#their effort and work and the time they dedicate yo doing what they do then somethings fucking wrong

[koi-fish-boy]

Ranting bout Ai cuz I fucking hate it.

I've been thinking about AI recently cause of an essay I had to write about what should be considered when creating AI. The articles I was assigned to read didn't say a single bad thing about it. It praised AI, calling it intelligent, the future, blah blah blah. Yeah, AI may be smart, but it's not human. I see people using AI art and AI bots like character AI and I don't understand. Those bots will never have the soul, the work, the toil put into generating those stories and "art" that work made by people have. Artisans spend years, decades of their lives toiling over their work, improving bit by bit, learning new techniques to help them improve, getting tips and tricks from those who've been doing it longer than them and know how to make it easier and to help. Will AI ever replicate that? AI is just green lines of code on a digital screen. I'm not saying it's easy to make AI, but that's what it is. It will never replicate the bonds, communities, and pride that stem from someone simply being interested in something and wanting to learn more. AI is constantly learning, but what bonds does it make? Who does it talk to? Movies and stories made by AI won't have the passion put into it like those made by humans. Throughout humanity one of the things we have held close and passed down is art and creating things. It's human to create, the earliest humans created, who we are today stems from their creativity and their communities and their bonds with each other, not artificial voices and stolen data. Using AI to create these is taking the traditions we held dear to our hearts for thousands of years and stripping it down to the click of a button. Our future is bland and soulless if we actually let AI do these things. Our future is ours to write, it is in our hands. Not the digital hands of a pixel screen masking green lines of code. Using AI to create is taking what makes us human and mutilating it. Our creativity is not a lamb for the slaughter, it is not to be given away so lightly. It may be cheaper, it may "look nice", it may be fast, but that takes away everything that makes art and storytelling art and storytelling. All those years mathematicians, artists, writers, screenwriters, scientists, medical staff, etc have put into being good at what they are is being thrown right out the window because of AI being able to do what they spent their lives learning with the click of a button. This is the end of humanity. Not as a species, but as who we are. AI can never replicate the feeling of being praised by someone you look up to because they think the art or story or anything you made is good. AI is not human. Stop letting it pretend to be human.

[littlebluespoon]

Unstuck (Octo!König Part 3)

Happy Halloween! Have a little treat on me <3

This one is dedicated to the lovely anon who filled my ask box with octo!König ideas. I couldn't not use the nipple piercing one, its like it was made for octopus!König.

Part 1 - Stuck Part 2 - Stuck (Again) Part 4 - Stranded

<1K, 18+, nipple piercings, top half nudity, angst

Anyway, without further rambling, part 3! Have fun!

Your three weeks of leave were wonderful, spending time with family, catching up with friends and even treating yourself a little. Your friends had dared you to get piercings and after much debate and convincing yourself that no one would know you were breaking regulations as they’d be under your clothes at all times, you got yourself nipple piercings.

Returning to base and to work meant you were kept busy. Enough that you barely had time to worry about anyone finding out your little secret. In fact, you had nearly forgotten all about them the day it happened. There was nothing wrong with the day, it had been a standard day, nothing remarkable and no issues had cropped up. You had only dealt with some cuts and bruises so the paperwork you had to do was minimal, and as you mindlessly finished it up your mind drifted to dinner. The door slamming made you jump. There in the doorway stood Horangi, 

“Take him! Before I rip his arms off!” He shouted at you, throwing a ball towards your desk. Before you could respond, he was gone and the ball was moving towards you. 

Unable to process the last few seconds it took the feel of tentacle on your arm to move you into action,

“König? What’s wrong?” Seeing as your last few experiences with the hybrid involved him being injured, you made a beeline for your aquatic med kit and towards a patient bed.

“Come on, let me get a look at you,” you tried pulling him off but were as unsuccessful as ever. He just continued up your arm towards his favourite spot which is when you began to panic,

“No König! Just stay where you are, okay?” Attempting to use your free hand and block him from continuing up your body while making sure he wasn’t bleeding, wasn’t the easiest of tasks. Especially not while you scrambled for an excuse as to why he couldn’t be attached to your chest,

“I uhh… I took a hit in training. I’m bruised, yeah. Eh, I’m all bruised so you can’t sit there today.” Seeing that there didn’t seem to be anything physically wrong with him you walked back to your desk, closing the door as you went. König seemed to consider what you were saying, he stopped his climbing efforts and stared at you. You who had suddenly found so much more paperwork that needed doing. 

Settling back into a rhythm of paperwork with König on your arm was fairly easy and it lasted a while. Enough that you had distracted yourself in checkboxes and signatures and your heartrate had come back down to normal. Until König reached out a tentacle and brought it hammering down across your chest. With a yelp and a flinch, you dropped everything,

“König! What the hell was that for huh?!” You stared down at his beady eyes, in a stand off with him. He moved closer and you flinched, one of his arms were held aloft, swaying gently in the air and every so often it found its way closer to you. Distracted by the arm in the air, you never even noticed the other two, as quick as lighting, they darted forward and ripped your shirt open. 

Your unmarred chest stared back at him. And you could have sworn his expression was that of a raised eyebrow. You, too frozen to react to anything, standing there as he worked the rest of your clothes off until he found what you were hiding. No bruises. Two little metal bars. A rapid heartbeat.

“It’s not like anyone else knows. And besides, if you weren’t such a pervert, you wouldn’t know!” Your defence was shaky, even you knew it, “Can’t just respect someone’s boundaries can you? You’ve got to have whatever you want.” Lashing out in an attempt to keep from crying as you pulled your shirt across your chest but you found your efforts hampered by König as he began climbing up again, 

“No!” Brining an arm across your chest to protect your nipples, you shout at him, “They can’t be touched so just shimmy your way back down. And while you’re at it, why don’t you just get off?” He freezes at your words, you’ve been annoyed at him in the past but never angry. Never upset. 

As he pulls himself off to sit on your desk you bring a hand to your eyes, desperate to remove any evidence of tears before turning away from him to find a new shirt. Cleaning yourself up, removing the small spots of spilled ink on your arms and coving yourself in a spare shirt you made your way back to your desk. Expecting to find a grumpy octopus instead you’re met with a puddle of ink ruining your paperwork and not a bit of orange in sight.

___

As always my ask box is open for asks and requests <3

[teyums]

“I only want you.” | Neteyam Oneshot

wc: 2.3k

pairing: neteyam x fem! na’vi reader

warnings: none, contains fluff

a/n: this is a one shot, meaning there will be no part 2

Summary: You had a painfully long day of helping the elders with their tasks, and all that’s getting you through is remembering you’ll meet Neteyam at your spot later. However, when you get there you find him with another girl and feel a piece of your heart break. He finds you, and reassures you that you’re the only one for him, sealing his promise with the proposal you’ve been waiting for.

Today had been an excruciatingly long day. You spent majority of the sunlight helping with tasks bestowed upon you by the elders.

First, it was picking what seemed like a harvest’s worth of utumauti (canopy fruit) that would be used in a celebration for the war party’s successful raids. You agreed begrudgingly and trekked through the mossy forest, holding three baskets that were stacked into each other.

After spending hours hopping from branch to branch, at times to the highest point of the tree, you had finally gathered a sufficient amount to return to the village. You even surprised yourself with how many you had collected from the canopies, seeing as utumauti isn’t in season this time of year—hence why no one wanted to do the job in the first place and passed it onto you.

You wobbly trudged back into town, balancing one basket atop your head and holding the other two in your hands, they were painfully heavy. Once arriving at the elder’s quarters, you attempted to set them down as gently as possible, letting out a sigh of relief once realizing you could now take it easy.

But alas, you were foolish to think one task wouldn’t lead to another like always. It seemed like today was the day for every na’vi in an authoritative position to drop their responsibilities onto you.

Without even five minutes to take a breather, you were then tasked with repairing the splayed and broken strings upon the bows of the latest warriors who had returned. You stared down at the piles of splinted, battered wood that lay out in front of you, strings tangled into a jumbled mess. You tried your hardest to contain your agitated expression and keep the twitch of your eye at bay to avoid a scolding.

God, this was gonna hurt.

It took you over an hour just to detangle the strings, receiving specific instructions that forbade you from simply cutting them loose and replacing them all anew. Something about ‘respecting the great mother enough to not waste resources’. You spent another hour weaving new string into the bows that needed them. Looping the strings into the bow nocks over and over again proved to be an even more tedious effort than picking fruit.

By the time you finished, your fingers were terribly sore. Your cuticles were reddened and bruised, a few snags and hangnails forming in the delicate skin around them from dealing with rough wood.

You stacked the bows in a neater pile than you had found them, standing up and brushing the sawdust off your legs and loincloth. Finally, after hours of what seemed like endless work, you could now focus on what your day was really supposed to be about.

Him.

There had finally been a commonality in your schedules, so you and Neteyam had dedicated the entirety of today to spend with each other. Neteyam’s training had only picked up in frequency the last couple weeks, leaving less time for the two of you to spend together. This proved to be extremely hard on you guys, but especially you. You had been cursed with the love language of quality time and right now you were terribly missing the nights where the two of you would lay in each other’s arms, stargazing without a care of what tomorrow would bring.

You shooed the thought away, a small smile rendering on your lips as you reminded yourself that the hard work was done, and now the two of you could be together. Though you were bummed that your time would now be cut short, you relished in the fact that you would still be able to spend the evening with him, just like old times.

You skipped along the battered path that housed the ghosts of footsteps from your clan, trying to contain your squeals of excitement as you neared the spot Neteyam said he would be waiting at for you.

A small pond with bountiful vegetation surrounding the perimeter slowly came into view, as well as a head of long, black braids and a pair of strong shoulders that belonged to your lover.

You felt your shoulders relax for the first time today and started towards him. You used your hand to move a large anthurium leaf out of the way, your feet stopping dead in your tracks when you caught sight of someone next to him.

A girl.

Your mouth fell slightly agape at the scene in front of you, your brain rushing to make sense of things. She stood with her back to Neteyam, a bow in her hands and her arms stretched clumsily, feigning inexperience. You watched as he used his hand to tip her elbow upwards, helping her correct her form.

Okay, calm down. He’s just helping her. Right?

Neteyam was always known for being friendly, it being both his most admirable characteristic and biggest flaw. Because of his kindhearted, always eager to help like nature, it was hard for him to realize when someone had an ulterior motive to get close to him.

“Here,” he stepped closely behind her, both their gazes set down at the pond in front of them. “Straighten your back. You need a strong form.” His hand pushed against her mid-lower back to fix her posture, resulting in her arching it and repositioning her arms to shoot the bow the correct way. It was now excruciatingly obvious that she knew how to do this from the beginning. You felt your stomach flip.

There stood Neteyam, with his hands on another girl.

Your Neteyam.

“Like this?” She questioned innocently, in which Neteyam hummed as a response. He probably would’ve noticed how close the two of them were to each other, skin nearly touching; if he hadn’t been so focused on the fish darting around in the water below them

Maybe you were hallucinating, but you vaguely recall your heart plunging out of your chest and flopping around pitifully on the forest floor beneath you. You felt the painfully familiar feeling of your throat constricting, the burn of approaching tears following suit. Your face twisted like you had smelled something rotten and you turned away, not wanting to watch any more of this.

You had already figured he would have been a little bummed when you had to move the time of your date, but had he really been so upset that he couldn’t even wait for you? How long had this been going on before you found them and why the hell was he so close to her?

You backed away silently, wiping the tears you hadn’t noticed had fallen with the back of your hand and storming back to your hut.

Neteyam hadn’t been aware of your arrival, instead, his attention was set on the girl he now noticed had been faking.

“Ah,” He removed his hand as if her body burned and stepped back, putting a disrespectful amount of space between them. “It seems you do not need my help, after all.” He says, the unamused expression on his face matching the tone of his voice.

She smiled shyly and lowered her bow, tucking a braid behind her ear. “Fine, you caught me. I actually just wanted to spend time with you.”

“So we are done here, then. If you’ll excuse me, I’m expecting someone important.” He took a seat on the rock where he had previously been resting before the girl came up to ask him for help, resuming the sharpening of an unfinished project he had brought to keep busy.

“Didn’t you hear me?” Her head tilted curiously, not quite understanding his behavior. “I said I wanted to spend time with you, Neteyam.”

“I am not a fan of liars. Whatever it is you want, I cannot help you with.” He nearly interrupted her while continuing to shave the now forming spearhead. “You may go now.”

She scoffed, more out of embarrassment than annoyance. She stood there for a second more, his eyes snapping up to shoot her a pointing stare that had her turning on her heels and hastily exiting.

He sighed to himself and shook his head, silently cursing himself for even agreeing to assist her. He knew it was hard on you, having to listen to the girls of the clan rant and rave about who was soon to be your mate. He tried his best to avoid them, but there were times like this where they would take his kindness for granted, only to run back to their friends and exaggerate what really happened. He felt terrible now that he knew her main goal was only to have his hands on her for bragging rights.

