so like queen Was Going To be a calculator. i have to wonder how far into development this was changed, since her design is still clearly reminiscent of it but there are certain things in-game that do rely on her being a computer (like her concern for/fixation on noelle and her searches)

but since it was changed to her being the laptop, why didn’t they make it resemble her? like why not make it a blue laptop

You know what’s funny is whenever I make a tech post I get people going “this is blatantly untrue” and I get people going “this is really good information and everyone needs to know it” and the dividing line is how much time you spend with people who are tech literate.

Yep, I would tell my computer savvy friends where they could get keycaps and fix their keyboards; I don’t even have to bother telling my computer savvy friends how to run a fifteen year old laptop because we’re all pretty good at it.

But GODDAMN I just read a response to my “cheap computer season” post that claimed that it was totally reasonable to run a macbook from 2010 and

Look.

That’s not a reasonable thing to tell a student who needs a functional computer to do research and write papers. (have fun trying to find installation discs from when the OS was still named after cats and have fun trying to get a browser to get along with that OS)

You know why most people bring me laptops with missing keys? Because the key got ripped off by their two-year-old and damaged the soldering in the keyboard and I have no idea it’s going to be “oh, yeah, that’s a ten dollar fix” or “sorry, that’s going to be an hour and a half to disassemble and reassemble and we’ll have to order you a new keyboard specific to that model out of new old stock” and the thing is the second one is much, much, much more common in my experience than the first.

Do I think you need to replace a laptop when the bezel is cracked? No. I also don’t carry my laptop powered on in the bag with a flashdrive sticking out of the USB port. Customers do weird things that I don’t understand and when a customer tells me they want me to fix the bezel they think it’s a twenty-dollar snap-on repair because they have no idea how this works and then they get mad at me when I explain “no, you’ve gotta have this specific piece of plastic, these haven’t been made in five years, and you might be better off buying a used model online than trying to track down a new bezel.”

So here’s the thing: Can Macs get viruses?

There are three answers here.

“No, of course not, Macs are made to be virus-proof”

“Macs need antivirus protection because, while it is less common than infections for PCs, there are types of malware that can infect macs and it’s worthwhile to guard against that”

“tEcHnIcAlLy a virus has to be self-replicating and IOS’s file management system [or some other bullshit] prevents that so TECHNICALLY Macs can’t get viruses and what you need is anti-malware software if you need anything because you’re fairly likely to have security through obscurity”

I’m aware of the third position and voicing the second position to people who believe the first position.

YES TECHNICALLY YOU CAN KEEP A COMPUTER RUNNING INDEFINITELY AND YES IT’S TOTALLY POSSIBLE YOUR LAPTOP WILL LAST TEN YEARS.

“Well if you treat it right and run it well it’ll be in great shape for a long time”

YES THAT IS CORRECT DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO DON’T WORK ON THEIR OWN CARS DRIVE AROUND WITH THE OIL CHANGE LIGHT ON FOR MONTHS?!?

Tons of people in the world today use computers. They use computers every day, they use computers at home and at school and at work.

Tons of people drive every day. They use cars for fun and for commuting and for their jobs.

That doesn’t mean that all (or even most, or even half) of the people using these things is any good at keeping them running, or even has the barest idea of how to start tracking down a problem.

Someone in the notes of that post described a green line on their screen and thought that was a symptom of hard drive problems. I don’t have the hours in the day to catch this person up to speed on why a display issue on a laptop isn’t indicative of hard drive issues.

Do you know how much people think it’s going to cost to get data off of a broken drive? Not “won’t power up” not “won’t spin” but “I dropped this and part fell off and now it won’t power up or spin and also the platter is chipped”? I’m going to have to send that shit to a clean room and the customer is *staggered* that it might cost more than a hundred dollars to get their data. “Outrageous, what kind of blackmail operation are you trying to run here, just plug it in and get my pictures.”

A year or so ago I was at Jiffy Lube (ew). I’d been shooting the shit with the mechanic when a parent and child rolled in in a panic. And they should have been panicking! They’d thrown a fucking rod because they’d been driving with no oil in the car for god knows how long because neither of them had had the oil changed in the two years they’d owned the vehicle.

*I* can keep a 30-year-old car running. I can put a belt back on an engine in a dark parking lot with a wrench and a headlamp. I can drop a gas tank and replace my fuel filter and thumb my nose at the mechanics who tried to upsell me on “replacing your old, worn-out air filter” the day after I’d popped a new one into my truck.

These folks couldn’t keep a new car running with three alarms telling them what was wrong.

*I* can power up my 2005 macbook running Leopard and use garage band to record a song or do some design work on my copy of Adobe CS3; I can kludge its FF3.5 browser into playing nice with the internet and accept that it’s going to be a slow piece of shit.

The lady who called me confused by the fact that the password to her email was different than the login information for her grocery store rewards account will not be able to function if she gets a pop-up that says she’s using an outdated browser and will think it’s a virus if her bank won’t let her log in on that browser.

And you know what, I’m kind of sick of this attitude.

I would *fucking adore it* if computers were actually easy to repair; I’d love it if you could run new OSs on old hardware (especially on macs because I think apple are kind of shitheads about planned obsolescence).

But you know what, no, most people *CAN’T* reasonably expect to use a ten-year-old computer and have pleasant experience of it. It’s going to run slow. It’s going to shut down when they don’t want it to. The battery is going to swell slightly with the heat and your touchpad is going to go nuts. Your USB ports will stop working. Standard wear and tear that most people don’t know how to protect against and don’t know how to repair is going to make it harder to use AND software requirements will outstrip the hardware capabilities of the computer.

If your old computer sucks it’s not your fault. If you can’t happily use a 10-year-old laptop to do your homework that’s okay, it wasn’t designed for you to use it that way and YOU SHOULDN’T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT IT.

Because that’s kind of what a lot of these “well anybody should realistically be able to run a laptop from 2010″ responses comes down to: if you need new hardware you’re just not doing it right. If you have to replace your computer you didn’t make good choices when you bought it. If your battery dies it’s because you didn’t take care of it.

No. No. No. No.

This shit is A) designed to fail and B) actually really hard to keep running (hey how many blown capacitors do you think someone has to have on their motherboard before you say it’s not their fault for wanting to replace the laptop)

ALSO SOMEONE IN THE RESPONSES OF THAT POST LITERALLY SAID THAT IF YOUR BATTERY DIED AT THREE YEARS IT WAS BECAUSE YOU WEREN’T DOING THE DRAIN CHARGE CYCLE RIGHT AND FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU. It’s discharge cycles and heat, motherfucker; they are going to fail at some point and people shouldn’t feel bad if their batteries stop working after a couple years.

UGH.

You shouldn’t have to be a mechanic. You shouldn’t have to be a computer technician. Yeah, your shit will last longer if you know how to take care of it but, fuck. Imagine you were still using internet speeds from 2010. Imagine all your devices still had USB 2.0. Imagine you couldn’t log onto your online bank because your hardware won’t run he software that your bank recognizes because the hardware manufacturer decided it won’t support the older hardware.

What I was trying to get across in that initial post was “computers fail, and they fail pretty frequently; your life will be better and you will save money if you plan on replacing them at a regular interval and have reasonable expectations in terms of cost and failure. So buy a cheap computer now because you’re probably going to need one at some point”

And now I’ve got to Do A Yell about how there’s no ethical consumption under capitalism and it’s unreasonable to expect tired, overworked, broke people to become experts in computer repair in order to do their homework or play the goose game.

FUCK THAT.

IT’S CHEAP COMPUTER SEASON MOTHERFUCKERS. LAPTOP FAILURE RATES INCREASE AT THREE TO FIVE YEARS AND DESKTOP FAILURE RATES INCREASE AT FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS. RIGHT NOW THERE ARE DISCOUNTS ON NEW COMPUTERS AND IT’S CHEAP TO GET AN EXTENDED WARRANTY.

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER AND WORK ON COMPUTERS IF YOU WANNA AND PLAN TO REPLACE REGULARLY IF YOU DON’T WANT TO WORK ON COMPUTERS.

ALSO CHANGE YOUR FUCKING OIL YOU’RE PROBABLY DUE.

Daylight

[Full Masterlist]

Beta: @fluffy-fluffu @taegularities @xiaokoo​ (if I forgot someone let me know, some people were in anon) Rating: Teen+ Pairing: Jimin x Reader Genre: Fluff, fantasy, adventure, angst, scifi, Romance, mystery,  Words: 12.6K

Summary: When trying to find a place to sleep the reader finds an elevator that only goes down. When it reaches the bottom, the reader is met with a new world and new civilization. Have you found somewhere you belong or are you in over your head.

You were looking for a place to sleep. The train station had two areas: the new and improved station on the ground level and the old and abandoned level underground. The underground level was blocked off, but you needed somewhere to sleep. No amount of graffiti, rats or even kids with cans of spray paint could stop you. 

You slipped past the fence and headed down the stairs until you reached the old abandoned floor below. You could hear every footstep that echoed. With the limited light from the platform at the top of the stairs you could only make out outlines of pillars and benches. You would turn on a light but that would give your position away. 

While finding the edge of the platform you almost fell onto the tracks. Jumping down, you followed the wall till you reached the little maintenance rooms at the end of the long almost pitch black tunnel. You were hoping you could find one with either a power socket for your phone or a built-in phone to call out. Though who would you call? You were homeless, meaning you had exerted all other options and lost the ‘friends’ you thought you had.

Hand colliding with a doorknob -that would leave a bruise- you stepped inside and waited. Hoping you were alone but not able to guarantee, you had to work up the courage to turn on a light. 

Deciding to flip the light switch, you gave yourself a mental pep talk. After all, if you were to die anyway it wouldn’t matter if you exposed yourself to hidden demons, devils, ghosts, murderers, or crazies.

The place was empty and small. You saw an old-style computer, the type that’s all bulky and awkward in shape. The huge monitor had an ugly keyboard built in and a long wire leading to the mouse. What, was this built in the eighties? You assumed the motherboard was underneath as such.  

Turning on the light, you looked around intrigued - this place was clean, like seriously clean. This platform and train line had all been abandoned, so who was coming here to clean it? Even if it was a maintenance room, it was odd, and everything inside was old which made sense, except the elevator in the corner. 

The elevator gave many red flags: the fact there was only a down function, and the fact it seemed to be clean like the rest of the room somehow made it worse. You walked over and found a clipboard on the desk; eyeing the bin beside the desk, you noticed the empty can of coke. 

Someone signed off on maintenance just yesterday. Again, who was performing maintenance on an abandoned rail line? Especially on the vintage equipment. Turning to face the elevator, the proverbial curious cat inside you clawed at the thought of where the elevator would take you. Could it be another floor, a secret base, some machinery storage or perhaps, you thought morbidly, hell? 

Taking the chance, you pressed the call button for the elevator. The doors slid open, lights flickering on overhead and you heard the bell chime to indicate the elevator had reached. Stepping inside nothing seemed off at first glance. Pressing the down button, you waited as the elevator descended. It all seemed normal.That was until an entire floor length passed. 

You grew worried, you had been descending further than you anticipated.

The elevator continued on its journey downwards while you sat on the floor, now worried about what you would come across in the end. You had noticed the government symbol on the floor of the elevator and that made everything even more suspicious. But a part of you was happy you had somewhere safe -albeit cold- to sleep, even if it was an elevator.

When the elevator finally stopped, you saw twinkling lights in the sky which were lightening to a peachy color. It was like you were outside, but that was impossible. You had gone underground, you know you did, and even if you had somehow gone up, you would be on the city streets outside the train station, not in some beautiful parkland.

You stood there in awe, watching the sunrise, taking a moment to fully appreciate the scenery. Something you didn’t do quite often. You had been locked up in the safe confines of your room for a long time and it took being homeless to really appreciate nature and things it had to offer, like the rising sun. The air was refreshing and the sounds of the animals were mingling with the constant from the river in a calming harmony. 

You heard a sound and whipped around to look for the cause, when you heard a gasp. 

“Are you the Almighty?” 

Your heart hammered in your chest. The only thing you noticed was how sweet the voice was. Why was someone down here? This was getting weird, something was going on and you were scared to find out what it was.

Your eyes darted around trying to find the person down there with you when you finally saw him. In front of you stood the most beautiful person you had ever seen, ethereal and perfect. You knew you were pretty good looking, but your recent lack of home meant you weren’t as clean as you wished to be.

As you examined him further, you noticed little things like how his long brown hair was tied intricately with ribboned fastens, and peaking through the hair were two pointed ears. It was odd but the more you looked at him, the more you realized how inhuman he really looked.

He seemed to be looking at you the same way, studying your shorter stature and lack of pointed ears with a curious look on his face. You had seen elves before, in movies, the Christmas type and the fairytale kind, and you had to admit Legolas had nothing on this man.

