#we also have times where the fun and exchange of ideas is flowing

[itspileofgoodthings]

Nina and I are unfortunately like dynamite and gunpowder. something happens and we’re just like oh yeah? You wanna go? Let’s go! Meet me in the ring bitch!

[ifortom]

Bad Decisions - T. H. (3)

frat!Tom x Reader - Fake dating AU

Chapter Summary: Friendships are made, questions are answered, and hearts race.

MASTERLIST

W/C: +5K

• DAY 3

"Hey, newest hot topic on campus." You heard it as soon as you left the classroom.

Amber positioned herself by your side as you walked down the university hallway.

"Hey! Is that what people are calling me now?" Amber laughed lightly.

"Well, being seen swapping spit with one of the star players comes with certain consequences." She said, slipping her arm through yours. "Where are you headed now?"

"Uh, I thought I'd grab lunch and then probably head home. I need to catch up on some things I let slide over the weekend." Amber smirked.

"I bet you made good use of that time." You looked at her, wide-eyed. "Oh, stop it! I bet you and Tom spent the whole Sunday snuggled up together."

"Actually, I was nursing a hangover. He suffered having to listen to me complain and swear I'd never drink again."

"That won’t be the last time you’ll have to deal with a hangover if you keep going out with us." She smiled. "Can I join you? I’m starving, and I’ve got some assignments to do too. I’d love the company. Plus, your genius brain could help me out, if you’re up for it, of course!"

You pretend to think for a moment, pouting as if you're contemplating her idea, even though you already know the answer.

"Hmm, I don’t know..." She stops abruptly and stares at you, her caramel eyes pleading. "Alright! No need to look at me like a lost puppy," you say, laughing.

"My lost puppy eyes have gotten me far in life. Where are we going?"

"I was thinking of going to Joe's, do you know it?" She shakes her head. "No way! You're about to try the best carbonara in the world. Let’s go!"

"I have to admit, I haven't eaten this well in a while." Amber said while rubbing her belly.

"I told you."

Despite what people say around campus, Amber is one of the easiest people to talk to that you've ever met. Maybe it helps that you share a lot of mutual interests, but the way she keeps the conversation flowing, never letting an awkward silence settle between topics, proves once again that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

The girl with long red hair has a strong personality and big dreams. College wasn’t one of them, but for her parents, she pushes herself harder each day to keep going. She told you that ever since high school, she's had a passion for music and even joined the choir, but she always heard she had no future in it. Harsh words from people who should have been supporting her.

To her parents, a degree has always mattered more than genuine happiness.

She didn’t go into much detail, but she said she joined the cheerleading team to stay at least a little closer to what she enjoys. She knows the girls she hangs out with don’t have the best reputation, and as a result, she carries that same label. But she says she doesn’t care, that she’s happy with what she does, has fun, and has met some lovely people.

You don’t completely agree with the last part, since several people she hangs out with have proven not to be so great after all. But Amber has more contact with them than you do, so there’s not much to discuss.

During lunch, you gave her your full attention, but at the same time, you wondered why she wanted to spend this time with you. It wasn’t something you had imagined would happen. To you, she was just another girl you made friends with at a party, someone with whom you’d never exchange words again, like so many times before.

But Amber also seemed genuinely interested in what you had to say, asking about your major, what motivates you, and your interests.

She walked you back to your apartment and sat down on the floor near the coffee table, with a book and notebook open as she worked on an assignment. You sat down next to her, focusing on the page in front of you.

An hour later, Amber slammed the book shut and poked you with the tip of a pencil.

“I’m bored.”

"You know that phrase is something I hear regularly? In this same position."

"Do you have a lot of study dates?" She says, raising an eyebrow.

"It’s Tom, actually. We spend a lot of time studying together, and after a few minutes, he gets tired and says he’s bored."

"You two spend quite a bit of time together, don’t you? That’s how you got close."

"Yeah, you could say that. We worked on a project together and became friends. It ended up being a routine for him to be here."

"And now you’re dating."

"Oh, we don’t have a label yet. We’re... testing things out."

Amber watched you for a moment before speaking.

"Can I be honest?" You nodded. "It isn't strange to see Tom bringing a girl to one of those events and joining our group for the night. But most of the time, it doesn’t go beyond that. One night. You're his friend first and foremost, and you know how he behaves."

Amber sighed and looked at the table in front of her, her gaze unfocused.

"I don’t want you to end up like one of those girls. I know we barely know each other, but I like you, and I pushed aside my ego to get closer to you because... you seem real. It’s ridiculous, but I don’t know what I’m saying anymore."

"Amber, it’s okay." Your hand found hers and held it. "Take your time."

"I and Tom are friends. He’s one of the few people I can really talk to, you know? Like I said, the people I hang out with aren’t bad, but Tom is genuine. He doesn’t hide, and he is who he is, even if people talk about him." Her eyes returned to your face, and you finally noticed the tears forming. "And he talked about you. He told me how much you support him and what you do together, how you talk about everything and really listen to each other."

"I never had the chance to get to know you before, and my fear was that you would treat me poorly because of who I am, even knowing you wouldn't do that." She took a deep breath to regain her composure. "And when you showed up at the party and I got to talk to you, I understood Tom. I understood why he keeps you around. And today you took me to lunch at a new place, brought me to your home, and helped me with an assignment that isn't even part of your course. And we barely know each other."

"Amber, I did that because I like you too. It’s all good!"

She sniffled and released your hand, bringing them to her face to dry her tears.

"That was intense, and now I’m embarrassed." She started to get up, and you followed her. "I need to go."

"Amber, wait. You don’t have to leave."

"Y/N, I need to." She quickly packed up all the materials she used back into the bag she was carrying. "That was more than I expected."

Knowing you wouldn't be able to change her mind, you just watched as she gathered her things.

"Amber, wait." You tried one last time as she approached the door to leave. She paused but didn’t look back. "Do you want to go shopping on Friday?"

Her shoulders trembled slightly, and she turned to you with a shy smile on her face.

"I would love to."

Tom was sitting at his desk in his room while you were lying on his soft comforter on the bed.

"Were you two out to lunch together?" he asked.

"Yeah, she asked if she could join me, and I didn’t say no. It was actually pretty nice."

"Until she freaked out in the middle of your living room."

"It wasn’t a freak-out." You sat up on the bed defensively, staring at him. "She vented. I didn’t understand much, but the emotional weight of her words… it was a lot."

"Amber is pretty straightforward."

"I don’t think so. She still has a lot bottled up inside her, and I don’t think she’s going to share it anytime soon."

"Y/N, she’s not a patient. Don’t overanalyze."

"I know that," you replied. "She said you two are friends. Has she talked to you about her parents?"

He raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Let’s stop right there. That’s not our business."

"Ah, okay, sorry." You flopped back onto the bed, arms spread wide. "But did you know she said you talk a lot about me?"

"Did she?" He stood up from his chair. "What did she say?"

"Nothing too specific. But I think it’s problematic because you’ve created a fantasy of me for her."

"Me?"

"Yes! I’m not that special, and the way she talked… you really need to watch your words or it’s going to seem like I’m the center of your universe."

"Ha! You would like that, wouldn't you?" He gets up from the chair and sits on the edge of the bed.

"That's your life wish, Holland. Not mine," you joked back.

"So you think you’re that special, huh?" he says.

"I know I am. If I weren’t, I wouldn’t be right here now, and you wouldn’t be talking about me to other friends."

"You hurt my feelings talking like that. I don't have such a cold heart." he says, placing his hands over his chest.

"Aww, poor thing. Tommy gets his feelings hurt when he hears the truth." You reply, pouting and sitting again to face him properly.

"Why are you so sassy, huh?" He says, laughing and leaning closer.

"Life taught me to be this way."

"Stop that," he says, chuckling. "A few hours with Amber and you’re already just like her."

"We're friends. We have a date together on Friday!"

"I don’t know what to think, but I’m glad."

"Yeah, it's going to be fun," you smile.

"So, I've been thinking… actually, I heard some comments today about last Saturday."

"Yeah, I heard about it too. Apparently, you can still be the talk of the campus at any occasion."

"Oh, Y/N, you know not everyone cares about that. The ones who talk the most are the ones close to you or who want to be."

"I know, I was one of those people, remember? You can be sure I didn’t care at all about what you did or didn’t do until we had to work together."

"Yeah, if it weren't for social psychology, we might never have even exchanged a hello." That wasn’t exactly true. "Anyway, it turns out everyone thinks it was just that. Just a fling."

"Hm, what do you suggest?"

Tom smirked and pulled his phone out of his pocket.

"Time to make it Instagram official."

"How do you want me?" you asked, and he stared at you, a new smirk appearing. "Not like that, you perv! You know what I meant."

He laughed and got up, offering his hand to help you up from the bed.

"I'll lead you," he says.

You both walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window in his room, the sunset bathing the space in natural light. Tom positioned you in front of him and wrapped one arm around your shoulders.

"Okay, now turn your face to the left. Pretend you’re distracted." You did as he asked.

Tom's free hand held the phone in front of both of you.

"Got it. I think we have the picture for the official announcement," he said a moment later, pointing the phone to catch your attention.

In the photo, Tom's face was resting on your head, his arm wrapped around you while you pretended to look at something in the distance.

"Tom, do you think this is good?"

"What? What do you mean?"

"This looks so forced."

"What a lie. I've never taken a more perfect couple photo." You put your hands on your head when you heard him say that.

"Thomas… you've never taken a couple's photo in your life!"

Tom might have posed with countless girls at parties and other events, but none of them carried any deeper feeling.

"Well, it's what we have." He clicked a bit more on the phone screen. "Done, I even tagged you. Are you going to repost?" He said just as you heard the sound of a notification coming from your phone on his bed.

"We should have taken another one."

"Y/N, then it will look forced. It needs to be natural."

"Ha, and you think this is natural?"

"Stop complaining."

You huffed and returned to his bed, grabbing your phone and opening the app.

"Hey, it's okay if you don't want to repost it because you didn't like it…" he says lightly.

"That's not it, Tommy." You meet his gaze, lowering your phone. "It's just that all my acquaintances are going to see it. And it will be real. My family, friends from home. I know that was the plan and what we agreed on, but I just don’t know…"

Tom moved closer to you and cupped your face in his hands.

"Hey, any time you want to stop, that's fine! I’ve already told you I’m not going to force you into anything. Just say the word, and it's over."

You let out a breath and rested your head against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around you in a comforting embrace.

"You too, Tommy. At any moment." You said, your voice muffled by his shirt pressing against your face.

A few seconds later, you slipped out of his arms and reposted the photo, blocking and silencing your phone immediately afterward.

"See? That wasn’t so hard. We’ll deal with the consequences later." He laughed softly. "Now let’s go, we need to get there early if we want to leave early."

