we are already living in the cyberpunk future and i know this because within a span of 3 days we went from this tweet:
to thousands of people making phony images and replying to them with their passionate desire to have them as a tshirt to overload the bots with nonsense and junk and send out warnings to shoppers like this:
and now we even have people replying to pictures of baby yoda with âi want this on a tshirtâ knowing how ravenous disney is being with copyright in hopes to get the stores taken down altogether
i dont know what it is about stuff like this and the whole turn mei into a symbol of hk protesters thing but, its really reassuring for some reason
Anyway, I just emailed [email protected] to report the site for very evilly stealing Disneyâs IP! Because obviously that is very evil and bad and shit.
That comic up there â I witnessed almost that exact scenario. Teacher wanted the kids to all pick books. One kid spots something on the shelf and gets visibly excited. Pulls it out and starts reading. Teacher sees it, snatches it off him and tells him that this is a book for 8 year olds (the kid was 15ish) and tells him to get a book more appropriate for his age. Kid slouches around the shelves for about 10 minutes, finally picks up a book at random and sits in his chair tucking the edges of each page into the binding to make that looped-page look. He didnât read a word. He sat there and did this to his book for the remainder of the reading session:
He had been genuinely excited about the 8 year old book heâd picked up. It was a new one in a series he used to read as a younger kid. Heâd been actively sitting and reading, and then he was embarrassed in front of his classmates, told off for reading a kids book, and voila. He lost all enthusiasm for reading anything else that day.
Whatâs worse? That kid had been hit by a car like a year and a half earlier. Severe brain trauma. Had to re-learn a lot of basic things, like how to speak and how to read.
An 8 year old book would have been perfect for him. Easy enough to read that it would have helped rebuild his confidence in his own reading ability. A book meant for 15/16 years olds? A lot harder to read than a book for 8 year olds. Especially if youâre recovering from a relatively recent brain injury.
And yeah, the teacher knew all about his brain injury, and the recovery. He just seemed go be of the opinion that the kid was 15, so he should be reading books for 15 year olds, irrespective of brain injury.
Reading this thread Iâm reminded of Daniel Pennaeâs The Rights of the Reader, which can be found in a lot of bookshops and school libraries:Â
The child speaking at the bottom in Quentin Blakeâs distinctive spiky handwriting is saying â10 rights, 1 warning: Donât make fun of people who donât read - or they never willâ
This thread is fucking depressing so I wanted to add an example of what can happen when the RIGHT approach is taken.
My best friend is a school librarian. But for a few years, she taught 7th and 8th grade. This was right around 2010.
She assigned a book report. You could do any book you wanted, but she had to approve your choice.
Some girl chose Twilight.
Alicia called me and said âI donât know what to do. Her other teachers said it was a miracle she picked a book at all. She wonât even read two paragraphs for homework. ButâŚitâs TWILIGHT.â Which, yes, Alicia had read, because it was popular with her students and she felt like she had to keep abreast of their likes and dislikes to be effective. (For those who werenât around for this, or donât remember: a lot of schools and teachers were banning Twilight more or less on the basis of finding it trashy.)
I said: âtell her yes. But tell her that if she wants to read Twilight, there are some questions you want her to keep in mind while she reads.â And advised her to tailor those questions around things that bothered her about the books (for example, Edwardâs stalking of Bella).
She did.
A few weeks later she called me again.
The girl decided to read the whole series, got halfway through Breaking Dawn, took her the book, and said âMrs. [name], I just donât LIKE any of these people.â Normally, Alicia wouldâve recommended Harry Potter, but again: these were the only books the girl had been known to pick up in YEARS, and the final Potter book was just barely three years old. If sheâd wanted to read it, she already would have. Aliciaâs preferred genre is one I call Tudor-lite (Jane Austen, Philippa Gregory, that stuff), and she was pretty sure the stuff she was really into wouldnât pass muster with her student.
I was still living in the same area as Alicia at the time, so I told her to ask the girl what she HAD liked about Twilight, give me the answers, and my creepy-loving ass would make a recommendation and give her a book. Based on her answers, I gave her my copy of âSalemâs Lot and told her to tell the girl she could keep it as long as she liked.