His dark eyes sparkled bright like the stars as they examined you, “Hello, do you understand me?” His voice was so eerily soft, it caused you to shrink. He smiled at your reaction before speaking softly, “I won’t hurt you.”

“Where am I?” You asked this time, causing him to look shocked. His smile became wider, showing off his pearly white teeth.

“You do understand me.” He stepped forward, making you cower back at his advances. “What is it like in the heavens? Is this your vessel?” 

He grinned looking around you and at the elevator, smiling and tapping at it, “You must come back to the village and we will hold a celebration.”

He took your arm and led you through the trees. He didn’t seem to be rushed nor did he feel threatening in any wayHe just gently guided you along, asking you questions. He didn’t really give you time to answer before he started talking again. 

“Tell me, are you one of the Almighty? I have never met an Almighty before, we pray to them and they give us gifts from the heavens. I have only met elves and that is it. What is your name?” He turned and just as you were about to answer he continued, “My name is Jimin.”

The whole trip you learned a lot about Jimin, he was excitable, he liked to talk, listen when needed and he also liked dancing and being mischievous. He said the other elves ignored him because he wasn’t noble or rich. He wasn’t as well-bred as the others.

“You are so tiny, Yoongi will be happy, he is the shortest Elf you will ever meet. Well, I assume elves, where you are from, are quite tall.” He laughed.

“Um, I have never met an elf before,” you plucked up the courage to admit and his eyes turned to youIt was apparent that he was shocked. “Sorry.”

“So, Elves don’t exist where you are from?” He asked, watching you nervously shake your head. “That is so strange.”

As you continued walking, the sun rose some more and you began to notice a few more things that shocked you. You had realized the whole place was an artificial world. It seemed to go on for a fairway, you could just see walls of vines and greenery, but there were lights that simulated artificial daylight. 

The roof had screens showing a fake sky - there must have been UV lights as the trees and vegetation seemed to be growing well. Then, of course, there was the elevator shaft you had been in before: the further you walked along the road, the more animals, buildings and people you had seen. 

They turned to you, gawking at your differences and style of dress. To them, you must have appeared like a filthy child dressed in rags. To you, they were a beautiful community draped in the finest of fabrics. They were dressed in a style you could only describe as a mix between a Sari and a greek Toga. Even Jimin who told you he wasn’t noble or rich was dressed better than yourself. It was then that you noticed how big this underground ecosystem really was and on top of that, the people were all beautiful beyond comparison. 

They all looked scared of you, each tripping over themselves to show you around and lavish you in gifts. Jimin had rushed off once a noble woman had spotted you. He left you in her care, deeming himself no longer worthy of your presence. You watched how the elves lived and played with the children.

The tour of the village was long, your legs growing tired, merchants giving you fruits and tea. You were going through the town centre, walking between stalls. People busily rushing past. You caught Jimin’s eye. He seemed to be teaching something to some slightly younger elves, and when one fell, he helped them up and brushed off the dirt from their pants before giving some words of encouragement.

You met many people before you were taken to a small bathhouse to be washed and buffed, your hair was brushed and twisted into a beautiful hairstyle. The fabrics wrapped and draped around you were more expensive than any piece of clothing you had ever owned in your life.

Feeling cleaner than you had in a long time, you were led into one of the elaborate buildings before they sat you down, giving you food and entertaining you. They called for dancers and there he was, stepping out in silks and lace, spinning and leaping, moving as if  he was weightless. Jimin truly was beautiful. 

After his dance, he was ushered away and a woman stepped out, “I am Lady Adora and I am the leader of the village. I have brought to you some of the finest men. Pick any elf you wish, they are noble, each pleasing to the eyes and well educated.”

Was she trying to sell you a man? This seemed to be some weird arranged marriage business. You were led out from behind the dining table and asked to walk down the line, “This one is the eldest, Kim Seokjin - he is handsome and romantic, he has good heritage. Next is Min Yoongi, who is shorter than the average elf, but he is creative and enjoys the simple things.” Just as you thought, this was like the bachelorette and you were supposed to pick someone. Admittedly they were all gorgeous, it was insane. “Jung Hoseok is from a brilliant family of scholars and he has a cheerful disposition; he is friendly and caring.” Lady Adora continued.

“Kim Namjoon is a genius, he has a love for nature and is from a good family. Kim Taehyung is a little odd, but he is refreshingly curious and has equally refreshing features.” Your eye caught sight of the dancers; there he was in his soft silks and laces, peeking from behind a pillar. Behind him, some small elves also seemed to be peeking at you curiously.

He shushed them as you stepped up to the last young man, “This is our youngest, a very talented man, he is from a good family and he strives for perfection.”

“They are all very nice looking,” you said with a smile.

“Would you like to have them all?” The elf leader spoke up in confusion. 

“No, that’s not what I meant,” you backpedaled quickly, “I was just admiring their skills and beauty as you had described them to be, very handsome individuals with good backgrounds.”

You saw the dancer giggle into his bell sleeve and subconsciously smiled back at him. You were led back to the table and sat down, “You can choose any of the eligible young elves within the village, has anyone caught your eye?” Adora asked sitting beside you and handing you a drink. “You have plenty of time to decide. How about some more festivities? Dancers!”

Jimin raced back into the clearing of the dining hall. He knew he wasn’t a noble or anyone particularly worthy of being with an Almighty. The Almighties were the beings they prayed to in order to receive gifts from the heavens. This Almighty was a gift from the heavens for the people and he knew that she had to be treated favorably, so as to please the Almighty.

Jimin had never seen anything like you before, your beauty was subtle, hidden but under the right circumstances you bloomed like a flower. He enjoyed watching your expressions as he danced. It was the reason he chose to dance, to make the Almighty happy with each performance.

“He dances so well,” you smiled; he could hear you and a part of him hoped it was you he was talking about. “The one in the black and red silks with the red lace.”

“That is Jimin, would you like him?” Upon hearing Lady Adora offering him of all people, he stumbled and the music stopped.You rushed out around the table, but he was already scurrying into a bow as if he was begging for his life. Sitting on his feet, hands flat on the floor and his forehead touching the ground. He did this whilst crawling backwards away from you.

“Jimin,” you whispered, lifting his head. It was cheesy how his heart fluttered in his chest when your eyes locked on his. His mouth fell open, he believed he saw you blush, his breath caught in his throat. Did he say your beauty was subtle? He was wrong.

“I am sorry, I will go repent,” he said, bowing low again.

“Please forgive Jimin, he must have been light-headed,” Adora said as if trying to calm you. He never believed in the elf’s stupid idea of love at first sight, but there he was, in love. 

Taking his hands in yours, you lifted him and guided him to the table. He almost choked when you tried to make him sit in your chair. Jimin dug his feet into the ground when you tried to lead him up the steps to your seat. He felt uneasy with the whole room watching him struggle and eventually sat down on the step below you, graciously accepting the food and drinks you offered albeit embarrassed. 

“I am sorry that I didn’t perform well,” Jimin spoke sadly, his ears and cheeks aflame. “I will make sure to be better next time.”

“You are a beautiful and elegant dancer and I enjoyed watching the way you moved to the music.” Your words sounded so warm and the accent was unlike anything he had ever heard. His brain got past your voice and caught up with what you had said and he ducked his head from how red his cheeks had become.

“You are too kind, I-'' He was cut off by Adora asking if you had decided on an elf. You leaned over to Jimin.

“Why am I supposed to choose an elf?” you asked. Jimin took a sharp breath, your hair had brushed his shoulder and he lost himself in your eyes, “What does choosing an elf mean?”

Jimin laughed almost in stitches. You didn’t know why these elves were being presented to you and he decided to explain it all before you had to choose. Because what if you chose randomly and didn’t like the elf? He wanted you to be happy. Even if a small part of him was jealous of the noble elves. You would be stuck with them together for eternity after all.

“Lady Adora, I think it would be best to explain to the Almighty why she is choosing a suitor,” Jimin prompted, lowering his head. She was a caring leader, but he still wanted to show her respect. Everyone in the community knew one another, and Lady Adora had practically raised him. Though elves could live forever, there had been times where elves had lost their lives. 

These times included when the Almighty would be angered and come down from the heavens and take those they wished, laying waste to anyone who got in their way. Jimin was familiar with this notion: his father had been the previous leader of the village - he had tried to stop the Almighty from taking some of the innocent elves. Jimin was  only a baby when he and a few other children were taken. 

Jimin’s parents fought hard, but they were both killed in the process for interfering with the Almighty’s plans. The children were returned, unharmed, but the damage was done. Jimin was orphaned. It was strange. Jimin was so young, so he didn’t know what had happened, but it seemed none of the children taken really remembered what happened either. 

“The Almighty will be blessed with any elf she chooses to spend the rest of her life with,” Adora explained smiling; it was amusing to see the realization on your face. “The elves will now demonstrate their specialty energy.”

They had magic, they were air and water benders or something. These were real Naruto jutsus. You were about to lose your mind. ‘Pick a husband, and guess what their secret powers are.’ That’s what she should have said in the first place. Jimin had almost wet himself, giggling at your expense when he realized you didn’t know what this whole celebration was for. They were celebrating you and apparently your gift was an eternal super hot elf husband.

“Who do you choose?” Adora asked and you froze. This had to be some sort of fever dream. The elevator collapsed on you and you died, the rats underground were probably eating your body as you dreamt this.

“Does everyone have powers?” You asked Jimin and he held out his hand where a glowing orb appeared, “What’s that?”

“I can heal things.” He smiled, healing being something he believed stemmed from his parents deaths. Cultivated with the hopes of never suffering loss again. “Do you want me to explain to Adora that you need more time?”

“We can have the boys answer some questions if you would like?” Adora seemed desperate.

“I think I will need more time to choose properly ” you said, squaring your shoulders definitively and Lady Adora nodded approvingly. 

“Excellent,” she clapped her hands, “you shall all get to know each other before choosing.”

The dinner and celebrations raged on filled with laughter and dancing, when Lady Adora spotted you yawning. You were guided to a room where you retreated for the night in a warm bed. 

You woke in disbelief. You weren’t dead in a collapsed elevator nor were you being feasted on by a group of rats. No, instead you were in the softest bed, feeling like you had just gotten the best sleep of your life. You sat up hearing a knock at the door, quickly straightening up and calling them in. 

A small part of you was scared that they would figure out you weren’t who they thought you were to be and they would kick you out or worse. Your memory was a bit foggy and everything seemed like a dream. It was hard to discern what was real and what might have been your imagination while you slept.

It hit you that this was all real, when they drew you a bath. They filled it with soft petals and took it upon themselves to help you wash once more - it almost seemed like overkill, you were scrubbed and polished just yesterday. Did you really need another thorough clean?

Dressed in the most delicate of dresses intricately tied around your waist and neck, you spun, watching the skirt flutter around you. You were giddy, wanting to sing and dance. It was such a drastic change. The community seemed so welcoming and gentle, they had no negative thoughts or intentions. 

They guided you to the town square which had been decorated in flowers. The boys were walking around with baskets of flowers, some sitting making flower crowns intricately and you skipped after Jimin, who led you to a beautiful meadow by the river. The hem of your dress was bouncing slightly with every step. You crouched beside him, looking at the flower crown he began making. 

“Wow! That’s pretty. Can you make me one?” you grinned; Jimin spluttered and he looked at you in shock. Had you offended him? “I’m sorry.”

“No, you did nothing wrong, it’s just flowers are a big part of courting in elf tradition, if you accept the flower crown, you accept the elf as a prospective partner. Or at least you like them enough to dance with them during the flower festival.”

You hummed in thought and grinned at him, “I like you enough to dance with you, unless you want to give it to someone. Then I won’t bother you”

“No one usually dances with me?” He laughed, more to himself, “Last year I danced with Hana. I think she did it out of pity and she didn’t keep time, so she stepped on my toes.”

“Oh no!” You frowned, “wait, I don’t know the dance?” 

He stopped looking up at you, you were fretting, “please teach me the dance!” You gripped his hands and he nodded, taking your hands. He led you away from the flowers in the small meadow and began explaining the dance and you nodded, paying attention. 

He tried to teach you the dance, giving you directions and laughing when you felt hopeless. He took your hands and guided you through the steps, humming a foreign tune. You were reduced to giggling something about the spins, the hand holding and the steps felt so good; you were so happy and giddy. 

You spun laughing and fell against his chest, he caught you, quickly placing you back to your feet and stepping back. “You are actually a really good dancer.”

“Maybe it’s because you are my teacher?” You smiled.

“If only you would look away from your feet,” he teased and you laughed.

“It's been fun dancing with you, I have never learnt a proper dance before,” you blushed, tucking your hair behind your ear. “Thank you Jimin.”

You kissed his cheek and ran off and spinning quickly to see his bright red cheeks. You joined the festivities, trying the food and even playing some of the games with the ribbons and hoops. 

