#traffic control strategies

[constructionsafetynetwork]

Best Practices for Protecting Road Construction Workers

Road construction workers operate in an environment where danger is a constant companion. The proximity to moving traffic, the use of heavy machinery, and the exposure to various environmental elements make their workplace one of the more hazardous ones. Therefore, implementing best practices for protecting road construction workers is not just a regulatory requirement but a moral imperative. To…

[smarterfeds1]

Federal Employee Benefits Workshops Kansas City

Smarter Feds offers Federal Employee Benefits Workshops and FERS Survivor Benefit Training are two types of training programs that are designed to help federal employees understand their retirement benefits under the FERS Law Enforcement Officer Retirement .  Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). This training covers topics such as eligibility requirements, calculation of benefits, survivor benefits, and retirement planning strategies.

Sign up for a workshop:

Address: 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Ste 109 Tampa, FL 33602

Email: Stacey@smarterfeds.com

Call: +1 (877) 309-5133

https://smarterfeds.com// talk-to-a-specialist/

Ph: +1 (727) 205-0255

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Substack Mastery Book: Chapter 11

Supercharge Your Substack Newsletters with Blogging on WordPress, Medium, or Other Platforms: Here’s What You Need to Know and How to Get Started Right Now I wrote this chapter because I gained significant benefits from blogging, especially within the last 12 months when I started intensifying my efforts on Substack. Until I deliberately blogged my content published on Substack or sent it…

[techdriveplay]

How to Drive Manual in a Traffic Jam

Learning to drive a manual transmission can be an exhilarating experience, providing a sense of control and connection to the vehicle that automatics simply don’t offer. Yet, when it comes to navigating the stop-and-go chaos of a traffic jam, that excitement can quickly turn into anxiety and frustration. I vividly remember the days when I first learned to drive manual; every time I faced a…

[halorvic]

The danger is clear and present: COVID isn’t merely a respiratory illness; it’s a multi-dimensional threat impacting brain function, attacking almost all of the body’s organs, producing elevated risks of all kinds, and weakening our ability to fight off other diseases. Reinfections are thought to produce cumulative risks, and Long COVID is on the rise. Unfortunately, Long COVID is now being considered a long-term chronic illness — something many people will never fully recover from. Dr. Phillip Alvelda, a former program manager in DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office that pioneered the synthetic biology industry and the development of mRNA vaccine technology, is the founder of Medio Labs, a COVID diagnostic testing company. He has stepped forward as a strong critic of government COVID management, accusing health agencies of inadequacy and even deception. Alvelda is pushing for accountability and immediate action to tackle Long COVID and fend off future pandemics with stronger public health strategies. Contrary to public belief, he warns, COVID is not like the flu. New variants evolve much faster, making annual shots inadequate. He believes that if things continue as they are, with new COVID variants emerging and reinfections happening rapidly, the majority of Americans may eventually grapple with some form of Long COVID. Let’s repeat that: At the current rate of infection, most Americans may get Long COVID.

[...]

LP: A recent JAMA study found that US adults with Long COVID are more prone to depression and anxiety – and they’re struggling to afford treatment. Given the virus’s impact on the brain, I guess the link to mental health issues isn’t surprising. PA: There are all kinds of weird things going on that could be related to COVID’s cognitive effects. I’ll give you an example. We’ve noticed since the start of the pandemic that accidents are increasing. A report published by TRIP, a transportation research nonprofit, found that traffic fatalities in California increased by 22% from 2019 to 2022. They also found the likelihood of being killed in a traffic crash increased by 28% over that period. Other data, like studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, came to similar conclusions, reporting that traffic fatalities hit a 16-year high across the country in 2021. The TRIP report also looked at traffic fatalities on a national level and found that traffic fatalities increased by 19%. LP: What role might COVID play? PA: Research points to the various ways COVID attacks the brain. Some people who have been infected have suffered motor control damage, and that could be a factor in car crashes. News is beginning to emerge about other ways COVID impacts driving. For example, in Ireland, a driver’s COVID-related brain fog was linked to a crash that killed an elderly couple. Damage from COVID could be affecting people who are flying our planes, too. We’ve had pilots that had to quit because they couldn’t control the airplanes anymore. We know that medical events among U.S. military pilots were shown to have risen over 1,700% from 2019 to 2022, which the Pentagon attributes to the virus.

[...]

LP: You’ve criticized the track record of the CDC and the WHO – particularly their stubborn denial that COVID is airborne. PA: They knew the dangers of airborne transmission but refused to admit it for too long. They were warned repeatedly by scientists who studied aerosols. They instituted protections for themselves and for their kids against airborne transmission, but they didn’t tell the rest of us to do that.

[...]

LP: How would you grade Biden on how he’s handled the pandemic? PA: I’d give him an F. In some ways, he fails worse than Trump because more people have actually died from COVID on his watch than on Trump’s, though blame has to be shared with Republican governors and legislators who picked ideological fights opposing things like responsible masking, testing, vaccination, and ventilation improvements for partisan reasons. Biden’s administration has continued to promote the false idea that the vaccine is all that is needed, perpetuating the notion that the pandemic is over and you don’t need to do anything about it. Biden stopped the funding for surveillance and he stopped the funding for renewing vaccine advancement research. Trump allowed 400,000 people to die unnecessarily. The Biden administration policies have allowed more than 800,000 to 900,000 and counting.

[...]

LP: The situation with bird flu is certainly getting more concerning with the CDC confirming that a third person in the U.S. has tested positive after being exposed to infected cows. PA: Unfortunately, we’re repeating many of the same mistakes because we now know that the bird flu has made the jump to several species. The most important one now, of course, is the dairy cows. The dairy farmers have been refusing to let the government come in and inspect and test the cows. A team from Ohio State tested milk from a supermarket and found that 50% of the milk they tested was positive for bird flu viral particles.

[...]

PA: There’s a serious risk now in allowing the virus to freely evolve within the cow population. Each cow acts as a breeding ground for countless genetic mutations, potentially leading to strains capable of jumping to other species. If any of those countless genetic experiments within each cow prove successful in developing a strain transmissible to humans, we could face another pandemic – only this one could have a 58% death rate. Did you see the movie “Contagion?” It was remarkably accurate in its apocalyptic nature. And that virus only had a 20% death rate. If the bird flu makes the jump to human-to-human transition with even half of its current lethality, that would be disastrous.

[fandoms-x-reader]

Staring

Headcannons

Summary: How the brothers would stare at you / their reactions if you caught them staring.

As the Avatar of Pride, Lucifer rarely did things without intention. After all, he had an image to uphold. But, when it came to you, it seemed like he almost never had control over his thoughts and actions.

The first time Lucifer caught himself staring at you was while you were helping set things up for the school festival. You were so kind towards others as you helped Lucifer direct traffic, ensuring the event ran smoothly. Lucifer found it hard to take his eyes off of you as you moved about, a graceful smile on your face as you somehow looked well within your element, despite being a human in the Devildom.

When Diavolo approached Lucifer and asked him a question, he finally snapped out of his trance. He asked Lord Diavolo to repeat his question and that’s when Diavolo knew how much trouble Lucifer was in. Nonetheless, he’d repeat his question to Lucifer, wearing a knowing smile - a smile that Lucifer would definitely ignore.

After that day, Lucifer caught himself staring at you more and more. If you were at RAD or around the others, Lucifer would try to be more discreet about it, doing his best to not let the others see his longing looks. The last thing he needed was one of his brothers to find out he was staring at you. He would never hear the end of it.

But, if it was just the two of you, Lucifer was less bashful about it. He allowed himself to fully admire your beauty.

If you caught him staring, he would give you his charming smile, looking as poised as ever. If you asked him if he was staring at you, he would admit to it, not seeing a problem in being honest.

Mammon stares at you all of the time. Whenever you were in his presence, his eyes would be on you. He would watch everything you do, down to the small most insignificant movement. You were his human.

It started the first day he met you when Lucifer had assigned him to watch over you. Sure, his act was tough, giving you a spiel about how you better not cause problems for him. But, on the inside, he was doing his best to not blush at how attractive you were.

In the beginning, he would sneak glances whenever he could, his eyes naturally finding their way to you. But, as the two of you got closer, he found himself staring more often and for longer periods of times. 

He didn’t care if his brothers were watching. They would already tease him about you anyway. So, if they caught him staring at you, it would be nothing new.

But, if you caught him staring at you - that was a completely different story.

If you noticed him staring, Mammon would turn into a flustered mess, blushing as he quickly tried to deny the fact that he was staring at you. Even if you didn’t ask him if he was staring.

It would be hard to catch Levi staring at you, mostly because he spends so much time in his room. So, if you weren’t in there with him, there would be few opportunities for him to stare at you. However, when you do spend time with him, all of his attention is on you.

When Levi first invited you to his room to play a game, he didn’t think anything of it. He needed a second player and he thought you were the best option since you were a normie and all.

It was a bit awkward since Levi didn’t really know how to talk to you. But, as the night progressed, he opened up more and the two of you fell into easy conversation.

When you had won the game for the team, Levi stared at you in shock. He thought for sure the two of you were going to lose. Then, somehow, you managed to pull out the win right at the last second.

From then on, whenever the two of you were playing games, he would keep staring at you. He told himself it was to “watch your strategies”. But, in reality, he couldn’t take his eyes off of you even if he wanted to. 

If you caught him staring, it would not be good. He would probably start blushing furiously along with yelling some different things in an attempt to hide his embarrassment, but it would only further it.

He would avoid you at all costs until he was able to calm himself down.

When Satan stares at you, it is by far one of the most intense stares out of all the brothers. It was as if he could read every thought you were thinking. 

At first, Satan was staring at you as a means of analyzing you. He kept to himself, not really introducing himself to you. He preferred to study you from afar. He was trying to understand your personality and nature.

If you caught him staring during this point in time, Satan wouldn’t immediately look away, a small blush coating his cheeks.

After he got to know you though, he understood everyone’s appeal towards you. 

You were the only one who helped calm him down when he could feel his wrath starting to form. He felt comfortable opening up to you, which was a completely new experience for him.

Compared to when he first stared at you, now he notices smaller details. Like the way your eyebrow twitches when you’re particularly focused, or the way you lightly bite your lip when reading a grasping scene in a book.

Every small detail he found out about you drew him in closer. It was an intoxicating feeling that made him never want to look away. He was too afraid he would miss something if he did.

After you grew closer, Satan would still be a bit embarrassed if you caught him staring. But, he wouldn’t stop like before. He would admire you until he was content.

Amso is completely shameless when it comes to staring. He will do it any day at any time, no matter who was watching.

The first time Asmo really stared at you was at the Demon Lord’s Castle during the retreat. He was trying so hard to charm you, and part of that requires him staring. But, when his charm didn’t work on you, it threw him for a loop.

