#so now i'm like. great. i have to find something new

[bedupolker]

How are you so good at art and comics and characters but it's not even a professional profession of yours? (can it be that hobbies and skills don't necessarily need to be monitized?)

Thank you! I still feel like I have a lot to learn, haha. I did study animation in college but that's not really my calling, I can't spend 40 (or more!!!) hours a week in front of a computer. As I get older I don't regret it. I'm a little guilty of overworking in certain contexts, but I'm not sacrificing my health or social life for a tiny shot at storyboarding for The Minions 6. (And if I did dedicate myself to that, I almost definitely wouldn't be spending my free time drawing.)

I remember I had some kind of portfolio development class and the professor made a comment telling us to like, stop going to parties and playing video games and just to dedicate ourselves to our art. Maybe that kind of advice to just lock in is helpful for a certain kind of person, but if you're an artist/writer, especially someone who might be young, if you're able, maybe also consider:

Engage with eclectic interests outside of the type of art you want to make. If you want to make an action-adventure comic and your only source of inspiration is Fullmetal Alchemist and Spiderverse, yes those are very good stories and it's understandable they could be a source of inspiration to you, but honestly, most people would probably just go and read/watch Fullmetal Alchemist or Spiderverse. Now if someone wanted to make an action-adventure comic and they had a weird amount of knowledge about technical canyoneering or Korean horror movies or vintage cars or emo-rap music or cubist art or endangered birds endemic to new zealand, now I kind of want to see what that's all about.

Researching the sources of inspiration of art you love is a good jumping off point too. A lot of great stories are more grounded than you'd think, and going out and looking for new things that interest you keeps it from feeling too "incestuous" for lack of a better term.

Try and connect with different kinds of people you wouldn't meet otherwise. Most people are nicer than you think, most people like talking about themselves, and everyone you'll ever meet knows something you don't.

Frankly between social media and living through the covid years, I just think it'd be good for a lot of peoples' mental health to realize there's a world outside of whatever hyperspecific fandom or internet mirocosm or whatever you find yourself falling into.

Try to have a new experience every week. You don't have to blow tons of money and free time to throw into climbing Everest or partying in Barcelona or whatever, just walk home a different way, try volunteering for an organization that you care about, listen to a weird genre of music, hop onto youtube and try some yoga or calisthenics or something. You don't even have to like it, just give it a shot.

Find beauty in the mundane... birds, bugs, alleyways, the light fixture section at Home Depot, it's all there.

Done is better than Perfect

Maybe it's easy for me to say as an artist who has a pretty decent sized following but FR FR don't do just things because you think they'll get popular online!!!!! You don't have to broadcast every single thing that you do. Some art/writing is just for experimentation or self indulgence, that's all good too.

[rinis-rift]

3- Haunting the Horizon

3. House Hunting (gone wrong)

The Masterlist! | YOKAI FILES | prev. | next

ꕥ Yokai is from Japanese folklore, so what is one doing, wandering around the streets of Korea? Grabbing attention from the other beasts who dwell in their own underworld as well as their hunters? And when the dust settles, who will have the pleasure to have their blessing?

wc: 2.2k

Yokai!Male! Reader x Saja boys + Huntr/x

Extra: i'm gonna eat my own wrist bye guys, there's something that NEEDS TO BE DECIDED BUT I CAN'T DECIDE

Rumi couldn’t peel her eyes from the honmoon, she’s been entranced at the sight of the thin strings of protection, protecting the world from demons. She stood right in front of the window walls of their penthouse.

Just the night before, they saw golden hues appear on the usually white and blue strings, symbolizing the growing strength of the honmoon. All three of the hunters felt their excitement and exhilaration build up at the nearing of their goal.

The leader of Huntrix felt that sense of accomplishment the most as she had just released their new song, the one that is bound to seal the honmoon for good. “Golden”, sure, it wasn’t due for another few weeks, but what was the harm of pushing it forward?

They’re in the homestretch now! The logical thing to do is speed up!

And yet, despite the assuring signs of aureate in their visions when performing at bigger concerts, the girl with a long braid couldn’t help but feel even more protective of the nationwide barrier at their feet.

Just a few hours ago, while hanging out with the other two members of Huntrix, she felt the honmoon ripple. Shift like tectonic plates beneath the soles of her feet, she didn’t see any alarming patches of magenta, but it didn’t ease her worries, when it’s so close to being sealed, any problem feels like a bigger problem.

“Rumi? C’mon we gotta go! It’s time for our first. Live. of. Goldennnn!” A voice sings behind her, Rumi wipes the tense look on her face, and turns around with a bright smile. 

“Yeah Zoey! I’m coming!” She replied, hopping over the couch to meet the other two members at the elevator.. Right, she had a show to focus on, the more appearances, the closer they get to the Golden Honmoon.

Back to you, you’ve been walking around, using the cash that Bobby had ever so kindly given to you. You ate dinner and now the absence of the sun meant that you’d have to find shelter.

So you scout the houses. You stop at a normal looking building. It wasn't crazy small, but honestly, you didn’t see the need for something extravagant like Bobby’s house again. So you drop your stuff in the skinny alleyway next to the building, out of sight of anyone who was just going to pass by.

You close your eyes as you return to the form you’d use to haunt people’s residences, you definitely didn’t want to use this method, you never wanted to scare or hurt people, but this is just something that survivors do.

Time to imitate your Usutsuki Warashi cousins. (They are cousins to the Zashiki Warashi. They’re also house spirits, and while they don’t give blessings, they still curse the households they leave. They come out from the soil at night and make creepy noises, scare the people living there at night, never doing anything more.)

Without a word, you floated into the building, you went door to door, trying to figure out how many people lived in one house. Ideally, you’d just have to scare one person out of their house and not multiple.

Eventually, on the fourth door on the third floor, you poked your head through the door. This person had a pair of sneakers, loafers, and sandals, all in the same size. Jackpot.

You enter, you materialize your feet. Stomping to draw attention to yourself you glance at a clock, it was nine o’clock. Great, that’d add to your scary experience.

You opened the door from the hallway into the living room, you kept yourself barely visible, exploring the shared dining room and living room. It was quaint, but you couldn’t help but notice something.

“Huntr/x?” You could barely read the English, Bobby had taught you the alphabet, but you only knew words an elementary schooler would be familiar with. There were posters plastered on the mint green walls, ones with three girls, sometimes one on one posters, bringing to light the individual flair of each girl.

You looked from left to right, your eyes wide with the colorful accents and designs of each poster. The outfits each girl wore were very  beautiful, so sleek and unique, you never saw anything like it before. Sure, you’d see people who can dress, but to this level, it’s interesting.