It was time for the evening dance and the young eligible elves stood with their hands out, flower crowns intricately designed resting atop their palms. Weaved flowers of different sizes and styles in colours of pinks, blues, reds and more, held by confident and bored looking elves. Behind them a nervous Jimin caught your attention.

You watched as he looked down, it was hard to see the crown from so far away but the colour scheme seemed to be yellow, the ribbon to which the flowers were weaved was a shiny gold. Yellow flowers usually represent friendship, like Jimin calling out for someone to just be his friend. 

“Hey, Hana, are you going to take Jimin’s flower crown this time?” One of the young female elves called in a hushed tone across the small group of eligible elvish maidens and yourself of course. 

“No, I did it last time because I felt bad for him” she whined. You felt disgusted that they were avoiding him.

“Whatever, someone has to make the first move,” the girls looked at each other nervously and you gently brushed past them and headed straight out onto the dance floor.

It seemed everyone was waiting for you to choose, stepping up to the first elf. You looked at the pink flowered crown in his hands; it was a little over the top and not your style. You saw his smirk and proceeded to step on, making a few of the other young elves laugh, Seokjin’s pointed ears turning red. 

“Seokjin, I thought you said no one could say no to you or your flower crown” they snickered. You continued. The next crown was almost falling apart and the elf ducked his head, apologising. 

“Hey, a crown doesn’t define you, people have different strengths. You are really smart from what I heard?” You smiled and moved through the lines, being polite and admiring their creatures, praising some and chatting with others. The purple crown was elaborate and beautiful, you smiled praising him. You would have taken it, had it not been for Jimin shuffling in the next row in your peripherals. You looked over and found him fiddling with his crown, pouting.

Thanking Jungkook, you stepped into the next row, not bothering to look at him any more and heading straight to Jimin. He was no longer watching you; he was staring at the floor, his hair covering his eyes. 

“Jimiiiin~” you smiled, spinning happily, “This is really pretty, can I see it?” 

He puffed up from your praise, getting a little bashful and held the crown up for you to see, “Oh this is lovely, Jimin, this is so pretty.”

“Thank you,” He was becoming more and more bashful, wiggling his shoulders cutely, scuffing his shoes on the stone.

“Can I wear it?” You asked, cupping your hands under his and looking up hopeful. You didn’t want to take away his choice on who he could give the crown to, but you also thought of him as your friend you were closer to than the others.

“Are you sure?” He asked and you nodded grinning. 

“Yes, but I don’t know how to wear these.Do you know how to tie them?” He laughed like sweet bells tinkling in the wind and it left you a little dazed and embarrassed, “Don’t laugh at me.”

“No, no, I would never,” he smiled, gently lifting the delicate flower crown onto your head, and taking the two ribbons, he began tying it behind your head. 

He was so close looking into your eyes as he tied it off and arranging the little flowers hanging strategically from the crown. Jimin’s crown was probably the sweetest looking, so delicate and intricate with soft petals or pale yellows and deep golds. 

You smiled and took your spots on the dance floor and the others did the same, the line of female elves and yourself facing the line of male elves and the dance began. Slowly you recited Jimin's teachings. 

Three steps forward, you  offered your right hand and he bowed, accepting the offered hand with both of his. While his right hand held yours, squeezing reassuringly, his left softly glided up your arm as he stepped behind you. 

His left hand slid from your left shoulder, down your back where he clutched your waist, trying not to giggle as he realised you were ticklish.. Your heart was hammering in your chest as you followed the routine, placing your left hand atop his. 

You looked down and he whispered into your ear, “Keep your head up, don’t look down, I will lead you perfectly trust me.” The feeling of his soft breath brushing the shell of your ear made you shiver. 

You felt beautiful and loved all from just one dance, it was like being the main character in a movie getting to dance with a beautiful man. He spun you and you were now facing one another, hand in hand, swaying and spinning.

You were exhausted from the dancing, your throat a little dry. You were met by Seokjin who handed you a drink. “Good evening, my lady, I apologise for not introducing myself sooner, I am Kim Seokjin, from the main house of Kim.” 

“Oh well, thank you for the introduction,” you smiled, taking a sip of the drink and Jimin looked awkward. 

“You have to choose an eligible bachelor and I thought it wouldn’t be fair unless we each got to spend time and get to know each other - so with that in mind I thought I could show you some of the fun games?”

“Uh sure, I guess you are right, it’s only fair I hang out with all of you equally.” He took your hand and looped it around yours, walking you away to the festival activities without giving you a chance to thank Jimin. 

Seokjin was hilarious, he took you to a small stall where there was fish in a tank and if you caught the fish, you got to keep it. You tried your best, but you were too busy laughing at Seokjin to catch anything. He was terrible and it was so comical, watching him fail his expressions over the top. 

You splashed water at him and he looked offended, he splashed back and you ran off before he could catch you. The two of you spoke, getting to know one another. Seokjin was really charming and handsome. He spoke to you about food and jokes and your cheeks ached from smiling, your sides stung from laughter. He stopped in front of a sweet scented stall, “you should try these - they are sugared roses, they are delicious.”

They were indeed delicious and he smiled at you, “it’s happening!” Seokjin took your hand in his bigger warmer one and dragged you along excitedly. 

“What’s happening?” You asked curious as to why he was running and he turned back grinning so childlike and pulled you along. 

“It’s the fireflies, come look!” He pointed at the sky and you saw it begin: the fireflies started to dance beautifully. It was amazing in all different colours and shapes and sizes; they spun together in the air, twisting and turning like a small galaxy. 

You felt someone standing behind you and smiled, Jimin was lost in the sight, “pretty.” 

“They dance to find love, that’s why every year in spring we dance as well,” Jimin said, “you will find love eventually.”

He handed you a small bag with a fish inside. It was white with a tail like a fan, tipped with gold and very pretty. “It’s a thank you for dancing with me.”

“Wait Jimin, I don’t have anywhere to put the fish.”

“Oh” he frowned, “I do, it can stay in my pond at home.”

“Well, then I will have to visit and take care of the fish,” you grinned, bumping your shoulder with his. Jimin was so cute. 

Once you woke and dressed your first destination was Jimin’s house to feed the fish. Jimin lived in a big house by himself and you were confused, “where are your parents and brothers and sisters?”

“They died when I was born.” He let out a soft sigh, the two of you sprinkling the fish food into the big pond out the back. There were about a hundred fish in different shades. He smiled leaning over to sprinkle another pinch of fish food, his hair dangerously close to the water, and you hooked your fingers around the tressels and tucked it behind his ear. 

He paused at the contact, shivering as he grabbed his ear, blushing. He let out a giggle, “Come on, let’s go see your new fish.” He brushed his hands on the lap of his midnight blue robes, standing and offering his hand to you. He pulled you up onto your feet and without letting your hand go he led you through the garden to another tiny pond where there were not as many fish occupying the small pool of water. 

But swimming in the water was the beautiful fantail fish Jimin had gifted you the night before. It was such a beautiful fish with its long tail fluttering in the water as it moved. “You are so pretty,” you grinned, gesturing to the fish food in the tiny heshen bag. “Can I?”

“Of course, she is very pretty. I couldn’t give you anything but the best, you are an Almighty. I put her in the tank with my oldest fish. I raised him since he was a baby, he is very calm.” This fish was also a fantail, but black with silver spots. Jimin held out the bag and you sprinkled the food out and he smiled.

“How old is he?” You smiled, watching the two swim around happily. 

“He turns thirty-five this year,” Jimin smiled, “Fish of this kind will often live till they are forty.”

“Wait, you can’t be over thirty-five, you look like you're twenty,” You scoffed, looking him up and down. He was quick to throw his head back and let out an adorable laugh, falling against you for a moment before picking himself up from your shoulder.

“I like that, Twenty, hahaha!” Wiping his eyes, Jimin ran away giggling, “I am sixty-five!”

“NO WAY!” You gasped chasing after him.

After feeding the fishes that morning with Jimin, you were sitting by the small fountain in the town centre, the people were cleaning up from the flower festival and the dance that night. It was a great night, but it was nice to see how the elves lived day to day. The festivals and celebrations were fun, but draining. Now no one was trying to wait on your hand and foot.

The elvish girls were giggling and quick to approach you, “Good morning, my lady. A few of us are all going to the waterfall, if you want to join in the fun.”

“Oh, that sounds really exciting,” you smiled, placing down the slices of melon Jimin had bought for you before he ran off to teach the young elfs. A disappointment filled you when you remembered you didn’t have a swimsuit. “But I have nothing to wear. What do you wear when you go swimming?” 

They giggled, grabbed you by the hands and pulled you towards the stalls in the market.It was an open lane that branched off from the town square. Stumbling into a marquee full of summer fabrics, they began offering you different options on what you could wear. You found something that resembled a bikini from the surface.

You smiled, showing the elvish ladies your selected swimwear.They went quiet and you wondered what they were thinking. But ultimately, this would be the most comfortable for you, it was what you were used to, so you were going to wear it no matter what.

Taking the fabric and following the group of elves, you trekked through the forest for a short while until you came across a small waterfall. The water was crystal clear and you could see the water running from a few pipes in the wall. There were a few tents where everyone got changed. You were helped by one of the ladies into the swim wear and she tied everything securely. 

Stepping out, the girls chorused ‘ooh’, making you feel a little self conscious - maybe it was weird to show this much skin. But they quickly forgot about what you were wearing and raced into the water. It was refreshing to swim, and you had to admit, your serotonin levels soared when you were splashing and playing with the elves in the water.

Some of the male elves were climbing the waterfall and jumping off squealing excitedly and you followed them. “Hey, you going to jump too?” The young male asked. His hair was braided entirely, so it was out of his face. “Come this way, it is easier to climb.”

He helped you up, guiding you the whole way, taking your hand to pull you onto tall rocks and placing your feet when you were determined to climb the smaller rocks. “You are so tiny, are you sure you can climb this one?”

As if his words had jinxed it, you slipped falling into his arms, your back pressed to his chest, his strong arms wrapping around you. He turned you in his arms and looked at your hands feet and knees for any cuts, he saw the slight graze on your palm and looked guilty.”I’m okay,”

Taking your hand in his he kissed the abrasion and apologized. “I should have been more careful.” He wouldn’t let you climb any of the rocks alone after that. You were thankful when you reached the top.

“Hey Jungkook, what took you so long, you scared?” A deep voice called. When you stepped up onto the flat part of the waterfall, you noticed the elf’s eyes widen as he took your hand helping you across the rocks. “Are you going to jump?” 

The two were giving you tips and tricks on how to jump properly. It was a lot. “I will go first and you can see how it is done,” Jungkook grinned, “Then Taehyung can count you in.”

“Okay.” You nodded, feeling a little sick at the idea of dropping that far into the water. Jungkook jumped, whooping the whole way down and it made you giggle. Now it was your turn.

“I will count you in, okay? And then you jump,” Taehyung said and you stepped up to the edge and shuffled back.

“Wow, that is high!” Your heart was beating in your ears like a drum and you felt like your legs give out.

“Come on, you can do it!” Jungkook shouted from underneath you. It seemed everyone was cheering you on from the bottom and you turned to Taehyung and stumbled over.

“I don’t think I can do it” You said, grabbing his arms, “I’m a big chicken, I will just walk back down and everything will be alright.” 

He rubbed your shoulders reassuringly, looking you in the eyes, “Hey, listen to me, I know it is scary, but it is a lot of fun and safe and you will love it.” You looked at him, he had gotten rather close and his hand snaked around your waist. You couldn’t even bring yourself to think about the jump as you were lost in his expression. 

His grip around your waist tightened and he lifted you up, alarm bells ringing as he ran towards the cliff and you started screaming. The jump was scary, but the fall was amazing, for a second you felt like you were weightless in a void. 

Splash! It was all over in a matter of seconds. When you resurfaced, you smacked Taehyung in the arms, calling him a traitor and then laughing when he tickled your waist. “You are a butt.”

Jungkook and Taehyung were playful and the three of you were searching for shiny rocks in the bottom of the water. They even showed you a cool underwater cave where the three of you sat talking before you swam back out. You grew tired of swimming and went to sit in the shade, hoping you wouldn’t get burnt. Even though there wasn’t a real sun the UV lights still worked the same.

Laying out your towel beside one of the other noblemen that you had previously been introduced to, you sat down and smiled. “Hey, I am Y/n.” You gave him a tired sigh, laying back on the towel, “You aren’t swimming?”

“Nah, it’s too loud,” he laughed, not bothering to look at you. “Heard you jumped off the waterfall.” 

“Oh, yeah,” you blushed, “who told you that?”

“No, I mean I heard you.” He smirked, turning to look at you and you blushed. He was quiet and the two of you soon dressed and bailed as the rambunctious group had gotten too loud for you both. 

“Here, try this.” Yoongi handed you a few berries and smiled when you tasted them, “So, with this choosing thing, what are you thinking?”

“I am not sure,” you sighed begrudgingly, you were supposed to choose and you couldn’t leave them hanging forever. 

