#the number of times they said some variation of “you're my family”

[emonydeborah]

SNW and DISCO spoilers

so I watched the Una episodes of discovery with no other context. So it’s just the episode where they find the sphere and the last two episodes of season two.

they really go buckwild on this ship. Tilly is being eaten by fungus and no one tells anyone. Jett and the mushroom man get high and slap each other out of it. Also did Jett appear from the vents? Michael is having a family crisis. Saru asked his friend to help him commit ritual suicide and I think a part of his brain fell out. Also I didn’t know he spoke so many languages so that was cool.

they are so dramatic here. The shocked and horrified stares around at each other made the finale an hour long otherwise it would have been like 30 minutes. I expect this from Chris but good grief. The letters goodbye one bye one? Sarek and Amanda somehow showing up ahead of a whole fleet to tell Michael they love her? The sibling fight as the ship is being fired upon? (that one tracks actually) I like it for the big moments but are they always like this?? And is the “eyes up” thing a thing and why doesn’t Chris do it anymore?

I do like the found familyness I am sensing. The whole fam banding together to go with Michael was sweet. And their goodbye to Chris. This is the level of found family where I’d expect to find at least a few of those foster kid fanfics where they refuse to leave each other and the foster parents get six kids at once. I have not looked but I would be disappointed if there aren’t any.

Pike’s stepdad energy is so strong. The whole crew does what they want and loop him in when they feel like it. They are fine without him and have their own system and dynamics going on. He knows it, too, which is hilarious to watch from just knowing him from snw. He really just intervenes to keep his genius stepchildren from straying too far off the mission. They are running around like overexcited puppies (“the sphere is trying to communicate!!!!”) and he keeps them from gnawing on the walls. But he is a good stepdad in that he is ready to throw hands and use his ship as a shield so they can get away from section 31.

then as soon as he gets back to enterprise he brings all of the evil fbi apparently. Una is not surprised and has tricked out the whole ship and the shuttles for battle without prompt. She went Chris was out of my sight for too long we need to be ready to fight the galaxy.

and some more Una notes: Katrina Cornwell seemed tall and commanding until she stood next to Una and it was hilarious how small she was. Took me out of the dramatic bomb defusing moment but I still had fun. And Chris knew someone was going to die from that torpedo and got Una out as soon as he knew there were no other options. My pikeuna heart.

And Una choosing violence with the interrogation sent me. SNW fans know she has been hiding and afraid of scrutiny her whole life, and this is how she shows it. What a woman. She did not even tell them her name. Did we know she was Una at this point or was she Number One all the way until snw premiered?

“Follow the queen.” *Chris immediately looks at Una* I see you Chris.

it is obvious that they did not know how they were going to open snw with Chris being depressed and Una going missing but I liked their shock and happiness when Spock showed up beardless.

idk if I am intrigued enough to watch this whole show but I like Georgiou being their personal annoying gremlin. “Everybody hates you. Congratulations.” Also queen Po going if I die I die.

did not like Una going “in English please” to literally another navigator. We know she’s a genius let her be one y’all. If it were a science person going off a thousand words a minute I would allow it. But Una was talking to a pilot. Do better.

IN GENERAL, a good time. I was there for Una and she was not there much, but that was expected I guess. I was not prepared for how emotional discovery's crew would be. They are all in their feelings at all times. I liked them as a crew and maybe I will return one day.

#discovery #snw #una chin riley #chris pike #michael burnham #saru #sylvia tilly #snw spoilers #disco spoilers #tw suicide #star trek strange new worlds #star trek #strange new worlds #katrina cornwell #seemed like a cool lady #but OH MY WORD #the number of times they said some variation of “you're my family” #this is a starship not youth group camp #we are not here to cry it out

[whyceasefirefaq]

UPDATE: The United Nations passed a ceasefire resolution! However, It's incredibly temporary. So, on that note, here's 7 Things I've Learned While Doing Solo Outreach In Solidarity With A Ceasefire And Palestine because while that is progress, we are not there yet. The end goal is justice & there is much more work to be done. Since I finished setting up this outreach site, I've gone out and tried my hand at solo outreach three times. It's been a process and a lot of learning along the way. That said, these tips also work for small groups as well.

Related: It's important to know your rights. Laws can vary per state when it comes to protests. Know yours before you do outreach. 1.) Give yourself time and patience to find your groove. Things that may work with a larger group, may not necessarily work when you're doing outreach by yourself. I've found I just need to try things & see. It can feel a bit messy at first, but if you are aware and open to change, you will eventually find your groove. And once you do, doing solo outreach is a lot easier.

2.) It's okay if you feel self-conscious while doing solo outreach. I still feel that way at times when I begin doing outreach, but I find this phrase helps me get out of my head & into the zone. "There's a genocide happening. We all must take as much action as we can. This isn't about you." Deep breath. Okay. Let's do this. Another thing I think about is the Nazi holocaust (a genocide where a number of people in my family were killed.) And I think what would I have done during that time? While not the exact same thing, this is a genocide. Now is your time to do something, to be that person, and when I focus on that, that feeling is bigger than any self-conscious feelings that I might have.

3.) Find your local go-to outreach locations. Locations that are great for protests and group outreach are not necessarily the best for solo outreach.

For example, I recently stood on the corner by a small bodega (local store) and a college, which worked well. If I was in a group, that corner would've been too crowded.

Ideally, a good location will have a nice flow but not be overly packed with people. Also, the area shouldn't be where people are too much in a rush.

I initially tried doing outreach in midtown (New York City) during people's lunch breaks. Didn't plan it that way, but I had an eye doctor appointment in the area, got there too early and so while waiting outside, (my sign was in my bag), I thought "Well, let's give this a go." While some people were giving me signs of approval, they were too busy to stop and engage. Also, the area should not be too loud. Once I tried a spot where almost every time I tried to talk to people, a truck went by semi-drowning me out. but on a related note...

4.) Don't just hold up the sign and wait for people to take action. When I did this, I got plenty of thumbs up, but no one scanned the QR code on the outreach sign to fill out the petition. It wasn't until I started saying variations of "Take action for a ceasefire" that people started to engage. 5.) Keep the tone friendly/approachable. Yes, this genocide (like all genocides) is horrific and time-sensitive, but I've found if your tone is too stressed out, urgent, and/or outright chanting (as one might do in a group at a protest) it can turn people away. If you're chanting in a group, it's unity. People understand that. If you're chanting by yourself, you're just a random person on a street corner talking too loudly. That said, it also depends on how loud your location is. Go accordingly.

6.) Do self-care in-between outreach so you don't get burned out. Do not joy or rest shame yourself. We must be proactive in taking care of ourselves in these times, and to do so is not selfish. Imposing unnecessary suffering on yourself does not help the Palestinians or the cause.

While doing outreach I have gotten more positive responses than negative ones, but a couple times I have been called various and not very complimentary names. And I can kind of laugh at that now while typing this, but sometimes when I'm tired, it bothers me more than it would and I find my brain is focusing on the few negative reactions instead of the many positive ones.

When this happens, I know I need to do self-care and feed my soul. This is not only important for my emotional well-being, but it also allows me to do more effective outreach. There is a difference between taking action and taking effective action and it's easier to know the difference when you're not emotionally drained.

Sometimes you're going to take action and it's not going to be this big thing that goes viral, but that doesn't mean it's not making a difference. When I am burned out, I often feel impatient, and frustrated and even wonder what is the point? But when I care for myself, I am then in a place to remember that every action ripples, and when part of a collective effort (which this is), it can most definitely make big waves. So far 12 people scanned the QR code on the sign and that's 12 more than before.

7.) Never forget that everyone has something to contribute and remembering that can lead to new ways of participation.

I came across this lovely human who wanted to take action in solidarity but didn't have a cellphone to scan the QR code on the outreach sign. I asked him if he wouldn't mind having his photo taken with said sign, to be shared on social media, and he said yes.

And that's when I started taking photos of people, including those who could scan the QR code but wanted to do more.

The reason why this is useful is that when the photo is shared on social media, it's now one more image that's getting the word out, encouraging people to scan the QR code (which leads to the petition & thus take action.)

People can also take their own photo with the sign and post that on their social media, thus further getting the word out. This can be done digitally as well. (Tag me on Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky, and/or TikTok @ rebelwheelsnyc if you do.)

That said, I don't ask everyone I engage with if I can take their photo. You have to take it on a case-by-case basis. If a person is scanning the QR code but is giving off vibes that they are in a rush, I don't ask. But if they are casually chatting with me while filling out the petition, asking questions about the project, etc then I do.

GET INVOLVED! For further tips, free outreach graphics, a FAQ & more, kindly check out: WhyCeasefireFAQ.Tumblr.Com

Thank you to everyone who has supported this project via sharing, getting involved, and sending kind words. It was created with a lot of heart and solidarity, and I greatly appreciate people showing the project some love. [image description: There are four images at the top of the article, two in each row. Upper left: a bald man with a mustache and brown skin is wearing a black winter coat, smiling at the camera while holding up the outreach sign. Upper right: a thin-framed person with light skin and black hair that's slightly wavy and a thin mustache, is wearing artsy sunglasses a black winter coat a gray scarf, and is holding up the outreach sign. Bottom left: a petite senior woman is wearing an olive green winter coat, a beige scarf, and a black hat. She has small sunglasses and is holding up the outreach sign. Lastly, bottom right: a bald man with brown skin and a hint of a mustache and goatee, is wearing a black winter coat and is looking right at the camera while holding up the outreach sign. the outreach sign in question is as follows: Rectangle graphic. Black & white except for a watermelon illustration which is green, white, red, and black aka the colors of the Palestinian flag. Graphic is divided into three sections by thick black lines. Section 1: The text reads“Ceasefire now! “Stop the genocide in Palestine” “Sign the petition:” Section 2: “URL if not now movement .org / our - campaigns.” “Or scan code with your phone” “Jewish-led. Allies are welcome.” Section 3: “Questions? Concerns? Why ceasefire FAQ. tumblr. com.” Main font is a bold thick font except for “sign of petition” which is in a script font. Next to “scan code with your phone” is a QR code which is a bunch of random black shapes with a white background. “Ceasefire now” is the only text that is white with a black horizontal rectangle behind it. All other text is black on a white background. The text “sign the petition has a white rounded rectangle” behind it with a thin black border.]

#outreach #outreach graphics #tips #Palestine #free Gaza #Israel #free Palestine #genocide #current events #Palestinian genocide #ethnic cleansing #Jews for ceasefire #Jews for peace #Jews for Palestine #anti Zionism #anti imperialism #Gaza

[lovelyyandereaddictionpoint]

Apple Lover | Yandere Epel Felmier x Reader

Epel knew people who loved apples. It is the Felmier’s life blood and family business, heck he liked apples but he’d never met someone like you. Someone who’d ask if anyone wanted any of the apple sauce he was giving you before chugging it like it wasn’t nearly an entire pint. He’d seen the other burlier men in his old town chug it like that after working all day without taking a break but you were just an average student at Night Raven, right? Other than the baffling circumstances in your arrival to said school he couldn’t find any reason as to why you so  aggressively consumed apple products. He knows you do. He’s checked many times:

“Hey my family sent some apple-cider so”

“Gim-sama doesn’t want such dis–”

“OMG THANKS EPEL!!! GOSH I LOVE THIS STUFF”

Or that other time he had a full crate.

“Hey can I have that crate back for–Whoa! WHERE ARE THE OTHER APPLES.”

“Oh sorry Epel I kind of went ham on them. Sorry!”

“There were over a hundred in there!?”

He was both prideful and really concerned you consumed so many of his family’s products. He was well aware of the cyanide properties in the seeds; that usually no one worries about because the number for eating enough of them to activate the poison is really high…like 100…like the amount he’d found nearly gone a week after giving it to you. 

“Oh no worries I avoid the seeds, plus I switch it up with different versions, y’know?”

Oh, he knew he’d been watching you chow down on apples or sipping on apple sauce everywhere. He’d seen you do it in your lonesome of the Ramshackle common room , during class, at lunch, in the library, really just everywhere. 

“You’re worried about the Prefect?” Vil spoke not looking away from his own image in the mirror touching up on makeup.

“I guess I just don’t know if they understand how addicted they are. I mean they seem to really enjoy it but I’m worried they let their obsession run their lives.”

“Well don’t you sound like you're obsessing over them a little? You’ve been yapping to everyone lately about this concern of yours, that's what all the potatoes have been saying.”

Epel snapped up from his previous position, bumping the bottom part of the dresser with his knees before giving an apologetic look to the glaring Vil. Turning to Rook who was happily working behind them Epel spoke.

“Is this true?”

The hunter laughed, squinting his eyes as he spoke. 

 “You have been talking a lot about Trickster…perhaps you do have deeper feelings past just concern?”

A blooming heat exploded onto Epel’s face and subsequently followed by the short-circuiting student. 

“W-what-?!! N-no w-ay!!! I’m not-!Am I? W-wot ‘re ya e-even saying?!”

The rest of their training session was filled with Epel being too flustered and overwhelmed with the possibility of actually being in love. 