Even though it was a Monday, Tom had managed to convince you to go out with some of his friends to celebrate the start of the new game season. The only condition you had set was not staying out too late. They had decided to meet up at a bowling alley for the night.

When you both arrived, Harrison and his date for the night Jessie along with Tyler, and his girlfriend Mabel were already there, having reserved a lane for the game.

Harrison started the game, followed by Tyler and Mabel, who asked her boyfriend for help with the only move needed in bowling. Next up was Jessie, who made the same request to Harrison—good first-date strategy.

"Ok, smartiepants, your turn," Tom said turning to you, pointing to the lane.

You got up from the couch in your section and walked over to the platform to choose the ball you'd use.

"Tommy, you're not being very smart right now," Tyler said, pointing in your direction.

"What do you mean?"

"Be a gentleman; your girlfriend is about to bowl. Don't you think you should help her?"

Tom laughed loudly. "My girl? Oh, she doesn't need help. She knows what to do."

And as if you sensed his words even without hearing them, you knocked down all 10 pins in one go, making him shout in celebration.

"That's what I'm talking about!"

The night continued, and Harrison emerged as the winner of the game, receiving victory kisses from Jessie. Before heading out, everyone decided to grab a quick snack at the same bowling alley.

After a while of laughter, you said goodbye to the group and everyone went their separate ways.

"I have to admit, these people aren't so bad." You say as you buckle your seatbelt and Tom starts the car.

"Yeah, Tyler and Harrison are my closest friends, which is why I wanted you to come tonight. I know some of the guys on the team can be jerks, but a few of them are worth it."

"The girls were really nice too, even with their performance of not knowing how to play and getting all cozy with the guys," you say, laughing.

"I don't know about Jessie, but Mabel has been with Tyler for a while, so it's likely you'll see her again," he replied.

"Hm, I wish Amber had come," you said, looking down at your hands in your lap.

"Haz said she was busy, that's why she couldn't make it."

"I see…"

"Hey." Tom called your attention, placing his hand over yours. "Don't think too much about it; that's Amber for you. She has a strong personality and is very intense. And she gets scared by things she can't control."

A few minutes later, Tom parked in front of your apartment.

"Have you checked your phone?" he asked, and you shook your head in response.

"It's been on silent since we left your place."

"Y/N, I'm here for you. You know that."

"I really appreciate you, Tom. I know you have your reasons for being part of this craziness we've gotten into, but seriously, thank you."

"Anytime, smartiepants." You smiled at him.

"I'm going now."

Before you could open the car door, Tom held your hand. "Wait, Y/N."

"What?" You looked at him.

"I need to ask you… about the party, what happened at the party." he said. "I don't… what was that?"

"Tom, I'm not understanding."

"We… we kissed."

"Oh, about that." You looked away. "I know you didn't expect it, but… when I came back from the bathroom with Amber, everyone was saying you had gone somewhere with Taylor, and when I went to look for you, I bumped into her, and she started saying all sorts of things, and I wasn't exactly in my most sober state either."

He didn’t respond and let go of your hand.

"I know we hadn’t agreed on anything, but it felt like the right thing to do at the moment. I needed to prove that we were together there."

Tom continued in silence, staring at the road ahead.

"I'm sorry. We talked briefly about this, and I thought…"

"So it was an act?" he asked. "Just to prove we were together?"

"Well, yes. It’s not what we usually do when we’re together," you replied uncertainly. "But Tom, if that bothered you, let’s set some boundaries. It's funny because you joked about it yourself and…"

"No, it's fine. You don’t need to. Just… I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" he said.

"Alright, drive safe," you said before getting out of the car and watching him drive away.

As you lay down and finally allowed yourself to check your phone, you felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Notifications began to pop up on your phone, and you quickly realized that the repost of the photo with Tom had generated a lot of attention. Messages from friends and acquaintances started flooding your feed, and you couldn’t help but smile at the positive reactions.

Your sister replied with a simple "WTF?"

You couldn’t avoid feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Your relationship with Tom was becoming more real every day, and it brought a whirlwind of emotions.

Among the messages, one notification caught your attention: a direct message from Amber. “I saw the photo! I’m so happy for you. Let’s talk soon?”

You smiled as you read the message and felt relieved. But one notification, in particular, caught your attention even more.

Sean: Seems like I wasn’t wrong after all.

Seeing that message from Sean made your heart skip a beat. You hadn’t expected him to reach out, especially not like this.

TAGLIST: @feelinglikeineedlotsofnaps @un06 @lnmp89 @hoodharlow @let-me-luve-you @erule @smoofine @smile2345 @itsdoni @helen-on-earth @kagtobis @appleypi @jennifersworldsblog @marajillana @hufflepuff-n-fluff @aol19 @milasexutoire @watarmelon212 @miniaturetreecollectorfan-blog @twsssmlmaa @drquinnzel0217qqqqqqqqqqq @purplerose291 @princessria127 @jackiehollanderr

[lurveinn]

I’m so curious about Wizarding fashion. JKR isn’t very physically descriptive- we just know that wizards wear robes, which are outlandish to muggles, and pointy hats, but what does that really mean? What kind of robe? Magical fashion clearly isn’t very gendered, since Harry remarks on a man at the Quidditch World Cup wearing a dress and insisting that it’s unisex (certainly not the case in Britain at the time), but we don’t have any other parameters. Keeping in mind the uniform from the movies, and the fact that in SWM, Snape isn’t wearing any trousers, here’s what I think wizards wear:

1. Flowing silhouettes and cloaks; clearly, wizards love a good statement cloak. Think tassels and frills (not like Ron’s Yule Ball fit!), massive extended sleeves and lots of draping.

2. Skirts: let’s be honest, just one singular robe, without any layering, doesn’t give us much to work with. Skirts go with the general silhouette, explain why the World Cup wizard thought muggle men wore dresses, and keep with the no-trousers thing from SWM. I’m South Asian, so I like to have a little fun with it and think of wizards in ghararas (my favourite item of clothing); the Wizarding World is quite insular, travel is relatively unrestricted (hello, they have magic!), everyone has a common enemy in muggles (and other species- goblins, house-elves) etcetera, so race probably doesn’t function the same way and I headcanon a lot of cross-cultural exchange. Plus, wizarding fashion isn’t restricted by weather- they have warming charms- so wearing clothes made for hot climates in England, for example, wouldn’t be a problem.

Plus, I actually think saris are a natural fancy dress option- flowy, drapey, colourful. Speaking of which-

3. If there’s one fanon idea that I hate (aside from fanon!Sirius, of course), it’s this image of wizards (specifically high society wizards) as reserved. Sorry, did we read the same books? Wizards, even posh, rich wizards, like the Malfoys and Blacks, are camp and very outlandish. They do house-elf taxidermy, they keep their wands in canes. Just because Hogwarts uniforms are black doesn’t mean that people dress like they’re in mourning all the time. People can be total snobs and obsessed with their image and still wear bright pink, insane robes, because guess what? They have different social conventions than we do. Men and women dress basically the same, so there is no reason to believe that a man wearing a flowing robe would be against the norm. I say this as someone who believes misogyny and homophobia are well and truly alive in Wizarding society, especially in pureblooded families where the emphasis is on continuing the line; they definitely exist, but they probably look different.

4. My personal obsession and headcanon: rich wizards wearing bones. Look, I might not think of them as racist in the traditional sense, but they are undeniably speciesist, if that’s a word? They think of themselves as superior, and other sentient magical species either work under (goblins) or are enslaved (house-elves) by wizards. We only see Veelas very briefly, but despite them being admired for their beauty, I doubt wizards treat them very well. So- show me blood-purists wearing corsets made of goblin bones and teeth. Show me Veelas being hunted for their blood to stain and dye clothes with. Show me exotic “magical creatures” that are humanoid and capable of reasoning and should have rights, like mermaids and werewolves, being hunted for their scales and pelts while also being ostracised for being ‘non-human’. It’s terrible, but that’s the kind of archaic jewellery and fashion the old families that the fandom likes to fetishise would like to wear.

[sp00kymulderr]

Thank you for tagging me @kedsandtubesocks @schnarfer @almostfoxglove @guiltyasdave @chronically-ghosted & @arcanefox207 to post my favourites of my own work this year ❤️

FOR MY FAVOURITES FROM OTHER WRITERS/ARTISTS THIS YEAR CLICK HERE

I will be honest I wasn’t going to do this, but I suppose we can be nice to ourselves as a treat 😅 I think it’s a lovely idea and absolutely everyone should be allowed to feel proud of their creativity and expression. It’s not always easy, we really are our own worst critics aren’t we? But celebrating ourselves is important.

It’s been a very up and down year for me as a person and a creator. I want to write all the time, but most of the time my brain doesn’t allow that. I’ve thought about deleting. I’ve thought about giving up writing. But I haven’t, and I’m still here, and I thank my gorgeous friends and the absolutely incredible people in this fandom for that for being so loving and encouraging 💕

Anyway let me stop blathering on, here’s some of the things I’ve enjoyed making this year!

🩵The Dieter Bravo Brainrot club is without a doubt the best thing I’ve been involved in this year. Me and @chronically-ghosted launched our dedicated Dieter discord server in January and now I don’t know where I’d be without it. It was just a silly little idea me and Taylor both had separately at seemingly the same time, and now it’s a whole thing. I’ve run writing challenges, we’ve had numerous watch parties, silly games, and now a gift exchange! And it’s never felt like anything but joy. We are feral, we are fun, we are encouraging and we lift each other up. And did I mention feral? I love having a dedicated space to talk about That Man, I love the ideas that pop up in there, the art and thoughts that are shared. I love running that place and I love everyone who is part of that community - thank you all for making my year 🩷

🩵Lover boy - Joel Miller x transmasc reader - Lover boy is my pride and joy, and truly the thing I’ve written I think i personally connect with the most. I was scared of posting the first fic tbh, but I’m so glad I did. It’s a chance for me to explore things that mean a lot to me. And I just love how in love they are. It’s only a few short pieces for now, but I have so much more planned for these two.

🩵After - Dave York x Carol York x Reader - This little story came to me after rereading one of my favourite poems. I loved the ache of it, the sweetness of the melancholy and the warmth of the post-threesome glow. I really love this short piece, I find myself coming back to it a lot.

🩵lost, found - Dieter Bravo x reader - Dieter and angst just makes sense, and this was born of my own angst which I guess is why it’s stuck with me since writing it. I think Dieter is an easy character to project certain feelings on to, and I have a lot of headcanons about his early life and his queerness especially. Also this story features my favourite polycule and one day I’m gonna write all about them.

🩵inhale, exhale - Joel Miller x reader - I’ve written a lot of Joel this year, more than any other character. Can’t help it, he’s fantastic to write. This is a little angsty, a little smutty, with a slice of the horrors of the qz too. I remember it just flowing from me while I wrote it and I’m really happy with the finished piece.