“Well, if I can be honest to you lady Almighty,” he said softly, “Man up and choose Jimin, it is obvious how much you are in love with him.” 

You were stunned. He took a berry from your hand and smirked, walking away. “Wait, come back here. What do you mean, I am in love with him?”

“Everyone can see your face light up when you see him and you flirt like all the time.” He shrugged, picking up a small string instrument and sitting on the porch of his home, strumming away.

“I do not flirt like all the time,” you mocked his tone, before trying to defend yourself by further saying, “I don’t even flirt like any of the time, it’s called being friendly.”

“Friends don’t get lost in each other's eyes. I saw you this morning on my walk, you were touching Jimin’s ear and that’s beyond flirting, that’s heavy petting,” he said and you blinked confused.

“I was tucking his hair out of the way so it didn’t get wet, since when has that been heavy petting?” you asked with a laugh, reaching out to Yoongi, “Seriously, I could touch your ears and it would mean nothing.”

“Hey, stop,” he commanded, cheeks bright red. You looked confused and he examined your confused face. “You do understand that an elf’s ears are an erogenous zone, like it is intimate to touch another elf’s ears.”

Heat filled your cheeks. “Oh no, I did that to Jimin, I must have weirded him out. I hope I haven’t touched anyone else’s ears-”

“You would know if you did,” Yoongi said, patting your shoulder, “Look, Jimin likes you too, I think he understands you didn’t mean it like that.”

You wanted nothing more than to apologize to Jimin, but instead, you kept your mouth shut in shame. He let you feed the fish and watched you curiously. “Is something wrong, you seem really quiet today?”

“It’s nothing, I just have just been thinking,” you smiled softly.

“Have I done something wrong?”

“No, if anyone has done something wrong, it is me.” You let everything spill out, “I want to apologize for doing things that might seem really intimate, I didn’t know that's what they meant, I was just trying to be friendly, cause you are my friend.”

“Oh, yeah sure, no I understand, I guess I thought, but nevermind.” He gave you a strange smile, “We are friends, of course. I have to go teach the kids dance this morning, I can see you later though.” 

You nodded, getting up quickly, “Maybe we can have lunch together?”

“Uh, I might be a bit busy,” he said, walking you out the front door and racing off and you just stood there, feeling kind of confused. Was it weird that you had addressed it? You hoped not.

Thinking that maybe you should read up on elf traditions and mannerisms etiquette and more, you headed to the one place that would house all this information.

The Library. 

What a library it was - there were floor to ceiling bookshelves and aisles and the books were all hand written and magnificent. “Good morning, My lady, can i help you find something today?”

“Yes, I want to know more about elves, the traditions, the etiquette, everything?” You hummed, “I mean I just found out yesterday you can’t touch an elf’s ears.” 

The man in front of you blushed and shuffled his feet, when you heard another voice, “Yeah, that’s something you should know.” The figure appeared from behind the bookshelves and smiled. “I mean between his book smarts and my street smarts well, we will have you thinking like an elf in no time.”

The two were indeed smart, Hoseok explained - his father was big on literature, but he often snuck off to Jimin’s dance lessons instead of studying. “The life of a scholar never stops, or whatever my dad says.”

You had finally learnt different holidays and aspects of life as an elf, it was kind of fun and you enjoyed hanging out with the two young elves. They followed you through the town, explaining things and making you laugh. 

“And that is the orphanage.” They gestured to Jimin’s home and you frowned, “It used to be the last leader's home but when they died their son was left orphaned and the house has become known as the orphanage.”

It was like a knife in your chest. You wanted to console Jimin, hold him and tell him he was loved, that his parents would be proud of him. There was nothing left for you on the surface, no one who you cared about or cared about you, but underground you had this connection with everyone you met.

Jimin was definitely avoiding you and you were worried as to why. He left you notes saying the fish had been fed and he was already at dance practice and that he was practicing for the night of the children. Hoseok and Namjoon explained that the night of the children was a feast in honour of when the elvish children that the Almighty had taken were returned safely. It was the anniversary of the reuniting of families. 

Each of the children who had been taken  participated in the celebration and Namjoon was dreading it. You were dressed in a beautiful violet coloured robe and as you walked into the feast just like last time, you were sat at the head of the hall. At a big table, alone. 

The dancers came out, some of the elves looking nervous. Seokjin was sweating, standing oddly with his arms in a twist, but once the music started and they all started dancing their moves telling the story. 

The elves twisted and turned in fabrics of sweet colours, they were swept up by other dances in black and dragged off stage, Jimin among them. When the other elves returned they danced and scattered off the small stage and Jimin walked out, his cream robes slowly falling as he went, revealing a thinner inner robe of black and he danced a solo, expressing his loneliness and sorrow.

You were crying, wiping your eyes with Lady Adora’s silk handkerchief, you watched as all the elves came back onto the stage and bowed. It hurt to see Jimin in pain, it was worse than losing your own family and perhaps Yoongi was right. When you love someone, they become your most important thing and right now, Jimin felt like the only thing you cared about. Without thinking, you spoke up. “I choose Jimin.”

They all seemed shocked, including Jimin who looked like he was about to pass out. You didn’t know whether he was excited or scared. You hoped he wouldn’t hate you for it, you really liked him and it was becoming clear how much he meant to you. 

If he could love you as well, you would be happy. Of course, if he said he didn’t want to be with you or seemed uneasy, then you wouldn’t force him. They all froze and you blushed self consciously, it felt like you had just declared your love for Jimin.

“I mean if you want to, that is?” You flushed, and he bowed looking confused.

“I would be honoured.” His hands were shaking and his face was heating up and you requested that he sit next to you at dinner.

It was odd. Jimin was still distant and you were trying to see him Very early one morning, you got up early and knocked on his door. He answered, seeming tired and he looked at you. “I am here to see my fish.” He nodded, allowing you in and you walked through his house to the backyard where the fish ponds were, watching him race off down the hall. You knelt by the fish pond, feeding them tiny pinches of food. You spoke softly to the fishes, looking for any sort of sign. “Has he said anything to you guys?”

Jimin reemerged dressed and hair brushed, you smiled softly watching him contemplate something internally as he watered the flowers. Tugging lightly on his sleeve and stealing his attention once more. “What is it? You can tell me.”

“I um, wanted to know why you chose me?” He asked softly. You had noticed his habit of running his fingers through his hair a lot, and right now was no exception.

“I chose you because, as I said the other day, you are my friend, Jimin,” you answered honestly and his face fell, “I had taken my time to get to know the other elves, but since I met you we got along and since then have been running into each other often. You are kind and gentle. Out of all of the people in that room, you were the one I considered my dearest friend, and if there was anyone I would want to spend the rest of my life with, it would be you.”

“I thought you said that you didn’t mean to be intimate, you were just being friendly.” He seemed a little bitter about those words. You hadn’t realized that’s how he would interpret them that afternoon.

“Wait, you stopped hanging out with me because of that?” Your mouth fell open.

“You were flirting with me, you kissed my cheek and practically declared your interest in me when you chose me at the flower festival dance and you even came to my house to feed the fish and you touched my ear, what was I supposed to think!” He rampaged. “You then, after leading me to believe that you liked me a lot, told me that it was all a mistake and you wanted to just be friends.”

“No, I meant that I didn’t know the actions were seen as intimate and I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable, so I told you I was being friendly at the time,” you huffed, standing in front of him, looking up at him exasperated, “not that I wasn’t falling in love with you. Cause I was falling in love with you and I got scared that my stupid actions would weird you out and drive you away. But then you disappeared, ignoring me and I realized how much I missed you and wanted to be with you for eternity. I realized that your life means more to me than my own. Because I love you so much, it scares me.”

“You love me?” He paused, eyes wide and you nodded, your throat dry, making it unable to speak. He suddenly came forward, cupped your face and kissed you desperately, like he had been waiting an eternity and you clutched his robes, not wanting him to let you go. He pulled back, pressing his forehead to yours, “I know I am not like the other guys, I have no fortune and I am not noble, but I will do everything to serve you and make you happy.”

“The fact that you care so much for me already means I made a good decision.” You smiled. “As long as you want to marry me as well, there is nothing in this world that can stop us.”

“You are going to have to learn how to dance for our wedding.” He grinned cheekily.

“I made you a bouquet, it is tradition. I hope you like them, they remind me of you,” Jimin began, explaining all the flowers and the reasons behind why he chose them. It was so early in the morning, but he had to give you the flowers before you were all dressed up, so it would be a surprise when you walked down the aisle.

“The little white ones mean innocence and purity.” He smiled pointing them out.

“The baby’s breath,” you nodded, waiting for him to continue, eyes scanning the bouquet for any other flowers you recognized. However, when he failed to continue his explanation, you lifted your gaze, suppressing a giggle. “It’s just what we call it, because it’s small and soft like the breath of a baby.”

“Oh, that does make sense,” he hummed and you pointed at the bright yellow Dahlias that highlighted the bouquet and he blushed. “This one represents a commitment shared forever by two persons, like marriage.”

“I love them Jimin. Thank you.” 

Jimin blushed and scurried off with his ears red. You were feeling giddy with excitement. If someone had told you two months ago, while trying to find a place to live, you would get married to a beautiful young man with a heart of gold - well, you would’ve outright laughed in their face. 

The ladies were practically squealing at the encounter between Jimin and yourself, but quickly sent him away as they had to get you ready. After all that he left with the bouquet, but the ladies said they would retrieve it later, once you were completely ready. You were soaked in a warm bath filled with soft flower petals and they began scrubbing you down completely.

“My lady Almighty, can I ask you a question?” You turned to the woman brushing through your hair, it seemed almost comical how many young elvish maidens were helping you get ready. They were all excited and trying to keep you calm, as today was the big day and she was smiling softly. Dressed in a soft sunset pink and each looking stunning. “Why did you choose Jimin? Is it because he is a good dancer?”

“If it were me I would have chosen Jungkook.” Another woman grinned.

“I think it was because he was nice and gentle. I saw him in the marketplace. He was kind and helped one of the other dancers who had fallen. It was very nice of him.” You smiled softly, “And then, he truly is an amazing dancer and he is really beautiful, he seems to be perfect inside and out.”

“We have never really seen him in this light, we apologize,” the woman said, twisting your hair into a beautiful updo, “I guess we were more focused on status and money.”

They helped you into your shoes and led you to the mirror. You gasped and tried to hold back the tears. You were wearing a beautiful white midriff top that had no sleeves and the fabric in the middle had been twisted to give a sweetheart effect. It was lined with a gold lace trimming and matched with what could be likened to the cutest pair of panties which were also white and gold. Then you were wrapped in the white silk with gold trimmings, twisted and tied in a way you had no idea how to create or get out of it. It made you feel ethereal.

The ladies were talking excitedly about how you looked so beautiful and how they couldn’t wait to see you get married. They were all giving you tips and revealing secrets about what elf men liked and disliked. You appreciated the help, never having the opportunity of dating an elf on the surface.

They were telling you about how an elf’s ears were sensitive and ways to use it to your advantage and you were a blushing mess remembering your encounters  with Jimin and the almost encounter with Yoongi. 

They started talking about the prospect of a child and how many you wanted to have, and when you honestly answered about always wanting a big family, maybe four or five at the minimum, they were shocked. 

“So many!” They squealed. “You are a promiscuous little minx!”

You blushed, giggling with the girls. They told you all about traditions and customs and different aspects of their little world. They were happy about being enclosed underground and part of you could agree, they were safe and protected from the harsh world and all the cruel people who lived in it. 

Like the drunk driver who killed your parents, leaving you orphaned and homeless overnight. Like the people who you thought were your friends, but eventually faded away making excuses to drive you away as it was embarrassing to hang out with someone who was homeless.

No, here everyone was part of a community.They worked together and you never wanted to leave. Not because they treated you so highly. No, it was much simpler than that, because they treated everyone with such kindness.

There was a knock at the door and the ladies all left quickly. You wondered who it was now, heart beating rapidly in your chest at the thought of the ceremony starting soon, taking deep breaths, trying not to think of the people that would watch you walk down the aisle or say your vows. Trying not to think about the possibility of Jimin saying no and you being forced to leave this beautiful paradise.

Shutting out all the thoughts you concentrated on Jimin’s declaration, “He wanted to make you happy.” Someone called your name and turning, you were met by two men, human men dressed in black business suits. “Come with us.” They grabbed you by the upper arms and began escorting you from the room and outside towards the elevator.

You were being forced to leave. Jimin smiled bashfully, you were a vision of beauty and felt his breathing hitch, stolen from him by your very being. “I am sorry, I forgot to give you the flowers…” It was then that he noticed you were being dragged away and he felt his heart break. Had he angered the Almighty, you were being taken from him. No, you couldn’t leave, you were supposed to be here for the rest of your life, happily married, but here you were, being ripped from his life. 