___________________________________________________________

When he finally was able to escape Rook’s questioning and Vil’s training, he went to indulge in his favorite hobby. Epel lazed about watching from afar as you happily accepted a crate of apples from none other than Floyd and Azul. As he had overheard, you had discovered a variant of apple-like fruit from the Coral Sea and had come to the Octavinelle trio to be your guide. For someone who was so quick to tell your monster-tenant no more money to cans of tuna but perfectly prepared to buy a whole crate of sea-apples. You all too quickly walked into a shark’s den just to satisfy your apple-cravings and he was worried about you. 

“You know with how (Y/n) eats apples it’d just be so easy to…”

He stopped himself thinking about the words he spoke in the lonesome of his watching area at the edge of the wood. Realizing the implications of what he said he, at first, scolding himself before really thinking about it. 

You so blindly just ate and drank everything that was handed to you as long as it was from an apple or some variation of one. He tried to ignore the dark thoughts that were brewing from that little comment alone.

It just kept popping up with everyone else just knowing you wanted apples. So easily did you immediately trust anyone who so much as waved an apple product in front of your face. He’d seen it so many times Azul making you work for an apple-cider drink, or Ruggie who promises to get you more applesauce if you collect a bunch of dandelions for him. 

It would be far too easy to learn how to inject a love potion.

It was too easy to inject one. 

“Ah, (Y/n) I’ve been trying this new type of apple. Would you try it for me?”

“Sure.”

And like clockwork you took a heft bite of that apple and just as you should your (y/e/c) irises flashed pink. Now he found that when people talked it was you who had recently been speaking about him and when you wavered as if coming to some realization he didn’t mind offering you a cider or applesauce that would have your eyes flashing pink for as long as he pleased. 

#yandere x reader #yandere x you #yanderexrea #yandere #lovelyyandereaddictionpoint #yandere x y/n #yandere epel x reader #yandere epel felmier #yandere twisted wonderland #disney twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland #yandere epel #yandere epel felmier x reader #yandere twst x reader #yandere twst #epel felmier #epel #yandere pomefiore #apple lovers

[russellsppttemplates]

Take me home (Pierre Gasly)

Y/N's been needing to feel what is like to be at home and luckily for her, Pierre seems to be the one to allow her to build a roof over his heart

Note: english is not my first language, here is some Pierre content that I wrote after hearing a song I haven’t heard in ages and it made me think of this immediately. I tried to depict a reality I got to know over the past few weeks and I hope I treated it respectfully as I know that is obviously bigger than anything I could have tried to write here. Also, I feel like this is a shitty piece but I am way to insistent apparently

Thank you so much to everyone who likes and reblogs, your feedback is appreciated 🤍 and I'm not taking requests so if you have any ideas or concepts you want to share, feel free to do so but know that I'm not certain when I'll be able to tend to them!

Tw: living away from family

"Pierre, they're going to need you downstairs in 10 minutes to check if your seat is okay!", you called for the driver inside his room in the hospitality since one of the mechanics had asked for the favour given that you were going upstairs anyway, "Since when do you do these call-ups? Usually Fabiana is the one ordering me about. Wait, is this finally you succumbing into my charms?", he said as he opened the door, catching you still in the corridor. The french man had no issue flirting openly with you, he never had from the first moment he noticed in the preseason new staff introduction meeting where he sat next to you and had already asked for your number so you could grab dinner together. And much to his disappointment, you had politely denied every single advance he had made in the last year. "Marc asked me to do it, so I'm being a nice colleague", you explained, not missing the smirk on his lips, "and you could be so nice to me too", he said, "I am nice to you, since when am I not nice?", you glared playfully, having had different variations of the same conversation many times before, "you are, but it would be even better if you finally accepted my dinner invitation", he said, earning a shake from your head before you made your way into your office.

.

Pierre was back from his media duties when he found you sorting papers into files in the engineers' room, your focused expression capturing him like always. It was the way your was always up in a ponytail to prevent your hair hindering you in the eyes, making him see all of your features perfectly, your moles, the scars on your face, the crease between your eyebrows whenever you didn't understand something or the crinkles on your eyes when someone said something funny and your smile got the biggest and most beautiful he had ever seen. "Sorry, do you need the room? I won't be long, if you can wait", you asked when you noticed you weren't alone, "No, no, I was just looking for John because he said we'd meet up to talk about the race but he's not here yet apparently", he said as he sat in one of the chairs next to you, "Congratulations on P8, by the way", you said softly, stapling some sheets together before looking for the hole puncher in the middle of the mess on the table. Grabbing the gadget for you, Pierre handed it, "Here", he smiled, "and thanks, with everything that happened around this weekend, it was definitely a positive to extract from it", he replied before he heard John get inside the room, patting Pierre's back before placing his hand confortingly on your shoulder, "Do you need help, Y/N?", he asked, "No, this is the last one for now. I can't do the rest before we get moving tomorrow, by the way, you didn't confirm yet if you're coming with the rest of the travelling crew...?", you forwarded, closing the binder and grabbing the other two you had done, "I can't, I have a medical appointment but I'll meet you on day two, hopefully", he said before you nodded and excused yourself, Pierre failing to hide his confusion and endearment as you walked out of the room. "What are you thinking so much about, Pierre?", John asked, "the team are leaving already today?", he asked, knowing how much preparation a race involved but also knowing they would have two weeks in-between the next race weekend, "early tomorrow. Despite having more time to dot it, they need someone to supervise and make sure everything gets there without any issues", he replied, noticing the AlphaTauri driver was still not processing the whole information, "and Y/N is the one doing that. Not alone, but she is a big part of the department that ensures that", he explained the full thing. "So, she doesn't go and see her family and friends all that often then?", he asked, having talked to a good part of the staff that made sure himself and Yuki could race in the best conditions possible every weekend, hearing many FaceTime stories from parents and their children and partners or the quick visits they could pay eachother, "Yeah, she's probably the one who sees them the least, they can't come to many races because they have their own jobs and she barely had time to go too, especially after the pandemic and all. I think she saw them last four weeks ago, maybe", he said, knowing you wouldn't mind him sharing that and noticing Pierre's genuine concern about it.

.

You were celebrating the team's results on that weekend when you felt Pierre's hand on your back, "cheers to this weekend!", he said as he clinked his glass with your, you both taking a sip as you looked into eachother's eyes, "you don't want to be inside?", you asked, wondering why he had followed you to the balcony area of the get together that had been thrown because of the results he was partly responsible for, "No. I noticed you were having a hard time today and I came to check up on you", he forwarded, now wanting to seem too nosy but wondering if you maybe wanted a shoulder to cry on. Feeling your eyes get filled with tears, you looked up to the sky so you could hold them back somehow, "are you just being nice or can I actually open my soul?", you asked, figuring that if he really was all in like he said he was, this would be a good starting point, seeing him nod for you to proceed, "I haven't seen my parents in a while, same with my friends. And today is also marks two years that I have applied for this job and I love it so much, and it's silly because everyone here is my family, but sometimes is hard to feel at home. I don't want to sound ungrateful, because AlphaTauri are my second family but yeah, it gets hard", you whispered, tears running freely now as you felt Pierre's thumbs wipe your cheeks. "You're not ungrateful because you miss your family, your home. Everyone here is working so hard week in and week out and you barely have time for everything", he mused, smiling a sad smile when he noticed your breathing wad back to normal and you had leaned into his touch, "it's just an accumulation I guess, tomorrow I'll be fine but today it really hit me I think", you said as you allowed your body to lean completely on his, your head landing on his shoulder.

When the music died down and everyone started leaving, Pierre grabbed your hand and got the both of you up, "Thank you Pierre, for staying with me. I know you didn't have to do that but that was very kind of you", the man smiling soflty at you, "for you, I'll do whatever I need to prove to you I'm serious with this", he said as his other hand gestured to the area between your bodies.

.

You were sitting in the factory's meal area for your (very late) lunch break when you heard someone get inside the room, "I'm sure that it is lunchtime somewhere in the world", Pyry said as he walked inside, noticing Pierre was right behind him, grabbing some food for themselves and sitting next to you, "touché, hm?", you replied back. Chuckling, the personal trainer started digging in his food, while Pierre did the same with his, "In my defense, I was up late last night so I got in later this morning and I was only hungry for lunch now", you replied. Engaging in light conversation about the upcoming weekend, Pyry had to take a phonecall outside, leaving you and Pierre alone in the table, "By the way you have been declining my invites, I'm going to count this as a date", he said as he took a sip of his water. Earning you a eyeroll, Pierre forwarded, "what is it going to take for you to finally say yes?", he tempted you, and how would you argue now? He had been amazing those last two weeks, he was asking if you were okay just the right amount of times, taking some of his day to talk to you and help in anything he could (albeit not much because his skills go beyond bookings and shipping managements) and overall just being a nice company. "What about tomorrow afternoon? I'm free then", you said, surprising him with a bolder than usual move from your part, "really?", he couldn't hide the surprise on his face, "surprise me, Gasly", you winked before you left.

.

"So we're going to the lake?", you asked, holding Pierre's hand since you had left his car and he grabbed it while you walked a bit further so you could get ice-cream together, "I figured you wouldn't be swept away by fancy dinners and you always mention this lake near your grandparent's house so I assumed you would like it here", he smiled. After getting you both ice-cream, the driver led you both to one of the bench by the lake, the little duckies and their mama duck giving the whole scene a calming and comforting aura, "How do you deal with it all?", you asked, "The distance I mean", specifying what you were talking about, "it gets a little bit easier when you start feeling comfortable with it, comfortable-ish anyway. But it takes a lot to get to that point, it did to me at least. Switching teams and everything is always challenging but along the way you find people who can make it feel like home to you", he smiled, latching your hand back in his as he rubbed his thumb over your skin.

.

You were sat in the hotel room's balcony late that night, looking at the stars while you tried to make sense of your thoughts and feelings. Your family had visited today and despite being hard to say goodbye to them, you felt recharged in spite of the feelings of longing in your body. You really liked Pierre, and you had to admit his latest actions had swept you off of your feet, but at what cost? One day he might just figure that the life you lead, despite being somewhat similar to his, it would never work and you'd be giving yourself to someone who would ditch you again.

You had a good voice for singing, and although you never wanted to do anything with it, music always helped you manage your feelings and so, assuming no one would hear you, you sang soflty and quietly to the setting sun.

Take me home

I sometimes wonder what I'm doing here

It's been a long time since I've been lost

I don't know myself as well as I thought

Take me home

And let them finish the party

Kiss my face, my hands, my forehead

Let me see if the world comes crashing down

Take me home

Let's walk through this city

And see that home is a person

And that we both fit there

"Don't get scared, but I had my window open and I couldn't sleep so I came to see whose beautiful voice was that", you heard a French accented voice say from the balcony next to yours, Pierre's bed head popping over the glass door that separated the areas, "May I?", he asked, his hand already on the handle that allowed to transform the balconies into a connecting one, grabbing his chair and sitting next to you, "you have a very beautiful voice, why did I not know that?", he started. Looking at him to see his eyes glued to yours, you sighed, "thank you. I know I have been a bit harsh with you", you said, earning a genuine confused look on his face, "How come?", leaving you to smile slightly, "I have been setting my foot down, and not let you in. And maybe it's stupid, maybe it's everything coming at me all at once, but I can't loose a friendship like yours and I can't risk it if it's not for sure", you explained, Pierre's face showing he was now understanding where you were going. Thinking it was nor or never, he grabbed your hand in his, "At first, I just wanted to get to know who the new girl was but you quickly turned my world upside down. And it's hard for you not having a ground yet, but I'll allow you to build a roof over my heart, I've allowed it already", he chuckled, "I know you don't think this has what it takes to go forward but I'll show you if you'll allow me". Getting closer to him, his hand grabbed your cheek while you looked at eachother's lips, flickering to the eyes before you leaned in, lips finally crashing together, "let me make a home for you, be a home for you", he whispered before kissing your cheek, your hands and your forehead, the happy sigh you released informing him you were just enjoying this as much as he was.

#pierre gasly imagine #pierre gasly × reader #pierre gasly fic #pierre gasly fluff #f1 x reader #f1 fanfic #f1 imagine

[omniblades-and-stars]

WIP Whenever I Don't Care You're Not My Real Dad

I got tagged by @korblez for this. So I'm gonna post something that is 100% absolutely his fault. I haven't written a ton this week, so this is what I have to offer today.

I'm brain dead for real after the week I've had work. So you, if you're reading this, I have tagged you. Yes, you! Go forth, share with us.

Without further ado snippet of the thing I'm working on (sorry, not sorry):

BLOOD & GRENADINE

The pair walked casually to a small table set in a corner. It gave them a good view of the entire ballroom. And the view of the ballroom?

It was like someone watched far too many ancient vids about old Hollywood parties, with the old art deco style with the dark walls and solid line accents to break it up, but instead of stylish gold, they embedded weak cyan lights into the wall. The effect was like looking at old computer chips except it gave you a migraine if you stared at it too long. The lights cast strange shadows.

Across the room on the far side were rows of floor to ceiling windows and glass doors that led to high balconies with large ferns planted in cement planters cast with thick, angled lines to further ape a time long since passed. Those Zaeed couldn't find any faults with. Maybe a drink or two in, he might have been willing to even say that he liked them. Three or four and maybe he'd put on a trilby and start talking like an old school mobster for shits and giggles, schee?

“Too many goddamn windows,” Zaeed muttered.

“We'd be sitting ducks if there was a sniper out there,” said Garrus at the same time.

Negative one.