Asmo began staring at you when you weren’t looking - desperate to find a way to make his charm work on you. But, after forming a pact with you, he realized he didn’t want to charm you with his power. He wanted to charm you by being himself.

Now Asmo stares at you for a completely different reason. It didn’t matter if you were spending time with him or across campus and barely within his line of vision. If he could see you, he was staring at you. And, he wouldn’t care one bit if you caught him doing it.

He would be completely honest about his staring, letting you know it was because of how attractive you were. He would tell you that you’re too distracting to look away from.

If you got flustered by his words, it would only stir him on more. He loves seeing you blush, especially when he's the one making you blush.

Beel is a bit shy when it comes to his feelings for you. He would find it hard to take his eyes off of you, but he would only stare at you for a couple of seconds at a time. He wouldn’t want to alert you of his staring.

The first time you cooked him a meal was when he realized he couldn’t look away. Two of his favorite things were in front of him and he wanted the moment to last forever.

From that moment on, every time he has food, he remembers the way you looked and it brings a smile to his face.

He would always look for you in the crowds of his games. He loved seeing you with a smile as you watched him, supporting him. Sometimes he would get so distracted watching you, he would forget that he was actually playing at that current moment.

His eyes would immediately be on you when he hears you talking or laughing. He didn’t care what you were talking about or laughing about, he just loved seeing you so happy.

If you catch him staring at you, he would be a bit embarrassed about it. He would stop if you asked him to. But, you would never do that. Because he looks at you with such a caring and endearing look, that it makes you feel so special.

Belphie is shameless when it comes to you. You have already seen him at his absolute worst, so there really isn’t much that could embarrass him.

Belphie is naturally spacey when he’s awake. He spends most of his time at RAD thinking either about how he wishes he was asleep or about you. In the end, his thoughts about you always trump his thoughts about sleep. 

He hasn’t stopped staring at you since you forgave him for attacking you. 

He literally killed you, and yet somehow, when you talked to him, there wasn’t a hint of malice. You treated him like any of the brothers from the get go despite him not having nearly as much time as the others had to get to know you. 

At first, he thought you were a defective human. Clearly something wasn’t right with you. It couldn’t have been. You were so forgiving and kind, and towards demons nonetheless. 

But, when he realized that was just who you were and that it was part of what made you so special, he loved it. He loved the feeling when you smiled at him or laughed at one of his jokes.

If you were laughing with one of his brothers - except Beel - his eyes would immediately be on you, making sure his brothers didn’t overstep.

When you were in his presence, he would constantly look at you to measure your reactions to things people would say or do. He heard so much about humans from Lilith; and, being with you, he finally understood her obsession with them.

You would catch him staring sometimes, and he would be completely unphased. In fact, most of the time, you would end up being the one who was flustered. 

You swore if he could sleep with his eyes open, he would just so that he could stare at you 24/7. But, that would honestly be a bit creepy.

[the-thing-inside-your-closet]

Prompts I’ve seen/found online that I have used an inspiration for many things, but mainly DP X DC stuff.

There’s 200 prompts/quotes in there

1. They match each other’s freak to a degree that is dangerous to the public.

2. People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

3. “I have a solution.”

“Thank goodness.”

“It involves fire.”

“Absolutely not.”

4. Why are you hiding behind me? What did you do?

5. We can’t have a crisis - my schedule is already full!

6. “What’s our exit strategy?”

“Our what?”

“We’re all going to die.”

7. That is a terrible, horrible, incredibly foolish idea. Let’s do it and see what happens.

8. “This coffee tastes weird.”

“That’s probably because it’s not coffee.”

9. “Can I bother you for a second?”

“You always bother me, but go ahead.”

10. “Are you mad?”

“No.”

“So sharpening knives at 2am is just a hobby?”

11. I’m going to give my inner child a gun.

12. Your inability to learn complicated handshakes is tearing this gang apart.

13. I get so affectionate when I’m sleepy it’s disgusting.

14. Leaving a watermelon on someone’s doorstep in the middle of the night is a pretty inexpensive way to occupy a portion of their mind forever.

15. No offence to myself or anything but what the fuck am I doing.

16. I would love to be mysterious but I never shut the fuck up.

17. The divorce rate amongst my socks is astonishing.

18. Adulthood is a scam I want to be a crow.

19. Good morning! God has let me live another day and I’m about to make it everybody’s problem.

20. My house is haunted because I live there.

21. That’s my emotional support entity of questionable moral standing.

22. God released me into the wild and now he’s hunting me for sport.

23. No, no you don’t want to get to know me, I’m better as a concept.

24. I can’t wait until I’m old enough to pretend I can’t hear.

25. Do birds every just fly for fun or are they always on some kind of mission?

26. The older I get the more I understand why roosters scream to start their day.

27. ‘You’ll understand when you’re older.’ I am older and I understand absolutely nothing.

28. Source? It was revealed to me in a delusion.

29. Why do drugs after 30 when you can just stand up too fast?

30. I won’t ever be the bigger person in an argument. God made me 5’ for a reason.

31. This meeting could have been a fist fight.

32. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m never going to have a midlife crisis because my entire fucking life is a crisis.

33. Anyone fancy going off the fucking rails with me I’ve had enough.

34. Go ahead and get in the pond since you wanna act like a silly goose.

35. My life is like a romantic comedy except there’s no romance and it’s just me laughing at my own jokes.

36. Who the fuck decided to call it ‘emotional baggage’ and not ‘griefcase?’

37. I don’t have a nervous system. I am a nervous system.

38. “What makes us human?”

“Selecting all of the images with traffic lights.”

39. Don’t let anyone else ruin your day. It’s your day. Ruin it yourself.

40. The sixth love language is combat.

41. “I just told you 2 minutes ago.”

“I do not control the remember.”

42. Due to not wanting to. I will not be.

43. My flabbers be gasted daily.

44. “Are you seeing anyone?”

“Like a hallucination, a therapist, or a person?”

45. “You’re the most ridiculous person I’ve ever met.”

“Thank you I try my best.”

46. I tried to embrace my inner child today and the little asshole bit me.

47. I think my dark under eye circles are adding to the aesthetic actually.

48. Being smart has never stopped me from being a complete fucking idiot.

49. Next time I’m opening up to someone will be at my autopsy.

50. Too many songs about love. Not enough song about sword fights.

51. “You’re cute.”

“I’m feral and chaotic, don’t touch me.”

52. I’m not as unhinged as I could be and I want everyone to be great full for that.

53. How dare you know stuff about things.

54. “I have a plan.”

“Is it a good one?”

“I have a plan.”

55. “Are you decent?”

“Not morally, but I’m wearing pants if that’s what you’re asking.”

56. I may have the right to remain silent but I do not have the ability.

57. I don’t want to look ‘pretty.’ I want to look otherworldly and vaguely threatening.

58. If you ever feel safe please remember that I’m out there.

59. “I’m too good for revenge.”

“Well I’m not. Give me the gun.”

60. “You know I really feel like we aren’t seeing eye to eye.

“It’s because you’re taller than me asshole.”

61. “They rely on you.”

“I can’t be blamed for their lack of judgment..”

62. Well, aren’t you a little Ray of pitch black.

63. I can get behind murder but I draw the line at misogyny.

64. In my defence your honour, I simply do not vibe with the law.

65. Life is a tornado and I’m just the cow being spun around for cinematic value.

66. You can burn all the sage you want, I’ll be back.

67. I believe in holding grudges. I’ll heal in hell.

68. You know…they make medication for the way you act.

69. I like men with massive, throbbing vocabularies.

70. My swear jar could finance the fucking space program.

71. “Well if you want my opinion-”

“I don’t. I have my own.”

72. I’m awake but not operational.

73. Due to personal reasons I’ll be going back to sleep.

74. The bags under my eyes are Prada.

75. I identify as a threat. My pronouns are try/me.

76. Audacity must be on sale this year…

77. “Have you ever been handcuffed?”

“Sexually or by law enforcement?”

78. I don’t like salad or eye contact.

79. “Come here.”

“Why?”

“Just come here.”

“No you’re gonna hit me!”

80. “I didn’t catch your name.”

“I didn’t throw it.”

81. I have to keep reminding myself that I am an adult and will be charged as one.

82. Apparently ‘spite’ is not an appropriate answer to ‘what motives you?’

83. There is a fine line between my crazy and my intelligence. I use that line like a jump rope.

84. I don’t know where you got your opinion but I hope you kept the receipt.

85. Sometimes when I close my eyes…I can’t see.

86. Is being stupid a profession or are you just gifted?

87. Some days the supply of available curse words is insufficient to meet my demands.

88. I’m running out of reasons to not stab you.

89. When I said ‘how stupid can you be?’ It wasn’t a challenge.

90. Love at first sight? Tired, boring. Love at first assassination attempt? Spicy.

91. I’m sorry I don’t take orders. I barley take suggestions.

92. And that’s a wrap on another day where I acted like I knew what I was doing.

93. Now if you’ll excuse me…tonight’s bad decision isn’t going to make itself.

94. I take super hot showers to practice burning in hell.

95. I wanna be 14 again and ruin my life differently. I have new ideas.

96. Don’t be ashamed of who you are. That’s your parent’s job.

97. Being an adult is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.

98. If I’m ever murdered, feel comfort in knowing I ran my mouth until the bitter end.

99. My spirit animal would fucking eat yours.

100. Some people will only like you if you fit inside their box. Don’t be afraid to shove that box up their ass.

101. I wonder if people look both ways before getting on my fucking nerves.

102. If I was a bird, I know who I’d shit on.

103. Giving a fuck doesn’t really go with my outfit.

104. I’m not insulting you, I’m describing you.

105. Life is full of disappointments and I just added you to the list.

106. And then I decided to take a detour to deliver an ass beating.

107. I wanna contribute to the chaos.

108. I’m gay and also stronger than all of you. So don’t try any shit.

109. With all due respect, which is none

110. What, pray tell, the fuck?

111. My arson charges don’t define me.

112. Those are bold words for someone in stabbing range.

113. I don’t understand your specific kind of crazy but I do admire your total commitment to it.

114. I am not above slashing my own tires to avoid going to this family brunch.

115. I don’t want to heal my inner child I want them to get revenge.

116. In order to insult me I must first value your opinion. Nice try though.

117. There’s someone for everyone and the person for you is a psychiatrist.

118. Keep rolling your eyes, maybe you’ll find a brain back there.

119. I think my guardian angel drinks.

120. In my defence, I was left unsupervised.

121. I believe in you. I also believe in Bigfoot so don’t get too excited.

122. If you figure me out I want an explanation.

123. I don’t think I meet the height requirements to ride your emotional roller coaster.

124. When killing them with kindness doesn’t work, try voodoo.

125. Another fine day ruined by responsibility.

126. You call them swear words. I call them sentence enhancers.

127. Stop petting my peeves.

128. What a year this week has been.

129. Don’t follow me I don’t know where I’m going.

130. Due to unfortunate circumstances, I am awake.

131. I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

132. Please don’t interrupt me while I’m ignoring you.

133. Everyone has the right to be stupid but you’re abusing the privilege.

134. I just know I will die trying to pet something I shouldn’t.

135. At this point, if a clown invited me into the woods, I’d just go.

136. I told him to take care of his eyes because they’re the only balls he has.

137. The trash gets picked up tomorrow. Be ready.

138. My last words will probably be sarcastic.

139. We don’t have time to unpack all that.

140. I may have committed light treason.

141. How is ‘pretty boy’ supposed to be an insult? I’m the prettiest goddamn boy in this town.

142. I’m not interested in being polite or heterosexual.

143. “Based on statistical evidence, I’m immortal.”

