#we're on the profit side of things

[fjordfolk]

I know you said awhile back that Luna was a little bit different after surgery. She’s always been my favorite of the gang (maybe because I started following you way back in 2016, when she was a puppy), do you still think it’s affected her? Your post about her coat brought it to mind

2020 was a really rough year for Luna. Between the initial slip that uncovered her PL issues and the 2nd surgery being pushed back due to covid, she spent most of the year under some form of pain management and rehab. I really can't find a better word for it than traumatization. Habits she picked up during this will reappear from time to time, she refuses and panics on a lot of types of flooring. I don't think she'll ever be completely rid of that. And it aged her - she went from being an active and cheerful youngster to a wary couch potato in just a few months.

You know what's really helped, though? This thing:

Since Melis came along, Luna has been doing much better. She communicates clearer, she's less hesitant, she's more active and runs (!) like she hasn't in years. I don't think she'll fully get over the floor issues, but between the Great Slip and Melis coming home, Luna had to be carried through the hallway to the bedroom - she wouldn't even set foot there. Now she puts herself to bed every night and walks out on her own every morning.

She's not 100% back to exactly how she was before, but she's a lot closer now to the dog she would've been if the knees hadn't caused problems. And although little sisters can be real pests sometimes, she's a very happy dog.

[moiraimyths]

Before we call anon rude because let’s see it from their perspective, imagine getting an entire feast to eat. That can be pretty hard to start with so much that’s going on, but if they start with one thing they know they’ll like (aka one character they like) that can be the start for them leaping to other characters to finish the story and the bigger story. I struggle the same way to start book series if I don’t have at least one character that drives me to read it, it’s all about what can be the hook to push them through. Sounds like the anon is neurodivergent (just a guess) so they might genuinely not see it as rude and see it as a solution to even play the game to start with.

Btw absolutely adore the game, the complex and rich characters making them all so unique is amazing. The art is so pleasing to the eyes I love it!! I’m waiting for it all to get out at once so I don’t get too impatient. Shae however interests me the most, which routes will have the most lore for them? Will there be routes that give more lore in general based on decisions you make or do they all share the same amount? (I mean general lore not just Shae lore)

Apologies; we are not trying to accuse any asker of being rude! We are simply explaining our perspective as the developers / are trying to broadly encourage folks to dip their toes into other areas of the story outside of the main route(s) they're interested in, especially considering some routes will be made available sooner than others, and these other routes will likely contain additional scenes/lore of everyone's fave(s) regardless! We want to give each main cast member an equal amount of love (and lore) regardless of their overall popularity, so our goal is not to tut-tut anyone for having strong preferences for one character over the others, but rather to explain that you may be surprised by how much *more* you learn about your preferred characters in the other routes. That's all!

For Shae... Well, they were a foot soldier for one of the worst periods of the War. Lore wise, any other story that touches on the War will likely have content relevant to them and their experiences. ^^

[moe-broey]

Random small talk event at the yard sard set-up, very nice lady, but ESP when asking "Oh are you still in school? ☺️" I literally never know how to say "Oh I graduated a long time ago. Yeah. I mostly do art now" and she says "Oh to sell?" and so far I'm having a reasonable and effective small talk conversation, when I hit that pitfall and lock up and I worry I'm becoming unfriendly bc I locked up. Because I REALLY don't know how to say, "Nah, I kind of do fuck all. I'm 25 and I do fuck all. For nothing." Like I can see the conversation tree in real time and I know that's the worst dialogue option. And there are no other dialogue options there's just Press B to get the fuck outta there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rebeccathenaturalist]

Welcome to my Tuesday morning PSA about plastics!

So--I was walking along the Bolstadt beach approach sidewalk here in Long Beach, WA yesterday afternoon, and I started seeing these little orange pellets on the ground that looked a little bit like salmon roe (but probably weren't). So I picked one up, and it was most definitely rubber. I went around picking up every one I could find, and while I didn't keep exact count I probably amassed 50-60 of them. I took this picture before depositing them in the nearest trash can.

These are airsoft gun pellets, and you can buy them in big jars containing thousands of them. That means that someone who decided that the beach was a great place to shoot their airsoft guns could easily litter the place with countless little bits of plastic rubber in less than an hour. We already have a huge problem here with people leaving trash, including tiny bits of plastic, all over the beach (you should see the gigantic mess after 4th of July fireworks when thousands of people come in from out of town, blow things up, and then leave again without picking up after themselves.)

But these airsoft pellets have a particularly nasty side effect. You know how my first thought was "wow, those look kind of like salmon roe?" Well, we have a number of opportunistic omnivore birds like crows, ravens, and several species of gull that commonly scavenge on the beach, especially along the approaches because people often feed them there. If I can catch the resemblance of an orange airsoft pellet to a fish egg, then chances are there are wildlife that will assume they're edible.

Since birds don't chew their food, they probably won't notice that the taste or texture is wrong--it'll just go down the hatch. And since they can't digest the pellets, there's a good chance they might just build up in the bird's digestive system, especially if the bird eats a large number of them--say, fifty or sixty of them dropped on the ground along the same fifty foot stretch of sidewalk. The bird might die of starvation if there's not enough capacity for food in their stomach--or they might just die painfully of an impacted gut, and no way to get help for it. If the pellets end up washed into the ocean, you get the same issue with fish and other marine wildlife eating them, and then of course the pellets eventually breaking up into microplastic particles.

You can get biodegradable airsoft pellets; they appear to mainly be gray or white in color rather than bright screaming orange and green. But "biodegradable" doesn't mean "instantly dissolves the next time it rains." An Amazon listing for Aim Green biodegradable airsoft pellets advertise them as "Our biodegradable BBs are engineered to degrade only with long-term exposure to water and sun and will degrade 180 days after being used." That's half a year for them to be eaten by wildlife.

I don't know, y'all. That handful of carelessly dropped rubber pellets just encapsulates how much people don't factor in the rest of nature when making decisions, even on something that is purely for entertainment like an airsoft gun. We could have had a lot of the same technological advances we have today, but with much less environmental impact, if we had considered the long-term effects on both other people and other living beings, as well as our habitats. We could have found ways from the beginning to make these things in ways that benefited us but also mitigated any harm as much as possible. Instead we're now having to reverse-engineer things we've been using for decades, and sometimes--like the "biodegradable" airsoft pellets--they still have a significant negative impact.

But--at least there are people trying to do things better, thinking ahead instead of just on immediate profit. We're stuck in a heck of a mess here, figuratively and literally, and changing an entire system can't be done in a day. Maybe we can at least keep pushing for a cultural shift that emphasizes planning far into the future--if not the often-cited "seven generations ahead", then at least throughout the potential lifespan of a given product.

[pandemic-info]

"Any chance we're wrong about Covid?"

It's a valid question many people earnestly think about — even the very cautious.

'it becomes important to ask: "what does the data actually say?"'

Quoting a few good answers from a thread:

"Covid left me disabled in 2020. I know with 100% certainty that I am not wrong about Covid. I live with the proof every minute of every day for the rest of my life."