🩵Closer to light - Javi P x reader - Idk I just think this is insanely hot if I do say so myself.

Tagging some others to share their own 2024 favourites and celebrate their work! @covetyou @seventeenpins @perotovar @qveerthe0ry @sin-djarin

@luxurychristmaspudding @for-a-longlongtime @strang3lov3 @missredherring @ozarkthedog (And if you’ve already done this, tag me in yours ❤️ I wanna see!)

[humbledragon669]

S1E3 – Hard Times Write Up P5 - Friday (One day to the end of the World) up to "the break up"

So, here we are, more than halfway through the episode yet only just getting to the credits. That really threw me the first time I watched this episode! I do think it’s a very clever way to handle the format of this episode though – you couldn’t exactly break the flow of the historical scenes to make way for the credits, and those scenes definitely don’t belong nestled in amongst the main storyline, particularly as all of those scenes were additional material written specifically for the show (as described by Neil in the introduction to the Script Book – this was do with ensuring consistency for seeing Crowley and Aziraphale in every episode of the season). Despite the fact that the storyline covered in these scenes is newly created, the information we learn from them is crucial to understanding the motives, emotions, and thought processes that the angel and demon show throughout the show, and I genuinely don’t think the rest of the episodes, or our relationship with the two main characters, would have been the same without them.

I also think the crazy-fast montage of scenes that we see immediately following the credits is a great way of bringing us back to the main storyline of the show, picking up right where we left off at the end of episode 2, which in fairness does seem like an awfully long time ago – after all, we’ve just been through a whistle-stop tour of 6000 years of history.

The entire sequence takes 5 seconds and appears to use a different image for every frame of film, which means it consists of approximately 130 different tableaus, in chronological order of their appearance in the season. Some editor had fun doing that I’m sure.

Knowing that I should be looking at any instances of writing whenever it’s used, I paused my rewatch of this episode at the point where we’re shown Aziraphale’s little planning board. Whilst most of it makes perfect sense (a map, notes about Adam’s name, relevant prophecy numbers), there is also a sheet of paper covered in writing that, to me at least is completely ineligible:

If anybody knows what this writing is, or even if it’s just made-up scribblings to look cool, I’d love to know the answer.

The conversation between Adam and Anathema has always struck me as slightly odd. I mean, it’s nice that Adam stops to ask if she’s OK (when she clearly is not), but there doesn’t appear to be any recognition from either party that they actually met just the day before. And forgive me for imposing modern-day suppositions on to work that was written a few decades previously, but a fully grown adult inviting a kid into their house for something to drink just feels creepy to me. We know she’s perfectly fine to be around though so we’ll let it go. What I do like about the conversation is that there’s an echoing of the exchange that Crowley and Aziraphale shared as they were leaving Tadfield Manor (about angels not being occult but ethereal) but this time the labels in contention are “witch” and “occultist”.

ADAM: Are you a witch? ANATHEMA: No, I’m an occultist.

It’s a nice nod to the notion that words have power. Both parties are describing the same idea but choosing what connotations they want to associate with it. And what’s really important to note on that matter is that changing Anathema’s label completely changes Adam’s opinion of her immediately.

Side note: anybody else find the juxtaposition of some manky old thumbscrews right next to a colourful birthday candle to be a beautifully accurate summation for what an oblivious shitshow the Witchfinder’s Army really is?

I find the choice of location for Crowley’s meeting with Shadwell to be an interesting one. The café they meet in proudly declares itself to be the “Best Café in Wandsworth”. Wandsworth is a long way from Crouch End, where we know Shadwell lives, and Mayfair, which is where the book states Crowley’s flat is located. And just so we’re covering some of the other possibilities, it’s nowhere near Soho and Aziraphale hasn’t set up the meeting at the 3rd rendezvous point yet for it to be a precursor location for the meeting on the bandstand. Why Wandsworth?

There are a couple of Easter Eggs in Crowley’s newspaper here, and perhaps one on the TV playing in the background. Let’s start with the newspaper. It’s no surprise that Crowley would be reading the Infernal Times, but who knew that demons would consider a bit of hiking for their holidays:

It’s a bit hard to make out, but I’m pretty sure that the headline reads something about walking trails. And it’s a pretty pathetic sounding front page headline:

In case you can’t read it (again, it difficult to make out), it says “SOUL MUSIC: Catalogue your collection of Souls?”. As a headline it doesn’t make a great deal of sense, but I think this is probably a reference to Crowley’s soul music collection mentioned in the book.

He was very proud of his collection. It had taken him ages to put together. This was real Soul Music. James Brown wasn’t in it.

The last of the headlines I can actually make out is the following:

Again, if you can’t quite make it out, this one describes some latest research that suggests exorcisms are on the rise in Wales. Just who has done the research, and why specifically concentrating on Wales, remains a mystery. Now let’s have a look at that TV in the corner of the room:

This was really tricky to get a clipping of something that made sense but the footage on the screen looks like it’s set in Puritan times. The guy on the right in this image is even wearing a costume reminiscent of Adultery Pulsifer’s clothes in the previous episode, so perhaps this a witchfinder? I couldn’t get anything concrete, but I think it’s probably a little Easter Egg nonetheless.

It’s nice that we have an acknowledgement of Shadwell’s involvement with Crowley going back decades during the conversation where we discover the demon is sponsoring the Witchfinder’s Army. We know, from the 1967 historical scene, that Crowley has been dealing with this dense oaf for 50 years by this point. I suppose in a show where character recognition, or rather the lack of it (see previous scene with Adam and Anathema, or even the use of the same actors to play different characters as we see in season 2) happens regularly, it was probably necessary to script something that explicitly states that these two characters are aware of the “resemblance” that Crowley bears to someone Shadwell knew many years previously.

Moving back to Anathema and Adam now (this episode does fair rattle through the sub-plot development doesn’t it?!). What’s with the whale obsession please? This isn’t the first time we hear about how whales have big brains (Crowley already raised this point when he was very drunk in episode 1), and it won’t be the last. I mean, I’m not denying that they do have huge brains, I just didn’t realise it was a thing that so many people thought about. I wonder if it’s one of those questions you supposedly can ask men about to get an unexpected response, like how often they think about ancient Rome? Regardless, the whale comment is just one of a bunch of foreshadowing Clues in this scene for later on.

They’ve got it all covered – ley lines, nuclear power stations, the Kraken, Atlantis, and Tibet, all mentioned or seen in a very short space of time. There’s even mention of the destruction of the Brazilian rainforests, something Adam tries to resolve in the book.

Up in Heaven, which looks like an incredibly boring place in my opinion, Aziraphale is busy telling his superiors things they’re either not interested in or already know. I don’t know whether Uriel’s line “what’s happening” is a little reference to Jesus Christ Superstar (the song “What’s the Buzz” uses this phrase repeatedly throughout), but if it is it would effectively put Aziraphale in the role of Jesus, with the archangels being disciples. Not exactly fitting with canon, so maybe this is a little Easter Egg. Or maybe it’s nothing at all.

Whilst I was doing this write up, I noticed that Aziraphale is the only one of the angels to be wearing a patterned garment – his trademark tartan. It’s a nice way to subtly distinguish him, or more precisely his relationship with the concept of free will, from the other angels, and whilst we know he has been exercising his own free will for centuries, his addition of a non-standard item of clothing to angelic attire would suggest he is becoming more comfortable with his stance. Looking back through the historical scenes (including the ones from season 2 we are yet to see), I think the tartan first makes it appearance in 1862, but I’m happy to be corrected on that.

It's a good job that the archangels are a somewhat dense bunch because Aziraphale does not do a good job of hiding when he’s hiding something here. He has a tendency to overact when it comes to the discussion around Crowley, and the pause he puts in before his non-committal answer to Gabriel’s questioning is almost painful.

It should be obvious to them that he’s covering something up but luckily they’re totally oblivious and Aziraphale actually manages to buy himself some time. Credit to him here – he went to Heaven with preconceived ideas of how this conversation was going and he not only manages to adapt to the deviation from his expectations, he also considers what this means, how it changes his plans, comes up with a plan for how to achieve his new objective, and executes that plan very convincingly. There’s a lot of talk about how Aziraphale can often be pretty dense at times, but this little scene should tell you that that’s only really true when it comes to Crowley – outside of the blinkers of friendship and love, this is one quick-thinking and intelligent angel.

We’ve had a couple of mentions of Crowley being “fallen” before now in the show, but I think this is the first time we get any clues as to why that might have been. And surprisingly for such an important piece of information, it’s delivered in an almost nonchalant way.

There was war in Heaven, long before the Earth was created. Crowley and the rest were cast out. Not nothing was ever really settled.

We already knew that Crowley wasn’t the only fallen angel (see Hastur’s comments in episode 2) but this is the first mention of him being involved in all-out war against Heaven. Hastur talks about rebelling in the previous episode, so we can only assume that these are two puzzle pieces that fit together. I don’t know whether season 3 will bring us a fuller answer for Crowley’s fall, but I hope so. I feel like it’s a huge part of his history and who he is; as a fan it would be nice to be able to put it all together for an even better understanding of his character.

Gabriel’s comments about the war and Armageddon make for some interesting discussion points. He says that even though the fallen angels were cast out of Heaven, nothing was settled. What exactly were they hoping would be the outcome of that war? If it was the destruction of those who rebelled, why only cast them out? Why not destroy them at that point? And why exactly does Earth have to get tied up in all of this? His parting line about Earth’s destruction offers little to the debate about what Earth’s role is in the whole Heaven/Hell war, only that Heaven is determined to destroy it, regardless.

The Earth isn’t going to just end itself, you know.

Charming. And unfortunately for Aziraphale, his lack of enthusiasm for another war has triggered the suspicion of the archangels – it’s interesting that he was able to cover his intentions through his talk of Crowley and poorly disguised buying for time but what really makes them think he can’t be trusted is that he clearly isn’t fully on their side when it comes to war.

There is a line in the book about anybody who meets Aziraphale believing him to be “gayer than a tree full of monkeys on nitrous oxide”. I can see how this might have been a little difficult to get into a TV show, but I think the double entendre delivered by the following exchange probably serves as a suitable alternative:

AZIRAPHALE: Do you have any men free? I need them to poke about a bit. SHADWELL: Poke, eh? And where exactly do you want them poking?

And if it wasn’t clear what Shadwell’s thoughts on Aziraphale were, calling him a “great southern pansy can probably fill in the blanks for you.

Remember what I was saying about Aziraphale not being dense earlier? Well this is one of those moments when he proves the exact opposite. He genuinely appears to believe all the stories Shadwell has fed him about the soldiers of the Witchfinder’s Army. I suspect he simply can’t bear to think that somebody would lie to him for financial gain, something which Crowley appeared to be fully conscious of when he dismissed Shadwell’s presentation of the ledger in the café earlier on. Whatever the angel’s reasons for this gullibility, we as the audience can now see that both of our hero pair are not only funding the Witchfinder Army (for the paltry combined sum of £500 per year according to the Script Book) but making use of their services, and hiding the organisation from the other for fear of reprimand. How very Shakespearian.

