#you need better professors /pos

[juanathesillyuser14]

theres no way your professor didnt like it . its basically a masterpiece 😭🙏

scrapped drawing I did for a project in class but my professor HAAATED it RIPPPP </3

[lia-linny]

summary: How do you get a guys who always fails to pass his final exams? Quite simply, you promise him a date.

genre: fluff, highschool au

words: 4.3k

Ms. yln and Mr. Yang, please stay to see me after class." yn heard her professor say as she carefully filed her documents from the previous lesson in her folder and put it in her school bag. After she had also packed her pencils, she made her way to the desk as instructed by her professor. With her head bowed, she made her way through the rows, between her talking and packing classmates, some of whom smiled at her in a friendly manner.

When she came to a halt in front of her professor, her gaze fell directly on Yang Jeongin, who was leaning casually against the wall next to the desk in his stylish baggy clothes. His penetrating gaze was on her and she nervously clutched her books, which she had pressed to her chest, while she now looked at her professor, who was still sorting through his papers. When he had carefully organized them, he turned to his two waiting students and smiled kindly as he pulled two sheets of paper from his folder.

Ah, so there was her essay, yn realized. She had wondered why she had come away empty-handed when the professor had handed out the corrected texts.

"Once again, you have delivered an outstanding text, ms yln. It really was one of the best texts I have ever read on the subject at school. Your formulations and observations are truly remarkable." smiling, yn looked at the red score in the top right-hand corner of her text, which read 100/100.

But she didn't have time to thank her professor for his kind words, as he immediately went to return Jeongin's text as well. Yn caught a glimpse of the pages covered with corrections written in red pen and could clearly make out the score on his paper, 18/100. yn felt her heart grow heavy with pity and looked down at the floor in shame.

"Mr. Yang you have to do better or you won't pass your final exams. I've heard that you don't exactly excel in other subjects with my colleagues either. You have potential but you have to work harder." There was a brief, awkward silence, but when Jeongin looked up from his paper, neither the poor grade nor the professor's words seemed to bother him much. He merely shrugged his shoulders and buried his hands deep in his trouser pockets. Her professor sighed, but continued.

"That's why I think it would be a good idea for you to seek tutoring. If you want to pass your exams, you need to study and since it seems to me that you share almost all your classes with ms. Yln, it would be an incredible opportunity for you to get tutoring from her. So if ms. yln would be so kind and give up her time for you, you should definitely take this chance!" With that, he ended his little lecture and shooed them both out of his classroom with a curt wave of his hand and a smile.

They stood awkwardly next to each other outside the door, not quite sure what or who should say something, until yn decided to break the silence.

"I can tutor you if you want, but you can find someone more qualified if you prefer..." Jeongin laughed and tapped his index finger on the essay with her books pressed against her chest, as if that was proof enough that she was probably good enough for the job.

"Is Friday a good fit for you?" he asked and yn just nodded dumbly, not sure how to deal with the situation.

"Great. I'll come to your place after school." It wasn't a question, but a statement.

"I'm looking forward to seeing you." He winked goodbye to her and walked to his popular group of friends, who were standing just a few meters away from them in the corridor crowded with students, leaving a red-faced yn behind. Why did such a banal gesture from him and the thought of the upcoming tutoring sessions have such an impact on her that even after her next lesson had already started and she was hunched over her papers in the classroom, she could still feel her pulse racing?

It wasn't completely absurd. Jeongin was popular, cool and casual. But even though he was one of the good-looking boys that everyone adored, he was always nice and helpful and yn liked that, whether she wanted to admit it or not. He sometimes acted like he was the coolest, but the next moment he tripped over his own feet and was restlessly teased by his friends and that made him likeable.

Yn ran her hands through her hair with a sigh and buried her face in her hands. Oh God, it was all such a huge cliche. She couldn't help but rool her eyes at herself. The girl that had never even given a second thought to a boy and then the 'one' came along. She should be concentrating on the lesson that had already started rather than thinking about boys. It was a waste of time to deal with such things. Her focus, especially now that she was in her final year, should be on grades and studying. Not some fictional romance.

But there was something about Jeongin that had piqued yn's interest for years. All the years they had been going to school together, attending classes together and occasionally having short conversations on the bus or in the hallway, yn had always wished she could be closer with him. She couldn't quite define it, but Jeongin had an attractive aura in her eyes. Yn shook her head and mentally returned to the lesson. Even though she already had a nervous feeling in her stomach when she thought about friday. Maybe because she had a feeling that Jeongin might be the person who could destroy her efforts to always put learning above personal relationships.

~☆~

Nervously, yn plucked at her skirt, which she thought was a little too short, and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her and Jeongin's last lesson for Friday had just ended. She didn't know what to expect. She had talked to Jeongin again and again over the week. Small talk that left her nervous and embarrassed, already regretting what she had just said, or rather stuttered.

She stuffed all the books and documents she wanted to go through with Jeongin into her school bag and stowed the rest in her locker. She was just about to close the locker door when she felt an arm around her shoulders. Startled, her head whirled around and she stared directly into Jeongin's amused face.

"Hey beautiful, ready to try and teach me something?" He laughed and Yn felt her cheeks glow with heat as he grinned mischievously at her. One of his friends, Hyunjin, with whom Yn was attending her art class, shouted across the corridor to her

"Good luck! We've all given up and come to the conclusion that Jeongin has the IQ of a walnut." Together with one of hid friends, Minho, he laughed at the comparison.

"I'll do my best." So she just mumbled, smiled shyly at him and buried her nose in her book as if it were her shield. She made her way to the bus stop, as she did every day. Jeongin walked silently beside her and used the pleasant silence to look at yn. At first she didn't notice that he was staring, but when she caught his gaze in the corner of her eye, she became even more nervous.

When the two of them arrived, the bus was already waiting and yn climbed through the door as usual to drop into one of the seats at the back. Jeongin sat down in the empty seat next to her. He casually let his backpack slide to the floor and made himself comfortable in his seat. Yn couldn't turn away from him. Why did he have to look so cool as he absently ran his fingers through his hair and now looked over at her. Their eyes crossed... but the moment was ruined by the bus driving off, which left Yn unmoved and equally unimpressed, but caused Jeongin to lose his balance from the unexpected jolt and hit his head on the seat in front of him. Gone was the cool and casual aura that had just surrounded him. After yn made sure that he was okay and that he had no injuries other than to his ego, she let out a snort.

"Just for your information, that looked incredible ridiculous." She laughed and even though his cheeks were flushed with embarrassment, he couldn't help but notice how beautiful her laugh was, how her eyes lit up or her dimples showed.

"Hey, I never look ridiculous!" He said, playfully offended, and poked her in the side. From that moment on, the slight tension that had previously lingered in the air fell away from them completely. They chatted casually for the rest of the bus ride and when they finally arrived at Yn's house, they were greeted by her mother.

Yn showed Jeongin the way to her room. After opening the door, she put her backpack down next to her desk. Meanwhile, Jeongin inspected her room a little more closely. It was nicely furnished but kept relatively simple. No colors that stood out, no cluttered shelves, nothing that really seemed to say 'this is yn's room'. He couldn't deduce any hobbies or favorite music from her room and that puzzled him.

"What hobbies do you have?" he asked out of nowhere. Yn turned to him and looked at him in surprise.

"Why do you ask?" She laughed and Jeongin sat down on her bed without being asked.

"You know, usually one can tell what people our age like to do or what music or films they are into when you look at their room. Posters or some sports trophies or something, but there's nothing in your room. Your room is so... impersonal." Yn let her gaze wander to the floor and shrugged her shoulders in response.

"Well... I'm actually just studying all day... so I don't have much time for hobbies." Silence followed. Jeongin had always thought that she was one of those students to whom everything came naturally, who always got top grades without having to do anything. But it seemed that she sacrificed a lot for her good average, especially her youth.

"What would you like to do? Is there nothing you enjoy?" She hesitated for a moment, then dropped onto the bed next to him and replied hesitantly,

"Well... I like taking photos." He had to smile, but before he said anything back, he changed the subject.

"So, shall we start studying?" she asked and was glad that he seemed to understand and didn't ask any more questions.

When Jeongin went home, it was already dark and yn had to admit to herself that the past few hours had shown her that learning could also be fun. Jeongin had made a real effort to follow her explanations and had always lightened the mood and joked around with her during short breaks. Even though, or perhaps because, he sometimes seemed to talk faster than he thought, she had rarely laughed as much as she did with him and the mere thought of how his hand had brushed against hers a few times made her giggle in retrospect.

One thing was certain. She was looking forward to the coming tutoring sessions, even if he was turning her into a clichéd teenage girl who was incapable of anything except drooling over guys.

~☆~

The weeks of the school year just flew by. Every Friday, yn gave Jeongin tutoring. Usually in the small café not far from the school. Jeongin had shown it to her during one of their lunch breaks, which they spent together more and more often. Every week while they were studying together, yn ordered a milkshake and a chocolate chip cookie. Jeongin insisted on paying to thank her for tutoring, but yn refused to accept the offer, which led to Jeongin deciding that the loser of rock paper scissors had to pay. This always managed to make yn laugh when she and Jeongin had a dramatic battle and the winner made fun of the loser a little too much afterwards.

The two of them hit it off straight away. It was as if something had just clicked between them. They teased each other and laughed about trivial topics. Jeongin's grades improved dramatically, even though he was still only just about to fail. But no matter how much fun yn had at her tutoring sessions, she couldn't forget that her final exams were getting closer with every passing week, so she spent the remaining days of the week holed up in the city library. It wasn't as if she had much else to do. She had no close friends she wanted to hang out with, no hobbies she wanted to pursue and she turned down almost all of Jeongin's invitations to meet up outside of her tutoring. Because no matter how much she wanted to hang out with him, there was always this little voice in the back of her head telling her that she should be studying instead of having fun.

~☆~

Like every other day, yn walked to the bus stop after school to go to the nearby library, but today she was called back by Jeongin in the parking lot. Puzzled, she turned around and saw him waving his car keys in the air, almost dropping them, which made Chris next to him laugh. He had to chuckle himself, even though an embarrassed blush adorned his cheeks.

"I've got a car now. If you want, I can drive you to the library... I promise that i won't disturb you." He giggled. It wasn't an arrogant 'I have a car' like most guys at her school would say but a pragmatic fact and yn liked that a little too much. That he didn't have to brag or boast about what an expensive car he drove, but simply offered her a ride. Her cheeks flushed pink as Jeongin's friends began to whistle and playfully run their hands through his hair.

"I never thought our baby would pull a girl." one of his friends laughed. yn thought she remembered that his name was Seungmin. Jeongin pushed him away.

"You're not even a year older than me." he laughed.

"You're still our baby!" roared one of his other friends, called Changbin. Jeongin struggled away from his friends and stood in front of yn, embarrassed.

"Please let's just go!" He sight a little annoyed by his friends. She smiled at him and nodded. He led her to his car and took a seat behind the steering wheel while she made herself comfortable in the passenger seat. The drive to the library was relaxed. The two of them had a casual conversation and laughed. Jeongin made her feel a certain lightness that made her skin tingle and her cheeks glow.

He parked right in front of the building and together they strolled into the old house. Yn immediately spread out her things in their usual place and Jeongin dropped into the chair next to her. Yn began to study, going through notes and researching background information in books. But one thing kept throwing her off track. Jeongin, who didn't even try to observe her unobtrusively but stared at her shamelessly as she studied. She felt her hot cheeks despite the cool temperatures in the unheated library.

Carefully, Jeongin let his hand slip over hers and the next moment he intertwined their fingers. Yn looked up from her notes and held her breath. Jeongin grinned at her shyly but with a certain self-confidence and Yn felt her rapid heartbeat pounding against her ribs. She carefully brushed a strand of hair from her face and forced herself to turn her gaze away from him. After all, she had to concentrate. But that was easier said than done. His warm hand, which lay protectively in hers, blocked any logical processes in her brain. After another half hour of trying to concentrate on English literature, she gave up and packed her things.

