#there are even faster trains elsewhere

[wtfuckevenknows]

Cute that they call that high speed (I drive faster on the highway) 😂

I’m taking the train to Frankfurt in august and it only needs 45 minutes because it goes 300kmh (187mph according to google)

[tisorridalamor]

@delphictrip Hey, another Alaskan here! Yeah the Alaska Railroad is 100% for tourists - I have also traveled it exactly once when I was a kid lol (though I think only to Denali). My thoughts here are not from someone knowledgeable in trains but I am somewhat knowledgeable about AK transport. Looking at this from the perspective of Anchorage to Fairbanks, the issue here I think is that the Anchorage - Fairbanks drive is about 7 hours while the current AK Railroad ride is 12. However, a flight between the two is only a little more expensive at about $100 and only takes an hour.

At the end of the day I feel like the AK Railroad prices are something only tourists can pay and for locals not taking vacation time the trip takes far to long. And unfortunately AK does not have the population (or infrastructure) to justify something geared towards those who actually live there. Even looking at the Anchorage-Wasilla commute idk if the city/state would want to build infrastructure for that. To make a commuter train worthwhile you need to have the bodies to support it, and to have something geared towards the needs of Alaskans I think you’d have to build a new system from the ground up… though once again I don’t know enough about trains and am not sure if there’s a way to use the existing Anchorage - Fairbanks line with a faster train that could bypass the slower, tourist trains (???). Never say never, but for something on this scale I bet you’d be better off looking towards the state rather than Amtrak, and with how important flight is to travel in Alaska I’d be surprised if trains ever became a first choice (though I’d love to see it happen).

What this kind of reminds me of is the Marine Highway, which is used by both cruise ships and the AK ferry system. The ferry system though is needed by Alaskans to transport cars since obviously you can’t get to a lot of the places down there by road, but these days trips on it for only one person WITHOUT a car can cost hundreds of dollars. There’s an absolute local need for it, but due to the slow trip time and and convenience of flight there’s no way for it to get the regular demand needed to keep prices down.

So do people realize that we aren't building new train tracks when we expand the amteak network, I have multiple times seen people say that we shouldn't expand the network because it would destroy protected lands, which would be a fair criticism but Amtrak doesn't build new tracks, we use existing tracks. We are not destroying protected lands, we are using land that has already been clear for a century

[moonchild9350]

Sweet Mornings

Summary: morning sex with Chan after he’s been away on tour.

Pairing: idol!Chan x fab!reader

Genre: established relationship, fluff, smut-18+MDNI

Word Count: 1.4k

Warnings: somniphilia, handjob, kissing, p in v penetration, creampie (don’t), cockwarming

Notes: wrote this in the early morning hours. They’re disgustingly in love lol

If you enjoyed, consider a like, reboot, comment as it keeps me motivated 🤍

Please do not copy, translate, modify, or repost my work elsewhere without my permission. ©moonchild9350 (2024).

Chan is back.

That’s what runs through your head, as you open your eyes from sleep, blinking into the early morning sunlight that’s pouring through the windows.

You feel a warm body next to yours, their arms wrapped snuggly around you, caging you in so your bodies mold perfectly together. You feel his warm breath on your neck as he peacefully slumbers, actually sleeping for once.

You’ll tease him about it later and he’ll go on to say it’s because he’s back at home with you, his love, his comfort.

You slowly maneuver yourself so you’re facing him, silently chuckling at how his arms are still wrapped tightly around you.

You take the moment to gaze at your boyfriend, view him undisturbed in the morning hours. A smile graces your face as you see the sun has highlighted his features, his eyelids seeming almost translucent as it shines on his skin, allowing you to see the faintest blue of his veins. His eyelashes flutter as he dreams what you hope are good dreams and hopefully filled with you.

His hair is haphazardly a mess, something that has always tickled you, as he always looked like a train wreck when he first woke up. He’d whine when you’d tease him and then press a kiss to his lips to silence him which he always accepted.

His lips are slightly parted, his breath fanning out evenly signaling he is in a deep slumber.

Staring at him you feel a tingle, an ache that starts to form, soft and gentle at first. You take a breath and let it out, as a small trickle of slick leaks out of your pussy.

You reach your hand towards his face, your fingers lightly dancing across his skin, as soft as a feather drifting through the wind. The pads of your fingers brush over his cheeks, feeling the peach fuzz, the ends of the strands barely bending at the disturbance.

The ache grows larger, settling in your core, the walls of your pussy clenching involuntarily. You feel almost an electric feeling settling in over your body, making each sensation you feel that much better.

You’re aware of your bare legs beneath the sheets, the fabric brushing against them with each movement, the way your shirt touches your nipples, the slight stimulation causing shivers to run down your spine.

In that moment you realize once more Chan is home. You’ve missed this, his presence, how he feels inside you. You’ve missed him.

You reach your hand below the sheets and touch his bulge, slightly hard in the early morning hours. You smile as you lean forward and press your lips to his, sighing as they mold to yours immediately, even though he’s still asleep.

The moment is soft and slow as you press your lips to his, not fully removing them, just wanting to feel them on yours after so long. With each press you give his cock a squeeze, the appendage hardening further with the pressure.

With your next shaky kiss, Chan’s eyes open, the brown orbs zeroing in on you. He closes his eyes once more, however this time he puts more into the kiss as his arms tighten around you even more.

“Baby,” you whisper, the syllable barely formed as you continue to kiss your lover. “Need you.”

You slide your palm faster and harder against his cock, feeling the wet fabric as his precum leaks out.

“Yeah?” Chan breathes, his fingers lightly tracing the fabric of your t shirt, causing you to arch slightly into him.

You push his boxers down, the fabric obeying until it hits the swell of his ass. You whine at the resistance, wanting to rid him of the offending agent as quickly as possible.

Chan chuckles at your struggle and at your desperation. He lifts his hips and you quickly slide them down, a soft sound falling from your lips as if you were purring.

You can feel him now, his cock hard and warm in your hand. You wrap your hand around the head, pushing a finger into his slit, listening as Chan hisses at the pressure.

He lets out a low moan not long after as you stroke his cock, hard but gentle. His fingers pull at your shirt, silently asking you to take it off.

You hesitantly release his cock and shuck your shirt off, your tits now bare for his viewing pleasure, your nipples hardening in the cold air. You slide your panties down your legs as well, needing to have no further interruptions.

You snuggle up to Chan once more, your hand finding his cock again. You stroke him faster this time, his precum aiding in the glide, a soft slick sound echoing in the room as your hand slides up and down.

“Y/n, y/n, baby,” Chan whispers out and then whimpers as the pleasure courses through him. He missed this feeling, the only one you can bring him.

You smile at his turmoil, your slick now steadily leaking, coating your folds and your thighs. You kiss him again, your walls clenching as he lets out a growl deep within his chest.

Before you can fully register, you’re on your back, your head hitting the soft pillows, as you let out a huff. Your hands reach out to touch his arms, your eyes seeking out his.

Chan nudges your legs open, so he can fit more easily between them. His eyes stay on yours as he grabs his cock, bringing the head to your soaking folds.

He lets out a shaky breath at the feeling of your warmth, a feeling he’s missed over the last few months. He knows you feel the same, as your fingers dig into his biceps, your lips slightly parted as you breathe in anticipation of finally feeling him, your tits heaving with each breath.

You both are a mess, as your moans ring out throughout the room, Chan’s cock finally sinking into your warmth. You whine at the sting, your walls slowly spreading, stretching, after not having anything inside for months.

Chan is nice and easy, knowing it’s been a while. He knows his cock is big and your hole tiny. He pushes in inch by inch as you let out each breath until he’s flush against you, your walls keeping him in with how tight you’re wrapped around his cock. He waits a moment, waiting on the signal from you that he can move.

You steady your breaths, the feeling of him inside you too much, that pleasurable ache growing with each passing moment as he lays there cradled in your arms.

“Channie, move…please,” you beg, your fingers playing with the hairs on the back of his neck.

Chan withdraws his hips and rocks them back into yours, coaxing a low moan out of you. You wrap your arms tighter around him, his neck buried in yours as he rocks, rocks, and rocks.

The pleasure is heightened, after not feeling him for so long, the warm sensation building quickly in your core as he massages your walls.

Chan fucks you softly but deeply, savoring this moment of early morning bliss. You mewl out as he shifts his hips ever so slightly, angling his cock to drag along your sweet spot, causing your toes to curl and legs to tighten around him.

Both of your moans accent the quiet of the room, the only other sounds being the evidence of how wet you are for Chan and the shift of the fabric as it travels over your bodies.

You’re stuck to him, a thin sheen of sweat forming over your bodies, as Chan continues to make love to you. You squeal as the new position allows the hairs on his pelvis to apply just enough sensation against your clit, the bud teased with each thrust.

The warmth builds, growing larger, threatening to spill. You can tell Chan is close too, as his breathing becomes more erratic, his hips not as rhythmic as a few moments ago.

You clutch onto him more, pressing your tits into his chest, wrapping your legs around his ass as you focus on reaching your high, your core feeling like it is on fire.

With a few more shaky breathes, you let out a loud moan, Chan’s name on your lips like a prayer as you release around his cock, your walls spasming, clenching around him. You can hear him groan and then let out a grunt, as he spills within you, the feeling of his cum coating your walls causing you to moan.

Your both a mess of sweaty bodies as you lay there, neither one of you moving except for the rise of your chests as you breath to come down from your highs.

The sun rises higher in the sky as time passes, the light brighter as it shines through the room. It’s quiet, except for the sound of Chan’s beating heart as you’re now resting on his chest.

His cock is still buried within you, soft and warm, his cum still buried within you. You lay there in his embrace, snuggled to him bathing in the post orgasmic afterglow.

You feel the threat of sleep linger over you, your body exhausted after the activities of the morning. You start to slip, your mind slowly leaving and entering into that dream world that has been your haven the last few months.

However, this time you enter into a different sleep, your mind understanding that your dreams have come true.

Chan is home.

Taglist: @jehhskz @jeonginsleftcheek @simpforleeknaur @armystay89 @palindrome969 @slut4hee @ivydoesit23 @amarecerasus @kaysungshine @fun-fanfics @baby-stay92 @velvetmoonlght

[ridher]

jj maybank running into the sweet new girl when stopping by a local smoothie shop

it was only your second day on the job, the first one where you were on your own to serve those strolling the hot summer beach packed with both kooks, pogues, and the occasional touron.

you hadn't even had a chance to make any friends beyond the other young girls you worked with, but even that wasn't more than friendly conversation. you'd gotten a job straight after moving to the south side of kildare — your family needed the money.

it was getting a bit stressful as soon as it hit late afternoon. the crowd of people in line along with the heat beating down during its prime hours, plus being so inexperienced, was overwhelming and starting to get to your performance.

pushing through, you get to what seems like the last group of people for a bit. by now, pieces have fallen from the messy updo of your hair and a thin sheen of sweat coats your body — even through the lenient dress code that allows you to wear a dainty tank top and jean shorts.

still, you greet them with a sweet smile that's mostly directed at the boy in front with brown, curly hair, sporting a bandana around his neck. your lips part to recite the words you'd been trained to welcome customers by when a blonde boy pushes his way up from behind and flashes a crooked smirk.

"um, what can i get you guys today?" you hesitate and it comes out less confident than when said to all the customers before.

"yeah.. let me get a uh— y'know, what do you suggest?" the same boy responds, arms crossing while his brows pinch like he's thinking awfully hard.

based on the expressions of the group accompanying him — two other boys and one girl — this behavior from the sun-tanned boy isn't an uncommon occurrence.

"this week's special's been my favorite recently." something about the attention of his intense eye contact has you nervous, shifting in your stance and brushing loose strands of hair from your face.