He tore his attention away from his task, peering up at the sky and using a hand to shield his eyes from the blazing sun. It was almost eclipse, you had told him that you would be done by now. If anything, you should have already met up with him. He gathered his things, wondering if you had made a stop home first and decided he would meet you there instead.

___________

You laid in your hammock silently, back facing the entrance as you picked at a stray hemp string to distract yourself from the immense wave of sadness that refused to stop crashing over you. The wooden steps outside your hut groaned from supporting the weight of footsteps, and an involuntary sigh left your lips when your nostrils filled with the scent of mahogany and petrichor. Neteyam.

“My love?”

The tall na’vi stepped through the flaps of your tent, and you tucked your body into itself further, successfully giving off the impression that you weren’t interested in speaking. You figured if you closed your eyes you could play it off as stirring in your sleep.

It didn’t work.

He immediately became worried when catching site of you, wondering if you had fallen sick and that being the reason you hadn’t come to him. He was across the room and by your side in an instant, taking a seat next to you to see your eyes shut.

Neteyam was observant, more than others at that. He knew how your breathing slowed a few paces when you were truly asleep, how your lips would stay parted just the tiniest bit, or even how your nostrils would flare here and there depending on how deeply you inhaled. Something was wrong.

“My love, what is the matter?” It took everything in you not to lean into his touch when you felt his gentle fingers brush the hair from your face, his digits grazing over your skin before cupping your cheek.

“I do not want to talk about it, Neteyam.” Your eyes stayed closed, an effort to remain withdrawn from the conversation.

The use of his full name instantly ruled out any other option he had been thinking of. You were upset with him.

“No, you know we don’t do that. Come on,” his large hands delicately took hold of your small frame, bringing you into a sitting position. “Open.”

Your eyelids reluctantly peeled apart, amber eyes streaked with red veins and eyelashes dewy from prior tears. His eyebrows furrowed with worry at your puffy appearance, gaze softening once he saw why. You had been crying.

“Princess,” his voice was pained, hands coming up to cup your tear stained cheeks and caress them with his thumbs. “What happened? Why are you crying?”

Your lip quivered and you felt that painfully annoying sensation creeping back in. You opened your mouth to speak but the tightening of your throat stopped you before you could respond.

He continued. “I waited for you, but you did not come. Why?”

“I saw you,” You sniffed, dropping your gaze down at the netting below you instead of his eyes. “With her.”

He appeared confused at first, his mind jumping through hoops to try and figure out what you meant. Then, his head fell to the side a bit and a deep sigh of realization joined afterwards.

“[Y/n], that was nothing. I promise. I was waiting for you, then she found me and asked me to show her how to catch a fish.” He explained, his hands now on your shoulders.

“You think she doesn’t know how to catch a damn fish? She just wanted your attention.” You spat, hating the way your voice was cutting in and out.

“I know, I know. I wasn’t thinking straight, I was so excited to see you that I just helped her so she would leave. But as soon as I saw her true intentions I sent her away. It was nothing more than that, princess, I swear.” He took notice of you turning your head away from him and felt a pang in his chest. He hated seeing you like this, and it hurt even more knowing it was because of him.

“Do you believe me?” His voice was quiet and you finally peered up at him to see he looked just as hurt as you did. You nodded your head slightly, his tensed shoulders relaxing a bit the moment you did.

“Of course I believe you. But it still hurts.” A single tear fell onto your cheek and he was quick to clear it without a word, giving you time to express your feelings to him. “I cannot stand to hear the way they talk about you.”

He noticed your fingers starting to twiddle anxiously, taking both of your hands into his and holding them firmly. “But you know I am yours, only. I only want you. Those girls will never change that.”

“You don’t understand.” You shook your head and went to pull your hands away from him, but he tightened his hold. He was already one step ahead and knew how you preferred to run from conversations like this rather than have them.

“Please, help me understand.” His voice soft, warm yellow eyes pleading and seeing into the part of your soul no one else could.

“They laugh at me, when I tell them you are spoken for. They do not believe me,” You inhaled shakily, biting at the inside of your lip before continuing. “because we are not mated yet.” Your voice merely a whisper, like you were embarrassed to admit what had been ailing you.

“Oh, [Y/n]…” He pulled you into his chest and embraced you in his arms, placing a light kiss to the top of your head. He was so careful with you, it was as if he felt you would crumble to pieces.

You melted into his arms, you couldn’t help it even if you tried. He really was your safe place, and even if he had been the one to upset you, he made it known that you could always come to him no matter what. You felt him lean back and lightly pull you away.

“I had no idea you have been feeling this way. There is nothing I want more than to be with you for life, my love. I just didn’t want to rush you into it, in case you weren’t ready.” He smiled, his excitement written all over his face.

“Really?” Your eyes grew big, pupils leaking adoration and swelling in sync with your heart.

“Really.” He hummed.

The space between the two of you grew smaller as he fell in, your lashes kissing before your lips could. By the time your eyes fluttered to a close his lips were melded against yours, and with every second that passed you felt your doubts withering away— the passion from his embrace and his hands on your waist served as ample reassurance.

You broke for air, eyes dazed, bodies longing for more. “I’m sorry if I ruined our date, Nete…”

“Nonsense, you could never ruin anything.” He chuckled, pecking the tip of your nose. “Forget about that, just come with me.”

Before you could agree you were off the hammock and up on your feet, fingers laced as he led you out of your home.

“Where are we going?” You smiled.

“To tell my parents to begin preparations for our ceremony. I don’t want to spend another moment not mated with you.” He glanced down at you and gave your hand a squeeze, an elated grin overtaking his face to match yours.

Likes + Reblogs are much appreciated, thank you for reading! ����

[dream0fschism]

are your nsfw requests still open? if they are could you do one with könig and medic!reader? the rest is up to you

god i’m such a konig slut

i'm back, my darlings!

PAIRING: König x f!reader

“I’m getting tired of seeing your hooded face, König.”

He never spoke much, a thing not uncommon for men in his field of work. Many preferred the comfortable air that the silence brought, enjoyed how it was such a stark contrast to the sounds of gunfire, explosions, screaming. It made your dingy, makeshift clinic a refreshing stop for most.

But the man in front of you had made trips to your room so frequently you’d figured he must have broken some kind of record. You’d treated gunshot wounds, minor burns, patched up his bloody knuckles countless times… there wasn’t an inch of skin you hadn’t laid your fingers upon. Each time you cared for his cuts or stab wounds, some of which hash-marked atop of old and stubborn scars, it was as if you gathered more intel about his personality otherwise untold.

König was a machine, dangerously dedicated to proving his worth - dangerous for the receiving party, of course - with a willingness to sacrifice as much of his flesh and blood as it takes. If necessary, he would nurse his own injuries, albeit terribly, in favour of granting himself an advantage or winning battles. You recall a few times in which you scolded him for his amateur efforts. “If you cauterise one more wound this terribly I’m going to refuse you of future treatment.”

Of course, he’d remained silent. But you swore you saw the slight crinkle in the skin around his eyes.

And in his dedication you couldn’t help but see a deep insecurity. Sometimes, but only on the rare occasion, he would show up barely alive. He would always be alone, never needing his comrades to waste their energy and strength on carrying him to safety. But you would always worry the most in these situations, when his skin was pale and cold and he still refused to remove his hood. “Anything below here, I can take care of myself,” he’d struggled to grumble out.

If he wasn’t so unbelievably skilled, you’d assume he had a death wish.

“I’m sure you’ve said that before,” he answered, the sudden sound of his accented voice gifting you with slight surprise.

“I suppose I’m running out of things to say,” you chuckle, continuing to swab at the dry blood clinging to the skin of his sternum. “And you’re just about running out of unmarked skin.”

“Mm, my gear does seem to be quite useless,” König nods. “Perhaps fighting naked wouldn’t make much of a difference.”

The harmless joke has heat creeping onto your cheeks, and you’re really baffled by your own brain because of it. As if you hadn’t seen ninety-percent of his body already.

“Perhaps not.”

"You are blushing," he notes. "Yet this isn't your first time you've rubbed at my bare skin."

The hand you had placed against him stilled momentarily as his point only intensified the bubbling heat in your face, swelling a ruby-red shade along each of your cheekbones. You continued your aid, with a strict refusal to allow your gaze anywhere else except for his wound.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," König breaks the short silence that followed.

You laugh dryly as your awkwardness fizzles away a little. "You're all finished."

König brushes a hand over the gauze, inspecting your work. When he says nothing, you stand on your feet and gather the used swabs, kicking your wheeled stool to the side to make your way to the bin.

Before the lid had even closed the trash behind it, you felt the warmth of his towering presence at your back. It startled you all the same, a sharp inhale sucking its way through your parted lips.

"I have to ask.. Do you like seeing what's beneath my gear?" He presses each of his long fingers into your shoulder as his hand cups over it.

"Isn't that question a little inappropriate..."

"If I'm crossing a line, then tell me to stop."

You open your mouth to reply, unsure of what exactly you'll say when the hand at your shoulder slowly begins to move. He's agonizingly slow, careful as he explores over the layer of your white button-up, and you feel utterly insane for being unable to use your words and put an end to it.

Instead, you stare blankly at the off-white wall in front of you and allow his hand to roam.

"Can I tell you something?" He asks, edging his hand to cup below your right breast. The touch causes you to lean into the tower of his body, a sudden tenderness and sensitivity wracking each nerve in your chest.

"I enjoy coming to see you," he continues, prompted by the way you relax against him. "In fact, I refuse to see anyone else when I'm injured."

It makes you cock an eyebrow. "I thought it was strange, just how often you needed medical attention. Were you slacking out there? Hoping to get injured so you could see me?"

König huffs out a dry laugh. "No. But part of me did want to be indebted to you."

Liar.

"Why?"

"Because I needed an excuse to give you exactly what you deserve."

You swallow a dryness in your throat, the hand on your breast gives a generous squeeze as you do so. You almost choke on your own saliva.

"If that's something you want..."

"And what do I deserve?" Though you feel as though you already know the answer, you ask anyway, subsequently causing a heavy pulse at within your heat.

"I'm much better with actions than words."

"They do speak louder, I suppose..."

König takes your response as agreement, the hand at your breast moving to dig desperately beneath one of the spaces between the buttons of your shirt. He finds purchase and, in one swift pull, violently rips open the shirt, each button clicking gently as they bounce against the tiled floor.

You open your mouth to scold him, to tell him that he owes you a new shirt pronto - but König is determined to waste no time as his hands are already tugging the band of your bra down to expose your tits.

"I've wanted to see these for a long time," he breathes, and you hear the tremble in his exhale as he does so. "So perfect."

It dawns on you that you must be an obsession of his, that he may be interested in you significantly more than you are in him. It's the only viable explanation for his reckless behaviour, and yet it still didn't make sense why he would risk his life even more than he already did just to be in your presence.

"I.. hope you realise I have no other shirt to wear," you say, inhaling sharply at the sensation of his hot, calloused fingers brushing circles into the shape of each of your nipples. "How am I going to leave this room?"

König tuts as his hands cage around the mounds of your chest and pulls you flush against him.

"Who said you're going to leave this room?"

The pit in your stomach spirals into a trench, and then König is lifting you, using the leverage of your weight against him, before you can even stutter out a response. His hands guide your body along like you're no heavier than a bag of rice, a true display of his unbeatable strength that sends your mind numb - reminds you of just who you're dealing with.

A ruthless, merciless killing machine.

When König settles onto the examination table, he makes sure that you're positioned perfectly onto the tautness of his giant thighs, and you finally win against the babbling, incoherent flurry of thoughts inside your skull and speak.

"This... Surely we're violating multiple codes of conduct.. protocols... I-"

König allows you to cut yourself off, relishes in the way you hiccup at the sensation of linen on skin as deft hands begin to slide up your skirt.

"We can stop," he suggests, halting the movement of his hands but continuing to brush his fingertips back and forth, so awfully close to the insides of your thighs.

You squeeze your eyes shut and drop your head to rest just below his shoulder. Every single horny neuron inside of your brain fires at you, reminds you of just how neglected you've been sexually, what the countless hours of constant shifts have denied you for so long. And then it dawns on you.

"König, we can't. I'm not on birth control."

The man laughs. Laughs. It's the first time you've ever heard such a soft, genuine sound escape his mouth. You feel a twitch below because of it, the heat between your legs only solidifying the way his display of amusement has made your want for him so much more intense.

"Love, I'm only interested in your pleasure."

And you know better than most that a man who prefers giving rather than receiving is a rare find.

It would be a tragic waste.

When you spread your legs unconsciously, your skirt ruffles up until it can't no more and König reacts accordingly to the invitation your cunt is giving to him. But he spends too much time massaging the sensitive skin between your thighs for your liking, and you lift your hips to encourage something more.