She was surprised that Jeongin hadn't fallen asleep yet, but he seemed more than happy to escape the library, which made her giggle. After she had put everything away, they walked to his car together, got in and he drove her home. When he parked in the driveway of her house, she smiled gratefully at him.

"Thank you for driving me. You really didn't have to do that."

"I know... I just don't want you sitting alone in that book hell every day. Otherwise you'll go crazy." He laughed. His eyes turned into little crescent moons as he smiled at her and she felt her pulse quicken all the way to her ears. In response, she pressed a tender kiss to his cheek.

"I'll see you tomorrow." She said before opening the passenger door and climbing out of the car. Jeongin waited, his cheeks red and his heart pounding, until he saw that she had arrived safely at the house. Then he started his car and left a happily grinning yn behind.

~☆~

It became a little ritual between them that Jeongin would take her to the library after school, she would often study there until late in the evening, they would pick up take-out food together from one of the nearby restaurants, eat it in Jeongin's car or on one of the park benches and then Jeongin would drive her home. And yn loved this routine together with him.

She loved being with Jeongin and talking to him. He treated her better than anyone had ever treated her before. He looked out for her and cared for her, just as she cared for him. Sometimes she couldn't help but wonder when he would get too bored with her or find someone better. Probably because she hadn't quite realized how important she had become to Jeongin.

He made effort to get her to do other things, then studying, and tried to get her interested in her old hobbies again. For example, he had brought back her passion for photography. One day, while he was taking her to the library to study, he had stopped at a random field of flowers on the side of the road. Yn had looked at him, puzzled, as he climbed out of the car and ran out into the field, laughing happily.

"Come on! I need new photos for Instagram!" He laughed as he turned on his axis to fully take in the beautiful view of the flowers. The whole scene stretching out in front of her was too beautiful not to capture. So she climbed out of the car. She hesitantly pulled her phone out of her pocket and swiped the screen to open the camera. She looked through the lens, moved a little to find the perfect angle for her subject and then snapped a few pictures.

As she lowered her camera, Jeongin came running back to her and put his arm around her to get a better look at her work.

"Wow, I didn't know you were that good." He laughed as he swiped through the pictures on her phone.

"They look amazing!" he grinned at her and yn's cheeks turned red, whether from the compliments, the physical closeness or his sweet grin...

"Thank you." She mumbled, discarding Jeongin's face that hovered dangerously close to hers. He was still looking at her phone to see the pictures, but when he lifted his gaze, he found himself only a few centimeters away from yn's face.

They gazed into each other's eyes unable to say or do anything until Jeongin gently brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She didn't know who had made the first move but suddenly they were kissing. Yn felt her whole body on fire as their lips moved in unison. Carefully, she clasped her hands behind his neck, afraid he would slip from her grasp at any moment.

The kiss ended far too soon as they were both gasping for breath. But as a finale, Jeongin gave her a little peck on the lips. He pulled her closer to him, enjoying her body heat and drawing gentle circles on her back as they both caught their breath smiling.

A day later, Jeongin had uploaded the pictures from their little photo shoot on Instagram with the caption: 'My favorite photographer', giggling as she liked the post.

And with that she rediscovered her love of photography. Sometimes she took photos of Jeongin, sometimes she met a cat on the street and snapped a picture of it, and sometimes she used trees or other plants that she wanted to capture with her camera as a motif. These little moments sweetened her monotonous school day and Jeongin watched her happily as she went through the pictures on her little digital camera, proud that he could help her to have at least a little better 'school-life balance' and to have a few hobbies outside of learning.

~☆~

It was yn's last week before her final exams and yet, against all expectations, she found herself relaxing on a picnic blanket in the municipal park. Jeongin had persuaded her to study outside with him because the weather was so nice and she didn't regret it. Smiling, she looked up at the clear sky and let the sun's rays shine on her face. Jeongin lay down next to her on the blanket, the math problems that he was supposed to solve for practice forgotten by both of them.

Carefully, yn took her hand in his and looked at him, lost in thought. His eyes, blinded by the bright sun, were narrowed to slits, making him look like a smiley face. His lips curled into a grin. Why did she have this strong urge to lean over and kiss him?

"You're staring." he laughed without looking in her direction and she blushed like a tomato. Abruptly, she averted her eyes and sat up, hiding behind the math book in order to look distracted. Jeongin had to laugh even harder at the sight of her.

This finally made her feel like one of those teenage girls who had nothing better to do than ogle guys all day, and even though she was particularly ashamed of it in this situation, she couldn't help but notice again how beautiful his laugh was.

Silence returned, in which neither of them could stop thinking about the other.

"When are you finally going out with me?" He said it as if it was a banal question that didn't make her heart stop and she knew he was just as nervous as she was. She could tell by the way he tugged at his shirt and nibbled his fingernails. So if he could fake his cool, she'd been able to do it for a long time.

"If you pass your final exams." They both pretended they weren't just grinning happily at each other because they'd basically just set up an unofficial date and continued to play their casual facade, giggling. But inside, they could hardly grasp how lucky they were with the other person. So Jeongin sat up, ran his fingers through his hair and leaned over the book that yn was still holding.

"Then I guess I'd better keep studying."

~☆~

Yn couldn't believe how quickly everything had gone. No sooner had she written her exams than her graduation ceremony had arrived. A few hours ago, she had received her certificate as the best in her year and now she was sitting on one of the bar stools in the club where her class's graduation party was being held.

Then she felt an arm around her shoulder and she was pulled closer to the stranger, whom she quickly recognized as Jeongin. She snuggled up to his body and he grinned at her. Carefully, he pressed his lips to hers. But before he could say anything, the little moment between them was interrupted by his friends bursting in, all cavorting in front of the two of them.

"Hey Aien!" Chris greeted the youngest member of their group. This was followed by teasing whistles at the sight of Jeongin's arm, which was now resting on her waist.

"We're finally free man! No more school stress!" Jisung raised his fist in the air exaggeratedly.

"And our baby is growing up!" Hyunjin sobbed as he wiped his non-existent tears from his eyes, whereupon Jeongin just shook his head and buried his face in the crook of yn's neck in shame.

His whole group of friends was pure chaos but at the same time felt like a second family where you could just be yourself.

"How the hell did you manage to get our hopeless case here to pass the exams?!" asked Seungmin yn, flicking Jeongin parallel against the back of the head. Everyone laughed and yn had to grin too, especially when she saw the mock indignant expression on Jeongin's face.

"Well, I promised him a date." She said with a laugh, causing even more chaos. Everyone shouted and laughed, made comments or was simply happy for them, but what mattered to yn was the love sick grin on Jeongin's face. Their eyes met and they beamed happily at each other. They all had different plans now that they had graduated, but it was clear that yn and Jeongin would go their ways together.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved in our archive

By John Flint

A landmark study has found the virus that causes COVID-19 accumulates and persists in the body - especially the brain - for years after infection.

The international team of scientists believe what they have discovered can help explain long COVID.

The research builds on other studies showing the invasiveness of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the long-term implications.

“Using optical clearing and imaging, we observed the accumulation of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the skull-meninges-brain axis of human COVID-19 patients, persisting long after viral clearance,” the study authors reported in leading biomedical journal Cell Host and Microbe last week.

Meninges are three layers of membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Infectious disease experts in Australia have acclaimed the peer-reviewed study.

Professor Brendan Crabb, Director and CEO of the Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health in Melbourne said the study underlined the need to treat COVID more seriously.

“This work uses cutting edge imaging technology to see things (molecules and cellular structures) to a resolution not achieved before in and around the brains of people infected with SARS-Cov-2 and mice infected with a version of SARS-Cov-2 modified to (infect) mice.

“The virus moves around the body, elegantly confirming what we already know.

“This paper shows that the virus, and especially shed spike protein, can persist around the brain for a long period of time, driving a pathological inflammatory response. This is proposed as a likely cause of the neurological symptoms people with acute and long forms of COVID experience.

“Although not without limitations, this works adds substantially to a large body of work that says COVID enters via the respiratory tract but goes into your bloodstream and so quickly moves around the body accessing many tissues, including the outer regions of the brain.

“Virus in this brain region likely persists and seemingly sheds spike protein which can be further neuro-invasive and persist even longer, (for) years even. This spike persistence is pathological, driving inflammatory responses that have likely consequences for proper brain functioning, such as memory, cognition and neurodegenerative diseases.”

“Next time you think of dismissing COVID as just another annoying common cold it may pay to visualise what you see so starkly in this paper, the virus moving freely around your body and finding a long-term home in all sorts of places where it can really cause trouble, including the brain and the heart,” Prof Crabb, who’s on the board of the WA-based Kids Research Institute Australia, added.

“This work further emphasises the need for individuals, and societies as a whole to take this infection more seriously and try and reduce the amount of transmission using the tools we currently have, most especially vaccination, clean indoor air approaches and well-fitted masks in crowded and poorly ventilated indoor settings.”

“It also showed mRNA spike-based vaccines are protective against spike accumulating in the brain periphery, consistent with what we already know about their protective effect in long COVID.”

Perth long COVID sufferer Melissa Challenor has been sick for two years.

“It’s not getting any better for me,” she said on Friday. “People like me are not making shit up. It’s in our brains, it’s in our bodies, it’s in our organs.

“I’m still being seen by the senior neuro physio at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital who’s been amazing, but now he’s sort of going, ‘Well, where do I refer you? Do I refer you to the Parkinson’s people? Do I refer you to the dementia people?’ Because the neurological symptoms are really quite bad.”

In a commentary published by the Medical Journal of Australia two weeks, researchers from the Burnet Institute said long COVID may be driven by “long infection” and that persistent replicating SARS‐CoV‐2 may be the “unifying driver for long COVID”.

The institute’s Dr Michelle Scoullar said studies had found traces of the virus in many tissues, blood and the gut well after an initial infection.

“We know vaccines can reduce the risk of long COVID, but if the virus continues to be active, antiviral treatments could be a potential treatment for long COVID and might even offer a cure,” she said.

“By prioritising prevention, advancing treatments, and improving access to vaccines, we can take significant steps toward addressing the global challenge of long COVID.”

In the United States, about 5.5 per cent of people infected with COVID experience long-term health effects, including fatigue, muscle pain, and impaired cognitive function.

A recent study demonstrated a lowering of IQ by six points in individuals with long COVID relative to unaffected individuals. Individuals with mild acute infection showed a three‐point drop in IQ. Children can also get long COVID. A US study in August reported symptoms in 6-to-11 year-olds were different to those for adolescents.

Researchers at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine found that “younger children were more likely to experience a cluster of symptoms relating to stomach and digestive problems, and another characterised by sleep and memory/focus issues, while adolescents had a cluster dominated by change in smell or taste.”

Long COVID also carries an economic burden in terms of lost labour hours. It cost the Australian economy about $9.6 billion in 2022, a study by The Kirby Institute at the University of NSW, reported.

[empress-simps]

hi po, pleaseeee do a harry x filipina!reader fic bc i am so deprived of writing like that

Hi darling! Thank you for your request🥰I’ve wanted to write something about a reader being filipina but I haven’t really got anything in mind yet. I made this more of like snippets/head canon type? I just think it’ll really highlight the filipina! Reader better. I hope you don’t mind, Enjoy! (It’s a bit crack-ish hihi)

Harry Potter with a Filipina! Reader

“My gosh, ang lamig dito.” (it’s so cold here)

You shivered, walking towards the great hall with your fellow Filipino students, staring at the interior and overall admiring the place. It was completely different from the Philippine Wizarding School, from the uniforms, infrastructure, ambience, and down to the weather. The uniform you had did little to protect you from the harsh air of the Highlands of Scotland.

You were sent by your school from the Philippines to Hogwarts to be a part of an exchange student program for a year. Hogwarts also sent selected students to the Philippine Wizarding School to learn different techniques in spell casting, potion making, and how the different the countries are in terms of culture.

Scanning the great hall, you saw a bunch of students with curious glances, you felt yourself get a bit self-conscious. “Beh, look!” Your friend whispered to your ear, tugging your uniform before pointing in a certain direction with her lips discreetly.

