#socs round 5

[sonic-oc-showdown]

ROUND 5 BRACKET B

Carrion belongs to @sonic-adventure-3

Haunt belongs to @pactwraith

Find out more about them below!

Carrion:

a trained assassin, proficient in all kinds of weapons and combat, but they stay silly. part of a trio of freelance postal workers/hitmen, delivering packages and “delivering packages” interchangeably. they keep the same expression almost always, and they don’t talk much but when they do it’s always a quip or something deeply off-putting that comes out of their mouth. doesn’t take much seriously, likes knives, scampers, will do anything to protect the easygoing life they now live with their two friends/coworkers/family, 16, silly.

Haunt:

Haunt is a recluse who's lived most of his life underwater, an exile from the (Archieverse) Sea Kingdoms, and watched the world from afar without ever really being a part of it. An aspiring henchman new to the surface world who dreams of truly belonging to something great, he's seeking out a superior villain worth his service. His tentacles can reach through solid walls and extend to nearly any length, he practices forgotten sea witchcraft, and no one's ever seen him blink! He's got the power to be a real proper villain, but no spine for it (literally!). He's a bigfin squid! He only ever traverses on his tentacles, finding the texture of the ground icky and overwhelming.

[averagewriter-inthedark]

The Old Therebefore 🐍🕊️ | A Six of Crows Imagine

Takes place after the events of S&B S2

My masterlists

Characters & Pairings: gang leader!reader x Crows (platonic). Kaz Brekker x reader (slight tension)

content warnings: profanity, mentions of violence and death, typical SOC themes. | female!reader (she/her) | wc: 4k

Premise: it’s not often Kaz Brekker needs assistance to a job involving anyone other than his Crows. Yet, there is always a first. When a job comes involving not only a high cash prize but also chances of coming out alive slim, Kaz accepts it is out of his skill level. So, what does he do? Take a risk by recruiting his top rival since Pekka Rollins was run out of town….she’s got the charm of a snake with a voice of a songbird. 

Note: so as you can tell by the title of the imagine and song linked, I saw the new hunger games movie (back in November) and literally could not stop thinking about this song/scene. Then of course my hyperfixations like to collide and wallah: here is the end result.

Disclaimer as always: the song and lyrics belong to Suzanne collins and all the SOC characters belong to Leigh Bardugo

---------

“You know, Kaz, I know better than to question you on most things,” Jesper scanned his surroundings, voice low with slight concern. “But I can’t help but wonder why you’ve decided to drag us to the ‘Snake Pit’ tonight.” The sharpshooter sipped his glass of rum after a close inspection, “mind telling us.” 

Seated around him, Inej, Nina, and Wylan expressions bore the same unease. All on high alert the moment Kaz led them through the doors and down the spiral staircase into the Barrel’s infamous Snake Pit. 

Located deep on the opposite side of the Crow Club, the Snake Pit was an underground bar/club. Home of the legendary crime gang, the Blood Serpents. They’d been around since Kaz was 15, their leader to have been the same age as him. Yet the public knew very little of the notorious boss. Only by their code name. 

The Snake Charmer

Of course, this information made Kaz lose his mind at times. Unable to identify his anonymous rival who’s bested him on multiple occasions. If the opportunity arose, Kaz would pay any amount of kruge to find out who the Snake Charmer was. It’d been well over a decade. His patience was running thin.

Finally, the wait would pay off in the form of a messenger boy. 

Knowing Inej was too recognizable, Kaz sent a young member of the Dregs--who was under the radar to the other gangs--to infiltrate the Snake Pit the week prior. The boy returned hours later to relay a crucial piece of information. Now, Kaz was to test that theory. 

Clutching his cane, the crime boss did not spare a glance to his fellow Crows the second they entered the Pit. Even when they took claim to a rounded booth in a far corner by the bar. His attention was occupied. Analyzing the club and its features. Mentally noting the Blood Serpent members, who were identifiable by their red snake tattoos on their hands. 

One of which was the bartender that served them drinks. A young woman about their age, she wore a maroon pin-stripped 5 piece suit although the blazer was forgone. The tattoo was on full display. Kaz assessed her lingering on him when she pushed the tray of drinks toward Jesper. Likely recognizing him and by default the rest of the Crows. The bartender didn’t say anything after, only giving a nod before moving to the next customer. 

To the other Crows, they thought Kaz’s intense stare on the bartender was either because he thought she was attractive or making note she was just another member of the Serpents. But, what they did not know was Kaz figuring out if she was the Snake Charmer.

“A woman?” he questioned the boy, narrowing his eyes. “You are telling me the Snake Charmer--leader of the Blood Serpents--is a woman and works under the guise of an employee at the Snake Pit. Are you positive?”

The boy nodded profusely, “Yes, Mr. Brekker. I can assure you it was no man singing that song. She sounded like a siren if I must say. She calmed the snakes like it was nothing-- I see why they call her Snake Charmer.”

So a woman was responsible for a lot of Kaz’s failures. Not to mention winning the territory he’d hoped to gain when Pekka was defeated. They’d come to a settled agreement through a middle man. An action that annoyed Kaz. But he knew better than to wage war with the Snake Charmer. 

So far the women in the gang he’s managed to identify besides the bartender were two serving girls, a door bouncer, and two poker dealers. A total of six. Of the men, most of them were standing on the walls and mingling along the floor. 

Bet she didn’t expect him to enter her den. 

The Snake Pit was exactly like what the boy described. Dark wood floors and walls up to the high ceilings. Dangling chandeliers, poker tables, two bars on either side. Booths aligned the walls. The most notable and unique trait, however, was the glass snake enclosure right smack in the middle of the floor. It was cylinder shaped at the bottom, lining the floor to the ceiling where it branched out on either side to resemble a tree. Plants and dirt filled it. 

As did ten serpents. Ranging from tiny garden snakes to a python.  

Jesper cringed when his eyes landed on it. Wylan looked deathly afraid. Nina found it amusing. Inej thought it was fitting. Kaz was pleased to see it. To him, that was ammunition.

Kaz answered Jesper with one word that told the whole story, “Business.” 

“What business could you possibly have with the Snake Charmer?” Inej questioned, hand on her side close to her knives. “Don’t you think we should be discussing the plan?”

“And we are,” Kaz rebutted, leaning into the booth with his gaze set on the enclosure. “We’re here to flush out the Snake Charmer.” 

Jesper choked on his drink, meanwhile Nina and Inej looked at Kaz like he was crazy. “You’re fooling us aren’t you?” “Boss, jokes aren’t really your thing--.” “You’re insane, Kaz, if you believe that’ll happen.”

“You see that enclosure?” He cut off their rambling. All responded with a look of, ‘Of course we see the ginormous Snake habitat in the middle of the club full of our enemies.’ Kaz nodded to it, “we need to destroy it.”

Once again, Jesper choked. This time on his saliva. “You’ve lost it,” he ignored the glare from his boss, “Did going through the fold change you, Kaz? Clearly you’re not actually thinking we let loose a dozen snakes,” he leans forward to whisper, “we don’t even know if they’re venomous. If their bites don’t kill us, surely their owner will.” 

Analyzing Kaz, Inej lowered her tone, “what are you not telling us, Kaz?”

Giving one last scan of his surroundings, Kaz addressed his Crows with the truth of why he brought them to the Snake Pit. “I have a lead on who the owner of this establishment is.” Their reactions were immediate, Kaz continued. “A week ago I sent a young messenger boy here to scout out the place--find anything that could help identify the Serpents boss. During closing he snuck into one of their storage closets,” Kaz attempted to locate said closet, somewhere behind one of the bars. 

Kaz paid close attention to the bartender and the poker dealers. “At some point in the night, one of the snakes got loose. Or,” he turned to Jesper and Inej, “my theory is they use those snakes as a means to get information on people.”

“Great,” Nina sighs, “you want us to free the Serpent's torture method. Well done, Brekker. Excellent plan if I must say.” The heartrender received a glare, but Kaz did not entertain it further.

“As I was saying,” his tone was stern, making the others hold onto any additional comments. “The boy overheard the panic of one of the Serpents. Turns out, the Snake Charmer doesn’t take kindly to her pets being mishandled.”

“I can see why,” Jesper mutters, glancing at the enclosure. 

Kaz gripped his cane, watching the female bouncer approach the bartender and exchange words. “He then heard a woman’s voice. Singing.”

Wylan raised a brow, “Singing?”

“Whatever it was, it calmed the snake. Allowed her to return the animal back to its case. The boy said he heard arguing between a couple members who hoped to clean up their mistake before the boss discovered it.” Kaz shifted in his seat, “didn’t end well for them.”

“Did you get a look at her face?” Kaz peered out his office window, facing the direction of the Snake Pit’s location. Moonlight shining down, almost as though the Saints wanted him to see the building. Behind him, he heard the boy clear his throat.

“No, Sir.” He stuttered, tensing at the sight of Kaz lowering his head. “The door didn’t have any cracks or holes I could see through. I tried looking underneath, but only got a glimpse of their shoes.”

Kaz pinched the bridge of his nose, deep in thought. “What happened after she finished singing? How’d you get out?”

“Once the snake was handled, she ordered them to her office. She sounded….calm, but you know how you just know when someone is masking their anger. That’s how it was when she addressed them.” Kaz hummed, indicating he understood the boy’s implication. Considering he was guilty of such.

“And then?”

“I waited a few minutes until I was sure they were gone. The direction they went sounded like it was the far left of the club--opposite side of the spiral staircase that’s both the entrance and exit. I think there's a secret back entrance where they were because when I came out it was completely empty.”

Kaz found the secret back entrance. Camouflaged as a bookcase. He was able to spot the hinges carefully placed to where the light made it difficult to see them. But Kaz Brekker knew the art of illusion in the back of his hand. 

“This is what’s going to happen,” he became serious. The Crows lean in to hear him while maintaining their alert. “We need to expose those snakes from their enclosure. They’ll be our bait. From there we wait. If my theory is correct, those snakes only answer to their master. Or charmer in this case.” Kaz paused to locate the female workers in the club. “Her act as an employee is a ruse.”