“Wait for me,” you pleaded as the doors to the elevator closed. It was a long journey back to the surface and you tried to keep your cool. Hoping you could return, it wouldn’t do to cry and ruin your makeup, it was your wedding day. Hopefully it could still be your wedding day. Crap. Now you really were crying.

No one seemed to understand that you didn’t want to leave. They were all apologizing that you had to go down there and you were feeling more and more annoyed as time passed by. You shuffled your bare feet, they felt cold against the linoleum flooring. They offered to get you some slippers, but you refused.

“You have to sign the non-disclosure agreement and then you are free to leave, but never speak of it to anyone,” the man said, gesturing to the paper. “Look, we will even give you all the  money you want, buy you a small home and give you anything you wish for. Just sign the paper.”

“I don’t want to leave, let me go back,” you pleaded. The man looked shocked, but that was it. You had thought they would finally let you leave, but it was after another thirty more minutes of questionnaire that they considered allowing you to go back down, and thirty more minutes for them to agree to it being permanently. 

“Alright, you can go back down, but we will revisit this case with the higher ups and they will make the final decision.” They sighed.

You were free to return. 

There was no escort, you headed back down alone. You looked at the mirror, everything was still as it was, not a hair out of place and you were glad the elves preferred soft and subtle makeup. That way, eyeliner and mascara weren’t really included - otherwise your face would have been streaked and stained with dark streaks.  

Once you reached the underground, you rushed out of the elevator; it was raining, a cold artificial rain, you running through the streets, still wearing your white dress as you called his name. Everyone poked their heads out to see what was going on. 

You frantically searched for Jimin, looking for any sign of him. Ripping off your shoes in the process as they had gotten stuck in the mud. Hope was dwindling - where could he be? - as the last resort was the wedding venue, and you ran to the courtyard out the front of the palace. 

There were empty seats with ribbons of white and gold, the aisle was long and you raced down, the petals sticking to the bottom of your bare feet. There he was. Waiting at the altar alone, a bouquet of white and gold, waiting patiently as you had asked of him. 

You ran to him, grabbing him by the collar without a second to hesitate and pulling him into you for a searing kiss. Or two. Or three. Apologising between kisses for having to leave.

“I am here and I love you. Let’s get married.” You grinned as he smiled. Lady Adora ran out into the rain, soon followed by more elves, each getting soaked. The two of you exchanged rings and he took your hand into his, saying his vows and you said yours. Lady Adora announced you married and guided you both out of the rain into the palace where a feast had been prepared. You were bathed and redressed into another outfit as you had been all muddy.

This had given who? time to cook and decorate, and when you stepped out again, Jimin was immediately by your side. He didn’t hesitate to pull you into his arms and led you in a sweet dance. It seemed for his own benefit that he kept you close like he was consoling himself from the idea of losing you.

After a feast and dancing, Jimin took your hand and escorted you from the palace ballroom and to a room. He explained that Lady Adora had prepared it for the two of you to share for as long as you wished. He unlocked the door and pushed it open to reveal a beautiful room, even more glamorous than the one you had previously stayed in. With soft white rugs and romantic flower petals strewn across the floor and fresh fruits and soft looking blankets. It all looked so warm and cozy.

But now you were hit with nerves, growing shy. You looked up at Jimin in all his beauty, “I um, don’t know how to undo this dress, they tied the fabric and I-” Jimin slowly stepped forward, watching your reaction. It was like your heart was going to explode out of your chest with how heavy it was beating. Your breathing was so shallow that when his hand cupped your cheek you felt your head spin. 

“You look so beautiful.” His hand gently took the fabric and undid the ties. You caught the dress right as it was about to fall off and blushed. Your hands were shaking with a mix of anticipation and nerves.

“Are you going to undress as well?” Jimin blushed and started undoing his own attire. He walked you to the bed, all the while you clutched the fabric of your dress. He gently placed his hands on yours and let out a soft chuckle. He undressed you from the fabric and looked at the sweet undergarments you adorned.

Releasing a shaky breath, he smiled up at you. “You are beautiful and I am nervous.”

“I am shaking, I am so scared.” You giggled “I am scared that you will realize that you don’t want me and leave.”

“I could never leave you. I want you. Trust me.” He took your hand, placing it against his bare chest and you could feel his heart beating just as fast as yours. “I love you and this heart is now yours to keep.”

The first kiss was intense, full of passion and fire and you buried your hands in his hair playfully, brushing your thumbs across the tips of his ears.

If you thought taking off the dress was difficult, then putting it on in the morning was an even bigger struggle. You ended up having to ask for Jimin’s help. He blushed at your request, making you laugh. For he was now your husband and you had just woken up after your wedding night. But it was redressing that felt more intimate to you both.

You were embarrassed, the whole community was present in the palace hall for a celebratory breakfast. It seemed Lady Adora was ashamed that the plans for the wedding ceremony had fallen through. They showered you with gifts and the food was beautifully presented. Each family bowed and presented you with their offerings and well wishes. 

You spent most of the morning proceedings, fiddling with the ring on your hand, it was so shiny and delicate. With two entwining silver bands that in the right light reflected a barely there iridescent green the bands were shaped to look like ivy wrapping around a beautiful round yellow tourmaline.

It looked like a beautiful flower atop vines, and you were in love, there hadn’t really been time to admire the ring in the rain, but now you couldn’t stop looking at it, getting lost in the colours. Jimin’s hand gently laid atop yours, bringing you back to the present. It seemed the people were waiting for you. Jimin repeated the question quietly to you under his breath. “They are asking if you would like to stay in the palace or if you would like them to build you a more elaborate home.” Gently pressing his lips to your jawline, you nodded, pretending to be contemplating the question and not daydreaming. 

Jimin let out a bit of a giggle when he heard you hum. “Everything has been wonderful, and I would rather live in the palace amongst everyone, it is a piece of history.”

Lady Adora seemed pleased by this response and announced they would clean and refurbish the best room for you. The day was filled with choosing different fabrics and furniture styles, Jimin liked the more natural and floral themed items, especially the golden dahlias. As the room came together, it became the flower of the palace, the garden beds in the town square all filled with golden dahlias.

Custom clothes had been made for Jimin and yourself, pale gold robes embroidered by the dahlia. You thought the elves would get sick of the novelty, but they loved it as much as you did, the flower held such a wonderful meaning to you. 

The elves spent their days playing music, dancing and making sculptures or other art, they told stories and practiced using their special energies. You enjoyed watching Jimin practice healing, seldom bored as he practiced shirtless. He caught you staring most of the time and puffed out his chest proudly and you thought he’d started to do it purposefully. 

Jimin taught you how to meditate - it felt kind of silly at first but soon you grew to like it, just sitting in the room alone with your thoughts. It gave you time to process all your uncertainties and even encouraged you to talk about them to Jimin. 

You told him how you’d lost your parents, opening up about your life and he smiled, kissing your temple, telling you everything happens for a reason, that you were brought to him for a reason. He told you that he, too, had lost his parents and that fate must have chosen you both considering your past, so you could heal together. It was a lovely sentiment and you started to believe it. There were so many aspects of your situation that were crazy and unbelievable, from an underground city to elves, magic and marriage. If ever there was a time to think about fate it was now.

It had been the best few months of your life and if you could go back and do it all again you wouldn’t change a thing. Jimin woke you with kisses pressed to your shoulder blade, making you giggle. 

“Morning.” He smiled, you turned to him, admiring his beautiful features in the glow of the fake sun.

“What are your plans for today, my love?” You brushed some of the tendrils of hair from his face; he braided his hair for sleeping, but every morning there were always some pieces that fell out.

“Well, I thought we could go for a walk, perhaps have a picnic and if it’s not too late, we can swim at the waterfall,” he grinned before sitting up and wrapping himself in his robes, “If it’s too late, well, then we will have to swim at the waterfall now, won’t we?”

“So either way we are swimming at the waterfall?” you scoffed, standing up and dressing for the day, and he helped you tie the robe as he smiled cheekily.

“No, if it’s too late, we can’t swim at the waterfall. We will have to swim at the waterfall.” He stressed the words differently the second time and you raised an eyebrow, curious as to what he is implying.

“Enlighten me on the difference?” You watched his grin stretch wider, clearly you had played into his hand.

“Well the difference my dear, would be the dress code.” He slinked off elegantly across the room, gathering the hair brush, ready to style his hair for the day. You looked after him, mouth hanging open, about to call him out on his daring nature when the door burst open, revealing Taehyung looking nervous.

“The Almighty, they are here and they are asking for Y/n.” You felt sick. Why were they here and asking for you? Why were they ruining this?

“What do they want?” Jimin urged Taehyung, sounding a little hostile. You took Jimin's arm, gently squeezing his bicep, trying to calm and reassure him.

“Everything is fine, let me talk to them,” you said as you smiled, kissing his cheek and heading out of the palace out of the courtyard. You were escorted out of the town by Taehyung and up the small hill towards the elevator. They were waiting for you, you growing nervous as you turned to Taehyung. “I want to speak with them alone, if something goes wrong I won’t let you get hurt. Tell Jimin, if I don’t return, to go to the waterfall.”

“Y/n?” Taehyung spoke worriedly and you smiled, waving him off. He reluctantly left you to speak with the men in suits.

“Hello Gentleman, what can I do for you?” You smiled.

“We spoke with the higher ups, they don’t want humans down here.” The man said. “I am sorry, I am going to have to take you back up, you can’t stay down here.”

You nodded. “Okay,” you gestured to the elevator and when they turned to it, you ran into the forest, hoping for shelter in the dense trees. However, from the loud gunshots and the stabbing heat in your side, you weren’t quick enough. You tried to keep running, you just had to make it to the waterfall. Jumping off the cliff and landing in the water, you felt the pain radiate through you at the impact, and you took a deep breath and swam under the water into the tunnel to the cave.

Once inside, you dragged your form out of the water and laid on the smooth rock, waiting for help. You grew cold as the night fell and you were losing hope. You held on as long as you could, but eventually, you fell unconscious.

The cold was replaced with warmth, a pleasant heat that took away the pain. You felt it fill you until you felt like you were in a little incubator. You felt tingling sensations in your chest, stomach, head, eyes, ears, everything felt like you were floating.

When you woke, you were still in the cave and Jimin was sitting there, his hands outstretched and glowing over your stomach. His chest was shaking and even though his eyes were closed you saw the tears dripping, and heard his sniffles. You reached out, surprised that you didn’t feel pain, and sitting up, you saw your wound had healed.

“Jimin,” you called, and he blinked, looking at you relieved, lunging for you to give you kisses, his hands buried in your hair. His thumb brushed affectionately by your ear and you pulled back surprised. There was this feeling in your chest and stomach, a fluttering sensation just from him brushing your ear. “What is it?”

“Well, I um, I haven’t ever healed a human before, my power heals injured elves to the optimum elvish form. And well, it healed your body to the ultimate elvish form,” he said slowly and you shivered, the feeling still tingling from touching your ear. “I am sorry.”

“Wait, so I am an elf?” you asked, examining his expression for any form of jest or lie, but there was none; he was serious. You tried to process it further: what did this mean, being an elf? “So I am an elf?”

He nodded, you were so shocked you couldn’t formulate your thoughts and feelings into any further actual questions. “Your body is now elf.”

“So I have pointed ears,” you tried to address the obvious and then you asked the question you were most scared about, “will I age differently?”

“You will live the life span of an elf, so several thousands of years, your body will act like an elf, grow habits like an elf,” he bowed his head lower, “I am so sorry, you are no longer an Almighty.”

“Don’t be sorry, this way we can live out our lives together at the same pace.” You kissed him, rubbing your nose to his affectionately, “I am sure I can learn everything as we go. The most important question is; do you still love me even though I am not special?”

“Not special? You will always be special to me, and honestly your features have been enhanced by the transformation, but not altered. You are still an exotic beauty,” he smiled cheekily. “You could look like a troll and I would still love you.”

“Thank you,” you smiled and the two of you swam from the cave and emerged from the water. It was night time. You took Jimin's hand in yours as you headed for the town. The men were waiting and they raised their guns at you. 

“You cannot stay here, it is time to leave,” the man commanded.

“I can’t leave, I am an elf now,” you raised an eyebrow, “they will notice my differences in aging.”

“We have orders, and if you do not come willingly, we will shoot you.” You didn’t and you froze in pain; amongst the pain, you felt your skin crawl oddly and the muscles contract until you felt something pushing out of your skin. 

It was a painful process, but you were healing yourself and you looked at Jimin who looked worried. 

“I’m not leaving, so you can pack up and get out of here.” You grinned and they nodded, leaving with a warning. 

It was an empty threat as you were never bothered again. With Jimin eternity seemed easy, and you couldn’t wait for the years awaiting you. Falling in love was a fairtrade to never seeing the daylight again.

If you enjoyed this story don’t forget to Like | Reblog so others can enjoy it too.