“Ay shet, ang gwapo.” (Oh shit, he’s handsome)

You blushed as your eyes wandered in the Gryffindor table, looking at an oblivious Harry who was talking to Ron and Hermione. Glaring at your friend playfully, you pinched her side, making her wince. “Aray!” (Ouch!)

Hermione was sent to be your guide in your first day and luck seemed to be on your side as Harry tagged along with her to help

“Hello, my name is Hermione! Professor Mcgonagall assigned me to tour you around Hogwarts.” She smiles, holding out her hand. You took it and shakes her hand. “Nice to meet you, Hermione. I’m Y/n.”

“I hope you don’t mind, but my friend was insisting to come along with me.” She had a knowing smile on her face as she points to Harry beside her. You felt your cheeks heat up, it was the guy earlier. “Ah it’s no problem.” You smiled at him.

“I’m Harry.” He held out his hand, you took it, beaming at him. “Hi Harry, I’m Y/n. Nice to meet you.”

Harry wouldn’t admit it, but Ron and Hermione know he developed a small crush on you as time went by.

It took Harry several months (much to Hermione and Ron’s dismay) to ask you out on a date.

“Y/n! Wait!” Harry ran, as he tried to catch up with you as your friend chats with you, walking to the great hall to grab lunch. Both of you turned, “Uy, Harry!” You smiled as your friend shot you a teasing smile.

“Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?” Excuse me? Did you hear that right? “Like, as a date?” The words fell out of your lips before you can even stop it, making your friend snort. “Ang landi, ha.”

Harry blushed, scratching the back of his neck as he looked away. “Y-yeah…”

“Of course, I’d love to.”

Harry was the one who confessed he likes you first. Of course you were happy but if he wants to be with you, he has to do it the Filipino way.

After a month of dates, he decided to confess his feelings to you.

“Y/n, gusto kita.” He blurts out on a random study date you guys are having. Your eyes widened as you blushed. Harry, speaking tagalog? Since when?

“H-how…?”

“You could say that I’ve been secretly practicing…” He chuckles nervously, your heart filled with warmth.

“Gusto rin kita, Harry.” She grins, seeing his eyes light up. It was definitely worth it talking to other Filipino students to practice his pronunciation when he saw the look on your face.

“But you need to court me first. It’s a Filipino thing.” You giggled, seeing confusion wash over his face.

When you go back to Philippines for a vacation, best believe he will tag along with you.

Your parents love him, and he quickly became part of the family.

“Aba, so handsome naman! Come inside, anak!” Your mom ushered him inside your house as your dad carried both of your luggage. Shaking your head, you laughed at Harry’s reaction.

 You mostly spent your vacation touring with him around your province, taking him to beaches, making him ride a jeep, trycicle, and playing with your little cousins.

Your uncles also made him sing on the karaoke, and he was shocked when all your family are great singers. (Harry wouldn’t like to sing in front of your family again thank you very much)

Your family will dote on him, making him try various filipino foods and making him tons of what he liked.

“Harry, anak! Come here, try this! It’s called chicken adobo.” Your mom beckons him over in the kitchen, wanting him to try what she cooked. Since Harry isn’t used to the hot climate of the Philippines, you can always see him sporting a white sando and shorts, a handheld mini electric fan always in his hand, his hair a bit messy, and cheeks quite rosy due to the heat.

Safe to say adobo, sinigang, and lumpia quickly became his favorites. He will beg you to make them when you’re back in Hogwarts, since you decided to transfer. They also managed to convince him to try balut and dinuguan (although that will be the first and last)

You made him try some Filipino snacks too like Piattos, Clover, Pancit Canton (his favorite), Chicharron, as well as kikiam, fish ball, and tokneneng. Harry bought a bunch of snacks for your friends to try when you get back to Hogwarts.

Blushes when you call him nicknames like gwapo/pogi/mahal

“Pssst! Pogi!” You whisper, trying to catch his attention during a class, Harry blushed as he turns to you. “Ano nanaman?” (What is it again?) He rolls his eyes playfully, trying not to show you the effect you had on him.

“What’s the answer for number 5?”

“Amortentia Potion, may kiss ako maya ha?” He grins cheekily. (I get a kiss later, okay?)

“Sige na nga.” (Fine)

Both of you were hit in the head by Professor Snape.

He learns Filipino just for you; but most of his knowledge are just from hearing you swear.

“Mahal, why do you always say Put-“

“Harry, no-“

Will be absolutely floored when you hand Malfoy his ass back to him.

“Dami mong alam, Malfoy!” (You know a lot, Malfoy)” You scoffed, Draco was being a git to Harry again. Draco raised a brow in surprise.

“Huh?”

“Hatdog.” (Hot Dog (filipino inside joke ig))

He frowns, face turning red. “You making fun of me, L/n? Speaking gibberish again, I bet.” He tries to make fun of you, awaiting your reaction.

“Tanga tanga ka kasi kaya ‘di mo alam.” (You’re dumb that’s why you don’t know (it))

Draco was about to hex you, but you were faster.

Ron gawked as you punched Draco, other Filipinos who transferred hyping you up. “Eyyyy! Y/n lang malakas!”

"Merlin, I'm so glad she's in our side." Ron blanched,Harry visibly winced as you landed a solid punch. You scoffed, seeing him and his goons run away before turning to others.

“Why do you even tolerate his poor excuse of bullying?” She frowns, looking at Harry.

“You guys won’t survive Philippine schools.” “Just what exactly happens when there’s a fight in your school?”

“You don’t wanna know.”

[mynameis-noe-body]

Can you do a young John wick one shot? The reader is a civilian that keeps on running into John while he’s on the job (I.e. they’re a civilian that’s at a museum where he needs to kill someone). From there, they start to bond and he makes a habit of buying the reader gifts but leaves it anonymously. Then the reader, who figures out what’s going on manages to track John and they confess their feelings?

Thank you for the request 🖤 here a drabble for you.

Origami

John Wick × reader

One shot

The Shelley Memorial, Oxford. It was your place. A corner of peace in the chaos of the world. You loved the way the light surrounded it, hugged it, cradling it in a welcoming, warm silence. It inspired in you a love you had never known. And with your books still under your arm, a bag full of notes and your fingers stained with ink, you always found time to visit it, even on the busiest days.

So, that day, you were there. And you didn't expect to find company.

The man didn't look like a student... not even like a professor, to be honest. Sitting in front of the monument, immersed in the vision of it, you observed him. He had a serious, regal face. His presence was imposing, despite his silence. His cold eyes were black, deep, his long, silky hair fell thickly on his shoulders, on his dark jacket. Beautiful, and lethal. Or at least, that's what he conveyed to you. And perhaps it was better to leave... but you didn't have time to turn around before he stopped you.

"You don't have to go" he said.

You stopped and nodded shyly. "I just wanted to read something."

He gestured for you to sit next to him with a wave of his hand. The rough cover of your book, thus exposed, revealed its title. The man, stealing a glance, allowed himself a light laugh. "Poems by Percy Shelley?"

You smiled, blush on your cheeks. “It always seems appropriate.”

A strange energy vibrated in the air when your eyes met. You didn't even know his name, but you could feel the intensity of his gaze in your veins, inside your chest, in the beating of your heart. When you opened the book a handful of notes fell to the floor, and you blushed in embarrassment, starting to get up and collect the mess you made, but he stopped you with a wave of his hand.

"Please," he said, "read."

And you read the poem, softly but loud enough for him to hear you, one word after another.

He was silent. You didn't notice anything... at least until you looked up from the book and realized, to your great regret, that he was no longer there. But he had left a present for you: an origami, folded with one of your sheets. And you smiled.

Over the next few days, you seemed to see that man everywhere. In the coffee shop, sipping your pumpkin latte, in the library, among your stacks of study books, at the restaurant where you stopped to dine from time to time—he was everywhere. Him, and his origami.

It was something that made you smile. He hadn't given you the idea of being a shy man, but by now you were convinced he wouldn't reveal himself. It had been a fortuitous meeting, almost casual, and perhaps to be able to track him down you had to find a way to attract his attention a second time...

So, one evening, you waited for him in the Art Gallery — it was the sunset of an autumn evening, and the museum rooms were almost deserted. His presence invaded the entire room and broke the silence, while you waited still, sitting on the red velvet bench.

You turned and smiled. "You found my origami" you said.

He nodded, sitting down next to you. "I didn't expect you to answer my..."

"Gifts?"

He nodded, with a shake of his head. A man of few words.

With the last origami that he had left you, you had decided to leave him a message. You had written inside it and folded the paper so he could find it. It had worked, evidently.

"I don't know your name."

He smiled. "I'm John."

John. An ordinary name for a man absolutely out of the ordinary.

"Would you like to have dinner with me, John?”

Your cheeks were red, and your heart was pounding in your chest, and he was looking at you as if he could feel all of this by sensing the same emotion. His eyes seemed to shine, for a moment. He offered you his hand. "I would love to" he answered.

You took his hand and followed him, having the feeling that yours was going to be an incredible adventure.

[sebadztian]

Sebaciel Week 2023 Day 1

Prompt: Teacher/Student

Rating: Mature/Explicit. Warning: Underage

A Creative Punishment

The evening sun streamed through the many windows, bathing the empty classroom in an orange glow. At the very front of the empty room, Professor Michaelis sat behind the teacher’s desk. All of the classes had been conducted for the day and by right, he should be going back to his quarters at the dormitory, but he wanted to finish grading the papers first.

The bespectacled professor took another paper from the stack and examined it, occasionally marking it with his quill or writing down a remark here and there, before finally putting the final mark at the front and added it on top of the other papers that had been graded.

That was when someone knocked on the door of the classroom.

With a sigh, Professor Michaelis turned to the door, already knowing who it was. How could he not? All of his senses were attuned to this particular boy, after all.

“Come in.” The professor called, putting his quill down. It looked like these papers would have to wait.

The door creaked open and a head covered in a mop of slate hair poked into the room, his single visible eye glancing around the room before it settled on the lone figure sitting behind the wooden desk. Seeing that the professor was alone, the boy slipped into the room, pushing the door closed with his hips.

“Good afternoon, Professor.” Ciel greeted his Latin teacher.

“Phantomhive.” Professor Michaelis nodded in greeting. “The classes are over for the day, what are you still doing here?” Out of habit, he got up from his seat.

“Why, I could ask you the same question…” Ciel said, sauntering over to the teacher’s desk.

“I still have some papers to grade, but never mind that.” Professor Michaelis said smoothly. “What can I do for you this afternoon?”

“You know…” Ciel stopped by the desk and hopped on, crossing his legs, “I heard from Harcourt that you’ve been ‘very kind’ and ‘understanding’, and how grateful he is that you’ve been there for him.” Despite looking all casual, there was a hint of anger in his voice and one would’ve easily missed it if they didn’t know him as well as the other male did. “He went on and on about you at the Swan Gazebo. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say someone is having a crush… Say, have you been flirting with one of your students, Professor? Because I believe that’s against the rules.”

When Harcourt had rambled on about how ‘kind and understanding’ Professor Michaelis was, Ciel was beside himself with annoyance. How dare this boy think that he was something special? And ‘kind and understanding’? What kind of nonsense was he spouting off?

“And I don’t believe that sharing a bed with your fellow classmate is allowed in this school.” The professor responded. “I thought I have taught you that lesson a while back, but it seems like you’ve forgotten all about it. I should give you two Y’s for your misdemeanour. However, I’m feeling quite generous.”

Ciel scoffed. “I’m sure that the vice headmaster would want to know that one of the teachers has been spying on his students.” He cocked his head to the side and smiled coyly, “However, I’m willing to negotiate.”

“Oh?” Professor Michaelis raised his eyebrows. “And what do you have to offer?”

Ciel tapped his fingers on his chin, as if he was thinking about it. “Let’s see what we have here. A teacher who’s flirting with his student, taking advantage of him when he was at a vulnerable state…”

“I wasn’t flirting.” Professor Michaelis protested, feeling the need to explain himself.