Jesper followed his gaze, once again becoming riddled with unease. “You’re implying the Snake Charmer is either the bouncer who let us in, the gal who served our drinks, the serving girls working the floor or one of the poker dealers?”

“That’s exactly what I’m implying, Jesper.”

“Why would she do that?”

Nina snorted, sipping at her whiskey, “Isn’t it obvious?” she didn’t wait for an answer, “no one would pay a second glance to a worker. They are either too drunk or too naive to assume the pretty bartender or serving girl is the boss of one of Ketterdam’s deadly gangs.” She gestured to the serving girl closest to her. “My money’s on her being the Charmer.”

Jesper scoffed, “no way. To be a ghost and retain anonymity all these years you have to have a great poker face.” He states the obvious, “it’s one of the dealers.” 

Inej rolled her eyes, “are you seriously making this a competition?”

“You don’t think it could be the bouncer?” Wylan asked, scratching the back of his neck to relax the tension he felt. 

“No,” Jesper replied with a wave of a hand, “that would be obvious, don’t you think? Although….,” he rubs his chin, “considering they let us in -- and we know how much you and the Snake Charmer have been rivals so to speak all these years, boss -- you don’t think by letting us through that we walked into some sort of trap?”

Inej immediately straightened, “Jes has a point.” Nina stopped munching on her calamari, waiting for Kaz. She too realized the potential threat.

Kaz, however, remained relaxed. “It’s not the bouncer, but I know the Charmer has already been notified of our presence.” Wylan’s worry intensified.

“What makes you think that?”

“As we’ve been talking I noticed all the women working the club have interacted at some point. Some making it obvious to point us out,” He was referring to the bouncer nodding her head to the one serving girl. “Others are more discreet.” That was to the poker dealer and bartender. 

“And yet,” Jesper groans. “You still want us to make a scene. We are literally in a place crawling with snakes--pun not really intended.” the table rolled his eyes at him, save for Wylan who found the joke amusing. “Point is….you want to unleash the Snake Charmer’s serpents into a club full of innocent people--.”

“Innocent,” Nina scoffed under her breath. 

“What if one of us gets bitten?” Jesper kept his gaze on Kaz with mild concern. “I don’t believe for a second the Snake Charmer will kindly hand over the antidote to save our lives. She’ll take pleasure in watching us suffer a horrible death.” Picturing the scene, the sharpshooter downs the rest of his drink, cringing in the process. “Saints, this is not how I pictured I’d die.”

Kaz rolled his eyes, “No one’s dying today. No mourners.” Everyone glanced at each other.

“No funerals.”

“Right then,” It was time to work. “Here’s what we’ll do….”

A prayer slipped past his lips before Jesper inhaled deeply and let the bullet fly. The sound caused gasps from around him, though he was quick to hide the weapon in its holster before one noticed.

“Who did that?!” came a shout from the bouncer. Patrons were already making their way toward the exit. Not wanting to get caught in a crossfire. 

Jesper occupied himself with his rum, glancing over his shoulder to Inej, who signaled to him the bullet did not penetrate the glass completely. Sighing, he downed the contents, waited until it was clear, and shot again. 

The second bullet hit the glass with a loud clunk. Once again alerting the occupants of the Snake Pit. Many searched themselves for any sign of blood for fear they were shot by an unknown assailant. 

“C’mon,” Jesper whispered, peering at the enclosure. He saw the evidence of his bullet, a chip in the glass near the bottom. If he could time it right, without someone getting in the way, he’d hit the mark. 

Meanwhile employees of the club were trying to calm the crowd, “everyone please remain--.” Another shot rang out, more shouts echoing. Kaz’s patience was running thin. Their door to escape started to close as he noticed the security begin to close in on the Crows. No doubt suspecting they were to blame for the chaos. 

Kaz Brekker coming to the Snake Pit with his most trusted advisors for only a drink? Yeah right.

Then, almost in slow motion, the sound best described as ice cracking filled his ears. All eyes turned to the enclosure. Fear surfacing as they witnessed spiderwebs painting the glass. Then all hell broke loose when the glass gave way, allowing the beasts freedom from their isolation. 

Screams ensued. People climbing from the floors onto tables and chairs. Hissing from the snakes intensified the hysteria. Kaz even found himself moving when the python pivoted in his direction. Jesper of course found himself on top of a chair the moment the glass shattered. Inej was high up on a balcony on the opposite side of the club. How did she get up there? No one knew. Wyalan was close to Jesper. He too found safety on a stool. Nina meanwhile was listening to the heartbeats around here. The number decreased each time a patron made it up the staircase and out the door. 

Seconds passed and no sight of the Snake Charmer. Kaz was getting worried. Fearing the plan was a failure. His worry increased when he found himself scurrying on top of a poker table. Distracted with trying to find the workers he suspected of being the Snake Charmer to realize the cobra had got close to him. Had he not acted fast, the man’s leg would’ve fallen victim to its fangs. Catching Jesper’s eye, they shared the concern evident in their expressions. Wondering just how the fuck they were going to escape the situation. 

Suddenly his prayers were answered in the form of an angelic voice. Causing the screams to disappear…..

“You’re heading for heaven, 

The sweet old hereafter, 

And I’ve got one foot in the door. 

But before I can fly up, 

I’ve loose ends to tie up, 

Right here in The Old Therebefore.”

Heads turned, facing the direction of the sound. Their expressions turned into pure shock. Kaz may have had his suspicions, but it still came as a shock to discover he was right all along. 

Ketterdam’s notorious crime boss, leader of the Blood Serpents….was the Snake Pit’s bartender. 

Walking around the bar, crunching against the glass of broken bottles on the floor from the hysteria of customers fleeing to get away from the snakes, the woman kept her gaze on slithering animals. The hissing continued as she inched closer, however she did not seem fazed at all. Her singing continued.

“I’ll be along, 

When I’ve finished my song, 

When I’ve shut down the band, 

When I’ve played out my hand, 

When I’ve paid all my debts, 

When I have no regrets, 

Right here in The Old Therebefore. 

When nothing is left anymore.”

The hissing got quieter. The animals turning so they were in line with the woman. Slithering slowly but surely toward her. Confirming to everyone she was their master. Their charmer.

Off to the side, a few of the Blood Serpents rushed in with crates. Pushing people aside. Meanwhile the woman got to her knees, leveling down to the snakes who were now moving toward her. Eyes locked, face serious. The Snake Charmer was obviously trying to keep herself together. But Kaz felt the rage seep off of her. 

“I’ll catch you up, 

When I’ve emptied my cup, 

When I’ve worn out my friends, 

When I’ve burned out both ends, 

When I’ve cried all my tears, 

When I’ve conquered my fears, 

Right here in The Old Therebefore. 

When nothing is left anymore.”

The snakes smaller in size slithered up her outstretched arms. Covering both limbs in a tangle of scales. One slithering up to encase her neck, almost like a necklace. The Cobra took claim to her waist. The python circled her, almost like it contemplated joining its fellow serpents. 

Around Kaz, he made out the faint gasps of customers who had yet to depart. Glancing around, he witnessed them all in states of shock and awe. Even his Crows were at a loss of words. 

As was he.

The Snake Charmer’s voice turned strong. Echoing through the entire club as she belted out the next verse. Bringing chills to everyone’s arms.

“I’ll bring the news, 

When I’ve danced off my shoes, 

When my body’s closed down, 

When my boat’s run around, 

When I’ve tallied the score,

 And I’m flat on the floor, 

Right here in The Old Therebefore. 

When nothing is left anymore.”

Rising from the ground, she was covered by the creatures. Her python has wrapped itself around her leg. Its tail was on the floor while its head perched by where the cobra had secured itself on her belt. From the neck down the Snake Charmer was a sight to behold. Revealing why the nickname was not only because she was the leader of a gang filled with snakes. 

It was because she was gifted with the talent of charming their namesake.

Moving toward her subordinates holding crates, no doubt to keep the animals contained, the woman passionately sang the final verse. Giving it all she had. 

“When I’m pure like a dove, 

When I’ve learned how to love.”

Tone dropping, she leaned to lower the snakes into the crates. Gently as though they were newborn babies. Kaz caught her stoke the pythons head, her singing so low it was good the place was dead quiet. 

Right here in The Old Therebefore. 

When nothing is left anymore.”

Finally, after what felt like forever, the snakes were safely stored in the crates. Lids dropping shut with the gang members hurrying from the floor to transport them to another room. No one moved. Any and all eyes focused on the woman in the pinstripe suit. Back turned to the Crows and other patrons, but from the fearful look of her door bouncers, everyone silently prayed they’d make it to the morning. 

Moving her neck in a circle, a low crack from the joints that had been stiff, she slowly turned to face the audience. A clenched jaw and fury in her eyes made it clear what was going through her mind. Especially to Kaz, who was fighting to not look away when she instantly met his gaze.

Oh, she knew alright.

“Well…” the Charmer’s tone sent chills along the Crows' bodies. “You’ve certainly got my attention, Mr. Brekker.” Her spite was evident. Complete rage. Likely planning every means of torture she wished to bestow on her rival and his comrades. 

It was so quiet. So thrilling. Nobody dared to move a muscle. Patrons watching the stare down between the King, and now the unmasked Queen, of the Barrel. It was captivating yet terrifying. Wondering who would make the first move, and if it will end in a blood bath.

Then she snapped, “Everyone out!!” The floor cleared in seconds. Leaving only Serpents and Crows. They knew better than to attempt an escape. Plus the moment their boss addressed Kaz, the Serpents had circled them to prevent any sudden attack. 

Kaz remained composed. Watching closely as the Snake Charmer moved to the bar to pour herself a drink. “Before I kill you, Kaz Brekker, and your little birds too,” she did not look at him, paying attention to the liquid filling the glass. He tightened his jaw. “I want to hear you explain to me why you brought yourselves to my club,” bringing the glass to her lips, she downed half the alcohol in one gulp. Drawing her eyes up to make contact with him, “And destroyed my babies' home.”

Her footsteps echoed, walking toward the center of the floor where Kaz stood. “You’re a smart man.” She took another sip, this time slower. “Not only did you manage to draw me into the light, but you knew exactly how to do so.” A smirk plastered on Kaz’s face. A bold move considering the threat lingering at displaying his smugness to the Serpent Queen. Her lips were in a thin line, “What brings you to my den?”