They sat across from each other and Massani wasted no time in perusing the drink menu. Fancy wines, over-priced liquor, cocktails that cost enough to feed a family for one night. Ah well, when in Rome and all that. He was going to get a drink. Just add it to the tab for Red to reimburse him for.

“Are you really going to drink tonight?”

Zaeed raised his eyes only scooch off of the menu to respond with a wink, “You want people to believe this is a dinner date, or what?” Usually, he just drank his liquor straight, whiskey, bourbon, vodka - shit, it didn't really matter. That burn as it went down was what reminded him that he was still breathing. Taste didn't really matter when you were often scraping the bottom of the galaxy's barrel running hither and yon chasing down assholes for credits. Didn't mean he was a man without taste, he just knew how to turn it off, measure his expectations. “'Sides, one drink isn't gonna do anything to me except cost me enough credits to buy a new scope for the old Mattock.”

Garrus' mandibles fluttered briefly as he considered the wisdom of Zaeed's defense. Or more accurately, considering just how often he'd seen him with a tumbler of some brown liquor or another during the years that they'd been working together now. Given the truly unbelievable number of bottles left over as evidence of Shepard and Zaeed's contest (the number of which could have killed a krogan), it was within the scope of belief that drinking one cocktail wouldn't make a dent in the man's sobriety.

Having decided that Zaeed was correct, Garrus picked up the menu to peruse it himself. The offerings of dextro safe wines and liquors were unsurprisingly small, and included dual-chirality options that were just right out. Those were never good. He'd be better off chugging a bottle of rubbing alcohol based on taste alone.

“Good evening, gentlemen. I'll be your server tonight,” a chipper young woman with curly hair interrupted their ponderance of booze and its variations with a broad smile on rosy cheeks. “Dinner will be served in about fifteen minutes. May I get you something to drink while you wait?” She was a pretty girl, with masses of curly brown hair that were barely wrangled into a braid, and doeish, brown eyes that looked far too happy to be living on Earth post-near-apocalypse.

Zaeed heard a rumble in Garrus' chest, that same one that always came before he made a bad joke. And coupled with the daring glint in those baby blues of his, Zaeed knew that it was on. “Hm, I don't know. Darling, what looks good to you?”

Even.

“For you, love, the Brandy Alexandrus. You have quite a sweet tooth,” Zaeed practically purred without looking up from his menu. Blue was going to have to try a lot harder than that if he wanted the merc to crack. He sat through Shepard's god awful speech before hitting the Collector base without so much as cracking a grin. Besides, he'd definitely been to dinner with a helluva lot worse than the likes of the smug turian across from him. At least he was reasonably certain that Vakarian wouldn't try to kill him by the end of the night.

#daisy screaming into the void

[electricprincess96]

I've decided to rank some Jason Todd designs. He's had a few, so I ain't looking for all of them. Just the ones I remember off the top of my head.

This is my list, don't come at me if you disagree even though you're wrong cause I'm obviously right about this. Anyone wanting to start a fight with me about this can save yourself the time as I will be ignoring you.

Number 1

There is no competition this is just peak Jason design, no others come close. There's a reason why Under the Red Hood movie used a variation of this design and not the UtRH comic design (which admittedly was not a bad design keep reading to see where that lands in this list), it's the design Wayne Family Adventures uses, it's the most cosplayed Jason design. It is just peak.

Number 2.

People will say I'm cheating here. I'm not. Under the Red Hood comic confirms Jason did infact wear this outfit, in fact this IS Jason in this panel. It's half way through the fight when he swaps with Clayface.

What I like about this design is its throwbacks to Robin with the belt and the R symbol on his chest. I get that the trench coat was very much Hush's thing but Jason rocked it here. The white streak in his hair has become to popular that some fans don't realise it wasn't canon for a long time (I'm aware plenty of newer stories have him have the white streak, I think it's entirely up to the artist now which is kinda dumb shit like that should be mandated by the editors but whatever).

Overall I just like this design, I wouldn't necessarily want him to ever adopt it again but it was certainly very nice for what it was. And it's different without stripping Jason of all his identity since it references his Robin past.

Number 3.

Oh I debated between this one and number 4 partly because they are very similar. I think this one is edged out 1. By that belt with the R which again is hinting at his past as Robin, something Jason was immensely proud of even if people want to pretend he wasn't. I'm aware they'll say it's R for Red Hood but that's why it works, it's his current alias' initials but R is Robin's symbol. And 2. This design is also just helped by the fact the art style is just very pretty and this particular Jason is just so god damn pretty, like he's gorgeous and I wish the story accompanying it was better.

Number 4.

(Yes I'm using this picture, sue me)

Under the Red Hood. An actually pretty good comic story completely let down by a lot of the shit that came after it. BUT it gave Jason the glow up he deserved at the time. Sure its now far from peak as I've already shown what peak is but its solid. I wouldn't complain if suddenly Jason got another redesign and looked like this again. This is below 3 Jokers cause of the fact it looks very similar to 3 Jokers but 3 Jokers had the inclusion of the R Belt which I liked and 3 Jokers had a better art style in my opinion.

Number 5

The Arkham series had a particular style. I'm putting these together cause while they aren't the same design they are the same character, in the same game and I rank them somewhat evenly. Now Mask off Jason in Arkham is up there with 3 Jokers in terms of how much I like it. I always loved a sense of irony that despite being adopted and being the "fuck up of the family" Jason resembled Bruce so much and he really does resemble Bruce in Arkham. BUT these actual designs are both fine, nothing about them are amazing, I don't love them but they're OK and thats all they need to be.

Now I ain't even gonna number these cause well I'm sure there's maybe a couple dozen one shot or elseworld Jason designs out there that come before these two. Every version of Jason's Robin suit comes before these two. Gotham Knights with the mask off comes before these two (although I hate how the mask in Gotham Knights is cloth and not a helmet but I'm basically screaming into the void right now to try and get Jason's helmet back and designed properly).

Slightly Less Worse

I've said what I have to say about this design, I hate it, I despise it, I get an angry twitch whenever i see it or whenever I see fans lusting over Jason's exposed arms or talking about how deep it is that he wears a muzzle now as if calling a character you're meant to like a wild animal is somehow a good thing. Like yes Bruce called him an animal, Jason then going and choosing to wear a muzzle is so wildly out of character I despise it. Jason is so fucking PROUD, like does he have some self doubts and self hatred? Yeah. But when it comes to Bruce and the rest of the Bats this boy is PRIDEFUL. He wouldn't go and deliberately "muzzle" himself just to make Bruce happy. Its dumb conceptually, it strips Jason of the uniqueness and individuality and it clearly exists to try and emulate the Winter Soldier since Civil War was coming out around that time. Some art styles make this design look OK but it still isn't a Jason design for me.

The Objective Worst One

Kill it with fire! Just make it go away and never return. As I've said for all my utter dislike and distaste for the muzzle I will take another 100 issues of the muzzle and the crowbar if I could wipe this monstrosity from ever having existed. This design and the storylines that accompanied it almost did irreversible damage to Jason Todd as a character. That's why UtRH is not seen as being as good as it actually is because all the ground work set was instantly trampled by other writers and Grant Morrison was one of the main perpetrators. I will spare showing you what he looks like under the helmet cause that might very well be worse than the helmet. Jason went from being a at most 20 year old to looking like he was older than Bruce at times. Other times he looked like knock off Roy Harper. As I say anyone who wants to argue with me that Jason's canonically a ginger always uses this as proof and no I'm sorry Grant Morrison was someone who didn't believe in retcons and that everything was always canon which I mean I'd love for him to explain to me how Jason can both be a circus kid and a street kid stealing tyres but whatever. Jason Todd is a brunette, he was found on the streets by Bruce with black hair and no way of getting consistent hair dye, his father had black hair, his mother had blonde hair. Jason Todd is a brunette and this design and all the stories attached to it need to be wiped from collective consciousness.

#dc comics blogging #batman comics blogging #jason red hood todd

[taylorswiftstylequestions]

Hey Sarah! Sorry if this is a dumb question, but this is basically my first time being in a position to try and get tour tickets: how does this usually… work? Aside from signing up to try to get presale tickets. Are there opportunities to get tickets again later if I miss out on 11/15, or do they all get released at once? I’m looking to go by myself, if that makes a difference.

Sorry if you’ve got like 50 variations of this question in your inbox! You just seem very knowledgeable and I have no idea what I’m doing. I’ve only seen Taylor once thanks to some family friends of mine being nice enough to give me Fearless tour tickets way back when.

Thanks for your time, and hope you’re doing well! ❤️

Hi! Not dumb! Part of the 'fun' of the concert ticket buying experience is that sometimes tickets are released in batches and waves. :)

A certain number are held for the pre-sale, for the general sale, etc. I would expect Taylor's tickets will sell out very quickly regardless but I can't speak to the pacing/drip of tickets with confidence. That said, as a solo attendee you're in a better spot than others to grab a seat.

#taylor

[queenofthursday6599-blog]

If you want to get into fanfiction you just have to accept that flanderization and popular fan interpretations of characters are something you're going to have to wade through even if you don't like them

I can understand the frustration of some people who get really into something (movie, book, show), and thus try and dive into fandom but then find that a considerable portion of fic has the characters being wildly out of character.

Especially if they find that an extremely popular fanon interpretation of a character, majorly conflicts with how said character is in canon.

For an easy example that's on my mind because it's the 20th anniversary of Danny Phantom, and also dannypocalypse.

Danny Fenton has a number of extremely flanderized fanon interpretations, which all conflict with who he is in canon, and the other fanon versions of him floating around.

A lot of fics will have Danny actually be just as much of a science/math genius as the rest of the Fenton family, and his bad grades are actually entirely due to the fact that he's too busy being Phantom to do anything related to school.

This directly contradicts with the show, which has more than one instance of Danny being so bad at math specifically, that it's completely valid to think he literally has dyscalculia.

Along with there literally being no evidence that Danny has any interest in math or any of the sciences beyond his desire to be an astronaut.

[Which when I learned the requirements for becoming an astronaut, I always thought Danny would be going the 1,000+ hours of pilot-in-command time on a jet aircraft route vs the degrees in a STEM field route. Considering how many hours he apparently put into the shuttle flight simulator already.]

A lot of fics will have Danny be a feral little gremlin kind of character, who does things like bites people, doesn't care how dirty he or his surroundings are, and will eat spoiled food.

Completely unlike Danny in the show. Who in spite of his weird smoothie experiments, refuses weird looking but completely edible food offered to him on more than one occasion. Along with his habit of vacuuming the walls when he cleans.

Then there's the whole Danny as the ghost king characterization, which has no basis in canon. Considering there isn't anything in canon that says the title is won by right of conquest, because we aren't given any information about how Pariah himself became the ghost king, or even if there were ghost kings before him.

Then there's the interpretation of Danny being too noble to use his powers for selfish gain, or commit crimes.

Even though in canon he uses his powers to prank Dash multiple times in the series with no repercussions for most of what he does. Along with being 100% willing to use his powers to cheat the haunted house contest, and also just straight up steal an ancient ghost artifact to make said haunted house scarier.

The thing about fanfiction is that characters are going to be different from what they're like in canon be default for a variety of reasons.

The author is changing the character to suit the story they wanna tell, the author is magnifying a canon trait of a character to explore it more, the author is inverting a character trait to see how that would change the rest of the character's story-

And 80 billion other variations of that idea.

Like I'm sorry if you turned to a bunch of hobbyist writers on the internet who write primarily for their own indulgence in search of more canon quality content, but you're not going to find it in 99.999999999999999% of fics you will ever find.

Sure you might find one specific fic or one specific writer, who you feels absolutely nails how a character acts in canon.

But also, not really, because your own perspective of how that character is supposed to act is tainted by your own opinions about that character.

Or for another example, if you go to the Miraculous fandom...

There's people who genuinely see Marinette as a kind of deranged stalker, and hate her to the point of wanting Adrien to end up with literally any other girl. Including the ones who want to use him for their own gain, like Lila, who doesn't even really like him romantically.

Because they hate Marinette, and want Marinette to suffer losing out to the girl she thinks is a bad person. More than they want Adrien to end up in a happy and functional relationship with a girl who would treat him well.

[Literally, I've seen Marinette haters insist Adrien needed to end up with either Lila or Chloe specifically, because Marinette approves of Kagami and willingly handed Adrien over to her. They want whoever Marinette likes the least to be who Adrien ends up with, even if he wouldn't be treated well by whoever that is.]

And there's people who genuinely see Marinette as the constant victim of unjustified cosmic karma, who would have solved the Hawkmoth thing and won over Adrien ages ago if it weren't for plot contrivances insisted upon by the writers. Who insist upon doing this to keep from solving the love square, to keep the will they/won't they plot going, which is one of the main focuses of the show.

#fanfiction #flanderization of characters #fanon interpretation #meta analysis of fanfiction

[thechekhov]

Hi! I saw on a post that you're agender and I'm kinda questioning my gender (again) but what interested me more about that post was that you said you believe that gender is a social construct and I'm not really familiar with that theory. I was wondering if you could explain to me what the whole idea is? (bc I kinda only feel like a have a gender in social situations? In my head, my dreams and how I picture myself in the future, I'm genderless idjskahwksjejensj) Sorry for bothering you if I did.

This is a BIG topic and it opens a LOT of wormholes. 

We’re gonna do this in pie slice statements that will hopefully help explain what I mean. Please keep in mind I’m going to simplify many things for the sake of readability.

