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doumadono · 6 months

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‼️Z BUTA WJEŻDŻA DO SINFUL SUNDAY ‼️

Sooooooo..... You know how you gave us your wonderful MHA mixed with vikings????

You know that I am a little shit that loves to annoy you??

Good BC THAT'S WHAT I AM DOING FOR THIS SINFUL SUNDAY!!!!

I would like to ask for a smut with your viking Hawks :3

Why??? Bc I can >:3

Of course feel free to ignor it.

💎🐺

Warnings: viking!Hawks

SINFUL SUNDAY KVITRAVN - MHA VIKING AU

In the dimly lit hall of the Viking longhouse, the crackling flames cast flickering shadows on the rugged walls. The air was thick with tension, a palpable energy that seemed to swirl around the figure of the formidable Viking leader, Hawks. His piercing gaze bore into yours, the ones of the thrall, a silent invitation that sent shivers down your spine.

The celebration ensued following the triumphant raid led by Earl Hawks. After a successful return with his warriors and shieldmaidens, a grand feast was organized to commemorate their achievements.

As the feast raged on around you, the clinking of tankards and the distant sounds of merriment faded into the background. The world narrowed down to the man before you, adorned in furs and leather, an embodiment of raw power.

Wordlessly, he led you to a secluded alcove, shielded from prying eyes. The air was charged with anticipation as Hawks closed the distance between you. His lips crashed onto yours, demanding and possessive. The taste of mead lingered on his tongue as he deepened the kiss, a fiery dance that left you breathless.

Cloaked in the heat of the moment, Hawks' hands roamed over your body, fingers deftly undoing the intricate fastenings of your garments. The air was thick with the scent of passion as he lifted you onto a sturdy wooden table, his eyes never leaving yours.

The rough-hewn table became a battleground of desire, a clash of primal instincts as Hawks left a trail of hot kisses along your neck and collarbone. Each touch was a promise, a testament to the untamed passion that burned within him.

His hot breath whispered promises, and you moaned softly, the sound mingling with his own grunting.

"Look at you, my little thrall," Hawks growled, his voice low and husky, a command that sent shivers down your spine. The hunger in his eyes spoke of a primal need, and you could feel the magnetic pull drawing you closer. "I saw you staring at me for the entire feast."

"I want you, my lord, but I'm nothing but your servant," you whispered, your voice laced with urgency.

Hawks grinned, a predatory gleam in his eyes, before capturing your lips again in a searing kiss. His hands moved with purpose, divesting you of the remaining layers that separated you from the raw intensity of the moment and the cool air of his alcove.

The air was thick with the scent of desire as Hawks' fingers traced patterns of heat across your skin as they slipped between your thighs, rubbing little circles around your slick slit. His touch ignited flames within you, and you arched into him, craving more of the searing connection that bound you together.

Hawks' voice was a seductive melody as he murmured against your ear, "You're mine tonight, completely and utterly, little Y/N."

A whimper escaped your lips as his hands explored every inch of your exposed flesh, mapping out the terrain of passion. The sensations intensified, a heady mix of pleasure and yearning that threatened to consume you.

Hawks' lips found their way to the hollow of your throat, his tongue tracing a path of molten desire.

"I've wanted this," he confessed, his breath hot against your ear, "To taste you, to feel your silky skin beneath my hands."

His words fueled the flames, and the world around you blurred into a haze of ecstasy. Hawks' kisses left a trail of fire as he descended lower, his actions speaking louder than words in the intimate language of desire.

Hawks gracefully lowers himself to his knees, urging you to perch on the table's edge as he gently parted your thighs. Casting one final sultry glance, he plunged into a seductive dance of kisses and nibbles along the expanse of your inner thighs, progressively drawing nearer to your welcoming mound. With finesse, he enveloped his skilled mouth around your slit.

An unrestrained moan escaped your lips, reverberating in the room as you surrender to the sensation. Your head tossed backward, finding solace on the wooden surface beneath you. The sinuous arch of your back accentuates the pleasure coursing through your veins, mirroring the rhythmic motion of his tongue gliding up and down your moist slit. Every so often, he expertly flicked his attention around your sensitive clit, intensifying the ecstasy that courses through your entire being by sucking on a sensitive bud.

He withdrew, taking a moment to moisten two of his roughened fingers with a deliberate lick, and then he pressed them against your sensitive clit. The calloused digits skillfully moved in rhythmic circles, expertly stimulating your clit as he simultaneously delved into the depths of your pussy with his tongue, spreading your labia with the fingers of his free hand. "Mmmm, you're so delicious, little one," he commented casually.

"More, my lord," you pleaded, your back arching further as your thighs quivered in the midst of an overwhelming wave of pleasure, leaving you in a state of blissful abandon.

Hawks deftly slid his fingers into your pussy, skillfully preparing you for his cock. Meanwhile, his mouth enveloped your clit, and his tongue danced artfully around the delicate bud. A skillful combination of flicks and suctions heightened the sensations, intensifying your pleasure to new heights.

"Allfather!" You whined, slipping one hand between your thighs to rub vicious circles around your clit.

Hawks let you do that, grinning at your vulnerable state that turned him on so much.

In an intimate moment, Hawks guided you through the throes of pleasure as your first orgasm unfolded around his fingers. Following this intense connection, he gently lifted you up from the table, cradling you in his arms, and carried you to his bed, where sumptuous furs adorned the top.

The soft glow of candlelight played upon the well-defined contours of his legs, arms, chest, and back, creating a sensual ambiance as he started undressing himself. Each piece of clothing he shed seemed like a deliberate tease, revealing the toned and sculpted physique beneath. Finally, as his pants dropped away, his cock was unveiled, proudly resting against his abdomen; his tip leaking precum.

Hawks caressed his cock with deliberate strokes, his gaze fixed on you as you willingly held your thighs apart while your fingers traced gentle circles on your moistened slit, heightening the anticipation in the air.

With a whispered request, you sought permission, your words laden with desire, "May I taste you, my lord?"

Hawks, in response, nodded affirmatively, closing the distance as he approached the edge of the bed.

You instantly rolled to your knees and crawled to the edge of the bed, taking his cock in your small hands, spitting down on his tip, spreading the saliva with your hands all over his thick, hard shaft. In a matter of moments, you lowered yourself, delicately trailing the tip of your tongue along the length of his cock, starting from its base and ascending all the way to its apex. You enveloped your lips around the delicate tip, expertly applying suction as your skilled movements traversed the length of his shaft. The rhythmic motion of pulling the skin up and down his cock elicited a deep, guttural groan from the earl, resonating with the passion that enveloped the moment.

"Keep on sucking my cock, little one," Hawks encouraged. "Just like that."

In the midst of your passionate encounter, you delicately withdrew his dick from your mouth, allowing your tongue to playfully tease its tip. After a few teasing strokes, you eagerly sucked him back into your mouth.

His hands glided into the soft strands of your hair, cradling the back of your head as he began to rhythmically move his hips, the deliberate pace of his thrusts conveying a raw intensity. A low growl escaped his lips, punctuated by muttered curses, expressing the sheer pleasure he derived from the sensation of your warm, welcoming mouth enveloping his throbbing cock.

In the throes of escalating desire, unable to withstand the intensity any longer, Hawks gently guided your head away. With a commanding yet passionate force, he encouraged you to recline. Subsequently, he pressed you firmly onto the mattress, the softness of the bed and the warmth of fur enveloping you as his weight asserted its presence. The union of your bodies unfolded seamlessly as he skillfully pushed his cock into the depths of your pussy.

In the throes of passion, your shriek echoed through the room, a symphony of surprise and ecstasy. His cock's size surpassed your expectations, his essence an embodiment of unexpected magnitude. The profound stretch, though intense, danced on the delicate line between pleasure and pain.

He executed a rhythmic yet purposeful series of forceful thrusts, causing the entire bed to reverberate with each powerful movement. The passionate exchange of kisses between the two of you intensified, and as your hands trailed down his back, they came to a rest on his well-defined, round ass, encouraging him to delve even deeper into your pussy.

