#someone thought it was the Canadian flag

[xx-midnight-candy-goblin-xx]

are you Peruvian

YEAH

VIVE LA INCA KOLA

[deathsmallcaps]

Safety Tips for taking kids to Six Flags!!! (English in the top half)

¡¡¡Consejos de seguridad para llevar a los niños a Six Flags!!! (Español cerca de la parte inferior)

(May be applicable to other parties and parks, but this is the one I know)

(I say child singular but groups of lost children will be treated the same)(This information can also sometimes apply to older children or adult dependents)

1. MAKE SURE THEY KNOW AT LEAST ONE PARENT’S PHONE NUMBER!!! Any park worker would be happy to lend your kid a phone instead of escorting a sobbing child to the Lost Parents Area. On the flip side, make sure you have your phone on you. This is the easiest solution.

2. If you can’t find the kid within 5 minutes, IMMEDIATELY TELL A SECURITY GUARD. They will have the whole park searching within minutes. If you are the only adult, do NOT go looking for yourself after that - the security guards need to be able to find you easily to reunite you with the child. They will direct you to Lost Parents, where it is east to reunite you both. If there are 2+ Adults, have at least one wait at Lost Parents and the other can go look*.

3. If a dependent or child notifies a guard that they are lost, the guards will walk the child around the area where they were found once, and if they do not spot you (the adult) the child will be taken to Lost Parents. There they will have to wait until an adult (you) approaches a security guard with the child’s description, and then the guard will take you to Lost Parents. Even if the child knows exactly what you’re wearing and what you look like, the guards will not look for the parent, for resource allocation purposes. It’s not right but it’s the truth!!!

4. If you report first, the security guard will take the dependent or child’s name and description and run it over the radio. All security guards and managers have radios, so as long as the child isn’t actively hiding away from adults, the kid should be found.

5. Children OVER the age of 12 will not be reported, due to resource allocation purposes. But children age 12 and under, as well has dependent Disabled people of any age who may have trouble communicating or realizing they’re lost, will be immediately reported at any time. I don’t make the rules.

6. They will NOT call out your dependent’s or child’s name over the park loudspeakers unless it is past closing.

7. If you are afraid because you do not want attention, because you came to the United States without a green card, the security guards are not police. There are some police officers in the park, but they only wear gray or blue shirts. The security guards don't have much law enforcement and only wear fluorescent yellow-green shirts. The guards only care about the safety of the park and reuniting parents with children.

Español

¡¡¡Consejos de seguridad para llevar a los niños a Six Flags!!!

(Puede ser aplicable a otras fiestas y parques, pero este es el que conozco)

(Digo niño en singular, pero los grupos de niños perdidos serán tratados de la misma manera)(Esta información a veces también puede aplicarse a niños mayores o dependientes adultos)

1. Si tienes miedo porque no quieres atención, por que eres vinó a los estados unidos sin una tarjeta verde, las guardias de seguridad no son policía. Hay algunas agentes de policía en el parque, pero ellos sólo se pongan camisas grises o azules. Las guardias de seguridad no tienen mucha fuerza del ley y sólo se pongan camisas amarillo-verdes fluorescentes. Las guardias sólo se importan sobre la seguridad del parque y reuniendo padres con hijos.

2. ¡ASEGÚRESE LOS NIÑOS DE QUE SEPA AL MENOS EL NÚMERO DE TELÉFONO DE UN PADRE! Cualquier trabajador del parque estaría feliz de prestarle un teléfono a su hijo en lugar de acompañar a un niño sollozante al Área de padres perdidos. Por otro lado, asegúrate de tener tu teléfono contigo. Esta es la solución más fácil.

3. Si no puede encontrar al niño en 5 minutos, DÍGASE INMEDIATAMENTE A UN GUARDIA DE SEGURIDAD. Tendrán todo el parque buscando en minutos. Si eres el único adulto, NO busques por ti mismo después de eso; los guardias de seguridad deben poder encontrarte fácilmente para reunirte con el niño. Ellos lo dirigirán a Lost Parents, donde para reunirlos a ambos. Si hay más de 2 adultos, haga que al menos uno espere en Lost Parents y el otro puede ir a ver por el nino**.

4. Si un dependiente o un niño notifica a un guardia que se ha perdido, los guardias caminarán con el niño por el área donde se encontraron una vez, y si no lo ven a usted (el adulto), el niño será llevado a Lost Parents. Allí tendrán que esperar hasta que un adulto (tú) se acerque a un guardia de seguridad con la descripción del niño, y luego el guardia te llevará a Lost Parents. Incluso si el niño sabe exactamente lo que llevas puesto y cómo te ves, los guardias no buscarán al padre, con fines de asignación de recursos. No esta bien pero es la verdad!!!

5. Si informa primero, el guardia de seguridad tomará el nombre y la descripción del dependiente o del niño y lo transmitirá por radio. Todos los guardias de seguridad y los gerentes tienen radios, por lo que siempre que el niño no se esté escondiendo activamente de los adultos, se debe encontrar al niño.

6. No se reportarán niños MAYORES de 12 años, por motivos de asignación de recursos. Pero los niños menores de 12 años, así como las personas discapacitadas dependientes de cualquier edad que puedan tener problemas para comunicarse o darse cuenta de que están perdidos, serán informados de inmediato en cualquier momento. Yo no hago las reglas.

7. NO gritarán el nombre de su dependiente o de su hijo por los altavoces del parque a menos que haya pasado el cierre.

*If you are the adult staying at Lost Parents, suck it up and stay. The only reason you should get up is if you have to go to the bathroom (and there’s always one nearby for the kids) or if you are in danger of passing out from hunger. And even then, ask a friend to get you food! The lines are very long, and you could miss valuable time reuniting with the child if you are out waiting for food.

** Si eres el adulto que se hospeda en Lost Parents, aguanta y quédate. La única razón por la que debes levantarte es si tienes que ir al baño (y siempre hay uno cerca para los niños) o si corres el riesgo de desmayarte de hambre. E incluso entonces, ¡pídele a un amigo que te traiga comida! Las filas son muy largas y podría perder un tiempo valioso para reunirse con el niño si está esperando comida.

[emily-mooon]

Gotta love Pott Scligrim’s Worthless Large Death, the first novel in the Pott Scligrim series

(Btw I would hang out with him. He sounds cool)

[f1girliefics]

Hearts in Conflict

Lance Stroll x Mob!Reader

Warnings: Arranged marriage, Mob stuff (violence, murder, blood and guns) angst with a happy end

Summary: Your arranged marriage was something you never wanted, but much like with anything in life, you will deal with it one way or another.

A/N: People like to say how Lance's father is like a Mobster/Gangster, well I turned the tables.

You were supposed to take over your father's empire, not marry a rich boy.

You were supposed to become the next boss, not the wife of a spoiled brat.

And yet, your father decided to marry you to a Stroll.

Lance Stroll, is a Canadian and Belgian racing driver competing under the Canadian flag in Formula One. He has driven for Aston Martin since 2021.

According to Wikipedia at least.

But in your eyes, your father's latest attempt to have you marry someone.

You made 3 boys run already, you don't know why he insisted on this stupid idea.

"You will marry Stroll and it is final."

But you also didn't want to play the part of the spoiled princess who refused to get married.

You let out a long sigh as you entered the restaurant.

You tried your best to put a smile on as you sat down at the table, Lance wasn't here just yet.

But he arrived only two minutes later.

"Hi," he said and you smiled.

"Hello, I'm Y/N Y/L/N."

"Lance Stroll, please call me Lance."

He was respectful, a gentleman. But even so, you didn't want a husband, you didn't need one.

"How do you feel about what our fathers arranged?" you asked him after long conversations. You wanted to get to the point.

"I'm not going to lie, I didn't like it. I thought you would be a brat who just wanted my family's money. But now that we spoke, I realize that is not the case, and I assume from your question that you didn't want to marry me either."

"I wanted my father's company, not yours. But he is relentless about me needing a husband."

"I heard you drove away 3 potential candidates."

"Christopher Crooke, a playboy wannabe with a cocaine addiction. Stephen Fringo, a Spanish asshole who thinks women belong in the kitchen and just last month, Alfred Smith, an American asshole with three baby mamas and millions in credit card debt. I wouldn't really say they had potential."

"And what about me? What do you think about me? Be honest and I shall do the same."

"You go first," you said hoping he would do it so you would know how hard to go in on him.

"Alright, if the Lady wishes. I think you are stunning, that is the first thing I noticed, you are beautiful and smart. Very smart. I'm trying to figure out what the problem is with you, you are strong, independent and clever. There has to be a but. I'm looking for that. So, you go then, what do you think of me?"

"My first impression was almost the same as yours. Handsome, but the moustache does nothing for you. I thought you would be a spoiled brat and to a certain degree, I was correct. But I'm the same, I'm riding on my father's name just as much. I know you don't do drugs, you wouldn't be able to be an F1 driver. No baby mamas or recent girlfriends. Your lisp is annoying and cute and the same time. For me, your but is that you are way too normal. Rich, yes, but way too normal. For you, my but will be when you realize what my family business is because it is not cars and corporations." you smiled as you stood up. "I'm looking forward to our next meeting. I have to leave now as I have another meeting to attend. Good day." and with that, you left.

Leaving Lance sitting at the table, stunned.

He liked you.

And he had to call his father.

---

"Mobsters?! Are you kidding me, Dad? You want me to marry someone that kills people?"

"They don't kill people. They just blackmail them."

"That's even worse!"

"Her family is rich and influential. Just the mention of their name brings fear and respect in people. Word about your marriage with her will spread like fire and then our name will become one with theirs. This is a chance you won't turn down, Lance." Lance looked at his father in disbelief.

---

"So, how was your meeting with Lance?" your father asked as your order arrived. You waited until the waiters were gone.

"He is my type, Dad, you know that. He has a certain boyish charm."

"So? Will you marry him? I mean you did check his background already. He is clean. No baby mamas, drug addictions or prior arrests.”

“He is a brat. Rich. And handsome.”

“You must like him. You called him handsome twice already.” Unfortunately, your father did have a point.

You hated it when he had a point.