"The insurance companies and government statisticians care, or rather they have taken an objective interest." > https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LNU01074597 > https://insurancenewsnet.com/innarticle/insurance-industry-coalition-forms-non-profit-to-study-excess-mortality

"There are parallels between how governments are responding to COVID-19 and how they responded to tobacco back in the day. “it would be a mistake to assume governments would automatically protect people from a public health threat in the face of more immediate economic considerations…there would be resistance to change that might be costly until evidence to justify it was overwhelming.”" > https://johnsnowproject.org/insights/merchants-of-doubt/

"I suspect most of us entertain this thought from time to time, especially when it’s this absurdly difficult and lonely to maintain a Covid Conscious lifestyle. But it’s important to remember that history is littered with people making terrible choices en masse: with handling past pandemics, the holocaust, slavery, witch burnings, etc. Hell pretty much everyone used to smoke and putting lead in everything was A-ok. Just because a lot of people believe something doesn’t mean they’re right. So it becomes important to ask what does the data actually say? The research and the statistical data on this subject paint an ugly but fairly quantifiable picture by which we can gauge our understanding of the situation and our choices in response to it. Read the science. Look at the data on things like Long Covid. There are also many of us who have already had our health absolutely ravaged by this virus or lost loved ones to it etc., and everyone in that position has first hand evidence for how dangerous this virus is. It’s tremendously difficult to swim against the current like we are and self-doubt is natural in those conditions, but that’s when seeking out factual information on the subject is the best course of action."

"But what it all comes back to for me is - say we're wrong, and covid is a big nothingburger and lockdowns are the root of all evil. Ok, well, what I'm doing is acting on the best information available to me at this time to protect my family. I can't regret that. I will always be able to look my kids in the eye and say "I did my best with what I had."" ... So if we're wrong - well, we wore masks, changed our social habits, reduced our consumerism and our contribution to the destruction of our planet, and reduced how often we got sick. None of those things are bad. If they're wrong, they and their kids are screwed. I'd rather err on the side of caution.

[s6daz]

First of all ,I love your sevika writings ❤️So Idk if you have anything you won't write .

Could you maybe write councler reader x councler sevika where they kinda get into a fight and agree to discuss the topic in private and one thing leads to another .

Thank you

♰ sevika x f!reader ִ ݁ ˖ ◜

cw: reader n sevika are councilors, reader is bit of a brat, enemies to lovers(?, stolen kiss

note: tysm i'm really happy to know that some people like my writing, i didn't want to make this too long so maybe i'll make a second part and please ignore that i don't remember the living councilors.

status: fixed

the piltover council was in full session but instead of advancing agreements and ideas, the room was being a total disaster of a verbal battle. tensions were always present when piltover and zaun clashed, but this time it seemed that the confrontation was really getting serious.

sitting on the other side of the table, sevika the councilor representing zaun, leaned forward with a relaxed but defiant posture. her mechanical arm rested on the beautiful marble surface while her eyes focused on you, with that mocking spark that irritated you so much.

"the pollution, the diseases, the hunger in zaun is all thanks to you all" sevika said with her voice full of contempt. "but of course, from up here everything is so bright, so clean... that it's so easy to ignore the mess they leave in their wake"

you took a deep breath, trying to maintain your composure before your cables went out because her words stuck like knives into your skin and you knew perfectly well that you couldn't stay silent.

"if zaun is in that situation it is not because of piltover" you responded with your words full of authority. "instead of blaming us for everything, why don't you look inside and ask yourself what are you doing wrong to make them this way?"

murmurs quickly spread through the room. some of the councilors exchanged nervous glances, while others were interested to see how far this dispute would go. sevika for her part, let out a low laugh full of sarcasm and leaned even further forward, her presence dominating the room.

"what are we doing wrong? you really are so disconnected from reality, councler?" sevika dropped her metal arm with a thud on the table that caused some of the counselors to panic. "you all have us in misery, you all rob us, you all exploit us, you all see us as little more than rats... but of course from your comfortable seat, it's easy to teach us a lesson, right?"

"enough already!" interrupted one of the counselors, an older man with a stern expression. "this council is not a place for personal attacks. we came here to find solutions civilly, not to turn this into a fight"

"we're not fighting" you replied although your tone betrayed your words "i'm simply pointing out that we can't continue to take care of zaun affairs when they themselves do nothing to improve"

"carrying our responsibilities?" sevika let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. "please piltover has been squeezing us dry"

another of the counselors tried to intervene, her voice slightly shaking. "maybe both parties should calm down and focus on the facts, this conversation is getting us nowhere"

but neither you nor sevika seemed to want to listen, the tension in the atmosphere was heavy and every word they said seemed to fan the flame.

"zaun complains about being oppressed but every time we offer them agreements all they do is reject them" you said, ignoring the councilor words, crossing your arms. "maybe if they started to stop seeing us as their enemies we could advance"

"agreements?" sevika raised an eyebrow, mocking. "are you referring to those deals that tie us hand and foot, that leave us with the minimum while you all take all the profits? don't make me laugh"

"please stop it!" exclaimed a firm voiced counselor. "this is ridiculous. if you want to continue with this nonsense, do it outside of here. this council will not be the scene of your personal rivalries"

the silence fell like a heavy blanket, you felt all eyes on you but even so you continued to hold your gaze with sevika no matter what the others thought, you would not let yourself be twisted by sevika barely perceptible mocking smile that seemed to challenge you.

"fine" you said in a firm voice as you stood up from your seat. "if sevika has anything else to tell me, we'll discuss it in private"

without waiting for any response from her or the others present, you headed to the door. your heart was beating rapidly but you forced yourself to maintain a confident posture as you walked back down the council room and you knew perfectly well that sevika was following you: you could feel her dominant and heavy presence.

you arrived at a hallway away from the place where the light was dim and the atmosphere was peacefully silent. you turned sharply to face her, frowning as you crossed your arms in front of your chest.

"well, here we are" you said, your voice full of irritation. "what do you want, sevika? where are you going with all this?"

sevika stopped, her powerless figure just a few steps away from you. her mechanical arm creaked slightly when her moved it and her lopsided smile was still present, as if her enjoyed getting you out of your temper.

"me? i'm not the one with a problem here" she replied in that deep voice that managed to get on your nerves. "you're the one who seems obsessed with me"

"i'm not obsessed with you" you quickly defended yourself, your tone coming out sharper than you intended.

"of course not" sevika said sarcastically, taking a step towards you. "then why do you have the need to jump on the defensive whenever i'm around?"