On the right of the wall, was a girl with buns at the height of her ears, micro bangs and an almost mischievous and challenging smile on her lips, her strapless top wraps a black choker around her neck and connects to the top. In big teal lettering, it wrote “Zoey”. Another unique name, you’ve heard names that have more syllables, yet this one was like Bobby’s.

Your gaze travels to a poster that had big bold letters that read “Rumi”, her hair was braided from the center of her head, no stray hairs in sight. A bold yellow jacket with a white turtleneck that cropped on her torso. A confident look on her face as she stares straight ahead, her hair flows behind her like an accessory. Her name felt less foreign as you’ve met and heard of people with ‘Rumi’ as a name or something similar.

“Mira”, just a letter off from a common Japanese name like ‘Mirai’. But you brush it off, her eyes were sharp and glittery, an eyebrow raised as if she was looking down at you. A navy blue shoulder pad sat on her shoulder as her hands adorned fingerless gloves. A thick black choker on her neck with a golden pendant in the middle, her shirt had a blue geode like design with pink lettering you couldn’t read.

They looked so powerful, like they could have a nation of people at their feet. 

“G-get away from my Huntrix po-posters!” A voice shakes behind you.

Your head snaps towards the speaker, your neck snaps with a sickening sound as you spin your head one hundred and eighty degrees, the man behind you only grows more fearful as you fade in and out of his vision. Getting closer and closer with breath.

He wore glasses, had a larger build, and had that bowlcut you’ve seen all over the place, but nonetheless, he was a wimp.

By the time the distance had narrowed down to two feet or 60 cm away from the person, he’d already bolted for the door.

When you heard the eventual door slam shut, you beamed, jumping with joy as you had actually managed to make them leave! It’s not in Zashiki's nature to make people leave, but regardless, a boy’s gotta do what he’s got to do. You went back down to grab your things.

And once everything you owned had been moved inside, you sat on the couch. Sighing, you opened your backpack to write in your most recent journal. One that is not for notes of the human realm, but just for yourself.

You wrote down how you managed to scare someone like how the Usutsuki Zashiki would do, the meals you ate, the letter you gave to Bobby, the curse you sent, just the entire day, it was an important day to you.

 After journaling, you reached for the remote, it was different from the one that Bobby owned, but you used your super advanced critical thinking skills to decipher what button did what, and you were skipping through channels when you stopped at one.

First, it was a very different tone change from all the others. It was sad and held the weight of disappointment, the text rolled in and out of the screen at a pace you couldn’t exactly keep up with, when you managed to finally read everything, it said.

“Unfortunately cancellation of Huntrix’s first live performance of their new hit single, ‘Golden’ has brought down thousands of fans, we are waiting for news of refunds.”

It’s that name again, you glanced at the posters on the wall, underneath them on the drawers were these big sticks with buttons, the silhouette was like a four leaf clover, but the lines seem to allude that it was something else.

You don’t have a phone like Bobby so you can’t simply look them up, even if that’s what you desperately wanted to do, it seems like they’re well known, well liked.

They seemed so glamorous, put together, but still limited. Having to cancel a performance and all, but that gets you wondering, what kind of songs do they make? They’d have to be good to have amassed such a large fanbase and make room for themselves on television. 

You curled up on the couch, watching more random news and taking in the weather report, trying to understand the jokes that flew out of comedians' mouths like spitfire, but alas, you were growing tired. 

And as you close your eyes for slumber, another force rises, he’s restless. Below, in the underworld of this country, is a king who’s crown now collects dust beneath the humans, burning bright yet he is small compared to what he was before.

“Jinu, if your plan were to work, along with demolishing the hunters, I need you to add one more thing to your itinerary.” the flames growled, a smile growing on his face, plotting, scheming on what to do with this misplaced spirit.

The five demons stopped posing, the demons down below in a large crowd even exchanged glances with each other. They knew that Gwi-ma asking for a lot wasn’t abnormal, but to have something be asked alongside his lifelong goal? What could it possibly be?

The man in front, his eyes darted up at his master’s words, Jinu. “And what would that be?”

“I sense a new being up there, a soul who doesn’t belong here. He’s a yokai, that’s all I’m sure of. But I want you to find him and bring him back, if you succeed, I can grant your other members a wish of their own.” The growl in the word ‘members’ unnerved the other four, but they kept a face, not to seem weak.

“A yokai?” A member with bright maroon hair asks thoughtfully, he’s never heard of the words before.

“He’s from a different realm of monsters, he is a possibility of channeling more power.” Anyone could practically feel the greed radiating from his commands, it was sickening, but not something anyone could negotiate out of.

The leader, Jinu, is not one to back down for the sake of his goals, “We’ll do our best.”, a vow alongside his proposal to finish the hunters by using that fuels them against them.

Now, back in the human world, an idol girl sits at the top of a tall building, the live show was a bust all because of her and a strange issue with her voice. Like she was cursed to fail at a vital point in her career, right when everything was looking up for her, the golden honmoon especially.

A second passes after she slams her fists onto the building, her voice rattling in a tone she’s never heard before, demonic, disgusting, revolting. It sends shockwaves across the honmoon, bright magenta washing over the city in front her, it only makes her own heart heavier.

That night, she tries to seem normal and unaffected by the unlucky events, but her band members notice, but after some deflection. They leave the topic to marinate in the air, plus, a new topic grabbed them by the shoulders and basically shook them to pay attention.

Celine had called all three of them, perhaps not a new occurrence, but she always had something strict and important to say, and this time, it was no different.

“Girls, I know you guys must be disheartened by the Golden performance, but we have a bigger thing to worry about.” She starts, Zoey and Mira perk up visibly.

The older woman sighs, “We seem to have an outlier in Korea right now.”

“A what now?”

“There is something here, someone who isn’t supposed to dwell here, it’s not a demon, but if they’re indoctrinated to join them, the honmoon might become weak- if not, non-existent.” She says with a solemn tone.

“What?! A useless honmoon?!” Zoey gasps, shocked and ever so slightly panicking.. Mira puts a finger to her lips to shush the shorter girl.

“So I need you girls to be extra observant, I’m not sure how you’d identify them, but try to look for anomalies in a person, if you find them, keep them away from the existence of demons. I imagine Gwi-Ma is interested in them as well…” Celine explains,

Rumi was the most silent, most likely out of shame of what she had done, desert and abandon a show that was well anticipated by thousands of people. But this news shook her, an oddity that could make or break the honmoon? It puts so much more at stake, makes the hunters more vulnerable if demons find them before they do..

Lastly, within a stolen living room, a yokai stirs, feeling a strange wave of warmth wash over him, he opens his eyes, when he sees that it’s nothing, he yawns and gets up. Starting his nightly routine to go to bed.