Ciel ignored him, “Not only that, but you’ve also spied on your students.” He shook his head and clicked his tongue disapprovingly, “You’ve been very bad, Professor. Now, sit down.” He said firmly, pointing at the chair.

The teacher had no choice but to obey. He sat down and watched as his student hopped off the table and round it to stand right in front of him.

Ciel scowled down at his Latin teacher. “I don’t believe you’re in the position to play around with others.” He said, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “But it looks like you need a reminder of that, hm, Professor?”

“I believe it was you who have asked me to…” The professor tried to argue.

“Silence.” Ciel said. He didn’t shout, he didn’t yell, but the professor fell quiet anyway, hearing the order loud and clear.

“Regardless of what you believe you have or haven’t done,” Ciel continued, leaning down even further and placing his hands on the seated male’s shoulders to keep his balance, “You need to be reminded of who you belong to,” By now, he was whispering directly into his teacher’s ear, “Sebastian.”

The rest of them can be read on my AO3 here. I don't want to get flagged/banned for posting mature/explicit content.

@lilacwriter07 @kuroshitsuji-ships

[harley-the-pancake]

This is just a post to try and keep things organized on my blog. If you want to know my pronouns, name I go by, age, etc, just look in my bio. I just reblog and post whatever I want.

I don’t have an official dni, I just don’t give a fuck half the time, as long as you aren’t a dick to others, you can stay

I also don’t mind people using ideas that I have, making things off of the ideas or fics I have, or tagging me in silly @ games.

I also have a second account I occasionally use as a studyblr, which is Pancake-tries-college.

My AO3 is Pancake_Overlord

I have two side blogs:

@pancake-tries-college is where I keep my adulting stuff

@bite-sized-pancakes is where I keep my little stuff cause I think I may be an age dreamer 👍

My pfp is made by a picrew from @wervty

Dragons from @blu3b3rryj4mp1r3

Important sorting tags:

#vent chai latte - posts that are vents or emotional (I don’t always use it I am gonna be honest)

#diary posting - a new tag I’ll be using when I ramble about emotions, meds or just more personal things that are not about my school or friends (LATER HARLEY UPDATE: It is also becoming a bit of less fun school stuff tag, eg talking with professors, getting homework done, etc)

#Into the datemate pile - a tag that I use just to save & share things with my datemate, who does not have an active tumblr

#ph anon of the opera - my ask tag. It does not matter if you are anon or no, you are all ph anon in my eyes hearts (I also have a tendency of hoarding my asks but be free to still send me asks)

#ask game - just replies I’m saving from like descriptions of me or ask games

#my wife saga - my datemate is studying abroad then researching in idaho so I’m being dramatic. This will be happening for 3 months.

#holly on the wally - my tag for my dog Holly! You can block this if you want or if you don’t like dogs

Tell me if I need to tag anything for you

From @hee-blee-art

Posts that I feel like sharing:

A post I made about saving Rats SMP vods and led to some decent archives. I did nothing, but it has the link to the document that has a whole lot of links so!

A post I made with a document that I use to save a whole lot of MCC vods and a few VODs I have saved myself

Not an important post, however it’s a post I love and I want to keep on my pinned for when I want to see. It entails some games of One Night Ultimate Werewolf for my datemate’s birthday

This isn’t a post of mine, but I wanted to save Tumblr fairy tales

A ramble on the life series from my datemate. Read it. This is a threat /silly

A list of things to cheer anyone up ^-^

Candy for any trick or treaters who don’t want to send an ask

Best video ever

Datemate poll

[afterdark777]

He looked at me emotionless with his dark aburn eyes and his blank mouth.

"Thank you professor?-" I hope he takes the bait.

"Snape. You may call me professor Snape."

After dark // Chapter I :

This is a small Severus Snape fan-fiction I’m working on. I have a lot of chapters drafted and I’m hoping for constructive criticism and feedback <3 Includes slow burn smut and heavy romanticism.

*disclaimer: My character is of age, there will not be heavy triggers or abuse depicted in this story. This is from the viewpoint of an INFP character. I do not own any of the original characters. All rights can suck my d*ck because JK is a pos.(for legal reasons I could be joking) (/nj) *also how does on do italics on tumblr? My story is much better with italics*

Readers POV:

It was a cold late summer night. Earlier I had received news I was being transferred to Hogwarts, English school of witchcraft and wizardry. Previously, I had attended the Beauxbatons academy of magic, it was quite pleasant. Many beautiful females, entrancing magic acts, and wonderful support from professors and peers. It was much needed treatment after all I had been through the previous years. It felt nice to be in a place where the points on my ears were socially acceptable.

Late spring

  Screeeeech! The train was painfully loud. God this is so unlike me, I can't believe I missed the other train! I thought to myself as I was sitting impatiently. The train was quite quiet and dim at this time of night. It was amusingly peaceful, the soft horn blaring in the short distance, the noises of the engine and the wheels hitting the steel mixed with a sort of melancholy energy floating through the cabin I was sitting in. The room was quite spacious with a big. beautiful window, the seats were faux leather and redwood. My suitcase was also a redwood finish, it looked nice against the olive color carpet underneath my feet.

I could get used to this.

   Screeeeech! "Aherm- ladies and, well.. lady. This is the final and last stop. Doors are located to your left." Here I go. My familiar, Natas, stretched and awoke from their slumber, grabbed my suitcase with their tail and followed me down the steps. "I can get that my love." I whispered to Natas as I lightly tugged the handle from the grasp of their long soft tail.

   Natas was a wonderful gift to me. Literally and metaphorically. I found them hurt under a blackberry bush in the middle of a rain storm near Oregon. I had no idea that I could find their species back in my hometown, so I was a bit confused with how to properly nurse Natas back to health. I had called up and old friend who gave me a couple books based on fantastic beasts. Luckily, with some miracle, Natas survived and I was blessed with a loyal companion for many years. I don't think I would've survived without them.

  I stepped lightly down the steps of the wood carved station, and dismally acknowledged the fact that I had also missed the last carriage.

"It looks like it's time to practice my Apparition, you in?"

I looked at Natas with a small grin on my face. They purred in response and curled themselves between my legs. "Here we go."

"Apparatus"

I landed peacefully infront of a crooked bridge with an even more crooked awning. It was weirdly liminal. I was infatuated. As I crossed each plank of wood beneath my feet, it creaked louder and louder. The moon was out full, and the smell of rain lingered on each blade of grass. The wind howled for a moment, as if it was calling out to someone. I had walked halfway over this dense bridge when small warm lights appeared in my vision.

Oh my, this is more enchanting that I would have imagined.

The mountain parted and a stone structure was peeking out from behind. As I walked with the twisted and curved boards, the building was starting to take shape and transform. Beautiful stained glass windows, stone gargoyles flying high to guard the castle -

Oh shit, I totally forgot.

I grabbed a potion from my satchel. I had been working on this one to sneak into public libraries after hours without being detected by cctv and other muggles walking about. When I realized I was leaving late from home I snatched it in hopes it would become useful against my arrival becoming impaired by any persistent guards.

I drank my potion and continued to walk past the gate into the main court of Hogwarts lightly, my anxious thoughts were interrupted by a dark smooth voice.

"You must be the late student. Do spare me with your name, Follow me."

This man turned towards the stairs and flicked his long black cape behind him.

"Yes sir."

I replied lightly. I felt a tension in the room get a bit smaller. As he led the way, we were passing beautiful mosaics with moving parts, I couldn't tell if they were real or enchanted. Paintings from the 16th century, artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador DalI, Rembrant and so many more I didn't recognize covered the walls. The candelabras were absolutely astonishing, I adore a good candelabra. The cold breeze snuck in through the empty windows between the stone arches, climbing around the pillars, it smelt like cold fresh flowers. Lavender. The stars were shinning bright, reflecting off of the stone paths outside. Again, my thoughts were interrupted.

"I can see you are preoccupied with the scenery. I do hope you remembered your way to your dorm. Since you have missed the dinner as well as the beginning of the year house placement for your year, you will be shacked up here; in this single room. Do be mindful of Moaning Murtle. The first years will be sorted into their houses tomorrow morning. Professor Dumbledore will reach out regarding your house.. status."

He looked at me emotionless with his dark aburn eyes and his blank mouth.

"Thank you professor?-" I hope he takes the bait.

"Snape. You may call me professor Snape."

I lightly grinned. "Thank you snape. I assure you I am grateful for the wonderful tour." I said with a smirk and light hearted sense of encouragement. "Have a wonderful evening."

   He nodded slowly and turned around, once again flicking his cape but more delicately. I politely shut my door and threw my case onto the floor, and my body onto the queen sized bed.

   "Natas. Come on out now" I murmured. They stretched from my pocket and became their average size. "Hope no one saw you, they'd be so terrified no students would want to talk to me." I said with a smile. Natas rolled their eyes and nudged my head, then nudging my pillow. I understood what she was telling me. I turned off my back and onto my stomach, reaching over the soft satin sheets and past the red wooden bed frame to grab my case, I struggled for a second wiggling my fingers at it like that would help. I felt my wand poke my lower back and it dawned on me where I was, so I reached for it and forced the case to come to me. I slipped into my silk nightgown, I traced the lace delicately as I laid my head upon the golden pillow with tassels. Natas started purring and I faded into my dreamscape.

           This will do.

[tymberwolf02]

A Day in the Life of Nathaniel Coldheart

"AGH!! NO!! NOT THE BUTTERFLY PIT!!!! ANYTHING BUT THE BUTTERFLY PIT!!"

Wha-? Oh. Another nightmare. Seems like I've been having more and more of them lately. Especially about butterflies. Most people think those ridiculous insects are beautiful- HAH! Troublesome things that flit around my head and get stuck in my hair, that's what they are! Not to mention how many times they've gotten into my nasty machines! If I had a dollar for every time I had to scoop bug guts out of one of my inventions, I would be a billionaire by now! I mean, I'm already a billionaire, but I'd be a double billionaire! How's that for an expression?!

Ah! How rude of me! I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Professor Nathaniel Coldheart, M. S. What does the M. S. stand for, you ask? It stands for Mad Scientist, of course! Although I'm more of a Mad Scientist, Dark Wizard, and All-Around Rotter if I do say so myself! That's what my card says, anyway! Here, you want one?

I'm getting off topic again. What was I talking about? Oh, yes. So I woke up at an unreasonable hour because I was dreaming about butterflies again. I didn't really have anything I needed to be up early for, so I decided to lay back down. Trying to get some more beauty sleep, if you know what I mean. Not that it would do much good. Have you seen this face?

Unfortunately, there were a few certain someones who wouldn't let that stand. A few certain fuzzy-wuzzy someones, I should say. I knew as soon as I heard the chorus of voices outside my window. They were singing that insipid song of theirs. The one that goes "shaaaaaring and caaaaaring" or something like that. I don't really remember. Don't know why they decided to show up outside my door, either. I got this castle in the Land Without Feelings because I didn't want solicitors, dammit! And they of all people should know better than to traverse the Land Without Feelings, what with their caring powers not working here!

"What's going on out here?!" I shouted as I leaned out the window.

The orange leader of the fuzzy-wuzzies, Tenderheart, I believe his name is, answered, "We're here to show you we care, Coldheart! We care about everyone, even those who don't care about us!"

Ohhh, that ground my gears. I felt my face turn from ice blue to beet red in a split second. They wanted to show me that they care?! Where were they when I really needed them?! When I was being beaten by my father?! Or when that poor little girl got kicked out on the streets?! They weren't! They didn't get to just put a band-aid over everything and tell me it was alright!

So as a thanks, I showed them just how much I cared. I pressed a button on a remote control I had next to my bed, and a cauldron of ice water emerged from the top of the spire where my bedroom was. I watched as a torrent of freezing water dropped like a waterfall and splashed the meddling interlopers on the ground below. "And don't you dare bring your warm feelings into my domain ever again!" I shouted, slamming the window shut.

