#he will stick with the option he has seen deliver

[givemea-dam-break]

May I request a fem reader x Anthony lockwood where reader is a super talented fittes agent who constantly trades barbs with lockwood but he soon realises that she fancies him so he ends up teasing her during missions by doing small stuff like pulling her close and calling here babe when no-one is around

a/n: ahhhhhh this is such a cute idea, yes of course!!! i hope you like it <3 buckle in because this is a long one - which could constitute for a part 2 if anyone wants one lol

warnings: language fem reader (few pronouns used)

part 2

"Don't you get tired of me saving your ass? This is the third time I've done it this week alone."

Anthony Lockwood leans against the partially splintered doorframe of the house he and his team were working on a case in, arms crossed over his chest and smiling proudly as if he wasn't on his back in ghost-lock mere minutes ago. His hair is slightly ruffled, cheeks flushed, but that cocky grin is there despite it all.

"Sometimes I just need reminding that there are scarier things than ghosts," he says.

Bristling a little, you raise an eyebrow at him. "Is that why I see you looking in mirrors so often? I'd chalked it up to narcissism, but, hey, if it's for a reality check instead, who am I to judge?"

His eyes roll, and he makes a sound that's half-scoff and half-laugh. "We would've been fine without your help, just so you know."

"Mm-hmm." You look around the salt-covered kitchen and the tiles that were pried off the wall - by you - that uncovered a hole in the wall containing the source. "So George was looking for the source in the bathroom just because? And Lucy was fighting the second ghost that she herself told me you guys didn't know about? Not to mention you being ghost-locked. To each their own, I suppose."

"At least I looked good doing it. Your uniform is the most boring thing I've ever seen."

"Oh, so you're a fashion expert now?" you ask, placing a hand on your hip. "No offence, Lockwood, but I'd stick to ghost-hunting. You're at least half-decent at that."

Kipps appears down the hallway, pointing to the front door before disappearing, followed by the rest of your team. He's slowly slid out of the role of being the one to provoke Anthony Lockwood, leaving the pleasure solely to you. Not that you're complaining. There's something so enjoyable about riling him up.

Plastering on a too-sweet smile, you say, "It was great seeing you, Lockwood. I'll have fun saving your life again soon."

You push past him through the doorway, stopping just past.

"And, before you comment on my 'boring' uniform, at least try to get your socks and tie to match. Those are two wildly different shades of blue."

--

You glare at the house towering before you, pissed that you've been sent off on messenger duty not by Fittes, but by DEPRAC. They've got vans and cars and dozens of employees to do their bidding, but old Inspector Barnes has sent you off instead. Maybe as some kind of torture.

Annoyed, you ring the doorbell and wait.

When the door swings open, you're at least grateful that it's Lucy Carlyle that opens it. While she can be quick to anger and is prone to making snide remarks - although you're no better - she's the preferable option. George has a hatred for all Fittes employees and Lockwood... You scowl at the thought of him.

"Oh, (name)," she says, frowning in confusion. "Why are you here?"

You hold the papers out. "DEPRAC lapdog, apparently. I've been sent to give all three of you these NDA letters. They need signing and sent back to DEPRAC."

Lucy takes them gingerly, eyes skirting over the writing. "This is about that case the three of us did in Greenwich?"

"The owner of the National Maritime Museum doesn't want potential customers finding out there were ghosts there, or something," you explain. "I don't know. Barnes caught me on a run earlier and asked me to deliver these."

"Deliver what?"

Scowling, you look over Lucy's shoulder where Lockwood's face has just appeared. Lucy shows him the papers, passing them over and crossing her arms as she explains what you've just said.

Lockwood frowns, looking at you as if it's your fault.

"Barnes has got you on a lead, huh?"

"You calling me a dog, Lockwood? I don't think you want to see how you'll end up after that."

He raises his hands in mock surrender. "I would never do that. You know me. Besides, you're not wearing your signature grey today, so you don't even look like a staffy."

It's at that moment that Lucy slips away, taking the papers with her.

"I'm in no mood for you today," you say. "I've not even been back to my place, so I'm all sweaty from my run and in need of a shower. Barnes has sent me here because he and his lackeys can't get off their arses. And, to top it off, my favourite café ran out of the coffee I like. So, I advise you to pack it in, or I'll be arrested for trespassing and assault."

"There will be no need for that," he promises. "Do you want to come in for that coffee you so desperately want? George is quite adept at making good coffee."

"Even if I wanted to step foot in your house, which I don't, George would probably poison my drink, so no, thanks."

For a moment, he's quiet, as if trying to think of some way to insult you. Then, he says, "I admit, I thought Barnes would've sent Kipps. Maybe even Kat. But not you."

You cross your arms, the cold air nipping your bare arms. You hadn't thought to bring a jumper with you. "Like I said to Lucy, Barnes caught me while I was on my run. I think he was going to head here himself, but decided he liked seeing your faces even less than I do and sent me on my way. Pig."

Lockwood breathes a laugh like he's hesitant to really laugh in front of you. He leans against the doorframe. "Are you sure you don't want to come in for a moment? You're shivering, and it's cold out."

"I'm more than sure." You peek past him, eyeing the clutter and the hint of a collapsed pile of clothes in one of the rooms with disdain. "I need to get back anyways. The sight of you is making me feel violently ill."

"All right, all right, there's no need for that. We were having a civil conversation for a moment. At least take this." He reaches behind the door, pulling out a large grey hoodie. "It's cold, and it's a long walk back to Fittes."

With a bit of hesitation, you take the hoodie from his hands. It's warm like it's been over a radiator. "Thanks. I'll get this back to you."

"Hey, at least it matches your uniform."

"Oh, shut up. You're just proving you've got no sense of style - it's not even the same shade. And, I'm just noticing, you're still not able to match your socks and tie. You need to do some homework."

He rolls his eyes. "Whatever. Get gone. You're making the street look untidy."

You flip him off before turning and trudging down the steps, then make your way home.

--

"That's not your jumper."

You look up from your mug of coffee tiredly. The case you'd been on the night before has left you completely drained, and having a nine am start didn't make it any better. Even the coffee hasn't perked you up.

"What?"

Kat's icy gaze studies the hoodie you wear. "Did you not hear me? I said -"

"I know what you said. But why?"

"Whose is it?"

You rub your eyes. "I don't see how that's any of your business."

"It's Anthony Lockwood's, isn't it?" she says, practically spitting the name. "I thought you hated him."

"Like I said, none of your business."

You pull the grey jumper tighter around you. The whole morning, you've been so cold that you've resorted to wearing it. And, despite your - now, somewhat mixed - feeling for Lockwood, you find comfort in the scent of tea and toast it carries. You've not seen him in the last few days since he gave it to you, so you've not had the opportunity to return it. Might as well take advantage of it, seeing as all of your jumpers are dirty.

Kat scowls. "Give it back. Burn it. Just get rid of it."

"I'll do what I want with it," you say, shocking yourself with your defensiveness. "Just lay off. I'm cold, I'm tired, and I'm hungry. I'm not in the mood for this."

"You're never in the mood for anything," Kat says.

"I wonder why," you mutter quietly before taking a sip of your coffee.

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing. Just saying how much I appreciate your constant input."

--

"Saving you again. Who'd have thought?"

Lockwood rolls his eyes, rapier held out in front of him. "I think you enjoy it. That, or you enjoy seeing me. I'd prefer the latter because I love the attention, but either way."

You scoff, throwing a salt bomb at the ghost that has cornered you both. "I most certainly do not like seeing you. It's the worst part of my week."

"Oh, sure, love."

The nickname causes you to choke, but you keep your guard up. This ghost is relentless, and you won't let some arrogant boy cause you to falter. You're one of the best agents Fittes has, a professional in your field. You know better than to let him distract you.

In front of you, the ghost makes a faint wailing sound, though your Listening isn't strong enough to make out what it's saying. Judging from the glowing blood that pours from its neck and spills over its dress, you judge that it's a Wraith, and not a very happy one at that.

"What's our plan, then?" you ask. "We're trapped in a hallway with nothing but a basement door behind us. Lucy and George are looking for the source, I take it?"

"Lucy and George didn't take this case with me. They're on a separate one."

Scowling, you say, "Oh, well, just as well that I happened to pass by when I did then, huh? You'd be dead right now if it weren't for me."

You're about to keep talking, but Lockwood shouts, "Duck!" before tackling you to the ground. Your head narrowly misses the wall but bangs against the floor instead, and you're overtaken by a horrible chill as the ghost darts over top of you both.

All of a sudden, you're acutely aware of Lockwood on top of you, shielding you from what could've been potential ghost touch. His breath is warm on your face, and you can feel his heart racing above your own, which feels like it's going a million miles an hour. Your cheeks, despite the chill, feel awfully hot. He looks down at you, grinning and about to say something.