I NEVER GOT IT BACK.
This girl went from âSalemâs Lot to Dracula. And from Dracula to Frankenstein. And from Frankenstein into the wider world of gothic literature. By the end of the school year sheâd plowed through almost fifty booksâwhich meant ALMOST THREE PER WEEK.
All it took was being told âsure, you can like Twilightâ and then âitâs okay, you donât have to like Twilight.â
A little sun, a little rain, a little loveâthatâs all it takes to make a flower grow.
(And sometimes, a copy of a book you will have to accept it was time to lose, because it will bear more fruit in different soil.)
This usually works but for some reason a lot of posts get indexed on google from a personâs URL based on the posts that were recently reblogged on page 1, meaning that this is only a tiny bit more reliable.
I HAVE a solution to this, you have to write down site:tumblr.com/post â â
and then write a direct quote (could be a fraction of a sentence) into the quotations, Iâve been doing this for years, and itâs so useful, it works like 99% of the timeÂ
(the more popular a post is the more likely youâll find it)
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Eliksni name pronunciation: Sovrreik (Sov-rr-ike)Â
 Uncle was ecstatic to see that we had not only made it through the night but managed to save all those that would have otherwise been left to their fate. The Dregs who assisted me in the trench were to be promoted for valiance as well as their display of loyalty and ability. Similarly to how my brother and I these Dregs would skip the rank of Wretch but they would not yet be vandals, moving directly to Marauders was a significant honor nonetheless. Ogethres had been thinking of rewarding them and my report gave him more than enough to use as justification. The fellow Vandal would not become a Captain but would be honored for their role in assisting defend the wounded.Â
Deliberately I did not mention the Wretch who had earlier attempted to strike a defeated Risen's tiny machine. During the flight back in the Skiffs of a morning crew they approached me and expressed their regret, I scolded them but felt that was enough. There was no sign of deception in their words ,if there was they could not hide it from me, so reporting would be demeaning. I left them with wisdom uncle once told me once "An enemy defeated, be watched, but left well alone".
Uncle sent me to the infirmary just to be sure that I was not internally injured from prolonged combat. The medical staff asked me to lay down so they could properly examine me but when I tried my body refused to relax fully. While I was checked over I couldn't help but chuckle at the hilarity of how I most likely looked like one the old stone likenesses of humans often found in city remnants. Once the medical machines came up as normal the medics told me to avoid combat for a while just to make sure I wasn't on the brink of collapsing.Â
Normally I would have simply thanked them for their care and advice before charging headlong into the next mission but I decided to listen to our medical experts for once. Fortunately there was always more than enough work that needed to be done, with my engineering skills I favored more hand on jobs. Sometimes younger Dregs that had heard of or seen my work in the field would murmur in curious clicks whenever I would dive for maintenance on submerged areas of our home. I always thought it sobering for the younger in the guild and humbling for myself as it kept me from discounting the effort of others or believing myself greater because of my station.
Brykis had similar sentiments but if one were to ask him he would tell them that he simply didn't like the thought of his brother being left out. I would often find him helping process collected salvage or teaching fresh Vandals how to use and maintain their equipment. Father Pyrrhaks was always busy with political squabbles as our uncle Ogethres trusted few others with such delicate responsibilities but they rather enjoyed more menial tasks. Often in luling times both Ogethres and Pyrrhaks would wear simple robes and chat casually or help with small unofficial tasks around the coast.Â
A few days into our off time ,before Brykis or myself had even fully woken, our door opened, uncle's unhelmed face greeted us with a smile. "Come, relax today, little responsibility, Pyrrhaks join soon" he said nodding for us to follow him once we were dressed. During our medically required break, uncle seemed to realize just how long it had been since all five of us had been present at one time at the coast with little to keep us busy. Brother left first after wrapping himself in more relaxed cloth than our usual armor, I was still feeding on my morning Ether from Sekos-4 after wrapping myself. When I followed Brykis father was already with them so I was last but with all of us gathered now uncle revealed his intent.