So... yeah... not the best start to my day. Damn fuzzy-wuzzies... Never there when you really need them and always there when you can't stand to be around them. Like they really thought that this little gesture of theirs would be enough to erase all the years of torment I went through... years where they could have stepped in and helped, but never did.

Ugh. This is depressing. So depressing, in fact, that it gave me a bellyache. No chance I would ever get back to sleep now. I stood up and began to get ready for the day.

I have to admit, the shower did make me feel better. What really made me feel better, though, was my special tea that I make whenever I get a bellyache. It's got dark tea leaves and licorice and ginger in it. I've always loved licorice. Both the root and the candy. That and bitter chocolate. And peppermint.

I poured it over ice in my travel mug and sealed it shut. Everyone thinks that I use this mug to give little kids potions that turn them into kobolds. I find that ridiculous! Kobolds aren't transformed at all; they're born that way! As for me, I've only turned people into animals twice in my whole entire life! And it wasn't even to kids, it was to two adults who had it coming in the first place!

All of a sudden, I heard Frostbite come into the kitchen. "Oh, Frostbite! You're awake! You'll never believe what those fuzzy-wuzzies did to me this morning!"

"What'd they do, boss?" he always sounds so unperturbed. I could tell him that armageddon was upon us and he'd act like the worst that was going on was that I spilled my bolts and screws all over the floor again.

"They were singing that annoying song of their's right outside the castle! And the sun wasn't even up yet!"

"The sun never comes up around here."

"But don't you worry. I took care of those fuzzy-wuzzy freaks! And I'm pleased to tell you that my ice water trap works like a charm! That'll teach them not to bring their warm feelings around here anymore!" I started laughing.

Frostbite rolled his eyes at me. He does that a lot. "Yeah... whatever. Glad to see you're happy at least," he replied, fixing himself his own cup of tea.

I know I should have been angrier, but putting hypocritical snobs in their place always cheers me up. It's one of the many perks of being so nasty. Well, besides running over rude people in your Sharkmarine. And speaking of which, that gave me an idea!

I quickly finished my tea and made my way to the garage. Yes, we have a garage. That's where I keep all my inventions! Well, most of them, anyway. They're kinda here and there. Anyways, I was really interested in one in particular. The one called Sharkmarine. If you're curious, it's exactly what it sounds like. Part shark, part submarine, part tank. Pretty sweet ride, if you ask me. Wait 'till Vanilla gets her driver's licence. I'll build her one that looks like a pink orca!

Except... it didn't start right away. I banged on the console as the engine struggled to start. A few seconds later, the engine jolted to life and a pair of briefs were spat out the back. I know because I saw them when I made my way around the back. I picked them up and showed them to the kobolds working in the garage. "Alright, who put underwear in the Sharkmarine's engine?!"

The damned fools just pointed at one another like I was really gonna believe it. I cracked my knuckles. Next thing I knew, I was chasing them around the castle, about to beat some kobold ass. I was gonna throw them all in the river for this! Eventually, I wore out and stopped, shaking my fist at them. Ugh. Remind me to get some better minions one of these days.

Well, that didn't really work out. What next? As I went back downstairs, I noticed Vanilla in the front room. "Oh! Nillie Bean! I didn't see you earlier. How did you sleep?"

"I had the most wonderful dream last night."

"You did? Tell me more," I replied.

She went on to describe her dream to me. She was the warrior princess of a kingdom that was completely pink. She rode on a pink dragon into a kingdom of gray to stop the gray sorceror from taking over. To be honest, it sounded pretty revolting to me. But she's my girl, and if my girl's happy, then I'm happy.

"Hey, dad. Why were you chasing those kobolds earlier? Did something happen?"

"Oh, nothing serious, dear. They had just messed up another one of my inventions is all."

"Again? Wow, we really oughta get you some new minions one of these days."

See what I mean? We're even on the same wavelength! Don't think this means that you can date her, though! You lay one hand on her, and I'll freeze ya solid! Not that she would need my help, though. She takes no garbage from men. I remember when I was working with Doctor Fright and he wouldn't stop hassling her. She ended up kicking him straight out the window. That ugly Dracula ripoff won't forget that for a long time! Hopefully the next time he thought twice before throwing himself on another woman! HAH!

And then, I had another stroke of genius! I tend to have those a lot. I reached into my pocket and took out my little book of evil spells. I flipped through it before landing on the page I was looking for. Here it was! The devil mirror spell. When this spell was used on a mirror, it would enchant it so that the mirror only reflects the worst in people. Just imagine the chaos if those fuzzy-wuzzies were to gaze into it! It might put them off caring forever! NYAHAHAHA-

Okay, okay. I think I made my point. I thought a bit more. It would take a bit of engineering to construct the mirror so it wouldn't shatter or melt. That's what happened last time, and I've learned since then. I took out some paper and a pencil and started to draw the blueprint.

So, that's my life for ya! Got an amazing assistant, a beautiful daughter, and... admittedly not so smart minions... but overall, it's all good! At the very least, it's much better than where I used to be.

Don't you wish you had it?

When you catch Coldheart on one of his "up" days.

Care Bears belongs to Those Characters from Cleveland. Professor Coldheart belongs to DiC. AU, character versions are mine.

[storylocke]

Alolan Dusk 16

[The man made island was always a madhouse first thing in the morning, and there’s a buzz in the air as dozens of Foundation Employees all try to make their way to their stations for the day. Even if the president hadn't told them of the details from the night before, it’s clear that speed is on their minds. But not everyone is off and running, and it's amusing to Guzma then how easy it still is to spot Molayne in the rush of white uniforms.]

Guzma:

[And yet, the guy still wasn't alone. Casually walks up to the pair of researchers] Morning. Where are you two off to? 

Molayne:

[Surprisingly chipper] Good morning~! Did you sleep well? 

Guzma:

[As if his friend didn't notice.] Better than him. Colress? You alive there? 

Colress:

[Yawns as he leans against the wall and nods at him] I'll be alright, just… Discovering even I have limits. 

Molayne:

[Motions for Guzma to lean in close and keeps his voice low] We ended up working late last night, and I was able to show him some of my… hidden talent. You know clock manipulation is always a little disorienting. I don't think he's caught up yet. 

Guzma:

[Crosses his arms and shakes his head at him. Softly] Yeah, I remember the first time ya did it to us, we were all wound up for like a week. 

Molayne:

[Harshly] That one was an accident. It was more like, uh… a defense mechanism.

Colress:

[Perks up a bit in curiosity. Even if they are trying to be secretive about it, he takes a guess.] Hold on. Guzma knows you…? 

Molayne:

[Straightens up, speaking more normally] Yes. Guzma and Kukui did their trials the same year I did, so we've known each other a long time. I wouldn't say we've always been friends, but he's been kind enough to not spill my secrets. 

Guzma:

And find out what you could do if you were actually mad at me? I ain't touching that! Besides, we had other stuff going on. [Smiles as he sees Colress is dozing off on them again] Tell the truth, how far did you go? 

Molayne:

I think I bought us another six hours last night? But I would estimate that made for a twenty two hour work day for him yesterday?

Colress:

You guessed wrong. It's been much longer than that!

Guzma:

Hehehe… He's gonna be so dead at that meeting then. 

Molayne:

[Alarmed] Meeting? What meeting? 

Guzma:

Ah, he didn't tell ya? I just came from Gladion's office, but he told me to go on ahead with the others and he'll meet me in Po Town. Said he needed to stay here so he could discuss some things with Colress about whatever it is you two are up to. 

Molayne:

[Frowns] If that's the case, I should probably go too. 

Colress:

I appreciate the offer, Mr. Lillie, but didn't you promise Professor Burnet something? [Waves him off] The meeting is not until nine, and I can still try to get an hour's rest before then. 

Guzma:

[Amused] Yeah, you heard the man. Just dump him in one of the offices, and he'll be fine. 

Molayne:

[Sighs, but they both have a point]  

Guzma:

[Slaps him on the back] Cheer up, Mo. The cafe should be clearing out by now, so why don't we get you guys some Komala Coffee, and then you can decide which way you're going? 

Colress:

In a moment, but what have we here?

[The other two turn to see what he means and find some of their coworkers had started gathering where the path widened to go around the elevator.] 

Faba:

It seems Ilima will be able to come off the support sometime today. 

Lillie:

[Nervously] That's wonderful, but I'd rather discuss that in private. 

Faba:

With everyone about to leave, when I see you? And it's not a secret when- [A look of intrigue at her companions, but feigns surprise] I mean, considering how much you two have been in contact since we arrived, I thought the professor would have been the first to be informed on our guest's conditions. 

Burnet:

[Frowns] Quips and I were just happy to hear Ilima reached you after the attack, I just thought…. I hoped he wasn't at dinner with us because he would have gone back to the Interpol Headquarters. I wouldn't blame him for lying low after nearly getting killed back there for just delivering the message. 

Wicke:

I'm afraid not. You wouldn't have seen him because he's been in the hospital wing since he arrived. 

Faba:

Yes, and we'll need the hospital wing for other passengers soon enough. It's been suggested, given the circumstances of how and when he came to us, that he be moved for safer observation. 

Guzma:

Are you for real? 

Faba:

Gah! [Slight jump as he moves next to Wicke] I wish you wouldn't sneak up on everyone like that. 

Colress:

Is it really "sneaking" when you choose to hold your discussions in the middle of a walkway?

Lillie:

Exactly. I'm sure you mean well, but I wasn't planning to discuss this with the others until we knew Ilima's condition for sure. [The shakiness in voice only increases as she gazes down the hall again.] With all due respect, Mr. Faba, I need to attend to something. Wicke? It sounds like you have some new information to go over, would you mind going with the others to sort things out? Gladion and I will meet with you all later.

Wicke:

Of course. [Gives a little bow to the girl and watches her leave before turning to the ex-chief.] She is right, you know. Unless there was something more urgent you needed to tell us?

Faba:

[No need to hide his hostility between them.] Only urgent to me. But as the young mistress says, we have other things to attend to. [Hands on his hips as he looks at the three who interrupted them] I don't suppose you have anything better to do right now?

Colress:

Always! But she did tell us to go with you. 

Wicke:

[Gestures to quiet the group before these two can get started] Then I suggest we all get to our business. Burnet, Molayne, you're going with Lillie to Akala, correct? I'm sure she can explain more on the ferry. 

Guzma:

[Holds himself open. What gives?] 

Wicke:

You can ask Gladion when he arrives. And remember, as per the young mistress's wishes, try not to start rumors until we know anything for sure. 

[There comes a muddled murmur of agreement, and the team starts to break up again.] 

=+=

[Burnet was right to say it wouldn't take long to pack up what remains of the Dimensional Research Lab. As a handful of Employees help to pack and haul out dollies of boxes, Wicke observes it all through the large central screen and categorizes each item in the Aether inventory before seeing it packed away.] 

Burnet:

[They're more or less done now!] Thanks, guys. It's SO MUCH easier having a direct line to Aether now to know what we actually need to take instead of grabbing everything. It's still going to be weird working with my old teacher again. 

Lillie:

[Pleasantly surprised] I thought when you said you knew each other in college, you meant as classmates! 

Burnet:

I think the original Dreamyard has been gone since before I was born. 

Molayne:

[Wrapping up a spool of cords] I could see that. I think the Chief was working with your grandmother when I first visited Aether as a boy. [Nervously at the screen] I mean no offense. 

Wicke:

None taken. [Vainly brushes her bangs from her face.] A rare benefit of Outsider corruption, you could say. But unlike a few others I've known, I've found the best way to not dwell on the long years is to keep moving forward. 

Lillie:

[Growing concern] Others…? 

Wicke:

It's more common than you think. You'll meet them some day, I'm sure. Hold on. [Looks over at someone off screen and steps aside while the other three continue looking over the equipment. Returns.] Sorry about that. It seems Colress will be heading to Melemele, so he wanted me to pass a message on to you three: Get some rest when you get back, you'll be doing a test run tonight. No time set yet, further instructions will be given. 

Molayne:

[Now he's the one concerned] Test run…? 

Burnet:

You said that's for all of us? What am I testing?

