#technically a late entry by 2 minutes

[panthera-dei]

Whumperless Whump Event Day 2

Prompt: "Car Accident" / "Eyes open, ambulance is almost here."

Fandom: Knight Rider (1982)

Story Title: "K.A.R.R. Accident"

Story Info:

Characters: KITT, KARR, & Michael Knight. (Bonnie Barstow is mentioned but does not make an appearance.)

Rating: T to be safe

No warnings apply

Canon compliant (mostly. I think.)

Story Link & Summary:

KITT picks up a distress call that can only have come from one source... He has to decide how to respond, and time is running out.

KARR is in rough shape, with limited battery power and severe damage. Yet he knows better than to expect a miracle...

@whumperless-whump-event

[blessphemy]

2024 ao3 wrapped [writer's edition]

original prompt post link

How many words (of fanfic) have you written this year? 234,231 words. all murderbot. shut up. This was my second biggest year. I'd like to thank the time on my hands, posting a longfic I had in the works for a while, and participating in a Big Bang. (2021 was my biggest. I'll thank back pain and unemployment for that one lol.)

How many works did you publish this year? 42 fanfics.

What work are you most proud of (regardless of kudos/hits)? Networks VOID + Networks VITAL. Took me over two years to write and I finally finished it and punted it into the universe this year. fucking monster roller-coaster of a fic capping off a monster roller-coaster of a series. probably the most technically challenging thing I've written to date, by merit of all the balls in motion and all the emotional beats crammed in over the course of 99k words, with the majority of the action taking place during ~48 in-universe hours. i'm so proud of it. it deserves all the love it's gotten LoL thanks everybody!!

What work of yours has the most hits? Via Solitude is a perennial crowd pleaser. Wide audience appeal. Slow and long-running multi-chapter slice of life. ("Slice of life" whilst stranded and surviving alien wilderness.)

What work of yours got more feedback than you expected? idk I'm honestly pleasantly surprised every time people comment at all. but I guess SecUnit Feet got hella reactions, for a borderline gag fic for April fools.

Favorite title you used Stranger (manic pixie dream killing machine) ^ honestly i've peaked with this one

If you use song lyrics, which artist’s songs did you pull from the most? I don't.

Pairing you wrote the most for this year? I don't really write much as far as pairings go. The REAL talk is that I posted another entry for my niche obsession: re-writing the Exit Strategy Dock Showdown from the point of view of "Hostile One" the Combat SecUnit. Surrender/Please is my fourth one in this microgenre, and does it just as fresh and fun and different from the preceding three. ^_^

Favorite pairing you wrote for this year? Well I did write one ship fic: Stranger (manic pixie dream killing machine). In which 2 characters that never interact in canon suck face. It's pretty good makeouts if you're into that. Honestly I do love this fic I did a good job on it. Took me a long time to iron it out. Alternatively, if you stretch the definition of "pairing" to mean "self-destructive murdercule" there's the squad from Networks VOID/VITAL being patently insane. Together. Heart Emoji.

What work was the quickest to write? Funny you should ask. I gave myself 30-minute limits to write the daily Febuwhump prompts and timed myself. equivalent exchange took me 11.25 minutes, and it's not bad considering the time crunch. Mensah POV of killing that SecUnit in All Systems Red :)

What work took you the longest to write? Aforementioned Networks VOID/VITAL. I cannot overstate how insane I was making myself writing this thang for 2 years before posting it to the internets.

How many WIP’s do you have in your docs for next year? I think I made a list of some ideas I've had knocking around, but they've been backburnered a bit since I've been noodling other writing stuff lately. (I say, while succumbing to banging out random fics for a prompt event during December -_-)

What’s your longest work of the year? Networks VITAL again, at 99.8k. Maybe I should edit in a couple hundred more words to bring it up to a clean 100k. that would be funny. maybe. eh.

What’s your shortest work of the year? I've written a few drabbles. (drabble = 100 words.) 🦎 herping 🐍, Handoff, Sugar

What WIP are you taking into next year with you? Via Solitude. She marches on.

What’s your most common “Additional Tags” tag? I'll do top 3 since the top 2 are tied to a prompt event: Febuwhump 2024 (18), Whump (12), Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence (6)

Your favorite character to write this year? Take a Wild Fucking Guess (*uses my foot to push 29 fics tagged #Murderbot (Murderbot Diaries) under the bed*)

The character that gave you the most trouble writing this year? I find ART kinda challenging. It's a multifaceted lil gremlin. But really everyone is fun to write.

What’s one pairing you want to explore next year? idk. maybe i'll make 2 bots make out again.

Which work of yours have you reread the most? again Networks VITAL. like just from the editing process alone.

Which work has the most comments? Via Solitude again. She's killing pretty much every popularity stat.

Did you do any collaborative works this year? Wrote a meta with ArtemisTheHuntress: [Meta] Name Dropping about the ways Muderbot refers to other bots in the series. Surprising little nuggets of realization such as: Murderbot only refers to bot pilots generically or with nicknames, and the only named ships are A) Holism the supership and B) Lalow, which has no bot pilot. Also participated in a big bang with every_eye_evermore to create Plastic Plague. I did the writing, every_eye_evermore did the awesome illustrations and helped me work out the kinks. If Networks VITAL hadn't stolen the show in terms of the man-hours and heart I put in, I think I'd have named Plastic Plague as my pride and joy. Kind of surprised myself with how fast I wrote it given its length. But also it's one of those fics that's like 2 degrees removed from being a whole ass original novella. lol. If you're interested in getting your heart broken and then pulled back together, come check out this post-apocalyptic pandemic fic. owo.

Did you write any gifts this year? Yeah! The yearly gift exchange let me create a pretty fun one: HELP WANTED: decryption key needed before half my brain gets locked behind a paywall #paid #ManticSoft #semi-urgent And the lil fluff of🦎 herping 🐍 for musicofthespheres :3

Did you receive any gifts this year? Also yeah! Once again the gift exchange gave me a fic I Adore thank you isilee: what to do when your friend is a victim of organ harvesting. pod AU. i love pod AU. and more??? everyone is being so nice to me. The Great Slug Migration and debugged [comic] by musicofthespheres. and Sing Your Feelings by ArtemisTheHuntress

What’s your most common category? Gen. I'm a 97% gen household lmao.

What do you listen to while writing? Bathroom fan white noise. Neighbors noise. Sometimes noise muffling headphones. I usually can't listen To Stuff and write at the same time, there's barely enough space in my head to have 1 full thought per second. It's like 0.6-0.8 tps in here.

Favorite work you wrote this year? I couldn't POSSIBLY pick a favorite out of all my precious children. I would never. I love them all equally. 🏆 Networks VOID/VITAL 🏆

Favorite line/passage you wrote this year? Listen I wrote 234,231 words worth of bangers. Girl I forget. I'm not rereading all that to find my fave passage. Here’s one from Surrender/Please: “I’m chasing you, my mental crosshairs locked on you, which is how it’s supposed to be, but something is so wrong, so wrong, so wrong with you, so wrong with me. The ghost of your presence in my feed digs its ethereal fingers into the back of my neck, where my data-port is, and just above that, wedged within the shriveled heart of a stripped-down medulla, is my governor module.” Here’s one from false pulse, ComfortUnit POV: “I want to cut the mimic heart out of my torso, that lying little device in the center of my chest put there for the sole purpose of broadcasting a false pulse to a sentimental human audience, that races loudly now, unbidden.” From Suns Out Guns Out: ““SecUnit. Where are your arms?” SecUnit shrugged its armless shoulders. The gesture made its empty sleeves flop a bit. “Planetary customs has them. I’ll pick them back up when I go up the elevator.”” From illucid: “The systems swerve uncertainty, the missile misses its mark, the mote floats free.” Also I think spousal privilege does a great job burying the lede. But I won’t paste the whole thing here.

Biggest surprise while writing this year? How did I write so many bangers? uwu. (Actually I spent a month or two having forgotten how to write good because I went outside and touched too much grass. (Read: went backpacking for a while and didn’t have access to writing.) It was a little agonizing. Then Surrender/Please knocked the cork loose and I was able to write again everyone say thank you Surrender/Please.) At this point writing is kind of a near-daily compulsion for me.

[tsuki-chibi]

Ladynoir July 2023 Day 2: Emergency Contact

Read all the entries on AO3

---

It was late by the time that Marinette finally left her house. A few workers had called in sick to the bakery, so she’d been roped into helping her mom out front. The hours had slipped away under the rush of customers, until Marinette had looked up and suddenly realized she was over half an hour late for her meeting with Chat.

She tucked a box of apology cookies under her arm as she left, telling her maman that she was late for a meeting with Alya instead. A few blocks from the bakery, she slipped into an alley and transformed before taking to the rooftops. Over forty minutes late, she finally arrived at the spot where she had agreed to meet Chat, half-expecting that he’d left already.

But there he still was, sitting on the edge of the roof, looking out over the city. The slump to his shoulders told her that he was having a bad night. Ladybug walked over to him.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted out. “I got caught up doing things at home and totally lost track of time.”

“It’s fine,” Chat said quietly, not looking at her.

It clearly wasn’t fine, and Ladybug sat down slowly while she thought about what to say next. Chat always brushed aside her apologies and excuses. He was always so kind when she was late or, worse yet, when she forgot entirely and didn’t show up. Determinedly, she thrust the box of cookies into his lap.

“Here. I stopped at Dupain-Cheng bakery and brought you these. I know you love them,” she said.

Chat blinked down at the box. “What – you didn’t need to do that.”

“Yeah, I did,” Ladybug said. “So… what’s up? You look like you’re having a hard night.” She studied his profile. “I thought you’d be happy now that Hawkmoth is taken care of. Is this about the fact that we didn’t get the Peacock miraculous back?”

They’d done their best, but Gabriel Agreste and Nathalie Sancoeur were both refusing to talk and there was no sign of the Peacock miraculous in the Agreste mansion. Adrien had granted Ladybug and Chat Noir his permission for them to search the mansion from top to bottom, but the Peacock miraculous simply wasn’t to be found. It unnerved Ladybug to know it was still out there somewhere, possibly in the wrong hands.

“No. Well, kind of. But not really,” Chat said, lightly kicking his heels against the wall. “Ladybug…”

“Yeah?”

Chat was quiet for a long moment before sighing. “Never mind.”

Ladybug bit her lip, frustrated. Chat had been different ever since they’d unmasked Hawkmoth and Mayura. She thought maybe he knew Gabriel Agreste or Nathalie Sancoeur in real life, but she wasn’t sure how and she obviously couldn’t ask how.

Really, between Chat and Adrien, she was worrying nonstop over blond boys right now.

