#we've lost what? 19 in a row

[the-mighty-rio-grande]

for his birthday i think luis robert should get a little treat if he gets a hit. maybe even a full birthday cake if the sox win

[3416]

just read a take about how 58-34-88 should play together in the playoffs bc we’ve had a baffling lack of offense without them, and i’d just like to say........... that is incorrect

[skzstannie]

"Watch and learn, my dear"

SKZ drabble -> ot8 x fem!reader [PLATONIC] genre: Fluffy fluff wc: ~1300

Hi again! Next will be a Seongwha request I got a few days ago. Not sure when it'll be out, as I am a college student and have a lot of assignments to catch up on this weekend, but be on the lookout for it.

Alsooo, if anyone has any tips on how to make my blog look more aesthetic, plz do tell hahah

Happy scrolling!

"Watch and learn, my dear," Han sends you a playful wink.

You are currently on a team with Chan while playing cornhole. Your opponents are Han and Seungmin, and Han chose to throw from the same side as you.

It's a nice summer day, and you, along with the whole Stray Kids crew, are spending it outside. You started off the afternoon in the pool, but then I.N almost cracked his skull open when attempting to dive, and you all decided that was enough of the pool for the day. You then moved on to riding bikes, but then Changbin and Felix's wheels collided and they busted their knees up on the asphalt. It was a whole ordeal, and somehow Changbin ended up forcing Hyunjin and Han to carry him all the way back to the house.

After those exciting events, we decided to reign it in a little before someone got seriously injured. So, we now reside in the driveway, playing a nice and calm game of cornhole. I.N has been resting inside since the pool incident, saying he has a killer headache and just needs a nap. Hyunjin, Felix, and Changbin have taken cover from the heat in the garage, while Lee Know sits in the middle of the yard, bathing in the warmth of the sun.

"Han, no offense, but you haven't actually hit the board yet, and we've been playing for 10 minutes," you laugh, smiling harder when Han looks at you with an insulted look on his face.

"I'll have you know that I've been doing that on purpose, Missy. Didn't want to give away my ace of an arm too soon."

Upon hearing this from the other side of the driveway, Seungmin scoffs and gives him a bothered look. "You better be joking. The score is literally 19-0, I think you could've pulled it out a little sooner."

"Shh, I have to focus," Han narrows his eyes before hollering something sounding akin to a screaming donkey. He does a little dance, spinning around quickly in a circle, making you giggle. He faces toward the other board again, pulls his arm back and launches the beanbag high into the air.

All those theatrics, just for the beanbag to unceremoniously hit an unsuspecting Lee Know right in the face, who, up until that point, was peacefully sleeping.

“Wha-,” he startles, standing upright in a second. Your eyes widen at the intimidating look he throws at all of you, and you immediately shove your thumb in Han’s direction. You smile to yourself as you look and see that Seungmin and Chan are doing the same. “Han, you brat,” and with that, Han is gone in a flash racing to hide somewhere behind the garage. You walk over to Lee Know’s chair and drag it up to your cornhole game.

“What? You’re finished now? We were about to win!” Chan whines, playfully pouting at you.

“Well, Dandy-Boy over there just lost his partner, and I don’t know about you, but I wanna see whatever’s about to go down. I want a front row seat.” You kick your legs out, turning your attention to a, now screaming, Han. Lee Know has acquired the hose, and you know all hell’s about to break loose.

"Please! Please stop! I can't run much more!" Han yells, gasping for air.

"Well then stop!" Lee Know deviously yells back, gaining on the younger.

Han bends over with his hands on his knees, surrendering to the cold jet of the hose. "That actually feels pretty nice," he comments, standing upright and stretching his arms out to his sides to let the water cool him down.

Lee Know sprays Han for a few more seconds before feeling bored. "It's no fun if you're enjoying it." He huffs and stops spraying the hose, looking back to the three of you still silently watching from the driveway. A smirk spreads across his face; one that you know all too well.

You quickly stand from the chair, scurrying inside the garage to take cover. "Run!" You scream, using poor Felix as a human shield. Lee Know sprints into the garage, blasting the water in a swaying motion, soaking everything in it's path, including Felix and the innocent party of Hyunjin and Changbin. They all gasp, looking up at Lee Know.

"If my knee wasn't throbbing right now, I'd so get you back," Changbin narrows his eyes at Lee Know.

"In my defense, I was only trying to get y/n. So if anything, blame her," Lee Know argues back. He turns his attention to the three completely dry soon-to-be victims hiding out near the house, and he takes off after them, eliciting a multitude of screams and yelps.

Hyunjin, Changbin, and Felix look to you. "You've got to be kidding me. I'm innocent!" You nervously back up, making your way towards the garage door. "We're on the same team!" You try, but in the blink of an eye, Hyunjin is after you. You scream, running towards nothing specific.

"Avenge us, Hyunjin!" You hear Felix yell, followed by a chorus of Felix and Changbin giggles.

You run throughout the yard, hurdling and ducking between random objects to try to lose your attacker. But to no avail, and Hyunjin rams into the back of you, soaking your perfectly dry clothes. You screech, struggling in his grasp before ultimately giving up, knowing he's much stronger than you are. He squeezes the life out of you once more, you and him watching the chaos ensue on the other side of the yard. Somehow, Seungmin has ended up with the hose now and is running for his life from Chan, Han, and Lee Know. "Poor guy's not gonna make it," you say to Hyunjin, watching as Seungmin trips over a lump in the grass, awkwardly hitting the ground and dropping the hose in the process.

"Mercy!" he yells, gripping his ankle and writhing in pain. Chan drops down next to him in concern

"What happened? Did you hurt your ankle?" Chan worries, placing a comforting hand on Seungmin's shoulder. Hyunjin finally lets you go and you both quickly make your way to them. Changbin and Felix also make their way out of the garage upon hearing Seungmin's cries.

"My ankle, I think I broke it," he cries. Chan looks up to you guys and you can tell dad-mode has been activated.

"Can someone go get a bag of ice? Changbin, help me lift him." Chan orders, standing up.

In the blink of an eye, Seungmin jumps up and quickly grabs the hose, spraying all of you and laughing menacingly. You all stare in disbelief, jaws dropped, not knowing Seungmin was that good of an actor.

You observe him and notice he's the only one who hasn't gotten wet yet. "How are you still dry?" You question him. You and the rest of the boys slowly start inching towards him.

He stutters a little, taking slow steps back, feeling uneasy. "Uh-"

"He won't be for long! Get him!" Lee Know answers for him, being the first to make a move and run towards the puppy. Seungmin turns and runs the opposite direction and the rest of you follow.

The shenanigans keep up for about 30 more minutes. At some point, I.N emerged from the house to see what all the noise was about. Unfortunately for him, Lee Know once again had the hose, and he wasn't feeling very merciful. As soon as I.N stepped foot in the yard he was bombarded with a blast of icy cold water, completely waking him from his after-nap grogginess. The hose gets passed around numerous more times, and you all, including Seungmin, end up completely soaked from head to toe by the time you're finished.

While you guys never finished your cornhole game, all too exhausted from the days events, it still ended up being a fun afternoon.

You and Chan will just have to beat Seungmin and Han a different day.

[ahmadturk-family]

🕊️ Living Amidst the Shadows of Conflict: Our Gaza Story 🕊️

Hello, dear world. My name is Ahmed Turk, and I am reaching out to you from Gaza, a place where the sky has forgotten what peace looks like. 🌌 My family and I are trapped in the heart of an unending conflict, and I am here to share our story—not just as a cry for help, but as a plea for understanding, compassion, and hope. 🤍

Ages

In this article, we provide an overview of the ages of my family members:

AHMAD: 24 years old

AMAN: 21 years old

ASEEL: 19 years old

MUHAMMED: 23 years old

HADA: 15 years old

SUAD: 53 years old

JEHAD (my father): 59 years old

🌿 This is us—my sister Aseel and I—and our family, caught in the crossfire of circumstances we never chose. We have lost our home, our safety, and everything that once defined our lives. Verified by two trusted voices, Al-Shab Hussein ( here )and Nabulsi ( here )we are here, asking for your kindness and solidarity. 🌍

🏚️ Imagine losing everything—the place you call home reduced to rubble, the memories you cherished scattered in the wind. We are now living in a tent, under the open sky that offers no protection from the coming winter. 🌧️❄️ The cold is creeping closer, and with it comes a fear that grips our hearts. How do we keep warm when we have lost everything? How do we stay strong when there is no shelter to hide under? 🥺

🥀 We are surrounded by scarcity—there is no clean water to drink, no healthy food to eat. Every day is a battle for survival against hunger, thirst, and despair. The prices of the little that is available are too high, and with each passing day, we feel the weight of this burden growing heavier. 🍂

My father was injured and now needs urgent surgery. I explained this in a previous article, and he is still suffering. Please remember, my father is a peaceful civilian who loves life just like any other father. 🙏💔

A part of the fear we are feeling is captured in this video from about a month ago. Yet, we know this is the least of what we feel right now. We've reached a point where hope of coming out of this war unscathed feels lost. 💔🕊️

The moment we left Rafah and were displaced for the fifth time in a row - now we are in Nuseirat in a tent on the sea coast, living.