What you get is rather unexpected, and would be a little annoying if you weren't so drunk on your own arousal. König hooks a finger under the material covering your hip bone and jerks his wrist, tearing your panties with ease before moving to finish the job at the other side.

"Please," you murmur, eyes trained on the large hand between your legs. He shushes you, with a gentleness you didn't suspect he had in him.

"Quiet now," he hums out. "Let me show you how grateful I am to you."

You feel your clit screaming for pressure, but König's fingers seem to ignore the cry as he toys with the wetness around your hole. The sensation tickles slightly, until he's pressing his middle and ring fingers inside.

Immediately, your hands fly up to brace at the arm that begins to move, long fingers filling you enough to bring a whimper from you. It feels good, but not perfect, and the man seems to read your mind as he curls his digits to rub at your sensitive, spongy spot.

"Oh, fffuck," you sigh, digging the back of your head into him with more force and following with a series of guttural groans.

"Quiet," he scolds, a slight venom in his tone. "Or I'll have to stop."

"Don't," you almost growl with a buck of your hips.

You almost forget the other hand that rests over your left breast until it starts to knead and pull at the skin, almost miss the sound of König's pants as they ooze with arousal from behind his mask.

With only the sensation of König's palm brushing against it, your clit is desperately swollen. You're willing to look the other way when you feel yourself constricting around the now three fingers pumping in and out of you.

When he speaks, his movements don't falter.

"I'm going to stop, and when I do, I want you to lay on your back on this table. Understand?"

"Yes," you obey. You're pretty much putty in his hands at this point anyway.

And so you splay out on the cold metal of the table - which your white coat does nothing to protect you from - skirt bunched up around your hips, shirt ruined and ripped open and completely exposing your chest and belly.

"Lift your legs," he commands, hand ready to hold them in place as you do as you're told.

At the end of the table he stands, lanky arms reaching over to grasp each of your ankles as he slides you along the metal until the backs of your thighs butt against his own.

You feel uncomfortably aware of how exposed you are as he spreads your legs and examines the sight before him. His eyes are cold, fierce - akin to the eyes of a hunter eyeing its prey. Your body feels as cold as the surface beneath it underneath his stare.

König releases your ankles to let your heels rest at his shoulders as his hands begin a slow trail down and along your trembling thighs. Each of his thumbs hook around your corresponding hip bones, calloused fingers cupping in place at your lower back.

His baby blues eyes are considerably darkened to a shade of grey as they flick up to meet your own, and moments later the hem of his hood is brushing gently over your swollen slit.

You've never seen his face, but you've never wanted to more than you do now. His hold on you is intoxicating in a way that staggers your cognition, robs your brain of any chance of comprehension as you can only watch him lean further forward and dip until you can feel the heat of his breath against your cunt. His tongue is hot, completely saturated in his own saliva as it makes contact with your puffy clit. It snatches the breath from your lungs with violence, and when it starts to massage on and around the nerve you can only mewl and whine meekly.

König continues his watch on you the entire time, evidently enjoying the pained look that the struggle to keep quiet brings to your face.

You lift your hips into the onslaught of his mouth, and his grip around them becomes vice-like as he forces you into place and sucks harshly at your nub. This only serves to fuel your physical struggle under his pleasure more, and he grunts at your display of disobedience, lifting you higher until only your upper back and head touch the table.

The new position makes any movement too difficult for you, forces you to submit against him as he groans into the taste of your pussy. "König, I-God, I can't--" You flail your arms until they slump defeatedly back down to your sides, nails scratching at the frigid surface below you.

He manoeuvres his grip for comfort, lifting you further, until his forearms are encircling and squeezing around your waist and your calves hang over each of his shoulders.

"König, please, fuck--"

The man hums into your heat, all but abusing your clit with the vibration that follows through the sound. You're forced to slap one hand over your mouth to muffle the repetition of cries falling from it. König's lucky, his hood seems to dull his grumbles of pure satisfaction that reverberate against you. But you still hear every bit of them.

Your body spasms when you come undone against König's relentless mouth, legs jittering with a force that wobbles your entire body against his own. His hold on you helps stabilise you through the orgasm, but your hands fail to suppress the desperate, hopeless wails you release from behind them.

"That was beautiful," you barely hear him say through the ringing in your ears. "But I'm not done, Doctor."

[alas9]

50/100 / English down below

Estas son fotos de mi trabajo y mi escritorio del día de hoy :)

Llegué a la mitad de los 100 días de productividad! y los días han pasado livianamente como si nada, con dos proyectos empezados y tres certificaciones, mas de 200 horas de practica en total, y muchísimas mas ganas de seguir. Creo que es seguro decir que tenemos un habito despierto nuevamente, el habito del estudio.

Hay muchas formas de lograr la disciplina, ya que a algunos nos puede costar mas que a otros. Pero hay algo que es universal y es el hecho de movernos por nuestras convicciones. Una vez un profesor de bellas artes dijo algo que me voló la mente: "Somos todo lo que somos y lo que no somos. Porque lo que somos nos define por dentro, y lo que no somos nos define por fuera". Está en nosotros elegir que lado de nuestra definición vamos a invertir nuestros esfuerzos.

En una época de mi vida creía tener algunas convicciones que me atormentaban día a día pensarlas, y compartirlas con otras personas. Convicciones que habitaban solo un plano mental de mi vida, ya que no militaba esas ideas ni hacia nada en la vida real al respecto de ellas. Pero esa angustia estaba allí presente porque yo elegia definirme por lo que yo no era. Y poner energía mental en lugares que no me llevaban a ningún lugar. Cuando me empecé a preocupar y ocupar de la persona que si quería ser, esas convicciones desaparecieron de mi vida, dando lugar a que otras surgieran. Esas convicciones iniciales pasaron de ser un tormento diario a desaparecer totalmente.

Es realmente game changing dedicarse a uno mismo, dejar de consumir desde el odio, la angustia o la desolación, y enfocarse en todo lo posible para ser alguien mejor.

---

These are photos of my work and my desk today :)

I'm halfway through the 100 days of productivity! And the days have passed by as if nothing had happened, with two projects started and three certifications, more than 200 hours of practice in total, and a lot more desire to continue. I think it's safe to say that we have a habit awakened again, the habit of studying.

There are many ways to achieve discipline, since it may cost some of us more than others. But there is something that is universal and it is the fact of moving by our convictions. Once a fine arts teacher said something that blew my mind: "We are everything that we are and what we are not. Because what we are defines us inside, and what we are not defines us outside." It is up to us to choose which side of our definition we are going to invest our efforts in.

At one time in my life I believed I had some convictions that tormented me day after day to think about them, and to share them with other people. Convictions that inhabited only a mental plane of my life. I did not advocate those ideas or do anything in real life about them. But that anguish was there because I chose to define myself by what I was not. And to put mental energy in places that did not take me anywhere. When I began to worry and take care of the person I wanted to be, those convictions disappeared from my life, giving way to others to emerge. Those initial convictions went from being a daily torment to disappearing completely.

It is truly game changing to dedicate yourself, to stop hate-consuming, anguish or desolation, and to focus on everything possible to be a better person.

[nobodyfamousposts]

This ask might be late since today is October 29, but who do you think would win? Your dolls vs. Slappy from goosebumps

Perfect timing for Halloween though!

It was rather odd for a commission, but Marinette was nothing if not dedicated and honest. If she accepted a job, she would make every effort to see it through to its completion.

She admittedly wasn't expecting the requestee to send her the puppet he wanted her to make clothes for, though.

"It does make sense." She reasoned, pulling the puppet out of the box he was shipped in. "This way I can make sure the clothes fit him."

She looked him over, curious.

"Slappy, huh?" Strange name for a puppet. But she supposed it was probably part of his routine, right? Slapstick humor or whatnot?

She laid the puppet out on her desk and looked him over. Taking a few measurements. Noting what color and fabric would suit him best.

It wasn't until the call for dinner that Marinette realized how much time had passed.

"All right, I'm going down for dinner. Littlebug, Chaton, play nice with Slappy while I'm gone."

With that, Marinette left the room, knowing that everything would be in good hands.

==================================

Slappy couldn't have planned this any better.

Mailing himself to the designer girl was a stroke of genius! He would get new duds AND a new slave to torment.

France was a bit far from his previous "new home", but at least this would be far enough from anyone who would be aware of him or could pass along word about him. Seriously, the advent of super heroes would really be the death of him.

Slappy pushed himself off the desk and began looking around the room in distaste.

Still, he'd known she was a girl but did her room really need this much pink? And what were those names? Littlebug and Chaton?

Sure enough, there were two dolls seated side by side on the trunk. Curious, he approached them.

They looked almost like super heroes, too. One doll had black hair in pigtails while wearing red with black spots. The other had yellow thread for hair and an all black suit with cat ears. Both with pasted smiles and blank stares as they sat in place just like any old dolls.

If he was a sap, he would say they were cute. But then he might as well be called "Sappy" instead of Slappy. And that would certainly be less fun.

Speaking of, he raised one hand and slapped the red doll off the trunk. Might as well get to work. Had to start on the torment sooner or later to let the kid know who was boss.

"Sorry kiddos," he jeered, "but there's not gonna be enough room for all of us."

Maybe he'd stuff one of them in the trunk? Or use scissors, since designer-girl had to have some in her desk somewhere...

He gave the red doll a grin and reached for the cat doll to see what to do to it next.

He wasn't expecting the hand that grabbed him instead.

"What?" He jumped, startled and looked back.

The cat doll was still there.

But he was standing now.

And he wasn't smiling anymore.

"Uh...hello?"

Before he could do anything else, he heard a whip sound before something wrapped around him, tying his legs together. The cat doll took advantage and pushed him, causing him to lose his balance and fall flat on his back on the floor.

Looking up, he saw the black doll staring down at him from the trunk.

And sure enough, the red doll was standing as well. Specifically standing over him and looking down on him, holding...was that a yo-yo?

She pulled, and his bonds tightened. So clearly she had control over what was holding him, and prevented him from moving.

And for what was supposed to be a cute plush toy, she looked...rather angry.

The cat doll hopped down to stand over him as well, not looking happy either.

He simpered.

"Hey, let's talk about this?"

The two glared at him.

==================================

"Littlebug! Chaton! I brought you dessert!" Marinette called as she entered her room.

She had expected the dolls to have been active.

...she had not expected the activity.

She looked around the room in confusion.

"Why is Slappy tied up? And missing his arms?"

Chaton held up one of the puppet's arms and waved to Marinette with it.

"Well that's one. Where's the other?"

Littlebug looked away, refusing to answer.

Ooooooh, Marinette saw what was happening here.

"Did you two get jealous?"

They didn't deny it. Chaton continued to play with the arm while Littlebug just gave the puppet a nasty glare.

Slappy was sorely regretting his life choices.

Note to self: the dolls don't like to share.

[cyten0]

A Symphony In Crimson

Act 1: A Movement in Black

Chapter 9

The house has been much nicer this time around. It feels like everyone is working together a bit better, there’s a closer bond of trust. The others were quite surprised by Bonnie’s marksmanship! But honestly, all of them seem a little stronger.

The first floor has been a breeze really. Which is good, since it means you haven’t had to take any hits really. Nothing to try and cover up. Plus, the party has taken less hits, which means less temptation. Stars you’re hungry.

You’re sitting down for snacks when Odile does their coinflip thing with Isa. Looks like they lost this time.

▲ “What was that about, madam?”

◆ “Ah well. I asked the Favor tree to win my next coin flip.”

✿ “Huh?”

◉ “Such a silly favor.”

◆ “Purely for scientific reasons. I wanted to see if there was anything to this Favor tree business. As we can see, apparently not much.”

The others look a little disappointed by that, and you’re just a little hurt for some reason, as usual.

▲ “… Well you didn’t put any belief into it, so of course nothing happened! Sif actually told me a bit about that!”

Huh! Oh right! You did!

◆ “Really? Tell me more.”

Oh STARS yes, you get to talk more about this, it’s so cool! It still hurts your head to talk about, but it’s SO WORTH IT!!!!

✦ “Using favor trees, and the right steps, you can call energy from the stars! The trees aren’t the only way, but its certainly one of them! But in order to do so, you have to care about what you’re wishing for, otherwise they won’t feel compelled to answer you. You can do all the steps perfectly right, and not get a thing! But if you care enough, you can get something even if you do nearly every step wrong.”

✿ “Woah! That’s so cool!”

◆ “I’ve never heard this before…... Oh, Is this a field of study from your homeland?”

Oh, they remembered! They must have spent some effort doing that. You nod.

◆ “Fascinating. How effective is this method?”

Heh, time to shock them all.

✦ “Well, it might not have been a favor tree, but. I bet the king used a similar method to get Timecraft!”

◉ “WHAT!!!”

▲ “Oh Crab!”

◆ “You’re Certain?”

✦ “Like I said, That power comes from the stars. It’s no coincidence his armor is decorated with them.”