With one exceptionally potent thrust, he elicited another ecstatic cry from you, prompting you to dig your nails into his intricately tattooed back adorned with expansive wing designs.

"I'll cum, I'm about to cum!" You cried out.

Hawks skillfully guided you to recline on your side. Gently raising your leg, he positioned himself intimately behind you, seamlessly reintroducing his cock into your pussy. With precision, he cradled your leg on his hip, granting him unrestricted access to your pussy, and after licking his fingers, he brought them to your clit, rubbing it viciously.

In the heat of the moment, his rhythmic thrusts intensified, drawing forth passionate moans that echoed your appreciation of his prowess. Your arousal manifested in the rhythmic clenching of your pussy around his hard shaft.

"I'm cumming, I'm cumming!" You whined loudly, fondling your tits.

As the intensity escalated, Hawks skillfully transitioned, his hand moving from the delicate terrain of your clit to explore the bulge in your abdomen. A self-assured smirk played on his lips, his warm breath whispering seductive words into your ear. "Look at you, little thrall, all whiney and needy, just for me. Just look at how deep my cock is buried within you. You pussy fits perfectly to my dick." Simultaneously, he applied a tantalizing pressure on the prominent bulge formed by his cock nestled within you.

The slick juices of yours cascaded down his shaft, covering his blonde pubes in your slickness. Soon, with a few powerfu thrusts, growling loudly, Hawks came in you, his seed spilling all over your velvey walls as his balls emptied. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, that's it, take it, little one, take all of my seed, yeah?"

After disengaging from your proximity, he reclined onto his back, drawing deep breaths in an attempt to steady himself.

Unperturbed by your exposed form, you gracefully shifted to your side, observing him with a discerning gaze. Your hand delicately traced a path along the contours of his well-defined, tattooed chest. "Thank you, my lord," you whispered, your voice carrying a tone of sincere appreciation.

Anticipating an immediate expulsion from his bed and the alcove, you were surprised when, instead, he drew you closer, enveloping both of you under a layer of thick furs. His whispered words brushed against your ear, "I'll make you my queen. Everyone will fear and respect you, just as they do me."

Blinking in disbelief, you stammered, "But, my lord, I'm just a thrall…"

He fixed you with a stern gaze. "And I am the earl. Everyone adheres to my command."

#doumadonos sinful sunday 🔥#sinful sunday #mha smut #bnha smut #my hero academia smut #anime smut #sinful sunday anon #divider by cafekitsune #hawks smut #keigo takami smut #keigo takami x reader #hawks x reader #hawks x reader smut #viking!hawks #hawks fanfiction #hawks bnha #takami keigo #keigo takami

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mariacallous · 3 months

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Ahead of the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, a liberal Gen-Z-led group has purchased a handful of domain names related to the top Republican primary candidates in an effort to extinguish support from young voters.

“Republicans are not investing in outreach to young people, and we know why,” Jessica Siles, deputy press secretary for Voters of Tomorrow, said in a statement to WIRED on Friday. “Their regressive, radical stances on abortion rights, guns, climate change, and other top issues are overwhelmingly unpopular with Gen Z. Since Trump and Haley won’t accurately inform young people of their views, we will.”

Voters for Tomorrow has bought up new domain names—GenZforTrump.org and GenZforHaley.org—in an effort to sway young voters in battleground states from backing Republicans in the 2024 election. The websites will redirect to another site, GenZvsFarRight.org, which the group says will outline how “out-of-touch” the GOP’s platform is with the needs of young voters. On the redirected site, the group outlines Trump and Haley’s records on the environment, LGBTQ+ rights, and gun safety, among other issues, without explicitly encouraging people to vote for Biden.

To reach them, the group is launching a digital ad campaign across Instagram and Snapchat, hoping to reach at least half a million users in battleground states where they say the youth vote could make a difference for Democrats. “Gen Z will determine our next president,” the ads say, as they ask users to visit the websites for more information on Trump and Haley. Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Arizona, and Florida are some of the states where these ads will run, and the group plans to spend as much as it takes to reach at least half a million voters, Jack Lobel, Voters of Tomorrow's 19-year-old national press secretary, told WIRED on Friday.

For nearly a decade, domain trolling, or the act of buying up URLs related to an opposing candidate and redirecting them to unfavorable information, has become a popular digital media tactic for campaigns. In 2015, Senator Ted Cruz and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina had domains related to their GOP presidential campaigns swiped up by trolls before they were able to grab them. CarlyFiorina.org, at one point, displayed 30,000 sad-faced emojis to represent the workers she laid off at HP. In 2020, the Biden campaign bought KeepAmericaGreat.com, the Trump campaign’s reelection slogan, attacking Trump’s handling of the pandemic.

“P.S., If the GOP candidates had invested in young voter outreach efforts like we are, maybe we wouldn’t have acquired these website domains in the first place,” stated Voters of Tomorrow’s press release.

It’s impossible to know whether these domain trolls have the power to sway voter sentiment. But Voters of Tomorrow thinks they do. “Trump is the greatest threat to our generation, and we’re going to continue to expand that belief in our generation throughout this project because the stakes of the 2024 election are unprecedented,” Lobel said.

In 2020, young people came out to vote in record numbers and arguably helped turn the election in Biden’s favor. But a recent poll from the Harvard Kennedy School has shown that the same demographic appears less likely to vote in 2024 than in the prior presidential election, declining from 57 percent to 49 percent. The poll reported that a plurality of these voters distrust Biden and Trump to act on critical issues like climate change, gun violence, and health care, which could dampen their desire to vote in this year’s election. Those same voters said Trump was the better choice to address the current crisis in Gaza over Biden by 5 percentage points.

These numbers could spell trouble for Biden and the Democrats come November. Around 41 million Gen-Z voters will be eligible to vote for the first time in 2024, according to Tufts University. Of those voters, more than 8 million of them will be first-time voters, and could play an outsize role in electing the next president.

“Young voters have historically been left out of the political process, and that changed with the election of Donald Trump in 2016. Young voters realized their power. And since then, we’ve been showing up in droves to shape elections,” Lobel told WIRED. “Going into 2024, we have to build on that power.”

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prettyobsessed · 2 months

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LDS boys x tomboyish reader

🦢𖥔 ۫Friendship & Unexpected Feelings ₊ ♪ ˚. 𐙚

this is my very first request, and i want to thank you so much for sending it in! out of respect, i didn't include any smut in your request because i wasn't sure if you're a minor, and there wasn't any indication that you wanted smut. but still, i hope you like this one!♡

✧. ┊⁭/ pairings: (LDS boys) Rafayel, Xavier, Zayne x tomboyish f!reader ˚ ༘♡ ˚⁭ / genre: slice-of-life friendship [sfw, safe for minors] ₊˚ / tags: comfort read, headcanons, fanfiction, gaming, personality appreciation, comedy, best friends, slow burn, romantic drama, contemporary fiction, self-discovery, slice-of-life, unexpected feelings, feelings for best friends, might have a continuation, comedy ✿ / word count: 2.7k words — Warning: Story contains swear words, please take note! ૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡ —

As someone who had experienced the sting of a failed relationship, I knew firsthand the ache of heartbreak. My lack of experience and my innate tendency to be a 'hopeless romantic' were often cited as the reasons for its demise—a painful reminder of love's complexities.

However, amidst the ruins of a failed romance, I found solace and genuine happiness in the unbreakable bond shared with my best friends: Rafayel, Xavier, and Zayne. Over the years, their infectious personalities and idiosyncratic habits had gradually rubbed off on me, molding me into a more laid-back and tomboyish version of myself.

Despite having the knowledge and ability to dress femininely and meticulously care for my appearance, I found solace and authenticity in dressing down. Jeans and flannels became my signature attire, offering a sense of comfort and familiarity in a world fraught with expectations. One cherished pastime that solidified our bond was our shared love for gaming, particularly the adrenaline-fueled battleground of CS:GO. Whether day or night, we would convene from the comfort of our respective homes, united by the glow of our screens and the thrill of virtual combat.