But even in the darkest of nights, we hold onto hope. ✨ Your generosity could be our lifeline, your kindness the bridge that helps us cross from despair to hope. 🌈 I know the borders are closed, and the path to a better life seems blocked. But your donations can be our light in this never-ending tunnel. 🕯️

Please, if there is any way you can help—even the smallest act of kindness could mean the world to us. 🌸 You could be the reason we find the strength to face another day, the reason a child in Gaza smiles again. 🌼

Thank you for listening, for caring, and for believing in our right to live with dignity. 🙏

🕊️ We are here, holding onto hope. Will you hold it with us? 🕊️

@el-shab-hussein @nabulsi

@palipunk @sar-soor @neptunerings @el-shab-hussein @appsa @hack-saw2004 @neechees @spacebeyonce @90-ghost

@rinnie @sweetoothgirl @timetravellingkitty @deathlonging @briarhips @mazzikah @mahoushojoe @rhubarbspring @appsa @90-ghost @schoolhater @pcktknife @transmutationisms @sawasawako

@irhabiya @commissions4aid-international @wellwaterhysteria @junglejim4322 @kibumkim @neechees @kyra45 @riding-with-the-wild-hunt@omegaversereloaded @vague-humanoid @evillesbianvillainarchive @ot3 @amygdalae @ankle-beez @dykesbat @stuckinapril @violentrevolution-blog @mavigator @lacecap @watermotif @socalgal @chilewithcarnage @ghelgheli @sayruq @papenathys

Please help me and family 💙💙🙏🏻

[bongaboi]

Florida Panthers: 2024 Stanley Cup Champions

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Crisis averted. The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions.

"So special," Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk said. "I don't think we realize what we've just accomplished just yet. Every time I look at that trophy it'll get better and better."

Carter Verhaeghe had a goal and an assist, Sam Reinhart scored, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves for the Panthers, who defeated the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on Monday.

The Panthers, who joined the NHL for the 1993-94 season, won their first Stanley Cup championship in their fourth chance to get it in this series. They lost the previous three games after taking a 3-0 lead and were in jeopardy of becoming the first team since 1942 to lose four straight potential clinching games in the Stanley Cup Final.

"To become a true champion you have to overcome adversity, and that was the moment you have to get together and get the job done," Bobrovsky said. "We weren't afraid to make a mistake. We played with freedom. We attacked."

Florida coach Paul Maurice finally won a Stanley Cup championship after coaching the most games in NHL history before his first title with 1,985 (1,848 in the regular season, 137 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs). He also improved to 5-0 in Game 7 for his NHL career.

Mattias Janmark scored, and Stuart Skinner made 19 saves for the Oilers. Connor McDavid, who led the NHL with 42 points (eight goals, 34 assists) in the playoffs, was held off the score sheet. So was Leon Draisaitl, who was limited to no goals and three assists in the Final.

McDavid still won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs. He is the sixth player to win it while playing for the losing team and the first since goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2003. Anaheim lost the Cup Final to the New Jersey Devils in seven games.

"It goes back the character of the group that we showed all year long," said McDavid, the Edmonton captain. "We showed all year long that we could fight back even in the most dire situations. It's obviously tough to be down three and it's tough to win four in a row against a team like that, but we were right there."

It was the first time since 1945 that a Stanley Cup Final went the distance after a team took a 3-0 lead. That season, the Detroit Red Wings won Games 4, 5 and 6 to tie the Final before losing 2-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7.

Edmonton was trying to become the first team since the 1941-42 Maple Leafs to pull off the reverse sweep, winning Games 4-7 after losing Games 1-3. It was also trying to become the first Canada-based team to win the Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.

But the Panthers responded after being outscored 18-5 in Games 4-6 to stop the Oilers from making history in Game 7.

"It's tough to put into words right now," Draisaitl said. "You’re one period, one shot away from maybe winning the thing and now you have to go through 82 regular-season games and play well enough to get another kick at it. It's hard right now."

Bobrovsky, who allowed 12 goals on 58 shots in the three previous games (5.06 goals-against average, .793 save percentage), made five saves in the first period, nine in the second and nine more in the third.

He said getting away from the rink Sunday and not skating in the Panthers' practice allowed him to reset and refocus for Game 7.

"I was trying to cut off everything outside of myself, to just settle down, relax and focus on one shot at a time," Bobrovsky said. "I think it was a great moment that I didn't skate yesterday. The goalie coach came up with the idea to just have a rest, go away. I went home and played with my daughter. She's my motivation. She's my inspiration. Just relax, reset, come this morning for the morning skate ready to go."

The Panthers scored the first goal for the first time since Game 3.

They never trailed.

"They played with freedom and that's what I'm going to remember from this game," Maurice said. "The story gets written differently if we don't win, but under the most pressure they found the courage to play with some freedom, to make plays, to move the puck.

"They get to say, 'In Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, I was at my best.'"

Verhaeghe gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead at 4:27 of the first period, six seconds after their first power play of the game expired.

He played the puck from behind the net to Evan Rodrigues along the left wall, and Rodrigues whipped a shot from there to the net. It looked like it was going wide right, but Verhaeghe got his stick on it in front, deflecting it down and through Skinner's legs.

It was Verhaeghe's first goal since Game 1 and the first time the Panthers led since Game 3.

"The last couple games they scored so many goals off the hop, and to play with the lead, it felt good," Verhaeghe said.

The Oilers got the goal back quickly with Janmark scoring on a breakaway to make it 1-1 at 6:44.

"I thought they were the better team in the first period," Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said. "I thought they came out with a little more urgency and won a lot of puck races. I thought we defended well. I thought in the second and the third period, I thought we found our game, I thought we played well, but couldn't capitalize on our opportunities."

Instead, it was Reinhart giving Florida a 2-1 lead at 15:11 of the second period, scoring with a low, short-side shot from inside the right face-off circle.

Florida defenseman Dmitry Kulikov cleared the puck away from the Panthers crease before he fell into the net. The puck went to Verhaeghe, who moved it up to Reinhart.

Reinhart was looking for a pass as he went through the neutral zone and across the blue line, but eventually chose to shoot, and the puck squeezed through Skinner to give Florida its second lead of the game.

"You're hoping that's it, right?" Reinhart said. "I mean, there was a lot of work to do, a lot of game left, but absolutely I'm hoping that's the one."

Bobrovsky said from there he treated the rest of the game like it was overtime.

"I wasn't happy when they scored [on] a breakaway because we had a good lead," he said, "but Sam scores the second goal and I was thinking it's better to not let that go."

McDavid and Zach Hyman each had a look at what was an open net for the Oilers with just over seven minutes left in the third period, but neither could get enough of the puck.

Sam Bennett and Brandon Montour dove into the crease to help Bobrovsky keep the puck out of the net on Hyman's attempt, preserving Florida's lead at 12:56.

Skinner went to the bench for the extra skater with 1:10 left, but the Oilers couldn't get another shot attempt.

"We really believed we were going to get one," McDavid said. "I have that one in front, Zach has a whack at it, 'Bouch' (Evan Bouchard) has got all kinds of looks. We had a lot of looks, it just didn’t go."

The Panthers froze the puck in the corner for the last six seconds to win the Stanley Cup.

"The last three games before you're hoping," Reinhart said. "You're hoping you're in it and you have a chance at the end. That's a dangerous spot to be in against a team like that and it showed. That hope went away tonight, and we were able to find our game. It showed."

[troutfur]

I bring Lynxkit, a mottled black and red molly with striking blue eyes flecked with amber(I think that’s how your supposed to do this)

Lynxkit's chart:

[Image ID: Under the header “What will Lynxkit’s life be like? (02/19/2023)” 16 rows of tally marks crossed out two by two until there is only 1 or 2 left uncrossed. To the left, a shield chart at the top with the following geomantic figures: Albus as the first mother, Coniunctio as the second mother, Cauda Draconis as the third mother, Amissio as the fourth mother, Fortuna Maior as the first daughter, Coniunctio as the second daughter, Via as the third daughter, Populus as the fourth daughter, Rubeus as the first niece, Rubeus as the second niece, Acquisitio as the third niece, Via as the fourth niece, Populus as the right witness, Amissio as the left witness, Amissio as the judge, and Laetitia as the sentence. Below the shield chart, an astrological house chart with the first twelve geomantic figures above mentioned assigned to houses 1 to 12 in the order mentioned above. /end ID]

Interpretation under the cut:

The judge here is Amissio, loss, usually a bad figure but considering the sentence is Laetitia, joy, it seems it will ultimately work out. Whatever it's lost, Lynxkit will be glad to have lost it. The right witness is Populus, passivity and stillness, representing she isn't a particularly active player in this whole thing, and the left witness is Amissio, giving the idea of passivity in the face of this loss.