"shit, aight, gimme four of 'em." his haze only briefly darts to the little stand showcasing said smoothie before he agrees.

"wh—" the other boy behind him is ignored when he attempts to speak up, the girl only rolling her eyes and directing her attention elsewhere.

nonetheless, you get started on four of the same drink, back turned to the group as you move about — mind full thinking about the smallest interaction between you and the boy.

soon enough, you arrange the smoothies across the counter and ring up the price on a company tablet. that's when you finally look back up at the boy with a small but genuine smile and relay the total.

hassling the previous leader for money, he places the cash on the surface between you two, tonguing at his cheek with an almost amused look when his lips turn up slightly.

the smoothies get distributed and their change is returned, yet that one boy lingers across the counter.

"jj. you're new, yeah?" he finally asks, sticking out the hand that's not holding a drink.

you nod, shaking his hand and checking behind him to make sure nobody is waiting on the exchange before pulling your hand away and telling him your name.

jj nods, not so subtly taking in your full appearance with a sip from the straw. his eyes finally land back on yours and his expression is ever so smug noticing the flush on your cheeks.

knocking on the counter with his knuckles, he shakes his head to himself and starts to walk off in the path his friends went.

"i'll see ya 'round." drawing out your name at the end of his departing statement and winking, jj finally leaves.

it's all you can recall the rest of your shift, especially when you catch his stares from various spots across the beach before being punched in the arm or smacked on the back of his head by what you see now to be his group of pogue friends.

you can't help but smile to yourself, knowing he's just as intrigued by you that you are him — even if it just makes the hands on the clock move faster daydreaming about a cute surfer boy.

[kurokawaia]

❛ NEW START ❜

PostWar!Uchiha Sasuke X Fem!Reader

WC; 1.6k+ | !MDNI! | TW/CW;

⋆·˚ ༘ *𝑅𝐸𝒬𝒰𝐸𝒮𝒯 :: (filled request) hi again!! im the one who requested for the domestic sasuke fic! so for the domestic fic i was thinking either marriage domestic fic or a post-war fic like hospital visits or catching up?? 💗 - ANON

m.list | naruto/boruto m.list | uchiha m.list

You and Sasuke were kids, perhaps six or seven, fooling around the training grounds that bordered the Uchiha compound. Both of you were panting and panting it out after playing tag for a couple of hours or so, on occasion with Itachi showing up to give you both something to drink. Every match you did, Sasuke won them all. Always faster, always a step in front of you, but you never minded that. It was fun being around him, catching the rare smiles and hearing the carefree laughs. You plopped yourself down in the grass, small chest heaving as you struggled to catch your breath. Sasuke sat beside you, his face flushed from running, but his expression calm as always. The two of you stared up at the sky, watching as the first stars started to appear. "I'm going to be the strongest shinobi," Sasuke told you with confident delicacy, as if he had decided upon it long ago. You nodded, smiling softly. "I'll be strong too… and I'll always be with you." Sasuke looked at you, his dark eyes gleaming with a rare softness. "Always?" he repeated. You nodded again this time more determinate. "Always." Then out of nowhere, you blurted, "When we grow up, we are going to get married." Sasuke blinked, clearly taken aback. "Married?" he repeated as if to wrap his head around such a concept, not truly knowing of the meaning, but he liked the notion, being with you all of the time! "Yeah," you replied though you have absolutely no idea what marriage entails. You just knew that you wanted to remain by his side, whatever it took. "That way, we'll always be together, whatever happens." Sasuke was quiet a moment longer, before giving you the barest of smiles, one that was over so fast if you had blinked, you would have missed it. "Alright," he said low enough so that his voice was barely audible above a whisper. "We're getting married." By that time, you didn't realise it, but that harmless promise promised became something you would cling to for so many years later. The only thing that brought you to believe that Sasuke will come back to the village was that he kept his promise, to be with you for all time, to marry you.

Years went by, and that innocent childhood promise was dulled when Sasuke never came back, but then, the war happened. The war had torn so much apart, but Sasuke did come back.  It had leapt in your chest when you first heard Sasuke had been brought back, injured but alive. Running to the hospital, the hope of seeing him overwhelmed your sense of caution. But getting there, he'd been asleep, unconscious from the toll the battle had taken from his body. You look at his left arm, which was now gone. What an idiot. His face was pale, his dark hair fanned out on the pillow, his arm bandaged heavily. A sight of him like that vulnerable, worn down made your heart ache. You stood at the edge of his bed, unsure what to say, your hand reaching out and stopping just shy of touching him. "I'm here, Sasuke," you whispered, even though you knew he couldn't hear you. "I never stopped waiting for you." There wasn't an answer, just the steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. You watched him for what felt like hours, hoping maybe, just maybe, he would wake up and you could tell him everything

He didn't.

The next time you see him, the situation is quite interesting, you had asked Kakashi were Sasuke was as he wasn't in the hospital and you were told he was... elsewhere. Sasuke has been taken into custody by the Interrogation and Torture Division due to his crimes. 

They were dealing with his fate, and though they had villagers both within his support, against him, and everywhere in between, you know it wasn't going to go easy on him. You wished to see him, and with some reluctance, they allowed you to have a small visitation with him. Down the corridors of highly guarded cells, they took you, stopping at the one that housed Sasuke. 

There was that loud creaking of the opening door, and there he sat, hands bound in chakra-suppressing restraints, his head turned away from the door, he could feel it was you, it was obvious even if his eyes and arm were bound. "Sasuke." Your voice was weak, almost quivering, as you took a step closer toward him.  At first, he said nothing, hi head was angled to the ground, not waiting to face you. Then softly, almost to himself inaudibly, he added, "I'm so sorry." It took you a moment to process the words coming from his lips, as Sasuke rarely, if ever, apologized, let alone something huge as what he had pulled. You swallowed, kneeling down in front of him as your hand reached out to touch his despite the restraints. "Sasuke..." you started, your voice on the verge of breaking. "I am," he cut in, his voice now grating but still with that edge of emotion. "I need to apologize. For everything. For leaving, for hurting you, for what I've done… You could read in his posture, the weight of what he was doing and what he had done, he had hurt you so much, that he tried to kill you three times. It wasn't about the war, nor the village, literally everything, every decision he made that further distanced him from the promise you made as children. "I don't care about anything else," you said, steadiness, with the well of tears brimming in your eyes. "I care about you. You came back, Sasuke. That's all that matters." "I don't deserve it," he muttered incoherently. "That's not for you to decide," you said, your hand clenching hard around his. "We were supposed to be together, remember? No matter what. You can't just decide you don't deserve that." Then Sasuke exhaled the softest of sighs, his head bowing slightly. "I'm sorry," he said again, yet it sounded different this time, less for his guilt, more for what he had lost, for what he yet could keep.

You reached up and carefully lifted his chin so he'd look up at you, though his eyes were covered, at least his face was angled towards your own now. "I'm not going anywhere," you whispered, your thumb brushing against his cheek. "We'll figure this out. Together."

Sasukes head fell to your shoulder. "Thank you," he whispered so quietly you would have missed it if there was sound in the room.

when you two are married >.<

The sun peeks through the thin curtains of your shared bedroom. You stir slightly, your body wrapped up in the cocoon of blankets and tangled up in Sasuke. You turn your head slightly, your eyes barely open, to see him beside you. His face is relaxed in sleep, the furrow in his brow smoothed out. Sasuke peaceful, unruffled-in the home you've built together. You'd never imagined living like this, not back then, not when things were still so tenuous. His breathing evens out into a rhythm and you spend several more minutes doing nothing except staring at him. He is forever unreachable, even when he is right beside you, yet here with just the two of you, it's not quite so much the case. With you, Sasuke can be himself. You reach out, your fingertips brushing against his cheek gently, and he stirs. His eyes flicker open, revealing those eyes you've grown so accustomed to-only now, of course, with that new rinnegan you're still getting used to. For a moment, he looks disoriented-like he doesn't remember where he is-but then his gaze reaches yours and mellows out. A giggle almost slipped past your lips at the sigh as he was so cute. "Morning," you whisper, barely heard. He grunts in return-the sort of sound that makes one smile. So like him. After all this time, together, he still manages to remain the same in small ways. Sasuke isn't a morning person, at least, not when words are involved. You prop yourself up on your elbow, the blankets pooling around your waist as you lean down to press a soft kiss to his lips. Are you hungry?" you ask, your fingers brushing through his dark hair, still slightly tousled from sleep. He grunts again, but you can see the ghost of a smile tugging on one corner of his lips. "I'll make something," you say softly, though a part of you wants to stay in bed with him a little while longer. Before you can pull away, Sasuke's fingers wrap around your wrist in a light but firm grasp. "Stay," he mutters, his tone husky with residual sleep. You can't help but smile at the uncharacteristic plea as you settle back into the bed beside him, tucking your body close to his as he pulls you near. His arm wraps around your waist as his forehead presses against yours and the two of you are still, tangled up in one another. The silence between you is comfortable; neither of you has to say anything. Sasuke's hand moves in a languid pattern up and down your back. "I was thinking." you start off softly, breaking the silence, "perhaps we could go visit Naruto and Hinata later. It's been some time since we've seen them." Sasuke is silent for several moments, his body showing only the barest hint of tension at mention of his old comrade. Things have eased some since the war was over, but there is still a distance between them-something faint and lingering and awkward, which neither of them can quite chase away. "Maybe," he says at last, his voice low and small, not unkind. You smile, knowing that's as close to a yes as you're going to get. Progress, you tell yourself silently as you feel a surge of gratitude that Sasuke's at least willing to make the effort. It's more than you could've hoped for a few years ago. His hand resting on your back stops moving, and he shifts slightly, his lips coming into contact with your forehead. "I'll go," he says softly, which takes you a bit by surprise. You lean back just a bit to look up at him, the ghost of a teasing smile tugging at your lips. "Is this Sasuke Uchiha actually agreeing to willingly spend time with Naruto? He rolls his eyes at the teasing, but the barest hint of a smile tugs at his lips. "Don't push it," he mutters, the words devoid of any real bite. You chuckle softly, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Sasuke doesn't respond to your laugh, but the way his hand tightens around your waist says enough.

Do not copy, steal, modify, etc. Relogs and like are appreciated.

m.list | naruto/boruto m.list | uchiha m.list

taglist :: @enouche @lovelyandproblematic

@sugu-love @why-are-you-still-awake

[weirdlookingsnakewithlegs]

Ik this is probably a rlly weird request but could you write about Megatron purposely attempting to get thundercracker and skywarp killed?

Probs for like better control over starscream of smth like that?

I know you probably wanted angst but I could only see this as a chance for Starscream to be the badass motherfucker that he is

To Make An Enemy

Words: 870

“What did you do?”

Megatron’s expression remained imperturbable, helm slowly cocking to the side. “Whatever are you babbling about Starscream?” He looked so high and mighty on that throne of his.

“My trine, Megatron. Novastorm’s trine just returned with them both.” The seeker’s lowered wings feign calm and he watches with great displeasure as a smile crosses the warlord’s face. “They were both close to red lining from energon loss, found under rubble near an Autobot outpost.”

“You sent your seekers to patrol an off limits zone?” Starscream wishes he could gouge Megatron’s optics out.

“You had told me that Thundercracker and Skywarp were to be sent to an off-planet station, not buried beneath rubble and left to die.” His wings twitch, the force he’s using to hold them down straining his hinges. “Were you planning to tell me their sparks flickered out on the way to the station or were you going to announce their would have been demise was your doing? Hm? Would you have painted me as lucky that it were them and not me?”