Sorry I haven't been updating this blog that often. I mostly just share short little updates on twitter. Cazza being around makes me less compulsive about keeping up with social media.

Cazza has a vet appointment in a little over a week and she'll be getting a checkup and shots.

Her tag also arrived in the mail so there's the relief of people being able to call my number if she gets lost somehow.

I am finally working on my childhood computer. The one that's been in pieces for years and years that I've been not strong enough to work on. Well now I am. Only thing I need to do now is get off all the rust on the metal case with CLR (the hardest part honestly) and get a compatible power supply and I'll be able to see how healthy the parts are. I know already that the floppy drive works because I installed it into Big Boi to work with the stinky floppy disks. I'm most worried about the ports on the motherboard because they were exposed to the outside air for the ten plus years the computer was kept outside, and the hard disk. Because if the hard disk is dead all the old childhood games and paint art and stuff will be gone.

Still remorseful that my mom recycled my teenage computer without my consent but as I was recently clearing out some backups from that time and found MSN messenger chatlogs where I got groomed at 13, maybe that era being lost forever is for the best. That's the era where I experienced the worst of that.

I'm still feeling stressed about the situations involving my housemates. It's something I have no control over and can't fix though so I try to just ignore it.

Still wishing my creative strength and drive would "return" but the more I think about it the more I'm realizing that this is my undiagnosed ADHD catching up on me and I'm not going to be functionally consistent with doing things, even for fun and recreation, unless I'm receiving help in regards to that. Annoying that my psychiatrist seems convinced we have to only work on "more important things" first. I personally think my PTSD would be easier to handle if I was medicated for what is quickly becoming apparent as ADHD which would allow me to focus more on creative endeavors that while I have plenty of ideas I just can't get past the executive dysfunction to actually focus on them. The whole notion of triaging a disorder over a developmental condition frustrates me because they're all impacting my brain and I don't see why they can't work on things that aren't as immediately pressing or dangerous.

I feel that stopping my dysfunction from holding back the things I want to do and create will give me a better headspace to work through trauma.

I usually love participating in april fool's day but for some reason this year I just couldn't. I even had an idea for a silly little easy to edit bait and switch video but I just didn't have the drive to make it.

Cazza does wonders helping me with my depression and loss and lack of a will to live but as wonderful as she is she can't cure executive dysfunction.

I will say though I do feel I have been getting more things done with her now though. Like my technology spring cleaning.

She's lying next to me in my bed, her head on my lap and fast asleep as I write this. She is legitimately the most beautiful little darling in the whole wide world and part of me wishes I could just stare at her and not do anything else.

My friend Will is going to be working on something cool and HoD-related for me soon. Which I am excited for. I'm also hoping that I can finally get back into streaming games on twitch.

That's all I can think for now. I don't know why I've moved my more memey jokes and casual updates over to twitter. Maybe I just get more interaction on there. But I'll still try to keep you guys up to date.

CRYPTAGE AU: snobby rich crypto growing up with little to none affection from parents because of busy jobs that keep them away. Meets Mirage one day after showing his decoys to his friends and crypto follows him to the Witts Bar owned by mirage's dad. he was just curious and it turned into affection, cus y know mirage is the first person to show him a warm fuzzy welcome feeling. and they take off :)

Ooooo. I like this !! I'll see what I can do. It might either be super long or super short. Depends.

--

Empty hallways and vacant family rooms, kitchens with strangers in suits and his father and mother paying him little mind with guests over, giving life to the normally dead home. They were such prominent memories in Park's mind, so many days spent alone, spent playing with toys that he held little interest in, or tinkering away in the little makeshift lab in his room, creating little inventions that, with his amateur skill, would either fall apart or simply not function. The boy held fascination for the art of creating technology, and that fascination carried over into his adult life.

He had made it his passion, and now he had his own surveillance system company, creating his own technology and profiting from his own genius, living a comfortable life—a comfortable, lonely life.

Although he was brilliant, socializing was simply a skill he had never perfected, even when he had watched his mother and father speak, so composed and professional. He let other people handle business deals; he wasn't fond of dealing with people and their nonsense.

Still, it did take a toll on him. He, much like any human, desired to talk, to socialize with creatures similar to himself. Speaking with his cat simply wasn't the same.

Hence why he found himself in the usual shop he visited when looking for spare parts to create new devices with. The owner was a blonde with a Lichtenberg figure on her left cheek, likely from the high-voltage equipment she deals with on a daily basis. She was bubbly and sweet, and, frankly, he almost envies the absolute sunshine that emanates from her. Almost. People are drawn to the warmth, and he was as frigid as they came.

She greeted him with a rapid wave of hand, excited to once again see him in her humble little shop.

"Bonjour, monsieur Park!" Natalie greeted. "What brings you in today?"

"You know you're allowed to call me 'Tae Joon,' right?" he said in minor amusement; always one for formalities. "And I just wanted to grab some extra conductors and a new motherboard. The one I currently have is fried and a client wanted a new computer by the end of this week."

"Ah! I see! Well, you know where everything is!"

Park nodded and walked to the intended aisle, gathering the desired supplies along the way. A small basket hung on his arm, filled with various items to be purchased and used in his client's requested PC.

Although he has enough money to live comfortably the rest of his life and a company bringing in plenty of profit, he could be rather bored at times with just how mundane his life had become after reaching success. He had considered traveling, but he quickly realized that was a horrible idea; he hated being outside.

Voices, however, caught his attention. One was loud, drenched in excitement, talking at the speed of sound, masculine. Another voice was much quieter, replying slowly and uncaring, feminine. The third seemed hyper, enough energy for more than fifteen people, masculine. The voices didn't interest him—what did was the conversation.

Park didn't like to admit it, but he was a tad nosy, liked to learn new things. He wasn't a gossip by any means, and such petty subjects didn't interest him, but they were all piled in a tech place; they had to be discussing something interesting. He rounded the corner without shame, peering over at the group in question.

"… and we just finished the prototype!" the brunet, the tallest one, exclaimed, waving his arms around in excitement. Upon them were strange contraptions, circular devices Park didn't recognize—and they appeared to have a slight blue glow to them. He turned around to fetch some components on the shelf, tossing them into the basket the shorter one, prosthetic legs and a mask covering half of his face with goggles over his eyes, messy and short blond hair atop his head, was carrying. "It took us months, but it's finally in testing phase!"

"And you decided some little shop was the perfect place?" the black-haired one ask, rolling her crystalline eyes in amusement. "You're the most unorthodox man I know, Elliott."

Elliott, Park thought, putting the name to his face.

"It's perfect! And funny! Imagine someone walking down an aisle and they see me," Elliott explained, moving down the aisle a little more, picking up something before putting it back, "and then go down a different aisle—and I'm there again."

The blond snorted out a laugh. "That's genius!"

"I know, right?"

Park huffed out a quiet breath, though he was still more so interested in the technology along the other's arms, those devices that emitted the strange blue glow. He was about to turn and attempt to find a different area that was less conspicuous, but, as soon as he did, he was met face-to-face with nearly an identical copy of the tallest one down the aisle, standing just behind him with a smile. It was frightening enough that it elicited an admittedly embarrassing shout from the man, backing up and crashing into a shelf. It rattled violently against the wall it was held up against, a few things falling and crashing to the floor. Fortunately, none of them broke, but Park could feel his dignity shatter on impact.

The three down the aisle immediately spun around to see what caused the commotion, and a look of guilt crossed Elliott's visage immediately.

The other Elliott had immediately vanished, like some apparition, and Park was wondering if he was starting to hallucinate. Perhaps he was cooping himself up in his room too much…

"Oh, my god—I'm so sorry. I didn't hurt you, did I?" The man was near him now, the devices on his arms no longer glowing. His hands were floating over him, like he wanted to touch him but refrained from doing so. "I really didn't mean to scare you like that—"

"You didn't scare me," Park snapped, kneeling down and setting his basket down to begin picking up the dropped items. "Moron."

Elliott only chuckled, kneeling down as well to assist in picking the items up. "Still, sorry about making you run into a shelf. You aren't in any pain, are you?"

"I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yes. Fairly certain."

"Uh, okay, good!" Elliott flashed the shorter a warm smile, eyes soft and inviting. "I'm Elliott!"

"… Tae Joon."

"Nice to meet you, Tae!"

Elliott's friends had finally decided to wander over, and, eventually, Park learned their names as well. The black-haired one, sporting a nose piercing he hadn't noticed because of the distance, was named Renee, and the blond one was named Octavio, and, instantly, Park felt most of his energy drain after entertaining a single conversation with him. He was fast—and annoying.

But they were nice. Park never really conversed with others in a casual environment. He learned that Elliott and his mother were developing holo technology that would be able to replicate the appearance of someone almost identically, move and act just like them. Octavio was a daredevil, and, just by the mask being pulled down just a bit, the visible scarring, was enough of an indication of the truth that held. Renee herself was a scientist; her and her colleagues were apparently working on a project and Park found himself a bit more fascinated that he'd like.

Park had even shared his own technology, his own company, and the three weren't shy with questions—especially Elliott. It was weird, having people pay attention to him, but he couldn't quite figure out if he liked it or not. On one hand, it was nice to talk about his interests; on the other, the attention was uncomfortable, having so many eyes on him.

He was surprised to find himself feel so relaxed around them, though. Renee was quiet and mellow, much like him, so talking to her was natural. Octavio was hyper, but he was also a good listener, and he shut up when someone was talking. Elliott was just fascinating in general, a walking ray of sunshine with confidence soaring above the clouds. Renee and Octavio poked fun at him, but he always took it in stride. He couldn't help but feel a bit out of place.

"Hey," Elliott suddenly said, nudging Park gently with his elbow, somehow avoiding snapping any of the holographic devices off, "you wanna grab a drink?"

Renee and Octavio both chuckled quietly, receiving a glare lacking any real malice from Elliott.

"I don't want to intrude—"

"You're cool, dude!"

"Besides," Renee said, sporting a slight smirk, "Tav and I are heading out. Bars aren't really our scene."

"Liars. You're my number one customers."

"Dunno what you're talkin' about, amigo." Octavio laughed again, waving his good-byes. "See ya!"

And, just like that, the two made a speedy exit, leaving Park alone with Elliott. Elliott didn't seem bothered, but Park could feel panic swell. He was basically being forced into spending time with someone, a new acquaintance at best. Elliott was friendly, sure, but Park wasn't exactly a social butterfly.

Elliott seemed to have noticed, because he gently bumped Park's shoulder with his, smiling that same warm smile that seems to frequent his visage. "I'll do most of the talking, okay?"

Park could feel himself relax, if not just a bit.

— ;

The bar owned by the brunet beside him wasn't open today, so no one was inside, quiet and vacant. Elliott went behind the counter almost immediately, fetching a few alcoholic beverages Park wasn't familiar with (though he wasn't familiar with, well, any, since he's never drank before), and mixing them together, concocting some creation the tech geek both feared and anticipated.

He talked the entire time, rambling about his technology and how amazing it was, how they were so close to perfecting it he could taste it. He knew his stuff, everything stated with an intellectual mind and not just random jargon tossed out on a whim. He was intelligent, and Park… well, he found it a bit attractive. It was a pleasant surprise, since he was sure the other was full of it and didn't know much about the technology he was testing, a mere lab monkey rather than anything special.

He kept his attention on Park the entire time as well. He didn't ignore him, didn't cut him off. He treated Park like he was there, and that was a concept virtually unheard of by the surveillance expert. Elliott didn't have any ulterior motives for wanting to befriend him, no desire to abuse his wealth or even just get a job at somewhere that paid well. He was genuinely interested in Park. It made him feel warm, and that sensation, he knew for certain, was good.

Elliott slid a drink over to him, that smile of his never once fading from his visage. "I don't take you for a heavy drinker, so this one isn't too strong."

"Thank you," Park said, taking the glass and sipping the beverage. It was… interesting, a lot of things hitting him at once, and he released only the slightest cough after swallowing. "What is this?"

"An Addington!" the man replied brightly, leaning against the counter with a hand placed atop it. "It's got vermouth in it, sparkling water, and a bit of orange." He shrugged. "Best served like a martini."

"Hm."

Elliott was strange, he decided. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing. He was bubbly and happy. He was a bit awkward at times, accidentally stuttering over himself when he spoke about something without thinking beforehand, and he sometimes rambled on about nothing and everything all at once. He was kind, though, and patient, attentive and strangely endearing, charming in his own way.

And when he placed a warm hand over Park's, he decided he would give this a shot.

The Simpsons Season 33 Episode 1 Review: The Star of the Backstage

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This The Simpsons review contains spoilers.

The Simpsons Season 33 Episode 1

Why don’t we do the show right here, Mickey Rooney or Judy Garland might ask in a Hollywood Golden Age movie about barnstorming local theater. Sadly, The Simpsons’ “The Star of the Backstage” can’t go Rent-free. The techies, theater-geeks, and all the animators pull out almost all the stops for the season 33 premiere, but offer a mixed bag, even when it takes a Wicked turn.