—-

Your next meeting with Lance was set for Saturday. You told your assistant to set a date, but you were informed that Lance will have a qualifying race. So, you decided to fly to Australia and meet him, well truly, it would be a surprise for him.

His father knew about and encouraged you to meet with Lance, so he gave you an all-access VIP badge.

You even got yourself a guide who showed you around.

It was all very interesting, you got to see the Ferrari paddock closer and even caught a glimpse of Max Verstappen himself.

And you got to ask many many many questions.

But soon, you found yourself in an air-conditioned room with a cold drink in your hand as the qualifying began.

You were lucky enough to be in a good spot where you could see the start line.

You wouldn’t say you were a fan, but you did enjoy it.

Even if Lance didn’t qualify high on the board.

You enjoyed the vibes. It was all so fast, everyone in there.

But you also noticed the smug behaviour of many people.

Influencers were invited to advertise the event and F1 as a whole.

You did not like that part.

Pretending to be interested only to receive free tickets? You paid for your own even if you got it as a present.

You smiled when you saw Lance enter the room you were in.

"Why are you here?"

"Harsh. Your father invited me." technically you weren't lying per say.

But it was also not the truth. "And I did want to see you."

"I know about your family business."

"Why did you say it like that?"

"Because you are a murderer."

"Harsh, again but also false. I have never killed anyone."

"Then you ordered someone to kill them, don't play with me. I can't believe my father set me up for this!"

"Well, believe it or not, we will be married by the end of the summer break."

"Over my dead body." his voice was cold, it excited you. You liked it possibly way too much.

There was a fire in him.

"You can either continue to deny the facts or accept them. Believe me Lance, I will not leave just because you wish it. The decision is out of our hands."

"My father will hear about this."

"Alright Malfoy, do as you please." You put your sunglasses back on and continued to sip your drink.

---

You went wherever Lance went, following him almost like a shadow, all part of his father's plan.

He told you to just keep trying and be stubborn because his son is a very stubborn man as well.

No matter what Lance threw at you, you simply smiled and continued.

You didn't give up but you did start to notice changes in your future husband.

Lance slowly but surely warmed up to you.

You even had dinner one time. And it was very nice.

It started to feel like Lance was slowly accepting the fact that you two were to marry. And so every effort you made didn't meet with a brick wall.

You asked him on dates and he did the same. He showed you his hobbies.

One time, he asked you to go biking with him.

It wasn't really your thing, but you did end up going.

He fell. And he fell hard.

And it was all your fault.

You were being playful and it caused him to lose balance. You didn't push him or run into him.

But it was your fault still.

You sat in the corridor of the hospital waiting for his doctor to get you when your phone rang.

It was his father.

"Sir?" you tried to hide it, but it was obvious from your voice that you have been crying.

"Y/N, what happened how is he?"

"It was my fault. He fell during a bike ride, he hurt his hands... The doctor is in there with him, I don't know what's going on." you took a deep breath. "I'm so scared."

"Darling, it will be fine, I'm going there right now, please call me as soon as you hear something."

"I will." you ended the call just as the doctor came to get you.

"How is he?" you asked, desperate for any answers.

"The scans showed I had a fracture and displacement in my right wrist, a fracture in my left wrist, a partial fracture in my left hand and another fracture in the big toe on my right foot. He will have to undergo surgery."

"Fuck." you said and took a deep breath. "Can I see him?" the doctor only nodded and left you alone.

"Lance?" it was terrible seeing him in hospital. Your heart broke into a million tiny pieces.

"Why are you crying?"

"This is all my fault. I was so stupid." you admitted as more tears fell. "I ruined your life, your career. I will speak with my father, arranged marriage or not."

"Slow down. This wasn't your fault. I ran into that curb and fell. I should have been looking where I was going. You didn't ruin anything, Y/N. And secondly, why would you talk to your father?"

"I feel so bad. I made you fall." he rolled his eyes as you continued to cry.

"Please, don't cry. You were laughing so beautifully only a couple of hours ago."

"How can I laugh at this, Lance?"

"Come on now, I will be fine! The doctor said it will all be good, I will have the surgery tomorrow. Please calm down, everything will be fine."

"Your father is on his way, he will be soon. I'll... I'll get myself something to drink." you said and he nodded.

Hoping you would be back soon, but your pain and guilt took you over. Instead, you wrote a small letter and asked a nurse to give it to him in about three hours.

And you left.

You walked out of that hospital with the guilt of ruining a life.

---

What's better than a pity party?

Being alone, with an ice cream and Bridgett Jones playing on the TV.

Running away was not your style. But what more could you do?

You left for Greece, got on one of your father's many yacht and cried yourself to sleep every night.

They tried to call you, look for you but couldn't find you.

You only picked up the phone for your father.

"Lance was here today. His surgery went well but he is looking for you. He says he won't give up."

"How he used to hate me. He should be happy the wedding is off."

"I really don't think the boy will give up, Darling."

"Okay, can you set up a date for me?"

"What's your plan?"

"Show him the real me."

"Poor boy." your father said before he hung up the phone.

---

Throughout your entire life, you looked up to your father.

You never knew your mother but it was okay. Your father was enough.

Even as a young girl, he taught you stuff no one should know let alone a 5 year old. He always had a plan and he loved you.

But no 5 year old should have a panic room attached to their bedroom in case her father's enemies found him.

But it was your life.

When the idea of marriage came to play your father had a lot of options for you.

He allowed you to choose.

Lance Stroll caught your eye. He was so different, yet similar to you.

Many people didn't like him, thinking he was only an F1 driver because of his father. Something you could relate to. People often said how you are leaning on your father too much.

Not exactly the words they choose.

He was handsome and the world of professional drivers excited you.

And so, you went on a date with him.

That stupid date now turned your life upside down.

Falling in love was the goal. But after you ruined his life, you knew better than to keep going.

So, you set him free. No arranged marriage.

And yet, he kept looking for you.

Much like now, as he entered the restaurant, looking everywhere for you and he finally found you.

He wanted to run to you but one of your bodyguards stopped him and made him sit before they left you alone.

"Why are we here? I was hoping you would come home." he said as a waiter placed your drinks in front of you.

"Lance, I know you didn't want this marriage. So, I made it... dissapear."I know this is all because you feel guilty about my injury but it wasn't your fault and I'm fully healed now. You didn't ruin my career."

"But I could have. I could have and it was just such a simple moment, Lance. Such a tiny mistake on my part and-"

"I'm not a child! I'm sick of you, my father and the entire world pretending that I am one! I fell because of my own stupidity. I was watching you when I should have been watching where I was going. All because I fell in love with you and your smile just... It just made me so happy. Because in that moment, on that small country road, I wasn't a rich kid who drives in F1 and you weren't the daughter of a powerful Mobster. We were simply a man and a woman in love." you felt a tear run down your cheek as he let out a long sigh. "How dare you spend all those months smiling at me and then during the first problem you run away?"

His words hurt, but only because you knew he was right.

"One night when I was only fourteen, I thought it would be fun to sneak out with my friends. There was a boy I liked, Jake, he was older as well. He was nothing like you, Lance. He was... aggressive. I didn't see it then, but during that night, he tried to drug me and kill me. Apparently, my father was the reason his father died, so he decided to kill me to hurt my father. Everyone I ever knew only cared about me for my money. I know you understand that. I never knew love and it fucking scares me. Of course, I ran Lance. The first time I have ever felt love and I ruin it? Scares me so much. I rather lose you than have you hate me like others do."

"We are in the same boat, you just didn't notice me yet. We do have a lot to talk about but please, do not push me away. I'm only here to beg you to not leave me, we don't need marriage in the mix. Just please... give us a chance. I love you."

"I love you too. Fuck I do..."

You looked into his eyes and all of the plans you had for the night went out the window.

Your pity party was long over.

You wanted this man.

And you always got what you wanted.

[fitzs-space]

I want to talk about all the details I put into the Ties comic cause I worked on that thing for like a week and my brain likes to think about many things

Anyway, pspspsps I'm info dumping about my own designs gather round.

Notes for the character designs themselves

-The colours show if they are Red/Yellow/Green are different per character. Tango with bright colours, Skizz's are cool and dark, Impulses are more yellow, and Ethos are more desaturated. -Not all characters in the Life Games will get colour indicators in their eyes, the fact 3/4 of the designs here have it is unimportant shut -Impulse has a heart knot in his tie!! Look at it!! -Impulse cannot tie a tie. Tango does it for him. -Tango having his tie undone is his own choice -The choice of them having/not having pupils is intentional. -Etho only has the one on one side, maybe its cause the red eyes a little fucky in the vision, who knows though -Impulse has i's in the eyes -Skizz just straight up doesn't have em, but I normally don't draw pupils with that iris shape anyway. something something normally only draw that iris style with certain magical characters -I just stopped drawing with Tango with iris' at some point, idk -Skizz is designed as a fallen angel. that's why the halo's are all separated/broken, and why you can see darker feathers growing -maybe Impulse used to help him dye them white cause of some insecurity, maybe not -the lower his lives go, the less dark feathers are seen in his wings. like a cruel joke the watchers get a kick out of

-mullet Skizz MULLET SKIZZ!!!!!

-Etho is a sentimental mf /pos. they will keep and make a lot of patches for memory's and stuff. notable patches are, The NHO patch, a creeper cause of general Spazz, Canada flag cause Canadian /j, I normally add rainbow ones for the button saga of s7 but forgot to this time. -the rings are from all their divorces /J -the colours on the rings correlate to their owners (Bdubs, Cleo, Joel) lives. ie will be red if one of them is red kinda thing.

think that's the most of the design thoughts, now the Details in the comic itself,,,

-Skizz is the kinda mf who would fiddle//stim with random things in his hands. Many times its other peoples hands -dude will just hold peoples hands randomly when talking to them, team Ties just got used to it -That's why Etho took so long to notice the bracelet!

-their ass isn't phased by this kinda stuff anymore /hj -Skizz just enjoys contact man let me be -Throughout most of the comic Skizz has some sort of contact with Etho

-Tango and impulse also end up giving Etho bracelets as well -All the bracelets Etho gets share their colour indicator + the colour form the person who made it!

