#so its best to just focus on whatever you can manage. no one is required to try to change the world for the better

[bl00dh0rs3]

You should become a muslim.

I don't ever plan on joining any kind of organized religion, because i already know that the stuff i believe won't mesh with any specific one. Um. So thanks but no thanks !

[urcrowley]

Floral Flame

— Florist!Touya X Reader —

(NO QUIRKS AU , I NEED TO HEAL 🤚🤚🤚)

YOGiNotes: I can’t believe I’m writing this but here we are!! We need more male reader fics guys.. I feel left out /j

(EVERYONE LITERALLY DRAGGED ME TO THE DABI BRAINROT!1!1! STOP THIS MADNESSSSSS)

Completely made this in a rush and out of boredom! I apologize for any spelling and/or grammar mistakes. It is a bit short for my liking but I do hope you still enjoy! 🙏

Warnings: some swearing ig (?) ; very unfunny author ; angst will cook soon (not in this chapter though….)

“My flower…”

Y/N muttered to himself, staring at the now-wilted flower. With a gentle touch, he reached out and tapped one of the fragile petals, watching as it detached from the wilting bloom and fell to the ground.

“I should probably ask that old hag for some advice again, huh?”

He was talking about the older yet amicable woman who ran the flower shop just a few blocks away from his apartment. He regretted not remembering her name. With a less-than-careful tug, Y/N detached his backpack from the corner where it had been gathering dust and carelessly dumped its contents onto the bed, each item making a soft thump sound as it hit the mattress. Y/N cautiously placed the flower pot into his bag once everything was out and grabbed a random coat from the rack beside the door. As he walked out, he tried to tie his shoes while keeping up with his pace.

Almost causing himself to fall.

Well, almost.

He strolled over to his locked bicycle, hopping on it shortly. He rode his bicycle to the shop. But when he arrived..

He was not greeted to the usual ‘good day’ of the kind old woman; rather, a man who didn’t look too far off his own age.

‘This guy definitely listens to mcr..’

Y/N thought to himself, as he waved at the guy. Putting up a front, smiling politely.

“Excuse me? Do you know where—“

“She’s not here today.”

…okay, rude?

“Oh.. When will she—“

“Next week.”

This guy was getting on Y/N’s nerves if he was being completely honest.

“Who are you anyways?”

Y/N was only met with silence and a cold blank stare. He stared back because— well, to be Frank, he didn’t know what else to do.

“I work here.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

He could hear the man click his tongue in annoyance.

“I don’t have to answer to you,” he rolled his eyes, “now, do you need help with anything or something?”

“Is that how you usually treat your customers?”

“…yeah? So what?”

“Nothing, just saying it’s a big.. contrast to what I’m used to.”

The man's gaze fixed on Y/N with a steely glare, his eyes narrowing as if affronted by Y/N's audacity to utter such a statement. “Whatever.. just tell me what you need so we can be done here.”

“Right.. so um..”

Y/N withdrew the flower from his backpack and gingerly placed it on the counter of the checkout. He then glanced up at the man, a sheepish smile playing on his lips.

“I don’t know what went wrong.. I did what I was told and kept managing my watering time..”

Dabi, as indicated by his nametag, meticulously examined the flower, leaning closer to get a better look. It was clear the flower was already dead, leaving him to ponder Y/N's actions beforehand. Y/N, however, contemplated if Dabi was thinking something profound like 'this plant hadn't received the precise amount of water it required,' or if it was something stupid simple and meaningless like ‘I wonder what I’ll have for dinner later.’

Jokes on him, Dabi was thinking of both.

Dabi let out a sigh and rolled up his sleeves, revealing the tattoos on his arms. Y/N was tempted to take a peek, but quickly reminded himself not to be nosy. However, despite his best efforts to focus, he couldn't help but sneak a quick glance at the intricate ink designs on Dabi's skin.

‘Shittt.. that’s sick.’

Y/N thought before quickly snapping out of it.

“Did you make sure your flower gets enough sunlight every day?”

“…what?”

“Your flower?? Gets sunlight?? Hello??”

“……”

Dabi slowly shifted his gaze towards Y/N, his face betraying a mixture of disbelief and surprise. His expression seemed to convey a silent question, as if wondering what on earth Y/N was even doing to this poor plant.

“Are you fucking with me right now?”

“…no.”

The two stared at each other…

After a moment of silence, Y/N spoke up again. “How was I supposed to know this flower needed sunlight?”

“Google exists.”

“I’m a busy man!”

“Busy doing what? Being uneducated?”

DAMN, that hurt more that it was supposed to.

“Okay.. okay, it’s a dumb mistake on my part. Can I buy another one to try again?” Y/N puts his hands on his hips, waiting for Dabi’s answer. “Well.. I don’t have a choice I guess.” Dabi said, the sound of defeat evident in his tone. He walked away to find the same flower as Y/N stood there.

Y/N found himself strangely familiar with the odd man before him. There was something about him that he couldn't quite pinpoint, and it frustrated him. Crossing his arms in annoyance, Y/N observed Dabi carefully examining the flower selection. He realized maybe he should cut the newbie some slack since he just started working here after all.

Dabi finally located the specific flower Y/N had requested and assisted in transferring it to a fresh pot. He then helped Y/N carefully tuck the potted flower into the latter's backpack, gently securing it in place.

“Thanks, I appreciated the help.”

“Ugh, please never come back.”

Y/N snorted at that, almost unable to hold his laughter. He handed his payment to Dabi, and waved goodbye.

“Unfortunately for you, new guy, I’m a regular here!”

He said as he walked out of the store.

Dabi— no, Touya exhaled a frustrated sigh once that idiot guy was gone. He hated working at the flower shop but knew he had no choice. His current situation forced him to hide, and this job was a means to keep a low profile. He longed for a better life, but for now, he was stuck here in this cramped shop, surrounded by fragrant blooms.

Welp, that’s the life of a man on the run he supposed..

YEEEE HE HAS EDGY BACKSTORY WOAHH 🫵🫵😮😮😮😮

This chapter is just me trying to get the idea out of my head, I swear I’ll cook better in the next one ☹️☹️☹️💥💥💥💥

This was supposed to be an artwork idea but I couldn’t really draw rn

Also, mind you, I’m posting this at 3AM in my timezone, PLEASE PLEASE EXCUSE THE BADWRITIGNNFNF 😭😭😭😭

(I am ashamed of myself 😞)

[sinfulsalutations]

𝕜𝕚𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕤 ⋆*･ﾟ 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕒𝕕 𝕓𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙

➼ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛ ☆ ꜰʟᴜꜰꜰ, ꜰʟᴜꜰꜰ, ꜰʟᴜꜰꜰ, ᴅɪᴅ ɪ ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ ꜰʟᴜꜰꜰ?

⋆ ★ ᴏᴏᴘꜱ ᴄʀᴏꜱꜱʜᴀɪʀ'ꜱ ɢᴏᴛ ᴋɪɴᴅᴀ ʟᴏɴɢ, ɪ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴏɴ ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ꜰɪx ᴏɴ ʜɪᴍ ʜᴇʜᴇʜ ꜱᴏʀʀʏ ʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ

⋆ ★ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴏɴ ᴀᴏ3 ⋆*･ﾟ ᴛᴀɢʟɪꜱᴛ ꜰᴏʀᴍ

Hunter

Out of the batch, he is probably the most simple when it comes to kissing.

Romantic and thoughtful, he will find any chance when he’s not doing any other task to give you a sweet smile and a kiss.

He enjoys a simple peck between tasks or kissing your palm if you decide to cup his cheek (additionally, this is a bit of an aside, but he doesn't like hand holding, it’s too uncomfortable for him due to his heightened; he's more of an arm linker in those cases).

He’s definitely a traditional romantic when it comes to that.

Hunter has a particular way of kissing you; it's as intensive and pleasure-seeking as it is gentle.

If he can he will cup your cheek with one hand and bring you closer by the waist or ribs with the other.

He likes to spread his palm over the expanse of that area, like the spot just under your chest; it’s a little bit of an obscure place to hyper-fixate on, but he believes it gives him all the more access.

Sometimes, if the situation requires it, his hand on your cheek will move to the back of your neck and crane it to deepen the kiss.

While Hunter doesn’t show his love entirely with physical touch and affection, but like everything he does for you, it is so overwhelmingly filled with adoration and care you never leave his company feeling neglected.

Tech

Baby boy has the most kissable lips out of the batch and you CANNOT argue me on this send tweet.

Though tragically his mind is jumping from topic to topic so quickly that it’s hard for him to find an allotted time to kiss you how he'd like to during the day.

So he resorts to kissing your temple a lot; gotta show love to that beautiful and brilliant mind, after all.

He also additionally likes to kiss your knuckles if he's holding your hand while the other is clutched around his datapad, absentmindedly fidgeting with your fingers as he works.

Tech has a soft, almost quivering way in the way he kisses that aren't as firm as Hunter's, but its quite relaxed.

He likes to take his sweet time finding the best way to kiss you; as a scientist, he can never be satisfied with one conclusion and has to keep... Ahem, experimenting to find the best way for him to express his love for you through his kisses.

He likes to wrap his arms loosely around your waist and lift you up if the kiss requires it.

Something he really, really likes too is when you tug on the collar of his shirt or the top of his blacks, that really spurs him on.

In summation, even if he is preoccupied with another task, if you want him to really focus his attention on you and kiss you thoroughly, just ask him; he will happily oblige.

Wrecker

If you had to use a single word to describe how Wrecker kisses, it would be without debate enthusiastic.

