#the game is buggy on my phone so it's more like a find clothes that don't bug dress up game than a normal dress up game
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poupoulebambou-blog · 3 days ago
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Started playing Infinity Nikki and I love the soft 2000s yuri shojo tone every interaction between females characters has
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xosdr · 11 months ago
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Road to Wealth
If you've any questions or find any problems or spelling mistakes. Please let me know in my Discord
Please Read Terms of Use
More Info about Road to Wealth
The road to Wealth mod adds a Net Worth system to your game. Depending on your Sims net worth (property value + cash) they will automatically receive a trait and the trait will also be automatically updated when your Sim goes into another class. The five traits are: poor, lower class, middle class, upper class, and wealthy.
The new traits have also been added to preferences, so your Sim can like or dislike a certain net worth class. If they are in a net worth class they don't like they will receive negative buffs and if they are in a net worth class they do like they will receive positive buffs. Also, it is harder to make friends with Sims who are in a net worth class your Sim dislikes and easier with Sims who are in a net worth class your Sim does like.
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Not only does this mod add a net worth system it also adds more ways for your Sims to spend or earn money:
They can now go on activities, by themselves or with friends and family.
They'll have to pay an entrance fee on certain lots that have the new lot challenge activated: Entrance Fee.
They can purchase memberships, so they don't have to pay the entrance fee anymore. These memberships will last 7 or 14 days.
They might receive scam calls where they either loose or win a lot of money.
They can take out a loan. Paying back the loan works the same as the Discovery University loan system, but the system has been made Base Game Compatible and has become less buggy.
Poor and lower class Sims can now search for money on certain furniture items.
Instead of selling all your inventory items directly in the inventory your Sims can now sell their items at the new stores. The interaction can be found in the shopping tab on their phone or computer. Not only can your Sims sell their items at these store they can also purchase item from these stores.
And there is also a new aspiration available: Road to Wealth.
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Then this mod also comes with a few optional files. All these optional files are optional and the reason they are optional is because they are either overrides or they require DLC.
Lot Prices: changes the price of each lot in game. You can choose to have them all as §0 or the original price x 5 or x 10.
Starting Funds: changes the amount of money a new household starts with. Your Sim will have to pay back this money. It's a loan! 
Adoption & Animals: changes the prices of all adoptions and animals (except for goats, sheep, cows, llamas, and chickens). Also, animal food has become more expensive.
Diaper & Bottle: adds pricing to each diaper change and each bottle feed. Cloth diapers and breastfeeding is free.
Reward Store: adds 50% of the original price to any rewards store item. For example if it costs 2000 it will now cost 3000.
Science Baby: makes having a science baby a lot more expensive!
Services: all services have now become more expensive. This includes massages, manicures, and pedicures.
University: All university classes have become more expensive.
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Translations:
Russian by Pumpkin
Chinese by ImmoralSSS 
Spanish by RoshySims
PATREON | DOWNLOAD
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discordantwritings · 1 year ago
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Rock Hard (Rock Band! Cross Guild x Reader)
Part 2. The Vocalist
Prelude // The Vocalist // The Guitarist // The Drummer
Warnings: afab gn!reader, facesitting, PiV sex, slightly subby Buggy, I know the title says cross guild but this part is just Buggy
WC: 2.4k
Summary: You will not fall to the clown’s charms you will not fall to the clown’s charms you will not-
Oh shit you fell for the clown’s charms.
Notes: Finally found an excuse to write facesitting lets goooooo
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You were less of a manager to Buggy and more of a babysitter. If you could get away with getting him one of those child backpack leashes you would. Within a week you got the passwords to all his social media so you could stop him from posting dumb shit like “I wish my dick could detach” and “I could fist fight The Rock and win, give me a date and time”. It was exhausting. Hilarious, but exhausting.
It would be worse if he wasn’t so damn charming. Ever time you find yourself getting mad at him he would grovel and bat his frustratingly perfect eyelashes at you and all the anger you have fizzles out. It was a game you played- Buggy tested your limits and then you reigned him in before he could do any lasting damage. You’d get mad, he’d get cute, and then you went back to the beginning.
It would be worse if he didn’t do such good work. Buggy was the only band member you could get to do any sort of press (Crocodile and Mihawk claimed that that was what Buggy was there for, so they didn’t have to talk to the public) so you had to lean on him heavily for public relations. It turned out not to be a problem though because he could charm just about anyone. Even the most cynical of interviewers would be at least softened by Buggy’s crazy stories and silly jokes by the end of their time.
And that’s what you’re watching now at The Cross Guild office. You got this interview on the the interviewers misguided thought that he could run into Crocodile or Mihawk. Jokes on him, you planned this for a day neither of them were in the office. Because of that the interviewer came into the set annoyed, and Buggy shot you a look from where he was sat. You shrug and give him a thumbs up as the cameras begin to roll.
Watching him turn on the charm was mesmerizing. The way he leans in towards the interviewer and smiles, the way he never backs down from a question or accusation, the silly physical gags he manages to weave into a normal conversation, it’s all so impressive. After about an hour the production finally wraps up and Buggy bounds over to you.
“He was an ass.” He whispers to you and you nudge him on the shoulder.
“Can’t you wait a few minutes.” You eye the interviewer who is still in the room.
“Can we just go back to my office and debrief or whatever so I can go home?” Buggy says in almost a whine.
“Yeah, yeah.” You follow behind him through the hallways until you get to his office.
Gaudy is the best word to describe his office, right next to messy and a fire hazard. No piece of furniture is the same color and various rugs and discarded clothes cover the floor. You’re bound to trip over something before you leave but for now you find your way safely to a chair to go over the events of today and what’s on the schedule for tomorrow.
“So we did three interviews today, tomorrow we have a meet and greet and then a radio show. And then-“ You look up to see Buggy on his neon green couch and on his phone. “You’re not listening to me.”
“No I am!” He says, not looking up from his phone.
“Then what’s on the docket tomorrow?”
“… more talking.” He clicks his phone off, knowing he’s been caught.
“Look, seriously I just need five more minutes of your attention and then you can do whatever. You’ve knocked it out of the park today, so I just need to keep that going until this press wave is over.”
Buggy pauses and smiles wide. “I knocked it out of the park?”
You sigh. It was hard giving Buggy any kind of praise, the way it went straight to his head. But you felt bad for the way his fellow band members treated him- like he had no redeeming qualities. “You did good today Buggy.”
He stands up and walks over to you holding out a hand, indicating for you to stand up. Confused but curious you do, and are pulled up close to him. “Now see, if you just kept telling me how good of a job I’ve been doing I’d pay attention all the time.”
You did your best not to react at how close you are to him- keeping your breath even and hoping there was no flush to your cheeks. “But then it would all get to your head and I might have to knock you down a few pegs.”
“I don’t know about you- but that sounds like fun to me.” One of Buggy’s hands skirts over your hip while he gets somehow impossibly closer to you.
“Buggy.” You say sternly, a warning.
“What?” He stops moving, one eyebrow raised.
“I know playing around is fun for you, and you’re not serious, but nothing even close to this can happen.”
“And what is this?” He’s clearly feigning ignorance and you put your hand on his chest and push.
“Nothing.” The word comes out a bit more hurt than you would have liked it to sound. Of course Buggy picks up on it.
“It doesn’t have to be nothing. I know you say I’m not serious but-“ He opens his arms. “I like you.”
“You like a lot of people.” You fire back, jabbing your pointer finger into his chest.
“Maybe that’s true. But c’mon we could have so much fun together.” He steps back closer, your finger digging deeper. “You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.”
Embarrassment quickly colors your features as he hits the truth right on the head. Of course you’ve thought about it. The way he looks at you, the charm he has, his voice, the way you quickly counted him as your friend here. You really wondered what that stupid mouth could do but admitting that you fantasized about him? “No.”
“You’re an awful liar.” Buggy calls you out, brushing an errant hair behind your ear. “Now c’mon, I’ll even let you knock me down a few pegs.”
It was an awful idea. The worst idea you’ve even considered. You could tell Buggy no one more time and you know he’d respect your choice. But both of you know your heart isn’t in your reflections. Kissing him, doing anything with him as a bad idea.
So of course you grab him by his shirt collar and pull him in for a kiss. He’s shocked for a second- like he can’t believe all that stuff he said actually worked- but quickly melts into the kiss. His hands find your hips and he pulls you flush to him as he tries to take control. But you’re not going to let him win that easy.
You walk forward, forcing him to take steps back until his legs hit the couch. You finally break away from the kiss, panting and grinning wide. Placing your hand on his chest you lightly push and Buggy gets the message, sitting down and letting you crawl onto his lap. He looks up at you, eyes wide and pupils dilated and you want to ruin him.
You kiss him again, aggressive and greedy as your hands hold onto his shoulders for balance. Buggy’s hands, still at your hips, pull you down so he can grind up into you. You gasp as you feel Buggy’s hardness against you through layers of clothing. Bringing your mouth down you kiss along his neck as he continues to grind up into you, small whines leaving his chest.
You lose yourself for a while, switching between his neck and mouth while you grind against each other like horny teenagers. But it’s not enough and you’re starting to get a bit frustrated.
“Hey Bug.” You bite at his earlobe.
“Yeah?” He whispers.
“Wanna be knocked down a peg still?” Your hands travel his chest as he nods furiously. You stand up and Buggy is clearly disappointed but you motion to the floor. “Lay on your back for me?” You ask sweetly, undoing the buttons on your pants.
You barely finish your sentence before he’s eagerly sliding off the couch and onto the ground exactly like you asked. He props himself up by his elbows though to watch you, and you decide to give him a good show. You face him as you unzip your zipper and grab at your waistband but then turn around and bend over slightly as you drag them down over your ass and legs. You can’t see Buggy’s face but you can hear him groan as your pants and panties are taken down in one motion. Turning back you step out of your pants and get on your knees over him, straddling his chest.
“Can I sit on your face?” You ask sweetly, smiling down at him.
Buggy’s pupils are blown out, almost none of that bright sea green remain. He doesn’t say anything, he just grabs your thighs and pulls you up closer to his face. You can’t help but chuckle as you help him out, sitting up on your knees as you position yourself right over him.
“Fuck- I mean- goddamn-“ Buggy curses and you wish you could still see his face. “Please cmon just sit baby-“
Not wanting to wait either you lower yourself and the second you so Buggy dives in. There’s nothing neat or slow or thought out about the way Buggy eats you out but fuck if it isn’t good. His tongue works its way inside you quickly as his hands dig into your thighs. As he haphazardly goes between fucking you with his tongue and sucking on your clit you have to lean forward and use the couch for balance. You start to get dizzy with pleasure and end up focusing a lot of your energy on staying up and not actually sitting on Buggy, which he seems to notice.
He breaks away from you and you whine but hear his voice. “Just sit on me baby- I’ll be fine please cmon-“
He sounds just as dazed as you and the lust and whine in his voice make you relent, fully relaxing and focusing on the pleasure he was giving you. As his tongue finds your entrance again you grind down, rubbing your clit against his nose. Your moans fills the room as you chase your pleasure and use his face to get yourself off. While one hand stays on the couch to keep you balanced the other goes to Buggy’s head, gripping his hair and tugging.
“‘M close Bug-“ You manage through gasps.
Buggy doesn’t let up- one of his hands comes down to join his tongue inside you, filling you up more while you grind on him. The edges of your vision go white as your orgasm flood over you, slick gushing onto Buggy’s face as you ride it out. When the high is over you slide yourself off of his face and lay down next to him. As you do you see that Buggy’s hand is shoved down his pants and he’s grinding up into his palm.
“Fuck- you been getting off on eating me out?” Your voice is breathy and needy.
“Fucking of course.” He says and you finally get a good look at his face- slick from your juices and completely fucked out. You can’t help but capture his lips in another needy kiss, tasting yourself on his tongue. Snaking your own hand down you grab his wrist, gently pulling it out of his pants. He whines but you quickly shush him.
“Need you inside me- now.” You plead and Buggy wastes no time.
He sits up and shoves his pants down while you get on all fours in front of him. He growls when he sees you presented for him like this, one hand going to your hip while the other grabs his length so he can line himself up. He drags his tip through your folds, gagging up your wetness and teasing you.
“Buggy-“ You tried to be annoyed but your voice just comes out like a whine.
“Alright, alright.” Buggy finally presses into you, stretching you out as you both groan.
He takes his time, letting you adjust as he sinks into you and holds himself still for a few seconds when he bottoms out, waiting for your breathing to level out. But after that all of his patience ends. His hands grip your hips tight as he repeatedly slams into you, hitting you deep every time. You try to meet him half way, thrusting your own hips but one of Buggy’s hands leaves you hips and goes to the small of your back and pushes down- he starts hitting spots you didn’t know existed and you give into him.
You know he’s not going to last long from the way his thrusts are already stuttering- but you’re not far behind, already sensitive from the orgasm he gave you not minutes ago. He must know you’re close too, the hand on your hip leaves and travels downwards towards your clit.
“C’mon I want to feel you come all over my cock please baby-“ He babbles as his fingers work on your clit driving you closer and closer.
With one final thrust and his pleads in your ear you cum again, walls contracting around his cock and squeezing him tight. You let your front half fall to the ground as Buggy pulls out just in time to paint your folds and ass with his cum. You both sit breathless for a few moments, regaining the ability to think.
“I can’t say I feel knocked down in any sense.” Buggy comments from behind you and you whip around and hit him on the shoulder.
“Really that’s what you’re going to say?” You want to sound angry but you can’t help but laugh at his stupid grin.
“It could have been a lot worse?” Buggy offers and you just roll your eyes and loop your arms around his shoulders.
“Look- that was-“ You almost give him a compliment but think better of it. “You cannot tell anyone. Seriously.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it!” Buggy’s arms wrap around your midsection and he pulls you in. “Seriously, I think Crocodile and Mihawk would actually literally kill me.”
Yeah.
He’s probably right.
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Random Songs and the Characters They Remind Me Of
This is just a list of songs I listen to, the anime or video game characters they make me think of, and a line from the song that makes me think of them. There are 10 songs here. If I think of more, I'll make a part 2. If you'd like to listen to the song, just click on it's title. Songs are under the cut.
"Make Love Like a Man" by Def Leppard - Joe from Sk8 the Infinity
"Don't call me gigolo, don't call me Casanova, just call me on the phone and baby come on over."
"H.Y.C.Y.B.H." by Tom Cardy - Alhaitham and Kaveh from Genshin Impact
"When my roommate comes into the room looking for his car keys, I don't say it yet."
"Emperor's New Clothes" by Panic! at the Disco - Mammon from Obey Me!
"If it feels good, tastes good, it must be mine."
"The Family Jewels" by Marina and the Diamonds - Sanji from One Piece
"Don't you find it strange? Only thing we share is one last name. Did I beat you at your own game? Typical of me to put us all to shame."
"Lies" by Will Jay - Usopp from One Piece
"And I think I just realised I would say anything, to come off a little more interesting. That's why I tell, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie-lies."
"Crazy=Genius" by Panic! at the Disco - Buggy from One Piece
"She said at night in my dreams, you dance on a tightrope of weird. Oh but when I wake up you're so normal that you just disappear."
"The Good, The Bad and The Dirty" by Panic! at the Disco - Eren Jaeger from Attack on Titan
"If you wanna start a fight, you better throw the first punch. Make it a good one."
"Fairytale" by Alexander Rybak - Armin Arlert from Attack on Titan
"I'm in love with a fairytale, even though it hurts. 'Cause I don't care if I lose my mind, I'm already cursed."
"Beat It" by Michael Jackson (the Fall Out Boy cover also works nicely) - Dracule Mihawk and Roronoa Zoro from One Piece
"You better run, you better do what you can. Don't wanna see no blood, don't be a macho man. You wanna be tough, better do what you can."
"Hell's Comin' With Me" by Poor Man's Poison - Shiro Fujimoto from Blue Exorcist
"I am the righteous hand of God. And I am the devil that you forgot. And I told you one day you will see, that I'll be back I guarantee."
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halahalaatme · 5 years ago
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Sexuality- Song Mingi
Prompts
55- “I’m bored, come over and sit on my dick.”
56- “You better muffle yourself with a pillow then, because I’m not stopping.”
This ones for yhu buggie 😔✌️
Warnings-
Contains mature language, Slight (lies) degration, dom! Mingi, sub! Reader, small bits of spanking, slight exhibition, a f t e r c a r e, soft Mingi afterwards, oh yeah and edible panties👀
Genre- Smut with a lil eneey weeny bit of fluff at the end
“Princess Mingi~” you sang into the phone when the line went through.
“Yes princess~” Mingi’s deep voice floated through the speakers.
“Are you at the dorms alone?” you asked from you position on the floor tying your shoes already knowing the answer.
“Yup! Wooyoung and San just left, why? Are you coming over?” He spoke just as you grabbed your keys.
“Mhm, and I have a big surprise for you, hint, you can eat it off my body” you said teasingly which made Mingi huff through the phone
“Princess~ I’m bored. Come over and sit on my dick why don’t you?” Mingi asks in a voice that has you pressing the gas on you car a little harder than it should be.
