#these 3-4 hours a night don't work in my favor

[benkeibear]

WHO EVEN NEEDS SLEEP

[gyeomsweetgyeom]

[10:14 am]

(cw: pregnant reader, some cussing I think, pregnancy symptoms/discomforts)

You groaned as you continued walking. What would have been a beautiful day for anyone else felt awful for you, nearly 2 weeks overdue. The sun was shining brightly- which was making you hot and sweaty. There was a breeze- which wasn't strong enough to cool you down. The birds were singing- just more noise to piss you off.

"Come on, honey. Keep going, almost back home," Jaehyun smiled at you while his hands gripped your forearm.

You glared at him, fury in your gaze, "you better not be lying to me like the last lap around the block Jung Jaehyun."

Being nearly 2 weeks overdue was a major pain in the- everywhere. You back ached, you couldn't sleep, you felt every movement of the human inside you, you were hot, cranky, tired, swollen everywhere, and sore. You had spent hours bouncing on a yoga ball, eaten spicy food, chugged various teas, ate viral salads, and here you were, going on your- you lost count- walk since your due date. One foot remained on the curb of the sidewalk while the other stepped on the road for uneven steps to "really open your pelvis." Jaehyun was very supportive, maybe even a little too supportive, in helping you during this tough period. It was him that encouraged all this excessive movement! Lovely!

As much as you grumbled about it now, he truly had been such an angel your whole pregnancy. He had painted the nursery 4 times when you couldn't decide on a shade only to end up choosing the first color he had painted! He never complained about waking up to get you your fast food cravings in the middle of the night and even tried your weird combinations.

Finally your familiar front door came into view and you left Jaehyun's hold in favor of making your way back to your favorite spot on the couch. You sighed in relief as you settled into the cushions of the couch, the air conditioning quickly cooling you off.

"More raspberry leaf tea, honey? A date or some pineapple?" Jaehyun asked.

You sighed tiredly, your eyes falling shut. "Can I just get some peace and quiet please?" You asked quietly.

"Do you want a snack for your quiet time?"

You felt yourself getting overwhelmed, hot tears filling your eyes. You breathed deeply, trying to get yourself to calm down, but all you felt was your body temperature rise all over again as your feelings rose. Your breath trembled as you repeated, "Can I please just get some peace and quiet?"

Jaehyun scrambled over to you in a panic, "Honey! What's wrong?!"

You felt your shoulders shake as you cried harder. "I feel terrible! This baby was supposed to be out like 2 weeks ago. I feel like a hippo, I can't do anything by myself. I'm tired of raspberry tea and salads and dates and pineapple. And you always want me to be active and I hate it! It takes a lot of work for me move the way I used to with my center of gravity thrown off and an extra 30 pounds to move. I always feel the baby moving and even when I want to be alone, I'm not! I can't ever have any peace!" You ranted while hot tears streamed down your cheeks, "And every time we go to the doctor she always mentions that this kid has gotten you big ass head- do you have any idea how much damage a head the size of yours will do to my body?!"

Jaehyun looked at you in pure shock. His eyes were wide and lips pursed. "I-I-I don't know what to say." He didn't dare mention that the doctor had mentioned the high likelihood of a c-section.

"Because it's not happening to you! You don't get it and you want me to do everything the way I used to but I can't! And I really, really feel like if you try to touch me in any way for the next 3 days I will hire someone to kick you in the balls since I can't get my legs that high," you add while exhaling shakily, using the backs of your hands to wipe away at your tears.

Jaehyun cleared his throat with a decisive nod, "I'm gonna go shower. I'm closing the windows and turning down the air for you. Then I'm going to draw you a bath with your favorite bubbles. Can I get you anything else before I give you your peace and quiet?"

"I want an iced coffee, please."

Jaehyun opened his mouth to argue- you were supposed to be limiting your caffeine! Then he remembered the rant from a minute ago and decided not to. He disappeared into the kitchen, whipping up your coffee and setting it beside you along with the TV remote.

"Honey?" Jaehyun started almost nervously, "I love you."

You sipped your coffee happily, "I love you too!"

Jaehyun wasn't sure he'd get used to the mood swings that came with you being pregnant, but luckily they wouldn't last that much longer since you went into labor just 5 hours later. This of course brought a whole new wave of you cursing him and screams- but at least at the end of it all he got to welcome your beautiful baby girl.

[kayleigh-83]

Hi, could you share which ROS events you use please 😀

I know I'd shared these a couple times before, but I scrolled back a bit and it's definitely changed a lot since the last time, which was August 2022! Back then I had 48 on the list, now it's up to 70.

Putting more info and the full list behind a cut to save your dash!

I just keep all my gameplay notes and stuff on my ipad, easiest for me. I don't use an ROS program or anything so there's no weighting, no major or minor scenarios etc. I just use Siri or random.org to pick a number.

The scenarios are a mix of other people's lists I've found, plus ones I've made up myself. It's pretty nice to my Sims so there aren't any death or divorce ones or anything lol. I've removed some I used to use as my gameplay has evolved, if they no longer fit.

Day out - all eligible Sims go to a community lot

Movie night - invite friends over for a movie and snacks

Picnic - make food and go to a park for a picnic

Family reunion - invite over any known family members

Blind date - call matchmaker for a single Sim

New outfit - your Sim wants a new outfit, go shopping

Games night - no homework for kids, play games all night

Large pet adoption - get a cat or a dog, Roll dice to choose

Small pet adoption - a small caged animal will join the family (including rabbits)

Grouchy - your Sim picks d4 arguments with another

Vacation time - spend a couple nights away at a vacation destination (or more!)

Fitness regime - your Sim wants to work out, get fit and eat healthy

Rebellious - child or teen skips school and doesn’t do homework for 1 to 3 days, sneaks out, bad interactions

Date night - take a Sim couple out on a date

It’s a phase - a child will only wear a costume for 1 to 3 days, teens get a piercing or drastically change appearance

Party time - throw a party!

Friendly neighbour - chat up the next d3 walk bys

Bad influence - influence someone to do something stupid d4 times

Take advantage - influence someone to do you a favor d4 times

Exchange student - host a teenager from a foreign country; receive $5000 from the exchange agency to cover your expenses

Tired of cooking - order delivery at least once a day for 2 to 4 days

Shopaholic - patronize at least 4 different local businesses this round

Stray love - greet and interact with the next stray you see, try to adopt

Old pets, new tricks - teach a pet a new command

Lottery win - roll dice 1 to 10 and multiply by 10,000

Scratch card win - roll dice 1 to 10 and multiply by 1000

Worst fears realized - fulfill 5 fears in a rotation

Barber shop - change your Sim’s hairstyle

Four eyes - your Sim needs to get glasses

Witchy - become a witch for at least two rotations

Redecorate - choose a room or space in the home and give it a facelift

Identity crisis - change aspiration for this round

Reconnect with friends - invite 2-4 friends for an outing

Make Your Move - if single, try to initiate a romantic relationship with a Sim that you have a high relationship/chemistry with

Time to Commit - if you’re in a romantic relationship but uncommitted, take it to the next level (either go steady or engagement/marriage depending)

Scary dare - visit the cemetery at night

Dine out - go out to a restaurant to have a meal

Lead by Example - have your Sim encourage their child in a trait they value

Kitchen Renovations - no dishwasher or stove, just a sink and microwave or toaster oven, while you wait for the new appliances to arrive! (D4 days)

On the prowl - take a single (or romance) Sim out on the town to pick someone up for woohoo (or teen level activities)

Hobby Focus - Spend at least two hours every day doing an activity for your chosen hobby

Brace face - child or teen Sim must get braces for the round

Dye Job - dye hair a different colour for the round

Slumber Party - teen or child invites friends over for a sleepover

Cool Parent - try to befriend d2 of your kid’s friends

Playing Matchmaker - influence a friend to flirt with someone else

ISBI light - pick a Sim and control only them for 3 days

Creature of the Night - become a vampire for the round

Unexpected Tax Bill - lose d20-40% of your family funds to unpaid back taxes

Power outage - d2 days with no power (only make uncooked meals)

Family Heirlooms - inherit d3 family heirlooms from a distant relative; use kaching and purchase items of around $1000 each

Infertility - your Sim is sadly no longer able to have children!

Orphan relation - a close relation has died, leaving their child orphaned! As the closest living relative, you are now the legal guardian. Move in a toddler or child (d2). Receive $5000 from the government for your generosity to help raise the little tyke.

Rocky relationship - couple argues at least 2 times a day in the round

Great aunt/uncle in town - create an elderly Sim to come stay for the round - after they become a townie if desired

Bylaw fine - your Sim put the trash out to the curb too early and have received a bylaw fine - d6 x $100

Start a club! Find up to 3 Sims who share your hobby, and get to know them better. If you can participate in your chosen hobby together, even better!

