#we were talking today about future units and teams

[no-i-will-not-shut-up]

the guys im playing with are meta>waifu and they cannot comprehend why on earth im building kaeya

[miley1442111]

birthday fights & other lies- a.hotchner

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

summary: aaron forgot your birthday which spirals into something much deeper.

pairing: aaron hotchner x fem baureader

warnings: cheating, panic attack, fighting, no happy ending :(

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

12:08. Your birthday was over. 

And Aaron hadn’t said a thing. 

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

1pm that day

“Happy birthday Y/n!” Spencer smiled, handing you a small cupcake with a lit birthday candle on it. The icing was pink, strawberry, your favourite. The cupcake was vanilla, with little sprinkles in it that made it all the more colourful. 

“Thank you,” you chuckled as he pulled you into a hug, his long arms and tall stature dwarfing you in his hold. “You didn’t have to do this.”

“Well, I wanted to,” he shrugged. “I have tickets to a play this weekend, it’s in the Ford’s Theatre so it’ll be a bit of a drive but-”

“I’d love to go. Thank you Spencer,”  you smiled. “When is it?”

“Tomorrow night at 7pm, we can get dinner as well, my treat.”

“Thank you Spencer,” you smiled and hugged him again. 

When you’d woken up that morning, you’d been alone in your bed, despite it being full of two people the night prior. Aaron had come over, as he usually did on Thursday nights. He’d get off work late and something in him made him drive to your small townhouse, and fuck you in your bed. He’d spend the whole night convincing you he loved you, only to pretend it never happened the next day. It was like clockwork. 

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

3pm that day

“Happy birthday sweetheart,” Derek smiled, placing a card and a gift box on your desk. 

“Thanks Derek,” you smiled and hugged him close. Earlier Penelope, Jj, and Emily had dropped off gifts at your apartment this morning, and you all had plans to go out to dinner tonight.

David had mailed you a gift, and an invitation to his home for Sunday with the rest of the team. Everyone had accepted, apart from Aaron. 

When you thought about it, you didn’t know much about the unit chief you served under, in more ways than one. You knew he was kind and tender, but only behind closed doors. You knew he was intelligent and pragmatic, good at his job, and logical.

But what was he really to you? Fuck buddies? Friends with benefits? Was this a power imbalance? Were you doomed to never know?

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

Your phone dinged and you turned it on, tired from the night with the girls. 

Are you awake? Aaron asked.

Not for you.

What do you mean?

I don’t know if you noticed but it’s kind of an important day. 

What do you mean?

I’m 24 now. You missed my birthday.

He didn’t respond for a few minutes. 

I’m sorry. 

I don’t care. Don’t call or text me again. I’m not just your fuck doll, I’m a real person. 

I know that.

Then act like it Aaron. For fuck’s sake. 

I love you.

No you don’t. 

I’m coming over.

The door’s locked.

We have to talk Y/n.

Read 12:14am

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

Knock, knock, knock.

“Fuck off,” you called from your kitchen, ignoring the banging on the door. 

“We have to talk,” he demanded. 

“No we don’t. We’re not anything anymore.” 

“Please Y/n,” his voice sounded a lot more… emotional than you were used to. Raw and unusually soft. Aaron did everything he way he led the team, with confidence and strength, that included your sex life and relationship. Not once had he been vulnerable the way you’d been. You’d spent nights thinking about your future together and the way you’d tell the team. He’d been asleep beside you, or in his own bed. 

You unlocked the door and he came barging in, engulfing you in an all-consuming kiss. For a moment, you allowed yourself to be swept up in the moment, imagining this is what he’d wanted to do all day but he couldn’t, the team didn’t know you two were together. You pulled back and crossed your arms. 

“Hi,” you sighed, trailing back into the kitchen with him hot on your heels. 

“Hi my darling,” he smiled softly. “I’m so sorry I forgot about today, I just… it slipped my mind, it’ll never happen again, I swear.” 

“Aaron, it really hurts that you just… forgot about today. I’m not asking for a gift, I just wanted… acknowledgement. Is that too much to ask?” Your eyes trailed down to his hands where his fingers played with a… wedding ring? 

What the fuck? Aaron had never spoken about being married. He’d never told you he was married. You would never, ever be the one to break up a marriage. Ever. 

“Are you married?!” You shouted. Anger bubbling in your stomach like bile. “You fucking asshole!”

8 months of your life, wasted. Someone else’s entire marriage ruined. All because of his selfish actions. 

“What? No,” he shrugged, then realised his fuck-up. His hands solidified themselves in his trouser pockets and he started. “I thought-”

“Are you separated? Who is she? Did I really just become a homewrecker?!” 

“Baby please-”

“NO! Do not ‘baby’ me! Tell me everything about this woman right now! Do you two have kids?!” 

“Yes,” he answered and you genuinely stopped breathing. 

“W-what? So- so this entire fucking time y-you’ve been mar-married,” you panted, a hand over your chest to try and make yourself breathe, but you were. You were having a panic attack. Aaron could see the signs. He walked closer but then noticed the way you were shielding yourself from him, making your body smaller, leaning down, and ultimately ending up on the floor as you shut your eyes and tried to focus on breathing.

“Yes.” 

“Why didn’t y-you tell me?” you rasped. 

“We’re getting a divorce.”

“What!? I ruined a marriage? Y-you’re getting a divorce? Is it becau… because of me?”

“Yes and no,” he answered, just observing you, his voice calm and assertive, like it always is. 

“What the fuck does that mean!?” you shouted. Thank god your walls were thick and the neighbours next door wouldn’t hear a thing. This would’ve been awkward to explain at the next neighbourhood meeting. 

“I didn’t tell her… about you. She asked for a divorce on her own terms, but we were already separated the first time me and you had sex.”

“So then how is this about me?” you were calming down, Aaron could see it. It fucking hurt that you were anxious of him like that. That he’d set off a fucking panic attack and you wouldn’t even let him within meters of you. 

“I signed her papers the day she sent them over. Because I’m in love with you.”

“Aaron, what the fuck? Me and you aren’t in a relationship, you’ve made that very clear. The only thing we do is fuck in my house! We don’t go on dates, we don’t celebrate each other’s birthdays, as you’ve so kindly demonstrated, and we aren’t ‘together’. You aren’t there when I wake up every morning, and you don’t come home with me from work in the evenings. You keep telling me that you love me but where is it? Where is this supposed love? I don't see it, do you?”

“I love you. I love that you call me out on all of my bullshit,” a step closer. “I love how smart and driven you are,” another step closer. “I love the little notes you leave on everyone's desks,” his hands wrap around your waist. “I love how good you are at your job,” a small kiss over the fabric of your jumper. “I love how you care about other people,” a kiss to your neck. “I love the little things you do to make me laugh throughout the day,” a kiss to the cheek. “I love everything about you,” a kiss to the lips. “And I’m so sorry that I ever made you feel like I wasn't completely and utterly devoted to you.”

“I don’t trust you at all,” you admitted, a sad smile on your face. “I’ll never trust you again.”

Aaron’s heart broke, but he understood. He’d been lying to you for months, what did he expect? He didn’t tell you he was a father, a husband. For god’s sake he’d take his ring off in the car every morning. It’s not like him and Haley weren’t rocky. Had this divorce been a long time coming. Had he only been served the papers two weeks ago? Yes. Had he and Haley just separated? Yes. Did he still live with her and Jack? Yes. What was one more lie if it meant he got to keep you? Lying to you was killing him, but it was also saving him, because it meant you were his. His girlfriend, hsi love, his everything.

“I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you,” he promised. 

“I don’t want to see you again,” you sniffled, small tears running down your cheeks. 

“Please-”

“Just leave. Like you always do.”

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

And Aaron did. When you showed up to work the next week, it was Spencer who was clinging to you like a lost puppy. 

Something must’ve happened at the play.

Now Aaron had truly lost you.

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

criminal minds masterlist :)

navigation for my blog :) (criminal minds, obx, the bear, marvel, top gun, the hunger games :)

[bluesest]

A Football prank

Today is the big day, the big game that will decide the future of several young athletes will be about to start, the field full of fans from different schools will see which team will be the one to take the victory. However, the poor decisions of four athletes will be an obstacle to the big trophy.

Mikey was a nerdy young student, he was always the best in the classes with the best grades which made him an easy target for the bullies on duty:

Kenny: A rather gentle black boy, he doesn't like problems off the field, however, thanks to his friends he gradually took on a bully role. Moderately muscular and the shortest of the four friends.

Devin: The most muscular of all, he is relaxed and likes to annoy those he calls "nerds", he is passionate about everything that is sporty and especially uniforms that make him highlight certain parts of his body to try to be more attractive.

Tyler: The most attractive of the whole team, tall, blond and with blue eyes who causes several girls to go after him, even if he doesn't pay attention to him. He has an organized personality and likes to play pranks on his friends.

Jake: The most masculine of them all, he has a small beard and a seductive and dominant look, he is competitive and his favorite hobby is annoying nerds or his own brother.

This group of athlete friends never miss any training and much less the sporting events organized by their school, always giving their all on the field, however, that is not the only thing they do.

Mikey was his favorite nerd, where he meets that group who laugh out loud while making cruel jokes on him, where he often ends up penniless and on the verge of a mental breakdown, but this time he won't allow them not to get any punishment for what they've done to him and other students.

Using his intelligence and his contact which is his best friend who is also on the football team, he put together a rather cruel but fair plan.