“I’m coming don’t rush me” you said as you hit the last turn before reaching your dick appointment.
“Okay I’ll see you when you get here princess” Mingi says and then ends the call as you continue driving anticipating Mingi’s reaction to your little “gift” to him for his performance on Music Bank and at Kcon
When you reach the building you swiftly made your way to the now familiar door and rang the doorbell only for Yunho to open the door and greet you with a brotherly smile
“Y/n? I didn’t know you were coming? Come on in” he said ushering you in as you stand silent embarrassed at the predicament you found yourself in
“Where’s Mingi?” You asl once you enter the small dorm for ATEEZ after removing your shoes (you animals)
“He’s in his room” the newly redhead says from the couch where he plopped down to continue watching whatever on the tv. After hearing his words you scurry off to Mingi’s room trying to pull down the right miniskirt you wore for your man and pull down the small bralette underweight your jacket which was smuthering you in the Korean heat. You knocked and walked in to find your newly blonde hair boyfriend laying on his bed playing a game in his phone not noticing the door opening
“Mingi~” you say as you finally got tired of just staring and admiring his beauty. Placing his attention in you made the room get hotter and you weren’t sure if it was the jacket covering your form or the hunger in Mingi’s eyes
“Princess why you standing all the way over there~ come and sit” he said sitting up and patting his lap never taking his eyes from yours which had you and tumbling over your own feet over to where the blonde man sat and took recidence on his lap where Mingi jr made himself apparent. Mingi’s hands started to wander on your legs slowly dragging themselves to the edge of your miniskirt then, to the edge of your bralette. “Princess is this my surprise?” Mingi whispered in your ear as you pathetically had to stop yourself from releasing any noise that would alert the giant red head in the room next door through the paper thin walls.
“M-Mingi...y-yunho is right o-out there-“ you tried to start but was cut off by Mingi softly biting the spot on your neck and slowly drawing random shapes on your inner thighs pinching every once in a while making you let out a small whine you quickly covered up with a cough. Finally having enough Mingi laid you down on the bed removing you of your long jacket wich covered your body and looked at you, devouring you with his eyes. Slowly but surely he slid his way to your luscious thighs sliding his hands up until he bunch your miniskirt to expose his real surprise of edible panties with skittles decorating the outsides. It made Mingi see stars as he dropped to his knees to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.
“Princess, you better muffle yourself with a pillow, because I’m not stopping” Mingi said sounding like a man deprived of water staring into your eyes as he holds back from fucking you senseless. Quickly, you grab a soft bundle from off his bed that you assume would be a plushie and bite down for good measure. Mingi watches your every move until he’s sure you’ll be okay and dives in like a man starved of food. He licked his way up your thighs to the sweet bands covering your soaked heat.
“I’m not gonna be able to hold back like this..” me mumbled before swiftly turning you on your stomach and biting the top of the underwear near the small of your back. He continued to eat his way to glory until there was only one piece left covering you. By this point you were a sweaty saliva covered mess. Mingi suddenly dove in licking at your folds moaning and groaning at the sweet flavor of you and the panties
“P-please..m-more” you moaned out in desperation lifting your head from where it was buried in the pillow for the past 5 minutes. Mingi quickly disposed himself of his clothes placing himself at your entrance slowly pushing in so you could get adjusted to the massive size
“O-oh god please, move” you moaned after a few seconds already riled up from his former ministrations
“You won’t have to tell me twice” Mingi says before he pulls out and slams back into you knocking all the wind out of you. His hands grip you hips and he sets a fast and hard pace small groans slipping from his clenched teeth, blonde hair dripping sweat, piece falling into his eyes as they shut close in pleasure. Your moans continue to grow in volume before Mingi uses one hand to pushyour head into the pillow and the other to play with your clit, driving you closer to the edge all you all but scream incoherent curses and praises in the pillow. “P-Princess are you close? You gonna cum all over this cock hm?” Mingi growls in your ear as you clench around him. “Answer me” he says with a slap to your ass and a tug on your hair making you lift your head from buried within the pillow.
“Y-yes! O-oh g-god d-daddy I’m s-so c-close” you choke out as Mingi continues to pound in you and play with your sensitive nub
“Cum for me babygirl, cum all over this cock” Mingi whispers in your ear and that’s all it took for one loud moan your sure the neighbors could hear to rip through you and a mind boggoling orgasm right behind it wreak havoc on your body. Mingi cums not to long after all over your thighs, chest heaving and blonde hair stuck to his forehead. He gets up and grabs a wet wipe from off the dresser to help clean off the mess you made and gave you some shorts and a shirt (because he’d be damned before someone saw you wearing that skirt other than him) before cleaning himself off and helping you up to go out into the living room only to find it deserted of its resident redhead.
“You think he heard us and left?” You wonder out loud with a bright red blush tinting your face as Mingi laughs at his phone making you scrunch your eyebrows in confusion before he shown you what made him laugh, making you burry your head in his shoulder in embarrassment
YunknoYunho- “For once I thought I’d be able to watch tv without hearing my buddy rail his girlfriend into the next dimension but i guess not”
End.
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seoulwhat · 5 years ago
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Cabin (#7)
Summary: Lay becomes your partner on a vacation organized by your best friend. 
Pairings: Lay x reader
Genre: SMUT
Warnings: slight choking, being pinned down, no condom, creampie, some aftercare 
Word Count: 8.7k
Renting a cabin during the winter is something you did every year with friends. You and your friends would gather together and pair up with each other. Whoever was your partner, you had to do winter activities with them. This year, was exactly the same as the rest of the years. 
"So a few guys are coming and I am inviting just enough guys so each of us has a partner. Is that okay with you?" Sooah asked over the phone. 
"Yeah, that's fine. We never have guys over anyway. It might be more fun with us plus a few guys," you said, liking the idea. 
The day came quicker than you thought and before you knew it, you were packing a luggage bag with your clothes for a week stay away from home. You drove to Sooah's house, the plan being eight people will take four cars, considering everyone was supposed to have a partner. 
"Yay! You made it!" Sooah opened her front door for you. "Okay, so when everyone gets here, I will pair everyone up and then we will leave after that, okay?"
You nodded and smiled, matching her large grin on her face. The two of you enjoyed each other's company, patiently waiting for everyone to come. 
"Okay," Sooah said sitting on her couch. "So I have a few things to say about these guys."
You rolled your eyes and laughed. Sooah was practically guy crazy so you had a feeling you knew what she was going to say. 
"The four guys coming are super cute and apparently they're all childhood friends. They're not my friends, but they're Mirae's friends. She showed me pictures of them and I instantly said yes to inviting them. Maybe we can find a cute one for you," Sooah winked and elbowed you. 
"Sooah, you know I have a boyfriend already. There will be nothing more than a friendship between me and whoever my partner is. Okay?"
Sooah rolled her eyes and slouched. "No one even likes Woosung. He's a jerk to everyone, even you. I don't know why you're with him."
"I'm with him because he's different behind closed doors."
Sooah stared at you with one brow raised. "How long did you have to beg him to let you come?"
You didn't answer her. She knew he wouldn't instantly let you. He'd probably have your head if he knew guys were coming. But since the trip has always been girls, he has no idea guys were included in the trip. 
"It's ridiculous that you need his permission to go somewhere. You're twenty-four years old! He acts like he's your parent and you're a child."
Sooah was right. She was always right. Even though she never had a boyfriend, she wasn't stupid. She always had the best advice but you never listened to her. You couldn't break up with Woosung, though. You had been with him for such a long time. It wouldn't feel right if you two broke up. 
Finally, the door bell rang and Sooah jumped up with energy from the couch. "It's about time!"
First, your two friends showed up. Mirae and Yoorim. Everyone was excited and you hugged both girls. It's been a while since you last saw them considering how jealous Woosung got every time you hung out with them. Just a few minutes later and the guys all showed up together. Everyone was in Sooah's house and she began introductions. 
"Okay so let's do some intros! I'm Sooah!" She said with a large smile. 
"Everyone knows I'm Mirae."
"I'm Yoorim," she said with a shy smile. 
It was your turn and everyone was looking at you. "I'm Y/n," you said with an awkward wave. 
All the girls, including yourself, looked to the men standing side by side. For the first time, you were able to get a good look at all four of them. The tallest one looked quite intimidating. He had light brown hair and was staring at Yoorim pretty hungrily. The shortest one was handsome and he stood like if he knew it. It was kind of attractive and you were curious about who would be his partner. The third guy had silver hair. He stood out the most to you. You had never seen a guy with silver hair and this guy wore it well. The last guy was beyond handsome. He smiled slightly and a dimple formed on one of his cheeks. You instantly fell in love, but you made sure not to stare too long. 
"Okay well I'm Sehun," the tallest one said. 
"I'm Suho," the short one said. 
"I'm Baekhyun," the silver haired guy spoke with a large smile. 
"And I'm Yixing, but you can call me Lay," the last one said with a shy smile. You found him adorable and couldn't help but stare at him. 
"Okay so I have everyone's names written down on pieces of paper," Sooah began. "I'll randomly give the guys a girls name and whoever they have will be their partner."
Sooah passed pieces of paper to all four men. There was some little excitement as to who would be your partner. You actually didn't mind who it was considering they all seemed very friendly.
The four men all opened their pieces of paper  Sehun instantly stared at Yoorim and smiled. "You're my partner," he said and walked over to her. 
"I have," Suho said, opening his paper. "Mirae."
Mirae laughed. "I had a feeling you'd get me."
"I got Sooah," Baekhyun said with a little smile. Sooah walked over to him and stood beside him. The three couples looked at who was left, which was you and Lay. 
"I guess we're partners?" You said with a smile. 
"I guess so," Lay said with a grin. "Should I check the paper just in case?"
You laughed. "I think we're good. But now we have to find out who's car we are taking."
Everyone decided to speak to their partners and you turned to Lay. "Do you have a nice and big car? We need enough room to fit our blankets and luggage."
"Well, I wouldn't say my car is big. But it is large enough. Do you have a car?" Lay raised his brows in question and his eyes widened a bit. 
You nodded in response. "I do. It's the old punch buggy out there. There's no way my car would make it up the mountains. So thank goodness for your car."
Lay looked a little confused. "What's a punch buggy?"
You stared at him in shock, wanting to believe that everyone knew the rules of the Volkswagen Beetle. "It's a game that people usually play. If you see a Beetle car, you punch someone and say 'punch buggy'. It's a stupid game people play but it sometimes kills time."
"Do you play that?" He asked with curiosity in his voice. 
"Not often. Only when I'm bored. Don't worry though. I promise I won't punch you," you laughed. Lay smiled at you and nodded. 
Once everyone decided whose car to take and all the luggage was put into the cars, it was time to take off. It was about an hour ride from Sooah's house to the cabin that everyone was staying in. At first, things were quite hectic with choosing who to follow on the road up to the cabin, but once things calmed down, an awkward silence began to grow in the car between you and Lay. 
"Should we get to know each other while we wait for this car ride to be over?" Lay suggested. One of his hands was on the steering wheel and his other was gently caressing his center console. It was an attractive site to witness. It was completely non-sexual but you always loved seeing an attractive man drive. 
"Is that a yes?" Lay asked, laughing. His question took you out of your daze and you felt a little embarrassed. 
"Uh yeah. You go first."
"Okay," he began. "Do you have a boyfriend?"
You laughed. "Woah, getting to the juicy details already, huh?"
This made Lay laughed out loud and his head tilted back slightly. "I'm sorry if I'm so straightforward."
You shooed him off with your hand. "It's fine. Yes, I do have a boyfriend."
Lay raised his eyebrows. "Nice. What's his name and how old is he?"
"His name is Woosung and he's twenty-seven. He's a singer, have you ever heard of him?"
Lay was quiet. You looked to him and he was gripping his wheel aggressively. "Is everything okay?"
Lay looked to you and took a deep breath. "Was this Woosung in a band called The Rose?"
You looked away and nodded, wondering how he knew that detail. It's been four years since Woosung was last in The Rose. 
"He was. Why what happened? How do you know him?" You're curiosity got the best of you. You knew the news that was about to leave Lay's mouth was not good but it was killing you to know.
"About five years ago I had this friend. She was beautiful and kind and everything you could possibly love about a woman. The three of us used to be super close friends. I had a growing crush on her and I told Woosung about this. The next day, I caught them in bed together. I was furious because Woosung knew about my crush. He practically broke guy code."
Lay's words hit you like a truck. "But, I've been with Woosung for six years. Does this mean he cheated on me?"
The car grew quiet and the last six years of being with Woosung ran through your mind. How could you be so oblivious? All his friends probably knew about this and you continued to be at his side like a moron. Your heart began to shatter and you felt sick to your stomach. The Woosung that you thought loved you, cheated on you and never told you.
You could see Lay staring at you from your peripheral. He reached for your hand to comfort you, but you instantly retracted your hand. "I'm so sorry, Y/n. I had no idea."
You shook your head in response. Your throat was tight with tears that wanted to spill and you knew that if you spoke, you'd break down. Your eyes watered to the brim, heart completely broken, but you never allowed a tear to fall down your cheeks. 
The rest of the ride to the cabin was silent. You couldn't think of anything else but the fact that the man you thought loved you had cheated on you one year into your relationship. You always knew Woosung was a player but you always thought he'd be loyal to you. 
The cabin slowly came into sight. You felt suffocated in the car and you just wanted to get out and be alone for a while. Once everyone got to the cabin and parked their cars, everyone stepped out and admired the cabin and its beauty. It was different than what Sooah usually rented. Normally, it was just the four of you girls but since the guys were there too, she had to rent a larger cabin. It looked much better than the other cabins on the site. 
You managed to keep Woosung out of your head for a bit. It came back into your mind when you saw the way that Sehun was staring at Yoorim. It was years ago when you and Woosung were still friends. He would stare at you like if you were the most beautiful girl to him. It used to make your heart flutter and your stomach filled with butterflies, but now, the thought of him made you sick to your stomach. Leaving the group, you walked to the back of the house, admiring the mountains and how the mountains cradled the city. It was nice. Evening was approaching and the city's lights began to glow. You took in a deep breath of fresh air, not knowing how you were going to approach Woosung with this newfound information. 
"Hey, are you okay?"
You turned around and saw Sooah with a concerned look on her face. She instantly saw your expression and knew something was up.
"Y/n, what happened? Did Lay do something to you?"
You shook your head and looked down to your feet. Your eyes began to water again, no matter how hard you tried to hold it in. You looked up at Sooah, confident that you actually did look okay, and she instantly hugged you. You couldn't hold it in anymore and her hug just brought out more tears. Before you knew it, you were bawling your eyes out and leaving tear stains on her sweater. 
You began to hiccup from all the crying, feeling like you couldn't breathe properly. "Woosung cheated on me."
Sooah gasped and pulled away from the hug to look at you. "How do you know? What happened?"
"I was talking with Lay in the car and they used to be friends a few years ago. He told me that Woosung had sex with a mutual friend of theirs."
Sooah reached for your hands and held them in her own. "Maybe it was before you two were together."
Even though Sooah hated Woosung, she wanted to believe that he didn't cheat on you. You shook your head. "No. Lay told me this happened five years ago. Woosung and I have been together for six."
Sooah opened her mouth in disbelief. "What are you going to do?"
You wiped a tear with your sleeve. "I guess break up with him. I have zero tolerance for cheating."
"I'll help you drop him if you need help, okay?"
You nodded and smiled through your pain and Sooah returned the smile. She hugged you once more, squeezing just a little for emphasis, and then letting go. The two of you walked together inside of the cabin where everyone was. Everyone had brought in their luggage and you suddenly remembered you never brought yours in. You searched for Lay and found him in the room you two were going to share.
"Hey, can I borrow your keys to get my bags and blankets? I forgot to get them in the car."
Lay gave you a soft smile and pointed to the bed behind you. All your luggage and blankets were already brought inside.
"I thought I'd help you bring them in. I know you're in a rough spot right now and I didn't want to make thing harder."
Your heart almost melted at how sweet he was being. "Thank you so much Lay. I really appreciate it."
Lay nodded and walked out of the room. You searched through your bags for your cell phone and took it out. You saw you had several unread messages from Woosung and a few missed calls from him. You rolled your eyes and could feel the love you once had for him slowly fade away. You hit the redial button and waited for him to answer. 
"Hey, baby! Why didn't you answer my calls? Are you cheating on me?" He asked and then laughed. The question made you feel so bitter towards him and you wanted to lash out. But you knew if you weren't calm about this situation, he'd try to turn this on you. 
"That's funny you ask," you say. "I should be asking you that, don't you think?"
The other line was quiet for a bit until he answered. "Baby, what are you talking about?"
You scoffed and rolled your eyes. He was acting completely oblivious. "I'm going to ask you this once and I expect you to tell me the truth. Okay?"
Woosung was quiet and you could hear his breathing increase. "Okay? I don't know what you're talking about. You know I don't lie to you."
"Have you ever cheated on me while we were dating?"
He didn't answer. Several seconds passed and you waited. "Your silence is all I really need."
"Wait! No, I never cheated on you!"