“Do not put such actions on me, Starscream.” Megatron’s voice is firm, optics narrowing down from his throne. “I don’t know why you bother with such company, neither of them are competent.”

Oh how Starscream feels his wires burn.

“Then perhaps I should take my company elsewhere.” The SIC straightens his back strut, wings shifting upward form their downward position. He takes great pride in hearing Megatron’s servo claw the edge of his throne, watching the warlord sit up. Good, that’s exactly what Starscream wants.

“And where exactly would you go?” The leader’s voice is challenging.

“There are several options.” Starscream responds, turning his helm to peer at his digits. He extends his claws, taking a moment to admire them just to piss Megatron off. “There are many seekers with the neutrals, I’m sure many of my seekers would be happy to reunite with their families.”

Megatron’s expression appears weary and Starscream finally looks back up from his servo, shifting his weight onto one pede. “The Autobots are also a decent choice.”

The leader shoots out of his throne, pedes slamming against the floor as he starts for the SIC.

He opens his intake to yell only to be stopped by the nose cone of Starscream’s missile pressing directly against his denta. The seeker snarls at him, stepping forward to purposefully shove the missile into his intake.

“One wrong move and I’ll blast that oversized helm of yours back to the All Spark.”

Megatron doesn’t move, he only glances at his surrounding soldiers and TIC. Soundwave doesn’t look away from his systems but he notes the way Ravage is staring him down.

A thought crosses his mind.

Starscream thrusts his arm forward, knocking Megatron back slightly. “Don’t you even think of trying to get out of this with that fusion cannon of yours. My missiles fire faster than your stupid little cannon charges.”

He preens at the expression Megatron gives him, a smile tugging at the corners.

He takes a step forward, pushing Megatron back despite their size difference. Starscream’s expression is neigh unreadable to the leader but the few seekers in the room seem to be watching with interest. Wings twitch and helms cock.

“A good leader doesn’t kill off his soldiers just because they’re not trained for a fight.” Starscream’s voice gathers his attention, his movements forcing Megatron to his knees. “We are at war, not fighting in the pits. You may be a gladiator but we are not warriors, you have a many civil mech here and should you wish to eradicate those who were not made to fight you would lose half your army to your own hands and the other half to rebellion.”

The seekers wings twitch, optics watching Megatron’s expression. “Not to mention you have made an attempt on my trine’s sparks, therefore an attempt on my own. Give me one good reason not to-“

“Starscream: would gain nothing from killing Lord Megatron.” Soundwave’s voice sounds from the side, gathering the Winglord’s attention.

“Wrong, I would gain much satisfaction from snuffing his pathetic spark.”

The response is met with silence as Starscream’s optics meet Soundwave’s visor. There’s a moment where Megatron actually believes Soundwave would allow Starscream to continue.

And then the seeker exvents, turning his attention back to their leader. His optics narrow before his other servo moves forward, sharp claws twitching over his chassis. It’s the only warning he gets before his sensors flag pain.

The seekers sharp talon drags along his chassis, purposely digging into the metal. The intent to leave a mark hangs just as open as the fresh wound.

“There, nothing compared to what you let my trine go through but at least if you misbehave again I know where to aim.” Starscream’s voice coos, pulling his missile from Megatron’s intake. “Now enough gawking! Don’t you all have patrols to get to?”

The surrounding mechs, seekers included, scatter and Starscream gives Megatron one last leer before he too leaves the room, thrusters purposefully clicking against the floor.

“Suggestion: do not make Starscream an enemy.”

Megatron doesn’t respond to Soundwave, lifting himself off his knees as he eyes the exit of the room.

He carefully rubs the newly carved mark that sits above his spark chamber.

[hopepunk-humanity]

While waiting for my bus, I saw a little caterpillar, a few inches away from where I sat on the concrete divider that separated the train tracks from the bus stop. If I had sat elsewhere I may not have seen it, I might have sat on it, but i didn't.

Upon seeing it (and sending a video to my bug loving partner), I noticed it was headed in the direction of a tree in full Spring bloom. I thought it would make a great home for the little guy, lots of food, shade and branches to make a chrysalis. Now I'm still overcoming being highly entomophobic and I definitely still have my moments with flying bugs. But I know that the me of 2 years ago would have never searched for a wood chip to pick up a caterpillar with and safely relocate it to a tree. I would have moved away, choosing to stand instead of being on the same concrete wall it was on, I would have itched the whole time I was waiting for the bus.

And I still itched that afternoon (there were ants in the wood chips) and I panicked when the caterpillar got close to my fingers. But I was filled with a sense of pride and joy at seeing this little life quickly exploring their new environment, moving much faster among the leaves and branches than on the hot concrete.

I think that's human nature, even if it's scary, we like helping smaller, more vulnerable life forms. It makes us feel big and important in a world that tries its best to make us small and inconsequential. I think I'm okay with being a person if it means that 😊

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

book 7 part 5 thoughts!!

***THIS POST CONTAINS MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR BOOK 7 PART 5 OF THE MAIN STORY!!***

If you’d like to watch a rough part-by-part summarized translation, please check out this archived stream!

Please note: this is NOT meant to be a summary or a translation; these are only my initial thoughts on the events that unfold. There may be details overlooked or misunderstood in this post, so PLEASE do not use this as a translation.

Starting off strong with some lore on magic! Teleportation magic involves breaking oneself down and reconstructing elsewhere. If the distance from point A to point B is too large and/or the caster is in poor health, the magic may fail or be difficult to perform.

Hmmm... Lilia is reacting very emotionally to the situation, but it is Baul that is (mostly) rational and reminding Lilia to keep calm. I'd anticipate it being the other way around, so that's quite interesting.

HUH... Even Sebek is staying calmer here than Lilia is; Sebek recalls training with Lilia and how they were taught that they have to stay calm to think and plan effectively in tough situations. Ironic that the old Lilia was the type to go against the advice he would later give and instill in his pupils. Again, it goes to show how much he has changed since then.

AH, BAUL'S BEING A TSUNDERE AGAIN 🤡 He's telling the kids to stay behind because the situation has changed... "Don't foolishly discard the life Lilia-sama protected", "humans shouldn't be fighting alongside fae anyway", etc. (And, of course, Silver's the one to step up and tell him fae or human, it doesn't matter and he still owes Lilia his life all the time.) NOW'S NOT THE TIME TO TALK, GUYS... MALLEMOM'S GONNA BE GAME ENDED

Weird sounds downstairs? SILBEK KICK DOWN THE DOOR and we find some chefs in hiding. adhbasvfvuvfqeilfe;o THEY MISTAKE SILVER FOR THE DAWN KNIGHT... More sussy behavior implying the Dawn Knight must be his ancestor.

They ask for brooms to transport the injured faster. Silver's negotiation skills come in clutch again, he convinces the chefs to direct them to the brooms even though it would be helping the fae, the humans' enemies.

Not Sebek's stomach growling now of all times... NOT SEBEK DENYING IT SO MUCH (it's okay, they get pity and some food from the chefs!)

Found a room full of birds; they seem to be for transporting messages. Silver feeds them some of the bread they got from the chefs. Wow, Sebek's actually being sneaky/clever (?). He tells Silver he's loved by animals, so time to use that now so they can use the birds.

AKHBBGSKUVYEQFBI NOT GRIM WANTING TO EAT THE BIRDS

Bleh, we have another time-gated, character-limited map segment. Silver and Sebek take up 2 of the 5 slots. Again, the cards' health does not regenerate unless you land on a special square. Luckily for us, there is only a single path forward rather than a larger, sprawling map.

NO KIDDING, THE BIRDS HELP THEM FIGHT THE SILVER OWLS... Literally they're swooping in and tugging on the knights' cape and stuff... the squirrels nibbled away at their catapults' rope too... chucking rocks at them... THE BIRDS POOPED ON THEIR ARMOR TOO???????? Imagine training your whole life to put your life on the line for your home country, only to be literally shat on and defeated by woodland creatures...

Lilia: I hate children. Also Lilia: *rushes into battle to protect the children and gives them head pats for a job well done and asks them to be safe*

Silver continues to be a Disney princess!! They find some horses tied up and he's like "let's free them". Sebek drops some club lore; Silver is one of the better students in Equestrian Club when it comes to soothing the horses. True Horse Girl at heart, huh??

Silver and Sebek are surprised that what they learned in school is actually helping the in a "real world" sense. Man, I wish that was true of irl high school education too...

The Silver Owls recruited mercenaries from other countries to help them seize Briar Country's resources??? The others pitch in because they live in fear of a dragon attacking them.

They're going to teleport into the castle, but they can't teleport out since they can't guarantee the safety of Tamago-sama... They're going to use the underground waterways to escape!

There's a mountain range that protects another castle of the royal family, Black Scale Castle. Malleus's mom is currently in an unprotected castle, Wild Rose.

Wow, what a peaceful vista straight out of Sleeping Beauty. I sure hope it doesn't become tainted by blood being spilt and bodies dropping or anything craaazy like that/j

DAWN KNIGHT INCOMING???? Silver's ring starts??? Going off??? When he sees the Dawn Knight...

Heinrich reveal too! He seems like just as much of a scumbag as all the rumors say he is (he wants a dragon to ride, tells the Dawn Knight he's only good for his swordsmenship, etc). BRO JUST STRAIGHT UP SAYS HE WANTS TO TAKE MALLEMOM'S EGG AND RAISE IT TO BE HIS STEED... 💀 WTF THAT'S SO DARK

This asshole reminds me of Jack Horner from Puss in Boots 2: The Last Wish, who is another irredeemably evil man with a small face and a generally grotesque design.

Heinrich is after the castle and some very powerful magestone called "Princess's Glow"? Not sure, did not hear the second word well.

He's giving them 30 minutes to send the princess out for a one-on-one duel with the Dawn Knight. If she wins, they'll retreat (I DON'T BELIEVE THAT FOR ONE SECOND).

NOT THE CASUAL FAE RACISM... Heinrich calls Mallemom a "witch". If you'll remember!! In book 6, Lilia says that mages were once called witches, but implied that those terms are now outdated and considered derogatory.

The Dawn Knight is like Silver! He tries to tell Heinrich this isn't right, but Heinrich tells him that since his father took the Dawn Knight in as an orphan, the Dawn knight "owes" them. It's a twisted parallel to Silver and Lilia's relationship (because Silver says he feels like he "owes" Lilia and has to repay him).

Okay, so to review the family tree??? The king of the human faction is sick and they want the Princess's Glow to heal him. The king is the dad of Heinrich and Leah; the king would also later take in the Dawn Knight. Leah and the Dawn Knight are in love.

Malleus's mom's official name is "Meleanor" (a location name is written in English with this)i. The castle's halls really resemble those in Diasomnia dorm (I think it's a reused asset). (Now that I think about it??? Didn't they also reuse the VDC backstage background for the eastern fortress?)

SHE'S SINGING???????? A lullaby for her baby, it seems. Bruh... Malleus sang like a line from this lullaby before he game-ended everyone with his UM... HE REMEMBERED HER SONG FROM INSIDE THE EGG SHELL??????????

MALLEMOM REVEAL AW YEAH (she starts zapping Lilia with lightning lol; she's mad at Lilia for showing up late to defend her and her egg) SHE'S THE HOT GOTH GF

OMG EGG REVEAL TOO... UNBORN MALLEUS... (The egg looks like it has blot running down it too, which is insane)

ADBLIsfiablfa IT'S SO WEIRD SEEING HER SIMP ON MAIN, she says he knows her unborn child will grow up to be a beautiful man just like her husband... (Sebek is practically sobbing from happiness that he gets to witness Meleanor name Malleus.)

