#communication is everything

[sheridansunrise]

I have always felt very safe in the communication of the Babylon 5 characters.

What I mean by this is that at no point was I concerned that a character would not get a chance to explain themselves. The B5 characters eloquently discuss their thoughts and feelings, and either hold themselves accountable for anything they've done wrong or learn to do so. In some cases, where this doesn't happen, it is a realistic character flaw.

And so much of the conflict is resolved with simple communication.

Even when a conflict has to be resolved with force, 9 times out of 10 there is clear communication first.

If there is no clear communication, or if there is miscommunication, then that is purely to prove the point that communication is key (example: the Earth-Minbari war).

Babylon 5 is a place built for communication to resolve and prevent conflicts, and having that strong foundation at the heart of the show is one of the things that makes B5 stand out, because our protagonists talk about their different points of view in a logical, clear and in-depth way.

There's something about the way JMS writes specifically that scratches my brain just right. The characters communicate so effectively and openly (unless there's a specific reason why they aren't communicating openly), which satiates me in ways that other shows don't tend to.

[howdoyousleep3]

Self care story of the day:

"Stevie? Doll, I'm home. C'mere, please."

Steve knew he was in trouble. That was a given at this point. What he didn't know is how much trouble, but he did know that making James wait would make it worse. He slunk from where he'd been hiding in the kitchen to stand in front of James in the living room.

"Welcome home," he said meekly, eyes on the floor.

"Look at me."

Although James' voice was soft and level, Steve couldn't help but flinch as he raised his head. The older man looked absolutely delicious in his dark navy suit and dove gray tie and pocket square. Not that Steve could appreciate it, quivering at the dark look in his lover's eyes.

"What did you do?" James asked, as if he didn't know.

"I-I sent you a dirty picture while you were with clients."

"Why did you do it?"

"Because the new lingerie set you got me came in and I--"

"Wrong." That single word made Steve flinch again, tears starting to burn his nose. "Why. Did. You. Do. It."

Steve took a shuddering breath and wrinkled his nose in frustration at himself. "Because I...wanted to be punished."

James just nodded, not touching Steve as tears started trickling down the blond's face. "I have very few rules that I truly enforce, Steve. Sending me things like that while I am using my phone with clients and employees is one of them. You know this."

Steve's voice was soggy, "Yes, Daddy."

"You put a risk on my employment and the trust I have with my clients. You know this."

"Yes, Daddy."

"You know the rule, and you know the risk, and still you chose to break that rule, for what? A spanking? Some dirty talk? Steve. Really?"

The utter disappointment in James' voice had Steve sobbing, curling around himself. "I'm sorry, James! I just...I didn't mean--"

"I don't care about what you meant or didn't mean, Steve. I care about what you did," James finally relented and pulled Steve into his arms, stroking his back and hair. "You did something very wrong tonight, baby, and I need to know that you understand that and will never do it again. Are you prepared for your punishment?"

Steve looked up in surprise, "W-what? But I thought--"

"This won't be a punishment like you're used to, Steve," James spoke very clearly. "Those were mostly for fun and finding out your limits. This...this is going to be uncomfortable. You are going to be nervous, and unbalanced, and it is going to stay with you for a very long time."

"Then, why?"

"Because," James explained softly, "you broke my trust tonight and now you need to earn it back. You need to show me that you are truly sorry, and I need this to be able to forgive you."

Steve swallowed and clenched the front of James' suit jacket in his fists. "I'm scared."

James nodded, "I know. And if it's too much for tonight, say the word and we'll just...go to bed. But this isn't going away, Steve. The moment you need to go soft and sweet and under, this punishment will be there first. It's too important to be swept away like that."

Steve clenched his jaw and squeezed his eyes shut. He hated that he did this, both to himself and James. The second he'd hit send on that picture, he knew it was a mistake. He also knew that James would never truly hurt him.

"Alright," the word was barely a whisper of sound, but it was heard, regardless.

James nodded and stepped away, leaving Steve feeling suddenly cold. The older man led the way up to the bedroom, loosening his tie and shedding his jacket along the way.

Pulling the chair that usually sat by the window to face the end of their bed, James sat, legs spread and chin resting in an open palm.

"Strip." The word was so cold and sharp, Steve was unable to move.

James heaved out a sigh, "I need to be reminded that you can actually listen when I tell you something. And you need to be reminded that when I speak, you obey. Now...strip."

With every article of clothing dropped, Steve trembling worsened. Without James' touch and voice to cloud his mind and ignite his lust, he felt lost and adrift in those dark eyes staring at him so dispassionately.

"Get on the bed."

Steve shuffled onto the mattress, knees folded under him as James continued to stare. The trembling got worse, and tears were starting to form again.