“How so?”

“Haven’t died yet.”

144. I’m just here to establish an alibi.

145. Take the day off from being the bigger person and choose violence, you deserve it.

146. Forgive and forget? I’m neither Jesus nor do I have alzheimers.

147. People are so ungrateful. No one ever thanks me for having the patience to not kill them.

148. “I can see your bra.”

“Fucking good it was expensive.”

149. Sir, that’s my emotional support knife collection.

150. My idea of ‘help from above’ is a sniper on the roof.

151. “We’re surrounded!”

“Excellent, we can attack in any direction!

152. Lord give me patience or an untractable handgun.

153. Step back! I’m a professional idiot!

154. “Trust your gut.”

“I have anxiety. My gut is always telling me to abort mission.”

155. Keep your morals away from me.

156. Your existence gives me a headache go stand over there.

157. What, from the bottom of my heart, the fuck?

158. My heart is not a home for cowards.

159. Underestimate me so I can embarrass you.

160. “It’ll be easy. You just have to seduce them.”

“You’re kidding, right? I’m about as seductive as a cabbage.”

161. You’ve got heart, kid. Several hearts. Honestly, I’m a little scared of you.

162. It takes a very special kind of idiot to pull off what you just did.

163. I’m no doctor - but I think he’s dead.

164. I love you. You enormously stubborn pain in the ass.

165. “What brings you here?”

“A continuum of terrible choices.”

“You’d be surprised to know how often people say that.”

166. “I thought we agreed to tell each other when we were bleeding internally.”

“That’s a very specific promise I don’t remember making.”

167. “Did you really google how to flirt with a girl?”

“What? How’d you know that?”

“You do realise there’s a search history?”

168. “I’m gonna…”

“If you kick down the door, I swear…”

“I’M GONNA PUNCH IT WITH MY FOOT!”

169. “Is it still murder if I give them a heads up?”

“That’s a threat.”

“Damn.”

170. Surprise! I’m back from the dead! Isn’t that exciting?

171. Don’t mind me, I’ll just be in the corner, having another existential crisis.

172. I’d agree with you, but then we’d both be wrong.

173. You’re important to me you piece of shit.

174. “Why are your hands purple?”

“That’s a very good question.”

175. Can someone turn off the sun please?

176. “I had a thought.”

“Oh no.”

“I swear it’s a good one this time!”

177. I’ve met bread smarter than you.

178. “Please stop getting shot, it stresses me out.”

“Oh, well if YOU don’t like it.”

179. Dude, we are not asking the dragon for directions.

180. You’ve got as much charm as a dead slug.

181. For you, I could steal the stars - but I can also get them through legitimate means, if that impresses you more.

182. I am under no obligation to make sense to you.

183. You smile like an idiot when you’re talking to them.

184. Don’t you sign to me in that tone.

185. Excuse me. I have to go make a scene.

186. “Shut up.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Don’t care. Shut up.”

187. Now that I made it weird, I’m going to make my exit.

188. So uh, I noticed you’re kinda naked. Is that intentional or…?

189. “Do you trust me?”

“No.”

“Smart man.”

190. Well, if you’d woken up properly the first time I kicked you, I wouldn’t have had to do it four more times.

191. “I have NEVER been so insulted.”

“You don’t listen much, do you?”

192. “Don’t you know who I am?”

“Yup. I just don’t care.”

193. I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. I just thought it would be amusing.

194. I would tell you to be yourself but that almost got us killed last time.

195. “Why aren’t you worshipping me, mortal?”

“Not interested. Thanks.”

196. “I’d rather be dead.”

“Then I have some good news for you.”

197. “Did you hear that scream?”

“Yes, I’m the one who screamed.”

198. “What happened to your-”

“I lost a bet.”

“Why-”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

199. Reading way above my grade level didn’t get me as far in life as I had hoped.

200. Due to foreseen circumstances well within my control I will be late.

[delusionalfanficwriter]

accident

The morning sun cast a soft glow over the streets of Seattle as Y/N drove to her training session for USWNT. The familiar scent of coffee filled the air, but her mind was focused on the upcoming game and the challenges that lay ahead. As she approached an intersection, the traffic light turned red, forcing her to come to a stop.

Just as the light turned green, Y/N accelerated, her mind still occupied with thoughts of tactics and strategy for the game. The intersection was busy, cars moving in various directions. However, in the blink of an eye, a distracted driver ran a red light, colliding with Y/N's car from the side.

The impact sent Y/N's car spinning, metal crunching against metal. The sudden jolt left her disoriented, the world spinning around her. As the chaos unfolded, she heard the distant wail of sirens, and through the haze, she saw the familiar faces of Maya hopping out of the fire truck and the Station 19 team rushing to the scene before her eyes started to close shut. 

Maya takes in the scene,  her eyes fall on the license plate number she has seen dozens of times. Her mind jumps to y/n, who she knows is in Seattle for the game coming up later in the week. The y/n who she and Carina took under their wing after she showed up several times to clinic days. They opened their home for her until she was steady enough to be on her own and when she isn’t with USWNT she is home in the UK playing for Arsenal. 

Panic and concern etched across her face, as she sprinted towards Y/N's car. Reaching the damaged vehicle, she instantly saw y/n out cold. Reaching for the door handle, it wouldn’t budge. “Fuck! Guys it’s y/n. We need the jaws of life to remove the door and maybe even windshield for more access.” Travis went to grab it as Warren and Andy came with the med bag as they were on Aid car 19. “Y/n, I’m not sure if you can hear me but I need you to try to open your eyes. It’s Maya. You are going to be okay.”

Maya makes the decision to break the backseat window and enter through there before crawling front to the passenger seat. Andy did the same but remained behind y/n as she helped stabilize her neck with a c-collar after Maya checked for a pulse. 

With all the hands touching her, y/n started to stir awake, moaning in pain. “Shhh. Y/n, it’s going to be okay, just try to remain still for us.”

Hearing the familiar voice, y/n turned her head as much as possible with the collar on to the source. “Cap…” She whispered.

“Hey there, kiddo. You took quite a big hit. Andy and I are in the car with you. Can you tell me if you are in pain and where?” Maya scans over y/n as y/n thinks the question through. 

“Um. My head is pounding and the light makes it worse. Chest might be bruised… Maya…” y/n’s facial expression changes into a panicked one. 

“Y/n, what’s wrong?... Y/n talk to me…”

“...legs… I- I can’t feel my legs. Maya- no no…” Y/n begins to spiral as realization hits her. 

“Y/n, I need you to listen to me and breathe. We will figure it out but don’t focus on that right now. I need you to get your breathing under control.”

Warren assisted Travis in preparing the jaws of life while Maya focused on Y/N's immediate needs. Andy opened the med bag, retrieving equipment to monitor vital signs. 

"Y/N, I need you to stay with me. Andy's going to monitor your vital signs, and we'll make sure you're as comfortable as possible," Maya explained, her voice a steady presence in the chaos. “Nice deep breaths.”

Andy secured an IV line, administering fluids to address potential shock. Maya continued to assess Y/N's chest and abdomen, searching for any signs of internal injuries. 

"Good job, Andy. Let's keep an eye on those vitals. Y/N, I need you to let me know if anything feels off or if the pain increases," Maya directed, her focus unwavering. “Y/n pay attention to me. Eyes on me. We will worry about your legs when we pull you out.”

“Cap, my legs are everything. You know that.”

“I know, Y/n, I promise I know.” Maya is reminded of how soccer saved Y/N life and helped lift her from her rough past. 

As Maya reassured Y/N, the situation took a dire turn. A faint hissing sound emerged from beneath the wreckage, followed by the acrid smell of gas. Maya's heart sank as she realized the danger they were in.

"Warren, Travis, we've got a gas leak! We need to get Y/N out of here, now!" Maya's voice cut through the chaos, urgency evident in every word. With adrenaline coursing through their veins, the team intensified their efforts.

Travis and Warren redoubled their efforts with the jaws of life, while Andy swiftly prepared Y/N for extraction, mindful of the looming threat of fire. Maya coordinated the rescue operation with precision, her training kicking in as she assessed the risks and devised a plan.

Suddenly, a spark ignited the volatile atmosphere, and flames erupted, engulfing the front of the car. Time seemed to slow as panic surged through the team. Without hesitation, Maya made a split-second decision.

"Grab Y/N, we're getting her out, now!" Maya commanded, her voice unwavering despite the inferno raging around them. With synchronized movements, Andy and Maya carefully lifted Y/N, their actions swift yet deliberate.

“Stop it-it hurts! Maya, stop!” Y/n screamed and cried as her body was hastily carried out of the vehicle. 

“I’m sorry, Y/n but we need to leave now!” Maya screamed over the chaos. As they lifted y/n out and placed her on the stretcher, they ran as Vic and Jack foamed over the gas leak. 

“Leah… I was on a call with Leah before.” Y/n suddenly remembered having her girlfriend on the other end of the line before the crash. 

“Don’t worry, I will call her, right now.” Maya climbed into the back of the ambulance, her eyes never leaving Y/N. "You're doing great, Y/N. We're right here with you," she said, her voice filled with reassurance.

Andy followed suit, bringing the medical bag and equipment into the confined space of the ambulance. Y/N's eyes darted between Maya and Andy, seeking comfort in their familiar faces amidst the uncertainty.

“Speaking of the devil, Leah is facetiming me.” Maya says unlocking her phone but as the ambulance doors closed, Y/N's panic resurfaces. The confined space and the realization of the severity of the situation weighed heavily on her. "Maya, I can't... I can't breathe. It's too much," Y/N gasped, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

Maya quickly grabbed an oxygen mask from the medical bag. "Y/N, slow your breathing. This will help," she said, placing the mask gently over Y/N's face. "Deep breaths. In and out."

“What’s happening? Maya what happened to Y/n?!” Leah yelled through the phone panicked by Y/n’s panic. 

“Y/n look who I have on the phone, wanting to see you.” Maya tries to distract the woman in front of her. Y/n pauses for a second to see her blurred girlfriend on the screen.

“Baby, you’re going to be okay, Maya is with you and I am sure Carina will meet you in the hospital. I’ll be on the next plane over.” Leah reassured y/n. 