-you can see the colours slowly shift when Skizz ties on the bracelet, something something the magic of the world does some shit sometimes man.

-Skizz taught Impulse how to make the bracelets, so they have similar styles, Skizz's is more of a simple braid style though. -Tango went for something that took longer to do. it is a little scuffed /pos

-Ethos been getting their ass handed to them the episode before this, had to rightfully reflect that. you know? /j -the Slashes across their chest where form when Gem/Cleo killed them twice in that one episode. -The bite was originally supposed to be cause of Scars dogs. But someone in a reply made a joke about it, and frankly I think it'd be funnier if it was cause of Joel or some shit like they said.

-Had the axe as more of a battle-axe style. It was something Impulse made for Skizz (I forget who actually made it//Didn't want to go back to check) -I like showing characters having specific styles/ways they make armor and tools. -It's fun to show characters with tools and armor that can be distinctly seen as being made by another player

-That being an axe Impulse made adds more weight to the narrative of this moment and I want people to cry -something something for Etho its a moment of taking a weapon that Impulse made to protect Skizz, and using that as the tool that finally kills him -For Skizz this is a moment of his trust and care for his teammates. Being surrounded by people that he cares about and tokens that show their love for each other.

-Suffer, I could have been angstyier, and I will be actualy.

-Skizz is the one putting the axe to his own neck in this moment. Etho is putting as little force into it as they can. -Red king parallels who- -Etho also gets cut by the axe, something about sacrifice and how no life/time can truly be free in these life games -The blood wasn't actually intended to be golden ichor, I was just lazy and didn't want to draw red blood// wanted to have the cool lighting effect -Etho has the same colour in their blood too so, take it as you will

-I've had this comic planed since EPICODE ONE. had full intentions for it to go angsty in the end, and dam if the narrative didn't play right into my grubby little hands.

-I also just love how well I could parallel the moments in this comic. the comparison of the pages where both their faces are visible? the Joy in ethos face turning to complete anguish? the fact Skizz never stopped smiling? the way both moments start with an outstretched hand, and end with Skizz still holding onto Etho in a moment of trust? beautiful

-all the pages in the second part of the comic were framed specifically so I could avoid drawing Skizz ass.

[scrollonso]

First Kiss (Race 4)

A strollonso AU where 18 year old rookie Lance Stroll falls helplessly in love with the notoriously mean world champion. (1k words, no warnings) [@v3lnys @biancathecool] {this took way longer than i wanted to finish but i literally had no idea what to put,, next chapter will be longer}

last part - masterlist - next part

They had another two weeks off but this time Lance had to spend it on race related things instead of having fun with Fernando, to the Spaniards disappointment.

He didn't mind it for the most part, until he had to start doing media training. He got he wasn't the best with interviews and tired to make them as short as possible but Nico was great so that made up for it, right? (no)

Lance made it to the paddock, this time with Nico who was making sure he was ready for interviews this time

"How many interviews are you gonna do?"

"As many as possible" Lance groaned, having been asked that for the past two weeks by everyone around him

"Good" Nico laughed, patting the Canadian on the back as they made their way to the cameras (that just happened to be not far from the front of the Renault grage)

"Lance, Lance Stroll!" He heard people calling, he locked eyes with one of them and flashed a smile before walking closer

"Hello, Lance"

"Hello" He nodded slightly, trying his hardest to put what he learned to work

"This is your fourth formula one race, how are you feeling? hoping to do better than last week?"

He held eye contact, taking in what he was being asked "Yeah, yeah this is my fourth race. I'm feeling great so far, hoping to get into the points this weekend but i'd be fine with just finishing the race"

Both him and the interviewer laughed a bit before she asked the next question

"Not race related but the fans can't help but wonder about your friendship with Fernando Alonso, anything to say regarding that?"

"Uhm.." He thought about the question, unable to hide the smile on his face as the world champion was mentioned "Yeah, I mean i hope he considers us friends." Lance laughed a bit, glancing over to the Renault garage just to lock eyes with the Spaniard who'd been watching closely "Him, Mark, and I have gotten really close over the last few weeks."

The interview continued for a little longer and then Lance did a few more, glad when Nico came over to steal him back

"You did good, a lot better than before" Nico teased, patting his back once more

Lance laughed, nodding as he walked back to the Racing Point garage with Nico "Guess suffering for two weeks was worth it"

Once Lance got back to his side he felt his phone vibrate, pulling out just to be greeted by a certain Spaniards name on the screen

"A lot of interviews today, you don't usually like them, no?"

"I don't, but I spent the past two weeks training"

"I'm a media world champ now"

"Good job, champ"

Lance smiled, being called to get ready for quali as the older man did the same a few garages over

Quali went good, Fernando secured p2 and he secured p6. He was glad to qualify so high, hoping it was a sign he'd actually finish the Grand Prix this week.

"Lancito" He heard someone say and he automatically turned his head, it was like a second name to him.

"Nando, Good job today" He smiled, finally beating Fernando to it, the shorter man smiled back

"Thank you, mi sol," Fernando replied with a smile, and Lance felt a flutter of excitement at the affectionate nickname.

As they wandered around the paddock together, Lance couldn't help but feel safe. Despite the pressures of the sport and what he'd hear about himself, moments like these, spent with the world champion, made it all worth it.

The next day was fairly uneventful and so was the race (even though 6 people dnf, none of them were hurt or Fernando so it didnt matter in his mind,) the most eventful part was when Brad spoke to him after he sped past the chequered flag

"P6, Lance, that's P6"

"SIX?" he shouted, making sure he heard his engineer correctly

"Yes, Lancelot, P6! Well done out there today"

"Fuck yeah!" He said excitedly, hurrying his way back to the garage where the team was waiting to congratulate him, he had been the only one on the team to score points so it was a big deal, even though it was only three.

After the podium finished Fernando came over, having gotten p2. He reached the racing point garage and all the engineers knew who he was looking for, telling him Lance was in his drivers room.

Brad headed back there to retrieve the Canadian, watching as his face lit up when he was told who was looking for him

Fernando waited patiently outside of the garage, eyes wandering as he heard footsteps coming his way

"Nando!" An excited voice shouted, the Spaniard looked his way and smiled, seeing how much better Lance was doing after todays race compared to the last one.

"Lancito, good job mi sol" Fernando praised, wrapping an arm around Lance's shoulder, it had become their norm, just as it seemed the nickname 'mi sol' was becoming.

"Y'know, I didn't even realize I was P6 until i crossed the line?" He laughed, not being able to wipe the smile of his face (mostly because of the points he scored but also because of the older mans presence)

"That's how you know you did good, eh?" Fernando flashed a quick smile back to him, patting his shoulder as he directed the taller man to start walking "Did so good you did not notice, are a natural"

"You better watch your back then, I'm coming for your title next" Lance teased, eyes refusing to leave the Spaniard even as they walked

"We'll see about that" Fernando looked away, leaving the Canadian staring longingly at the side of his face. It was nice, talking about the race, as long as they did it together nothing was ever too serious.

[bengiyo]

Knock Knock Boys Ep 2 Stray Thoughts

Last episode we met out four dudes: Latte, Thanwa, Peak, and Almond. All four have chosen to live in this cheap house for reasons they haven’t all disclosed. We learned that Latte is pan and parties too hard, Thanwa is gay and coming off a breakup, Peak is straight and running from his girlfriend, and Almond is a gay virgin with a huge crush on a school friend. Almond is lying to his mom about where he’s living, and has offered a year of rent to whichever of the housemates helps him have sex with his crush, Jumper. The vibes are okay in this one so far.

Seems like Peak is trying to figure something out about his sexuality.

Almond being so energetic at least seems to help Latte get to class on time.

I see Thanwa has already decided he’s going after Peak.

Welcome back, Pak Varayu.

Here the gays go again with astrology…

Curious about the ultra-normie look Thanwa is going for.

LOL, Latte is lacking in scruples, but he seems popular.

Is Thanwa some kind of food critic? I'm into this whole sequence.

I appreciate that Thanwa was t immediately weird with Jumper, even if he's creepily following him.

Look at this show treating us to Jumper taking his shirt off.

Pak getting to be a fitness type is a fun change of pace.

Very fun of them to have Thanwa go up all those stairs with the same shot only to run into the same guard.

Peak seems kinda spacey.

I like Latte. He flirts, but he checks in before doing something, even if he's a thief and a tease.

Tactical modesty angles are way more fun than blurring.

I'm enjoying Peak as a character for Best so far.

Random Canadian flag in Latte's room.

Unhinged behavior, Almond! Latte would happily show you his dick if you just asked!

I'm actually enjoying this a lot after two episodes. It's got a different feel than I'm used to and it has me intrigued. Everyone seems to have a good handle on their character and they don't feel stiff with each other. It's also a lot of fun seeing Pak play the hottie someone desires again.

[sixtynineinchnails]

I've been wanting to make this post for months and in light of the recent ex-presidential ear piercing now seems as good a time as any.

As a non-usamerican, as someone who is pro Palestine, as an anarchist: I am begging you with every fibre of my being to go to the fucking polls this fall and

VOTE.

Disclaimer: I don't live in the united states and I never have and I probably never will. I can never truly understand what it's like to be a usamerican and I'm not going to pretend like i could. I fully expect to get called a fascist or some shit for saying your should exercise your right to vote but at this point I don't care. I'm scared, we're all scared, and news like we've just gotten tonight is only going to compound the fear and chaos and conspiracy thought and fearmongering and hopelesspilled doomerism we’re all dealing with rn. I don’t want to make anyone’s day worse. I'm not looking to debate you. I just want to say some things that i’ve been thinking about for a long time now while a couple people might actually stop to listen.

The united states of america is the most powerful country in the world.

What happens in the united states government this fall will affect every single person on the planet, in some way, for better or worse.

You aren't just voting blue to avoid trump turning the united states into an alt-right theocratic dictatorship (which on its own is bad enough). You're also voting to avoid the right from gaining power (where they haven't already) in of other powerful democratic countries. You're voting to stop Palestine (and let’s be real, probably a handful of other places) from being wiped off the face of the planet with nuclear bombs. You're potentially voting to avoid a third world war. I'm not saying this to spread fear of these things happening. I'm saying this because if you're not already aware of how huge the scope is here: you're not voting to save your country, you're very likely voting to save the entire world.