"Long time since had much free-time, wanted to spend with family" he clicked with almost excited vigor, I smiled beneath my wraps and chuckled slightly. In my many years of life I had heard many recounts of the ferocity of Arkons, their amazing strength, how Risen struggled with an all but unguarded priest reclaimed from the Prison of Elders. All these stories are true yet they never tell of their lives off the battlefield or how they were as leaders. Sometimes I wondered if they were anything like uncle but from what I know of the times before House Dusk I doubted it.Â
Following Ogethres we waved and warmly said hello to those we passed as we walked, the casual nature of our guild on full display. I've heard from wandering gangs and our usual traders that we are strange because of our lax attitude with a thriving gathering of Eliksni so close to the Great Machine. Whenever they remarked on such things I always compared us to when our people first met humanity, perhaps weak at a glance behind our walls but every maw hides teeth. Often such words would get me sideways looks and in truth I couldn't blame them, it was a human saying.
Uncle had walked us down near one the end of the wall that bordered our home where it met the waters edge. It was a rather quiet area while still having line of sight across everything to the opposite end of the wall. There were a small number of Dregs and Vandals milling about moving aquatic animals of all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors that they had caught. Ogethres called with a loud clack that got the attention of a more round looking Captain who raised an arm in greeting before lumbering over to us.Â
"Greetings my Arkon, how been, long time no talk" she clicked with a flemish voice.
Ogethres waved a hand "Been well, busy and well, apologies for little talk, much happened" he chuckled "should know, you part of that".Â
"Bahg, so much movement, difficult move so much so quickly, thankful for you, Ogethres my Arkon" the Captain replied with clear gratitude in her voice. Bowing her head she turned with a wave for us to follow as she showed us a spot among other workers casually chatting or humming tunes. "Four sets, as requested, told other to treat same as any" the Captain listed, adding with a chuckle under her breath "Hehe, can't stop all though" she jokedÂ
"Your effort enough, thank you friend, Great Machine bless" Ogethres told them with a low chitter and a hand over his heart. Pyrrhaks, Brykis, and myself bowed our heads slightly and rasped in thanks for the Captains effort to coalesce as well as allowing us to use their equipment for recreation. The Captain echoed the blessing before heading off to direct idle dregs to what needed to be cleaned or stuffed with coolant. "Come, let us 'fish' as it is called" uncle stated as he strode across the sand toward a set of poles with string dangling from them. I recognized such poles from movies I had stored in Sekos-4.Â
All four of us were absolutely terrible at using the poles which led one of us ,often uncle, getting a sharp metal hook caught on themselves. Despite this however we continued to learn both through trial and error as well as tips from fellow Eliksni around us fishing around us. Once everyone was able to get their hooks into the water with relative consistency we were fishing as a family, it felt nice, a calm that I hadn't known for quite some time. We caught a fair amount of aquatic life but nothing astonishing, patience, luck, and knowledge were what made one good at catching water dwelling creatures.
Time felt like it slipped by while we sat enjoying the presence of each other and before we realized it the sun was setting over the horizon. We had managed to spend an entire day sitting in the sand with poles in hand to help feed hatchlings and sprog. Thankfully nothing that couldn't be handled by those uncle left in charge appeared during our time on the edge of the wall. While the rest of my family went off to rest or double check the feeds for anything that slipped through I went to fulfill my nightly duties. Slipping into my work harness I chuckled at myself ,it was a completely peaceful day for our guild, still I worked through the night consuming only enough Ether to not deprive myself.Â
The next morning I found myself being woken by an engineering Dreg, apparently I had blacked out with my legs dangling from an access hatch. Laughing at their description of how they found me ,"Similar Arkon threw you during accession, right in hole", I thanked the Dreg before heading to my quarter. Luckily I had been awoken before most others so no one knew that I never made it back after they bedded down. Brykis did wonder what I was doing up so soon as I fumbled around trying to get my standard armor on.Â
"On Ether crew, morning deploy" I told him, it was no lie, I did sign on to be escort for an Ether extraction at the earliest signs of day.Â
He shook his head while rubbing a set of eyes with one hand "Doctor told no exertion, you against better judge?" he asked pointedly.