Oblivious to damage he could inflict to the species he swore to learn about and adore.

taglist: @tofumiarchives @kaikaikarasu @amery-benson-cvii@the-drowning-dreamer

@simp4myself @zomqiez @pluto-tea @the-atticwitch

am i cooked

[rikapurelove]

Go! Go! Manager!!

Saja Boys x Doppo!Manager Reader

Taglist :

[Notes : i was sleepy when i wrote this so uhh, i apologise if there's any spelling mistakes]

PROLOUGE

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"Hey uh..[Name], the boss wanted to see you in his office right now"

"Great...i'll be there then.."

Great, what could that naggy old man wants? You just finish pulling an all nighter finishing your coworker's paperwork they gave you because they unfornately have another business to attend, what a bullshit.

You got up from your desk and drag yourself to your boss office, not the first time you've been there yet it still makes you nervous everytime your boss called you.

Once you entered the office you can see your boss the same old man in his 50's with neatly hair probably wearing some gel, he gestured you to sit on the chair in front of him.

"Please sit"

You sat stiffly on the chair. The silence dragged before the boss sighed, looking over some papers.

"We've been reviewing department productivity. Numbers, hours errors.."

You swallowed your saliva preparing yourself for the worst, probably making to pulling you to an all nighter again.

"Frankly your performance hasn't been keeping up with the rest of your team. The mistakes in your works and your work reports are late"

"I-i'm sorry sir some coworkers been giving me their paperwork and i–"

Before you can finish your work he cut your off.

"You're being replaced, we've found someone who's more...'compatible'. this decision is final"

Well fuck...you didnt expect to be fired despite preparing for the worst of all.

"Of course..i'll clean my desk immediately.."

.

.

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Fuck, fuck, fuck, what a useless person you are!!is what you can think off. Your mind's a mess right now you glad that you finally out of that hell of a place, however finding another job was a pain to deal with and you can't expect your bestfriend and childhood friend Hifumi to cover for you, you can't be a burden to him!

You've walk out of the building you once working and walks back to your apartment with your stuff inside a cardboard box.

"What should i do now...i need to find another job because of that shitty old man.."

"[Name]-chi, welcome home!!"

Hifumi still at home watching tv while munching on snacks, greeting the ex salaryman.

"What's with the boxes tho [Name]-chi?"

You put your stuff on the table and plop on the couch and sulking next to Hifumi.

"I got fired..and have no idea what to do....i'm so useless"

Hifumi put his hand on your back and comforting you.

"There-there [Name]-chi, you know you can look for another job, its their loss for firing a good worker like you"

Easy for you to say Hifumi, finding a new job this sudden in this economy? Yeah its gonna be hard.

"Easy for you to say it like that Hifumi..."

Suddenly a lightbulb appears on Hifumi's head, probably an idea suddenly came up to his head.

"How about i help you looking for a job? I'm pretty good with people, i'm sure we can find a job that suit ya!"

Hifumi takes your laptop and begin to type something.

"[Name]-chi, how about you change and take a bath first? I deal with this"

You sigh, trust what your bestfriend did and went for a quick shower.

.

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You've finished taking a shower and see Hifumi still attached to your laptop with a huge smile on his face, probably a good sign you hoped.

"[Name]-chi! I found ya a job!! And they ask to meet up at a cafe nearby tomorrow!!"

You blinked, it can't be that fast right? Finding a job especially on Hifumi god know's what web cannot be that fast, there must be a catch.

"What?.."

"Is that a no?"

"No, no, Hifumi, you think its a good idea?..i mean what if its a scam o-or worst! They might kidnap me and sell me!!"

He pats your back again still with the smile on his face.

"Don't worry [Name]-chi i come with you if you're nervous!"

"Fine...we meet them tomorrow, i hope it wasnt a scam..."

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To Be Continued

[mooonbeamicecream]

Bob Reynolds (Sentry) - Endless Reasons To Love You

18+ minors dni!

Warnings/Tags: smut, masturbation, sub!Bob, begging, edging, Bob is touched starved af, Bob is insecure and needs some love

To the public, Bob wasn’t just Bob. He was the Void, the Sentry. A walking weapon with cosmic eyes and a reputation that made supervillains sweat. People spoke of him in hushed tones, as if saying his name too loudly might summon a storm. To them, he was mystery and muscle, a force too unpredictable to trust.

But to you, he was just Bob. The guy who hoarded cup noodles in his locker like treasure. The one who got teary-eyed watching Bridge to Terabithia and tried to pretend he had something in his eye. He talked too much when he was nervous and had a weird obsession with trying every brand of marshmallow on the market.

You were sprawled out on the couch in the team’s rec room, half-buried in a mountain of throw pillows, flipping through a dog-eared and worn novel.

Then Bob appeared, padding in quietly like a kid sneaking snacks past bedtime. He had two mismatched mugs of hot chocolate cradled in his hands. He stopped in front of you, offering one with a careful, practiced steadiness, as if afraid it might spill.

"Hi," He smiled softly, carefully sitting down on the couch by your side.

"Hi, Bobby," you smile. You hold up the blanket covering you, offering it to Bob. "Do you want to share the blanket with me?"

Bob's smile grows wider at your nickname for him, his cheeks flushing just a bit. He settles into place next to you, pulling the blanket over the two of you. He takes a deep breath, leaning back against the couch cushions.

"Sure, why not?" He hands you your mug of hot chocolate and takes a tentative sip from his own. The warmth of the liquid and the sweet, rich scent of chocolate fill the air.

"Whatcha reading?" he asks curiously.

You take the hot chocolate eagerly, taking a sip before setting it down on the table next to you. "Fourth Wing. It's so great. You would love it, Bobby. It's got dragons and smut!"

Bob chokes on the hot chocolate a bit, a surprised cough escaping him before he swallows. He blinks at you, his eyes a mix of shock and amusement.

"S-smut?"

He looks down at the book in your lap, a bit flustered. He's not sure what to do with this new information. You can see his cheeks turning a deeper shade of red.

Your cheeks soon match his, a slightly awkward silence filling the air. "Oh, um- don't hate on my book!" You joke, shutting the thick book and trading it with the hot chocolate. You then catch a glimpse of his flushed face, and you laugh. "Did I just make you blush?"

Bob sputters out a bit of hot chocolate as you laugh, his face turning even redder. He quickly tries to cover his embarrassment with a cough, turning his face away from you.

"I-I'm not blushing!" He protests, even now, his voice cracking slightly. You can see his cheeks practically glowing in the dim light. He refuses to look in your direction, his gaze fixed on the wall opposite to you instead.