"because i can't stand your arrogance" you said taking a step forward too, you wouldn't be intimidated. "you always come here with your accusations but you never offer solutions. all you know is to accuse and point the finger"

"and what do you offer?" sevika stared at you "an empty speech about progress? rules that only put us in a more complicated situation? you have no idea what it's like to live in zaun"

"you have no idea what i've done to get here!" you exclaimed, your voice shaking with frustration. "you don't know me, sevika. you have no right to judge me"

"and you have no right to talk about zaun as if you understood what we are experiencing" sevika replied, her tone rising in intensity.

the discussion continued to escalate with the words clashing like sharp swords, but after a while of arguing, sevika patience seemed to break and at that moment the spark of tension that the two of you had created exploded.

before you could react, sevika took a quick step towards you, grabbed you by the arms and pushed you against the wall. her lips collided with yours with a force that left you breathless, it was a kiss full of rage and contained passion.

at first you tried to resist and your hands pushed against her chest, but sevika strength held you back and the intensity of the moment began to leave you immobile. slowly, you began to give in, albeit clumsily, letting the tension between the two of you transform into something completely different.

when she finally pulled away, they were both breathing heavily. sevika gaze was intense on you and you couldn't help but notice that behind that bad mood there was something else, even so you couldn't help but feel confused and perhaps a little angry.

"what the hell was that?" you managed to say in a voice barely above a whisper.

sevika smiled, as if all that arrogance you hated came back to her. "let's say it's my way of shutting you up" her said before turning around and leaving the place, leaving you with your heart pounding and a mix of emotions that you didn't know how to handle.

you stayed in the hallway with your back still against the wall, trying to regain your composure, your thoughts were racing a mile an hour but you knew one thing well: after this nothing would be the same between you and sevika, even if you didn't accept it.

[deliciousangelfestival]

The Christmas Shift | Bucky 🎄

Character: Bucky Barnes x Female! Reader

Prompt : We're doing a poor job hiding our relationship troubles at this family event. 

Part 1 : Holly Jolly Charade

Main Masterlist || If you enjoy my work, please consider buying me a coffee on Ko-fi 🙏🏻

By the way, I publish my book Arrogant Ex-Husband on Kindle. 👉 Now available on e-Kindle Amazon! << here's the link.

Thank you to everyone who has read this chapter. Leave a comment and Reblog, please. I'd love to hear your thoughts. ❤️

It’s two days before Christmas, and you decided to go back home.

Your hand moved slowly to close the apartment door. It felt like you were forgetting something. Last year, he would always double-check the door before locking it.

This Christmas could be the last one, you thought, sighing.

You were headed to your parent's home for Christmas this time—mainly because your annoying aunt Teresa wouldn’t be there. On the ride, it was usually just you and Bucky, who started as a fake couple but ended up in a real marriage.

But it seemed like the honeymoon phase was over. You and Bucky had just had a big argument, which led him to stay at a hotel for a few days. That’s why you were here alone.

Your mom, Robin, greeted you with a hug. “Did the company lock you up?” she asked with a smile. “I’m glad you’re here before the storm.” She helped you take off your coat. “Bucky’s already here.”

You widened your eyes in surprise. He’s here?

“He’s got a much more relaxed schedule than you,” she added casually.

After Bucky resigned from the company, he invested in drone cameras and outdoor equipment. Since his hobby was photography, it seemed like the perfect fit. He made a good decision and gained a lot of profit. His work was successful, but his schedule was much more laid-back than yours.

As you walked into the living room, you saw Bucky talking to your dad and your cousins. He noticed you and made his way over to you, offering a side hug.

“What are you doing here?” you asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I’d rather be here than with my dad, who’s with his third wife, and my mom, who’s with her new boyfriend,” he whispered, his lips brushing your forehead.

You and Bucky were in the room, sitting on opposite sides of the bed. The distance between you both felt greater than it ever had before. The usual closeness you shared during Christmas wasn’t there. Both of you acted like everything was fine, but your parents noticed.

Robin, sensing the tension, quietly led you to the master bedroom. “What’s going on? It feels like there’s a wall between you two.”

You sighed, your hands nervously fidgeting with the hem of your sweater. “It’s…,” you hesitated, struggling to find the right words. “We…” You usually had the confidence to speak up at the company, but talking about your relationship with Bucky made your stomach knot.

On the other side of the house, your father was talking to Bucky in the living room. “Did you make a mistake with my daughter?”

Bucky looked at him, surprised. “How did you know?”

“Son, I’ve been married for 35 years. I would know. So, you did something,” your father said firmly, though not unkindly.

Bucky sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. “She wants a baby. I’m not ready.”

Your father’s brow furrowed. “Why’s that?”

Bucky’s voice softened, and his eyes looked distant. “Because I’m afraid. I don’t think I’ll be a good father. Look at my parents. You saw them at the wedding.”

Your father nodded, understanding the depth of his concerns. “Well… it’s complicated. But you’re you, not your father.” He placed his hand on Bucky's shoulder. “You're a good man for acknowledging your doubts. It's not a shame, son. Everyone feels nervous about being a parent.”

Meanwhile, in the master bedroom, Robin sat across from you, her hand resting gently on yours. “Listen, I know things aren’t easy right now, but you and Bucky can make it. There will be challenges ahead, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end. You’ve built something real together, and that counts for a lot.”

You looked at her, searching for the reassurance you needed. Robin gave you a small, encouraging smile. “You’ve both come this far. You’ll find a way through this too. Just remember, love isn’t perfect—it’s about sticking together, even when it’s hard.”

Later that evening, you finally found the courage to talk to Bucky. He was sitting on the couch, his arms crossed as he stared out the window. You walked up to him, and without saying a word, he pulled you into a tight embrace.

“I’m ready,” Bucky whispered into your hair, his voice low but steady. “I’m in it. If you’re in it.”

You held him tighter, your heart feeling lighter. “We’re doing a poor job hiding our relationship troubles at this family event.” You chuckled softly, pulling back just enough to look up at him.

He smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from your face. “Yeah, but we’ll figure it out. Together.”

And the next Christmas, both of you came home—this time, with a beautiful, giggling baby girl in your arms. Bucky and you became the best parents this baby girl ever had.

Taglist:

@thezombieprostitute

@mostlymarvelgirl

@scott-loki-barnes

@kjah97

@jeremyrennermakesmesmile

[transingthoseformers]

Lately, I've been trying to nail down the dynamics I like best for MegOp, and I've settled on at least one-

Megatron had plenty of on the fly, basically zero communication hookups during his gladiator days, where horny mechs would stand around looking sexy in the washracks and someone just groped you to initiate something (broken servo if you're rejected), but he's never started anything that needs a real conversation. His plan for seducing Optimus Prime post-war is:

- Be in sexy situations

- Optimus will simply stick his spike in me no conversation needed bc my panels are hip height and I'm attractive

- ????

- Profit

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime is a Normal person, who believes in wacky, outlandish, utopian things like bodily autonomy, and communicating his desires honestly. So when Megatron keeps comm.ing him about how he's been "stuck in a wall" or "needs help stretching" or "could really use a massage" Optimus mostly interprets these things as Megatron either choosing to spend time with him (romantically?), or, more importantly, being more vulnerable with him and "learning to ask for help", which he is wildly touched by. So, like a person interacting with a maybe dateable coworker, and not a porno actor.

Needless to say, Megatron is furious.

"I went through the trouble of positioning my aft so that it was sticking out of the wall PERFECTLY and he just- pulled me out of it! He didn't even feel me up while doing it!! The NERVE, Soundwave!!! It's like he's not even interested."