1) What is a social construct? 

Social constructs are ideas that are negotiated by social groups. Something being a social construct does not make it ‘not real’. 

For example, money is a social construct. Yes, we have cash - coins, credit cards - but these are physical props that are REPRESENTATIVE of the idea of currency. You have some form of credit to your name - the money is a socially agreed-upon idea of value being represented by bills in your hand, by numbers in your bank account. 

[Description: Two humanoid figures are standing side by side. The right-side figure is holding a rock in its hand. 

Right side figure: Let’s agree that this shiny rock is worth 2 sheep.

Left side figure: Sounds fake but ok.]

Technically, countries are also social constructs. We, as a society, negotiate what a country is, and this can be changed.

[Description: Two figures are standing on either side of a dotted line drawn on the ground. The left figure is pointing down at it while the right figure watches, its arms crossed.

Left figure: Let’s pretend that everything on this side of the imaginary line is mine.

Right figure: ...ok but my house is over there.

Left figure: ... for 3 shiny rocks you can come visit.]

Does that mean canada isn’t real? No. (I mean, obviously canada ISN’T real, but we all agree to pretend it is.) The thing that makes it real is that we are in agreement, and all follow the social rules of pretend to make it seem like the Canadian border, the idea of Canadian citizenship, etc... is an objective fact. (It’s not. These are in fact, negotiable limits and parameters. We have laws in place to define it in legal terms, but those laws can be changed, or may change in the minds of communities. That’s why it’s a construct.)

By that same token, I hold the view that gender, as we largely perceive it in modern society, is a construct. Why? Because it is not inherent; we, as a society, negotiate its meaning. 

2) What is gender? 

People will probably fight me on this and that’s fine, but here’s my (simplified) understanding of gender (from someone who personally has none)

Gender is a social category negotiated by cultures based on your assigned or desired role in your community that influences, among many other things, your physical appearance, your role in family units, your expected position in jobs, etc. 

How I think it happened:

[Description: Two figures are standing on either side of the panel, both holding children-looking figures. The one on the left is wearing purple. The one on the right is wearing green.

Green figure: Hey, I’ve got an idea. What if we separate the babies into two groups based on physical traits they have no control over?

Purple figure: Wh-- okay...?

Green figure: And then limit the jobs they can do and the community ritual involvement available to them based on that!

Purple figure: ... I feel like this is going to backfire on us someday.

Green figure: Nah, it’ll be fine.

The past panel is a dramatic closeup on the purple figure’s face - which is featureless - betraying a deeply doubtful emotion. It says nothing.]

Important points to remember: what gender looks like, what the limits are, what the expectations are... are not inherent to any human biology. We make up gender roles. This is evident in the fact that across the world, gender roles differ by culture. The positions people of a certain gender are allowed to take up are different. What is perceived to be ‘girly’ or ‘boyish’ is different across cultures. 

Simply speaking - currently the (western) model we have, dumbed down, is:

You are assigned male at birth because of physical characteristics

You are raised being told to ‘toughen up’ and ‘boys don’t cry’ and encouraged not to show emotions

You are taught to wear male-coded clothes and discouraged from female-coded fashion choices

You are given more opportunities to participate in sports, encouraged to engage in physical activity, etc

You are not expected to need time off for child-rearing 

Here’s where gender as it works in society breaks down into being not a real thing but instead something we thought up: 

Nothing about having a penis necessitates wearing pants. Nothing about having XY chromosomes means you need to keep your hair short. Nothing about your genome makes the experience of nail-polish different for any human being. 

All of these are arbitrary traits we decided were allowed or not allowed to a specific group of people based on entirely unrelated physiology. 

Even if we delve deeper, there is MORE variation among individuals of the same ‘sex’ than there are, on average, of members of the ‘opposite sex’ when compared to each other. 

Many people use the excuse ‘women are physically not as strong as men’ to say that this has an evolutionary aspect driving these cultural, historical, socially-constructed gender requirements. 

But if there was a physical reasoning behind the culturally-set gender-limited job expectations, then we actually WOULDN’T need a traditional binary gender system to sort ourselves into categories. It would simply be decided as a meritocracy - stronger individuals, regardless of gender, would be given physically-demanding jobs. (Also we know that many jobs thought to be ‘traditionally male’ are just the result of sexist bullshit, so this reasoning doesn’t fly any further than I can throw it which is, coincidentally, not very far. Politics is one such area. Doctors are another. We can go on but I think you get my drift.)

My own example of this is an anecdote when my grandparents came to visit my partner and I in Japan. While we were driving down to Tokyo, my grandmother - who has a PhD in entomology - began to say that driving is a masculine activity and women shouldn’t be driving as it was ‘un-woman-like’. My partner almost immediately fired back that in Japan, studying insects or having any interest in them whatsoever was considered a heavily masculine-coded activity. In Russia, there is no such assignment, and my grandmother was left silently blinking in confusion, unable to come up with any excuse except ‘well, all cultures are different, I suppose...’

Do either of these things inherently have a gendered aspect? Of course not! But we assign gendered ideals to them anyway.

3) If gender is made up and constructed by society, then does that mean trans people aren’t real?

No.

Even if you agree that gender is a social construct, trans people are still real. TERFs don’t get a pass. Why? 

Because gender - as a social construct - still affects our everyday lives, dictates our social position in our community. Transitioning is still a thing that has to happen. The fact that you are NOT easily able to decide your own gender and are ostracized for wanting to transition, abused for dressing the way you want to be perceived, and bullied for wanting people to refer to you with different pronouns - all those are the effects of a social construct that has very REAL impact on our lives.

This is also why I dislike defining trans-ness by dysphoria. Because transgender people are not only their suffering - the suffering is coming from the outside!! Many trans people remember not being concerned about their gender identity in their childhood, because they did not yet perceive the world as being hostile to their desire to fulfil a specific role in society. The issues and self-hatred and dysphoria begins when they express wanting to be themselves - a life which they are forbidden from pursuing based on physical characteristics they were born with.

Does this mean we should try to remove gender from society? If we constructed it, we can deconstruct it, right?

Realistically, I highly doubt this is possible. Gender is so ingrained in our daily lives that it would be difficult. Nor, I would say, would it be necessary to achieve world peace. 

Having social groups - having gender - isn’t inherently a bad thing. The bad thing is when we limit those social groups to specific basic human rights, like voting, or when we forbid them from transitioning from one to another based on things that are out of their control. 

Also, I’m not saying genitals and secondary sexual characteristics aren’t real. Please don’t bother sending me that angry message, I’ll ignore it, I promise. 

But the concept of gender IS something we thought up and maintain and negotiate with each other to this very day. It’s not granted to us by a higher power, nor is it a constant, unchanging thing. It’s a part of the human experience and like everything, it has the potential to evolve - as a concept in our communal memory, as well as on an individual level, for people who feel they want to be perceived differently. 

Thanks for coming to my TEDtalk!

#hiimholalate #gender #agender #queer stuff #gender is a social construct #social construct #genderqueer #long post

[echo-three-one]

Chapter 26

Schedule another appointment... (I guess)

The road so far

Previous Chapter : Off the Grid

Thanks @smokeywhalee for the second variation ❤️

What's Behind Door Number Two

Francine "France" Winters

MacTavish Residence, Glasgow, Scotland

Francine never knew this about John MacTavish. He was sure full of surprises behind that arrogant smirk of his. No wonder he oozes confidence. He was a man raised to be proud of himself.

While Gary was all talking about which rooms were occupied, Francine diverted her focus elsewhere. He didn't understand any word he said, instead she looked intently at all the pictures on the wall, the furniture on each hallway and the design of the house. This was the house that raised one John MacTavish. It was beautiful, each photo on the wall described how happy his family was. Each of his achievements were plastered on a grand hall along with trophies, certificates and plaques of his parents. Francine's curiosity toward the man that he wanted to learn more about, was all answered in this house. How much more intel would she get if she gets a glance of his room?

She shook off the ideas scrambling on her mind once she imagined what's inside John's room and how she could get access to it. It was far too early for those thoughts.

"See something ya like?" A mental image of John sprawled across the bed wearing just his boxers assaulted her mind. She felt her cheeks fluster as the mental image continued to play inside her mind.

Maxine nudged her and she completely shook off the memory and immediately nodded, not knowing what she agreed to do. Then it dawned on her. They'll be sharing the same room.

Gary exchanged a few words with Samantha where it involved a little sophisticated exchange. Maxine laughed at it while she proceeded to their room. France whispered that she'll be using the bathroom and quietly excused herself.

Price and Jack, together with Nikolai were gathered around the huge tv in the living room. They were intently watching news clips regarding the culmination of Nero's New York Assault.

"Excuse me, Captain? Where's the bathroom?" She asked, Price didn't turn but pointed toward a hallway. She immediately said her thanks and proceeded to the direction of Price's finger.

There were a lot of doors and France opened them one by one. One consisted of the study, an equally spacious place filled with books. Another one led to a downstairs gym. She was getting tired of opening the wrong doors and she decided to climb up the stairs and check on another door.

She hesitated opening it as it looked far too fancy to just be a bathroom door, but judging from the overall appeal of the house, anything was possible.

She turned the knob and pushed the door wide open revealing a huge navy blue walled room. Posters, flags and paraphernalia of football clubs were hung around the walls along with some notable paintings of scenic landscapes, all coloured and appealing to the eyes.

Her eyes slowly trailed down and turned to the door as it swung open, a very naked John MacTavish emerged from the bathroom door. It was all too late, he didn't even notice it but as soon as she squealed in surprise, John automatically turned and ran to the bed, quickly wrapping himself with his black bathrobe.

"What are you doing here?!" Was all he could ask. France could see him from the hole she made in between her fingers while her hand covered her face.

"I'm sorry, John. I was uh… looking for the bathroom..." she muttered, slowly closing the door, leaving her head peeking.

"The room to the far end of the left hallway." he muttered. He didn't sound mad, but she could sense shock in his voice. Who wouldn't be?

"I'm sorry." She slowly closed the door and paced to the bathroom, trying to forget anything that happened after opening that door.

With Ghost around, Francine sat beside Maxine, who now knows about the situation. She told Roach that she needed to bond with her sister and the considerate guy agreed to temporarily switch places.

Dinner was very awkward for Francine. After that event earlier, she couldn't look at John in the eye and if by chance she accidentally did, the mental image which was now no longer a figment of her imagination, kept reappearing. She couldn't help it, she was already admiring the man.

"I'd like to propose a toast." Price stood up and raised his glass of water. Everyone else seemed okay with the motion and followed.

"But before that I'd like to thank Soap for letting us stay in this wonderful home. Please extend our appreciation to your family."

France's eyes trailed carefully toward John as he nodded and replied, averting her gaze as soon as his eyes moved.

"Will do, Captain. And please, don't be shy and feel at home." he said, his voice mixed with the accent made France's heart skip a little as she loved that about him.

"Now for my toast… 'To apprehending Shepherd and putting a stop to Nero!'" he roared.

Everyone cheered and raised their glasses, clinking it with the person beside them and drinking it afterward. France knew the procedure but as soon as her lips met the glass, her eyes accidentally met with John's, the blue piercing gaze behind the eye scar made her freeze, she immediately closed her eyes after downing her glass of water and breathed heavily.

He saw it. She knew he saw it. Why was she like this with him? Aside from the fact that she really likes him, why be awkward? She looked down and panted her lips still wet from the excess water she drank.

"You okay, France?" Maxine asked.

"Yeah. I just choked on my water. I'll just go to the bathroom." She said, excising herself and making her way to the bathroom. This time, she was sure it's the right door.

As soon as dinner was over, France distracted herself from thinking about John, so she decided to help out Roach and Maxine make their shopping list for tomorrow.

Roach yawned and stretched his arms, landing his other hand on Maxine's shoulder. France noticed this and immediately darted out an eye to Gary as he shyly withdrew his hand and instead tapped it on the wooden table.

"So what else should we get?" Maxine tapped her pen along with Gary's tune.

"Sugar." Gary said, watching Maxine write it down legibly.

"Hmmm." Francine hummed, she imagined herself inside a grocery store and put herself in the situation. What should she buy for ten people?

"You know that huge sausage thing from Germany? I wanted to know what they taste like." Gary asked, picturing the item with his hands. France's mind went somewhere else and she didn't want that to happen.

"You mean bratwurst?" Maxine answered, smiling as Gary looked very satisfied that he found the word he was looking for.

"Yeaaah! That one!" he cheered as Francine silently excused herself hiding the blush of embarrassment burning in her cheeks.

She paced to the hallway on her way to their bed, just as she thought she could finally relax, John was already on the other end of the hallway and was walking toward her direction.

She tried to avoid him but it was far too late, she had no choice but to face him seriously. He was wearing a red checkered sleepwear matching his pajamas and it looked like he outgrew his old clothes too, making the fabric cling desperately to his muscles.

"I've been meaning to talk to you since dinner." he exhaled, France looked elsewhere as to not recall anything.

"Are you okay? Did I do something wrong because…" he trailed and she felt guilty. John didn't deserve any of this from her and she wanted to clear things with him anyway.

"No… it's okay. You didn't do anything wrong… I just felt awkward after what happened earlier."