Straightening his posture, Kaz stepped closer. Their distance is only a mere foot from one another. Making everyone--Crows and Serpents alike--suffocating from the tension between the two. 

“You won’t be killing us tonight, Charmer.” If only he knew her real name. Only having her title felt like she had some reign on him. Superior in a sense. The whole Barrel knew him as Dirtyhands, but Kaz Brekker had his own reputation. For her, people can now put a face to the name Snake Charmer. A beautiful woman with the voice of an angel. So powerful it made snakes bend to her will. 

Also, people would be shaken by the fact the deadly gang leader served them drinks during their visits to the Snake Pit. Hidden in plain sight. Listening to them spill their drunken secrets. 

Kaz leaned closer, the scent of her perfume hitting his nostrils. Jasmine. A flower known to attract snakes. He understood why she wore it. The smell was alluring. As was her presence, but Kaz dismissed the thought as quick as it came. “Doing so will result in you losing an important job I’m willing to negotiate your assistance on. Believe me, the reward is more than generous--enough for the both of us to share.” Now he got her attention, confirmed by the way her head slightly tilted, brow raised. 

“Humor me, Brekker.”

“Have you ever heard of jurda parem?”

[emetoandotherthings]

Sailing Soc

A/N: @its-a-goddamn-heartbreak you wanted Cain... here's Cain! ❤️

______________________________________________________________

         “Sailing?” Cain put his mug down on the counter and stared at Damian as though he’d grown an extra head. “Are you serious?”

         “Yeah,” Damian said; Cain searched his face as though he was waiting for him to say ‘only joking’.

         When he didn’t, Cain repeated: “Sailing?”

         “Well, yeah,” Damian was nodding. “I saw some sign up sheets for trials with the sailing soc, I thought – why not?” At the table beside them, Jesse snorted so hard he nearly choked on his cereal.

         “Sailing soc?” Jesse spluttered, wiping his mouth. “Oh my god, it’s finally happened.”

         “What?” Damian looked non-plussed as Cain and Jesse exchanging a glance.

         “All those toffs rubbing off on you,” Cain chuckled, then put on a posh accent. “Oh yah, we’re going on the yacht for a jaunt!”

         “Oh shut up!” Damian shoved Cain’s shoulder playfully. “No, I just thought it’d be something different, something outside! God knows you’ve had your head stuck in a book these past few weeks.”

         “You’re one to talk!” It was Cain’s turn to snort this time.

         “Come on,” Damian implored, staring pointedly at Cain. “It’s one afternoon, one taster session – some fresh air, the water, it’ll be fun!”

         “Oh alright,” Cain conceded. “Seeing as you’ve already signed me up!” Damian grinned.

         Cain still didn’t quite know why he agreed to this as he stood on the boardwalk with Damian and 5 others. He was doing it for Damian, who looked buoyantly excited. One of the guys, Isaac, from the sailing soc was handing them each a lifejacket as the other two guys and one girl from sailing soc had already clambered aboard the boat and were preparing it to sail.

         “Sailing is just – it’s everything!” Isaac was proclaiming enthusiastically; much to Damian’s chagrin Isaac did have exactly the posh English accent and attitude that Cain had imitated. “Hopefully this afternoon’ll let you see how joyous it is!”

         Joyous was not the word Cain would have used – he’d tried to hide the fact that his knees were shaking as he climbed aboard the boat, especially as Damian was grinning like an overly excited Labrador.

         “If you all sit there,” Isaac pointed to two indented benches on either side of the front of the boat, “we’re going to do all the work and you can get an idea of what it’s like to sail – we might even let you have a go when we’re properly out on the loch.”

         Cain wedged himself in between Damian and the edge of the white bench, almost immediately he felt wobbly and was glad for the metal railing which lined the edge of it. The boat had backed out of its berth in the marina and was beginning to slowly motor its way out towards the entrance of the loch.

         “Yah, I’ve already done my competent crew qualification,” the girl on the other side of Damian was telling him. “Daddy insisted I did it when I turned 16.”

         “Really?” Damian didn’t sound surprised. “This is my first time on a sail boat – me and Cain, thought we’d try something different.”

         “It’s not as hard as it looks,” she carried on, her voice loud against the wind that was whipping past them. “Not once you get the hang of it!”

         Cain refixed his grip on the railing and tried to take some deep breaths; it was only now that they’d pulled away that he realised how much he absolutely hated this. The boat rocked slightly from side to side, bobbing up and down as the waves and wind moved along. He hadn’t realised quite how aware of his own stomach he was until it seemed to move along with each movement of the boat. He pressed his jaw together, so hard that his back teeth hurt – this was just a taster session, surely it couldn’t last all that long.

         “It’s so fresh, isn’t it?” Damian’s head swivelled round towards Cain.

         “Yeah,” Cain heard himself say, and to his surprise his voice was steady. Damian’s curls were being whipped around by the wind, his cheeks turning pink from the cool air. “It’s lovely.”

         As soon as they were clear of the marina, the girl on Damian’s other side bounded up from the bench to help the society members tack the sail out so they could catch the wind. With more people moving around, the boat rocked and bobbed in the water, and Cain gripped on so tightly on the railing that his knuckles went white.

         “You can come up and see what we’re doing if you like,” Isaac offered; he was standing behind the large wheel looking totally at ease.

         “Cain?” Damian asked, standing up.

         “You go,” Cain said, “I’m still finding my sea legs.” Damian raised his eyebrows, but seemed to accept this at face value. He wobbled a bit as he picked his way over to where Isaac and the girl were having an animated conversation about where they had sailed previously. Cain tried to take deep breaths in through his nose, and inwardly repeated to himself that it wasn’t all bad; ignoring the way his stomach was roiling inside him, sloshing up and down with every wave of the water. He fixed his eyes on the hills in the distance and told himself that he wasn’t moving that much.

         “Isaac says it’s a perfect day for sailing,” Damian dropped back down on the bench next to him.

         “Really?” Cain tried to sound interested.

         “Yeah, just enough wind to catch the sails, and the water being pretty calm,” he was watching the white sail which was affixed out and the wind was pushing against it, giving the boat traction.

         If this was calm, Cain thought, he would hate to see it when it was choppy. With every passing second he was feeling worse, he could feel sweat pooling at the nape of his neck and he found himself swallowing much more frequently.

         “It’s a beautiful part of the country,” Damian seemed lost in the moment, “so peaceful.” Cain remembered that Damian had signed them both up to give them a break from their studies.

         “Mmhmm,” Cain assented, momentarily releasing his grip from the railing before grasping hold of it again – letting go made him feel even more wobbly. They sat in silence for a few long moments, Damian’s eyes were unfocused as he stared out across the water and Cain could hear his long, slow breathing. For some reason, that made Cain feel even worse; he felt his stomach lurching up inside him and he gritted his teeth together again.

         “So,” Damian muttered, “I think this might be something I want to do more…”

         “That’s good,” Cain forced, simultaneously thinking ‘as long as you don’t make me come too’. Damian turned his head to Cain and saw him take a visible double take.

         “Cain?” His hand found Cain’s knee and squeezed. “Are you okay?” There was a split second where Cain was about to lie, but he found himself shaking his head, which he stopped quickly as that movement made him feel worse.

         “Nope,” he forced the word out. “I’m nauseous as hell.” Letting the words out seemed to break the tightness he was holding himself together with.

         “Oh…” Damian breathed. “You look grey…”

         “Yup,” Cain wrapped his arm not gripping on the railing round his stomach. “Feel it…”

         “Do you want some water?” Damian fumbled in his bag to find a bottle. “Try looking at the horizon.”

         “Been doing that,” Cain answered, sucking in air through his teeth.

         “Here,” Damian unscrewed the water bottle and held it out for Cain, “take a few sips.” Cain’s hand was trembling as he took the water and had a tentative sip. “Give me a sec…” Damian pushed himself off the bench; Cain wanted to beg him to stay, that somehow having Damian next to him made this feel less awful. He took another sip, but the water seemed to be staying in his mouth, his throat not wanting to accept anything down it. “Right…” Damian returned and sat back next to Cain. “Honestly – really honestly, are you feeling sick?”

         “Yep,” Cain said, trying not to move his lips too much.

         “Okay, well – if you think you’re going to be sick,” Damian carried on.

         “Don’t say that word,” Cain pleaded, his chest felt tight and his stomach gave an uncomfortable squeeze.

         “Okay, well if…” Damian paused, “you’ve got two options.” Cain didn’t like the sound of that, his stomach gave another squeezing lurch and he swallowed hard. “First option – you lean over the side of the boat.” Cain groaned.

         “Not an option,” Cain muttered, even the thought of being that close to the swirling, churning water made him feel any worse.

         “Okay,” Damian didn’t argue, there was no point in it, especially with how grey and clammy Cain was looking. “Option two, a bag.” Cain groaned again, he’d wished option two had been getting off the boat. “Look,” Damian put his hand on Cain’s shoulder and gently pushed him back a little, “just lean back, take some deep breaths and try to relax a bit.” Cain allowed himself to be eased back, he hadn’t even realised how hunched forward he’d been sitting. He tried to do what Damian advised; he closed his eyes, taking slow deep breaths in through his nose. He’d realised how tightly clenched all of his muscles had been as he consciously tried to relax back into the hard back of the bench. His head was swimming, every part of him being buoyed along as the waves bore the boat onwards; the cold air was whipping past his face as the boat moved through the water. The boat made a short sharp move to one side and Cain felt a burbling sensation rising from deep inside his belly.

         “Bruuualllp!” Cain’s eyes snapped open as the belch escaped past his lips, a lingering bitter acidity swirling in his mouth and his free hand shot up to his mouth as he attempted to swallow.

         “Cain?” Damian squeezed his knee again.

         “Bag…” Cain muttered thickly, his eyes wide as he looked up at Damian. “I need – a bag…”

         “Right,” Damian released his hand from Cain’s knee and began scrabbling in his pocket. “Isaac gave me these…” He unfurled some plastic bags. Cain hadn’t realised he’d let go of the railing until he was snatching a bag from Damian, his chest hurting from the effort of holding down a heave. He shook out one of the bags roughly and brought it up to his face, holding it close to avoid missing it.