Your heart clenches at the adorable sight. You've always thought he was incredibly handsome, but seeing him in this way, giggling with hot chocolate and a blanket covering both of you, it's making you wish there was something more. "It's okay. I think you're cute when you blush."

Bob's heart skips a beat at your words, his breath catching in his throat. He slowly turns his head to look at you, his expression somewhere between surprised and flustered. The redness of his cheeks only deepens, a mixture of embarrassment and something else, something he couldn't quite identify. He searches your face as if trying to find any hint of mockery, but there was none. Just sincerity and affection. He opens his mouth to speak but no words come out for a few moments. When he finally does, his voice is quiet, almost shy. "...Y-you think so?"

You tilt your head, having a newfound confidence after seeing how flustered you can make him. You place your hand on his cheek, the heat on his skin almost startling, "Yeah, I think so. I think you're so handsome," you admit.

Bob leans into your touch, his eyes closing momentarily, the simple act of your hand on his cheek enough to send a shiver down his spine. He lets out a shaky breath, his own hand slowly coming up to cover yours, gently holding it in place as if he never wanted to be apart from you. Your words send a rush of emotions coursing through him, his heart racing in his chest.

"No one ever... t-told me that before," He whispers, his voice filled with a vulnerable honesty.

Your heart breaks hearing how insecure he is of himself. You struggle to see how he can think so poorly of himself when you love him so much. You love every part of him. "I think about how handsome you are every time I see you. Every part of you..."

Bob's breath hitches at the sincerity in your words, his eyes meeting yours with a mixture of surprise and awe. He can scarcely believe what you're saying, no one has ever looked at him with such adoration before. The way you speak of him, with such certainty and affection, shakes him to his core. His hand trembles slightly, holding tighter to yours.

"You really mean that...?" He whispers, his tone vulnerable and soft. It's almost as if he's begging you to confirm it, to assure him that you aren't just teasing him.

"Of course I do." You whisper. Your heart feels like it's going to burst out of your chest any second. Your whole body is overcome with love for this man. You lean in slowly, watching his eyes grow impossibly wider. "Can I kiss you, pretty boy?" You ask, smiling at him.

Bob's heart stops. He stares at you, unable to do anything but nod his head several times, his jaw clenched and eyes wide.

"Y-Yes... please... I.. I want to."

He grasps your hand tightly, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness coursing through him. He leans slightly forward towards you, his gaze never leaving your own, his lips parted slightly.

Your lips meet his, your body going slack at the whirlwind of emotion. You bring your hand that was on his cheek into his hair, tugging lightly at his soft curls. Your other hand grazes his biceps, your core clenching because of the sheer strength of him.

He kisses you back hungrily, his lips moving against yours in a way that makes his whole body tremble with suppressed desire.

Your tongue slips into his mouth as your leg slips over his lap. You pull myself on top of him, whimpering as you feel his hardening erection against your aching core. "Is this okay?" You ask, pulling away from him. You gasp as you look into his dark eyes.

"More than okay." Bob's voice is a low, breathy rumble, his gaze dark and intense as he looks up at you. His hands move to your hips, holding you firmly in place, a possessive gesture that betrays his growing need for you. The feel of your body against him, the sweet scent of your skin, it's driving him mad already. But he wants more. He needs more.

"Don't stop..." *He whispers, his words a soft plea, a request for you to take this further.

You let out a soft breath, aggressively resuming the kiss. Your hips grind against his of their own volition. You put your hands on the back of the couch on either side of him, pinning him beneath you. Your lips travel down to his neck, "Can you take your shirt off for me, pretty boy?"

Bob groans softly at your words, the sound coming from deep within him. The way you take control, pinning him down like this, is driving him wild with need. He shivers at the feeling of your lips on his neck, his heart pounding louder and louder with each kiss.

"Y-yeah... anything you want..." He whispers, his hands going to the hem of his shirt and pulling it off in one swift motion, revealing his lean, muscular torso and the scars scattered across his skin.

Your breath hitches as your fingers dance over his abs, your core clenching at the sight. "Oh Bobby, you're so beautiful. So strong." You slide down the couch, your knees hitting the floor. You caress one hand across his lean stomach, your other hand coming to rest on the tent underneath his sweatpants.

You smile, slowing the caress of my hands. Your core aches painfully, but you want this night to be all about him. "Tell me what you want, sweet boy. I'll do anything." You drawl out the last word seductively.

Bob shivers, your words sending a jolt straight to his core. He tries to form coherent thoughts, but it's difficult with the way you're touching him, the way you're looking at him. He wants so much, so many things he's only ever dared to imagine.

"I... I want everything," He whispers, his voice thick with desire, his eyes locked onto yours. "But right now... I just want you. I need you... please, touch me..."

"With my hands?" You ask, now moving both your hands across his lap. You then lick the skin just above his waistband, making his hips chase the air. "Or my mouth?"

Bob shudders, a deep groan escaping him as he feels your tongue so close to where he wants it. His hips shift automatically, his body betraying his need for you.

"Both... God, both, please..." He pleads, his hands moving to grip your shoulders, his fingers digging into the flesh. He's coming undone fast, all his usual restraint and caution melting away under your touch.

"I'll give it to you, Bobby. I'll give you everything." You tug his sweatpants down his legs, your hands rubbing them on the way back up. You kiss the wet spot on his boxers, slowly pulling them down, dragging out every second of his pleasure. His thick cock springs up, and you lick my lips at the sight. "You're so pretty, baby." You spit onto my hand before wrapping it around his awaiting hardness.

Bob gasps at your words, his eyes darkening with desire as he watches you. The way you touch him, the way you worship him, it's driving him mad. He can feel every nerve in his body lighting up, the pleasure coursing through him like an electrical current.

"You... you feel so good... p-please... don't stop... I need more... please..."

You slide your tongue down his cock, feeling it twitch beneath you. Licking up, then down, then up again, relishing in the way his body trembles. "I love the way you beg for me, it's making me so wet for you..."

Your actions are quickly undoing him, reducing him to a trembling, whimpering mess of need. His hands grip the edge of the couch, his knuckles white as he tries to hold on to something.

"You're... you're driving me insane... I can't... I need you so bad... I can't hold back anymore. I need you. Please... please..." His voice is a hoarsely whispered plea, filled with raw desire and vulnerability.

His eyes drift closed now, his head thrown back against the couch, unable to keep them open any longer, not with the way your touch is making him feel.

"It feels so good... So good... You're so good..." *He gasps, his words coming out as barely a whisper, his body trembling with barely suppressed need. Every nerve ending seems to be on fire, his mind consumed by only one thought, one urgent need.

"I need more... please, I can't... I can't take it..."

