"cozy bookstore" "cozy cafe with a bookshelf" "omg imagine if there was a place you could just sit and read at" we have this its called the library. you guys want to go to the library. the two college libraries near me have cafes inside and they are open to the public. people need to go to the library
I think cis women should be allowed to get top surgery even if its not for a medical reason like breast reduction or cancer. I think they should be able to get it even if they're completely cisgender. Some women are just sick of dealing with them and would be much much happier never needing to wear a bra again
I don't wanna die, but I don't wanna be killed either.
Every night, every-time I wait for my night alarm to go off, 7 PM. Because that's when the ritual, the routine begins.
Locking my house up, my bedroom window first, than all windows and doors. Everything locked. Then the lights, every light is out, lights out everywhere. The only lights allowed are candles and I'm only using them when I need them. And i only need them in my bathroom. The only room with candlelight because the bathroom is the most vulnerable spot in the house and hopefully everyone respected it as a safe spot. Hopefully they respected it as a fact.
Life was like paying catch with a baseball. Everyone had once needs dreams, etc., and as life progresses its course, you either catch the ball or drop it and miss your chance.
So, what did this thing want? What did it need?
What dreams did it have if it calls to me in the night, where it warrants staring into my bedroom window. What game did it need me in this repetitive hellscape i called my shower routine, my sleep routine.
Sleeping in my bathroom has become a new custom, a new addition to the routine. Tthose eyes made my organs itch in trauma. I gave up my own bed, my bedroom within the first month.
I couldn't even hide under my blanket. I'd lose sight of it, and I hated the thought of losing sight of it. What it would do. It didn't help its eyes were like hot beams tracking me. I could feel the heat traveling up-and-down me.
Now starting the bath, after checking the locks on everything, a bath instead of a shower, because showers are too loud, I don't want to give it covering and I need enough noise to both cover myself and to let me listen. I need to hear if it gets in, but I don't want its whispers while i clean myself.
*My god* did it whisper.
Scrubbing my hair, just scrub to ignore it. It *whispers*. It's fantasies, promises, and debauched thoughts the only sentences it speaks. Dreams i want no part in. And lies, lies of protection. I did need protection, i needed an escape. My nails almost claw and my scalp with the irritation.
Next my skin, lathering soap, despite the anxiety. I can hear it speaking again, *ugh* it's *noise*. Having to hear a triumphant laugh from this monstrosity. It's killing me slowly, hearing its giggles from some discovery it spotted, prideful at its own patience.
I was tired, but my enemy was restless, relentless and persistent. My skin was red from the scrubbing I had done well in my thoughts, rinsing the soap off and finishing my bath. Turning off the tap.
Stepping out to dry in the start, the next step, lotion. My time spreading the lotion has me staring at a crack door. I leave it open a sliver, just resting on the frame. I fear what will happen if I leave it open or closed fully.
I've seen it in public. When I spotted it spotting me. It was human looking, but acted as alien as I thought. Its eyes were begging for an invite, an invite i didn't have or want to give, an invite I'd never handover to the entity. I avoided it and it's gaze. Ignore it.
Lukewarm lotion soothing my nerves barely. Covering myself trying to calm myself and my scrubbing marks. My small bit of peace.
Lastly, was teeth, I took my time with teeth. They're delicate plus, I rush through the brunt of the ritual.
*Tap tap.*
I slow my brushing, half-listening.
*Tap tap tap.*
Why was it tapping?
*Creak*.
What the fuck.
I dropped the toothbrush, spitting out some toothpaste. I held the door knob, scared to open it.
*Creeak*.
This can't be happening, I lock my window. I checked that I lock that window. Opening the door i see its silhouette, its face like a false moon. And worse, his arm outstretched into my room.
Running over, I slammed the window on its arm us both screaming, different screams. One of fear, one of pain. This wasn't supposed to happen. This was new, it had never done this before. So why now?
Looking down, i opened the window again to slam it, but it moved his arm out of the way as I did. Nonetheless, I locked it again.
Stepping back with a sigh of relief.
*Crash.*
Punched my window with the shattered glass, splattered the floor, and on me. Oh no God, the window was open.
I ran into my closet to grab my baseball bat. I loved baseball. I played before this creep showed up at my window, at my games. I loved the sport and then I quit.
*Fuck*, I was a champion on those fields. I was on my own beast on the mat, but then that *thing* showed up at my games, in the stands. I won so many games, I had a team and I gave it up because of this *freak*.
I had people who loved me, but I never asked for help. I didn't ask for help, I didn't want to burden them the way this monster burning me.
I had a chance, I could have asked for help and I gave it up, the chance for help and safety. I gave it up from fear.
I missed the ball and now I need to swing, because he was crawling into my room standing on the glass and staring at me.
My wife pointed out to me the other day that apparently most people were literally only taught how to say Sorry and not how to Apologize or even that they are different things so here.
If all you ever do is step 1, not only did you not apologize, but people will rightfully stop believing you and start getting pissed or hurt.
And I have learned that of you were not grown up enough for the baby version of this infographic, I should have gone absolutely InfantNewborn style on your brainpans.
If your characters have specific skillsets, consider how you could apply them in other ways. It could make for an unexpected resolution to a conflict but also just a comedic scene.
Some examples:
knife expert -> cutting vegetables for dinner (very fast but the sizes may be all screwed up the first time)
investigator -> finding out who keeps leaving dirty dishes in the sink (and other domestic controversies)
physical strength -> designated jar opener
acrobat -> changing lightbulbs, hanging up paintings, ... anything where you would otherwise need a ladder
necromancer -> gardening. plant died? no problem.
charismatic and persuasive -> on duty for handling difficult dinner guests
Also consider playing with the exact opposite: you're good at x, so everyone expects you to be good at y, but for some reason you aren't and it is hilarious.