Optimus, earlier, 3 seconds after making sure Megatron was fine after the wall: "Do you want to refuel together later? I'd like to talk to you more often, but we're always so busy. We really should make more time for it."

Ratchet and Soundwave are getting wildly different answers when they ask their respective friend about how the progress of this relationship is going.

ghhGHJH YES

PROFIT or so he thinks

Megatron I swear to God, you're in for a situation

hdhdhh sorry I'm choking on my ramen at "stuck in a wall"

Optimus is here acting like a genuinely good person, and Megatron's so frustrated with it

And Optimus is exactly giving him a time of day to chat too

I need Ratchet and Soundwave to talk about the different sides of this and Realize

[befuddledcinnamonroll]

Taking a break from squeeing over all this juicy stuff on my dash for a moment, I have to say that what both Saint & YinWar are doing here is really important for the creative side of QL.

Let's be clear, most media executives are not creative people. They may have some business acumen (though most I think fake it quite a bit), but a vast number are incapable of understanding what it feels like to be creative, or how to connect with the people (us) who engage with creative material in any kind of passionate way.

Which is why they so often make decisions like "this college BL was cheap to make and did well - let's make 20 more". It's why they keep adapting books that fit pre-established norms while ignoring the vast number of QL books in other genres. It's why they so often will only take a "risk" once it's already been proven profitable by some smaller more independent enterprise. It's why they are chomping at the bit to replace writers with AI (I hate calling it that, it's not remotely intelligent), because they truly don't see the difference between an algorithm and a human being. Both can produce "content" and that's what they care about.

Now I'm sure that part of YinWar making Jack and Joker is because they want to play in something cool & fun (get it boys!), but also they're no dummies. Partner in Crime was a test, and they saw how the people reacted.

Same with Saint. Each series pushes the QL bubble open a little bit wider, because he understands that despite what most executives think, we as viewers are not a mindless monolith that you can endlessly feed the same content to.

And vitally, what they get and most executives don't, is the FANDOM of it all. They know we want to pour over gifs & photos, and swoon over this sexy moment, and talk about that cool bit of action. We want to be fed.

We're not subtle about what we like. If you take the time to actually pay attention to us

The ironic thing is that I think both of these productions are going to do very well, and then more executives will jump on the genre bandwagon and recycle ideas, without understanding just what it is that makes us so feral for these particular properties.

But in the meantime, I am grateful for creative people who fight to make their own content. How much more colorless our world would be without them.

[unsolicited-opinions]

I used to run a doctor's office. If your doctor's office hasn't explained this to you, let me do it for them.

You probably don't know how much time your doctor and their staff spend fighting with insurance companies for routine, ordinary things. The stories you see online might leave you thinking that these fights are, if not rare, maybe occasional. A sometimes sort of challenge.

Nope.

It's every day. It's all day. Your doctor's office has employees who fight with insurance companies as a full time job.

This isn't an accident or a side effect of other market forces at work - this is the deliberate, calculated plan the insurance companies have chosen to implement. They know very well it is hurting patients and providers, and they're okay with that because their priority is to maximize ROI for investors and other stakeholders. They're in the business of business, and they don't give a single fuck about human beings or health care.

They've lowered reimbursements in primary care so effectively that primary care has only survived in many parts of the US by becoming a loss leader for larger health systems. You know how the local retail store gets you in the building by selling something at slightly below cost because they know you're likely to buy more once you're inside? It's like that, a loss leader.

The health system where you get your primary care often loses money when you see your PCP, but since your PCP refers you to speciality care inside their own organization, the system makes up the money when your doctor sends you to see their own systems' surgeons, endocrinologists, dermatologists, etc.

Smaller primary care practices literally can't survive. That's why there are almost no independent family doctors any longer. That's why it is so hard to see the same provider with consistency, someone with whom you can develop trust over time, who knows you and knows your challenges. United Healthcare and it's private healthcare insurance competitors have nearly finished killing off that kind of primary care.

Larger primary care practices (30-40 providers) might still be able to make ends meet independently through economies of scale and/or what they earn by doing their own lab/testing/imaging services in-house, but that won't work much longer if current trends continue. We're headed in the direction of just a handful of vertically integrated businesses running healthcare, and they are in the business of business, not health care.

The insurance companies deliberately create administrative barriers which make it expensive for your doctor's office to advocate for you because it moves administrative costs away from the insurance company and onto your doctor's office. This results in fewer paid claims when your doctor's office can't afford to hire another full time position whose only job is to argue with insurance companies and jump through their deliberately obstructive hoops. They want your PCP to be struggling to stay open. They want your PCP unable to afford the cost of overcoming the administrative burdens they have deliberately created for the purpose of denying you the health care your doctor thinks you need.

There are other words for this, but the most appropriate one is "evil."

I don't want to glorify murder or lionize Luigi Mangione, but Brian Thompson was a ghoul, his senior team are ghouls, and the for-profit health insurance industry is a disaster for Americans, even those Americans who don't yet see the problem affecting themselves. They will.

We need universal, single-payer health coverage, just like every other wealthy nation.

We're not going to get it any time soon, and things are about to get worse for healthcare in the US.

Set aside the damage RFK Jr is likely to do to an already patchwork public health system by attacking regulations and spreading misinformation. Let's look at other ways Trump and the GOP plan to worsen health care.

1. They're going to go after Medicare and Medicaid benefits. They'll seek to lower them and raise the bar which must be cleared to receive them.

2. They're going to seek to raise the age for social security benefits (above 70!), and reduce benefits paid, so the most financially vulnerable seniors will have greater out-of-pocket costs. Those seniors are going to struggle harder with out-of-pocket costs.

3. They're going to attempt to cripple the Affordable Care Act (AKA 'Obamacare'), despite the fact that the ACA has been a HUGE money maker for the private insurance companies.

4. This administration will be run by hyper capitalist billionaires. It will seek to deregulate wherever possible and promote supply-side economics (tax breaks for the rich and large corporations) at every opportunity. United Healthcare and its competitors, which already weild an obscene, horrific amount of control over US Healthcare, are about to get substantially more power.

It's bad, folks. It's a very bad time to be sick and it's going to get worse.

Alan Grayson was right in 2009. The Republican health care plan has been and remains:

* Don't get sick

* If you do get sick, die quickly.

[read-marx-and-lenin]

Hiii how would you respond to the ""argument"" that some people make that: when the Berlin Wall fell, which way did people go? impling that those on the communist side were eager to go over to the capitalist one. Thx

West Germany had been bribing people with gifts and money to cross even before the Wall fell. The first impressions of West Germany were very good indeed, but by the time you were able to see past them, it was much more difficult to go back if you were a member of the majority of people who didn't find success and wealth on the other side. And once the Wall fell, the path back was cut off permanently. The capitalists made sure to excise every remnant of socialism with top-down neoliberal economic reforms while people were still high from the end of travel restrictions and an influx of shiny consumer goods. The people were told they'd be given democracy and they thought that meant they would get the chance to reform socialism, but instead the West pumped their billions into the pro-Western "Alliance for Germany" led by the CDU, organizing under the banner of "nie wieder Sozialismus", and the communists were suppressed in Germany once again, with the major leaders of the SED imprisoned. Poverty, unemployment, homelessness, depression and suicide all rose in East Germany just like in every case of Eastern Bloc countries subject to "economic shock therapy", and it was never the result of popular democratic decision-making. German reunification was a case of the Western capitalists seizing control of the East for their own profit at the expense of the people's wellbeing. They were effectively punishing the East for daring to have been socialist in the first place, to the point where East Germany is still poorer than West Germany despite reunification.