"Watch out!" you interrupt, kicking him off of you and grabbing his rapier. You slash it through the air, temporarily dissolving the ghost.

You push yourself off the ground, throwing another salt bomb at the Wraith. Lockwood is on his feet shortly after, and you both hurry to his iron circle by the living room door, panting and gasping for breath. The lamp in the centre flickers slightly, and the floorboards creak.

"Hell of a house you've got here," you grumble. "Who is this miserable git anyways?"

Lockwood eyes the ghost before grinning at you once more. "Lady called Angela, was killed in a burglary back in, oh, what did George say? Nineteen-forty-nine, I think. As you can see, she's very unhappy."

The Wraith wails and a liquidy choking sound becomes more apparent, which makes you squirm. Your Sight is about as good as your Listening, but it's still hard to make out the glowing features of the woman besides all of the blood and her spotty dress.

"Your Touch is good, right?"

"Best of the best."

Lockwood scoffs. "All right, no need to get cocky."

"You're one to talk."

"I was just going to ask if you could search for the source with your Touch while I cover you! You make everything so difficult."

You brush hair out of your eyes. "Yeah, me. Okay, whatever. I'll go find this source then. Which room is my best bet?"

"Living room."

Glancing into the room just beside you, you nod, waiting for your cue to go. For a brief second, Lockwood touches your arm, telling you to stay safe, and then he's launched himself at the ghost. You don't stick around to see what kind of pretentious rapier moves he's doing.

The living room is pretty empty, compared to others you've seen. The walls are plain and beige, with very few photos hung up in boring old frames. There's a two-seater sofa with the ugliest floral pattern you've ever seen and an armchair that doesn't match in the slightest. The fireplace has no wood, no ash, no nothing as if it hasn't been used for years.

You're instantly drawn to the fireplace. Crouching down to the ground, you place your hand on the bricks that make it up, closing your eyes and falling into your senses.

The room has changed. It's brighter, more colourful, happier. Sunlight streams through the window, and a woman hums as she dusts the ornaments on the wall. She's pretty, wearing a spotty blue dress, and her voice is soothing. When she passes over to the fireplace, it's almost as if she is really there next to you, replacing the burnt wood with fresh. But her fingers graze a brick inlaid in the ground, lingering for a moment too long before she moves away to replace the flowers in a vase.

Colours blur as the vision fades away and the sounds of Lockwood's fight resume. Immediately, you begin clawing at the brick you saw in the vision, grateful to find it loose already. A horrible wail indicates that you're right.

A spider crawls out of the hollow gap beneath the brick, and you reach your hand into the gap, which is filled with cobwebs. Your fingers latch onto something, but you don't stop to look at what it is before you wrap it up in the silver net you always keep in a pouch on your belt.

Seconds later, Lockwood appears in the doorway, panting and smiling. "Thanks for the help, love. You're very handy. What's the source?"

You scowl. "Don't call me that."

"What? Love? Thought you'd like it. I mean, you've still got my jumper, and Lucy says that's got to mean something."

"Be quiet. I've not had the chance to give it back. Here's the source. Look for yourself. I'm heading home, as far away from you as I can get."

"Oh, come on. Let me walk you home at least."

For a moment, you consider it, and you hate yourself for it. But part of you, a treacherous little piece of your heart, yearns for it. When was the last time someone walked you home? When was the last time someone offered to bring you in for a coffee or gave you their jumper to keep you warm? Though you hate to admit it, Anthony Lockwood is not the worst out of all the people in London.

"Fine," you mutter. "Just this once."

--

"So, tell me about yourself, love. What makes you tick?"

You look at Lockwood incredulously. "This isn't the time, you twat! There's a pack of Phantasms following us."

Lockwood glances back at the ghosts trailing you. He waves a hand nonchalantly. "Oh, they're fine. We're covered in iron and silver protection."

"I can hear them calling for us, and they're getting closer."

"Well, good thing you've got me to walk you home. Who better to keep you safe?"

You curse under your breath, wondering why you'd ever agreed more than once to let him walk you home. The first time was bearable, the second time less so. Now, the eighth, you're at your wit's end. Having the company, especially when walking in the dark so late at night, made you feel a little better, but things would definitely be splendid if he'd shut his mouth for once.

"What did I say about you calling me 'love'?"

"If I remember correctly, you said, and I quote, If you call me that again, I'm going to tear out your tongue and feed it to Kipps for breakfast. Did I get that right?"

"Yes, you did."

"Well, if it annoys you, more the reason to say it, right, love?"

You shove him, and he stumbles, laughing, as you trudge along the park's path, glancing back at the phantasms following behind.

"So...?" Lockwood says, drawing near once more.

You raise your eyebrows. "So?"

"What makes you so prickly? Kat Godwin is bad, but she's quiet most of the time. You, on the other hand, spark a debate the minute you walk into a room. What is it? An incessant hatred for the world? Never had any friends growing up? Oh, I know, you had a pet that got run over when you were a child, and now you hate everyone in return?"

Glaring at him, you say, "No. To all of them."

"So what is it then?"

"I don't know." You shrug. You don't know why you feel the urge to tell him a real answer. "I've never seen anything different, I suppose. My parents didn't really... parent, when I was a kid, so now I don't know how to talk to people any other way than how I do. It's how they spoke to me, or so I've been told. Kipps put me in therapy for a while, but my therapist was a thick-skulled -"

Lockwood's laugh cuts you off, and you glance at him sidelong. There's something about the way the moonlight hits his skin; how the cold midnight air makes his cheeks rosy; how his smile seems to light up his face. It makes everything feel a little less bad.

"I don't know how to word things without sounding mean," you say, "because that's all anyone has ever been to me. Even at Fittes."

"So you don't mean to hurl verbal abuse at me every chance you get?"

"Oh, no, I absolutely do. You're the biggest idiot I've ever met, and you could really work on that narcissism of yours. It's a killer. Real no-go for a girl."

"So now you're saying you're interested in me, but my confidence is putting you off?"

The arrogance in his eyes makes you want to strangle him. "No, that's not what I'm saying at all."

But, is it? You're not sure. There's a funny feeling in your chest, but you're half convinced it's just heartburn and not something people tend to call 'crushing' or 'loving'. You're not entirely sure what either of those things feels like.

He makes to speak again, but he glances back at the group of phantasms following you and grins. "Fancy another ghost fight tonight?"

You sigh. "You really know how to get a girl excited."

--

"Love, pass me a salt bomb or five."

You glance into the hallway for any of the other agents scouting the mansion, scowling. "Don't call me that!"

"Whatever you say, love. Now, the salt bombs?"

Resisting the urge to throw them at his face, you pass Lockwood a few salt bombs begrudgingly.

Your Fittes team and Lockwood's agency have been teamed up on a case by DEPRAC, and Lockwood being the pompous ass he is paired you both together and has been teasing you incessantly. Nothing new there, except for the feeling it incites in your chest.

It can't really be described as heartburn, anymore, because it only ever happens whenever you see him or hear his name. You've found yourself growing bored and - you hate to say this - lonely without his company and quips, and find yourself to be your happiest when throwing insults at each other, though they feel a little more light-hearted now than they once did. Well, you feel as happy as you believe you can be, with as little experience of it as you've had.

You try to ignore the way your skin tingles and cheeks flush when his fingers brush yours and try even harder to pretend you don't see the shit-eating grin on his face from your reaction.

"You're insufferable, you know that right?" you ask as you pull iron chains from your bag.

"Only because you tell me every chance you get," Lockwood says. "I live to give you that privilege."

You roll your eyes. "I can stab you with my rapier, so you'd do well to remember that."

The weight of his arm rests on your shoulders, and he pulls you close to his side. You grow tense at the sudden movement and the close proximity, and hope he can't feel your racing heartbeat. It'll only give him one more thing to pick at you about. You're just unused to being held, you tell yourself.

"But you wouldn't do that, love. You've grown quite fond of me these past few months."

"Have not."

"Care to return my jumper, then? I'm in dire need of it."

Once more, your face flushes. "You told me to keep it a little longer while my morning runs are still cold."

"As a formality. You were meant to say something smart like, Like hell I will, asshat, take it back before I become infected by the bacteria you carry. Your insults are becoming boring."

"Is that so?" You narrow your eyes at him. "Well, you are an asshat, for one. For two, I'd advise you let go of me, or I fear my skin will burn off from the way your brain is overheating trying to keep a conversation with me. So, love, how about you take your arm back?"

He grins, drawing you closer until your cheeks are almost touching. "If I die from overheating, you're going down with me."

You shove him away, scowling once more, but part of you wants to laugh. This kind of banter with him has grown familiar, comforting. And, well, though you might protest it much of the time, being called 'love' gives your heart a little flutter, like it's glad it's finally getting some attention after a lifetime of being as hard and cold as stone.