On the day of the grand finale between two rival schools, Mikey will put an extra-strong, fast-acting laxative in his bullies' energy drinks, while his best friend will deliver those drinks to them so that there is no suspicion on their part, a perfect plan.

Finally the big day arrived and the plan went perfectly, the four drinks were loaded with laxative which its flavor would be camouflaged by the sweetness of the liquid. The boy offered the drinks to the group: "You are our hope, here are 4 drinks for 4 stars", and without thinking twice they took the whole content in one gulp, the group had the same opinion: "delicious"

And in the blink of an eye they were already on the field with the eyes of everyone around them. The first minutes were of pure calm if we talk about their stomachs since the rival school team were difficult opponents to beat, several with great musculature, speed and endurance, the united strength of the team was required to be able to beat them and take the victory, but their union would not last long.

Thanks to the frenetic nature of the sport, the boys' stomachs began to tremble, a chilling sensation filled their bodies that were already beginning to sweat.

Kenny:

As he was chasing the ball he began to feel a persistent and uncomfortable gurgling, each step he took bounced his stomach and intestines causing the effect to start much faster than expected.

*GRRRRRRRRRRR*

"Ugh, I feel really bad"

Another gurgling caused him to slow down as he grabbed his sore stomach which begged for mercy and a moment out of physical activity.

*GRRRRRR* *GRRRRRRRR*

"Fuck, my... Stomach... oh no..."

*PPPPFFFFFFTTTTTTT*

A loud fart came out of his butt frantically making his buttocks collide that by then remained tight not only because of the stress of the match, but also because of the sensation he felt inside him, a liquid made its way through his stomach wanting to reach his large intestine as quickly as possible.

*PFFTFTFTFTFTFT* *PRRRRR*

"I don't think I can hold on a little longer..."

*GRRRRRRRR* *PRRRRRRRRRRRR*

"I just have to wait for the first half to end, that's all..."

*GRRRRRRR*

"Nope, I definitely can't!"

He decided to stop following the ball to turn around and head towards the public bathrooms of the field, however, before he even reached the halfway point, an opponent pushed him with all his strength, he had unintentionally entered his territory, the rival was almost twice as heavy as Kenny which caused him to fall to the ground and almost lose consciousness.

*SQHHSQHSQHQSSQSQSQ*

A terrible sensation made him regain consciousness, the squeeze of buttocks was interrupted by that thrust and made him lose control of his intestines letting a small fraction of the diarrhea escape to crash into his pants.

His skin changed tone to a pale one, his eyes turned white while the smell flooded his nose, however, he had not lost hope as it was not so much diarrhea and at least he had released some pressure.

Before heading back to the bathroom he saw how his other friends were going in different directions, Kenny didn't know why, but he wasn't interested when he has his own problems to solve.

Despite the shouts of his coach, he ignored it and finally reached the public bathroom in the middle of the game.

"I don't have time to wait for the break in the first half"

It was rare to see star players leave the field even though the game was still on, so several people set their sights on the 4 friends, although some were out of sight.

Kenny finally arrived at the public toilet which was actually a portable toilet, he tried to open the door, but it was locked, plus a disgusting smell came out of there, what was missing, is occupied.

Kenny began to knock frantically on the door, but a thick voice caused him to freeze in the moment: "Hey! Your little boy stops knocking on the door" was the voice of the director, "I'm done and I'm cleaning myself, but if you want to come in when I leave I'll tell you that I've eaten hot wings so it will be your responsibility"

In desperation, Kenny began to jump frantically using one hand to hold his stomach and the other to cover his anus and try to keep nothing from coming out of there, but his efforts were in vain.

Just as the director opened the door, a thunderous noise was present.

*PFPPFTPPTFTTFFTPFPPFTTFF*

His body could not take it anymore and decided to evacuate everything inside.

*SQHSQHQHHSHSHSHQHSQSQS* *PPPPPPRRRRRRRRRRR* *TRRRRRRRRR* *SHQHSHSQHSHSQHSHSQHSQHSQ* *GRRRRRRR*

When he looked up, he saw the director with a stunned look and then changed to a mocking smile: "Ha! Wow but if you're Kevin, a lot of students spoke very badly about you, but I think they omitted the smell part."

Kevin pulled the director aside and locked himself in the smelly bathroom and sat down in the sweaty, hot seat.

*TRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTR* *KSQKQSKSKQ* *PFFFFTFTFTFTFTF* *SQHQSHSQHHSSHHQSQHSQQQS*

"Incredible, and I thought that when I drink beer and eat wings I destroyed the toilets, I can't believe that one of the stars of the team has shit on his pants, I will leave you alone"

*HQSHQSHSHQSHQHSHQS* *SHSHSHHSSHHSHSHSHS* *PFTFTFTFTFTFTFF* *PLOP* *PLOP* *PLOP* *PLOP*

Finally there was a moment of calm for Kenny, he saw with sadness his white pants full of brown shit, he looked up with still sweat and thought "I hope my friends are winning..." 

Devin:

Of all his team he was the most brusque to play so the effects didn't take long... *GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*

His pace began to slow down while his stomach only accelerated its movement while several farts came out of him.

*PFFFTTT* *PFFFTTTT* *PPFFTT*

His farts were submachine gun type, in other words, small but quite loud, each fart combo increased the weight Devin felt in his stomach until that weight went to his rectum where he hated to feel a thick diarrhea that could barely allow the fart to escape to relieve the pressure.

"It can't be! Why now?"

He stopped for a moment in the middle of the court, held his stomach, lifted his butt in the air and let out a big, powerful fart.

*PPPPPFFFFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFT*

"Hahaha, that was a tremendous one..."

*GRRRRRRR* *PPPPFFFFTTTTT*

"But releasing it didn't make me feel better... I don't think I can wait for the first half to end..."

*PPPFFFFFTTTTTTTT*

"I need to find a bathroom soon..."

He turned his gaze to the only portable toilet on the field, but unfortunately he saw how a tall man in a suit entered, leaving him with no options.

"Fuck! I think I'll keep farting a couple more to relax my stomach."

*PFFFTTTT* *PPPFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTF* *PFFFTT* *SQQSHH*

"Oh no... that was a wet one... I definitely won't be able to go on like this."

With regret in his heart and year he decided to leave the game aside despite the shout of the other members of the team, before leaving the place he turned his gaze back and saw how his other friends were heading to different places.

He ran as fast as his current condition allowed, every step he took he could feel how little by little liquid tried to escape from his ass, he was near the school until a violent gurgling stopped him followed by several farts one after another.

*PPPFFTTFTF* *PPFTFTFTF* *PFPTPPPTTP* *PFPPTPFFPTP* *PPPPFFTFTFTFTF*

"I can't take it anymore!"

He went to some bushes that were near him, took off his tight pants and his helmet to bend more comfortably preventing his butt from rustling the leaves of that bush.

*PPPPPFPFFPFPFTFTFTFTFTFTTFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTT*

A gigantic fart came out of his bare butt first, announcing something impressive.

*QRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQR*

A gigantic trunk made its way through the rectum out of Devin's tired anus as he began to sweat.

"Ufff Ufff Ufff"

*QRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQR* *SPLASH*

He finally came out, it looked about the size of a human arm, that took some of Devin's gut pain away and he thought he just had to evacuate that big trunk, but he was wrong.

*GRRRRRRRRR*

"Oh no again"

*PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS* *SQHHSHQSHSHQQSHSHQSQHQSQHQS* *TRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTR* *SHQHSQHSQHQHSQSQQSQQSQ* 

A torrent of liquid diarrhea came out of his body, apparently that solid poop served as a cork to stop the diarrhea that was generated in his stomach, perhaps that was the reason why he could fart without worrying so much.

*PPFTFTFTFTFT* *SHQHSQHSHSQHSQHQSS* *PFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFT* *PPPPRRRRRRRRRR* *TTTTSSSSSSSSSSSS*

The second round was even more violent than the previous one as the shit that fell to the ground began to splash and reach longer distances, staining Devin's favorite shoes a bit.

*QSHSHHSHSHSQHSQHSQHSQHSQSQSQSQSQ *TRTRTRTRTRTRTR* *PFTTFTFTFTFTFF* *GRRRRRRRR*

With another diarrheal explosion and the exit of another small log, Devin's intestines managed to calm down enough to regain his composure.

"Phew, I think it was enough for now... Fuck! I've completely forgotten that I don't have toilet paper!"

He began to despair and frantically looked around not only to look for something to clean himself with but also someone who had witnessed what happened, in the end he had some luck to remember that he had just defecated in a bush full of leaves.

With his bare and sweaty hands he began to remove some leaves and began to rub them against his disastrous butt, he gently tapped while the stress was leaving.

After 5 minutes, he finally got up, he had used several leaves that were left on the ground trying to cover the diarrhea and that trunk to hide what had happened there, but that was not the end of Devin's problems as he began to feel a slight tingle.

"I think having gone through so much stress made my hands go a little numby and the... butt?"

Under his gaze and saw his red hands, the slight tingling changed to an annoying and irritating itch that unfortunately not only affected his hands, but also his already battered butt.

He began to scratch frantically only causing a worse reaction, the turn to that bush to realize that he had just cleaned his butt with poison ivy.

As he jumped in pain as he felt irritation about to invade his balls, he wondered, "Where have my friends gone?"

Tyler:

He stood on the sidelines of the team and waited for a chance to take the ball and as he was about to touch it a big blast of air came out of his butt.

*PPPFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTF*

He immediately knew that it was no ordinary fart, he felt that a couple of drops came out of his butt and it was not exactly sweat.