Even if it isn't on your lips and is rather chaste or quick;

He just loves showering you with physical affection.

Though he would say without much shame that he likes kissing your mouth the most.

There's just so much for him to play with.

He could tease you by just kissing a corner, his touch lingering for as long as he leaves you.

Or he could completely devour you, sucking your bottom lip or taking one between his teeth.

Tragically, however, that kind of affection is rather inconvenient in day-to-day situations.

He's just too tall; you've expressed this before, but often times you both find difficulty in just quickly sneaking a peck while doing something else or between tasks.

That is when he settles on kissing the top of your head.

It's easy, sweet, and always manages to get what he wants to express across to you.

Plus, it's just so... Wrecker.

You’ve had moments where the two of you just ended up pausing on whatever you two were originally doing just to reveal in each other's presence; he’ll kiss your forehead and then press it to his with both your eyes closed.

Also, kiss his eyebrows (or the small space above them); he really likes it and can’t explain why.

It makes him feel so loved and appreciated, just kiss him, please.

Crosshair

He is intense, and quite unashamed of it.

Though he won't display your relationship so outwardly and boastful typically, if he is feeling extra controlling or even jealous, Crosshair is definitely the type to do that face-sucking, obnoxious kind of kissing.

He'll be all-consuming, holding the back of your neck and half of your jaw with his fingers possessively with one hand while the other grips your waist, pulling you so your chests are pressed together.

In those moments, all that matters to Crosshair is you and you only.

He's also a major fucking tease in general, and his kisses are a major example.

He will nip the corner of your mouth, your wrist, your belly, essentially anywhere besides the places you need it the most.

It is so incredibly tantalizing.

It's like hes doting and pitying you even as he gives you physical affection and affirmation.

And yes, it’s hot, but my does it feed into his bratty, smug little energy surrounding you.

But sometimes, you get to see another side of him.

On nights when he isn't concerned about leaving you starving, he will be firm and strangely soft.

Not as soft as one might typically be (this is still Crosshair, after all), but certainly not as rough.

He spends precious time finding little areas and spots that make you frenzied, gently exploring with his mouth and tongue.

Once he trailed his mouth over your ear shell then ran his tongue in the crook behind your ear, before kissing down your jaw and down to your lips again.

You were completely helpless to his ministrations, with your hands pinned above you by one of his, and he could barely contain your squirming.

Crosshair didn’t shut up about that night for a few days after.

Or another time, which is a moment you replay over and over when he is away, was when you were able to gain some control, pressing your thumb into his pressure points and leaving him weak above you.

Sucking in his bottom lip, you even bit it lightly as a form of payback for all his teasing.

That put him in his place.

Those nights tend to bring out a strange feeling, but it always leaves you awestruck.

Echo

The former ARC trooper is an absolute sweetheart when it comes to physical affection.

Especially kisses.

He thinks it's the most effective way to express his love.

If opportunities present themselves, he will absolutely pull you into a discreet corner and kiss you.

And if that isn’t an option, kissing your cheek or the top of your hand will suffice just as well.

He is much shyer, however. Unlike Wrecker and Crosshair, it takes a lot more for him to carry out lots of… *cough* obnoxious displays of affection.

In most cases, he won’t initiate a kiss in front of his brothers or in public.

That is left up to you.

However, don’t surprise or force it on him without enough prior knowledge. He’ll immediately crawl into a little shell in his mind and freak out ever so slightly.

Ease him into it, hold his cheek, and assure him that no one minds and that it’s your way of telling everyone that you belong to each other.

Then he’ll relax and let you kiss him.

He scrunches his eyes hard while he kisses. It’s like he’s trying very hard to transport himself away from everything else and into a world where only you exist.

Echo’s told you before, rather dreamily and late at night, that it’s all he truly wants.

“Kissing you is like… a better place. A hopeful future, heaven within arms reach. In my arms.”

…You might’ve teared up a bit after he said that.

Rex

Rex kisses you like he’ll die if he doesn’t.

It’s meticulously planned; though he won’t say it, you can feel it.

When his mouth is on yours, he has a set mission.

He creates a plan to reach it. Whether that be swiping his tongue over your bottom lip and slipping it in after a minute, or trail his hot mouth down your body, or even just leaving you with a giddy grin.

Whatever the plan is and how he achieves it, he is always successful.

He wants you to know and feel everything he gives you.

Typically, his kisses depend on his mood and the setting; or even simpler, he can’t decide which way of kissing you he enjoys more.

The sweet ones have a special place in his heart; the languid, soft, and brief ones that are the final finishing on a perfect meal.

But so do the intense ones; kisses that leave the both of you panting and gasping for breath, losing yourself in each other for as long as the night lasts.

Rex just likes kissing you, and though he would never do it while working or in a professional setting (he cares far too much about his job to endanger his work image), he finds a lot of joy in any amount of physical affection you’re willing to give him.

Rex kisses you like he’ll die if he doesn’t.

It’s meticulously planned; though he won’t say it, you can feel it.

When his mouth is on yours, he has a set mission.

He creates a plan to reach it. Whether that be swiping his tongue over your bottom lip and slipping it in after a minute, or trail his hot mouth down your body, or even just leaving you with a giddy grin.

Whatever the plan is and how he achieves it, he is always successful.

He wants you to know and feel everything he gives you.

Typically, his kisses depend on his mood and the setting; or even simpler, he can’t decide which way of kissing you he enjoys more.

The sweet ones have a special place in his heart; the languid, soft, and brief ones that are the final finishing on a perfect meal.

But so do the intense ones; kisses that leave the both of you panting and gasping for breath, losing yourself in each other for as long as the night lasts.

Rex just likes kissing you, and though he would never do it while working or in a professional setting (he cares far too much about his job to endanger his work image), he finds a lot of joy in any amount of physical affection you’re willing to give him.

[ms-demeanor]

I went diabetic earlier this year, since then I've had far more serious health concerns to really focus on it. I've listened to my primary care and reduced my average a1c from 13 to 7. I've recently been looking into diets and what not that are the best. Currently, I'm trying to cut out all carbs, on my doctor's orders. What I'm seeing though is that a plant based diet is best. It looks like a ketogenic diet is what my doctor wants me to follow? I've watched videos on both diets and I don't know, I agree with you that keto is evil. What are your thoughts about this?

I am not a medical professional so i can't give you medical advice, but I'd say that you should ask your doctor for a referral to a dietician (an RD or an RDN, NOT a "nutritionist" - RD/RDN are protected terms that mean they have completed specific training and have specific board certification) and ask the dietician for advice on your specific dietary needs for your specific medical conditions.

What I can say is that trying to cut all carbs is pretty dangerous - not only is it a macronutrient that our body uses as the most available fuel for your body processes (we *can* get fuel from protein and fat, and ketones can *theoretically* replace sugars for energy but nobody is actually sure how long our bodies can do that and we know it's a LOT less efficient, it's supposed to be less efficient, and what that means is it makes a lot of people feel exhausted when they try it because they literally have less available energy) but also there are certain nutrients that are fortified in the US that are going to be hard to get if you're cutting carbs completely. The example that I always use is folate, because when I had to cut wheat out of my diet (i have grain allergies and celiac disease) I didn't know to supplement it and ended up with a form of anemia and stuff like "fainting" and "dizziness" and "low oxygen saturation."

Which is part of why massive diet changes should be undertaken with the assistance of a dietician! That's why I started studying nutrition! Because nobody supervised my medically necessary diet changes and it went very poorly!

Your GP very likely doesn't have a ton of training on nutrition, and is even less likely to have training on nutrition specific to your condition. If your GP is telling you to cut all carbs, they are telling you to do something dangerous and not nutritionally sound (even really restrictive keto diets call for 20g of carbs a day). Ask either them or your endocrinologist for a referral to a dietician (again, you are looking for a Registered Dietician or a Registered Dietician Nutritionist, RD or RDN, NOT just 'nutritionist') who is familiar with helping diabetics manage their nutrition.

Now, all of that said, in the choice between two fairly restrictive diets I will always say to try the one that requires less effort. It is much easier to eat a plant-based diet long term than a keto diet, and it is vanishingly unlikely that you are going to end up protein deficient (the primary concern for most people who are starting plant based diets, and it's just not all that likely - we need a lot less protein than a lot of people seem to think; though if you're going completely vegan you do need to be careful to supplement your B vitamins and to ensure that you're getting plenty of omega fats)

Because the thing is, for a diet to "work" you have to be on that diet forever. If you stop being on that diet, and stop adhering to its restrictions, whatever benefits exist for that diet go away. So the best diet for *anybody* is one that will provide them with the nutrients they need in a way that they can access regularly and affordably, that they enjoy eating and can comfortably maintain for long periods of time, and that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables because the only diet advice that is nearly universally applicable is that people should be eating more fruits and vegetables and they should be eating a wider variety of them.

I am not a fan of "diets" as a concept and I think that people should think of nutrition in terms of "my diet" not "the diet that is meant to be one-size-fits-all for millions of people that I am attempting." Your diet is what you eat and drink, and that is what you should be looking at adjusting. If you want to reduce carbs in your diet it's better to tweak your consumption than it is totally replace your diet with a one size fits all keto diet. If you want to increase fat in your diet it is better to tweak your consumption than it is to replace your diet with a one size fits all atkins diet. If you want to go plant based I think it is better to start by adjusting your diet to include more plants and to slowly replace animal based products than by trying a one size fits all vegan diet right out of the gate. You can always (and should!) make adjustments to what you eat as circumstances change and you may end up at a vegan diet or a low carb high fat diet and find that that works for you, but part of the reason that I think nutrition studies on diets are so screwy and hard to pin down is because your body is going to *flip the fuck out* when you change from, say, an average american diet to a study-provided Mediterranean diet for a 12 week experiment. If you drastically change your diet all at once and get good results immediately it's very hard to say if those results will be lasting because your body may just adjust to the "new normal" of your diet six months down the line.