The ear shape is really coming back to bite them; Mallemom noticed them and now her anger is turning to our group. She forces us to kneel with magic... Jafar energy fr

"Princess Glow" is the green orb in Mallemom's staff!

Lilia tells some embarrassing stories of the princess's tomboyish youth; "And though you always scolded me, you never failed to join me in my mischief" -- Mallemom to Lilia

She agrees to duel the Dawn Knight while the others escape with her child... Now Mallemom and Lilia are fighting because Lilia refuses to follow through with her order.

NOOOOOOO SILVER JUMPED IN TO PROTECT LILIA FROM MALLEMOM'S LIGHTNING 😭 EVEN THOUGH HE KNOWS IT'S A DREAM, HE DOESN'T WANT TO SEE HIS DAD HURT

Lilia trauma time :)) "I can't lose both you (Meleanor) and Raverne (Malleus's dad)".

IT'S LIKE WE THEORIZED, LADS. Mallemom says that if anything happens to her, then it's up to Lilia to help Malleus hatch with the POWER OF TRUE LOVE... BUT LILIA THINKS HE CAN'T HATCH IT BECAUSE HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND A PARENT'S LOVE

OH MY GOOOOOOD THE PIPING HOT TEA, MELEANOR SAID LILIA PROPOSED TO HER WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG... OVER 200 YEARS AGO

sdhbfbiyoaifofi Mallemom says that Lilia "also loves Raverne" and that those two spent more time together than a "married couple". You could interpret this as Lilia being bisexual or just as them being really good friends, as Meleanor never specifies if Lilia “loves” Raverne romantically.

Suddenly, Lilia's special card name makes sense! Lilia is the "Right General", and Raverne is the "Left General".

The weather shifted according to Meleanor's anger. Like mother, like son... This woman also quotes Maleficent so much...

OOOOH we get to watch a battle between Mallemom (dragon form) vs the Dawn Knight. Mallemom uses all null/cosmic magic, just like Dorm Uniform Malleus. The Dawn Knight uses light type null/cosmic magic just like Silver does too!

Dawn Knight face reveal?! He's basically Silver copy-pasted but long blonde hair. Dude's really out here looking like a Sonic OC recolor/j

The Dawn Knight also has a crown-like ring on a chain. It's an item that was given to him by guardian fairies when he was young; there is no other like it.

YASASHII... The Dawn Knight notices our group has the egg and tells them to run. He doesn't want Heinrich to get his hands on it either... Crowley, takes notes 😭

UHHHHH SILVER'S CRYING AND SHOUTING... I think he realized that he's descended from the Dawn Knight, serving on the faction that's brought so much harm to his loved ones and home country. "Am I family to the enemy?!" His denseness is truly to his detriment here.

Uh-oh, Silver's being pulled into the "darkness" of the dream, thinking it would be better to just stay here than face reality... He's losing hope, DOING THE THING HE FORESHADOWED LAST UPDATE... IF HE EVER FALLS INTO THE DARKNESS, THEN PLEASE PULL HIM OUT... (Another map segment with Silver required; you have to find your way around in the dark.)

NOOOOO NOT SILVER SEEING HIMSELF AS THE DAWN KNIGHT THAT HIS DAD'S STRIKING DOWN IN VENGENCE OTL WHAT IS THIS, IT'S SO SICK AND TWISTED

400 years after conflict, the peace treaty was signed between fae and humans. Wild Rose Castle is now left in ruins; the rumors say it is haunted. The diurnal fae casted a spell on Wild Rose to keep humans away.

HUH???? LILIA FOUND BABY SILVER IN THE ABANDONED WILD ROSE CASTLE?????

Uhhh so apparently after the war we saw, another conflict broke out for territory and the Silver Owls got their asses handed to them.

LILIA UNIQUE MAGIC REVEAL... HE CAN READ THE MEMORIES OF THINGS HE TOUCHES????? (Reminds me of "Dimensional Scream" from Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of TIme/Darkness/Sky!) "Far Cry Cradle" is the name! We also get the chant: "As if it were a day. Everywhere I go, it will be in a blink of an eye."

BABY SILVER?????

Silver was magically put to sleep for hundreds of years by some small (guardian) fairies?!?!?!?!?!?!? Because conflicts were still going on and his parents wished for him to live in a world free of war. When Silver meets someone who "loves" him, he will wake up from his magic-induced slumber. NOW THE BABY IS AWAKE AND CRYING

... Wait. Doesn't that mean. Silver is technically older than Malleus... since Malleus is only 178 years old and Silver's been sleeping for like 400 years????? OTL SILVER OLD MAN ERA??????

NOT (PAST) LILIA BEING TSUNDERE, he says he thinks the guardian fairies' magic is fading with time... he doesn't even consider that he'd ever love the baby...

"I'm not someone who deserves your love" - Silver, casually cuing all of our tears

Silver's hair was originally blonde; It became silver when he received a fairy's blessing (Lilia's). LILIA SAYS "May the Night bless you" and says that the day he found Silver is his new birthday. So the Dawn Knight has gold hair because it's blessed by a diurnal fae, but with silver hair like moonlight, Silver won't stand out in Briar Valley.

I CAN'T WITH LILIA, SILVER SAYS HE WAS NAMED THAT BECAUSE OF HIS HAIR COLOR IN A BIRTHDAY VIGNETTE... Yet here we see Lilia actually named him Silver as in silver moonlight to guide people in the darkness...

"Even if I have to give up my own life, I want to protect my child", that's a sentiment that both Lilia's princess and the Dawn Knight expressed. I think this kind of thinking probably helped Lilia put everything into perspective and better understand that humans and fae are actually very similar.

SILVER/LILIA HOME REVEAL, we're seeing some point later in time but before present day when Lilia is still raising baby Silver.

Lilia is singing the same lullaby as what Meleanor sang for Malleus in the egg!! Malleus pays them a visit and still doesn't really seem to understand humans (HE SAYS SILVER LIKE A MONKEY????) but also helps watch baby Silver... He even hums his mom's lullaby for Silver, but cannot seem to remember where he heard the song before.

It's so weird thinking about how fae take 30 YEARS TO LEARN HOW TO WALK... What do you do for those 30 years, just lie on your back????? OTL

LILIA READS SILVER BEDTIME STORIES

Oh, Lilia's understanding humans and fae a little better (around the time Silver starts to eat pureed foods). Both human and fae babies cry and sleep, etc. BHFABIYFVQIQEFL hE'S FEEDING SILVER RAT MEAT???????? Malleus has to have the castle prepare baby food for them...

WAHHHHH THAT ACRON BRACELET LILIA TREASURES IS SOMETHING KID!SILVER MADE FOR HIM... Squirrels helped him gather the acorns and woodpeckers helped him string the acorns together. The acorn amulet is meant to bring Lilia a long, healthy, and happy life (something Silver was told by forest fae). Even as a kid... Silver was hoping for Lilia's health... and now that I think about it, the acorn amulet is like a representation of Lilia's own deteriorating health over time... OTL

"I feel like I can live a thousand years with this (amulet)..." LILIA EVEN KEPT IT ALL THIS TIME AND CALLS IT HIS MOST PRECIOUS BELONGING... shUT UP, SHUT UP IM CRYING

ASKHBLIDIBIFIA WE'RE SEEING THE RAINING SCENE LILIA TOLD US ABOUT IN ONE OF HIS BIRTHDAY VIGNETTES???!?!?!?!????!? It's the day Silver realized he and Lilia aren't related by blood...

God, there are so many of the map portions... This time, Sebek is the required character!

The rest of the gang are transported to the darkness where Silver is wallowing?? Sebek sees some of his own memories which intertwin with Silver's (since Baul sometimes took bare of Silver or visited Lilia). It's also confirmed that Lilia went to Sebek's dad to ask for advice on how to raise Silver.

Back then, Baul asked Lilia to train Sebek since he's part human (and therefore "weak" in Baul's eyes). However, Baul still values his grandson and wants him to have a good education 🥺 (Sebek's older brother also graduated from NRC??)

Lilia tore up his invitation to NRC???? But it was his friend Raverne who came to him with the invitation pieced back together and kept it safe for the future in case Lilia reconsidered. It seems like Raverne really is a diplomat; he stresses the importance of humans coming to understand fae + vice versa, and how it's things like learning a common language that can help bridge these gaps.

Lilia confirms that Raverne must have "become a star" by now BUT UNTIL I SEE A CORPSE I'M NOT BELIEVING IT

Sebek's trying to get through to Silver, who's slowly being swallowed by the darkness... HE UNVEILS HIS UM, "Living Bolt"!! "Thrust through the clouds, o' lightning!" It seems to summon a powerful strike of lightning, but I'm not entirely sure what it does because the visuals of the game are a little confusing??? (Like it shows a white silhouette of Sebek moving around, so it makes me think he can... control the lightning??? Or he... becomes lightning itself to move around??? DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT.) Sebek says he hasn't mastered it yet so maybe even he doesn't know what it can do.

With Sebek's UM, he's able to snap Silver out of it!

THE GIRLIES ARE FIGHTING... There's literally a battle between Silver and Sebek, which resolves with Sebek smacking some sense into Silver. Sebek calls him an idiot and tells him to stop saying he isn't loved, because it's rude of Silver to be this weak when Lilia raised him to be strong (ie "IT'S AN INSULT TO LILIA-SAMA", "IF HE SAW YOU BEING THIS PATHETIC HE'D BE SAD", etc). Way to go with your words of encouragement... 100/10 motivational speaker, Sebek.

Silver realizes that he has had Lilia's love and support all this time... "It's true love", Silver says. The true love that his guardian fairies said would wake him from his sleep... 😭I really appreciate how it was Silver who first snapped Sebek out of his dream-induced despair, and now Sebek is doing the same for Silver.

WAIT THAT'S IT?????? THAT'S THE UPDATE???? ?? ??? ? ????????? 🤡 TWST really said, "I'm coming for everyone's throat and I'm taking no prisoners" AND THEN DIPPED ON US AFTER DROPPING SO MANY BOMBSHELLS... This is just the fate of every book 7 main story update now, isn't it???!??????!?

asidoavyfqevofb I know a ton of really exciting and shocking reveals happened this time around, but while my mind is still racing to process everything... the one thing that sticks out to me is "Ace is the only one without a UM now". IT'S SO FUNNY HOW HE THOUGHT HE'D GET HIS UM BEFORE DEUCE BUT HE ACTUALLY ENDS UP BEING THE LAST OF THE ENTIRE MAIN CAST TO GET IT................. .. . . . .. ....... .. .. . .. ... . . . .. THERE IS SOME CRUEL, SICK IRONY HERE.

I pretty much said all my other thoughts as they cropped up along with the corresponding story beats!! But overall, I loved learning more about the characters and their shared history. Part 5 confirmed many theories, such as the Dawn Knight being related to Silver (and not his ancestor, but rather his actual dad), Silver being put under a sleeping curse that requires true love to break, how Lilia came to raise Silver, etc. It also recontexualizes lore we already knew, such as how Silver got his name, the Zigvolt family's involvement with Lilia, and how Lilia changed from his old self to his current self.

khbhasdsbkuavuofafabf I ALSO CAN'T BELIEVE LILIA X MALLEMOM IS A THING, THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST SHOCKING REVEALS THIS ENTIRE UPDATE😭 All this time we were joking about Lilia x Mrs. Spade... turns out, Lilia was into someone else's mom... HE'S JUST INTO MOMS, I'M CALLING IT NOW/j

I'm surprised that we didn't get to catch up with the Shroud brothers whatsoever this time??? Not a single peep about Ortho (who has 'woken up and is actively working to help everyone) or even Idia (who is still stuck dreaming)... I really hope the next update addresses how Ignihyde is faring, cuz I miss them and want to know how they contribute to saving the day!!

