin, Lily, isn’t the real Lily. What do you think the fake Lily’s purpose is for being there? Is there a reason why Lily was taken instead of Rose? What do you think happened to the real Lily?

DracoPlato

well the real lily is either dead or rose will find her later on. Because of the tone of the story I'll go with dead, lol

MathTans

There was that remark at the start about "a fairy is born from a child's first laugh", and faeries are evil in this comic, so presumably after the fairy was born they needed, uhh, let's go with a slave as the nicer option. What's not as clear is which child laughed, I feel like the Lily/Rose thing was more luck than anything, but is it that you laugh, a fairy is born, and you can never laugh again, and this is how they do that?

RebelVampire

oh thats a good catch, math. i forgot about that intro sentence. so it really couldve just been a luck thing. where the fairy was like "well shit they look the same umm....lets just flip a coin."

DracoPlato

i like that idea of them never being able to laugh again after that

MathTans

I think the real Lily is having to make/sew dolls for the faerie. Which is... not a happy place.

RebelVampire

maybe theres an optimistic plot twist and the real lily is now the fairy queen O_O

and is ordering the kidnapping of babies

DracoPlato

looooool

MathTans

Real Lily has forgotten all about her real life, oh noooo!

DracoPlato

maybe this is the real lily and rose really is crazy tho

MathTans

Rose was the doll all along! O.o

DracoPlato

maybe there never was a twin

fight club

MathTans

Oh, wow, damn. Draco, you win for crazy theories that might be true.

DracoPlato

since the genre is horresque I wouldn't rule it out at least

cause i think what people fear most is losing themselves

MathTans

I mean, sure, we see the both of them at the ball or whatever, but maybe the family adopted Lily after Rose went crazy.

RebelVampire

i dont rule out rose just being legit crazy. im actually sad rose doesnt even consider this herself. which really thats the sign of her being crazy. that she doesnt question why shes the only one who sees it.

MathTans

When you've been smacked around as much as Rose, you probably stop questioning stuff like that.

DracoPlato

yeah, also lily hasn't actually killed her or brutally maimed her, so even if she's not real, why is rose being a jerk to her necessarily. I mean maybe lily just smacks her around a bit cause rose is always yelling at her and trying to tell people bad things about her

but rose isn't walking around all bruised up, just saying

MathTans

Rose seems too legit scared to be the aggressor though, at least at the time the story takes place. She also seems too afraid to say anything more. And the maid would seem to back up that Lily's in charge.

DracoPlato

i think tha'ts because they had her committed tho

which if she just shut up about it wouldn't have happened in the first place

RebelVampire

to be fair tho, cause were missing a lot of before, she could be the aggressor in a more subtle way. maybe the reason lily assumes rose is lying about telling andrew nothing is this is not the first time rose has done something like this. maybe rose is a class A manipulator. looks all demure and helpless to lure people in and then she tells them the story and ppl humor her at least cause they want to be sympathetic to rose

DracoPlato

yeah, that got me too

that it was apparent rose had been telling people about it before

RebelVampire

but im not saying i believe this 100%. XD i just think theres evidence for it looked at it from the right way

more likely i assume rose is just legit being abused and lily a dick

cause rose gonna blow lily's cover

MathTans

Yeah, I kind of assume Rose is a reliable narrator.

DracoPlato

yeah, it's just speculation on my end too

I do think it's most probable she's a reliable narrator

MathTans

Maybe once Rose gets Lily back, they can bond better with the doll and be a fun set of triplets.

DracoPlato

loooool

that'd be a 180 on tone

RebelVampire

i dont think rose is a reliable narrator but i dont think shes a bad person. i just think because we see everything through her viewpoint, were getting a really biased story from her PoV. so a lot of what we see of lily is still kind of her biased interpretation of the bigger picture

DracoPlato

lyall says we must defend the fairies

RebelVampire

cause part of me feels sympathy for lily. not that i dont think shes a jerk for being abusive. but on the otherhand maybe lily's purpose is she had no purpose. for all we know lily just wants to fit in, be with humans and be a normal girl. and then rose kept screaming she wasnt real. if i had a sibling i would not appreciate that

MathTans

Yeah, okay, I can see that. Though Andrew was pretty suave through her viewpoint too.

DracoPlato

ironically the part of the replaced by fairies baby mythos I always wondered most about was what happens to the fairy in disguise they left behind

MathTans

Rebel - Yeah, that goes back a bit to my wondering about nature versus nurture. We don't know why the faeries leave these dolls or what personality they have.

DracoPlato

i think generally in the mythos the fairies eat the babies, but you don't really hear about the one left behind in it's place

MathTans

Maybe Lily would have reacted the same way under those circumstances. But we won't know, because the circumstances were brought about by doll Lily being stitchy.

Faeries need to analyze their diet. Babies so high in sodium.

DracoPlato

Loooooool

RebelVampire

yeah i always wondered that about the mythos as well. like does the fairy child just grow up regular again. although to be fair i always assumed the mythos was just a way for parents to explain having a child who doesnt fit societal norms. so they could be like "little billy is strange? umm he was umm....snatched away by fairies and this is really a fairy child."

MathTans

Though Rebel asked before, what is Lily made of? I mean, she must have had a medical checkup, right? Is she held together by magic and wishes? By the willpower of people who believe she's real?

Maybe Rose casting doubt actually is a threat to doll-Lily's existence. Maybe that's part of the reason for lashing out, fear.

DracoPlato

oh that'd be interesting

RebelVampire

yeah this is my thing is i think theres a huge case that lily is lashing out of fear for her own existence

cause if anybody believed lily could be in the one in the asylum or wind up being witch hunted or being kicked out to fend for herself

like theres a ton of bad scenarios if someone believes rose and acts on it

so for lily's own survival rose needs to stfu

cause to be double fair i dont feel lily had sinister intentions

in the sense no greater purpose is hinted at

shes just there

as a replacement to the real lily

so horrible?

DracoPlato

yeah that's how i feel atm too

Rose just needs to stfu

RebelVampire

granted of course now its escalated to worse places

cause abuse no joke

DracoPlato

yeah

MathTans

Why can't the flower children just get along? ^^

DracoPlato

she should have been quiet when she was younger I think

MathTans

Kids be kids.

DracoPlato

and been like yay new fairy sister

RebelVampire

but then thered be no drama

ah man if this is the case tho maybe this is how the story concludes. lily and rose have a fight and lily asks why rose couldnt just see her as her sister considering they grew up together etc. etc. and rose realizes that fake lily was indeed her real sister all along and real lily is just a stranger

MathTans

Random thought - With the idea of faeries coming at a child's first laugh. If you laughed a lot it can be said you're left in stitches. Stitches on the face. Everything's connected.

RebelVampire

thats brilliant

bravo math, bravo

MathTans

Oh, thank you.

Just stitched it together.

DracoPlato

also baby lily didn't have stitches on their face i dont' think

so maybe they came later from the real lily laughing, lol

RebelVampire

lily is falling apart at the seams O_O

DracoPlato

baby fake lily that is

RebelVampire

QUESTION 3. The comic has some heavy themes in regards to sibling abuse. It is very clear, also, that Rose has been traumatized by this abuse. How do you think this abuse will affect Rose’s ability to leave? What about its effect on how Rose will navigate the world filled with other people? Do you have any other thoughts regarding these themes?

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Oh good i'm here for at least the last part of this

DracoPlato

yaaaay feather~!

MathTans

Oooh, that's a real interesting question, kudos. I feel like it's not only sibling abuse, because Lily wouldn't have had the authority to send Rose to the nuthouse (though she did seem to have the final say on whether Rose got out). It's interesting that the parents went that route, but I also suppose we're in more olden times. On the sibling side, well, Rose certainly has a problem opening up to people, and I could see her trusting the wrong person simply because said person said they were on her side.

Hi Feather!

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Also Rose needs to GTFO as sooon as possible becuase ahhhh get away from the freaking creepy sister

Also hey there Math :3

RebelVampire

welcome feather

MathTans

Got a fave scene, feather?

DracoPlato

rose isn't very functional atm to go to the outside world but she does need a safer environment.

RebelVampire

tbh i think rose is going to have more trouble trusting than trusting the wrong person. so instead shell sabotage her own efforts by refusing help

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

From my knowledge about changlings so far, I don't think Rose wants to meet her real sister

MathTans

Yeah, Rose needs a guide or something.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Probably doesn't even know who she is

DracoPlato

same rebel

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

And yeah please nice guy save the poor girl

DracoPlato

given the time period her family could marry her off

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Also I have a theory that she will find her sister via twin telephaphy

DracoPlato

but any guy that wanted to marry a nut job wouldn't be the best i'm sure, lol

MathTans

Where would Rose even start looking? Family records? Is there an old stump out back with shady lights floating about it?

Oooh, point, maybe she senses something.

DracoPlato

looool

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Or what is that called, Twin empathy/

It's actually an actual neuro thing with twins

MathTans

Timpani? No, wait.

I'll take your word, I don't know from twins.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

I also think the reason why Rose can't sense her twin is because the twin is in another dimention

And haha Math, I have a lot of research about twins for my comic

DracoPlato

i think the twin has been eaten

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Well changlings don't work like that Draco

MathTans

Ooooh, maybe a dimension where time moves differently. Perhaps Rose finds Lily, but Lily's the same age she was when she got abducted.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

My remembering of it is they keep the human and raise them

But there are so many different varients

And oh that's a good one too Math

MathTans

Raise them like cattle.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Baby Lily

DracoPlato

yeah there are variants where they're just eaten

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

I thought that was just fae in general

MathTans

Draco, have you had dinner yet?

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

They just eat people

Also Draco must be hungry hahah

DracoPlato

nyu

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

I'm hungry too stop making me hungry

DracoPlato

but we eat lunch late

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Also I have to note

Lily's and Rose's name

MathTans

The Hill sisters?

RebelVampire

yeah ive seen more variants of the story where the child just gets eaten

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Lily the flower when used in funerals symbolize that the soul of the departed has received restored innocence after death.

DracoPlato

yis

MathTans

omg, flower symbolism, I didn't even think.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Roses are just basic passion and stuff but there are things like Yellow roses

Or white roses

MathTans

Rose Hill. Lily... of the Valley? (okay, no.)

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Lily of the valley is another flower too

MathTans

Yeah, but Lily's not a valley girl.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

But Lily of the Valley has a meaning of "Return of Happiness"

And the other Lily is defintely a valley[faerie] girl

MathTans

Well, damn.

RebelVampire

assuming shes alive O_O

MathTans

She's in the 5th dimension.

I wonder what it is about this particular outburst the sisters seem to be having that's going to result in Rose departing on her search. What makes it different from the last ones (to kind of look at that sister abuse again).

Maybe Lily lets something slip.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Hopeflly she is alive

MathTans

Like, doll Lily. (Or real Lily somehow communicates a message??)

RebelVampire

it could be real Lily insighting it. o rmaybe fake lily legit tries to kill her

although this now makes me wonder, if lily doesnt want rose to spill the beans, why doesnt she just kill rose and make it look like an accident?

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Becuase they need her for something

OHHHHH IDEA

CRACK THEORY

MathTans

Oooh, yeah, that could be. (I don't know the horror genre that well, not usually my go-to.)

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

THEY WANT TO USE THE TWINS TO OPEN THE GATE FROM THE FAE WORLD INTO THE HUMA NWORKLD

MathTans

On their 18th birthdays?

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

OF COURSE

RebelVampire

im not sure the fae need that considering they can just hop on over and take babies XD

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Maybe that's just a weaker fae

Maybe the hgih class fae are too strong for the weak veil between worlds

MathTans

They want a bridge that doesn't rely on laughter.