But like seriously if your GP is telling you to cut all carbs you need to see a person who specializes in nutrition, and to prepare for your appointment with that person you should make a list of your goals (for you it sounds like you want to manage your blood sugar levels, reduce a1c, and *ask about* low carbs if that is something that interests you), a list of things you think that you'll have trouble with or that you want to include in your diet because they're important to you (if you really like nuts but have to be on a low fat diet, ask if there's a way to work around that with your needs, for example; if there is a cultural staple that you will find difficult to cut from family meals, TELL THEM THAT), a list of questions that you have about different types of diets, and *VERY IMPORTANTLY* information about your food budget and cooking skills. Be clear about it if you can't cook. Be clear about it if you can't afford certain ingredients.

Anyway. Once again, not medical advice, please speak to a medical professional, good luck.

[ggjunkie]

Adam One-shot sneak peak

Musical Theatre! Au

College! Au

Words: 1,755

—

You straighten out your clothes, fingers brushing off invisible lint as you take a deep breath, the excitement bubbling just beneath your composed exterior. The echoing sounds of chatter and nervous footsteps fill the audition room lobby, where a group of hopefuls wait for their names to be called. It's finally musical season at your university, and you’ve jumped on the train with unrestrained enthusiasm.

This semester’s show is Little Shop of Horrors, a classic choice that feels like putting on a comfortable pair of favorite shoes—familiar, yet thrilling. Though it's a basic pick, you definitely aren’t complaining; this is your chance to shine. For weeks, you’ve been meticulously preparing, working with your private vocal coach and acting coach, honing every note and every gesture for this audition.

As a musical theatre major, a spot in the chorus is practically a given, but you’re not one to settle for just that. No, no, no. You have bigger ambitions. Your eyes are set on Audrey II, the mysterious talking, and singing plant. It's a role that demands charisma, vocal prowess, and a certain je ne sais quoi that you’re confident you possess. Or at least you really, really hope so.

Of course, you also understand you aren’t guaranteed a role! It’s really no biggie, you’re just excited.

Although theatre wasn’t always your passion, taking the class in middle school had spurred something in you. Since then, you’ve worked hard at your craft. And it’s definitely paid off! You managed to make it into multiple audition-based schools. At the memory, you pat yourself on the back.

Middle school was where it all began. You still remember the thrill of your first performance, the way the stage lights felt warm and comforting, and the applause that followed. It ignited a spark in you, a passion that has only grown stronger with time.

In high school, you faced more challenges. The competition was fierce, and the stakes were higher, but you rose to the occasion. You worked tirelessly, attending acting workshops, vocal lessons, and dance classes. You balanced your schoolwork with your theatrical pursuits, often sacrificing sleep and social activities to chase your dreams.

When it came time to apply for colleges, you aimed high, auditioning for some of the best programs in the country. The acceptance letters that followed were proof of your hard work and dedication. You had made it into multiple audition-based schools, each one a testament to your talent and perseverance.

Now, standing here, you can't help but feel a swell of pride. You've come a long way from that middle school elective. You've faced rejections and setbacks, but you've also experienced triumphs and growth. Every step of the journey has been worth it, and you're excited for what lies ahead.

Eventually, you finally hear your name called, pulling you out of your thoughts. You smile at the runner, a freshman eager to get their required hours in, and hand them your resume. They take it gratefully, glancing over the neatly printed sheet as they lead you into the audition room. It’s a black box theater, a square room with black walls and flooring. The stark simplicity of the space serves as a blank canvas, allowing the directors to transform it into whatever they need, just as they have for these auditions.

Their table is set up near the back, papers and coffee cups scattered across its surface, giving them a perfect vantage point to observe and take notes without being overheard. They chat quietly among themselves, their voices a low murmur that blends into the background hum of the building. You can feel their eyes on you as you step into the room, the anticipation almost tangible in the air.

Near the door, a piano sits, and at the bench is what you can guess to be your accompanist—a tall, chubby brunette with a messy sort of look about him. He’s honestly kind of cute, but you can’t afford to focus on that right now. You have an audition to nail.

You greet the directors with a confident smile and a nod, then march over to the piano. Handing the accompanist your binder, you ensure it’s open to the marked sheet music. Like a seasoned performer, you’ve already highlighted the 32-bar cut of your song, clearly indicating where he should start and stop.

As he scans the music, you take a moment to explain your plan. You point out the precise places where you’ll be taking breaths and describe the tempo you have in mind. He listens attentively, nodding along as you speak, his fingers instinctively moving over the keys as if mentally rehearsing the piece.

You glance over at the directors, expecting them to be ready, but they’re still shuffling papers and folders on their desk, likely comparing notes from previous auditions. A flicker of impatience might cross another's face, but not yours. Instead, you smile, savoring the rush of adrenaline that auditions always bring.

The anticipation heightens the moment, and you use the extra time to center yourself even more. You roll your shoulders, subtly release the tension in your hands, and take another calming breath. The hum of quiet activity behind the directors' table, the muted clink of pens and rustle of paper, only amplifies your focus.

"So, got any plans after this?"

You frown, snapping back to the present as you turn to the accompanist. "Excuse me?"

He smirks, leaning in slightly. "I can take you out on the town, show you a real good time. My roommate is even out for the night, if you know what I mean." He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

You scrunch your nose, not appreciating the distraction from your audition. You need to get in the zone and focus, but he’s throwing you off. You can entertain the idea after the audition, not during. However, at your reaction, he takes it as a no and furrows his brows. He starts to say something, probably something rude, before you walk off.

You head to the tape marking your spot on the floor, feeling the familiar buzz of excitement mingled with nerves. The directors stare at you blankly, their faces giving nothing away, but you know better than to let it get to you. This is your moment.

Taking a deep breath, you slate in, introducing yourself with a clear, confident voice

“I’ll be performing the song ‘Jenny’s Blues’ from ‘It Shoulda Been You,’ and a monologue from ‘Confrontation’ by Kelly Powell.” You smile before dipping your head, breathing in, and starting your piece. Your voice is strong, resonant, effortlessly sliding into the comfortable range of the song. Each note is delivered with precision, every word infused with emotion. You make sure to breathe deeply, expanding your diaphragm to support your powerful vocals.

However, halfway through your audition cut, you hear the piano falter and fumble, the notes coming out jumbled. You pause for a split second, a flicker of concern passing through your mind, but you quickly regain your focus. Mistakes happen, and you're determined not to let it throw you off. You press on, maintaining your composure and delivering a flawless performance despite the hiccup.

As you reach the climax of the song, you hold out your money note, pouring every ounce of emotion into it. The accompanist manages to catch up, albeit a little off rhythm, but you don’t let it deter you. With a final flourish, you finish the song.

You manage a quick glance at the accompanist before looking back– but wait, hold on. You look back again. That fucker has a smug smirk plastered across his face. His eyes twinkle with amusement, and suddenly it all clicks into place: He tried to mess you up on purpose because you ‘rejected’ him. Any chance you had with him suddenly goes straight down the drain, and now you're fuming.

You grit your teeth, trying to tamp down the surge of anger that threatens to consume you. How dare he sabotage your audition like that? But you refuse to let his petty actions derail your performance. Instead, you channel that newfound adrenaline, that simmering rage, into your audition.

With renewed determination, you throw yourself into the monologue, each word dripping with raw emotion. Your voice crackles with intensity as you inhabit the character, every gesture charged with conviction. The room seems to pulse with energy, your presence commanding attention as you deliver a performance that's nothing short of electrifying.

Well, not like you’d think as much.

You perform your piece, and as you finish, you try not to beat yourself up about it. It was… okay. A little frustrating, perhaps, because you ran more on muscle memory and pettiness than actually existing in the moment, but the dedication and hard work you had put into it still shone through. You remind yourself that perfection is an elusive goal, and what truly matters is the passion and effort you poured into your performance.

As for the song, you try not to dwell on it too much. Otherwise, you know you’ll get stuck in your perfectionist head, picking apart every single detail until it drives you mad. Instead, you choose to focus on the positives, reminding yourself of the moments where you truly connected with the material and let your talent shine through.

You take a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over you now that the audition is over. Whatever the outcome, you gave it your all, and that’s something to be proud of.

You thank the directors, offering them a quick but polite goodbye, and head over to the piano to retrieve your binder. The pianist smirks, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he hands you the binder. But as you reach out to take it, he doesn’t let go. You tug gently, expecting him to release it, but his grip remains firm.

Your frustration mounts as you give the binder another tug, but still, he refuses to hand it over. With a growing sense of annoyance, you pull harder, and finally, he lets go. But instead of handing it to you properly, he lets it slip from his fingers, and it drops unceremoniously to the floor with a thud.

This bitch.

Instead of giving him the satisfaction of seeing you lose your cool, you bend down gracefully, feeling his eyes linger on your rear, and pick up the binder. Straightening up with a sense of quiet determination, you shoot him a subtle, sour look, and exit through the door.

[teecupangel]

I've been playing AC Revelations lately, and remembered about your Ratatouille AU.