“Hey, you can tell me,” she said, gently bumping their shoulders together.

“I really can’t,” Chat said with a bitter smile. “You wouldn’t want to know.”

“That’s – well, I’d say that’s not true, but… is it about your identity?” Ladybug asked uncertainly. Technically, with Hawkmoth taken care of, there was nothing stopping them. But they hadn’t had that conversation yet. Ladybug didn’t know if she was ready.

“Kind of,” Chat said. “It’s just – who is your emergency contact?”

The question gave Ladybug pause. She scrunched her nose and tried to figure out where this was going, but couldn’t. It seemed like such an obvious answer.

“It’s my parents,” she said slowly. “I mean... who else would it be?”

Chat’s shoulders hunched and he made a quiet sound, turning his face away.

That was obviously the wrong answer. But Ladybug couldn’t figure out why.

“Chat? What’s wrong?” she asked, worried, and reached out to put a hand on his shoulder. It shocked her when he pulled away before she could touch him, getting to his feet. Ladybug stared up at him in surprise.

She didn’t think Chat had ever pulled away from her before like that. His reaction hurt more than she’d expected. She got to her feet too, unsure if she should reach out to him again. The box of cookies sat on the ground, forgotten, and that too stung. Chat loved the cookies from the Dupain-Cheng bakery. Normally he would’ve stuffed at least half a dozen into his mouth by now.

“You know what, I’m not feeling it tonight. Everything’s quiet, and it looks like it’s going to start raining any minute, so I’m just going to head home,” Chat said, still not looking at her.

Ladybug opened her mouth, but she was too late. Chat was already gone, using his baton to propel himself off the roof and in the opposite direction of the bakery. Within moments his black costume was swallowed up by the dark, growing clouds, and Ladybug couldn’t see him anymore.

@ladynoirjuly

[starseedfxofficial]

The Secret Sauce of "Bullish Percent Index" + "Fractal Trading" Revealed! Why Most Traders Get It Wrong (And How You Can Avoid It) Let’s start with a sobering reality: most traders struggle to differentiate between market noise and meaningful signals. It’s like trying to find a ripe avocado at the grocery store—you think you’ve nailed it, only to cut it open and find brown mush. But don’t worry; this guide will turn your trading mishaps into precise victories using the "Bullish Percent Index" and "Fractal Trading." Cracking the Code: What Is the Bullish Percent Index? The Bullish Percent Index (BPI) isn’t just another technical indicator; it’s a market sentiment powerhouse. In essence, BPI measures the percentage of stocks in a given index currently generating bullish signals based on point-and-figure charts. It’s like a crowd thermometer for traders: are they overwhelmingly bullish, bearish, or somewhere in between? Why You Should Care: - Identifying Market Extremes: When the BPI hits extreme highs or lows, it’s a red flag that sentiment might be overdone. - Strategic Reversals: It’s your early warning system for potential market reversals. - Risk Management: The BPI gives you a macro-level view of risk sentiment, helping you fine-tune your entries and exits. Pro Tip: Combine BPI with volume analysis for a deeper understanding of market trends. If the BPI is climbing, but volume is waning, caution is warranted. That’s like seeing a 5-star restaurant with an empty parking lot—something doesn’t add up. Fractal Trading: Decoding the Market’s DNA Now, let’s dive into fractals. This concept—borrowed from chaos theory—is not as intimidating as it sounds. Fractals are recurring patterns that occur across different timeframes in the market. Imagine zooming in and out of a fern leaf; it looks the same no matter the scale. That’s the essence of fractals in trading. How to Spot Fractals: - Look for Turning Points: Fractals often emerge at significant market reversals. - Use Multiple Timeframes: Analyze fractal patterns on daily, hourly, and even minute charts to confirm your entries and exits. - Leverage Fractal Indicators: Most trading platforms include fractal indicators that automatically mark these patterns. The Ninja Tactic: Use fractals in conjunction with moving averages to confirm trends. For example, if a fractal forms near a 50-period moving average, it’s a signal worth noting. Why the "Bullish Percent Index" and "Fractal Trading" Are a Power Couple Individually, the BPI and fractals are powerful tools. Together, they’re unstoppable. Here’s how: - Validate Breakouts: Use BPI to confirm if a breakout’s momentum is backed by overall market sentiment. - Time Entries Like a Pro: Let fractals pinpoint your entry, while the BPI ensures you’re not swimming against the tide. - Enhance Risk-Reward Ratios: By combining macro sentiment analysis (BPI) with micro-level precision (fractals), you’re stacking the odds in your favor. Real-World Example: In late 2023, the NASDAQ’s BPI showed an overbought condition, hitting 80%. Around the same time, fractal patterns began forming on key tech stocks like Apple and Microsoft, signaling potential reversals. Traders who acted on these signals avoided steep losses during the subsequent correction. Myth-Busting: Common Misconceptions About BPI and Fractals - Myth 1: BPI Is Too Broad Truth: While BPI provides a macro perspective, pairing it with sector-specific data makes it highly actionable. - Myth 2: Fractals Are Only for Short-Term Trading Truth: Fractals work across all timeframes, from scalping to long-term investing. Step-by-Step: How to Use These Tools Today - Set Up Your Charts: - Add the Bullish Percent Index to your watchlist. - Enable fractal indicators on your preferred trading platform. - Analyze the BPI: - Check if it’s near extreme levels (above 70% or below 30%). - Combine this with volume data for deeper insights. - Identify Fractals: - Look for recent fractal formations at key support or resistance levels. - Execute with Confidence: - Enter trades when fractals confirm the trend indicated by the BPI. - Set tight stop-losses to manage risk. Final Thoughts: Trading Smarter, Not Harder The "Bullish Percent Index" and "Fractal Trading" aren’t just tools; they’re your secret weapons. By understanding market sentiment through the BPI and leveraging fractals for precision timing, you’re not just trading—you’re orchestrating market moves with finesse. Ready to take your trading to the next level? Explore advanced methodologies and join a community of elite traders at StarseedFX. —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated Read the full article

[radiantmorningstar]

Advanced Fighting Fantasy: Tobrin's Chronicle 2

Year 297 AC of the Deer, Windsday 18th of the Month of Hiding

[Loner Oracle: Does Tobrin decide to explore the abandoned castle? Roll: 6, 4 = Yes and {expand, magnificent, home} he thinks he might take up residence there and use it as a base of operations for exploring up the eastern coast along Plentiful Bay.]

On the morning of the 18th of Hiding, the ocean booms against the cliffs outside the castle walls and Tobrin thinks that must be how the fabled cannons of Fangthane sound echoing from the battlements of the dwarves’ mountain fortress. Tobrin resolves to go to Allansia one day and see it for himself.

He approaches the vast wooden doors of the castle. They are unlocked; though, the hinges are heavily rusted and only swing inward with some effort. Inside, a pale light comes down through skylights filthy with dirt and leaves. It is clear that no one has lived in this castle for a long time—at least, no one civilized.

He goes through the door on the left of the entry foyer [1]. [It appears to have been used as a dining room. Tables and benches are scattered throughout, many turned on their sides. Everything is covered in cobwebs.] [Loner Oracle: Follow the room contents description? Roll: 6, 4 = Yes and {cough, unhealthy, camp}.

Toward the back of the room, four plague-ridden goblins are huddled around a fire made from the broken furnishings. The minute they see Tobrin they draw their spears and short swords and run forward to attack in a kind of feverish terror. After a few moments of fighting on and around the overturned tables, Tobrin eviscerates one of them with his sword. The creature dies with a hiss. The three remaining goblins look at each other and run screaming into the foyer and out of the castle.

Upon examining the corpse of the dead goblin, Tobrin notices large red blotches over the goblin’s skin and that the evil creature was bleeding from the eyes. He remembers hearing the goblins coughing loudly when he entered the room. This goblin has the Red Plague! [Test luck to determine communicability from contact with the goblin: Roll = 4, success.] It doesn’t seem as though Tobrin is infected. Not wanting to touch the corpse, he wipes his sword on it’s deteriorated woolen tunic and leaves the old dining room the way he came (as there is only one door).

In the foyer, he notices that the three fleeing goblins left the castle doors standing open to the late afternoon. Tobrin closes them and lowers the old wooden crossbar. The wood is brittle and would not hold for long under a battering, but it will keep the goblins from coming back in. [Take +25 XP for defeating the goblin and having the good sense to bar the doors behind the others.]

The old wooden door directly across from that of the dining room (to the west) [2] seems to be a former guardroom, but its weapon racks and arrow stands have been empty for a long time. Now there is only dust.

Back to the foyer, Tobrin turns right (north) and faces an east-west hallway with three doors in the north side. He enters the middle door [4] and sees an old decayed bedroom with purple draperies. Tobrin decides he doesn’t like this castle and that it wouldn’t be a good place to set up, as it is full of plague and it is so decayed that it is practically a ruin.

In fact, he decides to leave. He goes back to the foyer and out, into the dusk.

Tobrin heads north again, following the shore of Plentiful Bay, and camps in the nameless hills above Castle Demarko.

In the morning, he eats some rations [provision check:1d6 = 2, reduce to 1d4] and continues north, through a small forest, until he reaches what looks like an elven village just beyond the northern treeline. A few elegant buildings are integrated with copses of trees and decorated with wooden carvings.

Some of the houses are up in the trees and are only accessible via rope ladders. Although technically positioned outside the forest, many of the buildings in the infrequent copses are connected by rope bridges. Some of the bridges stretch back into the treeline. The grassy floor that becomes rolling plains in the distance is littered with patches of small multicolored flowers.

The elves are known to kill humans on sight. So Tobrin hides in the forest and watches the village until nightfall [provision check – 1d4 = 4, no change], taking note of the horse patrols and the comings and goings of the villagers. He stays hidden. Then, in the dark, he skirts the village and continues north.

[blithe-imperial-underling]

Blithe's encrypted journal and the fiction she writes as cover.

CW for this entry: F!OC being held captive by a mad scientist.

1 2

Excerpt from Blithe's unencrypted decoy files

Just as the needle pricked the pale green skin of Zekhee's throat, the room flashed blue. A blaster set to stun whined as its ring of debilitating energy swept between the scientist and his intended victim–clipping both of them.

Zekhee gasped and her captor cursed, cradling his stunned arm with his other hand as the hypo-syringe clattered to the floor. A man Zekhee recognized all too well stood in the doorway, blaster held ready to fire again.

"Professor Hyde," he said as his thumb toggled a setting on the blaster with a click. "I hope you don't mind I let myself back in." His tone was polite, though distorted by his helmet's vocoder. Clearly humanoid, the black tint of his visor made telling his exact species impossible.