"Z, what the fuck are you doing?!" Rafayel's voice rang out, a mix of concern and frustration evident as Zayne struggled to perform well.

Amidst the chaos of enemy territory, I urgently signalled to my teammates, "On me, on me, on me," alerting them to the imminent threat nearby.

With Xavier's decisive shot, our team emerged triumphant, and a wave of celebration swept over us, filling the room with jubilant shouts and sounds of triumph.

Amidst the highs and lows of our gaming sessions, we discovered a sanctuary and reprieve from the complexities of the outside world, weaving memories that would linger far beyond the final kill.

At times, I mused over the intricate dynamics of our friendship. The presence of three close male companions brought both excitement and solace, each contributing their own quirks to our group dynamic.

Within our close-knit circle, trivial disputes and negativity held no sway, fostering an environment where genuine companionship thrived unencumbered. Encircled by my unwavering allies, I reveled in the simple joys of camaraderie and the enduring warmth of genuine friendship. ••• The following day, feeling the need for a wardrobe refresh, I enlisted Rafayel's assistance, grateful that he was available. We ventured into the bustling streets, the sunlight casting a warm glow on the storefronts. Stepping into the store, the scent of new fabrics greeted us, and racks of clothes beckoned from every corner.

For nearly two hours, we lost ourselves in the aisles, pulling out garments of all colours and styles. Rafayel, with his discerning eye, wrinkled his nose at most of my selections, insisting I try on the pieces he deemed worthy.

"This one's a definite no," he declared, holding up a bright floral dress that clashed with his taste.

I shot Rafayel a tired look and shook my head as I discarded the dress. "Okay? Fine, your turn to pick something for me then."

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Rafayel disappeared into the racks, emerging moments later with an armful of clothes he deemed suitable.

"Trust me, you'll thank me later," he teased, handing me the pile.

I rolled my eyes playfully, but curiosity got the best of me as I headed to the fitting room, ready to see what he had in store. ••• The fluorescent lights of the dressing room cast a soft glow over the array of clothes strewn about. After spending what felt like hours trying on various outfits, I finally settled on a few pieces that Rafayel had picked out. As I admired myself in the mirror, I realised that his taste wasn't so bad after all. Grabbing my phone, I snapped a few quick shots of the outfits I liked and sent them to our group chat, eager to get Xavier and Zayne's opinions too.

"Y'know, you actually look good in all of the outfits you picked. Even with jeans and t-shirts. I just like teasing you," Rafayel admitted with a sheepish grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. I couldn't help but chuckle at his confession, relieved that my fashion sense hadn't completely failed me. With a playful swish of the fabric, I twirled in front of the mirror, admiring how the dress draped elegantly over my frame. He thinks I look good? The thought danced through my mind, a pleasant surprise amidst our playful banter.

"You're not getting off that easy," I teased back, shooting him a mock glare before breaking into a smile. Rafayel's grin softened into a gentle smile at my reaction, his eyes reflecting a genuine warmth as he observed my bashful response. "Seriously though, you've got great taste. You don't need my approval," he added, his tone reassuring. ••• On a crisp afternoon bathed in sunlight, I embarked on a journey to explore the hidden corners of the city by myself, my camera poised to capture the allure of undiscovered beauty. Lost in the enchanting scenery, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder, and as I turned around, I was met with the captivating gaze of a stranger. With his tousled brown hair and piercing hazel eyes, he exuded an irresistible charm that instantly drew me in. "Are you new around here?" he inquired, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

Affirming his assumption, I nodded, prompting him to respond with a compliment: "I thought so, I've never seen you before. You're really pretty." His words sent a flutter through my heart, and as he introduced himself as Alex, he graciously offered me his number before bidding farewell.

As I continued my solitary exploration of the city, the encounter with Alex lingered in my thoughts, his charismatic presence leaving an indelible impression. Despite the warmth of the sun overhead, a newfound excitement coursed through me, fuelled by the possibility of new connections in this unfamiliar terrain. Our exchanges of messages had been ongoing since our serendipitous encounter, each conversation deepening the intrigue I felt toward the enigmatic stranger. ••• A typical Saturday saw my apartment bustling with the familiar energy of camaraderie as the boys gathered for our customary hangout session.

Xavier lounged comfortably on my lap, reading his book, while Rafayel and Zayne engaged in an intense round of Apex Legends. Glancing at my phone, I noticed a message from Alex inviting me out for coffee. Excitement bubbled within me at the prospect of a date, and in my haste, I jumped up, accidentally causing Xavier to topple over the couch. Ouch!" Xavier exclaimed, his sudden fall disrupting the otherwise tranquil atmosphere. With a startled yelp, he flailed his arms, desperately trying to regain his balance, but only managing to knock over a pile of magazines in the process. Pages fluttered through the air like confetti, adding a whimsical touch to the chaotic scene.

Rifling through my wardrobe, I deliberated over what to wear for the occasion. After much contemplation, I settled on a denim skirt paired with a white frilled sleeveless top. Taking extra care with my makeup and hair, I aimed to impress Alex, despite feeling a tad uneasy in the unfamiliar attire.

Just as I was about to step out, Rafayel's knock interrupted my preparations. Opening the door, I welcomed his scrutiny with a hint of apprehension. "Do I look okay? Be honest," I asked, hoping for reassurance. His puzzled expression quickly shifted to scrutiny as he eyed my outfit. "Where are you off to? We just got here? And what is that?" he questioned, pointing at my attire.

With a slight pout, I defended my choice of outfit, the fabric of my mini denim skirt swaying gently with my movements. Xavier, still half-asleep, his hair tousled and a little messy, chimed in with a mumbled observation about my seldom-seen skirt. "I've never seen you in that skirt before. Is it new?" he mumbled, his words laced with curiosity.

“Yeah, no shit. She never wears these kinds of outfits when she’s with us,” Rafayel replied, his tone tinged with skepticism.

The banter continued as Zayne joined in, his eyes scanning my attire with curiosity. “With whom are you going out?” he asked, his interest piqued. When I revealed my plans to go out with a guy I met at a cafe, Xavier's concern was palpable, prompting Rafayel to demand a wardrobe change.

“Okay, yep, nope. Sit your ass back down and change back into your regular clothes,” Rafayel demanded, his protective instincts kicking in.

“Bruh, let her go, she can dress however she wants. Besides, she looks… good,” Xavier interjected, coming to my defense.

“Oh, I’m sooooo sorry for wanting to look out for her?!” Rafayel retorted sarcastically, tension rising between them.

Now they’re both bickering, their voices escalating as Rafayel inches closer, attempting to deter me from going out. “Both of you—please shut up,” Zayne sighed, his finger massaging his temple.

“Fine. Whatever. Have fun! Be home by 8, sweetie! No later!” Rafayel's sarcastic tone echoed behind me as I headed out the door.

Unfazed, I playfully stuck out my tongue in defiance, determined to follow through with my plans. Excitement and nerves intertwined as I stepped out into the evening, eager to see where this unexpected encounter with Alex would lead. ••• As I approached the bustling coffee shop, my senses were bombarded with the sights and sounds of the crowded scene. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, blending with the melodic hum of conversation and the rhythmic clinking of cups. Amidst the throng of people, I spotted a familiar figure with his back turned – it was Alex, engrossed in a phone call. Maintaining a discreet distance to avoid detection, I couldn't help but overhear snippets of his conversation amidst the bustling ambiance. With each word, a sinking feeling gnawed at my heart, and a sense of betrayal washed over me like a tidal wave. "Yeah, bro, I'm gonna make her sleep with me tonight," his voice carried over the din. "Yeah, she's probably easy. She's on her way here now. I'll play the lost wallet card and let her pick up the tab. Classic move, right? Haha. Catch you later."

As the weight of his words settled upon me, a mix of emotions swirled within – betrayal, anger, and disbelief intertwining like a tumultuous storm. The reality of his intentions struck me like a heavy blow, leaving me reeling in shock and dismay.