I can't speak to how people feel everywhere (if you’re also a non-usamerican please feel free to share how this is/has/will affect your country in the notes) but I want to speak to my own for a bit. I can confidently say that what happens in america heavily affects the political and social situation here in canada. We would not have had a convoy of thousands of people drive across the country (which takes days to do) to occupy our capital city for a month and halt almost $4 billion in trade to protest, i kid you not, wearing a mask during covid, if trump supporters hadn't paved the way (and directly influenced canadians to follow in their footsteps). We wouldn't have had "concerned parents" protesting against sex-ed and LGBTQ+ inclusivity in schools (protests full of armed+mounted police which they brought their young children to during school hours) if trump supporters hadn't paved the way. There are people waving flags and signs around on street corners along major roads every single week everywhere from the largest city in our country to small towns of under 5000 people. I’ve heard of people who’ve spiraled into such severe conspiracy rabbitholes that their entire lives and personalities have changed in just a few years. Despite being canadian nationalists, these people and their patterns of behaviour are all a direct result of donald j trump and his followers. And no matter your political leaning, pretty much everyone hates our current prime minister, our economy is bad, even people with decent incomes can’t afford to eat, and everyone is frothing at the mouth for something to happen. If america votes trump this fall, I see very little hope that our country won't vote conservative (our main right-wing party). They will backpedal decades of LGBTQ+ rights and Indigenous peoples' rights and climate action funding and children's education and a whole pile of other important stuff. They have made it very clear that they will follow the exact same path as right wing america and there are a scary amount of people here who want that. And even if canada remains centre/left while sharing the largest land border in the world with a trump dictatorship....well I for one can’t see that going over very well either.

And that's just my country. I know a lot of other countries have been battling a similar spike in alt-right groups and conservative ideologies following the last trump presidency. I don't think any of us are truly prepared for what will happen in the event of another one.

Look. I hate biden too. In general I disagree with the very concept of colonial government and money and the division of countries/states/etc and the legal/carceral system and a whole whack of other shit that we have to live with right now. Someone’s said this before but if any of us thought that telling you guys to blow up a walmart would save your country from a fascist dictatorship I for one would encourage it. But none of us are actually going to blow up a walmart, and it wouldn’t solve anything at this point anyways. We all have to take action in whatever ways we actually can and will. Voting is one of many small, simple steps you can take, should take, fucking better be taking. It’s easy, it’s legal, if you mail in you don’t even have to go to the polling station, and if you really can’t vote for whatever reason, encourage everyone you know who can to do so. Hell, if I could vote on november 5th I would crawl my ass over the border on my hands and knees to do it. I'm sorry that the two options are a fascist police state and an even worse fascist police state run by a man who thinks he's a god, but not voting won't fix that problem. You're not going to establish a revolution by purposefully not taking part in social change, and encouraging others not to either. Not voting against trump = voting for trump. If you don't vote and that orange nukefucker takes over your country it is your fault. And we’re all going to pay for your inaction, especially the people in places like Palestine who will be in significantly more danger than they already are if trump gets his fake tanned hands on the situation.

Anyways. Keep fighting. Stay safe. Do what you can. Don't give up. There is always hope for a better future. And for fucks sake go vote.

Oh and if we do end up in the worst timeline this november and I see you anti-voting fuckers making "lmao time to move to canada" jokes...count your fucking days.

-

TLDR: usamerica is not the only place in the world affected by the actions of usamerica. If you’re still railing against voting at this point you’re pro-trump lmao.

[crystaltreebee]

incorrect quotes ?