That's why people might have felt the desire to move west, but most people stayed in their hometowns for the same reasons anyone would. The majority of the older generations in the East still have a positive view of the Communist period (dubbed "Ostalgie" by the West, to imply that it's all just nostalgia and never a sober comparison), and Die Linke, the direct descendant of the SED, still gets a bigger share of the votes in the East than in the West. If we're supposed to believe that people who lived through this period all know better than to support socialism and that only privileged Westerners who were never there could ever think communism is a good thing, then surely the opposite should be true and Die Linke should be more popular in the big Western cities full of liberal arts majors and transgender baristas, right?

[hexastitchimera]

To be more nuanced, I say this because I just realized how much judgement people have cast my way for experiences that I have not only lived through and can recite back in perfect detail each time, but have a SIGNIFICANT amount of evidence + witnesses (including police reports for the traumatic times) that were there for it.

Then, I also realized that those who downplay experiences are:

Often of a highly privileged background (regardless of current social status) who never encountered that experience in their own lives due to the safety net that said privileges provide.

Those who HAVE lived through as much, but are in severe denial, especially if it means admitting that they need help and support.

Those who would better profit off of you staying silent about your experiences than you speaking about them.

The last one in particular is ever prevalent in our online spaces, and tends to be the most hostile due to potential, even significant losses (especially financial & egotistical; war and economy go hand in hand).

So when I say "We need to stop assuming," I don't mean it in the sense that you should believe everyone at face value, and never trust your gut if what someone's saying makes you feel something.

I mean it in the sense that, if someone tells you that they lived through hell and back, or that they experienced something strange and unusual that they're unsure about, don't immediately assume ulterior motives and lying for whatever's sake.

Sit with them. Hear them out. See their side of the story.

If someone isn't making a sales pitch to you, listen.

You might be humbled at least, empowered at best.

Can we finally do away with assumptions on others (end post here)

[apas-95]

abt the 'exit strategy for capitalism' thing obviously the natural advantages of socialist states will lead to their uncontested military and economical dominance in the coming decades, at which point they'll have both means and motive to buy out bourgeois interests and their 'possessions' and transition the economical system while there's no easy way for imperial core states to outright end these trends, their policies obviously do affect the economical development of socialist states and there's probably enough variance to shift the timetable on all this happening by a couple years, so y'know exert whatever influence you have on the particular flavor of capitalism that's in vogue if done well (and what I'm seeing rn actually gives me hope for that) the capitalists at no point have an incentive to burn the whole thing down out of spite bc they keep earning right until they don't, you know how the saying abt ropes and hangings goes (and if done poorly and they cling to and suck dry the last scraps of the world's economy they control at least everywhere else should be out of reach by then) and my main concern with a revolution is actually that one will 100% get accused of having foreign backing, at which point you just needlessly raise the odds of some general deciding he (or she #imwithher) might as well let those nukes fly (even if they're losing, especially if they're losing) But it's all w/e, I could be convinced either way, this all just makes a lot more sense to me than a succesful imperial core revolution that doesn't end with the northern hemisphere irradiated

fundamentally the notion of a peaceful transition out of capitalism is simply not in agreement with reality. no class has ever abandoned the world stage without fighting to maintain itself, and the imperial core is already both undertaking massive violence and war against the sections of the global south it already has under its heel, and preparing for high-intensity conflict against the communists that have slipped its shackles. there is no point where the bourgeoisie would simply peacefully allow themselves to be stripped of power.

the point of nukes is exactly *why* there has to be revolution within the imperial core, rather than having the rest of the world do the job for them - there is precisely one place the US has no nuclear deterrent against, which is itself. if the thing we're supposed to fear is that both 'the US military's high command, likely facing severe mutiny, rather than ordering a negotiated surrender during civil war, decides to nuke themselves' as well as 'the US strategic missile forces, upon receiving the order to nuke themselves, carry it out', then so be it - such a fundamental strategic insanity would be just as likely to start a nuclear exchange even if there weren't a revolution - which brings us to the final point.

world war is on the horizon. the economic reasons for world war remain as they did a century and a half ago. the world has been fully carved up, and the profits are drying out. the imperialist blocks, principally the US and EU, are driven to compete against each other for their holdings, first peacefully, then through proxy war, and finally through direct conflict. as it was a hundred years ago, the buildup of war is accepted on all sides with the target of the socialist bloc and the potential for its pillaging, but (as has already started breaking out among larger and larger regional powers) any conflict of this sort would manifest as general war and looting, as desperate, recession-wracked imperialists take opportunity as it presents itself. in inter-imperialist war the most ruthless techniques are used, and a nuclear exchange would not be off the table -- and, fundamentally, the conditions that lead to world war are the same that lead to instability, insurrection, and revolution within individual countries.

war is, at this juncture, an inevitability. the only question is whether revolutionary war will win out over unjust war, will convert the war between nations to a war between classes. we are against war, but we are not afraid of it.

[the-broken-truth]

Yuu - Child of the Great Seven [5]: The Sea Witch in Octavinelle

Summary: The Sea Witch visits Mostro Lounge in Octavinelle with her trusted Eel Familiars while waiting for her child to arrive from Ramshackle. How will Azul react?

Jamil: Hey! I thought you said Scarabia was next!

Broken: Sorry about that, Jamil. Your chapter is next.

Note: To keep my sanity, the Eels shall have their canon names.

[To say that Azul Ashengrotto was trying his best to keep his composure and not fanboy right where he was standing was a complete understatement, and if he were to fanboy, could anyone honestly blame him? The Sea Witch - A Member of the Divine Great Seven & Mom to his Most Precious Pearl, Yuu - was currently standing [She's Currently In Human Form - She has Legs] in the middle of the Mostro Lounge with her hands resting on her hips as her heels clicked with each step she took through the lounge with a smile on her face.]. Floyd and Jade standing beside him while their eyes were glued on the large eels that floated around in the air while not leaving the Sea Witch's Side; using their magic to maintain a small bubble of water to keep their skin moist, they had human forms, but they preferred to remain eels.]

Flotsam: Our Lady, Most Generous Sea Witch! We must say-

Jetsam: -this place is far more interesting than we assumed it to be. However, that is to be expected-

Flotsam & Jetsam: When an ASHENGROTTO runs the show! (Laughing)

Sea Witch: Now. Now. Boys, remember to behave: We are guests here and these young men mean something to my Little Pearl.

Flotsam: Speaking of the Little Octopi, where are they hiding?