The first figure of the house chart, Albus, suggests we've got another candidate for elder in our hands and tells us a bit more of about why their reaction to loss was inaction. In addition to being the figure of wisdom and of the old, Albus is the figure of apathy. Let's inquire into the other houses to see why that is, shall we?

In the second house, Coniunctio, communication and connections. The house of wealth and material posessions is a constant struggle for me but I've taken to associating it with food and prey when doing these randomly generated bios, so this suggests to me a pretty particular character quirk for Lynxkit: being a pretty capable negotiator, able to talk other characters into hunting her favorite types of prey in exchange for her doing the same. I don't know what exactly in her desert environment she could be really good at hunting and what food she likes so much she's willing to trade her catches for something else she might not be able to hunt for herself. But there goes an idea.

In the third house, Cauda Draconis, endings and foregone conclusions. WELP! I don't know exactly what happens between her and her littermates/close platonic relationships but this doesn't bode well for her relationships and particularly in relation too...

In the fourth house, Amissio, loss. We see this repeated from the court and while I could make this the loss the court figures refer to, killing off a parent or mentor figure and her reaction being nothing doesn't mesh for me? Like, this should be a more significant side effect. I'll put this down for an initial loss that dulls the pain of a subsequent loss. (Which may be why Cauda Draconis in the last house popped up, could she be perceived as heartless for that reaction leading to close platonic relations forsaking her...?)

In the fifth house, Fortuna Maior, independent success! Good old friend! I always love having this one in either this or the seventh house because this means an excuse to add in singles. In this case a single mother. Good for her, love me some strong independent women.

In the sixth house, Coniunctio yet again. I'm choosing to interpret this in light of the second house and say that she's a very health conscious type of gal. Cats obviously don't know much of anything about nutrition, but I like to imagine in wanting to keep a varied diet with all her food trading, she is cultivating a balanced diet. Good for her. Good for her.

In the seventh house we have Via, motion and change. This probably contributes to her singleness. She moves on fast from a partner, can't settle down, single parenthood was the best move because ultimately she couldn't stay with a single cat. Bodes for a bit of a messy love life but she doesn't strike me as the type to be too torn up about it.

In the eight house, Populus. Precisely as we knew already, the reaction of stillness towards death is related to a death. And since the narrative of SandClan has already involved many a volatile and aggressive deputy, one of which even died by her own hand, I don't see being too torn up about it. Which of couse, may alienate her from her littermates or a close platonic relationship as seen all the way back in the third house. Another factor we established as part of our narrative already is the aggressive faction of SandClan so, members of that?

In the ninth house have Rubeus, anger and uncontrolled aggression. This doesn't seem to refer to herself, really, and it is the house of long journeys. It could be considered an obstacle within a journey, though with how generally chill Lynx is shaping up to be I don't know exactly what. Unless perhaps it is just in general the journey of life in case which, Rubeus was also the significator that gave me the idea of making an aggressive faction a strong presence in SandClan...

In the tenth house, Rubeus again. This reinforces my thoughts about Lynx being in a position where people dislike how callous, even joyful, she seems to be towards a death. If figures of authority are mad at her, that is pretty notable.

In the eleventh house we have Acquisitio, gain. And yet! She is not standing alone! She will gain allies that will back up her inaction. She doesn't seem to be in bad company at all.

And in the twelfth house we have Via, change. If change is an antangonistic force this jives very well with her characterization so far as someoe steadfast, who stands her ground in the face of opposition. This will, of couse, also lead to an entrenched attitude into her old age, pointing us futher to the idea of the elder character.

Putting it all together:

Lynxkit will face loss for the first time early in her life, when a parent or mentor leaves the world for StarClan's hunting grounds. Coming to accept death early, she will take on a largely passive attitude towards life, taking what she can get. Though she is conscious of her health and delights in simple pleasures such as tasting the varieities of prey of the desert, she isn't too torn up about her time coming. Always on the move, she is unable to settle with a partner, but is successful raising kittens on her own. She is very much unfavorable to the growing aggressive faction of SandClan and as a result during one battle she lets the deputy, a figurehead of that group, die by her inaction. Her littermates, themselves sympathizers, feeling extremly betrayed, denounce her and cut her off. She remains steadfast on nothing being her fault though, and though facing anger from many, she also finds support in her stance. Ever steadfast, she carries this attitude into the elders' den, now too fragile too really fight the turn towards aggression in SandClan but still being stubborn in voicing her displeasure.

Warrior name I'm thinking Lynxpelt.

[flowerinyourcare]

Reminiscence of the Unfinished Wine - Chapter 3

🍷 September seasonal permanent event; banner characters Shylock, Murr, Bradley; 2022/09/11 - 2022/09/19 JST 🍷

Chapter 3

Rutile: <<Orotonik Setomaouge>> 

Arthur: <<Pernoctant Nixzo>>

Before I could react, Arthur and Rutile came to the rescue. The glasses, which had nearly fallen, were lifted up and returned safely to the tray.

Seeing this, the man's brows furrowed and he opened his mouth.

Man: Hey, are you guys wizards?

I braced myself for the worst, but then he broke into a smile.

Man: Well, thank you! You've been a great help! I dropped a glass yesterday, too… any more accidents and we wouldn't have had enough left for the festival.

Shylock: I am glad to hear that we've been of assistance. But, in the future, please take care when carrying the glasses.

Shylock: After all, you may not always be able to rely on the presence of such kind and gentle wizards in your midst.

Perhaps overhearing our conversation, two women passing by stopped and called out to us curiously.

Woman: Oh, you're wizards? Then you must be friends with Bacchus.

Murr: Yup! We're here to visit him!

Woman: Ah, is that so? Bacchus should have told us such charming friends would be coming by.

Woman: We're still getting everything ready, but since you're here, please enjoy the harvest festival! There will be plenty of alcohol, as well as tasty snacks and sweets.

Arthur: Thank you for your hospitality.

Rutile: We're looking forward to the festival!

The Western country sometimes harbours prejudice, and can reject wizards. But in this town, I can hardly sense a trace of that attitude.

Akira: People in this town are quite friendly to wizards, aren't they? Everyone was talking to us as though we were already friends.

Shylock: Thanks to Bacchus. He has lived here for many years, and worked with generations of humans through his winemaking.

Shylock: The residents of this place must have grown used to the presence of wizards since times they feel are ancient.

Akira: So the townsfolk are so friendly because of their trust and familiarity with Mr. Bacchus.

Akira: (To make wine in the same place for so long, while maintaining enthusiastic and kind relationships with the humans around him… I wonder what kind of person Mr. Bacchus is.)

As I wondered about the mysterious Mr. Bacchus, I overheard chattering from people in the street.

Resident: To be honest, I was worried that the Great Calamity may have harmed our harvest this year, but now I see I had nothing to be afraid of.

Resident B: Yeah! The grapes are even tastier than usual, the wine is fantastic - it's our best year ever!

Hearing this, the wizards looked at each other.

Faust: Best year ever…?

Bradley: ……

Murr: If the wine is really the best ever, Bacchus would have wanted Shylock to taste it before anyone else, and try to blow his mind once and for all!

Murr: Curiouser and curiouser~!

Shylock: I suppose this leaves me no choice but to ask him in person, after all. Let's go pay a visit to his wine cellar, shall we?

[location: vineyard, daytime]

On the way to Bacchus's wine cellar, I noticed a vineyard that I had been told he owned. The grapevines were lush and vibrant green.

The serene view was like something out of a painting. However, something unusual soon caught my eye.

Akira: …? Why are there still so many grapes on the vine?

Arthur: That's strange. The town had such a bounty of grapes ready to go, and lots of wine prepared…

Shylock & Oz: ……

Rows and rows of grapevines were hanging heavy with fruit, as if they were still waiting to be harvested. 

Akira: (They did say this year was a bumper crop, but this is a bit much…)

Lost in thought, we all continued on our way past the vineyard.

[location: wine cellar]

The wine cellar was dimly lit, with no windows and only a few lights here and there. 

Barrels and casks of wine were neatly stacked along every wall and shelf of the closed-off space, like a storeroom.

???: Urghh… Haah, motherfucker…

In the middle of the aisle, a man sat all alone on the floor, surrounded by empty bottles.

He opened one bottle after another, and drained the last drops desperately from each one, as if he was parched.

Shylock: Bacchus. It has been some time. Please forgive me for taking the liberty of letting myself in.

The man jumped at the sound of Shylock's shoes clicking on the stone as he approached, and looked up.

Bacchus: Shylock!? What are you doing here…! And Murr, too…

Murr: Wahoo!! Here I am!

The man was clearly startled by the sight of the two people before him. His eyes, as richly purple as a pair of red grapes, opened wide in surprise. Seeing this, my eyes widened in surprise, too.

Akira: (Huh…?)

To my shock, Mr. Bacchus was much younger than I had imagined. I would guess he was only a little older than Arthur.

His chestnut-colored hair was pulled into a ponytail, and he was wearing baggy trousers rolled up at the ankles, held up by suspenders. He looked like a teenage farm boy.

Arthur: Is this Bacchus…?

Rutile: You're surprisingly young.

Murr: Eh, really? I'm pretty sure he's around 1000 years old.