"Extracted before, same spot, quiet, go stretch legs, take light load" I reassured him grabbing only my dagger "Worry much, brother". Taking a moment to pay tribute to Esyra before leaving I set off to meet the other members of what would be my crew in the hangar to be told the details of our mission. During the brief I learned we were taking our Prime Servitor ,Sovrreik, which explained the larger than normal present crew. Ogethres thought it best to keep them within the safety of the ketch ever since the Risen had discovered our underground compound before.Â
I found it odd that we were taking the prime servitor but before I could raise the question as to why we were taking such an important figure I got my answer. "Risen damage collection servitors, as see, taking extra guard, collected sector before, near coast, safe, pack light" the leading Captain clicked tossing aside a data pad. Most were fairly new Vandals but they had enough experience with combat that I was unconcerned about any wildlife we may encounter. Boarding our Skiffs and hovering as we waited for Sovrreik.
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i just read literally everything under the feralnette AU tag
never have i ever wanted anything to be canon more than this
i had a random idea that marinette starts responding responding to lilaâs lies by just completely agreeing with them and then making the story seem preposterous?? and like lila is like âwow marinette is really getting into a lot of fightsâ and marinette responds with like âyeah i fistfought hawkmoth yesterday over a parking spotâ and it just drives lila up the wall
anyways your feralnette au is the only thing that matters anymore thank you so much
thank u and yeah. yeah. this is canon now , i dont make the rules,
also i like to think now that marinette absolutely doesnât wanna work with gabriel âi abuse my son for his own goodâ agreste, him and felix just. DUNK on his style
This is for the... accountants out there or if youâre like me and people have stolen your photos before and sent several angry perverts to your personal accounts
The early hours of the night were quiet with only the sound of our movements and the wind surrounding us. Any that could walk were put to work moving the wounded while those with superficial injuries ,Brykis and I included, were on dig duty. As Barron Pyrrhaks had taken charge of the Eliksni left behind to protect and guide them through the trial before them. This was his duty to take in the absence of our Arkon but regardless of fatherâs station I believe him more than worthy.
It took longer than father wanted for the digging to complete and noncombatants being moved into the rusted hull of an aircraft. Most of our spare Ether was used to stabilize the wounded or fed to those that had over exerted and collapsed, the latter of which joined the effort once able. No time could be spent resting our aching hands however as everyone that could shoot was told to grab their arms and take posts. "I stay with non-fighters, where you go?" Brykis asked me as he grabbed his weapons.
"Trench, with others, need capable fighters" I replied checking my own weapons, the shock pistol and rifle Erysa had gifted me as her final request. Loading fully charged arc cells I holstered my pistol and slung my rifle "Keep safe" I told my brother, placing a hand on his shoulder before we separated to head for our respective posts. Should the Risen ever push beyond our trench an extremely angry father would be right there to greet them so I doubted Brykis would see much action beyond a particularly stealthy Risen.Â
Dropping into the trench we had spent hours digging I hunkered down with the others, they were under my charge as per father's orders. "Wait, listen, let pass if can" I chittered with a hushed tone.
"What if fall inside" one dreg asked shakily, their head darted at every little sound the wind brought to his ears. I shuffled over to them while staying down and gently grabbed them by both shoulders to get them to calm, they looked into my eyes.
I gave them a light squeeze "Have advantage, we kill quiet, if found, fight" I said with an affirmed click. "Sit" I guided them down, placing their back against the cold dirt wall "Calm, fight when need, stay when don't. Scared, most would be, not weak, stay but be ready". The atmosphere in the trench that felt as though it would snap under the tension loosened as I spoke.Â
The dreg took a deep breath and held it for a moment "Thank you, understand, ready for command" they said letting out their breath. Standing I walked across from one end of the trench to the other placing a hand on everyone's shoulder while looking them in the eye to give an affirming nod that they would make it through. We were the first line, we had to be ready to take a face full of whatever they threw at us. Considering how everyone checked their equipment and hunkered down waiting for my call as I passed by each of them we were more than prepared. This trench would not be these Eliksni's grave.