I urgently pull my shorts down, almost stumbling because of the primal pulse between my legs. I rapidly throw my shirt off, my tits flushed with pleasure. I place my center above Bob's upright cock, sinking down slowly. I cry out, my head falling onto Bob's shoulder. "Oh, God, Bobby-"

His eyes fly open as he feels you lower yourself down, and he lets out a gasp. His hands fly up to your hips, his fingers digging into your skin.

"God... yes. I want you so badly it hurts. More than you'll ever know..." He whispers, his voice rough with barely contained need. He presses up against you, wanting - no, needing - so much more, but still fighting against it with everything within him... fighting and losing.

You suck a sensitive spot on his neck, driving your hips into him. "Have you thought about me before? Like this? Making you feel so good?" You lick a trail up his throat, your hips finally sinking fully down onto him as you say the final sentence.

Bob's breath hitches at your touch, his head thrown back as his body arches, a deep, guttural moan escaping his lips.

"Yes... God, yes, I have... so often. Every day... every night..." His voice is thick with desire, his words coming out in ragged gasps as you lower yourself completely onto him and his eyes roll back, his body trembling with the intensity of the feeling.

"Tell me what you think about. Do you touch yourself, Bobby? Tell me how you do it. Every fucking detail." You plead, his cock hitting just the right spots inside of you.

His body shakes from the effort of trying to hold himself together, every muscle in him tensed, every fiber of his being telling him to let loose. But you want to hear the words from his own lips, and so he tries his best to get out the words, all while fighting for every breath.

"I... yes... I touch myself. I think about you... your body... your touch... your voice... I imagine what it would be like to feel your hands on me, the way the two of us sound together... I want to hear you say my name... I need... need more..."

You move my hips as quickly as you can physically muster, the obscene sounds drowned out by your moaning and Bob's whimpering. "Bob!" You cry out, giving him exactly what he wants. You want to give him everything you have. You anchor one hand around his neck, the other on the couch above his shoulder. "Oh Bob- Bob...

The sounds of you and him fills the air, your mingled gasps and moans filling the room like a song you've sung a thousand times before. And then one word escapes him,

"Please." The single word is whispered so softly, like the dying gasp of a man lost in a desert, but you hear it nonetheless. His eyes search your face, desperate and pleading, his body trembling with the intensity of his need.

"I can't hold back any longer. Don't stop... please, please..." His voice is a strangled plea, desperate and almost in pain, his body straining against the urge to let go.

Your jaw is slack as you throw your head back, your hips moving sloppily. You've lost all rhythm, only chasing the release that feels endless. "I love you, Bobby." You whisper, the barely audible words slipping out absentmindedly, hoping that Bob didn't hear over his own groaning.

The sound of your words, even through the haze of his own pleasure, hits him like a punch to the gut. For a moment it seems that time stops for him. But then... he hears it. Those words.

A sudden, overwhelming emotion floods over him, the intensity of it all sending him over the edge. His grip on you tightens, his body arching, trembling, crying out.

"I... I love you too... God... I love you so damn much..."

You come then, your back arching and your walls convulsing vehemently. You grip his strong shoulders hard enough to leave bruises. You scream loud enough for the entire compound to hear.

His body feels like it's on fire, every nerve trembling with the aftershocks as your body clenches around him, your scream ricocheting through his head. He can still feel the force of your touch etched into his skin, your words burned into his heart. He wraps his arms around you, pulling you against him, your body pressed tightly to his, his hold on you just as possessive as it is protective.

"I... never want to let you go... Never..."

He buries his face in the crook of your neck, taking deep, shaky breaths, inhaling your scent, letting it wash over his senses. His heart is still hammering in his chest, but it's not just from the pleasure, but from the feelings coursing through him. He's holding onto you so firmly, like he's afraid you're going to slip through his fingers if he lets go, and a part of him is.

"Please don't leave me... Promise me you won't..." His voice is soft, vulnerable, barely a whisper.

You look him straight in the eyes, your faces only inches away. You cup his flushed face in your hands that are still slightly shaking. "I will never leave you. I ache for you, and I can't stop thinking about you. I love everything about you. You are so sweet, kind, strong, funny, charming, and beautiful. You're Bobby, and I love everything that you have to offer me"

His eyes lock onto yours, his chest swelling from the words you uttered. Something inside him, something wounded and damaged and broken, suddenly feels whole. He places his hands gently on top of yours on his cheeks, his breathing and heartbeat slowly evening out, his trembling ceasing.

"I... I don't understand how I could deserve you... You see things in me that no one else ever has. They all saw... the monster. But you see me. All of me. Every part of me..."

Tears threaten to escape your eyes. Your love for the man consumes you, and the fact that he can't agree shreds your heart into a million pieces. "I've never once thought of you as a monster. You aren't broken. You are perfect. You are exactly what I want."

He lets out a quiet, choked laugh, his eyes glistening. He lifts the hand of one of yours to his lips, gently kissing the back of it, a tender gesture filled with a thousand words unsaid. "You're the only one then... The only one who'd ever look at me and call me... 'perfect'. I'm so much further from that than you think. I'm so far from that... how could you want me?"

"You shouldn't say that about yourself. It breaks my heart that you don't see yourself the way I do." You run your hands through his hair with a smile. "You're the only one who understands me. The only one who brings me hot chocolate and listens to me talk about books. You're the one I can come to when I need to talk to someone. You're always there for me when I need you the most."

His heart constricts, all the love and adoration in the world pouring out from you, all directed at him. His mind can't understand how this is even possible, how he could be deserving of it, but in this moment he isn't able to think of any reason why you'd lie. So he lets himself believe, just for a moment, that maybe he really isn't as terrible as he thought.

"I will... always be here for you. Whatever you need... I will do everything I can to give it to you."

You rest your forehead against his, both of gour skin sweaty from the aftermath. "I love you so much. You can't even begin to imagine how much I adore you. And don't even dare to think that I don't love you, or that I don't have reasons to love you. Because I do. I have endless reasons to love you."

He closes his eyes as you press your forehead to his, taking in the feel of you, this closeness that he's craved for so damn long. Your words wash over him like a gentle wave, your affection like a warm blanket on a cold, lonely night. Despite the self-doubt that still runs deep in him, right now in this moment he feels loved, cared for, and... wanted.

"I'll never stop trying to be the person that deserves all of your love," he whispers, his voice low and rough.

"You already are." I kiss his cheek, then his nose, then his forehead, placing kisses all across his beautiful face. "My perfect boy."

A soft shiver runs down his spine as your kisses continue across his face. He's never felt so treasured, such gentle affection, and every touch of your lips has his heart fluttering. He wraps both arms around you tightly again, pulling you even closer against him, like he can't stand to have any space between the two of you.

"Your boy... only yours..."