But tears instead.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Yup XD

Or maybe the twins are gonna be nessary for a soul gate too

There are a lot of twin stories about souls and how they used to be one but they are not if they are indentical

which it seems like they are

RebelVampire

i wonder if the faeries in this comic have souls

DracoPlato

hmmm

the fake sister may not even be a fairy

RebelVampire

does fake sister have a soul

DracoPlato

what is fake sister MathTans

what is fake, what is real

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

I think she is a doll actually

From the pointing out of the stitches

I think she is a puppet

And it doesn't have a soul

RebelVampire

well tbh she is a doll

cause the comic description even calls her that

"Rose's twin sister is kidnapped by a fairy and replaced by a doll. Rose is the only one who sees the difference, and the doll treats Rose horribly, until Rose one day has enough of it and goes searching for her real sister."

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Yup

DracoPlato

oh, so that's just it? there's nothing more to it other than doll

MathTans

Lily's soul could be trapped in the doll.

DracoPlato

i just thought there'd be more something behind the word doll

MathTans

Doll-ar bills.

RebelVampire

i like the idea that lily's soul is just trapped in fake lily.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

actually fun note

Back in the day, they call dressed up rich people as dolls

Maybe ti's a nod to that?

Like "Isn't she such a doll?"

MathTans

Oooh, good point. Getting all dolled up. Dressing for the nines. Leaving the rich people in stitches.

DracoPlato

yeah i honestly just thought the use of the word "doll" was a generic descriptive that had a deeper meaning behind it in the overall

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Yeah, Math's you got it XD

DracoPlato

cause i mean something has to be moving the doll for it to have a personality

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Bitches, Draco, there are bitches in those stiches

DracoPlato

looool

MathTans

Does it have a personality? Or is it simply acting based on how the people around it expect it to behave? Perhaps even Rose herself expects bad behaviour, so that's what she gets.

RebelVampire

if thats the case

https://tapas.io/episode/550751

that changes the entire dynamic of that cover

cause youd think obviously lily is the evil looking top twin

but if lily acts based on how ppl assume

than its rose who is controlling her and therefore the twin on top

DracoPlato

Oooooooh ooooooh snap that'd be pretty awesome

you were the one that made her evil

MathTans

It's like a warped mirror almost.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Oooh

RebelVampire

QUESTION 4. Insofar, Andrew is the only character who seems to have paid Rose any mind; Rose even reluctantly tells Andrew the truth about Lily. Do you think Andrew has a future role to play in Rose’s life? If so, what? Alternatively, do you think Andrew will somehow become a hindrance to her quest?

MathTans

I'm still kind of surprised Andrew didn't die, so maybe I'm cynical.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Andrew please have good things happen to you

As someone who makes bad things happen to kind characters, I hope you have good htings come toyour way

DracoPlato

there's not enough story to really go on for his future role potential, i also don't know if this is a shorter or longer work

MathTans

If he's a hinderance, I think it would only be by accident.

DracoPlato

maybe he'll help her search for her sister tho

MathTans

Draco: I think it was in a Q&A that the author said they'd envisioned about 4 chapters, with this one being the first. I could be misremembering.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

I want him to be like "Oh you are going to do that? I will help you. You dnot want me to come along? I will distract your twin for you."

DracoPlato

ah that's not too long then

MathTans

That's a good point, Andrew might be a distraction so Rose can get away.

DracoPlato

it feels like a shorter work? I dunno, that's the vibe I get

MathTans

Not sure what consistutes a "chapter" though. fuzy memory

RebelVampire

yeah are we talking normal chapters or cali chapters?

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

LOL

MathTans

I also recall the author being concerned about not outputting more frequently, so just a quick shoutout if they read this, I don't think that's a big deal. Go at the pace that works.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

I'm gonna have to poof off, need to work on pages ahha I'm behind XD Have fun everyone else :3

MathTans

Best, Feather! Thanks for theories!

RebelVampire

thanks for coming feather~!

MathTans

Is anyone shipping Rose and Andrew? (Too soon?)

DracoPlato

bye Feather~!

i'm still suspicious of him

RebelVampire

how can you not ship rose and andrew? O_O

MathTans

Maybe he's a fae in disguise? O.o

DracoPlato

trust nobody

RebelVampire

although i do think andrew is potentially a "nice guy" in the sense hell go through stuff and then wonder why rose doesnt put out O_O

then go online and bitch how he got friendzoned

DracoPlato

yeah i got that vibe from him too

like whhhhy were you interested in the meek one that looks miserable, suspicious

MathTans

Eh, I didn't really get that vibe myself, but then I am a guy over here. I felt like he was trying to engage socially with people who don't necessarily enjoy these sorts of affairs, make it pleasant for them.

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Quick note: I'm the type of person who friends shy people, so I don't know, it could be a thing?

Also back in the day

It's polite for males to introduce thsemvles to ALL the ladies at the party

DracoPlato

yeah that could be math

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Regardless

I don't remember what era they set the story in

But I do remember that was social ettique things :3

MathTans

So Andrew's maybe not polite, but he's nice. ^.-

Feather, Duke of Hot Leaf Juice

Alright offical poof

DracoPlato

yeah but it's fiction so that may not be the construct he's working under

not to deny that it could be part of it

just for the tone of the story it seems like it'd be more emotionally scarring for rose if andrew wasn't nice

RebelVampire

idk if that applies tho cause no other guy approached rose XD so either andrew is the only polite person at this party or its not considered

DracoPlato

but she had put trust in him

MathTans

He also seemed annoyed or perturbed by the outrageous HaHaHa laughter. Maybe he's not much of a social guy himself.

DracoPlato

yeah, agreed rebel

MathTans

Though he's got good talking skills.

(But then, so do I some say, and I'm not a social person.)

RebelVampire

which him being the only polite person is possible. i just think the flirting makes it clear he had other intentions than politeness XD

but he may not be a nice guy

he couldve picked rose cause he is socially awkward himself and she seemed easiest to talk to

DracoPlato

it's a story with few characters atm, even fewer speaking ones, he was shown for a purpose, lol

his purpose may have been just to have lily rebuke rose afterwards tho

so his role may already be done in the story

RebelVampire

i dont feel his role is done cause i feel there were easier ways to get the rebuke without spilling hte beans to andrew

cause rose couldve said nothing and still got rebuked

MathTans

Maybe Andrew is ALL IN ROSE'S MIND. She's the only one who sees him the same way she's the only one who sees Lily's stitches. She tells her story to made-up people, she's that far gone.

DracoPlato

that's why he noticed her first

he's only in her head

MathTans

Rose is hitting on herself. She just wants to be loved.

RebelVampire

so im gonna have a crack theory in that what if rose was the one taken. and were already in the land of the faeries and the faeries just happen to be able to disguise as humans. but they made rose a doll cause baby rose kept crying about missing her sister

MathTans

O.o

DracoPlato

that'd be interesting

MathTans

Neat. They need to deal with their doll a little better though.

It's beating up their abductee.

RebelVampire

thats cause rose is being a little shit and this isnt the first doll cause rose tore apart the first one

wait how can a doll grow O_O

what magic is this

this is some good magic

DracoPlato

that is some pretty good magic XD

MathTans

The world is actually shrinking.

Now I'm wondering if dolls go through puberty. wut?

RebelVampire

she must be frankenstein's doll.

MathTans

Though if the fae had to come back and check every so often for maintenance, that might leave a trail for Rose to follow.

"Please make my hips more slender."

RebelVampire

LOL

i do think inevitably it might be the twin empathy/telepathy thing that pull sthrough as feather suggested. cause i cant otherwise think of anything mentioned that will lead rose on the right path

MathTans

Yeah, I kind of like that angle. Or maybe Andrew was the last straw, and she snaps and runs away. And once outside the influence she picks up vibes.

RebelVampire

do you think lily will pursue her or do you think lily will just be like "eh if im lucky shell get eaten by a bear"

MathTans

Good question. I think she'll get someone else to pursue. She may or may not come along, doesn't strike me as the type to get her dress dirty.

RebelVampire

i guess it really comes down to how fearful she is of rose finding the real lily

although

if rose finds the real lily how does she prove to everyone else that its the real lily?

DracoPlato

yis

MathTans

Having two of them side-by-side might help give Rose some credibility at least.(edited)

Unless Lily's still a baby.

Maybe she'll have to catch a fae.

RebelVampire

but even side-by-side ppl may not see fake lily's stitches

what if rose comes back and everyone assumes rose is the fake O_O

and fake lily and real lily are the legit twins

MathTans

I guess we'll have to wait and find out.

RebelVampire

Unfortunately, the scheduled Comic Tea Party is now complete~! Thank you everyone so much for joining this week’s chat~! That being said, if you would like to continue discussing the comic, we encourage you to do so~! We want to give a big thank you to yondoloki, as well, for volunteering The Changeling’s Sister for our reading queue. If you liked the comic, please be sure to support yondoloki’s efforts. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions about CTP, please feel free to PM me, or e-mail me at RebelVampire@startfaire.com.

With that said, next week’s Comic Tea Party will focus on Radio Silence by Vanessa Stefaniuk. Please use this week to read as much of the comic as you would like. Hope to see you next Thursday (September 28th) from 5PM to 7PM PDT~! Until then~! Comic: http://www.radiosilencecomic.com/

[tmntl0verthings]

Green with Jealousy RaphXreader

Dedicated to pizzapocket21

"You don't need water to feel like your drowning, do you?" -Anonymous  

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐀I'll label Part one and Part Two so you can choose to read only lemon or Storyline and Lemon :D

part one

As the song "My no. 5 " by lou bega was playing in the kitchen as you were baking cookies for the boys..And of course yourself too. You bopped your hips side to side, moved your head as your (hair flew side to side/ Rustled).

"A little bit of Monica in my life

A little bit of Erica by my side A little bit of Rita is all I need A little bit of Tina is what I see A little bit of Sandra in the sun A little bit of Mary all night long A little bit of Jessica here I am

A little bit of you makes me your man!"

you sang off key with a cookie dough covered spoon. You Lifted your one leg behind; you twirled to stand in a different place and moved your shoulders up and down with a smolder. You Slid to one side then to the other side to then shimmy your shoulders. You heard someone huff. You stopped to look over your shoulder to see raph. "O dear.." You saw him smiling at you as he stood there looking at you wearing Grey Sweats and no weaponry on. You stood like a frozen statue as you watched his tongue rearrange his toothpick. His smile grew brighter making your heart melted; you exhaled as you relaxed your body. "how long were you there?" "long enough." he smirked. "well I hope you enjoyed the show." you told him walking over to the oven. "Oh I did. 'specially that shimmy" He sat down at the table "O shush" you told him without looking at him. "Whatcha making?" his new york accent bled through his words which made you smile but quickly wiped it as you bent down to get the try of cookies. you turned around to show him the tray "cookies." "Chocolate chip. how'd you know they where my favorite?" he teased. "Its america's Favorite." And just when you felt like you were having a moment with raph the new girl showed up. She wore a tight White tank top fitting her Barbie waste with a pair of jeans; bedazzled pockets. Brown belt, Sketchers and her Brown hair was a river of curls that flowed to her hips. Her eyes were always done up in makeup and her lips Shined. Her fingers were longer than yours and she always smelled of Vanilla. She's been coming down here for 4 months now, but you secretly still call her the new girl. "Hey raphie bear!" she squealed. he turned around to focus on her now. "Hey, sup MJ (maryjane)." (Option: I hate even more how we share the same name) "Hey y/n!" her perfect teeth smiled "hey!" you faked a smile as you placed the tray on the kitchen counter with your back facing everyone. "She's even younger than raph and me." (She's 17-Your 21- He's 22). You placed the rest of cookies on a plate, turned the oven off and looked over to tell raph you were gonna go watch Tv but he was too busy interacting with miss perfect. You just left the area.