There are a few little things I’d like to show appreciation for in the Famine scene. First off, and I did have to look this up, but the word “sable” can be defined as “black”. So Famine’s chosen name consists of 2 words that describe black. Given that one of War’s alternative names is Red (or Carmine, which means crimson, as well as her chosen surname of Zingiber, which is another name for ginger – a word you might use to describe a red-headed person), this is hardly surprising. Next up. I love how beautiful the plate of non-existent food in the fine dining restaurant is. I have eaten at a Michelin starred restaurant and I can assure you, that isn’t far off the mark at all.

Next little Easter Egg – there’s a picture of the Bentley, albeit in red, on the wall of the burger joint that Famine and his assistant go to:

And how many times have we heard/read terms and conditions that sound very similar (scratch that, there are some phrases that are word-for-word perfect) to the ones for Chow for any/all new health product that comes to market with the sole purpose of making money out of gullible/vulnerable people. Neil really nailed the wording and delivery in the script there. Elvis’s presence in the restaurant is a cute bit of humour too, and halfway makes up for one of the lines in the script that didn’t make it to the final cut but made me guffaw like a loon – it’s Death’s response to a question about the year of Elvis’s death from the quiz machine:

I DON’T CARE WHAT IT SAYS. I NEVER LAID A FINGER ON HIM.

Lastly, I’d like to think there’s another instance of script mirroring in the use of the word Chow here. Cast your mind back, all the way to episode 1…

LIGUR: Wassat mean, “Ciao”? HASTUR: It’s Italian. It means “food”.

Except to anyone actually eating Sable’s prized invention Chow isn’t food at all, but eating it might result in you having to say “goodbye” to a lot of things like “hair. And skin tone. And, if you ate enough of it long enough, vital signs.” Beautiful word play.

Side note for the next scene: the Witchfinder Manual actually has a price on the cover (I can’t quite make out what it is, but it’s “old” money), which means at some point that sack of crap was actually sold to people.

One last tiny note: Crowley tells Aziraphale to meet him at the 3rd alternative rendezvous. Not the 3rd rendezvous or the alternative rendezvous. And Aziraphale can’t remember which location it maps to, though he can list off three possibilities, much to Crowley’s annoyance. I’d quite like to know how many formally named rendezvous locations they have, and why they think that referring to them in “code” prevents their respective superiors from knowing they’re meeting in the first place.

I am going to call it on this part of the write up at this point. I had intended for this part to be the last one for this episode, but I’m already at nearly 3000 words and I haven’t covered the “break-up” scene yet. I think I’m partly just putting off the inevitable by not including it here because I find the last scene of this episode very difficult to watch. Nevertheless, I hope you’ll forgive me. I’d hope I can give that scene the attention it deserves if I split it out into its own write up. So for now… comments, questions, discussion, all welcome, as always.

[imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese]

Hide and Seek

Wherein Eris and the Drifter discuss the logistics of a private Gambit match.

Link to Ao3 if you prefer to read it there

ACCESS: RESTRICTED DECRYPTION KEY: 1LPGY6V382$IKO-006 REP#: 090-ATHENAEUM-DERELICT-MESSAGING AGENT(S): AUN-326 SUBJ: VIP#1316 AND ERI-223 INTERACTIONS - HIDE AND SEEK - VOICE MESSAGE EXCHANGE

[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]

[VOICE MESSAGE 88-50-62.93-74-77] Germaine. You are undoubtedly running your rat race as I send this to you. I have no information of value to impart beyond that I know finding this message will bring you joy. And that is, in and of itself, good enough reason to leave it for you. The bog slugs have become even more brave around me now. They do not retreat even when I reach out a hand to touch them. I succeeded at petting one today and it trilled at me. I thought of you and how this would delight you. And so the desire to send you this message was incepted. I wonder if they can survive outside of the throne world. Perhaps you might try to keep one on your ship as a pet. I can imagine it flowing with its many pointed legs, rippling through your corridors, up the walls, in the ceiling, skittering amongst your tools and equipment. I imagine you would try to teach it tricks. Would it ‘roll over’ in a long spiral of segments and legs for some random bit of food for you? I still have no idea what they eat, however I'm sure you would find something amenable to its palate. It is one of your many skills.

[VOICE MESSAGE 89-51-63.93-74-77] Moondust! One of those bog worm things let you touch it? You have to name it now. You realize that don't ya? Damn thing needs a name. How about Spaghetti? Or Udon? Also, Derelict would be a terrible place for the guy. They clearly need to burrow in dirt. But you know where there is a lotta stuff to burrow in? The moon. Times between these matches is way too short. I gotta go. Catch ya later!

[VOICE MESSAGE 89-51-63.94-75-78] Absolutely not.

[VOICE MESSAGE 90-52-64.94-75-78] To the name or the moon? Last match one of the guardians kept hiding from the invader, as one does, and then when they got close, whirly-blended them with a sword. Same invader fell for the same trick three times! Embarrassing! Hilarious to watch though. Got me thinking. We’re both pretty sneaky. So just picture this: Private match. You and I. No hostiles. No motes. Hide and seek. Not now, of course, but later. You on for that? Could be a hell of a lot of fun.

[VOICE MESSAGE 90-52-64.95-76-79] You know your maps better than I. You would have a significant advantage. An indoor map with no lighting would bring balance to scales otherwise weighted heavily in your favour. But what shall I win when I catch you? Will you bestow upon me one of your infamous guns? Shall I wander about the tower with Malfeasance upon my hip? How many eyebrows would that raise, I wonder.

[VOICE MESSAGE 91-53-65.95-76-79] Everyone and their grandma has a Malf now. No one would notice or care if you had it too. It’s a good gun. You’ll like it. And you’re right, you should have one. All you gotta do is take it from me. I’m sure you could do that if you wanted, right? So come and get it, hunter. You don’t want that for hide and seek, though. You can have that any time. And what would I get if I win at hunting you down in the dark? Maybe we should just let the winner pick whatever they want. That is, of course, unless those stakes are too high for you.

[VOICE MESSAGE 91-53-65.96-77-80] No. You are not going to trick me into wagering an Ahamkara bone on a game of hide and seek, Rat. Furthermore, I fully expect you to cheat and I should get something additional when I catch you at it.

[VOICE MESSAGE 92-54-66.96-77-80] Me? Cheat at Gambit? You have insulted my pride, Three-Eyes. How could you say such a thing? No way you’d catch me cheating at my own game. Because you wouldn’t catch me. Bonus challenge accepted. Now, what are we wagering that ain’t your glow ball? What do I get that’d make you eager enough not to lose?

[VOICE MESSAGE 92-54-66.97-78-81] I do not have anything of value to offer you that I would be willing to wager on a game. Perhaps this is not as much fun as you had hoped after all. Let us leave this by the wayside until such time as a reasonable wager presents itself.

[VOICE MESSAGE 93-55-67.97-78-81] Oh now don’t you go giving up that easily. I have an idea. One thing you have in spades is pride. If I win, you have to tell ol’ Rayray you lost to me at hide and seek. And I get to see both your faces when you do.

[VOICE MESSAGE 93-55-67.98-79-82] You insufferable... wretch! Ikora is a leader of the Vanguard and a close and trusted friend, someone I deeply respect, not a pawn to be used in your ridiculous attempts at seduction.

[VOICE MESSAGE 94-56-68.98-79-82] Attempts? I ain’t attempting nothing. That’s quite the reaction from someone who was oh so convinced they’d win. Sounds to me like you’re flat out admitting you know I’m better at skulking about in the dark than you. I suppose I can accept that if you really are conceding defeat before we even start. It’s disappointing, but flattering.

[VOICE MESSAGE 94-56-68.99-80-83] I can smell you in the dark, Rat. Your thoughts are loud and lewd and you make no attempt to quiet them. There is no way you could possibly win.

[VOICE MESSAGE 95-57-69.99-80-83] Game on, then?

[VOICE MESSAGE 95-57-69.00-81-84] Game on.

[VOICE MESSAGE 96-58-70.00-81-84] Oh hey, give Udon an extra scritch on the head for me, will ya? I bet they eat swamp bugs. Maybe those little shrimpy things I made into a soup for you that one time. You should come over for dinner again sometime soon. I’m done at eight tonight if you’re free.

[VOICE MESSAGE 96-58-70.01-82-85] It is not named Udon, or anything else for that matter, and I am not free. I did scratch its head for you, though, and I tried to offer it a bug, but it showed no interest. I miss your company, you infuriating creature. I will take you up on your offer of dinner in that heap you call a ship when this is over.

[END TRANSCRIPT]

This is one of a series of stories written during Season of the Witch that I called Kept Conficence, after the hand cannon with the lore that helped to inspire them.

Here is a link to all of them in order if you wish.

[hurlingdown]

This how I love you: I’m just going to write my indulgent confessions into a google docs and come to you for when on a daily basis. That’s my Christmas present.

On that note, happy Christmas to you, and everybody close and around you! I genuinely hope you have a great time together with family, and get the best gifts. I also wish you a happy new year’s if you don’t return in time for January.

^ This means if you decided to take another break, I hope you enjoy it! You’re a wonderful and talented writer, I’m so happy I stumbled upon your account when I did. Albeit, a little sooner, but better late than never. I hope I have you some fun ideas and funny comments with my thirsts. - I probably won’t be able to shorten them, for them being synopsis’s. I just write too much, I am sorry if that does overwhelm you.

I have to also give credit where it’s due, if it wasn’t for 🐉 anon not being so prominent on your account and open about what they want to do to these characters - I wouldn’t have posted these. I barely share my thoughts to anybody who I already don’t know. I have to know you’re completely comfortable with smut, and I obviously know you are; so I feel like me and you are already close! You know my devious side and what I want to do the majority of Straw Hats’! Lol

I’ll shut up. I have to say, it was a gift in its self to meet you and find your stuff. We need more top reader friends/writers.

- Saturn 🪐

JJSDJFJ SATURN!!! thank you for said christmas gift!!! and merry christmas to you and your family as well!!! (cut here because it was getting a bit too long)

like you said, better late than never! i'm glad to have found you and all the other anons, for all the fun conversations and exchanges we have — tumblr will never be the same without you guys.

please don't shorten your thirsts!! i'd much prefer if you didn't. writing is all about the flow, and if it takes you on a 10k word count journey, then so be it. that's actually how i write most of the time haha, the only downfall is that i sometimes create numerous drafts for the same idea if my brain is just being wonky on that particular day, but the final product is always worth it in the end 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

on the topic of 🐉anon, i owe them a lot. they've been here since my day one more or less, and i can't believe they're still here after more than half a year!!! they're always coming up with the most amazing ideas and writer's block killing thirsts. same goes to oath and 😼 (my fr day 1). this is turning into an end of the year anon appreciation post and i don't regret it 🙂‍↕️

i'm glad you feel comfortable enough to share your thoughts with me!! and i definitely agree about the needing more top readers bit. sometimes i feel like i'm tossing my writing into an empty void, but then your asks remind me that other people exist hahaha <3

[zapreportsblog]

The ideas just keep flowing from me! I have another fun one!