With a heavy heart, I quietly turned away from the scene, my mind racing with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The encounter had shattered any illusions I had about Alex, revealing his true colours in stark contrast to the charming facade I once admired. As I walked away, a bitter taste lingered in my mouth, tainting the once-promising prospect of our interaction with deception and manipulation. Hah. What a douchebag.

Anger simmered beneath the surface, but there was also a strange sense of relief—relief that I had uncovered Alex's true intentions before things went any further. With growing disillusionment, I found myself losing faith in men, specifically men like Alex. Why hadn't I listened to Rafayel's warnings? It was a question that echoed in my mind, taunting me with its hindsight wisdom.

Returning home, I was met with the unexpected sight of all three of them lounging on the couch, their faces a mix of surprise and curiosity as I entered. Rafayel, ever the joker, couldn't resist making a quip. “Oh, back so soon? Didn't know it was a speed dating," he joked, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. But Xavier's quick intervention halted his words in their tracks, recognising the storm in my eyes. Zayne, usually the silent observer, watched Rafayel with a sharp gaze, sensing the tension in the air.

"Don't talk to me," I managed to utter, my voice thick with emotion as I pushed past them and retreated to the sanctuary of my room.

Collapsing onto my bed, the weight of disappointment and hurt bore down on me, and the floodgates opened, releasing the tears I had been holding back. Rafayel, Xavier, and Zayne knocked on my door, their concern palpable through the wood. "Give me a minute," I managed to choke out, needing to gather myself before facing them. After what felt like an eternity, I emerged from my room to find them waiting outside, a protective barrier of support.

"Hey, uh, wanna grab some ramen nearby?" Rafayel suggested, his voice gentle yet reassuring, cutting through the heavy silence like a beacon of warmth. His eyes, usually filled with mischief, now held a softness that mirrored the concern etched on his face. Xavier nodded in agreement, his expression mirroring Rafayel's empathy. "Yeah, a warm bowl of ramen might be just what you need right now," he chimed in, his voice a comforting undertone amidst the turmoil of emotions swirling around us.

Zayne, typically the quietest of us all, offered a supportive nod, his eyes conveying a silent solidarity. "It's always comforting to have your company," he remarked, his gaze softening as he directed a reassuring smile my way. ••• As we sat slurping noodles at the ramen stall, the aroma of savoury broth filled the air, enveloping us in a comforting embrace amidst the bustling street. With each tale of my encounter with Alex, the steam from our bowls seemed to echo the rising tension within our group. "Do you want me to beat up that jerkface?" Rafayel offered, his tone a mix of jest and genuine concern, his eyes flickering mischievously. I chuckled softly at his offer. "Yeah, I can join in," Xavier added, leaning in with a playful glint in his eyes. He noticed a stray noodle nestled in the corner of my lips and instinctively brushed it away with his thumb, his smile warming my heart. But before I could react, Rafayel interjected with a mischievous grin. "Move over, (your name), it's my turn," he teased, his mischievous side shining through as he mimicked Xavier's gesture. Delicately placing a small noodle on the corner of his own mouth, he grinned mischievously.

With a chuckle and a playful eye roll from me, I opted to flick his nose instead, contributing to the lighthearted atmosphere of our gathering.

Turning my attention to Zayne, I noticed a quiet contemplation in his expression, a subtle tension beneath his calm exterior. His gaze shifted between me and his bowl of ramen, a silent dialogue unfolding within him.

“You okay, Z?" I inquired softly, sensing his internal struggle.

He hesitated for a moment before finally breaking the silence. Placing his bowl down, he gave me a gentle head pat.

“...You know, you’re perfectly fine just the way you are. Don't feel pressured to change your appearance for other people but yourself,” his words, though simple, resonated deeply within me, serving as a gentle reminder of the unwavering support and acceptance within our circle. With a smile, I expressed my gratitude, thanking him for his encouraging words.

“Okay, bro, you can stop patting her,” Rafayel interjected, breaking the moment.

Zayne cleared his throat, and resumed eating, seemingly to alleviate the awkward tension in the room. As his words settled in my heart, I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me, reaffirming my sense of self-worth and empowerment. ••• After our late dinner, we strolled back to my apartment, the city lights casting a gentle glow on the sidewalks. Along the way, Rafayel couldn't resist his usual teasing, his playful jabs punctuated by bursts of laughter. In a moment of clumsiness, I accidentally elbowed him too hard, causing him to yelp in pain. Xavier chuckled at Rafayel's misfortune, offering a playful "Serves you right," as he fist-bumped me in solidarity.

Meanwhile, Zayne, ever the silent observer, couldn't suppress his amusement, quietly chuckling at the banter unfolding before him.

As their laughter filled the air, I found myself falling behind, enveloped in a profound sense of gratitude. Despite the playful banter, I couldn't shake the depth of connection we shared.

A sudden realisation began to dawn on me. My heartbeat quickened, a whirlwind of emotions stirring inside, my gaze shifting between the three of them. Panic seized me as I grappled with the truth, the weight of my feelings crashing over me like a tidal wave.

"No. No. No. This can't be happening. Why is my heart racing like this?" I murmured to myself, halting in my tracks. The revelation unleashed a maelstrom of conflicting feelings, engulfing me in a tempest of uncertainty.

Could it be? Am I starting to have feelings for my best friends? —by prettyobsessed⋆˚✿˖° Editor's notes: i hope you like it! i left it open-ended for your interpretation. feel free to request for more! ૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡

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speaker-of-the-void-cats · 1 year

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Seeing the murals above the Veil enclosure

These murals are loaded with meaning. My feeling's been that they represent the Veil in many ways. For one, we have the duality of Light and Dark, not opposites, not the same, but a dyad, essential to each other, joined by the thinnest of lines. We see this in the middle mural where people hold the pillars up, separating above from below, Heaven from Hell.

Cousin Asher, you would find the concept of vacuum welding upsetting—press two sheets of metal together in void, and their atoms cannot tell which sheet they belong to. They cross freely. The two become one.

We see this again in Avalon, a side that looks like Egregore and a side that looks like the Tree of Silver Wings. A pillar sits behind. A sun hangs above. It is impossibly white.

It makes me think of the blight in the Nokris fight in Arrivals and in the battleground this season. It looks like a sun. It looks like it's been Taken.

Turn the Veil vertically like in the Ishtar Facility and what do you get?

A chalice holding the souls of all who have gone before. It rests in an unfamiliar place, a place it does not call home.

An hourglass of Light|Dark, ticking away time, life, death, until nothing.

Only two others have transcended their design. The first, an hourglass counting down with infinite patience. The second, a forgotten blade sharpened anew. And now, the Dredgen. Visit us again. We wish for you to understand what we understand. For now, it is my purpose to speak to you and you alone… but only if you remain worthy.

A pillar holding all the universe within itself, but also keeping it woven together, held aloft by those who struggle in the realm between life and death, god and man, here and beyond.

What happens if that pillar crumbles?

There's been a lot of invocation of Unveiling, the Garden, and implications that there's a bigger picture we're missing lately. We heard from the Veil's artist that it is represents "the mind and memory of the universe."

Truth to Power talks of black hole super computers and the idea of the data of all life being archived, of how

YOU MUST CAST ALL THE LIFE YOU CHERISH INTO A BLACK HOLE.

We've seen "black box" archives for destroyed civilizations discussed all over.

WHO|WHAT|WHERE IS OXA|TAOX

U. "Black holes are the densest possible computers in the physical universe. They are also the most secure, since they can be made to retain their information until they evaporate in the deep cosmic future. The Hive operate small singularity computers, such as the World's Grave, and the Vex sometimes pack enough energy and information into a small area of spacetime to collapse it into kugelblitz black hole like the one you can see outside. But a true stellar-mass or galactic-mass black hole computer is inconceivably more powerful.