He froze for a moment while the rival team regained possession of the ball, and suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder that brought him out of the trance:

I read: "Hey! You have missed that golden opportunity to take advantage of them"

It was Leo, a moderately muscular man and the newest member of the team who also showed a great talent for football, even if he lacks practice. Leo noticed the sweat on Tyler's forehead as he kept a blank stare and asked:

Leo: "Are you okay?"

Tyler reacted immediately and tried to pretend he didn't feel sick by giving a big, somewhat forced smile while saying "Don't worry."

Leo wanted to continue talking to him, but Tyler decided to leave to follow the ball again, he could not disappoint the team or his friends, he also has a new concern thanks to Leo who always proved to be insistent on helping others, almost as a talent he can know when a person is bad both physically and mentally, in addition, it seems that Leo cared more about Tyler than all the other members of the team. 

10 minutes of a great marathon passed behind the ball, but little by little his stomach became heavier causing him to lose speed and little by little he was left behind, the stomach pain was so much that for every 5 steps a fart escaped more and more violent and wet.

*PPPFTFTFTFT* *PPPFTFTFTFTFTFTF* *PPFFTFT*

"Damn! There is still a long way to go before the end of the first half"

*GGGRRRRRRRR* *PPPFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFT*

"Maybe I can ask the coach for a rest and be able to go to the portable stadium toilet...*GRRRRR* but it would be very embarrassing because I know that the diarrhea I'm going to have will not be normal and you can hear it for miles"

*PPPFFFFFTTTTTTT*

"But I really need to sit on the porcelain right now..."

He stopped running and stayed in the middle of the court holding his stomach ache.

*PPFTFTTFTFTF* *PPPFTFTTF* *PPFPFFTFTFTFTTF* *PPPFTFTTFTFTFT*

Meanwhile Leo continued to give his all in the game, although he could not get Tyler out of his head, when he lost sight of the ball he turned his gaze to Tyler who was lying standing with his eyes up.

Tyler realized that Leo was watching him and ran again to avoid suspicion... A terrible mistake.

*PPPFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTF* *SQQSHH*

His stomach was losing the battle, it stopped abruptly as another flurry of wet farts came out of him.

*PPFTFTFTFTFTFTF* *PPFTFTFTFT* *PPPFTFTFTFTFT* *PPFTFTFT*

Tyler definitely lost control of the situation, he started frantically looking everywhere to look for the portable toilet on the court, but he just saw how the door closed abruptly, he had no choice but to try to get to the school bathrooms, something impossible at that time.

As he ran off the field, he saw his group of friends separate and walk away from the field, but he didn't think it was important.

Leo saw the scene from afar, saw how 4 of the team's sports stars were urgently leaving the place and decided to follow Tyler to see if he was okay.

Tyler, already halfway away from the big show, was frantically looking for a shortcut to the bathroom or in the worst case a large bush to hide his butt and his diarrhea, but before deciding his fate, a scream caught his attention.

"TYLER!"

It was Leo's voice who was running after him.

Leo: "What happened to you? Because you decided to flee the party"

Tyler: "I wasn't running away, I was just going to do something I forgot..."

Leo: "So why didn't you wait for the first half to end instead of abandoning the team?"

Tyler: "I don't..."

*PPPFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTF*

A loud fart was present, Leo was stunned while Tyler was totally blushing with embarrassment.

*PPFTFTFTF* *PPFTFTFT* *PPPPFFFTTT*

Tyler quickly took off his pants and grabbed his helmet to use as a makeshift toilet, he might as well shit on the floor, but he didn't want Leo to see his naked ass and penis while he was flushing a large fountain of natural chocolate, plus there was no bush nearby to cover it.

*QSHHQSHSQHSQHSQHQHSHSHSQSQS* *PPPFTFTFTFTFTFTFT* *PRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*

As expected, the first shock was violent, Tyler tried not to moan, but it was impossible.

*PPPFTFTFTFTFTFTFTTF* *TRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTR* *GHRGHRGHRHR* *PSSSSSSSSSSSSS*

Leo saw the scene not with disgust, in fact, it was the best thing that had happened to him in his life, he was gay in the closet and his crush was Tyler but he could not confess it for fear of rejection, but finally he could observe his large naked body although it was not the best of situations.

*SQHSQHHQSHQHSQHSQHSHQSHQS* *PSSSSSSSSSSSS* *PRPRPRPRPRPRPRPRPR* *SQSHHHHHHH* *PFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTF* *SHHHHHHHHHHHHH*

Tyler finally looked back at Leo, while he tried to hide his erection.

I read: "I'm so sorry! I didn't know you needed to go to the bathroom!"

Tyler: "You look more blushing than me, this is so embarrassing ugh" *PFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFF*

Leo: "Do you need help?"

Tyler: "What do you think? *SHQHSHQSHQHSQHSQHS* I'm naked outdoors while my ass discharges all the food of an entire year..." *SHQSHSHQHSHQHSHQHSQHSQHSQHSQ* *PPPRRRRRRRRRRR* *SHHSHQHSHQHSQHSHQHSHQSSQSQSQ*

Leo took off his shirt and covered Tyler's body while he couldn't help but laugh to stop feeling embarrassed.

Tyler: "Come to think of it, you and I don't know each other very well, how about we get out of these someday?"

Leo: "Like a date?"

Tyler: "If you look at it like that, hahaha *SQHSHHQSHQHSHQSHSQHSQHS* by the way, could you get toilet paper? I heard that a lot of poison ivy grows in these places..."

I read: "Sure! And by the way... Your friends also fled the party, what do you think happened to them?"

Tyler: "No idea" *PPPFFFTTT*

Jake:

He demonstrated his dominance in the sport every minute of the game and had kept the ball for quite some time while strategizing to score points.

But his movements began to lose power and his brain had a hard time even formulating a thought other than his butt in the toilet.

*GRRRRRRRRRRR*

"Damn! Maybe it was this morning's coffee? But that only makes me fart..."

*PPFTFTFTFTFTFTTF*

"Well, that was one, but... the farts in the café are not wet and neither are they..."

*GRRRRRRR*

"It makes me want to go to the bathroom"

Jake kept trying to focus on the match, but his ass couldn't handle that much pressure and he needed to release it urgently, so while he ran his butt focused on loosening his buttocks a little and giving way to the foul smell.

*PPFTFTF* *PPPFTFTFTFT* *PPFFFFTT* *PRRRRRR*

With each passing minute, his farts became more violent and wet, so much so that even his underpants began to get damp not only with sweat.

"There is still a long way to go before the end of the first half..."

*GGGGRRRRRRR*

"Fuck this, if I don't get to a bathroom soon, my pants will go from white to brown."

He went to the only portable toilet in the place, however, he saw an adult in a suit enter, Jake yelled to stop, but his pleas were not heard.

"Shit! Now what do I do? I think I will be able to resist a little longer to get to the school bathrooms, but... they are really disgusting"

*GGRRRRRRRRRR*

"It's true! My house is close to here, if I run I will be able to use my bathroom and avoid going through embarrassing moments"

Without thinking twice, Jake decided to leave the game and his friends, but first he looked back to see how they were doing and apparently they were all heading to different places.

His diet was quite rough, he often went through whole days of constipation, so his stomach was strong enough to withstand the large amount of fluids in his rectum until he reached his house.

As he ran, his buttocks lost more of the pressure they were exerting on the anus, so several wet farts escaped.

*PPFTFTFTTFTF* *PFTFTTF* *PRRRRR*

But the effort and his wet underpants were worth it when he got home, he went in and went up to the second floor and tried to open the door of the only bathroom in the house, but it was locked.

*TOCK* *TOCK*

"Is there anyone here?"

Behind the door was his younger brother Jhon combing his hair, when he heard his brother's voice he was surprised because he had an extremely important game which had not ended. 

Jake: "Open the door for me please! It's urgent!"

Jhon: "Aren't you supposed to be in a game or something?"

Jake: "I know! But I had to abandon it because something I ate fell very badly on my stomach, I'm about to on myself!"

Jhon was about to open the door, but he remembered that this morning he played a practical joke on him at breakfast, when he asked Jake for the sugar he gave him the salt, something that ruined his breakfast, plus it always bothers him.

Jhon: "Well, go to some bush or something, I'm busy here"

Jake: "Open the damn door! Or I'll right here and make you clean it up!"

Jhon: "You wouldn't dare, and even if you forced me I wouldn't do it, besides our parents getting very angry"

Jake: "Please! I feel like it's already coming out!" 

*PPFTFTFT* *PPFTFTFTFTFTFT* *PPFTFTFTFT* *PPFFFFTTTTT* 

Jhon: "HAHAHAHA"

Jake: "Listen to that!"

Jake started jumping while both of his hands were covering his anus to prevent a terrible accident from happening, and out of desperation he began to try to knock down the door with his elbow, like the police shows he has always liked.

Jhon was nervous, he knew his brother and his determination very well and he was afraid that he would break the door and his parents would scold both of them if that happened, so he decided to make one last joke and waited for Jake to get the urge to knock on the door again, when that happened, Jhon opened the door causing Jake to fall to the bathroom floor.

*PPPFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTF* *SQSHH*

Jake: "!"

Jhon: "All yours bro"

Jhon left the bathroom without closing the door to annoy Jake even more, meanwhile Jake didn't care at all and began to undress and after a long day sit on the precious toilet.

*QRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQRQR* *PLOP*

The first round was a gigantic log due to his constipation, but that was only the beginning.