Money tree! Your Sim finds a mysterious tree in a pot by their front door. The note on it says to use it wisely because it will only be around for a short time? Buy a money tree and keep for one rotation

Resurrect old friendships - call and invite over the friend your Sim has lost touch with the most (lowest relationship score while still being friends)

Customer appreciation day - to thank your loyal customers for their patronage, mark down the prices at your shop for a day and provide treats for your customers

Ambrosia - take a sip from the elixir of life (Roll to choose between adults or elders in the household)

Mate like rabbits - risky woohoo d5 times in the next 48 hours, hope there aren’t any unintended consequences!

Unexpected vet bill! Your little companion swallowed something they shouldn’t have and the bill comes to $5000! If you don’t have enough money, you might have to take out a loan.

Woohoo scavenger hunt - must woohoo on/in four different possible locations this round (bed, couch, car, photobooth, hot tub, changing booth, elevator)

Lost a dare - walk around in a silly costume for d3 days, go on at least one date or outing in it

Holding a Torch - your Sim is feeling nostalgic for their first crush; have them meet up for a date and see where it leads…

Running with the pack - become a werewolf for the round

I Want More! - your Sim now has six want slots

Changing Preferences - change all your turn ons and turn offs - will this affect how you feel about your significant other?

A Sudden Craving - change to grilled cheese aspiration for the round

Kibble of Life - give your four legged friends something to help keep them around longer

Sudden Poverty - family funds reduced to $100

Sudden Weath - family funds increased to $250,000

You Can't Always Get What You Want - try not to fulfill any wants for d5 days

[lovelybeesthings]

Quick like a bunny Ch 2

Coriolanus Snow x reader

Warnings: none I think

Word count: 1.8k

Ch 1 & 3

Mansion

Why did he have to say such hurtful things all I’m trying to do is to care for him is that not enough? What does Lucy Grey have that I don’t she's a poor tribute form that distracts 12 from what he's doing he can end up killed or hanged! *I cry into my pillows as I try to find a way to release my feelings and emotions as tears find a way to escape from my sniffs and efforts push them away* “Yvanna dear come down for dinner!” *I hear my mother call as I get up in my pink pastel long puffy Lacey dress with my hair in curls*

Training

The next day I attended the Academy sitting threw my classes and lessons with focus but I couldn't help but look at Coriolanus his beauty his curls his looks- I stopped myself from looking and continued to focus on ways to take advantage of the games. As the lesson soon ended I came across my tribute as we practiced one-on-one trying to think of how I could better his odds even though he has the brown I would like to give him the brain.

I shortly walked away to get some Items to see how Reaper works with them and I soon came across a tribute his features were beyond what I'd seen from the Capitol his eyes sea green, his hair bronzed color his skin the color of gold if possible whatever he came from they had been keeping him well.. I felt a rush of warmth from my cheeks this tribute quickly noticed my luring eyes. “Fenwick Odair District 4” his smile was a bright pure one he knew he was handsome and showed it* “Did I scare you little bunny?” he said as I quickly regained my thoughts and answered “No, I was just impressed I believe you have a good chance of winning I think the odds are surely more in your favor” he looked at me hand on his chin smirking “That so little bunny?” “Better watch out then this bunny is quick” I smile as I flirt a bit with him and quickly return to Reaper to continue our training.

Unnoticeable to me Coriolanus was watching our interactions on his way to Dr. Volumnia's lab he felt his heart clench with bitter thoughts surfaced in his head what did he do to that tribute from District 4- no what did he think he was here to learn more knowledge to find a better way for Lucy to better her odds for his odds.

After hours

I spent my time brushing my silky (c/h) as it didn't have any tangles or any worries in my long healthy hair as I think about my encounter with Fenwick his love is his charms make me blush still, I hope he wins the game is know I should try to win but Id like to spend more time with him.

I heard a sudden knock on my door and I got up from my vanity in my pink lacey nightgown opened the door got my candle lamp to see who had visited my room in such late hours Maye a maid “y/n” Coriolanus speaks I'm shocked to see him here this light at night “what happen why are you home are you alright is Tigris okay?” I say confused and worried soon his cold hands reach my face and hold my chin I look completely lost to his sudden affection.

He pushes his way inside my room and preps me down on my bed I'm blushing and not sure what he's planning to do “What are you doing Coriolanus?” I say as his piercing blue eyes look at mine like a wolf looking at a poor rabbit to slaughter in minutes, his response was his lips on mine I'm surprised I mean this man was my fiance but he never really showed me an ounce of affection like that and since our last words, I wasn't sure he wanted to be in my life.

I respond with his kisses as he’s on top of me vulnerable to his lips how could I shut him down his mop of white blinding curly hair he just does it for me though in the back of my mind I think of Fenwick and gently push snow off “what are you doing..?” he looks at me a bit surprised and confused “What do you mean y/n I'm showing my affection and love for you” he looks at my eyes then lips then back up to my lips “No this doesn't feel right you don't….Are you okay this doesn't seem like something you think about clearly” I know I want his attention and his kisses but it feels like he's thinking of someone else..not someone Lucy..

“You don't want this you think you do but you love her..” I say “Right now you don't know what you want to be what makes you happy” *I say as I hold a smile and angle face holding tears back pushing the one I want to be happy “Lucy will cherish you as much as I will” he nods and slips out of my room my house like he was never even there the only reaches left were the stolen kisses of mine.

How do we think about this chapter? Is it good for your guys' standards I'll try to make the third one a time skip to after what goes down in the book and snows return back to the Capitol.

please like 😘

SHOUTOUT TO @edb954 for some of the inspiration and @watercolorskyy

[lucystark12]

songs that should be used in season 5 and why by lucy

1- smalltown boy by bronski beat

obvious first draft pick here. genius. it's so mike wheeler coded it makes me want to die. for this song, i'd either like to see it used in a very very dramatic physical fight scene with vecna ala running up that hill or playing very faintly in the background of an important scene like the fight at rink-o-mania. i think the song sounds just eerie enough that it could work in that context but the instrumental is just so badass fight scene coded.

2- operator by jim croce

hopper canonically listens to jim croce!! you don't mess around with jim!! this song has been loved by my family since decades before i was born. it's such a sad but beautiful song and really gives almost a lettergate situation of one side of byler trying to reach the other during the months they spend apart between season 3 and season 4 and if they did use it i would lose my shit.

3- alone by heart

people are theorizing in favor of this song being a part of the season 4 soundtrack and i mean it when i say that if i heard that opening piano of alone i would die. it would be the end of my life. i used to listen to this song on my ipod as an eight year old. it's always been one of my favorites. i don't really know how they would use it and i almost feel like the sound of it doesn't fit in with a lot of the other music in the show in regards to that 80s music sound, but i would die if they did.

4- africa by toto

AFRICA PLEASE COME BACK BABY I MISS YOU!! another song that's easily in my top ten favorite songs of all time, i think this would be such a cute callback to season 1 and would be the equivalent of hedwig dying as far as childhood-ending-events for me because it would just be such a beautiful full circle moment. i would scream.

5- summer of 69 by bryan adams

if we get to see anything taking place during summer (which, problematically, i kind of hope we don't) i need this playing on every radio in town. it just gives such it 2017 stranger things season three in a way that would break (and fill) my heart in such a beautiful way for the last stranger summer. i also think that if this was the song we decided to make viral from the new season's soundtrack that we'd all have a lot of fun.

6- take me home tonight by eddie money

i love the intro to this song like no other. it's tense and weird like the into to sunglasses at night which was used in season 1 in such a perfect way that also reminds me of the vibe of the show. a little tense and scary sounding, but at the heart (or chorus) of it a fun show about positive and beautiful characters.

7- heroes by david bowie

duh.

8- CRAZY TRAIN BY OZZY OSBOURNE!!!!!!!!

DUFFERS. MASTER OF PUPPETS AND NO CRAZY TRAIN? i fuck with crazy train like no other. i'm fully convinced that if i listened to that song on repeat for a few hours it would inspire the willpower in me to climb all of mt. everest in a day. it's such a perfect song for a show like this. i can picture nancy shooting something to crazy train in the background. somebody is frantically running around too. i think they should have just used this instead of master of puppets because the guitar in crazy train is way better (sorry not sorry) but it's never to late to right your wrongs, duffers!

[fountainpenguin]

"I'm not the kind of girl to get messed up with you- Hello! ... You're all right, but I'm here, darling, to enjoy the party..." (x)

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New Dog's Life chapter today! ~ 3rd Life series fan-season

Chapter 31 - “Flame (Etho, Skizz, Pearl)”

❤️ Read on AO3

💛 Start from Chapter 1

💚 More Pixels Imperfect fics

---

Scar files a microaggression complaint with the HALO team. Pearl helps Scott settle in while he recovers from glitchy code. They have a spat that's not about a sticker.