“Leahhh,” Y/n cried. “I can’t - can’t feel my legs. I’m so scared.” Leah pauses and a panic look crosses over her eye but she tries to remain as calm as possible. 

“Wait until the doctor’s check you out, it could just be from slight inflammation. Just focus on what Maya says. She is with you and looks like Andy is there too. You are gonna be fine, baby just remain calm.” 

“Leah, we are pulling into the ambulance bay in a minute so I am going to hang up and get her sorted for the medical staff. I’ll call you back as soon as I can.” Maya tells Leah knowing how protective she is of her girlfriend. With that Leah gives another word of love to Y/n before canceling the call. 

“I texted Carina as well, I am not sure if she’s in surgery or not but she’ll come to find us once she sees it.” Maya informs y/n knowing she is able to calm down more when Carina is around. “We are almost there, but it’s going to get chaotic. Just breathe, it’ll be alright.” 

The ambulance pulls up and doors open to reveal Amelia, Bailey, Kepner, Teddy, and Carina. 

“What do we have?” Bailey starts.

“23 year old female in a MVC, airbags deployed, head laceration, possible spinal injury, she says she can’t feel her legs. C-spine precaution taken. Y/n had two panic attacks already and is in pain but no pain meds given as unknown head trauma...” Andy trails off. 

“Alright, trauma 2.”

Y/n is rolled in as everyone takes on a role and several hands are trying to assess her injuries to the full extent. Y/n takes her deep breaths as she reminds herself they are here to help her. 

In the entrance of the room Maya whispers to Carina, “Carina, she said she can’t feel her legs. I tried to stay calm for her but it’s never good. She was freaking out…” 

A loud groan of pain takes them out of their moment as they see they have turned y/n on her side to check her back before placing her back down. Amelia does a head work up and then moves down to y/n’s legs. Carina steps closer to y/n for support as Amelia asks her if she can feel her touching her feet. 

“I can’t feel it.” Amelia moves up the leg and to the knee. “Nothing.” Amelia moves mid-thigh. “I barely feel that.”

“Okay, don’t worry, we will get a CT scan and check you out. Might just be inflammation on the spine that will go away.” Amelia reassured the girl Carina took under her wing. 

“And what if it doesn’t,” Y/n asks the question she knows the answer to. 

“Let’s see what the scans say and we will take it from there.” Amelia places her hand on Y/n’s hand but she pulls away. 

“I’m going to be sick.” With that, y/n turns her body as much as possible and only dry heaves. 

“Bambina, you are stressing yourself out. I know you are worried about playing soccer, hell even walking but one thing at a time. You can’t think of what ifs. I am here now. I will make sure things are in order. Maya and I will be there for you every step of the way. I am going to need you to practice the breathing exercises. I don’t want them to sedate you but if your panic gets in the way…”

“No, no I promise.” Y/n cuts her off and closes her eyes trying to regulate her breathing. The team talks to her about the next steps of imaging and makes her a priority case.

[jhkfan123]

scandal | coriolanus snow

pairing: young!presidentsnow x fem!reader

in which: the affair between you and president snow got out quite suddenly, and him being married to livia cardew didn't help. you had to talk to him about this.

warnings: none

wc: 1.5k

the capitol's breeze made its way through you as you rushed to coryo's house. you usually chose to bear the traffic during winter time, but you had to get to the presidential mansion as fast as possible. for today's morning newspaper made it of the upmost priority to talk to him.

you met snow when he was in the position of apprentice gamemaker, under dr. volumnia gaul. you had been studying at the university in political science, and he studied military strategy, which meant the two of you often attended a few of the same lectures.

nothing had ever happened between you two, not at the university at least. it wasn't until a few months ago that you secretly began seeing him. he was president now. it was crazy to think that the charmed young man you met no more than ten years ago was now president of panem.

you had been studying under one of dr. gaul's top colleagues. then, you were offered a position in your professor's department. surprisingly, the one who ended up in politics was snow, and the one who ended up in war strategy was you. however you didn't just cover war strategy in your high-end position. you controlled all security measures for panem. to a certain point, anyway. you weren't the head of your department, but you were pretty high up in the ranks. enough to veto and approve decisions. you were a boss to others, but you also had a boss. comfortably in the middle.

as you got closer to the mansion, you saw more and more news trucks appear. of course. you should have expected this. if any one of them saw you, your plan would be ruined. you thought quick on your feet as you kept heading in the right direction. you were going to take the back door, where the serving quarters were. it was the way you got into the mansion when you would see him most nights.

as you fiddled for the back keys in your purse, you heard voices getting louder. you had assumed someone had just walked out of the house. you attempted to get a glance at the person attracting so much attention. from a slightly obstructed view, you managed to identify ms. livia snow. his wife.

you felt bad for livia. she didn't deserve to be cheated on like this. but at the same time, he had never really loved her in the first place. and she knew that. you had never really understood why she chose to marry him. but everyone knew the power the snow's held. saying no to a snow was a risky idea. but livia was a sweet woman. she deserved someone better than snow. someone who gave as much effort as she did.

as you turned the key, you made sure to watch all angles of the house to make sure no cameras had turned your way. when you came to the conclusion that you were safe, you made your way inside swiftly. the chill air of panem shifted to the warmth of a nearby fireplace. it was comforting, yet gave you goosebumps at the same time. the fireplace may have provided some sort of light and glow, but the chilling feeling of walking porcelain halls overtook it. this house felt like a museum. nothing ever felt alive. and today especially, with everything that was going on.

you assumed the only place snow would be was in his office, so you made your way up the grand staircase, and walked down the long and never ended hallways until you reached the double brown doors that had become so familiar to you these past months. a lot of your affair happened in his office, where windows barely captured any actions. you took a breath before knocking on the door.

knock. knock. knock......knock. three knocks, then a fourth one slightly later. it had become your special knock. so he knew it was you there for him rather than his wife, for example.

"come in." you heard, muffled through the thick doors. you pressed down on the cold doorhandle and entered. when you did, there was a sense of stillness. he hadn't been working today.

you noticed him standing in the middle of the office, his back to you, facing the intricate fireplace surrounded by bookshelves.

"hey." you said, a melancholy tone in your voice. you could tell he wasn't ecstatic to see you. he finally turned around, his eyes meeting yours. you walked towards him. "i assume you've heard." you glanced out the window, which surprisingly showed a perfect view of the news trucks outside.

"i'm not an idiot of course i've heard." he said. his face suggested that he had been very agitated all morning. he turned back towards the fireplace. you came up behind him and placed one of your hands on each of his upper arms. you felt him melt at your touch, all the stress of the morning lifted off his shoulders, for a moment at least. you attempted to place your head on his shoulder, but the height difference made it difficult. "we're going to be ok." you said.

"we may be ok, but what about my campaign?" his voice became more stressed. his teeth gritted together. "the people still have to vote every four years, and if they found out i'm a cheating man, they will assume so much more, and I will be put to rest. or my career at least." he wasn't wrong. this would not help his campaign.

"we will find a way to get people's mind off this. give them something else to focus on, so by the time elections come around again, they won't even think about it. besides, you're smart, so am i." you used one of your arms to turn him around so the two of you were now facing each other.

"it's infuriating the way you always look on the bright side." he took an audible breath through his nose and looked down.

"it's infuriating when you are such a downer." you attempted to lift the mood, and you even got a tiny smile out of him. you didn't notice anything was happening until he wrapped his hand around your waist and pulled you into a kiss. not just a peck. his kisses surprised you every single time, without fail, even after almost half a year. they were always more intense than you expected. it wasn't until almost a minute later he finally released you.

"i hope they know i won't stop being with you just because of this." he said. his kiss had you scrambled, and took you out of the mindset you were originally in. now you were happy to be with him again.

"i would hope so. look why won't you just divorce livia?" you placed your hand on top of his that was now laying on his desk.

"i would in a minute. for you. i don't care about her. never have. i needed someone who wouldn't distract me. someone i didn't have to care about. and that was working. then you came along." he glanced down at your hand on top of his. "fuck." he sighed. "it was impossible not to be distracted by you." he moved you closer to him. you grinned at his comment, putting your head down. he took his finger and lifted your head up.

"well the same goes. in university, i gained such a crush on you." it was true. you hadn't acted on it but there was always something about him. "and then we both ended up in the government and i jumped at the chance to talk to you again. and then it turned into this. this scandal." you could feel his ego boost at the mention of you having a crush on him. he gained a proud smile on his face.

"glad to know were on the same page." he joked. you had finally gotten him happier, now. "i hope you know i would marry you in an instant if i could." if i could. the words hurt. knowing this would have to stay the scandal it is now. unless livia decided to divorce him first. but you knew that family needed the support of the snow's. so it wasn't going to happen. he pulled you into another kiss, this time the scene was much longer. he grabbed the lower part of your back and that signaled you to jump. you wrapped your legs around his waist and he supported them. he sat you down on the desk and poured his love into you in quick kisses.

you knew this would eventually had to stop. he couldn't just keep seeing you while having a wife and a career. the scandal could ruin his career. and knowing him, he would eventually choose his career. but that didn't have to happen yet. not now, at least. so you took this moment to soak in the love that would eventually get in the way of too many things.

sneaking around was fun. seeing him was fun. but you realized that in the end, it was just fun. so you made sure to absorb all the fun that you could. in this time, in this office, you made sure to take in all the fun you could get.

[reality-detective]

The Vatican: Human Trafficking Hub

The Vatican Underground- Cleared

The Dulce Base- Underground Cleared

The Area 51 Underground Base- Cleared

Orion Group ❌ (Defeated)

Ciakharr Group ❌ (Defeated)

Killy Tokurt Group ❌ (Defeated)

These are the three main factions responsible for the

The CIA is connected to the Killy Tokurt Ops. They are the one who specialize in soul scalping. This is how our government leaders were replaced. Removing the light body & soul and replacing it with a physical vessel void of any connection to source.

Sherry Shriner covered this in many videos/audios. Megan Rose spoke about this in one of her books. Corey Goode is also another source who spoke on the caste system of the Ciakharr who are the top elite in their race.

Remember when I mentioned that people were not ready once they found out who have been eating the children? Guess what was the capitol for the "Child Sex Trafficking" breeding hub?

The Vatican.

Do you remember the story or report that came out in July of 2019 where thousands of bones was unearthed in two ossuaries discovered in the Vatican City, as part of an ongoing search for clues into the disappearance of a 15-year-old girl more than three decades ago in 1983?

Do you remember the mass grave full of baby bones found along the shores of Israel's Mediterranean coast, in the ancient seaport of Ashkelon in 2014?

Do you remember An Indigenous group said the remains of as many as 751 people, mainly children, had been found in unmarked graves on the site of a former boarding school in Saskatchewan?