Wicke:

[Shrug] He's gone now, so I'm not sure. But given the subject of our plans last night, he likely means for you to demonstrate the Reveal Glass to the others. 

Burnet:

I was afraid of that. I guess I could showcase one of my partners…[Goes to her desk where she had hidden the unusual object while working and peers into the looking glass. She should heed her own warning about using it too much, but all she sees looking back this time is herself. A bruised, sleep deprived version of herself with tear stains deeply marked. She wonders then if it was so obvious to everyone who saw her.] I don't know if I can do this. 

Wicke:

If all we need is to use the mirror on Necrozma, one of us could do it instead. [Thoughtful] And we can still test it on other things in the meantime. 

Molayne:

Like what?

Wicke:

Perhaps as a sort of detection device. One of the things Aether hasn't figured out yet is how to tell a Shadow Pokemon apart from a regular Pokemon until we have time to analyze its aggressive behavior. I heard Alola hasn't fared much better. 

Burnet:

[Hesitates] We can try it. But once we put some distance between Aether and Alola, we really should hide it again. 

Wicke:

[Sly grin] Aww, even from me? 

Burnet:

[Bluntly] Especially from you!

Lillie:

Well if you don't mind… [Shifts uncomfortably as she debates on asking] Would it be alright to use it for… something similar? 

Everyone:

[Look at her with curiosity and uncertainty]

Lillie:

Shadow people, I mean. [Saddened as she focuses on Burnet] I was wondering if it might be possible to use the Reveal Glass on Ilima. 

Wicke:

Miss Lillie, you were supposed to- 

Lillie:

I did, but all I told them was about the message and the ship and… Gladion and I were somewhat arguing about it after I found out the plan this morning, and I wasn't sure about asking yet. [Turns to address the other two] Gladion wants him moved because, if he's a Shadow, and we've long suspected he is, we don't want him to wake up and go on a rampage with other patients around. But even if his wounds have been healing and he's reported to be stable, I just don't feel like it's a good idea to move him right now. [Little nod to Burnet] I told Gladion to at least wait until I could talk more with you since you said the mirror could tell us for sure if he's any kind of threat instead of us just guessing like we have been. 

Molayne:

[Thoughtful] You said the mirror can cause a form change, maybe show how things really are… [Softly] but does it do anything to the Shadows? 

Burnet:

[Shakes head] It's only certain Pokemon that change, but I admit I was curious and tried it on Kukui since I was holding this in case Roark came back. The reflection… [Curls into herself] Just a misty, black silhouette of who he was. With how blank the Shadows seem to be, I'm sure it's some indication of what he remembers about himself right now. 

Lillie:

Hmm… That might change as he calms down, like we've seen with the others. I guess if we try it out tonight, we can see if there's any variation between the Shadows. If nothing else, we just need some obvious difference with Ilima to confirm his state of being. 

Burnet: 

When it sounds like the situation is so dire, how could I say no? We'll see what we can do when we settle in for tonight. 

=+=

[With all of the willing Shadows already taken out of town, the plan had shifted to Lillie's suggestion of having to wait for the more fearful to get curious of their visitors. Gladion decided the best place to stay out of the way as he answered for earlier was for him and Guzma to head to the roof where they could oversee the rest of the town] 

Gladion:

She said she understands the need for precautions, but I don't think she gets the urgency of doing it as soon as we can. I don't want to call Lillie out for caring too much, I just feel like her personal ties might be causing some poor judgment. She's pretty fond of him.

Guzma:

[Voice dripping with sarcasm] Of course she is, that's part of the problem. Everyone loves Ilima. Melemele's golden boy.  

Gladion:

[Pauses as he stops to do the math] You would have moved off the island by the time he was born. What's your problem? 

Guzma:

Ya want a list? The only thing I need to know is what happens when Detective Gumshoos wakes up? Is he along for the ride or getting shipped back to HQ? Because Burnet was pretty sure he had already left until this morning. 

Gladion:

[Feels kinda bad to admit it] The conflict right now is we're not sure he will. I want to have him moved downstairs before he wakes up, so we don't have a new Shadow on the rampage. She's worried if we do anything before he's had the chance to fully recover, it'll only make his condition worse. If I guess wrong, there's a chance he could be unconscious indefinitely, but if we do it her way, he may need to be kept under intentionally until we have some kind of breakthrough.

Guzma:

[More curious than concerned.] Wait, so he's not a Shadow? I thought you guys were keeping him under so he didn't run off.

Gladion:

I'm more than sure he is, but it's not just that. He… I drove out to the Interpol cruiser and we found him inside not far from the wheel. The door was broken, [forms his fingers to mimic the claw marks] there were these huge gashes along the inside, and… a lot of blood. [Closes his eyes to fight against the memory of it. The scene had weighed heavily on him ever since he saw the video] A lot of blood. I'm no medical person, but if it was me, I would have said he was dead. Even getting him into the ward, I didn't think he'd have long. It's still some miracle he survived in his state for likely over a day since he had no way to address his injuries while unconscious. Ilima isn't just recovering, he might somehow be fully functional after all this. 

Guzma:

[Wry amusement] Except you don't believe in miracles. 

Gladion:

Exactly. There's something that's been bugging me about the whole thing. [Drops his head in thought] I can only assume one of two things: either Shadowfication causes a victim to be locked in a sort of stasis so he couldn't get any worse; but if that were the case, I'm not sure how he was able to get better either; or there's something else sustaining him. And if it's the latter, I'm scared Necrozma may have wanted us to find him.

Guzma:

So you're worried he's a Voltorb?

Gladion:

[Softly nods] The more I try to think about it, the less it makes sense. If Necrozma fed off of his aura for the energy like any other Shadow, why leave him there? Why not blast the ship like it did to the lab to ensure there was no possible way for Ilima to do any more damage? Why not stay on the boat to reach Aether and stop us before we could even begin the evacuation? That's why it tried to kill Kukui and Ilima before was because it wanted to stop the messenger, right? And even if it didn't know Ilima had set the autopilot to find us, why leave a Shadow adrift at sea? [Concerned as he looks at his old boss] I just feel like I've been on thin ice with Lillie for a while now, but after seeing the damage on the boat, the ending of Ilima's message keeps haunting me. [Moves to face Guzma] Just before Ilima was cut off, he taunted Necrozma about failing, but it just started laughing. With this being before we arrived, I just… it's plotting something. I'm sure of it. Am I just getting paranoid or does this make any sense? 

Guzma:

I think you've got every reason to be. [Even with Gladion venting to him, he can't help but gaze down the main road where a young Shadow slips out from around one the hedges. Seems the girl is intrigued by the Yungoose one of the Employees had let out.] That just opens a bunch of other questions. Y'know, like… why create Shadows at all? What's the point of them? It's one thing If we could just say that's just Necrozma's nature, that all it wants is to survive, and these shells are just some by-product. But that would still mean they're supposed to play a role in the natural hierarchy, right? Like Shedinja. In the wild, they can't do much, but they make great decoys so the new Ninjask don't get eaten. 

Gladion:

[Curious] So what do you think it is? A decoy?

Guzma:

I couldn't sleep last night, so I looked into that "Shadow Incident" Dexio mentioned. [Shifts awkwardly] It's some crazy stuff, the way those Cipher guys got Shadowfication down to an art and were just handing them out on the streets. It was like shoving an Outsider into a vessel and then that just seemed to attract bigger Outsiders, which they used to make more dangerous Shadows. The scary thing is, the only way they were able to pull this mass capture off was because Outsiders are dangerous but they're still pretty social. A lot like the Shadows. [Gestures to the show they're watching in action] You've seen it yourself: the ones that have gotten to know me, will pretty much do what I say. And in the reports, Shadow Pokemon might turn on their Trainers, but Cipher never had that problem. Maybe because they're the ones who made them. But even if ours are supposed to be different, ya gotta ask: can Necrozma do the same? If the Shadows belong to it, maybe it wouldn't have to waste any energy possessing people if it can just command them.

Gladion:

[Thoughtful] And I bet something obsessed with consuming energy wouldn't like anything that requires it to spend more. But if it was building up a sort of army, why hasn't it utilized it? I would think the Shadows would have attacked us long before we could put them in lockdown. 

Guzma:

[Shrugs] And maybe that just means I'll be paranoid with ya. [He points out the girl and the Yungoos playing around as the Preschooler mimics the Pokemon. The Employee moves closer, likely preparing to nab the child if he can.] Heh…. That ain't gonna end well. 

[Gladion watches intensely as the girl manages to avoid being grabbed, and shakes his head at the man as he told them not to use force. Suddenly, the girl becomes like a true shadow herself as her body seems to radiate with black energy and she lunges at the man with a speed that causes the energy to trail behind her in a blur! The Yungoos jumps in front to defend its' Trainer and recoils from the hit. It appears dazed from the blow, but before the girl can do much, a second Employee comes up from behind to scoop her off the pavement.] 

Guzma:

Looks like we better go help 'em. 

Gladion:

[Still staring down at the scene, he catches Guzma before he can walk away. Disturbed.] Isn't that black aura like what Burnet described happened with Kukui? 

Guzma:

Yeah. Why? 

Gladion:

[Flustered how he can say that so calmly] Because none of those we've been working with have ever done that?

Guzma:

Of course not. It just started a few weeks ago. New Shadows have been showing up with weird abilities now. It's like they're evolving. Which is why I'm on your side in thinking moving Ilima would be smart. If he became a Shadow the same night Kukui did, odds are he can do something like that too. 

Gladion:

[As the former Boss takes off, he lingers behind for a moment and watches the commotion on the street as the second Employee struggles. The little girl appears to be trying to climb out of his arms and onto his shoulder. Softly to himself.] Evolving…?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Just some downtime as the day moves on. Surely nothing important here. :)

Archive

[carlacachu]

Tempted to say “Lord, ibalato/iregalo Mo na po ito please sa akin”. Then I realized how His ways, His plans are better and beyond mine and imagination combined.

So Lord, let Your will be done po.

2 years ago today, I learned I was removed, or should I say “kicked out” of the program I joined and worked so hard for, for almost 3 years because I failed to comply the necessary requirements. It was a PhD program in an equally prestigious university here in the Philippines. I should say, though, that it is the university’s requirement that we do not fail more than 1 subject; otherwise, we’re out. And it all happened in the First Semester of the pandemic.

I originally planned to enroll only 1 subject because work is even more demanding than it usually was. But my professor persuaded me, but really, I felt coerced to take the other subject alongside the only 1 I meant to enroll. Honestly, I found it terribly challenging to focus that time. It was not that I was constantly home that made it hard and prior to that I was often out somewhere studying because it was easier for me to focus then. But the fact that my Lolo (grandfather, my dad’s side) who had a history of sexual assault that really affected me to my core.

I posted my story way, way back about my history on this subject. But as a person who had not really healed from this experience, my grandfather living with us due to his condition placed my mental health in jeopardy. I barely stepped out of the room if not for a quick pee or the need to take a shower. I had a hard time sleeping because I felt the need to stay awake all night so he wouldn’t be able to come in and harass me. It eventually led me to filling up my bedroom with lots of plants, painting it all white from 10:00pm until 5:00am, redecorating and all to make the room my home; the safest place I could ever be. I stopped joining family meals because I can’t bear sitting next to my grandpa. And while my dad wasn’t aware, my mom was. Because she knows what happened to me in relation to my Lolo’s criminal past.

Alas, before the semester ended, I had to take an F from the only subject I originally planned on taking. It was because I was lagging behind on the requirements and my professor, while kind, also had his deadline. The other subject, however, since I was able to submit a few papers before the closing of their system, I was given an INC or incomplete. I could still make it. Or at least I thought I could.

Eventually, I got married. We initially planned to hold the wedding later in 2021 but my then-boyfriend-now-husband decided we’ll pull the dates closer to sort of ease me from my burden. Before we were even wed, my Lolo was sent off to live with one of my aunts. Months after I got married, though, things took a turn for the worst.