Meanwhile, SnifferMyFeet and Etho separate their souls… and start an honest talk about Sniff's identity as Sniff, not Joel. It was needed. It's for the best.

(First 900 words under the cut)

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Etho - Fox

Status: Resting

Self-taught programmer, full-time hero

💙  💙  💙

He gets it now.

It's like ice in your water. It's like marshmallows in your cocoa. It's like wind beneath your wings. The final week before he's due back in Between (reluctantly, but definitely due), Etho flops on his bed and sprawls his arms to either side. Is he giddy? He doesn't mean to be, but this feels…

… Oh, it's a game-changer. Which is exactly what he texts Cleo after scooping up his admin panel. They won't see it if they've left their private server, and since Session 2 of Dog's Life could be starting any day now, there's no telling how long that may take.

Etho: hey so Etho: remember after limlife 4 or 5 when we talked about burnout?

Grocery shopping. For a family dinner- he and Cleo both made one (like a peace offering) in a way that wasn't really flirty married life roleplay, but more like… regular, everyday person roleplay. Did all their shopping together so they wouldn't cook the same thing. Call it 'date night' if you want; he walked her home and there might've been a little 'dramatic logout' roleplay in there. We don't… We don't need to go into detail about it.

To some people that's romantic and to some it's completely gross. Not really sure why… It's a natural process, isn't it? Soul-eaters can't help being what they are, and you may as well snap at endermen hybrids for struggling with eye contact or shame unthreaded players if they expose their glitches instead of keeping them covered up. This world's too big and life too long for arguing. Do you really want to make enemies and be rude to people who are going to carry the echo of your words for the rest of their lives?

Lend a helping hand. Extend a little kindness. Be polite. Respond to the hurt. Try not to avoid responsibility when others are counting on your strength. Sit with the injured, even when the night is cold. They're simple goals, but so easily forgotten these days.

Etho: I think you said if I felt stuck then I should break my routine for a while

Nothing happens for several minutes. Etho rotates words without meaning through his head, then types out something else.

Etho: you were right. I get now why you go on adventures with Martyn. Why you let him and no one else log you out all the time. Thanks for the advice. Let me know next time you need a favor. Rating this cycle 10 of 10 and I owe you big xD

He takes a long, guilt-free nap in his cushioned bed. Catching up on block updates and videos really drains a guy (especially this close to the end of the Hermitcraft season, not to mention Vault Hunters and a Life series on top of it), but he spent all morning prepping the bed and it's already providing every agonizing tick of its worth. Two hours later, he's stirred awake by a buzz on the admin panel.

ZombieCleo: yay! So glad that worked for you <3 I want to hear all about it. Maybe in a couple weekends you can watch MCC with me and the kids + Martyn? If we catch a minute alone, I can recommend more stuff you might be into ;)

The kids refers to Bdubs and Scar, who skated through Limited Life like energetic teenagers spreading their wings. It's goofy, it's endearing, and Cleo's got her roleplay voice on because she knows it makes him snort. His tail gives a twitch as he tries to keep a smirk from creeping out behind his mask.

Martyn, huh? he muses, but doesn't say that. Cleo circles between lovers, friends, and exes like a pollinating bee.

Etho: whoaaaa Etho: inviting a fox? that's dangerous! ZombieCleo: nose out of your tail, fur boy Etho: dibs on Martyn, I see ZombieCleo: If you're serious about returning the favor, Martyn says Rhetoric's down here and this might be our best chance at smash and grabbing from your mum's museum Etho: Hm… ZombieCleo: I mean, you did leave my eggshell when you rescued Grian and that other soul

Yeah- it looked distressed. Now Sniff's down here. He can actually talk now when he couldn't before. Honestly, not the worst decision he could've made.

If anyone's going to try getting into the Fox Dragon's museum, a fox has the best chance of doing so. It's kept separate from the nesting cave where souls respawn, but even the deadliest traps won't keep foxes out since they'll just respawn. Unless they're traps that can't be dodged even with careful planning, or some sort of system that short-circuits code. The phantom roost is nearby, right? Frankly, phantoms are excellent trackers, they can fly, and they're probably the fastest of all non-swimming hybrids, so a phantom alone provides great security as-is.

Etho: I'll think about it. Not tonight, though. Full moon fox face isn't for me. Also if there are raiders there then that's probably the worst time to show up ZombieCleo: Fair ZombieCleo: I can think of something else, but if you ever get the chance, I want it back Etho: duly noted ✌️ ZombieCleo: btw say hi to Scar and Bdubs when you see them. They've been cracking nonstop jokes since you disappeared. One can only imagine they're attempting humor to bury immense throes of pain Etho: D:

[Full chapter on AO3 - Link at top]

[kawaiijohn]

With what happened in Mississippi last night I know I'm gonna see people hit it with "well it's tornado season so we're used to this shit, it's not a big deal!" and "who cares it's a red state lol"

1. Most tornado seasons have small spin up twisters and not monsters so clearly defined on radar they are textbook examples of a supercell, plus most tornado season twisters don't track on the ground for almost 100 miles.

These were night tornadoes, which are the most dangerous kind, and the largest tornado of the night was wide enough to wipe a few towns off the map completely.

2. Mississippi and Alabama are two of the most vulnerable states to tornadoes, and not the kind you see in tornado alley. They get obscured by forests and hills on top of being rain wrapped, making them hard to see. Especially at night.

3. Both states have large amounts of people under the poverty line living in mobile homes or homes without basements. People under the poverty line are more likely to be disabled or not have reliable transportation to get to a proper shelter on top of living in homes not of sound construction.

4. Many of the towns hit were smaller, rural towns. Some don't have good internet or cell service. Some don't even have tornado sirens.

5. Both states are red because of voter suppression and jerrymandering. You should take this into consideration before writing off an entire state's worth of people who are suffering a natural disaster outside of their control.

6. Actually you should never celebrate or be ambivalent to an entire state or population of people suffering from a natural disaster. There's no correlation between natural disasters and how "good" a person or group is. Thinking like this is for jackasses and will rot your brain.

So idk what to tell you but maybe you should fucking care about other people who are hurting and going to be hurting for a long time. Some of these people may have had their lives completely ruined and lost all they had. Some towns may never recover and simply vanish off the map.

There's been over 20 fatalities already and the sun only rose an hour or so ago.

edit: made this post while i was half asleep, and i am going to clarify here;

point 3 is being made as such: don't fucking clown on an entire states worth of people.

the south isn't just white racist hicks or whatever people like to stereotype it as, there's a lot of different people who just happen to live there, including a large amount of poc living in one of the poorest areas of the damn country.

and even if it were just white racist hicks or whatever the fuck, you still shouldn't clown on a state or minimize human suffering

to the person who added "you're saying if the state was all white this wouldn't have happened?" you are a fucking moron taking this post in the worst faith I have ever seen.

natural disasters don't work that way and it would have happened if the conditions were favorable for strong tornadoes anyways, despite location.

my wording wasn't the best due to me having just woken up and being full of emotions i couldn't process, not everyone is good at words and I am sorry if I'm being a jackass here.

But the point stands: DON'T BE A JACKASS ABOUT AN ENTIRE GROUP OF PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE WHERE THEY ARE FROM.

[christiansorrell]

Play-By-Blog #1: The Isle by Luke Gearing

Welcome to my large-scale play-by-post of The Isle by Luke Gearing! We are playing this adventure with its original system, The Vanilla Game (although this will likely be adjusted somewhat to fit the Play-By-Blog format). This is the first proper entry, but you can check out PBB #0 to get a feel for the ideas behind this play-by-blog concept and at character creation. For now, let's lay some groundwork.

How Play-By-Blog works:

I write up the situation, NPCs, and more, just like a DM.

You vote in the poll to help decide the character's course of action.

I roll the dice, resolve actions, and write them up next week.

So on and so forth for the rest of the adventure!

Notation:

[Text in brackets is out-of-character text!] "Non-italicized quotes denote text from the original adventure!" "Italicized quotations denotes NPC dialogue."

Last week, LOADS of you (over 150 people) voted for our character's class and Magic-User won in a landslide. Using that, I randomly rolled a character (using this Vanilla Game character generator). Let's get to know them a bit before we dive in.

The Player Character: Medon Girdou - Magic Cutpurse

Medon Girdou, a cutpurse turned unlikely wizard, is in a bad way. You don't stage a solo raid on a place like the isle if things are going well. Somewhere back out in the world, there are forces calling for Medon - calling on their debts, calling for their death, or calling them home (when they'd rather be anywhere else). Now, the chance of riches, enough to possibly settle the score, has brought them here to the isle.

[Because Medon is braving The Isle alone, they are coming in at Level 3 to help turn the odds very slightly in their favor. This isn't their first raid.]