It was my hope that there would be minimal contact from the Risen but my hopes were quickly quashed as it was a short wait for trouble to come. The sound of footsteps ,heavy and deliberate, along with the noxious smell of ozone carried by the downwind alerted us to Risen. Ozone meant they had high energy weapons or wielded the Great Machines blessing of Arc currents, possibly both from how potent the odor was. Unintelligible murmurs from 4 distinct voices followed the scent as they wandered closer, eventually coming into porper earshot.
"I thought there were supposed to be some easy prey out here, I need to blow of some steam after that stupid Crucible Match. Damn Trials farmers always putting me down before I can get close".
"Can it lead-for-brains, yer the one who got us 'spended from matches fer a week cause ya can't aim and wacked some poor lads ghost. And stop actin like Fallen are animals fer ya to put down on whim cause yer pissy".
"He's kind of right you know, the Fallen out here are pretty easy prey at night thanks to their lack of activity and they are a problem being this close to the City. By the way, you still haven't told us why you decided to join us on our little jaunt through these moth yards".
"...There are certain Eliksni who seem to be of greater importance to the group these salvage parties belong to. I had located and watched them for quite some time and they seemed to notice but not care about my presence. Their movements had stagnated for a time and I was ordered elsewhere ,then, today reports of extreme aggression from a trio lasting from dawn to dusk flooded the channels. I don't know about you but I do not believe this to be a simple coincidence so...here I am".
It was also evident that there was mild conflict between the Risenâs reason for hunting us but their end goal was the same: us becoming corpses. As quietly as possible I clicked to the others, "Keep low, no move" from what I understood they were looking for us but still didn't know where we were. But of course the world seemed to always be conspiring in one way or another and the Risen spotted a flicker of light from beyond the trench.Â
"Oi 'id any-yah see that just now" one said in a more hushed tone than before.
There was an odd sound, something similar to a gust of air as another spoke "looks like we found our quarry heheh". Another gust like sound was heard before ,like the belligerent fool their tone implied them to be, a Risen fell directly into our trench with a thud. Multiple Dregs and a Vandal pounced slitting their throat quietly and releasing the tiny machine, one of the dregs grabbed it trying to smother the soft blue it emits. Two...maybe four moments passed in dead silence, everyone in the trench myself included holding their breath.Â
"....Hey Numb Skull, you there" One of the Risen shouted, trying to call for the one that had dropped into our midst. Struggling hard the tiny machine broke free from the dreg that held it.Â
Flying up and out of the trench it's high-pitched voice shouted "FALLEN IN A TRENCH 20 YARDS AHEAD". After it's call I let out a war cry in anger at how soon they had discovered our position and the stupidity by which it was found. But if we could at least hold them at the trench we would not let them pass to slaughter fellow Eliksni that posed no threat. The cracks and flashes of weapons fire filled the otherwise calm night's air. All the commotion was surely signaling to every Risen in the area exactly where we were but such thoughts were far from my mind as we fought. Though younger Dregs ,most of whom this was their first mission, filled the trench on either side of me it was relieving to see such tenacity to protect our own    Â
An energy bolt struck a dreg beside me in the head knocking them to the floor, cursing I threw an explosive and barked orders to concentrate fire on the larger Risen that was barreling toward us. My explosive knocked them off-kilter allowing the others to bring it down before it came into melee distance. Ducking into the trench I checked over the Dreg, there was no flash so there was still hope they were alive. Blinking at me while I looked them over they shook their head before standing once more and taking up their dropped weapon.Thankfully they survived with no real injury other than mild head pain and being shaken from a brush with the end but there was no time for reflection. Following their lead I rejoined the exchange of energy bolts and bullets, the exchange dragged on into a dead stalemate that lasted for hours with neither side giving in inch.Â