✿ “Oh yeah! The poster!”

◉ “Does that mean ANYONE could do that? And be just as dangerous?”

No it’s not that good but… Hm… It hurts your head but...

✦ “No. Getting that much power would not only require an insane commitment, but would require really lengthy, costly, and complicated rituals that would take months in order to draw from enough stars.”

◉ “Oh thank change.”

▲ “Makes you wonder about his motive though…”

Huh. Isa’s right, it does mean the king is awfully dedicated. Big wishes like that take effort…

A wish like that is probably why your here, right? But you still need more information. This gives information as to what it is, but it doesn’t make sense why you’d be here. Your wish was way too small, can’t be that. If only you could read that book in the storage room, the picture on the cover makes you think it might be about wishcraft.

But trying to remember a language from barricaded memories of memories is a few steps of separation too many. And your head still hurts a TON from yesterday.

Ah well. You’ll figure out, bit by bit. Your making progress! It’s only been… Hm. You haven't kept track how many times you’ve looped. Might want to ask loop about that. Anyways, it’s time for snacks, and you’re super hungry! You’ll try and cut down just a little bit, but that’s gonna be a tall order.

>>>

You’re in the library. Your eyes got caught by the diary again, and Mirabelle is reading it out again. Then the others start talking about the country. It’s hard to listen to it again.

✿ “Still…. The name of that country…. What was it again?”

▲ “Oh, I think it was something like A-”

You all suddenly get a massive headache as Isa tries to say it! Your head feels like it’s going to split open it hurts so blinding much! It hurts so much you can only see red! You cover your eyes so they don’t notice. It hurts it hurts it hurts!!!!

But…. Then… The pain…. Subsides…..

You look up. That. Didn’t happen last time. What… Odile. She stopped Mira from interrupting?

✿ “Ow. Crab, that hurt way more then I thought.”

◉ “Ow ow ow… Madam, why did you let that happen?”

◆ “Gems, that hurt…. Siffrin?”

She… She did that for you…? Just so you’d have a chance to? You really don’t deserve that. Others shouldn’t have to hurt for your needs. But….

✦ “….. Starts with an A. Heh. It’s something!”

The others give puzzled looks, as you slot the diary back into the bookshelf. That one. That helps a lot more then just Siffrin. That’s for all of them.

>>>

You’re on the third floor, in the room with the person doing bodycraft again. Key is obtained, but you’re a little bored, so you decide to take a look at the closet.

▲ “Oh, look at this shirt! It’s the same material as your cloak, right Sif?”

◆ “It looks very warm. I’m surprised you managed to wear it all through summer.”

Right. This cloak was one of the first things you ever had. You never questioned it much.

✦ “It’s actually quite cool? Never get hot in it really.”

◉ “Really?”

▲ “...Sif, mind if I take a look real quick?”

Huh! You're a little nervous to have him so close, but… Okay. The only wounds you’ve taken are covered up well enough, so it… Should be fine, right?

You nod. Isabeau kneels and takes a hold of your cloak lifting it up and examining. it. You can feel his breath against your body, feel the warmth exude from him, hear his heartbeat so keenly, smell his body and it’s taste, feel the slight tugs and motions as he handles the fabric... It’s hard to focus.

▲ “… Holy Crab… This is some impressive work.”

✦ “Huh? What do you mean?”

▲ “Okay, starting on the simple side, It’s got a very interesting stitching style. Not very Vaugardian at all, and seems to focus on being highly durable. Like, borderline armor durable. It’s even fireproof. Difficult to pull off. Plus it’s been treated to be stainless as well.”

◉ “Huh! That’s some good traveling cloths.”

▲ “Oh that’s just the beginning. Someone decided to take this already impressive cloak, and literally stitch craft into the fabric. And not just a little, there’s a bunch! Self repair, temperature regulation, it even adjusts to your size! And to top it off, while you can’t tell normally, some of the fabric inside glows a little in dark places, showing some interesting patterns!... Hey, they even sewed a little butterfly emblem on the inseam!”

✿ “Woah! That sounds REALLY fancy!”

▲ “Honestly Sif, this cloak alone is practically worth an entire village?!? Where did you even get this?”

… You don’t speak. You remember Siffrin was important in his homeland. Guess you got an idea how important.

▲ “… Oh. Hey, it’s alright! I’m sure they’d be happy with how you’ve used it.”

✦ “… Yeah.”

The others are confused, but you move on. It’s fine.

>>>

Got the third floor handled, and got food at the bathrooms. Odile didn’t interupt this time, even though you ate a lot during the snack breaks, maybe because of the increased trust? And now you’ve obtained the Keyknife! And are back at the entrance…

Hm. You wonder. You’re curious about that statue. You remember Mira mentioning that these statues are connections to the Change god. Who’s is the one that blessed you?

✦ “Hey, Before we go ahead, I want to check something”

◉ “Huh? Okay, let’s go!”

>>>

You’re back in the statue room. You’re not expecting anything, but you ARE curious about it. You take a closer look.

Hm. Not to judge but… Oh, Looks like the others are judging instead.

✿ “Can noses look like that?”

▲ “Wow, it’s left eye is somehow above the right brow.”

◆ “I can’t tell if it’s smiling or frowning.

You notice Mirabelle is oddly quiet. You had suspicions but...

✦ “...Mirabelle?”

◉ “I… I was trying to make it look nice and gentle…”

▲ “CRAB, MIRA WE’RE SO SORRY!!!!”

✿ “SORRY WE SAID YOUR STATUE SUCKED!!!!”

��� “It’s alright…. I’ll get my revenge on you all someday.”

The others shudder, and you smile a bit.

Hm. So this is Mirabelle's statue, huh? A connection between her and the change god, the only one unharmed in the house, and the one that gives you this blessing each time...

✦ “Mira, can you put your hand on the statue?”

◉ “Um? Okay, sure?”

She puts her hand on the statue, and suddenly, the room shifts!

You’re both pulled into that strange realm again! But. You’re still here? You havn’t been teleported, you’ve been brought…. Elsewhere.

You look around. It’s nothing but pure white as far as you can see. There’s a faint humming, in that sound only you can hear.

There’s a figure approaching. You don’t know what to do! Wait is that?

◉ “Euphrasie?”

Is that the name of the Head Housemaiden? They seem a little surprised, but then…

❍✿ Incorrect buzzer

❍✿ “mirabelle!!! i can't believe u can't recognize me ಠ_ಠ"

They’re wearing Bonnies face now?

◉ “Wait you changed shapes?!? Are-”

❍◉ “yay!!! o(≧▽≦)o got it so fast! it’s me! The Change God ＠＾▽＾＠”

You’re stunned. You can’t move. Wait, Mirabelle’s crying!

❍◎ “oh no don’t cry! i didn’t want to make you cry (╥﹏╥)”

◉ “I’m so sorry!!!! For not changing enough, for being useless, for lying and making everyone think you blessed me, for-”

❍▲ “nonono you’re all good! ( : ౦ ‸ ౦ : ) i’m not worried about any of that. you’re a-okay!(≧◡≦) “

◉ “Huh?

❍✿ “if I was upset, i wouldn’t have helped you all earlier! (⁀ᗢ⁀) but I did because I’m rooting for you. both of you!”

H-huh! They… they are?… Mirabelle dries her tears, and seems happier.

❍◆ “i’m about to tell you something, that you won’t remember for a lot of reasons. well, your brain won’t, but your heart will!!!”

❍▲ “it’s true that, as the Change God, i can’t do much to help you all. but i feel okay with that, because you all have the real power! you’re really strong mirabelle! ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ”

❍◎ “just the will to change things is enough to do anything! and look how far you’ve gotten without my help!o(>ω<)o but if that’s not enough…”

The figure’s form dissipates, revealing a single, small, cloaked figure, with the face of the statue from earlier. For a brief second, their voice feels different.

❍ “You are loved, mirabelle. i see you changing, even if you do not. you are always changing, evolving, growing. and even if you’re not, that’s ok. Because life might be about changes, but sometimes it’s about staying right where you are, sometimes. i’m proud of you, and i love you!”

She looks at them not sure what to say. You’re just happy to see her happy at this point.

❍ “and i love this stupid face you made me and i’m never letting anyone destroy it!!! got it?”

Mirabelle gives them a hug. The figure seems surprised! But allows it.

◉ “….Thank you. You’re not what I was expecting, but I’d expect nothing less. Thank you so much…”

❍◎ “hehehe…. euphie is right, you’re super stinking cute!”

Mirabelle lets go, and wipes away her tears.

❍✿ “okay! that’s your special god call! i’ll send you back now, but i’ma chat with your friend here a little more!”

◉ “Huh? WAH-”

In a blink, Mirabelle is gone. It’s just you and the change god now…

Their disguise melts. Their form shifts. Their cloak billows out and grows to tower over you. Their face pure shadow. As they speak, their demeanor shifts, ever so slightly. Their voice echoes in the unheard sound only you hear. The space fills with twirling shapes.

❍ “Sorry to keep you waiting. But I wanted to talk to her first. She needs those words desperately, and has been waiting for them from me for a while now!”

✦ “I-I um!”

❍ “It’s alright!!! I know. I know. About the island, about the timeloops, about who you are and... It’s okay…. I-I’m sorry I can’t help you much! It made me very happy to see my little gift helped make you happy!!! Y-You’ve been through a lot.”

You… They care. They care? And they did know? They know and… and you’re crying. You’ve stopped holding your eyes in shape, your horn is out, your heart glows, you just collapse. And you’re crying.

❍ “I um!! okay, maybe you just need a second to let it out a bit? Oh, I’m not very good at this….”

They give you a hug. You can barely breathe through the tears. They know what you did, this being that cares so much for life, and yet… Hearing them say it, hearing them tell you they care even despite everything...

❍ “...You know, for a lot of people, I’d be kinda upset at the whole ‘locking a major place of change in time’ thing, but I know you’re trying, and you don’t want to do that. Just like you didn’t want to hurt those on the island… I’m sure you’ll find a way to fix it, and you’ll make good use of the time. I’m rooting for you.”

✦ “I-I!!… thank you…I don’t know if I deserve it though….”

❍ “…. I have a message from my partner. A patron of your home.”

Huh?!!!

They pull back a bit, still holding you, looking you head on with their void of a face. And sing, in the voice of the stars:

Oh dear and precious fallen star

We’ve seen you travel, long and far.

Through trials filled with pain and fear

We know you’ll hold to all that’s dear

So sing your song, o mournful Dove

But know that you have always been Loved.

You… You feel hands. Hugging you. Not the change gods, but ones that feel… familiar… Feel kind. Feel like…

You see tears drip down from the Change Gods hood. They’re crying? Why are they crying for you? You killed so many… you don’t deserve it...

❍ “You have always been loved. Not as Siffrin, but as you��.”

They pull you close again. Your tears mix with theirs as they pool into the space below you.

❍ “Y-Your cloak was made so you could wander the streets... Your tinkers tools so you could make things yourself…. That device in your pocket to show you the world when it wasn’t safe for you to be out... That gun so you could defend yourself even when you didn’t trust yourself up close... Your skill with music was taught because it helped you talk and they wanted to hear your voice… and…. And….”

You can’t… You can’t stop crying…. They… were for you? All along? But…. But…

❍ “And I wish I could have done something!!! You shouldn’t have had to deal with any of this!!! So please, please!!! Don’t forget that!!! Don’t forget that people have loved you always, no matter what!!!”

❍ “…You’re so young. So young for what you are. You shouldn’t have to suffer like this.”

You… you hug them back. Stars, you need to hug them. You need to hold them close. You wish you could hug these figures you barely remember, tell them you’re sorry, wish you could remember who they were. Wish you could remember why they cared for you. And… at the very least, you’ll hold close someone. You need to hug SOMEONE. The Change God hugs you tighter.

❍ “...I… Can’t keep you here for much longer. So. Don’t worry, I’ll give you the keyknife as many times as you need it, I’ll wait for you to get out of this, and… I’ll be rooting for you. Okay? Just promise me, you’ll remember what I said?”

You struggle to speak through your tears. You… really were loved…

✦ “…Yeah. I will. T-Thank you…”

You feel them fade away, as the room starts to form.

You put yourself back together as it does. Physically at least. But the tears aren’t stopping. You turn towards Mira. She’s crying a little too.

✿ “HEY!!!!”

▲ “Mira, Sif! Are you both alright?!”

◉ “What… just happened? I can’t… Siffrin?”

You can’t speak. You can’t stop crying.

▲ “SIF?!? Are you okay? Say something!!”

✦ “S̴̯̕orry! I just… I…”

You can’t help but laugh. You… You feel a bittersweet mixture of joy and sorrow. You don’t know how to process it at all.

◉ “I think we experienced something… Incredible? But I can’t remember it anymore.”

You do. You’ll never forget. You won’t let yourself. You take a deep breath, and dry your tears.

◆ “Are you alright now Siffrin?”