[We'll let any background and whatnot build out during play. Feel free to propose your own ideas about what kind of person Medon is and what may have come before but remember, Medon's true character will come out during play and be determined by the actions they take!]

With their katana in one hand, spellbook in the other, and a pocket full of cheese and lead figurines, they step onto...

THE ISLE

"The isle is tiny, a mere 40 acres of forbidding rock and low grasses. Seen from the sea, the monastery buildings stand adjacent to the peak of the isle, lit by a fire atop a tower. The monks never let the fire go out.

"Cliffs rise above the bitter sea, mauled by waves and weather. Fallen stones jut like Frisian horses, big enough to skewer whales. The abbot knows this, because he has seen it."

You've convinced Cioran, a local fisherman, to grant you passage to the island, claiming to be a pilgrim in search of your god. Once a month, he delivers supplies to the monks on the isle out of some sense of obligation you can't quite place. You watched him sit and listen to the sea in the dark of night for hours aboard the boat.

Cioran drops you at a small cove on the island's eastern side [C], wanting to see you on your way before sailing around the island to the main jetty. He's not sure how the monks would take to an unexpected visitor on his boat, even if you are a pilgrim. He'll check this cove again in a month, if you are looking to return to the mainland. His ship slides away quietly around the northern cliffs.

You are alone.

A bloated corpse, fought over by a dozen or so gulls, is bobbing facedown in the water of a small, rocky alcove.

A stone-carved staircase leads up out of the cove, coated in wet, slimy moss fed by the ever-humid conditions. [Saving Throw to not fall down the stairs and take damage: Success!] Taking your time, you manage to safely climb to the top and look out across the rest of the isle.

[You can see out to 3, 4, 5, and 6. 2 and 1 are partially obscured.]

To the north [3], you see a squat formation of man-made stone some 30 or more feet high, scars and bird shit marring the surface.

To the northwest [4], you see a collapsed building of some sort, a loose pile of rubble.

To the southwest [5], you see a scenic view of the western sea atop of an hill topped with an outcropping of rocks.

To the south [6], you see the Monastery, the reason you came to this place. The supposed home to a number of riches, meant to bring glory to a god but that do little more than languish here in obscurity when they could change everything for you, if only you can get to them.

Beyond these places, you can make out a partial view of a sizeable collection of graves to the far north [1] and the upper branches of a large tree to the northwest [2], past the collapsed building.

The choice now, of course, is...

You can now read PBB #2 HERE.

[84reedsy]

The Mentorship, Part 22 - The End

The Mentorship

Characters: Curt Hennig/FemOC , Scott Hall/FemOC

Part 22 of 22

Warnings/Considerations: Smut, Age Gap, Power Dynamics, Dirty Talk, swearing

Word Count: 3470

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21

Taglist: @writeandsurvive @theweaselandthekilt To anyone and everyone who's read this; a sincere thank you from the bottom of my heart. This was the first thing I started writing when getting back into the wrestling fandom and it was meant to be just a one chapter blurb - but it grew into much more! Everyone's kind words and encouragement made finishing this possible <3

Pay-Per-Views were always more stressful. There was a lot more pressure to perform perfectly - much less was left to chance. Honestly, it felt like managerial over-reach, especially when they second-guessed Curt's suggestion for opening the match. Brinkley frowned at the man she'd never seen before yet acted as if he knew better than the three professional journeymen who stood next to her.  

Curt shook his head to discourage her argument and Scott subtly touched her arm.  She didn't know how they were so calm and so willingly taking bad direction from this wannabe booker. It was insulting to her, let alone them. 

“This time,” Curt looked around them once the four of them were alone again, “we are here to protect you. We usually end up doing whatever we want.  For us,  it's like ‘so what if Russo bitches about it’. But…when you're on your own,  you're gonna have to pick your own battles with them,” he knew as a newcomer she wouldn't carry enough clout outside of this match. 

“There's only so much we'll be able to say,” Scott followed up. 

“I get it…” she nodded, understanding their warning, “Don't rock the boat unless I absolutely have to,”

“Jesus, that boat is gonna end up capsizing” Kevin rolled his eyes,  but smirked at her,  ruffling her hair like a child. 

“Thanks A LOT, now I have to go fix it!” She scurried back to hair and makeup,  knowing time was running short. She could already hear the crowd reacting to the opening matches.  Her stomach turned as her hair was resmoothed and fixed into a high pony with a braid wrapped around its base. She wasn't sure she'd ever been this nervous.

She worried she might throw up in the hallway from the nerves as she made her way to the locker room,  trying to ignore the distant roar of 50,000 people that echoed through the concrete halls. Their match was still an hour away,  how was she ever going to maintain until then?

“Aren't you glad we taped our promos already?” Curt smirked as she paced in the locker room looking a little pale. Scott and Kevin were filming their response live to the crowd now. He knew she'd get there eventually,  once she got all of these tough firsts out of the way. 

“God, yeah,  I'd be a mess if we did it now, live. Why are pay-per-views so stressful?!” She continued pacing around the room to dispel her nervous energy,  shaking out her arms to keep them loose.

Curt watched her, thoughts and memories swirling around in his head. If he’d never suggested what he had to Scott, he had to wonder if she’d still just be pining from afar and spending her nights in Curt’s room, working out her energies there. He knew he’d done this to himself and that it was the right thing to do, but he couldn’t help but feel some level of selfish regret.

He knew what he’d like to do to redirect her mind and what to channel that energy into. He couldn't deny that he'd pleasured himself before many big matches just to level out. Sex (even with one's self)  was the ultimate way to prepare for a high energy performance. It was the same with actors,  singers… wrestlers were no different. He could feel his impulsivity tapping at the back of his mind,  making unsettlingly concrete arguments in favor of the proposition.

But he knew she'd tell Scott. She was adamant about being honest with him.  He was grateful and irritated that she'd listened so well to his lessons.  He didn't think he wanted to deal with however Scott may feel about it. It was better to keep the peace.

“CURT!” Brinkley snapped him with his towel,  jarring his focus back to the present, “where are you?” She asked,  having been rambling on for a few minutes only to see him staring off into the middle distance. The way he broke out into the tiniest of cold sweats and looked a little befuddled gave her a hint. 

“Sorry,  what?  What were you saying?” He still shook his head, hoping it was dissolve the vivid memories in his head. 

Brinkley straddled the bench he was sitting on a he pulled his kneepads just below his knees. She picked at a knot in the wood with her fingernail. 

“Is it always gonna be like this?” She asked barely above a mumble,  only looking up at him after she asked.  He paused from answering right away,  fiddling with his boots still.  He sighed and rested his forearms on his knees. 

“We're friends first, right?” He asked.

“That's what I hope for,” she oddly thought of all the times he turned her down,  wondering if he was regretting them, “But is that too selfish of me? Is that me being naive?”

“No,  it's not selfish of you.  I should be able to give that to you.” He ran his hand over his slicked hair, “but I'd like to say something if I could,” he looked at her for silent permission.

She nodded.

“I wish I'd stayed professional with all this,” he knew that part would sound harsh,  but he paused before the rest,  “Because you are the best I've ever felt with somebody in that way…in a lot of ways actually. And going forward now knowing what I'm missing,  knowing what we had…I just hate that I have to gatekeep what I didn't before” he stumbled around his words a little, looking frustrated.

“I know what you mean,” she tried to reassure him, “The idea of doing anything to hurt Scott makes me sick to my stomach…but it doesn't stop me from thinking about you. You were my first,  I'm always going to remember what we were,” she reached out,  resting her hand on the inside of his elbow. 

“I know you moving on is the right thing,  baby girl.  I just hate the idea of being left behind,” he laid his hand over hers, “But I want you to do well…I want you to turn this place on its head.  Be the first woman to get top billing. Of anyone…you can do it.”

“Thanks for believing in me all this time,” she squeezed his hand a little,  “Curt if you want-” she started but he cut her off.

“I want you to do well in this match.  And I know in my gut you will, so just…focus on that,” he said, squeezing back harder.  He knew what she was about to offer; either inspired to out of pity for him or out of mutual desire, maybe even nostalgia…he knew nothing down that path was going to help her.  And his job had been to help her. 

Letting her go was the best thing he could do for her now. 

--------------------------------

Brinkley didn't think she'd ever been this nervous on this side of the curtain. Even her first day was less nerve wracking than this.  Her pulse thundered in her ears as she focused on her breath and tried to blank out the last few months. 

“Don't forget,” Curt reminded her,  hoping that any conversation would be calming, “you're not my valet this time.  You're my partner. First time and last time with me, “ he looked over her outfit,  the long leggings a better choice than her ass half hanging out of her shorts…at least for this match. The leggings were still stunning, criss-crossed orange and black lines went up the outside of each leg,  large swaths were thin mesh,  leaving a lot of skin somewhat exposed. The purple was perfect against her skin. 