I think Desmond would be very confused, because all suspicious sounding voices should be silent in the like core of animus or whatever this place is. But he anyway hears those strange complaints about how he looked much cuter in previous parts and now he is like weathered or smth. And those simpings on old Ezio. And this comparison of Sofia and Leonardo. And intense swearing when there's no 100 percent synchronization because of THIS STUPID TEMPLAR WHO SOMEHOW MANAGED TO HIT MEE, LIKE WHAT, HE SHOULD BE LYING DEAD, BUT NOW I GOTTA RESTART THE WHOLE MISSION AGAIN WTFF (russian slurs following). Ahem. Also I feel like he would imagine that it's like his descendants or smth, so he would start to believe that he'll get out of animus very soon

The original Ratatouille AU idea

Its little brother, the “Desmond can hear us” idea

And the “I don’t know you can do that” sidestory that got sidelined by people learning that Altaïr can vault in AC1

So the idea would be the voices would suddenly be silent once Desmond wakes up in the Animus Island and he’d be confused and absolutely worried because he’s used to hearing them (especially after a lot of them suddenly showed up because [The Founder By Accident] apparently posted it or something and got a lot more people ‘playing the games’ again) so the silence was…

… worrying, to say the least.

Especially after Clay tells him where he was and what was happening to him.

And then…

Desmond started reliving Ezio’s memories…

And the moment Ezio’s voice echoed in his head “Dear Claudia…”

There’s just a cacophony of [DEAR CLAUDIA!!!!], [Best opening cinematic in the franchise <3], [Goddamn, I still get goosebumps watching this…], someone is able to actually recite the lines in Ezio’s accent as Ezio continues, and many, many more. There’s definitely a lot of them.

And Desmond could feel himself relax as he let both Ezio’s memories and their voices watch over him.

And then…

“Even if they messed up Altaïr’s actual outfit in this scene, it’s still freaking awesome.”

Ah.

[The Founder By Accident] is back.

.

Desmond immediately got used to a lot of them ‘simping’ over Ezio and the mini-debate that happened when Ezio met Sofia…

As well as the mini-debate about Suleiman being either good or opportunistic or both (and Desmond laughed at the “I can’t say anything because he has the same voice as Malik and that’s an automatic ‘yeah, he’s okay’ from me” comment from one of them).

The complaints about the ‘gameplay’ or the bugs or the synchronization requirements or… Desmond found himself being comforted even by these as these were already part of the voices’ personalities anyway.

And then…

He was back in the Animus Island and he couldn’t even focus on Clay because he’s being bombarded with voices all talking about “oh you poor boy what did they do to your face?” and “you still look good, Desmond, don’t listen to them!”.

And then…

[Play DA Everyone] goes “I know what to do!”

Clay’s eyes widened when a box suddenly appeared in front of Desmond’s feet and Desmond crouched. He opened the box and a lot of the voices went “Ooohhh” as Desmond sees it’s a vial with a message that says “Mod to Change Desmond’s Model To Be Closer To Francisco Randez” and there’s a lot of chanting of ‘drink it!’ and ‘chug chug chug’.

Desmond turned towards Clay and asked, “Do I look like I’m weathered?”

“What?” Clay looked confused by his question and Desmond simply shrugged, being used to it already.

He uncapped the vial and drank the entire thing, trusting the voices in his head as usual.

Cheers erupted all over as Desmond didn’t feel anything different.

Well…

He felt more rested than he ever had though…

And Clay could only gape as Desmond’s face changed right in front of him.

What.

The.

Fuck.

[feladi-fority]

Happy Homestuck day everyone!

Fuck, insane I'm still obsessed with a comic THIS OLD but what can you do.

I feel like people often focus on what Homestuck did poorly or just discuss the characters or the comic abstractly, so in this post I wanna go into a bit more detail about what I think this comic did really really right which I'm yet to see done in other media.

The dialogue is just fantastic. Hussie really knows how to write naturalistic internet style dialogue and it breaths life into characters which otherwise are very flat. So many of the characters are objectively very simple but the dialogue is just so good they still feel like real people. Like Nepeta is objectively very boring, but the dialogue made her feel real enough to make past me kin her.

The format gets a lot of attention for using flash animation and games, but I think the real biggest strength of Homestuck's format is the pesterlogs. I read through Kill 6 Billion Demons a bit ago which is a very similar comic to Homestuck and despite loving it I found I didn't grow nearly as attached to the characters as I did HS. The reason I've come to as to why is that in K6BD the standard comic formatting just doesn't allow natural the characters to be normal people and have normal conversations without totally killing the pacing, so to maintain a fast pace it has to keep that to a minimum. In Homestuck, however, the pesterlogs allow characters to just kinda talk about whatever for normal amounts of time while not requiring the plot to just stop around them. John can ramble about his love of Con Air while doing important ectobiology shit. This gives the audience time to get to know these characters while maintain the lightning fast pace of acts 3 and 4 and a bit of 2 and 5.

The time travel, holy shit like I have NEVER seen time travel done so well, I used to think I hated time travel in media until I read this comic. The comedy gotten through time-traveling chat clients and the use of stable time loops for the story is just so masterfully done. The fact HS manages to have very few plot-holes in terms of its time travel internal consistency is seriously impressive compared to other stories featuring it. I crave so badly a story which can reach the peaks of the lil' Cal reveal and the conversions Karkat had with Karkat.

The fandom hooks. Like most stories are out here letting the fandom do some shipping or have a fun set of factions or a magic system to sort their fav characters into. Homestuck is here quadrupling the potential ships. "My story has 4 elements and what element you have is determined by your personality" Homestuck has a character personality sorting system with 336 possible combinations. Your story has one cool unique world to imagine being in? Homestuck has several. How would your fav react in the Hunger Games? How would they react to their entire planet being destroyed and being sent into a game designed to allow personal expression as much as possible! The lore is also overcomplicated but it does a great job at helping the audience through it. Like fuck this shit was crack to my neurodivergent ass.

The [s] pages were fucking AWESOME, like I am yet to feel the emotion the best [s] pages did since I finished reading the comic for the first time. The complexity of the storytelling means that when it's being told visually you need to actively interpret what's happening, causing strong moments of "oh shit!" when you realize what you just saw, further making an already awesome animation even better!

The way the comic mythologized the feeling of growing up online was so fucking cool to my terminally online ass. It made the worldbuilding feel so much more compelling than similarly complex fantasy worldbuilding ever has.

I might have missed a few things Homestuck did really well I'd like to bring up so I might make another post later, but like, damn. Homestuck was an incredibly unique work and I haven't seen anything like it since. One of my goals in life is to make a work that makes other feels how this comic made me feel cuz nothing has scratched that itch for me, but who knows if I'll succeed at that.

Either way, happy 413! I'm a derse sylph of heart btw <3

[sysciety]

I'm very sorry if this comes off as rude, but I'm questioning if I might be a system and I have some questions.

1) how can you tell that you're a system

2)is it possible for someone to not fully be seperate or one, like no real clear other identities that have different names or anything but differing opinions reactions ect

3)how can you tell that you aren't yourself

4) is it possible for thoughts to be connected (like, it feels like you're thinking even thought you're not fully you or are in a different "mode"

5)how can you tell that you're a system

Again very sorry for the ask but I need answers,

Hope you're having a good day

Hi, this isn't rude at all!!

A lot of these answers kinda play to both sides of 'this is cdd/non-cdd behaviour.' I'm not qualified to give you a hard answer for any of these, so best I can do is try to answer these in a way that hopefully gives you a fuller scope of experience

I'm gonna leave 1 (and 5) to the end

2) Not feeling fully separate is a valid system representation. Online there tends to be a focus on distinctness, but things like names aren't actually required to differentiate parts. There are a lot of cases where parts are more defined by function or outlook (eg: 'the angry one,' 'the one who cries'). 'Parts' in the CDD sense is more about autonomy and separateness from other parts in terms of views/reactions

3) I am assuming you mean knowing if there are other parts around (send me a follow up if that's not what you mean). Indicators of other parts would be changes in things such as behavior, reactions, preferences, etc. This might be easier seen in hindsight or pointed out by other people. In dissociative disorders (not just cdds) the presence of another part in control tends to come with some sort of emotional amnesia (recollection of the events, but feeling disconnected from the actions or like the action wasn't 'you.')

4) I've definitely done this before but from personal experience this can also be a general dissociative thing. Like it'll still be 'me' in control of both thoughts and actions but dissociated or disconnected. Both are possible though

5/1) There's not really a definitive way to know. I know this is not helpful but there's a reason self-doubt is so prevalent among people with cdds. Track your symptoms. You don't need to try sorting reactions and feelings into specific parts if you're not sure, but if you have records of your internal experiences it'll give you more data to look back on that may help you determine this (this is still helpful regardless of whatever conclusion you end up with)

I think it's worth mentioning quite a few different disorders involve dissociated parts. (C-)ptsd and bpd immediately come to mind as other disorders where separation of self occurs. (From my understanding) The key difference between CDDs and other dissociative/trauma based disorders is the autonomy the parts have. This is not to immediately discredit you or anything but at least to let you know it 's entirely possible to have dissociated parts without having a CDD (you may want to rule these out first). That does not make them less 'real.' All it means is that they are less autonomously acting.

For understanding how traumatic memories are stored + how parts may vary in reaction: check out the bask model You might also want to read up on the different types of structural dissociation (I don't like using did-research.org as a resource but its page on structural dissociation is fine - just note that osdd can also have multiple anps)

If you have any follow ups feel free to send them my way! Hoped this managed to give you something, even if it wasn't the most definitive

(tldr the things youre describing can be indicative of systemhood but please don't take a stranger's word on whether or not it actually is)

[askavettech]

Hey Jay! Recently I have found myself back in the world of veterinary medicine after taking a few years to decide what I wanted to do and finish my undergrad degree in Management instead of Animal Science which is what I was pursuing when I started my college journey. At the age of 27 (for the next two months) I have decided that I do in fact want to pursue my dream of applying to vet school and I have been trying to connect with folks who have experienced applying and I was wondering if you would be open to sharing your experience with me. Hope you're doing well recovering your knee! Talk soon,

GT

Ahahhahhhhaahhh you poor naive FOOL!