✦ “I… Yeah. Come on. We have a king to beat.”

You smile. It’s bittersweet… You want to remember them. So badly now. They loved you, they cared for you. And you can’t even remember a thing about them…

No. One more memory surfaces. They said… they said…

It takes strength to see what you want from the world. Don’t give up on it ever.

You HAVE to find a way to remember them. You can’t let them be forgotten, not a second longer, not when you’ve gotten so close… But… You’ll need help… and there’s only one person who’d try. Who COULD help.

It’s time to meet the king.

✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸

...There’s a look in Stardust's eye.

This loop was doing so good. They’re all happy. They deserve that. They’ve been at this for a while, even if they aren’t aware of it. And the change god was very kind to say that. But…

Stardust isn’t thinking clearly. They haven't been for a while. The last two they remembered clearer because you fed them proper food, but it’s not easy to get that. And you have this sinking feeling things are going to take a turn for the worse. Very fast.

You hope you are wrong.

[amaretigris]

Knock-down, Drag-out

Taglist: @luna2034 @notagreekgal28 @hopeisrising @mylittlemermaid221 @justagirlthatlovedtoread @jonahhauer-kingg @jonahmermaid23 @freyagallileaevans @daydreamerwithnohobbies

A/n: Sadly, I think this series is drawing to an end 🥺 There will be one more chapter as an epilogue. Thanks for sticking with it lovelies 💖

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Ch. 14 | 2k words | Fluff & smut

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Your new coworker carefully wrapped the old man's knee with a smile. The two of you had responded to a call about an elderly man taking a tumble; you seemed to be getting an abundance of those lately. Bandaging up the patient, your new coworker Jack assured the man that he was just a little banged up. You smiled watching their interaction.

Jack was a charming man with blonde hair, a square jaw, and defined, muscular arms. He was a year or two younger than you, and he wasn't terrible to look at. Every time you thought about admiring his features, however, Jonah's face flashed through your mind. That's how you knew you were down bad.

In the weeks since your reconciliation, you and Jonah had made strides in your relationship. Slowly at first, as you were still guarded around him, but you couldn't keep that up for long. You told Jonah that communication was a must for you in any relationship, and he'd stepped up to the challenge. He made it a point to share his feelings more often with you, and you appreciated the effort more than he could understand.

Smiling to yourself as you thought of Jonah, it wasn't until Jack elbowed you that you snapped out of your daze.

"What?" You shook your head.

"Are you here with us on planet Earth?" Jack laughed.

"Come on, it's lunch time. Let's go grab a bite to eat." He urged.

Driving to your favorite burrito joint, the two of you sat down at a table waiting for your orders. You pulled your phone out to text Jonah saying that you hoped he was having a good day. Smiling and putting your phone down, you sighed, strumming your fingers on the table.

"So, (Y/N), we've only been working together for a little over a week. Tell me about yourself," Jack crossed his hands on the table.

You wanted to sigh again, but you shrugged instead.

"There's not much to tell. I have a pretty boring life that's mostly dedicated to work. What about you?"

"Oh, you know," Jack smirked, "I'm a gym rat."

You wanted to roll your eyes, but by some miracle you restrained yourself from doing so.

"You don't say," you lifted your eyebrows.

"How often do you work out?"

You decided to humor the guy. He might've been trying to impress you, but you found it rather amusing.

"Every day if I can; unless it's a particularly long and grueling shift."

You leaned back in your chair to stuff your hands in your uniform pants pockets.

"That's dedication," you could hardly speak the words without laughing.

"Yeah," Jack replied, casually bringing an elbow up on the table so he could flex.

"I like to keep my body in peak condition. I'm sure you-"

Jack was cut off as a waiter brought the trays of food to your table.

"Chicken burrito, and beef and black bean burrito," he announced, reading off of the tickets on the tray.

You thanked him and smiled, partially because you finally had your food, but also because whatever obnoxious sentence Jack was about to utter had been interrupted.

The two of you stuffed your faces in relative silence, and went on about your day. You managed to strategically dance around the topic anytime Jack so much as tried to flirt with you. All you had to do was ask the man a question about himself, and he went off on a tangent.

Walking into Eleanor's home that night, you gave her a hug, and greeted Jonah in the doorway of his bedroom with a kiss. Jonah asked you about your day, and you told him the general rundown. You left out the parts about Jack. The two of you had made a lot of meaningful progress in rebuilding your relationship, and you didn't want to make Jonah feel insecure about a frisky young man being your new work partner. You could keep Jack at bay; you were confident about that. Curling up into Jonah's arms for the night, you drifted off to a deep sleep.

The next day at work, Jack asked for your number. You reluctantly gave it to him. The two of you were partners now, and you needed to be able to contact one another, but you had a sour taste in your mouth about giving your number out to another man.

"This is silly," you told yourself. "I work with the man for crying out loud."

Brushing it off, you skillfully dodged Jack's attempts at flirtation again today. You found that acting clueless worked surprisingly well. In the afternoon during your shift, your heartbeat spiked when your ambulance got a call to respond to the fitness center where Jonah works. The call was for a man who had equipment dropped on his chest. Speeding to the destination, you practically bounded inside to assess the patient. Jack trailed behind you.

"Hey! What's gotten into you?"

Jogging through the front doors, you saw Jonah's back as he was kneeled on the floor. He turned when he heard the doors open, and your (e/c) eyes connected with his sparkling blue ones. He quickly got up, stepping towards you.

"Hey, love. I figured you'd respond. It's one of our members. He got too cocky with the weights and dropped the whole bar on his chest," Jonah informed you.

You nodded, moving past him to kneel down beside the patient. You started speaking to the man who looked to be in his mid to late thirties. Jack came running in the doors behind you, almost slamming into Jonah in the process. Jack shouldered his way past him, and Jonah scrunched his brow as he watched Jack lower himself at your side. The whole time you were running through your assessment, Jack was inching closer towards you. Jonah's eyes narrowed on Jack's arm as it snaked past your waist. You, being as strictly professional as you are and focusing on the patient, barely seemed to notice Jack's unnecessary touches. Jonah definitely noticed though.

You decided to place the patient on a gurney to transport him to the hospital for a chest x-ray since he claimed to have broken some ribs. Wheeling the patient out the door, you smiled at Jonah. To your surprise, Jonah grabbed your wrist, and gave you a quick peck on the lips. He then released you to continue your work. Giving him a quizzical look, you proceeded to the ambulance. Why had Jonah kissed you like that? PDA didn't bother you, but it seemed a little odd. It wasn't exactly a romantic situation with the man groaning in the background. Caught up in your own thoughts during the whole ride, you hadn't noticed that Jack had gone quiet. Once the patient was taken back for his radiographs, Jack tapped you on your shoulder.

"Hey, what was that about?"

Your brow conveyed your confusion.

"That guy back there at the fitness center. He's a cage fighter, isn't he? I've seen him before. He's one of the best in the area. Why did he kiss you like that?"

You practically snorted.

"He kissed me because he's my boyfriend. But yes, he is a pretty good fighter as well."

Jack suddenly pouted.

"So you've been leading me on this whole time?"

Your jaw practically dropped to the floor.

"How the hell have I been leading you on?"

You put your hands on your hips. This ought to be good.

"Well, you gave me your number, so I guess I thought-"

"I gave you my number because we're coworkers," you emphasized the word.

"Be real, Jack. This isn't high school," you rolled your eyes.

Jack let out a defeated sigh.

"Okay. I'm sorry, I got ahead of myself I guess," he put his hands up.

"Besides," he rubbed his chin in thought, "that guy could kick my ass any day."

You let out a laugh, turning to leave the hospital. That night at your apartment, Jonah let himself in with his new key.

"Hey," he called out to let you know he'd arrived.

"I'm in here!"

You called to him from your bedroom where you were getting dressed after your shower.

"There she is," Jonah entered the room with a smug smile as he took in your half naked body.

"Not so fast," you put your hands to Jonah's chest as he looped his around your bare waist, chasing your lips with his.

"Why did you kiss me earlier?"

You leaned your head back to eye Jonah suspiciously.

"What?" Jonah feigned innocence.

"I can't kiss my girlfriend?"

You tried to contain a laugh.

"It seemed rather suspicious," you smiled.

"Almost like you were trying to give someone the hint that I'm taken," you teased.

Jonah's dimples emerged at that, and he scrunched his nose.

"You knew what I was doing the whole time," his tone was one of amusement.

You nodded, snaking your arms around his neck.

"Yes, I knew. And it worked, but you don't have to worry about Jack."

Jonah sighed, bringing his hand up to brush your damp hair away from your cheek.

"I know, I trust you. He was getting a little handsy for my liking though."

You ghosted your lips over Jonah's in response. You grabbed his right hand, bringing it up to your left breast. Jonah instinctively squeezed.

"You think I would let anyone else touch me like this?"

Jonah shook his head.

"No, I don't," he breathed.

"But you can't blame me for wanting everyone to know you're mine."

Grabbing your upper arms, Jonah guided you back to your bed. You landed on your comforter with a giggle, staring up at him. You watched as Jonah peeled off the underwear you'd just put on. Lifting your hips to help him ease them down your legs, you bit your lip as you watched him push down his sweatpants. His briefs were already tented from gazing upon your form. Jonah's eyes traveled back up to yours, and he freed his dick from its confines.

You watched his member bouncing to attention as Jonah crawled over your body. Meeting his gaze again, you gulped. Jonah's eyes looked like he intended to devour you. You loved seeing him like this.

"I am yours," you spurred him on. "Make me yours."

Jonah's hands delicately framed your face, and he settled above you on his elbows.

"I want to hear my name when you cum," Jonah spoke barely above a whisper.

You nodded, your chest heaving in anticipation. Jonah lined himself up at your entrance, wetting his head in your slit. You groaned, wiggling your hips. With one quick thrust, Jonah penetrated you. You threw your head back with a moan. Jonah kissed along your neck, drawing his hips back, and entering you again with another sharp thrust.

"Fuck. You were made for me, (Y/N)," Jonah panted with sweat on his brow.

You nodded again, running your fingernails down Jonah's back. He threw his head back at the sensation.

"You belong to me, don't you?"

Jonah tilted his head forward, opening his eyes to focus on you.

"Yes, Jonah. Yes, I belong to you," you whined.

"Are you going to cum for me?"

Jonah focused his efforts on the spot that he knew could get you there. You let out another moan at his motions, and your eyes screwed shut.

You whimpered with a nod. You weren't confident you could string together any coherent words at the moment. When the wave crashed over you suddenly, you chanted his name.

"Jonah, baby," you voiced your pleasure.

Jonah's rhythm faltered, and he found his own release soon after. Tucking his face into your neck, you intertwined your legs with his, and your fingers in his hair.

"I love you," the words escaped his lips.

Your fingers froze in his curls. Jonah lifted his head up to look at you.

"I know I've made mistakes, but I love you, (Y/N)," he searched your eyes.

A slow smile spread across your lips. Your heart bloomed in your chest.

"Hush, that's in the past. I love you too, Jonah- with all my heart."

Jonah breathed what appeared to be a sigh of relief, leaning up to kiss you once again. His lips slowly trailed down your chest and torso. Soon, Jonah looked up at you from the apex of your thighs.

"Remember, love," his lips brushed against your inner thigh.

You shivered in response.

"I want to hear my name."

[xjulixred45x]

Korra Gang X Geisha (LoK) Reader

Characters: Korra, Mako, Bolin and Asami Sato

Genre: Headcannons

Warnings: mentions of prostitution, Fluff, by Reader's profession, female pronouns will be used.

Geisha: Japanese girl who is dedicated to entertaining and keeping men company by dancing, singing, reciting poetry, serving tea, etc.; She is dressed in the traditional Japanese dress.

Korra

Most likely, she met you during Book 2, at the gathering in honor of Unalaq and the northern water tribe. Being a relatively important event there is also specialized entertainment, so you and some girls from your house were hired to make the meeting a little less tense. Korra found it endearing even if she had no idea what a Geisha was.

Sometime after the banquet, her curiosity got the better of hee and she decided to go ask you directly about it. You were shocked to say the least. The avatar was talking to you! So while the conversation and explanation flowed well, you were a constant nervous wreck.

As you explain them to Korra, her face lights up a bit more, it's interesting how something seemingly simple actually requires years of understanding, and she respects that a lot.

Suppose you stay in Republic City to independently improve your abilities, rest assured, Korra welcomes you with open arms and plenty of moral support.

Going straight to the dating stage, korra is someone who like I said not only supports your work but sees all the effort and training behind it, you're not smart but you can do things she could only dream of . play an instrument? do you dance? Poetry? DO YOU SING? DO YOU SING FOR HER?

a lot of emotion

Since she goes to important events from time to time, I think I would encourage you to go with her and promote your services, if you agree, she stays around to play it safe. You never know.

And if you decide not to, she'll probably talk about it a bit anyway (especially if the person she's talking to has money).