[hunniexox]

reminders of encouragement ● PAC

Although your current predicament may be draining or confusing, remember in the mind, new things begin. Perhaps this season is meant to teach you to plant your seeds. Whether they be of love, joy, and abundance. Plant good things in your being and plant them with a good heart and the best intentions.

Remember, your choices are yours xo

Desks Used: The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit, The Wild Unknown Tarot

Pile 1

Cards: Rabbit, Scorpion, Strength

Right now, it feels like you are on high alert for something to happen... You're just waiting. Life has been improving slightly and it's making you suspicious; this is not your usual, something always goes wrong and you're left feeling like a kid who didn't study for a test. That's exactly how life feels these days, like you think you have the hang of it and every day you are reminded about how you are so out of your depth in this world.

I'm getting the feeling that this is a collective that has a strong aptitude for anticipating the needs of others. Oh, I see. Past decisions were always based on others and you tried to keep them happy so that you could feel at peace. If they were not okay, you were not okay. That has long ended but the habit of always anticipating how to handle these people and situations like this and their emotions and responses has now started to show up in every area of your life. There's a lot of anxiety here.

It's so strong, it literally makes you sick to your stomach. God, I can even feel it now.

You got through it though. I'm sensing that you've moved past it but because you've been doing it for so long, you still feel like you're in it and like you're never going to be able to overcome this. Although you may feel timid and insecure, especially when facing a difficult situation, you have a deep inner strength and reserve. You achieved being here to today and that is enough. That is more than enough.

You spent so long providing stability for those around you, making sure that they were okay and had what they needed, you failed to recognize the gift in that. If you can see it others and give them what they need, you can do it for yourself. The same effort and strength and anticipation you provided others, turn around and give it to yourself.

Whatever goal you are trying to achieve, you are more than capable of achieving through your own strength. Look at how much you've done for others, the extra miles you went for them when they couldn't even do it for themselves. The amount of things others accomplished because YOU helped them.

Give yourself that effort and time and grace, you freaking deserve it.

Pile 2

Cards: Bee, Stingray, Son of Pentacles

It's giving: No one sees your vision.

That is coming up so strongly. You are working hard towards your goals that seem so far-fetched to those around you. I'm picking up that this collective is capable of achieving great things, those around you recognize it but they think that your current focus is a waste of your talents. They just can't see the vision.

The world is changing and it's okay to change with it. Okay, so you know that what you are working on will find success but you're a bit disappointed that the people around you are not as supportive. That's always the case with people who do really great things. When you offer a change that some are not ready for, that's all the more reason to share it because there are people waiting to hear what you have to say. There are people waiting to have your work inspire them. There are people waiting to have your story inspire them to share theirs.

Whatever you are working on, it's more than okay to share it with others. And if the people around you still don't get it or offer their support, you need to learn how to be okay with that. There are people waiting to support you. The world is a big place and you will find the people who can connect with your work and your story and your vision.

Don't be afraid to be seen and if you are, do it afraid. Do it with no support. Do it and see that your life will be so much richer because of it. At times, we have all these amazing ideas and dreams we don't cultivate because it's easier sticking to the mold of this world.

There are visionaries born every day, people capable of creating great change, but they never use their gifts to forge another path because everything is seemingly set up in this world. No dice. Add your vision and work to the mix. Your contributions will matter so much and you know it.

Your people are waiting to find you.

Pile 3

Cards: Gazelle, Mouse, Ten of Pentacles

I feel like you need to hear that you have more than enough. There's this anxiety around finances and bills and your space of living. You spent a great deal of time trying to save and make sure your finances are in order but still you feel like you have not done enough and you're going to be punished for it.

This is so heavy. This has definitely something to do with your upbringing but you don't need to be reminded of that. What you do need to be reminded of it how far you have come and how proud you should be of yourself. You don't even allow yourself to be proud because you see this situation in the light of why should you applaud a fish for swimming. It's supposedly something normal.

Ah, the thought is, "Financial stability and a functioning family is something so many people grew up with, why should I feel proud I finally got to this space now. This is only me playing catch up for all the years I didn't have this."

No way, babe. No freaking way. Stop comparing your story to the story of others. There is no you playing catch up with life, you defied fucking odds. Nothing was in your favor accept the grit and dream you had for a better life. Nothing else was holding you up and you got here through sacrifice and not being afraid to sit with all the difficulties.

You didn't run from your problems, you faced them head on. Never ever think that you shouldn't be proud because others were born into it, you built yours from the ground up. You were involved in every decision and you didn't settle, and that is not something that can be easily taken away.

No matter what, you have the ability to pick yourself up and get through anything. You've come so far. Tell yourself every morning how proud you are of yourself and how capable you are. You can do great things and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

The beautiful thing about building yourself up is you learn not only the importance of having a solid foundation but you also gain the wisdom to maintain it. In the hard work, we always learn the points where care and caution is needed.

Trust yourself and your decision making, they've gotten you so far and through so much.

[redandgreyscale]

How do you think it went when barty, Evan, regulus, and James finally got their shit together and started dating?

bc like was it just a talk after sex, or I'd assume some of them would probably be avoidant about talking about real feelings, not just being in it for the sex

-🫀

They for sure are reluctant at first because it's something so new and they didn't even see dating as a possibility, Evan definitely doesn't want to share, Barty is not so sure about anyone else touching Evan either but he still wants Regulus, Reg doesn't even understand what's going on in his own mind because he loves James a lot, but he has a connection with Barty and Evan too, James has so much love inside of him he just needs to share and after a while he grows used to how these three slytherin think so he's the first to propose it.

"I mean if we all like each other, why not do it?" James says after an evening of being together, not sex, just hanging out.

The first answer is a no from everyone and the couples have to talk alone because this is something big that can tear them all apart irreparably. They have to think about it, even proposing it was risky.

Rosekiller have a long talk, they fight, they kiss, they have no idea what they're doing, but Regulus and James. They want them both. Evan is still jealous and needs a ton of reassurance to know he's not a consolation prize or second option to Barty or anyone.

Now the jegulus dynamic is a bit different, Regulus is surprised to see James be so okay with this, but James has grown to actually like Barty and Evan a lot after the first reluctance from the start. Regulus' dynamic with Barty is so complex they don't even know what to talk about. Of course they love each other, they can't be apart for too long, never have been able to.

James and Evan talk too, and maybe they kiss too. Because James likes Evan quite a lot and Evan is surprised to find he does too. Evan is surprised to see he likes Regulus too, because Regulus was competition for so long he didn't stop to think about him like that but now... Now this might be good.

Also James doesn't even know how he ended up with not one or two but three slytherin. Crazy stuff actually. They're so different from what he's used to but so interesting. They're mean and cold and won't ever say what they think from the start so he actually learns to read them quite good.