6:45 pm:  You and the turtle family, including MJ were sitting in the living room watching Batman Returns from 1992. You would glance at Raph whom was sharing popcorn with..Her. You breathed out as you licked your lips trying to ignore them but it was hard. how could he NOT like her? 'so stupid..(you looked over at raphael laughing with MJ) ugh..So many times (you looked back at the TV) I've wanted to tell you but i just don't think your ready..even though your older than me. you haven't changed since your old 16 year old self. Your still immature, and your just to involved with your family and Practices-not thats its a bad thing. your just too busy also to have someone like me in your life. But this girl--I don't want her being yours either...' You continued thinking to yourself as Donnie from afar for awhile has been watching your reactions with MJ and raph. You act nice enough around her but there's something off and you seem to look at raphael allot when she's around. Next scene

   After the movie You were drinking Cocoa with Leo. But he was drinking Matcha tea. Donnie was having his Late night snack, ramen. Raph was benching as MJ had already left for her parents home. "Soo y/n, what do you think of MJ?" Don asked trying to pick your brain. "She's alright. Why?" He shrugged as he puckered his bottom Lip for a moment "Just wondering. It just seems like you don't entirely like her." Leo looked over at you intrigued by Don's Accusations. "No i like her." You told him as you sipped your cocoa. "okay good, Cause I saw Raph and her go into the dojo alone earlier. Raph came out all..funky. not sure what entirely happened." Donnie lied. Your cocoa on the table; He watched as your one hand was in a light fist as you looked around thinking. 'the hell did they do? what if He kissed her? or worse, She kissed him. Or what if they did more?!' your eyes had narrowed unintentionally as you considered all possibilities. Leo swallowed more tea as he looked at don then down at his tea to set it down. " I'll be back." leo informed as he stood up to leave. You looked at your chocolaty Drink to then look at don 'Maybe he already knows. He is smart, and he can figure anything out. He learned Mandarin within a month..It would be nice to tell someone I can trust. Just to have some relief.' "Don, Can I tell you something. Its important that you don't tell anyone else." he focused all his attention onto you. "I kinda may have a thing.." you stopped talking as you looked at him. "A thing? Like what? A mole?" "what ew no. I have (exhale) I have a thing for..-" "Forrrr?" "For No-no I can't do this." you put your hands up as you then picked up your drink to sip some more. "Y/n..(He put his hand on yours which held a mug) You can tell me anything. you can trust me."  His glasses enlarged his emerald eyes. It made it impossible for you To not want to tell him anything. "It doesn't matter. I think he likes someone else anyways." "raph?" he guessed "Yea.." you gave in. He didn't seem to thrilled but you assumed it was because Raph is a hard person to get to know cause he never lets anyone in and a bit of a mild Brute. "Why haven't you told him yourself?" "eehh He doesn't show interest." Don mentally smirked as he knew what raph thought about you. During Practice he would do spot on but when you would come in his focus would shift and he would consistently mess up unless you left the room. And he would always look immediately around when someone said your name hoping you were around. Next scene

You were walking into the dojo area to see Raphael. He just finished up his workout as he was wiping his sweat off with his towel. "Hey" you greeted, He looked up as he was wiping his face to accidently shove his towel in his eye. "Ow!" he took the towel, dropping it to the ground as he covered his eye. "Aw damnit!" "are you okay?" you rushed over to him "let me see." He lowered himself as his one eye looked at you to then remove his hand to see his other eye. You used his shoulder to balance yourself. "mm..It doesn't look like anythinngg is realllyy wrong with it." You looked from his left eye to look at both of them. 'I've never been this close to his face..And his eyes. They're so deep, That churning, passionate green that the ocean turns during a storm.' "So nothings wrong?" he asked knocking you out of your dream-like state. "yep, nothings wrong." you smiled as you took your hand off his shoulder letting his stand back up. "So Don told me something interesting." "That's surprising. You never find anything he says interesting." He walked up to you making your heart beat harder. He kept walking until you started backing away until you were up against the wall. "where you going?" he asked playfully "Just..over here." "Hey-Hey careful!" You tripped backwards on a weight for him to catch you in his arms. You made a little squeak as you faced him. "you okay?" he rose a brow "Ye-ye i'm good." "So you think i'm just a boy?" he asked making your eyes widened "aw naw..he told youuuuu for reallllll. ugh Donnie, i swear." you looked away "well?" he asked as his eyes sassed you.  You gave up and confessed "I thought you just may not have been ready for a real relationship is all. Your just a boy and plus there her." "her?" "MJ."  He huffed at your explanation as he let you stand up "you know i'm not just a boy. I'm a man. And i'm ready for whatever comes my way.." he smirked as  you felt the cold brick wall at your fingertips and shoulders. "And I'm ready..for you." he nodded his head down once in a head slant. You were a little surprised taken off guard making you nervous but you played his game "Oh is that so?" you half smiled as him as he towered above you. "Oh--(He walked closer to you as he had now Bent down a little as his hands were on his Knees looking at you) You better believe it." An uncontrolable smile covered your face as you tried to hide it by trying to close your mouth but all you did was bite your lip. "Your smile is the literally the cutest thing I've ever seen." "Oh shut up." you smile wider as you covered your face. "alright, But I'll need your help." You uncovered your face to feel his lips against yours in surprise. your eyes widened, Your heart Stopped. 'oh my god' was your only thought. You felt his hands cup your face as you moved your hands up to his shoulders.

 After Dessert (30 minutes ago) you and Raph were sitting on the couch watching a movie as the other turtles were doing there own thing. He rearranged himself as he slipped his hand to lay under your bum to rub his one finger from your Flower to your clit, over and over slowly. You felt your self become warm as he then felt something different. He felt a feint wetness bleed through your jeans.

Part Two:

Dark room, only light was the burning singe on his intense plate. Door locked. He had you stripped down already with you on your hands and knees. His mask still on as his hard Shelled chest was laying on your shoulder blades while his hands squished, n' squeezed your boobs. His knees supported most of his body. Your eyes were relaxed as your mouth was opened showing your teeth letting out gasps of pleasure as he then used his fingers to tug and twist your nipples. breahtly moans escaped your lips as your hand twitched. You felt something throb against your sternum while You felt him play rougher with you as he then took his right hand away to pet your slippery wet pinkness. His other hand took over both of your breasts, squeezing them hard together like a stress Reliever ball. Squeaky moans were made as he smirked from the pleasure he was giving you. He's only watched porn so he assumed this is how humans procreated. His finger slid with ease inside. You felt something beefy insert inside 'is this his? feels like a human man's..' you thought as you were slightly swaying back and forth from his finger motions. His palm laid on your one but cheek making your eyes widen 'This is only his hand?!' Removing his hand He backed up his pelvis as his hands moved down to your hips to keep em' steady. He removed one hand from your skin to hold his cucumber so he could insert it. He pressed his tip against your opening to feel it swallow him tightly. To him, You felt so succulent and real. Your eyes were widening with fear but you couldn't turn back now. He only got half way inside of you for that's all he could fit. Saliva built up on your tongue as you swallowed while he then began his first thrust. His huge palm landed on the crest of your neck n' shoulder. You felt his thickness grow one size. Your throat hummed moans of pleasurable pain. He took ahold of your shoulders like reins to a horse and used your body to bounce back onto his thrusting hips. Your moans became more powerful as he felt your jiggling ass beat against him. He grew intense as he then moved your body to Lay on its side, Your thigh was in his grasp as he got a full view of your wet, pouty core while his manhood forced your walls to move along with his sinful acts. He watched as your breasts bounced with every thrust. He slammed his cock against your womb with one teeth grinding thrust. You screamed a moan as he spun you to lay you on your back for him to bring his lips to your breasts. His iced your nipples in saliva as his hand entertained the other with his fingers. You leaned your head back into his comforters as you could smell the deodorant he uses on a daily basis embedded in each thread. You closed your eyes as you let the smell that enchanting aroma. It was nothing like your fathers, his scent was so much more exotic; you could recognize the brand of cologne he used – one of your favorites – intermingling with the outlandish aroma of charcoal flames and cinnamon. You opened your eyes to see his green eyes pierced through the Darkness; almost like your vision was able to see in the dark now. His eyes were beautiful as you could see a Golden rim with deep darkness No matter the mood, his eyes were always, always passionate when they turned upon me. I guess I could consider myself lucky if he weren't so dangerous. You watched as his hands picked up your body to have your butt hang off the edge of the bed making his Biceps bulge and burst with strength as they were the size of my head. You felt the urge to pee as you knew what was happening. Your moans were the complete opposite of descrete. Loud, intense, and above all He still found it sexy. You felt this release of complete...i don't know. Peace? Relief? or a craving for more of him? The feeling of a woman's oragasm was never the easiest thing to describe. Even if right now, You decided to describe it. Could you? His shoulders moved in swift motions while you could see his neck muscles tighten a bit for a moment. everything he did made me want him more even though i had him all to myself at this very moment. No one was here but him..and me. Not even that chick, MJ. She could never be close to him like i am. And she never will be. Is this an awkward moment to say i love you? the first i love you should always be special right, and this is pretty special. God damn he's so sexy. I'd love it if he was just Mine! And only mine; no sharing. He became faster and faster with his might. With the door closed every pretense falls. The facade we show the world melts away and all we want is to fuck each other's brains out. Every kiss has a raw intensity - breathing fast, heart rates faster. Then before I know how it happened we are naked and our skin is moving softly together, like the finest of silk. I feel his hand enter from below moving fast, our tongues entwined in a kiss, and then he's inside, changing my breathing with every thrust, hearing my moans timed to his body. Then all at once he stops and kisses from my breasts to my stomach, his hands light; then he's licking and using his fingers all at once, watching my reaction, feeling how my legs move, watching my body. I just let out a moan, unable to articulate a response. In seconds he's on me again, fucking me harder, just long enough to intoxicate my mind before stopping again. He pulls himself out to face another direction onto an old pair of shorts he doesn't really ever wear. You lay there done and used. Naked on his bed you curled up your legs to yourself; pushing your heels into his bedding making yourself scoot more onto his bed. He got paper towels to wipe his Tip off.   You and him laid there under the covers in relief as some sweat still stuck to you. He just pulled off his mask with his hand and laid it on his wooden bedside while the Burning singe was almost complete. He rolled back over to face you. Your cheek bone laid on the pillow, sinking your head into it. It felt amazing. So comfortable and cool at the same time. He smirked as he joined you "comfy?" "absolutely." you tiredly smiled at him with heavy eyes. He yawned making his tongue curl like a dogs. You smiled amused as he finished to crack open an eye to see your toothly smile "Whats up?" he asked with a yawn finishing up. "You yawn so cutely, i never noticed you curled you tongue." "Oh shush." He rearranged his shoulder and leg. "Raph? can i ask you something." "anything." he answered.  "Remember back at the dojo when you confronted me about this--thing i have for you. Do you have a thing for me too?" his eyes never left your face as you could the white of his eyes in the dense darkness. "What if i did?" "I'd sayy..You wanna be a thing together?" "Well..i don't know..we don't wanna make things too awkward since we just had sex, ya know." he teased as you saw one of his fangs showing from behind his lips. "I'll take that as a yes." you smiled lightly. "damn right." he put his arm around you as he pulled your closer so your forehead was under his chin. You closed your eyes as you inhaled his manly perfumes.

the end

[crimsonfade-official]