*SHQHSQHSHHQSHSHQSHQSSQSSQ* *PPFTTFTFTFTTF* *TRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTR* *SQHHSQHSHQSHQHSQHSHSQHQ* *PPPFFFTTTTTPPPPPPFFFFFTTTT*

Several farts followed by wet shit came out of him, his anus finally exploded which became quite obvious to Jhon who was on the first floor of the house who sneered: "In the end you made a great note on the toilet and not in the game!"

Jake: "Shut up!"

*PPFTFTFTFTFTFTF* *SHSHQHQSHQHSQHQHSQSQS* *PPPSSSSSS* *PPFTFTFTFTFF* *TRTRTRTRTRTR* *PLOP* *PLOP* *PFFTTT* *SQSHHHHHHHHHH*

More runny diarrhea came out of him, even with the door open the bathroom couldn't shake the nauseating smell that Jake emanated.

*PSSSSSSSSSS* *PFTFTFTF* *PSSSSSSSS* *TRTRTRTRTRTTRT* *PPSSSSSSSSS* *QHSHQSHQSHQHSQHSQHSQHSQSQSS* *PPSSSSSSSS* *PFTFTFTFTFTFTFTFTF*

Another round caused his stomach to shrink to try and get everything out of his system.

*PLOP* *PLOP* *PLOP*

More small logs came out of his anus, apparently it was not a good idea to eat so much protein for the game.

*QHHSHQSHSQHSHQSHQSHSHQSHQSHQS* *PFTFTFTFTFTFTF* *TRTRTRTR* *QSHQHSHQSHQSHQHSQHSQHSQHSQ* *PPFTFTFTFTFTF*

Jake: "Wait a minute... the match! *PFTFTF* completely forgot, and also... where were my friends going?"

After 20 minutes, Jake was returning to the game, in the distance he saw the coach quite angry yelling at Tyler and Leo, Jake tried to return home to avoid the coach yelling at him, but it was too late, he had already noticed Jake's presence.

After 10 minutes of screaming and being ejected from the game, the three teammates found themselves talking about what happened and Jake questioned Tyler about why he fled the game, he did not give him an answer and asked the same to Jake who did not answer either, now the only unknown in all this was to know where Kenny and Devin went.

PS: The following story will be the winner of the votes: "A Roman Public Toilet"

[batlleonafc]

(It's google translate so there probably are some errors)

You won the 2024 Alain Gilles Trophy ahead of Guerschon Yabusele, Mathias Lessort and Victor Wembanyama. What does this ranking mean to you? I can't believe it! They are great players and I am a fan. After the disappointment of the Olympic Games final, I really felt how much we moved people, how much they were inspired. Even today, people talk to me about that match. It touches me. It was really my goal to make France proud during the Olympic Games. Are you aware that your tears at the end of the final were one of the most memorable images of the Games? I didn't expect that. Plus, when you're in the game, you don't think about anything else. Throughout the competition, I tried to avoid any distractions around me. Whether positive or negative. It was when I was able to breathe and understand what we had just accomplished that I realized. And it was an important moment for women's basketball I think. The attention around us meant that we were able to leave a mark on people, offer them souvenirs. The Olympic campaign is what allowed you to win the Alain Gilles Trophy while your club season was difficult... The season was complicated with Lyon. I had personal problems. However, I was having a good season and I was disappointed to leave because I knew that the team needed me (19.9 pts, 6.8 rbds, 3.9 pds in only 11 matches). But there are more important things than basketball in life. The Games were a second chance to play in front of the French public. It probably changed the perception of my year. I won't only keep bad memories of it. You have made many sacrifices, particularly with regard to your WNBA career, to prioritize the French team since 2021. Do your two Olympic medals validate these choices? I didn't need to validate these choices with others. For me, it was validated from the beginning. Since my first match with Les Bleues. Really. It was my dream. But I'm still happy that people understand my choices. And that they realize that basketball exists outside the United States. Open your eyes. What I experienced at the Games are things that you only experience once in a lifetime. After two Olympic medals and a European silver medal, do you still have the flame to continue your investment with Les Bleues? We still haven't won anything! So of course. I'm happy and proud of our results. But I want more. On the other hand, right now, I'm focused on Fenerbahçe. There are five trophies to win. I already have one. That's what I'm thinking about. You insisted on your desire to change French mentalities, particularly with regard to ambition, the will to win. Do you think you have achieved this? It's always a work in progress. But with the new generation of players, when I saw the faces of my teammates after the final, when I saw the families, it reassured me for the future. When we lost in the Euro final or in the semi-final of the Games, I had the feeling that we were saying to ourselves: it's going to be okay, we'll see at the next competition. The feeling after the United States was completely different. I feel that this group really believes that we can be the best team in the world. I saw Leila Lacan cry. I saw Dominique Malonga's family who were just waiting for gold. You have to have this feeling of being the best team to win gold. After Paris 2024, Los Angeles 2028 is looming. Are the Games in the United States a prospect that particularly motivates you? I know it can be special. But it's in four years. It's too far away. I work step by step. Fenerbahçe. The November window with the French team. 2028? Let's start with November 2024. To become European champion in 2025? I want to be champion of everything!

[barelytolerabled]

Part 01

spencer reid x fem!reader

summary: your first interactions with the team, and the initial tension and skepticism you face.

next

You sat alone in your car, staring blankly out of the windshield. The sun was setting in the distance, casting a warm glow over the trees lining the street. It was your first day on the job at the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit , and you couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as you prepared to meet your new team. You had lost so much in your life already, and the thought of starting fresh in a new environment was both exciting and terrifying.

You had just stepped into the BAU headquarters, excitement and nervousness tingling through your veins. You had always dreamed of being a part of the Behavioral Analysis Unit, and today was the day your dream came true. You had even arrived early to make sure you had time to settle in and get a feel for your new environment before the rest of the team arrived.

As you were looking around the new office space, your phone rang. It was an unknown number, which was strange since you didn’t have a lot of people around you, except your grandmother. You answered the phone and a lady's voice was trembling.

You felt your heart sink. Your grandmother had always been her rock, your source of support and comfort. You knew you had to be there for her, but you didn't want to lose your first day at the BAU.

"I'll be there as soon as I can," you said, trying to keep your voice steady. You hung up the phone and took a deep breath, trying to compose yourself.

Just then, Agent Hotchner walked into the office, his usual stern expression softening as he saw your troubled face.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, his tone gentle.

You took a deep breath before speaking. "My grandmother has been taken to the hospital. It's serious, and I need to go see her."

Agent Hotchner nodded understandingly. "Of course. Take all the time you need. Family comes first."

You felt a wave of relief wash over you. You had been worried about how your new team would react to her sudden departure on her first day. But Agent Hotchner's words made you feel welcomed and supported.

"Thank you, sir, really thank you so much" you said, your voice breaking slightly.

Agent Hotchner put a hand on your shoulder. "We're a family here, Agent Yln. We look out for each other."

You nodded, feeling grateful for the kindness of your new boss. You quickly gathered your things and headed out to catch a taxi to be with your family, hoping that your grandmother would pull through.

You enter the hospital room to see your grandmother lying on the bed, looking weak and frail.

“Grandma! How are you feeling? Are you okay?”, you said getting close to her.

“Yn, my darling. I'm so glad you're here. Isn’t today your first day at your new job?”, she responded weakly.

“Yes, Grandma, it is. But none of that matters right now. What happened? Why are you in the hospital?”, you asked tearfully.

“I had a heart attack, dear. The doctors are doing all they can to help me recover.”

“Oh my God. I can't believe this is happening. You're the only person I’ve left, and I don't know what I would do without you.”, you said upset.

“Don't worry, my love.”, she took your hand in hers. “I'm a tough old bird, and I'm not ready to go yet. How was your first day at work?”

“I don't want to talk about that right now, Grandma. I just want to be here with you.”

“Yn, listen to me.”, she seemed concerned. “You have a great future ahead of you, and I don't want my illness to distract you from your dreams. Promise me you'll keep going, no matter what happens to me.”

“I promise, Grandma. I won't let you down.”

“That's my girl. I'm so proud of you, Yn.”, she smiled. “You've grown up to be such a strong and intelligent young woman, and I know you'll do great things at your new job.”

You smiled back an said “Thanks, Grandma. You've always believed in me, and I won't let you down.”

“Now, let me rest for a bit.”, she said closing her eyes. “And go back to work, I'll be okay.”

You stayed by your grandmother's side, holding her hand and talking softly to her a few minutes. Your grandmother is the one who raised you and has always been there for you, and you're determined to do the same for her grandmother now.

You rushed into the BAU conference room, your breaths coming in short, quick gasps. Your hair was disheveled, your eyes rimmed with exhaustion. You had just come back from the hospital after visiting your ailing grandmother. You were already worried about your grandma, and being late for your first day at the BAU did not make things easier.

As you entered the room, you felt all eyes on you. You could feel your cheeks flushing red under their scrutiny. You took a deep breath, straightened your jacket, and tried to compose yourself. You walked towards the conference table, where the BAU team was sitting.

"Sorry I'm late," you said, your voice quavering slightly. "I had an emergency."

Hotch nodded understandingly, but you could feel the rest of the team's eyes still fixed on you. You tried to ignore them and quickly took a seat.

Morgan, the team's resident jock, broke the awkward silence. "Well, well, well, look who finally decided to show up."

You tried to keep your composure, but you could feel a flush of anger rising to your cheeks. You hated being the center of attention, and you could feel your anxiety starting to build. But then, you caught Reid's eye. He gave you a small smile of encouragement, and you felt a little more at ease.