based on my friends groups quote book:

~~~~~

Jack: “War is just next level bullying” (Pulitzer interaction coded haha)

~~

Someone(idk ok?): “I’m proud to be normal”

Race: “IM SORRY YOURE BASIC”

~~ Albert: “Mass Murder is ok”

~~ Race(losing at uno): “you’re so… unamerican!”

(fun fact the context behind this was our principal losing at uno to me and a friend)

~~ Davey: “Dad can I have a few friends over to take on |the newspaper|” (original quote was the Canadian Coast Guard)

~~ Race: “you may be fruity, but you ain’t a snack”

~~ Pulitzer: “go away you homeless hallucination”

~~ Albert: “that statement makes me want to become homophobic”

~~ Katherine: “I just really like women”

~~ Albert: “I’ll gouge your eyes out and shove them down your throat…. Mmmm boba!”

~~ Race; “every seconds a hot second of you look nice enough.”

~~ Specs: “Romeo is that even a burger?”

Romeo: “it is a burger it’s just got 19 patties.”

Elmer: “wha- why?”

Romeo: “I’m a hungry little boy”

Buttons: “ ITS THIRTY DOLLARS ROMEO!”

(I witnessed this 😔)

~~ Les: “You’re not gay???”

Davey: “….no?..”

Les: “But I was an ally, man! Now I’m forcing you to be gay like everyone else.”

~~ Davey: “I don’t like men!…. Ok when you look at me with those eyes maybe I do.”

~~ Specs: “Australia doesn’t exist, Romeo.”

Romeo: “yes it does??”

Specs: “no. DAVEY! Australia doesn’t exist right?”

Davey(sighing): “Yea,”

~~ Sarah: “I hate to break it to you but men……no”

~~ Oscar Delancy: “No electric pencil sharpener? That’s homosexual.��

~~ Spot: “you know when I’m angry I like to say I’m going to commit war crime in |manhattan| and I think that’s a healthy coping mechanism.”

~~ Les(looking at pride flags): “I’ve been to all those places.”

David: “are you sure?”

Les(pointing at bi flag): “I’ve been there”

~~ Jack: “you heard it here guys! Axe body spray is the #1 cause of marriage.”

~~ Hannah: “I’m a good person I swear! I just mildly support child labor”

~~ Race: “you’re alone in my room and I take out my |harmonica| and start playing careless whisper.”

~~ Race: “do you feel picked on, harassed, unloved? Good, then my work here is done.”

~~ Sarah: “you’re embarrassed because you like men, and you absolutely should be.”

~~ Specs: “you thought Germany was part of Britain.”

~~ Romeo: “Call me America the way I be spying.”

~~ Davey: “How do you sell your mom for a pack of cigarettes?”

Race: “they were cigars, coronas actually.”

Davey: “they were lung cancer”

~~

I’m so sorry for how long this is, the quote book is a year or so old by now

[thewickedlorchqueen]

Firstly don't think this was true and unless it comes from ink rose I'm going to take this with the tiniest grain of salt. But the revelation that Josh was actually dating an underage inkrose doesn't make you look better Lily.

Even playing devils advocate that Lily ( and I assume others by her wording) were forced to keep quiet while working under him, why didn't she reveal this after she got fired? Or during the whole tooncritic fiasco?

Your telling me that in Lily's video about Josh she thought it was more important to discredit his military background (based on her Canadian grandpa's experience) and go after a dnd campaign ( because it had a sexual predator in it (toon)then reveal that this grown man who could have graduated from college at that point, was dating someone who could have still been in highschool? (Correct me if I'm wrong but ink was either 17 or 18).

And again playing dv 23 isn't that old but old enough to where dating anyone in highschool is a red flag. (Like imagine a highschool senior dating an eighth grader,). So her trying to downplay it isn't helping either

So while it's clear Lily is trying to throw more accusations at Josh, she really needs to think about the implications to herself. And her own history because Lily has built a reputation for going straight for the throat when it comes to people shes had a falling out with. So her not announcing this fact on the roof tops the moment Josh became a bad guy in her eyes is what tells me she straight up lying.

[stargazer-sims]

The Art of Redemption

(part 17)

previous // next // story index

—————

Nikolai's entire skating career was in that box.

He sits on the bed with everything spread out around him and the box discarded on the floor. When he pushed it off the bed, it landed with the labelled side up, and he tries not to glance at it. He doesn't want to see what's written there.

Beth-Anne had obviously tried to conceal the word 'donate' that had been inscribed on it in all capitals. She'd scratched it out with her own black marker and printed Nikolai's name neatly above it, but unfortunately the writing under the scribble is still legible.

Nikolai can't say for certain what had happened, but if Beth-Anne had taken the box from his house, there's only one person who could've filled it and marked it to give away. It had to have been Anya. That realization hits him hard, like a right-handed punch to the stomach.

When he first saw the box, just a couple of days after arriving at Beth-Anne's house, he hadn't wanted to believe Anya had anything to do with it at all. The thought had crossed his mind briefly, but he'd rejected it. Now, however, it seems likely she had everything to do with it, and Beth-Anne somehow knew about it and rescued the box with all his things inside.

Or maybe Beth-Anne didn't know. Perhaps, like him, she'd initially noticed part of his sparkly purple costume poking out between the flaps, and simply grabbed the box on impulse.

He decides the second scenario is more plausible. That would explain why Beth-Anne hadn't mentioned anything. She didn't know what was in it, and left it for him to discover on his own. If she had known, he doubts she would've kept quiet about it. She'd be outraged, and she's not particularly good at containing herself when she's angry on someone else's behalf.

Nikolai surveys the items arranged around him. His two costumes from the Four Continents, one purple and one red and black, are creased and not looking their best, but he's not as concerned about them as he is about the other items.

Wedged into one corner of the carton was a tiny pair of skates. They'd been his very first pair, and for years his mother had kept them wrapped in cloth and tucked away in a clear plastic container on the top shelf of her bedroom closet. She gave them to him when he moved out on his own, and he kept them on display with a snapshot of himself, Grandpa and Natascha. In the picture, Nikolai and Natascha look to be about three or four years old, and Grandpa's hair is still mostly brown. Nikolai and his twin sister are dressed in matching red coats and red and white knitted hats with pompoms. Grandpa is holding each them by the hand. They're all wearing skates and they're standing on a frozen lake.

Nikolai's mother had given him a copy of the photo in a stiff cardboard frame that opens like a greeting card, and because she'd written a message on it, he'd never bothered to put the picture into a more sturdy frame. He regrets that decision now, after having located it under his little skates, bent and damaged.

The majority of the space in the box had been taken up by all his medals, which looked as if they'd been scooped up and dumped in there all at once. All of their ribbons are crumpled, and he had to spend time untangling some of them from each other. They look terrible, and he doesn't know how to fix them.

Even worse than the state of the lake photo and his medals is the condition of some of the other pictures. A photo of him as a child with a silver medal around his neck, posing with Grandpa and Allison in front of a massive Canadian flag, has a chipped frame. The frame of another one is cracked completely through. His favourite photograph, which he always kept on the sideboard in the dining room, has a huge spiderweb of a crack in the glass, as if something had struck it. One of the medals, probably. The irony of that is not lost on him.

He picks up the photo. Even with the crack, the image is still visible. In it, eighteen year old Nikolai and rookie coach Beth-Anne have their arms around each other in a jubilant embrace. They're both facing the camera, wide smiles on their faces. His gold medal is around her neck. On the lower part of the black photo mat around the picture, gold text in a looping calligraphy font says forever.

He remembers exactly when this picture was taken. It was at Skate Canada, his first international competition that season, and he hadn't even been favoured for a top-three finish, let alone to win gold.

He recalls crying in the hallway outside the locker room before his long program, overcome with nerves and paralyzing self-doubt. Beth-Anne had offered no comment at first. She gathered him in her arms and stroked his back in that soothing way of hers until he settled down and stopped shaking. Then, she held him at arm's length and looked directly into his face.

"You are a champion," she said. "Do you believe that?"

He didn't know how to respond. "Do you believe it?"

"I do," she said. "I believed it from the first moment I laid eyes on you and I saw you do that brilliant quad toe loop. But, you know it's not all about technical skills, don't you? It's about attitude and it's about heart, and yeah... maybe that sounds like a load of motivational bullshit, but I think it's true."

"It... kind of does sound like motivational crap, honestly." he said.

"Fine. Then how about this? Is skating fun?"

"Yeah," he replied. "You know I think it's fun. I love everything about it. It makes me happy."

She nodded. "You show me that every day in practice. I've seen you skate this routine to near perfection, and I can see the joy and confidence practically radiating off you when you do it. So, tell me something. What makes you think you can't do it today?"

"Uh... maybe the thousands of people watching? And the medals?"

"Forget about the medals for now," she said. "Forget the audience. I'll be standing where you can see me when you start. Just look for me, and pretend we're alone. Keep that in your mind, okay? Try to have as much fun as you would in practice, and everything else will fall right into place, I promise."

Despite how it had sounded, she hadn't been telling him to forget about winning. In fact, he understood it to be the opposite. She'd been telling him she believed he could win, but the way to do it wasn't to be preoccupied with earning a medal. If he made the idea of winning a medal his main focus, it would create too much pressure on him and he wouldn't be able to concentrate properly on what he was doing, but if he just let himself relax and enjoy it, he could perform exactly as he did in their practice sessions.

The strategy had worked. It worked so well that he surprised everyone, including himself, when the judges showed his scores and he and Beth-Anne realized he was in first place.

When the officials presented him with the gold medal, he started crying all over again, but this time his tears came from happiness rather than fear. As soon as the medal presentations were over, he bounded off the podium, across the floor and straight into Beth-Anne's waiting arms. While sports journalists snapped photos, Nikolai took the medal from around his own neck and placed it around Beth-Anne's.

"I couldn't have done any of this without you," he told her, and they hugged again.

When someone in the crowd called Nikolai's name, he and Beth-Anne both turned to look. It was Grandpa. Stan and Ginger were with him, and Stan had a camera. Stan pressed the shutter button at the precise moment to capture Nikolai and Beth-Anne's expressions of happy surprise.

Nikolai carefully touches the cracked glass with his fingertips. His chest feels so tight, he can barely breathe and his eyes are stinging. He wants to cry or scream or... do something, but all he seems capable of doing is to stare down at the broken object in his hands.

The question plays on repeat in his mind, Why?

Why would Anya do this? Why would she throw away all his important items as if they were useless junk? Why would she do something she must've known would upset him?

Sure, he can live without these things, and if it came down to a choice between preserving them or protecting the people he cares about, he'd choose the people every time, but it's the principle that matters here. He thought Anya loved him as much as he loves her, but if that were true, how could she fail so completely to protect him?

No, it's not just a failure to protect you. It's a deliberate attempt to hurt you, comes a whisper from a dark corner of his mind. She doesn't really love you.

He doesn't want to accept that, but the possibility is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. It's not just his treasures. It's not just her hiding his crutches and then leaving him to fend for himself when he could barely walk, and it's not just her taking Tangerine the cat and not telling him. Things between them have been deteriorating for a while.

The problem is, he doesn't understand what triggered their decline. He's always tried to do everything in his power to please her. He's done his best to take care of her and give her the lifestyle she wants, sometimes to his own detriment. There was a time when he would've moved the Earth for her if he could have, and maybe there was a time when she would've appreciated that sentiment too, but lately it seems like nothing he does is enough.