Akira: A thousand--!

Akira: (No matter how many times I'm reminded of the difference between a wizard's age and appearance, it still surprises me…)

Shylock: Bacchus. Since you didn't deliver wine to me this year, my patience ran out, and you have forced my hand. That is why I have come to see you.

Shylock: If this is a tactic in our ongoing battle, I should surrender this very moment. You've become quite good at this

Bacchus: ……

Bacchus didn't respond to Shylock's lighthearted tone. Instead, he turned his head away, and his voice sounded pained when he spoke.

Bacchus: I have no wine to send you this year. Or next year, or the year after that, or any more to follow.

Bacchus: Because I've stopped making wine.

Everyone: !?

Shylock: …Stopped?

Shylock blinked at the unexpected response.

Shylock: May I ask why? You love wine more than anyone else. So why…

Bacchus: -- Yes, I loved it dearly. And that's exactly the reason why I stopped.

The corner of his mouth turned up in a cynical smile. With eyes as glazed over as frosted glass, Bacchus began to tell his story.

Bacchus: The cornerstone of my winemaking has always been my grapes, grown with my own two hands. Without them, I can't make Bacchus wine.

Bacchus: So naturally, on that fateful night when the Great Calamity struck, I fortified wards, readied my magic, and risked my life to defend the vineyard.

Bacchus: But the moon only got nearer and nearer, so much closer than I had ever seen it… Before I knew it, I got overwhelmed and lost consciousness. And when I woke up, I saw…

Bacchus: See, it should have been far too early for the harvest, but the grapes were all ripe; there were tons of them, and they were all plump and magnificent. Akira: Eh…?

--

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10

[its-kelsier-again]

The Lost Metal Chapter1-Cahpter 19

Spoilers will be under the cut

Chapter 1-Chapter 19 I love how Marasi's and Wayne's friendship has progressed. Good for them.

Allik and Marasi are kinda cute. Like, I don't have any strong opinions about it one way or another, but I'm not against it.

There is something absolutely hilarious about Wax harnessing his child to him and stellpushing through the city. Also, Mas is kinds cute.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Feruchemist Cycle wasn't a naturally-born Feruchemist just because of Marasi's comment about him being unpracticed. And I was right. Hemlurgy.

Why do they want Marasi as an Avatar? Is it her connection to the others? Do they assume she would be the easiest person to copy?

Um... Was that a death rattle? It sounded like a death rattle.

Chapter 7 "Wax wasn’t worried about its reliability. Steris had designed it." The trust he has for Steris is so sweet. I love her.

I want to see more of the Allomancery Jak and Wax rivalry. I want Allomacery Jak to actually appear in the book. Please.

Chapter 8 Wayne playing cards with the people he tied up and losing the game is one of the most Wayne things he could do.

Whoever was under that mask, was it our worldhopper? Maybe Shai?

Chapter 9 Interesting that fabrial flying airships and the airships of the Malwish seemed to have come about around the same time.

Chapter 11 I love Allik. He's fantastic. He's so excited about sharing what he makes with his friends.

Melanie is going off world? Hell yeah! Also, maybe worldhopper Marasi? If Shallan is going to become a worldhopper (which is entierly possible considering RoW) it's certainly an interesting possibility if they met.

Chapter 12 Wayne and Melanie's breakup is sad. Also "sometimes you had to stand there and get shot." is a painful line.

Shadesmar mention! Will Melanie really be the first Kendra going out into the Cosmere long-term? I know there's a Kandra on Roshar, so is it her? Also, what about the terrispeople we've seen on Roshar so far? There was that one woman in Venli's flashback in RoW and I think the guy with the Avian was also a terrisman.

Chapter 13 Good job on Steris and Wax for wearing proper PPE.

I'm interested in the talks about wavelengths. It reminds me of what Navain and Raboniel did in RoW.

They're trying to do WHAT with harmonium? Will Roshar and Scadrial achieve nuclear power at the same time too? On top of that, they might be able to make lerasium?

Aaannnnnd now the metals are rwacting to each other. Great.

Chapter 14 We finally get to meet Ranette's after, like, six years? Took it long enough. Anyway, I love Jaxy. She's great. And I still love Ranette.

I like how they called Wayne out on his "trial". It is selfish and he needed to learn that.

Wayne is rich?!

Chapter 15 With all that talk about Death's book, I hope we see Marsh. How's he doing?

Allik is back with his baking and he made chocolate chip cookies! I'm really liking him.

I know it's nothing new for Kandra to be hidden among the humans, but I'm curious to see what it'll be like in Era 3. I mean, someone Marasi worked had been replaced by a Kandra six months prior.

Vendor's back with wanting people's bones (or in Allik's caee, his mask) when they die. At least he's respectful about it.

Huh. So there's pote tial that Wax could become Mistborn? I think if they managed to separate the harmonium and get lerasium, I don't believe Wax would be the one to get it. Maybe Wayne would? That would certainly be interesting...

Chapter 16 Will Tall Boring Guy and Short Boring Guy ever get names? We'll see I guess.

I like the sound of Wayne Terrisborn. Good for him. Maybe Kelsier will get a name at this point. I can't wait to see that bastard when he arrives.

I really like how this chapter shows that Wayne can be quite smart at times. Of course, he just sees himself as an idiot, which is sad.

Uh, Wax signed away his likeness rights? I'm sure that won't be important in the later eras.

With all this dead talk with Wayne, I'm concerned he might be the one to die.

Chapter 17 I'm relating to Steris again, but that's not a bad thing. A lot of things I experience, I like seeing that she experiences (and same with Renarin. Love that guy.)

Okay, now I want to see an Allik and Steris friendship.

I love Steris. She deserves the world.

Chapter 18 Does Scadrial have a noodle shop now? Is that why Hoid was there?

Chapter 19 I wonder how significant the detail about the mists not being in the city is/will be.

Okay, is Wax's mind actually playing tricks on him, or did the harmonium do something? I think the harmonium did something, especially because it was mentioned twice on the same page. I'm not quite sure what, though. Maybe enhance his allomantic abilities?

Allomancer Jak was mentioned again. I'm once again hoping he appears. I want to see some pettiness between him and Wax. Please.

The meeting at the mountain top gave me Urithiru vibes, especially when Harmony/Sazed was described as having one black side and one white side. That specifically reminded me of the Oathgate spren.

Trell is revealed?! This early. Wow. I wonder why Autonomy's doing this. What does she have to gain from this? Or what does Trell have to gain from this? Is it because she wants Scadrial? If so, why? Does it have something to do with Odium?

I'm curious about the sword. Is it really Wax, or are we going to have another Hero of Ages situation and it's actually someone else?

Telsin has become a much bigger problem than before. Yay.

I wonder if the key to figuring out harmonium will somehow help Sazed.

Harmony's point about possibly being pain for Wax is making me nervous. Will Wax loose something important to him,, like his abilities? Is Wayne going to die?

I wonder when the letters to Hoid in RoW take place. Is it before TLM? During it? During RoW? I'm pretty sure RoW takes place after TLM/Era 2. I wonder if those letters have clues/hints in them.

[katefiction]

And Then There Were Five!

by @thecamridge_memes on Instagram

Continuing after Chapter 6

Please consider any mistakes♡

~

Chapter 7

Catherine's POV 

20th July, 2017

Our second day in Germany started with visiting German Cancer Research Centre accompanied by Baden-Württemberg's Minister President Winfried Kretschmann. Later that day we took a tour of a traidtional German market in Heidelberg, indulged in some local fare and tried our hands at making the twisted doughy treats! I made it quite well at once but William struggled three times and then had done it in a bit 'inappropriate' way but he was so happy about it as everyone in the market clapped and appreciated his efforts, including me. When we were meeting the people in the market, William tightly wrapped an arm around my waist and I trembled so hard. He doesn't do it like this in public. But I don't mind when things get loose sometimes! I also put my arm around his back as we met more people. We engaged in a boat race on the River Neckar in Heidelberg. Before the race began, I jokingly told my crew, "No pressure, but I want beat my husband!"

When we were rowing, William was constantly looking at me and I was totally distracted from the race! 

His boat of amateur rowers pulled across the finish line first and he cheered for a few seconds and grinned at me. I love my William even more when I find that 19 years old boy I met at university hasn't changed much!

As we were leaving the site, now I put my arm around his waist and he trembled harder than I did! What was going on?!

"That was fun...", William said and took off his shoes, "Wasn't it?"

I looked at him and tried to pretend to be disappointed, "It was until you won!", I said and he laughed quietly, I couldn't control my laughter either and laughed too. But we didn't have much time to spend as laughing in our suit! We again had a reception to attend at the Clärchens Ballhaus.

"Keep it down", William whispered into my ear as I was trying to tie up my hair for the reception. I looked at him and he smiled.

"Like this?", I asked whispering too as I let go my hair free over my back.

William nodded and then kissed on my lips passionately. It was a surprise but I kissed him more as caressing his cheek. We were lost for the next few minutes until someone knocked at the door and said that we were getting late. We pulled back from each other, blushed so hard. William quickly fixed his shirt that I ruined and I brushed my hair one last time.