When Garrett meets the Cullens and Renesmee there is one human in the house. Bell's sister or cousin(whichever you choose) lives with the Cullens as Carlisle is her doctor. She is on the tail end of a cancer treatment and while she's recovering she chooses to wear a scarf as most of her hair has fallen out.

Her blood isn't tempting to the other vampires due to the chemicals in her blood from the therapy. I can imagine Garrett just keeping her company. She wants to change into a vampire but only after she's recovered. Stubborn like Bella. 😊😊 please and thank you!!

Oh my what a wonderful idea :) thank you for requesting and enjoy

↳ the end of the road ↲

✭ pairing : garrett x reader

✭ fandom : twilight x reader

✭ summary : (y/n) much like her sister is highly stubborn so it must be a trait in their family, she was diagnosed with cancer at the ripe age of sixteen and has been battling it for three years. Now at the age of eighteen one can only hope they’ll get better enough to heal and join their sister in her undead life surrounded by those she loves and care for

✭ authors note : oh wow this is finna be sad with some angst but also some fluff

✭ twilight masterlist

**Prologue:**

In the quiet town of Forks, where the misty forests and overcast skies painted the landscape, lived (Y/N) Swan, the younger sister of Bella Swan. Their lives had taken divergent paths after their parents' separation. While Bella had chosen to live with their mother, (Y/N) decided to stay in Forks with their father, Charlie Swan.

Time seemed to pass in its own rhythm, and (Y/N) found herself facing a challenge that was both unexpected and daunting. At sixteen years old, she was diagnosed with cancer, casting a shadow of uncertainty over her previously ordinary life. The weight of her diagnosis hung heavy, yet (Y/N) approached each day with a determination to fight.

One beacon of hope in her journey was Dr. Carlisle Cullen, a skilled and compassionate doctor who had recently come to town. His calm demeanor and expertise had been a source of comfort for both (Y/N) and her family. The medical treatments were a challenging journey, punctuated by the unknowns of whether a cure was possible.

As her eighteenth birthday approached, (Y/N) found herself reflecting on the twists and turns her life had taken. She had watched Bella leave for Arizona, and their once-close bond had faced the strain of distance. Yet, the love they shared remained unwavering, and Bella's visits back to Forks were cherished moments of reconnection.

Dr. Carlisle Cullen had become a trusted figure in (Y/N)'s life, not only for his medical expertise but also for his genuine care. Each visit to his office became an opportunity for (Y/N) to find solace in his presence, to discuss her fears and hopes, and to gain a better understanding of her condition.

As (Y/N) stepped into Dr. Cullen's office, the room radiated a sense of calm. His warm smile greeted her, and she took a seat as he reviewed her latest test results. The exchange was more than a doctor-patient interaction; it was a meeting of two souls navigating uncharted waters together.

"(Y/N)," Dr. Cullen began gently, "I want you to know that we are doing everything we can to fight this. Your strength and resilience are remarkable."

Tears glistened in (Y/N)'s eyes as she nodded. "Thank you, Dr. Cullen. I know you're doing your best. It's just... the uncertainty is hard to bear."

Dr. Cullen leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "I understand, (Y/N). While we may not have all the answers, what we do have is a commitment to your well-being. Your journey is not one you have to face alone."

The bond between (Y/N) and Dr. Cullen had grown over time, forged through shared moments of vulnerability and hope. Their connection extended beyond the realms of doctor and patient, embodying the essence of companionship and support.

As (Y/N)'s eighteenth birthday approached, her thoughts were filled with a mix of emotions. She longed for a future free from the grip of cancer, a life where she could embrace the world with the same enthusiasm as before. While the journey was uncertain, the presence of caring souls like Dr. Cullen and her family provided the strength to carry on.

In the midst of uncertainty, one thing remained clear: (Y/N)'s journey was a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the unwavering bonds that transcended challenges. The pages of her story were still being written, and each day was an opportunity to add a new chapter filled with hope, determination, and the unwavering support of those who stood by her side.

**Current Timeframe:**

As time rolled on, the quaint town of Forks underwent changes that would forever alter the lives of those residing within its borders. Nearly a year had passed since Bella Swan returned to live with her father, Charlie Swan, and her younger sister, (Y/N) Swan. In the interim, Bella had found love with the enigmatic Edward Cullen, and the two were now married.

While Bella's life seemed to be reaching new heights of happiness, (Y/N) had been battling a relentless adversary of her own: cancer. The disease had woven itself into her life, creating a challenging tapestry of medical treatments, emotional highs, and lows. Yet, despite the adversity, (Y/N) remained resilient, determined to embrace each day with grace and courage.

It was amidst these challenges that (Y/N) learned of the Cullens' closely guarded secret, a revelation that added an unexpected layer to her already complex life. The news had come as a shock when Bella, now pregnant, confided in her younger sister about the truth behind her in-laws' supernatural nature.

Sitting on the porch of the Swan household, the air was thick with a mixture of emotions as Bella recounted the story of her transformation into a vampire, of the existence of werewolves, and the intricate dynamics of the supernatural world she was now a part of.

"(Y/N), I know this is a lot to take in," Bella began, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon. "But I wanted you to know the truth. Edward and his family, they're not like other people. They're vampires, and there are also werewolves in the Quileute tribe."

(Y/N) listened intently, her heart heavy with both the enormity of the revelation and the knowledge that her sister's life had taken such an unexpected turn. As the words settled in, (Y/N) realized the weight of the burden that Bella and her new family had been carrying, a secret they had managed to keep hidden from the rest of the world.

"I can't believe it," (Y/N) finally whispered, her voice barely audible. "All this time, and I had no idea."

Bella turned to face her sister, her expression a mix of concern and understanding. "I wish I could have told you sooner, (Y/N). But it's complicated, and I wanted to keep you safe."

Tears welled up in (Y/N)'s eyes as she shook her head. "Bella, you've been through so much. And now you're pregnant... I can't even imagine."

Bella's hand reached out to gently clasp (Y/N)'s. "We're family, (Y/N). We'll face whatever comes together."

And so, as the days turned into weeks, (Y/N) found herself navigating a new reality—one that intertwined the everyday challenges of battling cancer with the extraordinary world of the supernatural. The Cullens, who had initially remained at a distance, began to embrace (Y/N) as a member of their extended family, offering support and camaraderie that transcended their differences.

While (Y/N)'s health remained a delicate balance, her relationship with her sister grew stronger, fortified by shared secrets, challenges, and an unbreakable bond. As Bella's pregnancy progressed and the supernatural world continued to unfold around them, (Y/N) clung to the hope that each day brought—a hope that, in the face of adversity, would serve as a beacon of light and a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

In the wake of Bella's transformation into a vampire, the dynamics of the Swan household had shifted dramatically. Bella's once-pale skin and crimson eyes marked her entry into the immortal world, while her daughter, Renesmee, born half-human and half-vampire, added another layer of complexity to the Cullen family.

Amidst these changes, (Y/N) Swan's battle with cancer continued to cast a shadow over her life. The disease had taken its toll, and (Y/N) often found herself grappling with the reality of her mortality. As her health deteriorated, the clock seemed to tick louder, and (Y/N) became acutely aware that her time was limited.

In the midst of preparations for Renesmee's introduction to the vampire world, the Cullens were making arrangements to call upon other vampire clans to bear witness to this extraordinary event. Among those invited was Garrett, a free-spirited vampire known for his independent nature and his open-mindedness.

When the time came for the various clans to converge at the Cullen residence, (Y/N) watched from the sidelines, her presence a blend of quiet strength and vulnerability. As the interactions among the clans unfolded, she couldn't help but feel a sense of isolation, knowing that her own fate was uncertain.

Garrett, with his rugged charm and striking presence, caught (Y/N)'s attention immediately. Their initial conversation was marked by an easy rapport, a connection that seemed to transcend the boundaries of their respective circumstances. Their shared laughter and genuine conversations offered a respite from the weight of (Y/N)'s illness.

As they strolled through the lush Cullen grounds, Garrett's curiosity led him to inquire about (Y/N)'s well-being. The question hung heavy in the air, and (Y/N) met his gaze with a mixture of honesty and vulnerability.

"I've been battling cancer for a while now," (Y/N) admitted softly, her eyes reflecting a lifetime of challenges. "And lately, it's been getting worse. I fear I don't have much time left."

Garrett's expression softened as he listened, his gaze unwavering. "You're a fighter, (Y/N). I can see it in your eyes. But... you don't want to be turned into a vampire yet, do you?"

(Y/N)'s nod was accompanied by a sigh. "It's not that I'm against the idea, but I want to be sure. I want to live a life without the constant weight of illness, to experience moments of joy without fear."

A thoughtful silence settled between them, the weight of their words echoing in the quiet air. Garrett's hand found (Y/N)'s, a gesture that spoke of understanding and empathy.

"(Y/N), you deserve to make that choice on your terms," Garrett said gently. "But know that you're not alone. There are others who care about you, who will stand by your side no matter what you decide."

As the days passed, (Y/N) found solace in Garrett's presence. His unwavering support and the companionship they shared became a source of strength, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, connections could be forged that transcended the boundaries of time and circumstance.

With the impending arrival of the other clans and the pivotal moment of Renesmee's introduction to the vampire world drawing closer, (Y/N) found herself at a crossroads. The future remained uncertain, yet the presence of a kindred spirit in Garrett offered a glimmer of hope, a reminder that life's complexities could be faced with resilience, camaraderie, and the power of choice.

On the day of the anticipated battle with the Volturi, the cold, snowy field outside the Cullen residence was a scene of tense anticipation. The assembled vampire clans, including Garrett, stood ready to defend against the Volturi's threat. The tension in the air was palpable, every eye trained on the looming confrontation that could change the vampire world forever.

In a quaint home not far from the battlefield, (Y/N) Swan waited, heart heavy with concern for her loved ones. She had chosen to stay behind, feeling that her fragile condition rendered her unable to contribute to the impending clash. Instead, she had chosen to hope and pray for the safe return of the vampires she held dear.

As the hours stretched on, a sense of unease settled over Garrett. His connection with (Y/N) had grown stronger over time, and a gnawing feeling in his gut warned him that something was amiss. Excusing himself from the battle preparations, Garrett made his way back to the Swan residence, the icy wind carrying his troubled thoughts.