Weapons fire was nonstop through the night, our bodies ached from lack of rest, small wounds from glancing shots and explosion shrapnel sealed shut with dried blood. We had felled the Risen at least a dozen times with only minor casualties from injuries on our side but still held the disadvantage. Low on Ether and arc cells I made a judgement call "Throw everything!" I shouted, at my command all those in the trench ceased firing and lobbed all their explosives. As the detonations forced our enemy to hunker down I leaped from the Trench shock pistol drawn and dagger in hand. Charging them I howled in pain from my wounds tore open with the effort but dared not let it stop me.Â
Discharging what remained in my weapons arc cell with the special modification I disintegrated the first Risen stupid enough to pop it's head over cover. The drained cell ejected itself as I holstered the pistol without breaking stride, I was close enough to smell them through the haze of dust, weapon smoke, and ozone. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the Vandal from the trench wielding jagged scrap for weapons in each hand. My mind flashed back to the scene of Erysa and her final moments, "None Witness!!" I rasped as we reached the Risen. Armor saved them from falling immediately ,but they were surprised, our follow up dispatched each of them with a slash or caving their helms with a sufficiently large stone.     Â
Standing over the bodies of the Risen I flinched as a beam of light shone in my eye triggering my instinct to drop low and slide out from line of sight. When I turned to face what I thought to be a sniper I realized it was the earliest rays of light from over the horizon peering through the holes in a wing rusted through. We had made it through the night, the fight was over, our job was done and I more than had my fill of excitement. Relaxing myself the pain along with fatigue from pushing my body from sunrise to moon-set began to set in all at once, I winced slightly. While I was basking in the light as it crept over the landscape the Vandal that joined my mad charge had returned to the trench to inform the others.Â
A short time later a Wretch I'd seen among the injured approached ,wrapped in bandages and using their spear as support, they came bearing good news. "First day crews coming, arrive soon, worse wounded, taken first" I nodded silently in acknowledgement. Looking around us at the husks of the Risen they spotted one of the little machines he let out a rasping click at the floating blue light. "Stop stare, Risen maker" they spat bitterly, raising their spear with intent to strike the machine...every Eliksni knew what happens when they are destroyed. The spear bore down on the small machine, it flinched in a vain attempt to shield itself using its outer shell like a youngling putting their hands in front of themselves to hide.           Â
The blade stopped hardly an inch from the tiny machine's eye, my hand clasped firmly around the shaft of the Wretches weapon. "Battle done, let dead rest, if only a while" I chattered, a cold edge present in my tired voice.Â
Wrenching their weapon from my blood-slicked hand they clicked disparagingly "let Risen return, hunt Eliksni, sport, attack wounded". They turned and started toward the others to prepare for the first day crew's arrival. As they moved away I heard them spit under breath "Weak".Â
"Honor!" I shot back with a glare, my voice assertive and commanding of the respect of my station. Casting my gaze down I saw the diode eyes of each Risen's machine looking up at me from the small congregation around the one that had nearly been destroyed. Pivoting I turned away with a huffing sigh and half limp back to the others.
"Risen retreat, push back" Pyrrhaks ordered dully, none could blame him for his tone, it had been longer than we were willing to recount since anything of note had occurred. I'd assumed father's plan was to strip one cosmodrome of coveted ancient technology then move onto the second, strip it, then assist with general salvage as needed. His plan however was cut short by a Barron that had joined the Guild after our crossing the planet. They had retained their rank purely out of necessity to avoid conflict and had thus far been of no concern. This too was not a problem but requesting my family specifically was something that had never happened before.Â
Specifics on what exactly we were continuing operations within the striped cosmodrome were unknown to myself and Brykis. Father knew the reason but was sworn to secrecy, whatever the reasons it was important enough most of the top warriors in the guild to be present. That much was clear as despite his bored tone father conducted himself seriously at all times further proving our presence was chosen for a reason. Risen's incursions were minimal compared to when they had begun their campaign to bully our guild away. Even our 'shadow' that had followed us for so long seemed to have moved on, whether they had found our coast home or not I did not know.