Bit by bit, Lockwood has softened it up, but you'll never tell him that. He would only grow too smug.

"You know," Lockwood says, "I think you're bribing DEPRAC so that you can get put on cases with us. This is the second one in two weeks."

"Why on earth would I ever bribe DEPRAC for that? If anything, I'd bribe them to get me out of it." You lay the chains out in a neat circle and place all your things inside. "If anyone's doing it, it's you, because you're obsessed with me."

"And so what if I am, love? You're very fun to poke fun at."

Your hands falter, and you hope he hasn't noticed. "Whatever."

He grins, watching your every move. "You can admit you feel the same, you know? You're not going to face a horrible death for admitting you enjoy spending time with me."

You don't know what to say to that. Because, yes, you do enjoy spending time with him, in your little confusing way. Being around him has opened you up to new feelings you've never had the chance to really feel before, and you're grateful for it, but admitting it? It's like giving him the key to a locked door and granting him 24/7 access. It terrifies you and makes you feel vulnerable.

"Be quiet so we can get on with our surveys," you murmur. "I'd like to get out of here as soon as possible."

"Scared? Don't worry, I can hold your hand."

And he does. His hand wraps around yours, enveloping it in warmth, and you find yourself staring at it, unwilling to pull away from his touch. It seems to shock Lockwood, too, judging from his parted lips and slightly-too-wide eyes, but his hand squeezes yours gently and you feel a little piece of your heart soften.

There's a creak in the hallway, and you jerk your hand away, standing straight, face hot. But there's nothing, no one. Just you, Lockwood, and a barrage of feelings you're not sure what to do with.

#anthony lockwood x reader #lockwood x reader #lockwood and co x reader #lockwood and co fanfiction #lockwood and co #lockwood and co netflix #anthony lockwood #george karim #lucy carlyle #x reader #fanfiction #givemea-dam-break

[raayllum]

So like, while “My return to this world is inevitable” is a banger line to end the trailer on, my brain was thinking about the quote in context. The opening quote of “Seeing you now, I can’t believe it’s been two years” is clearly from Claudia upon reviving Viren in 4x01, and none of the previous TDP teasers / trailers have ever had a quote that didn’t wind up being in the season somehow, even if sometimes they would be spliced up like “even when the odds seem impossible,” the full statement itself would be included somewhere.

Which is to say:

Who the fuck is Aaravos saying that line to?

So let’s run down the most likely and less likely options, shall we?

Despite being with Claudia for most of the season presumably by proxy, the only context I can think of for a line like this is him trying to ‘reassure’ her at the finish line, to coax her into continuing the spell / ritual to get him out of his mirror. We know from the S4 synopsis he’s leaving her clues and likely wants to leave her in a bit of a limbo so that she meets his time limit without any issues, so I don’t think he’d say it to her any time earlier.

The other possibility is Viren, especially if Viren, like I’ve already predicted / theorized, begins to regret this actions in S4 and thinks that perhaps Aaravos being freed would be worse for the greater good, and thus Viren shouldn’t try to save his own life (a perspective we’ve seen him come to before, even if he didn’t stick with it). Viren may be trying to stop him or dissuade with Claudia in an earlier scene, with Aaravos delivering this line to smugly point out how his attempts are futile.

The last two options to me are Callum and Rayla, respectively. Callum has stayed in Katolis from a narrative standpoint, likely, to eventually converse with Aaravos through the mirror. I don’t know if Aaravos will reveal his own goals to him, though, since a play for sympathy could fall apart quickly and easily be deemed suspicious. I think it’s more likely Aaravos will ‘prioritize’ Callum’s goals (whatever they may be) > asking Callum directly for help so again, this line doesn’t quite make sense unless it’s in a closer-to-end-of-season context where Aaravos has revealed his true colours and Callum is utterly screwed.

Last but not least is Rayla, who I think in some ways is almost the likeliest candidate. Not only has Viren said similar shit to her before like, “You haven’t saved him, you’ve done nothing but create a brief inconvenience for me” and “It’s too late. I’ve already won” but Rayla is the only character who will probably be an adversary to Aaravos the entire season, since she’ll know right away upon seeing him that he’s working with Viren (and again, maybe knows a little about whatever Runaan had heard of the mirror). She already wanted to stop Viren but will now know there’s much more at stake. I could see her easily, angrily spitting out that Aaravos will be stopped, that it won’t work, only for him to gloat that “My return to this world is inevitable... because I have the perfect bait,” and a cut of the horrified realization dawning on her face.

#aaravos #cube hostage exchange theory #tdp theory #tdp #the dragon prince #trailer #mini meta #analysis series #mine #s4 spoilers #not pictured: me eating pudding and theorizing like a maniac #asset

[happyk44]

lmao, okay but the gods actually being separated across all pantheons and like areas of expertise. like maybe apollo and ra will play poker every once in a while and hermes will deliver mail when necessary but ultimately they’re all of the opinion that “i will stay in my lane and they will stay in theirs. i will deal with my bullshit and ignore their bullshit (that they must deal with by themselves)”

which leads absolutely no one knowing who nico is. like they do not ask! and he does not say shit! in fact, he talks so little about the greek underworld that everyone think he’s beefing with hades. but he can’t be an olympian child, can he? they’ve seen his powers, he has to be an underworld baby. so the only option is that nico and hades (or some other greek underworld deity) are beefing.

the truth is nico is just weird about talking about his family, especially since he’s aware of the whole “stick to mine, stick to yours” agreement among all the pantheons so he just intentionally doesn’t talk about his shit more than he needs to, which oft includes quests/jobs for his dad lmao

#my general hc is that the heavens based gods are more separated but the underworld gods hang out with each other regularly #but this so so funny #everyone trying to figure out why baby boy nico is beefing with hades #without ever realizing that hades is his dad #happy talks pjo

[sillypiratelife]

Hmm, one common mistake of some shonens is that they don't plan properly how they'll show the maturing process of the characters and the story.

It doesn't mean that if the character made a mistake, they can't make it again because "they already learned their lesson". It means that with every mistake, things change a bit; consequences exist and they determine how future events will go down. For example, if we have a character that needs to learn to value himself, he can sacrifice himself for others many times before he gets that he is not less valuable than his friends / family. It's even more tragic when he has to sacrifice himself this time not because he wants to die or he thinks he must, but because he has no other option.

In the context of One Piece, since I just started reading the manga after reaching the Skypiea arc in the anime, in my opinion the maturing process is well executed.

What the first chapter does is to establish several lessons and trials Luffy must go through in order to grow as a pirate. Nothing out of the ordinary. It's what you'd expect of any story, after all. What I like about One Piece in particular is that the first chapter doesn't get wasted, unlike other shonens like Naruto— for what I've seen. I don't know if I'm gonna change my mind in the future, once I have read and watched more of One Piece.

But anyway, it doesn't feel like OP wastes any of the initial dialogues. It's a rule of the medium, to not waste any frame or word because you need to convey as much as possible in a tight space. The story gives you ground to compare every other event and character that will be presented later. Setting the parameters AND sticking to them in a way that allows you creative freedom within the story and yet feels rooted on its beginning? That's hard to do, especially in manga. You cannot go back and change the beginning so what you're currently writing makes sense. Even when things have changed a little, mangakas have the pressure to deliver new chapters and continue their work and many times you'll have little to no time to properly think about what will be published.

Yes, this is a post praising the One Piece manga from a person that just started reading it, but let's be realistic here: it was expected. Mangas don't remain this relevant for as long as One Piece does if it's a "bad" manga. I was expecting it to be good and I'm not surprised at all it is great, lol.

#shan blogs about one piece! #one piece manga

[nodominion]

Do Vampire Chronicles vampires grow or change over time, or do they stay the same?

Yes and no. (this is headcanon and my own meta, if you do not agree, it's all gravy!)

It's clear from the books that the vampires are capable of forming new memories from new events they experience after the turn. They are not zombies who have no conception of time or who they were before their turn (except for those few 'vampires' Louis and Claudia encounter that are never brought up again). VC vamps can learn all sorts of new information, no matter what age they are turned. The biggest example of this we have in the book is Claudia. She is turned at 5, and if she was incapable of forming new connections in her brain (as is sometimes mentioned with VC vamps that they are frozen from the moment they are turned), then she would be unable to learn new information and become a critical thinker beyond what a child is capable of. But Claudia can and does learn new information and is able to reason beyond what a 5 year old would be able to. She gains critical thinking skills far beyond that of a child, and by the time she is killed, she has the intelligence of an adult within the body of a child. Her body cannot grow because there are no active hormones in her to stimulate her pituitary gland.

We know that vampires have no active hormones from Prince Lestat, when Lestat undergoes injections to cause an ejaculation that will eventually be Viktor.