"If Savathûn plans to predicate her existence on the concealment of her secrets, as Oryx predicated his upon the sword logic, it would be logical for her to safeguard her deepest secrets and her throne world in a supermassive black hole computer. To defeat her would require a journey below the event horizon and the exposure of her most jealously guarded truths." GOTO R.

Z. You leap from the Tower and escape Quria's simulation.

What is that purple and pink kaleidescopic energy in the dark, egregore goblet of the Veil? When Ghost links to the Veil, that energy seems to be what rockets to the Traveler and pierces it, allowing the Witness to part the curtains of reality and enter somewhere above and beyond us.

And then Nezarec, Master of the Void is freed. Wardcliffe Coil's lore refers to the Void as the basement of the universe. Inanna/Ishtar is thought of by Savathun in reference to the Veil and Neomuna, which Osiris hears as well. He then speaks of myths of the underworld. Katabasis. Hades. Hell. Perdition. The inferno. The Abyss.

O: [sips tea] Though my senses were darkened, that much was clear through the murk of her throne world. There was a secret she kept veiled, even to the last.

O: [sighs] I do not fully understand what I saw, and for a Human to understand a Hive mind... How many legends of katabasis do we have, Ikora?

I: We currently have dozens of stories about descending to the realms of the dead, though research has indicated many more must have existed, lost in the layers of Human history we will never lay eyes on. Mathematically, there were likely hundreds.

I: [pauses] Inanna and Dumuzid and Geshtinanna, Orpheus and Eurydice, Izanagi and Izanami, to name a few. Gods and goddesses, mortal and immortal lovers, always seeking to descend and return with the lost.

O: And neither the lost nor those who searched for them were ever returned the same.

I:...Is that how you think of yourself?

O: [scoffs] Do I sound that dire? All Guardians, all Lightbearers have done as much. But others, well... I wonder, do our former enemies have similar stories...

I: What exactly are you getting at?

O: Frequently, the underworld—or those realms beyond mortal existence—possess wisdom the living do not. What then, is knowledge from a dead Hive god vested in deception.... [long pause]

I: So. Neptune, and secrets.

O:...Inanna...

I: What is it?

O:...A thought. An echo of one. The return from the underworld, and Inanna cast off her veil... It makes sense. I did not understand, when I first felt clutching whispers. Carrying wisdom away from Kur when she strode into the sunlight again.

Ishtar entered the underworld and faced seven gates. At each gate she was stripped of clothing until she entered into that place naked and alone.

If you do not open the gate for me to come in, I shall smash the door and shatter the bolt, I shall smash the doorpost and overturn the doors, I shall raise up the dead and they shall eat the living: And the dead shall outnumber the living!

She is killed. After three days in death, she is rescued by two beings sent by one of the gods

From Wikipedia:

After Ishtar descends to the underworld, all sexual activity ceases on earth. The god Papsukkal, the Akkadian counterpart to Ninshubur, reports the situation to Ea, the god of wisdom and culture. Ea creates an androgynous being called Asu-shu-namir and sends them to Ereshkigal, telling them to invoke "the name of the great gods" against her and to ask for the bag containing the waters of life. Ereshkigal becomes enraged when she hears Asu-shu-namir's demand, but she is forced to give them the water of life. Asu-shu-namir sprinkles Ishtar with this water, reviving her. Then, Ishtar passes back through the seven gates, receiving one article of clothing back at each gate, and exiting the final gate fully clothed.

Eliksni servitors contain a record of their people, archives of those who have entered into death before the living. They are built in the image of the Traveler, a great machine with an unknown purpose, but which has exhibited a drive to protect and preserve life, all life, whether we understand its actions as such or not. It has shown, time and time again, a willingness to throw itself in front of the blade, for us. Its neutronium shell is heavy, dense beyond imagining. It's movements do not come without great effort and intent.

I believe the Witness has, in linking Ghost to the Veil, created a union of two types of records of civilization. One, the record of death, the other, the record of life. The Witness has entered into the Void, the afterlife, underworld, basement, and end of the universe, in order to face the greater gods. Or maybe, to unleash them...

Things I saw inside A wild river and a broken dam (or maybe it's just the sea crashing through a narrow gap I can't be sure). Waves slam through the gap and where they hit the stone they throw up pillars of spray that pierce the mist and crash down in thunder. There's a giant in the cataract, trying to wade against the current, and I can tell it wants to reach the lever and pull the lever which will seal off the flow or maybe give it the sword, but the torrent throws it back so it just keeps its head down and tries to push on. I can't see the face but it breathes out white smoke. I feel for it hard. A world painted around the interior like a stranger Earth everted and glued inside itself but I don't believe this one it's too much like a metaphor. A switchboard or a train station, empty, dead (waiting). The tunnels branch off into infinity. I stare down one for a long time and see a pale worm move in hungry coils around itself. I think this one is the most likely although I might have brought the worm. An egg but I'm not sure if the broth inside is warm still, or if it's gone to rot, or if the warmth comes from the struggles of the tiny winged zygote or the bleed from the wound or the thoughts of something thinking very hard. A star I think. We count on stars as steady friends because they always rise and always shine but a star's a delicate truce: an explosion caught by its own mass so that it can't erupt and can't collapse. Thus I imagine the state of the machine might be. But one force or another has gone awry and now it rests here, snuffed and broken, waiting for the two rival forms of ruin to be set in balance again.

Ghost Fragment: Mysteries 2 — Ingress via dreams alone

#destiny lore #the veil #the witness #the traveler #the void #follow the daito rabbit #destiny 2 #destiny the game #destiny #destinythegame #destiny2 #d2 #call me the grandmaster of semiosis

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robertreich · 1 year

Video

youtube

Big Midterm Victories That Give Me Hope For The Future

While it’s still too soon to know the full results of the midterms, there were some major victories on Tuesday night that spanned the entire country.

Numerous election denying candidates in key battleground states lost their races for both Secretary of State and Governor.

Abortion rights were protected in five states, minimum wage increases were approved by voters in Nebraska and Washington DC, collective bargaining rights were enshrined in the Illinois constitution, and Medicaid coverage was expanded to more than 40,000 people in South Dakota.

Control of state legislatures flipped to Democrats for the first time in years in Michigan and Minnesota — as well as in the Pennsylvania House. Maryland elected its first Black Governor – only the third Black governor elected in U.S. history. The first openly lesbian U.S. governor was elected in Massachusettes. New Hampshire elected the first trans man to a state legislature in U.S. history.

John Fetterman ran as a voice of the working class and flipped a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, dozens of other progressive candidates defeated big monied interests to win elections to the U.S. House, including Maxwell Frost, the first Gen Z member of Congress.

Friends, regardless of the overall outcome of the midterms, have no doubt: progressives are the future.

Why else would election deniers, monied interests, and bigots be fighting so hard to defeat us?

For one simple reason: They’re terrified of our power.

America still has a long way to go. But it is far better and stronger now — more inclusive, more diverse, more dynamic — than it has ever been.

Remember this as we continue our work. The fight isn’t over — and it won’t get easier. But WE can win. Tuesday was proof.

#youtube #election #midterms #John fetterman #Donald trump #politics #video #videos

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seashell-leeshell · 2 months

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You're Such a Birdbrain!!!

A Glitch Techs tickle fic

Lee! Miko Kubota

Ler! Ally

Miko's gauntlet breaks (again :P) and Ally is stuck outside of it. The chicky chum quickly gets bored, stuck in the real world without a glitch to fight, so she finds a new way to play with her Glitch Tech.

A/N: first original work in a while, might not be the best especially since I just found this in my drafts from my old Glitch Techs hyperfixation :P finished it as best i could and tossing it out here, so enjoy! or don't. that's fine too.

🦩🌟🦩🌟🦩🌟🦩🌟🦩🌟🦩🌟🦩🌟🦩🌟🦩🌟🦩🌟🦩🌟🦩🌟🦩

"Oi, blueberry, get down!" Mitch yelled.

Miko ducked just in time to avoid the glitch's fireball, quickly tossing a repair disc at the crater and running over to Zahra.