Chapter 8

William's POV 

We reached at Clärchens Ballhaus and I was still lost in my wife! Did she look way more beautiful? Well, I always find her too beautiful for my 'poor' eyes! I couldn't concentrate what was happening at the reception. I was only looking at my wife and I found her looking at me too! 

On the way back our hotel, in the car, Catherine placed a hand on my thigh and I held it tightly. I had no idea when we started kissing as forgetting everything! Embarrassing it was when our chauffeur looked back and immediately turned around and said quietly, "We've reached, Your Royal Highnesses."

Catherine got a mischievous smile as we left the car...

As I was changing, Catherine touched my back, "Shall I help?", she asked with twinkle in her eyes. I smirked and pulled her closer as she unbuttoned my shirt and then kissed me on lips a few times... Things had gotten too loose between us and we couldn't wait until getting changed... Our clothes were on the floor in a mess and we were lost as we lay in bed. I could feel my wife's pounding heart as my lips brushed her lips, neck and chest...

"We haven't been intimated since last two weeks", Catherine whispered as I was petting her hair. I smiled and kissed her on neck, made her trembling more than she already was.

She looked at me, "Don't start again!", she said as pretending to be annoyed and I just smiled again and caressed her cheek. She was on top of me and I wrapped my arms around her with all my warmth and gently kissed on her forehead as she sighed happily and snuggled into my chest more.

Chapter 9

Catherine's POV 

21st July, 2017

End of our tour in Poland and Germany. We were already on plane to back home. But before that we had visited Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall in Hamburg and Aurbus factory.

It was one of the worst plane journey for me although I don't have motion sickness. I struggled not to vomit. 

28th August, 2017

"For God's sake, Catherine... stop yelling for such a simple matter", William said as quietly as possible but I couldn't control my temper and slammed the door in his face. I felt so frustrated and covered my face in hands as trying to stop my tears. I got even more frustrated when I heard the sound of William's motor bike. He left home. Did I yell that much? This whole week was just awful to me. I had no control on myself. I've been constantly screaming and shouting with William over little little things... I sighed and lay down in bed and covered myself with a blanket. 

It was evening when I woke up and because of the sound of William's motor bike again. He was back. He was out of home all day because of me. I closed my eyes and a few minutes later William entered the room. I still had closed eyes but I know his scent. He sat down near my head and petted my hair, "Do you feel better than before?", he asked softly.

I looked at him and sighed, "I'm sorry for yelling at you like this", I said and closed my eyes again.

"Don't be..", William said, "I should be sorry that I left you instead of trying to know what was wrong... I understand you're not having a good time since a few days. Is it mood swing? Are you on your period?", he asked.

I startled and looked at him again but didn't say anything. It was day 34, I missed my period...

Chapter 10

William's POV 

30th August, 2017

"Will you be more late, Catherine?", I asked as knocking at the bathroom door. She was there for half an hour almost.

"Just one minute", she said.

I sighed and looked at my watch. We were about to visit a memorial garden, in memory of my mother Diana who has passed away 20 years ago... Catherine has always said she still lives with us. She lives in my heart, in George and Charlotte... And I have always believed it.

I came back into reality and knocked at the door again, "Catherine, what are you doing?"

The door opened and she came out.

"I'm sorry...", she said and smiled weakly. She was panting and sweating.

"Are you alright?", I asked and held her hands.

"Fine", she replied, "Let's go..", she said and stepped forward but I grabbed her waist, "You don't seem fine", I said, "What's happening, Babykins?"

She looked at me and smiled again, "I am really fine, nothing's happened. Don't be overprotective... Come on, let's go", she said and pulled my hand.

After our visit when we were back home, I felt terrible. All the memories of 31st August of 1997 was coming back in my mind. I tried not to think about them and put George and Charlotte in bed. Catherine was in the kitchen, she had told me to wait for her to go to sleep together. But I couldn't wait more, my head was tearing apart with aching. I sighed and went to the kitchen to tell her that I was going to sleep.

She was looking at something when I entered the kitchen. 

"Catherine...", I called her and she startled a bit and hid something in her hand. I wasn't really interested in it as I was honestly annoyed by her behaviour since morning. No one knows better than her how the last two days of August are too difficult for me even after 20 years. Yet she was behaving like nothing's happened. What was wrong with her?

"I was just coming to you in a few minutes", Catherine said nervously. 

"No pressure, you can stay here for more time. But I'm going to sleep. I got a horrible headache", I said in a cold voice.

Catherine seemed to be a bit sad, "Can you stay awake for just a few minutes yet?", she asked.

I tried not to be rude but I knew I couldn't hide, "I'm tired of your 'happiness', Catherine!", I said. 

Catherine stared at me for a few seconds and whispered, "You would not be if you knew..."

But I was such a jerk and didn't pay attention to that.

"I'm not in a mood to join you with your happy feeling on the day before my mother's 20th death anniversary, do you get it?", I said a bit loudly.

Catherine nodded, "I do...", she said quietly, "Go to sleep. You don't have to...", she wanted to say more but I left the kitchen before.

My headache had increased and I knew it wasn't possible for me to sleep with that. Even pain killer didn't help me. I just sat down on the sofa, leaned back and closed my eyes to endure it somehow.

A few minutes later Catherine came into the room. I looked at her and I immediately knew she was crying. My heart broke. I didn't mean to hurt Catherine like this.

She smiled at me, "I thought you would be sleeping", she said as getting up on the bed.

I sighed, "No, I couldn't", I said quietly and sat down next to her and called her name softly.

She didn't look at me but asked, "Is your headache gone?"

I shook my head, "No but it will be soon, I hope", I said and held her hand. She was stiffened and sighed.

"I... I am so sorry. I didn't want to behave like I did in the kitchen..", I said quietly. 

"It's okay", she said and sighed again. I wasn't annoyed towards her anymore now as I can never stand her tears, especially when I'm the reason for her tears.

"Kate, you know how these last two days of this month.. break me like nothing else", I said in broken voice, "I was just lost when I yelled at you in the kitchen.. I just wasn't in myself"

Catherine looked at me and tears filled her beautiful green eyes, "I know... And I only wanted to make this day a happier one for you this time and.. And maybe for every year to come"

I had no idea what she meant. She sniffed and opened the palm of her right hand. I guessed that's what she was hiding in the kitchen.

I saw a tiny white stick in her hand. Do I know this stick?!

To be continued...

Stay tuned♡

[steamberrystudio]

19/09/2021 Devlog

Hey everyone! This isn't really a bi-weekly update since it's been three weeks since the last one. But as I was setting up my schedule for tumblr updates, I was trying to avoid having a week where I was doing all three updates (KS, Patreon, and Tumblr) at once, which meant either doing two weeks in a row on tumblr or skipping one.

So I skipped one. So yeah! LoL

Scheduling updates is hard. ;A;

Anyway, let's jump into the summary

Summary:

Finished sprites for Lance's route

Added additional sprites in

Made some minor adjustments to an existing character

Put together Caleb's flowchart images

Coded all of Caleb's flowchart screens

Tested Caleb's Route

Wrote a Guide for Caleb's endings

Made more corrections to Ari's route

Sent out Caleb's beta testing along with the corrected version of Ari's route

Made Magnus' flowchart templates

Made Lance's flowchart templates

Started coding sprites into Caissa's route

This meant importing four more sprites who appear in early chapters

Coded expressions up to Chapter Two

CG???

The Ramble:

Okaaaaaaay. So I've done a lot since my last update here!

I now have the sprites for Lance's route complete and have started spriting Caissa's route. I'm hoping Caissa's route goes fairly quickly because there aren't a lot of big group scenes in this route either. Not until the very end of the route. But we'll have to see!

I had to import four more sprites and now I only have one more significant character to import in and a smattering of "Bobs" - I'll import those guys when I reach that part of the script.

As usual, I made some corrections to existing sprites as I went; but nothing too major this time. I think I may still have to slightly adjust one of them, though. I'm really not liking how she looks next to other sprites. But it should be an easy adjustment.

Mor significantly I coded Caleb's flow charts, play tested his route, wrote up a guide for his endings, and then made all the suggested corrections to Ari's route...and pushed Caleb's route out for the beta testers.

(It's important to have the guide done before they get the route so people can be sure to test all the endings. For the most part GS isn't proving too difficult for most people to find the best ending on their own but it's always nice to have a guide so they can find all the others.)

While I was working on flowcharts, I went ahead and did the templates for Magnus and Lance's routes so I can start building those charts in the game as well. I think Maggie's route will be the next to go out for beta testing though.

And, finally (weirdly) I made a CG. For...Quill??? A character whose route I haven't even started writing yet! LoL. But sometimes I just get a mental image of a scene and I have to kind of sketch it out. Sometimes I end up not being able to use the art so it just goes into the art book. But we'll see what happens!

Anyway, as I've been saying, I'm going to be focused on sprites and flow charts for a while. Until they're done.

Now I want to pause and talk about.......RELEASE....or the lack of it.