The premise is great. It begins at the funeral for Springfield High School’s theater director Franklin Chase, and Marge wants to bring the whole gang back together for one last revival of their senior year production, only to find she was never really part of the group. The show is called “Y2K: The Millennium Bug,” and the opening ode to pre-millennial paranoia teases wonderful promise with lines like “How will I survive when all of the computers think I’ve died?”  This and the closing song, “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 0 0,” with those ominous extra zeroes which couldn’t be accounted for on old motherboards, are truly worthy of The Simpsons tradition of comic musical offerings par excellence.

Marge has only happy memories of being the stage manager of her high school musical, even though she never considered herself a singer. The other gimmick of the episode is also functionally fabulous: in Marge’s mind, she has the voice of a Disney princess. Kristen Bell provides the magical inner singing voice only Marge and the viewers can hear. Bell’s enthusiasm is enough to get her into The Good Place or The Bad Place within any single run. She’s spot-on in her delivery, but the songs themselves are not quite over the top enough to deliver unexpected involuntary laughs.

The stage show is set on New Year’s Eve 1999 as the world waits to see if they will still be alive, or able to prove they’re alive, as the clock ticks to midnight. We don’t get enough of the songs from the play. The exposition songs are a little cringey, except for a few lines, like one about a Broadway star being a cut above the rest, sung by the high school cast’s lead. There are highlights. The cast gleefully confesses making the sad and untimely death of one of their inner circle all about themselves, which itself made The New York Times. Barney has a sad, almost show-stopping solo admitting he “could have been a crooner, a star of stage and screen, but he’d just as sooner drink away his dreams.” Why try? Homer’s song about breaking bad news gently to a wife who doesn’t want to hear it is also a standout. “Your reaction deserves a retraction,” is one of the most heartfelt lines sung in the entire evening.

The songs only have a dull gnaw, where Simpsons musical numbers in the past have occasionally bitten off more than they could chew. The musical interludes in either “A Streetcar Named Marge” or “Stop the Planet of the Apes I want to get off” prove this is well within their reach. And don’t get me started on what they did to Steve Guttenberg, I could never look at him the same way again.

This is what happens to the former high school ingénue turned Broadway star. Sasha Reed is voiced by Sara Chase (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), who may be best known for playing all three mistresses in First Wives Club: The Musical, but who probably worked at the Herald Square Sephora like Sasha. At least she knows not to mention Glenn Close to Patti LuPone. The best visual gag of the evening comes at Moe’s bar. While Sasha is remembering her night in a hot tub with Barney, watch Moe, he is so enthralled he shatters the glass he is cleaning but keeps on wiping.

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But Marge’s story is sad, and it makes me feel the same way Homer did after watching the way that Stanley Kowalski guy treated her in the Springfield theater production of A Streetcar Named Desire. The problem is it doesn’t ring emotionally true, in any canon. Marge is a wet blanket at slumber parties and a killjoy at the Krusty the Clown show, but her clique has always been several tiers above Homer’s. To have him and Barney in the more socially acceptable circle, albeit within the theater crowd, feels false and forced. Marge gave up her status to be with Homer, and if the two of them are losers, it shakes the dynamic.

We don’t want to see Marge left out of the best of the best of times. Although, it’s true, she’s not the type who’d go to a kegger, even at her own house, when there is a tech run-through scheduled or any night. But even Homer was at the party, even though he wasn’t in the show, and he still would not have been on that level of high school status.

There isn’t much for Bart and Lisa to do, except give the final critique at the end, which is oddly apropos. It feels lazy, they say. This isn’t exactly the case. While most of The Simpsons’ most classic musical moments are parodies of other songs, all of the songs in this episode are original songs written by Jack Dolgen and Elisabeth Kiernan. They are nothing if not ambitious, melodically and lyrically, but comically, they fall just short. They had such an opportunity and have the talent, means, and Marge as stage manager. We get drama, when Marge exposes Sasha for what she is. That hits the right tone, and is musically exciting. But it doesn’t have the subversive danger which The Simpsons excels at. It’s perfectly fine, and would be a memorable episode of any other sitcom, but it’s not “Monorail.”

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All this being said, this is a great experiment which works enough to happen again. The musical numbers have been outshining much of the scripted gags in the past few seasons of The Simpsons, and this is an encouraging outgrowth of it. But, we need more than this. It feels like a retread of something they haven’t done before, when it should feel like a whole new experience. Maybe I expect too much, or am hoping that, at 33 seasons and counting, The Simpsons will recapture the magic Marge is looking for in this episode. 1999 was the last time we partied like it was 1999.

“The Star of the Backstage” has all the makings of a major leap forward but, like the Y2K Bug itself, it doesn’t capture the hype.

The post The Simpsons Season 33 Episode 1 Review: The Star of the Backstage appeared first on Den of Geek.

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Devry Comp 129 all weeks discussions, Quizzes, course project and final exam

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Devry Comp 129 Week 1 Discussion Discussion 1 In this discussion, we will look at the basics of both hardware and operating systems. To begin this discussion, let’s first define the difference between hardware and software. What is hardware? What is software? What are the purposes of hardware and software? Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts. Discussion 2 In this discussion, we will look at power supplies and form factors. What is the purpose of a power supply? What is a form factor? How do power supplies and form factors relate to one another? Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts. Devry Comp 129 Week 2  Discussion Discussion 1 Take some time this week to open up your computer (or better yet, an old junky one), and take a look inside (be sure to unplug your machine and not to touch any of the components—look but don’t touch). Based on your readings, what kind of motherboard is being used? What form factor? How did you know? Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts. Discussion 2 What is a CPU? What is the purpose of the CPU? Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts. Devry Comp129 Week 3 Discussion Discussion 1 Describe the Windows operating system. Discuss some of your favorite Windows features. Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts Discussion 2 Have you ever had a problem with your Windows operating system? What happened, and what was the result? Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts. Devry Comp129 Week 4 Discussion Discussion 1 Identify and discuss some peripherals that ordinary desktop PC users would normally use. Discuss how they work and their purposes. Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts. Discussion 2 Discuss backup strategies and devices that you can use with your PC at home or in the workplace. How does the device connect? What standards does it use? Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts. Devry COMP129 Week 5 Discussion Discussion 1 What are the basic components required to set up a network? How do you add a PC to a network? Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts. Discussion 2 What is one of your favorite applications that utilizes the Internet? Discuss what happens behind the scenes in the network that enables your PC to implement that application. Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts. Devry COMP 129 Week 6 Discussion Discussion 1 What are some of the basic precautions a computer owner or network administrator can take to help make the computing environment secure? What are some of the basic security threats that a user or administrator might have to face? Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts. Discussion 2 What is Linux? When would you use it? How does it differ from Windows? Are there different versions of Linux? Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts. Devry COMP 129 Week 7 Discussion

Discussion 1 What is troubleshooting? How can you find the cause(s) of the problem quickly when you have limited experience? Why is it important to keep a computer healthy? Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts. discussion 2 We have studied the CLI for both Windows and Linux. The real power in using commands comes with scripting. What are some repetitive tasks you can think of that could be done more easily with a well-written script? Avoid using the Respond button at the top of the discussion. Help keep the discussion organized by responding only to other posts. Devry COMP 129 All Weeks quizzes