"Z. Do you think you can cover me? I have a plan," she whispered.

Zahra sent a thumbs up, then pulled up a shield on her gauntlet. A purple energy dome came between Miko and the spiked monster, which was currently giving Five and Haneesh a really hard time. Miko messed with her own gauntlet for a moment, before her favorite featherbrain popped into existence next to her.

"You ready to kick some Bonkser butt, Ally?" she said, hopping up onto the bird's back. Ally chirped in reply, and crouched to start running.

"Now!" Miko yelled. Zahra dropped the shield, and Ally sped towards the turtle creature. Miko blasted the glitch in the face, as Ally ducked and dodged around every fireball and claw. Haneesh took advantage of the distraction and threw a bomb underneath the monster. Five sent a final blast at the explosive, setting it off with an 8-bit BOOM.

Bonkser roared one last time before being sucked up into Mitch’s gauntlet.

“Mitch, come on!” Five yelled, rolling his eyes. “You barely even helped with this one!”

“Sounds like a skill issue, noobs!” Mitch cackled triumphantly. “I’ll see your sorry, XP deficient butts back at HQ.” He jumped into his van and sped through a portal.

Zahra looked like she wanted to kill him.

“Wait, guys, where’s Miko?” Haneesh asked, realizing her absence.

The remaining three techs were silent, before running through the battleground calling her name.

“Miko? Where are you?!” Zahra called.

“Come on, Miko, answer us!” Haneesh yelled as he dug through some rubble.

“Miko??!?” Five screeched, starting to panic.

A pile of rubble shifted, and Miko’s arm popped out waving. “I’m here!”

Five and Zahra grabbed her arm and pulled her out. Miko was a little scraped up, but mostly fine. Ally was holding her arm tight.

“Don’t scare me like that again!” Five grumbled.

“Sorry. But look, I’m fine! Let’s just drop a repair disc and go back to…” Miko faltered as she reached for her gauntlet.

The screen was gone, exposing the wiring and motherboard beneath. A giant crack spread through the entire side, and the hand gear was completely missing with a few sparks coming from the severed metal. Looking further down, Miko also realized her plixel armor had dematerialized.

“Aw, nerds…” she muttered.

Haneesh shrugged. “Eh, Phil’ll fix it when we get back.” He dropped his own repair disc and the four turned to leave.

“Oh, shoot! Ally!” Miko cried, turning to the bird. “You’re stuck out here, oh poor girl!” She grabbed Ally’s neck and gushed, “I’m so, so sorry! Come on, let’s get back so you can go home ASAP!”

Ally chirped and chewed on Miko’s hair.

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

Five pulled into the garage, and Ally jumped out of the back of the van, Miko atop. The two raced up to Phil’s office, only to find him standing outside it with a donut in hand and a scowl on his face.

“Phil, my gauntlet broke. Can you do your quick little impossibly-efficient repair thing?” Miko asked, screeching to a stop.

“Can’t, kid. My office was apparently not updated and now it’s got a virus. It’ll take all day for BITT to debug,” Phil grumped.

“All day?!” Miko gasped.

Phil sighed. “Yep. Sorry, Miko, but you’re out of commission until my office is fixed and I can repair gauntlets again.”

Ally chirped and chewed on Miko’s hair.

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

Miko grumbled and plopped down on a couch in the break room. “All day?! Why can’t he ever update things on time? Out of commission… hmph.” She kicked aimlessly at the air.

Ally chirped and ran in a circle before looking expectantly at Miko.

“Aw, sorry, girl, I don’t have anything for you to play fetch with. I can't make any Plixie Stix.” Miko told her.

Ally tilted her head, then huffed and sat down next to Miko.

“I know, I’m sorry you’re stuck out here. It’s pretty boring sometimes, huh?” Miko glanced at her chicky chum and sighed.

Ally chirped and pecked lightly at Miko’s arm.

“Hey!”

Ally pecked again. Maybe Miko would give her a treat if she bothered her enough.

“Ally, quit it.”

Peck.

“Ally, I don’t have treats either, if that’s what you want. I can’t access my inventory right now.”

Ally, of course, pecked again.

“Ally, look! My gauntlet is toast. I can’t get you anything!” Miko said, exasperated. She lifted her arm and showed Ally the busted gear. “Look! See? Nothing!”

Ally pecked again, this time missing Miko’s arm and pecking her side.

“EY!” Miko jumped with a high-pitched yelp.

Ally raised her head in alarm, worried she’d hurt her Miko.

“Don’t look at me like that, silly. I’m fine.”

Ally tilted her head. Then why did she jump?

Ally pecked again in the same spot.

“AhahHALLy! Meanie!” Miko squeaked, scooting away.

Ally chirped. She’d found a new game!

Ally scooted closer after Miko and pecked her side again, this time not stopping after one.

“HEY! Allyhyhyhyhyhyhyhy! Quihihit it thahat tihihihickles!” Miko giggled and tried curling up on herself to stop Ally, but the bird was dead set on her new entertainment. Ally pecked lightly, so as not to hurt Miko, but that just made it tickle more as she repeatedly poked Miko's side.

"Ally whyhyhyhy? AAA! Nononono nohot thehehehere!" Miko yelped as Ally nuzzled her beak into the girl's tummy. "Nahahahaha Ally you rahahahascal!"

Ally was very amused by her newfound activity, and wanted to see if anything else would get this reaction from her Glitch Tech.

The bird pulled away, giving Miko a breather.

"Thahanks... Ally... Whahat was that fohoHOR?! EE NOHOHOHO ALLYHYHYHY!"

Ally nuzzled her fuzzy head into Miko's neck, chirping adorably.

"Nohohooo EE hahahahahaha Ally that tihihickles! AaA!"

Ally finally stopped, and MIko sat up, breathing heavily.

"You little birdbrain! Remind me not to let you get bored again," she laughed.

Five came in, holding a couple of slushies.

"Hey, Miko, I heard what happened with Phil's- why are you so exhausted?" he said.

Miko blinked, pushed her messy hair out of her face, and said, "Eh. Just playing with Ally. You know how she is," she said, taking a slushie.

Ally chirped and chewed on Miko's hair.

#seashell made something #sfw tickling community #sfw tickle community #tickle fic #glitch techs tickle #lee!miko #ler!ally #sorry its been so long since I put out any work of mine #lol

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geekcavepodcast · 1 year

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Captains America Reunite in “Captain America: Cold War”

Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson have both been using the mantle of Captain America in the pages of Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and Carmen Carnero and Captain America: Symbol of Truth by Tochi Onyebuchi and R.B. Silva. Now the two Captains are about to reunited for the crossover event Captain America: Cold War.

Spoilers ahead.

Cold War kicks off with a prelude in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #11. Captain America and the Invaders are free of M.O.D.O.C.’S mind control, but now the Outer Circle has arrived. Steve will have to fight the Power and end the Outer Circle’s invasion of Manhattan for good.

Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty goes on sale on April 5, 2023.

Captain America: Cold War Alpha #1 hails from writers Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, and Tochi Onybuchi and artist Carlos Magno. “Bucky Barnes is the Outer Circle’s New Revolution, and he has enacted his deadliest move yet—an alliance with Sam Wilson’s nemesis, the White Wolf. When Steve Rogers’ adopted son, Ian, AKA Nomad, is abducted by someone Steve thought was a friend, he suspects Bucky’s hand at work and calls upon the people who know Ian best -- Sam Wilson, Sharon Carter, and Misty Knight -- to help him get to the bottom of the attack. Has Bucky finally gone too far? Why has Nomad been taken, and what does it have to do with a portal to Dimension Z opening over a secret battleground in Alaska?” (Marvel Comics)

Captain America: Cold War Alpha #1, featuring a cover by Patrick Gleason, goes on sale on April 12, 2023.

Captain America: Symbol of Truth #12 is part two of Cold War. Will Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers be able to agree on the priorities needed to end the newest threat? White Wolf has taken control of Dimension Z and set the creatures on Sam and Steve and it also turns out that the Outer Circle has more stakes in the fight than the Captains realized. Also, What are Bucky’s plans for Ian Rogers?