The top was another piece he bought,  the strappy corset laced top. It added the perfect subtle sexuality to her outfit, not that she needed the help.

“Partners,” Brinkley reached out her hand, Curt took it, nodding his head as he smiled. 

“One last time,” He took a deep breath as the entrance music began playing. 

This time, he went out first, playing to the crowd and then building up Brinkley’s entrance to a surprisingly loud pop from the crowd. The sound made Brinkley grin widely. She wondered if the face turn would carry through her turning on Curt. They had been heels, but if the match was done like they’d planned…Curt would remain a heel and she would be the face among the Outsiders. That is until she adapted to their sneaky ways. 

She felt comfortable with their plans. The future wasn’t scary - she wasn’t nervous or mournful like she thought she might feel. Curt hyped her up on the way to the ring as the camera followed closely. 

The intimidating factor came from the two large men waiting in the ring for them. She almost wished she was still mad at Scott, it would make keeping a straight face easier. Especially with the way that Scott and Kevin looked at her like they were going to devour her. She did realize that she was the prize of the match - she let that boost her confidence and distract from the imposing opponents ahead. 

She and Curt played to the crowd, mimicking each other's movements while they stood on the ropes in opposite corners. They synchronized their gum slapping and the crowd ate every bit of it up.

As they all four stood in the ring, separated only by the referee who was telling them to get to their corners, Brinkley pleaded to start the match. She enjoyed the acting part of kayfabe and she was among three of the best at it. 

“C’mon Hennig, let me start, I can take these old guys!” She insulted them, as if Curt wasn’t the same age as them.

“Yeah, Hennig, let her take us on, let us have a go at the rookie,” Kevin nodded, sarcastically smiling as his words were meant to be insulting. 

“Yeah, we got lots of moves for what’s about to be ours,” Scott pulled on a strand of her hair lightly, stepping back quickly as she shot him a warning look. The crowd responded as well.

“Yaaaaawn, same old tired moves you've been using for the last 15 years?  Spare me,” she rolled her eyes, taking a step back as Scott started for her.

Curt shoved him back, barking at Brinkley to get to their corner.  She frowned as if offended.

“Yeah, sweetheart, wait in the corner like a good little girl,” Kevin doubled down on his disrespectful tone. She flipped him off, but retreated through the ropes as did Kevin, Scott and Curt beginning their dance around the middle of the ring.  After smacking gum through the air and a toothpick being thrown, the two locked up.  

Brinkley tried to encourage Curt, holding her hand out for a tag but was denied when she was ignored. She played up throwing a tantrum, even playing the first couple of rows of fans that his refusal was “bullshit”. A contingent of fans started a change of the word, turning into a chorus against Curt. He was on the losing end now, Scott and Kevin having exchanged places a few times by now. Curt was far from the ‘fresh man’ in. 

“CURT, COME ON!” Brinkley yelled, reaching her arm dramatically out over the rope as far as she could manage. The crowd was behind her, the chant now changing to “Tag her! Tag her!”

Curt took a clothesline and stumbled backwards, his hand falling into hers as she took the tag and he rolled out to the floor. She jumped into the ring, a disheveled Scott staring her down from the middle of the ring. He held up both hands, beckoning her to try him. He looked back at Kevin, both pointing at her and laughing. She took the chance to leg sweep him to the canvas, standing again quickly while looking down at his stunned face. 

“Oh you got tricks?” He looked threatening at her, “Let’s do this then,” 

He locked up with her, reminding her quietly to keep breathing through every move and that he was swinging her into the ropes. She followed the direction, sliding between his legs and grabbing his ankles, again leaving him on his back on the canvas. He cursed, slapping the ring in frustration as she ‘outsmarted�� him again. 

She walked too close to the opponents corner and Kevin grabbed her, holding her against the turnbuckle. Scott lined up a punch, but right before he corrected, she slipped out of the grip downward, Scott connecting with Kevin instead and knocking him off the ring apron.

Scott looked over the rope at Kevin laying on the mats below, Brinkley threw herself into the opposite rope and toward Scott, hitting him with an arm bar that sent him over the top rope as well, landing on top of Kevin. 

The thunderous pop from the crowd was deafening. She tried to not wince as the noise overwhelmed her ears. But she held up a hand above her head,  calling for more. 

The referee started counting out Scott who took nearly 8 of the count to roll back in.  She had to use every ounce of her acting to not react to the dark ‘anger’ in Scott's eyes. He locked up with her again,  once more slinging her into the ropes and hooking her into an arm bar takedown. She landed flat with a loud thud on the mat. She sold the fall, rolling to her side and moaning into the mat.

She looked toward her home corner and Curt was leaning over the rope, barking a demand that she tag him, she ‘drug’ herself towards him,  but Scott grabbed her by the ankle and dragged her backwards to his corners, now tagging Kevin. 

Kevin held her in the corner and she braced herself for the chops she knew was coming. He left them high to avoid a tit-shot, but there was careless padding higher and the slap stung, redding her skin. She sold it well, slipping downward again, only for Kevin to grab her by the hair.

She went for the easy low blow, Kevin selling like a champ as he went down into a fetal position. She knew Curt wanted back in and she should tag him,  but she was having fun. And being with Scott and Kevin moving forward, who knew when she'd have a chance to fight them again?

But she was getting winded for real at this point and made a dramatic crawl that the crowd reacted to with supportive cheers; yelling louder and louder as she drew closer. She'd gotten at least 6-7 minutes in. 

Just as Kev tagged Scott and he quickly stepped in, she slapped Curt's outstretched fingers and he came flying in with fresh energy, pummeling Scott. She rolled out under the ropes, “recovering”.

She caught her breath, hearing the bumps in the ring as she reached under it. The folding chair was exactly where it was supposed to be as she slid it out and slowly made her way to her feet. She held up her finger to her lips to the fans at the barricade as she played out her secret “cheat”.

She wondered how much heat she might actually pull as “ooooo's” filtered through the nearby crowd. She waited several minutes until her opportune moment presented itself, watching as Scott got the upperhand, and Curt was trying to mount a comeback.

She slid in the ring with the chair as Kevin had the attention of the ref, trying to enter the ring. The crowd popped when she picked up the chair, her knuckles white as she gripped the legs tightly. A thousand thoughts spun through her mind, but she ignored any objections of her own - knowing this was the best thing for the story line. 

She landed a loud, safe slap of the metal chair against Curt’s back and stood for a moment while the crowd hushed for a second before reacting in surprise. Scott fell forward over Curt as Kevin pointed the ref to the cover. 1, 2, 3. 

The heat from the crowd was instant and it bled over to Kevin who came over and celebrated with her. Scott was up moments later, each man holding a wrist of her’s in victory. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

She waited in the wings of the gorilla as they exited for Curt as he came back through the curtain. She couldn’t tell if he was mad or just exhausted. Maybe both. But as he looked up at her, trying to smooth back his hair, he grinned a little and smirked as he shook his head. 

“Wasn’t expecting that…” He admitted, “But…it was by far the best way to do it.” He didn’t like feeling like he was left out of the conversation, but he also knew she owed him a couple of receipts for a couple of different reasons, “Are we even now? Or do I still gotta watch my back around you?” He joked. 

“I feel like I should be able to still get in one rib before we call it even,” She postured, “but I GUESS we can call a truce,” She held out her hand to him. He looked at it and after a brief pause, shook her hand. They both smiled, but he could see tears creeping into the corner of her eyes. 

“Thank you for everything, Curt,” She said through the ache in her throat. She felt silly for getting emotional. She would see him every night for the foreseeable future. They would likely be feeding in the ring, too. He would be trying to convince her to come back only for her to set him up for a Scott and Kevin melee. 

But regardless, it felt like the end of an era for her.  She finished shaking his hand, pulling away as they walked down the hall to wear Scott waited for her, slinging his arms across her shoulders.

“You guys headed out tonight?” Curt asked, “Got room in the back unless you wanna fight Steiner for the front,” he joked. 

“Nope, in the morning, heading back to Scott's tonight,” Brinkley said, looking forward to that big house with just the two of them, “Kev's gonna swing by and get us,”

“We've still got a follow up interview to do for the next tv,” Scott reminded her as she started to untie her boots. She groaned, starting to lace them back up. 

“I forgot about that, I'll be there in just a sec,” she told Scott, waving him on. He kissed her temple, making her giggle as he tickled her cheek with his stubble.

Sweaty coworkers filtered in and out, interrupting her lacing to compliment her on the match, almost always giving Curt his due credit, though he shrugged it off, humbly. He gave her all the accolades. Some even talked about possibly working together with Scott and Kevin.

When Russo came in with a compliment through his gritted teeth, Brinkley had to bite back her I told you so's, she took a page from Curt's book of humility and simply thanked him. 

She looked at Curt who was finishing buttoning his shirt, “Guess we'll see you in Atlanta, then,” she said as he zipped his bag closed.