I'm just kidding - we're happy to have you back in the field!

But I won't lie to you, the journey to vet school is butts. I'm still on it, still wanting to go the distance, but it's stiiillll butts.

So GT, first things first, RESEARCH YOUR SCHOOLS. You gotta know their minimum requirements, their prerequisites, their DUE DATES, their additional fees (it's all about additional fees), and anything else you can get from their websites, emails, and VMCAS.

Ahahhahhhhaahhh you poor naive FOOL!

I'm just kidding - we're happy to have you back in the field! 

But I won't lie to you, the journey to vet school is butts. I'm still on it, still wanting to go the distance, but it's stiiillll butts. 

So GT, I’m gonna give you a bulleted list of what I think are the most important things you need to know before and while applying for veterinary school starting in the 2024 cycle.

Set up an account at VMCAS (aka Veterinary Medical College Application Service) The site doesn’t open until January (when the application cycle for 2024 starts), but keep the site bookmarked and check back frequently so you can stay updated.

On that note, check out AAVMC (American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges)  Here you can get the lowdown on ALL the veterinary schools, which can inform your decision on which to apply to

The most important information you are going to want to focus on; 1. DUE DATES - for all applications, fees, and coursework a. Put them in your calendar, on sticky notes, on your forehead - whatever you need to do to not miss them. Once they’re passed, you’re out of luck 2. Minimum prerequisite course requirements (coursework and grades) a. Also, know that prerequisite coursework expires after ten years. It's BS and I’m dealing with that right now ugh 2. Letters of recommendations 

You will need at least three - no exceptions - and at least one needs to come from a licensed veterinarian

All your previous academic records, relevant experience, volunteer work, and anything else that is even slightly animal/veterinary related that can beef up your application

You will have to dig back through your old transcripts (you’ll need to get an official one) and get all your old coursework - it is very important to get your grades and courses correct/exact on the application

They’re gonna ask for very specific dates, hours, and numbers so just do the best you can in documenting this

The next part of the application(s) is all about personal essays. The standard application has its own base essays and then each individual application for each school has its own essays.

Spend the most time on this. Every admissions person I have talked to says that the essays are where it’s at. Try to make yourself stand out from the crowd - explain your reasonings for wanting to be a vet beyond “I like animals,” and do your best to tell your story.

Sidenote: If you plan to apply to the two colleges in Texas, there is an entirely DIFFERENT application called the TMDSAS (Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service) you will have to make an account for, fill out, have your letter of recommendation sent to, and pay for. It's very annoying because Texas thinks it's just so special. (I live in Texas I can say these things)

I wanna say that’s everything? I’m sure there is more, but the listed websites help a lot too. 

I also want to say, don’t get discouraged. Most people don’t get in on their first try. Not saying you won’t! It’s just statistics. So if you don’t get in, keep trying! Lord knows we need more vets! 

Best of luck to you and if you need any more help, you know where to find me!

[askmerriauthor]

Pokemon S/V Is Not an Open World Game nor Should It Be

I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I haven't been yearning for a true open world Pokemon game for ages now. Seeing the way things were going with Sw/Sh as Game Freak's first baby steps into the genre of open world games, I had hope! But if S/V is supposed to be their actual best effort at an open world game? Y'all didn't understand the assignment.

S/V falls to the classic blunder - and one that devs absolutely should know better than to do by now - of mistaking "big map" with "open world". They're not the same thing. A huge landmass isn't what makes a game open world. "Open World" necessitates freedom for the Player to choose how they approach the game's events, challenges, and direction. If a Player sees a mountain in the distance, they should be able to climb it, but there should also be

A) a reason the mountain is there,

B) interesting stuff along the way up the mountain,

C) a neat reward for having reached the peak, and

D) means for the game to compensate for the Player having done so on their own schedule.

S/V is just a big, uselessly open map. So big that it causes its own system to choke and struggle trying to manage how poorly optimized it is. Despite it having ten alleged natural wonders and scenic vistas, there's not actually any iconic terrain or even recognizable routes in the game. So-called amazing subterranean caverns as one of the natural wonders of Paldea is just a rounded corner painted grey with a few pillars in it. If there weren't a billboard set nearby labeling it as some iconic locale I'd never have even remembered it. I accidentally ended up on the tallest mountain peak in the game without noticing until, again, a billboard nearby told me I was supposed to be impressed.

Further, S/V fails in what makes an Open World game interesting. Open World games need to have quality environments. Good terrain design, atmosphere, environmental storytelling, interesting locales and places to visit. Memorable points of civilization or ruin. The presence of interesting NPCs is debatable, as you can certainly have a great game where there are no interactable NPCs at all. But if there are NPCs to talk to, they need to be solid and have reactions to the Player's influence on the game world. S/V doesn't have any of that. NPCs are just blank automatons that spout a single meaningless phrase of dialogue that often has nothing to do with how they're presented, never move or only appear on a single short street to endlessly loop, and do not in any way respond to anything the Player does.

This isn't just a failure of being an Open World game but a massive, unbelievable step backward from being a Pokemon game. In previous generations - even just Sw/Sh and Arceus immediately prior - NPCs have stories. There are side quests, lore drops, people to meet in odd places. There's bawdy jokes and ghost girls hidden around if you look for them. Hell, there's Game Freak Studios themselves appearing as a Fourth Wall breaking cameo locale where you can go talk to the dev team and often get a reward of some kind for completing the game. There's environmental storytelling with how items are placed. This has always been a staple of the Pokemon games since the very beginning way back in Red/Blue on the GameBoy. S/V, however, is completely lacking in this fundamental content. It doesn't have any of those core aspects of Pokemon. It's just big, empty, and monotonous.

Despite what the advertising and in-game text claims, the Player absolutely cannot "go and do whatever they want". You are required to complete all three Story Paths in order to reach the endgame. You can't just focus on the stuff you like and ignore the other parts. Wild Pokemon and Gym/Team Star Challenges don't scale their levels to yours, so you either have to follow a strict path weaving among them to suit your natural level progression or over-level yourself and make the whole game a cakewalk. When the game wants you to do something, it will literally force you to do it - NPCs will ignore your input and do as the script says, or the game will fade to black and reset you into position if you try and walk away until you comply. S/V is 100% a linear adventure game that's been put into an unfortunately huge and bland landscape for no reason than to claim to be Open World.

"The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" is my gold standard for open world adventure games. It has everything an Open World game should have and it does it all remarkably well. Just to draw a simple comparison: the game's story suggests Link should defeat the Four MinI-Boss enemies, acquire stronger items/powers, and confront Ganon as the Final Boss after sufficient preparation. You can do that and the game goes along a given story route. However, you can ignore that. You can choose to not defeat any or only some of the Mini-Bosses. You can - as speed runners have eagerly proven - go straight to Ganon as soon as you start the game, charging headlong into the final boss fight screaming in your underwear, waving a stick overhead. And you know what? Not only does the game let you do that, but it actually compensates for it. If you defeat the four Mini-Bosses ahead of time, doing so weakens Ganon in the final conflict. If you don't? You have to fight those Mini-Bosses in a boss rush when you cut to the end, and Ganon will be stronger because you didn't do any of the set-up work. And this isn't some weird "only speed runners glitching the game can achieve this" outcome - anyone can do it if they're so inclined, and the devs planned for that.

Compare this to how S/V handles their final area: the Paldean Crater at the center of the map. The game's story suggests you complete the Three Story Lines, then enter the Paldean Crater through its assigned elevator. Until you finish the stories, the entrance to the crater remains locked. I attempted to bypass this by finishing only one of the stories, which unlocked all the travel options - including the ability to scale the walls that surround the crater and the ability to safely glide from any height. So I ascended the walls, reached the edge, and leaped off into the crater...

...only to be immediately teleported back out. The game refused to let me into the endgame content until I finished all three stories.

That's not how an Open World game should behave. It should have let me enter the Paldean Crater at my relatively low level and get myself completely curb-stomped by the powerful Pokemon inside. Or allowed me to scrape my way through to the final boss and compensate accordingly for having gotten there early/underprepared. The course of the story should have altered itself in some way to address or reflect my choices as a Player. But it didn't, because S/V is not an Open World game. Nor should it ever have been pitched as such or designed in an attempt to be such.

S/V would've been so much better if the map was about half the size, but way more effort had been put into making its locations memorable and its NPCs interesting. The academy itself, along with the teachers, Gym Leaders/Pokemon League, Friendship Trio, and Team Star all should have had the bulk of focus and dev attention put onto them. They needed to have fuller, better realized, more involved stories and way more screen time. Even with how S/V is now, they're the best parts of the game and there's barely anything to them. Every Gym Leader should have had a solo story for the Player to experience, as well as interacted with one another. The Friendship Trio should have actively traveled alongside the Player and had interactions outside their story beats. The academy should've been more than just a string of pointless, Fourth Wall and Lore-breaking combat tutorials for information better suited for a game booklet. The entire Turo/Sada plotline needed to be spread across the entirety of the game in a dripfeed told primarily through environmental storytelling or exploration rewards, not just crammed in at the last half hour of gameplay out of nowhere.