Upon entering the home, Garrett's worst fears were realized. He found (Y/N) lying peacefully in her sleep, her once vibrant spirit now stilled. The realization that cancer had finally claimed her life was a blow that hit him like a physical force, his heart aching with grief.

Kneeling beside her, Garrett's hand found (Y/N)'s, his fingers tracing the contours of her features. He had grown to love her in ways he hadn't anticipated, and the thought of her absence was unbearable. In that moment, he made a choice that would forever alter both of their fates.

With a mix of desperation and determination, Garrett's fangs descended, and he sank them into his own wrist. Gathering his venom, he carefully injected it into (Y/N)'s body, a desperate attempt to save her from the clutches of death.

As the vampire venom coursed through her veins, (Y/N)'s body underwent a transformation unlike anything she had ever experienced. The pain was intense, yet a glimmer of hope threaded through the agony. In a desperate bid to save her, Garrett had condemned her to the life of a vampire, but he had done so out of love.

Time seemed to blur as (Y/N)'s body adapted to the change, her senses awakening with a newfound intensity. Her eyes opened to a world of colors and details she had never imagined, and the sounds of the forest outside were a symphony of life.

And then, as her mind fully awakened, (Y/N) realized that her once-ailing body had been replaced by something powerful and immortal. Her gaze met Garrett's, and a rush of emotions flooded over her—gratitude, awe, and an unexpected connection that defied explanation.

"(Y/N)," Garrett's voice was a mixture of relief and uncertainty, "you're alive. I... I couldn't bear to lose you."

Tears filled (Y/N)'s eyes as she realized the depth of what Garrett had done for her. Their journey had taken a path neither could have predicted, and now they stood at the precipice of a new existence.

As they ventured back to the snowy field, (Y/N) felt a blend of emotions—gratitude for her newfound life, grief for what she had lost, and a growing connection to Garrett that defied logic. The battle with the Volturi raged on, but amidst the chaos, (Y/N) and Garrett's story had taken a unique turn, one marked by sacrifice, love, and the unbreakable bond between two souls intertwined by destiny.

The Cullens returned from the snowy battlefield, the tension that had hung in the air slowly dissipating as they relayed the unexpected turn of events to Garrett. The Volturi had not engaged in battle; instead, they had recognized the uniqueness of Renesmee's existence—a child born of both human and vampire heritage. As the Cullens explained this, Garrett's silence spoke volumes, his thoughts hidden behind a mask of contemplation.

Concerned about (Y/N), Esme asked, "Where's (Y/N)?"

Garrett's gaze remained steady for a moment before he shifted uncomfortably. His silence only deepened their concern.

"(Y/N), where is she?" Bella's voice was tinged with urgency as she glanced around the room.

It was then that Bella's eyes fell upon a sight that made her heart drop: (Y/N)'s body in the midst of transformation. Shocked and angry, she turned to Garrett, her emotions erupting.

"What have you done?!" Bella's voice trembled with fury. "You had no right to make that choice for her!"

Garrett's expression was one of remorse and helplessness. "Bella, I couldn't bear to lose her. I know it was reckless, but..."

Bella's anger wasn't quelled, her eyes narrowing as she stood beside the transformation table. "(Y/N) should have had a say in this. She deserved to choose."

As the transformation neared its completion, (Y/N)'s eyes fluttered open. Her gaze met Bella's, and confusion gave way to realization. The truth hit her like a physical blow, and a mixture of anger, grief, and frustration welled up inside her.

"(Y/N), I—" Garrett began, his voice laced with guilt.

"You did this without asking me!" (Y/N)'s voice was sharp, her eyes brimming with tears of anger. "You took away my choice!"

Garrett's words were a mix of regret and honesty. "You were dying, (Y/N). Your body was failing. I didn't want you to suffer."

"Suffer?!" (Y/N)'s voice was a mix of desperation and bitterness. "You didn't think I'd rather die on my own terms? You robbed me of that choice, Garrett!"

Tears streamed down (Y/N)'s face as her anger and grief collided. She had been stripped of the one thing that was truly hers—the right to decide her fate. The room seemed to close in around her, the weight of the transformation overwhelming her.

Garrett's voice was soft as he reached out to her, his eyes filled with sorrow. "(Y/N), I thought I was saving you. I didn't want you to suffer any longer."

"Suffering is a part of life!" (Y/N)'s voice was raw with emotion. "I wanted to live until the end, to experience every moment, even the painful ones. You took that from me."

The room was filled with the echoes of (Y/N)'s anguish and Garrett's regret. As (Y/N) fled from the room, the anger and confusion that roiled within her seemed to fuel her determination.

Garrett stood there, a heavy sense of guilt settling over him. The path he had chosen, fueled by love and desperation, had brought about unintended consequences and shattered the bond that had once united him and (Y/N).

As (Y/N) disappeared into the night, the Cullens exchanged worried glances. The decision to save (Y/N)'s life had come at a steep price—one that tested the boundaries of love, choice, and the consequences of actions taken in the name of preserving what was most dear.

[alfgifu]

Fic analysis 55. A shared song

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/59144599

Word count: 4,993 (co-written throughout with breadandroses, rattyjol, Squeasel, and SuninGlory)

Chapters: 1

First posted: 22nd September 2024

Summary: 

An alternative version of Cliopher and Fitzroy's reunion in ATFOTS.

How and why this came about

A group of friends on discord pooling thoughts about fluffy fic scenarios hit on the concept of Cliopher meeting Fitzroy by hearing him singing first, and singing with him.

This fic took on a distinctly Cinderella-ish vibe as we wrote it, complete with Kip fleeing into the night and Fitzroy picking up a significant token as he followed. It was a free-flowing joint livefic that originally took place early in 2023.

By the time September came around I had moved jobs to a more satisfying but also stretching role, and encountered a new source of life disruption (aka moving house). Writing was becoming increasingly difficult. I have been working on various things this autumn, but it’s been slow going both for fanfic and original fic. I ended up taking a break from creative writing and finding an outlet by doing (a fun, sketchy version of) inktober instead.

I started writing these fic analysis pieces because I know I wouldn’t be able to write much new fic in this period, but I wanted something to fill the time I would have been spending writing that was lower-effort and potentially still useful in consolidating what I’ve been doing and what I’ve learned.

And I did what I could where I could edit instead of writing new material. A shared song was in this category - the story was already mostly there, so it only took a quick further discussion about final tweaks (mostly around adding a couple of intro paragraphs and firming up the ending), and then it was ready to be posted.

What worked and what didn’t

The fic flowed naturally out of a conversation about the scenario and there was something special about so many people feeding in. It was lovely to see and feel how it all came together, too. When I went back to edit it I hardly had to change anything to make it fit, it really was mostly about ensuring the frame at the start and the end gave enough context to ground the story and had enough weight to wrap it up.

Having Kip and Fitzroy meet again through the device of singing where they couldn’t see one another made it harder for both of them to dodge the emotional heft of the reunion. Having Kip vanish into the night and Fitzroy go after him gave them privacy. The two together naturally lead to a direct conversation about what they meant to one another, which doesn’t happen in canon until after a whole lot more plot and adventure. It’s very satisfying.

What I learned from writing it

The type of collaboration we managed over this story, with a bigger group of people all just adding what felt right to them, brought together something very special with elements of all of our thinking and styles. It worked because we all had roughly the same idea of how this could go and how we wanted it to go (we were explicitly thinking about fluffy, sappy outcomes). It worked because we all knew and trusted one another and were working in a bounded online space, a chat with its membership limited by the discord rules.

There had at one point been several similar joint creative story-making/story-flowing conversation on the HOTE Support Group discord - the conversation that led to Tenebra was one of these - but over time that had stopped happening. Discussions more frequently seemed to turn into debates than into stories, or else consisted of short exchanges that didn’t really go anywhere. With hindsight I think it’s hard to maintain that level of freedom in rustling up stories in a space with a large membership, because it relies so much on those involved feeling comfortable to ‘yes, and’ without worrying that the exercise will be misread or interrupted or shift across to more of a debate.

So I learned here that really big author collaborations can make something special, if the conditions are right, and that any fandom probably needs both large and small spaces for people to hang out together since they can serve different purposes and meet different needs. Which realisations led onto a couple of other collaborative projects that I look forward to sharing with the wider fandom soonish. ☺️

[aro-culture-is]

More of a question, hope it’s okay to ask this type of stuff but as a polyamorous fluitic aroaceflux person, does it seem valid to also have times where you want to date many people because you desire the many connections beyond friendship but due to being aflux fluitic, disabled/nd, and busy with personal life, you may not be able to interact much/do many activities that most people have expectations of in relationships? I’ve always found that so draining and restricting on me having the expectations but i want a relationship with people without the high expectations or worrying about seeming disinterested in the relationships. I just want an easy go with the flow wavership. Does it seem wrong if I were to have many relationships with my limitations, or is it understandable?/gq /nfta

(gonna be real, no idea what nfta stands for as a tone tag - probably not any of the various niagra related or trade association related things we found lol)

generally speaking: it is always valid to want certain types of relationships, but I suspect the question you're asking is if this is practical.

there's some good and bad news, in my personal opinion: first, yeah, bad news, that sounds hard as fuck to manage and find partners who want it. the good news though? tbh someone who is already good enough in your books with responding to shit as an a-spec disabled person is much more likely than the average person to at least consider it, if not try.

i think the best thing to say here is this: relationships are always gonna involve some exchange of energy and preferences. i'm not here to tell you exactly how to go about that, but i would advise that if you wanna be in any sort of polyamorous relationships, especially in a wavership, you're gonna want to brush up on communication skills, boundary setting, and conflict resolution. You're gonna need the ability to recognize that sometimes your partner(s) will want something like your time and attention when you really don't have the desire. You'll need to be able to respond effectively to that - in the moment, can you step back mentally, assess the situation, and say to yourself, "I think in this situation, even though it is uncomfortable, this is necessary.", or "I feel like I can't do this right now, but we've discussed alternate options like reminding them of a resource."

It can be hard to find the line between disability and comfort zones, personally. I won't try to advise you on that type of matter - only that you'll want to ensure that you practice awareness of discomfort that is bad for you and discomfort as your brain setting off unneeded alarms at something new, something that once was associated with bad things, or all sorts of "fun" little things. This is incredibly important when in relationships with unique formats or expectations, since you'll often be exploring territory without a map; learn how to navigate discomfort as a sign rather than a roadblock.

I hope any of this helps? it's mostly just... my thoughts spat out onto a page. Generally speaking, I anticipate that you know most of this, but it might be helpful to see another person's take on it. I wish you luck, kindness, and spoons.