“See you in Atlanta, Brink. Keep those boys in line,  now,” he teased, slapping her lightly on the shoulder as he walked out of the locker room. He walked alone to the car, knowing Ricky would be out soon. He tossed his bag into the trunk,  laughing to himself as he imagined what mouthy, genius promo Brinkley was probably cutting against him. He looked forward to being as surprised as everyone else tomorrow when he saw it on a backstage monitor.

He had a few ideas of what she might say, each one making him laugh more than the last.

As he drove down the dark highway once again, he thought of how she would do great things. Her name would be in the marquee long after he'd retire. Who knows? Maybe in a strange twist he'd end up her valet.

“Everybody's jealous of your match,” Rick said, slouched down in the passenger seat with a baseball cap pulled over his eyes,  “No one's gonna want to follow that kid,” he said.

Curt felt a genuine pride and some relief. But the credit for winning over everyone else was squarely with Brinkley. That was her gift, her natural talent. If only everyone had that,  the locker room would be a far better place.

But as the night wore on and the yellow dotted lines passed by in the headlights, he felt content. He felt peace.

He'd done his job, he'd taught her well.

And though he hadn't expected it, he was thankful for all the things she'd taught him along the way, too.

[edenxmf]

I was 17 when I first had sex. It was with my first serious boyfriend, we met in a behavioral health hospital. Both on an involuntary hold in the ward. I looked up at the man twice my size, hair long and unkept, he smiled and waved gently. I had immediately teared up and began shaking, a nurse quickly lead me to my room. After that I had apologized to him. I first found myself attracted to him because I became bored of the environment I was in. This was common if me in my younger years. I was only ever entertained for so long. He lasted a year and a half with me, longer than I should have let it go on.

It started with subtle touching in the hospital, exchanging contact information. Then when we both left (him a day before me) I opened my phone and considered never contacting him. Leaving him behind with the hospital. A few hours withy family and I got bored again, I decided to fish the contact information out of my bras lining and text him. We began flirting and testing the boundaries, and by the third night home he was my boyfriend.

I was very desperate to be seen sexually and wanted sexually at the beginning of our relationship. My ex before him introduced me to sexting. And we're not talking just pictures, full on practically roleplaying of him being dommed over text. We were 15 and he called me mommy. But besides the point, I said things I didn't really mean and overexaggerated what I thought I wanted so her want me more. At least that's how I thought it worked. If I wasn't wanted, I was nothing at all.

The first time I have him oral was behind a church after his Bible study that we frequented every Sunday evening. My mom would drive me 45 minutes every Sunday to see him two towns away. We were so afraid of getting caught, but we had made a plan. I had to do it that day. I enjoyed it very much, and often after became infatuated with the feeling. After a few months, I became bored of it.

I bombed him with love and sex appeal then 4 months into the relationship I began to starve him of it. He stayed for 13 more months. I even got new oral piercings so I had an excuse as to why I couldn't give him head or kiss him after he ate me out. I turned away his french kisses even after my piercings had somewhat healed, his breath and taste had began to disgust me.

Another layer to this story, was that he was a straight man and I am an AFAB non-binary person attracted to most people. He preferred me feminine presenting, and admitted he'd never date me if I had a penis. It was a preference but I was still pretty peeved because to me that proved he didn't want me enough. I began to pull away, isolate and purposefully avoid him. When he got a job I began to lie so I didn't have to talk to him most of the day. It was easy because we lived so far apart and he couldn't see me in person.

I had ended our relationship 2 times, the first time was on my way home from his house. We had been talking about our future and I broke up with him later that night over call. I sat with a friend on call after, crying my eyes put because I'd felt so bad. After that call, sat for an hour by myself. My sibling was spending time with mom. I locked myself into the bathroom and texted him, we called and got back together. 3 months later I finally broke up with him through call again after he'd called me unfaithful because he found out I sleep in the same beds as my friends when I sleep over. Well technically I told him I needed a day to collect my thoughts, then I broke up with him. I felt fine this time, no crying or guilt. I think it's because I took time to write everything down and tell him everything is been thinking. Fully honest for once in the relationship.

Something I discovered in that relationship was that I don't like talking, giving, or doing anything really during sex. I like receiving pleasure, and just that. I like being doted on and served like royalty. Unrequired to return the sexual favors. My new partner and I refer as it as me being a pillow princess, I still feel like I'm just a selfish lover. Sometimes I feel like I will never have enough. But I feel selfish for asking for anymore than what I already have.

[janice-christ]

Some Answers To Your Questions (Transcribed by Janice's Daughter Naomi)

May 7, 2024

Hi all,

This is Janice's daughter Naomi again. We've been getting a lot of questions from some curious new followers and thought we'd just compile them all here in one post. Mom tends to veer off topic when she gets going so I'm here to transcribe the important bits and leave out the rest.

Q&A

Q: Can you tell us more about your alien abduction?

A: 1997 - October 14th. Matthew Mark Luke John and I were in a brief period of separation and I was home alone with Naomi. I'd just put her to bed around 7 o'clock and walked outside to have a cigarette (Camel blues - and while we're on the subject, why don't they allow smoking indoors anymore? We used to be able to light up an honest to god Pall Mall in the middle of Catholic Mass back in the 70s) [note from Naomi: this rant went on for 13 solid minutes before I got her back on track]. Anyway, I walked out to stand on the front porch and I passed out. Next thing I know, I'm getting strapped up and suspended from the ceiling, high in the air with my belly down and gooch out. I couldn't see anything but the floor at least 10 feet beneath me. There were probably nine or ten little guys looking up at me from below like town perverts waiting for an upskirt shot. Ugly little fuckers. You could see through their skin to their organs. I'm pretty sure the one who strapped me up was the leader because he had a hat. Then suddenly the lights went dark and I screamed - and that's when I heard three other screams. Definitely human. I have no idea who they were or where they are now and it tortures me twenty four hours out the goddamned day. Then I felt a big ol' gust of pressure and I was transported to some sort of void. Black all around me. A few seconds later the Hat Guy wheeled a TV in front of me and turned it on. For the next 3 hours and 15 minutes, the screen played James Cameron's "Titanic", which I found very odd as the movie wasn't due to release on Earth until December. As soon as the credits rolled I woke up in my bed as if nothing happened. I almost thought it was a dream until I dug into my morning bowl of cottage cheese and tasted sulfur as if my entire mouth was painted with the stuff. Now anything I orally consume tastes like that. I have to get my nutrients through a DIY feeding tube I engineered in '98. Patent still pending but I hold on to hope.

Q: You don't seem too worried about your missing husband, but your daughter Naomi does. Why?

A: I don't know - you'll have to ask Naomi why she cares so goddamned much [note from Naomi: he's my dad]

Q: Your bit isn't funny

A: Is this some type of internet explorer slang?

Q: Why do you hate your 4 year old grandson so much? Do you hate kids?

A: I love children! Zachary is not a child. He is a government drone. [note from Naomi: We're working on this relationship]

Q: If you could find the other victims from the night of your abduction, what would you ask them?

A: Oh, too many questions to name! But to start I'd ask if they also watched Titanic or if they got a different film like Boogie Nights or Good Will Hunting.

Q: You say you're single and looking - what kind of partner are you looking for?

A: Anyone who can slap my ass and ride a hog, honey (MUST be willing to assist in twice-daily tadpole experiments)

[note from Naomi: please do not indulge her in this, I am begging you]

---

That's all for now, folks.

Once again, my father is still missing. Last seen wearing a tweed suit in Atlanta, Georgia six months ago, black toupee, 5'3", ~230lbs, walks with a slight limp, favoring his left side. His full name is Matthew Mark Luke John Christ.

Please, PLEASE reach out if you have any information whatsoever on his whereabouts. As Mom said before, there are no known photographs of him as he is staunchly against photography as a concept and industry. If it helps, he looks a little bit like John Goodman if John Goodman was 5'3" with a black toupee and a limp.

Maybe we'll do another one of these if we get some more questions in bulk - Zachary and I are moving in with Mom to help her out until Dad comes back so things are a little chaotic here as you can imagine. Until then, please spread the word about my father if you can.

-Naomi

AND janice xx

[circe69]

𝐂𝐈𝐑𝐂𝐄'𝐒 𝟏𝐊 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓

yayyaya!! 1000 already? crazy. anyways, time to have fun! below are some characters and prompts that i'd love to offer you for requests! just send me one of each and i'll start working on it!

𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬 -

1.) fake couple trope at a party! "are we seriously doing this?" "you were the one who wanted to wear the rings."

2.) sick trope 🤧 "you're already unbearable, it's even worse when you're high off cough medicine" "did i ever tell you how sittable your lap looks?"

3.) argument 😉 trope. HIGH tension. "learn how to shut your mouth, please" "why don't you come over and do it for me? please?"