As a matter of fact that was a 2,300 page document that leaked that verified Pope Francis’ cover up of a Vatican Pedophile Ring. Did you know 20 Chilean Priests who went public on their connection to that very same Pedophile Ring, were killed in a plane crash right after their meeting with Pope Francis?

Back on July 20 2014 the International Common Law Court of Justice in Brussels found defendants Pope Francis Bergoglio, Catholic Jesuit Superior General Adolfo Pachon and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby guilty of rape, torture, murder and the trafficking of children. (Nothing Is Happening?)

I highly doubt it.

Two adolescent women told the ICLCJ Court that Pope Francis raped them while participating in child sacrifices during the Springs of 2009 and 2010 in rural Holland and Belgium. According to a former employee of the Curia in Rome, rapes and murders of children also took place at the Carnarvon Castle in Wales and an undisclosed French Chateau.

A Prosecutor introduced notarized affidavits by eight others claiming to witness these same crimes organized by the Vatican. Another witness testified that they were present during meetings with the then Argentine priest and Bishop Francis and the military Junta during Argentine’s 1970′s Dirty War.

According to the witness, Francis helped traffic 30,000 children of missing political prisoners into the Vatican Pedophile Ring.

Do you know why this has taken so long? If you knew how vast these underground tunnels are you would understand why certain EOs signed by D. Trump kept getting extensions.

The Military at some point will disclose the battles that went underground.

The weapons used.

The strategies used.

The entries/exits used.

The medical technology used.

The portals/gateways that were used.

You got a glimpse of this during the fight that went on underground with the Phil Schneider lectures that still can be found on YouTube about the Dulce extraterrestrial confrontation that resulted in lives being lost and him being scarred from it.

People are only looking at the human aspect of this process. They are not looking at this as governments officials serving a unknown species that want world dominion who is an entire different secret government whose base are in these DUMBS-(Deep Underground Military Bases) who control all of our 3 letter agencies who are middlemen/conduits who these covert species use to control Washington. 🤔

Julian Assange

[nayziiz]

Speed | CS55

Summary: In a chance encounter at a gas station, a mysterious woman on a Yamaha YZF R6 catches the attention of Carlos, a charming Ferrari driver. Little did they know the journey they would both go on.

Warning: Smut, fluff

Pairing: Carlos Sainz x OC (Lola)

Masterlist

Chapter 1

As she stood there, the thrumming pulse of the Ferrari reverberated through the asphalt, sending subtle vibrations up through the soles of her shoes. It was a sensory experience, feeling the raw power of the sports car resonate in the ground beneath her, almost as if it were alive.

Impulsively, she turned her head to the side, her curiosity piqued by the familiar rumble. Her gaze landed on the sleek lines of the Ferrari, its glossy exterior catching the sunlight in a dazzling display. And there, behind the wheel, was a figure that exuded an air of confidence and charisma.

The Spaniard seemed engrossed in inspecting her motorcycle, his keen eyes scanning over every detail with a discerning gaze. It was a moment of unexpected connection, two individuals brought together by their mutual appreciation for the machines they rode.

With a casual wave, she acknowledged his presence, the gesture a simple yet genuine expression of goodwill. In that moment, she didn't dwell on the significance of the encounter, merely allowing herself to be swept up in the rhythm of the city streets.

As the light finally shifted to green, she smoothly accelerated, the engine of her motorcycle roaring to life as she merged onto the highway. Unbeknownst to her, Carlos, drawn by the allure of the chase, followed suit, his Ferrari seamlessly blending into the flow of traffic as he pursued her.

What ensued was a thrilling game of cat and mouse, each manoeuvring through lanes with precision and skill, their vehicles dancing in harmony with the rhythm of the road. With every twist and turn, they pushed the limits of speed and control, the adrenaline coursing through their veins fueling their determination.

In her mirrors, she caught glimpses of the sleek Ferrari gaining ground, the distance between them shrinking with each passing moment. It was an exhilarating pursuit, the thrill of the chase igniting a competitive fire within her.

And then, in a daring move, Carlos surged ahead, the Ferrari darting past her with effortless grace. In that moment, a surge of determination washed over her, igniting a fierce resolve to reclaim the lead.

With unwavering focus, she pushed her motorcycle to its limits, the wind whipping against her as she chased after him, the highway stretching out before them like an endless ribbon of asphalt.

After a heart-pounding ten-minute exchange of speed and strategy, she made the split-second decision to veer off the highway, her sights set on the nearest gas station. It was a calculated move, a chance to catch her breath and regroup after the exhilarating pursuit.

As Carlos pursued her off the highway, the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins was unlike anything he had experienced on the racetrack. As a seasoned Formula 1 driver, he was accustomed to the thrill of high-speed races, the precision of every turn and manoeuvre ingrained in his muscle memory.

But this... this was different. The chase, the unpredictability, the sheer exhilaration of the moment stirred something deep within him, reigniting a passion that had lain dormant for far too long. Behind the wheel of his Ferrari, he felt alive, every twist and turn of the road awakening his senses in a way that no race ever could.

Gone was the familiar routine of the racetrack, replaced instead by the raw excitement of the open road. Here, there were no rules, no boundaries—just the exhilarating rush of speed and the thrill of the chase.

As he followed her into the unknown, a sense of liberation washed over him, the weight of expectations and obligations fading into the background. In this moment, there was only him, the road, and the enigmatic figure ahead—a tantalising mystery waiting to be unravelled.

For Carlos, this impromptu pursuit was a welcome departure from the structured world of Formula 1, a reminder of the pure joy that came from simply letting go and embracing the thrill of the ride.

As she sat astride her motorcycle, preparing to refuel, the familiar hum of the gas station's pumps reverberated through the ground beneath her. Turning slightly, she caught sight of the sleek Ferrari gliding into the station, pulling up to the pump behind her with a quiet confidence.

With practised ease, she dismounted her bike, the rumble of the engine fading into the background as she focused on the task at hand. As she began to pump gas into her tank, she felt his eyes on her, the weight of his gaze lingering like a tangible presence.

Carlos, unable to resist the magnetic pull of curiosity, stepped out of his Ferrari, his movements graceful and deliberate. Though he tried to appear nonchalant, his stolen glances betrayed a deep-seated intrigue, an unspoken desire to learn more about the enigmatic figure before him.

As she continued with the task of refuelling, she sensed his presence lingering nearby, his gaze never straying far from her. And then, in a moment of quiet confidence, she reached up and removed her helmet, revealing the face that had captured his attention.

With a fluid motion, she released her two plaits from beneath her jacket, the cascading strands of hair framing her features like a halo in the soft light of the gas station. It was a simple gesture, yet it spoke volumes—revealing not just her physical appearance, but also a glimpse of the person behind the helmet, the individual beneath the facade.

A playful smirk tugged at the corners of her lips as she casually placed her helmet on the seat of her motorcycle, her gaze meeting Carlos's with a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes.

“Hey.” She greeted him, the word laced with an easygoing charm that seemed to dissolve the tension between them.

“Hey.” He replied, his voice soft, almost tentative, as he returned her greeting with a shy smile, his eyes lingering on her with a mixture of curiosity and admiration.

A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment, the air tinged with a palpable sense of anticipation. And then, with a casual observation, she broke the ice, her words light and playful.

“Nice car.” She remarked, nodding towards the sleek Ferrari parked behind him, her tone casual yet appreciative.

Carlos's smile widened at her compliment, a faint blush colouring his cheeks as he returned the gesture.

“Nice bike.” He countered, his eyes flickering briefly to the motorcycle beside her with genuine admiration.

With the teasing glint in her eyes, she extended an invitation that hung in the air like an irresistible dare.

“I could take you for a ride.” She teased, her words laced with a playful challenge that dared him to seize the opportunity for adventure.

Carlos chuckled at her teasing remark, a warm smile gracing his lips as he shook his head lightly.

“I'm happy with my four wheels.” He replied, his tone light and playful, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

She chuckled in response, her laughter a melodic sound that filled the air between them with a sense of camaraderie.

“Too bad, then.” She teased, her words carrying a playful undertone as she finished pumping gas into her motorcycle.

As she replaced the nozzle and secured the gas cap, the moment lingered, suspended in the air like a shared secret between them.

Carlos's curiosity piqued as he took a step closer, his eyes scanning over the sleek lines of her motorcycle with genuine interest.

“What type of bike is it?” He wondered aloud, his curiosity evident in the way he lingered over each detail.

Her heart skipped a beat at the unexpected question, a flush of flustered surprise colouring her cheeks as she fumbled for an answer.

“Oh, this is a Yamaha YZF R6.” She replied, her voice slightly breathless as she struggled to compose herself in the face of his scrutiny. Carlos chuckled at her response, a knowing glint in his eyes as he took in the information.

“Sounds fast.” He remarked with a playful grin, his admiration for her motorcycle evident in his tone.

As he stepped closer to inspect her all-black motorbike, she couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at his genuine interest. It was a rare moment of connection, a shared appreciation for the machines that fueled their passion for the open road.

“I wasn't expecting to see a Ferrari Roma today.” He stated, changing the subject as she removed her gloves, the gesture a subtle invitation to continue their conversation.

Carlos's bafflement at the woman's unexpected knowledge of cars was evident in his tone as he posed the question.

“You know cars, too?” He asked, his curiosity tinged with a hint of admiration for the intellectually captivating woman dressed in full riding gear.

“I like pretty things.” She countered, her words carrying a hint of mystery that only served to deepen Carlos's curiosity. She responded with a sly smile, her eyes sparkling with playful mischief as she offered a simple yet intriguing explanation.

His laughter filled the air, a warm and genuine sound that echoed in the space between them.

“Good to know.” He replied with a grin, his amusement evident as he marvelled at the enigmatic woman before him.

A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment, the air charged with unspoken tension as they lingered in the aftermath of their playful banter. And then, with a boldness that surprised even himself, he seized the opportunity to extend an invitation of his own.

“You don't perhaps fancy going for dinner sometime to tell me more about your... Yamaha XYZ?” He proposed, his tone teasing yet genuine as he met her gaze with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity.

“YZF R6.” She corrected him with a breathy chuckle, her amusement evident as she clarified the name of her motorcycle. Carlos chuckled in response, his tone light and teasing as he acknowledged his lack of knowledge.

“Precisely. I have so much to learn.” He teased, his eyes dancing with playful banter.

But she wasn't one to back down from a challenge, and with a quick-witted retort, she turned the tables on him.

“Depends. Will the nameless man with the Ferrari pick me up too?” She countered, her words laced with a hint of mischief as she playfully tested his manners. Carlos, caught off guard by her boldness, felt a flush of embarrassment colour his cheeks at his oversight.

“The man with the Ferrari most certainly can. His name is Carlos.” He replied, determined to make amends for his earlier oversight. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she met his gaze, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Well, Carlos, it sounds like you have a date with Lola.” She remarked with a playful grin, her tone light and inviting.