Since their return from the Four Continents Championship, when it became necessary for her to take care of him, the situation became exponentially worse. She'd never demeaned or belittled him before, but since Taiwan, he's lost count of the awful things she's said to him. Incompetent, stupid, a failure... She berated him constantly for not being able to do things for himself, and sometimes yelled at him so harshly that his fragile psyche couldn't take it. He'd break down crying, and then she'd humiliate him for that.

He'd made an effort to talk to her about it. He'd asked her what was wrong, and what he could do to make it better, but she invariably avoided answering him. She'd say things like "It'll be better when your knee heals," or "This is just a rough patch. I'm sure it'll pass."

But, he knows it won't. This isn't something that'll fix itself, and more and more he wonders if it's even worth fixing anyway.

When did I stop wanting to make it better? he asks himself.

A couple weeks ago, he told Beth-Anne that he wanted a divorce from Anya. He's still certain that's what he wants, but he doesn't completely remember when he made that choice. He's thought of it several times before, but never in a serious way. It wasn't until Anya walked out on him that he began to consider it seriously, and it's almost as if his brain all of a sudden settled on it as the correct course of action and wouldn't harbour any other options.

One more chance, he thinks. I'll give her one more chance. I need to hear her explain her side of it, and then, if I don't like what I hear...

He clenches his hands around the edges of the picture frame so hard that his fingers ache. His gaze takes in his medals, his tiny skates, the mistreated costumes and damaged photos, and finally comes to rest on the fractured glass in front of him. Without warning, something inside him lets go. A multitude of emotions surge to the surface, but the winner of the race by far is anger. He's not an angry person and doesn't experience it often, but he has no trouble recognizing it for what it is.

How dare she…? She doesn’t deserve another chance!

But still… it’s not always about what someone deserves. Or maybe in this case, it’s about what I deserve. I’m entitled to know the truth.

Without pausing to reconsider what he's about to do next, he places the framed photo gently on the bed alongside the others. Then, he gets up and returns to the kitchen where he puts on his sneakers and jacket and grabs the keys to Beth-Anne's truck off the shelf by the front door.

He's somewhat calmer by the time he arrives at Anya's grandparents' house; clear-headed enough to have a conversation but still angry enough not to be scared.

He hops out of the truck, marches up to the front door, and knocks loudly.

A moment later, Anya's grandmother opens the door and peeks out. She's a small, elegant woman with her silver hair perpetually done up in a neat bun, and it's a rare day when she doesn't have a smile for Nikolai. Her smile fades when she takes in his appearance.

'Kolya! What's wrong?" she exclaims in Russian. She barely speaks English, and doesn't even bother using it with him since she knows he speaks Russian as fluently as she does. "Are you all right?"

"No, I'm not," he answers honestly. "I'm looking for Anna-Valentina. I see my car is here, so I assume she's not out anywhere."

"She's here," Mrs. Baranov says. "I'll go and get her for you. Will you come in?"

He shakes his head. "I'm sorry, babushka. Not today. Can you just tell Anya to come outside?"

She frowns, confused. "Of course. If that's what you want."

She disappears back into the house and the door closes with a soft click.

Nikolai waits several minutes before it finally opens again to reveal Anya. She's as gorgeous as ever with her big blue eyes and her heart-shaped face framed by smooth golden hair. She must've recently come back from practice because she's still dressed in a form-fitting pink top and light grey athletic pants that accentuate all her sensuous curves.

There was a time when the sight of her looking like this would've been irresistible and incredibly distracting to him, but today he's unaffected. Her beautiful smile used to melt him, but now it only irritates him. How can she be smiling?

"Kolya!" she exclaims in much the same way her grandmother did. "Look at you! You're back on your feet. I was worried about you, and I couldn't—”

He holds up a hand to cut her off. "Anya, stop."

"What?" she peers quizzically at him. "Kolya, what's wrong with you? Your face looks like a stormcloud. Here I am, so glad to see you, and you look like you're ready to... I don't know. Do something awful."

"I'm not going to do anything awful. I just want to talk."

"About what?"

"Don't act like you don't know," he says.

"If this is about your cat—"

"It's not, but since you mentioned Tangerine, where is she? I'd like to have her back."

Anya meets his eyes and says evenly, "I can't give her to you."

"Why can't you?" he demands.

"Because I can't."

"Anya, I want my cat, and I’m not going to play your stupid games and negotiate for her like she’s your hostage or something. You don’t really want her, and she needs me, so can you please just stop being like this?”

"I'm not playing a game," Anya says. "I can't give you something I don't have, can I?"

"What do you mean, you don't have her? You took her, so what did you do with her after that? Where is she?"

"Well, you know my grandfather is allergic to cats..."

"Anna-Valentina." His voice is much louder and harder than he intended, and his heart is suddenly pounding rapidly. He takes a few steps forward so that he and Anya are less than half a metre apart. "I'm only going to ask one more time. Where is Tangerine?"

"We surrendered her."

His breath catches in his throat. "To the animal shelter? How long ago did you do that?"

She gives the tiniest shrug with one shoulder. "Maybe a week ago? I tried to keep her in my room, but you know how she likes hiding. She kept escaping and hiding under my grandparents' bed, and Grandpa was getting sick, so... we had to do something, didn't we?"

"You could've given her back to me!" he cries, stunned and distraught. He had expected their conversation not to be easy, but he absolutely hadn't predicted that it'd take this drastic turn. "You—"

Don't waste your breath arguing, says the rational part of his mind.

It's the only shred of logical thought he's able to grasp onto in a consciousness that feels like home to a raging storm of negative feelings. He glares at Anya for a second before he turns and sprints off the doorstep and back to the truck, heedless of the sports therapist’s instruction that he’s not supposed to run on uneven surfaces yet.

"Kolya, where are you going?" she calls.

He ignores her. He climbs into the cab and guns the engine. Small rocks fly up from the gravel driveway as he tears out onto the road.

His anger is rapidly giving way to despair. He's never surrendered an animal to a shelter before, and he's never adopted one from there either. He got Tangerine when she was just a kitten, from a neighbour whose cat had an unplanned litter. He doesn't know anything about shelters. Maybe they've already given her to a new family by now, or euthanized her, or...

Don't think about it.

He makes it only as far as the nearest cross-street before he has to pull over. It's not because he's too upset to drive — although he does fear he's dangerously close to that point — but rather because it occurs to him that he has no clue where he's going. To the city animal shelter, yes, but he doesn't have the faintest idea where it is.

He takes a minute to pull out his phone and look up the address. Satisfied that it's not on some obscure street he's never heard of, and that he'll be able to find it, he reaches to put the phone back in his pocket. Then, he has second thoughts. Even if he can get to the shelter with little difficulty, he's not confident he'll be able to keep himself together once he gets there. He has a horrible mental image of himself falling apart in front of a receptionist or whoever he might have to speak to.

He dials a number that's almost as familiar to him as his own, and listens to the line ring three times.

Eventually, Ginger's bright voice filters into his ear. "Hey, Nik! Saw your name on my caller ID. What's on the go?"

"Are you busy right now?" he asks.

"Not particularly," she says. "Stan said I could skip the gym today, so I was thinking about doing a bit of shopping. Why?"

"I need your help."

"Of course," she says. "What do you need?"

"Can I come pick you up? I'll fill you in when I see you, but... I have to do something really important, and I have to do it right now, and I... I don't think I can handle it alone."

[mysteriouslyjovialcolor]

Azaerbaijan 2017

-Fun fact: Azerbaijan 2024 is the first time I watched a qualifying session

-I think this circuit is quite nice too

-Mercedes front row lockout once again

-“Vettel’s never won from below the top three” EXCUSE ME???

-Future Red Bull teammates qualifying side by side I see

-“I also expect that Red Bull from fifth and tenth on the grid are out of the fight” We shall seeee (I just know that Daniel somehow wins this race, I know nothing else)

-Haha Carlos cursing out Daniil Kvyat on radio (when do they add radio subtitles fr)

-“Second longest circuit on the calendar” cool

-Is that a Mercedes pitting? Already? I didn’t realize Bottas actually got damage from Kimi

-P2 to p18, that’s devastating

-I was just going to say that that lap one wasn’t as chaotic as the other races but so many drivers are complaining about damage so I’ll take it back

-“What happened to Valterri?”

-“Again and again it’s the same guy hitting me” someone tell me more about the Finnish civil war

-Nico finally having a good race (please let it stay that way 🙏 )

-“We are good to race, let’s go!” Yes Daniel let’s go! From p17!

-Woah that double overtake by Daniel 👏👏

-Props to Carlos for his overtake too

-Noooo I swear if Hulkenburg has to retire I will scream

-I don’t think I’ve ever seen Daniil Kvyat finish a race

-Oh Max no!

-“Here we go again” “Retired from 4 of the last 6 race”

-God what is with the Red Bull this season

-✨Safety Car ✨

-“Max that is the end for us” 😢

-Seeing Lance Stroll in p3 feels like a hallucination, oh he dropped down again nvm

-Cars weaving behind the safety car are so cute

-“Commiserations” Heh that’s a good way to say I’m sorry for your loss

-George Russell!!!

-Checo in this Force India continues to impress me

-✨Safety car pt 2 ✨

-Safety car pt3?!?? Safety car pt2 is barely over!

-Vettel pulling up next to Lewis to angrily put his hands up was hilarious

-And then too many people got damaged after that

-Kimi dropped all the way down to p16

-Oh shit both Checo and Kimi retired

-Being a marshal must be so stressful

-I forgot to keep an eye on Danny amid all this and now he’s p5! How’d he get there??

-We’ve lost 5 drivers

-Oh red flag

“Vettel was angry, he went and thumped him, effectively - with an f1 car” oh Vettel

-Woah Stroll looks so young here

-“I’ll get a good restart, I think I can get him” Yes go Danny!

-Leaving the car and immediately putting on sunglasses, diva behavior from Lewis

-They’re calling that incident with Sebastian and Lewis “road rage”

-Perez seems to be going back in

-“They (the Williams) will not be easy to pass” Here on things I never thought I’d hear

-Oh Kimi is back too!

-Is this where he says “gloves” “steering wheel” “give me my steering wheel?”

-IT ISSS!!

-Daniel Ricciardo!!!!!!! Another double overtake!

-Great moves by Magnussen too👏👏

-OHMYGOD WHYYY

-Whyyyy does Nico have such bad luck

-Two people came back into the race and two people left

-The unlapping procedure confuses me

-Lewis is having head rest problems 😬

-That’s just bad luck, very unfortunate

-Yeah that penalty for Sebastian was expected

-Great recovery from Bottas tho, back into the points

-“When did I do dangerous driving?” 😬😭

-Lance Stroll back in p3, what a race 😭

-Ohmygod Magnussen in p4!!

-Why does Kimi have a penalty?? Man’s having a bad race as it is

-Ricciardo p1 babyyy

-Magnussen p3!!!

-This race officially has the strangest potential podium

-“First time this season that Red Bull have lead a lap” (why does Red Bull suck this season??)

-Alonso, Vettel and Hamilton fighting for p6 (what a line up between the champions)

-Can the race just end now? I want to see Magnussen on the podium

-no 😭😭

-Magnussen lost his position

-I swear if there’s another safety car because of Sauber

-Sigh Kevin was doing so well

-Valterri back on the podium! He really went from dead last to p3

-Aii Checo retiring again

-Wow if Stroll keeps podium here, he would be the first Canadian on the podium since 2001

-Lewis asking the team to ask Valterri to slow down and help him get Vettel, like please let the man do his own race

-Kimi retired again

-Why did they both go back out anyway?

-7 retirements this race

-Final lap!! Lance p2??? What a race!!

-Daniel Race Winner!!!! 🎉🎉

-Woah that overtake right before the line!? That was so cool!

-Lance podium tho!!!!

-That’s amazing!!!

-“Aww man he got me” 😭😭

-Daniel 😭😭

-Fernando congratulating Lance 😭 (future teammatesss)

-A moment for post-race Daniel please

-Lance in the cool down room 😭

-I wish I’d seen this race live