Garcia, the team's tech wizard, chimed in with a teasing grin. "Hey, it's not a party until the new girl arrives, right?"

You couldn't help but crack a small smile, feeling a little more comfortable with the team's light-hearted teasing.

As the meeting continued, you listened intently, determined to show the team that you were just as capable and dedicated as they were. You knew it wouldn't be easy, but you were determined to prove yourself to them. And as the meeting drew to a close, you couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that your first day was over.

After settling in at your desk, you took a deep breath and stood up to introduce yourself to the rest of the team properly. You walked to the center of the room where the team was gathered, feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement.

"Hi everyone," you began, trying to sound confident. "I'm Yn Yln. I just joined the BAU as a special agent."

The team members looked up at you, some nodding in acknowledgement while others continued to work on their cases. You cleared your throat and continued, "I'm originally from Texas, but I've been working for the FBI for a few years now. I'm really excited to be here and work with all of you."

You looked around the room, making eye contact with each of the team members in turn. You noticed that some of them were still skeptical of you, but you hoped that you could win them over with your dedication and hard work.

"I know I have a lot to learn, but I'm eager to get started and contribute to the team in any way I can," you finished, smiling hopefully.

The team members gave you a few polite nods and murmurs of welcome before turning back to their work. You felt a pang of disappointment, but you reminded yourself that you needed to earn their trust and respect through your actions, not just your words. With renewed determination, you returned to your desk and dove into your work.

[eretzyisrael]

by Oliver Wiseman

In late August, Mark Memmott, the senior director of standards and practices at CBS News, sent an email to all CBS News employees reminding them to “be careful with some terms when we talk or write about the news” from Israel and Gaza. One of the words on Memmott’s list of terms was Jerusalem.

Of Jerusalem, Memmott wrote: “Do not refer to it as being in Israel.” 

He continued, in a note sent to thousands of journalists at the network: “Yes, the U.S. embassy is there and the Trump administration recognized it as being Israel’s capital. But its status is disputed. The status of Jerusalem goes to the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel regards Jerusalem as its ‘eternal and undivided’ capital, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem—occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war—as the capital of a future state.”

Jerusalem’s status is indeed contested. For instance, the United States’ embassy in Israel is in Jerusalem, and the Jordanian Islamic Waqf has custody of its holy sites. But acknowledging the competing claims on different parts of the city, or declining to refer to Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, are one thing. Denying that it is in Israel at all is quite another. 

In which country is the Israeli Knesset, the home of the Israeli prime minister and the home of the Israeli president, located? The answer to that question is self-evident. Except, it seems, at CBS. In the rest of the United States, the answer is clear: Since 1995, when Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act, the government has recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

This latest revelation comes after CBS Mornings host Tony Dokoupil was admonished by executives at the network for his interview of best-selling author Ta-Nahesi Coates about his new anti-Israel book, The Message. 

Memmott’s Jerusalem guidance is in keeping with our previous reporting on the turmoil at CBS—and what The Free Press has heard from multiple people inside CBS today: that a double standard exists for journalism at CBS when it relates to Israel and Jews.

As we reported earlier today, a fractious meeting of CBS Mornings’ editorial team Tuesday included a debate about whether it is “fair to talk about whether Israel should exist at all.” We also noted that while Dokoupil was admonished for his tough questioning of Coates, CBS executives appear intensely relaxed about the possibility that his co-host Gayle King told Coates what questions she planned on asking him before the interview. 

But the contrasts between the treatment of King and Dokoupil don’t end there. 

Several CBS sources told us they were baffled to learn how Dokoupil was treated by the network after the interview. As The New York Times reported Monday, Dokoupil was coached on his “tone of voice, phrasing and body language” in his interview with Coates in a meeting with members of the network’s standards and practices team as well as its Race and Culture Unit. 

Where, asked multiple CBS employees who spoke to The Free Press, was the policing of Gayle King’s tone after her questioning of a parent of an eight-year-old girl being held hostage by terrorists in Gaza? 

In an interview last November, Thomas Hand held back tears as he described to King and Dokoupil the agony of not knowing whether his daughter was alive as “hell on earth.” King asked about the “politics” that means you have “innocent children and Palestinians who are dying” and “innocent Israeli children who are dying.”

“No one seems to be able to say, ‘Enough. Stop that,’ ” said King. 

“I’m not interested in politics at all,” said Hand. 

One CBS employee said that the response to Tony Dokoupil has exposed a number of double standards at the network. “There is a huge difference between how all ethnic or minority groups are treated and how Jews and Jewish issues are treated. The rule of thumb is: If you are Jewish and you are interested in reporting on Jews or Jewish issues, that’s a ‘hold on’ or a ‘no,’ whereas for any other group it would be an enthusiastic ‘yes.’ ”

[mazeofyeni]

౨ৎ GET TO KNOW HER BACKGROUND INFO ? ….

ㅤ୨ৎㅤhow yoonchae became who she is today; from her earliest days as a child living in america to becoming a trainee to be the first girl to join the 20+ male group and living in korea ....

「 yoonchaes' masterlist 𖹭 」

𓂃 🍒. EARLY LIFE . . .

��୨ৎㅤboth her parents being doctors she was often raised by her older brother and aunts. she was also raised to go down the same road as her parents — medicine. but yoonchae never gave the medicine type , she was always into music and singing , she found it fascinating... explaining this to her parents wasn't easy, they were dead set on their kids future ; however they would never discourage their children, so they signed her up for singing lessons. they never seen their child flourish so much before , so they let her continue. all her hard work paid off when she was 13 when she was scouted on the street by a sm employee. her parents weren't familiar with the company and were a little weary; but her brother who always cheered his sisters on came up with a plan , he'll come study in korea and make sure yoonchae is taken care of and after she debut he'd come back to hawaii — her parents agreed finally and after that they both were off to seoul.

𓂃 🍒. DAYS AS A TRAINEE / SM ROOKIES . . .

ㅤ୨ৎㅤshe was only a trainee about 8 months before joining sm rookies. she spent most of her days training alone; she didn't really start talking to people or showing any emotions towards others until she joined sm rookies. it was hard adjusting without her parents, her brother could only do so much while balancing school life and his own life. trainee life was hard and honestly so long but she tried her best and it paid off because soon she got the call that she'd made the debut team, but not a girl group — their upcoming rotation group which we now know as nct.

𓂃 🍒. YOONCHAE IN NCT DREAM . . .

ㅤ୨ৎㅤalmost a decade later and it hasn't been a easy being in dream at all. as soon as she debut she was put on a week's hiatus because her dear grandmother passed away. then they cancelled the plans for the girl unit so some fans thought she be kicked out. then her recent hiatus — safe to say it's been tough. but would she change anything? absolutely not; she loves the boys and her job and she won't allow the small things to keep her down ; in her eyes the positive will always outweigh the negative ones.

©MAZEOFYENI

[eveningspringbreeze]

Double Face TRIP Campaign MC Minitalks

Nebula

Madara: “Hello, everyoooone! It’s me, Mikejima Madara!” 

Kohaku: “An’ it’s me, Oukawa Kohaku. Our biggest thanks ta everyone attendin’ our celebratory live for Double Face’s album release.” 

“Our first song today is our brand new song for the album, Nebula.”

“This live here’s our first time ever performin’ this on stage. Did everyone like it?” 

Madara: “...Thank you so much for the huge applause! Kohaku-san and I rehearsed up 'till the very last minute ☆” 

Kohaku: “Hey, don’t go yappin’ bout that. We looked so cool till ya said that.” 

”Givin’ insider info ruins that, yanno. Anyways, just the thought o’ our very own independent live really fired me up.”

Madara: “Everyone, we’d love for you to stay glued to the culmination of Double Face…♪” 

“Alright. Looks like all preparations are done. Let’s bring in the next song!”

“We'll be continuing with =EYE=! Sear the sight of our performance into your eyes.” 

=EYE=

Madara: “ —And that was =EYE=! We don’t stop! Let’s keep revving up the live!”

Kohaku: “Madara-han, yer even more hyped than when we rehearsed, eh? Make sure ya take care to not run outta fuel and collapse midway through.” 

“Though, seein’ everyone in the audience is excitin' me too.” 

“=EYE= was our very first song from when we started workin’ as Double Face. Our first step, so to speak.” 

“I love all of our songs, an’ while I wouldn’t be able to rank any as better or worse than the other, this one truly feels special.” 

“I’m really happy to be able ta perform it once again in front of everyone, now that we’ve grown so much alongside Double Face.” 

“...Hey, Madara-han, why are you listenin’ so intently? Don’t just humor me, where's the witty commentary?"

Madara: “Hahaha! Witty commentary, huh? Well, there’s some parts I definitely want to talk about—” 

“But let’s leave that for later. First and foremost, I want everyone to hear the next song— CROSS SHINE!”

CROSS SHINE

Madara: “Did everyone enjoy CROSS SHINE? I’d like to reintroduce myself here.” 

“My name is Mikejima Madara. Normally, I’m active as the solo unit MaM—” 

“And when I team with Kohaku-san, I take on Double Face’s name.” 

“...Just a bit ago, Kohaku-san was talking about his experiences starting out with Double Face, right?” 

“I’ve aaalways worked alone by myself. It’s simply what I thought fit me the most—” 

“To think we’d release an album, and then even a celebratory live. I never imagined we’d be able to get this far.” 

“All of this is thanks to the people that needed us, every one of you that supports us.”

“Truly, thank you so much.” 

“Haha! Our live’s just starting, but the atmosphere feels so solemn now.” 