Now, in case someone gets confused with what you do (like the Oirán example) it is already there to prevent any advance, if it is something innocent (ignorance) it will only give a warning, but if it is an important physical advance, it will Sorry friend, say goodbye to your teeth.

Genuinely offended that someone could mistake you for something like that (no offense).

In short, she finds it very endearing and above all admirable, she respects hard work and you deserve all the respect (and love) in the world for her.

Asami

She goes to meetings often, so it is to be expected that there will be entertainment in those meetings, especially if it is about Barrik for example.

But was pleasantly surprised when you performed your act(dances), expecting something much more "Barrik" so it was a breath of fresh air.

Most likely she researches geishas after that and she becomes more interested in it, she wants to know more in a practical way. So she makes sure to subtly tell Barrik that Geisha training would be appropriate in the future, and he agrees.

The next few times you're hired for meetings, your main activity is striking up a conversation with Asami, and being both well-read and intelligent women, it's not difficult at all.

She's delighted with this, you're someone with above-the-average general knowledge, which makes her initial interest grow bigger and bigger the more times you see each other.

When they start a relationship, as I said, she investigates more about the profession and solves her doubts, maybe I asked you, but at the same time she wants to learn it herself.

She definitely enjoys her chats with you a lot, but if she chose another activity to do with you, it would be listening to you play the Shaimen, especially when she's stressed (Barrik's to blame in most cases).

I probably can't make it to all of your events, so I'd ask if you'd like to have something like a bodyguard in case my mother-in-law does something (including asking Bolin or Mako to be there for a while as a favor), and if you say no, it will want you to update it from time to time to be calm.

If it were to happen that someone mistakes you while she's around, she'll most likely glare at them before simply walking off with you. He doesn't tolerate that shit.

It is the best option if you want to take advantage of all your knowledge and artistic skills, she is your number one fan and in events your own personal guard.

Mako

You two met through Wu, obviously he was going to have expensive and extravagant entertainment, but to appear a bit more "sophisticated" he hired all the geisha in your house. It was a great opportunity that they could not pass up. .

Mako, being Mako, while he kept up with Wu, he stuck to the only entertainment that REALLY caught his eye. he has no idea what a Geisha is, but he definitely likes her acts a lot more than the ones Wu brought, and you catch on right away and make small talk to him(and later to Wu too, who by the way still doesn't pronounce "Geisha" appropriately).

From then on, Mako sticks like glue every time they go to an event, giving rise to their current relationship.

As you may have noticed, Mako finds it relaxing compared to all the acts Wu himself performs, it's much more entertaining for him at those times, whether it's a normal chat or just listening to some music (especially the Shaimen), even if is in a particularly good mood, he may join you in the dance.

If he didn't know what a Geisha was before, he didn't know what Oirán was, so the first few times you get mistaken for one, think it's part of a geisha hierarchy, other than you just ignore it. , then it does the same.

That is until a guest tries to get too close and the other geishas jump on him and practically kick him out, then they explain in more detail the work of a Geisha and an Oirán, he is left confused. Who would be stupid enough to confuse you like that? Really? The only thing they have in common is white makeup! Has no sense!

From then on,You better hopes to have Mako near he almost always, it's not because he thinks that you can't take care of yourself or that the other geisha can't, but understand, he cares a lot about you and he I don't want you to have a bad time for some idiot being brainless.

He still keeps some distance if you ask him, it's your job after all, he doesn't want to get you in trouble with your teacher.

He likes to see you prepare your makeup, the hairstyles you put on and thinks that Kimonos are much more complex than they seem (and HEAVY), he admires the dedication you give to your work, he compares it to what it is to be a detective for him (yes, that important).

In general, he respects your profession a lot and supports it 100%, just make sure you take care of yourself and that he is calm 👍 and if not, he Will kicks they ass it himself.

Bolin

I honestly believe that they met when you were still training to be a Geisha, he would be the only one who has known what it is for a long time, he asked you many questions. Why is your face so white? Do you even eat? Where are those clothes from? Where do you come from? Are you a princess or something like that (you look like one)? Would you be her friend? etc..

You couldn't spend a lot of time with him because the training is very demanding, but he was always very friendly with you, you didn't have to say no, so your few days off you and Bolin would go for a walk around republic city, just do things of your own. age, go to pro-bending tournaments, drink some tea, etc.

It really makes you feel better about yourself thanks to those little moments, obviously being a Geisha was what you wanted, but it wasn't easy.

Luckily Bolin is there to give you moral support! Once he tried to get into the Okiwa house to cheer you up and they kicked him out, he learned his lesson, don't worry.

When you're FINALLY an official Geisha, expect Bolin to celebrate with you as if it's an achievement for both of you, he knows full well how much that title means to you so he's so glad.

Unfortunately it also made your already limited free time even more scarce, you had to learn in the field, so you constantly went to parties and events that left you exhausted.

Luckily Bolin, although a bit sad, fully understood, you worked so hard for this and he doesn't want you to lose it because of him.

However, on some occasions you escape from homework and go to do things like see him in his pro-control training, which seems to give him a very high energy rush, if you can't attend, dream of asking them to turn on the radio to listen to the game and the next day you congratulate him for winning or console him for losing. Before you know it, their apparently platonic relationship turned romantic, they don't know how it happened, but I don't know what they're complaining about

As far as you work, Bolin is THE BEST about it, he can even learn how to do your makeup and thus 1. Spend more time together and 2. give you a hand, he even does some really nice hairdos.

If someone confuses you with an Oirán, he react SO OFFENDED (even more than you). Really upset about something like that, I mean, even HE sees the difference. Is it really that hard to understand that they are not the same thing?

He definitely loves dancing above all else, he joins you and they even give him a fan to match.

Best boy ever, both as a boyfriend and as an assistant for the functions.

[scoganbingo]

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[tempest-sun]

Diamond in the Rough Chapter 06

Chapter 6: A Whole New Galaxy

Warnings: None

Words: 2,472

Summary: You get a surprise offer when a stranger shows up to the palace.

A.N: Many many apologies for the length of time between Chapter 5 and Chapter 6. Between work and life responsibilities (and me being a bit of a perfectionist), I haven’t had the time to dedicate to writing. Now that summer is approaching, I will have more time to dedicate to bringing more content. For those that are still invested in this and for those that refuse to believe Tech is… you know… I hope you enjoy this chapter and I appreciate you for sticking around!

Ch. 01 - Ch. 02 - Ch. 03 - Ch. 04 - Ch. 05

As soon as you step out on the second floor landing, you immediately scan the crowd for Tech. You knew it would be impossible that he would be here but you can’t help hoping. You have to fight the frown from appearing on your lips when you don’t spot him. You’re so lost in this internal battle with yourself that you barely register Prince Jafan’s approach standing two steps below you with a smile on his face.

“Your Highness,” he says, bringing your knuckles to his lips.

“Prince Jafan,” You greet him hoping the soft smile on your lips is a sufficient mask as you let him lead you towards the ballroom.

With one more glance over your shoulder, you try to will Tech’s presence at the palace. Instead, you meet a pair of familiar brown eyes but they belong to an unfamiliar silver haired man with sharp features and a bullseye tattoo over his right eye. This time you can’t fight the frown that appears on your face.

This is what you get for allowing yourself to hope.

You allow Jafan to lead you into the ballroom, your body on autopilot. You look around the extravagantly decorated space. Apparently your mother has gone all out for your engagement ball. If your plan wasn’t already so precarious, you would be calling out her hypocrisy for this lavish spending when their people are struggling.

Your father’s crest hangs proudly on every second column of the ballroom reminding you of what you need to do. Especially when you realize that Jafan’s family banners are placed strategically on the columns in between.

He’s already taking over.

The thought makes your blood boil despite the jovial atmosphere that the band is creating. Their guests, nobles from across the Galaxy, funnel into the room. A festive buzz filling the spaces between the melody being played.

“Come, my pet, there are a few dignitaries that I would like you to meet,” Jafan places his hand on your lower back. You resist the urge to recoil from his touch, opting to nod and allowing it. You keep your head held high meeting these high ranking Imperial officers.

Time seems to pass at a Yavin snail’s pace with each introduction of those that the Prince is very obviously schmoozing. Your mind wanders away from the conversation of Imperial expansion to muse upon your fate and of course, Tech. You haven’t spoken to him in two days and you wonder if somehow you offended him or came on too strong. You don’t think you said anything out of turn but you’re worried that maybe he wants nothing to do with you.

Maybe he has a partner. Maybe he was just being nice. Maybe he just doesn’t want the headache that comes with you.

You wouldn’t blame him for thinking that way. An irritated sigh to your left drags you out of your musing.

“Sorry,” You say sheepishly. “What were you saying?”

Jafan’s thin lips twitch. You can tell he’s struggling to hold his annoyance in. His effort almost makes you giggle. “I was saying,” he says with a barely composed tone. “That General Dalton requested a tour and I will oblige him. If you don’t mind Darling.”

Yes! You internally cheer, placing a hand on Jafan’s cheek. “Of course, Dear, take your time. I’ll be here waiting,” your voice is tooth rottingly sweet. You remove your hand and look to General Dalton who is oblivious to the frostiness between you and your fiancé. “You’re going to love the palace. If you’re a patron of the arts, our gallery is my mothers pride and joy. You can say even more so than me,” you joke with a wink.

General Dalton laughs. “I do appreciate a fine mosaic,” he looks to Jafan. “You’ve got a keeper with this one. Make sure you hold on tight.”

“Oh I intend to,” Jafan smirks, something sinister lurking below the surface of those dark beady eyes. “Shall we, General?”

You keep the smile on your face watching them go. You never know if one of his advisors is watching for a crack in your facade. Once they are out of your eye line, you wave one of your handmaidens over.

“Your Highness,” Zio greets with a small curtsey.

“I need you to keep an eye on Prince Jafan during his tour,” you look around the room to make sure you’re not overheard. “In case he gets lost,” you add pointedly.

“I will,” Zio nods solemnly. She flits out of the room inconspicuously. You trust Zio, she is among the handful of people in the castle that you trust to be loyal to you and your cause.

Reaching for a flute of champagne to sip on, you watch the guests milling about the ballroom without a care in the world. A few of them have started to dance in pairs in the middle of the room. Your mother, with your sister at her side, talks to the various small pockets of Lords and Ladies. There’s no doubt she is trying to find a match for your sister.

Don’t worry, if things go to plan, you won’t have to marry a stranger. I got you—

“May I have this dance?” The man that you spotted from earlier with the bullseye tattoo above his right eye appears in front of you.

As the guest of honour you don’t have the luxury to say no to this stranger who is oddly familiar but you can’t quite put your finger on where you could have seen him before. It’s not like you to forget a face, especially one as unique as his.

“Of course you may,” you reply, taking the man’s arm as he leads you to the ballroom floor.

The man seems nervous because he keeps searching the crowd for someone. You glance towards where he is looking and you swear you see a thumbs up and a blur of platinum hair disappear into the crowd. The man shakes his head leading you to the middle of the dance floor. Your skirts swish around your ankles as you take your position in front of him.

The band strikes up the traditional melody for Mantellian Waltz. A dance you have done a thousand times before. Probably one you could do in your sleep. That is why you are surprised when the man places his hands in the wrong position on your body. You chuckle and take his wrists gently placing one hand on the middle of your back while taking his other hand with yours. You then lay your hand on his shoulder.

“Just follow my lead,” you say, stepping forward with your right foot. The man instinctively steps back. “It’s the same as any other waltz, just a bit more flourish.”

“In a traditional dance it is the male who should—“ the man begins before stopping himself mid sentence. “I should be leading this dance Princess. Not you.”

“Oh?” You can’t help the chuckle that escapes your lips continuing to lead the dance. “A stickler for tradition are we?”

“Not entirely,” he smiles wryly as if recounting a previous joke. “But it does not look proper for a woman let alone a Princess to be leading a dance.” It’s his turn to step forward this time causing you to stumble from the unexpected intrusion into your personal space.

You raise an eyebrow, looking incredulous that he is trying to push this. Stubbornly, you step forward to reclaim your lead before you retort, “Propriety is outdated. An old relic of the past is it not?”

“I’m afraid you do not have the luxury of holding such a notion,” the man says once again stepping forward causing you to falter.

He’s got you there. The little voice in your head pipes up. You’re not going to admit that to this stranger though. Your pride is on the line and you have a waltz to lead. “Perhaps through demonstrations such as these, we can change these archaic ideas.”

“Two people are not enough to change an entire system of traditions. Let alone in a single night. It’s statistically impossible.” The man steps forward again to lead the dance for the sake of decorum.

You are so taken aback by his continued arguing with you that you don’t pick up on the familiar vocal pattern poking through the façade. You also don’t register that you’re falling until you feel the cool marble floor beneath you. Humiliation burns your cheeks as a few gathered nobles now stare directly at you. You can hear the barely discreet snickers from some of your contemporaries as if they are echoing off the walls. Ignoring the proffered hand to help you up, you retreat out of the ballroom before anyone can discover the burning tears leaving scalding tracks down your face.