         “H’kkkuuuulllk!” Cain’s eyes forced closed at the heave, and he felt the splash of liquid hit the bottom of the bag and he tightened his grip. He knew that was barely a warning shot, and with the way his stomach was lurching that there was more to come. He tried to spit the tendrils of saliva that were clinging to his lips away, but they felt fast to his mouth. “Uggh…”

         “It’s alright,” Cain could hear Damian’s voice, but it felt like it was far away as the sound of his ragged breathing was loud in his ears. He wanted to pull the bag away, cause the bitter tang of the acid was stinging at his nose, but he couldn’t – he couldn’t risk making a mess. His throat tightened and he coughed, harsh and wet, sticking at the back of his mouth and saliva dripped from his lips into the bag.

         “H’kkuuuuuuurrrrggggllleee!” The force with which the wave of vomit poured from his mouth took him by surprise, as did the bag feeling instantly heavy in his hands. From somewhere nearby he could hear cheering and faintly realised that it was because of him, but he didn’t have more than a split second to think about it. “Kk’hhhuuuurrrrggg!” Cain gasped, struggling to take a breath in.

         “God Cain…” Damian’s hand touched the back of Cain’s neck, almost holding him steady as he gulped and gasped.

         “Sorr- heeeuuurrrgggggl!” The word was cut off as another fierce wave of sick forced up his throat and out into the bag which was rapidly filling.

         “No, no,” Damian replied, “just breathe…” Cain’s breath was hitching in his chest, every deep breath seemed to illicit another wave of puke.

         “H’rrrrrgglllluuurrgh!” The bag in Cain’s hands was becoming precariously heavy now; he forced his eyes open, they were watering badly and making it difficult for him to focus. “Need – a new – bag…” He spluttered, feeling his stomach still lurching and clenching.

         “Okay, right,” Damian sounded so calm – how could he be this calm? “Let me tie this one off, I’ll get you a new one…” Damian’s hands grasped near Cain’s wrists and Cain felt the weight of the bag being taken off him.

         “Hurry – hrkk!” Cain heaved wetly, clamping his now free hand across his mouth.

         “Just take deep breaths,” Damian intoned, but he sounded a little more panicked now. “Deep breaths!” Damian was shaking out a new bag, Cain grabbed it from him, pulling it up to his mouth as another heave produced a further wave of sick.

         “Hheeuuuurrgggh!” Cain couldn’t stop it, it was like being on a rollercoaster ride that he couldn’t get off – his stomach dropping then lurching up inside him.

         “Jesus Christ!” Someone nearby cursed, but Cain was still gasping, just waiting for more.

         “Hrrrrgguulll!” There was less liquid this time; Cain had nearly emptied himself out. “Gggrruuurrgggllleee…”

         “Mate, lie him down…” A voice from above Cain’s head was saying. “Lie him on the bench – it can help.”

         “Cain? Did you hear?” Damian’s voice was low and close to Cain’s ear. “If we lie you down, it might help.”

         “Mm, no,” Cain shook his head slightly, a dry heave following and he coughed wetly. “ ‘ll make a mess…”

         “Nah mate,” the voice was coming from Isaac, “you’re empty as a gutted fish.”

         “Hrrk!” Cain retched dryly again at the mention of fish; his stomach was aching and his head felt light.

         “Cain, come on…” Damian fastened his hands around Cain’s wrists as he tried to take the bag away, but Cain redoubled his grip, shaking his head. “Trust me…” Then the tears came, he could feel them burning in his closed eyes; but he allowed Damian to take the bag from his hands. Damian’s hand gripped Cain’s shoulder and very gently lowered him down so he was lying on the bench.

         Being horizontal did help, so did the coolness of the bench against his cheek – the ache in his belly was still there, but the clenching, churning seemed to loosen. Cain realised that he was fully concentrating on breathing in and out, that was all he could focus on. It was only after a few long moments that Cain realised Damian’s fingers were carefully moving his fringe away from his face and gently stroking his cheek. It was so simple, but it meant so much.

         Before he knew it, Damian’s hand was on Cain’s arm: “Cain, come on, we’re getting off…”

         “Can’t move…” Cain mumbled.

         “Let us help,” Damian said; Cain couldn’t protest even if he wanted to. Cain felt hands gripping both of his arms, pulling him gently upright; his legs nearly gave out underneath him and if he hadn’t been supported he would have buckled. “It’s okay,” Damian intoned, half carrying Cain. “Just take little steps.”

         Cain’s legs wobbled all the way along the boardwalk, he still felt as though he was swaying, the world not solid under his feet. His stomach gave a lurch as he missed a step and he gulped in air. When he reached the solid ground of the marina, Cain leant against the wall, his knees trembling under his own weight.

         “I’ve got him from here,” Damian was telling Isaac, who Cain noted had lost the arrogance he’d first displayed and was watching Cain warily. “Thank you.” Isaac nodded, and briefly grasped Damian’s shoulder.

         Cain’s knees gave way and he crumpled, sliding down the wall into a seated position; he was taking long, slow breaths in. Damian sat next to him, placing his hand on Cain’s knee and squeezing gently. They sat for a time, and Damian didn’t remove his hand.

         “How are you feeling now?” He asked eventually.

         “Better,” Cain mumbled, then swallowed. “Embarrassed…”

         “Don’t be,” Damian’s voice was light.

         “I…” Cain’s voice was thin, his throat felt like it’d been burned. “I ruined it – for you…”

         “Cain…” Damian sighed and shook his head. “No you didn’t…” Cain swallowed again, staring intently at his own knees. “Here, have a drink.” Damian pulled a water bottle from his bag, unscrewed it and handed it across; Cain’s hand was still trembling as he took it and drunk, the cool liquid soothing on his throat. “I thought it’d get us out of the flat, just some time.”

         “Sorry…” Cain muttered again.

         “No,” Damian found Cain’s arm and gripped it tight. “I’d never have signed us up if I thought you’d get so…”

         “Seasick?” Cain offered.

         “Yeah,” Damian nodded. “I’m sorry. For putting you through that.”

         “You didn’t know!” Cain refuted. “Heck, I didn’t know…” Cain wrapped his free arm around his stomach.

         “Is your stomach still hurting?” Damian noticed the gesture.

         “Much less now I’m on solid ground,” Cain answered honestly.

         “Good,” Damian said, he looked out towards those still on the boat, tying it up and ensuring it was all secure. “I think you frightened Isaac.” Cain snorted. “Seriously, I think he thought you were going to do yourself an injury. I didn’t think you were ever gonna stop…”

         “Neither did I….” Cain mumbled; with the water he’d drunk he felt slightly better, his aching belly seemed to be calming. “I know, you just wanted something… A break.”

         “Yeah, well…” Damian shrugged.

         “You can do this if you want,” Cain told him, “I saw you enjoying it.”

         “Nah,” Damian shook his head, “I don’t think I’ve got the stomach for it.” He smiled crookedly at Cain.

         “Don’t,” Cain nudged him, but he couldn’t help but smile back.

         “As long as you’re alright,” Damian said.

         “Next time you need a break,” Cain spoke slowly. “Can we maybe just go for a pint?”

         Damian laughed: “Yeah, let’s do that.”

[dailyanarchistposts]

Appendix IV: Sociability of Animals

That the sociability of animals was greater when they were less hunted by man, is confirmed by many facts showing that those animals who now live isolated in countries inhabited by man continue to live in herds in uninhabited regions. Thus on the waterless plateau deserts of Northern Thibet Prjevalsky found bears living in societies. He mentions numerous “herds of yaks, khulans, antelopes, and even bears.” The latter, he says, feed upon the extremely numerous small rodents, and are so numerous that, “as the natives assured me, they have found a hundred or a hundred and fifty of them asleep in the same cave” (Yearly Report of the Russian Geographical Society for 1885, p. 11; Russian). Hares (Lepus Lehmani) live in large societies in the Transcaspian territory (N. Zarudnyi, Recherches zoologiques dans la contrée Transcaspienne, in Bull. Soc. Natur. Moscou, 1889, 4). The small Californian foxes, who, according to E.S. Holden, live round the Lick observatory “on a mixed diet of Manzanita berries and astronomers’ chickens” (Nature, Nov. 5, 1891), seem also to be very sociable.

Some very interesting instances of the love of society among animals have lately been given by Mr. C.J. Cornish (Animals at Work and Play, London, 1896). All animals, he truly remarks, hate solitude. He gives also an amusing instance of the habit of the prairie dogs of keeping sentries. It is so great that they always keep a sentinel on duty, even at the London Zoological Garden, and in the Paris Jardin d’Acclimatation (p. 46).

Professor Kessler was quite right in pointing out that the young broods of birds, keeping together in autumn, contribute to the development of feelings of sociability. Mr. Cornish (Animals at Work and Play) has given several examples of the plays of young mammals, such as, for instance, lambs playing at “follow my leader,” or at “I’m the king of the castle,” and their love of steeplechases; also the fawns playing a kind of “cross-touch,” the touch being given by the nose. Altogether we have, moreover, the excellent work by Karl Gross, The Play of Animals.

[cyansadness]

Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince

i was going to post this thursday but then ep.5 came out. but, it's here and i'm so excited for y'all to read.

also @cherrybb-ily thank you for listening to me, helping me plan this, and for being awesome (i finally posted) the literal best.

i see all of your requests and everything is under wraps along with a certain fic that is currently in the works but i'm here to feed into this fandom.

also the most important thing. go watch grease: rise of the pink ladies

word count: 3021

Jane walked up the bleachers steps to the top where the T-Birds and The Pink Ladies all ate lunch together. Out of every person in her English class, she had to be partnered with Buddy Aldridge. Why did her class have to be full of socs?

“Hola mi corazón.” Richie smiled, kissing Jane’s cheek as she sat down next to him. She smiled before leaning her head against his leather-clad shoulder. “What’s wrong, angel?” He asked, reaching over to grab Jane’s hand.

“I think Mr. Daniels has a grudge against the Pink Ladies.” Jane sighed. “What did that fink do now?” Nancy asked as now that the rest of the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds noticed Jane’s arrival. 