As book 7 progresses, it progressively calls the image of a spinning wheel into my mind... This is the case especially for the flashback segments we see, which shows us how the various members of Diasomnia are related to each other, and, by extension, their other family members. Lilia is raising Silver, the baby of an old foe. Malleus is visiting Lilia, who is implied to have helped hatch him after his parents died and/or went missing. Lilia asks Sebek's dad for help raising Silver. Baul asks Lilia to help mentor his grandson, Sebek. It really harkens back to the "individually, we're threads on a spinning wheel, but we come together to make something far stronger" line that Lilia dropped at the end of book 6, proving that the spinning wheel and the threads of Fate within it are an important motif for book 7 🥺

I'm fine.

This is fine.

It's not fine

[gabessquishytum]

Hob has never been what society says an Omega should be. He is too loud, too clumsy, too hairy and too broad-shouldered. It made getting a date, let alone finding a mate all but impossible but at the end of the day Hob has long since come to terms that because he would rather be himself then stuck with an Alpha that could 'fix him'

Dream had known himself to b a bit of an odd Alpha, Its not because of his slighter build or quieter nature; he has been told multiple time that he has the presence of a king, but rather his taste in Omegas. Nothing turns him off faster them some meek little thing with soft hands that look as if they have never touch dirt, ready to do anything he says.

They both decided to go to the White Horse Bar on the same night, Dream is determined to get the number of the Omega he just watched OK a pushy Alpha, He is pretty sure that his his soon-to-be-mate.

Omg the image of omega Hob punching some gross touchy alpha is so precious to me!!!!!

Of course, even though the whole thing wasn't his fault, Hob gets kicked out of the bar. Dream rushes out after him, only realising at the last second that maybe he's the creep now - but it's too late. In the street outside, Hob is nursing his bruised fist and he looks very ready to fight again if necessary. Dream shows a slightly submissive stance and asks if he can look at Hob’s hand - he has medical training and he wants to help. Hob relaxes and lets Dream disinfect his scraped knuckles with an antibacterial wipe, and the whole time he's ranting about how alphas suck, he's sick of being hit on by creeps, he just wants to be himself.

Mid-rant he seems to realise that Dream is actually an alpha, and he kind of trails off... but Dream just grins and tells him that it's fine. He thinks that Hob is kind of awesome. And he gladly offers to buy Hob a drink elsewhere.

Hob is wary. He spends a lot of their time together trying to put Dream off - listing all his bad habits, how he can't and won't submit easily, how he wants to work and live and shape his own destiny. But of course Dream just likes him more and more with every word. And he thinks that Hob is beautiful.

They have loud, rough sex in Hob’s crappy one bedroom flat. At one point they end up on the floor - Hob has Dream pinned under him, and he's riding his knot for all its worth. The grin on his face is feral and gorgeous and Dream knows for sure that he's found his mate. He's in love with this big, hairy, loud mouthed omega. He can't wait to see what their life together will be like.

(Of course they're perfectly suited - Hob becomes a university lecturer, Dream writes medical books and stays home with their eventual children. And whenever it becomes necessary to defend his family and mate, Hob still throws an EXCELLENT punch.)

[molosseraptor]

what is the advantage of a clicker compared to just praising the dog or giving it a treat? bc as I understood even if you use a clicker you still have to give a reward every time you click, so why not just do it directly? adding a clicker seems like adding an extra step

It's correct that you have to give a reward every time you click, but the clicker itself isn't used as a way to reward behavior. It’s to mark correct behavior. You don't have to use a clicker if you don't want to, but you do have to mark behavior in some way if you want the dog to learn faster and with reduced confusion/frustration. Some people opt to mark with a specific word like "yes" or "good" or a distinct sound. Other people, like myself, use multiple marker systems that tell the dog not only that they're getting food or a toy but also where and how those items are being delivered.

There was a great recent podcast that gives some nice entry level information about multiple marker systems and how you can apply them by Shade Whitesel, one of the pioneers of using multiple marker systems, if you'd like to learn more about what that means and how it might apply to your own training.

As far as the clicker itself, there are several benefits over just using a generic marker word.

It has a clear, distinct sound that the dog doesn't hear any other time so it's obvious that they've done something correct and reinforcement is coming. Sometimes our words fade into the background, especially in busy environments.

It sounds the same no matter who is doing the clicking. That’s a nice way to maintain consistency in a multi-person household. Even if everyone uses the word "yes" our tone, pitch, and cadence are all a bit different. Dogs can and will cope with that, but consistency can speed up learning.

We also tend to have a bit better timing with our clicks than our words. Most people have faster reflexes than they do speech, so you're more likely to be able to mark the exact moment the dog does the correct action. I tend to use a clicker most when I'm shaping or working on skills that really require excellent and precise timing.

Last, the clicker ,and marking in general, helps with reducing reinforcement and getting food out of your hands and off your body.

The order of events should always be: behavior -> marker -> pause -> reward

The marker lets the dog know they were correct in the moment and buys you 3-5 seconds (longer if you have a robust marker system that the dog trusts) in which to get the reward from your bag/pocket or somewhere nearby and give it to the dog.

If you don't mark behaviors at all, by the time you get that reward and give it to your dog, they might be doing an entirely different behavior that you are now unintentionally reinforcing through lack of clarity. It slows the learning and confuses the dog. Most people don't need a million markers, but using something consistently is far better than using nothing when it comes to the efficacy of your training. Of course dogs can learn without markers. They’re amazing and so resilient in the face of our poor communication, but why make things harder for you both?

In my pet dog classes I teach four main food markers and add two others for my more advanced/sport students. For pet people, come to the food (yes/click), i'm bringing the food to you (good), tossed food (get it), and treat scatter (find it) markers are pretty much all you need to have some really good clarity and management tools for you and your dog. For my advanced students I add a "dish" marker (you're allowed to go eat off a specific plate or bowl) and "party" marker (the dog and I are going to get a reward from elsewhere like on a table/chair/crate/etc.). I don't do much toy work in my classes because that's all so individual based on the dog and your sport goals, but I have many toy markers for my own dogs and other food markers as well.

[five-rivers]

Cracked Clay Cup Chapter 11

@greatbigolhampuckjustforme

“So,” said Danny, leaning over the back of the couch.  After Frostbite, he somehow had more energy.  Maybe it was part of his core being active?

“So?” echoed Clockwork, an eyebrow raised.  

Danny blushed.  He’d derailed his own train of thought quite thoroughly.  “Frostbite taught me how to do some things.”

“As did Vladimir, presumably?” asked Clockwork.  “And Jasmine?”

“Well, sure,” said Danny.  “But, like.  More specifically, he showed me how to make things.  With ice.”

“If you are asking for permission to use your powers, you may.”

“Even though I’m inside?”

“You could hardly use them elsewhere,” said Clockwork.  “In any case, this place was created for your benefit.  I only ask that you keep the kitchen and the workshop in order.”

“And your room, right?” 

Clockwork shrugged, and slotted the book he’d been perusing back onto the shelf. “I am not particularly attached to it.”

“You do sleep, though, right?  I know you said that you only sleep once in a while, but staying awake all the time like that can’t be healthy.”

“I am a ghost, Daniel,” said Clockwork.  

“Frostbite slept,” argued Danny.  “He’s a ghost.”

Clockwork sighed.  “If it will give you peace of mind, I can take a nap.”

Danny squinted at Clockwork.  He felt as if this conversation had diverged wildly from his initial aim.  “I… think it would?”

“You sound uncertain.”

“It would,” said Danny, trying to sound more confident.  

Clockwork patted him on the head as he flew past, towards the short hallway that contained the way to both Clockwork’s room and the workshop.  “I will be awake in time to make you dinner.”

Danny wondered if he could, possibly, preempt Clockwork and cook dinner for them himself, but dismissed the idea.  Anything that relied on beating Clockwork in a matter of timing was doomed to fail.  He had other things he wanted to try out, anyway. 

He dropped himself onto the couch and gathered cold in his hands.  Frostbite had shown him how to make rough shapes out of ice.  Simple things like crystals, spheres, cubes.  

He was going to try something a little bit more complicated this time, though.  He had the time, since he was, once again, wracked with indecision about which of his potential guardians he should choose.  Now that he’d seen Frostbite, he had visited all the odd-numbered entries.  He should probably just decide on a method of choosing the next people, and then stick with that for the next three.  Then, he’d be able to move through them faster.  

If faster was what he wanted.  That was a big if.  

Maybe he should just go from the top.  He’d already run into the Observants, aka the only people he definitely wasn’t going to choose, and he’d gone very much out of order already, so that was unlikely to trigger any unpleasant traps.  Although, then, he’d be going from older candidates to younger ones…  Did that really matter, though?  Well, as long as they were all older than Jazz, and at least, like, adults…

He was so involved and occupied by his work and his thoughts that he didn’t realize that Clockwork had returned.  

“What would you like for dinner?” asked Clockwork.  

Danny startled, and the object he’d been shaping shot out of his hands and buried itself in the wall opposite the couch.  “Oops,” he said.  “Sorry.”

“Accidents happen,” said Clockwork, pulling the object out of the wall and turning it over in his hands.  “A gear?”

Danny shrugged.  “I wasn’t able to make it even, but I thought it would be good practice?  And it could be, like, a decoration or something.  A paperweight.  Since you, um, like gears.”

“Hm,” said Clockwork.  He flew over to the kitchen.  Danny bounced up off the couch and followed him.  

Once in the kitchen, Clockwork went to the fridge.  Danny watched with interest and confusion as Clockwork held the slightly malformed gear up against the fridge door and stuck it there.  They looked at it together, Danny trying to figure out exactly how Clockwork had done that.  

“Yes,” said Clockwork, “that’s very nice, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” said Danny, still feeling confused.  There was something… off about this.  Not wrong, or bad, but… off.  He blinked and shook his head.  “For dinner… something hot, I think.  Warm and spicy.”

“Certainly,” said Clockwork.  “Burritos it is.”

.

“I think I know who I’ll see next,” said Danny, shaping a lump of ice between his hands as if it was clay.  He didn’t know what it’d be, but it was calming.  

Clockwork hummed, indicating he was listening even as he flipped the french toast he was preparing for breakfast over in the pan.  

“I think I’ll see Pandora.”

“Ah, and why have you chosen her?”

“Because she is a her,” said Danny.  “Like, I don’t think I’ve actually seen a girl since Jazz.  I…  Don’t think the Observants really have genders, do they?”

“Not precisely as you would understand it.  However, most of them go by either ‘it’ or ‘he,’ for future reference.”

“Right.  But Vlad and the Dairy King were both guys.  Frostbite was a guy.  It’s kind of hard to tell whether or not the other two groups have any girls in them, but I’m pretty sure someone named Pandora is going to be a girl.  Especially since her little profile mentions being a queen.”  He wrinkled his nose.  “Unless this is, like, a drag queen thing.  That’d still be something different, though.”

Clockwork slid some french toast onto Danny’s plate and Danny immediately slathered it in maple syrup and butter.  French toast was Danny’s favorite type of toast because you could make it smooth.  All other kinds of toast he knew of could burn.  Figuratively and literally.  

“Anyway, I’ve been kind of wondering…”

“Yes?” prompted Clockwork, when Danny didn’t continue.  

“I’ve been wondering, what’s going on that so many people, you know, want me?”  He made a face.  “I didn’t phrase that very well.  There’s just, like, um…  Okay.  So, the Observants are important, right?”

“Moderately so.”