After being stuck in the bare bone scrap heap for months the three of us had frustratingly lost a great amount of time to menial guard duty. Eliksni from outside the original guild began to snicker at our names and it took more restraint than before to not challenge them one the spot. Fortunately Risen were swarming to our salvage sights since they were closer to their walls. Because of this many crews were dropping their scheduled collection runs out of fear, annoyance from close calls if not outright failures. Both combat and technical skills were a must for crews brave enough to venture toward the cosmodrome that had become akin to a battlefield. Such an environment was where our family thrived, Father slated our crew as the first to leave on the next deployment.Â
Both my brother and I found it difficult to get any sleep with the anticipation of finally entering the field after what felt like an eternity on guard in an all but abandoned place. While we lay in our beds however we did eventually blacked out after exhausting ourselves with excitement, in the morning we jumped from our beds at the first sign of day break. Taking in our Ether dose, filling out tanks, and getting equipped were so quick Brykis and I ended up waiting outside Pyrrhaks' door. A smile of equal parts proud and shared anticipation crossed his face when he stepped out to the sight of his sons fully prepared and ready for their mission.
Our Skiff was battered with small arms fire before we even began deployment procedures and before long Risen began to fire their heavier weapons to bring us down. It was truly a battlefield over mere salvage that they failed to find and utilize but their goal wasn't to take it for their own it was merely to deny us. As always with those who lived safe behind the walls while under the protection of nearly undying fighters who hunted and drove us from our homes ,often for sport. They were no better than the vile repugnent things they surely called us from behind their walls.Â
Yet...the atmosphere in the shuttering skiff was charged like an arc coil, excited chittering filled the cabin, the sounds of true combat beckoned us. Though we all wore helms it was clear in the glow of our eyes that smiles stretched across our faces as if they were carved into our mouths. "OPEN HATCH, WE DROP HERE! FOLLOW, SAFE" Pyrrhaks called to the pilot with authority soaked in bloodlust. A moment later and dim morning light beamed into the Skiff, the signal light flashed and the three of us crawled out with malicious vigor. Hanging by my legs from the perch I fired my shock rifle suppressing the ones firing on us while father and brother leaped down entering the fray with weapons drawn.
Dropping from the Skiff Pyrrhaks, Brykis and myself messily cleared what was an extremely dangerous landing area. The thrill flooded over us as we fought, taking direct impacts from bullets, the searing heat from blasts and fusion bolts driving us into a frenzy. All too quickly our initial skirmish was over and our crew dropped to join us to start their objective. Our mission was to protect them so we never strayed far from the others but progress was slow thanks to the constant attacks and occasional bombardments or ambushes. More crews with their guard started to arrive as time passed which took some of the heat off of us though there was still plenty of combat to sate our hunger.
When the crew we arrived had filled the Skiff to the brim we stayed behind to allow them to fit just a bit more as well as to help other salvage crews that were struggling. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the three of us were practically foaming at the mouth for combat, for the rush of being in the field again. We were so starved of that thrill that we made the bold decision to stay even after the final Skiff had reached its carrying capacity and left for the coast. That last crew warned us that those who stayed the night were rarely seen again thanks to the relentlessness of the Risen but we were undeterred. Our Family was not the only ones to stay but the others that stayed looked grim, only the wounded and those left or stranded and missed their window remained.
The light began to fade and the sky turned an almost pink hue reminiscent of Riis, the Old World. I'm told it was beautiful and serene place ,sadly that home is gone, lost to the whirlwind, so here we have made our own. And tonight in service to this home we would let out more than just pent up frustration from guard duty. As the final rays of light sank beneath the horizon and the stars were all that was left in the sky the cool air chilled our skin and carried sound, the sound of Risen moving in the night. Just like the crew had warned âcome for stragglers, night perilousâ sleep was not for those on a battlefield.Â
A Vandal that had been the only one to live being left in the past recounted parts of their experience in panicked murmurs. "No again, lucky first time, lay with dead, hide, can't again, don't want to, Great Machine why you forsake me, don't want to die" they stammered, it was clear they would be of little use.