[typewriteringalaxy]

fanwork creators self rec, or your five favourite fics/art/podcast etc

thank you for the tag @letters-to-rosie 💕 your answer reminded me that The Fire Next Time has been on my tbr for too long and I need to rectify that lol. anyway here we go in chronological order

everything's better with a friend (Ekko/Jinx, E, 7/7)

my magnum opus so far! more than 85,000 words of an AU where Powder doesn't joins Silco but faces many of the struggles Jinx does. This fic just flowed right after watching Arcane, it was a joy both in creation and readers' reception. I'm particularly happy with Powder's pov and the relationship's progression. Healing isn't linear, and love alone isn't enough to heal, though it does help. That ended up being the theme, and I managed it fairly well in the story, as well as a happy, domestic timebomb ending💕

(I did hint at a sequel of sorts, and the idea still spins in my head. Maybe by the end of summer?)

With Less Inhibition (Astoria Greengrass/Blaise Zabini, E, 5/7)

This one can be read on its own despite being an AU of another fic, The Platinum Collar. Honestly I prefer it from TPC: Blaise's pov and the focus on their friendship's development made the story better. Astoria's letters were also very fun to write. With both of them minor characters in canon (and in a not respectable canon to boot), I had a lot of creative freedom in their characterisation, so this ship is very dear to me. Also this fic was written with @hypernovaesx 's love, enthusiasm and moodboards (Blastoria being our gondola💕) and I love it all the more for it. I haven't left it at a cliffhanger, rather the complete opposite. (And someday I will finish it.)

touch as a form of comfort (Tandy Bowen/Tyrone Johnson, E, oneshot)

I wrote this one after watching Cloak & Dagger Season 2, whose ending made me so happy and thus the fic is a happy memory too. It's short and sweet, going along with the finale's wholesome vibe. I hope to share longer fics for this ship too.

howling hearts (Rey/Ben Solo, T, 7/7)

I returned to my roots with this one lol. First time taking part in the RFFA Valentine's Exchange, I'm happy to have completed the fic within the deadline, and the Beauty and the Beast prompt with Rey as the Beast was really inspiring. Thus I wrote a feral, angry Beast Rey, a nerdy smuggler Ben Solo, a pack of Sith Wolves as the Knights of Ren, and had the opportunity to toy a bit with the reasoning behind the Beast's transformations. It was fun.

party girl (multiship, E, oneshot)

An exploration of Jinx that I'm proud of particularly since in all my other fics of her I either wrote her as Powder or somewhat downplayed her canon viciousness and sheer chaos. And she's a damn difficult character to pin down. Parings include: Jinx/Thieram, Caitlyn/Jinx, Ekko/Jinx.

tagging, if you'd like to play:

@hypernovaesx (if you're still on tumblr; you know I loved your stories before I started writing mine and I love you💕)

@blueinsomnia (curious about your favourite Firelight Stories)

@linearao3 (I've admired your writing from Kohelet to Child Ballad, curious about your favourites)

[dulcewrites]

I’m not strong enough to read something by you based on the last five years, that musical absolutely kills me every time I listen to it. To imagine Cass and aemond 💔💔💔

It’s so sad. And fuck Jamie fr. I really hate when people are like ‘but Cathy was jealous of his success’ as if that compares to Jamie cheating on her then leaving her. Ok anyway here are some songs from the show that are Cass and Aemond coded to me. Also yes… i prefer the movie soundtrack to the stage play version but both slay

This song is so them. Cass can see the red flags, she feels something is off… but it’s Aemond. I actually like the idea of this being while she’s pregnant with Daella. The sort of flow of marriage is gone, Cassandra is scared to what is to come. But man she loves that man

I don’t know what industry yet but I like the idea of Aemond being a creative. A writer, a poet, a composer, a painter idk. Maybe them meeting after he has been essentially given an ultimatum by his father: get serious or no more money (honestly Alicent probably wouldn’t let that happen but the threat is enough to anger Aemond)

Now I’m torn between what Cass does in this universe. I do sort of like the idea of taking from the djats au and making her a fashion designer that never got to reach her potential while married. She’s more than likely a stay at home pre divorce. Two creative sounds fun to me. They bond over that

:((((( im just gonna present the song

Gaslighting masterclass. I can imagine this in their universe. Aemond almost admonished Cass for not being the same woman despite her molding herself was for HIS benefit. He was fine with that for some time but now that it affects his bottomline he doesn’t like that. This is def post alaric, Cass more than likely has postpartum, Aemond is at the height of whatever job he has. And yeah she does resent his success 🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️

Ok so Cass and Aemond def meet in college or when they in college. This is the first time she’s away from her parents, and like yeah she loves them. But the life they live seems like her worst nightmare. Her mom would never paint it that way but Cass imagines the things given up for their relationship… and then BOOM she gets mom’d.

“Often father and daughter look down on mother (woman) together. They exchange meaningful glances when she misses a point. They agree that she is not bright as they are, cannot reason as they do. This collusion does not save the daughter from the mother’s fate.”

But she thinks she can do so much better… and during this time Aemond is better 🥲. And the end ‘we can do better than that’ :(((

One person is at the end of the relationship, the other person is the beginning (or in this case thinks there is more to do). They are just so disconnected, Cassandra finally feels like she has the courage to leave.

I sort of already have the scene where she tells him she wants a divorce (ok so like they go this fancy event or dinner thing, daella is at a friends out and alaric is with grandmother or aunt or uncle. They come back home.. have sex which is not a great decision on Cass’ part. She eventually tells him…. Chaos ensues :/)

[rabbitcruiser]

National Dark Chocolate Day

The rich, decadent flavor of cocoa with a hint of bitterness. The perfect balance of sweet and savory, this treat is perfect for any occasion.

Oh the joy and delight that can occur when a tasty bar of chocolate enters the picture. National Dark Chocolate Day is here to pay heed to this delicious and nutritious treat!

How to Celebrate National Dark Chocolate Day

Have tons of fun and enjoy celebrating National Dark Chocolate Day with some of these ideas:

Eat Dark Chocolate

With tons of different gourmet dark chocolate brands on the market today, it’s difficult to know which ones to choose!

As many chocolate companies work toward fair trade and a healthier environment, they have worked toward developing relationships directly with cocoa farmers, which not only improves the product but also safeguards the farmers and workers.

Try out some of these fair trade dark chocolate options:

Alter Eco Foods. The Super Blackout Bar boasts 90% cacao, restores forests and is a certified B Corporation.

Theo Chocolate. Dedicated to making the world a better place, particularly through the production of organic and fair trade chocolate that is entirely ethical and sustainable.

Evolved. Allergen free, these chocolate bars are produced with up to 100% cacao with no fillers or junk, and lightly sweetened with organic maple syrup.

Equal Exchange. Building long term partnerships that are sound ecologically and economically, this company crafts their chocolate using certified USDA organic ingredients.

Learn the Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Take some time on National Dark Chocolate Day to get informed on the ways that dark chocolate offers benefits to the health:

Powerful source of antioxidants Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, such as flavonols and polyphenols, that fight off the dangerous and unhealthy free radicals that are present in the environment and food today.

May help with cholesterol With the possibility of improving risk factors for heart disease, dark chocolate may protect against high cholesterol as well as possibly reducing insulin resistance.

Protect from sun damage The antioxidants found in dark chocolate may help to improve blood flow to the skin, prevent skin damage from the sun, and even increase the hydration and density of the skin.

May improve brain function Not only is dark chocolate possibly good for you in other ways, it may actually help to improve the function of the brain, helping to maintain cognitive function particularly in aging and older adults.

History of National Dark Chocolate Day

Dark chocolate has a rich history that goes back thousands of years!

In fact, the first chocolate was consumed as a drink by natives in the central and south American regions where they would chop the cacao beans and immerse them in heated water to create a beverage. This bitter drink was often used for ceremonial purposes.

Its arrival to Europe changed the way chocolate was consumed, particularly with the introduction of cocoa powder and the use of milk in the process of making chocolate.

Today, many people are learning to go back to basics and appreciate the way that chocolate is in its purer, more original form. And National Dark Chocolate Day is the perfect time to learn more about and celebrate this delightful treat.

National Dark Chocolate Day FAQs

How did dark chocolate evolve from a bitter beverage to a sweet treat?

Ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, like the Mayans and Aztecs, consumed chocolate as a bitter, spiced drink called “xocoatl.”

When Spanish explorers introduced cacao to Europe in the 16th century, sugar was added to suit European palates, transforming it into the sweet confection we enjoy today.

What role did dark chocolate play in ancient rituals and ceremonies?

In Mesoamerican cultures, cacao beans were considered sacred and used in religious ceremonies, offerings, and even as currency.

The Aztecs believed cacao was a gift from the god Quetzalcoatl, symbolizing wisdom and power.

Are there any unique festivals dedicated to dark chocolate around the world?

Yes, Italy hosts EuroChocolate, an annual festival in Perugia celebrating all things chocolate.

Visitors can enjoy chocolate sculptures, tastings, and workshops, highlighting the cultural importance of chocolate in Europe.

How did dark chocolate become associated with Valentine’s Day?

In the 19th century, Richard Cadbury began marketing heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolates for Valentine’s Day, capitalizing on the romantic connotations of chocolate.

This tradition has endured, with dark chocolate often symbolizing love and passion.

What are some common myths about dark chocolate’s health benefits?

While dark chocolate contains antioxidants and may offer health benefits, it’s not a cure-all.

Moderation is key, as overconsumption can lead to weight gain and other health issues. It’s also a myth that dark chocolate doesn’t contain caffeine; it does, though in varying amounts.

How do different cultures incorporate dark chocolate into their cuisines?

In Mexico, dark chocolate is a key ingredient in mole sauce, a rich, savory dish.

In France, it’s used in pastries like pain au chocolat. In Ghana, National Chocolate Day on February 14th promotes the consumption of locally produced chocolate, highlighting its cultural significance.

What is the significance of the cacao tree’s scientific name, Theobroma cacao?

Theobroma cacao translates to “food of the gods” in Greek, reflecting the ancient belief in cacao’s divine origin and its esteemed status in various cultures.

How did dark chocolate influence European social customs in the 17th century?

In the 1600s, European aristocrats gathered in “chocolate houses” to enjoy the exotic beverage, discuss politics, and socialize.

These establishments were precursors to modern cafés and played a role in shaping social and political discourse.

Are there any unusual uses of dark chocolate in history?

During the Revolutionary War, American soldiers received chocolate as part of their rations, valued for its energy-boosting properties. Napoleon also carried chocolate on his military campaigns to combat fatigue.

How has dark chocolate been used as currency in ancient civilizations?

The Aztecs used cacao beans as a form of currency, trading them for goods and services.

For example, a turkey could be purchased for 100 cacao beans, illustrating the beans’ significant economic value.

Source

[blenddating]

Chat with Foreigners and Expand Your Horizons with Blend App.