The professor, Hyde, glanced at a data panel on the wall to his left, but held still. "What is this about, Makro?" he said, his lip curling in disdain, "I hadn't taken you for such a fool."

"Unfinished business." Makro tossed a pouch onto the floor where it skidded under the table Zekhee was bound to. It clinked as it landed, with the unmistakable jingle of a sizable number of credits.

Encrypted Journal Entry: About one standard year ago

When my mind wanders, it so often heads for the last time I saw Commander Echo.

The door to my quarters was open when I woke that day, letting golden pre-dawn light in from the lab. The commander must have locked my door open to keep an eye on me from the other room until he was sure I was out of danger.

As I thought this through, my head full of fog, the lab's outer door whooshed open to admit a small parade of repair droids. More pieces fell into place as my aching muscles complained about rough treatment from a giant plant-monster a handful of hours ago — the same horrendous vine that had ripped Echo’s quarters apart. I remembered sparking electronics, the moist squelches of groping tendrils, and Echo ordering me from the room just a moment too late.

When I'd come to after the battle, I was flat on the floor and spattered with possibly-psychoactive sap. It would have been pretty karking funny if it wasn't for the whole concussion and conflagration thing, or the worry in my commander's eyes.

Properly awake now, I peeled a spent bacta patch from behind my ear and shut the door to get dressed, only to find my service uniforms reeked of accelerant and smoke.

That decided my first task for the day. I’d drop off my uniforms and be back within the hour, including a stop for Echo's favorite caf by way of thanks. Hardly adequate, given his patience and care, but he's not one for wordy displays of emotion. A nice cup of caf would do for the moment.

With that plan in mind, I peeked out of my quarters a few minutes later, dressed in civilian clothes, a duffel over my shoulder.

I wasn't surprised to see Echo already hard at work, plugged into the network and stretched out on his comfy chair, eyes closed. The more the galaxy throws at him, the more deeply he seems to immerse himself in safeguarding the Empire.

He'd donned his armor from the waist down, his black bodysuit sufficing for a shirt. Part of my mind was already back on duty, making a note to have someone pick up his laundry and order replacements for whatever he’d lost in the prior night's chaos.

The other part of my mind—the part in charge of my nervous system—entirely lost its cool. Images from the night before flashed in front of my eyes and I tripped, backing into my quarters, afraid Echo might see the heat darkening my cheeks.

I immediately chastised myself. "What's wrong with me?! " I thought. "Of course he came out of the refresher in his blacks last night, after cleaning the goo off his gear. Should he sleep in his armor?" After all, those bodysuits are technically modest enough for mixed company.

Technically.

----- [Begin Deleted Text] -----

It's not like I'm inexperienced, for kark's sake. Been there, done the dance. I'm not usually bowled over by body things. I've usually got self-restraint to spare, even around the commander.

Usually. If I stay focused.

But here I am, half a galaxy and several hundred rotations away, still undone by a remembered glimpse of him. Black fabric like a second skin, covering yet revealing the man beneath; the taper of his waist; muscles toned by years of fighting giving way to the angular lines of his prosthetic legs. Some may say he’s less of a man because of his cybernetic parts but, to me, they’re emblematic of his strength, how tough he is inside and out. The bastards that hurt him are surely all dead and he’s still alive, never giving up the fight for a secure and orderly Empire.

Yet, as deadly a foe in the field as Commander Echo is, he can be gentle when he chooses to.

He was so striking, in the cold light of my quarters. In my heart, I thank that mutant salad for giving me that short time as the center of his attention.

As dizzy as I was, I’m sure only half of it was the concussion. The rest was awe. How had I gotten lucky enough that life led me to that very moment? I’d admired this man from afar, as so many did, when his battalion fought with the famous general everyone knew as The Hero With No Fear. When, through unimaginable luck I was offered the opportunity to serve the Empire by serving him, I thought nothing could get better than that.

Now here he was, comfortable enough with me to set aside his armor and the formality it represents, sincere concern in his serious eyes. Concern for me. For me. The way he looked at me, I felt giddy and safer than I���ve ever felt before.

He tipped my chin up with his scomp to check my eyes and I almost forgot to breathe. I’ve never wanted so much to—

-----[End Deleted Text]-----

Pull yourself together, Blithe. He deserves better than this twitterpated nonsense, even in memories. Breathe. And delete the most egregious paragraphs . . . just in case.

Once my composure had returned, I’d left the lab without looking back. It never occurred to me that I might not see him again for a long, long time.

I will see him again. Surely the Empire won’t leave me out here forever.

[84queenspark]

JD APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY IN 2024

The online OLSAS application for Fall 2024 entry into the UofT Law JD program opened on August 17th, 2023

Naturally, at the��OLSAS 2023-2024 website we expect you to take the time to read the application instructions and details, before and also while viewing, the different sections of the application form.

BEGIN with the:

OLSAS Application Guide and

UofT-specific instructions

At the OLSAS website, after creating an applicant account (username and password), you can access the application form.

Chances are, the answers to your questions are already in the Application Guide, OLSAS website menus and school-specific instructions. However, as you complete each section of the application, for guidance on what to submit, select the help buttons (question mark icons) that appear.

For assistance with ALL technical issues with the online application form, please contact OLSAS directly.   

BEFORE submitting the OLSAS application form, please pay close attention to all of the following:

(#1)   OLSAS vs CAS vs LSAC vs LSAT

OLSAS Ontario Law School Application Service This is the only application service for obtaining and completing the JD application form for any of the 8 law schools in Ontario. OLSAS collects all application materials for Ontario law schools, then provides it to them. ALL application materials must be submitted directly to OLSAS only, do NOT submit to the Ontario law schools. OLSAS is a unit within the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).  

Non-Ontario Law School Applications For non-Ontario law schools follow the application procedures specified by each non-Ontario law school.  

CAS Credential Assembly Service The Credential Assembly Service is used for applying to many American law schools. CAS is not to be used in any aspect for applying to Ontario law schools. CAS is a service offered by the LSAC (Law School Admission Council).  

LSAC Law School Admission Council A private American company which provides CAS. The LSAC is also the creator and administrator of the standardized LSAT (Law School Admission Test).  

LSAT Law School Admission Test A standardized test designed specifically to assess the reading, comprehension and reasoning skills crucial for a legal education and the legal profession. For an OLSAS applicant, OLSAS retrieves LSAT reports directly from LSAC and distributes them to the Ontario law schools selected on the OLSAS application form. Official standard LSAT tests results are equally valid, with no preference for the mode of testing (remote, in-person, Flex).     

(#2)   ALWAYS APPLY BY THE OLSAS APPLICATION DEADLINE

First year entry End of day (Toronto time) on November 1st, 2023  

Upper year entry End of day (Toronto time) on May 1st,  2024

    We have to say it thrice: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS submit your application form and the supporting documents that you craft yourself (including personal statements, essay(s), autobiographical sketch) by the application deadline, regardless of how incomplete the remainder of the application may be.

We caution you that:

If you miss the deadline you will NOT be able to submit and/or access the online application to ANY Ontario law school.  

If missed, for EACH desired Ontario law school you will need to make a formal written request for permission to apply late, that includes the reason(s) for missing the deadline.  

There is NO guarantee that a late application will be permitted, so avoid that risk by applying on time.  

The online form is lengthy and cannot be submitted until ALL required fields have proper responses and the application fee payment is processed.  

Unfortunately, despite all warnings, candidates try to submit too close to the deadline.  Far too often they miss the deadline because they fail to anticipate that there would be multiple improper/missed form responses to remedy and/or their online payment may take more than 20 minutes to process due to the high volume of submissions on deadline day.  

Candidates should aim for submitting your application no later than 10 AM (Toronto time) on the deadline date, to allow time to troubleshoot any issues with OLSAS before it closes for the workday. Note that OLSAS is closed on weekends.    

(#3)   SUPPORTING DOCUMENT DEADLINES FOR UofT

Some of your supporting documents must be submitted to OLSAS by the application deadline, while others may arrive shortly thereafter. Therefore there should be no reason to miss submitting the application form by the application deadline. Of course, we do not advise or recommend that you submit documents late intentionally.

For your UofT application at OLSAS there are supporting documents that:

You craft yourself and enter their text directly on the application form e.g. Personal & Contact information, Academic History, Autobiographical Sketch, Verifiers, Personal Statement, BSAP Essay, Optional Essay. YOU MUST SUBMIT THESE BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE      

You arrange with external sources for their submission of documents directly to OLSAS e.g. official transcripts, WES course-by-course evaluations, NCA reports, letters of permission/letter of good standing from your law school etc. THESE MAY ARRIVE AFTER THE APPLICATION DEADLINE  

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We will assess an applicant file after the application deadline, and only after all of the required documents have been received via OLSAS. Therefore, there is no selection advantage from submitting the application form well in advance of the deadline, just don’t miss the deadline. For supporting documents arriving after the application deadline, the sooner we receive them, the sooner we can proceed with your admission review.    

(#4)   LSAT SUBMISSION DEADLINES

2024 First-Year Applications OLSAS Application deadline: evening of November 1st, 2023 Last acceptable LSAT:  scores from the January 2024 test    

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HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR LSAT RESULTS In ALL instances, you must, on the OLSAS online application form:

Provide your LSAT registration number (begins with the letter L), and also:  

Indicate any future tests that you intend to take during the CURRENT admission cycle i.e. before August 2024  

At any point in time, including after you’ve submitted the application, you can return to the OLSAS application to update (add/drop/change) your intended test dates. Please update the application form with your intended test dates so that OLSAS will know whether to obtain and retrieve the scores for those tests.

TAKING THE LSAT AFTER THE OLSAS APPLICATION DEADLINE? Once again, for 2024 entry into the JD first-year, our last acceptable LSAT will be the January 2024 test. If any of the LSAT tests you intend to take occurs after the OLSAS application deadline, then return to the OLSAS application form and ADD the future test date(s).    

(#5)   THINKING OF A JD COMBINED PROGRAM?

You must BOTH:

apply to the JD degree at OLSAS by OLSAS deadlines, and

apply separately to the partner graduate degree by its own process and deadlines

WHAT TO SELECT ON YOUR OLSAS APPLICATION As long as you’re contemplating enrolling one of our JD/Masters or JD/PhD combined programs, then before the OLSAS application deadline, on the OLSAS application form please select BOTH:

the JD program (first year or transfer only), and also

your desired JD combined program(s)

There is no additional cost to select combined programs at OLSAS.

CAUTION: The selection at OLSAS of the partner program, is NOT an application to the partner program. It merely serves to inform the law school of your interest in pursuing a combined program.

(#6)   IS THERE A SELECTION ADVANTAGE TO SUBMITTING AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE BEFORE THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?