This time, you laughed because you gave him one chance to be truthful and he lied. "So you never cheated on me? A year into our relationship, and you never cheated on me with a girl that you wanted to sleep with because your friend liked her?"
Woosung gasped. "Are you with Yixing?! How do you know him? I dropped him after that situation and stopped being friends with him."
You internally laughed at how idiotic this man was. He just confessed about cheating and you bet he didn't even notice. 
"Well," you began to say with venom in your words. "I didn't tell you but Sooah invited guys for our girl trip and guess who happened to be my partner? Lay! And guess what else? We're sleeping in the same room and sleeping on the same bed."
That last part was definitely not true but you couldn't stand there and tell him the truth. You wanted to hurt him and make him feel just as bad as you did. "And want to know something else? We're going to fuck. He's a big guy and I know he can fuck me so good. Nothing compared to what you give me with your micro. I'm going to let Lay fuck me until I forget your name."
You could imagine how red and angry Woosung was getting, but you didn't care. You felt satisfaction through your words and it was making you feel so much better. "Also, I want you out of my house by the time I'm back from my trip. And if you wreck anything in my house, I'll take you to court just like your parents did."
Woosung's parents kicked him out of their house for being drunk all the time and when he was leaving, he took a bat to all of their expensive things. They took him to court and he's still trying to pay back the several thousands of dollars of property that he damaged. 
You waited a few seconds to allow him to say something, whether it was a lie or not. Finally, he did. "I did cheat on you. Her name was Nari and she was a good fuck. I definitely don't regret fucking her and I definitely don't regret losing my friendship with Zhang Yixing over it. He's a prick anyway and I hope you have fun with him."
And then the line went dead. You didn't think your heart could hurt any more than it did. But you were wrong. His last few words will remain in your memory. You were livid. You were seeing red and quickly opened up your messaging app. 
Fuck you, Woosung. She probably couldn't even enjoy her fuck because your micro didn't even reach her g-spot. But keep thinking you got it. It makes you look like a completely dumbass. In case you didn't already know, this is me breaking up with you. And while you pack your shit and leave my house, picture Lay fucking my brains out while I drown out the terrible memory of you. 
You exited out of the messaging app and immediately blocked his number. You went straight to your gallery and deleted every picture that left you a memory of him. It was almost most of your gallery but you didn't care. You set a reminder on your phone to set all of his gifts on fire when you get back home.  You threw your phone on the bed and sat in silence for a while. You heart was racing with adrenaline and you were still sick to your stomach. Just the fact of knowing that he cheated on you and never told you was really gnawing at your brain.
There was a knock on the door that caught your attention. It was Lay. 
"Can I come in?"
You smiled at Lay and nodded. You saw him walk in and his cheeks were a light shade of red. "Are you okay?"
He looked at you with wide eyes like if you caught him off guard. He nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay. Why?"
"You look feverish. Are you getting sick?"
Lay shook his head and laughed. "No, but this turtleneck is making me a little hot. Do you mind if I change?"
You nodded in understanding. "Yeah, I’ll let you change."
You got up from the bed and left the room, closing the door behind you. You walked down the hallway and into the living room where everyone else was sitting. There was a debate going on about where everyone should go for an evening stroll since apparently it was on the list of things for partners to do. You sat down next to Sooah who looked at you and smiled softly. You reached for her hand and gently squeezed it, sending back a smile to her. 
"Did you talk to him?" She whispered. 
You nodded. "I broke up with him and told him to leave my house."
She raised her eyebrows and widened her eyes. "Wow. Did he admit it?"
You frowned and looked down. You nodded. She placed her free hand on top of your hand that was squeezing hers, and caressed it for comfort.
"It's okay. We will do something that will get your mind off things. Okay?"
You nodded and looked up. Everyone was still deciding on where to go. 
"Why don't we just talk a walk around the city?" You suggested. 
"I don't like walking," Suho pouted. 
"I do!" Mirae shouted in excitement. "That's a good idea! Let's go!"
"But what if the rest of us don't like the idea?" Baekhyun butted in. 
"Okay how about this. If Lay says so, then we will go. He missed this whole debate anyway," Sooah said. 
Everyone nodded and agreed and finally Lay made his way back to everyone. He was wearing the same turtleneck he had on earlier and took a seat next to you. 
"Hey I thought you were changing?" You asked him. 
He shook his head. "No, I was able to cool myself down so I kept the shirt on. But what is everyone talking about here?"
"Okay we need an answer from you. Sooah swears we need to do partner activities and she wants us to do something this evening," Sehun said. "So we thought it'd be a good idea to get your voice on things."
Lay laughed. "Why me? What if I choose wrong?"
Everyone laughed at his answer. "I'm sure you won't choose wrong," you told him. 
"Okay, should we take a walk around the city or stay inside the nice and warm cabin?" Baekhyun asked. 
Lay smiled and looked at me. "What did you choose?"
You pointed to yourself in question. "Me? I said we should walk around the city."
Lay nodded. "I choose the walk around the city."
The other three men groaned and rolled their eyes. 
"Why? What's the big deal?" Mirae asked. 
"We thought this was a vacation," Suho said. 
"You guys are so dramatic," Yoorim laughed. 
Everyone got ready and made sure to wear warm clothes before everyone got inside the cars and made it to the city. You had never toured the city that you vacationed in and you were excited to see new things. Lay shut the car off after he found parking on the street. 
"Okay partner, are we ready?" He asked. 
You smiled at him and nodded. The two of you hopped out of the car and immediately you looked up at the large clock tower that he parked in front of.
"Wow, this thing is huge!" You craned your neck to look up. You admired the building before you looked at Lay who you caught staring at you. 
"Why are you staring at me?" You laughed. 
Lay smiled, his deep dimple forming. "You just look so amazed."
"Well yeah! Look at this building!"
He finally gave in and looked at it. Beautiful Christmas lights covered the building and you could see the lights shining from his eyes. It definitely made him look more attractive and you had to control yourself and look away. 
"Alright, so I looked up what's around here and just down the street, they have an outlet filled with stores that don't close until like 1AM for the tourists that come here," Sooah said. 
She began walking with Baekhyun, their arms intertwined with each other's. It was cute to see. She hadn't had a crush since freshman year in high school. It was nice to see her comfortable around a guy. 
Everyone began to follow her and you and Lay were the last ones to follow. He offered his arm to you and you smiled and took it.
"So, about earlier," he began. 
You brought your hand up to cut him off. "It's fine. Really. I think I should actually thank you for even telling me. Otherwise I would've stood with a man that cheated on me and I would've looked stupid not knowing."
"And you kicked him out of your house?" He asked. 
You slowed down and looked up at him. "How did you know he lived with me?"
"Oh," he began. "I think I heard you tell Sooah you were kicking him out. When we were on the couch."
You hummed in confusion. "That's weird. I don't remember you being there when I was talking to her about it.”
Lay nodded. "Yeah, I was there. I was actually behind the couch standing when I heard but then I went back to the room because I didn't want to eavesdrop any more than I already had."
"Why didn't anyone notice you standing there then?" You asked, kind of suspicious of his actions. 
"Because everyone was too busy discussing about where to go that no one noticed I was in the living room."
You nodded, adding everything up. You guessed that it did make a little sense. You didn't want to read too much into something that was so little. 
You all finally reached the outlets and you saw it was filled with name brand stores from brands like Nike to brands like Coach.
"Oh my goodness! I have to buy things from here. Baekhyun, do you care?" Sooah asked him. He looked down at her and smiled. 
"You're the best partner ever!" Sooah squeaked and dragged Baekhyun with her to the Louis Vuitton store. 
"So what are we supposed to do? I don't supposed you all like shopping as well?" Mirae asked everyone, but everyone shook their heads. 
"Well I guess we can just split up and do our own things. Find whatever we can to keep ourselves busy," Suho suggested. 
"I'm a junk food person so me and my partner are going to find a candy place to eat," Mirae said and left with Suho. Yoorim and Sehun shrugged and looked confused, but walked away together anyway. 
"What do we do?" You looked up at Lay. 
"Hmm," he said, bringing his lips together. "Well it's really cold out here and we haven't had dinner yet. Want to get something to eat together?"
You nodded your head, stomach instantly growling. "But what are we going to eat? I haven't seen any restaurants in this place."
"Do you like Thai? I saw a Thai restaurant when we walked into this place."
"Yes! I love Thai food!"
Lay laughed and grabbed your hand and the two of you walked hand in hand to the restaurant at the entrance of the outlets. The two of you approached the food courts to find that every restaurant was already closed for the day. You looked around and pouted. 
“What do we do now?” You asked, looking up at Lay. 
He bit his lip in thought and hummed. “How about we go to the store, buy a few things, and then head back to the cabin and we could cook some dinner for the two of us?”
You smiled brightly at his idea. You weren’t that much of great cook but you liked the idea of being able to cook with someone else who’s company you actually enjoyed. You nodded, your smile never leaving your face. 
You and Lay left the outlets and walked back to the car, your hand never leaving his until he opened the passenger door for you. You used your GPS on your phone to find a store and Lay made his way there. You always hated grocery shopping but for some reason, the tedious action didn’t seem so bad knowing you were doing it with Lay. 
“So what should we eat? Do you like meat? Noodles? Kimchi?” He asked looking around the store. 
You nodded and licked your lips. “I like all of those.”
Lay smiled. “So do I. Let’s get them all.”
You and Lay found all the ingredients together and although you had just had a breakup a few hours before, you felt happy. It was just odd how you felt that a simple action like grocery shopping was making you feel better. 
The both of you took the groceries back to the cabin, humming in pleasure when the heat hit your bodies. You removed your sweater and helped Lay out of his as he held all of the groceries. You took a few from his hands and placed them on the counter in the kitchen. 
“Okay, just a heads up. I’m not a great chef but I don’t exactly suck. I’m willing to help with anything,” you told Lay as you washed your hands. He approached you from behind and went up against you, wrapping his arms around you to wash his hands as well. Your face and ears grew hot at his action and you didn’t know how to react. 
“It’s okay. I’ll teach you how to cook,” he said simply. He finished washing his hands and moved away from you. You took a deep breath, gathering your thoughts before turning around to him. He looked completely clueless to what he just did. It’s like his action was completely normal to him. 
“Here, take these noodles and boil them. Once they reach a good boil, pour the seasoning in them and let it boil for an extra five minutes. I’ll get the meat ready.”
You nodded and grabbed the noodles from his hand. You got the pot ready and poured enough water inside and started the stove. Lay on the other hand took out a frying pan and began cooking, looking like a chef with every swift move in the kitchen. 
“Do you always cook? How are you so good at cooking?” You asked. 
“Growing up, it was always me, my mom and my grandma. My grandma was really old so the only person cooking for us was my mom. Sometimes my mom had to work very late at night and I had to learn how to cook for myself and my grandma, so I made sure to watch my mom’s cooking very closely so I can make us all dinner and give my mom a break.”
You nodded your head. “That’s really good that you took the initiative to help out your mom. Not many guys do that.”
Lay laughed and you looked at him confused. “What’s so funny?”
“I’m not like most guys,” he said. 
It was your turn to laugh but it came out a bit louder than his. “Okay, sure. That’s what every guy says.”
He went serious, his smile leaving his face. “I’m being serious. I don’t really see myself like other guys.”
You crossed your arms and stared at him. You tried to study him to see what made him so different. “What makes you think you’re so different?”
“Well for one, didn’t you just say not many guys would take initiative to help out their mom? I’d like to think I’m more caring than most men. I listen and pay attention to small details. I bet you didn’t even know this but this whole time we’ve been partners, I noticed that your eyes smile when your lips do. Or like how you bite your lip when you’re nervous. I haven’t even known you very long and I’ve noticed these things about you.”
You rolled your eyes and placed the noodles inside the boiling water. “Okay but anyone can say that if they’ve been with me longer than two hours.”
Lay continued to cook the meat and he laughed. As he began sautéing the meat, he looked at you and smiled. 
“What? Why do you keep smiling and laughing during the most random times?”
He grinned and laughed again. “Because you don’t believe that I’m different.”
It went quiet between the both of you, you not knowing what to say. There was no point in discussing something that was so open ended. 
You finished the noodles and Lay finished the meat. He reached inside the store bag and took out a jar of pre-made kimchi that he bought at the store. You set the table and he brought the food over. The two of you sat down and you closed your eyes and enjoyed the smell of the food. Your stomach growled loud and that made Lay chuckle.
“Okay, let’s eat!”
Lay allowed you to get your pieces of meat first and noodles and then he served himself. As you two began to eat, he spoke up. 
“Tell me something, yeah? How am I not different than other guys?”
You laughed with noodles hanging out of your mouth. “You’re still on that?”
Lay shrugged and ate a piece of meat. “What? I want to know. I couldn’t convince you that I’m different so I’m kind of interested in hearing from you about how I’m not.”
You finished chewing your food and had the best idea. “Okay, if you’re not like most men,” you said with a sly smile and crossed arms, “then what would you say if I asked you to fuck me?”
Lay’s eyes widened and he nearly choked on his meat. His face turned a deep red and he reached for his water and took several large gulps. You laughed and tossed your head back, knowing exactly the reaction you’d get from him. He stared at you and you continued to smile at him. 
“Is that a serious question?” He asked. 
You nodded. “Yeah. Your answer to my question will convince me on whether or not I think you’re like most men.”
He nodded and took another drink from his water. “Okay, well, um, we don’t know each other well. So I’d say it would be best if we came to know each other first and then decide from there what we both would want to do.”
You continued to laugh, not entirely convinced by his bullshit answer. You knew he was making this up. 
“Uh-huh. Now what if I made a move on you? You’d tell me to stop?”
“I don’t see how this could help-“
“Stop trying to change the topic, Lay,” you said sitting forward in your seat. You were messing with his head and you kind of thought it was funny. It was sort of obvious that he thought you were attractive so there was no harm done. And if he wasn’t attracted to you, well there’s still no harm done. 
Voices could be heard outside the cabin and the two of you looked to the front door. Lay looked back at you and you gave him a resigned expression. The door opened and everyone walked inside. 
“Wow! You two left us to have dinner! What kind of friends are you?” Mirae said instantly going to the food that was made. 
“Everyone had the option to do something in town. Y/n and I decided to go grocery shopping and make dinner together for the both of us. It’s not our fault you all decided to shop and eat candy,” Lay said cleaning up the dishes. You quickly gathered the rest of the dishes and put them into the sink, slowly reaching Lay’s ear with your mouth. 
“The conversation will continue later on. Don’t think you’re off the hook, sir.” You pulled back and saw him tense up. You found it funny the reaction he had and continues to have. 
Everyone sat down in the living room looking completely exhausted. It was now 12AM and you could actually feel the exhaustion taking over your body as well.
“I think it’s time to sleep,” Sooah said while she closed her eyes on the couch and cuddled into Baekhyun’s arms. He looked down and smiled.
“I think I’ll take my partner and I to bed. Goodnight!” And with that, he carried her bridal style into their room and closed the door. 
“Can you carry me like that to our room?” Mirae asked Suho. He laughed and got up. 
“Last one to the room gets the bigger bed!” He said and began to run with Mirae running after him. 
“I don’t understand how they have the energy to run. I barely have the energy to walk,” Sehun said. “Want to go to bed? I’ll give you the bigger bed if you want.”
Yoorim yawned and nodded and the both of them left to their room, leaving you and Lay alone once again. You quickly turned around to face him but he didn’t want to make eye contact with you as he continued to wash the dirty dishes. 
“Are you going to be a while?” You asked him. 
Lay shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe another ten minutes.”
You nodded and yawned. “Okay, well I’m going to shower. I’ll come back out and let you know when I’m done.”
You left and walked down the hallway into your room. You opened your bags and got out a towel and your clothes and brought them with you into the bathroom that was connected to the room. You started the water and quickly got into the hot shower. It was relaxing and you could fall asleep standing if it was possible. Once you were finished, you lotioned up and threw on your pajamas which consisted of an oversized t-shirt and pajama pants that once had a matching shirt. You combed out your wet hair and left the bathroom. You put your dirty clothes into a plastic bag and into your luggage and began to make your way towards the kitchen. You noticed all the lights were off and you were confused. You had no idea where Lay was. 
Walking back into the hallway towards the room, you heard shuffling behind a nearby door. This door didn’t lead to any of the bedrooms and you didn’t exactly tour the cabin to see what it consisted of. You opened the door and it was completely pitch black and your anxiety went up because you couldn’t see what was inside. Before you could close the door, you were dragged into the room aggressively, but before you could scream, a large hand covered your mouth, your hands instantly reaching for theirs as a reaction. 
“Do not make a noise otherwise everyone in this cabin will wake up.”
“Lay?” You whispered once the hand was removed. “What are you doing? What room is this?”
“It’s the laundry room and I actually wanted to scare you to see how you’d react. Considering how you kept messing with me to see how I’d react to your words.”
You were up against the wall and his body was pressed up against yours. Although you couldn’t see, you could feel his body towering over you. 
“You smell so good,” Lay said. He bent down near your neck and took a deep breath in, sending shivers down your spine to your legs. He pushed a few wet strands of hair behind your ear before his hand went to the back of your neck. 
“Lay, what are you doing?”