And, hey, here's a hot take: the Paldean Pokedex should've been exclusively new Pokemon native to the region and not included any Pokemon from other games. Why? To cut down on the bloat and Game Freak's whining of "we can't invest time and effort into making the Pokemon's animations/combat interesting - there's too many of them!". Who's fault is that, huh? Honestly, with the game in the state it is and the first priority they have is shoving Charizard online raid events in because they just can't help themselves. Half the new Pokemon just look like slightly larger versions of themselves when they evolve anyway; look at the Bramblin line or the Pawmi line and tell me, with a straight face, that those evolutions need to be there. It should've just been a flat 100 new Pokemon and they should've been given a ton of attention into making them as polished and full of personality as possible.

S/V isn't an Open World game. It's a linear adventure game that lost sight of what it actually was and its quality has suffered for it.

[humanoidalien27]

Content warning: Bit of fluff, heavy feelings and a bit of rewriting sight

.....

Chapter 10

Pure Creation

Finding it best to go back to the hospital wing, your group did just that. Now that you had whatever it was that Salazar wanted, he was going to come after you again. This alone made Ominis on edge.

Sebastian tried to read the book over your shoulder, but it seemed to think he was trying to steal it, so it would always put up its barrier whenever he'd get close.

-I made a grave mistake that I can't fix, it is my only hope for someone strong enough to put it right. The magic you now wield is incredibly powerful. I sought to harness the magic that created life. The magic of the universe, but it can only be wielded by those who understand both sides of what the universe can bring to life. Love, Pain, Nurturing and Death. Because without the bad, we can't fully appreciate the good that comes into our lives. I have managed to harness it, but in doing so, I ended up creating events that lead to the death of too many people, just like it will happen for you. Since this magic is now yours to bear, you will bring on famine, droughts and floods. It won't be all at once, but it will get worse as time goes on and if you keep it for too long, it will kill all life. I locked it up and put stringent rituals to follow to ensure it's not easy for someone wanting to wield it for evil to get it. This magic is pure creation and can only be taken in by someone who has given their magic up to receive it and sacrificed of themselves. I saw the desperation of the one who would wield this one day. Someone with a friend who was born to be good and did evil things and another born to be evil, now good. I saw the man who wished to take it. If you act quickly, you can use this magic to defeat him. You have maybe from now until the next full moon to stop him before the famine begins, but I implore you to do what I couldn't and return this magic to where it belongs. Be warned, this magic comes at a higher price for you than it will for the world around you. Inside this book, I've incased all the spells I created, it doesn't require a wand to use, but it will help focus your magic. If you want the knowledge, press your hand to the pages and good luck my friend. I hope you succeed with your quest.-

"You look like you're going to hurl," Sebastian mentioned as he settled in the chair across from your bed.

That's an accurate statement. You did feel sick. Knowing what was going to happen.    

"The magic in that box was pure creation. The same magic that created life. This insane wizard harnessed it, but realized it was killing people because he had it," you admitted.

"Magic you now have. Does that mean it's going to happen again?" Anne asked, her eyes dancing between occupants of the room.

"Yeah and I don't know how to put it back or give it back to the universe or wherever he got it from."

"We'll figure it out," Sebastian replied, his eyes already drifting towards the window.

"If it does that to the world around you, what will it do to you?" Ominis asked, squeezing your hand.

You considered lying. It wasn't like they could read from the book, but if you were in their shoes, you'd want to know.   

"I don't know, it just said it'll come at a higher price for me than anyone else," you answered, getting his brows to pinch.

"How long?" He asked almost too softly to hear.

"A month maybe, before famine starts."

Sebastian nodded and stood. "Then we just find Salazar, take your magic back and return the creation one back to wherever it goes before the month is up. Easy."

Anne tossed a pillow at him for trying to joke at a time like this, but you laughed despite how heavy things were. "Yeah, easy."

"What? You're practically a general at war prep and we know Salazar will come back once he finds out you have what he wants, so we make a trap and spring it on him."

Shaking your head, you pressed your hands to the page of the book, seeing it engulf in golden light, before a headache hit like the Hogwarts express as spells and the location of where to return the magic flooded your mind.

The book was gone when the light faded, getting Anne and Sebastian to side glance. "Was that a good thing?"

You nodded. "I have all the knowledge contained in it and now Salazar can't get a hold of it."

     As time when on, you began to notice you were slowly getting stronger, but you also realized that plants were beginning to dry up from lack of water, no matter how much they got and you were being to be plagued by headaches. You could even feel your friends emotions whenever they were near as if they were your own. 

Ominis was taking notice of it and trying not to ask, even when he was burning with worry and fear. 

"You might as well ask, I can practically feel you wanting to." 

"That's still weird," Ominis replied as he sat down beside you. "We heard Salazar is raising an army to attack the school." 

You nodded. "Yes, he'll be here in a few days."

"Are you sure you're okay?"  

He shifted to face you a little more, the motion drawing your attention from the rain.

"I'm not sure anymore. The first couple days, it was easy to know who's emotions I was feeling, but they're muddled now. I've also noticed it's been raining more than I've ever seen it-"

He slid his hand to the side of your face and turned it to face him. "It's not your fault."

"It is actually. This magic is connecting me to everything in the universe, and connecting it to me."

It was nice of him to try lessening your role in what was happening, even when it was fruitless.   

"So, you're making it rain?"

You looked at him when he moved to press his palm to the window. His milky eyes stared forward, the droplets on the pane reflected in them. 

"Everyone is," you whispered, getting his head to turn towards you, knocking your noses against each other. "Close your eyes."

He hesitated, but closed them.

Carefully cupping the sides of his face, you moved it so you could press a kiss to each eyelid, pushing the smallest bit of magic into each one.

"Just in case-"

He shook his head, his arms pulling you against him. "No, you're going to be fine."

You weren't entirely sure. Even if you could give the magic back, could you go back to being the same person you were before?   

You inhaled sharply, feeling him bury his fingers into your hair. "I feel like I'm losing myself, Ominis."

His hold tightened as if knowing you had all along.

"Once all of this is over," he pulled back, opening his eyes showing a pair of clear silver blue eyes, that blinked rapidly as they realized what they were seeing. "I can...I-"

"You told me you wish you could see me everyday," you reminded, seeing his expression melt into a smile. "This is my promise to complete that wish." 

At least for as long as you can. 

He nodded, happiness filling him before he kissed you, instantly wiping everything from your mind.

You pulled back, looking up at him as he smiled, his fingers tracing along your cheek, before he noticed the trail of blood sliding from your nose.

"What's happening?" He already pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it under your nose. "Is this from using that magic?"

Knowing you can't hide it, you nodded.

"Then why did you-"

"The only reason why I haven't lost my mind, is because of you. Neither of us minded you being blind, but I wanted to share the beauty of the world with you once all of this is over. It gives me something to look forward to. Some hope."

More importantly, it give him hope. Which he was quickly losing, though he tried hard to ignore.   

He nodded. "It would have just been easier to tell me about it, but now that you've done it. I'm going to make the most of it, to which you better be there with me."

It seemed he saw through what you were trying to do and decided to do the same thing for you.  

"Part of the friend rulebook?"

He laughed as he shook his head. "No, part of a rulebook that's just for us." He brushed your hair behind your ears, a strange but strong emotion bubbling up within him. "I love you."

Your eyes locked immediately as he watched a spark appear in yours, something he hadn't seemed to feel or hear in your voice for a little bit. 

"I love you too."

He sighed with relief before hugging you to him, as his giddiness filled you with the same, getting you to laugh. 

The door opened as Sebastian and Anne walked into the room. "Come on you two, get better timing."

Just like always, Anne smacked Sebastian for being rude. "You're always walking in on them."

Sebastian cocked his head when he saw the bloody handkerchief in Ominis's hand. "What happened?"

"She had a nose bleed," Ominis replied, drawing their attention when his eyes looking right at both of them.

"Can you see us?" Sebastian asked, walking over and staring at his eyes from an inch away.

"Are you going to kiss him?" Anne teased, pushing her brother back. "Is this what caused her nose bleed?"

Ominis nodded. "Yeah, which is why I don't think you should use it."

"I have to," you replied, feeling him get upset. "But I promise not to use it until then."

That didn't sit right with any of them, but they couldn't exactly fight you on it.

.....

Previous

Next

[uupdirector]

With a day into the album's release, I think it's time I reflected on it and give my thoughts on the experience.

Storm Before The Calm was the result of 2 years of hard, time managed, and thought provoked work, which I wasn't even certain as to what the end result would be.

Normally when I work on projects, I make it very clear as to what people can expect as soon as possible when they jump in - as a GModder and fan game dev, I've been used to this mindset for years. But this was the first time I would make something that... I had absolutely no idea what it would end up being in the end. An original project requires a lot for it to gather any sort of interest, and from the start - while a synopsis was provided, I still wasn't sure what I wanted it to be.

The focus of making music and lore to continue building this new world was the best way I could get Scarlet Combine started - not just because I learned this from many of my inspirations, but also because before I wanted to commit to anything bigger, the world needed to be set into motion.

And now that I've reached an endpoint, I now have a base to build on for whatever may be next, and whenever it happens.

I'm happy with where Scarlet Combine is now, but I won't lie and say it came without struggle. This year has had its upsides, in addition with downsides, and I know now that before my next endeavor with this story, I need time for myself, as well as with smaller endeavors to pass the time and rebuild my motivation for it.