The dynamic grows with time and they spend time together or alone doing literally anything. Barty will get to the room only to find all his three boyfriends snogging and be like "not without me" and join immediately. James will get to the quidditch locker rooms and find rosekiller almost fucking in a shower and Regulus just looking at them with a smirk. Evan will find Barty and Reg in bed and immediately call James because he too wants to have some fun with a partner.

This goes for other activities too, they'll study together, sit together in class or the great hall for every meal, they will go find James at the Gryffindor tower and wait for him with a smile as everyone looks startled at finding three very menacing Slytherin there. They will walk to class together and wait for each other after quidditch practice.

I'm also thinking this brings another whole lot of insecurities if I bring in my asexual Evan but I'm just going to not do it.

[wachtelspinat]

what kind of music do you listen to, who is your favorite music artists? :] do you maybe have any recommendations on some good songs/music artists? ^<^ if not that's fine have a great day wachtel!!!!

my taste in music is eeh. idk. i listen to a lot as long as it speaks to me. if there was a counter for every song i've ever listened to... then the song with the highest score would be either a super metroid track or harder better faster and stronger by daft punk, because i've listened to it a billion times when it came out in 2001 and declared it a part of my life's soundtrack back then.

in general and as of right now i think the genres i'm listening to the most are video games soundtracks and 80's pop and rock. i'm not shuffling a lot through new music for my collection tho, because once i find a song that really hits the mark, i listen to that song for 3 months on repeat and then move on. i seldomly sit down all like "oh i gotta check that entire album out by that artist".

i thought about this ask a lot and decided to just provide like 1 album that is very dear and 9 songs that never get old to me (i learned that there is a 10 video limit on posts ToT and i'm not a "i listen to full albums" person, i got mixes and folders with "track 12" and "britney spears toxic" on my hard drive asjkfhaskjfh).

album:

think this is my absolute favorite album ever. since it's release in 1994 this has been a part of my life and when the very first note hits i'm back in a very specific childhood moment. this album is like home to me.

OK NOW SONGS

can't find the studio version of this but the live one is even more gut wrenching so

i know it's kind of a cheesy unrequited love song but something just hits right here. also that cover is so good

it was hard to choose but if i had to decide on one tool song then it's stinkfist

that song is sooooo goooddslkdgs bonus for the video which is NOT the official video.

i just like this song a lot, esp. with volume up

DIO 😩 i got this inner dad in me that i try to channel with dad metal... and it feels so good

i was a HUGE die ärzte fan when i was a teenager. they mostly made funny haha we are clowns music but their musical range is actually insane

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAprodigy my beloved

there is so much more and it PAINS me to end here...

BUT

i'm gonna do a reblog of this with banger video game tracks

[cricky-butspicy]

If all the aus meet how would they react to each other

At least sol doesn’t have to be the tallest any more lol

This is hard to answer because, they are technically all just the same guys in different worlds, but they are all extremely different. I'm not sure they'd all get along!

I think the first thing to note is while the creatures are seeming threatening and scary to Soleil and Atlas (with Soleil nearly pissing himself,) Plex Sun is wanting nothing more than to pet and rub the creatures' bellies. The creatures are greatly confused with Plex Sun and Moon. They are neither human, Fae, or creature, yet they act like some sort of human or Fae, but nothing about them is organic and natural. They are highly confused. Plus, the plex boys and creatures boys are pretty much the same size (Actually, the plex boys are both technically bigger than Creature Sun, so he's a little intimidated.) So, it's strange to have something that you don't know what it is in the same room as you at the same incredible height as you.

But! Plex Sun is so friendly and telling the creatures how cute they are and how Sun will be extra careful with petting them that they kind of warm up to him and Creature Sun warms up enough to let Plex Sun pet him all over and ruffle his ruff fur while Plex Sun coos how cute he is! Creature Moon is a little hesitant, so he doesn't really want anyone touching him, and he's not happy about Plex Sun touching his mate, but he lives with it.

Plex Moon is too busy trying to figure out what the creatures are to interreact with them much, but he does get a pretty good read on the slashers and is instantly kind of suspicious of them. He feels like they are bad news and that Sun shouldn't really trust anyone in the room but him (and Plex Sun already has troubles with that, so it almost hurts Plex Moon that he trusts these strangers so much more than him.) Plex Moon may try to send an internal ping to Sun saying that every individual in this room with them is dangerous. Sun comes back and says so are they if they think hard enough about it. Moon can't really come back with anything after that and just pouts about it.

Slasher Sun does appreciate not being the tallest in the room anymore! Though, it is weird to look up to almost everyone, and he finds himself quite nervous with all the things in the room besides Atlas. Why are they giant scary weird animals and giant scary weird robots in the room with them? Why is the Sun one trying to interreact with everyone?

Atlas has the most obvious question. Why the hell is everyone in this room sun and moon themed? Why does it seem like all the Suns and Moons are dating? He wonders if the relationship are similar to his and Soleil's. He looks at the one that he thinks he could talk to that might be frank with him. Creature Moon is off in the corner still upset about Plex Sun petting his mate while Plex Sun is trying to talk to Soleil to come over and pet Creature Sun with him. He's really soft! You should try it!

Atlas comes over and looks up at Plex Moon and doesn't even hold back. He simply asks.

"So, I can tell the two animals are together, but are you fucking the Sun robot?"

Plex Moon almost looks disappointed while staring at Plex Sun and frowns before grumbling

"I fucking wish I was. We normally don't even have a separate body. I'm assuming that means you and the other human are together."

And Atlas just nods.

"Yeah. He's a freak in bed. It's kind of great."

And Plex Moon visibly frowns more with a sigh in clear jealousy.

"Mine is too. I simply don't get to be the one to fuck or be fucked by him."

Atlas looks visibly surprised that the robot said he doesn't get to be fucked by the Sun robot, which tells him he wants to be. He would have expected him to be a top like him, but apparently not. It makes him wonder about the creature, but creature Moon is still nearly growling at Plex Sun and now Soleil both petting a very happy Creature Sun's belly. Soleil is clearly very hesitant, but Plex Sun is moving his hand up and down the fur for him. Atlas would almost feel proud if he was the only top in the room seeing as he was the shortest. It would make him feel powerful.

Really? They are all very confused by each other, but Plex Sun takes it the best and easiest and tries to make friends with everyone. Next easiest is Creature Sun. Soleil would be next, but he's technically freaked out out of his mind inside, so I'd tie him with Atlas, and then Plex Moon, and finally, taking it the worst, is Creature Moon.