“Don’t you want me to fuck you?” He whispered into your ear. You gulped hard and you were sure that even Lay was able to hear it. 
“What do you mean? I was just joking.” You said, not exactly knowing what to say. 
“Were you, sweetheart? So you didn’t tell your ex-boyfriend that I was going to fuck you hard until you forgot his name?”
You gasped. “How do you know that?”
Lay pressed a gently kiss to your neck and your hands instantly reached to push at his chest, but he didn’t budge. 
“One thing you should know about me is that I’m a huge eavesdropper. I don’t mean to be. I just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time and I overhear information that I’m never meant to hear. I heard all the things you told your ex-boyfriend. I even read your text message from your phone. Yeah, you forgot to lock your phone when you left the room after breaking up with Woosung.”
“I didn’t mean those things, honestly. I just said it to get him mad.” Your breath became ragged and your heart rate was increasing with every second.
“Mm-hm, so then you don’t wonder what it would be like if I did fuck you? I am much bigger than you and I’m sure I could dominate you and fuck your brains out, just like you wanted me to.”
Lay placed another kiss right underneath your ear and you let out a whispered moan, hoping he didn’t hear. 
“What was that? Was that a moan I just heard.  Let me hear it again,” he said and he kissed again in the same spot. Your knees were weak and shaking and adrenaline was running throughout your whole body. He gave several kisses on the same spot and then gave a gentle suck, making you moan slightly louder. 
“Good girl. Keep moaning for me,” he whispered into your ear. You began to want more and you couldn’t help yourself. You reached up and grabbed his face and smashed his lips onto yours. His lips were soft and you wondered how his lips would feel everywhere else. 
“Do you want me to fuck you?” He asked once more. You nodded, forgetting he couldn’t see you in the dark. 
“Sweetheart, you’re going to have to answer me out loud.”
“Yes,” you breathed out. “Please fuck me.”
With your verbal permission, Lay wrapped your arms around his neck and he picked you up by your thighs and walked both of you out of the laundry room. He made his way to the bedroom the two of you were sharing and he placed you on your bed. 
“You don’t mind if we do this on your bed, right? You have the bigger bed,” he said out of air. You shook your head in response and he dipped his head in between your neck and shoulder and continued to place kisses on your skin. Goosebumps began to rise on ever surface of your body and your heart was beating rapidly. Lay gave you a little bite to your neck, which caused you to jump and moan simultaneously. 
“Fuck, you’re so sexy. I want you out of these clothes,” he said while bringing down your pants.
He threw your pants to the floor and lifted up your shirt. He dipped down and placed kisses on your stomach from your underwear line and made his way up slowly. You weren’t wearing a bra and this made him chuckle as he rose your shirt all the way and saw your breasts. He placed gentle kisses around the mound and then slowly made his way to one of your nipples. He sucked on it, making you want to squeeze your legs but because his body was in between your legs, you couldn’t. Heat began to rise in your core and you wanted some relief. You rose your hips up to meet his but he pulled back slightly, your nipple still in his mouth. You threw you head back, the feeling of your nipple being played with his tongue running through your body. He placed your hardened nipple in between his teeth and gently bit down, making you jump and squeak. He smiled and then pulled away with a pop. Lay pulled your shirt off over your head and then removed all of his clothes. 
“I want you to suck my cock while I eat your pussy,” he said as he took of his boxers. His member sprang up once his boxers let it loose. It instantly hit his toned abs and you couldn’t help but to stare. He was definitely large and it made you excited that finally you were going to get some good dick.
You quickly took your underwear off and threw them to the floor as he laid down and took your place on the bed. You climbed on top of him and placed your throbbing pussy over his face, the anticipation rising your adrenaline. 
“Put that pussy over my face, just like that,” he said in a low voice. He wrapped his arms around your thighs and he put his whole mouth on your pussy. Your hands balled into fists, during he process leaving scratches on his abdomen. Wanting to return the favor, you leaned down and put his long member into your hands. You needed two hands to stroke him. Your hands were small and your fingers couldn’t fully wrap around him. You gave a short lick to his head, making his hips to rise up in demand for more. You slowly put the tip of his cock inside your mouth, receiving a loud moan from him, underneath your pussy. That sent vibrations straight to your clit which caused you to want to go down lower on his cock. 
You began to bob your head up and down and made the blowjob sloppy. Spit was dripping down his cock and it was shiny as you pulled back with a pop. Underneath you, Lay paid more attention to your clit and you were thankful he even knew where it was. He wrapped his lips around the swollen bud and began to suck. Your legs began to shake, a climax coming quick. 
“Lay, I’m going to come,” you breathed out. Your body involuntarily hunched forward and he never ceased his actions. 
“Come on my tongue, baby,” he said. He placed his tongue inside your pussy as his fingers began to rub your clit furiously. The quick movements made you convulse and tense, sending your climax throughout your whole body. Lay gave your clit one last suck before helping you turn around on him. 
“I want to see you ride my cock,” he said, helping you position your thighs on top of his. You lined up his cock with your pussy and slid down on him. 
“Ah, fuck,” he moaned. “Your pussy is so tight.”
The stretch of him inside you burned. You slowly made your way up and down his cock. The burn was soon replaced by pleasure and you began to go quicker. You placed your hands on his chest and bounced your ass on his cock. You threw your head back as his cock hit your g-spot with every bounce. 
“Tell me how much you like my cock,” he said to you. He placed his arms underneath his head as he watched you ride him with your pussy. 
“I...love...it so much,” you managed to say. 
“Fuck,” he began. “You ride me so well. I can feel your pussy tighten with every bounce. Are you going to come again?”
You nodded, not being able to speak any words. Your second climax was approaching quickly and you tried to ride it out. Your actions were deterred, so Lay grabbed you by your ass and began pounding up into you.
“Oh my god, I’m coming,” you whispered, worried that the others might hear you. Your pussy tightened around him and your body tensed up for the second time. 
Lay spun you both around so now you were below him. “Have you ever come three times in a row?”
Your eyes were closed and you could feel the energy being drained from your body. The second climax was much stronger than the first and you weren’t sure you could even have a third one.
You shook your head in reply to his question. 
“Well, tonight will be your first night.”
He rammed his cock back into your pussy and leaned over to look at you. Your eyes stayed closed, wanting to relish in this feeling forever. 
“Look at me,” Lay demanded. “I want to see you up close when I make you come for a third time.”
He was pounding your pussy and making your eyes roll back, it was hard to stare back at him. He placed a sloppy kiss against your lips and you were moaning into his mouth. Your hands reached up to his back but he grabbed both of your wrists and pinned them above your head. 
“Fuck, you look so fucking sexy pinned underneath me as you take my cock. You’re such a good girl for me,” he groaned. He had your wrists pinned with one of his hands and with his other, he reached to grab your neck. 
“Do you like to be choked?” He asked. You nodded. 
He gently squeezed the sides of your neck and you could feel your third orgasm approaching. It was coming strong and you could feel it. 
“I’m going to come,” you said in small breaths. 
“Me too,” Lay said. “I want you to come with me. I’ll count down from three.”
“3,” he said. Your orgasm was quickly on its way and you weren’t sure you could control when it happens. 
“2.”
“1.”
At 1, he squeezed your neck slightly harder and you instantly came. Your pussy squeezed his cock and he groaned loud into your neck. His cock pulsed inside your pussy as the both of you came. He let go of your wrists and neck and hovered above you, placing gently kisses on your lips. 
“That was the best fuck of my life,” he said and placed one more kiss on your lips before pulling out of you. “Come on, let’s go clean up before you leak onto your bed.”
He helped you get up onto your shaky legs and led you to the restroom. He found several rags on a rack and got one and ran it under warm water.
“Open your legs. I’m going to clean you,” he said. “Put your hands on my shoulders.”
You put your hands on his shoulders as he leaned down and wiped you. The rag slightly touched your clit and your body jumped, making you lean on his shoulders. 
“Are you okay?” He asked looking up at you.
You nodded. “Just a little sensitive.”
You smiled at you and continued to clean you up, making sure to be careful of your sensitive spot. He cleaned off the rag and continued until he thought you were fully clean and then cleaned up himself. 
“Okay well we’re both cleaned up. Don’t forget to pee, sweetheart,” he said leaving a kiss on your forehead before leaving and closing the bathroom door. You used the toilet and walked out and saw that he wasn’t in the room anymore. You put your clothes back on, fixed your bed sheets and laid down on your bed, feeling ever more exhausted. You heard the room door open slowly and you knew it was Lay. You heard his footsteps approached your bed and he tapped you. You turned around and saw his shadow standing over you. 
“Do you want to lay with me?” You asked him. Without letting him answer, you made enough room for him in your bed. He picked up your covers and got under with you, instantly wrapping an arm around your waist. 
“So how was it?” He whispered into your ear. His voice was soothing and you closed your eyes. 
“It was really good. Better than what I expected,” you told him. He gave you a gently squeeze on your waist. 
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Now let’s sleep, sweetheart.”
With that, you placed your arm on top of his and interlaced both of your fingers. You could smell the soft cologne he was wearing and that was the last thing you remembered before sleep took over your body. 
210 notes · View notes
goldstonegolem64 · 5 years ago
Text
Book 1 Hope returns Chapter 3 A call home Remastered
In the Prometheus 
Jay was in his personal Bathroom was the make up off of his face. He hated using make up to hide his marks also get really irritated whenever he put make up over them. But it was a rule the councils had set up to protected any Alteans and half-bloods that decide to join the trade union. After a few seconds of scrubbing his face the four bright red marks finally reappeared.”  God I hate doing that “  Jay said as he rubbed his cheeks marks trying to stop the itch it wasn’t working.Jay left the  bathroom and walked to his bed and as he did he grabbed his normal prostatic hand and popped it into place and laid down on his bed, turned on his radio and started to drift of to sleep. As he started to drift off he sore he heard someone calling his name an after a few minutes of his eyes being closed he felt his sitting in water.
He opened his eyes to see the star riddled sky “  Ah what will I see to day “Jay said as lay there in the water floating along with the currents. This was a normal dream for jay to be honest this was the only dream he ever had or the only dreams he wanted to remembered  
“  Jay “ A familiar female voice said in the distends with the faint sent of fire in the distant 
‘ Oh Not again. I just want to lay here looking at the stars not watch my her suffer “  Jay said as he sat up and looked around looking for the source of the smell. 
“ Fined me” The voice said then
Jay felt something moving in the water under him. He then looked down to see something ginormous moving in the water. From what he could see it had silver or Platinum Scales as he watched it move it noticed that it was moving around him. Then it dived deep into the seemingly endless ocean Jay was sitting in.Jay got to his feet and started to move from the spot he was in but the moment he moved a pair of red piercing eyes appeared in the water looking right at him then they started to moving towards him  “Oh shit OH SHIT” Jay jumped out of the way as the beast break through the waters surfaces kicking up a huge Wave . Jay tried to run Only to get caught up in the wave. He felt his lungs fill with water as he was swept away. After the was crushed Jay started to coughed up  the water in his lungs. But as he did this he could hear screaming as well as  the sounds of screaming, explosions, and gun fire in the background. Jay started getting to his  feet and found himself on a balcony over looking a city on fire. There were familiar looking warship floating in the sky firing down on the city below. 
“Nonononono Not here how did they found us.” Then Jay noticed something if this was Ironoath why was there fire if the barrier was destroyed there would be no oxygen and everyone would already be dead or in the safety bunker. Then he notice the way the building looked and felt a little annoyed looking at them. He was either on Altea during what he guessed was her last days before her destruction. Jay felt his heart slow being crush as he watched his fathers birth place being burned to the ground. As He watched the world burn he hear a ear splitting boom. “ What the hell ‘ Jay watched as the Warship turned their the ion Cannon to the shy an opened  on what looked like a Silver comet speeding towards them. The ion beams slammed into the comet and expected to see a huge explosion only to watch the ion beams were absorb into the comet. The Comet was frozen in place and jay noticed that it wasn’t a comet but Some sort of metal object.
“ What is that “ Jay asked as the strained his eye to get a better look at it only for it to disappear in a blur of motion that was followed by the sound of metal being crushed an several deafening Explosion. He looked back to the warships only to see them with massive slashes in them or cut in two. Then Some move in front of them and what he saw scared him It was a huge Humanoid looking women With platinum Skin Wearing Silver and gold lined Armor, Massive silver wings,   bright red eye that were starring right at him and then it pointed a massive Spear at him
“  What do you want“ Jay asked as he looked at the spear then the women 
“ Fined me before it’s to late My pilot “ The giant women said as the world around them slowly started to fade away 
“Wait what do you meet before it’s to late where do I find “ Jay said as the world turned white and the sound of his phone going off
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h97aI5SZHk4
Jay awake to someone calling him. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and grabbed his phone. Turned it on nearly blinding himself “ Quiznak”  Jay said blinking a few times before looking at number that was calling him It was his brother Alphonso. He then answered “   Hello Al”
“ Hi Jay did I wake you “ A calm voice said 
“ Not really I wake up before you called’ Jay lied not wanting to upset his older brother
“ Ok then I was just calling to see if your going to make it to Peppers Birthday party. See really want to see you. You are her favorite uncle after all” Alphonso said
“ Well about that “
“ Joseph what did you do”
“ I didn’t do anything besides save a handsome man from a crash “
“ Oh that not bad”
“ He’s from earth and might be the cause of the lock down” 
“ Oh God dammit. She's going t be up set about it ” 
“ I know but hey I left my gift with Dad so he’ll bring it. Just tell her Uncle Jay was busy  ”  Jay said a little crest Fallen
“ I will and be careful around this earthier Jay”  Al said worried about his little brother
“ He’s not that dangerous”  
“ Jay stop thinking with your short sword and start thinking with that big head of yours Doctor”
“ Doctor in training get it right Bro and be safe yourself “ 
“I’ll Try brother See you when you get back  ”
“  See you so” Jay said as he ended the call. He then looked at the time on phobos.It was two in the morning “  Great I'm up guess I'll do a inventory check for the last two days salvages. He put on a pair of Cargo pants walked out of his room and down the stairs. He grabbed one of the two tables the were charging on night stand next to the stair case door and started to count what he had. He was happy to see how much stuff he would be able to sell and the money he was going to make off this job.
The manifest
Ten Mobile generators
twenty four security drones.
Eight teen heavy loaders
Several crates full of raw ores of varies types
Four laser guided Mining drills
Fourteen different fire arms and two full ammo boxes.
Two Hover bikes
A moon buggy
two scouting drove and three scouting rovers
A Titian Company Goliath power suit He was going to have fun with that if he ever had the time to try it out.
Then their was the previous mining crews personal stuff. it was Mostly pictures of family members, Some clothes, some Baseball equipment, A Game console and a few games, Books ,Movies, Magazines and a firemen’s Ax made out of a Altean metal of kind
“Oh I'm going to be to pay of my loans without dipping into the money mom left in her will” Jays smile faded remembering that she was gone even after fourteen it was still hard to processes 
.An hour late Adam awoke and came out of the guest room he was staying in and walked to the Kitchen to grab a cup of coffee before he did his morning route as he walked to the Kitchen he passed by one of the window that looked out to the cargo hold and saw Jay sitting on one of the hover bike and was glowing a faint  red. Adam paid it no and he continued to the kitchen. Then he did a double talk and started to move toward the staircase and quietly walked to where jay was sleeping. This was the first time he had seen jay out side of his Salvager Gear. He was wearing a muscle t and cargo pants. Adam notice that on Jay’s face and Shoulders their were red markings on his face and through the muscle he could see a few more marks. The were all glowing faintly he also noticed Jays metal hand that lead all way to his elbow he also noticed that Jay had several what looked like Scars .across his other wrist.  ”What happed to you and what are you”Adam asked himself as Jay started to stir “ Morning Adam” Jay said as he slowly opened his eyes and then he realized what was going on
A few minutes later in the kitchen
“Ok You an Alien”
“Well Half an Alien “
“ And their are six other race living on Mars “
“ Yes”
“ well that makes sense why we lost the war against you guy"
"Well that and we had the resources to fight a planet and planet war"
"And if wanted to you guys could colonies the rest of the solar system. But your not because their hiding from an Empire that is lead by an Undead emperor and a powerful Witch that is also."
“ Yes and I know it’s a lot to take in but just give it sometime it will all make sense soon”
 “Ok But Why hasn’t the council of mars shard the tech found on the Arc was it with earth ?” Adam asked
“Yes it’s called the Arc and well have you seen what happens when the Garrison is given power. They sent you to spy on us for no other reason then we may attack even though we have stuck to the treaty and still give you the resources you asked for”
Adam was about argue but stopped seeing as Jay was right about that” Ok you got a point there”
“Good to know man. Now Chug that mug and get ready were going into the mines today” Jay said as he got to his feet and started to wonder why he was drawn
“ok” Adam said as he shot gunned his coffee and followed behind jay. Both readied themselves and made their way to the Mines enters Wondering what they will find.
Unaware of the Galra warship that just exited Warp speed and the edge of the solar system  
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sweetstraykids · 6 years ago
Text
Bet
Pairing: Hyunjin x Seungmin
✨✨✨✨✨
"He's not straight, look at him." Jisung said pointing towards the new guy at school.