CrimsonFade Chapter 1-The Fall

“Ugh!” Frisk slowly got to her feet, every bone in her body was bruised and sore but otherwise she was none the worse for wear. She looked up from where she fell. 900 meters of air were all that seperated her from where she was and where she landed. “How am I still alive?” She wondered to herself.as Frisk looked around her she noticed that their were vines in the shape of a safety net “Thats what must have caught me. But who made it? Oh well No use in standing around Otherwise I’m not going to make any progress. Frisk left the area and came to a long Hallway. After a few minutes of walking she managed to reach a set of doors with strange symbols engraved into each door. Frisk Proceeded to open them but to no avail. She tried again this time harder, but still no luck. “This door is jammed.” Frisk tried a third time, this time putting forth every ounce of strength and determination she could muster into her force. Slowly, ever so slowly, the door began to yield. Every inch was a battle to overcome. Frisks arms were shaking from the strain of her muscles. The only thing keeping them going was sheer determination and willpower. Finally after what seemed like an eternity Frisk managed to open the doors just wide enough to where she could dash through. She sprinted through the opening and collapsed on the otherside. Not a second later the doors slammed shut behind her. Her muscles aching from the strain they had just been through. After a few minutes of blissful rest Frisk continued on. After three minutes of walking she was surprised to see a flower with a yellowish middle, light pinkish petals and a face with three black markings, two on both sides of the face and one where the chin would beHowdy, I'm Flowey, Flowey the flower, hmm, it seems like your new around here huh? Well, I guess I'll just have to guide you through the Ruins. It doesn't look however, that you'll make it very far in your current condition. Here.” Seven little white seeds appeared above Flowey. “Be sure to catch all of them.” Frisk wasn't sure whether she should dodge them or do as the plant asked. In the end, her indecision caused her to get hit. She was taken by surprise when the sharp stings of impact faded into a wonderous sensation as each of the special seeds were absorbed by her skin. Erasing any and all forms of fatigue, aches and pains. She felt energized and refreshed as if she had just waken up from a year long nap and was well rested. “Wow Flowey! What did you do!?” “Friendliness Pellets. They restore your body and energy back to the way they're supposed to be. Now come on, I have much to show and teach you about the various puzzles you will encounter while in the ruins. A lot of them are extremely dangerous and could kill you if your not careful. They came to two sets of staircases with a strange light in the middle. “Touch the light Frisk” She did as Flowey said, she went towards the light and outstretched her hand towards it. All of a sudden she found herself in a room, well room is an inaccurate way to describe it. A void is a better way to describe her location. Above her she noticed a large white text appear before her eyes, (SEEING SUCH AN ANCIENT FILLS YOU WITH DETERMINATION.) Below that was her determination and how much she had left. ( DETERMINATION: 70% Remaining) Finally the last text seemed to be an option. (WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAVE? YES. NO.) “ Save? What does it mean by this?” Frisk asked herself. “ Oh well.” She reached out and slected the Yes option. The text changed. (FILE SAVED, DETERMINATION: 100% REMAINING) As soon as she read that, she noticed she was feeling a lot more confident than she had moments ago. A strange light surrounded her, one instant she was in the void like room, then the next thing she knew, she was back with Flowey at the gateway. “What was that!?” Frisk asked Flowey, both shocked and confused. “It's called a save point. Very few monster can see them, and even fewer can use them, they serve useful. For if and when you die, you will be revived at the location up to five minutes before you died. I must warn you however, if your Determination level falls below 30% you will not be able to interact with a save point. Also not all save points will refill your Determination. Some will only give you 20% others will restore 45% and so on. So keep an eye out. Also you can use food to keep your determination level high. Now lets move on to the next area. Flowey disappeared through the ground and reappeared by Frisk on the otherside of the entrance. The next room was much larger. On the other side were five switches down the corridor. There was also a doorway guarded by mini metal stalagmites. “The only way to progress is to activate three of the five switches in order to deactivate the traps by the door. Here, I will label the correct switches.” Vines appeared in front of three switches. “Now Frisk, deactivate the switches in this order. Left then right then middle. The spikes deactivated and they moved on. It was pretty much the same with every puzzle. Flowey used his vines to make a pathway through the spiky bridge, Told Frisk the correct switches to pull during the Rotation Puzzle Room and guided her through the *Hole* Maze. Along the way they encountered countless monsters. Frisk somehow managed to either spare or flee from every monster she came into contact with. Flowey thought it strange that she didn't kill any of them but didn't say anything. They finally came to what looked like an abandoned house. But despite it being empty, it was in good condition, as if the previous tenants had just moved out a month earlier. In front of the house was another *Save point* As before, she walked up to it and touched it. She again appeared in the *Void* Room. (SEEING SUCH A NICE AND NEAT YET ABANDONED HOUSE FILLS YOU WITH DETERMINATION: DETERMINATION: 79% REMAINING. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAVE? YES. NO.) (YES.) DETERMINATION: 100% REMAINING) Frisk once again found herself in front of the house. “Flowey? If this house is abandoned, then why is it so well maintained?” It's My hideout so I take care of it. Here,follow me. Frisk followed Flowey down one of the hallways. Flowey appeared in front of one of the doors. “This is your room. Welcome to your new home. Get some rest. If you need me I'll be in the living room.” Flowey disappeared into the ground. Leaving Frisk alone in her room. She lay on the bed and drifted off to sleep. About three hours later she awoke. She got to her feet and went to explore the rest of the house. In the living room was Flowey. Reading some sort of book. The fireplace was lit up with some Freshly cut logs. “Ah, I see your up. Did you get enough rest?” Frisk nodded her head. “Ok good. So we need to get you prepared for life down here.” “No.” “What?” “Flowey, I'm grateful for your help but I have to get out of here, I have a family waiting for me on the surface.” Floweys voice started to rise out of anger and despair. “YOU FOOLISH CHILD, WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE SO BADLY!!??! YOU HAVE A PLACE TO STAY... AND FOOD!!!” “No Flowey, I don't want to have to live in an abandoned house.” Flowey was full of rage now. Trembling with anger He saw Frisk go near the entrance to the basement, Where the exit out lies. To Frisks shock a Burst of vines suddenly broke through the floor, blocking her one way exit. “Flowey??!! FLOWEY!!??! I have to find something that can cut those vines.” Frisk Ran into the Kitchen, She searched every drawer but most of them were either empty or had useless junk. The very last drawer however, had a large kitchen knife. “This might work.” Frisk thought to herself. She grabbed the knife and dashed back to the basement entrance. She managed to slice a hole through the vines big enough for her to crawl through. As soon as she stood up the vines regrew making it seem as if the hole was never cut out. She ran down the stairs and after a few moments she stopped halfway down the hall. In front of her was Flowey. “You don't belong here Frisk. Please. Go back.” “What are you planning to do?!?” “That's none of your concern.” “Flowey, please tell me!” Flowey sighed. “I am going to destroy the exit, so nothing can get in or out.” Frisk was horrified. “WHAT!?!!? WHY!!???” “Because... If you leave, Asriel will kill you. You will not win. You are simply too weak.” “ Flowey, I don't care how many times I die. I am getting out of here.” Flowey could sense a will of Iron within Frisk. “She may very well be the one to free us from our prison.” Flowey thought to himself. “Very Well!” He said aloud. “If you want to leave, prove to me you are strong, Strong enough to survive against Asriels might.” Without another word vines shot out of the ground. Frisk just narrowly dodged them. a list of options appeared before her. (FIGHT) (ACT) (ITEM) (MERCY) Frisk selected the Mercy button and selected spare. “What are you doing?! ITS KILL OR BE KILLED!!!!” Flowey shot black pellets at Frisk. Again she dodged but was caught midair by Floweys vines. They slammed her into the ground. The impact would have broken several bones on most humans, luckily however, Frisk was more Durable than the rest of her kind. So she got the breath knocked out of her instead. She struggled to her feet. She spared flowey over and over again and each time Flowey kept on striking her over and over. But through all that Frisk never once fought back. She kept getting weaker and weaker. “Frisk, Please. Just give up. You will not win. I do not want to kill you. But i will if i have to.” Frisk smiled at Flowey. Blood dripping from multiple parts of her body. “Heh, I refuse to give up Flowey, and I will not fight you.” She struggled to stand up but fell down. Her body too weak to move on its own. Vines shot out at Frisk. Penetrating the ground. Just Several inches from where Her battered body lay. “I can't kill you, I can't kill someone whose so kind that they refuse to fight back. Even at the risk of your own life. The vines retreated from the ground and lifted Frisk up on to her feet. She was concious but to injured and weak to stand on her own. “Here.” He shot the white beads at her. Slowly as Frisks Body absorbed the seeds into her skin, The pain and fatigue started to fade away. Until she was able to stand on her own. The vines that supported her retreated back into the ground. “You are one weird kid Frisk. You know that? I have never seen anyone so pure hearted that they would rather

[shad-and-da-darkness-blog]

I have decided to post chapter one of my story. A preview if you will.

Chapter One

    I sat in my living room. The blinds were closed and the curtains drawn. My mother snoozed on the couch. Beer bottles all around her. “In other news, seven bodies were found in their homes. Locals are calling it another Proxy attack. Now for the wea-” I turned the tv off and grabbed my backpack. Slinging it onto my shoulder. I knelt down and lightly kissed my moms forehead. “Love you, see you after school okay.” I whispered gently. I picked up the bottles and headed outside. I shifted the bottles to one arm as I shut the door and locked up. I threw the bottles away. I glanced down at the crumpled pieces of paper I threw away yesterday, I had been drawing strange symbols for weeks now, I don’t know what they mean though. I adjusted my glasses.I rubbed my head, I have been having headaches for months. At times a faint ear splitting static noise. I checked my watch, it's cracked glass making it hard to see the time. 6:30 a.m. I opened the front gate and made my way to the bus stop. The walk was a short but cold one.

    The bus stop was bustling with students. It was loud with talker. Talk about the recent murder and death fresh off everyone's tongues. I made my way through the crowd. Getting closer to where the bus would pull up. Better to get on quick then troubled by everyone else. I stood with my hood covering my face. “Isn’t that her?” I heard a gruff voice asked. The muffled talker and laughter. “Hey, I heard you were the slut to talk about cheap blowjobs.” said the gruff voice. “Piss off.” I told him as I stepped back one. Ever since I pissed of Vicky snow I had been branded a school slut. Not surprised people believe what she posts on the Web Stream. I checked her Jaber page. The most recent post was about me with 6 million views so far. I heard talk about the man people call Slenderman. He was last seen 17 years ago and his picture still circles the Web Stream.

    I tucked my phone back in my pocket and waited for the bus. When the bus pulled up I rushed on. I sat in the seat behind the busdriver. The bus ride was a short one, but full of taunting. When the bus pulled in at the school I rushed off and vanished into the crowd. I entered the school building. The walls were brown and dirty with grey floors. The whole school was worn down. I walked quickly with my head down. Heading for my locker. I passed by Vicky and the cheer team. I glanced over and locked eyes with Vicky. I could see with the anger flare in her eyes. What I did to her, who knows. “Hey bitch, come here.” she yelled.

    I kept walking not really caring what she had to say. I could here her heeling clacking on the worn floor. As she jogged after me. “Hey, i’m talking to you.” She said in her squeaky voice. “Oh? I didn’t hear you.” I said. “How could you not.” She said. “Well the last time I checked my name isn’t bitch.” I said. Walking off. “You will pay Harlea, Pay!” She screamed. I rushed to my locker. Shaking with silent laughter. I scanned the halls for my friends. “Where are you guys” I mumbled as I grabbed my books. I walked to my class and waited for this day to be over.

#######

    The last bell of the day rang. I got up and took my time walking to my locker. Hoping to catch a glimpses of Cassidy or Tiffany. They were nowhere to be seen. I threw my books inside and walked out to the courtyard. I glanced around and made a split decision to walk home. I would take the scenic route. Near Rufford Woods also nicknamed “Slender Woods”. I walked the quiet streets. Checking my watch making sure to make it home on time. Mom would need her medication. I heard laughter and talking behind me. I glanced back to see the boys from this morning. Holding beer bottles in their hands.

    I could tell by there partly slurred voices and swaying walks it wasn’t there first bottle. I quickened my pace. “Hwey it's the Slute” Josh yelled. The group broke out into laughter. “Lets get her guys.” Josh yelled. Breaking from the group in a run. I glanced over my shoulder and looked for a place to run. The forest. I bolted in the woods, as I went into I saw a very pale in a suit. I tried to get a better look but was shoved from behind by Josh. I rolled down the small hill. Hitting rocks and falling branches on my way down. Josh laid not far away. My vision was blurry, my glasses had gone missing when I fell. I slowly rose up and looked around. A faint static sound rang in my ears.