“The answer came swiftly with a series of injections and indeed an intravenous line that would continue throughout the experiment to deliver a powerful elixir of human hormones into my blood, overriding the vampiric body’s natural tendency to resist senescence long enough for the desire to develop, the sperm to be produced, and then ejaculated.”

So no VC vampires can grow or change their bodies past their turning age. That is fact. But their brains do remain somewhat malleable in order for them to form new memories (new pathways must be made in the brain in order for this to happen) and for them to learn (as is clear with Claudia).

What then, remains the same besides their bodies? Their morality. Several psychologists have posited that a human's morals evolve as they grow. Very young children tend to see the world in black and white terms, right and wrong. But as most children age, so does their perception of morality and how it both relates to themselves and to the world. Claudia, turned so young, is stuck with a child's view of how to relate to the world with morals. She is taught to kill to alleviate her hunger and so she does, and has no moral questions about it ever, unlike Louis who grapples over killing and feeding. Claudia demands Louis turn Madeline as payback, as if this one deed will be just retribution for her being turned so young.

Likewise, we see Armand approaching morality from a less nuanced perspective. No matter how long he's been a vampire, he is still left with a teenager's view on the world, a less nuanced perspective. He demands the Replimoids be killed in Atlantis, he refuses to turn Daniel until it's too late, he manipulates Louis into turning Madeline because he thinks it is the right course of action for him. Armand is shown to be capable of growth and change, but once he decides something he sticks by that choice no matter what new information he receives unless pushed to the brink. Armand's teenage morality can be seen most clearly in Daniel's turning. Armand is sure that Daniel will hate him for turning him, so sure he waits until the very last moments to change his mind, until the only other option for Daniel is death, and Armand cannot live in a world without Daniel in it.

So what about vampires who are turned older? Ones who have fully developed morality before turning? They are influenced by the culture at which they are turned during. This is clear in Marius, who cannot separate the time where is he actively participating in the human world from the one he was alive for. He can use more nuance when dealing with new situations, but often reverts to thinking through events as if they were occurring ages before the actual event. Being turned older he can break this habit much more easily than one turned young, and actively tries to help all as Prime Minister by trying to make rules for all vampires to follow that are not rooted in his personal morality, but a broader sense of morality that should remain true for the species of vampire.

The age a vampire is turned does matter to a vampire's outlook on the world, and life, but they are still capable of growing. Capable of learning and achieving intelligence that a human their physical age may not be able to, while still being fixed in the headspace of their own physical age and the time they were turned.

Tl;dr: VC vamps grow in intelligence and can grow and change based on experiences. However, their morals are fixed due to the age they were turned and the culture of their human years.

#vampire chronicles #the vampire chronicles #meta #headcanon #only my second vc meta #this is really wordy oops

[theepfsreceptiondesk]

My best friend told me her cousin’s classmate’s dad saw a very angry, very loud, very feisty white puffle yesterday. He’s still waiting for his new glasses to be delivered, but it got me thinking— what if it was actually Herbert? Could he be disguising himself as a puffle somewhere?

Huh, that's certainly a concept. I mean, I don't know if all of you know this, but Herbert hates puffles. And you'd think he'd at least like black puffles since they can catch fire and keep you warm, but nope! He hates 'em all. So the idea of him hiding as one is honestly pretty funny to me.

And the idea of him eating Puffle-O's just to keep up the illusion? Priceless. But hey, just because I own a lot puffles doesn't mean I'm a puffle pro or anything. What do you think Paige? Think it's likely for Herbert to hide as a puffle?

Hm, well as an expert? It can be pretty hard to pretend to be a puffle! 'Specially if you're not experienced with 'em, like I am. Sure, Herbert's forced puffles to dig coins for him all the way back in 2013 for example, so you could say he has some experience- but not nearly enough to blend in. Why, if your mate's cousin's dad did see Herbert, he's pretty lucky that he didn't have glasses on because I sincerely doubt that old gallah could fool anyone otherwise. You gotta know how to do a convincing squeak- and being able to communicate with puffles helps wonders too! But if this is Herbert, his first mistake wasn't acting timid. Now, not all white puffles are shy little things, but the majority of them are! So a feisty, loud and especially angry white puffle sticks out like a sore flipper!

I think Richter should pitch in too, since she knows quite a bit about Herbert too!

If he is desperate enough to stay undercover, perhaps he would sacrifice some of his concerningly large ego and pretend to be a puffle to keep us off of his tail.

Personally, I do not know if he would resort to such things without exploring other options first. After all, if he was seen like this, well...it would certainly catch someones attention, regardless of whether we at the EPF would notice him first.

But I suppose since he is teeny tiny now, there may not be many alternatives, especially regarding food if someone is putting bowls out for him, thinking that he is a poor, hungry wild puffle. Hrm...

...Well, if your "best friend's cousins father" notices some strange, pawprints that do not belong to a puffle of any kind, please point her in our direction. We will be keeping an ear out for calls about poorly behaved white puffles in the future.

#ask blog #asked and answered #club penguin

[roughentumble]

if you had to write a werewolf Jaskier fic, what would the plot be?

hmmmmmm...... hadnt really thought about it before, let me really chew on my options...

you could crib off the werewolf quest in the witcher 1. jaskier gets turned, and geralt tries everything, everything to break his curse, every folk remedy he can get his hands on with any reports of even marginal success. but when they all fail, and signs show that the curse is getting worse, that soon it wont be able to be broken at all, in a last ditch effort geralt searches for someone to deliver him true love's kiss. oooo you could even have it where he drags jaskier all the way to the countess de stael, only to be heartbroken when it doesnt work, jaskier is still cursed. but then jaskier confesses that it isnt her, he hasnt ever loved her-- loved ANYONE-- the way he loves geralt, and they kiss, and come morning they find the curse miraculously broken! the thing that saves him an act of pure love from a witcher(which he happily turns into the climax of the stunning ballad he writes based off the events of the tale, written as proof that witchers do in fact have feelings)

it also depends on how AU-y i'd get with it, since witcher werewolves can totally be reasonable even in wolf form... but those tend to be werewolves that are born to it, and the curse-afflicted ones almost always go violent when they turn! which makes "jaskier gets turned and learns to live with it" type stories kind of walking a fine line, where even if he's rational now, there's always the fear that someday he wont be anymore. and unless im labeling it an AU, i probably wouldnt want to stick my toes outside that bit of lore. i think it's a neat little bit or worldbuilding

hmm. wait. no. im thinking of a concept that could be neat but doesnt have a lot of form yet, but if it's using witcher canon then i would have to ignore all the lore i just said i didnt want to ignore 😅 BUT i dont think ive seen a story where the kaer morhen witchers are a literal wolfpack..... who then, perhaps inadvertantly, turn jaskier. i could see there being a whole fic of lil jaskier the baby wolf getting adopted into the family by virtue of being turned(and perhaps being geralt's mate 💕👉👈). especially if the fic touched on jaskier's homelife as a rather bad one. and now he's got all these complicated feelings, because his life and his body have been changed forever, but he also now has a home and a family who support and accept him, and a man who is very clearly head over heels for him, and he's never felt the freedom he feels when he runs through the woods at night, wind in his fur.

i imagine them as still witchers, or at least in a very witchery sort of role, in this AU, so perhaps lycanthropy is a quirk of their mutations?? jaskier would be the runt of the pack no matter what though. he's built for speed, not fighting.

also picturing him waking up one day lamenting "nooooo im so hairy now look at my arms look at my chest ;A;" while geralt is in the corner like 👀

#he is looking. respectfully. except he's not XD #anyway it would be a lot of family dynamics and learning how to run with the pack and stuff like that. #maybe it could even span years before jaskier falls in with geralt becuz he's too busy living and loving and being free from his family #so the wolves of kaer morhen would never want to pen him in(esp. not geralt) #hmmmm. could have him be turned specifically to get him out of his abusive home....?? or maybe he just incedentally gets injured #and turned because he ran away from home without much knowledge of how to navigate the woods 🤔 #idk. it doesnt have the MOST shape yet but i can feel the edges of it #and i feel like i havent read something like it before(specifically wrt the witcher) #witcher tag #ogc tag

[f1]

McLaren boss says Daniel Ricciardo's seat is SAFE amid doubts surrounding the Australian's future