Captain America: Symbol of Truth #12 goes on sale on April 26, 2023.

(Image via Marvel Comics - Patrick Gleason’s Cover of Captain America: Cold War Alpha #1)

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whichuniverseisthis · 2 months

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Hello, guess what. As promised, the commentaries are back, and by great demand (two comments) with the Platinum arc! As you can see, with the arc I've also changed the tag. Also I decided to not have the 10 shots limit anymore, so I can put more or I can put less pictures. I hope you enjoy! And as always, beware of spoilers!

First - Vs Lopunny

Next - Vs Porygon-Z

Last - Final dimentional duel XI

Chapter 1 / Chapter 417

I love how faithful to the game this feels but also, Volkner and Flint just standing there is so random (I know you fight them in the game, but it's funny). Also if I remember correctly the swimmer is a reference to the guy in RS who wanted to catch a Feebas to get rich. The bro did it.

Platinum missing Dia and Pearl and the arc hasn't even started yet, but I don't need my heart anyway. And the fact she started as a loner, but now she's scared to be alone, or at least without her friends. From now on I'll list all the ways she developed through the arcs. Watch me.

Steven appearance! Honestly, the Pt arc is worth reading solely for the cameos and the references to other regions or games. Also I'm sorry, but my tiny brain zeroed on the misspelled name on the sign, "Seven" Stone.

The Battleground guys! Am I imagining it, or in the game this place is Buck's house? I should play Pt more often. Also it's interesting how the plot kept Riley separated from them. Maybe because he looks older than the rest? Who knows.

Looker again! And this time with a role! I love how they made him look like a Sherlock Holmes parody. He's so unserious compared to the games, he's so funny. XY postgame level of funny.

Flint being the only Sinnoh Elite Four with multiple mentions outside of the one chapter is iconic, but also sad for the others. But imagine Buck sicking all of them on you because you annoyed him, and by extension you annoyed Flint. And put Volkner in the middle, while you're at it.

This is the single funniest moment in all of Pokéspe, you can't change my mind. Look at how happy Empoleon, Rapidash and Lopunny are. Also Platinum development. As in, she actually asks for confirmation instead of just deciding she's right.

Ok, let me guess: The ship that takes you to Sevii Islands from Kanto, the Bell Tower in Johto, and the cable car in Hoenn.

The most obvious character development yet. The fact that she defines herself as a "dedicated Pokémon trainer" is nice, it well represents how much she got into battles thanks to Dia and Pearl and the gym leaders. All the references to chapter one of DP are killing me, btw.

Distortion World mention! Look, I know the Pt arc doesn't have the best plot (because why should you battle to talk with the Brains?), but as I've said, I think this has to be read as more of a fan service arc. There's a reason if the whole final battle is a huge legendary battle royale.

God, it took the whole morning to write this. I totally forgot how to do this stuff, but I think it will be fun to be back again. This won't be as long as DP for obvious reasons, but I hope you enjoy it anyway! Thanks to everyone who read it all!

#pt commentary #pokespe #trainer diamond #pokespe diamond #trainer pearl #pokespe pearl #trainer platinum #pokespe platinum #platinum berlitz

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themiiofalltime · 1 year

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CONTESTANTS

(in no particular order)

- Turg by Call Me Kevin

- Mr Bean by RT Game

- Screamith by Failboat

- Magical John by RT Game

- Eteled by IceyPie

- Paul by Failboat

- Zorlo from New York by A Streetpass User

- Lonk from Pennsylvania by A Streetpass User

- Applejoy by tumblr user commoncoldz)

- Blumii by tumblr user bluesagez

- Creepylady by tumblr user wigglepiggle

- Jaques Nut by tumblr user crinkler’s sister

- Dr Scarlet by Nintendo (Battleground Z)

- Iris Archwell by Nintendo (Monster Manor)

- Google by tumblr user awnowimsad

- Nick Ftbal by tumblr user crinkler’s sister

- Miyu by Nintendo (the sports)

- Ai by Nintendo (the sports)

- Coraline by Nintendo (mii plaza)

- Nico Fire by Nintendo (mii plaza)

- Vincent by Alpharad

- Petch from Texas by A Streetpass User

- Steve Harvey by A Person

- Reggie Fils-Aimé by Nintendo

- Default Female Mii by Nintendo

- Default by Call Me Kevin

- Beef Boss by Poofesure

- Hamburger Mii by almost everyone (credit to MusikMumie on YouTube for the most famous(?) tutorial)

- I Want Die by RT Game

- End Mii by RT Game

- Barack Obama by The USA

- Gay Obama by RT Game

- Satoru Iwata by Nintendo

- Masahiro Sakurai by Nintendo

- Dummy Girl by Nintendo (FriendAddTool 3DS Debug)

- Amy by Nintendo (Miiverse)

- Default Male Mii by Nintendo

- Default Mii Gunner by Nintendo (Super Smash Bros Ultimate)

- Guest A by Nintendo

- Guest D by Nintendo

- Matt by Nintendo (sports)

- Two-Faced by Vinesauce (tomadachi life)

- Turbovicki by Griffin and Justin McElroy of Polygon (Monster Factory)

- Lucía by Nintendo (sports)

- Peter Griffin by A Person

- Haru by Nintendo (sports)

- Cling On by Vinesauce (tomadachi life)

- TASBot Mii by A Person

i did it! these are the mii blorbos that will be fighting to the death.

as you can see i can’t attribute a creator to every mii so i would be willing to hold a custody fight if that’s something you’d be interested in??? seems like a fun idea that could lead to wacky hijinks i don’t know

more information will arrive later TODAY like actual TODAY not in a week’s time!!

#also please correct me if i got anything wrong here :)#the mii of all time tournament #the mii of all time info #not a poll

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microwaving-tesilid-argente · 7 months

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while i was sick i went to read the world war z book. the best zombie story i've ever read!

covers lots of geopolitics, there's truly a sense of scale because (1) when a whole city gets infected and you return to it, you'll truly get an almost endless wave of them, and (2) it covers so many sorts of battlegrounds and bases and not just your suburban american homes or urban east asian city centres.

it even covers the pov of astronauts on the ISS, and talks about what happens when hordes and hordes of zombies fall into the sea!

the timelime is also kind of hard to put together, so i might be rotating that in my head for a while.

#pushes tesilid to the side sorry boy ill get back to you let me think about wwz for a while #(jk ill probably rotate both of them in my head alternately)

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scienceninjaturtle · 1 year

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CAPTAIN AMERICA: COLD WAR ALPHA #1

COLLIN KELLY, JACKSON LANZING & TOCHI ONYEBUCHI (W) • CARLOS MAGNO (A)

Cover by PATRICK GLEASON • VARIANT COVER BY DANIEL ACUÑA

VARIANT COVER BY MARCO CHECCHETTO

INFINITY SAGA PHASE 3 VARIANT COVER BY STEVE MCNIVEN

TIMELESS BARON ZEMO VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY ALEX ROSS

TIMELESS BARON ZEMO VIRGIN SKETCH VARIANT COVER BY ALEX ROSS

MARVEL ICON VARIANT COVER BY STEFANO CASELLI

THE REVOLUTION STARTS HERE: COLD WAR – PART ONE!

Bucky Barnes is the Outer Circle's New Revolution, and he has enacted his deadliest move yet — an alliance with Sam Wilson's nemesis, the White Wolf. When Steve Rogers' adopted son, Ian, A.K.A. Nomad, is abducted by someone Steve thought was a friend, he suspects Bucky's hand at work and calls upon the people who know Ian best — Sam Wilson, Sharon Carter and Misty Knight — to help him get to the bottom of the attack. Has Bucky finally gone too far? Why has Nomad been taken, and what does it have to do with a portal to Dimension Z opening over a secret battleground in Alaska?

The Symbol of Truth and the Sentinel of Liberty reunite for a pulse-pounding crossover event that will make them question everything they believe in…and each other.