Again, this isn't the end of Scarlet Combine by a longshot - I can safely say one of the hardest aspects of working on it is over, and I'm glad I was even able to show you anything in the process. But because of that, I am still very drained, and I just need time to focus on other things. It will return, and when it does, hopefully, you won't have to wait long for the end result.

As for what's on the table now - there's quite a few mysteries and aspects of the story that people might have missed, or went right over their heads. You don't have to look far to know where these details started, so keep your eyes peeled. ;)

Until then, thank you everyone for supporting me in this project - here's to the future of Scarlet Combine; forward. 💙

[reversedout-blog]

Best E-Commerce Platforms For Your Business

E-Commerce stands for all of the online activities that include buying and selling of products. E-Commerce is the process of conducting online transactions. So there must be numerous platforms for e-commerce. These platforms can help your local business internationally. Which do you think is best?

In this article, we will help guide you to the best e-commerce platforms for your business. Choosing the right platform is important. Change is vital, so think of a platform that will help you if you face any challenges or problems in your business.

Before you rank an e-commerce platform, it is a good idea to have already sorted out a first-rate deal of strategy and capabilities. For instance, some platforms are those which focus on search engine optimization.

So let us move on to the best e-commerce platforms:

Magento

Magento is one of the best e-commerce platforms owned by Adobe that specializes in e-commerce websites. Magento users can have access to thousands of features that help them in connecting with their customers and develop relationships.

The creators of this platform made it easy to use for ordinary people. This means it does not require any technical knowledge to use it.

This system is vigorous because it can handle millions of clients. Magneto makes it easy for you to stay in one place and continue to grow. The platform also offers customers various plugins and themes to help them do whatever they want to do.

Magneto has launched a new version known as Magneto 2. The new version has 50% faster loading speeds, flexible architecture for websites, a more efficient business experience, more secure payments, and easier maintenance and upgrades.

Who Uses Magento?

Just for Men, a male hair dye brand stepped into the e-trade international with Magento.

HP Inc, the electronics company needed one massive e-trade save for numerous international locations in Asia.

Helly Hansen, the apparel brand chose Magento whilst their old e-trade platform became discontinued.

Open Cart

Open Cart is a highly customizable e-commerce platform, with no monthly fees. This platform offers you plenty of themes at a low running cost. The Open Cart platform has multi-store support that helps you stay on the upline of various stores from a single interface.

This platform requires a little coding knowledge for extensive customization and will require that you have some level of comfort while setting up the website, dealing with hosting, and modification of code.

This is a low investment platform and has a vast range of features like no caps on the number of products and product categories, and the ability to manage multiple stores.

Open Cart has accurate SEO capability and is mobile-friendly, which can be a great option for the small entrepreneur who desires to store on their platform.

Open Cart lets you add a filter section on your sidebar so that customers can sort their products according to its features. There is an option of using multiple currencies while selling. One of the features of this platform is you can convert your store to over 40 multiple languages.

Big Commerce

BigCommerce is a public trade best e-commerce platform offering software-as-a-service(SaaS) services for building and hosting online stores. BigCommerce has hosted more than 145,000 websites, and at present has 52,198 stores active on the platform.

This platform does not let you own software but still, you have to pay monthly fees to use it. They offer you a versatile range of templates for website designing. In this online store, you can sell physical or digital goods and there are some tools that help in digital marketing. BigCommerce does not give free services and charges every month for the services. This platform is considered a bit costlier than other platforms.

Who uses BigCommerce?

Carolina Panthers, a sports activities unit that had to convert cellular users.

Hincapie Sportswear, a B2B sportswear organization.

Di Bruno Bros., a food enterprise that had been promoting through e-trade for more than 10 years.

Whether or not BigCommerce will be the right fit for you relies upon your own strategy, of course. If you do select BigCommerce, you can count on high customizability (if you have coding capabilities) and a steady purchaser guide. However, you could also count on a higher rate tag for multiple capabilities that various systems encompass in their fundamental plans.

WooCommerce

Woocommerce is an open-source e-commerce plugin of WordPress. This is popular because it is simple and easier to use. The freedom of open-source means you retain full ownership of your store’s content and data forever.

If you are launching a store taking brick and mortar retail online or making sites for clients, WooCommerce offers you beautiful templates and themes that suit your store. You can customize pages in a few minutes using modular product tools. Showcase physical and digital goods, product variations, custom configurations, and instant downloads.

WooCommerce is a paid platform and offers 100 plus platforms to make payments. With WooCommerce, your data remains yours. You can choose to opt-out anytime without impacting the store. You are free to export all content and take your website wherever you want to take it, there are no restrictions.

Who Uses WooCommerce?

Airstream, a trailer corporation that increased into e-commerce.

Cured, is food save that has grown from one brick-and-mortar store.

Absolute Antibody, a medical sequencing business enterprise that needed to share consequences with customers.

Squarespace

Squarespace is an online store with all the tools you need to build, grow, and manage your business. It gives you an easy way to keep a record of inventory, sales, marketing campaigns, and much more. Squarespace is a panel that easily operates across desktops and laptops, and is mobile friendly.

Their control panel syncs well with social media, selling through Instagram, Facebook, and all marketplaces like Amazon, and Walmart. They adapt the interface to customer screens, so their store looks great on any device.

You have built a visually stunning site for your business, so do not let your eCommerce shopping cart get in the way. Keep your design updated and powerful with Squarespace.

Squarespace is truly a stunning website that is designed to suit creative small business owners. You can create a stunning home page of your site using various themes. They offer great performance as compared to other platforms. This platform often provides a free domain plan. If your site is already hosted somewhere, then it may charge a minimal fee to transfer it.

They take special care of security. When you register for a domain name, you will get a free WHOIS privacy and SSL certificate that is built into your purchase. They also prove 24/7 assistance for any query.

Shopify

Shopify is the platform with all of the eCommerce and point of sale features you need to start, run, and grow your business. This is a platform where you can sell products to anyone, anywhere from your website, social media, and marketplaces.

It helps to organize the layout of your store appearance with its multiple themes which are free of cost. With the themes, you can modify or change them in any way you want. This platform offers you to make an online payment for the products you want to sell.

This platform is really simple and easy to use while helping you grow and manage your business. You can easily increase your sales without being bogged down by technical issues. Shopify is a powerful hosted platform that takes care of transaction processing time.

This platform offers you all day and night assistance. You can easily generate discount codes on Shopify as well. In Shopify, customers cannot use multiple discounts by default. With Shopify, you have to pay certain fees for subscriptions and transactions. Its plan starts at $29 and escalated up to $299 for some advanced plans.

Who Uses Shopify?

Cartolina, a paper agency that moved from wholesale to e-commerce.

A snowman, a Canadian game developer that needed to promote merchandise.

Kylie Cosmetics, a splendor store that runs on Kylie Jenner’s star energy.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the six best eCommerce platforms for your business that can help you with expansion. They are handy to use, manage, and help you to reach your business at new heights. Some of the platforms are paid and some are free and are per your choice, as well as the features available on that platform. You can also take the help of a professional who may guide you about the requirements of your business and how well the platform can assist you.

Ultimately, each platform has both pros and cons and after deep analysis, select the right one for your business expansion and growth. The right platform can give a boom to your business and will increase traffic to your website. Take care of your customer requirements the most and try to think after getting into their shoes. This will give you a better view of your business.

If you are still confused about which platform to use, contact a company offering eCommerce development in Cincinnati. At Reversed Out Creative, we are one such place and can help you with your website development.

Contact Us

At Reversed Out Creative, we understand the challenges and opportunities presented by AI disruption. Our team of experts specializes in web design, SEO, graphic design, and digital marketing services. Reach out to us through our contact form to learn more about navigating the evolving job market and embracing the potential of AI. Together, let’s shape a future that combines human ingenuity with the power of AI.

Content source: https://reversedout.com/best-e-commerce-platforms-for-your-business/

[avisionins]

Higher your chances in IBPS PO with Successful coaching

Introduction:

IBPS PO is not just an exam but it is a hope and dream of several participants, who are preparing for the exam. When it comes to exams, you need to think about enrolling in the best IBPS PO coaching in Kolkata is mandatory. Among these coaching centers. Avision Institute is the leading institute that have built their reputation by transforming aspirants into achievers through specialized coaching programs. Let’s discuss the method of getting success with IBPS PO exam successfully.

Why Coaching is a Must for IBPS PO Preparation

Preparing for IBPS PO is not merely about remembering all that the syllabus states; rather, it's a strategic learning process concerning time management, whereby a candidate learns how to tackle complex problems amidst pressure. Though self-study is possible, it provides a structured system of approach, expert guidance, and proven study materials. This is where Avision Institute counts. Avision Institute provides a sound reputation in terms of the best IBPS PO coaching in Kolkata that offers copious study material and teaching modes as according to the recent exam patterns.

Avision Institute Coaching Program Features:

The most prominent reason the Avision Institute is considered one of Kolkata's finest IBPS PO coaching institutes is through its student-centric approach: small batch sizes for personalized attention by highly experienced faculty members from their respective fields, updated curricula as and when changes are likely in the format for examinations, and all these are provided in the best possible manner by the coaching center.

Mock Tests and Practice Papers: Avision Institute prepares students through a series of mock tests by mimicking the conditions of the actual examination. It helps generate confidence in the minds of the students based on the pattern of the exam.

Doubt-Clearing Sessions: Regular sessions eliminate the problems of the student easily during preparation.

Specialised Study Material: Institute has brought study material specifically compiled while taking into consideration all the important aspects which are to be discussed before appearing for the exam.

Flexible Learning Options: Avision Institute knows well that its students have different needs, so institute gives them a chance to take online and offline classes, so the learners get a chance to pick whatever best suits them.