    Josh got up. He swayed as he walked over to me. His friends ran down the slope. Laughing and stumbling on the way down. Josh groaned, his head was bleeding. From the red running down his blurred head. “Look what you did.” He yelled walking over to me. I stood up scrambling backward. Josh grabbed me and threw me onto the ground. “Josh, What happened to your head.” One of his friends called. “This bitch made me fall.” he yelled. His voice becoming less slurred as his anger came out.

    I tried to get up but he stopped on me. Knocking the air out of my lungs. I gasped for hair. I waited for him to turn away so I could run. My ribs hurt where he stepped on me. When he turned to yell at one of his friends I jumped up and rammed into his gut. He stumbled back and I bolted. “Get back here!” He yelled. I kept going till a loud band rang through the forest, and I was on the ground screaming. I could feel the blood pouring from my wound. I could hear Josh's footsteps as he neared me. “Josh, why do you have that!” One of his friends yelled. I glanced over my shoulder to see Josh point his gun at the guy.

    I forced myself up, and tackled Josh to the ground. He fell and his gun went off hitting my shoulder. I fought for the gun with my only working arm.

He was dazed from me tackling him. I grabbed the gun and forced myself to stand. I pointed the gun and shot Josh in his leg. His friends ran. I tossed the gun as far as I can. My body screaming in agony. I took a step forward. Then another before collapsing. My vision blurring and my head being filled with the sound of static.

#######

    I heard the mummer of rushed voices and metal on metal. “Give me the bandages. She's bleeding out!” an unknown voice yelled. My mind was slow and dazed. I couldn’t put two and two together. Only the throbbing pain kept me from falling into oblivion. It was like this for hours. My body slowly grew numb as time passed. Till I could no longer hear anymore talking. I was trapped with my thoughts. I tried to open my eyes. “I think she's waking up.” I males voice said. My eyes cracked open, I never thought the first thing I would see was a glazed face with no eyelids and a cut in smile. But I was scared of the person either. “Then go get Slender.” A voice yelled. “Shut up lui.” The teen said.

    “Make me Jeff.” the other voice said. Who are these people? I could hear a distance voice which sounded like the news lady from channel six. “Breaking news, Two killers are making themselves known. The have been tagging there names on every crime scene. Tonight a couple was slaughtered in there home. Beside there bodies was the killers names and a Web Stream, web address. We will have more information in a few, back to you Ned.” Chills ran down my spine. “Thanks Tina, tonight a student from Preston High that was found last week is back on his feet. Josh Whaley was found in the woods with a gunshot wound to his leg. The person in question is Preston High student Harlea Johnston. There are eye witness reports that she was at the crime scene. She has been charged with An Attempt of Murder- The door opened, “Is she up?” I deep voice asks. My breathing quickened this man was speaking in my mind.

I opened my eyes a bit more to see the main I saw before. But he was taller still in a suit with pale skin and no face. Slenderman. He looked at me as if he heard me. “Leave, both of you.” he said. They grumbled but left. “Hello my dear” He said. “Hello.” I whispered in a soft voice. “Now you have two choices, You join me or you’ll find yourself in the custody of the police.” He said. “Wow, blackmail.” I said. Thinking over my options. I nodded and said, “I’ll join. Don’t feel like becoming a Conner.” I said. Slender nodded then asked, “Where would you like the symbol you’ve been drawing.” He asked. “My neck left side.” I said. “Also you will have a spell type thingy put on you that I control. Call it a curse if you will.” He chuckled at his own joke. “If you are captured by my enemys or on an important mission. You can’t tell anyone about it. Only I will know the details. I will decide when you can remember your mission. Okay.” He said.

“What the fuck man N to the OW” I yelled. Slender started to trace my neck. It burned like a bitch. He raised he finger of my neck and said, “To late already did it.” He said. I looked at him. “BITCH!” I yelled. “Thats boss to you.” He said as he unstrapped me to the table. My wounds where bandaged. They were numb from some sort of satidive. Slender handed me some crutches. I stood up with the crutches help and followed Slender up the steps. Slender had to help me up after a few slips when going up the dark staircase. When we reached the door we walked out into what looked to be a living room. It was quiet and no one was to be seen. “Sorry, but your slow on crutches.” Slender said as he picked me up with on of his tendrils. “What the hell. Put me down.” I said. “In a minute” he said as he started up the stairs to the upper floors.

He set me down when we reached the third floor. “See? Much faster than your stumbling.” He said. Asshole. “I heard that.” He said. He opened one of the doors and said, “This is your room. Will fill out your form tomorrow. Goodnight.” He said as he walked past me and back down stairs. I slowly made my way into the bedroom. I threw my crutches to the floor and shuffled my way to the bed.I took my glasses off and tossed them on to the bed side table. I layed down and fell into an unrestful sleep.

#######

I awoke to my door opening. I cracked my eyes open and glanced at the door. My vision blurred since my glasses were off. The figure walked slowly and quietly through my room. Making there way to me. I tensed up at this. They crept closer my heart beat went faster. As they neared my bed I got ready to spring up and attack. They were right next to me and knife swished out of its holder. I jumped up and on to the person startling them. I fought for control my gun shot wounds bursting with pain at my movements. The person hit me in the head, knocking my head back onto the floor. The person grabbed the knife and stabbed down. There hand covered my mouth covering my screams. I looked in to my attackers eyes. Taking them to memory so I could kick there ass later.

I felt a roll of power, a source of energy. Like a switch had been flipped inside me. I pushed on my attacker sending him into my ceiling. He dropped back down with a groan. The room filled with a dim light grey light, I sat up and glanced around the now clear room. I saw my attack run from the room. My floor was cover in my blood. I glanced down at my stomach. My clothes cover in my blood but no cut was to be seen. My vision was near perfect as I looked around. My glasses rested on the night table. My bullet wounds were no longer hurt. I heard rushed footsteps coming up the steps. I turned to look at the door, Slender was standing there. He glanced around the room before asking, “What in the actual fuck happened here.” He said. “I was attacked.” I whispered. Wrapping my arms around me and thinking about the punishment for jacking up the room. “Who?” he asked. I shrugged.

“Well you don’t look hurt.” he said. I nodded. “What happened to your hair, and your wounds looked healed.” He said. “I don’t know. I just felt this energy swell inside me, like a switch was flipped. I threw my attacker into the ceiling. My wounds are gone, and I can see clearly without glasses. There was a light grey light surrounding me. I don’t know what is happening to me.” I said in a panicked voice. He glanced at me, then said “Come with me.” He left my room and I followed after. Jumping three steps at a time to keep up. When we reached the ground floor we went to the left in a hall. We turned to the right and entered a hospital looking hall. “Where are we?” I asked. “Smileys Hospital Ward. I gave it to him for good behavior.” Slender said.

“Dr.Smiley?” I ask. He glanced back at me then turned and kept going. We entered a large room. Four medical tables lined the walls. A larger table was in the back of the room. A man with black hair and a medical mask was fooling around with chemicals. Causing mini explosion inside the trash bin. The loud bangs rang through the room with each concoction he threw in the trash bin. “Smiley! I need you to run a blood test on…” he turned towards me. “Lost Shadow, but you can call me Shad.” I said. I threw my old name behind me and took up my new role. “Sure, Slender. I’ve had nothing better to do.” Smiley said. He patted on the stool next to him. I walked over a sat down. Smiley got his nettles readiy as I sat and waited.

Smiley grabbed my arm and tied a leather strap around my arm. He found a vein and stuck the nettle in. Drawing blood from me and into a vile. He pulled the nettle out and put a cloth on the wound. He took the blood and started the tests. “What am I looking for Slender?” He asked glancing up from the blood. “The immortal gene.” He said. I glanced at Slender with shock in my eyes. Smiley glanced at me with wonder in his eyes. He went back to studying my blood. We sat in silence for what seemed like hours. He finally looked up and nodded. Slender glanced at me then turned towards me. I stood up and followed him out of the room. I glanced back at Smiley as I left the room. Giving him a small smile before leaving.

Slender was nearly down the hall. I rushed after him, “Slender! What is wrong with me.” I asked him. “Nothing is wrong, you're just…….Immortal.” he said. I stopped in my tracks. “Immortal” I whispered. “Yes.” he said. “I have a job for you.” He told me. “Yes?” I asked. “Go pick up your friend Tiffany. She’s becoming a thorn in my side since you disappeared. You’ll pick up Cass in a week. This is a test, if you pass this there's another mission. Here.” he said. He handed me a nettle with a clear liquid in it. I tucked it into my pocket and ran into the living room. I ran out the front door and into the woods.

[viralhottopics]

Two of Everest’s coolest climbers talk digital storytelling and survival tips

Cory Richards (left) and Adrian Ballinger (right) making their way up Everest.

Image: eddie Bauer

Next time you’re whining about the ~struggles~ of trying to capture the perfect winter Snapchat to add to your story, think of Adrian Ballinger and Cory Richards two badass mountaineers who used Snapchat to document their climb up Mount Everest last year and toughen up.

Before they attempt to summit Everest again this April, the two legendary adventurers who became fast friends after meeting seven years ago in the Himalayas stopped by SXSW to chat about the tech that saves their lives during the climbs and give inquiring minds some insight on what it’s really like to take on the worlds tallest mountain.

SEE ALSO: Now you can climb Mount Everest in VR

In May 2016, the partners embarked on a climb without supplemental oxygen. But when Ballinger, who previously summited Everest six times (with oxygen,) neared 28,000 feet above sea level, he was advised to head back to base camp due to poor health.

Richards carried on, achieving his first Everest summit and becoming one of around 200 people to have successfully climbed Everest without using additional oxygen, but unfortunately, due to some technical difficulties, when he reached the peak he was unable to Snapchat his epic view.

This year, Ballinger explained the primary goal for the two is to summit without supplemental oxygen, while, of course, having loads of fun and hopefully grabbing that glorious Snapchat moment Richards was denied last year.

Between the popular social media platform and Strava a biometric data-driven app that tracks their heartbeats, miles walked and other health-related statistics the climbers plan to use the best of tech and social storytelling to chronicle their excursion in a never-before-seen way.

After hearing the experienced climbers describe the key technology and factors that make achieving their goal possible, Mashable compiled a list of fascinating Everest pro tips from the jaw-droppingly costly price of internet to the shockingly gross storage of bodily fluids.

Here are some things you should know should you hope to scale Everest and document your trip:

The internet costs A LOT up there

Snapchatting up Everest is no cheap feat. In fact, Ballinger explained that last year, the pair’s internet bill was a whopping $23,000 essentially as steep as the mountain itself. While I almost passed out upon hearing this news, Ballinger simply laughed and owned the massive but worthwhile charges, saying, “We killed it.”

Bet that extra $50 you pay when you exceed your data limit doesn’t seem so terrifying anymore.

Ballinger Snapping away like it’s just another day.

Image: SNAPCHAT/EVEReSTNOFILTER

A very stylin’ Richards gives Snapchat users a glimpse at the snow.

Image: SNAPCHAT/EVEReSTNOFILTER

Data will help you understand what’s really going on

While Snapchat serves as a more lighthearted form of entertainment for the two, allowing them to preserve and share monumental memories from the mountain, Strava aids in their safety, updating them along with their doctors and coaches back home about their health.

“We feel like the two platforms Strava and Snapchat work really well together because they show two really different sides of what we do,” Ballinger explained. Without Strava’s geospatial data, it would be almost impossible for the men to make sense of their physical activity on the mountain.

“We go a mile and it takes four and a half hours,” Ballinger said, but once you use the app to “see the data, look at the heart rate, grade of the slope and do some calculations, you figure out thats like the equivalent of running five-and-a-half-minute miles for four hours.”