-Danielllll, he’s so happyyy

(Taking a moment to think about the other Australian who won this race this year)

-Valterri going from second to second (imagine if you didn’t watch the whole race, you’d be so confused)

-Daniel getting Max’ hat (my platonic soulmates)

-Aww Lance’ father is so cute

-Aaaah Daniel shoeyyyy

-Ohmygodd no wayyy 😭😭😂

-That was wonderful 👏👏👏

[maitaiwiththecorpses]

Things I've said to men as someone who's been attracted to various men over the past year and a half

(most of these I even said in front of the men I was attracted to)

(I mean no offence to any man reading these- my internal and external monologue are at most times the most profane and inappropriate things to come out of a human being; THIS IS ALL A JOKE AND SAID WITH LOVE)

"Men are boring"

*dramatic gasp* "THE PATRIARCHY"

*gestures wildly* "why MEN?"

"I have a thing for hockey men, but not the real kind."

"...as you manwhore your way through life, I want you to remember..."

"Timothee Chalamet is every man's dream and nightmare"

"he's just a girliepop, y'know?"

"A man's thoughts on Barbie can either be the hottest thing ever, or a reason to commit a murder"

"OH SO ALL MEN WANNA BE JO KOY NOW, HUH?"

"Boys! Be a Travis, not a Joe"

"stop with the fboy cut."

"If either of you get a buzzcut, I will personally 'buzzcut' your throats"

"oooh he's cute- SHIT he's wearing shorts, WHERE'S MY RED FLAG"

"Hold my tea"

"Baby" *insert demonic cackles here*

"no I'M the Condom Queen you absolute button"

"wrap it, people"

"keep it in your pants, bud"

"was that meant to prove to me that you passed sex ed?"

"you have terrible taste."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M NOT YOUR TYPE- yes I know we're practically siblings- BUT WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M NOT YOUR TYPE"

"yes I have a boyfriend. He is blond. No, he doesn't go to this school. No he's not Canadian, he's Russian- FINE YES IT'S MY DOG"

And, additionally, "my dog is the only man in my life."

"If I have to look at another desi fuckboy, I'm gonna throw hands."

"I don't need a man, I have Taylor Swift."

"I am The Man."

"I love looking like Jess Mariano at the ass-crack of dawn."

"...and that's because it was designed BY A MAN"

anyways. that's all I can remember. much love to all the men I know <3 the comedy y'all bring to me is the spice of my life.

[bellabeebe]

chapter one - starting point

(trigger warnings: blood, graphic description, swears, death)

Southern Ontario was home to most of the cast members of the infamous 2010 show, Total Drama World Tour. The teenagers had decided to throw a reunion party at a popular venue. It was a large hall, decorated with Canadian heritage, like flags dotted around on the walls. The party was hosted by Heather after she won the third series. Now, Heather wasn't one to host parties, but despite her mean exterior and personality in the show, she had a kind heart. The contestants would finally be reunited after a year apart.

The guests arrived one by one, contented by each other's presence. When stood outside, waiting, Heather spotted a familiar figure - someone that she was glad to see. She left her spot and ran toward him, laughing happily. That someone was Alejandro, her competition from the season prior. He swept her up into his arms and hugged her tight. "I'm so glad you could come." She smiled. The rest of the contestants arrived one by one, too.

The Drama Brothers, Total Drama's resident band, were ecstatic to reunite. No one, though, was more ecstatic than Izzy, the 'crazy girl.' Upon spotting her two best friends, Noah and Eva, she leaped over and gave them a huge bear hug. Eva wasn't mad about physical touch, but she made an exception with Izzy. She then bounced over to Owen, her boyfriend. He, as well as Izzy, loved physical touch and gave her a warm squeeze.

Once all the guests had arrived, the party began. The old friends chatted on and on, laughter and fun filling the room. The only person who was not surrounded by friends was Ezekiel. He barely had any friends, and usually took to being alone. This was probably because he had said something sexist in the first season - his dad told him to say it, and he didn't exactly know any better. Thinking back to that moment, Ezekiel realized that he shouldn't have said that. If he hadn't he would most probably be surrounded by friends. Alas, it was what it was.

Justin sat in a circle with his three best friends, Cody, Harold, and Trent, as they discussed new songs to publish as a band. Since Total Drama Action, he had stopped worrying about his looks as much. His friends were much more important than beauty. As he laughed, he noticed the homeschooled country boy sitting alone in a corner. Ezekiel was clearly sad, his eyes clouded with loneliness. He headed over to him, moving in an awkward bum-shuffle.

Ezekiel's head was buried in his arms by the time Justin reached him. "Hey." Ezekiel jumped. "Hey!" Ezekiel exclaimed in surprise. He hadn't expected anyone to communicate with him tonight, let alone Justin. "You ok? You can come and sit with me and my friends if you'd like." Zeeke leaned forward to catch a glimpse of the group. Harold smiled and waved. The two sat with the group, making regular conversation with Ezekiel. To be honest, Ezekiel thought he was about to cry. Not because he was sad, though: because he finally felt appreciated.  

Alejandro and Heather sat together on one of the couches, snuggled up in a blanket. She was asleep, lying on his shoulder as he and a few others watched a movie on the TV in front of the couch. Heather stirred and murmured in her sleep a few times.

The television, all of a sudden, glitched and the news flicked on. The newsman looked visibly distressed and disturbed, stray hairs sticking up off his head and eyebags sagging. It was an emergency broadcast. This hadn't happened much before.

"This is an emergency broadcast announcing the outbreak of an apocalypse. Labs all around Canada can not explain the sudden surge of these creatures - please stay inside your homes and only leave if urgent. Even then, stay protected, stay safe. May God bless you all. The zombie apocalypse has begun."

Alejandro urgently nudged Heather awake, calling the others over to the television. Some watched in horror, some started to cry. Some were in denial, some panicked. "WHAT WILL WE DO?" Sierra shrieked, hugging Cody, much to his annoyance.

"Shit, shit, shit.." Gwen paced around the room, biting her nails.

Bridgette's bottom lip wobbled and she burst out into childish tears. Geoff hurried to hold her, trying his hardest to comfort her. Ezekiel sat blankly in front of the news broadcaster, taking in every detail of what he was saying. This infection was spreading at an unnatural rate, due to the zombies' unnatural speed. His parents had taught him to always be prepared for something like this. He knew how to block doors. That was only his first step.

Moving quickly, he darted to the door a blocked the door handle with a chair. Looking out the window, he saw somebody outside. They were pale and bloody, with grotesque scars and blotches on the skin. Their eyes were that of a blind person's - light blue and glossy. The zombie twisted their head and spotted Ezekiel sheepishly staring at them. They let out a terrible screech and started banging on the door. "Oh God." He murmured under his breath, finding more objects to block the door with. A table, more chairs, wood planks. He sped back through the hall to where the teens were gathered.

"What is that noise?" Courtney gasped, going to investigate. Ezekiel grabbed her arm as she was about to move and shook his head solemnly. Courtney's eyes narrowed, and she sharply drew her arm from his hand. "Don't-" He shouted alertedly.

"What? Why-" Courtney was confused.

"They're here. Just please don't go." He pleaded, fear in his eyes. Courtney nodded and joined the rest of the group. Katie and Sadie clung onto each other, shivering and shaking more with each bang and crash on the door. Lindsay huddled into a blanket on the couch, Tyler comforting her. He held her, softly stroking her hair. Courtney saw how scared everybody was, and whistled with her hands.

"Right, we can't worry right now. We need weapons and protection. Heather, you and your family rent this hall every few months, right? Is there anywhere we can find an emergency gun or something like that?" Courtney exclaimed, passing her gaze to Heather. She nodded, yet said she forgot where it was. "Great.. that's another thing we need to do - find it. Until then, block all the windows and doors. It can be with planks, tables, chairs-"

"I saw a toolbox near the door - maybe we can use the nails and hammer inside to barricade the doors," Ezekiel suggested. Courtney smiled, nodding. For the next half hour, the teens got to work. The toolbox's contents were limited, but they made the most of what was there. The hall was flooded with the noise of dedication and determination. It was hard to hear yourself think with all the hammering. 

A sharp yell could be heard from Heather - tears were brimming in her eyes. "What's wrong?" Alejandro asked, anxiously standing at her side. He looked down. Blood covered her finger, one of the nails sticking out of it. Heather winced when he touched it. "Is there a medical room here anywhere?" Alejandro questioned softly. Heather nodded, both of them standing up and moving to her guidance.

After the group had done the best they could, half decided to keep a lookout. No weapons had been found yet, and the emergency gun had not been located yet. If the zombies broke in, there was no protection. The risk was huge.

Everything was quiet and still until the dreaded happened. A lifeless being came into sight outside, looking directly through the window. It grinned, showing sharp yellow teeth, and lunged toward the door. It banged and crashed against it, the blockage only delaying its entrance by a few minutes. Geoff jumped back from the door in astonishment - it was surprisingly strong.

"Hide!!" Owen shouted, ducking behind the couch. Izzy dove behind too, followed by Noah. Eva stood protectively in front, her stance readied. The rest of the teens found rooms with lockable doors and hid in round corners or under blankets.

Disturbing guzzling noises sounded from behind the front door, sobbing too. Bridgette clasped her hand over her mouth, desperate to stay quiet. Lindsay clung onto Tyler, terrified. Her tears stung her eyes.

In a matter of seconds, the zombie had kicked down the door and was now on the hunt. It charged through the hall, screaming unnaturally. It headed toward Eva, hands outstretched. Eva's eyes widened, and she took action, kicking it as it came near. Izzy watched in awe behind the couch. It writhed around on the floor, Eva leaping behind the couch with her friends. Now, everybody was hidden.

It walked toward a table, where Beth was hidden underneath. It had seen her. Beth could not stand up for herself, or fight. She was a weakling. The creature lunged toward her, teeth chomping. Beth screamed, the zombie tearing at her flesh. Blood oozed from her fresh wounds. 

Lindsay started to sob and was forced to watch as her best friend was torn to shreds. Tyler tried to block her gaze, but she still managed to see. She hugged him painfully, struggling to breathe. He cupped his hand onto her mouth securely. She couldn't make a sound.

Beth cried and yelled, her mouth flooding with blood. She started to choke on it as the zombie ate through her skin. Beth breathed one final breath and died there, on the same floor she had danced on a couple of hours ago.

The zombie stood up, its eyes flickering around the room. They landed on Gwen, her head sticking out from the blanket she was hidden under. It showed a grizzly smile, teeth coated with blood and saliva. Running toward her like an angry bull, Gwen screeched. Trent gasped.

Before the disgusting creature could take a bite of her flesh, a gunshot sounded. It was loud and shocking. Everybody stood up. Heather held the emergency gun in her hand, pressing the trigger down. Satisfaction rushed through her blood.

"Stay away, motherfucker."

The zombie lay limp on the ground, mouth agape and eyes blank. Heather spun the gun round in her hand and blew on the bullet hole. Gwen shivered in her spot. Trent sat with her, gently hugging her.

Everyone's gaze turned to Beth. Next to her, Lindsay sobbed and shook, Tyler holding her back. "No... Beth!" Lindsay's voice wobbled.

Heather helped her to stand up, telling her that it would be okay.

It was not okay.

It never would be okay without her best friend by her side.

[x-manson-annotated]

X-Manson Annotated Chapter Three - Part 4 - LOGAN

It's here where we take a dive into the world of realistic espionage with our dear boy, Sabertooh as the documentary tries to uncover parts of Logan's background.

This opening description reminds me of how Bob Archer's office is described in World War Z by Max Brooks:

The office of the director of the Central Intelligence Agency could belong to a business executive or doctor or an everyday, small-town high school principal. There are the usual collection of reference books on the shelf, degrees and photos on the wall, and, on his desk, an autographed baseball from Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench. Bob Archer, my host, can see by my face that I was expecting something different. I suspect that is why he chose to conduct our interview here.