Jetsam: Yes! The Little Octopi is never late for important business!

[Just then: the door of Mostro Lounge opens and Yuu walks in with an outfit that is mixed between the Octavinelle Dorm Unform and the Sea Witch's Dress with a shell necklace around their neck.]

Yuu (Walking over to the Sea Witch): Forgive me for being late, Mom; I was trying to mentally prepare myself for today.

Sea Witch: Oh, don't worry about that, My Little Fry; your friends have been most accommodating to me. Such polite boys. [Yuu smiles as Flotsam and Jetsam swim over to them.]

Flotsam: Oh, brother! Oh, brother! Who is this I see before me?

Jetsam: The Little Octopi? Could it be?!

Flotsam: Did you come to sing and play?

Yuu: That depends: How much will you pay?

Flotsam & Jetsam (Laughing): Ah, yes! It has been a long time, Little Octopi. We thought you were going to forget the Number One Eel Rule.

Yuu, Flotsam, and Jetsam: Always profit!

Sea Witch (Claps): Oh, yes! Profit is important, but what is most important, Little Fry?

Yuu: Always make the deal fair - you'll get more business and money that way.

Sea Witch: I taught you well.

Jade: Hm. With rules like that, I can understand why the Mostro Lounge got a sudden increase in funds that day.

Azul: Day? What day?

Jade: Oh, that's right. We failed to inform you.

Floyd: Remember when ya go sick and you asked Jade and me to watch the Lounge?

Azul: I remember asking Jade.

Floyd: We're Twins! We do everything together! The thing is Jade and I asked Shrimpy to help us!

Azul: What?! Why didn't you tell me you bothered Pearl with that?!

Jade: You were sick and stressed.

Floyd: And we were bored! So, we grabbed Shirimpy when the Baby Seal wasn't looking, dragged them to Mostro Lounge, and left them there to take care of it!

Jade: Imagine our surprise when the Prefect not only managed to run the lounge with no prior experience but increased our normal sales by 3 for the consistency of a week.

Azul (Brain Loading): Daily Sales increase by 3x...for a week?

Jade: Yes. Didn't you see it in the Ledger? I wrote it down.

[Without a word: Azul went back into his office and was gone for about 10 minutes.]

Yuu (Being nuzzled by Jetsam and Flotsam): Hm... Is he okay in there?

Jade: Give him a moment.

[After another 4 minutes: Azul comes back into the Lounge.]

Yuu: There you are, Azul-senpai. (Sees a Golden Contract in Azul's Hand) What are you going to do with that?

Azul (Holds the contract out to Yuu): Sign it.

Yuu: Why?

Azul (Walks towards them like a robot): Sign it.

Yuu: I am not signing that.

Azul: Sign It! (Runs at Yuu)

Yuu: AHHH! (Runs around the Mostro Lounge with Azul chasing them)

Azul (Chasing Yuu): DON'T RUN, PEARL! THIS IS OUR DESTINY! SIGN IT!!!

Yuu (Still Running): I DON'T WANNA!

Azul: BECOME MY BUSINESS PARTNER, PEARL!!!

Yuu: I'M NOT READY FOR THAT KIND OF COMMITMENT!!!

[The Sea Witch, Leech Twins, and Eels sit in a booth and watch Azul chase Yuu around the Mostro Lounge.]

Jade: Should we help the Prefect? Azul is gaining on them.

Flotsam & Jetsam: Nope.

Sea Witch: My Little Octopi will be okay.

Floyd: Run, Little Shrimp, Run!

[One Hour Later]

Yuu (Trapped in Octo-Azul's Tentacles while being pulled into the Octopus Pot) (Clawing at the carpet): NO! NO! I WANT TO LIVE!

[Yuu gets pulled into the Pot]

Yuu (Lunges out with their hand reaching for the door): I WANT TO LIVE!!! (Gets yanked back into the Octopus Pot)

Jade: Well... We won't be seeing them for a while.

Sea Witch: Is he normally like that?

Jade: Indeed. When Azul is stressed or overworked, he uses the Prefect as a Cuddle Buddy. The Prefect was the first person who saw Azul as a decent person, even after he attempted to swindle them.

Floyd: That's Shrimpy for ya.

[In The Octopus Pot]

Octo-Azul (Hugging Yuu, who is petting his hair): Thanks for always being there for me.

Yuu: It's okay, Azul; you're kinda like the Big Brother I always wanted to have.

Octo-Azul: If that's the case... Will you sign a contract stating that I am your brother?

Yuu (Rolls Eyes): I'm not signing a contract, Azul.

Octo-Azul: Why not?

Yuu: Knowing you, you would put in the terms and conditions that I have to answer all your phone calls, have dinner with you every weekend, have study sessions with you, and I'm not allowed to date anyone who you don't approve of; and you don't approve of anyone around me. Also, I know tat you would pull the 'Elder Brother' Card on me whenever you can.

Octo-Azul: No, I wouldn't.

Yuu: What did I say about lying?

Octo-Azul: It only works for Ace, Deuce, Grim, and Floyd.

Yuu: Are you any of them?

Octo-Azul: No.

Yuu: Exactly.

[END]

[lindsay00000008]

Ghost x Fem!Reader

DownBad!Simon Ghost Riley x JustAFriend!Reader

A little worldbuilding for ya. Enjoy! Maybe next will be a how-they-met drabble.

Part 3 (Prev)

CW: cursing, reference to solo hanky panky

“Beer?”

“Beer.”

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

So it turns out a honey glaze can catch fire in the air fryer. Who knew?

The Thursday Dinner Experiment dissolves into a slapdash affair of side veggies (sautéed onions, broccoli and peppers) with frozen beef and bean burritos as the main course. You and Simon settle on a movie to offset the stress of dousing the flames, have a couple more beers on the couch, and talk about the project Simon wants to complete before his next gig.

“Built-ins.”

“Incredible. Love a good built-in.”

His fixer-upper has been the highlight of his time off, it seems. Not a distraction, per se. You get the feeling he likes the act of creation, healing the house and seeing the effect of his work in measurable ways. He says he intends to sell it for profit, but those times you see him at work it’s a bit hard to believe.

“The roof is all fixed then?”

“Mm,” he gives a more-or-less wave of his hand, and you snicker.

“Remind me not to sleep over. Or would you hold an umbrella for me?”

He huffs and takes a swig of his drink.

“Oh, hey have you heard from Johnny lately?”

He gives you a look that seems to say o‘course I have, and you continue.

“Ok yeah, I just meant I haven’t been able to get ahold of him in a bit.”

“Some’n you need?”

“Um, it’s more like I owe him,” you chuckle. “He told me I could buy him dinner but he’s been slippery.”

Simon snorts, covering his mouth and nose before beer can spout forth.

“What?” You smile, bewildered at his sudden humor.

“Hmm. Johnny... yeah, you could say he’s slippery.”

“Is this a sex thing? Cause I remember that story Johnny told at the bar and it really-“

“Nah,” Simon can’t hold in his laugh this time, “Nah it’s not a sex thing. It's a... work thing. Inside joke.”