"It was an accident, France. Shrug it off as a bad memory that your mind wouldn't want to recall. It's unfair for me, you know. The last time we got together I was happily hugging you while we slept and now you're doing everything you can to avoid me." he explained. He was true except she couldn't consider it as a bad memory.

"Besides, I couldn't think of any other reason you're avoiding me other than you can't stop thinking about it, eh?" he wiggled his eyebrows. There he was again with the ego. France blushed red and almost wanted to cry, until she felt John's warm embrace and it immediately cleared her mind.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say it that way. When I cracked the joke, you weren't the usual snob that I grew to like." he whispered and she then knew that he already knew her too well.

"It's okay." she croaked as she saw Ghost exit his room their eyes met and she could see the sadness in Simon's eyes. So much for giving him space, it looked like she already broke his heart. She needed to talk to him, to explain that she tried her best.

"You need to buy new sleepwear." Francine muttered and she felt John's body shake as he chuckled, not wanting to leave from the embrace.

"Yeah, will you be there to help me pick one?" he asked, rubbing his rough arms on her back. She closed her eyes wishing this moment would never end. Her hand shyly wrapped around his waist as she pulled him over, almost inviting him for a kiss.

There was still hesitation in her eyes as John looked down on her and their eyes met. His gaze set her mind at ease, and by ease she meant completely blank, her thoughts were hazy and all she could think about was to close her eyes and pucker her lips. And that was what she did.

This kiss was far too different from the one they shared back in the Gulag. Back there she felt relieved, happy and excited. In this one, she felt desire, longing and excitement. The initial impact was slow and intimate and she expected it to continue that way until they broke their kiss but as soon as she opened her mouth and let John's tongue in, the both of them tilted their heads as their hands roamed eagerly around each other, John wrapped his arms from below her waist up to her nape and pulled her close, never breaking the kiss while France also pulled him in as her hand slid from his back to his shoulders, gently trailing her soft touch through his biceps. They were so close to each other that they were swaying as their heads tilted attempting to try kissing on every angle possible. Maxine moaned in between the sounds of their lips clashing and she could already feel the excitement forming on John's body causing her to slowly end the kiss.

As soon as he felt that she was trying to break the kiss, John rested his forehead against hers as they stared longingly on each other, their hands slowly drifted apart as their bodies slowly stepped back from each other.

"Good Night, John." She said nervously, worried about what he might feel toward her actions.

"Good Night, Francine." He replied there was a question on the tone of his voice but France was glad that he was not pushy this time.

She stepped back, and turned to the direction of her room smiling awkwardly as his stare was locked on hers.

"I'll be patient for you… because I know you're worth the wait." he said, a blush forming on her cheek as soon as she realized he really did hear her whisper the last night they slept beside each other.

Without looking back, she walked faster than ever and closed the door, jumping to her pillow and fighting the extreme feeling of embarrassment.

France barely slept. It was like one Scottish man kept her up all night as he continued to stay on her thoughts. She was going crazy over him and she can only think of one way to cure her. Distraction.

She got up around five in the morning, her eyes were sore from the lack of sleep, but she washed it off with an early morning hot shower. If only she knew each room had bathrooms. If only she listened to Roach.

She distracted herself by going to the pantry and started sorting out things for their list, it was a lengthy one and they needed to clear out room for more. Her plan went well until thirty minutes later, a very sweaty John MacTavish, entered the kitchen door.

She immediately turned back to the pantry as soon as the view of him dripping in sweat, wearing a perfectly fit black tank top and sweatpants appeared from the corner of her eye. There he was again, innocently looking insanely attractive. And there she was again, falling for it.

"Looks like you're up too early." His voice was loud enough she couldn't ignore it. She took a deep breath and turned to him. It was the bluetooth earphones.

"Yeah. Figured an early head start would help." She replied. What kind of sentence was that? She didn't know, but she was grateful enough that he was only invested for small talk as he grinned and made his way to his room making France sigh in relief.

Later that morning while they were arranging the supplies, they stumbled upon Alex and Samantha, making out like teenagers by the gazebo. It was supposed to distract her from the Scotsman who was talking to someone over the phone but she couldn't help but remember the kiss they shared last night, making her secretly glance toward John, and then back to the two. Her heart raced as she felt nervous toward herself. She was supposed to be extra careful investing feelings towards someone else in the middle of the fight, but now that she knew John was willing to be patient for her, she was now the one eager for him.

In the afternoon, France wanted to talk to Ghost personally. She wanted to clear out things about what he saw and what occurred in Brazil. Back then, she was confused about what she felt, but now it was clear as day. Roach told her that he never left his room all day and it made her feel guilty. But then again, he never made a move toward her so, technically she didn't have to feel that way. But the idea of clearing things off with him as he began to fall for John was what's best.

She stood by the door, bracing herself before attempting to knock, but as soon as her knuckles were about to touch the wooden door, he heard John's loud announcement from the living room.

Ghost already left. It looked like he didn't need any more explanation from her.

I tried my bestest to describe that part but there's a video to slightly enlighten y'all with what's going on. It's way off than what I wanted it to be when I put it in writing.

Next Chapter : Staying in Shape

Notification Squad my Beloved

@enderio @beemybee @ricinbach @whimsywispsblog @samatedeansbroccoli @smokeywhalee

#horrayfic #codmw #john soap mactavish #john price #simon ghost riley #alex echo 3 1 #gary roach sanderson #whateverittakes

[punkscowardschampions]