CSIS: Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

RCMP: Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

This is interesting to me. Logan in this universe maintains the mysterious past of his comic book self from this period of time. However at this time in the comics, when this was written, people knew about Logan's past as an experiment of Weapon X. In this he has his metal claws.

So...Is Victor Creed telling the truth? Or is he as in the dark about Logan's past as the general public?

Later in the story, the final raid on the mansion has psychic cages with little Canadian flags on them. So, is it possible that they come from Weapon X?

Maybe Logan is this way because his mind was rattled by Weapon X?

Good question.

I always love when someone shit talks James Bond. The real spywork is closer to those of the George Smiley novels than they are Bond. I think that this bottom section that I've highlighted is in reference to SHIELD and Nick Fury in a roundabout way.

Not to bring it back to World War Z, but this reminds me of a quote by Bob Archer:

When you think about the CIA, you probably imagine two of our most popular and enduring myths. The first is that our mission is to search the globe for any conceivable threat to the United States, and the second is that we have the power to perform the first. This myth is the by-product of an organization, which, by its very nature, must exist and operate in secrecy. Secrecy is a vacuum and nothing fills a vacuum like paranoid speculation.

VC: I also used to beat Iron Fist's ass, but that's another story.

Neat to know that even in the cult au, logan's a goddamned Weeb.

I think this is another reference to Logan's associations with SHIELD.

The first time I read this, I thought "Underwear Factory" was slang for Alpha Flight as superheroes. But it was very literal. In their fight, Logan and Alpha Flight destroyed an Underwear Factory.

Logan - Arrived at the School in 1978. We'll create a timeline soon.

[strawberrybobamilk]

Cut Here (Part 4)

TWs: Violence, suicidal thoughts

1987

The sound of water running and splashing, coughing and heavy breathing were the only sounds that were audible that night, in that lone military base he has now spent a whole year at.

He had another nightmare. Again.

"Pull it together you fuck..." he half breathed half whispered to himself, as he stared at his wet trembling reflection in the bathroom mirror; his wavy dark brown shoulder lenght hair, tired looking hazel eyes, 5 o' clock shadow... as his eyes started scanning at his naked muscular torso and arms, his face dropped when he stared at his own reflection's neck and traced with a finger at the still fresh tattoo across it: a dotted line all around his neck, with capital letters spelling CUT HERE below it. A morbid memory of his mother's last words to him.

"Miss you too ma...".

His eyes then stared intensely at the Canadian Air Force flag hung on the wall, an expression of determination appearing on his face.

"...I won't fail you again, wherever you are now".

To say Trevor was excited for this day was an understatement. He was ECSTATIC. The whole year was spent on stressful physical training and boring theorical explanations, and today he was finally gonna fly on a REAL plane, he was finally gonna get his wings.

But there was one thing constantly eating at him; himself. His reoccurring nightmares featured him, with glowing red eyes and red/orange fire like mist surrounding him, going on bloody rampages and killing everything and everyone on his way, screams echoing in the background. Causing nothing but death and destruction wherever he went. He felt such joy and glee during these nightmares, and during the day imagery of the gore caused by him would flash before his eyes like a memory he actually experienced, making him smirk at those thoughts as if he was remembering happy memories.

And that's why he called them nightmares; he should have been horrified at them, not find them amusing.

He really was a monster.

(He never spoke about them with anyone. He knew it was really wrong, and after spending his teen years at two correctional facilities and three care homes, and getting kicked out from all of them one by one because of his violent outbursts that usually ended up with someone getting badly injured, he realized he wouldn't get anywhere. He had to control that beast inside him at least in the Airforce, if he wanted to make that dream finally come true. And that's the first thing he worried about, ever since the very first months he'd joined the Airforce.

"But that's why you joined the Airforce, didn't you? Because you wanted to drop bombs, cause explosions and death"

"No, shut up..."

"Stop lying to yourself and just admit you're a sick psycho"

"No..."

"Just let that desire free and KILL someone, drench your hands in that sweet blood you missed for so long, stop being a fake goody two shoes"

"NO!!!"

He felt a hand on his shoulder "Hey Philips, you ok man?"

Trevor gasped, taking several seconds to reply as he put his face in his hands "Y-yes Harris... totally ok..."

His roommate kept looking at him, weirded out. "Huh, ok... look, if you have some, y'know, personal problems, you can talk to the psychiatrist, Mrs Donovan..."

"NO!" Trevor yelled, then shutting close his mouth as he realized he got too loud "I-I mean, no thanks. I-I... just didn't get enough sleep, I'm fine, I don't need that..."

Shit, he noticed he was insane, shit shit. Hopefully Harris won't be a piece of shit like everyone and get him kicked out.

Thankfully Harris just shrugged "Alright Philips, suit yourself. But still, Donovan's worth talking to even if you don't have any issues, she's a good listener" he then looked back and forth and whispered with a chuckle "and she's got a great pair of tits too".

Trevor couldn't help but laugh along "Well if you put it like that I'll give her a try then".

They both waved bye at each other with a smile, and as soon as Harris was out of Philips' sight, Trevor's face returned serious.

Will she actually listen to him? No one ever did.

Will she think he is insane? Most likely.

Is she the only way he could vent and let out each and every one of his troubling thoughts he's been having for a whole fucking year? Probably. )

"Alright everyone pays attention. I really hope all of you got prepared at best for this day, as today you are gonna put in practice everything you have learnt so far" Wright sternly said as he walked in front of all the cadets.

"Prepared at best" Wright's voice echoed inside Trevor's head as he closed his eyes and took deep breaths "Breathe in and out T, just like Donovan said..."

"Philips!" Wright's voice suddendly called "Wanna go first?"

Trevor's eyes widened with a mix of anticipation and nervousness "Y-yes Sir".

Donovan entered her office, a mug of black coffee in her left hand and her briefcase in her right one. "God, those papers are a nightmare" she muttered to herself with a yawn. She sat down and started examinating the cadets' psychological evaluations she has been working on all night long.

Trevor's heart was beating like crazy when he entered the plane. For the first time in his life, he was finally going to fly on a real plane! He was breathless. "Breathe in and out" he told himself when he sat down on the pilot seat and carefully pressed the right buttons "Breathe in and out... and let all of your thoughts fly away free..."

They were mostly fine, nothing really note worthy. But then, the Philips paper appeared. Donovan wrote it and rewrote it, checked it and rechecked it several times. And it still baffled her like she saw it for the first time. She has been doing this job for years now, but no other patient was as deranged and potentially dangerous like this Philips guy. May God help mankind if he ever gets to actually fly a plane. Speaking of which...

"Goodmorning Mrs Donovan!" Donovan yelped as King's voice greeted her.

"Oh! 'Morning Mr King!".

King smiled at her and looked out of the window with pride "Isn't it nice? All these little birds, ready to leave their nest and fly".

Like a bird, the plane lifted from the ground. Trevor stayed focused, feeling like his heart was going to burst out of his chest any second, as the ground beneath him grew smaller and smaller, accompanied by the rumbling sound of the flight engine.

Donovan smiled back and returned checking the Philips' paper. And as she examined it more and more, her face slowly morphed into a concerned expression.

"What do you mean by that?"

King looked at her "It's flight day today Mrs Donovan. You forgot that?"

Yes, yes she did. Fuck. She had so much work she forgot that.

King looked back at the window and smiled "And I gotta say, that Philips... looks like he was practically born to fly".

There was only silence. King looked back at Donovan, who was as pale as a ghost.

"Mrs Donovan?"

Donovan finally answered, with a shaking whisper "Y-you... let Philips fly?".

Trevor felt like he could touch the clouds, literally. He remained concentrated on the control station, and at the same time he savoured the sight outside the windows with awestruck eyes. It was truly beautiful. He was so high in the blue sky, navigating through fluffy clouds. Nothing mattered anymore. This was his day. The day he was gonna become someone and prove himself to everyone.

He wished his mother could watch him right now.

"What's the matter Donovan?!"

"I-it's hard to explain..." her body shaked as she ran to go drink a glass of water "God, I can't believe you actually let him..."

"DONOVAN!" King shouted "I've made myself clear. I need explanations. What's. Happening..."

"HE'S INSANE!" Donovan snapped, proceeding to cover her mouth "I apologize. He is an extremely problematic and dangerous subject. After the flight practice, I want him in my office please"

King took a long moment to process what Donovan just said, then nodded and walked away.

As Trevor came back to the ground and came out of the plane, he was met with a loud wave of handclaps and cheers; cadets happily chanting "Phi-lips! Phi-lips!", and Wright walking up to him and patting his back with a "That was good Philips, really good".

His heart was still racing, tears of joy filling his hazel eyes. This had to be a dream.

A loud and different "Philips!" called him. It was King, and unlike the others, it didn't sound like a happy and impressed "Philips!".

Trevor walked up to King, still struggling to catch his breath "Yes Sir?".

King looked at him with his arms crossed and just calmly said "Mrs Donovan wants to talk with you in her office".

Trevor entered Donovan's office, still with a giddy and proud expression, along with Wright and King.

"Goodmorning Mrs Donovan!".

"...goodmorning Philips..." his happy face turning into a worried and confused one as Donovan greeted him with a serious and almost cold tone. Her thumb constantly clicking the top of her pen was the only sound filling the room for a few minutes. She looked like she was struggling to find the right words.

Then, she finally spoke. Trevor wished she didn't.

"I want to be frank and direct with you, Philips. And I wish I could have told you sooner. I know you really love this place and it's your lifetime dream, but according to your psychological evaluations, you are unstable, and therefore not fit to join the Airforce. You are undoubtly a skilled pilot, but a person with violent tendencies such as yours could hurt someone, and ruin our reputation. I am deeply sorry".

As she spoke, Trevor felt the world stopping. Everything has been crushed. All of his hopes and dreams he's been having for 20 years, utterly and irredeemably destroyed, by that one fucking paper she was looking at.

"...you can't be serious..." he muttered under his breath, feeling that raging beast inside him awakening again.

"Philips, I'm really sorry but..."

"YOU CAN'T BE FUCKING SERIOUS!!!" he yelled slamming his fist on Donovan's table, now letting that beast free again after so long. It didn't fucking matter anymore now. If he knew this was going to happen, he would've fed that beast with some blood long ago.

"Philips please stay calm!" Wright exclaimed as he tried holding Trevor back.

"YOU BITCH! YOU FUCKING BITCH!!!"

The rest was a blur.

Trevor found himself kicked out of the Airforce. Just like he was kicked out of every single building he's found himself into.

Except he actually cared about this one. Mom was right. Ryan was right. He was never going to accomplish anything in his life. He was a mistake in every meaning of the word.

He spent the next few days roaming aimlessly, around those snowy abandoned areas. He didn't know where to go, he didn't know what to do, and it didn't matter either way.

He was now under a bridge. It was so cold, everything was cold, and that jacket didn't help much. He was just there, staring at his feet.

One day he should jump off that fucking bridge instead of just staying down there.

"Hey?" an unfamiliar male voice called.

Or slit his throat. So at least if he died he would have made mom happy.

"Hey?!" the voice called again, now shaking Trevor's shoulder.

"THE FUCK YOU WANT?!-" Trevor yelled as he looked up at the unknown man calling for him, and stopped once he saw his eyes. The most beautiful sky blue eyes he had ever seen.