“Next up will be No name yet. These buds that have finally started to blossom— may they reach you.” 

No name yet

Kohaku: “And that was No name yet. Did our feelings reach you?” 

Madara: “How about reintroducing yourself here, Kohaku-san?” 

Kohaku: “Oh yeah, didn’t ya do that earlier? Everyone already knows, so to sum it briefly–” 

“I am Crazy:B’s Oukawa Kohaku. When I'm workin’ with Madara-han, we make up Double Face.” 

“Around the time No name yet first released, we were a real mess behind the scenes.” 

Madara: “Hahaha! It feels like we’re always a real mess whenever something happens!” 

“That time was quite hectic. Kohaku-san even ended up punching and kicking me!” 

Kohaku: “I did not kick ya. I simply gave yer abdomen a good blow ‘cause ya kept doin’ whatever ya wanted, that’s it.” 

Madara: “Ah right, it went like that. How nostalgic……☆” 

“We pray no more once on shore or whatever (*), but when I think back to everything, I realize just how many good memories have piled up.” 

“You can’t predict the future. That's exactly why it’s important to enjoy the present, right?” 

“And so, our next song will be HELLO, NEW YEAR! Let’s welcome it with our special guests ☆”

-

(*) Madara uses half of the proverb 喉元過ぎれば熱さを忘れる (one forgets the heat once it’s past the throat), which afaik has multiple equivalences (I used “once on shore, we pray no more”). Basically means once you’re past something difficult the initial suffering doesn’t matter to you anymore. 

HELLO, NEW YEAR!

Madara: “That concludes HELLO, NEW YEAR! Now it’s time for introductions! Please welcome our special guests: Arashi-san, Tsumugi-san, and Natsume-san!” 

Arashi: “Hello! How was our performance?” 

Tsumugi: “Thank you so much for having us as your guests. We had fun performing.” 

Natsume: “Farewell, everyoNE. Make sure to enjoy the live to your heart’s contENT…♪”

Madara: “You three, thank you for heating up the live with us…☆” 

“Earlier, the topic had turned quite somber. Now, I want to talk about something brighter.”

“During the MV production, I painted several pieces. The final painting, a floral piece, took a hefty amount of time to finish.”

“It took me about a week to finally be satisfied with it.” 

“Accomplished yet fatigued, I ended up dozing off while I waited for the staff. Seems like that’s when Arashi-san whipped out her phone…” 

“And just like that, it was used in the MV. Oh dear, how embarrassing ☆”

“Our next song will be Bye-Bye Buddy! Let’s start the infiltration mission……☆” 

Bye-Bye Buddy

Madara: “And that was Double Face’s Bye-Bye Buddy!” 

Kohaku: “Earlier, ya mentioned how shootin’ yer MV was a lotta work.” 

“But this MV ended up bein' just as much hard work, no?” 

Madara: “Haha, MV shoots always end up being really fun and exciting. Because I tackle them with everything I’ve got, it’s never felt laborious to me.” 

“Still, that scene where I had to drop the gun might have been just a little tough.” 

Kohaku: “Hey, at least there’s no way they’d ever actually shoot ya, right?” 

“That scene alone took up at least half the day though, didn’t it?” 

Madara: “Yep! I have nothing but gratitude towards the staff for persevering with me, as well as Kohaku-san for waiting for his turn so patiently.” 

Kohaku: “It took a lotta time ta make Bye-Bye Buddy’s MV, so it’s a rather elaborate one as well. I’d be happy if everyone would watch it over an’ over.” 

Madara: “Well then… Next up will finally be our last mission.” 

“Kimi Shirushi Be Ambitious!!, and then Stippling! Please listen to these next two songs!” 

Final

Kohaku: “That was Stippling! With this, our mission's complete.”

Madara: “To all of you in the audience! Did everyone enjoy Double Face’s solo live?”

Kohaku: “...Kokoko ♪ Thank ya kindly for the wonderful cheers an’ applause. I’ve also had a blast, I’m completely satisfied.” 

Madara: “I'd loved to have enjoyed this a bit longer, but it’s about time we part ways.” 

“Until our next order. Let’s meet again!” 

Encore

Madara: “Everyone! Thank you for calling for the emergency mission-- an encore!”

Kohaku: “Thanks to Madara-han’s cool sendoff earlier, it feels just a tad embarrassin’ steppin’ here again, though.” 

“Givin’ us an encore made me really happy. Thank you so much, everyone ♪” 

Madara: “Last up’s gotta be this song! Let’s sing this one together! Double Face’s—” 

Madara and Kohaku: “BRAND NEW STARS!!” 

Epilogue

Kohaku: Thank you for the encore! This will be the real ending to Double Face’s solo live.” 

“...I had fun all the way from the bottom o’ my heart. Thank you, Madara-han.” 

Madara: “Same to you, Kohaku-san. Thank you for running alongside me, buddy ♪” 

“I’ll pray for the day we’ll get to you see all of you again! This was Double Face’s Mikejima Madara—” 

Kohaku: “An’ Double Face’s Oukawa Kohaku! Well then~ ♪”

Madara: “Bye-byeeeeeeee…..☆”

------- Notes ------

Shakes fist... I'm struggling to find the minitalk post-campaign and don't have the JP text so just know that this isn't proofread

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Daniel Boris, Vladimir Putin's Nesting Dolls

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

April 8, 2024

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

APR 09, 2024

On Sunday, Representative Michael R. Turner (R-OH), chair of the House Intelligence Committee, said it is “absolutely true” that Republican members of Congress are parroting Russian propaganda. “We see directly coming from Russia attempts to mask communications that are anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, some of which we even hear being uttered on the House floor,” he said on CNN’s State of the Union.

Turner was being questioned about an interview in which Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Russia specialist Julia Ioffe that “Russian propaganda has made its way into the United States, unfortunately, and it’s infected a good chunk of my party’s base.” McCaul blamed right-wing media. When asked which Republicans he was talking about, McCaul answered that it is “obvious.” 

Catherine Belton and Joseph Menn reviewed more than 100 internal Kremlin documents from 2022 and 2023 obtained by a European intelligence service and reported in the Washington Post today that the Russian government is running “an ongoing campaign that seeks to influence congressional and other political debates to stoke anti-Ukraine sentiment.” Kremlin-backed trolls write fake “news articles, social media posts and comments that promote American isolationism, stir fear over the United States’ border security and attempt to amplify U.S. economic and racial tensions” while claiming that “Biden’s policies are leading the U.S. toward collapse.”

Aaron Blake pointed out in the Washington Post that Republicans are increasingly warning that Russian propaganda has fouled their party. Blake notes that Russia specialist Fiona Hill publicly told Republicans during the 2019 impeachment inquiry into Trump that they were repeating “politically driven falsehoods that so clearly advance Russian interests,” but Republicans angrily objected. 

Now Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and John Cornyn (R-TX) and a top aide to Senator Todd Young (R-IN), as well as former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and even Trump’s vice president Mike Pence, have warned about the party’s ties to Russia. Former Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY) has said the Republican Party now has “a Putin wing.” 

Trump has hinted that he has a plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine in 24 hours. Yesterday, Isaac Arnsdorf, Josh Dawsey, and Michael Birnbaum reported in the Washington Post on the details of that plan: he would accept Russian annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea and the Donbas region. He refuses to say how he would negotiate with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been adamant that Ukraine will not give up its territory to an invader, or Russia president Vladmir Putin, who has claimed all of Ukraine, but after meeting with Trump last month, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán said Trump told him he would accomplish “peace” by cutting off funds to Ukraine.

Trump’s team said Orbán’s comment was false, but it is worth noting that this plan echoes the one acknowledged by Trump’s 2016 campaign director Paul Manafort as the goal of Russian aid to Trump’s campaign.

Fiona Hill told the Washington Post reporters that Trump’s team “is thinking…that this is just a Ukraine-Russia thing…rather than one about the whole future of European security and the world order.”

Trump’s MAGA loyalists in the House of Representatives have held up funding for Ukraine for six months. Although a national security supplemental bill that would fund Ukraine has passed the Senate and would pass the House if it were brought to the floor, House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) refuses to bring it to the floor. The House returns to work tomorrow after a two-week recess but is so backed up on work that Johnson is not expected to bring up the Ukraine measure this week.  

Clint Watts, the head of Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center, told the Washington Post’s Belton and Menn: “The impact of the Russian program over the last decade…is seen in the U.S. congressional debate over Ukraine aid…. They have had an impact in a strategic aggregate way.” 

The Trump loyalists echoing Russia who have taken control of the Republican Party appear to be hardening into a phalanx around the former president, but even as they do so, Trump himself appears to be crumbling. 

In the week since Trump posted a $175 million appeals bond, halting the seizure of his properties to satisfy the $454 million judgment against him and the Trump Organization, multiple problems with that bond have come to light. It is possible the bond isn’t worth anything at all, and New York attorney general Letitia James has filed papers to require Trump’s lawyers or the bond underwriter to show that it’s good within ten days. A hearing is set for April 22.

Meanwhile, Trump’s trial for election interference in 2016, when he paid people with damaging information to keep quiet before the election and falsified business records to hide those payments, is set to begin on April 15. Evidently very worried about this trial, Trump has already tried eight times to delay it until after November’s election, and today his lawyers tried yet again by requesting a delay so he could fight to get the trial moved to a different venue, but an appeals judge rejected the attempt.