None at all.  We only review files for completion and selection after the application deadline. Admission decisions will not be made before the deadline. Which leads us to …    

(#7)   I’VE SUBMITTED MY OLSAS APPLICATION, WHEN DO I HEAR FROM UofT LAW?

Everyone who has submitted a OLSAS paid application form successfully, whether or not it is complete with all supporting documents, should receive a confirmation email from OLSAS. Information transfer from OLSAS to the Ontario law schools is never instantaneous, as it can take at least 2-4 business days, so please temper your expectations. Only after the law school receives application data from OLSAS can we begin our initial email correspondence with applicants, which is likely to begin in late-October.  We will update on this blog with the start date of our email correspondence about your application.

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Add our email address today to your email address book/contact list as a safe sender This should make it easier for your emailer will recognize us when we send the initial email. Add  admissions.law@utoronto.ca

As a good practice, monitor your spam/junk folder periodically for misplaced messages.

Best Regards, JD Admissions Office

Faculty of Law University of Toronto

law.utoronto.ca

[the-wizard-zietgiest]

2023-05-25

Finally tried jhana meditation and it’s all it’s cracked up to be. Initially decided to investigate based on recommendation from [C.Q.AGE.], found general information online. Of interest, a practitioner in thailand, who goes by [RDCT] and makes some interesting claims.

This is a report of two separate sessions, [S.20230524] and [S.20230525].

SESSION 1 -

Time: 2023-05-24 1205h

After the point in entry level meditation where the breath becomes very shallow and infrequent, I shifted my attention to a pleasant sensation in my hands, as per traditional first-time instructions. I payed attention to the pleasant quality of the pleasant sensation. After long conversations with [C.Q.AGE] and [C.Q.NC] it has become clear to me that qualia, or the specific individual qualities of qualitative conscious experiences, is the vast depth that must be plumbed if a world free from suffering is to be created. The claim that specific subjective conscious states have objective mathematical descriptions carries the implication that with the right technique a mathematical description of a conscious state may someday be imported to an experiential consciousness.

Leaving aside for now the “mathematical description” portion, one can easily see why jhana practice is spoken of by Gautama Buddha as a necessary companion to insight meditation, or vipassanabhavana. Jhana practice produces extraordinary states of consciousness in a predictable and linear way, and does so without the confounding variables of psychoactive substances or group settings. It is by studying, or meditating on the experiences produced by these states that one gains insight into the nature of reality and consciousness. This insight is what will eventually allow the creation of the aforementioned mathematical descriptions of conscious states.

But enough discussion of the future, let us return to the session at hand:

In this session the sensation of piti was clearly experienced and was present in fluctuating intensity, but did not seem to reach a critical point or point of total saturation with piti. Because of this, I cannot claim to have experienced in full the 1st jhana, but I have seen enough to know that the 1st jhana can be achieved, which leads me to suspect the other jhanas may likewise be achievable for me. This possibility excites me.

As Ram Dass would say, “You don’t worship the gate, you go into the inner temple.”

“Ah, so. Ah, so.”

[technical notes and session description elsewhere]

SESSION 2 -

Time: 2023-05-25 2130h

Session 2 was performed at my place of work, quite late into the evening. I found an empty conference room and set a timer for 26 minutes. I was able to sense the nested toroidal structure of energy around my body, but again found that the degree to which i was able to experience that sensation, whatever it was [the experience being described here took quite some time to articulate in the author’s handwritten notes, but essentially what is being described is a visual synesthetic representation of a tactile experience of some high-charge electromagnetic field permeating the body, similar to static electricity but produced bio-electrically] fluctuated throughout the session but did not reach a peak or total saturation point. I’ve attempted a few drawings of the visual stimuli but will need repeat sessions to correctly draw it.

Again, the sensation of piti came and went in waves, but the waves had higher peaks, and it did feel at many points as though a critical point or point of saturation was just over the horizon. Even so, the sensation of piti was quite intense and present for much of the meditation period. The experience was intensely positive, high valence, and medium arousal. OF NOTE, upon returning to normal consciousness I found my body moving fluidly and feeling painless, energized, and limber, even though prior to the session I had been on my feet working in a high-stress environment for quite some time.

[technical notes and session description elsewhere]

[planetaryaether]

this post has been making the rounds a little bit lately so I thought I would add the context! Information about all of them (except umbrella rythian) are in my pinned post! Sips Co Episodes: Set between the prequal and episode 1 of Blackrock, Rythian guest starred in a few episodes of Sips Co (working for them to be able to steal materials to give him a head start on his magic) Teep Accidentally Killed Zoey: Not sure where the original post where they revealed this was, but Teep was originally supposed to be an Easter egg in the background of season 1 as a fun little mystery for the audience but he did legitimately shoot/kill zoey on accident, forcing him to be a part of the story as we know it today. Ringo Saves Zoey: In the explosion at the end of season 2, Zoey is able to survive partially because Ringo knocks her away from the nukes right before the explosion (thus why he is radiated and in the water with Zoey in the beginning of season 3) The Princess: This refers to the short story Rythian wrote about the backstory of the Enderdragon! She was a princess of the end (then the Realm of Dawn) and after the loss of her parents stopped at nothing to try and stop death from taking anyone else she cared about, leading to a ritual that (although technically succeeds) turns her into the ender dragon, the people of her realm into endermen, and turns her realm into the end. Umbrella Rythian: An old fandom in-joke that Rythian’s silhouette, with his cape, makes him kinda look like an umbrella (so in some older fanart he is umbrella shaped) Unplanned Nuke: I also don’t have the original post for this, but apparently the nuke wasn’t a part of the original plan for reason 2, Duncan irl decided to put it there and they worked it into the story from there. Railbros Schedule Conflict: In his 10 years of content creation stream, Rythian revealed that originally the first few episodes of season 2 were supposed to have Rythian hanging out with the Railbros and be a bit more lighthearted, but due to a last minute scheduling conflict, Rythian had to do those episodes alone (thus we got the significantly more angsty/lonely version of Rythian we know today) Cannibal Ravs: ravs originally wanted his character to be a cannibal (because of his love of NBC’s Hannibal), but Zoey didn’t want it in the series/think it would fit (but certain aspects of it are still worked in with the squid thing instead of people) Gametee Notebook Lore: In 2014 there was a Blackrock notebook sold through Gametee that included 2 passages/entries from Rythian before season 1 and the other after season 2! they are a great insight into Rythian’s mindset at those times and which ideas he tells himself to deal with his emotions (again, there is a link in my pined post for the whole text). Rythian Doesn’t Know about Squirrels: In season 3 when Zoey is naming everything she comes across, at one point she finds a squirrel and Rythian responds “oh yes a SqUiRrEl” which heavily implies that he doesn’t know what a squirrel is which I personally find hilarious.

[kitashousewife]

that’s the way my heart feels

an: this is my first entry for @kitsunekanojo event Too Much To Dream !! congrats milo on your milestone and thank you so much for letting me enter!! this fic is based on the song Pancakes by LANY

pairing: yuta x fem!reader

warnings: food mention & eating, pet names, all characters aged up, fluff, lowercase intentional

-

the floor creaks under your bare feet, each step taken in the kitchen creating its own unique sound. the cabinets join in the song, squeaking and shutting with a thud. cracked eggs, milk being poured, and the whisk rattling in the mixing bowl join into the melody. making your lover breakfast is the least you could do for him.

well, breakfast at 2:07 am.

while, it’s technically morning, this still counts as breakfast to the two of you. a few minutes ago, right as you were about to head to bed, your phone rang. yuta’s voice came through the other end, exhausted but sweet. he had been gone on a mission for a few days, heading out to take care of a low-grade curse that he was using to train some students. to everyone’s dismay, the curse was a bit harder to fight than expected.

“i miss you so much, my love,” yuta sighs, yawn barely audible.

“i miss you too. are you hungry? i could make you something if you would like,” you ask, knowing full well he probably hasn’t eaten much since he left earlier this week.

“that would be amazing, but don’t fuss too much. i’m fine with anything,” his voice is soft, the sound of the turn signal clicks in the background. “i’ll be home in less than 10 minutes and i cannot wait to see you!”

a bright smile pulls at your lips. skipping into the kitchen, full of excitement, you get ready to make yuta the best meal he’s ever had in his life. except there is just one problem: you never went to the store.

listen, this week was tough. you decided to pick up a few more shifts to distract yourself while he was gone, which worked, except you got a bit too distracted. looking at the stove, you check the clock and feel a bit more pressure. he should be home in just a few minutes. thankfully, you remembered the pancake mix you kept in the pantry for situations like this.

it isn’t glamorous by any means, but it will have to do. grabbing a scoop, you pour some of the batter into the pan, watching the ribbons form into a rounded shape. the sound of keys and familiar footsteps pull your attention away from the now bubbling circle.

“hello, sweet wife,” yuta pulls you into a warm embrace, soft black hair tickling your neck. giggling, you pull back to look him in the eye. you notice the dark circles under his eyes and begin to worry. noticing your concern, he tips your chin up towards him.

“gimme a kiss,” he mumbles against your lips, pulling you closer to him. his lips are soft, slightly chapped from the dry air. pulling away, he inhaled and closes his eyes.

“that smells incredible, what did you make?” yuta turns around, hanging his belongings on the hooks near your door, locking up as he goes.

“pancakes, it’s all we had. i hope that’s okay,” you flip the first few, grabbing plates for the two of you.

“i appreciate anything sweetheart. thank you for being willing to cook for me this late,” he gives you a warm smile as he opens up the fridge.

yuta knows how tough this is on you. his trips have been more and more frequent, leaving you alone more than a newly married wife should. he feels terrible, his heart sinking every time he gets asked to go on missions, knowing he has to leave you behind. he hates bringing it up, feeling guilty for being gone so much. you are always quick to get rid of those feelings, assuring him that it’s okay, i’ll be fine. you know that he is needed, he’s one of the strongest after all.

grabbing the butter dish from the shelf, yuta gets an idea. yes, it’s late, but the unopened bottle of champagne he got as a thank you from the last mission is calling his name.

with a plate in your hand, you stack three pancakes up high for your very hungry husband. fluffy and warm, just the way he likes. grabbing some for yourself, you set the plates on the island for the two of you to enjoy.

right behind you, yuta grabs the champagne flutes the two of you got engraved for your wedding, ever so carefully, and sets them down next to your plates. the pop of a cork startled you, and you whip around to see him standing over the sink, letting the excesses drip.

“what’s the occasion?” you laugh, sitting down on a barstool and watching with delight as he fills your glass.

“we don’t need one!” he beams, topping off his own glass. “but, i guess we should toast to something,” he hums. grabbing the stem of your glass, you hold it up towards his. he clears his throat dramatically, as if beginning a grand toast.