I know I've been saying, until now, release would tentatively be the end of the 3rd quarter. Well. Here we are. End of the 3rd quarter and it's clearly not happening.

There's been so much happening this year. So much *bad.*

We've lost several family members this year, we went back on lockdown (and are still in lockdown), I had that STUPID computer issue that set me back *weeks.* But ultimately I am just not there yet.

I'm shifting the release to tentatively "end of this year/early next year" - I have no real estimate for how long the CGs are going to take for this game. This style is much easier than Changeling's style so I don't think the individual CGs will take me as long, but I am planning on more of them for GS so there's that.

If it gets too close to Christmas/New Year, I'll have to push launch back past the holidays a bit. So I don't want to give a definite "before the end of the year" estimate.

I am working hard on this game. I'm making weekly progress. And ultimately the release will be as soon as it can be. That is the important part!

Sneak Peeks and Previews:

Upcoming Weeks:

So basically for the next two weeks I'll be doing sprite expressions. I imagine the bulk of that will be Caissa's expressions specifically. Once his are done, I'll probably move straight into Jack's expressions.

I may pause at some point to set up Magnus' flowcharts so I can push his route to beta testers, though. Maybe in between Caissa and Jack.

There will likely also be at least some sprite work.

As of right now, though, I actually only have one more proper named side character to set up (Rowan). There is another very minor character (Lucas) in Jack's route.

I think Rory will need an additional outfit so when I get to his appearance, I'll probably have to pause and get that done.

And otherwise, it's just "Bobs" - I have a few Nyx agents that need to be set up. . .And I think that's it.

So yeah. Sprites, flowcharts...and testing, I guess.

And that's all for this update. I will see you all next time~

[marcholasmoth]

OSRR: 2486

today was a really good day.

joel got his cast off and is now in a boot that he can take off for things. yay!

graduation was fuckin hot. but it was wonderful! it was at the baseball stadium in manchester, and the graduates (we) were sitting on chairs on the field. in the sun. in black polyester gowns and hats. thankfully there was a breeze, and it didn't go the full two hours i had anticipated it being.

and honestly, it was really cool. when i graduated from UNHM, it was a standard-faire 4-year-university graduation. this one recognized the hard work of each student and the diversity in the graduating class, took pride in it. and that was really beautiful.

but back to the beginning.

directions were unclear tbh. once i found where i was supposed to go, i made my way down a long/ass hill to the check-in point for students. after checking in and stopping by the ptk table to grab my cords, i went to the table next to it, and i was given this envelope. inside was a medal that was placed around my neck by the person handling the packets. a bright smile on my face at my second-ever medal, i went and found my seat on the other side of the field. after a bit of curiosity, i opened the packet. i found a letter inside. the letter was from the school. (obviously.) but what it said i was humbled by.

the letter told me that i had been given the recipient of the academic excellence award for the math and physics department.

i could tell by the nomination blurb that i had been nominated by dr. noah. i read the letter four times, and i looked at my medallion, and i cried. i called my aunt who had called me a minute before and i told her and my mother about it. my mom cried too.

the commencement speaker spoke about her experience as an ICU nurse and as a air force national guard medic helping distribute vaccines. but what i really got from her speaking about her experiences in nursing dealing with covid-19 was that humanity is resilient. people are hardy. we as communities are built stronger than the challenges we face. and sure, shit gets hard. we've dealt with a global pandemic, a wildly and debilitatingly traumatizing event, and come out on the other end. maybe a little worse for wear, maybe a lot worse for wear. but we've come out the other end. we as individuals and as communities will persevere, regardless of what we face. more than ever, i felt that. and that had me in tears.

we had all been given pieces of paper with our names on them and we had been lined up in alphabetical order by seat (i was by where the shortstop would be), and as we went up to receive our "diplomas," we were to give the person who called the names the paper so they knew who we were as they announced us going by. president bicknell handed out the folders and congratulated us each as we went by. as i walked down the first base line, i saw both dr lamontagne and dr eckhardt sitting in the front row of the professors! they waved and cheered as i walked by, and i waved and smiled back. i made a heart with my hands at them, and they made hearts back!! i love them so much. i'm so glad they were there.

we were stopped for photos at first base, and were sent walking back around to our seats.

tassels changed, lots of applause, leaving the field row by row, albeit a little slowly. that was because there were things we needed to pick up on our way out: namely alumni sweatshirts and our diplomas! i walked out with lots of sweat, new cords, pins, a medal, a letter and certificate of achievement, and my diploma. how fucking cool is that. it was so nice to feel like my hard work and stress and consternation was validated, that it was all worth it in the end. because it really was. it still is. and i'm so excited about that.

we went to olive garden after, and my parents gave me a short note and a pandora charm for my bracelet, one with a graduation cap with a floppy tassel on a stack of books. it's perfect.

joel and i headed home after that, him plopping on the couch and me resting a little bit before heading out to paint like any other tuesday evening. i finished up the flamingo i started a few weeks ago for lisa for mother's day! finally. i'm excited to see how it'll turn out. i got to show hannah and casey my medal too! it's so cool. i took a picture of it and sent it to a bunch of people on snapchat, and andrew sent back a message saying "good job Zuko!!" i said, "why am i zuko" and then, "is it because i'm bad at being good or is it because i'm really awkward" and he just sent back, "HONOR" and i lost my shit. just absolutely lost it. i totally didn't even realize that. it does say "honor" on it, so it makes sense but i totally missed it.

after dinner hannah brought out her gift for me. i must include three things: (1) at this point i was very tired, (2) i cry when i get tired, and also (3) i cry over cute things.

so it's no surprise to anybody that i broke down sobbing when i opened this box with a fuzzy stuffed frog with a graduation cap and a flower. like, i couldn't stop the tears. wiping them away just made my face wet. and then i read the card that he was holding, and i cried harder. i managed to cry a little less hard, and then i opened the rest of the box to find graduation socks (more tears) and an envelope that had stickers of adorable animals who were graduating or studying (even more tears). i just cried for a solid like, seven minutes. and then i cried some more when i got back in the car! because what would it be without tears.

his name is harold.

(i even did some homework before obsessing over scheduling for unh for the fall. amazing.)

(and the fact that joel was there with me through the whole thing, even though he doesn't really see it as a big deal, it meant a lot to me that he was there for me. and i'm grateful he came along.)

i'm just happy. time for sleeping.

[fuck-customers]

Holy Shit Buckle Up Y'all

(TW: mentions of transphobia, racism, and self-harm)

A little backstory:

In November we hired three new people to help with our workload around the holidays, and we've kept them on. Two of them are very hard workers, have great personalities, and nice work ethics. The third, who I will be referring to as J.....does not.

She constantly asks to switch shifts instead of putting in for time off or changing her availability (said that its "inconvenient" for her to change it), if you're even a minute late to covering register for her when she's supposed to get off, she'll just abandon the register and clock out and then shop for thirty minutes, and she is constantly walking away from her post bc she's "bored" and "doesn't feel like working" when there are literally people in line.

So about two weeks ago, she scheduled for five days off. Sweet, shes learning. She then proceeds to call off the day before her five days and the day after. So now she has a week off. Dick move, but I can't say no one has done it before.

Her scheduled day back is a Wednesday. She texts one of my coworkers, P, and asks her to take her shifts for Wednesday AND Thursday. P agrees because she wants more hours, but all of us, including the managers, are irritated now. This is now nine days off she's gotten.

On Wednesday, I got a text from her asking if I could take her shift Friday. Now as of this point, I've been sick all week - hacking my lungs out, not able to breathe, but working bc we're short staffed (bc of her) and bc I need the money. I had Friday and Saturday off for the first time in MONTHS so no way in hell was I gonna take it. I just said no, firmly.

She continues to pester me, asking why, since I don't work Friday I should be able to, etc, and I kind of snapped:

Which, okay, maybe I shouldn't have snapped like that. But I was exhausted and frustrated and so sick of her getting to do this that I just couldn't take it anymore. I expected her to call me a bitch and then ignore me but hoooooo boy nope. (Names are blacked out) (and if this many photos aren't allowed feel free to delete this submission)

First of all, the racism comment:

She was buying cigarettes and even though shes a coworker, I have to ID her bc she's 19 and I can get fired for that shit. She told me she had lost her ID and asked to just put her birthday in. My manager said it was fine, so I did, and I made the offhanded comment about how she should get a new one so she didn't get pulled over by a racist dick while driving. We live in an area where the cops just looovvve to profile people (if you know Ohio, you know where) and I'd had that conversation with so many of my friends that I didn't even think about it, I was just concerned about her getting home safely to her kid. She didn't react negatively at the time, just said "oh I didn't think about that, thanks" and we moved on. If she had really had an issue with it she would have spoken to our managers, so clearly she's only bringing it up now to scare me. I just.....I mean obviously if I am being racist I want someone to tell me so I can fix my actions, but I didn't even think that came off that way in the moment. Maybe I was out of line, but the same thing has happened recently to my 16 year old cousin (he's fine dw) and so its been on my mind.