Cosmo & Amber

Amber: [okay so the clerb was a whole mood ™ before his ⚽ mates make it awkward and she goes off with some other lad, but we wanna say anything happened between them before then or is it just a VIBE] Cosmo: [I say a VIBE] Amber: [if you wanted you could do your own #necklaceapology here unless you wanna say that already happened] Cosmo: [probably not now 'cos of the leaving with someone else element of it all, even though he deffo changed and blanked her basically, 'cos you know] Amber: [ah the joys] Cosmo: [fun times all 'round] Cosmo: get home safe? Amber: I will when he takes me home Amber: how are you feeling? Cosmo: fantastic Amber: 9 lives Cosmo: no need to compare numbers Amber: did you have a game today? Cosmo: friendly Amber: and was it? Cosmo: you wanna know if I got carded? Amber: and if you scored or helped someone else to Amber: I want to know everything that happened Cosmo: We lost Amber: and you don't want to talk about it or we can? Cosmo: we've had enough of an ear-bashing off the management but if you reckon you've got any suggestions feel free Amber: why do you think I'd be coming from a place of 😠? Cosmo: losing = bad Amber: not if it means you win next time Amber: everything's a learning experience when your dad's a teacher Cosmo: I was just off my game Cosmo: it's not going to happen again Amber: I do remember saying that maybe Saturday wasn't the best night to take my clubbing 🍒 Cosmo: you wanted to go, you got what you wanted Amber: do you want to talk about it? Cosmo: about what, exactly Amber: that dig which implies you didn't get what you wanted Cosmo: There's no dig, I lost, that's not what I wanted Cosmo: I don't need you coming in after the fact with an 'I told you so' Cosmo: you saw the rest of my team out, it's a weekly occurrence Amber: then don't put the blame onto me Cosmo: where'd I say that Amber: I wanted to go, it's my fault Cosmo: You didn't force me to take you Cosmo: you couldn't Amber: I know, so I don't appreciate the tone Cosmo: I'm so sorry Amber: I'm sorry you lost Cosmo: sure you are Amber: it's genuine, unlike yours Cosmo: I'm not apologising to you, what the fuck have I done but take you out Cosmo: and you clearly had a good time Amber: you could apologise for how you acted last night or how you are now Amber: but I won't wait for either Cosmo: I weren't acting Amber: not before your friends got there Amber: only after Cosmo: other way 'round Cosmo: that's who I am Amber: why did you invite me out if you don't want to be seen with me? Cosmo: it's not that Cosmo: I knew they weren't your people, you wouldn't have enjoyed hanging with them Amber: you don't get to make those kind of decisions for me Cosmo: I wasn't going to let them be dicks to you Amber: neither would I Amber: I can defend my own honour, thanks Cosmo: Well if I can, then I'm going to, simple as Cosmo: it didn't need to be a thing Amber: no, if you can keep me separate from them, you're going to Amber: that's what you mean Cosmo: I told you, you're not my type of person, I'm not yours Cosmo: that includes my friends Amber: you spelled out to me in great detail how I don't fit into your life the way it is, so why did you invite me out?! Amber: you made it into a thing Cosmo: you wanted to Amber: I wanted to, the way you said it would be, not THAT Cosmo: they usually go [different club] Amber: we could've left, I'd have gone to a different club with you Cosmo: wasn't my plan either Cosmo: you would? Amber: of course, I would've, I meant everything I said about not adding to the pressure that you're under Amber: but that doesn't mean I'm going to make it easy for you to smuggle me into dark corners like it's such a shameful secret that we're friends Amber: you don't get to treat me however you want because your life is hard Cosmo: I know it's fucked up Cosmo: and yeah, it saves me hassle, not going to deny it, but I don't wanna hear the shit they'd have to say about you, any more than I'd want you to hear it Amber: address it and you wouldn't have to hear it again, about any girl Amber: stop giving them a free pass to say things like that Cosmo: yeah, it's that easy Amber: It's not easy, nor is it easy being a girl getting treated like an object Cosmo: this is my career we're talking about Cosmo: I make their lives hard, they make mine hard for me right back Cosmo: I'd be off the team before I knew it Cosmo: it's not like they're rapists or anything crazy Amber: you've got better excuses than your brother, I'll give you that Cosmo: don't compare us Amber: why not? it's a variation of the same behaviour and I'm tired of it Cosmo: I'm fuck all like my brother Amber: at least you're sorry Cosmo: What's he done to you now? Amber: he hasn't done anything to me and this conversation isn't about him anyway Cosmo: Amber Cosmo: you can tell me Amber: you already know what he's like, I don't need to Cosmo: Sure, he's a little prick Cosmo: but why are you upset with him right now Amber: because there are girls there that are more vulnerable than me and the way you're acting like you need to stand up for me against your friends is what they need and aren't getting Amber: it was brought to my attention and I should've realised before Cosmo: what does that mean though Amber: I need to do something to help, I don't know Cosmo: you mean he's like hurt someone Amber: not physically, don't worry Cosmo: okay, good Cosmo: it sounded like you meant he'd like Cosmo: assaulted someone Amber: I'm sorry, no, it's not that Amber: like your friends, I'm sure he wouldn't Cosmo: don't girls have a whole code Cosmo: put the word out about him being whatever type of dick he's being, then you won't have to feel bad, it'll be on him and them Amber: I have Cosmo: there you go then Cosmo: they'll have the info to make their own decisions now Cosmo: opposed to whatever bullshit he might come out with Amber: I don't want to talk about Dash Cosmo: okay Amber: was your dad at your game? Cosmo: no, he was doing something with his girlfriend's family Cosmo: so I'll have to tell him now, that we lost Amber: how upset is he going to be? Cosmo: when he realizes why Cosmo: quite a bit Amber: you could lie, I won't sneak in through his window and tell him Cosmo: he'll see Cosmo: or talk to the managers Cosmo: I can maybe think of something that makes it sound better but he isn't big on excuses so Amber: they don't know why, do they? unless they were also at the club which is a bit hypocritical and strange Amber: but I was asking to see if you wanna do a meditation or something with me before you tell him Amber: this boy doesn't have a yoga mat, I could improvise though Cosmo: One of the lads practically sprayed the pitch Cosmo: weren't me but it's a sort of if one of us is in shit then we all are Cosmo: but no one else's dad will make 'em do extra training on top of the extra training Cosmo: it's fine, just not ideal Cosmo: I think you should leave, though Amber: why do you think I should leave? Cosmo: you don't even know who he is Amber: he's making brunch and I have manners Cosmo: if you had manners you wouldn't be using me for entertainment whilst you wait Amber: I'm not Amber: I'm making sure you're okay because I haven't seen or heard from you since last night happened the way it did Cosmo: You don't need to check up on me Cosmo: go enjoy your brunch Amber: you didn't need to either but you started this conversation to do exactly that Cosmo: I had no idea you were having brunch Amber: relax, 9, it isn't candlelit Amber: he's on his phone too Amber: just because I sleep outside doesn't mean I was born in a barn Cosmo: Does he know how old you are Amber: yes, I don't seduce men via deception Cosmo: how old is this man then Amber: 18, he's a boy really Cosmo: 🙄 Amber: what? Cosmo: bit weird on his part Amber: where did you meet all your stalkers and girlfriends? Cosmo: I've not gone out with an 18 year old Amber: you're behaving like I said 28 Amber: if I'd met him at school, it wouldn't even be an issue Cosmo: it'd still be weird Cosmo: you're a kid Amber: ⭐ Cosmo: Whatever Amber: it's not, stop trying to make me feel bad about this Cosmo: I'm not, I'm saying he's weird Amber: do you know him? Amber: because after your reluctance to let your friends anywhere near me, I don't think you're in any position to judge Cosmo: he's 18, you told him you were 15 Cosmo: speaks for itself Amber: boy, you're in the wrong career 👮 Amber: I'm fine thanks, officer Cosmo: 'cos sound lads can never get girls their own age Cosmo: it isn't my fault if you feel bad Amber: yes it is because last night is a weekly occurrence for you and it you know it wasn't for me Amber: so you don't get to tell me how I can or can't decide to make the best of something Cosmo: Then you should listen to me and go home Cosmo: for fuck's sake Amber: I can't walk home from here in this outfit, it's too far Amber: you think he's weird that'd be nothing on what I'd get from actual grown men if I do Cosmo: you can't make him give you money for a cab? Amber: I don't want to ask, because if he says no then you're right, and I don't want you to be right Cosmo: I'll ping you some now alright Cosmo: then we don't have to find out Amber: don't, I haven't got any way to pay you back Amber: you've spelled out your feelings about 🍏🍊🐓 Cosmo: would you rather chance it and get a lift back from someone you don't even want to ask about the taxi Cosmo: how else are you going to do it, don't be stupid Amber: 😠 okay Amber: but I'm staying angry at you Cosmo: do what you like, I don't care about the money or paying you to be nice Amber: what do you care about? I'll do something that'll benefit that Cosmo: just get home unmurdered, yeah Cosmo: that works for me Amber: are you home? I could make you brunch Cosmo: you just want two brunches Amber: yes, but I also want you to have one Cosmo: What are you going to make? Amber: after extensive research, a lot of footballers are vegan, are you? Cosmo: for the most part Cosmo: I eat fish sometimes Amber: oily fish is good for ⚽ that was part of the research and 🍣📸 is apparently part of the lifestyle Amber: but avocado toast with blueberry, banana and chia seed pancakes won't get me voted out of the commune Cosmo: alright nerd Cosmo: is he a footballer or what? Amber: no, he goes to some catholic school, I don't know it Cosmo: definite weirdo then Cosmo: nah, thanks though Cosmo: sounds good Amber: his parents house is pretty close to yours so don't ruin your appetite with snacks Cosmo: I don't eat snacks Cosmo: not even to piss you off Amber: never?! Amber: What about 🍏 🍎 🍐 🍊 🍋 🍌 🍉 🍇 🍓 🍈 🍒 🍑 🥭 🍍 🥥 🥝 ? Amber: or 🥜? Cosmo: if I was dying but nah Cosmo: little and often Amber: I'm relieved you're not dying Amber: it sounds like you and your friends partied harder than I did after we separated Cosmo: They did anyway Amber: you didn't? Cosmo: I never get as fucked up as them Amber: because you don't want to or because you're 💪🏽? Cosmo: I don't wanna be the one making us lose Cosmo: or losing my spot on the team Amber: it stops being fun Amber: if I make a decision I'd like to know that it wasn't my blood alcohol level that really did Cosmo: yeah Cosmo: think a lot of people do the opposite for the excuse Amber: not to side with your dad before I've even met him but I don't love excuses either Cosmo: it's a good rule, if a little tough Amber: I did think you were saying that was why you weren't as focused though Cosmo: can be, if you like Amber: but what's the answer? Cosmo: nosy Amber: secretive Cosmo: it doesn't matter does it Amber: it must matter to you if it's why you lost Amber: but it doesn't matter if you don't want to tell me, I'm still making brunch Amber: [show up and knock 9 times again gal] Cosmo: [shooketh lowkey like didn't think you were that close, also so many knocks, saying Indie is home so being over your shoulder like it's fine I know who it is as you open the door] Amber: [we know the vibe she's making herself at home immediately because she's that bitch, saying hi to his mum and asking her if she wants brunch too or just tea or coffee all the while in last night's extra af club lewk because awkwardness doesn't exist for her and we're getting in that kitchen and putting on music and dancing and cooking like we live here] Cosmo: [just introducing her because we're freaking out but then you're like, idk what to even say so you're calling her 'Dash's friend' which frankly makes this stranger though I guess explainable lol, lowkey not even looking at her because we cannot for all the reasons] Amber: [that hurt her heart because boy I'm literally making you brunch, we're friends, but we're not correcting that sentence, we're just chatting to his mum and doing all the things like he's lowkey not there] Cosmo: [oh boy, so lowkey rude truly on accident because you don't want the conversation I highly doubt your mum would start rn like OOOOOOOOH lol, gonna make your dad call you like he's found out so go outside and promise all the shit you're gonna do to stay on top] Amber: [Indie would never do you like that boy but we know where you're coming from and Amber isn't coming for your life rn either even if she doesn't understand because she literally tells her parents everything] Cosmo: [come in in a bit visibly more stressed even though you already were/always are, poor boy[ Amber: [at least the food would probably be ready by then because none of the things she was making would take that long and I assume his dad was going off for a while so she can just put the food in front of him] Cosmo: [look like ? as if you literally didn't compute she was really doing it until it's fully in front of you like oh 'thank you' also piss off now Indie/Billie sorry bye] Amber: [take your coffee and go gal before he has a breakdown please, the bae who isn't the bae needs to smile at him in a really genuine and adorable way because he remembered his manners] Cosmo: [smiling back but we're just distracted by all things so it's not as real as it can be though we trying 'what did you have for your first brunch?'] Amber: ['oatmeal' not said in a shady way but it's just reinforcing that the boy wasn't bringing his A game here] Cosmo: [just raising a brow and trying not to smile too smugly 'glad you put more effort in'] Amber: [😠 lowkey because he doesn't get to be smug like at least that boy made something he hasn't even made her a drink like excuse you 'I'm glad you like it'] Cosmo: [nudging her under the table with his foot like what] Amber: [a look like you know what] Cosmo: ['you want more oatmeal?' doing a bad mimic of her voice] Amber: [hitting him on the arm like stop, even if she has to lean across the table to do it] Cosmo: ['what?' well done for saying it] Amber: ['I like oatmeal more than you right now' because we're cross] Cosmo: ['hey' and reaching across the table to do the squeeze-of-the-hand-apology and then gesturing at her plate like let's just eat] Amber: [when he literally hasn't touched her before this so we're dying but eating like it's chill] Cosmo: ['this is a better way to do the footballer diet than I have been' for a compliment moment 'cos like everything we're being overly regimented duh] Amber: [leaves the pancake recipe in the chat for him because quick and easy tbh] Cosmo: 👍 Cosmo: [then doing it IRL like a nerd] Amber: 🤓 Amber: [but we're amused] Cosmo: that's you Cosmo: I'm evil, I remember Cosmo: [jokey 😒 'cos wants to be a Gryffindor 'good guy'] Amber: no, you're brave but not stupid Amber: [goes on a little slytherin pride style rant like this is how great you are] Cosmo: [just like 'say how you really feel about me' like it's all bants but listening to all her nerding out] Amber: ['I feel like you'd be a good friend to have' because we haven't forgotten what he said earlier] Cosmo: [penny dropping moment 'cos boys are that oblivious facts lol, shrugging like come on but clearly awkward 'what should I have said? after last night-' like are you even my friend now] Amber: ['You said what you were comfortable with' again not said in a shady way, just like yet again I'm not trying to make your life hard boy 'but after last night, if I were you, I'd want to pacify me'] Cosmo: ['how would you suggest I do that?' saucy saucy] Amber: ['I would suggest it comes from you, to be like, actually sincere'] Cosmo: [🤔 then being like hold up and go get that necklace honeyyy] Amber: [we're immediately putting that on even though it doesn't go with this outfit] Cosmo: [nodding our approval 'cos not risking saying anything rn] Amber: ['it's not a good luck charm, right?' like I'm not getting blamed if you lose again] Cosmo: [shakes his head 'if you start doing that kind of thing, can get a bit OCD, like'] Amber: [playing with this necklace casually 'maybe it will be for me' cos we're happy now that he's being nice] Cosmo: ['what do you need luck for?' actual question not being rude lol] Amber: ['next time you take me clubbing' we got bants] Cosmo: [just like alright, alright 'it was me who ended up having a shit night anyway'] Amber: [doing the hand squeeze apology back to him] Cosmo: [pulling away, not too dramatically 'cos not an ew moment, but clearly not her fault so like nah girl] Amber: [getting up to wash up because even though they've 100% got a dishwasher she wouldn't have ever lived anywhere that does cos hippie life so it wouldn't occur to her honestly] Cosmo: [finding a tea towel like I'll dry] Amber: [how coupley of you, love that, just grooving while we do this because of course] Cosmo: [gonna lowkey check you out 'you didn't do enough dancing...we'll have to go again, actually'] Amber: [just giving a horrified look like they're no such thing as enough dancing thank you but then loling 'we could do a friday night instead, if that works better for you'] Cosmo: ['alright' then pausing 'probably not for a while' 'cos we have all this extra training to do and people to appease so we gon' be busy] Amber: ['okay' genuine because she will wait and that's the tea, then I'm gonna take the bathtub moment from the OG convo we did because #mood and it actually works better now cos she does need to bathe lol so I'm saying she goes upstairs, making herself at home again obvs and calls 'bring me tea' over her shoulder as she goes like the queen she is] Cosmo: [it does work better and is needed so go ahead, though he is truly confused where she is going and why but like okay, pop off at this point] Amber: [excuse us Indie because you're assumedly still here lol] Cosmo: how do you take your tea Cosmo: we don't have green Amber: I don't like green tea, don't worry Amber: but I still take black tea that way, no milk Amber: what colour is your sugar? Cosmo: I think we might have some 🤎 in the baking shit if it's a dealbreaker Amber: if there is, I'll have some but it's not Amber: we run out of everything at home Cosmo: I'll be amazed if we have any left but 🤞🙏 Amber: at least you have hot water Cosmo: that's what you're doing Amber: 🛀🏽🧜🏽 Cosmo: don't get in yet Amber: why? Cosmo: your tea will get cold Amber: you're supposed to bring it to me, boy Cosmo: how am I meant to Cosmo: leave it at the door? Cosmo: close my eyes? Amber: I won't be able to reach it if you leave it there, and you don't need to be embarrassed Cosmo: I'm not embarrassed Amber: fine, neither of us will get accidentally scolded by hot tea that you're carrying around with your eyes closed then Cosmo: not clumsy, for one, do more research nerd Amber: oh, are you carrying it with your feet? I didn't realise, sorry Cosmo: you reckon all my skill is in my feet only? Amber: and your head, if footballers are still allowed to do that? Amber: but you're not a goalkeeper Cosmo: yeah, headers are valid Cosmo: rest assured, I can still get a full mug to you Amber: they are banned for children because the risk of brain damage is valid too, according to my research Amber: chronic traumatic encephalopathy Cosmo: big words Cosmo: all I know is rugby is rougher Cosmo: or I could be a boxer, so Amber: it also happens to boxers, I don't know about rugby players Cosmo: anything where you're getting bashed about the head too much Cosmo: most only do it when necessary but it's some people's 'thing' to assist or score rather than lose it in the scrabble of feet Amber: that makes sense, but we've digressed here away from the debate of how good you are, or aren't, with your hands Cosmo: what you mean is, we've digressed away from you getting your tea in a prompt manner Cosmo: diva Amber: yes and yes Cosmo: 😏 Cosmo: it's brewing Amber: thanks Cosmo: you can take back what you said about my lack of skills later, like Amber: if you have foraging skills for sugar, maybe I will Cosmo: see if you taste the difference Amber: now you're doubting my skills? I guess I deserve that Cosmo: your taste? Cosmo: happened last night tbh Amber: 😠 Cosmo: come on Cosmo: I could've said when we met Cosmo: I was being well nice Amber: if you'd said it when we met I'd have agreed with you Cosmo: I suppose anything's a step up Amber: the sex absolutely was Cosmo: thrilled for you Amber: there's still plenty left for you to make fun of him, and me, about Cosmo: I'd rather not Amber: I'd rather you didn't either but it hasn't stopped you so far Cosmo: just stop talking then Amber: talking to me like that isn't going to provoke me into giving you the silent treatment Cosmo: [just bring this tea up moodily] Amber: [taking it and saying thanks again as if you're just at the kitchen table or whatever instead of naked and chilling in this bath lol] Cosmo: [we are not looking and just shrugging like whatever idc] Amber: [splashing him obvs like stop being rude] Cosmo: [when you can't even be mad like your ma uses this bathroom 'cos clearly not so you're just scowling but not 👀 her] Amber: [just smelling everything that's on the side of this bath because you don't want to use anything that's Dash's] Cosmo: [doing our hair in the mirror as if we need] Amber: ['are you always like this when a girl wants to spend time with you?' do we mean rude or checking yourself out instead of her or both tbh] Cosmo: [big sigh and rubbing our temples 'you wanted a bath'] Amber: ['and you'd also rather I didn't do that?'] Cosmo: ['do you not think this is weird?'] Amber: ['You're making it bizarre now' because genuinely doesn't think it's weird obviously or she wouldn't do it] Cosmo: [scoffs like oh yeah, me] Amber: [splashing him bigger than before] Cosmo: [turning 'round like STOP but then you're just looking at her the most intense] Amber: [obviously looking back like please just say something or do something before we both die lol] Cosmo: [when you shake your head microscopically to say you can't 'cos you wanna so bad obvs] Amber: [when you're not even doing the pout for a pisstake it just happens naturally because likewise, soz for drawing even more attention to those lips like] Cosmo: [the noise you're barely holding back here 'you know we can't'] Amber: ['I know we could' because it would be so easy rn to let this happen and they both know it lbr and I can only imagine how her voice sounds rn, soz again] Cosmo: [shaking your head more vigorously to snap yourself outta it 'cos you must, and throwing a new towel down for her like there you go and making your exit] Amber: [doing such a cinematic and dramatic lay down in the water moment because ffs] Cosmo: [lord knows what you're gonna do with yourself boy] Amber: [she should literally leave right now immediately but we in this bath now so blatantly getting clean first, a lot quicker than she would of but still the idea makes me lol] Cosmo: [lmao, just glad you no doubt have a gym sesh or something now so get that frustration out but lord] Amber: [just gotta awkwardly leave here in that club lewk because we can't ask him for an outfit rn, oh gal] Cosmo: [ah the awks awks awks] Amber: [such fun, this is why I love you two, he cockblocks himself so we don't have to] Cosmo: [truly but also hate it lol] Amber: [we 100% need to give him a WAG girlfriend like remember when Joe had that cringey Blake Lively one back in the day] Cosmo: [oh lord yes] Amber: [I'm trying to think who looks like a WAG so we can give her a face for the lols] Cosmo: [I was thinking a character like Ruby from sex education, she's the only one I can think of rn, but that's a WAG-ish vibe] Amber: [I vibe that and I also have an idea how he could meet her like what if she's to do with the dad's girlfriend like when people are really extra about their goddaughters pretending like they are fam when they're for real not even] Cosmo: [that's a fat mood, just using your godmother to get a mans lowkey lol] Amber: [anyways that's for another convo, you can post this if you like]

[kapanbenernya]

A Hat in Time -- Cute as Heck

Yeah, I don't know where to start on this one. I mean I did liked Spyro: Year of the Dragon and that similar muppet video game when I was a kid. But I was never really into the 3D collect-a-thon, because the PS1 was the only console I had at the time, and most of those games were on the Nintendo 64. Hell, I didn't even know there was a Nintendo 64.