"Oh, haha..." You laugh faintly, that familiar, outside-looking-in feeling creeping up. You're not exactly sure what Simon does for work. You've been friends for two years now, and see him constantly for those periods of time when he's home, but there's still so much you're in the dark about. You don't need to know these things to enjoy your time together. And Simon seems comfortable separating his work from his daily life. Besides his attachment to his coworker Johnny, of course, the two closer than brothers.

Sometime you think they're in some kind of international mafia. Simon shows up after a month away looking like he's been steamrolled and blown up, with trinkets and treats from places far away. Specialty coffee, a tiny stained glass lamp, an ocarina engraved with a lily. The military maybe - but you've had friends in the military, a cousin who joined the marines even, and this feels very different.

Simon rubs his mouth, slotting the bridge between his thumb and forefinger beneath his nose, an action you've noticed seems to sooth him. Perhaps he's thinking the same things, feeling the secrets between you. You want to pull him away from the thought, show him you're fine with however much he can give you. Your friendship is all that matters.

"So he's good yeah? Just busy, then?"

"Hm. Bloke's fine, probably just joined a knittin' club or sum'in. I'll ask 'im."

"Hah. Well like I said, it's repayment, for that time he spotted me at Hooligan's. Don't want to be a bother."

Simon levels you with a serious look.

"He'd be a big idiot to turn down your offer."

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

"Why are you avoiding her, ya big idiot?" Simon accuses Johnny when he phones him later that night.

"Oh 'am the idiot? Yer the one who can't see 'am tryin' to give ye room to make a move on the lass."

"Fuck righ' off Soap, we're just friends. Thought the two o' you were friends too, but you're making her wonder."

"She'll ge' over it. But you won't ge' over it if she goes out with me and falls for my charms, no' will ya?"

"Gimme a break."

"Look. I like her. Which is why I'm backin' off. It's no' so rare for me to have a wee crush. But the second I saw you makin' goo-goo eyes-"

"I do not make-"

"Hush it, LT. 'Am just tryin'a give ye yer best shot. She's the first thing ye think of when comin' off deployment, yeah? 'Ah know, I see it in ye every time. One day you'll thank me."

"Look, just..." Simon speaks through a raging blush, his voice a grumble that sounds grumpier than he really feels, "call her back, would ya? Go grab a coffee or something. I'm not pressed. If she likes you... I'll deal. Don't count on it though. She's too smart for you."

"Sure LT. I'll do it for you, alright? Kisses,"

"Soap..."

"Yeah, LT?"

"Fuck off."

"'Night, LT."

"G'night."

Simon tosses the phone to the floor beside the bed and curses up at the ceiling, rubbing his hot face. His mind turns back to the wrestling that afternoon. The way he "accidentally" fell atop you when you tripped, how you were enveloped perfectly beneath his body, the way your eyes widened and cheeks flushed when you both looked at the salacious packaging spilling out of the nondescript cardboard box. Oh, how he wanted to tease you relentlessly. Give in to the desire to drag your pure, ladylike demeanor through the mud and then lick it all off. If he said the things he was itching to say, would you cover your ears, or laugh? Would you bite back? What would happen then, on that couch, if you hadn't scurried away when you did? The images take him away.

It's a long time before he finds sleep, his hands too rough and knowledgable to truly satisfy.

He can't go on like this. Not forever. But what else can he do?

Taglist:

If you've given me love in the comments or reblogs I've added you too! Thanks for the support! Lmk to add/remove.

@littleghostbride, @cmbghost, @anotherrickinthewall, @etherealinthewoods

P.S. About Simon's mask

My sister told me she was confused as to why Simon doesn't have a mask in these drabbles. I have the idea that he keeps his civilian life so entirely separate from work that he can't wear a mask all the time for fear people might make that connection. People know him in the field as the guy who always wears the mask, right? He has two identities. With the mask, and without. Ghost, and Simon. He does still wear a plain black KN95 on errands, citing health awareness (it's really his anxiety). But when he's comfortable at home or with friends (even at his favorite bar, sometimes), he takes it off. That's my headcannon, anyway.

[cosmic-spider]

Triangle

<< Gideon

A few days after the Gideon incident you were hired by Stan to work at the shake. Since you did a painting of a kelpy. That Mable then put it up for sale.

Surpassingly there was a biding war on  who got to buy it. The customer even started to fight each other at one point.

When Stan saw this happen pluss the fact that one painting was sold at $453. He immediately asked if you wanted to make more paintings like that.

You said yes but only if you got a fifty of the money you get from the sold artwork. Stan was skeptical at first until he was that the painting could be sold at a high price. Plus he would still get a few hundred from just half the profit.

So he agreed to terms and conditions of the agreement. Currently you were chilling in the empty gift shop as you wrote down what you were going to paint.

— — — — — — — — time skip — — — — — — —

You watched as Mable and Wendy were having one of there random dance parties for no reason. As well as Dipper of to the side pretending to write down on a clipboard. As he looked at Wendy this the oh so familiar crushing look he gave Wendy.

"Oh no I know that look." You whispered to your self as you saw the look on dipper.

As Mable told Wendy the story of the lambí dance. You then see how embarrassed Dipper looked.

The clock on the wall then chimes telling that it was now 6pm. "Hey look at that, quitting time." Wendy said as he took of her name tag and started to leave the gift shop.

"Hey wait what if I— I mean we come with you?" Dipper asked as he tried to his the fact that he wanted to hang out with Wendy.

"Oh I don't know my friend are pretty intense." Wendy told us as she stoped in her tracks. "How old did you say the three of you were?"

" W-we're thirteen so technically a teen and y/n is 16" Dipper said rather quickly and nervously.

"Ok I like your moxie kid. Just let me get my stuff." Wendy told us as she then went. In to the employees area to get her things.

Dipper then turned around and looked at us. "Since when we're you two thirteen?" You questioned Dippers with a raised eyebrow.

Dipper then lied about being able to hang out with the cool kids. Mable then started to chant about Dipper having a crush an Wendy.Mable then ran up stairs saying something about getting ready. But before Dipper could walk off. You got up and stoped him.

"Dipper as you're now honorary big sister I have to talk to you about this." You told him as you healed both this shoulders.

"What what are you talking about?" Dipper said as he tried to act like he didn't have a crush on Wendy.

"Dip don't lie to me I know that you have a crush an Wendy. And I just want to tell you that it's not going to work. She's five years older than you. Plus I've been in your shoes before. Trust me when I tell you this." You told Dipper as you see the look in his eyes as the hope fades.

"Hey I know that me telling you this is a let down but I'm just telling you the truth.But hey you can still hang out with her and whatever. I'm just telling you what is most likely to happen.  So just do your own thing."

"Ok I see your point and we'll yeah I can understand your reasoning thanks sis"Dipper told you as he gave you a hug.

The three of you then got out the shake to meet up with Wendy's friends. While they were doing some type of weird game.

"Hey guy's these are my friends from work." Wendy told them as we introduce ourselves. Mable then showed a guy she was chewing and Dipper tried to act cool. But was only meet by silence.