"None die tonight" Pyrrhaks clicked firmly turning to the Vandal with a glare, "Able to walk, help move feeble, then...Dig"
PW: Wow been a while since I last posted a chapter...I donât have any excuses other than life and lack of everything. I donât have a schedule so chapters will be done when theyâre done. I am trying to keep this story to around a thousand words per chapter for the sake of being able to write, edit, and post at a semi reasonable rate. I hope those who read this still enjoy and thank you for sticking around ^_^Â Â
Also, do not walk close to walls. It will be easier for someone so walk past you and push you against it or corner you.
If your gut is telling you to cross the street or change your path, do it. Donât risk it. Your body knows.
If you can, buy a large umbrella and walk holding it. Studies say that predators are less likely to attempt an attack on someone that could fight back. Keys around your knuckles is fine but youâll need to get very close to do damage. Umbrellas are more precise.
Avoid wearing headphones if you are alone on an empty street. Look aware.
Again: Stay. Away. From. Walls.
Entering an uber alone? Call your father (or anyone you trust) and say âhey dad! Yep, Iâm almost there, Iâm sending you the route.â outloud. Then proceed to send them the route so they can follow the uber drive. This will most likely intimidate the predator.
If you see someone in an uncomfortable or possibly dangerous situation, walk up to them and say âBetty, oh my god, I havenât seen you in so long!â. If she gets slightly confused, you can whisper and let her know youâre trying to help and that she should follow along. Walk together to another station or away from where you are. The man will most likely not follow. I have done this one 2 times and can be very helpful.
If you are unsure she needs help, you can pass her a note saying something like âhey, I noticed this man beside you is making you uncomfortable. If youâd like help, fake a sneeze right now and I will come up to you and pretend we are friends.â This is a long note, but its an example. Be discrete. If she follows along, proceed with the previous tip. This is helpful when youâre in a crowded train and you notice harassment.
Help your sisters. Trust them. Trust yourself. Be safe.
I made this google doc covering 14 different self defense tips and tricks. it was made on January 15th, 2020 so it was before I decided Iâd come back to tumblr jhjshdbjfh.
I showed this tiktok to my grandma to make her laugh, but now sheâs all excited and actually wants to make a chocolate potato cake. Weâre gonna do it.
This stupid cake, made with potatoes ⌠is delicious! Itâs so sweet, moist, and decadent, just like a brownie! And I donât even like chocolate or potatoes!
The recipe from the tiktok was pretty much impossible to find. I looked high and low, but everyone posted recipes that I KNOW he didnât use because the ingredients and methods were different. After some searching, my grandma and I came up with our own recipe.
For the Cake:
1 cup mashed potato
2 cups sour cream
1 ž cup flour
1 ž cup sugar
ž cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup softened butter
2 eggs
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt
For the Drizzle:
4 oz semi-sweet chocolate
½ cup sugar
3 tbsp corn syrup
2 tbsp water
A lot of recipes called for a mixer or a processor, but my grandma and I wanted to make an every-man kind of recipe, since we know not everyone has those things. Plus theyâre heavy and a pain to clean anyway, so bowls it is!
Instructions:
1. Peel and boil the potato, then mash it. Set aside to cool. Go to the bathroom, do your homework, then come back. That should be enough time.
2. Set oven to 350°F.
3. Cream butter. This means putting the sugar and butter into a bowl and mashing it together with a fork until itâs thoroughly mixed.
3. Put everything else in the same bowl, including the mashed potato. Mix and stir well. Work those muscles!
4. Grease a pan (doesnât matter what kind you use) and spatula batter into pan. Even out if necessary.
5. Bake in oven for 40 minutes.
6. Test cake with pick. If nothing sticks, itâs finished. If batter does stick to pick, let it bake a bit longer but make sure it doesnât burn. Remove and set aside to cool.
For the Drizzle:
1. Cut chocolate into tiny squares.
2. In a small pot, mix sugar, corn syrup, and water.
3. On medium heat, wait for mixture to sizzle and stir it. Do NOT let it boil.
Hey here is a thing that happened. We went for a simple ganache for the glaze. Heated 1 cup of cream till hot then poured over 1 cup of semisweet and 1 cup of milk chocolate chips. Whisk untill melted and pour over your chocolate mash potato cake
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