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

#marvel comics #captain america #cold war #sam wilson #steve rogers

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mariacallous · 1 year

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Political scientists and forward-looking politicians have been debating the ultimate impact of the two youngest American generations — Plurals (Gen Z) and Millennials — on the nation’s partisan future for some time. With these two generations scheduled to become a majority of the American electorate later this decade, election results and a spate of recent data from Pew research are providing an increasingly persuasive answer. Younger voters should be a source of electoral strength for Democrats for some years to come.

Let’s start with the simple fact that, as Figure 1 illustrates, the Millennial generation is the largest generation in America today and the largest in American history.

FIGURE 1.

Population of Current U.S. Generations

As Figure 2 illustrates, Millennials and some of their younger siblings, will be a majority of the electorate in just six years.

FIGURE 2.

Millennials and Plurals Will Be a Majority of Potential Voters by 2028 — Over Sixty Percent by 2036

Research on individual voting behavior over time supports the idea that early partisan predilections persist over an individual’s life span. Republicans need to take steps now to reverse these trends among young people before they become an unbreakable barrier to GOP electoral success and Democrats need to focus on Plurals and Millennials in the years ahead to take advantage of the opportunity that this emerging majority presents.[1]

Younger Americans are tilting the electoral playing field strongly towards the Democrats and making it very likely that the “over/under” line in American politics will be 45, if not 50, for at least the rest of this decade.

For instance, the results of the 2022 midterm elections surprised many who didn’t believe the Harvard Institute of Politics (IOP) surveys that showed young people were very enthusiastic about voting in the 2022 midterms. Their influence enabled the Democrats to win almost every battleground statewide contest and increase their majority in the U.S. Senate, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

FIGURE 3.

The 2022 Democratic Advantage Among Young Voters in Battleground States Allowed the Democrats to Recapture Senate Control

And even though the Democrats failed to retain their majority in the House of Representatives, the preference for Democratic candidates among members of the Pluralist and Millennial generations limited the size of the new Republican majority to just five votes.

FIGURE 4.

America’s Youngest Generations Voted Overwhelmingly Democratic for Congress in the 2022 Midterm Elections

What should be of even greater concern to Republicans is that this Democratic advantage, at least in the 2022 midterm election, was particularly strong among African American and Hispanic voters under the age of 45. Moreover, despite Republican efforts to make inroads in these communities and a large Republican vote among Hispanics in places like Florida, young minority voters supported Democrats by substantial margins. Eighteen to 29-year-old white voters also supported Democratic congressional candidates over Republican ones by a 58% to 40% margin, validating IOPs pre-election predictions as shown in Figure 5.

FIGURE 5.

The Democratic Advantage Among Young Voters Is True Among Key Racial and Ethnic Groups

Although the impact of Millennials’ and Plurals’ preferences for Democratic candidates among racial and ethnic voters varies based on congressional district lines and the nature of each’s state’s population, when it comes to voters under 45, and particularly among female voters of that age, their presence can be felt in every precinct in the country. See Figure 6.

FIGURE 6.

Young Female Voters Voted Overwhelmingly for Democrats in 2022

Linear projections of past trends are never definitive, especially in politics, and one election does not a trend make. But young people have now been voting solidly Democratic, and in increasing numbers, in every election since Donald Trump’s victory in 2016. In the 2018 midterm election, more than two-thirds (68%) of voters under 45 cast ballots for Democratic congressional nominees and in 2020, 58% voted for President Biden.

The rising importance of the Millennial and Pluralist generation brings with it three challenges Republicans will need to deal with if they want to win national elections in the future.

First, younger voters overwhelmingly support the Democratic Party’s positions on issues like abortion and inclusion that Republicans have traditionally opposed. Even worse for the GOP’s future, a majority of younger Republican voters are closer to the Democratic Party’s positions on these cultural issues than they are to their own party’s posture. However, the Republican generational gap is not significant on economic issues. To take advantage of this potential opening with younger voters, the Republican Party would have to reverse their current emphasis on “wokeness” and pound away on the country’s economic unease instead. See Figure 7.[2]

FIGURE 7.

Younger and Older Republicans Diverge Significantly on Social Issues, Democrats Broadly United

Second, this divide by age on social issues within the Republican electorate is accompanied by a shrinking gender gap among younger voters, further unifying Democrats and making it harder for machismo-type Republican candidates to expand their appeal. Fifty-five percent of white male voters under 45 voted Democratic in 2022, as did 52% of younger white females. As Figure 8 illustrates, upwards of nine in ten male and female African American voters under 45 also voted Democratic in the midterms. Among both male and female Hispanics under 45, two-thirds voted for Democratic congressional candidates. To the extent that a gender gap still exists, in 2022 it is centered among older white and Hispanic voters. As Plural and Millennial voters become a larger and larger part of the American electorate, the gender gap in American politics is likely to shrink faster than the ozone layer.

FIGURE 8.

Democratic Advantage Among Plural and Millennial Voters Spread to All Racial and Ethnic Groups With Minimal Gender Gap

If those two challenges weren’t enough to deal with, Republicans reliance on broadcast media, such as Fox News and talk radio, means their message isn’t even being heard by Plurals and Millennials who live in an entirely different information ecosystem, built around social media, especially TikTok and YouTube.[3] Figure 9 shows how different younger voters are when it comes to trust in media.

FIGURE 9.

Reaching Younger Voters Requires Using Social Media (Plurals and Millennials Prefer To Use Digital To Get News and Trust It More as a News Source)

Of course, the Democratic party is not without its own challenges in adapting their strategies to an electorate dominated by younger voters. Older, embedded media commentators, pollsters, and campaign consultants, who make up the Democratic “permanent campaign complex,” are often slow to learn new tricks and less familiar with how to communicate with younger voters using their preferred platforms to talk about their policy priorities. For example, even in 2022, Democratic candidates for Senate in swing states such as Colorado and Ohio, recoiled in horror from President Biden’s proposal to forgive a portion of the two generations’ student debts, even though one of younger voters’ top priorities is making college more affordable, if not tuition free — ranking right up there with preserving reproductive rights and dealing with climate change.

If Democrats don’t run campaigns that focus on voters under 45, wherever they live and whatever their current political preferences, they could not only lose their chance for a sweeping victory in 2024 but potentially lose the allegiance of the large and growing majority of American voters for decades to come.

Footnotes

[1] The landmark 1950’s analysis of political behavior, The American Voter, indicated that upwards of nine in ten American adults identified with or leaned to one of the major US political parties. For the large majority, this identification was formed when they were young adults and remained constant throughout their life. (Campbell, et. al. 1960. The American Voter. New York: Wiley). In a replication of the original work, The American Voter Revisited, researchers interviewed a panel of respondents at four different points in time over a seventeen-year period (1965-1982). In that research more than eight in ten Americans identified with or leaned to one of the parties and upward of eight in ten identified with the same party at the end of the period that they did at the beginning. More recently, in 2000 and 2004, a similar panel showed an equivalent level of party identification and stability in that identification over time. (Lewis-Beck, et. al. 2008. The American Voter Revisited. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press).

[2] Pew respondents were asked to indicate which of 2 statements came closer to their own views. The statements were: “America’s openness to people from all over the world is essential to who we are as a nation” as opposed to “If America is too open to people from all over the world, we risk losing our identity as a nation.” The figures on the graph represent those who chose the first statement. For the second, respondents were presented with the following statement: “In general, how much do White people benefit from advantages in society that Black people do not have.” The bars on the graph represent those who indicated “A great deal” or “A fair amount” in response to that statement. For the third, the procedure was similar to that of the first set of bars. Respondents were asked to indicate which of two statements came closest to their own views. The statements were: “The obstacles that once made it harder for women than men to get ahead are now largely gone” as opposed to “There are significant obstacles that make it harder for women to get ahead than men.” The figures on the graph represent those who chose the second statement.

[3] According to Nielsen ratings “More than half of the Fox News Audience is older than 65.”

8 notes · View notes