I told you, I was a dumb fuck when I was a kid

I picked this up because a friend kinda recommended it to me. I asked him about this game, and he said "it's pretty good, but the light-hearted-fun kind of good". Well shit, that's something I haven't heard in a long time to describe a video game, what with everything gotta be "gritty" and "realistic" but they end up edgy and depressing. After all of those things considered, I thought to myself, why not?

Let's have some light-hearted fun!

The first thing I noticed when I googled it is that it was a kickstarter project. I'm not gonna lie, I was kind of pessimistic. What, with your Mighty No. 9 and Yooka-Laylee ending up being one of the most expensive disappointment in the history of kickstarted games. But between the two, Mighty No. 9 was the one that caught my attention the most. I mean Keiji Inafune was in the team behind it. And that guy was the father of Megaman. This is like if BombTag was made by the guys who made Bomberman but also being a lot more shit than the current version of BombTag. So you can clearly see why it was a cruel twist of fate that it turned out to be crap, it had all the pieces and all the money it needed to be the homecoming diva of the year that will receive all the scholarships, and look how it ended up: a 60-pound crack-whore that sucks dick by the nickel. Well I decided then that wallowing and speculating about how this game might be another pile of shit is just wasting my goddamn time, so I moved on to finally playing the game.

The first time I started it, I wasn’t impressed

I’m just gonna be honest and upfront about this, I think the graphics sucked. I understand that you’re angry, but this is my paragraph, so shut the fuck up. Ok, how do I explain this? I mean the graphics are cel-shaded, which actually compliments the theme this game was going for, I’ll give it that much. But it’s fucking bad, even for indie. There are clipping issues everywhere, shading that went crazy and mis-matched, and a few more minor issues. They didn’t disturb the game though, not at all. I just think that if you’re making a game that’s on kickstarter and a few projects like this one has failed miserably, maybe don’t make it look like Wind Waker went a few rounds with a semi truck. But again, as I have said, it does not affect the game in any way, just a minor complaint from me really. The graphics aren’t the strength of this game anyway.

To be fair, graphics wasn’t Wind Waker’s strong suit either

To me, the strength of the game lies in the gameplay

The story is that you are some alien kid in a spaceship fueled by thingies called Time Pieces. On your way home some mafia guy asked you to pay the toll, in a blue suit, in outer space, without rockets. You gotta admire his dedication. Anyway, he fucks up your ship and as a result all your time pieces got scattered across different themed worlds. And thus begins your journey of collecting all 40 macguffins so you can kickstart your magic spaceship-home-base-thingy! Now please relocate your eyes back to it’s original place after rolling it so far backwards from hearing the sub-par theming of the game. Don’t worry, I promise everything gets better, because I will finally talk about the gameplay in the next paragraph

The gameplay at it's core is a simple 3D platformer. You jump, you slide, and you attack enemies. Pretty basic shit on the surface level, if not deceptively so. Thing is, there are moves that you can get from a combination of jumps, slides, and wall hops that can get you further than your little minds can handle. And like it or not, this is a thing that you have to master becuase the platforming will only get more and more challenging as you progress throuh the levels, especially the secret levels that can be hard as balls. Thankfully, they usually teach you how to do things by introducing a mechanic in a story first, and only after then do they allow you to go wild.

The second part of the gameplay is the objective, which is to collect all the scattered time pieces thingy to re-fuel your spaceship. This is achieved through a set goal depending on the levels of the game. And since there are 5 unique worlds in total, each with levels of their own, you can bet your ass that there’s a lot of gameplay variety. This is in one hand, a good thing since a lot of variation can be a guarantee that you will not get bored by doing the same thing again and again. I guess this is a thing that comes from being a kickstarted game. This dev guy wants this, that dev person wants another thing, and the everybody just frankenstein’d all the different concepts into one big ball and hope for the best. Thankfully, it worked in favor of the game, since the interchanging themes and mechanics means that every level feels fresh and novel. Although I must say, this also results in one particular level that’s very different in tone from the rest of the levels. I mean for comparison, In one level I was in a town full of bald Mafia men, pushing them off cliffs and ledges for fun. Meanwhile, in the next level I was being chased by the lordly ghost woman in a haunted mansion. Now, since the other levels are anything BUT scary, I thought that this horror-themed level is just children level of scary. You know, like your talking bones or bed sheet ghosts. What I didn’t expect was a sincerely terrifying level that made me genuinely scared. 

Wow, I never expected that my pants could be so brown.

I gotta tell you though, that level wasn’t some kind of genius design or some avant-garde breakthrough. It’s just your generic scary enemy chasey chasey sequence you’ve seen a million times. It’s just that you can really feel the horror because you didn't expect it to be there. It’s like walking into Disneyland to find everything has been replaced by spiders and mickey had hung himself on the main attraction.

One thing that I felt is that the game is very short. 25 levels in total (excluding the DLC) with bonus missions for extra time pieces that amounts to 40. That may seem to be a huge number, but trust me it isn’t. The reason why is because the game is a bit of a cakewalk. The bosses themselves aren’t hard, except for the purple ghost guy that can spam AoE attacks like it’s going out of style. After playing it fully, I get the feeling that I’m not quite the intended audience for this game. I feel like A Hat in Time is made to be played by children. It’s just a feeling I had though.

In Brief

You know what I felt when I played A Hat in Time? Joy. Pure innocent child-like joy that leaves a grin on your face. The kind of grin you used to get when you played in the yard with your friends or family. It’s a different kind of joy from the triumph when you defeat a hard boss in Dark Souls or when you get the top frag in shooter games. It’s warm and optimistic and leaves you content. If you’re a kid looking for a good kiddie game, this one’s for you. If you’re just looking for some good old fashioned nostalgic platformer game, this one’s also for you.

Hey we don't judge things over here my guy. A game's a game, and what matters is you enjoy what you're playin'.

#pc games #steam #a hat in time #ps4 #xbox 360 #switch

[theveil-and-thepath]

Hello there, I hope you are dandy fine,

I want to pick question number 1 for this ask,

The reason why i chose this is because I am at a crossroad of life, much like 2 of swords, my guides are more like "We'll support whatever you do." but the same time I know I must be meant for something very specific and a lot id still hidden, I feel like i haven't found my home/people yet. I have this such an aching need to just GO HOME, since I was a kid, i just dunno where it is yet.

Thank you in advance for this game and take care love 🤎🤍

and ofcourse I'd loooove to give you feedback

Hi! Thank you for participating in the game 🏠

Why am I here? Give me a reason or a purpose for me to keep going in this life.

Quick Tarot Game

Feedback for this reading

Yes, you do have purpose in this life. The wheel of fortune lets me know that this life is not aimless wandering. You’re very adaptable and you are able to go through changes because you can see what lies ahead. You go head first in what you begin when you get to begin things. You left something behind.

I know you said you’re at a crossroad but the cards show me that you already decided. Your mind is set on something already, or you know what is the best to do, you know what you need to leave behind, you’re just scared to leave something you like or it’s a fear of missing out that’s holding you back. But for me it looks like life is pushing you to something and you already know what it is or feel a strong pull. You have to give the first step because this can be important. It’s like your path begins here.

If you have a really important decision I think this is part of your path, but there’s not much indecision in the cards. If you feel it strongly in your heart but it pains you to choose because of what you’ll leave behind: go ahead. It will be a huge change for you but it will be extremely rewarding (the sun type of rewarding). However, it may not live up to your expectations if you forget that this is a big renewal that’s happening, things will be shaken but that looks like the right thing to do.

I asked if this decision is connected to your life purpose and what I got is that you’re almost bound to it? Do you really have much of a choice there? Because it’s like there’s the path you feel you must take vs. the path you want to take because well you can take this one. It’s a strong energy towards what you need to choose.

You know, sometimes these things are not our whole purpose, but it looks like it’s a necessary step and that this is bound to lead you to what you need. (I did keep asking to see more details with different questions but everytime that was possible I got the wheel of fortune and variations of aces and beginning cards when I asked for more clarification). Don’t cling to what you have already left behind, your purpose is in something new.

About you feeling like you want to go home: you will find your home in this lifetime because your spiritual guardians will show you the way. Again, it will be a situation where you can be comfortable but you’re guided to know that this is not right or this is just not your thing and eventually you’ll find your thing. If it’s a family with children, you’ll have this; if not, you’ll find a place of comfort with friends. Just know that this will involve leaving behind some people, but it’ll be smooth because you’ll know you’ll be going to a better situation.

I'm not sure if it'll resonate, because the cards seemed much more "decided" than you and I had trouble seeing too much ahead. I hope you're feeling good :)

#ask #The Veil replies #Quick Tarot Game

[neptunecreek]

Sextortion Scam: What to Do If You Get the Latest Phishing Spam Demanding Bitcoin

You may have arrived at this post because you received an email from a purported hacker who is demanding payment or else they will send compromising information—such as pictures sexual in nature—to all you friends and family. You’re searching for what to do in this frightening situation.

Don’t panic. Contrary to the claims in your email, you haven't been hacked (or at least, that's not what prompted that email). This is merely a new variation on an old scam which is popularly being called "sextortion." This is a type of online phishing that is targeting people around the world and preying off digital-age fears.

We’ll talk about a few steps to take to protect yourself, but the first and foremost piece of advice we have: do not pay the ransom.

We have pasted a few examples of these emails at the bottom of this post. The general gist is that a hacker claims to have compromised your computer and says they will release embarrassing information—such as images of you captured through your web camera or your pornographic browsing history—to your friends, family, and co-workers.  The hacker promises to go away if you send them thousands of dollars, usually with bitcoin.

What makes the email especially alarming is that, to prove their authenticity, they begin the emails showing you a password you once used or currently use.

Again, this still doesn't mean you've been hacked. The scammers in this case likely matched up a database of emails and stolen passwords and sent this scam out to potentially millions of people, hoping that enough of them would be worried enough and pay out that the scam would become profitable.

EFF researched some of the bitcoin wallets being used by the scammers. Of the five wallets we looked at only one had received any bitcoin, in total about 0.5 bitcoin or $4,000 at the time of this writing.  It’s hard to say how much the scammers have received in total at this point since they appear to be using different bitcoin addresses for each attack, but it’s clear that at least some people are already falling for this scam.

Here are some quick  answers to the questions many people ask after receiving these emails.

They have my password! How did they get my password?

Unfortunately, in the modern age, data breaches are common and massive sets of passwords make their way to the criminal corners of the Internet. Scammers likely obtained such a list for the express purpose of including a kernel of truth in an otherwise boilerplate mass email.

If the password emailed to you is one that you still use, in any context whatsoever,  STOP USING IT and change it NOW! And regardless of whether or not you still use that password it's always a good idea to use a password manager.

And of course, you should always change your password when you’re alerted that your information has been leaked in a breach. You can also use a service like Have I Been Pwned to check whether you have been part of one of the more well-known password dumps.

Should I respond to the email?

Absolutely not. With this type of scam, the perpetrator relies on the likelihood that a small number of people will respond out of a batch of potentially millions. Fundamentally this isn't that much different from the old Nigerian prince scam, just with a different hook. By default they expect most people will not even open the email, let alone read it. But once they get a response—and a conversation is initiated—they will likely move into a more advanced stage of the scam. It’s better to not respond at all.

So,  I shouldn’t pay the ransom?

You should not pay the ransom. If you pay the ransom, you’re not only losing money but you’re encouraging the scammers to continue phishing other people. If you do pay, then the scammers may also use that as a pressure point to continue to blackmail you, knowing that you’re are susceptible.

What should I do instead?

As we said before, for sure stop using the password that the scammer used in the phishing email, and consider employing a password manager to keep your passwords strong and unique. Moving forward, you should make sure to enable two-factor authentication whenever that is an option on your online accounts. You can also check out our Surveillance Self-Defense guide for more tips on how to protect your security and privacy online.