"I am and no straight guy looks like that, he's gay." Seungmin argued.
"You just want him to be so you can date him."
"Damn right I do."
"Why don't you just figure out for yourself. Hey Hyunjin over here!!!" Felix yelled gettin his attention
"What.are.you.doing??" Seungmin asked glaring bullets at his friend.
"I had a class with him and invited him to have lunch with us. Hey Hyunjin what's up?"
"Hey, what's up?"
"Okay everyone introduce yourself."
"I'm Jisung"
"Minho, his boyfriend." he said rapping on arm around his waist protectively.
"Jeongin"
"Chan"
"Woojin, his boyfriend"
"Changbin, Felix's boyfriend" He said rapping an arm around Felix's waist and glaring at the taller.
"I'm gay" Seungmin said and the others almost facepalmed at his words "Seungmin, I meant Seungmin, but I'm also gay."
"I'm J-Jeongin" He said trying to hold back his laughter.
He nodded along to everyone's name trying to remember names to faces. When Seungmin came a smile appeared on his face at the younger's words.
"Sit next to Seungmin." Felix said pointing to the empty seat, the only one left at the table anyway.
He sat next to the blushing boy with a smile on his face cute he thought.
What did I just say??? That's not how I want my first introduction with him to go, at least he might remember me more than the others that way, Seungmin thought to himself.
There was a soft "hi" coming from the taller and he turned to look at him and he said a soft "hi" back.
The group just talked about random things until it was time for the next class in which they all separated their different ways.
~time skip brought to you by chensung~
Seungmin and Jisung bet $10 that Hyunjin is or isn't gay, Seungmin is determined to get his money and a date while at it. But you can't just ask someone's sexuality out of the blue, it has to be brought up some way and Seungmin was thinking about a way he could do it all day.
The group decided to hang out at Jeongin's after school along with their new addition Hyunjin. Seungmin was waiting at Chan's car for him, chan, Felix, and Changbin to go to his place, Woojim would ride too but since he's the only other one with a car he has to drive others.
"Oi, come on Felix just me a little bit." Chan asked in aussie language and he turned to see Felix holding a cup of ramen and Chan looking at him with pleading eyes.
"No, for me cuz. Jeongin has food at his place."
"But it's so far."
"It's a 5 minute drive."
"Yeah that's so long."
"What are they bickering about this time?" Changbin asked coming up behind him, scaring the bejesus out of him.
"Noodles." Changbin looked up at him puzzled "Felix has ramen and won't give any to Chan and he's upset."
"But Jeongin has food."
"Too far."
"Ah. Guys can we go now Woojin already left 10 minutes ago."
"Excuse you i'm right here still." Woojin said appearing from the other side of the car.
"Hush, for dramatic effects."
"Yeah, ok." Woojin sighed "Anyway let's go babe and stop arguing with Felix."
"Fine and we weren't arguing."
"You very much were." Jisung but in from beside Woojin.
*time skip brought to you by luwoo*
They were all sitting and standing in Jeongins kitchen eating all the food in the house. Jeongin walks in from changing his clothes in his room and sees that there's no food.
"What the heck you guys? You can't eat all of the food."
They look at him, some with food sticking out of their mouths.
"Sorry."
"It's ok, I don't know what else I expected after school."
When they all finished their food they went into the basement to play some games.
"We don't have enough controllers for video games, so what about uno?"
"Yeah sure." They agreed and sat in a circle while Jeongin got uno.
"All of you know how to play correct?" He asked as he sat down and passed out the cards.
"Yes" They all said and nodded their heads in agreement.
"Good, i'll start."
*small time skip brought to you by winkun*
"Please Changbin don't do this to me."
"I have to Felix i'm so sorry." He said as he laid down a plus 4 "Uno, Blue" he said as Felix picked up the cards with a pout.
"Uno" Hyunjin shouted with glee and a big smile took over his face. "Uh, Seungmin it's your turn." He said with a face of confusion and waving his hand in front of the heart eyed boy.
"Oh huh? Yeah."
Chan and Woojin look at each other as if they have a plan in mind, "hee hee." is all you can hear from Chan, but no one seemed to notice.
*lee time skip brought to you by taeten*
It was late at night and Woojin was on the phone with Chan trying to figure out the Seungmin and Hyunjin situation and how to help the poor souls.
"Seungmin obviously likes him that's clear and i'm pretty sure Hyunjin feels the same, but how to help them?" Woojin asked
"We could have them stuck with each other where it's just the two and they're forced to talk to each other."
"We could, but the question still is how to do that though."
They sat there in silence for a few minutes until Chan yelled "I got it!"
*the next day*
"Hey Hyunjin, Seungmin come here for a few seconds." Chan yelled across the school yard to the two that were with the group.
"Hey what's up?" Seungmin asked
"Okay, so you know how Woojin's birthday is coming up?"
"Yeah"
"Well I'm trusting you two to set up his surprise birthday party, because i believe you can keep a secret." He of course didn't tell Woojin this last night because he really did want it to be a surprise.
"But I don't really know anything about y'all yet."
"It's okay, Seungmin can help you, right?" He asked looking at the younger smiling and he had no other choice but to say yes. "Great, I trust you two, thank you."
*after school, it's a friday btw*
"Okay so what does he like?" Hyunjin asked looking at all the party supplies
"Umm.... Chicken, bears-
"How about this?" Hyunjin interrupts him as he puts on a tall rainbow hat and matching glasses that were too big for his face. Seungmin giggled
"Perfect."
They walked around the store finding things he likes and putting them in the buggy. When they were done with it and they thought they had enough they brought it to the cashier.
"Thank you Chan for paying for this." Seungmin said as he looked at the price and Hyunjin nodded in agreement.
*time skip to party*
It was now Monday the day of the party, Chan was going to go on a date with Woojin as Hyunjin and Seungmin started to set up and people started to show. The two got closer as they spent the last few days together.
“And done.” Hyunjin said as hanged the last streamer. They backed up and looked at their work, they were very proud of.
“Yo what’s up losers?!” Felix shouted as him and Changbin let themselves in.
“Hey!” Hyunjin and Seungmin said in unison
“Wow! Woojin will love it.” Felix said with shock.
Everyone arrived and they were just waiting for the special boy and his boyfriend to show up.
“They’re coming hide!” Seungmin shouted once he got the text from Chan.
“Surprise!!” Everyone screamed as they walked in. Woojin was in such shock he could only stare open mouthed and wide eyed.
“Oh my god.” Woojin finally said, tears starting to form. “thank you so much” he turned to Chan.
“I’m not the one who decorated this. It was them two.” he said pointing to Hyunjin and Seungmin. “They did awesome.”
“So that was your plan?”
“Yep.”
“Thank you.” He turned to the two with a smile on his face.
“It was no problem and happy birthday.” Seungmin answered.
“Happy birthday.”
“Happy birthday!!” Everyone rose shouted in unison.
After opening presents and eating cake and spending time together the crowd went down to just the nine.
“I did not do that!” Chan yelled
“You did! You did!” They all yelled back except for Hyunjin who wasn’t here when it happened.
“I did not run into a pull while we were playing freeze tag!”
“You did, I specifically remember chasing you and then you face planted a pole!” Jisung chocked our then busted out laughing.
They all laughed for a few minutes until they calmed down.
“Hey we’ll put everything up.” Seungmin said pointing to Hyunjin as they got up from the floor.
“Thank you.” Woojin said
They went to the kitchen to put the dishes in the sink to wash them.
“I had fun setting up the party with you.” Hyunjin said looking over to the other by his side.
“Me too.” Seungmin said looking at him with a smile.
They starred at each other for a few minutes until...
8 notes · View notes
yoshi4sushi · 7 years ago
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(purupurupuru) (purupurupuru) (gocha!) (coo!) (coo!)
 Happy Super Duper Monday, minna-san! I hope everyone had a good weekend. As for us, we are stoked for many fun events happening this summer. The weather is getting a bit warmer so be sure to keep yourselves hydrated and wear light clothing. Well, we done our obligation so we have loads of fun news to share with you. You know the drill. First off, last week’s chapter was EXTRAORDINARY! With the gang finally out of Totland, now they can rest easy now that Sanji is back with them. Meanwhile, all the representatives from the 20 kingdoms are sailing towards to Reviere. We see that Rebecca and Kyros joined with Violet with King Riku. Suddenly, a bunch pirates were plotting to kidnap Violet, but alas, the great marine hero Coby arrives and put a stop to them. He and Helmeppo are escorting the Riku family. Then, Coby reads the news about Luffy and Sanji. He couldn’t stop crying knowing that Luffy is making his name. The whole world reads the shocking news about the attempt assassination of Big Mom. Everyone was shocked to read the BIG BIG BIG NEWS about Luffy. So new bounties have increased, and a new Yonko has been announced. First, Sanji has a bounty of 330 million berries, but was really disappointed that his wanted poster added his family name with it. Once again, it depressed him. At the end, Luffy sees his bounty, but was sad cause it decreased to 150 berries, but Brook told him he misread it. It was announced that the new Yonko is none other… drum roll, please! Da da da da da da! LUFFY!! Yes, is now a Yonko with a bounty of 1 billion 500 million!!! YOWZA! That’s a big increase than 2 years ago when he fought against Doflamingo. The news shocked the gang?! Straw Hat Luffy is the 5th Yonko!!!! What will happen next time?! Guess we’ll see how things will unfold in this new adventure. There is no manga this week due to Golden Week so be patient and wait. Next, this past weekend’s episode was scary as we see Big Mom going nuts to see that Brook destroyed the picture of Mother Caramel. Meanwhile, as everyone tries to fulfill their mission, the Big Mom pirates surrounded the Vinsmokes ready to kill them as they planned. Judge was utterly in distraught finding out that he was played for a sucker for trusting Big Mom. At the end, Katakuri approaches quickly to stop Bege and Luffy from carrying on their plan to kill Big Mom as Brook urges Luffy to show the wrecked picture to Big Mom one more time so that she can screech her lungs out for the KX launcher to kill her. Next time, the fight goes on. Will they succeed with this plan? Don’t miss it! Now on with the news! Look who came to hang out with us for a bit. It’s Tongari-san! Take it away, my friend. Share your enthusiastic news. First off, Golden Week is a half week holiday, and the tower is getting ready to celebrate the future king of the pirates birthday, Luffy!!! His birthday is on May 5th, and it’s a good day. Its kid’s day so all children in elementary school will have free entry to the park. Next, Tongari Store are selling these adorable plush purses of mascots of Kumacy, Chopper, Bepo, and Kung Fu dugong to keep your phone or ticket safely tucked w/o losing it. Next, Mugiwara Café will be giving out picture frame designs for free for customers when you order something from the menu and have pictures taken at the tower. Only available May 1st, 2nd, and 6th from noon to six pm. Last entry will be at five-thirty. Next, the store will be selling the birthday buttons of the character for May. Here is also the new birthday button of Luffy with his cheerful face. Also, if you make purchase over 1000 yen, you’ll get a free birthday poster of Luffy. Moving on, last week, all arcades stocked this new King of Artist figurine of Luffy in Bound Man pose from Whole Cake Island. If you got your coins and game face ready, get on with it, and beat that crane. Next, Mugiwara store are selling these new mini tote bags of Ace, Law, and Chopper with the first letters of their names in bold color. Next, new acrylic straps of Luffy and Sanji have been released. Also, a new t-shirt of Luffy has been released which is his t-shirt from his kid days with Anchor in front and his kid self in the back. It’s a cute t-shirt. Next, they re-stocked more of these button sets of Ace, Zoro, Sanji, Ace, and Law. Next, more new buttons. This button sets of Luffy and Katakuri, and Zoro and Sanji in their Germa suits. You can also find them at the Jump Shops as well. Get it before it’s out of stock. Next, some awesome birthday goods of Luffy will also be at Mugiwara Stores and the tower such as this acrylic art board, tea cup, hand towel, t-shirt, friendly eco purse, and folders. Next, OP game app, Thousand Storm, we mentioned last week that its having a campaign of the Straw Hats in their new look. Pass many levels and get many coins to receive Luffy in his dashing pirate outfit. Next, new updates on the OP Summer event at USJ. First, last week, the website has launched the opening for reservations. You can purchase online or on the day you visit, but I would recommend you buy the tickets online so you avoid standing and waiting for your turn. If you purchased online, be sure to bring an ID and confirmation of your purchase so they can confirm it. The show is at 7:00 so you must be there 15 minutes early so you have time to find your seat. For the restaurant, There are still plenty of openings, but be quick otherwise you’ll have to wait till you visit the park and make reservations in person at the Beverly Hills Boulangerie. The window is located on the right side so stand in line and wait till they take your reservation time. For those who made reservations online, like the show tickets, bring ID and confirmation. You can have it your smartphone or print it out. In my opinion, you should print it just in case technology goes wrong. They have updated the menu they’ll have this year. You’ll be given a free drink such as orange juice at the entrance. For appetizers, they’ll have smoked duck, pastrami beef, smoked salmon, raw ham millefeu, and marinated shrimp and octopus with some delicacy sauce with hearts. For entre, you will have a choice to choose either the beef dish that has sirloin roast beef with layoinasse potatoes, and gratin soybeans. The fish dish has sautee sea beam with mash potatoes and eggplants. Both entres will include bread with butter. For kids menu, they’ll have Buggy’s Watch-Out-for-his-red nose dish. It will have Buggy’s chicken rice with a cherry tomato, fried shrimp with tartar sauce, omelet, chicken nugget, fresh steamed veggies, and macaroni gratin. For dessert, they’ll serve Tokimeki’s Strawberry Mousse. For drinks, you can order these colorful alcohol or non-alcohol drinks. For alcohol drinks, they’ll have Buggy’s “Who the hell you’re calling big nose” drink with an orange and cherry, and they’ll have for “You’re beautiful” strawberry sparkling wine. For non-alcohol, they’ll have “You’re cute” lemon soda cocktail, and Longing for the All-Blue drink with some colorful gelatin fish. If you order either of these drinks, you’ll be given a free random silver spoon of any Straw Hats. You will can also purchase a commemorative sweet dessert gift set of Sanji that will have a chocolate and fruit heart cakes with two tea bags, and a special message from Sanji. Let the cashier know before you leave. You’ll also have a chance to take a photo with the characters. No news yet who will be there this summer, but while you’re dining, waiters will escort you to the line so you can take your photo. Once you leave, you can head outside to purchase your photo frame. It’s a load of fun this summer. Updates on the other OP restaurant at the park and merchandise will be announced later. Also, they’ll have a Water Battle where you can watch a mini show of OP and get wet at the same time. Its oodles of fun, and a way to cool yourself off from the scorching heat. Last, but not least, here is the new cover of vol.2 from the novel of Ace that has Thatch and Blackbeard in it. It continues on with Ace’s story before he joined the Whitebeard pirates. Well, that’s all we got for now. Tune in for more news and events next week. Special thanks to Tongari for dropping by. See you around, my friend. BOYS! Let’s get some rest. Good job.
 USJ events: https://www.usj.co.jp/onepiece/summer2018/#
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thecoroutfitters · 7 years ago
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I have learned, earlier than most, that you cannot convince sheep.
Young people will continue to pay for over-priced worthless liberal arts degrees. Suburbanites will buy brand new cars they neither need, nor can afford, just to impress the neighbors.
Americans will spend thousands just to see The Super Bowl (which will not be any tangibly different than any other football game). And the sheeple will always and religiously stand in lines for hours during “Black Friday.”
But every once in a while I think I find a new insight, a new viewpoint that is so clear, so simple that even your rank and file American sheeple might be convinced of it. That this insight is so cunning, and so simple it could revolutionize the way people think for the better.
And so I hope (though am not hopeful) to convince many of you why investing in the stock market today is fundamentally stupid and on par with standing in line on Black Friday.
Let us understand what the stock market ORIGINALLY and TRULY was at its core – it was a place for companies to raise money.
Entrepreneurs, innovators, and businesses wanted to start or expand their business and did not have the funds readily or personally available to finance these ventures. Investors who had said funds, but did not necessarily want to start their own business, were looking for returns on their money.
And just like we meet today in a “farmers market” to exchange money for goods, these people met in the “financial market” where these entrepreneurs and investors would exchange money for an investment in a company.
THAT IS IT!!! THAT IS ALL!!! THAT IS ALL THE POINT AND PURPOSE OF A STOCK MARKET THERE IS!
Businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators were looking for funding. Investors were looking for investments. They met in the middle and businesses were created, launched, or expanded. Business is thus concluded. End of story.
Will You Retire At 60, 70 or 90? Find Out Now!
But an interesting twist occurred after the sale of some stocks, the issuance of some bonds, or perhaps the sale of some preferred shares. Though the primary purpose of these transactions was accomplished (financing businesses) the shares (be they stocks or bonds) still remained.
And the original owners of these shares could and did start selling them to each other. This “secondary trading” or any trading done AFTER the original investment that was made was done so on what is called the “secondary market.” These trades were done NOT to finance new businesses or launch new companies, but was merely speculatory in nature.