"Hi I'm Y/n." You introduced your self to them. The guy with a stitched heart then made a comment about babysitting.

"Guys this is. Leon and Nate." The two then punched each other.

"Tambry" the girl with diyed hair only said a small hey as she didn't look up from her phone.

" Thompson, that once ate a run over waffle for fifty cents." She pointed guy in a mustered yellow collar shirt. As he told her to to tell us about the small bit of information.

" And Robbie you can figure him out" a guy that looks like your average my space emo boy that tries to act like he has no feelings.

"Yeah I'm the guy that spray painted the water tower." He told us as he tried to act cool.

"Oh you mean the big muffin?" You and Dipper said at the same time. " Jinx Dip you owe me five bucks." You called out.

"Hey No far that was out of nowhere." Dipper told you as he lightly punched your side.

"Um it's a giant explosion not a muffin!" Robbie called out mad as we all turned to look at the muffin.

"Huh? Oh forgot you were here for a second emo." You said as you looked at the poorly made ( explosion) on the water tower. As Nate and Leon laughed at the muffin looking explosion.

"Haha it's really good for a starter ." You said as you then got out a sketch book and finished up one of your latest sketches.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Robbie yelled out defensive.

"Wow there I'm just saying that a good looking explosion for now even if it looks like a muffin." You then show him your sketchbook with a few small sketches of explosions.

"If you want some tips you can give it more of a mushroom shape on the top clouds. You can also switch up the colors so that way you can give it more of a look of a exposing."

Robbie only grumbled as the others complimenting your sketches. "Yeah whatever." Robbie said sarcastically as he just looked away."Well either way let's get going I have plans for tonight." Wendy said as they all get into the van.

"Y'all go ahead without me. I want to go look for more inspiration for my art." You told Wendy as the twins got into the van.

"Ok then y/n see you tomorrow." Mable yelled from inside the van. Then Thompson then drove off.

— — — — — — — Time skip — — — — — — — —

After a bit of wondering in the woods you see many weird creatures. From seeing Ness and there baby in the lake. To going inside a cave and seeing some flaying eye bats.

You eventually got tied and fell asleep on a hill.You slowly then see that you were in a cave like place with water around the bottom that looked like galaxies.  Around the area were floating stars that seem to be made out of crystals.

As you wondered around in the cave you then see that all the stars that were floating around were actually memories each different color for different things.

Y/N MIND

Yellow •   Happy

Light brown •CHILDHOOD

Purple •NIGHTMARES

Gray•FEARS

Pink • Love

Red  • Anger

Blue • Sadness

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Broken stars  •N̵̙̼͎̓̃͘͠o̵̪͚̘͇̟̮͓̠͓͊͂̄̄̀̽̉͊͘ͅ$̵̠͚̜͓̜̪͕̙̞̠̹̬͓͓̂t̴̫̂͋̑̈ ̶̧̘̮̣͉͚̊ţ̴̨̛͓͍͖͈̹̗̮̳͛̄̎̈̇̅́͗̅̕̚o̸̲̭͍̲̯̩̦͖͔̪̬̻̳̰͖̔͆̿͜ͅ ̶̙̞͙̱͇͔̊͂̾̽͗̇̐̒̅̽̓͐&̶̨̧̲̺͖̪̟͙͓̞̝̘͔̩̦̀́̌̎͊͛̂͑̊̐͝@̶̨̥͈̜̮̱̳̯̻͐̈́̅͌̈̃́b̴̢̗͔͎͇̯͉̦̫̲͈̠̼̰̓ě̵͇̪̲̦̮̻̪̉̓͐̎͆̓́ͅͅ $̶̧̞̹͉̘͊̽̊̿̈́̽̍̔̈̅̇̍̅̄̈́͝@̴̢̡̯͚͙̦̠̖̬͎̟̝̼̉̄̓͌͆̽̀̈́́͗͜͠ͅ&̵͙̪̙̩̝̦͌̍̀̀̀̾͆̕&̴̰̠͍̎̽̀̃͊̀͑̅̃̕ś̶͉̣̟̬̤̙̟̞̜͍̲͓͚̫̤̘̈́̋̆̑̓̔̈̄͆̽̐̆͜e̵̡̛̛͙͎͔͖͎̣̱̲͇͒̌̐̾͌̈̉̈́̇́͑̚̕͝é̷̡̧̝͖̺̥̫̲̞͚̹̘͓̓̇̇͛͆̊͜͝ͅn̸̢̢̟̗̘̩̬̯̐̌̿̈́̆̈́͐͊̈́͛̆̍̈̃̔͝͠

As you keep walking around the cave you then in an area of yellow childhood memory stars. "Hmm, if this is my mind then I can go back to when I was little and see what the other Glyphs combinations are."

You said out loud as you then walked around looking in other areas. Watching were you stepped and not stepping into the galaxy water puddles. Going into a different area you then see some light brown stars and see memories with a smaller version of you in the crystal stars.

As you kept grabbing the stars and seeing throw them and then letting go back into the sky. Continuing to look throw them you then notice something floating of in the distance only to then see a floating yellow triangle?

The triangle didn't notice you as it then went to some stars as it quickly went throw a few then went to another areas.

"Hey! why are you looking for something! Plus who are you? What are you doing in my mind?"  You questioned the triangle.

The triangle only stared at you in surprise as you both stare at each other for a bit. So much that you we're able to see every detail it had.

From the one eye, top hat, and bow tie. To the small libs and brick pattern it had.The triangle then moved its hand from side to side watching you as your eyes fallowed this hand.

" So you can really see me. Huh?" The triangle said as it then put its hand up to its body in a thinking position.

"If I couldn't I wouldn't be talking to you." You told the triangle as you walked past him as you put the stars he was looking throw back into there's areas were they were floating.

"What are you even even doing in my mind while I'm sleeping?" You questioned the triangle as you then continued to look.

"Well don't you just get to the point. Names Bill Cipher for your information. Your not supposed to be in gravity falls for what I know."  The triangle now know as Bill said and he then floated around you.

“I don't live here but still." You said as you continued to look throw stars.

Bill only floats around the place as he then takes a star out your hands. "what I mean is most meatbags aren't able to get to there mind space. For some reason you can. It's unusual?"

“ It's not really something someone that just came into my mind gets to know?" You say as you put your hands on your hips realizing that the triangle looks the same from the one in the journal.

"That's what you think. But I don't work your your logic. So I will do what I want." The triangle says as he continued to float around quickly.

You tried to keep up with Bill but he was to fast. After a bit you lose track of him as he floated of in the cave. As you keep looking for the triangle you then see that everything was started to fade.

You then wake up and see that you were in the hill with your sketchbook next to you. Seeing the sunset was going down and it was getting dark fast. You started to get up and grabbing your stuff you went back to the cabin for the night.

The unsettling felling of being watched was still there, but the moment you went inside the cabin it stopped. 

"Huh? Must be the magical property's of the cabin?" You mumbled as you went to shower and get changed for the night.