James settled back further in the chair. "This is what is going to happen," he said, voice cool and calm. "I am going to sit, right here, and tell you what I want you to do. You are going to listen, like you are supposed to, and do them. I don't care if you're shy, uncomfortable, or nervous. If you are not using your safe-word, you are proving to me that you can listen to me and be good. Do you understand?"

Steve sniffled, "Yes, Daddy."

James nodded, just once. "Good. Let's begin."

--

James gave no quarter, voice flat and unaffected as he instructed Steve through a self spanking, fingering himself open, and using several of the toys from their collection on his body.

Steve's trembling had abated, but the blush never left his cheeks as he posed himself as James demanded, over and over. His body ached, his cock was throbbing, and his voice was hoarse as he rained open handed blows down on his own inner thighs.

--

It wasn't until Steve felt the almost gentle patter of James' climax across his exposed ass, where he was holding himself open with four fingers as James' stroked himself to completion above him, that the punishment finally ended.

James immediately scooped Steve up in his arms, kissing his face and lips and forehead, feeding him praise and comfort as the blond broke down into sobs.

"I'm so sorry, Daddy," he choked out, burrowing into James' neck. "I'll never do it again. I'm sorry!"

"I know you are, sweetheart. I know you are. You did so well for me, baby. So perfect. I forgive you, Stevie. Did so good."

Steve hiccuped a few times, slowly settling back into his skin. But when he started a slow grind against James' hip, he was stopped.

"No orgasms for you tonight," James scolded gently. "That's part of your punishment, so quit whining. But I will run you nice bubble bath and get you some snacks. Sound good?"

Steve yawned and nodded. "Yes, Daddy."

"Good. Love you, Stevie."

"Love you, James."

[chobangs]

To have communication like what Junho and YoungWoo have is what I want. Just honest and full of understanding. I wish I can be as straight forward as YoungWoo about my feelings without feeling uncool or worrying about the reception I get.

[hanna-water]

I already posted something similar on twitter but I honestly don`t get why the Druck social media team doesn`t spare us a lot of frustration among the fans, with simply communicating that the next wallpapers will be posted later or tomorrow (or never). It could be so easy but either they don`t know how desperate everyone waits for new content or they underestimate the impact of little things like this.  I am not hating on them, I am just tired  🙄. 

[gabrielbasco]

You can’t try to go out and live life with and love loudly someone who gives you silence.

@gabrielbasco

[nonspeakerlibrary]

Excerpts from SHATTERING WALLS

A keynote speech that Sharisa Joy Kochmeister gave at a conference in 1997.

I compare dyspraxia to inertia. Inertia, as I understand it, is inability to move unless something else makes it possible. I easily relate to this. Dyspraxia is best defined in laymen's terms as an inability to make one's muscles do what one wants without great difficulty or assistance. Sometimes, it makes me "freeze in my tracks" or "forget" how to move, walk, chew, or swallow. It makes it difficult to do something as seemingly simple as nodding my head or shaping my fingers for sign language or walking downstairs alternating feet or using my eye muscles properly or my mouth, tongue, throat and facial muscles to speak clearly.

For most of my childhood years, I was, to even the most "objective observer," a failure at being "human," as defined by societal standards and medical "norms." Unfortunately, these standards and norms were designed by and decided upon by verbalizers for verbalizers, and are not remotely applicable to 'non-verbals' who have no other method of communication available.

Given all of these injustices, failure is the only guaranteed outcome -- a failure in this case that results in a verdict of "brainless," and a completely unjust sentence for the poor person being 'tested" of life-long imprisonment in the world of the 'hopelessly retarded." There are no "pardons" or "clemency" available, but in exceedingly rare instances, even these "living-death" sentences have actually been "overturned" because "new evidence" has finally "come to light."

Let me explain in the most personal of terms. I did not immediately magically become or start getting treated as "really intelligent" when I suddenly became "able to type." I had to attain "genius level" results on a wide battery of tests and "scales" in a variety of settings with different "examiners" from different "disciplines" before most of these people "in power" were willing to give me "credit' for more than a "modicum" of intelligence and cognitive abilities.

I eventually succeeded at "proving" I am "human." Then (and only then), was I finally "rewarded" by 'them," not for merely "trying" -- I was required to 'succeed." Unfortunately, despite my success, I'm still frequently required to "prove" myself. Will "trying" ever be "enough" for me and others "like" me? It certainly doesn't seem that way!

[nonspeakerlibrary]

The ABC's of Communication: Always Be Communicating

Frontline Initiative

Otto Lana writes for a newsletter for direct support professionals about why our communication tools are so important to our lives.

A robust communication system has put me in the driver’s seat of my world. Everyone deserves to be the driving force in their life, regardless of disability or oral fluency. Presumed competence and self-determination should not be radical concepts. Dignity is foundational to human existence. DSPs are in a unique role to support all these things by learning to communicate and establishing a professional relationship with the person supported. Communication is integral and imperative to a dignified life. Rely on the person’s communication to drive your support.