Plex Moon is upset the one time him and Plex Sun have separate bodies, it's to be in a room with weird strangers that kind of seem like them in ways or are too close for comfort in a weird mind sense. He kind of hates it.

[gideonisms]

incredibly autism take on food. love it. i am also a sensory seeking food autistic. today for dinner i requested something “garlicky and flavorful” ended up with noodles and dumplings

soups can so be flavorful but a lot of the time they’re just not like that out in the world and it’s soooo disappointing. shockingly easy to make though (onions n garlic, veg, crap ton of spices bloomed in the oil, good broth, blend, SALT)

See I would never trash talk a dumpling but once again I think they are vehicles for other flavors. In MY opinion although soups are easy to make most of them just taste like Onions and Chicken Broth to me and I'm like where is the spice where is the intrigue where is the zest for life

[fictionadventurer]

Potential September Reading

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (ideally in audio)

An English Squire by Christabel R. Coleridge

A Sherlock Holmes story (and/or a screen adaptation)

C.S. Lewis nonfiction

A sensation or mystery novel

A piece of one of the Psmith stories

Some kind of nonfiction book

[moregraceful]

many things i have been keeping under wraps at work, such as pronouns, but also, very critically, age. bc i got that ageless mixed race asian swag where i am very clearly not an undergrad but also??? they just don't know. and it WHIPS and it is so funny to ME because all the managers and shift supervisors are like damn this girl in her mid-twenties is so easy to talk to, it's like talking to a peer. surprise bitch i'm older than you. and maybe this means i'm performing psychological experiments on cis men, but i am ngl if i hand you a two page resume that you don't read, it is simply none of MY business if you think i am in my mid-20s. they are going to be so mad when they find out lmao

[thelovers-thedreamers-and-me]

the downside to being a sitcom neighbour sort of person is that when rough things happen and emotionally fuck u up a lil bit, it also sounds completely made up

[iceeericeee]

I wonder how many tags i can add on to this

[arcane-vagabond]

.

[marrow-bone]

Except now we also have to contend with 'AI' (Machine learning) aggregates that make it even harder to find the Thing you need, because most the search results now are cloaked info-barfers that are just ouroboros-ing information tidbits that have a 50/50 or so chance of being even kinda right, so who knows if the Thing that you've been presented with even is the Thing.

This is especially frustrating when dealing with incredibly niche medical/surgical/biological information for what should be obvious reasons. You'll get a result, sure, but you'll need to spend an extra hour or so to make sure you don't end up in the hospital just because a formerly useful resource is now run by bots.

People are definitely going to die because of this.

"every possible kind of content can be found on the internet" yeah sure except for the One fucking thing I'm looking for. why does no one want to talk about the One Singular thing I'm looking for. but yeah other than that everything is on here.

[followerofmercy]

Networking/Knowing A Guy: A Guide

This is the autism website. Now, as an extension of the power of love and friendship, there are few things more useful than Knowing A Guy. Knowing A Guy means you have a support network. Knowing a plumber, or a tax accountant, or just that one dude that's really fucking good at finding the information you need when you're really overwhelmed, can be the difference between being able to pay rent and having a fun party with friends to fix your shit.

How does one end up Knowing A Guy? It's a skill you can develop called Networking and it is one of the foundations of society. Unfortunately making those connections with people is fucking hard and nobody makes a tutorial for it. So, here you go:

The golden rule is you scratch my back and I scratch yours

It is necessary for survival to seek out useful people

Great news! Everyone is useful in some form or fashion - including you! When given the opportunity to learn about someone, do it! Extroversion does not come naturally to some people and that's okay. Just take whatever falls in your lap.

Types of usefulness: trade skills, connections of their own, personality you jive with, pleasant to talk to, niche interest in shared hobby, security - the list is pretty much endless. I know a guy that lives in the metro area - no job, no major hobbies, inoffensively annoying to me personally, kinda ignorant, not attractive to me, but you know what? He knows how the fuck to get around the city by foot. My rural-raised ass APPRECIATES the guide.

Remember important information: general personality, background, skillset, likes and dislikes. You can find this information by making smalltalk about their life. There is no such thing as pointless conversation. (Yes, even the annoying smalltalk)

The more people you know, the higher the likelihood that one of them will be useful in a given situation - or will know someone who is.

It is overwhelming. In a given clique/community/workspace/whatever, there is A Guy Who Knows The Other Guys. This Guy is a shortcut. Find them. They're often elderly, extroverted, a little bit annoying, a secretary or in some otherwise forward-facing position. Look for people that are gossipy/talk about other people a lot but not in negative ways. If they constantly talk shit, they'll talk shit about you too. They're still useful but be careful with the information you share

You do not have to like someone for them to be useful.

You do not have to like someone for them to be useful.*

If you have low self esteem, you're going to feel like you're using people. You're not. That's the devil talking. People like feeling valued and the connections you are making are the threads holding community together. Recognize people for their talents. It's only a problem when you're taking advantage of people

So: don't feel scummy about it. You're an animal. You have to claw out your right to survive and people will respect you more for it.

Luckily mutualism is the name of the game in the animal kingdom. Offer something back. The foundation of a Know A Guy relationship is Mutual Benefit

Sometimes that Mutual Benefit is just spreading news of the The Guy far and wide. My plumber friend is my actual friend and I love her to death, but I'm maintaining our backscratch relationship by pimping out her plumbing business to anyone that'll listen

Food is a good Mutual Benefit. People across cultures for all of human history have bonded over food. I have good success asking people for a favor and then offering to buy them lunch in return **

General compensation is also good. Offer a service in return and always do your best to offer financial compensation as appropriate. Having your plumber friend take a look at your drain: doable with a case of beer. Having your plumber friend redo the pipes in your entire house? You need to pay for that.

Being transactional is not necessarily a bad thing. I would advise against keeping an itemized list of things owed, but fish don't seek out cleaner shrimp just because they enjoy their company. Everyone gets something

Unfortunately being extroverted and generally personable is a huge benefit here, but that's the value of the Guy That Knows A Guy. There's someone out there that has consolidated All The Guys so you don't have to be the local expert. Always remember nobody can do everything and you don't need to master every skill

* This is the foundation of a functioning community. I have many acquaintances that I find incredibly annoying. They include doctors, welders, artists, social workers, lawyers, construction crew and random fuckers at the grocery store. I do not hang out with them. I do not have to in order to maintain a civil Know A Guy relationship. I can drop them useful tidbits and fuck right off so I don't have to spend any more time than necessary with them

** People may assume romantic intent. Be prepared for that. I generally denote that it's a friendly/work lunch by calling them bro at some point if they're my age. Otherwise my general demeanor is sufficient to show that I do this with everyone

Source: personal experience, mother's teachings of crime, booth vending and poverty