McLaren boss says Daniel Ricciardo's seat is SAFE amid doubts surrounding the Australian's future - and insists veteran CAN compete for a world title if they give him the right car Daniel Ricciardo's seat for next season is safe, a McLaren chief has confirmed  Ricciardo, 32, has struggled to perform since moving from Renault in 2021 McLaren have been linked with a swoop for IndyCar driver Colton Herta However, Andreas Seidl says they will stick with Ricciardo for next season  By Ollie Lewis For Mailonline Published: 10:32 BST, 21 May 2022 | Updated: 10:32 BST, 21 May 2022 Daniel Ricciardo's seat at McLaren is safe for next season, team principle Andreas Seidl has confirmed, despite doubts surrounding the Australian star's future with the team.  Ricciardo, 32, has struggled to make an impact since switching from Renault two years ago, with young Lando Norris outperforming his more experienced team-mate for the most part. Speculation has been rife that McLaren may be considering their options for next year, with IndyCar driver Colton Herta expected to get an FP1 run out in the car later this season. Daniel Ricciardo's seat at McLaren is safe for next season, a team chief has confirmed The American has been strongly linked with a move to Formula One, while Pato O'Ward is waiting in the wings having tested the MCL35M at last season's end of year testing in Abu Dhabi. But McLaren team principle Seidl has thrown his support behind Ricciardo, insisting that the charismatic Aussie can take the team to championship glory if he is given the right car.   'We have a contract in place with Daniel until the end of next year plus options which means we are both in a very good place... We want to make this journey we are on together a very successful one,' Seidl told the Sydney Morning Herald. The Australian has struggled to make an impact since joining the team back in 2021 McLaren have been linked with a move for IndyCar driver Colton Herta next season 'Daniel has shown in the past that with the right car and the right team he can pull off race wins, so there is no reason why he should not be able to fight for world titles if we deliver from our side.' Ricciardo makes history this weekend in Barcelona where he will break Mark Webber's record for most Formula One races for an Australian driver.  He will watch the red lights go out for the 216th occasion at the Spanish Grand Prix and he is one win behind matching the former Red Bull star's tally of nine victories in the sport. However, Andreas Seidl says that the Australian can win a world title if he has the right car 'The most important thing a driver must have is speed. That's something we can't fix as a team if it's not there. Daniel has shown in the past if he has the right material, the right car, the right team around him he can fight with the best in his sport and win races,' Seidl added. 'He's very experienced, he has seen different teams and different organisations and he has a clear idea of what it means to fight for race wins and that's an experience we wanted to have in the team when we got Daniel on board. 'Despite the huge experience he has he is not shying away from still putting the effort in to get better.' Share or comment on this article: McLaren boss says Daniel Ricciardo's seat is SAFE amid doubts surrounding the Australian's future via Formula One | Mail Online https://www.dailymail.co.uk?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

#F1 #McLaren boss says Daniel Ricciardo's seat is SAFE amid doubts surrounding the Australian's future #Formula 1

[mayalaen]

Liveblogging @grey2510‘s fic Surf and Turf, an @spncoldesthits challenge fic!

I don’t usually read tags, but this is CH, and the tags sometimes include fun stuff. Grey delivers with “no beta we die like poor suckers in a cold open.”

I’m not worried about the lack of beta work by the wonderful @thayerkerbasy. They usually do an awesome job, but CH fics have been known to traumatize, so maybe Thayer ran screaming from this one. Either way, I’m sure it’ll be good.

Liveblogging under the cut so you don’t have to scroll through all my silliness.

I don’t know why the guys slipping in disgusting things always amuses me, but it starts this fic off right that Dean slips and swears, filling his boot 😂

“You drive a car with the fuel efficiency of a Mack truck”

BLASPHEMY SAMMY!! How dare you?! Baby doesn’t count even though she pollutes more than an oil tanker.

As I read this again, I realize I forgot the vines on the bodies in my artwork. Damn. I was too busy doing the pools of blood when Grey probably didn’t even write this with pools of blood in mind. Oh well.

Before Sam could reply, there was movement from the bushes by the edge of the water. The brothers raised their shotguns on instinct as a humanoid figure emerged. Its arms seemed to be made of ropey vines, with hands resembling sticks, yet its legs were scaled and its feet were long and flappy, almost like fins. Its face was most similar to a human, though there appeared to be gills on its neck and its hair was like leaves.

If you haven’t seen my cover art for this fic yet, the above paragraph is Grey’s description of the creature, and my disclaimer is I was high and it wasn’t Grey’s fault that the artwork is so bad. Grey gave a very nice description.

"Alright, Fishsticks, you the one who's been killing the CEO dickbags up at the chemical plant?"

Yes, Dean. Half mermaid, half dryad name mash is definitely Fishsticks 🤣

"Yes, I killed those men. The poison in the water has seeped into the ground, killing everything. The birds, the fish, the plants…" A tear rolled down its face. "I just wanted to protect my home."

Oh you poor bb!! Don’t kill him!

Sam pursed his lips but otherwise ignored his brother's jab. To the creature, he said, "We can stop the chemical plant without killing anyone else. You just need to give us a bit of time. We have a few friends with connections."

Yay, Sammy!! Don’t kill the poor Fishstick!!

"Blackmail or blowing the place up are always solid options, too," Dean added. The creature and Sam opened their mouths to protest, but Dean shook his head. "Fine, fine, no blowing things up. But blackmail stays on the table."

Sounded reasonable to me. Dunno what the problem was.

"So long, Grootiel," Dean said as they watched the creature disappear.

"Grootiel?"

Dean gave Sam a look of duh. "Ya know, Groot and Ariel?"

YES!! That works. Merad and Drymaid wouldn’t have worked at all, Dean!

Dean pulled his already gross boot up from where it had started to sink into the ground. "C'mon, time to Erin Brockovich these sons of bitches."

This fic is screaming to be finished! I mean this is such a cruel ending, but I still enjoyed the ride and hope to one day find out how Dean, Sam, and Fishsticks/Grootiel fix all the things.

Thank you for the fun ride, Grey!

#supernatural #liveblogging #i made this #spncoldesthitspromo #spncoldesthits #grey2510

[judgcmcnt]

@silentlittlemiss​ prayed

Sharon heard Pyramid Head make a loud roar when one of her teammates was able to free themselves by stabbing him in a sensitive area on his neck. It reminded her too much of when her own monster was defending her & Alessa from Claudia. She was caught and was trying to wiggle free from his grasp, there was a large distance between hooks so she had options. Would she call her executioner to deliver a cheap shot or would she use decisive strike as well? “What’s making me hesitate?..” she mutters to herself before deciding what to do. Rather then make the situation worse for herself; Sharon choose to keep wiggling and manages to break free. Now fleeing, vanishing from the red ones sight in the asylum.

Pain is nothing new to this one. Silent Hill was not a place if someone wanted to escape pain, even its gods experienced it in one form or another. This amount of pain with one strike is though.

He knows that it is the work of the Entity. He is displeased.

When the blade sinks into his neck the Red God lets his anger be known more than his pain even as he is forced to drop his prey. Black ichor dribbles from the new wound, but it is quick to stop as the healing begins. It is enough to be seen though not that he cares. He has a duty to perform.

It is not long before he grabs hold of the blessed one, her hair blonde and sticking out against the gloom of the area. Though blessed she has the same fate as the others, to be hung from a hook as one would be hung from the gallows. Death is not a permanent concept here for these sheep, not even for their predators, so perhaps that is why he is so willing to harm one that is favored by one of his fellow gods.

For the girl her teammates are close and one is able to break the hook he was just about to put her on. It results in their blood to be spilled, a payment for her protection, and she manages to get free as well. Unfortunate.

The Red God watches them scurry away like rats in the light, but his helmet only follows the blessed one....

#answered prayers | ANSWER #silentlittlemiss #judgcmcnt #bleed in repentance | DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #from the silence | QUEUE

[dwellordream]

“Let us assume, picking up our discussion of information last time, that our army is formed up into its battle array (pre-planned the night before, recall) and is advancing and our general has just now noticed something that demands a change in the plan. It could be a dangerous enemy attack (perhaps on the flank) or an opportunity to split the enemy line.

Whatever it is, our general needs to make some alteration to the battle plan. It is almost certainly a fairly minor alteration, as with a battle line anywhere from a kilometer to several kilometers long, it would, for instance, take far too long to shuffle the right-to-left order of the line just due to the marching time involved. Nevertheless, the general needs to issue an unplanned, on-the-spot command; how does he do it?

The first option, of course, is shouting. The problem here is obvious: how is the commander’s command to be heard? Interestingly, there has been a fair bit of research by ancient historians looking at the question of how many people can possibly hear a short address unaided by modern loudspeakers and the like; figures vary but generally a few thousand if they are reasonably compact and quiet. That might work for a general’s pre-battle speech, delivered before the army advances, but it will not do for an army that is already in motion, much less once the chaos of battle has begun. Thousands of men marching (let alone fighting!) are noisy!

The modern solution to this problem is radio, but of course that’s hardly available to our pre-modern commander. Instead, to judge by films, the mind quickly jumps to signal flags. I am reminded of Braveheart (1995)’s rendition of the Battle of Falkirk, where Edward I uses signal flags to order his archers forward. HBO’s Rome also does this in its version of the Battle of Philippi, with flags being jostled and then pointed forward to signal the advance.