Success Stories Speak Volumes

Avision Institute is committed to excellence with an excellent track record of cleared candidates. Many students have testified that the coaching from the institute has altered their approach to the exam, improved their time management, and generally improved their scores. The testimonials always point to the faculty's knowledge and the care taken to see each student properly equipped with core concepts and strategy.

Why Join Avision Institute?

The IBPS PO coaching in Kolkata largely makes all the difference for the candidates. Avision Institute helps its students with knowledge as well as confidence that can boost up the morale of the students. The institutive covers the syllabus systematically and repeats practice sessions to create a strong ground for success.

At the halfway mark in the journey, questions arise in the minds of students as to whether they are indeed adequately prepared or whether they are overly burdened with content that they are required to cover. It is at such junctures that good IBPS PO coaching in Kolkata proves beneficial. Avision Institute boasts of a well-structured roadmap that keeps their focus and simultaneously reduces stress-the readiness for the exam day finally increases.

Conclusion: Your Key to Success

IBPS PO coaching is no doubt one of the most deciding factors for preparation under your hands. Avision Institute stands out not as a coaching, but as an environment where aspirants feel motivated and supported in order to face their exam with confidence. If success in IBPS PO is to be looked at as your goal, then aligning yourself with the expert coaching through Avision Institute may be the best move.

[yamuna111]

Top Strategies to Crack the IAS Exam: Tips from an IAS Academy in Coimbatore

The IAS exam is considered one of the toughest as well as premium examinations in India. Thousands of candidates work towards the goal year after year, but cracking the IAS examination requires more than just hard work; it requires proper strategy, guidance, and focused approach. If you are preparing for IAS exams and are on the hunt for expert advice, here's the best techniques and tips from an IAS academy in Coimbatore to gear up your success journey ahead.

Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus The most crucial and primary step to preparing for the IAS exam is to carefully understand the exam pattern and syllabus. The IAS exam is divided into three stages:

Preliminary Examination (Prelims): Screening test consisting of two objective-type papers-General Studies and CSAT. Main Examination (Mains): Nine written exams consisting of General Studies, Essay, and Optional Subject. Interview or Personality Test: A personal interview to test the personality and aptitude for administrative positions. Each of these steps requires specific preparation strategies. Even before you start your studies, familiarize yourself with the elaborative syllabus for Prelims and Mains. It's really long but takes careful attention for popular areas, subjects to prioritize.

Join a Reputed IAS Academy in Coimbatore The difference a reputed IAS academy in Coimbatore makes in a student's journey for preparation. Several renowned coaching institutes base themselves in Coimbatore and offer expert guidance to IAS aspirants. A well-structured coaching program keeps you organized, provides expert advice, and tracks the progress. These academies offer the following: Experienced faculty with years of experience in IAS exam coaching. Comprehensive study material covering all the subjects and topics related to the examination. Model real test conditions through frequent mock tests that also assist time management and test strategies. Personal attention to address individual queries and doubts Peer support because an IAS coaching center in Coimbatore can also facilitate peer-to-peer interaction, sharing of resources, and motivation.

Prepare a Steady Plan of Study Consistency is the key for preparation in IAS exam. A well-thought strategy will help you study all subjects systematically without panic situations at the end of studying. First, make a time table and allocate time to each subject according to its importance and difficulty level. Here is your sample approach:

Morning Session: Stick on to the tough areas like Polity, Economy, or Geography. Afternoon Session: Revise whatever you studied in the morning and do answer writing practice. Evening Session: Attempt mock papers or practice previous year questions for Prelims and Mains. Stick to this schedule and make sure that there are regular revisions to reinforce concepts. Short breaks within your study schedule are important too not to burn your candles at both ends.

Focus on Current Affairs The most significant constituent of IAS exam is keeping up with current affairs. General Studies, one of the prime components of the exam, would be substantially dependent upon current events, government schemes, economic policies, and world affairs. As an IAS aspirant, you have to:

Read daily newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express. Follow government reports, schemes, and initiatives. Watch news bulletins and track major events through social media sites. Make brief notes on current events to revise regularly. Knowledge of current affairs is central to acing the General Studies paper and also does significantly help during the Interview stage where so many of the questions can be related to your understating of the world around you.

Focus on Answer Writing Answer writing is a very important skill which decides success for most candidates, especially in the Mains, for IAS. Clear, concise, and structured answers set you apart from your competitors. Practice writing answers for all topics and aim at:

Clear: Your answers should be clear and crisp. Structured: Organize into intro body, and conclusion. Use of diagrams and flowcharts: For topics like geography, science, and environment use a diagram to re-write your answers. Presentation: Handwriting should be legible and not lengthy paragraphs. A bullet point and few words to the point help allocate marks. Your IAS academy in Coimbatore may provide dedicated answer writing practice sessions, where mentors provide feedback on your writing style, structure, and content. Regular practice will help improve speed and quality, which is essential during the exam.

Take Regular Mock Tests Mock tests are one of the most effective ways to gauge your exam readiness. Taking mock tests will help you:

Get familiar with the exam pattern and time constraints. Find the areas of weakness and where you were lacking. Practice under timed conditions to boost your confidence. The number of mock tests, the more you are prepared. Make sure you take both, subject-wise, and full-length papers to cover the entire syllabus of the exam. Most of the IAS academies in Coimbatore conduct the mock test series which mimics the real exam scenario, thus allowing you to practice under timed conditions too.

Regular Revisions Regular revision is highly essential to retain all the information one studies during preparation. Without proper revision, one may forget all-important points and details. Formulate a revision schedule in which you go back and review topics that you have already studied and consolidate your understanding. Revision through previous year question papers also helps in better understanding the pattern of questions in the exam and the frequently asked ones.

Take Care of Your Health While studying for the IAS exam is important, your physical and mental well-being should not be neglected. Long hours of study can lead to fatigue, stress, and burnout. To stay motivated and focused:

Exercise regularly to keep your body active and your mind fresh. Eat healthy to maintain energy levels. Sleep well to ensure you’re well-rested and ready for each day’s challenges. A healthy mind and body are important for sustaining your motivation during this preparatory journey.

Conclusion Cracking IAS fully requires absolute determination, discipline, and proper strategy. These expert tips combined with support from an IAS academy in Coimbatore can shape your preparation properly and give you a high chance of success. Remember, consistency, smart study techniques, and a positive mindset are the keys to achieving your goal of becoming an IAS officer. Stay focused, stay motivated, and with the right approach, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your dream.

[ittybittykittyfingers]

9/2/24

Every home in the world was visited by 3 alien chibi cartoon cats in their driveways. The cats had 2 demands: feed them canned dog food; and repeat whatever word they say back to them without making any other sounds for as long as the exercise takes place. Those who complied would be saved. Those who did not would stay behind. The cats wanted Earth to be terraformed into their litterbox.

I had experienced this day over and over again. Each time my family would fail.

At first I tried desperately to convince everyone this was real but we're all such goofballs. It had varying levels of success but I ultimately couldn't get everyone on board.

Next, I just couldn't take it anymore and kept killing myself in an attempt to exit the cycle, only to be consistently Groundhog Dayed back in over and over.

Finally, I was ready to try something radical.

I had some time before the cats arrived so I used that chance to collect the required items along with general survival stuff. A tired backpack exacted its regret for existing upon my equally regretful shoulders. It turned out that being prepared ahead of time worked to my advantage with getting my family to cooperate. They thought the whole thing was some elaborate bit I'd gotten together.

Unfortunately, even with this advantage, we never did make it out. We were always doomed to go down with the ship, I suppose. In the final iteration of this day I finally got to see what happened to the earth.

I saw low-flying helicopters dumping water like rain, like the kind you see putting out forest fires. The water kept coming. I caught a glimpse of the face of someone manning the vehicle. They looked like what I would, loosely, describe as a zombie- obviously being controlled by the cats. This one was particularly close to our house and swung back and forth threatening to collide with the house. Water flooded everything-- 4ft, 6ft, 10ft up and up. We managed to climb into our old mini-van which did surprisingly well. It acted as a water-tight boat.

Younger family members slept soundly in the trunk (hatchback minivan) while adults took stock of what we had and how we would get through the next few days. I was prepared with food and water and some medical supplies, so our focus turned to setting up shop on the van and establishing a contact point outside of our family. We needed to find a way to be useful. For now, we would focus on navigation and surviving the flood. The sunroof gave us access to the outside when the 'rain' finally stopped. We took to pulling in bodies to loot them, which wasn't exactly a pleasant chore on the best of days, but felt especially surreal to do in front of an ornate church spire where an oddly pristine type-faced banner hung that read “WE WORSHIP OUR EVIL OVERLORDS". I wondered how it was so professional looking when the event was less than a day old.

Tall buildings had dry floors. Given our early advantage, we had a modest surplus of useful items like weapons, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, etc., your typical post-apocalypse staples. It was pulse-poundingly terrifying to approach windows of high-rise buildings but, for the most part, people were happy to trade with us and let us go without trouble. People were quick to part with food and seeds and tools if it meant a quick break from the insanity. The plan was to establish a rooftop homestead somewhere defendable, Project Zomboid style. Eventually, we'd level up into figuring out how to get underwater and scavenge.

Unfortunately, we didn't get that far and the next stage of the terraforming began. My writer's instinct wants to continue the story anyway but this tag is for what happened in my dreams. I honestly don't know what the next stage was. I guessed when I woke up into reality that it was gas because people in the van started dropping like flies. I just... suddenly woke up.

Thank you!