The owner of some original shares of GE decided he wanted to buy a house. So he sold them on the secondary market (aka “the stock market”) to somebody who thought perhaps GE’s shares were a bit underpriced. The owner of some original shares of Ford wanted to raise funds to invest in a new company being launched by Thomas Edison.
So he would go to the secondary market and unload his Ford shares on some pension fund manager who thought Ford shares were trading a bit under par. Or perhaps some astute young go-getter had some insight into the telephonic industry that nobody, not even the telephonic industry itself had. He realized that under new legislation coming through congress telephone companies’ profits would triple, and thus he runs out to the secondary market and offers a premium to buy Bell Communication shares.
Notice ALL of these trades do not bring about a single penny in new businesses, new profits, or new production. They merely are swapping out money for shares that have long existed, the original productive investment of which happened long ago when they were first sold to raise funds for the original company.
In other words, the billions of trades that happen every day on the stock, bond, mutual fund, option, derivatives, and other financial markets are NOT investing, but rather mere speculation.
And that means ALL of your 401k’s, IRA’s, 457, 403b’s, RRSP’s, and pension “investments” are not investments at all, but mere speculation.
This MASSIVE misunderstanding of what investing truly is has resulted in an illogical creature called today’s modern stock market. It’s illogical because in theory those “super duper smart” Ivy League graduates at Wall Street should have priced the original shares at their “true value.” And what I mean by “true value” is the value of all the future profits the company would have generated condensed into a single price at that time the original shares were sold. Sure, they would have to discount it a bit to leave some meat on the bone for the original investors to part with their money.
And yes, the changing outlook and fortunes of a company would change the price of those shares on into the future in the secondary market. But over the past several hundred years and the hundreds of thousands of companies that had been launched during that time, in theory on average the lions’ share of any profits and gains would have gone to the original investors leaving little to no room for the perpetual, let alone exponential price increases that magically are funding all your retirement plans today.
The Question is “Why?”
So then why has the stock market perpetually and exponentially gone up, meaning the original investors should NEVER had sold their original shares and/or the entrepreneurs WOEFULLY underpriced theirs?
There are certainly some logical (and real) explanations.
One is that in the past investors and entrepreneurs underestimated the population growth their businesses would inevitably sell to. Not just domestically, but internationally as well. Bob’s Farm Buggy Corporation probably didn’t think they’d sell farm buggies beyond the agricultural prairies of the United States in 1890. But John Deere sells a good third of its tractors overseas in 2017.
Two, they lacked the vision to see all the practical applications their product would lead to. This isn’t necessarily their fault because often it is not until a product is created is its full potential realized. The PC was largely a hobbyist toy for nerds and proto-computer geeks in the 1970’s. Now you have 2 of them for every person, 4 if you consider tablets and smart phones.
But while these are possible and legitimate reasons for investors to underpay (and companies to underprice) their shares, in reality it is the changing behavior of the NON-INVESTOR class that is driving up prices beyond what they’re worth. It is the secondary market where not a penny of actual investment is occurring, but pure and mere speculation (and hope) that “the stock market just keeps going up.”
First, despite what your professors and teachers tell you, capitalism has brought about an amazing increase in the wealth, leisure, incomes and lifestyle for the average sheep. You’re not dying of diphtheria. You’re living nearly 80 years.
You have vehicles that can (for an insanely cheap price compared to horses) drive you across the country in a mere few days. And if that’s not good enough for you, for even cheaper you can FLY across the country in a mere few hours. Oh, and then there’s that “world’s complete knowledge available to you at your fingertips” device you’re likely holding right now.
Regardless, the point is billions of people now have trillions of dollars more to spend on nick nacks, clothes, grills, rims, sushi, and overpriced iPhone X’s. But some of that also finds its way into the stock market.
Second, the government effectively has paid people for the past 40 years to invest in the stock market through its various retirement programs. 401k’s, IRA’s, 403b’s, you name it, there’s a program that incentivizes you with tax breaks to invest speculate on stocks you know ABSOLUTELY nothing about.
“Tee hee, I just give it to my HR department and they do the investing for me. I don’t know what I really invest in. I just, you know, buy and hold.”
Third, technology has advanced that trading stocks is no longer relegated to the rich or upper middle class. Instead of needing $10,000 minimum and being willing to pay $90 in commission per trade, a poor college student can open up a brokerage account for $500 and trade for $7.95 in commission. Now I have my barista with her Masters in English telling me about how she’s buying Apple and Google as I get served my morning coffee.
And then there’s monetary policy. Though not the fault of the sheeple, nearly every central bank in the world has kept rates very low, not to mention tripled their money supplies. These monies have to go somewhere and inevitably because of the fungible nature of money, finds its way into the stock market. Be it freshly printed money or artificially low interest rates people and corporations are awash in cash and have to invest it somewhere. So people throw it into the stock market and corporations borrow trillions in leveraged corporate buy backs.
All of these variables have flooded the stock market with trillions of dollars that would have otherwise not been there, driving the PE ratio of the stock market to nose bleed levels and dividend returns on stocks to a pathetic 2%.
To any normal thinking person, a rate of return of 2% on ANY investment would simply not be worth it. Heck, some months that doesn’t even beat inflation. But remember, the world is no longer populated by normal-thinking people. It’s populated by sheep. And the sheep just line up like their HR counselors told them to and invest away speculate away with the brilliant strategy of “well I just hope the stock market goes up.” And lucky for them it has because it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy where we print off money and people keep piling into the market.
The problem, however, is what happens when economic and demographic trends change or simply stop?
For example, when the baby boomers start selling out of stocks to pay for their retirement, do you think the debt-laden millennials or the mortgage-and-children-burdened Gen X’ers are going to pick up the slack?
What if a non-Keynesians head up the world’s central banks, stop printing money and stop keeping interest rates artificially low? Where will all the new money come from to keep “the stock market going up?”
And have you noticed the slow-down in population growth in the 1st world? What growth there is, is largely coming from immigrant classes, and whatever your opinion may be about immigrants, they do not have the disposable income to invest in their 401k’s that the native population does.
I personally don’t think any of these things will happen. The government will continue to print money and keep interest rates low to keep the party going. Baby boomers so woefully saved, they’ll continue to work and contribute to 401k’s until they’re dead.
But let there be no doubt, there is no genuine NEW investment going on. There are no actual rates of return. There is (bar that whopping 2% dividend yield or .0003% you get on your savings account) no underlying profit being returned to you as an investor.
Ergo,
Just like Beanie Babies. Just like baseball cards. Just like Dotcoms in 1999. Just like tulip bulbs in the 1600’s.
The vast majority of people are speculating, NOT investing.
The question then is where does one invest if nearly every stock, bond, and mutual fund is overpriced and over-flooded with non-investor-sheep money?
Where do you find a rate of return that not only holds the promise of providing an adequate retirement, but ensures your investment is not some overvalued bubble about to burst.
And while a glut of central bank money has made nearly every asset class a bit too pricey for the discerning investor, there are some places you can still get a good return on your investment.
This article has been written by Chris Mills for Survivopedia.
from Survivopedia Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies? #SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag
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simplemlmsponsoring · 6 years ago
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New Post has been published on https://simplemlmsponsoring.com/attraction-marketing-formula/attraction-marketing/why-brand-visibility-matters/
Why Brand Visibility Matters
What is brand visibility?
Big and small brands alike buy TV and radio ads, sponsor little league teams, buy billboards, write blogs, and post on their Facebook pages. They are on an ever-ending quest to “get their name out there.” Many of these actions don’t have a big impact (more on that later), but as it turns out, they at least are starting with the right idea.
Do you have a certain friend who posts something everyday, many times a day on social media? For me, it’s often my acquaintances and friends who join MLM companies. (You know – the makeup, clothes, jewelry, fitness Network Marketing brands.) They’re ever-present in my newsfeed. The quality of their posts vary, sure, but they’re there. They show up.
They sprinkle in the product promotions. The majority of their posts are about their life, brand, beliefs, and journey. It is sometimes eye roll-worthy, but it works. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate their stories. If I ever DO need a fat-compressing wrap or a kick-butt workout, I know exactly who I should ask.
  When isn’t Visibility the answer?
If you haven’t done the inner work to figure out what your brand is, all the visibility efforts will be less effective. Your aim is to own a specific space in people’s minds and hearts that you reinforce through the visibility. If you aren’t clear on what you stand for in the first place, reinforcing an ambiguous message won’t have the effect you are looking for.
Define your brand first.
Stop here if when you look at your brand, you cringe. Stop here if the message of your brand isn’t clear – to you or to your ideal clients. If you’re not sure exactly how to articulate what sets you apart from other people in your industry, you have work to do before you invest time or other resources in visibility. 
Before you pitch yourself to another reporter, run a FB ad, even post something else on social media… Stop and figure out what your message is. Know what you stand for and who you provide value to. 
Posting your lunch on twitter every day may make you “visible.” It won’t likely contribute to your brand building or goals.
  The Case For Getting More Visible
While you might not be selling long-wear lipstick to old high school buddies, we can still learn a valuable lesson. In psychology, there’s a phenomenon called the “Mere Exposure Effect.” The more familiar we are with something (or someone), the more we like them.
Side note: There’s also a lesson NOT to take from our MLM-promoting friends. Facebook has policies against promoting businesses on your personal profile. Sharing value or personal stories is one thing. Using your profile as a never-ending billboard is against their rules. Stick to your business pages & groups for the bulk of your visibility work. You’ll also save yourself from annoying everyone.
Another example: Many Americans have a nostalgic love for Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches. I have many, many fond memories of my mom making me a sandwich to send in my lunch to school. The repeated exposure (mixed with the positive emotions of being taken care of) makes it a staple in many people’s cupboards. Italians don’t have the same exposure or memories about PB&J’s. It’s almost impossible to find peanut butter in a supermarket here. They don’t have the same affection for the product. (Now, Nutella… that’s a different story. I almost got trampled when they had a sale the other day. The stuff is everywhere.)
The repeated exposure of a brand, person, or product is powerful.
Everything else aside, SHOWING UP matters.
  Who Needs Your Brand *Right Now*?
Another case for consistent visibility is that different people will need your products at different times. By staying top of mind, your brand will be easier to recall when they need you.
Imagine being in a crowded party. In the middle of the murmur of the crowd, you hear your name mentioned. Your ears perk up and you pay attention. This happens because we’re conditioned to pay attention to things that we care about. Our brain is filtering all the stimuli in the world against our internal gauge of what is important and what is not. Our name stays high on the “Important List.” Other things change based on what’s going on. You might notice phone advertisements when your iPhone is acting buggy. Or you find a plethora of desserts everywhere when you’re on a diet because you’re craving sugar.
We don’t pay attention to most messages we see, until we’re tuned into a specific idea. When your ideal client is ready to pay attention, you need to be there (like you always have been.)
In the online world, high visibility is akin to being in a convenient location in the real world. Stores that are close by often get our business because they are convenient. In the online world, when we decide that we’re looking for a new Virtual Assistant, the ones that show up on our radar at that exact moment are more likely to get our business.
  Visibility is a Key for Brand Growth
In the book “How Brands Grow,” Byron Sharp shows us studies and stats that demonstrate that brands don’t actually grow through repeat (“loyal”) clients. The main driver of growth is NEW users/customers, even if they only buy once. Reach is more important than loyalty. It’s counterintuitive, I know. (You can get the book on Amazon to read for yourself.)
To reach new audiences (and woo them into becoming a client/customer), we need to be visible. The content, ads, emails, and social media posts we create increase our probability they find us. It creates more opportunities for people to come into contact with our brand.
  Visibility Creates Recognition
When we encounter a random blog post by someone we aren’t familiar with, we appreciate the content, but it’s quickly forgotten. Just because we landed on someone’s website once doesn’t mean that we’re going to remember it months later. Our memories are way too short for that.
Your audience needs repetition so they start to recognize who you are. As you can guess from the theme of the post, consistent visibility is a key to making this happen.
Once we’re “out there,” people have an opportunity to build a lasting and cumulative belief of our brand over time. They start to recognize our brand, content, voice, and visuals. The important part here is consistent visibility. For people to know you, you need consistency of both frequency and look/voice/feel of your brand.
And bonus – once they know who we are, it engages the “Mere Exposure Effect” that we talked about earlier. They recognize our contributions as ours, and it all builds on each other.
  (Pin this for later!)
Where Visibility Goes Wrong
Plastering your logo everywhere isn’t going to cut it. The second element of visibility is a spark of connection. We need to engage people’s emotions.
I remember sitting at a summer T-ball game, watching one of my little brothers swing the bat. As I looked around in the hot summer sun, I noticed the faded paint of some company’s logo on the sideline. I wondered why in the world companies would waste money advertising there.
Or imagine this. If you posted only your business logo everyday for the next month, what would happen? Sure, people would see it. But after a while, people would either stop paying attention or hit that “unfollow” button.
To make visibility work for you, being seen *is* the first step. We covered that bit. Yet, showing up won’t have a big positive effect unless your ideal clients *notice* you there and enjoy seeing you. That’s where it’s time to bring your brand into the picture (beyond your logo.)
We need the brand to be consistent, yes. And then, we need to create engaging experiences so they also *notice* you. We need to have conversations that go beyond the nuts and bolts of your product or service. We need to talk about things that matter to human beings.
We need to create brand experiences that are surprising, aspirational, heart-warming, insightful, useful. … anything but boring or predictable. People buy from people. One of the easiest ways to do this is to tell stories in our visibility content. Tell real, relatable human stories. Even if they aren’t related to your product or service on the surface, use stories that support core message of your brand. (Hint: use your primary archetype to help filter through stories that would be “on brand” for you. (You can take the quiz here. My Brandfluency archetype courses give specific examples of stories to tell for each type.)
  Always Be Inviting
I’m not sure about you, but I hate adding things to my to do list that aren’t effective. The last thing I want to spend all day on Facebook and not see results.
The last step of effective visibility for brands is to have an endgame in mind. If that goal is to get more clients, know that. If that goal is to sell a course, know that. Use your visibility campaign to connect people to that endgame.
Invite people to deepen their relationship with you at every step. Likes and shares on a Facebook post don’t pay for dinner, even if the post goes viral. Ask people to join your email list. Or set up a call. Or buy your product.
  How to Get More Visible
The problem with visibility for most people – myself included – is a lack of time and competing priorities. We have a million ideas and tasks vying for our attention. Even when we “know” how important visibility is, it gets pushed down the list because it’s not a habit.
There’s mindset work that often needs to happen to make room for the work of getting visible. You need to release perfectionism and know that your voice is worth sharing. If it doesn’t come easy to you – you’re not alone.
  To pull this all together, increasing your brand visibility is the key to growth, as long as you do it in a smart way. Pick platforms/media where your ideal clients are, and show up there consistently (frequency, message, and style). Get noticed by creating a mini-brand experience (think emotion!). Always be inviting people to go deeper with you. Get your creativity flowing with these *50* free content prompts. Download 50 Content Prompts for *FREE*! You’e got this! The world needs your genius.
The post Why Brand Visibility Matters appeared first on Kaye Putnam | Psychology Driven Brand Strategist.
Read more: kayeputnam.com
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scummy-writes · 8 years ago
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Hello~ ^^ for fun can I request what if the rfa members met Mc under different circumstances, such as not from her joining the chat but other ways. Maybe she worked briefly at Jumin's company for example or helped checked up on Elizabeth when she was ill (idk u go nuts on the circumstances) but after all of that, just for fun, what if when they were all chatting in the chatroom they found out they all met her in one way or another. I just wonder how they would of react to mc under normal yknow
_φ(* ̄ω ̄)ノ This is cute, and I usually have a few guilty pleasure daydreams of this happening to me. I can’t think of a scenario of them all knowing her. Maybe if this was all the same person? And just stretched over a time of a few months so it makes sense?
Zen
- He usually went to a local gym to work out with the machines he couldn’t afford. I mean, he’s gotta look nice, right?
- He wasn’t used to seeing women there, and he definitely wasn’t used to seeing women in baggy clothes staring at the machines
- He didn’t give it much thought. You were trying to build up some confidence- You’d get on it eventually! But he wasn’t going to stare. He needed to hurry up. He didn’t have long to work out today.
- Over the next few days, he always saw you shyly attempting to get on the machines, but he never saw you get on one
- One day, he saw you sitting on a bench outside, just looking down and thinking
- “Hey, do you mind if I join you?” 
- You looked a little spooked, but you nodded and he sat down beside you and introduced himself.
- The two of you sat quietly for a moment, before he finally decided on what to say.
- “You know, I’ve noticed you looking at the machines. I just want you to know that no one is going to judge you here, okay? Some other gyms may, but this one has been the kindest I’ve been to.”
- You didn’t really react much, just kinda still stared at your feet with a blush on your face
- “Hey, listen. I know it’s scary, and I know you’re worried of what people may think. But if anyone says anything bad, just find me! I usually come around this time every day! I can help you figure out some of the machines, alright?”
- You finally looked at him and gave him a small smile. You looked a little sad, but he hoped his words helped.
- That day you ended up excusing yourself (with a thanks) and heading on home
- But the next day he didn’t see you. Or the day after that.