Unfortunately, signal flags – as distinct from unit flags (which we’ll come back to in a moment) – have a few key problems, the most notable of which is that no one will be looking at them: after all the army is advancing, the soldiers are looking forward but signal flags (again, as opposed to unit flags) are going to be behind them, not placed out in the middle of No Man’s Land between the armies.

As a result, signal flags are useful for sending information long distances (in a chain of stations or operators), for instance from one commander at distance to another, but not in battle; operational, rather than tactical tools. In practice, the use of signal flags like this is confined to the modern era; the first successful ‘optical telegraphs’ (as iterations on things like smoke signals and fire relays) date to the late 18th century.

Unit flags – a banner or other big, obvious symbol (like a statue of an eagle on a stick) – are more useful. These can be positioned at the front of a unit, typically at its center. If it advances, then the soldiers in the unit also know to advance, following the standard they can see (because it is elevated, large and visible) even if they cannot hear the orders.

There are two complications here though: first, the unit banner or flag is a relatively late innovation in antiquity, really only coming into its own with the Romans. The Achaemenids may have used some kinds of ensigns or standards, but the Greeks do not seem to have done. Instead our first really good documentation of something like a battle flag comes from the Romans: each legion had a signa (eventually standardized to the legionary eagle, the aquila), which was a shiny metal statue mounted on a poll so it could be easily seen.

Units of the legion broken off to do other things might instead follow a less impressive cloth banner, a vexillum, by which such detachments became known as vexillationes. But the broader problem is that of course your general may not be particularly close to your flags (or other standards) which are generally at the front-center of each component unit of your army. The flags may allow a subordinate officer to ‘drive’ the unit over the battlefield – and that’s good – but it doesn’t let the general tell that officer what to do.

A better option is music, but once again development seems to come fairly late in antiquity. Greek hoplites seem to have advanced to the music of the aulos, a double-reeded flute-like instrument; given the limitations of the instrument it is generally assumed it was used to keep time (so everyone marched in step) not transmit orders. Once again, a more complex system of musical signalling seems to come with the Romans, at least as detailed by Vegetius.

Vegetius (2.22) notes three different kinds of horn instruments used by a legion: the tubicen was used to sound charge and retreat, the cornicen regulated the movement of the signa (so ‘advance’ or ‘halt’), while the buccina was used mostly for camp signals: sounding watches or assemblies. It’s a system that is akin to later bugle calls, but note that the orders it can give are limited to a relative handful of prearranged signals: advance, halt, charge, retreat, assemble, change shift and so on.

…Of course if those instruments are sounding on a per-unit basis (and they are) that means you still have the problem of getting the order from the general to the instruments for the unit in question. And fundamentally here, the technology is – as I tell my students – man-on-horse. The particular fellow on the horse may be a dedicated messenger (if your military organization has those) or a subordinate officer or it may be the general himself.

But it is important to note now the limitations of this sort of system and we can use what we know of the Roman command and control system (as noted, one of the more developed of such systems prior to gunpowder) to get a sense of them. Let’s say the general realizes there is a problem on his flank and he needs a unit (probably here we’re talking a cohort or a maniple, not a legion) to change what it is doing.

First off, the order needs to get within shouting range of the unit’s commander (in this case a senior centurion). The general can either go themselves or send a messenger; both options have their downsides. If the general goes himself he is essentially removing himself from observing or commanding the rest of the battle, but a common problem with sending a junior subordinate is that the unit commander may not respect or feel the need to obey that subordinate (written orders can help with this, but now we’re bringing in questions of literacy). Of course both a messenger or a general in transit may also well be killed, which will prevent the order from being received!

In either case, the message is going to move at galloping speed, which is around 40km/h, meaning that it may take several minutes for the general or messenger to navigate to the spot. That doesn’t sound so bad, but battles with contact weapons do not typically go for hours and hours; Pydna (168) was, as noted last week, decided in about an hour total!

Of course a battle might be longer (or shorter!) than this, though much of that extra time is likely pre-battle skirmishing – the actual direct press of infantry formations in shock rarely lasts long because of the terror of it (and to a lesser extent its lethality; we’ll return to the balance of terror and lethality next time). Imagine if you were playing a Total War game and your input delay was, say, five minutes long in a battle that might only last an hour or two.

But of course galloping time isn’t the end of it. The message now has to be conveyed to the unit. In the Roman system, that means the messenger needs to find the appropriate centurion, explain the order to him and then ideally that fellow will then signal the instruments and signa to act accordingly – but even then, those instruments and signa only have a handful of prearranged signals available.

Anything more complicated will need to be shouted down the line the old fashioned way (as we know, for instance, the Spartans did for lack of almost any of the rest of this apparatus of command, Xen. Lac. 13.9). Needless to say that means that giving any complex order to a unit already engaged or about to be engaged is going to mean starting by signalling retreat and then attempting to regroup the unit; regrouping an already retreating unit is one of the most difficult tasks on a battlefield and is rarely performed successfully in an unplanned fashion (even in an planned fashion it goes wrong as often as it goes right).

(This is, by the by, why reserves are so important. An unengaged unit hanging behind the lines can be given new orders far, far easier than a unit that is already engaged or about to be. And indeed, those familiar with the Roman system of fighting with its three lines of heavy infantry will note that it is a system heavy on reserves.

Indeed, the manipular legion essentially assumes it will be necessary to retreat and regroup the first line of heavy infantry (the hastati) behind the second (the principes) and plans and drills for that. Note how the Roman command culture, the Roman fighting method and the actual apparatus of messengers, signa, instruments and junior officers all align here – that’s common because these sort of institutions tend to co-evolve)

By contrast we may compare a Greek hoplite army in the Classical Period. It has no battle flags or ensigns and the general is expected to fight on foot. In the past I’ve described the resulting phalanx as an ‘unguided missile‘ and this is a big reason why. That’s not to say hoplite generals never exerted command on the battlefield – better generals might keep a reserve to be rushed to important points (as Pagondas does at the Battle of Delium in 424 BC). But for the most part, once a hoplite general formed up the army and hit ‘go,’ they had very little control over the army.”

- Bret Devereaux, “Commanding Pre-Modern Armies, Part II: Commands.”

#bret devereaux #roman #greek #ancient #history #warfare

[the-firebird69]

Hey you I care too and I do like what you're saying mostly except your Wise Guy comments now we have to get stuff done and have time to pull off so it's Steve okay maybe some steam. But that will come in moments I'm sure. We have more to report and a lot of it has to do with here and the tunnels

Hera

And it would see if it's true it is. And we are monitoring we have seen the first five at empty out of ships and they're going out by about midnight isn't that fast and the clear out the equipment still every time a few hours they'll be done and then they will uncork it. Yeah the next 10 are fueling still. It will only take maybe two more hours no clear it out and Ellie's moving the pipe after the launch another movie before they got to refuel and pull that pipe and it comes out pretty quick and they will begin watching and it'll reinstall the pipe at the next 10 the last 10 it's a little further and it's a little less and then they will fill them up and those will be out and they will get the structures out later and said it on the radio it takes too long to pull them out while you're in progress. Those other things going on people say do it the way that works and the real way and stop asking this stupid questions and a lot of people are trying to snap to they're like zombies and it is horrible you realize what they were doing to themselves and others are doing full war and won't stop and they need to stop speaking of which.

-Trump and company are in a lot of trouble even thinking about issuing warrants from Court the bonds he placed is not adequate and say he has until Monday but that's a lie in another articles he does not have time the truth is he doesn't have any time. And that his apartment jerk in an apartment and the max are doing this to him but we have to stop him from bothering our son so much it's illegal it looks like an idiot and he is and we need him off him. We need to place a restraining order we need to make it stick. Right now is trying to get at each other and one of them thinks so straight order is a good idea and the other one too so they might go through with options they have but right now there are papers that might be prepared by Emily blunt. And sharing with those are kind of not really ready yet it's the state government just getting pressure and pretty soon Jason will be pushed out and he wants to see the apartment so he's pushing for it because he wants to switch to Florida disability and wants it to be something everyone needs and he's doing that since trying to get about pretty hard and figure it out to the guy just not want to move and he's using heftier methods I don't know it's just going to have other people do stuff. Coming up pretty quick we did this week sometime before Saturday also

-we have learned that one of them might drop out and supposedly motivate oneself and we hear it from Stan it says it too is very sick of him doing in and out or being there at all is that the huge animal and it's really harsh other people say it too so you know that's going to take place one way or the other