“here’s to my lovely wife, who deserves the biggest celebration in the world!”

the clink of your glasses fills the room, followed by the pop of the syrup cap.

“if anything we should be toasting to you,” you take a sip of your glass. “you’re the one who fought curses for days and won.”

cutting a new piece of his pancake, yuta shakes his head. “i wouldn’t be able to do it without you, though. that would be impossible.” he says and grabs your hand, holding it in his as he plays with the diamond sitting on your finger.

the next 40 minute is full of stories, funny moments, and details of his trip. you listen to every word, eyes not leaving his as you fumble with your fork, half-hazardly stabbing pieces of pancake. everything is so interesting, the techniques his students are learning are just incredible. you can tell how proud he is by the wide smile he has on his face as he recounts the events.

the two of you make quick work cleaning everything up. yuta gets distracted, though. he missed you, even more than last time. your voice, your laugh, your kisses, your hugs. everything about you is so perfect to him. the way you’re willing to drop everything you’re doing, when you’re tired as well, just to make pancakes at 2 am in jeans and a t shirt for him when he gets home.

walking side by side down the hallway, he wraps his arm around you and slips his hand into your back pocket.

“i missed you so much. did i mention that?”

the bedroom door swings open, causing yuta to groan with relief. besides seeing you, he was also very excited to sleep in his own bed.

you hum, grabbing your own pajamas to change into. “i don’t think so, but i would love to hear everything you missed about me, just out of curiosity.”

he chuckles, tucking you in under the covers. “i missed your pretty hair,” he mumbles, planting a kiss to your head. “i missed your beautiful face,” he whispers, leaving a soft kiss to your lips. “i missed your cute laugh and smile,” and you smile in return, sleepy eyes looking up at him as rubs his thumb across your cheeks.

“i love you so much, my wife.” he whispers, leaning down to kiss your cheek. your eyes flutter shut as he turns off the lamp on your side of the bed. he feels so grateful, so full of love and adoration for you. he could not be prouder of you for working so hard, and is so thankful that you are so selfless. he feels like the luckiest man in the entire world.

he feels lucky to love you. he is overwhelmed with gratitude for the life he gets to spend with you. yuta feels so needed, so wanted, and so appreciated.

as the clock blinks 3:14 am, the exhaustion he had felt beings to take over. closing his eyes, he falls asleep with a smile, on cloud nine with you as his wife.

[random-mailbox]

Random-Mailbox's Favorite Sailor Moon Fics - Week 17 - New Years

We have officially made it to 2023! I want to start this post by thanking all the amazing people in the Sailor Moon Fandom that helped bounce off ideas, looked for stories that I have read and could not remember the titles of, made art (@beej88 ❤️) and GiFs (@goddessalthena ❤️), re-blogged and commented. And of course, BIG thank you to @floraone for giving me the nudge to start this series in the first place.

Today's theme is New Year's and is our last holiday themed one for a few weeks (until Valentines Day! And after that one, I am thinking St Patrick's Day?)

As always, my apologies in advance for spoiling some of these for you (Fic Titles are linked to either FFN or AO3 entries).

Resolute - @goddessalthena

Usagi and the girls are spending New Years at Unazuki’s party. And who would naturally show up fashionably late with 20 minutes to midnight but not our favorite "baka".

January 11th - @areptiledysfunction1107

While technically this takes place AFTER New Years - it is definitely a New Year's story to me. Mamoru gets a very lemony start to the year, after having missed the Holidays with Usagi due to snow storms.

Start to a Very Good Year - Chelbacca

In this New Year's countdown one-shot, we get both a very protective Mako and Mamoru that would like to start over with how he has been treating Usagi. This is a start to a very good year indeed!

Take Me Out, Take Me Home -@moonchildoh8

This story is is fun take on "fake relationship" trope (sorry for the spoiler right from the start) BUT it does take place at a New Years party. Usagi is helping to organize a gala and who would make an appearance, making all the ladies swoon, than our own Chiba Mamoru.

Missed Call - @initiala

This adorable little one shot centers around the time when Mamoru is studying at Harvard and unable to make it home for the Holidays. Usagi and Mamoru make the best of the situation by calling each other as much as they can.

This wraps up our post for today, but here is what the schedule looks like for the rest of January (thanks to @lilliebellfanfics @caelenath and @riverlethe for helping me narrow things down!)

January 9 - Highschool AU

January 16 - Slice of Life

January 23 - Coffeeshop AU for @moon-daisuki

January 30 - Huddle for Warmth

Here are the links to the previous Tumblr posts in these series to explore more amazing works based on different themes - make sure to check them out if you haven't had a chance! (Click on title name to go to the post) - I will keep updating the list every week as new posts come up:

Week 1 - Groundhog Day

Week 2 - Established Relationships

Week 3 - Sex Positivity

Week 4 - Unfinished Stories

Week 5 - Darker Stories

Week 6 - Potions 🧪

Week 7 - Reveals

Week 8 - 👻Halloween🎃

Week 9 - Wrong Perceptions

Week 10 - Non-Senshi AU

Week 11 - In-Progress Fics

Week 12 - Mutual Pining

Week 13 - Enemies to Lovers

Week 14 - Slow Burn

Week 15 - Christmas Part 1 - Ugly Christmas Sweaters and Santa!

Week 16 - Christmas Part 2

[sage-writing]

Love In The Water

swimmer! Ari Levinson x female trainer! reader

Sport: competitive swimming

Decade: 1980s

Summary: Being Ari's swimming coach is more difficult than you thought. Until there is a little confession.

Word count: ~1.9k

Warnings: actually pretty fluff, minor smut, mention of pregnancy [still 18+, minors do not interact and please leave my blog]

A/N: Entry for @syntheticavenger In it to win it Challenge. Congratulations on your 11k🥳🎉This challenge was so much fun. Thank you for organizing this, helping me out and giving me the courage to post this after my long break here ❣️ I chose the song "Africa" to add a little spice to it.

Enjoy!

Annoyed, you took another look at your watch. Ari was never able to be on time. He was probably curing his hangover once again.

Frustrated, you sat down at the edge of the swimming area and put your feet into the cool clear water of the pool. For 2 months you had already been Ari Levinson's swim trainer and he was already getting on your last nerve.

It was relatively quiet here. Some other athletes were training alone. But yours didn't even manage to be on time for the guided workouts.

A few minutes later, Ari came sauntering out of the club house with one hand loosely in the pocket of his swim shorts and a cup of coffee in the other.

"You're late." You said angrily when he finally arrived at your place. If there was one thing you couldn't stand, it was Ari's outstanding ability to be inattentive and flippant in any situation. It was important to stick to the training schedule and there wasn't much time left until the next competition. Only hard work could still turn the situation around.

Ari sipped his coffee in a leisurely manner.

"It's only eleven minutes. Lighten up, it's a beautiful day, no need to stress."

Arguing wouldn't do any good, so you just decide to get on with it.

"You know you shouldn't wear those loose swimming shorts. They increase your resistance in the water and just make you slow."

"Yeah I know, but those Speedos are so tight down there." he whined like a little kid and didn't take you seriously.

Your patience was wearing thin. You snatched his coffee cup out of his hand. 

"Hands out of your pockets and into the water. 11 lanes. One for every minute late. And that's not counting as a warm-up yet. Move out."

Ari wanted to reach for the radio, because he loved to listen to music while swimming. You could not understand it, because through the water hardly any sounds came through to him, but he said he liked it especially when the sounds were slightly muffled. You took the radio out of his reach.

"If you'd been on time, you'd be listening to music now."

Finally, Ari obeyed and got into position on the starting block while you lined up at his level on the poolside.

"Front crawl, bilateral breathing, after every third stroke. On my signal.

3...2...1." Vigorously blowing the whistle, you started the stopwatch. Ari lunged forward and dove into the water like an arrow.

The training went sluggishly. Ari kept swimming his penalty laps and warm-up fast and technically clean.

Later, however, his technique became sloppy, arrhythmic and he made mistakes.

With another blow of the whistle you signaled Ari to stop after the current lane.

You just had to vent your frustration.

"Levinson, where are you with your thoughts?" Sighing, you pinched your bridge of your nose.

"Why so tense, coach?" 

"Tense?! That's an understatement. Practice with you is a disaster. You're always late, unfocused, and don't follow my instructions as a coach. You're only at the club parties in the evenings, constantly flirting with other women, probably still hooking up with them, and that's why you're not in shape in the morning. How are we ever going to make progress like that?" Your voice was getting steadily louder.

Ari only responded to your harsh criticism with a grin.

"Is someone jealous?"

"Pretty thin ice, Levinson. I wouldn't mind throwing my job out on the line." 

Only now did he seem to realize how serious you were. His grin disappeared, and with a flourish he pulled himself up on the edge of the pool and stood in front of you, dripping wet. The light was refracted in the many small drops of water so his skin glistened in the sun.

"You know what? We're going to stop the training here. If you can't take me seriously, there's no point. I want you to do your stamina training now and the weights training in the afternoon. Then, if we can work together like professionals again, I'll see you back here this evening."

You turned on your heel and even Ari calling your name couldn't bring you back.

You needed time to cool down and had been swimming in the sea yourself. Swimming against the waves and the surf was more to your liking. It was more natural, not like in a calm chlorine-rich pool. You let the setting sun dry your skin.

In the evening you entered the area of the swimming club. By now all the athletes and coaches had gone home. Only Ari was sitting on one of the starting blocks waiting for you. He looked as bad as you felt.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you or stopped the session. That was unprofessional."

For once, it was easy for you to apologize. Your mistake was clear to see. Even if you could never admit that Ari was right.

You were jealous. First and foremost, you couldn't understand how much focus and ambition he put into flirting. Something that didn't seem possible in training.

Maybe there was more, but you couldn't and didn't want to let it get closer to you. A liaison between coach and athlete was highly... problematic.

"It's okay." Ari brushed back his long hair. He looked nervous, too. "As for the other women, you may be wrong, but it's true that my concentration is slipping. I don't notice it until I'm already completely out of rhythm. Can you show me what I'm doing wrong as soon as the first mistake sneaks in?"

"Like in the water?"

"You've been training me for a while, but you haven't been in the pool with me once. You're not a non-swimmer, are you?" He provoked you teasingly.

"All right, but only if you behave yourself and at least try to carry out my instructions this time."

"I'm quite the perfect gentleman, and I swear it." Ari's reappearing smirk was a sign that the mood was tilting back to the positive. This time you even allowed him to turn on the radio.