No longer detailing what happened, because believe me when I say there’s so much to say about it. So many things happened; more sad days than happy ones, until I received an email from the university registrar saying I am kicked out of the program due to my failure to comply.

I messaged my other professor, the chair of the department, and showed her the message and only responded with, “I’m sorry. Perhaps a different program is more fitting for you.” I sent my professor an email and he expressed his sincere apologies about it. There was nothing they could do, actually. It was all my fault.

Maybe I wasn’t mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and maybe even physically prepared for it. PhD, after all, is a huge leap. And this leap caused me to lose my self-esteem even more because I felt out of place all the time. But that’s for another blog, I guess.

2 years later, here’s me. Trying again, in my early 30s. God has placed the desire in my heart to pursue this and I pray He will bless it too. I pray He will always keep my heart and mind on His hand always that I will remain focused and strong enough to finish this.

This is why I was grateful to have lost the other job.

At my now-only-fulltime job (teaching), I am given the convenience of lessening load although it is still demanding as ever. I feel like this is the Lord removing my ‘negotiables’, the things I can forgo so I am prepared to take this on. I’m praying that this notion is right.

[iamambitious]

Scanting is the Answer

Most of the students, professors, and owners/managers of SMEs the team spoke with concur that this idea is highly doable. One SME manager I directly spoke with thinks it would be better if there were an app that was comparable to other POS devices but less expensive and easier to use, and we believe Scanting might be the answer. Scanning significantly cuts down on time-consuming, repetitive procedures, and eliminates huge potential for human error. a mobile program that incorporates inventory management software and can scan barcodes. Users can save time and effort by utilizing this functionality. Users can utilize the program to access real-time inventory data and make informed stock management decisions and also it has a special feature that gives professional accounting advice-which most SMEs would love.

Scanting aims to make the inventory management process more efficient and straightforward. This app will correctly count inventory using cutting-edge barcode scanning technology and store information in a database, delivering real-time statistics on stock levels, product movement, and other inventory-related variables. The application will also cut down on the time and effort needed for manual data entry, freeing up staff to concentrate on other tasks. For those SMEs who would want to try out and examine the features and compatibility of the stated program but with restricted functionality, Scanting app offers a 7-day free trial. They can choose to access it with all features after a seven-day trial.

The team is completely aware of the needs of the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises as a result of getting thus far. We all eventually learn the lesson that prior knowledge of our own desires is necessary in order to properly understand what others seek. When you pay attention to what other people have to say, you'll gain a fresh perspective on events that will make you reevaluate your choices and unquestionably direct you toward more wise ones. 

[covid-safer-hotties]

Reference preserved in our archive

BY Tyler Harvey

Among the many symptoms that have been reported by people experiencing Long COVID, one of the more recent is an unusual level of thirst. This could mean that the feeling of thirst may keep getting stronger and last longer than usual. Or that even drinking lots of water—the healthiest thirst-quencher of all—doesn’t do the trick.

Stuart Katz, MD, a cardiologist and the Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Professor of Advanced Cardiac Therapeutics at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, is a researcher whose Long COVID symptoms lasted for nearly a year. During that time, he began experiencing symptoms of COVID-associated thirst following his initial SARS-CoV-2 infection in December 2020. Dr. Katz says that the excessive thirstiness and other Long COVID symptoms have taken a toll on his quality of life.

He is not alone. A 2023 study published in JAMA found that excessive thirst was one of 12 symptoms most commonly seen in patients with Long COVID. This study is part of a larger research effort called the National Institutes of Health’s Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative. Using self-reported data from approximately 10,000 Long COVID patients across 85 sites in 33 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the scientists found that 40% reported thirst. In addition to his own experience with Long COVID, Dr. Katz is a RECOVER investigator.

The physiological processes that cause excessive thirst in Long COVID remain unknown. One hypothesis, which Dr. Katz believes should be investigated with experimental studies, proposes that angiotensin II (an endocrine hormone that stimulates thirst) may play a role. SARS-CoV-2 enters cells through a receptor on the cell membrane that also interacts with angiotensin II. A connection may exist between the way in which SARS-CoV-2 enters cells and the lasting symptom of thirst in Long COVID patients, Dr. Katz explains. But more data is needed to establish such a link.

Currently, there are no proven treatments for excessive thirst among patients with Long COVID. In some cases, like Dr. Katz’s, the symptom resolves on its own over time. However, drinking too much water may pose some risk, such as excess urine production or low blood sodium, he warns. Dr. Katz instead recommends consuming ice chips or sucking candy, which has helped some of his patients with heart failure—a condition that can also cause increased thirst. Until more is known, thirst remains a challenge and mystery for scientists and patients alike.

Dr. Katz is using his own experience as a force for good. “My personal experience with Long COVID remains fresh in my mind,” he told me recently. “It provides a strong motivation to complete the scientific work of RECOVER with the hope to better understand what happened to me and how better to help the millions of patients still suffering with Long COVID symptoms.”

Tyler Harvey is an MD/PhD candidate at Yale School of Medicine

The last word from Lisa Sanders, MD: Thirst is one of the strongest of all human motivations—stronger even than hunger. And with good reason. Those who teach wilderness survival refer to the “rule of 3,” which says that a person can live for 3 minutes without air (oxygen), 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food. Angiotensin II is sometimes known as the thirst hormone. Its release from the kidney triggers the drive to drink. That this is one of the symptoms of Long COVID is yet more evidence of how widespread this virus can travel in the body: lung, heart, brain, and kidneys.

Last year, researchers proposed a group of 12 key symptoms indicative of and possibly diagnostic of Long COVID. Although this tool was not intended to be used for clinical diagnostic purposes, it allowed researchers to assign a point value to each symptom, based on its frequency. They propose that the probability of Long COVID is higher in those who score a total of 12 points once all the symptoms were added up. The 12 symptoms and their points are:

Loss of smell or taste: 8 points Post-exertional malaise: 7 points Chronic cough: 4 points Brain fog: 3 points Thirst: 3 points Heart palpitations: 2 points Chest pain: 2 points Fatigue: 1 point Dizziness: 1 point Gastrointestinal symptoms: 1 point Issues with sexual desire or capacity: 1 point Abnormal movements (including tremors, slowed movements, rigidity, or sudden, unintended and uncontrollable jerky movements): 1 point

I have seen patients who I was certain had Long COVID and who didn’t reach a score of 12, but I think this may be a useful tool for further research. Indeed, thirst is one of the 12 symptoms—so it’s very common in this population.

Study link: jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2805540

[vroooom2]

Halvar sent me a question: if you weren't so smart, what job would you do?

My answer: make-up artist and hairdresser! Because you don't need the baccalaureate to study it. Unfortunately for me, I loved studying. And it looks like I still do.

That reminds me of when I was 15, I met a counselor for professional orientation, who was invited to meet all the students in our school, to advise what we should study after the baccalaureate.

- Me (with sheer enthusiasm): I want to become a fashion designer, what is the degree for that?

- Her (looking at my grades): you have to study at Science-Po

- Me: 😳

- Her: yes study at Science-Po, then you'll be able to do whatever you want after that.

Moral of the true story: I studied Fashion and Textile Design after the Baccalaureate, then Advertising, then I got into Science-Po, skipping the first year (special exam for those who had a BAC+2, usually for those who did two years of prépa, the special formation to get into French elite graduate schools).

I passed the entry exam, because after my studies in advertising, I was so demoralized, that I met another counselor for professional orientation, who advised me to do Science-Po. Her argument: it's all about learning general knowledge "culture générale". The curriculum includes history, geography, law, economics, social science, philosophy, foreign languages, and different specialties. She thought that it would broaden my perspective in order to choose a profession. (Actually, the best professional advice during a career change, was from a friend who said: with your background you can invent your profession. Such a mind-blowing truth.)

I followed her advice. I chose to apply for the communication section. How did I prepare for the exam? A friend who was accepted at Science-Po, after he graduated in engineering at École des Mines, gave me some tips. He works at the European Commission. For one month I read newspapers from various political views. Everyday, I picked up a newspaper and read all the pages. It helps to synthesize ideas, the requirement of the entry exam at that time.

No matter the section you applied for, you had 10 pages on a topic with documents from different sources: newspapers, legal texts, images, etc. Then you had to answer 4 questions, in a dissertation way, in 4 hours. Same process for the English test, but less pages and only 2 questions in 2 hours. Depending on your results, you were either eliminated or offered the chance for an interview with two professors of your chosen section, one who played nice, one who played mean.

Got accepted, then after two weeks, I was so bored, that I went to meet the Dean of Science-Po to ask if I could get into the International Relations section (it was actually my first wish, but I knew I'd have more chance to be accepted in the communication section). He said yes. And here I am babbling my life on Tumblr. Although, I wonder if LinkedIn Pulse would be a better platform. Uh, no I'm not an influencer, I'm a trailblazer.

What about the Medical Anthropology masters degree? Well, if you scroll down less than a mile with your thumb, you already have a part of my memoir.

Here's the other one: at Science-Po, we had a gap year to do an internship or study abroad in another European country (Erasmus program. See the movie l'Auberge Espagnole by Cédric Klapisch).

As I wanted to add something significant to my CV, I decided to work in Thailand, for an HIV/AIDS scientific program of Harvard University. Indeed, I already had my kind of Erasmus blasting experience, when I studied Fashion in London after the baccalaureate. I didn't go there through an University exchange program, but I felt the same liberation as the Erasmus students who discover new cultures, make new friends, and have a lot of fun.

To work in Chiang Mai, was more than an internship, my supervisor who was the director of the program gave me the title of "communication officer". The first time I spoke with him on the phone, he kept repeating: "Thailand is not vacation." He was right. My daily expenses there, were covered by a grant from the French regional public administration, the equivalent of a Thai manager's salary.

It was such a great experience, that after Science-Po (the graduate completion was 4 years, before the European educational reform), I decided to go further and do a Masters degree related to Public Health.

I wrote an email to the two directors of a masters degree: "Health, Population, Social Policies" asking how to proceed to get into it. I didn't know anything about EHESS procedures.

The Historian director wrote me back very quickly, mentioning that the second director would be more appropriate. I wrote to that second director who's a Medical Doctor, an Anthropologist and a Sociologist, forwarding the email of the first director. I explained that I wanted to skip the first year and get into the second year directly. The master degree completion was two years. He wrote me back, and asked me to meet him on June 21st.

After attending a fashion runway, as a freelance videographer/journalist (hey! I had to pay my bills), I went to meet him in his office on 96 bd Raspail. He started to talk about many things, mentioning many researchers names, as if I was already working on my dissertation 😳... Then I asked him: am I accepted? He didn't reply, and kept talking about concepts... I asked him again: am I accepted? No answer... That's when I discovered the heuristic research method.

I got into the second year, and met new students who asked me who was my advisor. When I said his name, they were all WOW... I was obviously the only one who didn't know that he was THE Celebrity that all students wanted to have as a supervisor.