“Right.  And Frostbite.  Frostbite has to be important.  He told me about a bunch of stuff his tribe takes care of and what else they do.  Then, there’s Vlad and the Dairy King.  Well, Vlad, mostly, I don’t know what the Dairy King’s status is in the Zone, but Vlad’s super rich, and his house was in the human world.  Add that in to this Pandora…  These people are important.  Why are so many of them fighting over me?”

“Didn’t Vladimir and Chief Frostbite both tell you about your exploits defeating Pariah Dark?”

“Yeah, sort of, but that seems like it was mostly down to some enchanted armor or tech.  And convincing other people to do stuff.  Which, I don’t know, that sounds like something anyone could have done.  In retrospect.”  In the moment, when he’d been hearing the story, he’d been very proud of himself, but, once he’d sat down and thought about it, he’d… rethought that.  

Clockwork gave him a look.  

“What?”

“And Vladimir shared the story of your defeat of Vortex?”

“Sure.”

“Frostbite mentioned your victory over Undergrowth.”

“I don’t get where you’re going with this.”

Clockwork sighed.  

“What?” asked Danny, aware he was whining.  

“Don’t you think that these accomplishments are significant?  Perhaps significant enough to draw the attention of, as you said, important people?”

“I guess,” said Danny.  “Hey, was Vlad lying about knowing my parents, then?  If he was interested in me for a different reason?”  

“I cannot tell you that, Daniel,” said Clockwork, obviously exasperated.  

“Not even a little?  Not even with, like, a nod or a wink?”

“No,” said Clockwork.  

Danny grumbled and turned his attention back to his breakfast.  

.

When the light of the portal cleared from his eyes, Danny was unsurprised to find himself among tall, Greek-style pillars.  The pillars weren’t the only tall things around, though.  He craned his head up to look at the face of the tall, blue-skinned, four-armed ghost waiting for him on a large throne.  She wore bronze and black armor over long robe-like clothing.  

“Phantom,” she said, warmly, gesturing broadly with one of her hands.  “Welcome to my home.”

“Thank you, um, Queen Pandora.”

She chuckled.  “I know I mentioned that on those silly little papers the Observants had me fill out, but there’s no need for formality between us.  Not when you have done me so much good.”

“Um.  Okay,” said Danny.  He looked around a bit more.  He knew that there was a specific name for those columns and the carvings on the walls, but he couldn’t, for the half-life of him, remember.  He returned his gaze to Pandora.  “What did I do?”

“You helped me regain my box when it was stolen from me.”

“Was it a special box?” asked Danny.  He decided to fly up to perch on one of the large statues, so he didn’t have to lean back so far.  “If it was that important to you.”

“It was,” said Pandora.  “I have set myself the task of cleansing the Infinite Realms of evil.  My box is my latest prison for evil creatures and forces.  The one who took it attempted to release those things upon both the Realms and the Earth.”

“Oh,” said Danny.  “That sounds hard.  Cleansing the Realms of evil.  How do you even tell if something is evil?”  He bit his lower lip.  “You don’t have any people in there, do you?”

Pandora laughed.  “No, I am well aware of those pitfalls.  I speak of mindless spirits born from negative energies.  They range from pests like snakes and ghost fires, to wyverns and unicorns, to even greater, darker things.”

“Unicorns?” asked Danny, skeptically.  

“There are good unicorns as well, but I don’t have much to do with those.”  

“And unicorns are dangerous?”

“They are large herbivores with a spear on their forehead.”

Danny guessed that did make sense.  “And I helped you catch them again?”

Pandora nodded.  “Some might say that you were only following your Obsession, but as I set myself my task in pursuit of my own Obsession, why should that prevent me from showing my gratitude?  Indeed, a ghost’s Obsession reveals much about their character.  Should a ghost not be rewarded for what they are and what they have chosen to be?”

Danny nodded and assayed a question.  “What’s an Obsession?”

Pandora, who had, until then, been lounging, sat up straight, her red eyes wide.  “Pardon?”

Danny cleared his throat.  “What’s an Obsession?”

.

“So,” said Danny, shifting slightly to get his body better aligned on the Greek-style couch he’d somehow wound up on, “an Obsession is, like, the purpose of your life– Um.  Afterlife.”

Pandora nodded.  “Mine is the battle against evil, the exaltation of the good.  We never spoke explicitly of yours, but I must assume it was something similar.  Did no one speak to you of this beforehand?”

“No.”  Danny felt the need to pout.  “Not even Clockwork.”

“What an incredible oversight,” said Pandora.  She shook her head.  “And no one has been giving you any outlet for your Obsession?  Any way to pursue your purpose?”

Danny shook his head again.  “I didn’t know I had a purpose.”

“Leaving it for so long… Well, it will not kill you, obviously, but it will leave you feeling awfully unfulfilled.”

“Yeah,” said Danny, thinking back over the last few weeks.  “Yeah, I guess I could feel that, maybe.”  He hadn’t felt that way the whole time, but looking back…  “I’m not sure how I can defeat evil or whatever while I’m doing this, though.  It’s kind of designed so that I don’t run into any evil, isn’t it?”“Perhaps so, but there is more than one way to follow one’s purpose, including by honing yourself for it,” said Pandora.  She stood up from her own couch, setting aside her wine cup and platter of food.  “Come, young warrior.  Allow me to show you how I battle evil.”

[artbyjessicajewett]

Hi everyone! I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Jessica and I was a previous user of Tumblr before it was bought. I decided to come back.

Today I'm not so much a fandom person (my first account was a Supernatural and Destiel vibe) as I am living my "real" life as an artist, author, historian, and disability rights activist. I'll be 42 in February and I live on the border of Ohio and West Virginia - like, literally on the border. I can almost throw a rock and hit West Virginia from my apartment building. Living here after spending over twenty years in Georgia has been a fresh change. Georgia is not a great place for people with complex disabilities like mine. I get much better medical care and access to state services here in Ohio, which is why I came here. My ancestry is Appalachian anyway, so this does feel like home in a strange way.

My art is what I do the most. This is me doing a commission order a few years ago.

You're immediately wondering about my disability and why I do everything with the tools in my mouth. I was born with a condition called Arthrogryposis and that just simply means my joints have very little range of motion. Much of my body is stiff. So I taught myself to play with my toys, markers, etc., with my mouth rather than my hands before I could even read or go to school. It was natural for me. I live a happy life and I'm not upset about being born with this disability. You don't have to feel sorry for me because I don't feel sorry for me.

At this stage in my life, I'm working on art commission number 91 with about 50 more on my wait list. My work specializes in black and white pencil portraits, mostly of different historical periods. Most of the art people order from me has to do with my ability to interpret their previous lifetimes (yes, reincarnation) as well as introducing them to their spirit guides. I do regular art with no spiritual complex as well, like family portraits, friends portraits, pet portraits, architecture, fan art, original characters, some fantasy, witchcraft, folk magic, paranormal, historical events, etc. I'm heavily trained in realistic very detailed portraits, so if you're looking for anime or cute illustrations, I'm probably not your woman.

This is the last commission I finished.

This is an interpretation of that customer's spirit guide as they appeared before they died. This is "my style" of art, as they say. I like to do color art too but I finish black and white orders much faster.

Besides art, I'm a lifelong student of 19th century history in America focusing on women's roles, families, social issues, disability history, and LGBTQIA+ history. I was in school to specifically become an antebellum and Civil War historian before chronic illnesses forced me to drop out. Higher education 20+ years ago was a casserole of nonsense when it came to helping disabled students succeed. Don't get me started.

I'm also a lifelong paranormal researcher focusing mostly on hauntings tied to antebellum and Civil War America including old folklore. My mother and grandmother were Missouri folk magic practitioners. I was raised in an understanding of the unseen world. I also collect reincarnation cases from the Civil War period sparked by my own case from that time. I'll talk about that elsewhere if you want.

Follow me here if you like. I'm just getting started. I have to relearn how to use this app.

-Jessica

Shop: etsy.com/shop/ArtByJessicaJewett

If you're not interested in art, I also accept tips if you enjoy my content. I'm at $ArtByJessicaJewett on CashApp, at Jessica-Jones-1002 on Venmo, and PayPal.me/ArtByJessicaJewett on PayPal.

[iwritefandomimagines]

SWEETHEART — ARTHUR PENDRAGON

masterlist

→ pairing: arthur pendragon x princess!reader

→ description: as a child, you had spent countless summers in camelot, your whole youth characterised by infatuation with arthur pendragon. though the feeling was mutual, your responsibilities as princess of your own kingdom meant that you had not returned in years. arthur had always held hope that one day you would reunite — but when you do, news of your betrothal leads him to believe he may have lost you forever.

→ warnings: angst at first, happy ending!!, merlin being a little shit stirring prat (who i adore).

“So this is the Princess Y/N we’re talking about here?”

Arthur scoffed at his friend’s teasing grin, rolling his eyes at the way Merlin’s arms crossed over his chest.

“The same Princess Y/N with whom you’ve been in love for… quite possibly all of eternity? Who you’ve spoken of constantly since we met? Who you’ve not seen in years except for in your dreams?”

“Alright, alright, Merlin,” Arthur warned, “Yes it is that Princess Y/N. And you’re not to say a word to her. I have waited a long time for this moment and you will not ruin this for me.”

Merlin smirked, uncrossing his arms to raise them in a show of surrender, “I won’t, I won’t.”

There was a moment of silence — Arthur pausing to heave in a deep breath as it dawned on him that you really had just arrived back in Camelot.

It had been almost five years since he had seen you.

Your father and his had been close friends and allies since their own childhood, and so you and Arthur had grown incredibly close.

Too close, perhaps.

You were his first love, and he yours, and having given each other all of your firsts you had both assumed that one day you might wed and rule both of your kingdoms together.

Instead, you had not been back in so long that he had begun to fear you never would.

As the only child in a rare kingdom accepting of a female heir, you had been in training to become queen upon your father’s death since you reached 17.

As a result, you’d not had the free time to visit Camelot, much to your dismay. Arthur too hadn’t been able to visit you, and so contact had ceased entirely as you went about your busy lives.

To say you missed Arthur was an understatement — he had been your absolute world.

From the days of chasing him through castle grounds and giggling under tables, to the days of lovelorn stares and stolen kisses, the arrogant prince would remain the love of your life for as long as you would live. You were certain of that.

And to now be returning to Camelot after all of this time, you were utterly terrified — even more so given the news that you were returning to share.

As soon as you caught sight of Arthur amidst the throng of knights your heart raced impossibly fast; Faster even than it already was at the thought of seeing him.

Now, it was real.

“Is that her?” Merlin pointed a finger directly at you, causing Arthur to twist on his heel and spot you and your guards (though not before grabbing Merlin’s finger and twisting his arm for daring to point at you).

Your pace quickened as you watched his eyes widen, and leapt straight into his arms when you reached him, though you knew this was not something you should be doing in public — even if you were tucked away where only the other Knights of Camelot (and Merlin) could see the encounter.

“My Lord,” you beamed, pulling back from the embrace to take in the sight of the man before you. A man still just as perfect as he once was.

“My Lady,” he smiled, his cheeks rosy as the sound of your voice washed over him still, though he would claim it was due to the cold, “I—I almost fear that I am simply imagining you or that it cannot possibly be you.”

You giggled, biting your lip as you felt his eyes linger intensely on yours, “It’s me, Artie. The same old Princess Y/N/N. Could we talk, perhaps, in private?”

He quirked his brow as he looked down at you, before nodding and leading you elsewhere. You noticed what you assumed to be his servant following close behind, but Arthur dismissed him with haste and he hovered seemingly just out of earshot instead, “Don’t worry about Merlin. I’ll introduce you after.”

You grinned nervously, still taken aback by even being in his presence.

“Little has changed, I see,” he laughed, before leaning to whisper, “You are still as beautiful as ever.”