Aside from Trump’s personal problems as a presidential candidate, the Republicans face strong headwinds because of their deeply unpopular opposition to abortion rights. Trump has openly bragged about being the instrument for ending the rights recognized in the United States since the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. Since then, abortion bans are galvanizing opposition, and the Republicans are trying to find a message that can bring back angry voters without antagonizing the antiabortion white evangelicals who make up their base. 

After months of waffling on the issue, Trump today released a video trying to thread that needle by echoing the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Trump said in the video that states will decide the issue for themselves, a statement that simply reflects the Dobbs decision. 

This was a dodge. In the video, Trump appealed to the antiabortion loyalists by telling the ghoulish lie that women are “executing” their babies even after birth. He also ignored that Republicans are already calling for a national ban, extremist antiabortion Texas judge Matthew Kacsmaryk has tried to take the common abortion drug mifepristone off the national market by challenging its FDA approval, and legislatures in many Republican-dominated states are refusing to implement the will of the people to protect abortion rights even after they have voted for such protections. 

Still, antiabortion leaders, including Mike Pence, immediately slammed Trump’s statement.

The video did, though, make an enormously interesting and unintended point: Trump is communicating with voters outside his carefully curated bubble almost exclusively through videos, even on a topic as important as abortion. At rallies, his speeches have become erratic and wandering, with occasional slurred words, and observers have wondered how he would present to more general audiences. It appears that his team has concluded that he will not present well and that general audiences must see him in carefully curated settings, like this apparently heavily edited video.

The Trump takeover of the Republican National Committee (RNC) also appears to be in trouble. This weekend, Trump claimed to have raised $50 million in a single night from billionaires, but that number is conveniently a little more than double the new record of what President Joe Biden raised at an event last week with former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and it is long past time for everyone to stop believing anything Trump says about money. 

More to the point, The Guardian’s Hugo Lowell reported today that the RNC’s aggressive purge of the staff to guarantee that positions are held only by Trump loyalists means that “the RNC has been left without people with deep knowledge of election operations at the Republican party’s central committee.” Lowell notes this lack is especially apparent on the RNC’s data team, which is being moved from Washington, D.C., to Palm Beach, Florida, near Mar-a-Lago.

And yet Trump loyalists continue to block aid to Ukraine, threatening the existence of the rules-based international order that has helped to prevent war since World War II. Last week, even Trump’s former secretary of state Mike Pompeo warned Speaker Johnson against “abandoning our Allies at this time of great need, when they are staring down enemies of the free world.”

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[the-jam-to-the-unicorn]

President Zelenskyy published a special video address to celebrate the start of Ukraine's accession talks for EU membership 🇺🇦🇪🇺

Dear Ukrainians!

Today is the day we have all worked for long and hard – the entire team of Ukraine. Today marks the official, actual, and real opening of negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the European Union. Our Ukrainian delegation – representatives from the Verkhovna Rada, the government, and the Office of the President – have already held the first intergovernmental conference of Ukraine and the EU. Until today, we were a country that had gained candidate status for membership, but there was not yet complete certainty about realizing this status. As of today, we have full confidence – Ukraine will definitely become a full member of the European Union. Now, the focus is on the technical work between Ukraine and the EU, adapting our system to the EU, and Europe's political will to make the European project truly complete. This can only be achieved with Ukraine as part of a united Europe – a Europe of values, a Europe without splits, ideological walls and "gray zones," a Europe of peace – real peace. I thank everyone who supports Ukraine on this path, who helps, and who fights for Ukraine – for our common Ukrainian home, for our state, just as they would for their own. When we signed the application for EU membership together on the fifth day of the full-scale war, many said it was nothing but a dream. But we made this dream a reality. We attained this, persuaded, and dispelled every doubt. In June 2022, Ukraine's candidate status was approved despite opposition. In December 2023, European leaders supported the political decision to start negotiations with Ukraine. Today, the negotiations begin. Between these steps, there have been thousands of meetings and calls. Conditions Ukraine has fully met. Laws that have been enacted and implemented. And most importantly, the determination of our people, our nation. The determination that has worked, that has not failed Ukraine and all of Europe, and that proves that all Ukrainians together, all Europeans together, are capable of realizing even the biggest dreams – capable of winning.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal:

The intergovernmental conferences – the format that has started today – involve working between our state and representatives of all EU states on parts of the future agreement on Ukraine's accession. According to the approved negotiating framework, we will go through all the sections of our relations and reach an agreement on each of them. We will definitely achieve this – just as we will achieve all other Ukrainian goals.

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk:

Every country that has become an EU member has gone through a similar format of negotiations. Ukraine will aim to do this faster than others, but invariably in the common interests of our country and the whole of Europe. We have adopted, are adopting and will continue to adopt all the necessary laws to ensure that Ukraine never separates from the European home again. We thank everyone who stands with Ukraine, everyone who believes in our people, who works with Ukraine, thus ensuring a stable future for the whole of Europe, secure from aggression.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

Ukraine is changing everything – exactly as needed to preserve Europe.

Glory to Ukraine!

[turtleations]

KUMA: Never Ending Bond, Chapter 1, Part 6 (Translation)

Preface & Prologue Chapter 1, Part 1 & 2 Chapter 1, Part 3 Chapter 1, Part 4 Chapter 1, Part 5

Things I learned from HIDE-san that I want to pass on to future generations

Originally, I assisted the members of the band because I liked them, not because I was a staff member trained to help them with their activities.

So if I thought, “This is my part”, I would keep doing it out of my own volition even without anyone telling me to. Like that, I automatically learned how to do this job simply by doing it.

What kept me going was the idea that “I can’t embarrass X and Shishô.” Although I was a child, I guess you could say I felt like the burden of representing X’s image fell upon me. Because it would look bad if I didn’t work properly, I frantically asked about the things I didn’t understand in advance.

Most important for that were the people of SONY that I came in contact with after X’s debut.

There were a lot of excellent people, and that I got to see how they handled their work as a child turned out to be a great asset.

Even now I am still so grateful for SONY’s team leader Takahashi-san, who always treated me, who came from the backend of Kumamoto and did not know left from right, with extreme kindness.

Also, I am truly happy that these excellent people from SONY placed their trust in me.

There were many times when HIDE-san and me worked alone on campaigns and the like. I’ve mentioned it before, but as the band grew bigger, the number of people associated with it grew, and its situation changed from what it had been when they were indies. Where before we did everything ourselves, there was now someone in charge of production waiting when they went on tour, and there was also someone to take care of their hair and makeup.

In all that, the one thing that did not change was the unit of Shishô and me.

From transfer to on-site action, we were together from morning till morning, and there really were a lot of things happening…

Suddenly, Shishô would say, “KUMA, I just thought of a guitar riff, memorize it,” and I’d go, “Right, I got it.”

“Jaan jan, Jaraan 🎵Jaan jan, jaraan 🎵 That’s it for now, remember this until we get home.”

Things like that happened, but there were also moments when he would ask me, “KUMA, what do you think of this?”

I just thought…. Thinking of my reckless self of that time, life just gets more difficult as we grow older.

But, that’s why I want to talk about it.

Even though circumstances today are certainly very different from what they were more than 20 years ago, I want to let young people of today know that “a bond such as that existed”.

Even if I may feel burned out when I think about the days I spend with Shishô and wish I could go back to them, there is one certainty that’s left inside me.

Those are entangled, irreplaceable memories of gratitude and connection.

And this is the important, important treasure Shishô has left for me.

Chapter 2, Parts 1 & 2

[187days]

Day One Hundred Thirty

Tis the season when folks without tenure find out if their contracts haven't been renewed. Usually, it's Mr. B who talks to them about deadlines to submit resignation letters instead, etc, etc... but this year I had to do it. And, wow, I am bad at it. I guess there's really no way to be good at it, but note to self: be less excruciatingly awkward in the future.

At least it's done.

And the rest of the day wasn't bad. I mean, track practice was vaguely tragic because of all the snow (over two feet) we got on Saturday, but we made the best of it. We always do. Most of the team went outside in spite of the snow- it was sunny and not terribly cold- but the sprinters stayed inside for some timed 40s and block starts indoors. It was a bit crowded in the halls since other teams can't get on their fields anymore either, but we made it work.

Teaching went well today, too. I did reading conferences with students during Global Studies, and was able to help a few who were falling behind get back on track. In APGOV, we chatted about the recent budget deal to start (there will be mini-cupcakes tomorrow since it didn't happen until after the deadline). Then I introduced the new unit on civil liberties and civil rights. I had students read some slides about the Bill of Rights, which were full of supplemental links they could check out as needed (stuff like CrashCourse, Hip Hughes, Kahn Academy). Tomorrow they'll be trying to apply what they've learned to some specific scenarios, which will tell me how well they understand everything.

What else?

I walked out with The Principal, who was on his way to back-to-back meetings, and we chatted about how much I never want his job. Heh. We also talked about my department, and the track team, and some other stuff. I appreciated the check-in.

[dojae-huh]

I always wanted to know what everyone's favourite 9 would be for a dream NCT unit... Mine are very predictable as I like the ppl i always talk about.

My nine would be

1. Doyoung of course as the main vocal and pr person

2. Taeyong coz he is the most beautiful dancer for me and also coz he is a show man and we need those in a kpop band

3. Jaehyunnie coz we need jaedo to sing together always, lolz

Jokes aside his vocals were the first ones I liked in NCT as a whole, he got me hooked to without you. Also I have talked about this a few times he's also my favourite member to watch fancams of... So he will be lead vocal and dancer

4. Hyuck... He's my ultimate with doyoung, I love his stage presence and he's the other member I watch all fancams of, I love his dancing and I love his happy vocals in almost all dreamies songs and even 127 songs

5. Mark, with Hyuck u always need a mark... Mark is the best rapper and best dancer in 127 and dreamies why wouldn't he be in my dream team. He also needs to be in the unit for it to be a hit, that's why sm puts him in all the units.