[mitzikernan]

Algorand vs Cardano

Welcome to our blog post, where we explore the fascinating world of blockchain technology and dive into the differences between two major players in the field: Algorand and Cardano. If you've been curious about how these platforms differ in terms of their technology, consensus mechanisms, governance models, and development progress, you've come to the right place. By the end of this article, you'll have a better understanding of the unique features and strengths that set Algorand and Cardano apart. Blockchain technology has revolutionized various industries, and Algorand and Cardano are at the forefront of this digital revolution. They offer distinct approaches and solutions to address the challenges of scalability, security, and decentralization. Whether you're a developer seeking the best platform for building decentralized applications or an investor looking to explore new opportunities, knowing the differences between Algorand and Cardano will help you make informed decisions. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and join us as we embark on an exciting journey through the differences between Algorand and Cardano. By the end of this blog post, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of these two blockchain giants. Are you ready? Let's dive in and explore the unique characteristics of Algorand and Cardano that make them stand out in the world of blockchain technology. Here's a quick chart highlighting some key differences between Algorand and Cardano: AlgorandCardanoTechnologyUtilizes a layered architectureEmploys a layered architectureConsensus MechanismPure Proof-of-Stake (PoS) with Binary Byzantine AgreementOuroboros Proof-of-Stake (PoS)Governance ModelGoverned by the Algorand FoundationEmbraces decentralized governance by ADA token holdersDevelopment ProgressContinuous improvement with regular upgradesFollows a roadmap with distinct development stagesUse CasesAsset tokenization, decentralized finance, real-world asset managementSupply chain management, voting systems, identity solutions Differences between Cardano and Algorand Before diving into the specifics, let's start with a brief overview of Cardano and Algorand. Cardano Cardano is an open-source blockchain platform that was developed by Input Output Hong Kong (IOHK), a blockchain research and development company. It was founded by Charles Hoskinson, one of the co-founders of Ethereum. Cardano aims to provide a secure and scalable infrastructure for the development of dApps and smart contracts. Algorand Algorand, on the other hand, is a decentralized blockchain platform that was created by Silvio Micali, a Turing Award-winning cryptographer and MIT professor. Algorand is designed to offer high performance, security, and decentralization, making it suitable for various use cases ranging from financial applications to decentralized exchanges. Now that we have a basic understanding of both platforms, let's explore their differences in detail. Technology and Architecture Cardano and Algorand differ in their underlying technology and architectural design. Cardano's Layered Approach Cardano follows a layered architecture, consisting of two main layers: the Cardano Settlement Layer (CSL) and the Cardano Computation Layer (CCL). The CSL handles the settlement of transactions using the native ADA cryptocurrency, while the CCL is responsible for executing smart contracts. This layered approach aims to enhance scalability, security, and flexibility by separating the accounting and computation aspects of the blockchain. Algorand's Pure Proof-of-Stake Algorand utilizes a consensus mechanism called Pure Proof-of-Stake (PoS), which aims to provide security, scalability, and decentralization. In Pure PoS, block proposers are randomly selected in a decentralized manner, ensuring that a single entity cannot control the majority of the network. This design eliminates the need for expensive computational resources and minimizes the environmental impact of mining. Consensus Mechanism Both Cardano and Algorand employ unique consensus mechanisms that contribute to their overall performance and security. Cardano's Ouroboros Cardano uses a consensus protocol called Ouroboros, which is based on a Proof-of-Stake algorithm. Ouroboros divides time into epochs and slots, with each slot having a designated slot leader. Slot leaders take turns proposing and validating blocks. This mechanism allows Cardano to achieve fast confirmation times and high transaction throughput. Algorand's Binary Byzantine Agreement Algorand's consensus mechanism is based on a Binary Byzantine Agreement (BA) protocol. In this protocol, a random subset of users, called the committee, is chosen to propose and approve blocks. The BA protocol enables Algorand to reach consensus on the next block with a high probability, even in the presence of malicious actors. This consensus mechanism ensures fast block finality and prevents forks in the blockchain. Governance Model Governance plays a crucial role in the development and evolution of blockchain platforms. Both Cardano and Algorand have distinct governance models in place. Cardano's Decentralized Governance Cardano implements a decentralized governance model that aims to give power to the community. ADA token holders can participate in the decision-making process by submitting improvement proposals and voting on protocol upgrades. The platform also includes a treasury system that allocates funds for development and other initiatives based on the voting outcomes. This decentralized approach ensures that the Cardano ecosystem evolves based on the consensus and participation of its stakeholders. Algorand's Foundation Governance Algorand's governance model involves the Algorand Foundation, an independent organization responsible for the platform's development and governance. The foundation focuses on maintaining the long-term success and sustainability of the Algorand ecosystem. While community input is considered, the decision-making authority ultimately lies with the foundation. This model aims to provide stability and strategic direction for Algorand's growth. Development Progress The development progress of a blockchain platform is a crucial factor to consider, as it reflects the team's ability to deliver on their roadmap and implement innovative features. Cardano's Roadmap and Development Stages Cardano has taken a meticulous approach to development, dividing its roadmap into different stages. These stages include Byron, Shelley, Goguen, Basho, and Voltaire. Each stage introduces new functionalities and enhancements to the platform. As of the time of writing, Cardano has completed the Byron and Shelley stages, with the Goguen stage underway. Goguen focuses on smart contract functionality, allowing developers to build and deploy dApps on Cardano. Algorand's Continuous Improvement Algorand has adopted a continuous improvement approach to its development process. The platform consistently releases upgrades and enhancements to address scalability, security, and user experience. Algorand has a vibrant ecosystem with various projects and applications being built on top of its blockchain. The team behind Algorand emphasizes research-driven development and aims to provide a robust infrastructure for decentralized applications. Ecosystem and Partnerships The strength of a blockchain platform's ecosystem and partnerships can significantly influence its adoption and utility. Let's take a look at the ecosystem and partnerships associated with Cardano and Algorand. Cardano's Growing Ecosystem Cardano has been actively fostering its ecosystem through collaborations and partnerships. IOHK, the company behind Cardano, has established partnerships with academic institutions and industry leaders to promote research and development. Additionally, Cardano has initiated projects like the Atala PRISM identity solution, which aims to provide secure and self-sovereign identity management on the blockchain. These efforts contribute to the growth of Cardano's ecosystem and the adoption of its technology. Algorand's Strategic Partnerships Algorand has also been successful in forging strategic partnerships across different sectors. The platform has collaborated with notable organizations, including the International Blockchain Monetary Reserve (IBMR) to develop a blockchain-based payment system, and Circle to launch the USDC stablecoin on the Algorand network. These partnerships not only expand the use cases of Algorand but also attract more users and developers to the ecosystem. Use Cases and Applications Both Cardano and Algorand have a wide range of potential use cases and applications. Let's explore some of the areas where these platforms are being utilized. Cardano's Use Cases Cardano aims to provide a blockchain infrastructure that is suitable for various industries and applications. Some of the potential use cases of Cardano include supply chain management, decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, voting systems, and identity management solutions. The platform's focus on security, scalability, and formal verification makes it attractive for enterprises and developers looking to build robust and reliable decentralized applications. Algorand's Use Cases Algorand is also designed to support a diverse set of use cases. Its high transaction throughput and fast block finality make it suitable for applications requiring fast and secure transactions. Algorand's use cases range from asset tokenization and decentralized exchanges to real-world asset management and decentralized finance. The platform's infrastructure and features enable developers to build innovative solutions for various industries. Conclusion In summary, Cardano and Algorand are both prominent blockchain platforms with their own unique characteristics. While Cardano follows a layered approach and utilizes the Ouroboros consensus mechanism, Algorand employs a Pure Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism and focuses on fast block finality through Binary Byzantine Agreement. In terms of governance, Cardano embraces a decentralized model where ADA token holders actively participate in decision-making, while Algorand's governance is primarily driven by the Algorand Foundation. In terms of development progress, Cardano has been following a roadmap with different stages, while Algorand continuously improves its platform through regular upgrades. Both platforms have been successful in building ecosystems and forging partnerships to foster adoption and expand their applications. The potential use cases for Cardano and Algorand are vast, ranging from decentralized finance to supply chain management and identity solutions. It is important to carefully evaluate the specific requirements and features of each platform when considering their suitability for a particular use case. Ultimately, the choice between Cardano and Algorand depends on the specific needs of a project or application. Both platforms offer unique features and advantages, and it is advisable to conduct further research and analysis to determine which platform aligns best with the desired goals and requirements. FAQs What is the main difference between Algorand and Cardano? The main difference lies in their underlying technology and consensus mechanisms. Algorand utilizes a Pure Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism with Binary Byzantine Agreement, while Cardano uses the Ouroboros Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus algorithm. Additionally, Algorand follows a layered architecture, whereas Cardano employs a similar layered approach for its blockchain. How do Algorand and Cardano differ in terms of governance? The governance models of Algorand and Cardano differ significantly. Algorand's governance is primarily driven by the Algorand Foundation, an independent organization responsible for the platform's development and governance decisions. On the other hand, Cardano embraces a decentralized governance model, allowing ADA token holders to actively participate in decision-making through proposals and voting. What is the current development progress of Algorand and Cardano? Both Algorand and Cardano have been actively advancing their platforms. Cardano has been following a roadmap divided into different stages, with the Goguen stage currently underway, focusing on smart contract functionality. Algorand, on the other hand, employs a continuous improvement approach, regularly releasing upgrades and enhancements to its platform to address scalability, security, and user experience. What are some of the use cases for Algorand and Cardano? Algorand and Cardano have a wide range of potential use cases. Algorand is suitable for asset tokenization, decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, real-world asset management, and more. Cardano can be utilized for supply chain management, voting systems, decentralized identity solutions, and other applications requiring secure and scalable blockchain infrastructure. Which platform should I choose between Algorand and Cardano? The choice between Algorand and Cardano depends on your specific needs and requirements. Consider factors such as the desired use case, technology features, governance model, and community involvement. It's recommended to conduct further research and analysis to determine which platform aligns best with your goals and priorities. Read More: - What is proof of work (PoW)? - Ethereum vs Bitcoin - What is a Smart Contract? - Bitcoin vs Gold Read the full article

[nattaphum]

The Schedule of the Drama Arts Chula live

1. Talk with the crew

2. Q&A section : fans can send the questions and they will select some

Part 1 & 2

Mc : Is this series included in the Y category?

P’pond : a lot of people keep asking me this question. I said no, it’s just good content. Why do you need to know if this is a Y series or not ?? Why do you need to know what position they have when they’re in bedroom? For example with VegasTawan people says Tawan is bigger than Vegas, but what is the point?

-

Apo : we need to know the Character Background, we know the situation but we also need to meditate. We need to cut everything out and concentrate with the situation putting us in the Character’s point of view

Mile : understanding character is important i got some from Apo and KruNing. I believe IN MUSSEL memory, it makes me more natural to be like Kinn. I create memory by doing something Kinn might do in his real life

Apo : I understand p’Mile but for me imagination is more better. I don’t believe in BEING THAT CHARACTER 100% because i might never be myself at all

Mile : Lets say it depends on each technique. Everyone has their own technique

-

Tong : A lot of scenes of Po and Mile are improvised

Mile : that’s because i can’t remember the dialogue 😂

-

Mc: What you two do in workshop room:

Apo: In the workshop, we need to sync with our partner for example looking into eo eyes and breathing at the same time; these help when the two characters are together, you know what the other one is thinking, you know what to do to please the other

pmai: open your heart, give and take. if we say we open our heart, but it's not for real / thoroughly, we can't give it our all

Apo: my professor asked me what is acting? i say performing. but they say no. acting in english is "doing" not "pretending". acting is about "believing it" and "doing it"

-

Apo : Thanks BOC to not allow any actors to do any advertise job at that time so the actors could just focus on filming

-

P'Pond: on a set I once experienced that i walked to an area and ate a piece of fruit and the admin person said to me "u can't eat that, it belongs to the director". after that i decided this thing needed to stop. everyone in this team is equal.

Apo : that tradition made me want to quit acting back then. Everyone should be treated equally.

-

Tong : Some of the old teams said that they don’t like the way i act ,its too girly, and p’pond just suddenly said Girly and what?? Why not girly? What if you have a girly friend in your real life? Thanks p’pond

-

Mile : People always say they’re open minded but they’re never actually open minded

-

Apo: Years ago, when I was on set a lot of ppl would ask me “R u gay?” And I would feel bad about y r they even asking me? Some ppl even told me “don’t walk like this, cause it makes u look feminine” but in this set P’Pond would say “Don’t care wat other ppl say, just be urself and be happy” I think that u shouldn’t be concern ed about other ppl sexual orientation, it’s their own business and privacy; so plz dun go around asking, it’s rly none of ur business. People keep asking is Porsche gay? You never know i didn’t care. Who knows Porsche might be the one who makes the first moves. NEVER ASK ANYONE AGAIN IF THEY’RE GAY OR NOT

-

P’Pond : I want to say this. as a human we do make mistakes sometimes, if we do something wrong please tell us gently we listen, we worked hard everyday. So if you have any recommendation please tell us gently.

Translations from @ nutsu941 and @ urmysuninnight on Twitter