Second, no, I am not a manager. But aside from four other employees, two of which only work part time, I am one of the oldest members of staff (time wise, not age wise, I'm 23). So the managers put me in charge of a lot of shit, which means that I end up being in charge of people. Which apparently she did not like.

And third no, I do not have a kid. I'm not married, I don't have a partner, and I barely have the income to make half of rent with my roommate sometimes. I would not bring a child into this world if I could help it, and it pissed me off that she would imply that if I had a child, I'd be more mature. I wanted to scream at her and tell her that if having a kid makes you more mature, it clearly didn't work for her. I feel so bad for her kid; he's like two, and she's already constantly using him as an excuse for not doing things and not going to work. She lives with her mom and her boyfriend, so she has a support system (her mom is retired, and a very sweet lady). Like again, I don't have a kid, but all my coworkers who do don't pull this shit ever.

Anyway

I was physically shaking by the end of these texts, crying, because I HATE when people yell at me, especially when they know me IRL. And especially cause she was accusing me of some nasty shit. I sent them all to my manager in the least professional set of texts I'd ever written and then two hours later had to go to work.

My depression was up, my anxiety was through the roof, and as soon as our floater manager asked me if I was okay I burst into tears again. I showed her and the closing manager the texts and they were both appalled but then

They fucking started trying to "comfort" me by making racist comments!!! "Oh, thats just what her people are like" "you know she grew up in the ghetto part of town" "that girl is straight up hood" like!!!!

I was furious. I was so mad it wasn't funny, but they're my MANAGERS and i need this job and they're both old, so they don't think what they're saying is wrong. I tried desperately to derail it by saying things like "where she grew up had nothing to do with it" but they just kept going and I just....that made it so much worse tbh I just walked out of the office to do my fucking job.

A couple hours later, right as I've started to calm down, one of my coworkers started making really transphobic comments about one of our old coworkers who I'm still friends with, deadnaming her, saying that she's allowed to deadname her bc its part of her religion, etc etc.

Y'all I just....walked behind the photo counter and had a fucking meltdown on the floor. I dragged myself to the pharmacy to get their trash so I had SOMETHING to focus on and as soon as I got there the tech took one look at me and held out her arms and I just lost it again.

I go to my manager and basically just ask to do trash and go home. I was supposed to close, and I have left early only once in my life, when we were too dead to need me, but I had just mentally had it. I knew that if I didn't leave in that moment I wasn't going to make it to the end of the night without hurting myself.

She agreed, I finished trash, and got one of my friends to come pick me up.

My GM texts me the next morning (Thursday) and says she's giving me PTO for the hours I didn't work Wednesday night and for my day off on Friday. I almost cried again bc I was so stressed about the money.

Fast forward to a week later, today, and J still has a job, but she has now also called off 16 days in a row. Claiming she's still stuck in Texas with her kid (which was why she was asking to trade shifts last week).

I don't know how much longer my GM can hold out before firing her. I really don't.

Tldr; coworker asks me to take a shift for the hundredth time after calling out for a week, I say no (albeit a bit rudely), they start screaming at me via text, and I have a mental breakdown.

[irepookie]

INFINITY

Summary: QUEEN AU where Rog (aka Rowan Queen) is young single dad struggling to make it into music industry.

Warnings: Fluff, Fluff, Fluff, and swearing.

Word Count: 1926

Okay so this is the closest picture I could find to Row's state in the next two chapters:

Chapter 2: PIPER

Row has a lot questions to ask himself, and he knows it's on only his own future at stake, but also The Prune's, who may be getting a name.

Of all the things Rowan Queen might have aspired to be, -a Rockstar, a Roger Taylor level drummer...- a 19 year old solo dad wasn't amongst them.

All he knew was that since he had first held that small Wrinkly being and her eyes had met his, she had stolen a part of him, and that the only way to feel completed again was being with her.

Ridiculously sappy, he knew.

"But that's what makes best parents" Callie, the nurse who had introduced them assured him one day when he confessed his thoughts out loud, while he watched her sponge bath the infant "Don't feel stupid, or embarrassed for feeling that way, Row. In fact, that's exactly how it should be. Always. And those fathers who deny it or fight that connection, end up estranged from their kids as they grow up. Take it from a daughter who hasn't seen her father in 5 years"

But, alas, there he was, living between his flat and the Hospital's newborn aisle, because he just couldn't get that one girl out his head, despite don't knowing how he had come to this.

"Well I haven't seen mine in 9"

"And that scares you, don't it?"

He gasped, and nodded slowly.

"Is better having no father figure at all than having a bad one. Just like I think your Prune is luckier having one brave dad than a coward mom"

"And two fit parents?" He asked, eyes flicking to the untouched pile of adoption papers

"Well that's the ideal situation, isn't it? But the weight always ends up relaying more on the mother, you know? The father always steps back, because society still thinks it's more acceptable for us women to raise the children because, of course, we have deeper connection with 'em for carrying them around for nine months and blah blah blah." She got the towel and handed it to him before laying the squirming 2 day old In his arms.

He carefully wrapped it around her and sat down so he wouldn't drop her, then started to stroke her soft delicate skin with the towel.

"But that's bullshit." Callie continued "That's an excuse you men came up with to sneak out from changing nappies. But I believe you guys are just as capable of taking care of children as us. And that you might be the ultimate proof of it." She gathered her hair in a ponytail, and smiled at father and daughter, as Row was now

leaning back on the rocking chair with the Prune, -as all the staff had begun to call her- laid on his bare chest.

"So forget whatever prejudices you have. This kid needs you, she doesn't know nothing about what's going on, she misses her little warm oven, the voice she was so used to hear and that she'll never hear again because that world has left her behind the first chance she got and she's very confused.

But also, She doesn't know about gender stereotypes, or that she's a girl. But she knows you're here. And her instincts tell her you're safety, and warmth, and love. Sure, I'm around a lot too, but soon you'll be discharged and everything she'll have will be you. A d then she'll grow up and will be forever grateful for everything you will have done for her"

The teen nodded, taking in all the words but remaining silent. Quiet moments like this -when she was calm and content- were quite meaningful.

"I just want the best for her. And I'm not sure I am"

"Well, from where I'm standing, you're pretty much up there. Nobody gets her to settle down as quickly as you do. That has to mean something, right? Newborns have this amazing instinct of detecting sources of love and protection. And you are hers. She trusts you: trust yourself"

Days went by, and Row found himself getting up early in order to go back to hospital. At home he was restless, as questions filled his head.

Was she better off with him?

Was he ready?

How could Callie be so much more sure about the whole thing than he was?

What if be wasn't good enough

What if mom was right?

Why did he want to become a dad in the first place?

Should he just sign those papers before it was too late and forget the whole thing?

The sixth day, he made his way to the hospital as usual, but something felt off. What it was? He couldn't put a finger on it, so he shrugged it off and entered the NICU area where she was.

"Hey, lovely one, look at you, a bit bigger each day" he cooed at his yet unnamed daughter, as he put his hand through the incubator hole to let her know his ore6 "So strong and so beautiful" he smiled brightly as her small hand closed around his finger.

"Yes, this way please" he heard a male voice and turned his eyes to see a doctor and a man and a woman who were probably in their thirties

"Oh my gosh she's so tiny!" The woman exclaimed, walking towards the glass

"Who are you?" Row asked, stepping defensively in front of her before she could reach the baby.

"You must be Rowan Queen?" The man held his hand out "We're the adopting couple..."

"What?" He basically slapped it away "No! Who told you she's in for adoption?"

"Mister, you signed the adoption papers" the Doctor said

"No I didn't!"

"Yes you did. Here" the doctor looked through the pile of papers on his hands and showed him.

He snatched the file from him. That was his signature but he didn't remember signing anything. He may have doubts about being a dad, but Callie was right, the little prune and him needed each other. They belonged together And he wasn't gonna give her away. The only way was through.

"There must be a mistake. She's not up for adoption"

"Err... Yes she is" the man said

"No she's not! I should know better than you, huh?"

"We've heard about the mother. So sad. But babies need their mommys, don't they?" The woman cooed from the other side of the incubator

"You can't take her" if looks could kill, Row would have murdered her right then and there.

"Mister..."

"No! He's my daughter!"

"Sir, signing this you gave up your parental rights"

"And what the hell does that even mean?"

"Legally, she's not yours anymore"

"But I don't remember signing anything!"

"But this is your signature"

"Yes. But I... I didn't mean it"

The woman scoffed "Well you clearly did."

"Mind your fucking business!" He snapped, before turning to the doctor "Look, I really don't know how my signature is there but I need you to... I don't know, forget it, okay?"

"Forget it?"

"Yes! Whatever that stupid paper says, I'm keeping her. And I will do everything you want me to"

"Sorry. There's nothing we can do about it now. You could take this to court but... It's a lost cause"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"A 19 year old against a healthy, stable marriage?" He used the same arguments mom had

"But I'm her dad..." His voice quivered, as his baby started to cry.

"Don't worry sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy are here now" the woman said "Our Judy"

"Judy? What the fuck, you're not naming her Judy!"