“We have an English project and Mr. Daniels put me with Buddy of all people.” Jane complained to the group who all reacted in a shocked way. “What?” Richie asked, making sure to keep his jealousy in check.

“Can you just switch partners? Daniels can’t be that much of a hardass.” Cynthia tried to help. “My class is full of socs. I’ll just be replacing one problem with another.” Jane buried her head in her hands.

“Look, just ignore him. Do your project and get the best grade like you always do. Remember, you’re Jane. He doesn’t matter.” Richie reassured as he grabbed her chin gently and turned her head towards him.

He leaned in, kissing Jane softly. He felt a book smack him on the leg, making the two separate. “You two know the rule, none of that while the rest of us are trying to eat lunch.” Olivia scolded, hitting Richie again. Richie pushed his sister away as the two started to go back and forth.

Jane smiled at the siblings’ antics. She could do this. She could ignore Buddy. Just get the project done. Nothing more, nothing less.

~~~lil’ time skip~~~

Whoever told her she could do this was lying to her. Maybe Mr. Daniels did have a grudge against the Pink Ladies. 

Buddy, as always, was trying to talk to Jane. About anything at that point. He’d ask about anything unrelated to the project that Jane just wanted to get done. 

A majority of the time, Jane just kept her head down and worked on her side. If she had a question, she’d cut him off, ask, then went right back to ignoring him.

It works for her. Besides, as soon as the bell rings, Richie is right there waiting for her so they could walk to lunch together. Usually, Buddy ended up using the same route so he could meet up with the socs.

Buddy had enough. He couldn’t handle Jane just ignoring them like nothing ever happened between them. 

Buddy had been calling Jane’s name about 1,000 times by that point. She ignored every time, giggling at something Richie said. They were rounding the corner of the bleachers when Buddy reached out and grabbed Jane’s wrist.

Immediately, Jane shrieked before turning around and tugging her wrist back into her chest, a deer in headlights look on her face.

Richie saw red. He started walking towards Buddy until he felt Jane’s hand around his bicep. He looked back as she shook her head. If Richie was going to listen to someone, it was going to be Jane.

“Don’t touch her Aldridge. You had your chance already.” Richie said, wrapping his arm around Jane’s waist. The Pink Ladies and The T-Birds, hearing Jane’s yell, came down from the bleachers. 

“What happened? Are you okay?” Olivia asked, going to check on her friend. “Everything is fine, can we please just go to lunch?” Jane said, a pleading tone evident in her voice. “Everything is not fine.” Richie corrected.

“This jerk just grabbed Jane after tailing us.” Richie explained, still glaring at Buddy. “Look, I didn’t mean any harm. Jane, can we just talk?” Buddy asked, trying to not add any fuel to the fire. 

“Well, she doesn’t want to talk to you so beat it.” Cynthia told Buddy, the girls right next to her. “Well, I was talking to Jane, not you so shut it.” Buddy snapped at Cynthia. 

“Don’t talk to her like that.” Jane snapped back at him. “You know what? You never used to be like this.” Buddy said, making Jane scoff. “They” Buddy looked at the Pink Ladies with disgust. “changed you. They turned into something you’re not. What happened to my Jane?” Buddy continued. 

“Your Jane?” Jane asked. “You mean the girl who you got rid of the second you lied about us? She’s gone.” Jane let out a dry laugh. “No. They poisoned you against me.” Buddy glared at the Pink Ladies who were all positioned right behind Jane.

“Don’t talk about them like that. It’s not their fault that you are not a good guy Buddy. I won’t stand you and let you insult the only people who were there for me after you ruined my life!” Jane’s voice had raised and she was nearly shouting as she stepped closer to Buddy. 

“Jane, I gave you an option.” Buddy kept his voice calm and even. “You wanted to date me in secret because you thought dating me publicly would ruin your chance for reelection.” Jane rolled her eyes.

“Wait, what?” “Bastard.” “He’s asking for a beatdown.” The girls chorused behind her. Jane didn’t even have to turn around to feel the harsh glares Buddy was getting the Pink Ladies. 

“Stop pretending like you’re the good guy. You aren’t the good guy. So do us all a favor and leave us alone.” Jane’s voice had lowered but that fire was still strong in her eyes. 

Behind her, both gangs stood with a mixture of both shocked and proud expressions on their faces. Jane walked back to where Richie was standing when he wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. “Look at you go, putting ese ​​cabrón in his place. I’m proud of you.” Jane blushed as she smiled. 

The couple started to follow the rest of the group up the bleachers when Buddy called out to them. “Hey Richie, have fun with her. Butter her up with some attention and she’ll do whatever you want. She’s real easy like that.” Buddy sneered. 

Jane felt herself tense up and lean closer into Richie. Richie had turned around to look at the football player, seeing red. He wasn’t the only one. The Pink Ladies had quickly turned around and stormed down the steps.

Olivia and Nancy immediately lunged towards Buddy only to be held back by Gil and Potato. “You guys realize that McGee hates you guys and might actually expel you for fighting.” Gil said to Olivia who was trying to break Gil’s grip around her waist so she could strangle Buddy.

Cynthia had gone next to Jane as Richie made his way over to Buddy. “Hey, don’t listen to him. He doesn’t know a thing.” Cynthia tried to comfort her but it all sounded underwater. The only thing she could hear was her heartbeat in her ears. She felt the tears pricking her eyes and blinked them back. Her breathing became quicker, more shallow as Jane tried to fight back her tears. 

Richie stormed over to where the girls were. Buddy saw him too late. Richie swung and nailed him right in the eye. The socs who had gathered around Buddy gasped and went to help him. 

“Don’t say a word about my girl, you hear me Aldridge.” Richie yelled before turning around and walking to where Cynthia was trying to calm down a near hyperventilating Jane.

Richie sent an appreciative smile towards Cynthia before she went to calm down the other two members of the girl gang.

“Jane, baby, it’s me, it’s Richie.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, bringing her into a hug. Jane wrapped her arms around his torso, burying her head into his neck.

“Can we please just go?” Her voice was shaky and a little muffled as she tried to fight back her tears but that was becoming increasingly more difficult. “Of course.” Richie kissed the top of her head before whistling. He jerked his head towards the main building. 

He started walking with Jane under his arm, the T-Birds following closely behind. The Pink Ladies hung back. “Watch your back Buddy Aldridge.” Olivia threatened before the three girls ran up to catch up with the others.

Both gangs found refuge in the empty auditorium. Jane was next to Richie, leaning against him as he placed his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. The girls surrounded Jane’s other side while the T-Birds sat in random spots around the stands.

“Don’t listen to him Jane. He is just mad that he missed an opportunity with one of the best girls in Rydell.” Olivia tried to reassure. Jane gave her a small nod, not meeting anyone’s eyes.

Richie looked at Olivia and Olivia understood the message. “We left our stuff outside. I don’t know about you guys but I don’t trust those socs.” Olivia said as she stood up.

The others looked at her with blank stares, not understanding the message. “Ugh, let’s go.” Olivia rolled her eyes before grabbing Cynthia and Nancy by the arms and dragging them out, the T-Birds following behind.

As they heard the door close, Richie turned towards Jane. “He is a bastard who doesn’t deserve you Jane. Don’t listen to him.” Richie said, rubbing circles on her arm. “Maybe he’s right.” Jane muttered, moving away from Richie. 

“What if he’s right and everyone knows it and I just keep denying it to make myself feel better about the truth. That I’m just some slut.” Jane rambled, gripping the fabric of her skirt so tight that her knuckles turned white.

She felt the tears prick her eyes again but she didn’t try to fight them this time. She let them fall down her face. When did her vision get so blurry? Were those sobs coming from her?

Richie pulled her into her arms, stroking her back as she sobbed into his neck. Eventually, Jane would stop crying and the others would return and they would start their plan to get revenge on Buddy.

But until then, Richie held his girl in his arms as she cried. 

~~~lil’ time skip pt.2~~~

The weekend couldn’t come quicker. In an attempt to cheer Jane up, Olivia decided to host the Pink Ladies sleepover at her house. 

Currently, the girls were all splayed out around Olivia’s room. Nancy and Jane were on the floor while Nancy did Jane’s nails. 

Olivia was leaning against her headboard while Cynthia was the opposite way, head laying over the edge of the bed as they discussed revenge plots.

“Maybe we should actually lace his milk with castor oil.” Cynthia suggested. The other three shook their heads no. 

“We can get the boys to mess with his car.” Olivia said, a smirk forming on her face. “Too illegal.” Jane said for the 100th time that night.

“You can’t say everything is too illegal Jane. Takes the fun out of it.” Cynthia sighed, flipping onto her stomach.

Nancy finished Jane’s nails and Jane started to blow on them. “Administration will pin anything on us, we can’t give them more chances to make us look like the villains.” Jane reminded the girls.

This is why Jane was the leader of the Pink Ladies. What she lacks in confidence, she makes up for in intelligence that keeps them out of trouble.

The brainstorm session continued the same until it was interrupted by a knock at the door. Olivia rolled her eyes as she went to open it.

“Richie, I told you already. You can’t steal Jane so you two can go suck face in your room. Olivia said, blocking the entrance to her room.

“Come on, I just need to talk to Jane. 5 minutes promise.” Richie asked his sister. Olivia rolled her eyes before relenting and moving out of the way.

“If she’s not back in 5 minutes, I’m picking your lock.” Olivia warned. Richie smiled before holding out his hand. Jane took his hand, a bashful smile on her lips as he led her to his room.

He held the door open for her as she walked in. Jane liked Richie’s room. The walls were full of pictures and posters, there were some clothes strewn on the floor but it wasn’t horrible.

His T-Birds jacket was hanging off a hook and his dressers had a bunch of pictures. “Lots we can do in 5 minutes.” Richie commented, wrapping his arm around Jane’s waist. 

“Yeah, I guess there is.” Jane smirked as she pulled him by his collar into a kiss. Richie’s grip on Jane tightened as Jane’s hands went into his hair. Jane started to pull him towards his bed, lips still interlocked. 