-another item I'm just going to happen soon they will be trying to get the car here and things like that without funding so he looks at it and says I'll sell the car and that's what it'll do so the guy is an idiot anyways and he's going to try anyways and still plans to f*** over the title so he looked at him like he's nuts cuz he is and he says this Jesus I have enough time in my schedule and so forth to allow for driving time and deliver your car delivering a car and it looks hard and suspicious it's odd and it really is and we started to say you don't think you're right he doesn't have any money and he says I can do it I want it's a free country and stuff like that and you said not really You're a murderer I love you did something to his grandmother you're going to kill he's got her feels her killed or helps make it happen don't know what it is when you're a bird brain you are a bird brain and we don't want your name and we can stop you we don't want you near him now you're going to pay for your mincing the words here a little we can't stand you already and you have this little blood vessel we were working on you are working stupid. And I'm going to help fix that cuz I want you out of here just as incessant jerk we need you out we need you out now haven't sitting the orders there's a lot of reasons and I'm sending those too can't stand it talking or sound of your book in your face and your body and your continents what you're doing is President is horrible

Thor Freya

Olympus

[christmascocos2023]

Thursday 17th August

Another overcast and windy start with quite heavy showers overnight. I had a good night except for waking about 3am and dozing. However don’t feel tired. Must say the lack of bright sunshine, even in tropical climate seems to change the feel of the holiday spirit. I am definitely solar powered🤣. I was up at 0530 and writing this at 0630. Today is the day I am going to do my best and get to Home Island. Hope the plan works😁. Have finally got onto the Birdsnest wifi. Seems there are 2 Birdsnest options and I used the wrong one😏. Either way it is not really coping with posting so will use the hotspot wifi I purchased at one of the hotspot sites it can be used. Apparently it has a bit more grunt than the one at Birdsnest 🤞.

Well I got so over prepared that I got to the ferry jetty in time for the 0730 ferry🤣🤣. Oh well not a terrible place to waste some time looking out over the sea. Thought about catching the 0730 but would still have to sit around on Home Island so will stick with plan A!

I changed my mind again! Took the 0730 ferry and got to Home Island just before 0800. My buggy won’t be delivered until the 0830 ferry arrives here at 0900. I am glad now I opted for the early ferry as as we left the clouds cleared and the sun shone. It was a lovely ride. The boat being used as the substitute ferry looks like a good sized fishing boat(although it may in fact be used as a secondary or back up for the main ferry,and is called the R J Hawke. No prizes for where the owners political affiliation might lie😁. I sat outside and although bumpy because of the 2-4 metre swell and the speed plus all the rips and strong currents I believe are out here. Also lots spray and I took advice of local and sat at the cabin end of the bench seats(fortunately padded!)and had no probs with spray although there was lots water coming up the covered sides and cabin. It is also very noisy because of what I assume are very big powerful diesel engines. Despite all that being on the water finally and the sun shining was wonderful. As I had an hour to fill in I have just been wandering around the foreshore area. Have taken lots photos. However am now sheltered in a lovely gazebo with extras (see photo) as the sky is black again, wind has picked up and random light showers. Yet another advantage of having taken the earlier ferry as the 0830 will have a less pleasant ride I suspect. There was only 3 of us on the 0730 and as the 0830 is the last morning ferry I am keen to see how full it is given the weather.

There seems to be no cars except shire mini truck things and motorised transport is all by buggy. Makes it a very pedestrian friendly place. It is definitely a little Malaya with all street signs being Malay names and all signs mostly English and Malay although some like a memorial on the foreshore which is only in Malay. As far as I have seen it is a very laid back little place and I can even see a cute little beach to the right of where I am sitting.

As it happened there was only about 5 people on the 0830 so I prepared for nothing. Although now it has arrived my buggy has not! Fortunately the woman from the visitor centre who booked it for me happened to be meeting the ferry to collect something as she works on Home Island today. She is going to call the buggy man and find out where he is for me. I yet again fall on my feet’s 😁. Good thing I came early or would have lost some touristing time😁. Things do rather move at island time especially as most people seem to have more than one job. The buggy man came about 20mins later than he should have and in his defence the tourist place had me down as an overnight hire starting yesterday🤷‍♀️. Anyway he went through everything and it was his wife who told me about the pop up food. I have taken a photo of my bright blue buggy and will post. Being short the distance from the seat to the steering wheel meant I had to have arm extending and reaching or sit on the edge of the seat to reach more easily. He forgot to show me reverse but figured it out. Got going a bit shakily with the accelerator but soon buzzing along😁. Certainly can’t speed as max any where on that island is 30km/hr and parts of residential area are 8km/hr. The man also warned me that the locals don’t even notice Give Way signs to keep eyes peeled! Seems the local kids might be a traffic hazard as he also said that I was lucky I was only driving around in school hours🤷‍♀️. In case you think the kids can use the buggies every driver has to have a drivers licence and all the buggies are register just like cars. I did keep an eye on the battery light thing but was fine but another couple told me on the ferry home that theirs had just gone flat fortunately in town and they had to abandon it and return the key. I suspect the fact they went flat is the weight their buggy was carrying compared to mine. Both husband and wife were morbidly obese.

Good news is the sun is out, lots blue sky and wind dropped so looking good. Having said that the weather does turn quickly!

Well the buggy arrived,the sun came out, clouds pretty well cleared and a beautiful day. Still some seriously strong winds on and off and depending on the side of the island you are. Good thing as golf buggy not equipped for rain😁. Once I had the buggy and a map I was off. Even with my famous sense of direction or lack there of you can’t get lost on Home Island as very small. As only buggy’s or quad bike type things allowed the roads in the main area are lovely small paving squares and a dream to drive on. Very well thought out and neat tidy homes with everyone it seems having one or more boats😁. Once you get a bit further especially along the coastlines the roads become dirt or limestone but as all people have is these little buggy’s even these roads are well maintained. It seems everyone who lives here takes great pride in the place and it shows. The beaches on what they call the lagoon side are pristine and safe as well as photogenic. Even the ones that aren’t on the lagoon side look wonderful. If they were in WA they would be alive with people even with the strong wind as the temp is in the mid to high 20’s and you can’t feel the humidity because of the wind. Apparently it doesn’t blow this hard normally at this time of the year but they do normally get lovely breezes during this period . The whole place is just picture perfect and like being in Malaysia with a western twist. Unfortunately at present no reliably open places to buy a snack or lunch and all a bit random re opening. However there was a pop up doing Malay takeaways outside the Supermarket. It was busy and I wanted to keep going so didn’t bother. Never got lunch and forgot to bring the snacks I usually carry for such occasions (blame the early start). I also realised on the way home that other than my water bottle I hadn’t even drunk enough water. There was just so much to cover and I got caught up😁. There was a restaurant but it has been closed for renovations and it looks like it is going to be sizeable. They have a shop which is pretty good but to stay here you would have to cook or go back and forward to West Island on the ferry.

I did a tour of Oceania House the home of the Clunies Ross dynasty until 1983. The tour was an hour and I had the guide on my own and it was fantastic as is the house. Because she gave me so much information I am going to do a separate section about that tour and what I learned. As there was so much it might take a while for me to remember and be sure I have got as much as I can down. There is a book apparently you can buy here about the dynasty but it is written by a CluniesRoss and as such should be read in context😏.

I did among many things go out to the cemetery where I got photographs of 4 Clunies Ross grave and also one that is in the grounds of the house. They seemed to be the only Christian graves amongst the rest who are Malay and I assume Islamic faith. The cemetery is still being used. Before you get too high expectations I was so entranced with what I was being told during the tour I didn’t take photos inside the house. Anyway a photo wouldn’t do it justice. To soften the blow I will tell you that there is a Clunies Ross living on West Island but none on Home island☹️.

I have taken lots photos of my buggy tour but they won’t give you the reality. It is a real piece of paradise albeit a very isolated piece and I am not sure if any one who is not Malay or was or has links even lives on the island. It seems a very Malay enclave although over the years the locals have developed a few quirks to their ancestry that are quintessentially Home Islanders quirks. It is basically a Kampong.

I am just writing this and chilling out after a busy day and have eaten a bit and drunk lots water so back on track. I seem to have mastered my car’s oddities but still very careful and am not going to get cocky.

I am off on a motorised canoe tour tomorrow. Bit of a worry me and canoe skills😂😏. According to my paperwork we meet outside the guides house(about 3 down from me) at 0550hrs . However whether that still holds not sure. I have learned to expect the unexpected and roll with the dice🤣. The weather remains sunny and dry so I am hoping for good things over the weekend. Might actually get wet other than from the rain🤣🤣.

Home Island photos:

The lovely gazebo type structure on the island with it unique centre and looking out to the ferry jetty.

My buggy,a typical street on Home Island,

[nerdywalkingencyclopedia]

Febuwhump 2023 Day 2

Read it below the line, or here on AO3 (appreciate all kudos, feedback, comments)!