“Lola?” Carlos repeated, a note of curiosity in his voice as he echoed the name she had given him.

“Technically, it's Louise, but everyone calls me Lola.” She explained, her smile widening at the revelation. Carlos nodded as he retrieved his phone from his pocket and handed it to her.

“Your number, please, Miss Lola.” He insisted.

Carlos's insistence drew a warm smile from Lola as she typed her number into his phone, taking a moment to add a playful touch by including the full descriptor of her bike beside her name. With a chuckle, Carlos accepted his phone back, the corners of his lips perking up at her playful gesture.

“Now you have to remember what kind of bike I ride.” She joked, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she watched him lock his screen and tuck the phone away in his pocket.

“It was lovely meeting you, Lola.” Carlos greeted her warmly, his voice tinged with genuine sincerity. “I'd love to stay and chat, but I need to get to a meeting.”

“Nice meeting you too, Carlos.” Lola nodded in acknowledgment, her smile lingering as she watched him climb into his Ferrari.

With a wink, he pulled out from behind her, the sleek sports car purring to life as it rolled past her, leaving her with a sense of anticipation for the adventure that lay ahead.

[theunsinkableship1]

Papgate : Who did it?

DISCLAIMER: This is LUKOLALAND only. Do not read if you're not a shipper. This is PURE SPECULATION. No harm intended.

June 13th, 2024, should have been a day of celebration for the cast of Bridgerton, marking the end of a successful PR tour and the release of Season 3 part 2. However, the night took an unexpected turn when the focus shifted from the highly anticipated Polin storyline to LN's private life, leaving fans bewildered and disappointed. Since then, speculation has run rampant in the Lukola fandom: Who orchestrated this media storm? Let’s explore the theories.

Theory 1: Luke Newton and/or His Team

Career Strategy: Some believe L might have sought to boost his career or gain publicity by being in the spotlight, even if the attention was controversial.

Image Management: Another possibility is that L wanted to separate his public image from NC’s, perhaps feeling pressured by industry standards. By calling the paparazzi, he could control how he was portrayed in the media, possibly to quash rumors of their relationship.

Appease His A: L’s situationship partner other might have pushed for a public display of their relationship. This would give L a reason to stage the event, ensuring the media captured their connection, potentially to manage the situation on his terms.

Theory 2: A and/or Her Team

Publicity and Career Advancement: A could have sought to boost her own visibility by being photographed with him, leveraging his fame to enhance her career opportunities.

Strengthen Relationship Image: If she felt insecure about L's close relationship with N during the PR tour, calling the paparazzi could have been a way to publicly solidify her relationship with him, showing the world and N that they were united.

Theory 3: A + L's friends

Increase L's profile: Close friends of L and A might have believed that a well-timed paparazzi moment could benefit L's public image by redirecting attention from N and focusing it on his relationship.

Misdirection: If L was considering breaking things off with A, she could have collaborated with friends who didn't want to lose their influence over L and they could have orchestrated the event to complicate his situation with N, ensuring that his relationship with A remains intact as it would be extremely difficult to pursue things for L and N after the papgate.

Social and Financial Gains: Friends might have seen an opportunity to raise their own profiles by being associated with L, gaining attention and possibly financial benefits from it therefore N could have been seen as a threat to eliminate.

Theory 4: DM

Exclusive Content: DM could have tipped off the paparazzi to secure exclusive content for their platform, driving traffic and engagement.

Amplifying Buzz: If DM was aligned with A for whatever reason, calling the paparazzi could be a strategic move to create or amplify buzz around A. By ensuring that certain moments are captured and shared, DM could spark conversations and speculation that keep followers engaged with their content.

Personal Vendetta: Given N’s vocal stance against DM in the past, it’s possible that there was a personal motive behind the choice to highlight this particular narrative. Their choices of stories and angles have been questionables in this situation.

Conclusion: Who's Really to Blame?

While the true instigator behind the Papgate remains a mystery, it’s unlikely that L himself would have jeopardized his career and relationships by orchestrating such an event.

I don’t think that a professional PR agency as his, would make such a mistake, they know that they would lose money and opportunities over it and that’s what they’re about. He worked really hard over the two last years and particularly during the 6 months of the PR tour, all that to blow it up in one night ? And remember there was no hard launch. Was the mission aborted or there was no mission to begin with ?

I can’t believe that he wants to detach himself from N, we know that he loves her, he knows that he loves and if he doesn’t his body knows for 2. The only reasons he could have called them may have been to be petty or because he was overwhelmed and too indecisive over his needs and wants, and that would a horrible mistake.

L may not be entirely blameless, especially regarding his decision to attend the premiere with his A. However, it’s clear that there are many players in this drama, each with their own motives.

We may never know.

Which theory is your favorite?

What matters now is how L addresses the fallout. If he hasn’t already, he owes N a proper apology and should work hard to rebuild their bond. After all, fans of Lukola are rooting for a happy ending, on and off the screen.

[obetrolncocktails]

Scarlett | Vampire!Danny Wagner X f!Reader | Part 1

Warnings: Stalking, Murder, witness of murder, heavy gore, intense depictions of murder/dying, smoking, alcohol consumption, gaslighting, compulsion/mind-control, magic, foreboding/uneasy tension.

Work Count: 4093

A/N: I've never written something quite this spooky, so I hope you guys enjoy! I present to you, Vampire Danny!

Summary: Danny' has spent fifteen-hundred years on the prowl, using and discarding thousands of bodies once they've served their purpose. There's no use to give feeder's personalities or learn about their lives. Since being turned, people hold little to no significance except to feed upon. It's the blood that matters. And, as much as he tried, animals never satiated his thirst. The truth is the truth. Humans always taste better. Be careful or you're next...

Her blood pounds through her veins, the sound of it in my ears like rushing water through a broken levee. I can sense her presence. Somewhere in this city, she lives innocently, unaware that I know of her, though I don’t know her name or her history. If you believe in destiny like I do, I listen to the ether and whatever draws me to my subjects. 

She is vivacious. I can feel the energy licking over my body with naive vitality, and I know. I know that it’s her I must find, that I must possess. 

My veins burn as if exposed to capsaicin, the throbbing ache launching me from this emptying parking garage to move deeper into the city to find you. To watch you. To want you. I take one last glance at the darkening cityscape before lowering myself into my corvette. The sky lunges into dusk, and I know that time is of the essence if I hope to find you tonight. I use my senses to pull me through the piling traffic. I take back roads, taking turns using my intuition to guess who you are, and where you may be spending time.

You’re young.

I can sense it easily in our connection. Good. The young ones are my favorite, and they taste the best, too. I feel my canines lowering as I fantasize about you, the sharp fangs scraping against the meat of my lower lip. I enjoy the sensation, feeling most like myself when I can let my mind wander, igniting my adopted instincts. I feel my eyes focusing harder now, my awareness intensely heightened. 

I never liked the city lights. To me, they’ve always been one of the more annoying inventions since the Industrial Revolution. The one thing they do provide for me, though, is the distraction, especially in a big city like this one. It’s ironic really. You’d think ample lighting would keep darkness from invading, but it’s quite simple. Bad things happen to good people no matter what. It’s a vicious cycle, but even put more simply, it’s called strategy.  I’ve known for fifteen-hundred years that with a keen sense for human nature and with just enough charisma, you can do almost anything and get anything and anyone you want. Marquee lights and logos pull gazes upward while I strike from behind. They never suspect me. 

✠

“Scar, what are you waiting for? Get your ass in here, ” one of your best friends, Jordan, practically yanked you inside of the nightclub. Something in the air felt sinister, and though you couldn’t put your finger on exactly what it was, your attention was still drawn to the darkness beyond the brightly-lit sidewalk and entrance to the nightclub. A loud, muffled beat thrummed through your body as you stepped into the large room, deafening your ears to nearby voices. The room was equipped with fog machines that casted a thick, low-hanging blanket of smoke. Bright lasers sliced beams of light through the haziness from one end of the venue to the other. From where you stood, the room was electrified with what seemed like every color of the rainbow. Somehow, though, aside from the laser show, the room itself was not brightly lit. What seemed like hundreds of bodies touched, groped and danced on the floor as you waded through the narrowing walkway. 

“Grab my hand!” Jordan shouted over the music. You weren’t quite sure what she had said, but you took her hand anyway, letting her direct you through the crowd toward the dance floor. So many people this close to you made you feel extremely claustrophobic, but you silently attempted to push the feelings aside in hopes that you’d reach a pocket of open space shortly. Then, the same feeling that previously flooded your body was back again–the feeling of something watching, as if you were its prey. No one would understand what you were experiencing, and hell, you felt stupid for being so paranoid. As your gaze flicked up toward the bar, a strike of energy surged through your body, searing your vision with blinding light. Every inch of your body felt like it was burning from the inside out until you opened your eyes. 

And there he was. 

A man stared at you. Into you. From where you stood, you were frozen in place, staring into his eyes while people jostled you about. 

“Move!” A disgruntled man growled at you, shoving past. 

“Sorry…” You muttered distantly to him in apology. The man who stared at you from the bar was incredibly handsome. So much so that his beauty seemed otherworldly–like if you dared to look away from him, you’d never experience that type of attraction again for as long as you lived. He sat with a confident stoicism that struck you as being out of place, as if he were a moving statue brought to life out of a world-famous art museum. He was tall and muscular, but not overtly so. His hooked nose was Romanesque, curved in an aquiline shape. His dark hair coiled neatly around his face, making him look more like a Roman God than some unassuming man in a club. His eyes were dark and sinister and as they swept over you, it felt as if he had stripped you bare and could see all of you at once–your entire life, your family, your aspirations, your deepest fears and greatest desires. You were pulled out of your trance when Jordan tugged on your hand. 

“Hey! You’re in peoples’ way. We have to move in deeper–” she shouted, but you protested. 

“Wait–” You spun to look back at the man through the cluster of moving people, and when you did, he was gone. You whipped your gaze around, trying to process where he could have gone so quickly, but when you saw no evidence of his presence or his exit, you forced your legs to move forward with Jordan toward the DJ. 

“D-Did you see that?” You called after her. She turned her head toward you, but her face scrunched with confusion. 

“What?” She yelled over the music. 

“That man!” You said, rushing up closer to her. “He was staring at me.” Jordan shook her head and shrugged. 

“Probably thought you were hot as fuck!” She grinned, her perfect teeth glowing purple under the blacklight overhead. You offered her a thin smile in exchange. “Maybe you should go talk to him!” She said, beginning to move with the music. She pulled you close so she wouldn’t have to shout anymore.  “Rachel should be here soon. I’ll dance with her instead. You suck at it, anyway.” She smirked at you with a wink and released your hand. “Go! Have fun and be safe. Keep your phone on you at all times.” 

The freedom to find the mysterious man felt exhilarating, and though you wouldn’t admit it to Jordan, his gaze filled you with fear, but also with unexplainable longing. “Okay,” you told her. “Are you sure?” 