- He chalked it up to you just being too shy. Which was fine- No one really liked showing off at the gym unless they were in super great shape.
- He thought about you from time to time, but imagine his surprise when the girl in the chatroom knew him after he sent a selfie!
- He was...actually really happy to know you were doing okay. He was worried about you after how sad you looked!
Yoosung
- He never really paid attention in most of his classes
- Sure, he tried! But...He was tired, and zoned out a lot.
- He knew you from his sociology class. He thought it’d be neat, but he ended up not understanding most of it.
- You, though, were one of the few people that actually spoke up in the class. Debated certain subjects with the teacher- asked really good questions
- And you were one of the people who didn’t let the teacher know he forgot homework, even though you talked to him so much.
- Basically, he thought you were really smart. But...Totally out of his league. Girls like you never really played video games, or liked guys who played...
- (He got himself a little annoyed thinking about that, he was in the middle of class! No time to get sad!!)
- The two of you ended up bumping into each other in the library one day. There was one copy of a certain book the sociology class wanted you to write a paper on. And it was due tomorrow!
- Of course you had it, and he was stuck trying to thumb through his phone or other books to hopefully just get a snippet of information he could use for his paper.
- “Yoosung?”
- He nearly yelped. He wasn’t expecting anyone to talk to him! Even you, for that matter!
- “Are you working on the paper too? I can share this book with you, if you need it. Maybe we can help each other out?”
- You were his fucking savior.
- The two of you ended up spending a few hours working on the essay- You even helped him with his if he promised to proof-read yours. He was lowkey kind of jealous that you did your papers at last minute, but got a better grade than him.
- But afterwards, he was just too shy to try talking to you again
- So when he heard your name in the chat, he went off on how he knew a girl by the same name
- “Oh, I know a guy named Yoosung too! We, ah, don’t really talk, but he’s in one of my classes.”
-”...Sociology?”
-”OMG”
- Now he was even more determined to try and talk to you
Seven
-Look, he had to get all that Dr Pep from somewhere
- He was a regular at the little grocery store you worked in. He usually came around the same time, always paid with cash, and almost always got a shitton of Dr Pep
- God forbid you guys have a sale on it
- But he was nice, sweet. Always cracking jokes, always willing to try and make you laugh if you were looking rough
- There were a few times when he’d step in-between a you and an angry customer, and you were always so thankful because he usually made a dumb joke or two to lighten up the situation
- Pretty soon he had learned your name, and he usually came through your line, because you’d actually laugh at his jokes
- (I mean, the others did too, but your reaction to his horrible puns was a groan and a facepalm- He loved it)
- “I got all my dr pep to put a pep in my step!”
- “Man...Man, come on. I mean, I just had two buggies worth of groceries. You’re gonna do this to me?”
- Huge shit eating grin. Of course he was!
- When he finds out it’s you in the chatroom, he instantly wants to protect you even more.
- And, of course, the puns are now neverending. He had a list saved up for you, buddy, you were never going to escape them now
Jaehee
- Sometimes, when you were in need of good coffee and free wifi, you stopped at a local coffee shop. You’d spend a while in there, and occasionally you’d run into this very busy woman.
- Okay, moreso you thought she was cute, so you lowkey looked at her every now and then the few times your paths crossed
- She’d usually get coffee and something small, sit, and pour over paper work while chugging that damn coffee down like a pro
- The two of you only interacted once- It was a crowded day and you were sitting at the only table that had an extra seat, so...She asked to join you
- You stuttered while saying yes, but she didn’t question it.
- She did catch you glancing at her every now and then, and she eventually called you out on it.
- “I’m just curious, I’m sorry.”
- “No, it’s fine. It’s just a few reports for the company I work at. I have to go in soon, but the office is out of good coffee, so...”
- The two of you talked a bit, not too much because she needed to focus on her work, but it was safe to say you had a huge crush on her
- She might have thought it was a bit cute you were so curious about her
- So when she sees the messages saying that you remember who she is, from the coffee shop, she is blushing like mad
- Someone remembers her? Her??
- But she’s secretly happy. Is this a chance to get a friend for the first time?
Jumin
- Granted, you didn’t work right beside him, but you worked in a department that knew his name....very....very...well.
- Nevermind the fact it was mainly tossed around like a curse
- I mean... Jaehee wasn’t the only one who had to deal with the cat projects he wanted to do
- You were decent at your job! Still young, still struggling with being an intern, the first time you ever had a serious job like this
- So the first time you bumped into him in the elevator, you tried your best not to stutter as you greeted him.
- “What department do you work in?”
- (The department that hates your fucking guts)
- “Oh, Uhm. The one you created, for your, erm, personal projects.”
- “Ah, how is the wine going?”
- “It’s...It’s going, haha. I’m actually turning a report in now.”
- (God, why were elevators so slow??)
- “Oh, you write the reports?”
- “Well...A lot of them, not all of them.” You thought about some of the harsh notes he had left on them, and tried not to break a sweat
- “I see, well. They’re all very good in the end. I appreciate the work your group is doing.”
- And bam, the elevator stopped for you and you just. Booked it.
- (Where the fuck are your anxiety meds holy fuck)
- When you enter the chatroom, and see it’s him, you are already kissing your future job goodbye. He was going to fire you so fast
- But.... he didn’t recognize you. Not by your name alone, at least
- When Seven pointed out you worked for him, Jumin just...Left the chatroom
- (The next time he got on, he had already read through your resume twice and talked about your current absence as well with your dept.)
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maylocnuocplasma · 5 years ago
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Handicapped Mate
Children right from large tourists, because that they receive little or no parental interest, have unmet needs. Nevertheless his publication deftly applied McLuhan, and right in synch with Media Ecology. I have to laugh at some with the things I read.
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My spouse and i never understood a family bigger than my In laws, nevertheless do know of smaller types, with might be 4 or 5 kids, where the parents really would have more than love to deliver, they recognized they preferred a large spouse and children, planned that, and had the means to buy them what they needed, as a long way mainly because food, clothing, education, sociable lives, and so forth
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What you can do, instead, is mourn the dropped relationship for quite a while. It is the only approach to carry on with all your life and forget about the destroyed relationship. That way you would be able to forget your past and find someone new through handicapped dating.
Neil Postman, who wisely created Media Ecology in so much of McLuhan’s impression, was the 1 most accountable for our focus on media, technology, process, and structure, instead of content. Which resulted in different structuralists, acted and precise, ranging from Whorf to Levi-Strauss to Chomsky, being generated within the curriculum. But McLuhan was the direction post. And having been a direction post that directed, Janus-like, at the past and the long term at the same time.
Different Social Networking Sites
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Over the years we now have invented various technical devices, mobile technology, television and computer technology being the most important and effective to the lifestyle. These individual technical devices are evolving into one another. Just like mobile technology now presents new options and possesses merged with television and computer technology. We have gone by just contacting people to communicate to sending text messages, messaging such as Facebook and twitter, Imessage and Blackberry Messenger and the more recently Whatsapp, which lets you Imessage and Blackberry Concept people. Creating an online business, watching television on your phone and news applications, nowadays rather than picking up a newspaper or waiting for good news on the tv or r / c, you can look at that straight away with your phone by simply entering a credit card applicatoin such as the BASSE CONSOMMATION News application on my phone. Games, mailing, photography, video-recording and they have now even evolved in 3D technology.
These new environments have us hooked to the cell phones, iPods to the magnitude that they have end up being the extensions of your selves in an interconnected internet babble and new ways of human interpersonal interconnected memes; where viruses, according to media traditions enthusiast “Bill Myself Tuesday”: malware can act like a logic analyzer. Seeing that the strain goes through the operating system, this stops at certain checkpoints, doing it is rounds in a given timeframe. This checkpoint will record back what the situation is.
Terminology makes all of us human. We use this language as a buggy in our interrogating and getting together with life and within life. We use language to talk, sing, speech our opinions, disagreement, thoughts, purpose communicate, produce, and so forth, within our day to day lives. It is a complex effect you mediated by each person’s psychological makeup, social status, age, and just how the individual uses the information.
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Disabled Sole Woman Expecting to Date
Going out with websites intended for the incapable have been an excellent service for those living with disability or constraining medical conditions. For the duration of his loss of life, McLuhan’s status was in all probability at its least expensive ebb. The media homework centre he founded by Toronto University had been closed down down. The period of his popular celebrity – if he had made an appearance on TV, offered numerous open public lectures, and made a cameo appearance (as himself) in Hard woody Allen’s film Annie Hall — all this was at the past. Within the academic globe there was wide-spread doubt regarding his hypotheses. Today, however , interest is definitely reviving. His 1964 publication Understanding Mass media has been reprinted by Routledge Classics each year since 2001 (three intervals in 2008). People are examining McLuhan, and it is not too difficult to know why.
Specifically! If you can afford them and love and care for these people go for it nevertheless most people with large households these days wrap up living about welfare as they aren’t afford all the children they may have bought in the world plus the children are the ones that suffer, the ones that aren’t making money off t. sixth is v. shows.
My very own doctoral dissertation—Human Replay: A Theory of the Evolution of Media (1979)—in a sense required McLuhan’s observation that electronic media call to mind oral habits of interaction and changed it to a theory that media become more natural, a reduced amount of artificial, even more human, because they evolve. Different theorists—ranging right from Darwin to Popper—played key roles within my work, although McLuhan was your key aid. His traditional connections popped up throughout the dissertation, because they continue to do it whenever I just write about landline calls.
Fractalnoia – making impression of our universe entirely in today’s tense, by drawing internet connections between elements – sometimes inappropriately. The conspiracy hypotheses of the web, the use of Big Data to predict the direction of entire masse, and the frenzied effort of presidency to function without having grand narrative. ” Nonetheless also the emerging skill of design recognition” and the campaigns of people to map the earth as a group of relationships known as TheBrain — a grandchild of McLuhan’s global village”.
Through its continual barrage and consistent repeating the modern news flash allows a virus to multiply into our greatly self-referential advertising space, and has an ability to comment on the media itself. Rushkoff says that: “The viral covering permits the memes to spread just before they have a likelihood to be marginalized. Viruses lounger themselves in irony and appeal to the objective sensibilities of the viewers. Viral shells may be understood seeing that framing gadgets that induce us to distance ourselves from the problems within these people. This objectification of the problems allows us to understand the symbols in our media because symbols and necessarily reality. As well, we are made mindful of the complexities beneath evidently simple illustrations of our universe. ” In cases like this, a contemporary society no longer simply uses technology as a support but instead is shaped by it.
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janakimurali · 5 years ago
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The world of mangoes
I wrote this short story in two parts to go with the seasonal theme of mangoes for the Deccan Herald’s  School Edition   
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The world of mangoes
Janaki Murali
 Part One
 ‘Wow, did you see that?’
 ‘Hmm,’ said Mili, not looking up from her phone.
 ‘I love the rich colours, yellow, gold, green and those spots of red.’
 ‘Hmm,’ said Mili again, keying in feverishly on the phone.
 Her mother sighed. ‘Mili, can you look up from your phone?’
 Nita had thought the only way to ger her daughter off the phone was to bring her out of the house. She had thought the fresh air would do her good. She had told her that she wanted to see the Mango Mela at Lalbagh and didn’t want to go alone.  
 Mili had agreed on condition that she be allowed to bring her phone with her. Nita didn’t know how else to get her out, so had nodded her agreement. Through the drive to Lalbagh and then once inside the park, Mili was constantly on the phone, playing her video game. Nita wondered how she was able to walk without falling. Mili adeptly avoided bumping into people, by weaving this way and that.  She climbed steps without looking at them.  
 Nita had often seen young people walking on busy footpaths, talking on their phone, and continuing to talk even when crossing a busy road. She had always wondered how they did it, without being runover. Looking at her daughter now, she thought the smart phone generation grew some new motor skills.    
 ‘You know Mili, why don’t you go to one of those benches and wait for me. I will go and buy the mangoes and come back for you,’ said Nita, waving her hands in front of her daughter’s face to get her attention.  
 ‘Gosh, Ma I see you, you don’t have to wave your hands,’ said Mili, without looking up from her phone. She walked to a green park bench and sat on it.
‘Careful, there might be red ants there.’
 ‘Ma, I am fine, you go get your mangoes.’  
 Nita sighed again, as she walked back to the mango stalls.
 &&&
 Mili sat on the green bench, playing her video game on her phone. She had no awareness of the people around her, or the time passing, until she felt the sun bearing down on her. Gosh it had become hot. Hadn’t it been pleasant with a light breeze blowing just a few minutes ago?
 She looked around her – the park was so full It looked like the whole of Bengaluru was at the park. When did that happen?  When she and mom had come into the park, it was still quite early and there had been only a few people going on their morning walk. There were people everywhere. Some of them were playing badminton, some ball, some were sitting on benches quietly, while some others had come in groups and were chatting and laughing.
 Of course, it was Sunday and Mom had told her Sundays were always crowded at Lalbagh. But people were out so early? Mili checked the time on her phone. What? It was already 9 in the morning and they had come to the park at 7 am or so.
 Where was mom? It couldn’t have taken her that long to buy her mangoes.  
 Mili shut her video game and shoved the phone into her backpack. She got off the bench and walked glass house. She remembered the mango mela was near it.  Wow, how beautiful the glass house looked.  She had seen it last when they had come long, long ago, as a family, with dad, mom and her brother.
 Her dad and brother were both in the US. Dad was away on a work assignment and her brother had gone off to do his post grad. And now, she was left alone with her mother. Not fair. Mom was always nagging her to do something or the other. Just like her to leave her alone on a hot bench. Where had she gotten off to?
 As Mili climbed the steps from the glass house, an overpowering aroma greeted her. Rows and rows of mango stalls lined up the path before her.  Big, small, round and oblong. Gold, green with specks of red.
 She walked down the path, absorbing the colours, the aroma - the mangoes looked so rich and inviting. The pathway curved to reveal more stalls, where they were fresh jackfruit, halwas, a variety of chips and pickles.
 So many people were at the mango stalls, picking up whole cartons, or filling up their cloth bags. She weaved through the crowds, looking for her mother. But there was no sign of her anywhere.
 Mili stopped at one of the mango stalls.  
 ‘All these are organically grown mangos. Here, try the Badami,’ said the stall owner, giving her a tiny slice of the juicy mango.  ‘There’s Raspuri, Dasheri, Kesar, Baganapalli, Mallika, Kalapad and Malgova. Then there is the king of mangoes, the Alphonso, which one would you like to buy?’  
 ‘Wow, it’s so yum – I would like to buy them all. There must be more than 100 stalls here.  Um, where do they all come from?’
 ‘We are all farmers from Ramanagara, Kolar and Chikkaballapura.’
 ‘I see…I wish I had come with Mom when she came to buy the mangoes. She would have enjoyed showing them off. I can’t find her…seem to have kinda lost her.’  
 ‘Did you call her, you must be having a mobile phone,’ said the shopkeeper.  
 ‘Of course, why didn’t I think of that.’ Mili took her phone out and rang her mom’s mobile number.
 There was no answer.  It kept ringing and ringing and ringing.  Then after a while it went dead.
 To be Continued…
The world of mangoes
Janaki Murali
Part Two
Mili was now very worried.  
She had wandered around the park, looking for her mom, but she was nowhere.  
When she reached the lake, Mili stopped to stare. She was wonderstruck by its beauty and the number of migratory birds. Some were swimming in the water and some others were resting on trees in the middle of the lake.  
‘Wow, why haven’t I seen this before,’ she whispered to herself.
‘The lake never ceases to amaze me too,’ said a girl, who was standing near her, clicking pictures of the birds with her zoom lens.    
‘Oh, I’m sorry, am I in your way?’ said Mili shyly.
‘Naah.’
‘That’s a lovely camera - do you come here often?’
‘Every weekend – I watch the seasons change and capture Lalbagh in all her moods.  Here, do you want to look at my pictures?’ she said as she scrolled through her camera.
‘Did you know the Glass House dates back to the late 18th century, so does the bandstand - the pigeon house, the deer enclosure, the Lalbagh House, the statue of Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar – each one is so rich in history. This silk cotton tree is almost two centuries old. This pine tree is 150 feet tall and then there is the 20-million-year-old fossil. The 16th century Kempegowda tower on the 3000-year old rock formation is so beautiful at dawn. Then there is the Japanese garden, the rose garden, the lotus pond and all the flowering trees. Of course, there are all these migratory birds…oh and you should see the new tree art some artists have done and the waterfall…’  
‘Wow, really wow. I didn’t know Lalbagh was so beautiful - my mom comes here for her morning walks.’
‘You don’t come with her?’  
‘Um…no, I should, right? Actually, I can’t find her, my mom, I mean. She left me on a bench and went to buy mangoes - I realised she was gone only some two hours later,’ said Mili, sheepishly. ‘I…I was playing a video game and didn’t realise the time passing.’  
‘Really now? You were playing a video game in this beautiful park and missing all this…’ said the girl waving her arm around.
‘I know, how foolish of me. Mom wanted me to enjoy the park she loves, but I have been so selfish…’
‘Aww - don’t worry, she must be around, it’s such a large park, 240 acres nearly,’ said the girl, going back to click an eagle in flight.