Jane fell back with Richie on top of her. Richie started to kiss down her neck, his fingers running up and down the outside of her thigh. Jane tightened her grip on his hair as he kissed over her pulse point.

Richie sucked on the skin of the pulse point, smirking at the high pitched gasp that escaped her lips. When he detached himself from her neck, he rubbed his thumb against the red mark that stood prominently on Jane’s pale neck. 

He kissed Jane again, continuing their makeout session when someone banged on the door. “5 minutes Richie. We want Jane back.” Olivia’s voice was muffled by the door. The two begrudgingly pulled apart as Richie stood up to open the door. 

Olivia’s eyes widened at the sight of her brother’s tousled hair and flushed appearance. Cynthia and Nancy who were behind her looked around Richie to see Jane’s own disheveled appearance. 

“Jeez, look at the size of that thing on your neck.” Cynthia commented, pushing past Richie to get into his room. Richie tried to protest but was interrupted by Olivia and Nancy doing the same.

Jane stood up as she went to the mirror on Richie’s wall. “Richie.” She whined as she saw the mark already starting to bruise. “Hey, you never said I couldn’t leave anything behind.” He defended himself with a smug grin.

Jane groaned as she threw her head back. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you cover it up. And maybe find you a boyfriend who isn’t a leech.” Olivia joked as she threw her arm around Jane’s shoulder, ignoring Richie’s offended look in her direction.

~~~lil’ time skip pt.3~~~

Monday morning was spent in the school’s parking lot 10 minutes before school started in the T-Birds car. Olivia was working to cover up the dark purple mark on Jane’s neck while the others were hanging around.

“There. Good as new.” Olivia smiled with pride as she handed Jane her compact. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Jane gushed. “Come on. We should head it.” Cynthia told the group. 

Richie handed Jane her jacket that she took off when Olivia started to fix her neck. She smiled at him as she put her jacket on and kissed his cheek. As the two gangs walked to the school, they were met with the usual stares that came with being in a gang.

The group broke apart to go to their lockers and respective classes. Richie walked Jane to her locker, leaning against the locker next to hers as she got her books. Richie looked at something behind Jane and his face dropped.

Confused, Jane turned around and her own face dropped when she saw Buddy standing in front of her, a purple bruise bright on his cheek. Jane rolled her eyes and turned towards her locker. “Jane, can we please talk?” Buddy pleaded with her. 

Jane ignored him, still grabbing her books. “Back off Aldridge. Leave.” Richie told Buddy, stepping in between him and Jane. Buddy sighed before walking away, not wanting another bruise.

It continued like this for two weeks, Buddy trying to talk to Jane and her ignoring him and getting shooed off by whoever was with her. Buddy decided to write a note. This way, Jane could at least read his apology. He slipped the note in Jane’s locker before he walked to the field for lunch. 

Jane went to her locker to grab her lunch and saw the folded up piece of paper fall out. She quickly picked up the paper and opened it. She barely got past the first line before she folded it back up and made her way to the bleachers.

She ran up the bleacher steps, effectively scaring both groups. Jane held out the note for them to see. “It’s from Buddy.” She didn’t even try to hide her grin. The girls mimicked her smile as they urged her to open it.

The group read over the letter, laughing at every other line. “Oh my, this is hopelessly pathetic.” Olivia laughed, leaning on Gil’s shoulder. Jane, who was under Richie’s arm, couldn’t stop laughing to get a full sentence out.

The gangs’ loud laughter ultimately caught the attention of the socs. Buddy caught sight of the letter in Jane’s hands and paled slightly. Susan ordered Rosemary and Dotto go up and figure out what was going on.

“What’s so funny?” Rosemary asked as her and Dot stomped up the steps. Jane was about to say nothing so they would go away but got an idea. She looked at the girls, a devious glint shone in her eyes. 

“Give it to them.” Olivia said first before more verbal encouragement came from the others. Jane wordlessly handed over the letter to the two soc girls. The two ran back to the field, letter in hand.

The two gangs watched as the socs read over the letter and gave Buddy the dirtiest look. Susan walked over and slapped Buddy right across the face. The two gangs collectively gasped before bursting out in laughter again.

“We told you to watch you back, Aldridge.” Cynthia yelled to the quarterback. Jane leaned against Richie’s side. No matter what happens, she has him and her girls.

She’ll be just alright.

[jackwolfes]

dgb's 2023 fic wrap up (to be finalised)

@inexplicablymine tagged me to do a 2023 fic round-up but i frankly cannot list every single fic i wrote, posted or started this year because that would be a bit unruly ���� but i am a sucker for data analysis so here are some numbers

stats

40 fics updated or posted in 2023 (6 of which were started prior to 2023*)

10 anonymous fics (8 of which are in my "anon but not" collection, 2 of which are just hidden in the ether)

5 in-progress fics on ao3

452,842 words posted to ao3 (* roughly)

20,754 kudos (* roughly) 

691,480 words written (** roughly) 

* because i've updated some existing long fics (e.g. silly little love notes) the ao3 word count and kudos are i think slightly higher to what i got in this year alone, probably +20k words and +1k kudos

** i haven't been religious tracking my WC this year so i think i've undershot and the total is more accurately ~710k

top five most popular ao3 fics

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a choice of two locked doors (SOC/Wesper, M, 109k) wesper arranged marriage au

the bed we loved in (SOC/Wesper, M, 6.9k) immediately post-CK hurt/comfort

you yearn to feel no hunger (SAB/Wesper, T, 5.3k) sab!verse wylan character study/missing scene (S2Ep1)

WIPs I'm hoping to share by end of Dec

mystery kazper fic for the annual BOTB discord server winter exchange 👀❄️

2x more chapters of a shadow in the rising sun

And what's hopefully coming early next year

the final 2x chapters of wedding vows

the final 10 or so chapters of a shadow in the rising sun 

the start of regency wesper AU 🤞 

inevitably some PWPs thrown in there somewhere

and hopefully wesper sugar baby AU will be in a postable state by mid next year 👀

respectfully not going to tag anyone in case folks don't want someone else's fic stats in their inbox but would love to join in celebrating folks' achievements if anyone wants to share them!

[jazzythursday]

For the SOC asks... any four questions you haven't answered yet that you wanna talk about! Have a good flight 💕

Aw ty friend! 🥹💖💕

5. Any character you didn't expect to like as much as you did? Similarly, is there any character that didn't end up liking as much as you thought you would?

I didn’t expect to like Matthias nearly as much. I think because I didn’t expect him to be as funny or thoughtful as he is. He’s not the type of character I would usually get attached to at all but after reading the books I got it. His death especially hit me so much harder than I expected. His character arc is so interesting it’s handled so well. And I never expected to get so invested in Helnik either but I was so wrong. Just—boy loves Nina so much. So in love. Soulmates. Doomed star crossed lovers. Gah 🥺🤧

31. What moments made you freak out (in a happy or sad way) the most?

-I still get chills just thinking about “let me tell you about my son” and Van Eck’s whole speech at the end of soc about Wylan.

-literally everything with the Khergud. The sheer terror I felt reading those scenes is unparalleled. Especially when Jesper gets attacked during the auction.

-Inej getting caught by Van Eck coming out of the vents 😬🫣

-actually experiencing Wylan’s backstory for the first time. Omg. I was so spoiled on it but I genuinely don’t think anything could have prepared me. Also everything at Saint Hilde’s with his mother and Jesper.

-“He was Wylan Van Eck. He told them everything” —self explanatory. Crying screaming throwing up as I turned the pages.

-And for a happy one—the Wesper kiss!!!! I waited almost the whole duology to finally get to it and it did not disappoint! Pure actual poetry. 1000/10 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

39. What are a few of your favorite Wylan moments?

Oh gosh, all Wylan moments are my favorite Wylan moments! My annotated copies are basically tabbed every time he’s even mentioned. That said, here are the first ones that come to mind:

-the very first time we see him and he’s just doodling and chewing on his nails. Immediately I’m so charmed by it.

-when he has to pretend to be a waiter and can’t figure out what to do with his hands or how to speak (relatable content lol). His “don’t!” when Jesper bets his guns, how uncomfortable and worried he is for Nina having to flirt with Cornelius Smeet. I just love the entire chapter so much.

-“you can’t afford to buy her breakfast” and “Then you're going to be a lot harder to surprise” when they’re running through the library. All the sass. Sassy boy. We love to see it.

-after Jesper and Kuwei kiss and he’s upset and says something along the lines of “he’s not even good at science!!! Half of his note books are filled with doodles—most of which are of you—and those aren’t very good either!!!” Absolutely the funniest thing I’ve ever read. Peak jealous/sassy/petty Wylan. No notes.

-when he’s the first one to pick a tulip and lay it on Matthias as they’re all saying goodbye.

63. Link your favorite fic(s)!

Of Bronze and Blaze

The meaning of good

Round and Round

always an angel, never a god

somewhere full of bright colours and beautiful sounds

Flint and Flute Notes (series)

Between Hope and Desperation

Thanks for the questions! 💖

[sabetha]

20 Questions for Writers

tagged by @fandomscraziness22 <3

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

80 - well on my way to 100

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

299,441 which is actually SO infuriating

3. What fandoms do you write for?

whatever I happen to be hyperfixated on at the time....right now it's Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous/Chaos Theory, but Lockwood & Co. and The Raven Cycle round out the top 3, followed by Six of Crows and some miscellaneous podcasts

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

do you know i love your tattoo (and you) (l&co)

She's Just a Friend (ML)

just keep your eyes on me (l&co)

Take It From Me (soc)

See Yourself Out (soc)

This list is actually so wild to me wtf

5. Do you respond to comments?

Sometimes it takes me a while, but yes! I try to respond to every comment I get, with varying levels of success

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

this has to be a trick question, right? p much everything I write is angst oops. although to be fair, I do usually try for a happy ending. so the angstiest ending....

based on canon: you were the story i chose for myself (the dreamer trilogy) OR what do you know, this house is falling apart (l&co)

canon divergent: slipping through the cracks of your cold embrace (l&co)

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

why is this so hard?? I don't know if these are the happiest, but I'm partial to The Great Gansey (trc), Dream Me the World (trc), and The Plan (ML)

8. Do you get hate on fics?

I don't think I've ever gotten any really negative comments on my fics which is great because I would cry

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

not typically? my Dark AU for L&Co features some smut (PLEASE READ THE TAGS IF YOU'RE GONNA READ THIS FIC) yesterday we were just children