“Its basically an Instagram or Snapchat for the athletic community but rather than stripping pictures and videos youve got all sorts of backup data to show whats actually happening,” Richards added. “Its a more robust and scientific social media.”

Special gloves are VERY important

In Richards’ mind, the gloves you wear could either make or break your entire Everest experience.

“Some people dont think about this, but something thats massively important to me is the gloves you have on,” he explained. When it’s negative 25 degrees outside and the wind is whipping at 20mph, “the last thing you want to do is take your gloves off,” he said, so you’ll need special tipped gloves to use your phone.

Check out the gloves on these guys. Very nice.

Image: eddie bauer

External battery packs are your heroes

For all those who fear the menacing 10% battery warning as much as death itself, it feels like external battery packs save lives on the regular. But on Everest they’re actually essential just ask Cory Richards, he knows.

“Cory summited this past year without oxygen,” Ballinger said about his climbing partner. However, when he reached the top of the mountain, he was in for some very troubling news his phone was dead. “Cory did not take a snap from the summit because he took his phone out, pushed the button and got the wheel of death right as the phone shut down,” he explained explained. Ballinger had been carrying the external batteries all season but went back down the mountain before reaching the top, taking the power sources with him.

When Richards successfully reached Everest’s peak and the heartbreaking wheel of death showed itself, he admitted he considered straight-up throwing his phone off the mountain. However, he ultimately decided it was more important to preserve the other content on the device and resisted the urge. “I wasnt mad,” he said, “it was more of like a Tom Cruise moment in Top Gun where he takes the dog tags and chucks them.”

Everest can be as social as you want it to be

You may think a two-and-a-half-month climb up a very cold mountain would be an extremely solitary experience, but according to Ballinger, it doesn’t have to be. While you’ll undoubtedly spend a lot of time alone with your thoughts, the climber compared base camp to summer camp!

“Some things are really serious when youre higher up, but when you come down everyone just wants to let off steam,” he explained. When the two aren’t busy brushing their teeth, having dance parties or judging who has grosser looking hair, they’re exploring the camps.

With different camps spread out over a 25 to 30 minute walk, climbers have the option to do whatever they feel like, such as eating Korean food for lunch at the Korean camp, grabbing some vodka at the Russian camp or popping by the Italian camp to steal some prosciutto and mozzarella, for example. Sounds pretty awesome, doesn’t it?

Ballinger (left) and Richards (right) having a straight-up blast.

Image: eddie bauer

You sleep with a bottle of pee (I am unfortunately not joking)

Bad news, prospective Everest climbers sleeping arrangements are definitely not ideal, nor are they comfortable. “The reality is its so cold up there that anything liquid or electronic actually has to be inside your sleeping bag,” Ballinger described.

“So youre in a mummified sleeping bag and its completely full of stuff … your boots are in there because your boots would freeze otherwise, your water is in there, every battery you have sometimes we carry like 10 or 12 pounds of batteries our satellite internet, phones, cameras,” he went on. “We even have our pee bottles in there because its too cold to go outside to pee.”

Cory Richards beside his tent.

Image: eddie bauer

I mean to me, cuddling a bottle of pee at night sounds pretty nasty, but a seasoned professional like Richards is all for it. “Pee is actually a great source of heat once it’s outside of you,” he said. In fact, Richards makes the most of his pee bottle by putting it down at the bottom of his sleeping bag to keep his feet warm.

If you’re attempting to climb without supplemental oxygen, it’s not going to feel great

Ballinger described the feeling of scaling the mountain without oxygen as “pure suffering.” While both men admit it’s hard to even imagine the severity of the discomfort, he compared the feeling of breathing thin air high on the mountain to laboriously breathing through straws. “I think the best way to do it if you want to try it at home is to run around your block or exercise normally thats like sea-level,” he said. Breathing through three straws and running around the block a few times is like 10,000 or 12,000 ft, and repeating the activity with one straw is like 20,000 ft.

If you’re looking to feel high altitude, “go try with a coffee stirrer,” he explained.

The video above shows several Everest Snapchats from Richards where he can be seen speaking in between strained breaths. “You can hear it in some of the snaps. Its shallow, labored breathing,” he said. “When youre not acclimatized, I think the easiest way to explain what it feels like to be at altitude is like the worst hangover you can imagine and still having to get out of bed and go work out all of the symptoms are the same, confusion, dehydration, headache,” Ballinger added.

You’ll want to buy ramen and Pop-Tarts in bulk

Welcome to college errr wait, Everest! Once you embark on your climb an Everest diet isn’t as healthy as you might imagine. Since fats and proteins are difficult to digest above 10,000 ft, sugars are your friend. “Some of the things you would normally be okay to eat, you can’t digest,” Richards explained. His go-to meal? “Lots of ramen.”

Richards said the dorm room staple has tons of sugar in the noodles, tons of fluid in the broth and its salty. The dynamic duo have also been spotted Snapchatting Pop-Tarts on their journey, so Everest climbing sounds delicious.

Image: SNAPCHAT/EVERESTNOFILTER

Despite this amazing inside info, you shouldn’t be attempting this perilous climb without a whole lot of training and experience. Even well-trained and experienced climbers can run into difficulty, which can be fatal. After Everest’s 2016 climbing season, a total of six people reportedly died on the mountain, 18 died following an earthquake in 2015, and there are a ton of potential dangers climbers must face.

Be sure to follow along with videos and photographs of the April 8 expedition on Snapchat at EverestNoFilter.

WATCH: Spectacular lightning storm in Australia is out of this world

Read more: http://ift.tt/2nqkH9q

from Two of Everest’s coolest climbers talk digital storytelling and survival tips

[yungxyari]

3am thoughts....

I wanna write how I feel because its eating me up inside and when I try to express myself I get stuck First is first I messed up I wasn’t in the wrong from the beginning my birthday was great and for once I was absolutely happy not a care in the world first time in a long time. With happiness came a funny feeling for me those are never ever good when I say never I mean never bowling didn’t sound so right not after he expressed how tired he was something was off. Tuesday night is a night I’m done reliving I kinda just wished it never happened but since it did my next step is literally acting like it didn’t. Just to let it go After that night I shouldve blocked him but I didn’t I fucking didn’t block him I wanted to talk I wanted to work shit out when you love someone unconditionally shit like this tends to happen.. you just kinda sorta feel sick to your stomach giving up And this is the part where everyone gives in their opinion Why care about him if he doesn’t care about you his actions should show how he feels They probably are right but when you get to know someone you get to know them. And him I knew better then I know myself. Moving on I flipped my anxiety sucks I can’t control it it basically controls me and thats me upmost scariest feeling I have ever felt. I loose all sense of everything and im really going to try to get medication for that it fucking sucks and it basically dragged me to where I’m at the moment. Friday was hard after asking for nothing but the truth he wanted to still protect me and he lied I left work looking for nothing I shouldve went home I shouldve showered I shouldve laid down and once again BLOCKED HIM but I didn’t once again I let the anxiety the anger get the better of me. I really don’t have a valid explanation for any of my actions I swear I don’t and I don’t know what I wanted to accomplish by showing up at publix making a scene for what to drive him away even more. That isn’t the point he tried to check on me but it was already to late I was less then 500 feet from him with my heart beating almost out my chest not knowing my next move.. publix happened shit I’m not proud of another reason to apologize to C since his thing is he wants me to take responsibility.. he did me wrong asf me out of everyone he knows how I am and how I was with him and he took advantage of me of my heart and of my love and he abused it. Here everyone goes saying how can you feel that way at such a young age but me and the kid shared everything it was more of a friendship with the amount of unconditional love I believed we was throwing around… where do I continue Friday was Friday I ended up at my cousins party Lord help me that was a movie hen ciroc and beer pong how did I wake up the next day ask the devil because I don’t know I called him that night very mad at each other he answered on the first ring and I noticed I call he answers first ring second no more after that night. We talked for 21 minutes if I remember right the conversation I can’t tell you what was said but my drunken thoughts and sober words said anything and everything you can imagine. He was a dear the him I knew but better but caring but loving but supprortive things I havent seen in a while it felt good I felt good the call ended when G called me back in and 2 more shots later a bathroom converstaion occurred s/o to my girl A the first person to tell me something that makes sense not the default message I was getting from everyone because fuck him you deserve better really gets played tf out !!!!! that was over the party continued blasé blase “I’m finally in bed” text became a “good morning its work time “ text nothing too deep happened Saturday just the usual mix of emotions and feeling “I wish you were here right now” that broke my heart to pieces was the least of my worries. Saturday wasn’t bad and Sunday either I got an “I miss you” which made me feel great because fuckkkk finally I can confirm he feels the same Side note saturday I asked to b his first kiss of the year might not count for anything but it was important to me Sunday is where it began to fall not going into detail the day was good afternoon was good 7-9 was good I was out at first ignoring him but the kid just has a damn way of hoping back into my system. Spoke about fucking donuts which I was going to get delivered to him we left it at he’s taking a nap and that was it Till I got the feeling The feeling that fucks me over and shuts the reasonable part of my brain off. After this the outcome I lost my best friend I lost my keys I lost my self respect I lost my faith and hope and gained a charge Sunday Night was an eye opener well I thought it was Monday I woke up different it was good then sucked then sucked again it was great and at the end sucked even more at the end of this I stressed my mom out more then she is  and lost his trust and everything Tuesday nothing really to say and Wednesday which is today but it isn’t considering its 3 am was a lot.

It went a little of both good and bad. More bad then good ofc “your picture is on my mirror but I’m going to have to take it off soon” As young as I may b I know, I know the feeling you get when you just know and I just know its kid having someone say they saw a future with u even at 17 maybe not now Mayb in 5 years maybe in 55 but that means a lot I lost him but I didn’t. And thats all ill say about it it ended sad and I could hear in his voice I’m not the only one hurting he just sucks at even showing this emotion do u love me….the reply was given basically then I love you it hasn’t sounded that way in never and click. The little details are out but this is basically what I can think of now it was about 30 minutes it was a lot.. The Instagram pictures are gone. And d is posted. I’m not even sure if giving an opinion on this is ok but b basically It feels empty I deleted the February picture and kept it moving… I started this at 2:58 am and its 3:40 and I’m still sitting here with a million and one things on my mind. School is in 4 days and I still need a week tomorrow I’m asking my mom I really need it. I need anxiety help and I need weight help just the month of December I lost 4 pounds shit is real its no longer a joke

Idk if I want help or I wanna give up, cutting ur self is super middle school, and pills are a game… tonight I’m feeling like I’m tired I’m tired of it all I don’t wanna deal with anything going on anymore and I say this with my eyes getting teary eyed I’m fucking tired honest to the god I don’t even know if belive In I’m fucking tired I wanna die I’m making my moms life harder and she already has her own shit I’m not happy I’m not motivated ion wanna do this shit anymore I’m fucking tired still havent blocked him yo sitting here thinking of what to do. Will writing it then reading it make it better?? Pills an option but the what ifs still sit. If I try it and nothing happens I’m forcing myself to keep it pushing but if anything at all happens then it was the right thing I’m sad I’m not alone but it feels like it I gotta work on things so many damn things I mean here goes nothing I think I got 2 benadryls Advil and other shit ill see what I pull out the bag for the record it was nobody fault but mine I’m just fucking tired drained and ready to give up I love u all so much always checking making sure I’m staright. I gone make this future happen if I don’t make this happen. And I dont know how u end this.. goodnight xo 54 minutes of pure feellings and my head is still going on at it.

update I woke up the next morning with a huge headache and disappointed 

[comicteaparty]

September 7th, 2017 CTP Archive

The archive for the Comic Tea Party chat that occurred on September 7th, 2017, from 5PM - 7PM PDT.  The chat focused on Shades of Men by Jrej.