————————————————————————

Meanwhile, back in the ballroom, Tech feels his own cheeks heat up in embarrassment. He didn’t mean to make you fall, he was just trying to get you to see reason. He abruptly turns on his heel and strides out of the ballroom as well. However, he makes a sharp left towards the front door. He spots Omega with a silver platter of cubed honey treats on her lap. “Let’s go, we’re leaving.”

“Tech?” Omega puts the platter down, sneaking a few of the treats in her pocket before dashing towards her brother. Her slippers slapping against the floor. “Wait up! What happened?”

“Nothing. I may have made a few miscalculations, that's all.”

“What do you mean? I saw you dancing with the Princess, isn’t that what you wanted?” Omega snacks on one of the stolen treats looking at him curiously.

“Yes but I did not expect her to fall.”

Omega stops mid bite. “She fell?”

“A miscalculation on her part. She was supposed to let me lead.” He explains simply. “We should let the others know we’re  returning.”

Tech and Omega arrive back at the landing platform where an eager Wrecker is waiting. “So how was it?” He asks.

Tech doesn’t say a word and walks up the open ramp disappearing undoubtedly to his pilot seat.

“What’s with him?” Wrecker juts his thumb towards the Marauder.

“He’s upset because he blew it with the Princess,” Omega rubs the back of her head. “But, the night wasn’t totally ruined!” She digs into her evening bag producing a handful of the honey squares.

Wreckers eyes light up. “Are those…?”

“Yup!” Omega beams proudly.

The pair of them snack happily on the treats. “I have an idea,” Wrecker says, chewing thoughtfully. He strides onto the ship with Omega in tow. They spot Tech absentmindedly tinkering with his data pad. He always claims that there’s always something to fix but he would never admit that it’s an excuse to distract himself. “Tech! I solved your Princess problem.”

“I do not have a ‘Princess problem’,” a brief flicker of a frown appears on his lips.

Wrecker takes the data pad from Tech’s hands. He makes a noise of protest. Wrecker shakes his head. “If what our sister says is true… yes you do.”

“If you listened to our sister, then you would know I do not have a problem with the Princess. Not after tonight.” Tech reaches for his data pad. “Now can I please resume my work?”

Wrecker and Omega share a look. Wrecker holds the data pad out of his reach. “Not until you listen to my plan.”

Tech huffs leaning back in the chair with his arms crossed. “Fine. I’m listening.”

“Wow, you really are like Crosshair,” Wrecker comments. “Doesn’t he?”

“He just needs the toothpick to complete the scowl,” Omega giggles.

“What’s your plan?” Tech says with a small tone of annoyance. He just wants to sleep the serum off and forget all about you.

“To make it up to the Princess, you should take her on a tour of the planet!” Wrecker grins.

Tech, however, looks unimpressed. “This is their home Wrecker, they’ve probably seen it a million times.”

“But not in the Marauder,” Wrecker says slyly. “Bet you that your Princess has never been on a ship like this.”

Tech muses the probability of Wreckers statement. It is highly unlikely that you have been on an Omicron-class attack shuttle since your planet is not known for producing such a ship. The option of surprising you sounds slightly tempting but after what happened he doubts this would be a balm to the humiliation you felt.

As if reading his mind, Omega pipes up, placing a reassuring hand on his knee. “What have you got to lose Tech?”

“Statistically nothing but—“

“Then give it a shot!”

“Yeah!” Wrecker chimes in.

Tech looks between his brother and sister’s hopeful faces. His shoulders drop. “Alright, I’ll do it.”

“Yay!” They cheer.

“But first, we need to clean up in here.”

————————————————————————

Across the city, you are still in your outfit from the ball staring up at the moon with your communicator in your hand. Raia lays in a ball on your lap, her purrs soothing your frazzled nerves. You stroke her orange and black striped fur which calms you as well. You decided to get some fresh air before bed while hoping to hear from Tech. His voice alone could salvage this evening while you are still reeling from the audacity of the guy you danced with.

“Purreow?” Raia perks up looking towards the balcony edge.

“What the—?”

An unfamiliar ship rises next to the balcony rail. The door to the ship opens and the ramp extends towards you. Raia jumps off your lap and stands protectively between you and the ship with her back arched and her fur standing on end. She would be intimidating if she wasn’t so cute. Your chuckle is cut short when you realize who has appeared.

Speak of a womp rat and he shall appear.

“You again? You have some nerve showing up here,” you cross your arms across your chest. “What do you want?”

“I came to apologise and,” he takes a deep breath as if contemplating his next words. Especially when Raia growls. “Offer you a ride on my ship.”

“Easy girl,” you reach down to pet Raia.

You raise an eyebrow at the proposition, scanning the outside of his ship. You are tempted to take him up on his offer. His ship is not one you’re familiar with. You chew your bottom lip thoughtfully stepping towards him to get a better look at the ship.

Sensing your hesitation, he extends a hand to you. “Do you trust me?”

Your stomach flutters at the question. A familiar speech pattern that you’ve grown accustomed to coming from this stranger's lips.

Can this be? But how?

“Yes…” Cautiously, you slip your hand in his offered one, stepping up onto the ramp following him into the ship.

[garybrower]

Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filters: A Comprehensive Guid

As water quality concerns rise, many households are turning to advanced filtration systems to ensure they have access to clean, safe drinking water. One of the most effective methods available is the countertop reverse osmosis (RO) water filter. In this article, we’ll explore what countertop reverse osmosis water filter are, how they work, their benefits, and considerations for choosing the right one for your home.

What is a Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter?

A countertop reverse osmosis water filter is a compact, standalone filtration system designed to purify tap water by removing contaminants and impurities. Unlike traditional water filters that simply trap particles, RO systems utilize a semi-permeable membrane to remove a wide range of contaminants, including dissolved solids, heavy metals, chemicals, and microorganisms.

How Does It Work?

The reverse osmosis process involves several key stages:

Pre-filtration: Before the water reaches the RO membrane, it passes through a pre-filter that removes larger particles such as sediment and chlorine. This step protects the membrane from damage and extends its lifespan.

Reverse Osmosis: The pre-filtered water is then pushed through the RO membrane using water pressure. The membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking larger molecules and contaminants.

Post-filtration: After passing through the RO membrane, the water goes through additional filters, such as carbon filters, to remove any remaining tastes or odors.

Storage: The purified water is stored in a tank for easy access.

Dispensing: When you need drinking water, the purified water is dispensed through a dedicated faucet.

Benefits of Countertop Reverse Osmosis Filters

Effective Contaminant Removal: RO systems can remove up to 99% of contaminants, including lead, fluoride, chlorine, pesticides, and bacteria, ensuring you have access to clean and safe drinking water.

Improved Taste and Odor: By removing impurities, RO systems enhance the taste and smell of your drinking water, making it more pleasant to consume.

Convenience: Countertop models are easy to install and do not require complex plumbing modifications. They can be set up in minutes and are portable, allowing you to move them as needed.

Cost-Effective: While the initial investment may be higher than some other filtration options, the long-term savings from reduced bottled water purchases can make RO systems cost-effective over time.

Sustainability: Using an RO filter reduces reliance on single-use plastic bottles, contributing to environmental sustainability efforts.

Considerations When Choosing a Countertop Reverse Osmosis Filter

Filtration Capacity: Consider how much purified water your household consumes daily and choose a system with an appropriate capacity.

Installation Requirements: While countertop models are generally easy to install, some may require minor adjustments to your kitchen setup. Check if any additional tools or materials are needed.

Filter Replacement: RO systems require periodic filter replacements to maintain their effectiveness. Consider the cost and frequency of replacement filters when choosing a system.

Water Pressure: RO systems require sufficient water pressure to operate effectively. Check your home’s water pressure and ensure it meets the manufacturer’s specifications.

Certifications: Look for systems certified by reputable organizations, such as NSF International or the Water Quality Association, to ensure the filter meets specific performance standards.

Conclusion

Countertop reverse osmosis water filters are an excellent investment for households seeking to improve their water quality. With their ability to effectively remove a wide range of contaminants, enhance taste, and provide convenience, these systems offer a reliable solution for safe drinking water. By considering the factors mentioned above, you can select the right RO system that fits your needs and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with clean, purified water.

[music-industry-updates]

How to Become a Successful Musician in 2024: What You Need to Know

Becoming a musician is an exciting journey filled with creativity, expression, and personal growth. However, many aspiring musicians find it challenging to navigate the path toward achieving their musical goals. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been playing for years and want to take your skills to the next level, knowing the step-by-step process is crucial. In this guide, we will break down the key stages of becoming a musician, from identifying your passion to building a career in music. With dedication and hard work, anyone can follow this path to turn their musical dreams into reality.

Step 1: Identifying Your Passion and Musical Talent

The first and most essential step in becoming a musician is identifying your passion for music. Music, like any art form, is driven by deep emotion and personal connection. Ask yourself: What genres of music do you enjoy? Do you love singing, playing an instrument, or composing songs? Figuring out what excites you about music is important because your passion will fuel your journey, helping you overcome challenges and obstacles.

If you’re not yet sure of your musical preferences, spend time listening to various styles of music — from classical and jazz to pop, rock, or electronic. Your choice may evolve over time, but finding something you connect with will help you focus your efforts. Remember, music is an emotional language, and tapping into that passion is key to your success.

Step 2: Picking an Instrument or Focusing on Vocal Training

Once you have identified your passion, the next step is to choose an instrument or focus on vocal training. If you are inclined to sing, consider taking formal vocal lessons to improve your range, pitch control, and vocal health. Professional guidance can help you avoid strain and develop a signature style.

For those drawn to instruments, you have a wide array of options — guitar, piano, violin, drums, or even digital production. If you’re undecided, it can be beneficial to try different instruments until you find the one that feels natural. It’s important to remember that every instrument requires commitment, so take your time in choosing something you truly enjoy. Early frustration is common, but with consistent practice, progress will follow.

Step 3: Practicing and Improving Your Skills

Once you’ve chosen your path, practice is the foundation of your development. Becoming a musician requires consistent and focused practice. Set aside daily practice time, even if it’s just 30 minutes. Quality is more important than quantity — practicing with intent and clear goals will help you improve faster than aimless repetition.

One effective method is to break down your practice sessions into sections. For example, you might spend 15 minutes on technique, such as scales or finger exercises, and another 15 minutes on learning new songs or refining your performance. For vocalists, this might include breathing exercises, vocal warm-ups, and working on different vocal styles.

Also, remember that practice isn’t just about perfecting what you already know. Challenging yourself by learning new techniques, experimenting with new genres, and even making mistakes is part of growing as a musician. Consistent practice will gradually improve your skills and help you achieve mastery.

Step 4: Understanding Music Theory and Different Styles

Many musicians shy away from music theory, but understanding it is crucial for long-term success. Music theory helps you understand how music works — the relationship between notes, scales, chords, and how they come together to create songs. It doesn’t mean you need to dive deep into complex theory right away, but learning the basics will make you a more versatile and creative musician.

For example, understanding scales and chords will allow you to improvise, compose your own music, and collaborate effectively with other musicians. You’ll be able to break down songs you enjoy and figure out why they sound the way they do. This knowledge can also help you transition between different styles of music, broadening your abilities and potential.

Step 5: Building a Network and Creating Music

Music isn’t just a solitary pursuit; it’s a collaborative art form. As you develop your skills, start networking with other musicians, producers, and industry professionals. Building a supportive network is essential for growing as a musician and finding opportunities to perform, record, and collaborate.

Attending open mic nights, joining local bands, or enrolling in music schools or workshops are great ways to meet other musicians. Collaboration can inspire you to explore new ideas, gain feedback, and improve your craft. Additionally, recording and sharing your music, whether it’s on social media or music platforms like SoundCloud, Bandcamp, or YouTube, helps establish your presence.

While building a network, be open to different experiences. Perform at local venues, participate in online music communities, or submit your music to small record labels. Opportunities often come from the connections you make, so focus on building relationships with people who share your passion for music.

Step 6: Recording and Sharing Your Music

Recording your music is a significant milestone on your journey. Today, you don’t need a professional studio to create high-quality recordings. With affordable audio interfaces, microphones, and digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Ableton, Logic, or FL Studio, you can produce professional-sounding tracks from home.

Start by creating demos of your songs, and gradually improve the quality as you learn more about production and mixing. Don’t be afraid to share your early work, even if it’s not perfect — feedback is an invaluable tool for growth. You can share your music on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube, giving you exposure to a global audience.

Conclusion:

The journey to becoming a musician is a rewarding yet challenging one. From discovering your passion and selecting your instrument or voice training to practicing diligently and networking with others, each step plays a crucial role in your growth. Remember that persistence, patience, and dedication are key to mastering your craft and succeeding in the music industry. Every great musician started where you are now, and by following this step-by-step guide, you too can achieve your musical dreams.