‘Exactly and I don’t know where to look – she could be anywhere.’
‘Tell you what, go to the guard room, they will help you find her.’
‘Thanks, I will do that,’ said Mili. ‘And thank you for showing me your photographs.’
‘You’re welcome.’
Mili almost ran to the guard room.  
‘Sir, ma’am, I can’t find my mom, she left me on a bench and went to buy mangoes some three hours ago and never came back,’ Mili said to one of the guards at the chowk.
‘What were you doing for so long on the bench – yoga, pranayama?’
‘No…No, I…I was playing a video game,’ said Mili shamefacedly.
‘What’s with you young people and video games. You are not even aware of your surroundings. Someone could have snatched your bag, your phone or worse still hurt you,’ said the lady guard.
‘I know, I know, I am so sorry.’
‘Did you ring her phone?’
‘I…I did, there’s no answer - what if she’s hurt or something. She could be lying in some corner of the park.’
‘I will go in a buggy and look for her,’ said one of the guards. ‘Do you have a picture?’
Mili showed him a picture of her mom from her phone. The guard went off in the buggy.
‘I am sure, he’ll find her,’ said the lady guard soothingly.
After what seemed like a long, long wait, the guard came back. In the buggy beside him was her mom.
‘Mom, mom, oh thank god, you’re fine, I was so worried, where did you go off. You were not answering your phone either.’
‘My phone went dead. After I bought the mangoes, I came back to the bench where you were sitting and told you I was going to the Basavanagudi gate to buy vegetables. But I don’t think you heard me. I also stopped to buy us some breakfast. When I went back to the bench, you weren’t there and I have been looking all over for you. The guard said you were at the chowk and that you were safe.’
‘I’m sorry I wasn’t listening mom. I should have come with you. I was so stupidly absorbed with my phone.’
‘That you were,’ said Nita smiling.
As Nita thanked the guards, Mili took the bags from her.
As they walked back to the car park, Mili said excitedly, ‘Mom, do you know, there are so many varieties of mangoes in the mela…and the lake, it’s so beautiful…there are  migratory birds…lotuses in the pond…lovely ancient trees everywhere…the glass house is breath-taking…I want to come walking with you every day…I want to learn photography… I met this girl who comes every weekend to take photographs of Lalbagh…’
‘Whoa, slow down, Mili, of course you can come walking with me and also learn photography. And you can send your best pictures to Dad and your brother - they will be so proud of you.’  
‘Mom, I am so sorry. I have been so selfish. I miss them so much.’
‘I miss them too, Mili.’
‘I know. I am sorry Mom, I love you.’
‘I love you too Mili.’
Concluded
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kansascityhappenings · 6 years ago
Text
News of the Weird: America’s least competent criminal and a cool new way to find love
In Mumbai, India, 27-year-old Raphael Samuel, an apparent follower of antinatalism, is suing his parents (both attorneys) for giving him life. Samuel says he was conceived without his consent, so his parents should pay him for his life. “I love my parents, and we have a great relationship, but they had me for their joy and their pleasure,” Samuel explained to The Print. “My life has been amazing, but I don’t see why I should put another life through the rigmarole of school and finding a career, especially when they didn’t ask to exist. … Other Indian people must know that it is an option not to have children, and to ask your parents for an explanation as to why they gave birth to you.” [The Print, 1/30/2019]
Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em
Pavlos Polakis, Greece’s deputy health minister, did not take kindly to a recent reprimand from European Union Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis, who admonished Polakis for smoking in public. Andriukaitis was in Athens Feb. 4 to mark World Cancer Day, reported Reuters. He also complained that the health ministry smelled of cigarette smoke and that nobody wears ties. Polakis replied in a Facebook post about the casual dress: “That’s a lie … the security guard at the entrance wore one. I don’t. It’s the suits which passed through here who bankrupted our country.” As for the scold about smoking, Polakis retorted: “I’ll decide when to stop smoking, on my terms.” Greece has the highest rate of smoking in the EU. [Reuters, 2/6/2019]
Lost at Sea(l)
When researchers at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) in New Zealand thawed out some frozen leopard seal excrement in January, which they use to study the animals’ health, they discovered “deep inside the scat” a USB stick containing vacation photos from Porpoise Bay. Reuters reported the defrosted poo had been placed in the freezer in November 2017, and the USB stick was left to dry for a few weeks before volunteers tried it out. The only clue to its owner is the nose of a blue kayak shown in one of the photos. Should the owner want it back, NIWA has a request: more leopard seal poo, please. [Reuters, 2/5/2019]
Awesome!
Exterminators were called to the Rogers County (Oklahoma) courthouse on Feb. 4 after an attorney appeared in a third-floor courtroom with bed bugs falling out of his clothing. “Hard to imagine someone doesn’t know … bed bugs are crawling all over them, certainly in abundance,” remarked Sheriff Scott Walton to KJRH TV. Courthouse officials met and decided to close the building at noon until exterminators could eliminate the pests. “I was told the individual that had them also shook his jacket over the prosecutor’s files,” Walton said. The buggy attorney, however, seemed unfazed by his parasitic companions, and it was not clear who would pay for the extermination. [KJRH, 2/5/2019]
People With Issues
The Harlem Romantic Depot lingerie store in New York City was the target of a vandal’s political rage on Jan. 26. In surveillance video, the man can be seen pacing up and down in front of the store window, where two mannequins were on display: one of President Barack Obama dressed as a prince, and one of President Donald Trump, dressed as a princess and wearing a MAGA hat. Taking a brick or stone from a nearby construction site, the man used it to smash through the window, store owner Glen Buzzetti told the New York Daily News. Next, he yanked the Obama mannequin out of the window and threw it on the ground. A member of the store’s security team was able to chase the man down the block and catch him, Buzzetti said. But Obama fans in the street weren’t happy with him, either. “We had to protect him from the crowd,” Buzzetti said. “He could have been killed. We had women trying to kick him in the head.” He said the man kept repeating that “he hated Obama” and that “the (Obama) mannequin was looking at him bad.” [Daily News, 2/5/2019]
Police Blotter
— When firefighters responded to a house fire Feb. 5 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, resident Holly Williams, 37, was happy to tell them how it started. She and Michael Miller, 38, keep their car fuel in a container in the house, and they were arguing (about his drinking), and he was trying to take their car, so she flushed the gasoline down the toilet, reported the Altoona Mirror. Miller threw a lit cigarette in the toilet and as flames spread, Williams ran out of the house and called 911. Miller was arrested for arson, risking catastrophe and recklessly endangering another person; later Williams was charged, as well. [Altoona Mirror, 2/14/2019]
— Phillip Lee, 27, was arrested Feb. 4 on charges of simple robbery and simple battery after his attempt to take cash from a New Orleans Popeyes restaurant went south. The Times-Picayune reported that Lee arrived at the restaurant around noon and tried to steal money, but he couldn’t get the cash register open. So instead, he took some fried chicken and fled. Police caught up with him later, and the judge set his bond at $13,500. Popeyes is good, but wow. [New Orleans Times-Picayune, 2/6/2019]
Least Competent Criminal
Richard J. Betters Jr., 44, of Schenectady, New York, has encountered police detectives in nearby Rotterdam before, which explains why he had one officer’s phone number in his contacts list. So on Feb. 6, The Daily Gazette reported, when a detective mistakenly received a text from Betters offering drugs, it was a law enforcement slam dunk. The detective played along with Betters, offering to meet him at the Taco Bell in Rotterdam, where he arrested Betters for criminal possession of a controlled substance (Oxycodone pills). He was held on $20,000 bail. [Daily Gazette, 2/6/2019]
Recurring Theme
It’s happened again. In Fairhope, Alabama, 2-year-old Ezra Ingersoll visited Rotolo’s Pizzeria with his family for dinner and game-room fun on Jan. 4. Soon, his sister alerted mom Kelsey that Ezra was in the claw machine. Ezra, hoping to get a toy, had crawled through the opening, but the flap inside wouldn’t swing the other direction, so he was stuck. AL.com reported that police and firefighters responding took the machine apart to free the tyke, who received a free toy for his trouble. [AL.com, 2/5/2019]
Technology Update
And you thought smartphones were cutting edge! Samsung’s Family Hub smart refrigerator offers a new app, Refrigerdating, that works something like Tinder. Instead of uploading a profile pic of yourself, according to United Press International, you lure mates with a photo of the inside of your fridge. “Let the world know what kind of person you are,” the app’s website suggests. “Refrigerdating will then hook you up with a variation of fridges, of different tastes, to pick and choose from.” It even offers a little philosophical advice: “Remember, it’s the unexpected mixes that make the three star restaurants.” [United Press International, 2/6/2019]
Cabin Fever
As the polar vortex unleashed its cold fury on the middle of North America in early February, doctors switched from warning people about the cold to warning them about the dangers of flinging boiling water into the air to watch it freeze. The Chicago Sun-Times reported on Feb. 6 that eight people trying the boiling water challenge, ranging in age from 3 to 53, ended up at Loyola Medicine’s Burn Center. “We strongly warn people not to perform the boiling water challenge,” said Loyola burn surgeon Arthur Sanford. “There is no safe way to do it.” [Chicago Sun-Times, 2/6/2019]
from FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports https://fox4kc.com/2019/02/15/news-of-the-weird-americas-least-competent-criminal-and-a-cool-new-way-to-find-love/
from Kansas City Happenings https://kansascityhappenings.wordpress.com/2019/02/15/news-of-the-weird-americas-least-competent-criminal-and-a-cool-new-way-to-find-love/
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marjaystuff · 6 years ago
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Linda Castillo Interview by Elise Cooper
A Gathering of Secrets by Linda Castillo is a powerful story. From the very first page, when a young Amish woman commits suicide, the plot takes on a dark and gripping tone, a very thought-provoking novel.  Bur readers should not be surprised considering Castillo books are always insightful and riveting.
The story begins with Amish teenager Emma Miller hanging herself and then fast forwards six months where Painter Mills police chief Kate Burkholder is called to investigate a body found in a burned barn.  The initial reaction is that it was a freak accident, but as the evidence builds up Kate suspects murder.  This eighteen-year-old Amish boy, Daniel Gingerich, is found inside, burned alive, and barricaded in the tack room with no way to escape.  She is baffled since it appears Daniel has no enemies in the world, yet, he dies a harsh and cruel death.  The investigation takes on twists and turns since Daniel has a secret life.  Secrets are the heart of the story as the Amish community stays silent, basically attempting to stonewall the case. Kate begins to wonder if this peaceful and deeply religious community is conspiring to hide a truth no one wants to talk about.
As she wades through a sea of suspects, she’s confronted by her own violent past, which made her leave the Amish community. She finds that there are many parallels to her past as the rape of Amish girls are hidden, and not talked about or reported. This part of the story is very relevant to issues of today.  It is an Amish MeToo Moment.  What also makes the plot authentic is Kate’s reflection on the Amish sects, their principles, rules, and her ability to speak the Dutch language.
Castillo is a master at building suspense with intense and dark secret undertones. This harrowing thriller, with so many interesting characters, emphasizes how religious beliefs influence the communities’ morality and the desire to obtain justice.
Elise Cooper:  How did you get the idea for the series?
Linda Castillo: That’s a difficult question to answer without giving away too much but I’ll take my best shot.  One of the elements of writing crime fiction that I love—and always strive to find—is the unexpected.  The unexpected in terms of motive.  The unexpected in terms of the suspect. Those elements can never come from out of left field.  They must be part of the story.  I believe I achieved that with A Gathering of Secrets. That’s about all I can say without including a spoiler.  
EC:  Are you Amish?
LC:  I’m not Amish although I have been asked that question on more than one occasion. I’m originally from Ohio’s farm country, so I’ve always been aware of the Amish.  As a child, I wasn’t particularly interested.  As an adult, while I was working on the idea of writing a big thriller I made a trip to Amish Country.  That trip prompted the core idea for the Kate Burkholder series.  I found myself fascinated by the culture, the history, the religion.  I couldn’t think of a more interesting setting, especially for a thriller. As a writer, I was intrigued by that juxtaposition of the bucolic setting standing in such sharp contrast to crime—or evil.  In addition to the mystery, the books also offer an intimate glimpse into the Amish culture.  I wanted to explore that culture.  I wanted to write a protagonist that could immerse us not only in the Amish world, but the “English” world as well.
EC:  You write in the acknowledgements that this novel was difficult to write.  Why?
LC:  It was because of the subject matter. The book opens with a young Amish woman committing suicide.  Readers do not know why, but as they turn the pages they begin to understand what happened to her.  There is also this young man who was burned to death, a very sad situation.  As the investigation takes on an ominous tone, I chose to explore the question, is murder justified?  
EC:  You write how suicide is viewed by the Amish?
LC:  This girl felt helpless.  I hope I showed how one of the Amish beliefs gave her courage.  This is why I wrote, “At some point, she’d begun to cry.  But she thought they were tears of happiness, of relief.  Mamm had always told her that death was part of God’s divine plan.  She knew the Lord would welcome her with open arms.  He would see her through this.”
EC:  How has the Amish community reacted to your stories?
LC:  I am going to see one of my Amish friends when I am on tour in July.  He loves these books.  On the other side, I did hear from another Amish man who is from a more Conservative sect. He was really upset after reading an earlier book, Breaking Silent, and told me he burned the book.
EC:  This story did not show the Amish community in a good light?
LC:  I think that we should never generalize the entire community.  But in this story, the community did try to sweep things under the rug.  The mother of the girl who committed suicide was first seen as uncaring and not supportive of her daughter.  The parent reactions depend on how they were raised and which sect they were from. Another girl, Ruth, who became pregnant from a rape, had her mother decide to find her a husband to pass the baby off as her husbands.  Each mother tried to sweep the secret under the rug.  
EC:  Why do you think the mothers had the attitude, “God doesn’t let things like that happen to good girls.  She must’ve done something to tempt him”?
LC:  In my research I read that an Amish boy who does something terribly wrong, even raping someone, can get off.  If he confesses before the Church congregation, he is forgiven.  This is why I wrote the girls not speaking up, some committing suicide, because they knew the boy would have been forgiven and they would be caught up in the stigma.  
EC:  Many of the Amish boys are not likeable characters?
LC:  I write one of them as a little weasel.  He knew that girls were getting raped and did nothing.  He even saw what happened to one personally and did not step up to the plate to stop it.  It was very satisfying for me as a writer to have Kate slap the cigarette out of his mouth.
EC:  It was surprising to see the Amish did not object to some modern technology, such as fire engines, autopsies, using the dentist/emergency rooms, and having cell phones?
LC:  They have absolutely no problem using modern medicine.  Many times, if there is an illness they will first try folk remedies.  If that doesn’t work they will go to a dentist or doctor.  Regarding the cell phone or technology, if it is used for business many think it is OK. When it comes to business or making money they are very enterprising.  I think many are more lenient with their business life than their personal life. There are community phone booths.  Teenagers on Rumspringa will buy a cell phone.  This is a period in their life when they are not yet baptized, and they have not joined the Church, so they are free to drink, have modern technology, and dress as an “Englisher,” with their parents looking the other way.
EC:  Does it depend on the different faction of Amish?
LC:  There are sub-groups of the Anabaptists that include the Amish, Hutterites, and Mennonites. They were very persecuted during the Reformation in Europe because they believed in adult Baptism.  Now there are sub-groups of Amish, which I write about in the book, the Beachy Amish and the Swartzentruber. One of the girls, Neva Lambright, who was a Beachy Amish, could drive a car, use a cash register at her business, and wore clothes that were decoratively colored.  But I contrast her with the Swartzentruber Amish who are much more Conservative.  They do not allow indoor plumbing, have no running water in the house, and do not have gravel driveways.  They will not have windshields on their buggies, which makes for hard times with inclement weather.  
EC:  How do you come up with all those Amish names?
LC:  Usually I go to Holmes County Ohio, the largest Amish community in the world.  I actually have an old Amish directory, a huge book that I go through. The most popular Amish name is Miller, which is why they are prone to use nicknames like Abe “chicken” Miller, the Miller who raises chickens.
EC:  Why the pets of chicks?
LC:  Kate and her beau, John Tomasetti, both work too much to have a dog or cat.   I wanted to use subtle symbolism for Kate and Tomasetti, as they put down permanent roots. In this story John gives Kate strength and support. Each are absolutely nuts for each other. I hope readers see it as a touching scene.  Chicks were chosen so Kate could relate to her past, since she grew up in a rural setting.  Even though John is a city guy he is also really into the farm scene.  I guess subconsciously I used chicks because I grew up in a rural area.  
EC:  What do you want readers to get out of the story?
LC:  Entertainment, but also a feeling that everything was tied up.  I am curious to hear what they thought of this story.
EC:  Can you give a heads up about your next book?
LC:  A mystery involving a murder that happens at the same time an Amish girl goes missing.  In future books, I know that in my writer’s mind John is holding back a secret as he keeps his cards close to his chest.  I will play one of my favorite writer games, “what-if.”  I need to make their relationship and John’s secret relevant to the Amish Community.
THANK YOU!!
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