“Unfortunately, Arthur, that— that’s why I am here,” you frowned at the ground, refusing to catch his eye again, “In fact, a lot has changed.”

“What do you mean, my love?”

“Arthur I—, I—, I have come here to bestow an invitation upon you.”

Arthur’s face twisted in further confusion, a frown set on his face as your words worried him, “An invitation?”

“To my wedding,” you gulped, watching the colour drain from his features as you spoke the dreaded words, “I am to be married in a fortnight.”

Arthur took a step back and you could now no longer feel his breath fanning across your face. You had waited an age to be reunited and to be doing so on these terms was agonising.

“This must be a joke, Princess. Tell me it’s a joke. Please, tell me it’s a joke?”

The tears that had been pricking at your eyes fell freely now as the weight of your confession crashed down upon you.

You would never love a man like you loved Arthur — it was an impossibility and you knew it. Your betrothal was merely the result of your father’s ill health and the influence of your fiancé - his closest advisor.

You were all but trapped in this engagement, and you had to make that clear to Arthur.

Your father had intended to send his Knights to invite the Prince and King Uther, but you had insisted upon breaking the news yourself.

Some small piece of you hoped that Arthur would object so profusely that he would instead beg for your hand — because you knew your father’s love for Camelot might outweigh the influence of Lord F/N and he might change his mind.

But you feared that this was merely a pipe dream, knowing that Arthur’s pride might in fact act as a barrier to his honesty.

He had missed you immeasurably too, of course, and Merlin’s prying eyes and ears couldn’t let Arthur be so silly. He might know Arthur to be a prat, but he wasn’t about to let him waste his chance at getting you back.

Besides, he knew he wouldn’t be able to cope with the moping.

“Arthur, I’m sorry—,”

“Who is it? Who is he?”

“I don’t—,”

“I must know.”

“It— I— I am to be wed to Lord F/N…”

Arthur’s face almost seemed to wash with relief for a moment, before the former strained expression returned. Sure — he could assume you weren’t in love with your betrothed, but regardless you were getting married to a man that wasn’t him.

“Is this a strategic marriage, would you say?” Trust Merlin to interject so impertinently and at such an awkward time.

You looked taken aback, perplexed by the servant boy’s apparent lack of manners, “Excuse me?”

“Apologies, my Lady, but I only ask for the Prince’s sake because I fear he won’t, and I know he wants to. Desperately, actually,” the cheeky grin on his face and Arthur’s wide eyes told you this behaviour was not unusual of him, “Is this marriage purely for the sake of your kingdom, then? Or a love match?”

Of course he knew the answer. It was clear as day — every bordering kingdom knew of your father’s declining health, and of Lord F/N having worked his way up to become his closest confidante.

“Artie— You know I love my father dearly,” you were practically pleading with him as you began to answer, addressing him instead of his servant, “And he cares for Lord F/N. I do hope that one day I might love him. Until then… Well, you have to understand that I have no choice.”

The frown on Arthur’s face was an agonising sight for you to see.

“I’m surprised there was no marriage alliance between your kingdom and Camelot, my Lady,” Merlin continued, still smirking, and Arthur elbowed him in the side, “Ow! I’m just saying… I’m sure the King would have obliged. His heir, wedded to a woman who will also be Queen in her own right. Two kingdoms so aligned. More power. Seems a no brainer to me. But eh, a wedding is a wedding to me! Even if it should be Arthur you’re marrying.”

Arthur looked distraught by Merlin’s outburst.

You couldn’t figure out what to say.

“Right. Leaving you to it. I’ll be just over there.”

Arthur shooting daggers at him had clearly finally hit him, and he scampered off, leaving you and Arthur staring intensely into each other’s eyes.

“Do you think…” you began, your voice barely a whisper as you looked down at your feet for a moment, “Do you think that he is right? Your servant? Do you share his belief that our fathers would agree to such an idea?”

Arthur fought the twitch of a smile threatening to erupt on his face now that you’d expressed even the slightest hope that that could be an option for you.

“I do,” he nodded, capturing your hands in his as he spoke, “And I’d be lying if I said that I hadn’t hoped I might have the chance to propose that while you were here. I’m not the childish boy I once was — well, for the most part — and to marry the woman I love as well as strengthening my kingdom? I can think of nothing I’d like more.”

You tried desperately to suppress the butterflies in your stomach at the sound of the words “The woman I love.”

“But would King Uther agree?”

Arthur scoffed, “My father despises Lord F/N, the meddlesome bloody fool. He would have us married today if it pushed that man into obscurity. He’s the reason our kingdoms have become so much less closely allied in recent years. Our fathers rarely see each other because of his interventions.”

You gulped, taking stock of what he had just said and pondering what this might mean.

“And that’s the truth?”

“Would I ever lie to you, Y/N/N?”

At this you sighed — you knew he wouldn’t. You knew he was always honest with you, even if you were the only person who ever had the fortune of being graced with this honesty.

You glanced around you, acknowledging that nobody was looking but your guards, and pulled him behind a wall nearby into the quiet of where Merlin had previously been lurking.

Your hands found his jaw and you tiptoed to kiss him, breathless at the spontaneity of your actions. He was quick to kiss back (and as good of a kisser as you remembered!) and before you knew it he had your back against the wall and deepened the kiss with parted lips.

You were like this for a few moments, before you placed a hand on his chest, feeling the fast thrum of his heartbeat, and shot him a beaming smile.

“Well, what are we waiting for? Where might we find your father?”

———

ok so i had so much fun writing that !!! i hope you enjoyed, i could make this a two parter if anyone would want? (either about them discussing w uther or about the wedding itself? please let me know if you’d like either of those!)

requests are still open as i’m finally back writing, but in the meantime here is my masterlist!

[brittle-doughie]

This might sound odd but like. Any ideas with a yandere milky way?

All Aboard (Milky Way Cookie)

I was careful on this one, as I can’t recall if Milky Way was a young cookie or an adult with a short height like Lilybell, Okchun, Roll Cake, etc. Feel free to tell me in replies!

You didn’t really gave it any thought when you signed up for this job as conductor. In theory, this shouldn’t be all that complicated when it comes to managing a train, handle the passengers with their tickets, ensure safety above all else, stick to protocol, all that stuff.

What Aurora Candy Cookie probably should’ve told you was your spot was instead to be partnered up with another conductor of a train, one he thinks needs someone to help with keeping her line and following the rules. You raised your eyebrows with this revelation, but you didn’t want to argue with a cookie who gets visibly red the more angry he got, so you figured this wouldn’t be so bad of an arrangement.

Boy did you wish you could take that statement back after working with this Milky Way Cookie. You were polite to her despite her rather lazy demeanor and attitude with her job as conductor, sometimes having you completely take over entirely on shifts as she snoozes off in her seat, sometimes leaning on you, much to your annoyance.

To her, it meant the two of you were friends and she could just track you down wherever you were on the train to bug you, not really leaving you alone 4/5 times you were elsewhere onboard. Checking the front? She follows you there and watches you work. Picking up trash in the aisle, she’s on a seat nearby as she watched you. You didn’t mind it, but you honestly preferred working without a single cookie audience.

You get unnerved enough with this behavior that you’ve asked Aurora about a possibly shift in positions, Milky Way was focused more on watching and following you wherever you go rather then sticking to her job of conductor and attending to passengers. The only time you’ve ever seen her committed to the task at hand would be if she were able to work alongside you for it.

Your hands were pretty much tied since Milky Way, in a way, was more productive with you around, so you were pretty much locked into the position, he didn’t even mention any possibility of a position elsewhere opening up soon or if you were even going to manage your own train like what you originally signed for this job for in the first place!

You felt a shiver when you were returning to work the next day only to see Milky Way already waiting for you at the doors to the train. This shift couldn’t end any faster…

[mischiefmaker615]

Thoughts at Dawn

Summary: It's not easy stalking a witch

Rating: PG

Requester: Lonely Forest Fairy (Quotev)

Note: you know what's funny? I'm finding writing difficult when it's not involving smut LOL *sweats*

Soft footsteps could be heard, being sure not to get the attention of the one being Loki favored in this entire damned tower. It was almost sunrise, everyone was clearly still asleep but after months of being stuck here until they felt his “parole” was finished, he’d selected to entertain himself by memorizing this witch’s routine which quite surprisingly matched his.

They both usually were the first to rise, keeping to themselves but taking advantage of the quite space when it was rarely not filled with earths mightiest heroes. Of course, he knew she was unaware that he would wake up about the same time as she. How he would often quietly watch her work about in the kitchen with the use of her powers she thought was kept a secret. How he would catch sight of her reading on the balcony with one of his books she thought he wouldn’t noticed was borrowed.

This witch- no.. this creature was nothing less than a goddess in his eyes and she didn’t even know it. she was admired from afar, and just her mere scent alone would have him brush his palms anxiously against his pants to rid of the wanting feeling to hold her.

She would have been extremely powerful with him.. by his side. Her powers, much like Scarlett character he tended to avoid, would have been a great addition to his army just a couple months ago if things didn’t turn out the way they did. They would have won, together.. if she hadn’t been on the wrong aside.. yet if he had to settle in this spacious prison just a bit longer if it meant he would still be blessed to see her every day, he didn’t necessarily regret anything in his past to have turned out to be here..

Keeping quiet now, as he always has, he took his usual place by the doorframe and leaned against it for comfort, prepared to stay as long as possible for however long she would take working about in the kitchen. Every now and again he would wander about, looking inside any of the cups and pans she would sometimes fill while he kept up his cloaking spell. Sometimes even close enough to take in her sweet scent he loved so much, but she could never see him. eventually when he would hear the others start to ready themselves and he would disappear back to his room as if he to was just waking up. Oh how he longed to spend these mornings visible to her.. conversing, reading.. perhaps a bit more if he didn’t think she would view him the same as the others. Yet she has never treated him like them.. she was kind, her humor ran on the sarcasm side which would still get the corner of his mouth to curve. Her offers for whatever she was making to share was always abundant and yet.. he still stopped himself.. admiring in silence in these precious hours of dawn.

Today she was wearing her skinny jeans that framed her ass perfectly. A loose top that indicated she would perhaps do a bit of upper arm training when the day began. Over all, dressed her a casual day. His heart seemed to beat just a little bit faster at this, knowing this would mean it was her day off rather than when she would appear in her usual skin tight SHIELD uniform that hugged every delicious curve of her frame. Which meant.. he would have a larger chance at seeing her a bit more around her.. unless she was rarely called into work or she found herself going out. That was the difference- among many he supposed.. she was quite the introvert and would rarely join the others elsewhere, so he had hope that he would take her in a bit more today undisturbed by her disappearances.

His heart skipped a beat then when she turned with her coffee mug, leaning herself against the island by her mid section of elbows while she lazily took sips here and there. She was unaware if he would just drop his spell, they would be facing each other from where he watched in the door frame with only five steps apart. A soft sigh left his nose in just the thought as his eyes slowly took in her features once more.

She was undeniably lovely with her pale eyes and dark hair, the gentle lines of her face and body that hid lean muscle that she undoubtedly had from her training as a SHIELD agent if not from some sort of previous training, and that determined, slightly obstinate personality of hers that was tinged with cuteness. He'd have to remember to compliment her more later to coax more of those delightful blushes from her. He'd like to see her become even rosier... it'd be a worthwhile accomplishment, he was sure of it. their relationship was based off teasing and mild flirtatious.. some in which he wasn’t sure if she took seriously or not when his intentions tried to speak from his heart. His presentation seemed to have lessened his advantage of being taken seriously when he wished to truly flirt with her.