4.) wearing their clothes after trying to clean out their closet as a favor- *starts blushing* "it's too big on you anyways." "well, we can always put it in the dryer!" "NO-"

5.) blind-kiss, you're both blindfolded at some party, and your friends are daring you to kiss. oh, also, one of you know who the other is. "come on, just do it!" "alright, alright fine, you ready stranger?" "always, stranger."

6.) drunk confessions - "this stuff tastes great, you wanna try it?" "oh su-" *sloppy kiss*

7.) power outage while you both hate each other - "ugh WHERE IS THE BREAKER?" "do I look like an electrician?" "honestly, ye-" "SHUT UP!"

8.) running in the hallway due to being late and you turn a corner and spill coffee on them - "OH SHOOT i am so sorry! this is all my fau-" *pulls you into an empty room and removes the coffee-stained shirt* "help me clean this up and i'll lie to your boss about where you were.

9.) waking up in the same bed after a party - "why are you in MY BED?" "you idiot, this is MY- oh." *steals covers to hide barely-clothed body, but turns out they're almost naked too. "Y/N, GIVE IT BACK QUICK."

10.) classic medic scenario. sure, it's used all the time but i can be creative - "it says here you're in for another doctor, but since i'm the only one available, i guess i'll preform the check-up! *the prettiest person they've ever seen walks in* *swallows loudly* "can i reschedule?" "oh come on, i don't bite!" "i wish they would."

11.) doing their hair for them, straddling their lap. "be quick with it, the meetin's in half an hour." "don't rush perfection."

12.) babysitting with them, they end up falling asleep, you and the baby draw on their face in their sleep - "wash it off now, y/n." "why can't you? you're a big boy." *literally pouting* "cause i don't know what stuff to use!"

13.) cooking with them, maybe midnight snacks - "what are you doin' out here?" "was hungry, couldn't sleep either." *sits at the counter* "make me a plate, wouldya?" "well, why don't you just make it with me?"

14.) them walking in on you taking a shower - "WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE?" "chill, i was just getting my toothbrush." *silence for a few seconds* "want company?" "NO-"

15.) late night car rides, accidentally falling asleep on their shoulder. *head falls on his shoulder* "told ya you should get more sleep, you never listen" *sleepily responds* "i always listen to you."

16.) training with them and getting pinned - "gotcha" "UGH this isn't even fair, our weight isn't compatible in the slightest." *sly smirk* "maybe not, but it's still fun" *presses into you*

17.) hiding from someone in a small space with them - *hand from behind flys over your mouth* "if you talk you'll get us both killed" *you nod feverishly, trying not to notice the close proximity.

18.) going shopping with them but there's only one dressing room - "look you have to promise you'll turn around." "yeah yeah i promise" *starts undressing and sees them peeking* "HEY-" "my fingers were crossed"

19.) cooking breakfast in bed - "good morning, sleepyhead" "hmm what's that?" *showcases beautiful tray of food* "breakfast in bed!" "feed it to me."

20.) hand massages - "let me practice on you please? i just need to make sure i'm good at it." *ends massage* "well? how was it?" *takes a deep, shaky breath* "you have to promise you'll only do that for me."

21.) zipping up a dress for you - "what, is the zipper stuck or something?" "no, 'm just looking."

22.) playing out in the snow with them - *hits you in the face and you fall on the ground* "OWWW dude" *they come over and straddle you* "oh grow up big baby" *kisses all over your face, the last one being on your mouth.

23.) mornings where their clingy - "please stay" "i wanna get us coffee-" "no, stay" *burrows themselves in your neck and gives you a hickey* "HEY-" "there, now you can't go out like that. now go back to sleep."

24.) them falling asleep on your lap - "you drooled, sleepyhead." "you should be paying me for that." *gives them a kiss* "there you go."

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 -

1.) Simon "Ghost" Riley

2.) Johnny "Soap" Mactavish

3.) John Price

4.) Kyle "Gaz" Garrick

5.) König

6.) Alejandro Vargas

7.) Philip Graves

[randxmthxughts]

upd on my concert/trip:

so my flight was supposed to be today but since i still haven't gotten my visa, i had to miss it :/ i rescheduled my flight tickets for friday night instead, and i'll have my visa delivered extra fast tomorrow (i paid too much for that to even say the price), but unfortunately i won't know the answer until i get it. so it's kind of like a pandora box? once i get my delivery tomorrow, i'll find out if i'm catching the flight on friday or not (for which i also had to pay extra)

not to mention that to organize the whole delivery they requested more documents from me this morning, which i was running for around the city for 4 hours today, i cried three times during this bc everywhere they kept rejecting me and said they couldn't provide the docs within the same day and i had to call in favors and basically beg people to help me out, it was so stressful, it feels like it happened to me like a month ago. my brain is totally blocking it out as a traumatic experience

after all this suffering and a month of stressing over my visa, tomorrow when i finally get my answer, i am hoping that it is positive and i can go that fucking concert. iswtg if i end up going i will be forever grateful and will never shut up about it. it'd be a shame if i don't get to go, since i spent SOOO much money, and most importantly so much effort for this. let's just hope the answer is positive

anyways, just wanted to rant, and like i promised, if i end up going and everything works out, i will post two chapters of chosen by eywa in the same week, so pray for me besties <3

[jhtechgeek2011]

Blown up phones, users and more

Tuesday night at work I had someone call me 4 or 5 times in a row, just one ring hang up, a couple rings hang up, 1 ring hang up, 3 rings hang up like they were just gonna MAKE me answer my phone. It's like dude you're NOT forcing me to answer no matter what you do, I am gonna keep hanging up and declining the call and putting you on silent and do not disturb till you stop it.  I then had 2 friends call and text me following those telemarketer/spammer/bill collector ones with the pattern. Friend 1 would NOT stop calling no matter how many times I kept telling her I CANNOT have phone calls at this job I am at today I can text you but even that is hard. Finally got her to get the point and stop calling, only for her to text a barrage of messages as if I can answer her immediately while a guest is at the desk. I text to tell her this and she doesn't even stop texting so I can get my message through. I then get a call from Friend 2, I tell her one time that I cannot have phone calls at the job I am at right now and we can message but even that is difficult. She immediately stops calling and texts. Friend 1 literally is mad at me for not being able to take her call during the job when I can't take ANYBODY'S calls.  She literally was snapping off at me about she really needed me she had a big emergency her mom did XYZ and her sister did ABC and her dad is mad at HER for it all. I am literally standing at my computer at work looking at this like this is an emergency for YOU, not ME girl. It's that entitlement people have of my needs taking precedence all my things are the biggest emergencies and you gotta help me with them asap!

This entitlement I saw with Friend 1 leads right to what I wanted to say about users. They are entitled, spoiled, selfish, drama queens that feel like everything they are going through is the most important, biggest emergency ever. It is that thing of thinking people owe them something and that they need to get what they think they're owed RIGHT NOW! It's that whole "Karen" mentality that drives me crazy. It can also be that they think they can get away with, get over on, and control everyone and everything. I even have people like this in my family and it sucks. I get calls from certain relatives in the middle of the night all urgent and like its an emergency and all they want is to ask to borrow money that I don't have. I will get called by certain other relatives and friends to ask if I can come to hang out with them only to end up at their house doing something for them, some favor they could have just asked for. They do not, however, ask outright because they know my answer is likely to be no. Like friend 3 that I have who asked me to come to hang out at her house and help her with her resume, cover letter, and website only to turn around and leave me working on it by myself and take off with her boyfriend and not come back for several hours, thereby getting what she really wanted, which was for me to babysit her kids and do her resume and crap for her. She then came back 3 hours later with her boyfriend dropping her off and leaving me stuck without a way home since her boyfriend left with her car. I ended up taking a taxi home because of that. I did NOT write her resume or cover letter and after the first half hour she was gone and I called her for her to tell me she would be back in another half hour, I quit working on her website because I knew what she was pulling and I was NOT going. I will never go to her house again, she blew that option from now on with me. 

I have had too many people trying to use and take advantage of me and I am so over it. Nobody will be allowed to trample my boundaries or use me again. I am not being taken advantage of again. I will help only within my boundaries and limits and I will not stratch or push them for anyone else ever again. If you cannot abide by or accept that, then there's the door go ahead and walk right out of my life. I am not obligated to let  you walk all over my boundaries because you think you are entitled to get your way and have whatever you want from whoever you want it from and to never be told no. I am done with users and "Karens" that think they can do this to people, period.