10. Do you write crossovers?

nope, i'm not inherently opposed to the idea, but a lot of times they just don't feel natural to me

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Oof I hope not

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

I don't think so? I've had at least one person ask, but I don't know if it ever happened

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

I was working on a ML fic with a friend once! we unfortunately did not finish that, but it was a fun experience

14. What's your all-time favorite ship?

..... you can't ask me to pick between my children like this

But Ronsey (trc)

15. What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you will?

Learn to Like The Taste. (soc) - it's started, it's vaguely outlined, it's partially drafted, some of it is posted.... I would love nothing more than to finish this story but its been years and head empty no thoughts

16. What are your writing strengths?

emotional angstttttt, it's basically my lifeblood at this point. I've also been told I'm good at mirroring the writing of the source material? so that, I guess. I'm pretty proud of the phrases I come up with when I put my mind to it

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

dialogue?? action?? don't know her

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

i've got some latin in my fics for trc, and te admo adhuc (the college tapes) is a title in a different language, so I'm deciding that counts

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Miraculous Ladybug

20. Favorite fic you've written?

this is a really mean question, actually, so now you get to suffer through me making another list

As Good As Later Gets (Wolf 359)

Something New For Every Night (trc)

trapped in yesterday (l&co)

things we have to do that we can't stand (trc)

slipping through the cracks of your cold embrace (l&co)

tagging anyone else who wants to do it, if you're seeing this, yes you!

[heftmanrhamm]

2023 Character Wrapped

Top 9 characters of the year

Thanks be to you 💖@spineless-lobster💖

1. The Captain - BBC Ghosts

Wonderful character, very relatable, his fascinations over army things and tanks, his grand fool proof military strategies, his cock-soc, the way he does simple little things like his run and his bounces are so endearing. He's been on my mind all year round. Love him always.

2. Pat Butcher - BBC Ghosts

Can't be without my lovely darling Pat Butcher. So sweet, so lovely, so full of surprises. Loved him more when series 5 came out and he was a sassy guy who loves to dance. I'll love him forever.

3. Ken - Barbie Movie

I was not expecting to come out of that movie liking Ken. In fact, he was the reason I had a massive Ryan Gosling phase. His character here is Literally Me.

4. Julian Fawcett - BBC Ghosts

Nothing really inspiring about this one. I just really like his character a lot and think about his silly behaviour several times a day.

5. Stede Bonnet - Our flag means death

Silly guy. I can hear his voice right now. His Stede Bonnet New Zealand accent is all I hear now. He stole a vegetation! He's a pirate!

6. Blackbeard - Our flag means death

Hehehe it's Blackbeard. He's so cute, so fierce, so cool. Carries 9 guns!!!

7. Fanny Button - BBC Ghosts

Fanny is the character who is so good. So outrageous. So quotable. Literally me in many ways.

9. Driver - Drive

He was pretty cool in this movie. The movie was wonderfully made. He's literally me.

9. KD6-3.7 - Blade Runner 2047

Probs wouldn't have gone down the Ryan Gosling obsession phase if vegan rob wasn't so obsessed with Ryan Gosling too. I like K here, he's pretty cool. Literally Me.

Tagging people: @streetjack @brezideje @maths-is-my-religion @nocturnal-cryptid @five-potatoes-high @historical-paramedics (others? More? Sorry if you've been tagged already or don't want to)

[its-moopoint]

While shippers keep track of CT's and S's lives everything they distort is factual correct. No games played as they want followers to believe.

- Spotting C/T & baby is normal and usually people respect her privacy - - C didn't hint anything, she posted a thank you for SOC invite - - Lauren Lyle interviewer mentioned his connection to OL through his good friend T who is married to CB - - Not the first time cast members acknowledge SC aren't together - - CT not doing an IFTA pap walk but attending together as a married couple - - C was happy to be out attending The Fratellis - - CB cut hair for a new movie just like she did for FvF - - CB only mentions T if asked - - CB attending play in NY could also have had another professional reason - - CB can be tagged by friends as normal people do.

SH is doing his own thing completely separate from CB.

ES #realfairy wrote:

Droughlander isn't over …

Droughlander isn't over …

Since February, when the wrap was announced, we've been thinking about some possible mischief that could happen until this season of Droughlander is over.

It was a joke between friends, but looking at the number of hits, I think these 'hunches' could be written about here.

-----------

1 - A discreet fan spots C 'with her family' but doesn't publish photos in the name of privacy ✔️

2 - Sam is seen in the background of random photo/video that suspiciously gets posted to tumblr ✔️

3 - Pap walks with a blonde

4 - Cait hints she's in city X, Sam hints he's on the other side of the world ✔️

5 - Sam does another super expensive meeting for fan ✔️

6 - New Russian video

7 - Interview with random cast member who mentions Caitriona Balfe's husband ✔️

8 - Totally out of the blue random cast member reveals that Sam and Cait ARE NOT a couple ✔️

9 - Cait does pap walk with T at IFTA - in case of a win, there will be a special thank you ✔️

10 - Deux Moi releases note of Sam's sighting with 'a blonde' ✔️

11 - Cait publishes some innuendo about The Fratellis ✔️

12 - Sam appears in a fan photo in a completely unexpected location ✔️

13 - Cait cuts her hair again ✔️

14 - New change in Sam, Priyanka and Celine Dion's film ✔️

15 - Cait gives an interview and the article mentions her husband

16 - PapWalk for Just Jared ✔️

17 - Cait dedicates the new batch of gin to her husband

18 - Monika Askmit does another podcast badmouthing Sam

19 - Cait attends a fashion/cinema/arts event and T appears in the background of the post-event photos

20 - A fight breaks out in the fandon and shippers are thrown into the fire ✔️

21 - Sam appears like an old bloke in the background of a party photo/video

22 - ONE MORE of Sam's 'exes' gets married ✔️

23 - Sam and Cait do ZERO OL promo events together

24 - Sam turns up at a stadium with Sophie or Alex N, OR Marina, or Nico, or Cirdan ✔️

25 - Sam posts a shirtless photo ✔️

26 - Sam appears on a talk show and claims to be single once again ✔️

27 - The Nic couple do something completely over-the-top, drawing the attention of the entire fandon to themselves ✔️

28 - Several models/influencers are pointed out as the new flavor of summer, with the expected insinuations on social media ✔️

29 - BONUS: Cody Kennedy follows Sam and he follows her back (Cody deactivates his IG) ✔️

30 - BONUS: Victoria L (ex Heughan) posts selfie on a beach in Fife, with friends and family - including Sam and Chrissie Heughan, sparking a HUGE row in the fandon ✔️

31 - BONUS: Cait (after a sighting of the happy family in Glasgow) is spotted at a theatre in NY, while Sam, also in the US, was missing ✔️

32 - BONUS Damage containment: Cait appears in a random place with T ✔️

33 - BONUS: Cleveden appears on estate agent's website, put up for sale ✔️

34 - BONUS: Cait and Sam's recordings end at almost the same time and both disappear for a week, then appear out of nowhere in different places around the world ✔️

35 - BONUS: weekly rounds of "Look here, don't look there" ✔️

36 - BONUS: Anna Modler, as well as getting married, is pregnant ✔️

37 - BONUS: Cait is tagged by a friend, watching an Irish football match while Sam is obviously in another part of the world ✔️

38 - BONUS: Graham and Garance launch a drinks company and a big row breaks out in the fandon ✔️

Some things didn't happen, other things happened more than once, overlapping or combining with each other … but some really unexpected things have happened …

It's been fun and it doesn't have to be much more than that.

Anyway, Droughlander isn't over. We'll see how many more items are ticked off this list, or what else might happen …

Sep 1st, 2023

To sum her piece of bullshit up, they are celebrating not knowing where C has been and pretending in their delusion that she was with S but never seen either while he's broadcast his every move.

[sonic-oc-showdown]

ROUND 5 BRACKET A

Matilda belongs to @halcyon-pandion and @frostios

Agent VX belongs to @riftclaw

Find out more about them below!

Matilda:

Funny ant who became a real girl through the power of love and SO many chaos drives. She was once Shadow's pet ant who he rescued from being eaten by Knuckles. After being fed chaos drives, Matilda suddenly formed a chao-like chrysalis and mutated into a Mobian. She now is the youngest member of Team Dark, basically a little sister to all of them. Her main goal now is to train enough to become as strong as she can to one day beat the shit out of Knuckles as petty revenge.

Agent VX: (image credit Tracy Yardley @/yardleyart)

V is a GUN agent who works mostly in reconnaissance and forensics, and has studied a wide variety of disciplines in an attempt to learn to cure a heriditary illness he and his family all have. He has a flat affect, making it seem like he's always angry or annoyed, and he tries to avoid getting too invested in the people around him, but he can be incredibly loyal to anyone who takes time to get to know him. He's immortal and doesn't know it, which leads to very funny situations where he gets back up from things that definitely should've killed him and is furious about it.

[rsgoind]

Samsung Galaxy S24 Review - MobilInfoWorld

The Galaxy S24, priced at ₹799.99, stands out as Samsung’s smallest and most budget-friendly offering among its flagship phones. Despite its lower price tag compared to the S24+ (₹999.99) and the S24 Ultra (₹1,299.99), it competes strongly alongside them. Boasting a high-end Qualcomm processor, exceptional cameras, and Samsung’s latest AI features, the Galaxy S24 also promises a commendable seven-year software update support. While the Google Pixel 8, priced at ₹699, remains our top choice for compact Android phones due to its slightly better cameras, competitive AI features, and lower price, Samsung enthusiasts will appreciate the extended battery life and enhanced processing power of the S24. For those seeking the ultimate experience within the Galaxy lineup, the S24 Ultra emerges as our top recommendation, offering features like the S Pen stylus, enhanced camera zoom capabilities, and a more robust build. However, it comes with a considerably higher price tag compared to the standard Galaxy S24 and may not be suitable for fans of compact phones.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Specs

Operating System Android 14 CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy Dimensions 5.79 by 2.78 by 0.30 inches Screen Size 6.2 inches Screen Resolution 2,340 by 1,080 pixels Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing) 50MP, 12MP, 10MP; 12MP Battery Life (As Tested) 13 hours, 5 minutes

Design:

The Samsung Galaxy S24, along with its slightly larger counterpart, the S24+, follows a rounded design language, in contrast to the squared-off aesthetics of the S24 Ultra. I find the rounded corners of the S24 and S24+ more appealing as they provide a comfortable grip without digging into my hands.vMeasuring 5.79 by 2.78 by 0.30 inches (HWD) and weighing 5.93 ounces, the Galaxy S24 is compact and lightweight, making it easy to hold or carry in a pocket. It stands out as a small phone in an industry where larger sizes are often favored. Compared to the Galaxy S24+, which measures 6.2 by 3.0 by 0.30 inches and weighs 6.95 ounces, the S24 is noticeably smaller and lighter. Similarly, the Pixel 8 (5.93 by 2.79 by 0.35 inches, 6.6 ounces) and the Apple iPhone 15 (5.81 by 2.82 by 0.31 inches, 6.02 ounces) share a similar size but are heavier. The S24 and S24+ feature an Armor Aluminum frame, which represents a downgrade from the titanium frame found on the S24 Ultra. Nevertheless, the frame seamlessly integrates with the glass front and back panels, exuding elegance. On the right edge, you'll find a volume rocker and a power button that offer a satisfying, clicky response. Meanwhile, the bottom side hosts a SIM tray, a USB-C port (3.2 Gen 1), and a speaker. As anticipated, there is no microSD card slot or 3.5mm headphone jack.

Display:

The Galaxy S24 sports a 6.2-inch display, slightly larger than the Galaxy S23's 6.1-inch panel, yet both maintain the same 2,340-by-1,080-pixel resolution. In comparison, the Pixel 8 features a 6.2-inch screen with a slightly higher resolution of 2,400 by 1,080 pixels. On the other hand, the S24+ with its 6.7-inch display and the S24 Ultra with its 6.8-inch screen offer sharper visuals with a resolution of 3,120 by 1,440 pixels. Regarding refresh rates, the S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra all share the same 120Hz variable refresh rate as the Pixel 8. This feature allows the screen to adjust between 1Hz and 120Hz, ensuring optimal battery efficiency or smooth gaming performance. Additionally, all three Galaxy models boast a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, surpassing the Pixel 8's 2,400 nits and the iPhone 15's 2,000 nits.

Performance:

Samsung equips the S24 with the same system-on-a-chip (SoC) found in the S24+ and S24 Ultra: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy. This variant of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is tailored for enhanced CPU, GPU, and NPU performance. After conducting benchmark tests on various smartphones utilizing the 8 Gen 3 chipset, I've found that the results are consistently competitive. One aspect where the S24 lags behind its counterparts is in its RAM capacity. Samsung limits the phone's memory to just 8GB, whereas the S24+ and S24 Ultra offer 12GB. Ideally, I would have preferred to see all three models equipped with at least 12GB of RAM. For comparison, the Pixel 8 also features 8GB of RAM, while the iPhone 15 comes with 6GB. In terms of storage options, the S24 starts at 128GB (₹799.99) and is available in a 256GB variant (₹859.99). If you require ample storage for media files, high-resolution videos, or large applications, opting for the 256GB model is advisable. On the other hand, the S24+ offers a maximum storage capacity of 512GB for ₹1,119.99, while the S24 Ultra tops out at 1TB, priced at ₹1,659.99.

Read the full article

[raybizzle]

Being ghosted.

OVER smoothing skin! No editing, or claiming SOC is better than a professionally edited pic.

Public perception. Either I'm a bazillionaire who scams people out of hordes of money, while hardly doing any work. Or I'm a starving artist who should be grateful foe the exposure and free lunch. While hardly doing any work.

Photographers who only work with models that are fit and slim.

And models who want to do a master/slave BDSM style shoot but forget to bring their master… they expect you to take on that role.

When someone thinks you did a terrible job on a photo simply because it’s not their style despite the endless compliments from others on the photo.

People assuming this is just a hobby and not a “real job” when I haven’t done anything else for 5 years and consistently fully booked out 2 -3 months ahead year round lol.

Brand new models who have never really done any modeling, but they think they can get free photo shoots just because they’re attractive.

Your camera takes great photos' Yeah I wasn't involved at all.

My price being too high, no matter what price I quote.

A "model" that has never done a real photo session, but thinks they're supposed to get paid $100+ an hour because someone said their selfies were good.

Gatekeepers and cliques.

People with cell phones thinking they are a photographer.

Models / anyone who asks for the RAWs

When models slap an ig filter, or those fake eye fake lip ai filters on your images.

[bantech-cyber99]

Bantech Cyber: Pioneering the Future of Business Security

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Our approach combines cutting-edge technology with deep cybersecurity expertise. We continually invest in the latest tools and technologies to stay ahead of emerging threats. Our team undergoes rigorous training and stays up-to-date with industry trends to provide you with the most effective solutions.

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We adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity, focusing on prevention rather than merely reacting to incidents. Our adaptive strategies ensure that your security measures evolve in line with changing threats and technological advancements. By anticipating potential risks and implementing adaptive solutions, we help you maintain a robust and resilient security posture.

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Our client-centric approach means that we prioritize your needs and goals. We work closely with you to understand your specific challenges and develop tailored solutions that align with your business objectives. Our commitment to delivering exceptional service and support ensures that you receive the highest level of satisfaction and value.

Conclusion

As businesses navigate the complexities of the digital age, Bantech Cyber stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence in the field of cybersecurity. Our advanced solutions, cutting-edge technology, and client-centric approach position us as leaders in securing the future of business security. Partner with us to experience unparalleled protection and support, and to stay ahead of the evolving cyber threat landscape. Contact Bantech Cyber today to learn more about how we can help you achieve the highest level of security for your organization.

[sifytechnologiessify]

Sify's Network Security Services: Protecting Your Digital Landscape

In the digital age, securing network infrastructure is crucial for safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring business continuity. As cyber threats evolve and become more sophisticated, businesses need robust and comprehensive security measures to protect their networks. Sify’s Network Security Services offer a holistic approach to network protection, providing advanced solutions that safeguard your digital assets, ensure compliance, and maintain trust with your customers.

The Imperative of Network Security

Network security is the cornerstone of any organization’s IT strategy. It involves implementing measures to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and resources. With the increasing frequency and complexity of cyberattacks, businesses must adopt proactive and dynamic security strategies. Sify’s Network Security Services are designed to address these challenges, providing a comprehensive suite of solutions to protect against threats and vulnerabilities.

Key Benefits of Sify’s Network Security Services

1. Advanced Threat Detection and Prevention

Sify utilizes cutting-edge technologies to detect and prevent a wide range of cyber threats. From malware and ransomware to phishing and denial-of-service attacks, Sify’s advanced threat detection systems provide real-time monitoring and instant response to safeguard your network.

2. Comprehensive Security Management

Sify offers end-to-end security management, including the implementation of firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), and security information and event management (SIEM) solutions. This comprehensive approach ensures that all potential entry points and vulnerabilities are secured.

3. Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

Navigating the complex landscape of regulatory requirements can be challenging. Sify’s Network Security Services help businesses achieve and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS, reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties.

4. Proactive Vulnerability Assessments

Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing are crucial for identifying and addressing security weaknesses. Sify conducts thorough assessments to uncover vulnerabilities and provides actionable insights to fortify your network against potential attacks.

5. 24/7 Monitoring and Incident Response

Sify’s dedicated security operations center (SOC) provides round-the-clock monitoring and incident response. This ensures that any security incidents are detected and mitigated promptly, minimizing the impact on your business operations.

Comprehensive Security Solutions Tailored to Your Needs

Sify’s Network Security Services encompass a wide range of solutions designed to address the unique security needs of each business. These include:

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Case Study: DEF Corporation

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Innovative Technology

Leveraging the latest technologies and industry best practices, Sify ensures that businesses stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.

In a world where cyber threats are constantly evolving, Sify’s Network Security Services provide the comprehensive protection your business needs. By partnering with Sify, you can ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of your data, maintain compliance with regulatory standards, and build trust with your customers. Protect your digital landscape with Sify and secure your business’s future.

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Evaluate MSPs for Remote IT Support: 5 Key Considerations

Is your small-to-medium business seeking professional IT support without the high cost of in-house staff? ECF Data has you covered with expert remote IT support services designed to meet SMB needs. Discover how to choose the best Managed Service Provider (MSP) for your business in our latest blog: "Evaluating an MSP for Remote IT Support: 5 Considerations."

Key Points Covered in the Blog:

Comprehensive IT Assistance: Learn how MSPs provide essential IT support for payroll, record keeping, communication, and design tasks at a fraction of the cost.

24/7 Support: Understand the importance of round-the-clock assistance and quick response times for uninterrupted business operations.

Security Measures: Explore the robust security features MSPs offer, including advanced antivirus software and phishing prevention training, crucial for remote work environments.

Cost-Effectiveness: See how remote IT support eliminates the need for an in-house IT team, saving you money.

Critical Evaluation Tips: Get insightful tips on evaluating MSPs, such as their response to failures, security tools, support ticket resolution times, and technical expertise.

Why Choose ECF Data?

24/7 Help Desk: Experienced technicians resolve 75% of IT issues during the initial call.

Microsoft Expertise: Comprehensive support for Microsoft solutions, covering computers and mobile devices.

Advanced Cybersecurity: Protection with advanced virus and cyber-attack detection, phishing prevention training, VPNs, MFA, vCISO, SOC, and more.

Prompt Onsite Support: Quick onsite assistance when needed through our extensive partner network.

Boost your productivity and enhance your business operations with ECF Data’s reliable remote IT support.

Contact Us Today!

Phone: +1(702) 780-7900

Email: info@ecfdata.com

Website: https://www.ecfdata.com/

Don't let IT issues disrupt your business. Read our blog to make informed decisions and partner with ECF Data for smooth, secure, and efficient IT operations!