6. Johnny, I like him for his body and for his personality in 127 and NCT content. Most of his jokes aren't funny but for his body and face alot can be forgiven. He will be the visual

7. Xiaojun... The boy can dance and sing very well, he's also cute and would be perfect singing with jaedo

He's going to be my other main vocal and unlike doyoung the boy can dance too so he can stand Infront even after he sings 😊

8. Yangyang... The other wayv member I love and adore, he's a baby but to me personally he's a good dancer and a good rapper

He can change his looks well and I've a feeling under Taeyong the boy will grow alot more

I can see yangyang have a better future in my dream team

9. Jeno... Technically the only dreamies member but markhyuck are dreamies too

Jeno brings his face, dance and also his social skills. The boy seems like the most average Joe but has a temper and is very moody (doyoung has a type)

I would love him being in a band where he is close to almost half the band

Also Hyuck and xiaojun are close...

I just am bored as I'm off work and this is what I thought off all day

I was asked this question several years ago. As I got to know the members better, my answer will be different today.

Aren't there too many rappers in your dream team? Heh.

Forget shipping and gay fluids in the air, voices need to match in a group, and Jae and Do's tones are very compatible and don't sound similar. It is possible to mistake Doyoung for Taeil, Yuta for Taeil, Jungwoo for Doyoung in places (and those who make lyric videos make such mistakes regularly), but this is not the case with JaeDo (except maybe a very narrow area in falsetto register?).

Differing voices bring diversity and more texture to a song, but they also introduce the problem of cohesion. Which is evident with 127 in many songs. The level of technical skill plays a role in it, but also the tone of voice.

[f1]

Aston Martin and in-coming engine partner Honda open to extending Alonso tie-up for 2026

Aston Martin would love Fernando Alonso to still be driving for them in 2026 if he remains competitive, says their Performance Technologies CEO Martin Whitmarsh – with in-coming engine partner Honda saying they would have no objections with him driving despite their difficult past relationship. Earlier on Wednesday at a press conference in Tokyo, Honda announced they would make a full-scale return to Formula 1 with Aston Martin in 2026, having been attracted by new power unit rules introduced from that season that focus on electrical power and the use of 100% sustainable fuel. READ MORE: Honda to make full-scale F1 return in 2026 as they join forces with Aston Martin Alonso, 41, joined Aston Martin for this season on a multi-year deal and is enjoying his best season for a decade, having scored four podiums in five races to sit third in the drivers’ championships behind the two Red Bulls. The Spaniard, who will be 44 at the start of Aston Martin’s relationship with Honda, was not afraid to give his assessment of the Japanese manufacturer’s performance when he drove with that power unit across three seasons with McLaren in 2015-17. He famously called the power unit a “GP2 engine” on team radio when driving at Honda’s home track at Suzuka. Fernando Alonso was not afraid to give his assessment of Honda's performance when he drove with their power unit across three seasons with McLaren from 2015 to 2017 When asked if Honda would have any objections to running Alonso, should Aston Martin stick with him in 2026, Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe said: “We have been accelerating out development during all our recent time in Formula 1, while working with Alonso, and that enabled us to win the World Championship. “The selection of drivers is up to the team to decide. So, if the team decides we’ll have Alonso as a driver again, we will have no objections whatsoever in him driving.” Group CEO of Aston Martin Performance Technologies Martin Whitmarsh said Alonso’s presence was not discussed with Honda during the power unit talks – but said it would be “fantastic” if the double world champion was driving for them in 2026. “Clearly Fernando is doing a great job in the team and I’m delighted to have him as part of our team as he’s making a great contribution both on and off the track,” said Whitmarsh. “Obviously I spoke to Fernando a while ago about the direction we wanted to go. Alonso has enjoyed four third-place finishes with Aston Martin in 2023 so far “He’s a very intelligent individual, I’m sure everyone here is referring to some comments that were made in the heat of the battle once, which were quite memorable for some, but I think he understands and respects what Honda is doing. “We’ve got to be aware - and we haven’t said it but we should say it - Honda won the 2021 and 2022 World Championships and unless we can beat them this year they’re going to do it again. So, they are a great partner for us, and I think Fernando sees that. ANALYSIS: How and why Honda and Aston Martin got together for 2026 “Probably 2026, who knows, it’s probably outside his planning, horizon, at the moment. We’ve got to give him a car that is consistently capable of winning races. As I hope you’ve observed, we’ve made a reasonable step forward this year, we’re not yet where we need to be but we’re continuing to develop the team’s facilities and we’ll get stronger. “And we’ll have a discussion before 2026, I’m sure, about where Fernando’s future lies. I hope he’ll be around for a number of years, and it would be great if he’s as fit and competitive as he is today. Then it would be fantastic to have him in the car in 2026 as well.” This feature is currently not available because you need to provide consent to functional cookies. Please update your cookie preferences Breaking news: Aston Martin to switch to Honda power from 2026 via Formula 1 News https://www.formula1.com

[magsmapsmtl]

JAGUARA: Felines United - Reissue (2023)

A while back I seen a reel telling the story of 7 signs of beauty while OP drew portraits representing each, and I wanted in on that and I figured, instead of making whole new OCs, I'd finally do another redraw of my favorite OCs from middle school!

ICYMI:

This is Jaguara, my first major attempt at a series and OCs. When I was about 9 years old, one of my best friends at the time @malenacc11 was our grade’s resident cat girl, but had general fondness for animals. She was my kitty and I, her monkey (this is not the post where we unpack that 😬). One day she decided to arbitrarily assign our group of friends what some white girls on the internet today might refer to as their “spirit animal” when they probably mean “fursona”. Malena assigned me the jaguar, and when I say i RAN with that shit… Fast-forward to 6th or 7th grade when my Sailor Moon obsession has reach stasis and cat girl mangas were all the rage. I had a lot of side projects, such as my series “Superipets” with a “Recess-meets-Rugrats”-esque group of friends who all had talking pets. Or my more favoured one “Skunk Fu Rama”, an idea for a Hello Kitty:Super Mario/Street Fighter kind of game (it even had a theme song). But both paled in comparison to “JAGUARA: Felines United”. All the main characters were based off myself and my updated group of friends at this stage, and followed a pretty basic Chosen One/reincarnation/prophecy storyline. I remember once finding a site where I could email pitches to Cartoon Network, and in hindsight it seems very presumptuous since it’s now very evident to me that I didn’t have a single original thought 😂 Jaguara followed me all the way to high school. I had just started producing and I had a whole EP already that served as the soundtrack. I was very seriously writing arcs and characters, I had managed to complete a few tomes, designed covers for future chapters and already a Titans East-type team of characters that were set in the US (Jaguara of course being in Japan). Jaguara will always have a special place in my heart and my artist journey as it was one of the things that tethered me to our group of friends, and for a while the schoolyard bullying was paused to entertain the idea of other kids being put in the manga. Swipe to see a redraw from 2012. Thanks Male. 😽

[spacebutnotfar]

Today, I am visiting the Galavant, the latest ASTOC (Active Service Transport Orbiting Craft) to join the 2060 Mars Caravan, before it leaves Low Earth Orbit and meets at the caravan's rendezvous point somewhere past the Moon.

The fine folk at the ECSA, the European Commercial Space Agency, offered me to come on board and look at what the first generation of solar fairing crafts in a post-Martian Liberation War can look like. A craft that has been constructed not with potential conflict in mind but with passenger amenities and comfort.

Hi, future Elly here, I just want to add that, yes, talking about space travel soon post-Martian Liberation is... complicated, and it deserves a video all on its own, and one that neither I nor my team is qualified to make. What I do want to highlight here is the engineering and philosophy that went into the project. Ok, back to past Elly and Dr. Agustin.

"The Galavant was first proposed in 2046, just a few months after the cease-fire. The idea was to produce a craft that could eventually support a large number of diplomats, engineers, doctors, and many other professionals to travel to and from Mars and perform most of their duties within the ship as well." - Dr. Agustin, 43 years-old, Head of the Galavant Project at ECSA since 2048.

This is the Galavant's Solar forum. A room that could connect to the United Nations back on earth, to diplomats here on the ship, and to the recently established Martian Federation millions of kilometers each way.

Because of that need to communicate effectively with the outside and at large distances, there is no large shield generator, armored plating, or even a vacuum chamber on the top side of this room. There is just Space. By all means, and especially at the time of its design, this craft could have been destroyed by anything either side decided to throw at it. It was a gamble on peace. When it began construction in 2052 that still seemed like wishful thinking.

"When we started the process of welding and vacuum sealing the interiors, we actually quite the scare because we were orbiting close to the UN-MF Diplomatic Station and had recently been bombed. So we had to shut down operations for a few months as we waited for our orbit to get us away from the facility."

Now, the only way a Galavant's passenger might realize this was at one point a ship when the war was ongoing is by looking at this. The Peace Plaques are all throughout the halls of the ships. From the dinners to the coffee shops, they all have these commemorative plaques honoring the 57 thousand European citizens who lost their lives in the conflict.

For the first time in 30 years, there will be a craft in the caravan that is not meant for war, or even prepared for it, and it was designed like that on purpose. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but I like Agustin's take more.

"I think the economic, social, and cultural impact of such a ship traveling between the two planets is far more powerful than any railgun ever made because this weapon brings people closer, not destruction."