You slipped out of your sweater and track pants. The high-leg-cut swimsuit you wore underneath was currently in fashion but not exactly the most professional attire for professional swimmers. But it had to do for today. Ari and you enter the water. You let him swim ahead and stopped him whenever you had to correct something. At first you felt his muscles tense up when you put your hand on his chest, arms and legs and showed him how to improve his posture and movements.

You couldn't deny that Ari's body was in great shape. His muscular system was dense and strong. Sometimes you felt his gaze on you as well and you wondered if he was listening to you at all. But indeed the exercises worked and you were sure that Ari's performance showed improvement.

He did a few more laps, which you watched partly from above the water surface or from below. You swam after him and you met at the end.

"It's all right Levinson. I don't mean to exaggerate, but I think that was the most productive coaching session so far."

"Did you just retroactively call me lazy?" asked Ari, offended.

Lunging with your arm, you splashed water in his face. He tried to avoid the attack by diving down and grabbing your foot underwater. You refrained from kicking him, because you didn't want to hurt him either.

Gently he pulled you to the edge of the pool until you felt the tiles in your back.

"You know, as for my morale in training. It's not because of other women, it's because of you. I can feel exactly how you're observing me. It's distracting to me."

You stiffened as you struggled to keep your head above water on your own in the confined space. He pressed even closer to you, his warm breath colliding with your cool skin, and you held on tighter to his shoulders.

"Relax, I've got you." Gently he guided your legs so they wrapped around his hips and he carried you.

"What...what are you trying to tell me?"

Your brain was so fogged by Ari's presence. You could barely hear Toto’s “Africa” warbling from the radio.

Hurry boy, she's waiting there for you

"You are strong, clever and passionate. You brighten every day for me. I think I'm in love with you." 

It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you

You saw his Adam's apple move heavily as he swallowed, as if he had just relieved himself of a great burden.

His honesty gave you the courage to say the following words.

There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do.

"You were right, Ari." 

"About what?" he asked curiously, his brows furrowed.

"I'm jealous."

You let your lips crash down on his. Almost greedily he returned the kiss and your body heated up in the fire of pleasure and desire. It was as if months of built-up tension were released with a loud boom, like a thunderstorm.

I bless the rains down in Africa

Gonna take some time to do the things we never had

Hectically you tried to get your hand down Ari's waistband. You wanted to feel him. You needed to.

"Wait wait wait…” For a brief second you were confused that Ari stopped you. “I want you, but not here and not like this. Not with the risk of drowning or getting caught by the security. You deserve to be loved on the softest of beds. Ma-... May I take you home… with me?" he sounded like he was afraid you might refuse.

You kissed him again. Much slower but also more sensitive this time.

"If you promise to stay as focused as you were during today's training, you may take me anywhere in the world.”

You two laugh at this like little joking children.

Gently, Ari maneuvered you both to the nearest ladder and climbed out of the cold pool while you still clung to him. He let you go only to put a soft towel around you. Carefully he stroked your arms and back to dry you. Again he lifted you bridal style, the feeling of his thick arms was soothing. And just like that Ari carried you to his nearby home where he showed you detailedly what you secretly meant to him.

2 years later

"Remember, stay focused. When you change direction, push off hard, use the push you gain but don't get too close to the wall either. Understood?" You did not get any reaction.

"Ari? Are you actually listening to me?" You asked again, louder this time.

"Yeah yeah, concentration, Push off hard, use the push but not too close to the wall." he replied casually, as he put on his goggles causing an eye roll on your part. It was and always would be the same trouble with him.

Despite the everyday hassle you were so damn proud of him, even if he didn't like to hear it and always stressed that it was only because of his amazing coach. However, there was also a lot of pressure on both of you, more of on him. This competition was important. If Ari could at least make it to the top-3, it would make him the most successful swimmer of the year. 

The judges got into position and signaled the competitors to get on the starting blocks.

Ari gave you a quick kiss on the forehead, but before he could turn away, you stopped him.

"Make me proud, Ari. Make us proud." While you clasped his hand with yours, your other hand rested protectively on your lower abdomen.

Ari lowered himself to one knee and kissed the slight curve of your belly.

"I promise." 

[starseedfxofficial]

Dominate GBP/NZD with MACD: Pro Strategies Unveiled Cracking the Forex Code: Mastering Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for GBP/NZD Trading Forex isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy, timing, and knowing which tools can give you the edge. Enter the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), one of the most versatile indicators in the game, and the often-overlooked yet highly volatile GBP/NZD pair. If you’ve ever wondered how to combine the art of technical analysis with the science of market timing, you’re in the right place. Why GBP/NZD is a Trader’s Dream (and Nightmare) Let’s start with the obvious: The GBP/NZD pair isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s like a rollercoaster—thrilling, unpredictable, and capable of giving you the ride of your life (or the stomach drop of your worst nightmare). Here’s why it stands out: 1. High Volatility, High Reward - The GBP/NZD is one of the most volatile pairs in Forex, making it ideal for traders who thrive on big moves. - Pro Tip: Use MACD to filter out false signals in such a fast-moving market. 2. Cross-Continent Influences - With the GBP tied to the UK and the NZD to New Zealand, this pair is heavily influenced by global events, from Brexit updates to dairy export trends. - Example: Unexpected news can create price swings that MACD can help anticipate. 3. Low Liquidity Hours Are Goldmines - Unlike major pairs, GBP/NZD sees unique opportunities during less liquid trading sessions. - Pro Tip: Combine MACD signals with session-specific strategies for maximum impact. MACD: Your New Best Friend in GBP/NZD Trading The Moving Average Convergence Divergence isn’t just a fancy name; it’s a powerhouse tool that gives traders insight into momentum, trends, and potential reversals. Here’s how it works: 1. Spotting Momentum Shifts - The MACD line crossing above the signal line indicates bullish momentum, while crossing below signals bearish momentum. - Real-World Example: In GBP/NZD, MACD often signals a reversal before the price chart does. 2. Zero Line Mastery - When MACD crosses the zero line, it’s a strong confirmation of a trend—bullish above zero, bearish below. - Pro Tip: Use this to confirm entries on GBP/NZD trades. 3. Divergence Detection - Divergences between MACD and price action are powerful reversal indicators. - Example: If GBP/NZD hits a new high but MACD doesn’t, a sell-off might be looming. Ninja Tactics: Using MACD with GBP/NZD Ready to level up? Here are some advanced strategies to make the most of MACD when trading GBP/NZD: 1. Pair MACD with Support and Resistance - Use MACD to confirm breakouts or reversals at key support and resistance levels. - Example: If GBP/NZD approaches resistance and MACD shows bearish divergence, it’s a cue to short. 2. Timeframe Synchronization - Analyze MACD on multiple timeframes for a comprehensive view. - Pro Tip: Use the 4-hour chart for overall trend direction and the 15-minute chart for precise entries. 3. News Event Filters - Avoid false signals during major news releases. - Strategy: Let MACD confirm trends after the initial news-driven volatility subsides. Pitfalls to Avoid with MACD and GBP/NZD Even the best tools need proper handling. Here are some common mistakes traders make with MACD and how to avoid them: 1. Ignoring Lag - Pitfall: MACD is a lagging indicator, which can lead to late entries. - Fix: Combine MACD with leading indicators like pivot points for timely decisions. 2. Over-Reliance on Crossovers - Pitfall: Blindly following MACD crossovers without context. - Fix: Always consider market conditions and price action. 3. Overtrading in Choppy Markets - Pitfall: Using MACD in sideways markets can lead to whipsaws. - Fix: Stick to trend-following strategies for cleaner signals. Case Study: Cracking GBP/NZD with MACD Scenario - GBP/NZD is trending upwards after positive UK economic data, but MACD shows bearish divergence. Outcome - Strategy: Enter a short position as MACD confirms the divergence and price begins to retrace. - Result: A well-timed exit yields a 3% account gain in one session. Conclusion: The Perfect Pair The GBP/NZD may be volatile, but with MACD in your corner, you’re equipped to navigate its wild swings like a pro. By mastering momentum shifts, trend confirmations, and divergence signals, you can transform chaos into calculated opportunity. Actionable Takeaways: - Use MACD to filter false signals in GBP/NZD’s volatile market. - Combine MACD with support and resistance for powerful confirmations. - Stay disciplined to avoid pitfalls like lag and overtrading. It’s time to let MACD guide your GBP/NZD strategy and turn volatility into victory. Start trading smarter today! —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated Read the full article

[butwhyduh]

Fit to be Tied

Jason Todd x reader

Warning: Christmas? And the f word.

Christmas series 2

Jason didn’t pay much attention to holidays. Nope. That was for the living. He didn’t have much of need for it. But he did know that Christmas was quiet and New Years was busy for patrol. He guessed everyone ate Christmas dinner and and then got bored of playing nice. Or maybe that just wanted to start the new year with a big ass bang. Who knows?

Even when he was a kid, he didn’t celebrate the holidays. Too poor, mom too lost in drugs, and dad? Well fuck him. He was a piece of shit when he was around.

Jason kicked a beer can out of his way into the pile of trash on the sidewalk. They didn’t get the trash again this week it looked like. Daddy Bruce could play bat but couldn’t throw his money around enough to keep trash from piling on the street.

It was fine. He had more important things to do anyways. He had to buy a Christmas present. He didn’t care for the holidays but the sweet girl he had at home was a doll and fuck, if she didn’t deserve something. So Jason went down to the local pawn shop. Usually not a problem but it was 2 AM. Not exactly prime business hours.

So yes, Red Hood was breaking into a pawn shop to get a bracelet. He was leaving cash, $20 over the cost too. It was something you had seen earlier in the week and had admired. Gems of some kind shaped to look like a butterfly. You’d taken a minute longer to stare at it.

He left as quick as he came. And it wasn’t long until he was opening the window of your apartment dressed in street clothes. You were asleep. Jason had used the excuse of patrol to get out. But in the early morning hours of Christmas, he wanted to wake you.

“Princess,” he said gently. You moved a little before opening your eyes. You smiled up at him. Fuck, he didn’t deserve the way you looked at him. Your eyes looked so innocent and sweet. You never looked at him like he scared you.

“Jaybird, what’s going on?”

“I got you something for Christmas and it’s technically Christmas..” he said pulling out the box. You sat up, curious.

“It’s Christmas Eve. You got me something? I didn’t think we were- I didn’t get anything. I couldn’t-“ you said turning red. Money was too tight to consider it. The fact that the heat was still on this late in the month was a Christmas miracle.

“No no. It’s fine. Just being here is enough for me. I’ve never really celebrated Christmas anyways,” Jason said pushing the box in your hand. You held the box before kissing him.

You opened the box to see the bracelet you had been looking at the pawn shop. You smiled and stared at the pretty little butterfly. Jason watched you carefully for a reaction. He’d never admit it but he was more nervous now than fighting on the street.