“Go! Get railed or something,” She chuckled. “Oh wait,” She paused, reaching into her bag. “Take these, just in case.” She reached for your hand and opened it, tucking in two condoms. 

“Jordan!” You gasped with a wide grin. 

“Have fun!” She winked, and filtered deeper into the crowd without you. A wave of anxiety rolled over you as soon as you were alone. The music continued to pound in your ears, and for a moment you felt quite inebriated though you hadn’t taken a single sip of alcohol yet. 

✠

For hundreds of years now, I’ve been able to cloak myself within plain sight, only revealing my true identity when my subject is within seconds of death. Others that have known me more...intimately, have usually served as my feeders. I’ve had men and women in my bed throughout the last fifteen-hundred years, many of them truly incredible lovers, but unfortunately, they’ve all ended up dead. Turns out I have very poor impulse control. I’ve gone to mortal therapists, and they’ve all told me the same thing, besides being a psychopath of course, that I’m a narcissist. I beg to differ. I believe in hedonism. I desire the finest things in life, and being immortal just gives me more time to enjoy it all. 

 I make eye contact with you and know that I’ve ensnared you, though you aren’t aware of it just yet. Those beautiful bright eyes staring back at me like a deer in headlights. It’s not hard for me to return your gaze. I feel no anxiety, only determination. I shake the ice in my half-empty old fashioned and consider how the rest of my night will progress. Seems as I’m just getting started, I abandon my drink and hunt, knowing you won’t leave without finding me. 

My eyes roam in and above the crowd, looking for loners–people with nowhere to be, and no one to wait for them back at home. I lock my gaze onto a young man who looks to be about my age. He’s wearing thick glasses, his hair slicked back awkwardly. He looks out of place and anxious. He holds his arms close to his body like he’s used to being viewed as an annoyance to others. Why is he here? I ask myself silently, but given that I don’t have any context, I choose to follow him instead. I like it that way. He’ll end up dead soon enough, either way. In the time being, I’ll write my own story of his life, knowing very well how it will end. I feel my fangs begin to scrape against my bottom lip, and I know that I must feed soon. 

I follow the man further into the dark venue and realize he’s heading toward the bathroom. Perfect. I round the corners silently and trail him into the back, dimly-lit hallway. Back here, the noise is minimal, which makes it important to stay quiet. I’m quick, but the only way to stop people from screaming is to kill them, and I’m not interested in compelling an entire night club to forget everything. I watch as the bathroom door swings shut behind the guy, and, taking one quick look behind me for anyone watching, I disappear into the bathroom behind him, hoping I’ll get a lucky break by no one else being in any of the stalls. 

Sure enough, he’s the only one inside. Standing at the urinal, he unzips his pants and relieves himself, and, being the gentleman I am, I let him finish as I pretend to use the urinal beside him. I do not look at him. I wait for him to zip up his pants and turn toward the sinks before I lunge for him, reaching to sink my teeth into his perfect neck, directly into his jugular. 

“What the fuck?!” He shouts as I bite down, his hands darting upward to attempt to peel me from him, but he can’t. He is powerless under my grip. I siphon the blood from his veins quickly, feeling my body becoming revitalized with every passing second. He still manages to scream loudly, and, in the moment, I should have regretted being lazy and choosing to not compel him before feeding. I make eye contact with him through the reflection in the mirror as he looks up with horror. He’s realized that I’m all over him, my face and neck covered in his blood. He also knows that most likely, he will die. I can’t help but grin. 

“If you keep screaming, you’ll be dead in the next thirty seconds,” I warn him. He doesn’t listen, of course. They never do. 

“Fuck you!” He screeches, kicking against me with all of his might. They never learn, I tell myself. With a wicked grin, I reach just under his jawline with both hands, and mercifully, I throw my hands upward, decapitating him easily. It’s a shame. I watch his body fall to the floor, his face still wide-eyed with terror. His mouth still moves as I watch the life drain from his mortal eyes. Blood spurts everywhere, in every direction, and I lament over the waste of a meal. I drop the head to the tile floor, watching it roll away from me. The floor pools with delicious blood, and, if I didn’t have standards, I would have saved every drop for myself. 

Someone is coming. 

I turn slightly over my shoulder as I hear the hurried footsteps. Wiping my mouth with my forearm, I turn toward the door. And there she is. 

As beautiful as any creature I’ve ever seen, I watch her eyes widen and her jaw drop as she takes in the scene in front of her. It’s actually quite comical to think about, and I wonder if she’s ever seen this amount of blood at one time. My hands are covered in it, my leather jacket practically dripping from crimson spatter. 

“Oh my God! What the fuck!?” She screams at me, her face draining of all color. And just like that, she’s on the run, prey in the eyes of the hunter. 

✠

You weren’t sure how your feet kept up with your body in the moment. All you could remember was seeing so much blood. The man that caused it all was the same man that was staring at you earlier from the bar.  You knew better than to rush through the crowd again, knowing you’d get stuck on the way out. Instead, you booked it toward the employee only area and searched for a service entrance. You turned to peer over your shoulder far too many times, because you knew he’d be searching for you, and like the dead man in the bathroom, you knew that you’d be his next victim. 

“There you are,” a man’s voice slithered into your ears as you landed on the pavement outside of the club. You realized instantly that you’d made a grave mistake by choosing this back exit. Now, no one would bear witness to your murder, and even worse, you doubted anyone could hear your screams over the noise of the club. He leaned casually against the brick wall of the building across from you. His face was shadowed in darkness. You froze in place, horrified to even ponder how he’d beaten you out of the building.

“I have a knife!” you warned. “Stay away from me!” In truth, you had nothing to defend yourself, but figured it was better to lie than to die. 

“A knife?” He asked matter-of-factly, pushing himself off of the wall. Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved a pack of cigarettes and pulled one out, placing it between his lips. “Want one?” He asked, tilting the box in your direction. You flinched, stepping back. He lifted one hand to his mouth to shield from the wind as he lit the end of the cigarette. You could see the drying blood on his hands. “And what exactly do you plan to do with that knife, darling?” He asked, taking a long drag of his cigarette, the cherry glowing bright red.“Surely not to stab me.” You stood in place, trembling from head to toe. You flitted your gaze from him over to each side, considering how to exit. “You poor thing,” he teased, his voice wafting through the air like velvet. His tongue clicked  “You have no idea, do you, hm?” You watched as he took a step forward toward you, and you jumped back. 

“Don’t!” You shouted at him. 

“Don’t do what?” He asked slowly, cocking his eyebrow upward with curiosity. He was devastatingly beautiful, and though what you saw in the bathroom filled you with terror, something inside of you considered staying, even though your intuition should have told you better. “What are you scared of, little one? Why aren’t you running?” He asked with a knowing grin.  

“I–I–” You stuttered, your eyes darting left to right as you considered where to go. “You’re gonna let me go?” You asked him, your fist bunching at your sides. 

“Run along before I change my mind,” he responded matter-of-factly. 

As quickly as you could, you sprinted down the dark alleyway away from him, the gravel crunching under your shoes as you ran. And then he was in front of you, smirking. When he opened his bloody mouth, you saw the fangs as they glimmered under the street lamps.

“Too slow,” he almost sang. You halted in place, and considered turning to run the other way, but as you spun on your heel, he launched forward, clawing at you with his arms outstretched. In his clenched fist, he caught your ponytail and looped it around his fingertips, yanking you backward, where you landed on your back. The force knocked the wind out of you, and your scalp ached from his grip. 

“Don’t–” you begged quietly, your voice sounding foreign as it left your mouth. “Please.” 

“Don’t worry, Darling,” the man said, lifting his gaze to look into your eyes. You watched as his pupils dilated, and then returned to their normal size. His gaze pierced through you as if altering your brain chemistry. 

“You’ll forget everything that happened to you. You drank too much. No one touched you. You will go back to your friends, and you’ll forget what you saw in the bathroom. You’ll forget me once I finish feeding.” His hands gripped tightly around your body as he spoke. His face was crusted with dark blood, and even so, he possessed a haunting  beauty that unsettled and awoke something that lay dormant in your soul for your entire life. Feeding. He said feeding. Before you could process, he lunged forward and pinned you against the earth. An unearthly shriek exploded from your lungs as his fangs sank into your neck. In a moment of inexplicable clarity, you felt every sense ignite, your entire body burning from the inside out with literal flames licking off of your skin, illuminating the dark and grimy alleyway. Your scream morphed into a deafening howl that made even your ears ring. The roar that left your body initiated a moment of pure power and supernatural defense. In a moment that seemed to last a lifetime, you felt your entire being morph into something otherworldly, siphoning all of the energy in the atmosphere to harness this incredible, volatile power. Your captor hissed and yelped from the burns searing his body, yet he still hauled himself on top of you. An incredible calmness overrode your terror, and with simple instinct, you lifted your hand to your side, and closed your eyes, manifesting the man’s image in your head. The scene played out in your mind before it happened, and once you were satisfied, you opened your eyes, your powers having run their course, ripping his body off of yours and leaving him floating high in mid-air in the middle of the alleyway. 

His eyes widened in surprise, but not necessarily from fear. They had shifted from a deep shade of chocolate brown to that of molten gold, his hair spiraling around his head in glorious display. He was terrifying, yet inarguably captivating; and yet, you were the one with power now. In one motion across your own throat with the tips of your fingers, you manifested that you’d slit his throat, and, just like before, you watched as your power took hold and echoed the command upon his neck, slicing one deep, fatal gash from one ear to the other. You watched the blood messily pour from the gash, spilling onto his clothes, down his arms, off of his body and onto the pavement below, painting it bright crimson. You watched with relaxed determination as he began to gurgle and choke on the blood, his eyes becoming half-lidded with weariness, his body beginning to convulse and seize where he hung. Power filled your body with dignified confidence, and in the moment, you didn’t worry once about the blood. You wanted him dead. Annihilated into dust.  

Looking down at your hands, your mind began to return to that of human instinct. Your sudden lack of compassion had disturbed you as the power leached from your grasp.  You’d grown up having powers—you knew you had them, but it had been years since they’d appeared, and even so, you’d never been capable of harnessing this much energy before. It hadn’t been unusual for you to be able to make certain objects float, or make things move on their own. You’d kept this gift to yourself all of these years, never revealing the truth to anyone. This instance, however, was something very new, and, without a single drop of alcohol in your system, you knew two things were true. You were sober and that this was very, very real, and the man hanging in the air above you was most definitely not human. 

You lifted your gaze up at him, half-expecting him to be dead. And when you did, he opened his eyes, smirked, and then laughed. You watched as he spat the blood dismissively at the ground before he straightened easily and stopped trembling from feigning death and began to cackle as if he’d seen something incredibly amusing. When you made eye contact with him, he grinned widely, his teeth painted deep maroon as blood dripped out of his mouth and off of his chin. His fangs glinted off of what little light was expressed from the street lamp on the path behind the club. 