Before he could begin the journey down with his eyes, she had turned from the counter, stopping shortly as her elbow came in contact with the bottle of cooking oil as it topped over the edge. His quick movements took over before he could properly think and his hand lashed out and caught the end of it, just at the same time as hers grasping the top of it. by the look on her face, she knew someone was before her with her wide eyes searching and he knew the gig was up. He couldn’t play out of this and inhaled before his spell dropped and he appeared before her.

Her eyes widened ever so slightly as they stared at each other in their kneeled position, neither one of them moving or letting go of the bottle as she bit her lip. ‘’..thank you..’’

This was a signal, Loki assumed to let go and his fingers loosened their grip as they both stood up, neither one of them breaking eye contact. ‘’your welcome..’’ his expression hide a sheepish look as he leaned himself back against the counter behind him. ‘’..how long have you seen me love?’’ he says with a playfulness in his voice with not an ounce of regret in his situation.. yet he tucked away just a sliver of embarrassment.

Her cheeks reddened as she carefully set down the bottle more in the middle of the island counter, being the first one to break eye contact. ‘’..i suppose I’ve always sensed a presence.. I just shook it off as a ghost.’’

Loki’s eyes rose up to hers in question only to find her offering him a playful look and he chuckled. ‘’perhaps a ghost would have been more preferred..’’

A slight seriousness took over her expression as she shook her head and she picked up her mug again, not sure what to do with her hands as her eye contact faltered. ‘’no.. this is fine. A ghost wouldn’t have been able to catch the bottle’’ she teased. ‘’.. I’m surprised you’re awake this early,’’

He pushed himself off the wall, strolling leisurely, "I used to be a prince, you know. I was not afforded the luxuries of sleeping in much, can't afford to be lazy when one is royalty and a whole realm is watching you. I had duties and responsibilities to fulfil, lessons to study, and training as well." he tried keeping the bitter note from his voice. How long ago those days felt. Not that he missed them too much. ‘’though I suppose being stuck here for a bit does give one plenty of time to do.. much less of things.’’

A small pain seemed to flash in her eyes as she looked down at her mug she had set down. she seemed to hate the fact that he was stuck here as much as he did. Its funny how that went though when she was the very Avenger they had picked to be his babysitter in the first place here.

Why? Perhaps its because her powers were evenly matched.. if not a tiny bit more powerful than his so if they thought he would try to do anything, she would have a better chance at stopping him. or perhaps it was the fact that it was her kind heart, that it would maybe rub off on him someday and rehabilitate him rather than him trying to take advantage at the fact that he.. maybe.. could have swayed her into helping him rule.

How powerful they would have been..

‘’they’re thinking about ending it soon..’’

Her words made his eyes lift as he looked at her in question. Could she perhaps read minds?

‘’parole I mean..’’ she clarified and bit her lip. ‘’the time you’ve spent here being monitored has gone well, no mischief or chaos’’ she lightly teased but a small cringe to her expression at how others took it seriously. ‘’SHIELD is thinking that perhaps you’d be given a choice when the time comes.’’

‘’oh?’’ he asked, wishing for her to continue as his heart beat fast with his still expression. Had she perhaps put in a good word for him?

‘’they want to offer if you’d like to go back to Asgard.. stuck there but with a bit more leave way to move about through the palace..’’ her words were hesitant about his homeland, unsure if her terminology was correct at how things went about in that realm but carried on. His lips would have smiled in amusement if he wasn’t taking this matter seriously.

‘’or remain on this planet and take up a job with SHIELD- like us.. helping these people from any threats..’’ her eyes flashed down a bit as she hesitated. ‘’you’d be comfortable.. free to go in and out, have a room here and do what you like, until they call you in..’’ she clarified, as if offering the positive side to it would make it less horrible to work for SHIELD, let alone live on Midgard.

The gesture was appreciated, and Loki offered a smile that weakly faded as his eyes wandered off. As much as he hated earths mightiest heroes.. how beneath him he saw Midgard.. that would give him the perhaps opportunity to keep seeing this woman. It’s the only perk he really cared about as his eyes looked back to her hesitant ones and she seemed to speak in panic by his prolonged silence.

‘’I know I probably shouldn’t have told you- so early in the morning.. it’s just something to think about and plan for- they don’t tell you anything, and that’s not fair and you deserve a bit more kindness tan what they show sometimes-‘’

She was rambling, almost her own way of apologizing as if she said something offensive and it was adorable. She was worried for him.. and that worried him. why go out of her way to give him such information that was probably classified?.. was she perhaps worried she wouldn’t see him again? His well being? As Loki thought, and as she rambled, the more his eyes widened with realization.

She liked him. she liked him back.

Before he knew it, his hand slowly reached out and took hers, her words slowly fading off into silence as she shared the same look and of wonder. Her hand was soft in a way, and yet he could feel the callouses of her palm and fingers earned from training no doubt. That was how she was, wasn't she? Soft and beautiful, yet strong and forged by the trials she'd faced. He could respect that. In fact, he was kind of surprised how much he respected this woman who he'd originally thought would be nothing but a bother. He adored teasing her, yes, but he was truly starting to see her as a worthy companion. With her hand in his, he was determined not to let go as he pulled himself together to speak.

‘’darling..’’ he began, praying to the gods he hadn’t read the room wrong but she at least deserves to know how he truly felt about her.

‘’whatever the choice may be, whether it may change or not, I am quite determined it will work out in my favor..’’ he began, as cocky as it sounded as she bit her bottom lip once more with her eyes shyly traveling down. none of that. His other hand gently rested under her chin, guiding her eyes so she could look upon him instead. ‘’so that I can continue being able to enjoy myself around you.’’

He could see her breath hitch as her eyes held with his, finding that his words may have seemed misunderstood at her silence, or perhaps he wasn’t skilled at reading her as much as he thought and found himself rambling.

‘’perhaps let me try again..’’ he hesitated, his words in broken pauses. ‘’…no matter where I am.. I want to still see you.. have you apart of my daily life as I have so much gotten used to you being in it.. er.. I am happy when I’m around you-‘’

His words were cut off as he felt her soft lips press against his own, shutting up. Thank the gods is rambling was put to a stop- he was beginning to feel like a fool as his smoothness faltered. Yet she kissed him.. kissed him! his mind and body seemed to relax and melt, his thoughts resting at ease as his hands rose a little and paused, a bit unsure of where to place them as his eyes fluttered closed and felt her rise herself a bit to accommodate the height difference.

Just as he was about to bend a bit to help, she pulled away, her gaze locking with his in a relaxed and loving expression he’s never seen before on her. He didn’t want it to stop, he wanted her to look at him like that forever yet at the same time the heart race emotions finally had his hands cup her cheeks and a smile came to their lips as he pulled her closer.

He bent down ever so slightly, his fingers tangling themselves in her hair as he brushed his lips against hers gently, almost teasing as his eyes closed before pressing her firmly against his mouth. A moan hummed from her lips as her hands rested on his shoulders, pulling her down more or raising herself up as she deepened the kiss. Gods this was perfect.. she was perfect.. and he didn’t want it to end before there was some noise coming from down the halls, doors opening and closing with footsteps at numerous paces.

With a hidden disappointment, Loki slowly pulled away, resting his forehead to hers as they caught their breaths with her hands resting hers over his against her cheeks. She gave him a knowing smile at how the morning was soon to begin with loudness and people, but she took a small step back. His hands hesitated before he felt her grip tighten and hinted at pulling him along.

‘’how about we spend the morning on the balcony? You might be familiar with a certain book I’ve been meaning to speak to you about..’’ she teased as she grasped his hand and he began to follow with a mischievous look on his face.

How long as she known he had been watching?

‘’darling, that sounds like a wonderful idea..’’

Tag List: @foxherder @asgards-princess-of-mischief @fire-in-her-veinz

[balkanradfem]

I'm looking for a new roommate, so I had to spend a few days cleaning and arranging the apartment to look like a normal person lives there. I'm not just talking about being messy (although I am), but also about all of the ...slightly odd stuff I have going on. Like, piles of nettle drying everywhere, newspapers with seeds drying on every desk, herbs hanging from odd places, my pumpkins, apples, and zuchinni on the floor, my balcony being a drying station, odd plants growing in pots that are absolutely not balcony plants, and then all the tools and resources for my various projects, like bunch of branches on the balcony for making baskets, bags of clay under the desk for my next clay project, bunch of fabric and used clothing meant for sewing.

It's screaming 'odd weirdo lives here' and I have to look at every of these situations and go 'okay, what would a normal person do', so I sigh, gather all my apples and put them in a fruit bowl. Even though I'm absolutely not going to keep my apples in a fruit bowl, are you serious? They're rotting faster in there, they're crushing each other, and I can't see each one individually to know which one to eat first because its going bad. It's colder on the floor so they stay fresh faster! And they're not touching each other there so they can't spread the bacteria if one of them starts being sick.

I put my pumpkins on the counter, put a purple blanket over the couch and my new halloween pillow, put all of my seeds into little envelopes and mark them, store all my jars with preserves in the basement, take the compost to the garden, tell fruit fleas to go elsewhere, change my sheets, wash all the windows and curtains, put up fall decorations, so the apartment looks like an aesthetic and pleasant space where nothing ever gets done except sleeping.

So, I do all that, and I'm supposed to show it to a woman, and I got a call from a 65 year old woman who wondered if I would mind to live with someone her age. And I don't mind! I immediately tell her that age is a non issue and she's welcome to move in if she likes the place. So she comes by train, and I go meet her at the train station to show her around.

I could tell immediately she's of poor health; she's walking slowly and very careful with the stairs, she tells me about her hips problems (which by now I understand all women get), she tells me about various therapies she's been in, how she has heart issues as well, and will maybe get a pacemaker. I'm patient and careful to not walk too fast, I express concern and sympathy for her health issues. She's not particularly listening to me when I speak, she interrupts me to say something else. She tells me she's gotten divorced a few years ago, and I express approval.

She loves the apartment, and assures me she's going to move in. I explain that in order to have the place reserved for her specifically, I'd need her to leave any kind of small deposit of her choice, which I had to feature because lots of people say they're going to move in, and then disappear forever, and I'm in financial trouble if I kept the place reserved. She's irritated that I'm suspicious of her, and I explain I am not at liberty to trust someone's word, because I could get in trouble that way. She combats this by saying this thing is 100% certain because she says so, and I'm insistent on 'we'll see'.

So then I ask, if you are moving in, for how long would you stay? And she looks at me and hesitates, and then tells me she has this boyfriend in America, and they've been talking for 4 years, and he will maybe come for her in a month or so, and then if he decides that she's up to his standards, he might take her back with her. I'm frozen for a second, because that is ... degrading (up to his standards?!) so I go 'okay, so what you're saying is that the future is uncertain' and she realizes that I don't like this entire thing, so she goes 'oh he's 100% not going to come' and now I'm even more confused, because I know that if it was 100%, she wouldn't have even mentioned it. She kept pressing me to believe her word again, but I stayed firm on 'uncertain'.

And I'm just disappointed. I expect women who have lived and struggled and divorced to be wise and sure in themselves! Whenever I get a chance to find a roommate older than me, I dream of the possibilities of learning from her, of asking her about her life and experience and skills and wisdom, but I never manage to find that. Usually women I do try to win over are tangled in some male drama that don't allow them to move forward, and keep them pressed on the idea that the male will resolve their life situations, if only they manage to 'fit his standards', and I know it's not the truth, I know it's not reality. How is the society capable of taking wisdom out of women like this? And their self worth? I can't imagine contemplating if I'm fitting some male standards. Insane that women can be fooled into thinking like this!

So I don't know if the woman will move in or not, but I am worried about having to listen about the ill-mannered american male instead of having her tell me stories about her life and her perspective on it.