On another note, I have dealt with a different kind of Karen lately as well. I was at the grocery store the other day and there was a long line at the self check outs, this one particular Karen was taking up the entire aisle leaving no room for people to walk past the self checkouts and get to the chip aisle and frozen section. Everyone's having to go down like the cereal aisle or something and then up the other side by the meat just to get to those 3 aisles on the other side of the aisle hogging Karen at the self checkout. What makes you think you can just do that? There is enough room for you to wait in the self checkout line AND leave enough room for through traffic to other aisles, all you have to do is move over to the side half a foot. This is the same type of person that will pull their car WAY into the traffic lane to parallel park on the curb. If you are parallel parking the entire point is to pull up PARALLEL with the front car and the back into the space between it and the car behind. You REALLY suck at parallel parking if you have to pull your car on an ANGLE out INTO traffic to get into the parking space, that's literally NOT parallel parking. 

The other type of person that I have dealt with is the ones that think they own the entire road and nobody else is driving except them. The ones that will fly down a residential street going highway speed because they're in a hurry. It doesn't even get you where you are going sooner in the long run because the purpose of highway speed is for highways where there are NO stop signs, traffic lights or pedestrians to stop for. I almost got hit twice on either the way to or the way home from work by the same car (I think) doing 55 to 60 mph in a 25mph residential zone. I also live by a school and during the school day the speed drops 5 to 10mph slower to 15 to 20mph. What sense does it even make to go that fast just to stop a block later? NONE! It is dangerous and you're putting everybody's life including your own because you're in a hurry and it doesn't even help you to use all that speed and you just end up arriving either on time or late anyways because you use up all your gas speeding up and stopping over and over so you have to stop at the gas station which deletes any time you made going so fast, either that or you get pulled over and ticketed for speeding like that and end up later than you would have had you just gone a normal speed in the first place. Bottom lime your appointment, date, job, etc. is not more important that people's lives and driving highway speed on city streets wont even save you time anyways because of all the stopping and the potential speeding ticket slowing you down. Just stop the stupid speeding and learn how to share the road with the other people that are using it, you're NOT the only one out here on the road!

One last thing that I have been dealing with lately is people that think they're going to drag you back into bad habits or situations that you have already gotten out of. The worst offenders with this are like what happened with my uncle, he had a bad addiction that he went to NA and got clean from but he had friends that hadn't kicked that were pulling him back into using again. He had to stay away from them in order not to be drawn into a relapse. For me it is with mental health things that i have gotten treatment for and gotten out of that I have certain friends and relatives that want to drag me back into it. Certain things that my bipolar disorder, for example, caused I got help for and stopped doing but certain people in my life try to draw me back into them because they're still stuck in them and haven't gotten the help with it. Another thing is with diets, I no longer deal with diets, I had a problem around diets and eating and I got the help I needed to deal with this problem and am out of those behaviors and don't do diet stuff anymore. Some people that I know are still immersed in that kind of thing and try to draw me in, I have repeatedly said I will not discuss it and am not returning to it. 

One relative I have has this program she is in for therapy about some of these issues and she really expects me to sit with her through all her therapy sessions (online) on the phone with her and I refuse. I have one friend that she checks in with me before and after her similar kind of therapy and on her break in the middle of it but she doesn't expect what my relative does. My relative expects me to sit through the entire thing with her from start to finish because she's afraid or uncomfortable or whatever. I have told her no. I no longer answer her calls when I know it is time for her therapy because she pretty much refuses to take no I can't do this with you for an answer. You're the one in the dang therapy, go take your therapy. I completed mine already Im not going through it all over again.  This same thing happened with a friend of mine when we were in college, she wanted me to go through her classes with her when I already completed them the year before her or the semester before her. I am not getting ready to sit on the phone or chat with you for your whole class when Im already done with that class and got my grade for my work already. People that do that are annoying and selfish. You go deal with your own therapy, own class, own job, whatever, I don't need to do it too, I don't have that job or I finished that course already or I am done with that therapy and on to another type or whatever the case may be, I have been there done that got the t-shirt, your turn. These tend to be the same folks that expect someone to do their assignments in school for them, let them copy your exams, want you to do their work for you at a shared job or work for their job when you have a totally different job and it's not on you that they brought the work home with them or whatever. It's lazy, entitled selfish, and immature of them to do it and I wish that they'd stop. But just because they don't stop doesn't mean I gotta still deal with it, I won't. You do your stuff, I'll be over here doing mine talk to you later bye.

[marcholasmoth]

OSRR: 3171

today has been super fucking long and i'm super fucking tired and i'm super fucking done

hopefully seeing joel tomorrow

went to PT, breakfast, and the doctor this morning, learned that my crunchy shoulder is perfectly normal and the pain is understandable. work was boring. i got in at noon. my first appointment cancelled, my second appointment never showed, and my third appointment was late. and by then it was 7pm so i went home, learned my mom read my dad the riot act for allowing me to do his tasks for him despite him being asked repeatedly, and everyone else was mad on my behalf. mostly i'm just tired. i know i shouldn't have had to do it. (i'm tempted to ask to be excluded from the preparations in favor of doing cleanup because it's less stressful and i can do it at night, and i wind up doing it anyway, regardless of the holiday.) but i knew he wasn't gonna do it because he's (1) 72 years old and (2) like a petulant six year old who refuses to do what he's asked to do because if he leaves it for long enough someone else will do it for him.

so instead of that today, for dinner dad was responsible for cooking, setting up, and cleaning up. he cooked and half set the table.

it felt wrong to come upstairs without having the kitchen be clean, the dishes be running, and the table not cleared off. i said as much to mom when i came upstairs.

i hope i'm wrong, but i don't think dad's gonna clean up tonight and it'll be left for tomorrow and the day after and the day after because he won't clean at all. ever. because it's too much work.

weaponized incompetence at its finest.

figure a way around the hard parts of it and get it done. can't stand? sit! have trouble walking? use a cart! can't carry things for long distances? the cart strikes again! don't know where things go? that's a you problem! you've lived in this house as a sentient adult for nearly thirty goddamn years! you should know where dishes go!

christ almighty.

anyway.

that's basically all i did today. it was long and exhausting but at least i had a good breakfast. i stopped at a diner by the airport for an omelette, accompanied by potatoes and toast and fresh-squeezed orange juice. delicious, nutritious, and filling.

i was hungry again an hour later.

i hate always being hungry. why do i always have to be hungry.

and when i was waiting for my last student, my brain was too loud so i grabbed my pen and the sticky notes and went to town to empty out all of the bad thinks in there. i used 3/4 of the pad. it's now half an inch tall. one post just read "fuck". that's about how today went.

[bandedbulbussnarfblat]

i am high af rn, bc i had to go see about an interview for a summer job and that got me all out of sorts and i needed to calm down. and like. i honestly don't know if i'll be able to hold down a summer job, bc i'll have to be around new people. probably in a place that is sensory hell. what if i can't tough it out? but i feel like i have to.

[this got hella long so i came back and added a cut]

my mom is having some medical problems (i won't get into it bc i wanna respect her privacy) and she's going to have to have surgery. luckily, both my parents have insurance and they're thinking between the two most of it should be paid for. but she will be out of work for at least 6 weeks to recover. and that's six weeks without pay. and like, i think my dad makes enough for them to float by.

but my mom has been so supportive of me during my mental breakdown, including cooking me meals nearly every night. and i want to be able to return the favor to her. except without cooking because i'm real bad at it. (i need specific, detailed instructions with exact measurements and times, or i am lost) but i can go get food every night. and take it over to her and then eat with my parents bc that always makes my mom happy.

i just wanna do something nice for her. and also bc she needs to recover but will literally try to get up and cook dinner for her and my dad so he can eat when he gets home. and y'all, my dad is not the kind of man who expects that from a woman. if he was my momma would have taught him real quick how things were and where the door was if he didn't like it. so like, she does not have to do this. in fact, i bet my dad tells her explicitly not to do this. but she'll do it anyway, bc she's a stubborn pain in the ass and i love her.

and i just want to take care of her a little; not bc i think she can't take care of herself, but bc she shouldn't have to when she is recovering. like obviously my dad is gonna help out more. but he works 10 hour shifts (his jobs idea of the 4 day work week, 4 ten hour days followed by three days off. unless night shift on thursday didn't finish the week's work, then people needed to come in friday. but they get overtime pay, so that makes it okay, or something)

anyway, he's tired and he's disabled (in multiple ways i won't list for respect of his privacy. but he's never let it stop him from doing something. necessity is the mother of ingenuity. or something.) so i don't want him to spend 10 hours on his feet then have to come home and cook and help take care of my mom. i want to help them.

so i need this part-time job. 1. so i can pay my bills. the summer fund isn't gonna cut it. 2. buy dinner for my parents and myself and also probably my brother since he lives with me (oh, make him go halfsies. it'll save money) 3. save up anything extra to pay into a going back to school fund. but like, a 2 yr degree or a certificate program in something i can do from home. offered at a community college, bc i'm not paying university prices

this post has become a mess. i'm gonna go back up and add a cut. thanks for reading my stress rant y'all