One other thing to do to protect yourself is apply a cover over your computer’s camera. We offer some through our store, but a small strip of electrical tape will do.

We know this experience isn't fun, but it's also not the end of the world. Just ignore the scammers' empty threats and practice good password hygiene going forward!

Example 1

I am aware one of your passphrase: password. Lets get directly to point. Not a single person has compensated me to investigate about you. You do not know me and you are probably wondering why you're getting this e mail?actually, I actually installed a software on the adult vids (sex sites) site and you know what, you visited this web site to have fun (you know what I mean). When you were viewing videos, your internet browser initiated working as a Remote control Desktop that has a key logger which provided me access to your display screen and also web cam. Right after that, my software program collected your complete contacts from your Messenger, FB, and email . After that I created a double-screen video. 1st part shows the video you were viewing (you've got a good taste haha . . .), and 2nd part shows the view of your webcam, and its u.  You do have only 2 alternatives. We are going to understand these types of choices in aspects: 1st solution is to disregard this message. In this case, I am going to send your actual video clip to just about all of your contacts and thus you can easily imagine about the disgrace you feel. Not to mention should you be in a relationship, just how it will eventually affect? Number two choice will be to pay me $3000. We will think of it as a donation. As a consequence, I most certainly will without delay eliminate your videotape. You will keep going on your daily life like this never happened and you will not hear back again from me. You'll make the payment through Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search for "how to buy bitcoin" in Google).

Example 2

Hi, victim.I write yоu becаusе I put а mаlware оn the wеb раge with porn whiсh yоu hаve visitеd.My virus grаbbed all your рersonal infо аnd turnеd on yоur сamеrа which сaрtured the рroсеss оf your onаnism. Just aftеr that the soft savеd yоur соntaсt list.I will dеlеte thе сompromising video and infо if you pаy me 999 USD in bitcoin. This is address fоr рaymеnt : 1K2jNTLdbHEwaALQWKMeGoKLWD67Cb6q8BI give yоu 30 hоurs aftеr you ореn my mеssаge for making the trаnsactiоn.As sоon аs yоu reаd the mеssаgе I'll see it right awаy.It is nоt necessary tо tell mе thаt you hаve sеnt money to me. This address is соnneсtеd tо yоu, my systеm will dеlete еverything automаtically aftеr trаnsfer соnfirmаtiоn.If yоu nееd 48 h just reрly оn this letter with +.Yоu сan visit thе pоlicе stаtion but nobоdy cаn hеlp yоu.If you try to dеceive mе , I'll sеe it right аway !I dont live in yоur соuntry. So they саn nоt track my lосаtiоn evеn for 9 months.Goodbyе. Dоnt fоrget аbоut thе shame and tо ignore, Yоur life can be ruined.

Example 3

𝕨hat's up. If you were more vigilant while playing with yourself, I wouldn't worry you. I don't think that playing with yourself is very bad, but when all colleagues, relatives and friends get video record of it- it is obviously for u. I adjusted virus on a porn web-site which you have visited. When the victim press on a play button, device begins recording the screen and all cameras on your device starts working. мoreover, my program makes a dedicated desktop supplied with key logger function from your device , so I could get all contacts from ya e-mail, messengers and other social networks. I've chosen this e-mail cuz It's your working address, so u should read it. Ì think that 730 usd is pretty enough for this little false. I made a split screen vid(records from screen (u have interesting tastes ) and camera ooooooh... its awful ᾷF) Ŝo its your choice, if u want me to erase this сompromising evidence use my ƅitсȯin wᾷllеt aďdrеss-  1JEjgJzaWAYYXsyVvU2kTTgvR9ENCAGJ35  Ƴou have one day after opening my message, I put the special tracking pixel in it, so when you will open it I will know.If ya want me to share proofs with ya, reply on this message and I will send my creation to five contacts that I've got from ur contacts. P.S... You can try to complain to cops, but I don't think that they can solve ur problem, the investigation will last for several months- I'm from Estonia - so I dgf LOL

Example 4

I know, password, is your pass word. You may not know me and you're most likely wondering why you are getting this e mail, correct? In fact, I placed a malware on the adult vids (porn material) web-site and you know what, you visited this website to have fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching video clips, your internet browser initiated operating as a RDP (Remote Desktop) that has a keylogger which provided me access to your screen and also webcam. Immediately after that, my software program gathered your entire contacts from your Messenger, social networks, as well as email. What did I do? I made a double-screen video. 1st part shows the video you were watching (you have a good taste lmao), and 2nd part shows the recording of your webcam. exactly what should you do?

Well, I believe, $2900 is a fair price for our little secret. You'll make the payment by Bitcoin (if you don't know this, search "how to buy bitcoin" in Google). BTC Address: 1MQNUSnquwPM9eQgs7KtjDcQZBfaW7iVge (It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it) Note: You have one day in order to make the payment. (I have a specific pixel in this email message, and at this moment I know that you have read through this email message). If I do not get the BitCoins, I will definitely send out your video recording to all of your contacts including family members, coworkers, etc. However, if I do get paid, I'll destroy the video immidiately. If you want to have evidence, reply with "Yes!" and I will certainly send out your video to your 14 contacts. This is the non-negotiable offer, so please don't waste my personal time and yours by responding to this email message.

from Deeplinks https://ift.tt/2M9Z2xS

#Deeplinks

[moments-magazine]

Oathbreaker’s Caro Tanghe: On Transcending Labels and Transcendent Waffles

CARO: We hate being labeled. Once you get labeled, you get boxed. That's my idea of it. We can't even try to describe how or what influences us writing this music, so it's really hard to give it one label. It scares me when people do that.

RYAN: I totally agree.

CARO: The thing is, to us what is most important… People call us hardcore because we come from a hardcore background, or at least when I started going to shows there were definitely some hardcore bands that I really liked. To me what is most important about that attitude or about that scene in general. To me it's not about the music, or at least that's not what remains an Oathbreaker. The most important thing that remains is the way of thinking—the lifestyle. You can definitely say that we try to do everything ourselves. We try to be DIY, and while I also hate that term — everyone wants to be DIY — we don't have a manager and we try to do everything ourselves: visually, aesthetically, the videos… It’s all us you know?

RYAN: It's great that you devote yourselves to the band. There's totally an intimacy to what you guys do, and it’s really interesting how Oathbreaker has grown. What’s really impressive to me is the level at which the music is confessional in a way. You’re really tearing your heart out and laying it on the stage.

CARO: Yes.

RYAN: I think it's fantastic.

CARO: Thank you.

RYAN: Have you been compelled to do that for a long time, or do you feel like it's a recent evolution?

CARO: I think we've grown into doing it. It's so hard… Oathbreaker has been a band since 2008, but before that me, Lennart, and Gilles played in another band, so basically me and Gilles have been together in a band since we were 13.

RYAN: Oh man…

CARO: That would mean that that’s 14 years. And when you’re 13, you're not thinking about laying your heart out or trying to pour out everything you're feeling and put it all into lyrics or music. It's not something you think about.

RYAN: You want to have fun.

CARO: It's definitely something that we’ve grown into. And it grew really organically in a way. When you see our three records, and you put them next to each other, you’ll see that we did grow.

RYAN: There's absolutely a step up with each record.

CARO: Yes.

RYAN: It's got to be amazing being a working musician, especially if you started at 13. Is there anything that you could ever see yourself doing other than this?

CARO: Well, yes.

RYAN: Really?

CARO: Yeah, of course. I mean, we’ve only recently been working full-time as a band. We decided to try and do this when Rheia came out, because with the previous records we were never able to tour as much as we wanted to. We all had our full-time jobs.

RYAN: It's hard to get away.

CARO: Yeah, you get 4 weeks off or 5 weeks off.

RYAN: I get two…

CARO: Yeah… We're lucky we have that much off. It’s not easy to tour the States. When you bring out a record and you want to tour it as much as you can, that means in one year you want to come maybe three times.

RYAN: It's an investment with the travel and everything.

CARO: Yeah, it's just not worth coming here for five shows, after you pay for those flights, so you want to try to make the best out of it.

RYAN: So on that subject, since you guys are from Belgium, I'm curious if you think there's anything about home that bleeds into your music that is different then if you were from the US or Japan or South Africa or somewhere?

CARO: Probably, yes. The scene that we’ve grown up in, it's probably different than if you grew up [in the U.S.]. So possibly, yes. But I can't point out what that would be. I mean everyone has their issues, and I bet growing up in South Africa like you said, it’s completely different than growing up in Belgium. We’re a good country. I'm happy that I grew up in Belgium.

RYAN: Everything that I hear sounds wonderful.

CARO: It is; it's really wonderful. But I think what did influence us a lot is just Belgian bands and the Belgian scene. I got to see a lot of bands from Belgium, and not so many bands that came over from the States.

RYAN: Well, we've gone super deep.

CARO: It's okay.

RYAN: So I think it would be fun to ask you a couple of lighter questions.

CARO: No worries.

RYAN: So, number one: waffles or pancakes?

CARO: Hmm… Pancakes.

RYAN: Nice! Agreed!

CARO: It's weird, I feel like every time we come to the States, and tell people we're from Belgium they're like, “BELGIAN WAFFLES!”

RYAN: I really didn't want to think that was just a Belgium question!

CARO: No, no, no, it's fine! But I’m like “Dude, we don't eat Belgian waffles like you eat Belgian waffles,” and we don't eat them at breakfast.

RYAN: I don't even know why they're called Belgian.

CARO: It is a Belgian thing, but we eat them as a 4 p.m. snack.

RYAN: Oh that sounds good.

CARO: There's like carts in the street that sell hot waffles.

RYAN: Like we eat in the States, or is there some variation?

CARO: It's a little different. There’s different types… Like Brussels waffles, that’s one type, and there's Liège waffles. They come from the French-speaking part of Belgium. The difference is Liège waffles, if I'm not mistaken… I don't eat that many waffles…

RYAN: Pancakes right?

CARO: Pancakes, yeah! But the difference is, the ones from Liège are square, crunchy, and very light, and you just eat them with powdered sugar. And the ones from Brussels are softer and they have chunks of sugar in them.

RYAN: Oh my gosh… I think we need to translate that into the American waffle culture.

CARO: It’s so different.

RYAN: It will start with me.

CARO: Yes, do it!

RYAN: Next time you come back there will be sugar infused waffles.

CARO: But either way I like pancakes more…

RYAN: So maybe pancakes instead then.

CARO: We don't even really have pancakes. In Ghent, where I live, there are a few breakfast spots that serve them now, but when I was younger my grandma used to make crêpes, and we’d eat them with Nutella.

RYAN: Okay, so fun question number two: If you could be any animal…

CARO: Animal!?

RYAN: …what would you be and why?

CARO: Holy shit…

RYAN: I know, right? Do you want me to go first?

CARO: Yes!

RYAN: So, mine is fairly straight-laced, but I would like to be a happy, safe elephant…

CARO: That’s really hard though! Because I feel like none of them are very happy and safe.

RYAN: Yeah, they seem like they have kind of a rough life. But there might be a few. And if I could carve out that territory for myself as an elephant, I feel like it would be cool. They're kind of like humans in a way.

CARO: Oh? Really?

RYAN: Yeah! Big brain, big family, long life…

CARO: I don't feel like humans have big brains.

RYAN: Maybe not. Maybe just a big nose sometimes, if nothing else.

CARO: Okay, I know an animal. And I won't say that I want to be that animal… But when I was younger, I used to be in a youth organization, sort of like you have the Boy Scouts, and when you're around 13 they give you a totem that's an animal. And supposedly I’m this long extinct type of goat…

RYAN: That’s amazing!

CARO: And I kind of took it as an offense; I mean come on!

RYAN: Goats are the greatest!

CARO: Well, but there’s one type of goat with huge horns that curl up, and they live in mountains. And I got that totem. And all of their characteristics fit me really well.

RYAN: I'll tell you what, that's one of my favorite animals, so that would make me really happy. You should be a proud goat.

CARO: I'm a very proud goat—mountain goat!

RYAN: Okay, so why don't we wrap this up. You said you feel like the band has been evolving. So I guess the ultimate question is how do you feel like that will happen in the future? And what do you hope you’ll be able to give audiences through your music and your performances? Clearly the crowd was loving it tonight.

CARO: They liked it, yeah! I'm excited that they liked it. I have no idea where Oathbreaker is going to go, for real. When we recorded Rheia and when it came out, to me it felt like after this record anything was possible. We don’t ever want to make a record that’s the same, and I don't think we've ever done that before. And so after this one we could do anything.

RYAN: The sky's the limit.

CARO: When we brought out the first record, Maelstrom, it was like a metal record that comes from a hardcore background, and then with Eros/Anteros it was like we were trying to do something more, but “We’re still here, and we’re only seeing this.” And then bringing out Rheia was like, “Hey! Maybe we don't have to sound like we think we have to sound… But we can also do something different that people will still like.” It isn’t too much of a clash with before, but it is a natural growth, and I feel like now we could maybe do an acoustic record or maybe a more electronic record.

RYAN: That would be great!

CARO: There's so many things that are possible, and I don’t want us to feel limited.

RYAN: It's like you said, you don't need labels.

CARO: Yeah!

RYAN: You’re being creative, and that's the point.

#interview #oathbreaker #music