Featured Comment:

Chat:

RebelVampire

Good day everyone~! This week’s Comic Tea Party is now officially beginning. Today we are discussing Shades of Men by Jrej~! (https://tapas.io/series/ShadesOfMen-Pages) For those new to CTP, discussions about the comic are freeform, so please feel free to bring up whatever you wish. However, every 30 minutes I will be dropping in a discussion question to help those who would like a prompt. These questions are totally OPTIONAL to answer so pay them no mind if you wish~! Remember, constructive criticism is allowed, but the primary focus here is to have fun and appreciate the amazing comics that the community makes~! Each chat a top comment will be picked and featured on an ad for this chat, so let’s have a great discussion~! With that said, let us begin with this first question~!

QUESTION 1. What is your favorite scene in the comic so far and why?

for me i think my favorite scene is more a series of scenes where they first meet david and try to teach him the ropes of being on the streets. especially when they hit the moment where they cant get shelter for the night so actually have to sleep on the streets. the contrast really impacted me quite a lot

i also liked how it showed some of the warmer side to lev and ricky since they took it in a rather positive stride. i know if i had been in david's shoes, i wouldve been really hit with a brick of reality in that moment

mathtans

Bit late, as per typical for me. Favorite scene... possibly where Lev sees that fax? It throws everything into a bit of a new light, which I usually find interesting, new perspectives and all.

Though I gather the author hadn't expected it to be that big of a deal from glancing at the comments.

RebelVampire

really? i didnt look at the comments and now im curious

mathtans

Yeah, the ropes thing was well portrayed too. I think the way the artwork is done kind of helps with showing the difficulties, somehow... gritty? Words fail me.

Now I'm double checking... oh, the author said they hadn't thought it would be a key moment of the story when starting, but it is.

I only read on tapas this time, not the author's personal site.

I know Tenor read too, I saw a comment near the end. ^.^

RebelVampire

thats okay i read it on tapas too. i just read via the link i was given unless theres situations like with tangled river where there was that page that didnt load.

idk if id say the artwork was gritty personally speaking cause of seen grittier. but i do think the artwork fits really well and has a dark and bleak quality to it

mathtans

Fair enough. I found myself with less free time this week too. ^.^ Made it to the end though.

RebelVampire

to express the bleak quality of life

mathtans

Yeah, gritty's the wrong word... eugh... like... sombre? Maybe it's the colour choices.

RebelVampire

sombre might be a good way to put it

i do think its the color choices cause something about the pallette makes the world feel....kind of mute

mathtans

Mute's a real good word, considering Lev. ^^

The other thing about that reward for David thing, it actually misdirected me a bit. I thought they guys would be trying to track him down, to get the reward money for him to save Ricky. Instead they did the hotel heist.

Lev's got character, gotta give him that, he hasn't said anything about it yet.

RebelVampire

oh that wouldve been an interesting prospect. i honestly did not consider that. i was waiting for something a bit more cliche. like david showing back up of his own freewill like "im sorry lev i was mad lets save ricky dramatic tears "

mathtans

I was wondering a little about that, but considering what the guy had just experienced, I felt like they'd have to stumble on David. Rather than him seeking them out. And possibly getting a gun in his face again.

I would not like that, but then, I'm really not a fan of guns.

Which makes me kind of torn about the comic, because on the one hand, guns are not tools to solve problems, but on the other hand, the homeless guys are kind of responsible in using them and I liked the acknowledgement about conserving ammo.(edited)

RebelVampire

yeah honestly i kind of appreciated david left and didnt comeback. cause i felt that was a bit more true to life. since its not like ricky and lev are bffs with him just for showing him the ropes. theyre more like helpful strangers. and if you meet strangers who get you beat up, probably best not to hang with those people

mathtans

The other kind of true to life thing was how not everybody was immediately on board with Lev and his plans. Some thought things were going too far -- and even before the casino some thought that. I liked that perspective.

I also suspected they'd have at least one casualty, to keep things realistic. Expectations met there.

RebelVampire

i felt really sad for the guy who died. but on the otherhand it was well-deserved in the sense the hobos were in way over their heads. like that went beyond too far XD the fact any of them survived is a miracle(edited)

mathtans

Yeah... I feel like Lev was once in the military though? Or guerrilla warfare? Like, I wonder if his apparent dementia (seeing people as lions) is related to previous experiences.

He knows things, is what I'm getting at. But he got tired of explaining things to people. Maybe.

Now I wonder how he ended up in Paris.

RebelVampire

i feel like Lev had at least used a gun before. it didnt feel like it was his first rodeo. but then again using a gun isnt rocket science persay if in an emergency situation. not to say theyd be mega skilled in those situations and would understand good gun safety. just guns are still pretty easy to use, so idk how much to assume of Lev's skills.

Tenor

I'M LATE AND ON MOBILE BUT I'M HERE???

mathtans

Yay Tenor!

RebelVampire

welcome Tenor

all are welcome

mathtans

Yeah... maybe it was also the whole "we don't leave anybody behind". I dunno. Just a vibe.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 2. One of the main characters of the comic, Lev, is a very mysterious person. He doesn’t speak much, and nobody seems to know his background story that well. What do you think happened in Lev’s life that made him the person he is? Why do you think Lev lives on the streets? Why would he not speak to anybody for so many years? What inspires his loyalty towards Ricky that he’d go to such extreme lengths to help him?

mathtans

You segued that beautifully

RebelVampire

Tenor

And for question 1: my favorite scene has got to be the rescue scenes, mostly as they are poorly constructed and entirely chaotic - which perfectly fits a band of misfits trying to do things they have never done. It takes away from the cliche of heroes always suceed/are lucky/seem to know what they are doing despite doing it a first time and I really liked that

mathtans

Tenor - You mean like when they saved each other from the gun runners, or when they charged in to save Ricky, or generally...?

RebelVampire

yeah i really enjoy that a lot of the rescue scenes have this vibe of like them saying "i saw someone on tv do it like this yolo"

Tenor

2: my bets is either involved, or blames himself, for the loss of someone. He does seem to show hallucinations and strikes me like he suffers from quite a bit of PTSD.

Specifically the hotel scene

Just "well" lmao

mathtans

As to Lev... darned if I know. I feel like he's got that kind of military vibe (maybe it's a PTSD thing I'm sensing, yeah), and a desire to help people who look a certain way (David) or who are good to him (Ricky). Maybe he'll spill to the person he's sitting with on the bench.

In the most recent update, I mean.

Tenor

I'm betting hell spill after he catches david, persobally

Use yourself as a living example for why shut isn't all roses

mathtans

Like, Lev was all "no problem just get me something like a weapon and I'll pull a spiderman". That comes with training, not watching cartoons.

Tenor

Right.

mathtans

Tenor: Good point. Might be a while before David comes back into it though... looking like they'll have to track him down to clear Lev's name.

RebelVampire

i always wondered if lev was in trouble for not paying those hospital bills.

mathtans

Huh. I didn't even think about that. What is the French medical care system like?

(I've actually been there, but not to a hospital, fortunately. Which reminds me, nice depiction of Paris.)

Tenor

And to address on an earlier point: guns can be harder to use correctly than you'd think. He'd have to have known how to turn off safety on all those weapons, how to put ammo in them, how to reliably aim, some of those weapons depending on make and model you need to KNOW. (Look up the wrist breaker lmao). So I'd say at least an occupation around them, yes.

mathtans

Yeah, it's not like the homeless guys can ask Siri.

Tenor

Bc strength of the knock back can duck you up, dislocated shoulders, etc

Fff

mathtans

thinks A bit of a tangent, but have we seen female characters?

Tenor

Slowly making my way to a pc

I think a few headshots

RebelVampire

but side characters. nobody major i think cause i mean, the comic is called shades of men

so i think its pretty clear what its focus is XD

mathtans

Yeah, good point about the title. Guess I was wondering about females and the military suddenly. There's that new character in the latest update though too.

Tenor

TBF men could imply humanity as well.

RebelVampire

true. that could be a double underlying meaning. like a story focusing on men but also about the condition of humanity as a whole

mathtans

Lev being in the hospital means he must be in a database now?

(Sorry I'm all over the place.)

Tenor

It's ok xD

mathtans

I think some of the humanity thing comes across with how the characters are generally treated too.

RebelVampire

see this is a thing im really curious about. how did the hospital know his name? like is he carrying a form of ID on him?(edited)

cause i dont get the sense he wound up at the hospital of his own accord

Tenor

He was also unconcious at time of 'registration'.

So yeah, he has to have been known if not carrying an ID.

mathtans

No, someone brought him in... I think we saw them in the background as Lev was sneaking out. I guess I assumed he did have some sort of ID. He grabbed his clothes while escaping.

But yeah, three months later and no one's followed up on that.

Goes a bit to the theme of homeless people being treated as "invisible".

RebelVampire

well to be fair its not like they have endless resources to find him. the police clearly cant even find him if they have to broadcast about his being a kidnapping suspect

mathtans

Except the newscasters mentioned Lev. Does he have a police record?

There is that. And he's good at hiding.

What with not making much noise.

Tenor

I figured he might have been seen in the images of David from the ...catacombs?

And there was assumption based on that, since David looked pretty beaten then.

(But they still got his name, so, yeah, maybe still a record)

mathtans

I wonder if Lev has family?? Ricky mentioned family. Maybe Lev's family died, and that's why he's so traumatized and wanted to help David.

Well, when Lev, David and Ricky were doing their singing, people had camera phones. I figured the association came from that.

RebelVampire

oh yeah thats def how he became a suspect. its a mystery how they put a name to a face tho. he could have a record. but its also not like being homeless makes you disappear out of the systems. systems will still show you exist if you know the name or number.

so hard to say

i do think lev's family must of died

thats usually something that tears one apart and puts them on the street

mathtans

Also, not sure if it's a tiny plot hole, but after making a whole deal to David about not sitting in someone else's reserved spot... they go and play somewhere that's off limits. Without kind of giving him the heads up about the running.

Maybe Lev is a version of David back from the future. (Just because we haven't had any theories that are real crazy yet.)

RebelVampire

ah then theres the answer. Lev/David from the future is devastated by the loss of the cat

as a cat lover, nothing better happen to that cat O_O

i will be so sad

mathtans

Hah. Could David's parents be dead though, I wonder?

Like, we don't know who he was actually living with. Some guy who's forgetful about keys, and a cat.

Equally possible I'm forgetting something obvious.

RebelVampire

i feel like they showed david's parents in the broadcast

mathtans

Did they say it was his parents? Or maybe he's adopted?

RebelVampire

hmmm or maybe not

mathtans

Also, why'd the change the locks on the house if they wanted him to come home??

Or was David lying about it being the right key?

RebelVampire

well if they suspected kidnapping thatd be reason to change them

cause they couldve thought someone broke into the house

Tenor

I think it was his dad in the broadcast

mathtans

I suppose that's true. But wouldn't they have an alarm system too after that? Well, maybe not.

I'll buy it; I don't remember the broadcast so well.

Shady David is shady.

Tenor

He could also be from an incredible abusive home.

mathtans

Oh, that's very true.

Tenor

So he ran away but of course to say THAT implies they did something wrong so they're saying he was kidnapped.

RebelVampire

hmmm but maybe not. i cant see anything in the broadcast. i might be thinking of a different scene.

well to be fair now that im relooking at first he was just missing

and i think they changed it to kidnapping

Tenor

Yeah the flyer was missing.

It changed to kidnapping after David 'left" Lev's life.

mathtans

Oh, that's interesting. Scandal!

Tenor

(Which was after the more recent updates)

RebelVampire

but the fact he ran away doesnt necessarily mean his parents did anything wrong. some teens are really dumb and run away for stupid reasons.

his parents were stifling his career of being a rockstar

mathtans

Most don't stick it out as long as David though, I feel. But maybe not.

David's real upset that his guitar's smashed now then.