Thony eyes snapped open as soon as the hood was pulled off, and she looked around, scanning her surroundings, simultaneously afraid and annoyed.

The pain radiating from her wrists confirmed that she was bound, and the warm liquid running down her fingers was certainly her own blood. She stopped writhing, fearing the damage she’d cause if she continued to try to free herself.

She looked to her left and her eyes widened at the sight of someone she thought she’d seen the last of – Maya Campbell. She, too, was strapped down to a chair, trying to mumble something through her gag, but failing miserably.

“Thony, apologies for the set-up, but I needed some assurances.” Kamdar walked into Thony’s line of vision and pulled up a chair too close to her liking; instinctively she flinched back as Robert’s hand came close to her head, and she closed her eyes, expecting something.

But when she opened them again, she realised nothing had happened – Robert had been reaching over her head and was now twiddling a gun in his hands.

“Meet Maya Campbell – Cortés’ girl, safely delivered from an FBI safe house.” Maya’s muffled cries echoed in the room.

“Now Maya here is a first-class rat. And you, well, I’m not too sure about you yet. My men tell me they’ve spotted a lot of cops around your house, and well, I’m sure you know all about my missing drug shipment. Grapevines says the FBI has it now.” Kamdar got up from his chair, and now towered over Thony, who was trying her best to make herself as small as possible in the chair.

“I’m no rat. You know that without that medication, my son dies. I get nothing from helping the FBI.”

“Hmm. Perhaps you do speak the truth. But either way, I needed you here for another reason…” Robert got up, and waved at his man hiding in the shadows in the corner, who stepped outside the room, only to come back moments later, pushing someone in. Her eyes locked with theirs, and recognition shone in both their faces – Kamdar had taken Arman too.

“What is she doing here, Kamdar?” Arman asks, his concern and annoyance clear.

“Insurance, Arman. Now, its my time to ask the questions. You see, Maya is a rat, as I’ve been explaining to the lovely Thony here. And that leaves us too options – either you knew about this and FAILED to tell me, or your solid dependable people that I can trust and do business with.”

“You know full well you can depend on us, Kamdar.”

“But do I know that? Seems I’ve been getting a lot of supply issues ever since you and Thony have marketed me your little drug side hustle.”

“I…” Arman begun before Kamdar cut him off.

“I’m not interested in excuses, Arman, I want to see actions. So go on, prove your loyalty to me.” Kamdar hands Arman the gun, curling his fingers over the trigger.

Arman picks it up tentatively, and looks at the gun, as though he doesn’t know what to do with it.

“I’m not going to do that. You can kill me if you want, but I am not going to shoot this girl.”

“You fail to realise that its not just your life on the line here, Morales.” Kamdar walks behind Thony, and places his hands on her shoulders, pushing them down. Thony could do nothing but stare at the story she knew would have a bad ending in front of her. She prayed she wouldn’t be the one with the short stick of the deal.

“If you don’t shoot her, I’m going to kill Thony here, and I’m going to make you watch, before I make you die a slow, horrible, death. I think you’ve forgotten who you’re dealing with here, Arman.” The tension in the area was borderline dangerous, and there was a tense staring competition between Robert and Arman; if looks could kill, they’d have killed each other before the oral debate.

“I don’t have all day, Morales. Your time to decide was never existent. What’s it going to be?”

“Arman, don’t.” Thony knew her own life was in jeopardy, but she wasn’t going to stand watching Arman kill Maya in front of her; she knew how much Garrett cared for her.

“One.” Kamdar begun his count.

Thony shook her head violently, but Arman merely turned away, unable to face Thony whilst deciding on Maya’s fate.

“Two.”

“Arman, no.” Thony shouted at him, but Robert covered her mouth with his hand, hissing into her ear that it was Arman’s decision, not hers.

“Three.”

A gunshot rung out, and Thony couldn’t hear anything for a little while, but when her hearing did come back, the first sound she heard was something she never thought she’d ever hear – crying, specifically Arman sobbing incessantly, staring at the gun in his hands and at the now lifeless body of Maya Campbell slouched over in her chair.

Thony was lost for words – on the one hand she thanked the stars that Arman had chosen to keep her, and himself alive, but on the other she realised the implications of this disaster. Garrett was bound to find out sooner or later, and with Robert making Arman do his dirty work, they’d never be able to tie her murder to him. Hell, they’d probably never be able to find Maya Campbell ever again.

Robert had strolled over to Arman, relieving him of the weapon, and leaving them alone in the room.

“Arman.” She called out, grabbing his attention. It was only then he’d realised that Thony was still in the chair, and he walked forward, untying her bonds, his hands still shaking. Thony took them into her hands, stabilising them with her sturdy surgeons’ hands.

“We need to go, now.” She prompted him, before grabbing his hand and pulling him outside.

They were in the middle of nowhere, with no way to get home, but at least they were alive.

They were still good with Robert, and Thony promised herself that soon it would be him on the other side of the barrel, not her.

#febuwhump #febuwhump2023 #febuwhumpday2 #fanfiction #the cleaning lady #thony de la rosa #arman morales #robert kamdar

[klinemartin7]

Replica Hermes Belts For Sale

My SA told me once I bought the Constance belt that when it gets scratched up I can are out there in they usually'll substitute it with a brand new buckle for $80. Well, I actually hope so as a result of mine looks like it's been via Hell-fire and back! I can't tell you how many scratches this child has....I was NOT cautious and that i ought to have been... Sign up for our newsletters to have the newest stories delivered straight to your inbox every week. Pameyla Cambe is a style and jewelry writer who believes that fashion and substance shouldn't be mutually exclusive. She makes sense of the world via Gothic novels, horror films and music. Hermès 'Etriviere 38' belt in Sanguine Taurillon Clemence with Palladium buckle. Tag Size ninety Width 3.8cm (1.5in) Fits 84cm (32.8in) to ... 2004 Hermes Reversible Orange Togo and Black Chamonix Belt is ideal for a man or a woman! The Mini Constance is a 24mm leather-based strap with a buckle width of 0.95”. It is available in varied materials like Swift, Epsom and Tadelakt. The Constance 2 is a 42mm leather strap with a buckle of 1.65”. It is out there in Porosus Crocodile, Epsom, Chamonix and Box. The green and gold belt pictured here uses Courchevel leather, a precursor to Epsom. The darkish chocolate belt is manufactured from easy Box leather-based. In actuality, although, when we speak about growing a day by day uniform and personal style, adding a signature belt to the every day rotation is crucial. When you purchase a true Hermès belt you have to know that it has the genuine stamp. replica belts hermes What most people don’t know is that in contrast to different high-end style manufacturers, Hermès belts embrace not one however three completely different stamps that may never present any signal of wear and tear. They include the Hermès belt Paris Made in France stamp in addition to the quantity that represents the scale of the belt and a letter inside a circle or square for the yr of manufacture. Saint Laurent Runway Neon Yellow Square Buckle Patent Leather Belt As seen on the Runway, this belt will simply brighten up your wardrobe. Featuring neon yellow laminated leather-based an... Hermaphroditus – born a boy, Hermaphroditus was liked by the female Salmacis, and she or he prayed the gods would unify them eternally. Still, regardless of the quite a few choices, we'd advocate sticking with the unique. While you could love the affiliation, the belt is a big a part of Abloh lore, and should we be worth something at some point. This classic refine leather belt from Hermès is crafted in a vivid orange Epsom calfskin with gold plated Kelly buckle. With a sliding system, this one-size belt may be worn at the w... Guaranteed genuine Hermes Constance forty two mm belt options reversible Black to Gold epsom leather. Fabulous over sized brushed palladium Signature H buckle. If it’s a faux closet, they won’t send it and you will get a refund. @kkquinn1 on this itemizing they're all authentic. I made another itemizing that has an genuine and non-authentic belt strap to match. Mostly read the outline right here to get an concept what to look for. @reidyk11 it seems like an excellent replica. The only embossing you will note will come on a pores and skin . @frantastic2010 Hi frantastic that’s really so kind😍 I purchased through Tradesy. Yes I can list it on here and will accomplish that within the am. wikipedia belt @rimmeri the leather seems too assume and the stamp on the buckle doesn’t look nice both. Ask her to make a model new itemizing showing a detailed up of the leather flat as nicely and the stamp on the buckle. A home appliance repairperson is required to guarantee that the home equipment are in moderately good working situation and it is his duty to attenuate the possibilities of future breakdowns. This accomplished by way of a sequence of set procedures that permits them to right the problem causing the breakdown. First, they have to look at the equipment totally, to check for another failures. These may embody vibrations, noises and even leakages.

#hermes belt replica #replica hermes belt #knock off hermes belt #hermes belts replica #fake hermes belts #high quality replica hermes belt #hermes h belt replica #replica belts hermes