In today’s interconnected world, breaking cultural barriers and making friends across the globe has never been easier. One app that is revolutionizing the way we interact with people from different countries is Blend. Whether you're looking to improve your language skills, learn about new cultures, or simply meet new people, Blend is the perfect platform to chat with foreigners and expand your social circle.

Why Chat with Foreigners?

Connecting with people from other parts of the world brings numerous benefits. Here’s why chatting with foreigners can be a rewarding experience:

Cultural Exchange: Interacting with people from different cultures allows you to gain insights into their traditions, food, festivals, and lifestyle. This mutual exchange broadens your understanding and helps to develop a global perspective.

Improved Language Skills: If you're learning a new language or wish to perfect your communication, chatting with native speakers is one of the best ways to practice. Engaging in regular conversations with foreigners helps you pick up idioms, slang, and pronunciation that might not be taught in traditional language classes.

Personal Growth: Meeting people from diverse backgrounds can open your mind to new ideas, ways of thinking, and experiences that you might never have encountered otherwise. It helps build empathy, tolerance, and a deeper understanding of the world.

Networking Opportunities: Whether for personal or professional reasons, making global connections can be invaluable. Networking with foreigners can lead to new career opportunities, collaborations, and even friendships that last a lifetime.

How Blend Makes Chatting with Foreigners Easy

Blend is a cutting-edge app designed to make it simple, fun, and safe to chat with foreigners. Here’s how Blend can enhance your experience:

1. Global User Base

With users from all around the world, Blend gives you access to a diverse range of people. Whether you're interested in chatting with someone from Europe, Asia, Africa, or the Americas, the app offers a platform to connect with individuals from all walks of life.

2. Language Exchange

The app allows you to specify your native language and the languages you want to learn. Based on this information, Blend matches you with people who are fluent in the language you're learning. This personalized pairing helps you get the most out of your conversations by enabling a practical and immersive learning experience.

3. Real-Time Chatting

Through text, voice, and video chats, Blend offers you various ways to connect with people. You can start with a simple text conversation and progress to voice or video calls as you get more comfortable. Real-time communication mimics the natural flow of conversation and boosts your language fluency.

4. Safety and Privacy Features

At Blend, your safety is a priority. The app comes with built-in features to ensure that your interactions are safe and enjoyable. With options to report and block users, you can rest assured that your conversations are secure.

5. Cultural Exploration

The app encourages users to share not only their languages but also their cultural experiences. Whether it’s talking about music, food, festivals, or holidays, Blend fosters a unique environment where people can bond over shared interests and explore the beauty of different cultures.

6. AI-Powered Matching

Using advanced algorithms, Blend helps you connect with people who share similar interests and goals. Whether you're looking for someone to practice a language or just someone to chat about life, the AI-powered matching system makes it easy to find the right person for you.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Conversations

To make the most of chatting with foreigners on Blend, here are a few tips:

Be Open-Minded: When talking to people from different cultures, be open to learning new things. Respect their differences and embrace the opportunity to see the world from their perspective.

Practice Consistently: The key to improving your language skills is consistency. Try to chat with foreigners regularly to strengthen your abilities and build your confidence.

Ask Questions: To foster engaging and meaningful conversations, ask open-ended questions about the person’s culture, language, and experiences. This creates a two-way dialogue that is enriching for both parties.

Be Patient: Language barriers might cause misunderstandings initially. Be patient and give each other time to express yourselves. Remember, it’s all about learning and growing together.

Respect Boundaries: While Blend encourages interaction, always be mindful of the other person’s boundaries. Respecting their personal space and comfort zones will lead to more positive interactions.

Conclusion

With Blend, chatting with foreigners has never been easier or more enjoyable. Whether you're looking to improve your language skills, expand your cultural knowledge, or just connect with people from around the world, this app offers a fantastic way to do so. So, if you're ready to make global friends, learn new languages, and experience the world from a fresh perspective, download Blend today and start chatting with foreigners! The world is waiting for you to explore it one conversation at a time.

[cyb3rtarot]

hello! i’m a new follower here for a reading from u! could i pls know what i need to know in regards to love? and my question would be, how does the future of my connection with S look like? tysmn -P🫶

Hello! You got tails, a reading on your question!

Raidho, Ace of Hearts, 6 of hearts, 10 of spades

Remember this is a snapshot of current energy and can be subject to change based on free will and life!

Your connection to this person centers on a sense of curiosity and growing. This connection brings out courage to face life, perhaps a lesson, or this could help you grow internally and expand your mind!

Your present card is the Ace of Hearts. This is at its very beginning, I'm not sure if you're not on regular interacting terms with this person yet? But this is ground zero of budding feelings or interest in any kind of relationship. The first seed of a connection which has not really germinated, only been planted. Your card for the near future is the 6 of hearts. This indicates a choice or path. Since this has not yet taken far off the ground, you may have to choose whether you're going to invest more energy into S. Especially if S is male, I see your curiosity being drawn to them and you may wish to get closer or go see them, which could be a fun or new experience. Between now and the near future, there are optimistic feelings. Farther into the future, we have the 10 of Spades. Just going to rip the band-aid off: this is the most definite "end" or "no" card you could get in regards to anything. This is a firm closed door as an end card. There's a shift from budding hope to closed energy or disappointment. If you do see them in person, this could also represent the end of a trip; after spending time in person you could realize later there's not much more to the connection. In general, the current energy for this connection is not carrying it far into the future. Energy is changeable; be aware 10 of spades requires strong effort to overturn. You may find a different perspective on the whole connection along the way. The numerology of your card combinations suggests these things to keep in mind: certain things are pushed together or drift apart as that is where the flow of life leads them [fate]. And, be aware of ideas which develop in one's mind but not in reality. Sometimes the beauty of a connection comes from our temporary energy exchange.

Thank you for participating!!

[eloisamariemonaresduron]

Blog 1: Into the Spotlight with CMUans

Within the sphere of academic endeavors, there are moments that stand out—moments where we must step out of our comfort zone to which excitement and apprehension intertwine, propelling us into uncharted territories of learning and growth. Without further ado, I'm pleased to present our Entrepreneurship Interview with our fellow CMUans.

Experience.

Roaming around the campus whilst deciding who to interview and interview it—for real.

"Can I really do it?"

"Yes, of course, you can! Other students are also just mere humans; they won't eat you alive. Just breathe, approach people, speak, and go with the flow. You'll be fine." I mumbled under my breath, striving to reassure and boost my confidence.

A sigh escaped from me. Just thinking about the idea makes me feel dizzy, close to fainting. Thankfully, I survived the interview. At first, I was a bit nervous approaching random students and asking them about their common problems on campus. But as soon as I got into the groove of it, the excitement took over. I must say it was not that scary at all, it was actually fun and memorable. Walking up to students and initiating conversations about their daily struggles on campus was both nerve-wracking and thrilling. Ultimately, I am grateful to have Yzan as my partner. Her extensive network of acquaintances greatly contributed to our encounters and interviews, enabling me to adjust and feel more comfortable during interactions.

🌻before interview.

This is us before the interview—our preparation phase. During this phase, we strategically assigned ourselves to roles that leverage our individual strengths, aiming to streamline the process effectively under the leadership of Yzan.

🌻during interview.

Our group initially aimed to conduct interviews with 100 students; however, owing to time constraints, we revised our target to 55 respondents. To accommodate this adjustment, our group devised a strategy: two pairs (consisting of Yzan and myself; Donna and Shaila) and the remaining members (Nhicka, Jann, and Fatima) merged together. Furthermore, each team member was tasked the responsibility of reaching out to 7 or 8 respondents to ensure comprehensive coverage, a goal which we have satisfactorily achieved.

Each student presented a unique perspective, and hearing about the diverse challenges students face was eye-opening and somehow relatable. From issues like prevalent waste management to difficulty finding quiet study spaces, the range of problems students shared was vast. Some talked about the struggle of printing due to very far printing locations, while others expressed concerns about transportation and the need for better mental health resources.

What amazed me the most was the creativity and insight students had when it came to potential solutions. Many offered innovative ideas like biodegradable packaging to exemplary services. It was actually inspiring to see how passionate and engaged my fellow students were about improving campus life.

🌻after interview.

After conducting our interviews and consultation with the instructor, we exchanged ideas, recommendations, and data outcomes. With waste management emerging as the predominant concern at the university based on our interview findings, we began exploring potential solutions. With thorough prior preparation, including extensive research and our brainstorming session after the interview, we presented three innovative solutions to our instructor. These proposals were met with approval, ultimately paving the way for the endeavor, in which leaves emerged as the primary raw material, ranked highest among the three options.

Results of the Interview.

The pie chart illustrates the outcomes of our collaborative interview, highlighting the identification of 8 distinct challenges among the students which includes: (1) Tambayan Hub, (2) Mental Health, (3) Ventilation, (4) Printing, (5) Educational Tools, (6) Waste Problems, (7) Transportation, and (8) Illegal Businesses; having waste problems, transportation, and ventilation as its top three. Concurrently, within the merged data that is shown through line chart, it became evident that waste management remains the foremost concern among CMUans. Consequently, we have chosen to pursue an innovative and EcoVenture product, naming it "EVERLEAF," which means everlasting leaves, as we will primarily utilize leaves as our main raw material for the product.

Reflection.

Embarking on an entrepreneurial endeavor is akin to stepping into a thrilling rollercoaster ride, where—indeed the twists and turns of excitement and apprehension intertwine, creating such an unforgettable experience. The experience was enjoying and exhilarating, filled with highs and lows that tested my resilience and determination. From the initial stages of conceptualization to the execution of interviews, every step brought with it a sense of excitement, fueled by the prospect of bringing a novel idea to fruition. However, amidst the thrill, there lingered moments of apprehension, reminders of the uncertainties inherent in the entrepreneurial landscape. Nevertheless, alas! because we successfully accomplished our goals (as of the moment).

Reflecting on the journey, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to have conducted these interviews and embarked on this entrepreneurial endeavor. It has been a transformative experience, shaping my perspective on entrepreneurship and instilling in me a deeper appreciation for the power of innovation. As I look towards the future, I am filled with excitement and anticipation, eager to see where this project takes us and the impact it will create in the world.

Learnings.

This interview has served as a mirror reflecting my weaknesses and strengths. While acknowledging my shortcomings and weakness, particularly in confidence of public speaking and approaching strangers, it has become a catalyst for self-improvement. Moreover, I must conform that conducting interviews proved to be the cornerstone of this journey, offering invaluable insights into the needs and aspirations of potential customers. Each conversation was a revelation, providing a deeper understanding of the challenges they faced and the solutions they yearned for. It was through these interactions that I grasped the essence of entrepreneurship—the ability to empathize with customers and deliver innovative solutions that resonate with their desires.

With all of this being said, allow me to express that I am ready to continue this journey with the company of the girls. I am spurred on to venture beyond my comfort zone, embracing new experiences and unraveling further layers of my potential.