“Wow,” he finally said, scoffing. “I don’t know what I expected, but it sure as fuck wasn’t that,” he admitted with a chuckle. “Color me impressed!” You watched in horrified confusion, speechless as to how the man hanging in front of you could still talk, let alone breathe.  Peering down at your hands, you silently questioned how you were able to defend yourself from him. 

“What are you?” You asked him maliciously, balling your fists at your side. You watched as he casually crossed his arms across his chest. 

“I could ask the same thing about you, sweetheart.” He smirked widely, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Are you a witch?” He asked. 

“I–I  don’t know,” you answered defensively. “What are you?” You asked again, venom laced between every word. He huffed a chuckle through his nose.

“You haven't figured it out yet? I took you as being much smarter than that, Scarlett.” Your attention snapped upward as he said your name for the first time. 

“How the fuck do you know my name?” You asked him, practically hissing as you spoke. 

“Was it a secret?” He asked, his lips turning upward in a smug expression. 

“Who the fuck are you!?” You shouted lifting your arm in front of you, ready to will your power back in place. 

“I’m Danny. Daniel if I’m in trouble,” he answered simply. “Friends call me Danny.” He spoke as if he’d sat down for a cup of coffee with you. How could someone so malicious and evil be so careless? You let silence drift for a few moments. “Let me walk you through it, Darling,” he sighed. “Can you let me down first?”

“No!” You answered immediately. 

“Do I still scare you?” He asked. “It’s the fangs, isn’t it?” You watched as he opened his mouth, noticing the prominent canines that protruded into sharp points at either side. Then suddenly, they morphed back into normal, human shape. “And the blood?” He asked. “You can use your witch powers to clean it off, can’t you?”

“You’re a fucking murderer,” you hissed through your teeth, squeezing your hands into fists at your side. “I’m not doing shit for you. I should call the police.” 

“Honey, if you wanted an aftershow, you really should have just asked. I’m hungry anyway, and, while I was about to feast on you, I don’t prefer witch blood.” 

“I’m not a witch,” you spat at him. He chuckled menacingly. 

“And I’m not a fucking vampire.” 

With as much power as you could muster, you closed your eyes and imagined him being slammed into the earth. Hard. You turned and prepared to walk away before opening your eyes and letting it be done, hearing a loud thud on the ground behind you. Something in you had shifted, the terror morphing quickly into amusement, a wide grin plastered across your face as you walked away from him, listening to the moans and groans that escaped from his body as he picked himself up from the pavement.

End of Part 1.

Taglist: @ohgodthefeeling-gvf, @astreamofcolors, @sammysobaby, @gretavanfreakmadie, @weneedsomehealing123, @sarahstardust7, @strawberryblondeee, @squirreledelman,@madneedshelp, @watchingover-hypegirl, @llightmyllovee, @moralmorbid, @gretavangroupie, @jordie-gvf-admin, @brujamagik, @gretasmokerising, @ascendingtothestarsasone, @mama-likes72, @gold-mines-melting, @myownparadise96, @sanguinebats @sulkyrie, @mackalah, @interstellar-shores, @jakekiszkasmommy, @laneygvf, @overtheehillsandfarawayy, @takenbythemadness, @joshskittytickler21, @jaketlove, @gretasfallingsky, @starshine-gvf, @itsdannysworld, @lipstickitty, @scoreofinfantryvines, @capturethechaos, @tripthelightfatality @hippievanfleet @demolitionndann @thetroublegetssoloud71, @malany-gvf, @gvfmarge, @idontlikelizards, @dont-go-home-without-me, @ace-harrington, @jjwasneverhere, @writingcold @starcatcherry @cherrybugbaby @jakekiszkapunchmeintheface

[uwmspeccoll]

It’s Feral Friday! 

This week we’re taking a look at This Land is My Land, a newly acquired addition to our collection from book artist, concrete poet, & graphic designer Thad Higa. This 100-page work is “a fictional narrative from the imagined headspace of current day, online white supremacists, nationalists, and their sympathizers”. It was digitally printed, features Coptic binding with uncovered boards as well as two multi-page foldouts, and was self-published in a limited edition of 50 numbered copies in Oakland, CA in 2023. 

Higa is an Okinawan-Korean American cultural worker born in California in 1989 and raised in Hawaiʻi. His practice “investigates the intersections of language, technology, capitalism and eurocentrism, and their roles in controlling perceptions of reality and legibility.” In This Land is My Land, Higa “weaves together all manner of rhetorical devices and strategies, creating an experience familiar to anyone who has read the comments on an online article or listened to attendees at a Trump rally.” The structure of the book inherently encourages interaction, emphasizing the participatory and performative nature not only of reading & text-based communication but also of the formation and enaction of political identity.  

His work has been highlighted on the Lantern Review, Artists’ Book Reviews, Art Review, Art Papers & Hawai’i Public Radio, and featured in the exhibitions whistling the avant garde (Small Press Traffic, San Francisco CA, 2023) and O, (FiveMyles, Brooklyn NY, 2021).  

--Ana, Special Collections Graduate Intern 

View more Feral Friday posts. 

View more Artists’ Books posts. 

View more Concrete Poetry posts. 

View more Graphic Design posts. 

[justenjoythegossip]

PR ANTICS PART 1: Team Real/Team PR's tactics, the use of haters in a PR strategy and the purpose it serves

Team Real and Team PR: 2 sides of the same coin pursuing the same objective

I have already defined who “team PR” and “team Real” blogs were in my pinned post. You can check it out if you want.

Their disrespectful, condescending and downright insulting tone is usually a good enough hint to recognize those plants whose purpose is to push certain narratives. But they actually are two sides of the very same coin, as they pursue the same objective even if they sometimes use opposing strategies. Each side is meant to “gain the upper hand” at some point, before the other gains ground again. And so forth. By using the oldest trick in the book that is the good old divide and conquer tactics, their goal is to distract from the truth, drive more traffic and keep people’s engagement to a maximum. Although, I do suspect people’s patience might very well be wearing thin at this point. 

Why do people (still) give them the benefit of the doubt…

I have already explained how each Team has lost any credibility at this point. However, both have gotten away with it and sometimes even continues to do so thanks to two things: 

They sometimes have legitimate information that could only come from Chris’ or Abba’s team (a Team Real blog had the exclusive for Chris and Abba’s wedding with Renner and Hemsworth’ presence for ex)

They sometimes point out obvious lies coming from the other team

Those two things still provide them with an audience that listens to their wild speculation or blatant lies, as people keep hoping they will catch a glimpse of the truth or get the ultimate evidence that they are looking for, as it will prove them right.   

Similar and opposing strategies used by either Team

Each Team uses a nice mix of actual facts, real observations, speculation, lies, hateful comments and trolling. And both of them show no sign of actual integrity and keep attacking other people who have an opinion that differs from them.

I was recently attacked by one of those Team Real blogs in my private DM who wrote to me and I quote: “Chris and Alba are married! I know someone who works with his sisters and their marriage is real.” But as I said, I know for a fact that Chris and Abba are exclusively PR because my mailman’s third cousin removed is best friends with someone who knows the assistant of Chris’ mother’s dermatologist. I am obviously joking. I am not privy to any private information but you get the point… 

The inclusion of haters in PR tactics…

It’s important to note that trolls and haters are part of the strategy used by a PR team. Those hate accounts basically work as a controlled opposition. They can serve various purposes. First of all, they can work as bait to get a pulse of what some people might really think of someone, of their RS, of their actions etc. They can also help shape a narrative or help discredit one.

For example, when certain mods called Chris a groomer or a pedophile for dating Abba, they were achieving two things. First they were selling that those two are a real couple. But also by voicing such a false and extremist opinion, they help discredit any kind of concern the public might have looking at them. Indeed, the age difference between them is pretty vast but the optics are even worse given that she looks like a teenager. Some of those mods miraculously became shippers afterwards, which is another sign of them being plants placed here to sell a narrative, whatever that may be and using whatever strategy they see fit. 

Also, if my memory serves me correctly, a hate twitter account got the exclusive for the infamous Walt Disney pics and then claimed they got those pictures via Chris’ sister’s private account. If you actually believe that… It is much more realistic to believe that this account was fed those pics or is actually working for their team. But I am speculating of course. 

The alleged hate relationship between the two and how it helps Chris’ image…

There were hints and breadcrumbs that were designed to help sell the narrative that Chris and Abba actually hate one another. The pictures of them on the stairs after their first papwalk were comically bad and Buzzfeed threw actual shade with their “romance” headline. His mother liked a tweet calling her a racist. Her best friend and soulmate liked a tweet calling Chris “a cheap version of Leo but without the talent”. Of course, Chris and Abba might dislike one another. Or… this could also have been manufactured as well. We will never know for sure.

But what we do know is that this narrative helped achieve a couple of things. First it kept the discourse between Team Real and Team PR very much alive. Because how real can they be if they hate one another? 

But it also helped save Chris’ image with the people who are aware of her problematic stuff. If his fans actually believed that he really fell in love with a Nazi sympathizing yacht girl, he wouldn’t have many fans left. So this narrative served not only as damage control, but also helped him gain sympathy from the people who pay close attention. How sad is it that he is forced to be in a PR RS with a girl he hates? Poor Chris!

I personally think they don’t like one another. He has done the absolute minimum to sell this and his whole demeanor point to it. But again who knows?

I will share more of my thoughts on those PR tactics in my next posts.  

[masterandapprentice]

I honestly don't think it was anyone's fault, not Palou's, nor Pato's or the other cars there did it on purpose (and you might know i'm not a Palou fan).

Thing is, that's a street circuit and you know how hard it is because it's difficult to overtake due to the space, and they were 13 cars trying to do the same thing: go as fast as they can. Pato was doing his qualy, so Palou and the others and i think it was all part of the type of race. It was certainly not fair as in their group were slower cars than others in general, but it is what it is.

It wasn't fair for Palou to lose 2 laps, as it wasn't fair for Pato to lose pace due to traffic. And of course Pato was mad, and you have to understand how frustrating it could be when things, that are out of your control, just come and ruin everything you are doing for your strategy.

I'm not justifying Pato's anger on twitter, or why denying interview or making him the victim, but, just try to be a little emphatic, last months haven't been good for him for several reasons: constantly changes on the team (you know, so many teammates come and go), lose your spotter, Pato's personal issues, the car not being at point, bad strategies and all the weird stuff and hate around Arrow McLaren lately.

TK said, when Pato won Mid-Ohio, that just they and their team knew what they have been thru, so, just a little reminder that we are all humans and have emotions (good or bad ones) and we can explode even when we are not used to do it (at least not in public)

Just let him cool down, things are what they are and tomorrow will be another day.

Just wanted to say that because I started to read some comments about Pato and Palou that weren't fair for any of them.