[cawcky-musings]

In a very odd way, the premise of this centers around a quote from Albert Einstein that you've probably heard to death.

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."

The narcissist wants their supply. They want you back. They want to control you. And the harder you resist via the no contact rule, the more invested they become into trying to get you. So they keep trying to spring all these different traps. All in an effort to pull you out of the silence so they have a chance to further manipulate.

They've tried their usual lovebombing, oh, that didn't work…

They tried cold empathy. Well, that didn't work either…

They tried guilting. Nope.

Anger! Maybe anger will work? Nope.

So rather than continuing to be angry, they flip a switch, throw a Hail Mary, and unveil the most insane strategy to date, which is the fifth and final trap: the Persona of Transformation.

This one is insane, like legitimately crazy. Most of the time, for most people, the four other traps previous to this that they've sprung get you. They suck you back into their orbit, but in those rare cases where you have someone who has the fortitude to ignore all that, continue ignoring like they should, this is where the Persona of Transformation comes into play.

Now in order to properly explain this, I need you to accept an idea. A true narcissist doesn't really possess what you would call a personality. At least not in the traditional sense. Instead, they accumulate and imitate behaviors they've observed throughout their life which allows them to assemble a patchwork of traits that they then use to charm and connect with others.

This trap is where they fall back onto that basic premise. That basic idea. They decide they're going to "Rebrand Themselves", and really, the Persona of Transformation happens over four distinct phases.

You have the Public Transformation Phase, the Targeted Vulnerability Phase, the Indirect Communication Phase, and then the Direct Communication Phase.

Let's first look at the Public Transformation Phase. So basically the Narcissist decides they're going to start a public campaign of self-improvement and this could include anything from going to therapy sessions to engaging in community service. Now the key here is that they make sure you hear about it through mutual friends or social media. They might even start a blog, vlog, or social media account dedicated to their journey towards becoming a "better person".

Then we have Targeted Vulnerability. They're going to be sure that the transformation that they're showcasing aligns closely with the changes you had hoped to see in them during the relationship. All those complaints, all those long nights where you were yelling at them for not being present and being selfish, they took that to note and they're going to use it against you. So for example: if you long for them to be more empathetic, they might volunteer at a shelter or start advocating for mental health awareness. They'll present themselves as newly compassionate and understanding. Now all throughout this time, they are NOT contacting you. They are giving you "your space". Months have gone by, and all you are seeing on your end are all these seemingly altruistic acts, and that's when the indirect communication starts.

Instead of reaching out directly to you, they use these public displays and mutual connections to ensure that stories of their transformation find their way to you knowing it will tug at your heart strings and stir up confusion. Now this tactic is incredibly effective because it plays on the hope and love that led you to engage with them initially, but its a manipulation master class. They leverage public perception and your inherent desire to see the best in others to their advantage, and [that's] when they strike, and we enter into the Direct Communication Phase.

Essentially, they reach out to you. Its light, nothing forceful. Months have gone by. You're kind of over them til you finally give in. You finally decide to start talking to them again.

Now the crazy part about all this is it isn't just the transformation itself but the depth of the calculation behind it. Its designed to exploit your specific emotional vulnerabilities and hopes, and its a reminder that the narcissist will go to any lengths to get what they want.

Now one of the things I'm not seeing a lot of people talk about… let me put it this way.

Narcissists are using narcissism on Youtube as like a big buzzword now, but one of the things I don't see people talking about a lot is the fact that these are very abusive relationships. I mean its literally right there in the cycle. Look in the name, its literally called the Narcissistic [Abuse] Cycle, but the lines get blurred when you're just madly in love with someone.

Its one of the great paradoxes in life that what we often value is how we feel about someone. How our heart is taken by them, and the paradox is that often our heart leads us into the greatest depths of despair.

In the end, I think its all about recognizing and acknowledging that the abuse of these kind of dynamics is not just a step towards healing. Its a profound act of reclaiming your worth and identity.

I want people who maybe don't have the courage to leave relationships that are abusive, that are like this, to wake up and recognize that this is happening to them and that they deserve better, so the point for me is about helping you identify these traps that narcissists continually use and continually work.

And its not just narcissists. Its anyone who relies overly on narcissistic traits. Like I said, narcissist is like a big buzzword on youtube right now, but what matters is understanding there's a difference between a full-blown diagnosed narcissist and someone with a lot of narcissistic traits.

But in my mind, if someone is going to resort to narcissistic traits a lot of the time, that person is usually not worth staying in a relationship with or taking back, so for this to mean anything, its all about you reclaiming your worth and your self identity.

~What Narcissists Hope For When You Go No Contact

[teamtrackmaster]

Effective Time Management: Top 10 SMART Goals Examples To Boost Your Productivity

Time management is a critical skill in today's fast-paced world. Whether you're an employee, manager, or business owner, optimizing how you spend your time can significantly enhance productivity. One proven method for improving time management is by setting SMART goals. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This article will explore ten time management smart goals examples to help you manage your time more effectively and introduce tools like time tracker software for employees and workforce management software to support your goals.

How to Set Time Management Goals?

Setting time management goals involves identifying areas where time is wasted and finding strategies to maximize productivity. Here’s how to do it:

Identify Priorities: Determine what tasks are most important and need immediate attention.

Set Clear Objectives: Define what you want to achieve with your time management efforts.

Break Down Tasks: Divide larger tasks into smaller, manageable parts.

Create a Timeline: Allocate specific time frames for each task.

Monitor Progress: Regularly check your progress to stay on track.

By following these steps, you can ensure your goals are realistic and attainable.

Top 10 SMART Goals Examples for Time Management

Here are ten SMART goals that can help you improve your time management:

Daily Task Lists

Specific: Create a daily task list each morning.

Measurable: Include at least five tasks per day.

Achievable: Ensure tasks are realistically manageable within the day.

Relevant: Focus on tasks that align with your overall objectives.

Time-bound: Complete the task list by the end of each workday.

Weekly Planning Sessions

Specific: Spend 30 minutes every Sunday planning the week.

Measurable: Plan for at least five tasks each week.

Achievable: Use available tools like calendars or planners.

Relevant: Prioritize tasks that contribute to your long-term goals.

Time-bound: Have the plan ready by Sunday evening.

Limiting Meeting Times

Specific: Reduce meeting durations to 30 minutes.

Measurable: Implement this for all meetings in a week.

Achievable: Communicate this change to all participants.

Relevant: Focus on making meetings more efficient.

Time-bound: Start implementing from the beginning of the month.

Time Blocking

Specific: Use time blocking to dedicate specific hours to particular tasks.

Measurable: Block out at least 3 hours daily for focused work.

Achievable: Use calendar tools to allocate blocks.

Relevant: Improve focus and reduce multitasking.

Time-bound: Start Monday and review after a month.

Using Time Tracker Software

Specific: Implement time tracker software like EMPMonitor.

Measurable: Track time for at least different tasks daily.

Achievable: Integrate software into daily routine.

Relevant: Gain insights into time usage patterns.

Time-bound: Analyze tracked data weekly.

Setting Break Times

Specific: Take a 10-minute break every 90 minutes.

Measurable: Schedule breaks for all workdays.

Achievable: Use alarms or software reminders.

Relevant: Prevent burnout and maintain productivity.

Time-bound: Implement starting tomorrow.

Email Management

Specific: Check and respond to emails only twice a day.

Measurable: Allocate 30 minutes in the morning and afternoon.

Achievable: Inform colleagues of your email schedule.

Relevant: Reduce constant interruptions.

Time-bound: Start from the coming workweek.

Delegating Tasks

Specific: Delegate at least two tasks per week to team members.

Measurable: Identify and delegate tasks every Monday.

Achievable: Choose tasks suitable for delegation.

Relevant: Focus on high-priority tasks.

Time-bound: Review delegation effectiveness bi-weekly.

Learning and Development

Specific: Dedicate 1 hour each week to learning new skills.

Measurable: Choose and complete one course or module monthly.

Achievable: Use online resources like LinkedIn Learning.

Relevant: Improve skills relevant to your job.

Time-bound: Begin this month and review progress quarterly.

Reviewing Goals

Specific: Review and adjust time management goals monthly.

Measurable: Evaluate progress on all set goals.

Achievable: Allocate an hour for this task each month.

Relevant: Ensure goals remain aligned with objectives.

Time-bound: Conduct reviews on the last Friday of each month.

How to Use Workforce Management Software for Time Management

Workforce management software can significantly enhance time management. These tools help track employee performance, manage schedules, and streamline workflow. Here are some tools and how they can be used:

EMPMonitor:

Tracks employee activity and productivity.

Provides detailed reports on time spent on tasks.

Helps identify time-wasting activities.

TimeCamp:

Automatic time tracking and project management.

Help allocate resources efficiently.

Integrate with other project management tools.

Clockify:

Free time tracking tool for teams.

Track billable hours and productivity.

Generate detailed reports for analysis.

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Conclusion:

Effectual time management smart goals examples are crucial for personal and professional productivity and achievement. By setting SMART goals, utilizing time tracker software for employees, and leveraging workforce management software, you can significantly enhance your time management skills. Implement these strategies and tools to boost your productivity and achieve your objectives efficiently.

[foxesandtarot]

Refocusing your energies!

If you find that your head’s been getting too noisy and chaotic lately, this spread can offer you some guidance :) Find out what to prioritise or focus on to pull yourself and your energy together, so you can get back on track.

I am using a spread created by Emerald Lotus Divination for this reading :)

Simply pick a pile you feel drawn to, and hit 'keep reading' for the reveal and interpretations.

Take what resonates and leave the rest!

Feel free to share this spread with your friends if it’s has helped you! I am also currently available to do personalised readings! (If you’re looking for a specific spread that’s not listed, you can drop me a message and we can work something out!)

Pile 1

Even though people aren't made to multi-task, it is possible to juggle between different responsibilities/work well. The key is balance, where you dedicate sufficient attention and effort to the involved matters. However, it seems like you might've been experiencing some difficulties keeping your matters in balance lately, thus causing you to feel a little all over the place. This could be due to a misunderstanding or mental conflict that isn't in your favour, and you've been trying to right things.

It's time to release that fixation of wanting to be "right" even though you may have all the facts. Is it really worth your effort and time correcting someone who's committed to misunderstanding you, or has already made their mind on the reality they want to be in? What good will come out of doing so, when you could be using your energy on better and beneficial things for yourself?

Learn how to pick your battles: not everything needs your attention. Stay in your lane and true to yourself. In time, your actions will speak loud enough for you to not need to defend untrue accusations made against you (especially when you haven't done anything wrong).

Pile 2

We're always working with others in one way or another, and this is how we inevitably pick up and absorb energies of others. Like how we shower every day to cleanse our bodies, we also need to cleanse our energetic fields by releasing energies that aren't ours at the end of the day. Doing so reduces the chances of being conditioned by others, as well as being able to replenish your energies properly.

So be mindful of how the people you're working with are influencing you with their thoughts and opinions. (It could be in subtle ways as well, whether or not it’s intentional!) Don't feel pressured to have to give an answer if you are undecided on your position. In addition, don't fall into the binary trap: just because you have a different opinion doesn't mean you're against them; just because you need more time to educate yourself on things doesn't mean you're on the opposite end.

Take back your energy, so that you can focus on yourself and what you can do that takes you closer to your goal. There's so much you want to do and achieve, but you’ll only be expending more energy than necessary if you let the thoughts and opinions of others influence you easily. Sure, some things they say may be useful, but you don't have to immediately subscribe to it, or even accept it. You can simply hear and entertain them without doing anything with it.

Pile 3

Overthinking never leads to anywhere good, no matter where it stems from. It's like tossing ideas into an abyss non-stop, and because you don't see any of it through, you get no solid answers that can help you make well-informed decisions. Not only are you overthinking of possible outcomes, you're also overthinking the solutions you can choose from to resolve the issue in order to lead to the possible outcomes in your mind. No wonder you're unsure of where to go or what to do!

It's time for you to take action instead of entertaining the "what if"s. If nothing in your list seems to be a good option to work through, how about coming up with a new way to tackle the situation? Use this chance to make use of the knowledge and experience you've accumulated up until this point to craft up a new method.

Of course, there's a good reason for your overthinking to have manifested in the first place. What are you feeling, and what are your emotions telling you? Try to understand how it's led you here, and if there's anything that can alleviate the way you're feeling about the situation. Then break down the steps that can take you in that direction (if it's a feasible idea, of course). As you put this into practice more often, you will build up a tolerance that can aid you in handling tougher and tougher situations without breaking you down as easily.

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Which pile did you pick, and did it resonate with you? Let me know!

Don’t forget to leave me a like on this post if you found this helpful, or even share it with your friends. If you wish to leave a tip, you may do so on my Ko-fi page（っ＾▿＾）

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