“You saw me looking at it. I didn’t think you’d notice,” you murmured softly as you picked it up. Jason took it and wrapped it around your wrist. He clasped it on and you looked at it, moving your wrist in the light.

“Thank you. It’s beautiful,” you said quietly looking at it. You had a little grin on your face. Jason smiled. That’s the look he wanted. That little bit of happiness that you showed when you were really pleased. He intertwined his fingers in yours.

“Princess, you’re so cold,” Jason said with a frown. He could feel it colder outside but now that he was getting used to the temperature, it wasn’t warm as it should be.

“The heater was acting up again so I turned it down. The blankets are plenty warm,” you said and his heart all but broke. There was no way he was going to let you be cold all winter because the landlord wouldn’t fix things. He might pay this guy a visit. You sensed his anger.

“It’s okay, Jay. Come lay with me and get warm,” you said taking his hands. He let you pull him into bed. He kicked off his pants and shoes and laid on his side. You curled into him as a little spoon. His long big frame all but engulfed you. It always felt to protective. If he was holding you, he knew you were safe. Jason ran his fingers along your bracelet soft as his rough fingers could.

“You’re so good to me,” you said softly and his heart clenched again. Fuck, if you knew all the bad he did. His messed up past. He thought you would have run away when you first learned he was Red Hood but no, you had been kind.

“Naw, Princess you deserve more then this shitty place,” he said, and for the first time, he felt a little bad about giving all of his trust fund to the soup kitchen he would visit as a kid. A little would have been nice to get a better place for you. But he had been making a ton crushing the drug trade at the time and didn’t have a girl back home when he did it. He couldn’t be as reckless now.

You turned in his arms to look in his blue eyes. He has such an intense look on his face that you frowned. “Jaybird, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he said pulling his face back to normal. “Just thinking. I wanna move you to a better place, a safer place than this,” he said running his thumb across your cheeks. You grasped his wrist and leaned into his touch. Jason would sometimes get like that. Thinking you deserved better. And you humored him even though you wouldn’t even know what to do with wealth.

“We’re moving. Soon. I’m promising now,” he said thinking about the painful conversation he was going to have with Bruce. His adoptive father he hadn’t even told you about. Bruce would do just about anything Jason asked. Probably the guilt of letting him die.

“But Jay, we’d miss the water that went from boiling to freezing at random. And I’m not sure if I can sleep without Mr and Mrs Jancowski having sex every Tuesday at 2 AM,” you said with a smile. He kissed you to shut you up. You were joking but each one felt like a little knife in his guilt. You pulled him over you and the thought of money troubles faded from your mind.

———————————————

Jason woke before you and watched you sleep. You laid on his chest with your hand in his hair and your soft breath on his throat. The bracelet was still on your wrist. You looked so peaceful, trusted him while you slept. Jason carefully grabbed his phone and texted Alfred. He’d also have to tell you about his adoptive family. His very famous adoptive family.

He threaded his fingers in your hand that was flung across his waist. You began to stir. Jason moved hair from your face and you blinked to see his pale blue eyes watching you.

“Morning, Princess,” he said with a rough morning voice. You smiled.

“Morning, Jaybird.”

“I’ve got something to tell you,” he started. “I want you to meet my family tonight.”

“Tonight? Your family? I thought your parents...” you trailed off.

“I was adopted. I never told you because I don’t have the best relationship with them. But I think it’s time for you to meet them. I’ve got to tell you something else,” he said and you could hear his heart beat quicker as you laid on him.

“My adoptive father is Bruce Wayne.”

Silence.

“You’re shitting me.”

“Nope. And tonight I’m taking you to meet him. And my adoptive siblings.”

“You aren’t joking,” you said sitting up. Jason sat up too.

“I’m not. I’m kinda the... black sheep of the family. He adopted me when I was 12. I was trying to boost the wheels from the b- Bentley he was driving,” Jason corrected. It was one thing to tell you he was Red Hood. He couldn’t say Bruce Wayne was Batman.

“Wow. I- wow. Okay. That’s a lot to take in. Also on brand to be honest,” you said and he smiled and shrugged.

“Wait. What the fuck do you wear to the freaking Wayne manor for Christmas Eve?” You said a little panicky.

“Whatever you want. It’s just family,” he said with a sideways smile.

“Oh no. I can’t go to freaking Wayne Manor in a Kmart sweater,” you said quickly.

“You can wear,” he said hopping out of bed. He dug way in the back of his closet for a pretty red sweater that was slightly oversized. “This. Should fit fine. Pretty expensive too.”

“Where the hell did you get that?”

“I’ve had it for year and it definitely doesn’t fit now,” Jason said with a laugh. “Try it on.”

—————————————

The weather sucked. Freaking sleet that threatened everything it touched. You were grateful it wasn’t a night of Jason patrolling. This meant taking your car instead of Jason’s motorcycle. Your car was at least 15 years old and you called it Frankenstein because of all the repairs done over the years.

The radio skipped as Jason drove over a speed bump by Wayne Manor and you burst out laughing. Jason looked at you from the side.

“It’s not that funny,” he said. “What’s up?”

“My car is trash, I’m wearing your old sweater, and we’re late. If you weren’t the black sheep before, bringing me home, you will be now,” you said. He grabbed your hand and parked in front of a random house.

“I’ve been the black sheep since I was a kid and you aren’t going to change any thing for the worse. Trust me. In fact they’ll probably think you’re too good for me,” Jason said with a dry chuckle. “So don’t worry about anything. Except making room for pudding. I know it sounds weird,” he said starting to drive again. “But it’s the best part of Christmas.”

Wayne Manor was huge. You knew that. You’d even seen it on tv. But to see it in front of you was honestly terrifying, especially in the nasty weather. You almost hoped Jason was playing some weird elaborate joke and was going to drive on by but he knew the passcode to the gate. He drove in the covered drop off spot by the front door and parked. You both quickly ran in the building.

The front entry was breathtaking. A gigantic Christmas tree and a full staircase decked out in garland like a Hallmark movie. It was like a magazine. In fact, it was in the Christmas episode of Gotham Life the year before.

You gripped Jason’s hand tightly as you walked down the hall. Your shoes sounded unnaturally loud and you had the urge to quiet them like it was a library. Jason pulled you to the doorway of a dinning room full of people settling to eat. Jadon cleared his throat.

“Master Jason! You made it,” Alfred said excitedly. “I recieved your message but it’s been many years. Sit. Sit.”

“Glad you could come,” Jason’s brother Dick said with a grin. He looked at you in curious excitement. You looked down at some kind of mushroom soup placed in front of you. Everyone else was dressed so nicely and ate so perfectly. It was intimidating.

“Yeah, it’s Christmas,” Jason said shrugging. He gave Dick a look that said don’t ask. It didn’t take much for Dick to drop it because he seemed incredibly distracted. You spent most of the meal trying to keep up on conversations you clearly didn’t understand while trying food you’ve never seen before. You could barely remember everyone you were introduced to. One of Jason’s sister(s?) gave you a big hug along with everyone else when she arrived. You couldn’t tell anyone what was even said after the meal. Or so you thought.

Until right across from you, Dick proposes to his girlfriend. He stuttered around before finally asking. “Will you marry me? Oh god, I have a ring,” he said producing one. Everyone watched as she stared in the box.

“Will I marry you?” She asked faintly and you worried she’d say no. How terrible would it be??

“Please say something,” he pleaded and you could tell the man was practically in pain before she said yes. They kissed, the family applauded, and champagne was served.

Jason watched you from the corner of his eyes. How did you react to this? What did you think? You didn’t look jealous or anything. It made Jason think of marriage. He hadn’t before. He’d thought about moving into something more permanent but marriage. He’d never thought about marriage as his future, ever. Of course when you die at 16 and come back with a vengeance, love is low on the priority list.

“Jaybird, you there,” you asked slightly tapping his shoulder. He blinked and looked at you.

“Yeah, I’m here. Just in my head,” he said and you nodded. He’d do that sometimes.

“The party is moving to the parlor,” you said quietly in a proper rich Gothamite voice and Jason huffed before covering his smiling mouth with a nose rub. The rest of the group was moving ahead of you. Dick and his new fiancé were retiring for the night.

“I’m never going to hear the end of it, am I?”

“I’m so sorry, dearest. I can’t understand you with a silver spoon in your mouth,” you laughed. Jason rolled his eyes before guiding your shoulders towards the door. You heard a soft laugh behind you and you turned to see Tim’s girlfriend smiling.

“Sorry to interrupt but I’ve got to use that on Tim,” she said grabbing her coat and walking out.

After making sure you were cool with hanging with Tim’s girlfriend and their adoptive sister Cass, Jason and Tim started a very competitive game of pool. You couldn’t help but look at things that cost more than you’ve ever even seen. The chess set Damian and his girlfriend were playing with probably cost more than your car.

But it was Christmas and you tried to push your insecurities aside. It was a fun evening. A glass of wine you kept sipping on helped as well.

After a while Bruce announced that the roads were too bad and that no one was leaving. Jason clenched his jaw for a second before looking at you and relaxing. He didn’t want to stay but he wasn’t risking your health in any way. Instead he focused on the game.

“So if I win,” Jason said a full hour later. By this time, Damian’s girlfriend had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Your eyes felt a little heavy as well. “I get the penthouse.”

“Sure Jay. That’s Bruce’s. But I’m willing to gamble it,” Tim said throwing his hands up at the ridiculousness.

“I accept terms,” Bruce said. Both boys looked at him surprised. “Whoever wins gets the penthouse.”

You turned quickly to watch the game. Okay, is that a normal thing for them? To bet property. The look on everyone’s face said that no it wasn’t normal.

Jason was excellent at pool. It was a common for you both to go down to the pool hall and play some games. Jason would occasionally make some money playing and he did often as a kid. It was also a way to waste time when your mom was throwing beers back like a fish, like Jason’s mother did. Tim didn’t stand a chance. He wasn’t as good and looked almost like he was in pain occasionally. But maybe it wasn’t a real competition? Maybe Bruce was trying to give Jason something he’d always want to but didn’t know how. Jason easily won the game.

“So the penthouse is mine?” Jason asked. Bruce nodded and shrugged. Tim softly coughed in his hand. Your heart raced. They couldn’t be serious.

“If you’ll live in it,” Bruce said. Damian was carefully carrying his girlfriend upstairs.

“Deal,” Jason says quickly.

“Deal,” Bruce said looking quiet pleased. Was this his plan all along?

“I guess, deal?” Tim said confused. “Though you should owe me. You’re the one that got me shot.”

Your brain broke. He was shot? And it was Jason’s fault?

“What?! You got him shot?” Tim’s girlfriend asked loudly. Tim blanched.