RebelVampire

most dont but david could be in that minority that are just that stubborn. but to be fair im saying not necessarily

his parents could also be shit ppl mathtans

Yeah, not enough info to call either way yet, really.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 3. In the beginning Ricky, Lev, and the other hobos meet David, a young boy who finds himself homeless. David claims this is due to the fact he got kicked out of his house. However, it is later revealed through his missing posters that David most likely ran away. Why do you think David would choose living on the streets over living with his family? Do you think David will be able to learn to live on the streets or will he find himself in deep trouble down the line?

ah look how convenient

mathtans

Actually, that would be a bit of a twist, if David WAS actually kidnapped now. After trying to do it alone. Maybe someone sent a ransom note and everything. (Unsigned, so people think it was Lev.)

Tenor

One hand I want to say maybe abuse? On the other I think it probably was more likely a fight with his parents. He seemed nearing adulthood, he might have wanted to run off to a more bohemian (sp?) lifestyle they didn't approve of and he dipped.

RebelVampire

yeah i personally lean towards a fight than abuse. just that his parents wanted something for his life he didnt and he wanted to be free and all that.

i have been curious who the heck david went off with

like david baby no, did you get involved with a gang

is it a secret cat cult

and you are caring for their god

mathtans

There is a whole underground. But maybe he found honest work somehow?

(Speaking of underground, kudos to the writer for the research on Paris casinos that I noticed in passing. Due diligence for seeing that they're privately owned.)

Kristin

Hi? Is the chat still happening?

RebelVampire

yes it is~!

Kristin

sweet

Sorry I'm late

mathtans

We all have our own time zones.

RebelVampire

no problem thank you for coming

Tenor

Hi~!

And it's ok Kristin I was late too. xD

RebelVampire

@math i honestly doubt he found honest work. he does not seem to be in the state of someone who found honest work. more like someone who just finally adjusted to living on the streets

Tenor

He might have found a good support group for what he's kinda wanting to do.

RebelVampire

yes a good support group who drive suspicious white vans

mathtans

Yeah, you are probably right on that. (I'm usually more of a cynic... but I also tend to devils advocate a lot, and there's a bit of a cynical vibe so maybe I'm just going counter to that here... hoping for the best.)

Suspicious white vans filled with guns? I feel like there's still gonna be repercussions from them stealing all those things.

RebelVampire

yeah there has to be. gangs usually dont like their stuff getting stolen

let alone finding out their stuff got stolen by a bunch of hobos

but to be fair they gotta get repercussions for shooting up a casino

cause i doubt no civilians got hurt

Tenor

I didn't see the guns fff-

mathtans

The casino started shooting first though. Well, kinda... Lev was a faster draw.

Tenor

Oh wait we tlakin earlier?

mathtans

I may be all over the place again.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I'm finally home I hope I'm noto too late

I have to quickly say I really enjoy the dreary feel I am getting from the comic, it's very atmospheric

Tenor

Nope yer good JOIN US. :D

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Paired up with some Silent Hill music I been reading it with that music as background

Specially Silent Hill 2 music

Tenor

...

Oh. My. God.

That is brilliant I should reread with that :|

RebelVampire

you do that Tenor. i think ill sit that out. comic sad enough without making it spooky. XD

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I'm super slow but I really like the stoic main character he looks like he has seen some shit in his life

It's not the spookiness, it's more like the atomshpere

Like not the chase scenes but defintely the town music

mathtans

Oooh, I hadn't even thought about Silent Hill, goodness. Though again, the Paris feel works for me.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

I also like listening to some ummmm

What do they call the sounds of people in the streets?

mathtans

I used "sombre". ^.^

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Atomshpere sounds

mathtans

Background noise...?

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Like I like listening to the sound of people talking and moving in a crowded area while reading it and then it clicks me to the location

Yeah I guess

RebelVampire

on a not music note, i do give the creator credit. i really get the vibe from lev in his expressions that hes experienced some shit in life, regardless of what it is

Tenor

Oh yes, def.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Yes I also love the location, I don't see a lot of comics in other locations

mathtans

Agreed.

Tenor

And I like the story does pretty well with a nearly-silent protagonist. That can be pretty hard to show and move stories forward with.

mathtans

Also, for that whole bit where Lev wasn't speaking, still really good at conveying it.

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

It's like how I am working very hard to make a comic based in Hong Kong because the buildings are amazing

Also yes, Lev has the face of "I seen shit, don't fuck with me" pardon my language XD

Tenor

/omg so offended. /jkjk

mathtans

Purple lions will do that to you.

Tenor

(My mobile was censoring my cussing so it's ok Lmao)

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Also I haven't read all of it, but I headcannon this is all an artistic dream or vision as a person is looking at a picture in a museum, remembering the past or something

crack theories away

mathtans

There's also some good development with secondary characters. I'm (as always) abysmal with names, but eyepatch guy, I've liked him.

RebelVampire

lol omg. really its just david sitting in a museum thinking the "what if i was homeless" scenario. then he goes home after he realizes it sucks.

Kristin

The art evolution is really interesting. Looking back at the beginning the art was a lot gritier. The new art feels softer and more optomistic somehow.

mathtans

David is staring at a picture of Lev... then he realizes, it's a mirror!

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Ohh I need to read more to see the art change :3

mathtans

I'm not always great at noticing art shifts. I don't binge so much as read bits through the week.

RebelVampire

im torn between thinking the art change was on purpose to express more optimism or if it was just something that happened cause of art improvement.

cause its definitely improved which is interesting to see for sure

mathtans

Why not both?

Tenor

I do feel it's a bit of both. You can see the growth in the artist through the pages for sure at least.

RebelVampire

but then again maybe its the calm before the storm

showing life moves on before it pours again

mathtans

I wonder if they'll have to break back into David's house to track him down.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 4. The comic deals with a lot of themes and issues in regards to survival, redemption, and homelessness. Was there anything that struck you as particularly poignant in regards to this? What do you think about the hobos extreme lengths to survive? Do you think any of them will manage to get off the streets or do they seemed doomed to it? Will they find redemption from their pasts?

maybe they go to david's house to explain lev didnt kidnap david. and then things escalate and suddenly lev is holding them hostage

mathtans

I could kinda see that happening. O.o

There was Lev's collapse, and waking up in the hospital. That was actually an interesting one, because on the one hand, he wasn't left to die in the street, someone helped him... but then Lev didn't even seem to have wanted the help. Like, not wanting to accept charity, even at the expense of his life.

RebelVampire

to be fair tho, i wouldve been none too pleased in his situation. greatful for being alive, sure. but mad i could potentially get situated with an enormous hospital bill

cause even if they have a better healthcare system there, when youre homeless you dont exactly have any money to give in the first place

mathtans

Yeah... I guess I'm kind of spoiled, what with having work benefits and the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, I don't think about costs. Unless I'm reading about the US.

It's nice that the homeless guys get together, and even have a system like what Lev used to recruit for Ricky. Solidarity and all. They can redeem each other, in a way.

RebelVampire

maybe. idk about redeeming cause in the same vein they could enable each other to remain in their unredeemed states through encouraging vegetative behaviors

as someone who lives in the US i think about costs all the time

mathtans

Yeah, that's a good point. Though some people didn't necessarily agree too.

I wonder in retrospect what they did with the guns? Sold them? That feels like a bad plan.

RebelVampire

maybe they just kept them. or just dumped them somewhere. i feel like some would just want to throw them away. try to forget all that happened.

mathtans

Yeah.

RebelVampire

cause selling guns just sounds like a recipe for getting into jail

mathtans

Any fave secondary characters? I like the eyepatch guy, as I said... who can apparently see, I didn't expect that little tidbit. (It's nice to have some levity in there at times.)

RebelVampire

that would be my fave secondary character too just for the surprise my eyepatch is fake thing. i really enjoyed the moment in general cause everything was otherwise so serious, so it was good to have something a smidgen light-hearted

mathtans

He helped save them at the hotel too. Nice guy.

Wish I was better with names. (Angus? That feels not quite right.)

Tenor

4: They show Lev's friend is making steps to get clean and hopefully get off the streets. Out of those two he'd def be one to get out. But it's also more complicated than that because if France's homeless situation is any like ours it's not as simple as 'work hard' to get out. Sometimes without the right guidance, resource, will to be helped, or even with all of this you just can't get out. It's a mixed bag, really. Example if this were situated in america Lev, if he was indeed military, would probably be a Vet by the sounds of it and the homeless Vets in our nation is absolutely horrific due to the sheer amount of how the system is out to screw our soldiers.

RebelVampire

yeah i dont think their redemption is solely in their hands for sure. cause even if theyre willing, society is against them from the start. granted i think them being willing is also a big factor too. cause a lot of them do feel like they gave up at this point, which 100% ensures theyll probably not get out. its a sad situation

Tenor

(Also France has a universal health care that's apparently rated one of the best in the world so maybe he won't get sattled with a bill? /yay google)

mathtans

Well, and Ricky's issues with gambling were alluded to... but it doesn't seem like that's a thing he does any more. So that maybe helps him get off the street too?

Feather, Duke of Comedic Timing

Hmm I don't know much about the later part of the story but I like how it seems like all the homeless people have a comunity within each other?

mathtans

Yeah, agreed on that, Feather. They honour their own fave spots and have bbqs and stuff. Nice.

RebelVampire

so with ten mins left, i want to say i didnt realize that the person who sat down with Lev in the latest update was the same person in the bg from the hospital

mathtans

Wait, really? I didn't pick up on that either.

RebelVampire

https://tapas.io/episode/231368

https://tapas.io/episode/819900

unless the clothes are an extreme coincidence XD

mathtans

I'll be darned. I wouldn't buy coincidence, no. But I imagine many people would have forgotten (if I can forget over the 3 days between when I read those, people will forget over 3 months or whatever). So... they know each other. That's all I can think.

Tenor

Considering they're really looking at Lev? Nah I think they recognize 'em.

RebelVampire

maybe theyre the person who helped him to the hospital or something somehow.

mathtans

Well, yeah, but it makes me wonder if maybe that wasn't the first time? Guardian angel in real life sort of thing?

Tenor

could be. Could be someone who knows 'em. Could be a potential major character later.

LOTS OF POTENTIALS

RebelVampire

it was david's sister all along come to ask Lev where the heck david is and why hes getting into white vans

Tenor

Hnn Can't wait to see where it go tho. :D I'm def really eager on seeing where things go with David (because if he's a runaway for being just essentially an unhappy brat I'm gunna shriek because that is a nightmare on a parent /one of my fears, my child is stubborn lmao)

LOL

TBF I did think a relative but only because the blond/light hair OTL

No real backing just a 'huh that'd be funny' xD

RebelVampire

nah that was the only reason i thought of it too

i mean chances are slim but not impossible

mathtans

Maybe she's the reason Lev stopped talking years ago.

He said something he regretted to her and decided not to speak again.

RebelVampire

if davids a runaway for being a brat im just gonna shake my head sadly. cause in a few years hes gonna realize he fucked up so hard.

mathtans

Maybe David reminds Lev of the mystery woman, that's why he wanted to help David.

I dunno. Good catch there though.

Spotting the similarity I mean.

RebelVampire

i only found it during the chat cause i was looking at the hospital scene

RebelVampire

and was like "wait a sec ive seen you before"

Unfortunately, the scheduled Comic Tea Party is now complete~! Thank you everyone so much for joining this week’s chat~! That being said, if you would like to continue discussing the comic, we encourage you to do so~! We want to give a big thank you to Jrej, as well, for volunteering Shades of Men for our reading queue. If you liked the comic, please be sure to support Jrej’s efforts. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions about CTP, please feel free to PM me, or e-mail me at RebelVampire@startfaire.com.

With that said, next week’s Comic Tea Party will focus on Nine Twilights by Andrea Rosales, Anne Mortensen-Agnew, and Chris Hansbrough. Please use this week to read as much of the comic as you would like. Hope to see you next Thursday (September 14th) from 5PM to 7PM PDT~! Until then~! Comic: http://www.ninetwilights.com/