"What we do with our daughter is our business, sir" the woman said "Now please, leave us alone"

"No! She's not Judy. She's my prune, I'm gonna prove to all of you fuckers wrong, because I can fucking do this if I want you. Not because I wanted to at first, or because I can't have my own kid like you; she's my own kid and she belongs with me. And I may not be a middle upper class, or drive a goddamn Mercedes, or have a huge house and a stable boring job at whatever office. And she may not have a goddamn mother, or her own room. So what? She has me. Because I'm the one who's been here for the whole bloody week worrying about her. Not you, not her mother. So fuck off and choose another kid!"

Two men who Row hadn't even seen arrive took him, as he fought and called his crying daughter "PIPER! PIPER! DADDY WILL GET YOU! I'M YOUR DAD, DON'T FORGET!"

Then he woke up with a jolt in that same hospital room, as his newborn baby awoke too beside him

He quickly sat up and leaned over to place a hand on her tummy, to check that she was real, letting out a sigh of relief when feeling her warm skin

It had been just a dream. Well, a nightmare rather than a dream. But she was there, safe next to him

"Hey, baby girl. Yes, hello darling. You had a good night? Gave trouble to the nurses?" he asked, stroking her torso "Are we hungry?" He offered his little finger,and she began to suck on it as response, which made him chuckle. "Alright, I'll call so they get us a bottle okay?"

3 minutes later, he was sitting on the green rocking chair, Baby Prune on his bare chest -because apparently skin to skin helped parents and kiddos bond or whatever- as he gave her the bottle.

He had to admit, ever since he had learned how to properly hold her, he looked forward to feeding, because he had grown to love these little moments, and by the end of them, be always felt closer and more in love with that tiny, wrinkled human being which he had helped make.

Who was a part of him somehow, and who he couldn't imagine his life without despite having only known her for 6 days.

She was so amazing. So mesmerizing. With her clear grey eyes and her peachy skin, and her adorable ears.

He just couldn't get his eyes off her.

"You're gonna come home with me in a couple days, and..." He realized he hadn't really thought about a plan. He had just moved out mom's, and the apartment was still empty. He'd have to start getting stuff. But anyway "... And we'll figure something out. I'm not gonna renounce to you. No ma'am. You've got me. And I've got you. And I'll look after you and make sure you're always happy and safe and... loved. I fucking love you so damn much and I don't even know how did this happen. I mean you're not even a week old and you've already turned my life upside down just by bloody existing. You can't even understand what I'm saying. But here I am, making all this plans and Shit... I, who never thinks ahead, who never knows his future beyond what meal he's gonna get. But I... Damn. Do you babies have like special powers or something? Do you like... Is it a defensive instinct? Like you manage to make us go nuts about you by casting a spell it whatever so we'll stay enchanted? Because this is fucking ridiculous."

She finished the bottle and he put it aside.

"Speaking about plans, we can't keep calling you Baby Prune. We're gonna have to choose a name. A pretty unique gorgeous name for a special, perfect little princess like you. So, let's see" he changed his hold on her so they were face to face. Something the nurses had called.. ? He wasn't really sure but he had got hand on it "Yes, hello" he smiled helplessly at the sight of her "Baby girl. Baby girl" he cooed absentmindedly as he analysed her features

Then he remembered his dream. He had called her Piper. He wasn't even sure if he had heard that name before but he liked it. It was original, cool, rare enough people would associate it with her but not awful, like other names he had heard.

"Piper" he whispered, tasting the word while contemplating her face. It sounded good to him. "Piper Queen" he said, a bit louder this time as her tiny hand closed around a strand of his blonde hair. "You like that? Piper?"

She just blinked, but he interpreted it as an affirmative answer

"It's settled, then. Piper. Pips for short." He smiled, and brought her back to his bare chest so he could lull her back to sleep with his rambling, which had worked the previous times.

"My Piper" he kissed her head and began to rub her back "I'm so scared honestly. I won't lie to ya, I have no idea what I'm doing but you can rely on me. I'm good at improvising so I'll figure it out. Don't worry. But you gotta take it easy, hm? If you have a bit of patience, it'll be just fine. And about this?" He reached for the papers -which were unsigned- and ripped them off "Fuck it. Just fuck it."

🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

A big Hola to my dear fellow @definitely-darcy whose kind review and attention to detail has made gain confidence in this.

So, I've written this one in different bits which I've had to tie up together. Hope you guys like it.

That's about it, really. Please comment and let me know what you think (always nice and constructively).

Xx

~Pookie

[uselessideblog]

02/06/19 — i've been to summer camp twice in my life and i was lucky enough to meet some pretty nice people the second time around. during that period i was two other girls and i were pretty close, we would go anywhere together, talk etc, it was so nice and fun, definitely one of the best experiences of my life. i lost contact with one of them, but i'm still friends with the other even after seven years. we meet up every now and them and since we're both in the lgbtq+ community we've gone to pride together for three times in a row and this will be our fourth year. but we're not going alone this time cause our other friend from summer camp is also joining us this year since guess what? it turns out both my summer camp friends and i are all part of the lgbtq+ community! who would have thought? we met seven years ago and we're all going to pride together this year, i'm so happy. i miss us and our time together, i really want to see them and spend time with them and i would love if we could hang out like we used to. i'm just very very happy right now. i guess the universe knew what it was doing when it brought us together so long ago❤️

[mrdennisoyao-blog]

Black Mamba Beyond Greatness.

Kobe Bean Bryant, also known as "The Black Mamba", a former Basketball superstar and starting shooting guard of Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), was born in August 3, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, named after a Japanese Steakhouse. Kobe Bryant is the son of the former player of 76ers and also the former head coach of Los Angeles Sparks, none other than the "Red-hot" Joe Bryant.

After the retirement of his father in the NBA, Kobe and his family went to the Italy in 1984, where the eldest Bryant played in the Italian League. In 1991, they went back to Pennsylvania where Kobe spent his High school life in Lower Merion High School where he became varsity player and lead the whole team to the crown for 4 years in a row. Kobe eyed for the professional stage, the NBA, despite of his good grades and high SAT scores. He drafted in 1996 and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick of the first round and was posteriorly traded in Los Angeles Lakers.

Way back 2001, Bryant was married to the 19 year-old Vanessa Laine. He's also the father of three kids whose names are Natalia Diamante, Gianna Maria Onore, and Bianka Bryant, in chronological order.

During his first two years with Lakers, Kobe was voted a starter for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, becoming the youngest player in NBA All Star history at the age of 19. Shaquille O'Neal, a heavy contender under-the-rim 7'2 feet Center was then teamed up with Bryant and had worked hard with their teammates in getting the three-peat NBA championships in seasons 02'-04' when Bryant was once voted first team All-NBA.

Despite of the major heartbreak of the team due to O'Neal's leaving with the Lakers, Kobe performed great. He scored his 81 career high points against Toronto Raptors in January, 2006, the second highest single game output of a player in the history of NBA, and also led the leaderboard of the said year.

Year 2008, he was crowned the Most Valuable Player of the League despite he, and the rest of the team lost the championships to the Boston Celtics. In 2009, Bryant led his team to get in the finals and beat the Orlando Magic in the series and succesfully kissed the golden trophy. The following year, Lakers got their second straight win against the Celtics. He surpassed Michael "The Air" Jordan on the NBA scoring list in December 2014, for third All-time total career points. Unfortunately, he ended the season with the Torn rotator cuff Injury in December 2014, having hard-trouble in third consecutive years of his career.

He went back in the league in 2015, but he seemed that he struggled with his new teammates. In November 2015, he would retire his jersey in the end of the season. " This season is all I have left to give. My heart can take the pounding, my mind can handle the grind but my body knows it's time to say goodbye" Bryant said on the Player's Tribune site.

"I can't believe how fast 20 years went by. This is absolutely crazy.... and to be standing at the center with you guys, my teammates behind me, appreciating my journey that we've been on - we've been through our ups, been through our downs. I think the most important part is we all stayed together throughout ", Kobe Said infront of the world as he was saying his final touch in his career.

He retired after his spectacular performance in his last game in Staples Center against the Utah Jazz, where he got 60 points and take front of the team to grab the win. The seats were sold out and fans gave out their full support as the Mamba played its last game not just with Lakers, but with the NBA also.

Kobe played tough and great in his basketball career, not just inside the court but also in real life. He's a good father of his children, a good family provider, a talented player, a good Samaritan, and many more. His life journey can be compared in a Basketball, wherein he sometimes went the ball inside the rim and scores and sometimes missed it; and a lot of it. Life's journey will never be easy. All you've gotta do is to push yourself to your limit and work hard until you get what you desire. As Kobe said, "Everything negative - pressure. Challenges - is all an opportunity for me to rise. "

Source:

https://www.google.com/search?q=kobe+bryant+biography&prmd=ivsn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwie7uPemtneAhUEerwKHYISBnUQ_AUoAXoECA0QAQ&biw=360&bih=512&dpr=3#imgrc=nSZMXt2huzG26M