“Not my fault.”

“Literally your fault,” Tim countered.

“What did you do?” You asked looking at him suspiciously. He offered you a sheepish smile.

“I might have said ‘what are you gonna do, shoot us?’ I meant me. Not Tim! He also has a bulletproof suit,” Jason said. Tim must be a vigilante too. You glared at Jason.

“That’s not in the report,” Bruce said with his eyes narrowing.

“Good night everybody. Merry Christmas,” Jason said pulling you from the room and up to his childhood room.

“You’re in so much trouble,” you said and he grinned.

“I’ll deal with it tomorrow. How do you feel about a penthouse? Better than our current place hu?” Jason said pulling you close. You felt dizzy at the idea.

“Seriously? We can’t afford it,” you said trying to stay grounded. It was too good to be true. Things like that didn’t happen to people like you.

“I think I know a guy who can keep the lights on,” he joked and you gave him a serious look. “Don’t worry about it. Just enjoy the idea of constant hot water. Lights never going off,” Jason said pushing you towards the bed. “No one can hear me make you scream.”

“Tempting. Very tempting,” you said and of fucking course it was. A safe beautiful clean penthouse over your trashy scary apartment wasn’t even a contest. Jason pushed you on the bed and hovered over you.

“What are you doing,” you asked flushed but still encouraging him. It was still his dad’s house and he was getting handsy.

“Trying to have sex with my girlfriend on my old bed like every guy ever has dreamed of,” Jason said. He nipped at your throat. You gasped.

“Got to be quiet, Princess,” he whispered and you pulled him down to kiss more.

————————————

The next morning you woke to an empty bed. You fixed your hair as best you could and threw on Jason’s sweatshirt before going downstairs. You caught a glimpse of the kitchen as Bruce slowly slid a set of keys Jason’s way before taking a long drink from his coffee. “I’m glad you made home for Christmas this year, Jason.” The penthouse.

“Morning,” Bruce said to you nodding before leaving the room. Jason was alone in the kitchen but you could hear others in the breakfast nook a door over.

“Keys,” Jason said showing you. “And no lecture.”

You gave him a hug and looked at the shiny metal keys. It would be a while before you could handle the idea of a freaking penthouse being yours. “But you should get something for Tim. You did get him shot.”

“Let him shoot me?”

“Jason, no.”

[kursed-curtain]

Endless Possibilities

First entry here, previous one here!

I dunno if I should tag @goddessoftechnology in this but technically this was their idea so~ deserves all the credit I can give!

Also, fair warning, a bit of these fics includes minor mentions of blood and self-harm (? Maybe?) so tread with caution.

--_ _+_ _--

"Your plate is already in front of you. All you have to do is set the table based on where you assume the silverware goes."

No.1 stepped back, letting Graham look over the cutlery. Today's lesson was on formal table setting. Completely different from how dinner is set up at home, No.1 made sure to inform. He didn't mean to undermine, however No.1's head was occupied by doubts and worry. He knew training a new king from the ground up would be hard work, but he underestimated how much 'hard' would play a part.

Graham squinted at the pile of tupperware, then grabbed the butter knife and inspected it.

"Remember that there is no pressure to get it all right, this is simply a pretest to help me understand what you know." No.1 reminded him.

Graham blankly glanced at No.1, then started placing the utensils. His eyes looked glazed over, presumably lost in thought. He finished in only a few minutes.

No.1 looked over his shoulder. "You're confident in your choices already? Alright, let me check your answers."

As No.1 mentally checked off each bit of silverware, his eyes grew wider and wider, till his checking came to a halt. Thankfully the helmet obscured his face, because he looked utterly dumbfounded. Every placement was correct, even down to the most measly fork. No.1 stifled a bewildered chuckle. "Your Majesty, either you have quite the luck with guessing, or you genuinely know your table setting."

Graham gave a sheepish grin. "Oh, I just got… did a little bit of late-night studying."

"Well then, I'm impressed. That studying paid off."

No.1 picked up the large spoon on the far right. What else did Graham know? "Alright then, what would this be called?"

Graham paused, then spouted, "That's the soup spoon."

No.1 nodded. "And… which fork would you use first?"

Picking up the fork to his far left, Graham explained, "You'd use the fork furthest from the plate, so in this case it's the salad fork."

"Correct again! Why, I don't think I need to teach you about place setting. You're already on your way to becoming quite the noble."

Graham kicked his feet, beaming. Not the most kingly of responses, however Graham deserved it. After all, with how Graham had put everything to heart, that studying must have been tiring.

_+_

They left the dining room and ended the lesson early. No.1 needed to write up a new lesson plan anyways, so Graham got his first bit of extra free time. Graham took out the pendant and rubbed the gem with his thumb. It really was brimming with unending knowledge. Filled with a new vigour from his success, he wondered just what else the amulet could do. Maybe he could finally knock out those unfinished addendums. 

He passed by a window that led out to the training grounds. The idea sparked in his head - he could try wielding a sword again, maybe this time he wouldn't get pinned down and give up like yesterday.

He picked up a training sword and waited for instructions. 

"When holding a sword, grip the handle with your dominant hand and place it just below the hilt."

Of course, of course. He adjusted his positioning as such.

The sound of clanking boots approached from behind him. Graham didn't need to turn around to know it was No.2 - the amulet told him so.

"Good afternoon, sire. Say, aren't you supposed to be doing a lesson with No.1?"

Graham smiled, "He called it off early, so now I have the time to practice sword fighting!"

No.2 hummed, intrigued. "'Called it off early,' huh? Strange, he doesn't usually do that. I'll have to talk to him about that later," he muttered. 

Graham's heart skipped a beat, he couldn't have No.2 finding out about his amulet - that he cheated. He stayed silent, though, to avoid suspicion. No.2 perked up. "Hey, you said you were practicing sword fighting. Care for a sparring match?"

Graham eagerly nodded. The two moved into their positions. Graham received a ping in the back of his mind.

"Your foot is off, you should shift it slightly inwards." Graham corrected.

"You should not correct your opponent, as you do not want them to overshadow you."

A bit late for that reminder. No.2 tilted his head. "Shouldn't I be the one correcting you?" He quipped. Despite his doubts, No.2 still adjusted his form.

Graham glanced down at the glowing blue of the pendant, waiting for instructions.

"Would you like to switch to autopilot?"

Autopilot, huh? Well, he wasn't confident enough in his moves. Maybe he could watch the amulet's technique, adjust his own strategy as such. Graham nodded.

No.2 must have seen Graham's nod as an indicator of readiness, because No.2 rushed in before Graham could look back up again. Graham reflexively closed his eyes, but the sword never came to contact. Graham opened his eyes to see that his own sword had blocked No.2's. No.2 chuckled, amused by Graham's skill. He's been practicing, alright.

They clashed, flying about the battlefield as if in a dance. Graham never could have moved with this level of confidence, of complete and utter focus before. The library did absolute wonders, and the amulet had an inhumanly fast reaction time. Graham swore he saw No.2's shock as Graham sensed him sneaking up from behind.

Then Graham noticed how he was starting to falter. Grip on his sword turning loose and shaky again.

"Returning control to user…"

Graham stopped in the middle of the field, disoriented. No.2 rushed at him, knocking Graham's sword out of his hand and juggling it into No.2's. Easy win.

No.2 put out his hand. "You lasted longer than usual. I think that deserves at least some recognition. Good job, lad."

Graham shook No.2's hand, though still rattled by what just happened. No.2 waved to him, returning back to work, leaving Graham to sit on the steps and interrogate the amulet.

"Why did I get back control before the fight was over? I wasn't… don't you know I'm not good with swords?"

"In order to maintain a safe connection to the Library, the Amulet must be refueled at recurring intervals."

Wait, refueled? Refueled with what?

"Please cut a vein and place the tip of the pendant into the blood. Only a small amount is needed."

Blood… his blood. Gross, but if that's what it took to keep his new knowledge and confidence, Graham could spare just a little. 

He took the pendant and ran the side of it along his finger. Like a blade, it sliced with ease. Blood seeped out of the wound, and Graham noticed how the pendant seemed to suck it up, absorbing it into the gem. It glowed bright blue once more.

"Would you like to continue your sword fighting practice?"

Graham shook his head. No, he had other plans. He wanted to see what else this amulet was capable of. What else could he do? Or perhaps, what couldn't he do?

[clouds-of-wings]

Half-discovered experimental Nordic heavy folk recs

Niche? Yeah. Best music ever? HELL yeah!

Tagged “folk metal” because that’s the intended audience. I'd define heavy folk as "folk music that's reminiscent of metal without actually being metal".

Hindarfjäll (Sweden)

Ah, how I love Hindarfjäll! They became one of my favourite bands before they even released their first album, just because their demos had a sincerity and depth to them that honestly moved me to tears. They started out as a Wardruna-inspired folk band, but by the time their debut Från Tidernas Begynnelse came out in late 2020, they were 1) a solo project and 2) a delightful, unique voice in today’s Nordic folk scene. Hindarfjäll’s music is almost too gentle to really count as “heavy folk”, but the songwriter comes from a metal direction and a large percentage of the fans seem to do so too.

Hindarfjäll also have some great music videos!

Norrsinnt (Sweden)

Now this one - also a solo project - goes much more into a metal direction. In fact many Norrsinnt songs are straight up folk metal. But there’s also the 10 minute long ritual tracks and the nyckelharpa-centric more-or-less-acoustic stuff. The first album, Dåvahugg, came out in 2019, and there's another album's worth of material on Bandcamp already. Sophisticated, majestic, and as heavy as heavy folk gets without being quite "just metal".

Fuimadane (Denmark)

If every music list has its weird entry, this is the one on this list. Someone once said on FB that since the artist behind this project (another solo thing!) is an immigrant, the name should probably be read as “F U Im A Dane”. Very experimental neofolk that goes into many different stylistic directions. Just listen to the song below, you’ll see what I mean.

Nordein (Norway)

I think everything on this list is just “one dude with a lot of instruments” ahaha. Nordein's music is atmospheric, something for fans of soundtrack or ambient music. The artist calls the genre “Norwegian mountain music”, and I for one think you can hear the mountains in the song below. The album it is from, the project’s 2020 debut Nordariket, is a trip. I mean this literally, it’s like a journey.

Also, here's a translation of the lyrics to the song below. Powerful stuff!

Narehell (Netherlands?)

And maybe every list has its “dark” entry too. In that case, this is it. Narehell aren’t technically from a Nordic country (I think), but the nyckelharpa and the tagelharpa are the main instruments, their debut came out only last month, and I at least can’t really see the stylistic difference, so I’m including them. If you like Heilung, check out this... another... solo project (shakes fist).