week 1 1. Question : (TCO 2) Why is having the correct device driver so important? Question 2. Question : (TCO 2) What is the maximum transfer rate for a USB 2.0 port? Question 3. Question : (TCO 2) What is the primary purpose of the power supply? Question 4. Question : (TCO 2) What atmospheric condition can increase the potential for static electricity? Question 5. Question : (TCO 2) A _____ is required before software from the BIOS is executed. Question 6. Question : (TCO 2) Which unit would you recommend for the help desk people who sit at a computer for a 24/7 operation where help must be provided at all times? Question 7. Question : (TCO 1) Refer to the provided figure. What type of cable would have this symbol? Question 8. Question : (TCO 1) Jane decides to restart her computer by pressing the Ctrl+Alt+Delete combination keys. This procedure is called a _____. Question 9. Question : (TCO 1) Why is it best not to start cleaning a computer by using compressed air? Question 10. Question : (TCO 11) After a problem is solved, a technician must _____ findings, actions, and outcomes. Devry Comp129 Week 2 Quiz 1. Question : (TCO 3) Major microprocessor manufacturers are _____. Question 2. Question : (TCO 3) What does quad core mean in relation of processors? Question 3. Question : (TCO 3) An engineering professor teaches CAS at the university. Which expansion slot would be best for the graphics card in the professor’s computer? Question 4. Question : (TCO 3) Most motherboards use _____ for RAM. Question 5. Question : (TCO 3) Double-sided memory _____. Question 6. Question : (TCO 3) Dual channeling _____. Question 7. Question : (TCO 3) Where are mini PCIe cards normally installed? Question 8. Question : (TCO 2) Which of the following will most likely contain SO-DIMM memory? Question 9. Question : (TCO 2) A physical problem with a memory chip will often cause a(n) _____ error. Question 10. Question : (TCO 11) Bill and John are overloaded. They have to install more than 50 access points. Joni hears their frustration and offers to help. This is an example of _____. Devry Comp129 Week 3 Quiz 1. Question : (TCO 4) Linux has a variety of _____ that provide the basic functionality that you are used to when working with an operating system, such as the cp command for copying files, the mvcommand for moving files, the vi editor for editing a text file, and so on. Student Answer: DOS commands utilities batch files GUI tools Instructor Explanation: TestOut Linux+ Section 0.1.3 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 2. Question : (TCO 4) What is a home screen on a mobile device? Student Answer: Where you have to be to see what applications are currently running Where the physical volume control is normally located Where photo files are stored Where app icons are found Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 11 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 3. Question : (TCO 4) Consider the following directory structure from the C: drive root directory. 2014_Term (directory) CompRepair (subdirectory) Opsys (subdirectory) Cisco8 (subdirectory) VOIP (subdirectory) If the prompt is C:2014_Term> and you wanted to move into theCisco8 subdirectory, what command do you type? Student Answer: CD Cisco8 CD.. CD Cisco8 CD C:Cisco8 Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 11 Points Received: 0 of 4 Comments: Question 4. Question : (TCO 4) List three items commonly found in a dialog box. Student Answer: Properties, Close button, Font button OK button, Cancel button, Make new file button Help button, Close button, OK button Help button, Close button, Restart button Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 11 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 5. Question : (TCO 4) Which tool can you use to view, but not modify, hardware and configuration information for your computer? Student Answer: The System applet in Control Panel Msinfo32 Msconfig.exe Event Viewer Instructor Explanation: TestOut PC Pro Section 9 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 6. Question : (TCO 4) Who is given credit for the GNU initiative? Student Answer: Richard Stallman Bill Gates Linus Torvald All of the above Instructor Explanation: TestOut Linux+ Section 0.1.3 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 7. Question : (TCO 4) Which user type was available in Windows XP but is not available for Windows Vista and 7? Student Answer: Guest Administrator Standard User Power User Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 12 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 8. Question : (TCO 4) What Windows 7 feature speeds up file searches? Student Answer: Shadow Copy Indexing Sharing ReadyBoost Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 12 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 9. Question : (TCO 4) What is the default location for 64-bit application files in Windows 7? Student Answer: The Windows folder The Program Files folder The SysWOW64 folder The System64 folder Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 12 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 10. Question : (TCO 11) Learning the next-generation features of the most recent . october#”>smartphones is an example of _____. Student Answer: OS maintenance staying current with technology leveraging documentation working out a solution Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 11 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: * Times are displayed in (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada) week 4 Devry CoMP129 Week 4 Quiz Latest 2015 October 1. Question : (TCO 5) A laptop normally has an _____ type of hard drive installed. Student Answer: internal SCSI external SCSI external SATA internal SATA Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 7 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 2. Question : (TCO 6) Why is backing up data to a different partition on the same hard drive not a good idea? Student Answer: The data perform at a slower rate. Other users who have rights to save files can retrieve the backup, install to a different computer or drive, and potentially see others’ data. If the drive fails, both the data and the backup are potentially unusable. The backup takes longer. Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 7 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 3. Question : (TCO 6) Which backup type would back up all the user’s data and set the archive bit for each file? Student Answer: Comprehensive Full Differential Incremental Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 7 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 4. Question : (TCO 5) Which optical medium has the greatest storage capacity? Student Answer: Compact disc Dual-layer, single-sided DVD Single-layer, single-sided Blu-ray disc Dual-layer, double-sided DVD Instructor Explanation: TestOut PC Pro A+, Section 5.6 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 5. Question : (TCO 5) For internal optical drives, what is the most common type of internal interface found today? Student Answer: SCSI IDE USB Firewire Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 8 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 6. Question : (TCO 6) What term is used to describe the number of samples a sound card takes to create the reproduction of the original sound? Student Answer: Analog-to-digital conversion rate Power rating Frequency response Signal to noise ratio Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 8 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 7. Question : (TCO 5) What Android app could be used to see saved photos? Student Answer: Settings Gallery Photos Video Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 8 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 8. Question : (TCO 5) What happens when you press the Fn key along with a function key on a laptop computer? Student Answer: You allow the computer to be placed in one of four power modes, which helps with video troubleshooting. You allow the computer to be placed in diagnostic mode, which is especially useful when troubleshooting video problems. You get additional features depending on the key you press. You refresh the monitor. Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 9 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 9. Question : (TCO 6) A user wants to expand his normal Windows 7 desktop work area across two monitors. What would be the best solution for this user? Student Answer: Use an integrated VGA port and a DVI port on an adapter. Install a video card with two ports if two ports are not available on the motherboard. Use a KVM switch. Use a video splitter. Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 9 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 10. Question : (TCO 11) What should you do when speaking on the phone with a customer who is very upset and yelling at you? Student Answer: Stay calm but raise your voice level a little to show the importance and professionalism of your technical question. Ask the caller whether you can put him or her on hold while he or she calms down. Hang up on the caller. Speak to the customer using a calm, professional tone. Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 7 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Devry Comp129 Week 6 Quiz 1. Question : (TCO 8) The protocols used to encrypt account names and passwords are called authentication protocols. The protocol used for Windows is _____. Student Answer: Kerberos Crypto IP Encapsulation (CIPE) Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 2. Question : (TCO 9) A(n) _____ is about the size of a credit card, but thicker. Student Answer: ExpressCard CardBus card PCI card PC Card Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 3. Question : (TCO 8) A worm _____. Student Answer: is a program that can replicate by attaching itself to another program can spread copies of itself throughout a network without a host program does not need a host program to work; It pretends to be a legitimate program is dormant code added to software and triggered by a predetermined event Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 4. Question : (TCO 8) _____ prove(s) that individuals are who they say they are. Student Answer: Authentication Authorization A background process BIOS settings Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 5. Question : (TCO 8) The largest security risk for stealing confidential data comes from ____. Student Answer: Russian or Chinese hackers college students studying hacking employees leaving passwords in full view disgruntled employees Instructor Explanation: Week 6 Online Lecture Points Received: 0 of 4 Comments: Question 6. Question : (TCO 8) Which security method would be best to use if extremely sensitive government information were stored on a hard drive that will no longer be used? Student Answer: Buy 1/0 rewrite software. Drill holes in the platters and smash the pieces with a hammer. Hold a magnet over each platter. Repartition the hard drive into multiple partitions using different file systems. Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 7. Question : (TCO 8) The protocols used to encrypt account names and passwords are called _____ protocols. Student Answer: user service encryption authentication authorization Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 8. Question : (TCO 4) Which Linux command shows you what the current directory is? Student Answer: more pwd dir ls Instructor Explanation: TestOut Linux+, Section 1.1 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 9. Question : (TCO 9) What is SSID broadcasting? Student Answer: The method the access point uses to reach all wireless NICs with a single message A means for the access point to send the wireless encryption keys to all wireless NICs for network access The access point constantly sending the name of the wireless network into the air The access method used for 802.11 a, b, g, and n wireless networks Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 10. Question : (TCO 11) Trust between you and your customer begins with _____. Student Answer: never lying. good communications skills a new customer discount professionalism. Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 0 of 4 Devry Comp129 Week 6 Quiz 1. Question : (TCO 8) The protocols used to encrypt account names and passwords are called authentication protocols. The protocol used for Windows is _____. Student Answer: Kerberos Crypto IP Encapsulation (CIPE) Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 2. Question : (TCO 9) A(n) _____ is about the size of a credit card, but thicker. Student Answer: ExpressCard CardBus card PCI card PC Card Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 3. Question : (TCO 8) A worm _____. Student Answer: is a program that can replicate by attaching itself to another program can spread copies of itself throughout a network without a host program does not need a host program to work; It pretends to be a legitimate program is dormant code added to software and triggered by a predetermined event Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 4. Question : (TCO 8) _____ prove(s) that individuals are who they say they are. Student Answer: Authentication Authorization A background process BIOS settings Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 5. Question : (TCO 8) The largest security risk for stealing confidential data comes from ____. Student Answer: Russian or Chinese hackers college students studying hacking employees leaving passwords in full view disgruntled employees Instructor Explanation: Week 6 Online Lecture Points Received: 0 of 4 Comments: Question 6. Question : (TCO 8) Which security method would be best to use if extremely sensitive government information were stored on a hard drive that will no longer be used? Student Answer: Buy 1/0 rewrite software. Drill holes in the platters and smash the pieces with a hammer. Hold a magnet over each platter. Repartition the hard drive into multiple partitions using different file systems. Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 7. Question : (TCO 8) The protocols used to encrypt account names and passwords are called _____ protocols. Student Answer: user service encryption authentication authorization Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 8. Question : (TCO 4) Which Linux command shows you what the current directory is? Student Answer: more pwd dir ls Instructor Explanation: TestOut Linux+, Section 1.1 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 9. Question : (TCO 9) What is SSID broadcasting? Student Answer: The method the access point uses to reach all wireless NICs with a single message A means for the access point to send the wireless encryption keys to all wireless NICs for network access The access point constantly sending the name of the wireless network into the air The access method used for 802.11 a, b, g, and n wireless networks Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 4 of 4 Comments: Question 10. Question : (TCO 11) Trust between you and your customer begins with _____. Student Answer: never lying. good communications skills a new customer discount professionalism. Instructor Explanation: Schmidt, Chapter 15 Points Received: 0 of 4 Comments: week 7 (TCO 4) You have been asked to temporarily fill in for a Linux administrator who has just been fired. This administrator was known to take a lax view of security and it is suspected that passwords are still kept in the /etc/passwd file. When viewing that file, which entry below would indicate that the passwords are there? kolson:85yxir:430:0:Back Door:/root:/bin/bash badams:x:341:52:Brent Adams:/users/badams:/bin/bash dclifford:x:689:306:non secure user:/root: tmurphy:x:100:100:/users/tmurphy:/bin/bash Question 2. Question : (TCO 11) Mitch Miller wants to use his optical drive to play a Moody Blues CD. When he inserts the disc and closes the drive tray, the drive turns, but he does not hear any music. What type of problem would a technician say this is? The technician would say that it is a hardware problem. The technician would say that it is a software problem. The technician would say that it is an error of the user. The technician would not be able to draw a conclusion from the description given. Question 3. Question : (TCO 10) In which troubleshooting step do you complete a help-desk ticket by typing the solution and closing the ticket? Document findings, actions, and outcomes. Identify the problem. Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures. Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution. Question 4. Question : (TCO 10) The audio beeps heard during the boot process are caused by the _____. RAM processor CMOS BIOS Question 5. Question : (TCO 10) Hardware errors are often obvious _____. during POST during printing when saving a file during RAM access Question 6. Question : (TCO 10) What component is most likely to be included in an audio and video editing PC design? RAID Powerful GPU Multiple processors Video capture card Question 7. Question : (TCO 10) Which of the following would most likely be a design consideration for a gaming PC rather than a computer used for virtualization? NAS High amount of RAM Multiple fast, large-capacity hard drives Additional system cooling Question 8. Question : (TCO 10) Debbie keeps getting an error each time she tries to save her worksheet in AJAX ABC accounting software to the thumb drive. She then saves an Excel spreadsheet she was working on to the thumb drive and it too produces the error. A good next step would be to _____. save the file to a different drive. open the computer case to see whether the thumb drive is connected properly. replace the hard drive. Question 9. Question : (TCO 10) Which statement is true regarding mobile design? . Netbooks are low cost and lightweight. Netbooks are typically lighter than tablets. Laptops usually have less storage capability than tablets or smartphones. Question 10. Question : (TCO 10) An internal keyboard is generally connected to the laptop’s system board using a _____. USB connector ribbon cable PS/2 port mini-molex connector Course Project: Due in Week 7 (Begin in Week 1) Objectives .equella.ecollege.com/file/fe25679a-cc25-4079-a28b-289fa1484619/19/COMP129_CH_CourseProject.html#top”>Back to Top BUILDING A PERFECT PC! The COMP129 project is designed to help you apply what you are learning each week using current hardware and software options to build a PC that meets a specific purpose. Although your Final Project is due in Week 7, you will begin working in Week 1 and continue adding components to your computer in each week of the class. Start by selecting the purpose of your computer and a budget. Then you can work each week to select components for your PC based on what you are learning in your class activities. Download the project deliverable template and create a spreadsheet in Week 1. (Remember, you will be turning in these two files in Week 7.) Build on these during the term as you work on building your perfect PC. Guidelines Plan to build your perfect PC. (Remember, you are to select each part of the computer. No kits are allowed. No prebuilt computing devices are allowed. This project is designed to help you apply what you are learning each week using current hardware and software options.) Use the lab project template to turn in your project questions. Attach an Excel spreadsheet that includes the major components, specifications, parts, vendors, pricing, and total cost as outlined below. (You can add additional rows and columns to the Excel template if you want to add more than the minimum in your completed computer build). Plan the purpose of your computer. (Remember, Chapter 10 in your textbook will give you some ideas on what you might select as a purpose.) Preplan a price range and try to stick to it. (Were you able to stick to your budget? Why or why not?) List all major components in your spreadsheet template. (Include at least the motherboard, processor power, memory, drives, and monitor size. Add to this list as needed). Determine all necessary parts to buy. (Include at least the case, expansion cards, NIC, and keyboard. Add to this list as needed.) Include OS and software. Update an Excel spreadsheet with all specifications and parts. Price parts from two locations. You may use brick-and-mortar stores in your area, such as TigerDirect, and online sellers, such as.newegg.com/”>newegg.comor.tigerdirect.com/”>http://www.tigerdirect.com/. You can do all of your .comparison shopping online, if you desire. (You will be adding in the prices from these two locations as separate columns in your spreadsheet. See Item 8 below.) Update your spreadsheet with the seller’s name, prices, and totals. (Make sure you add the vendor, price, and total for all the items you select, as well as the total for the computer as a whole.) Write a 4–5-paragraph report on your learning and experiences in completing this project. Make sure to include an introduction, two to three paragraphs about the project, and a conclusion for full credit on this part of the assignment. Remember, this portion of the project is worth 10 points, so make sure you are thorough and complete in your essay.

Roundup 2017 Guide: The Best NAS Drives for Homes and Small Offices        

Sharing media and files on a home network—and across the world—is a lot easier if you make use of a network attached storage (NAS) drive. Let’s figure out which one best suits your needs.

The concept of "network-attached storage" might seem intimidating because, as a rule, any product with the word “network” in its name seems scary to many buyers. (Who among us tweaks his or her router settings without some trepidation, after all?) However, we’re here to tell you that the concept is not only relatively simple, but that you can add one of these devices to your home network in a jiffy and enjoy the benefits, regardless of your technical skill level.

And you won’t need a millennial to hook it up, either.

The Whats & Whys of NAS

First off: What is a network attached storage, or NAS, device? In its simplest form, it's a hard drive or hard drives in a box, connected to your router. Inside the chassis is a small motherboard, with a CPU and some memory to control its functions, plus a power supply. That’s all there is to it—like we said, a simple concept wrapped in opaque terminology.

The main benefit of a NAS drive is that anyone who is connected to the router for his or her Internet connection, either wired or wirelessly, can access the hard drive. As a result, the NAS can act as a central, local repository for files, media, and anything else that needs to be shared by multiple folks all using the same network. Advanced features in today's routers also let you extend that file-sharing access to people outside your local network, in essence letting you host your own "personal cloud." (That's a term NAS makers throw around—a lot.)

The much cheaper alternative to installing a NAS is to set up file sharing directly on an individual’s computer, then configure the settings to allow other people to connect to those files or folders. File sharing in that way presents several issues and limitations, though. First, it's possible that either the person sharing the files or the person wanting to connect to his or her computer will not understand how to do this—setting up file sharing under Windows or macOS can be cumbersome. Second, if the person sharing the files has his or her computer powered off, then nobody can access the file content on it. Third, the entire arrangement is limited by the amount of storage space the hosting party has on his or her computer.

Good basic two-bay NAS: Synology DiskStation DS216j

Network attached storage overcomes these limitations of traditional file sharing by giving all users who are connected to a router a centralized storage pool for everyone to share, 24/7, that will usually exceed in size the local storage on their PCs. In addition, some NAS drives are easy to upgrade to meet growing storage demands, via user-accessible bays in the chassis. With a drive like this, if the capacity you choose becomes inadequate down the road, it’s usually a trivial matter to add more and/or bigger hard drives by inserting them into empty bays in the chassis.

A well-designed NAS drive also makes granular file sharing easy, as the NAS drive's software—usually, a Web-based interface that you tweak through a browser—allows you to dictate and customize access rights. If the software is designed right (and it has gotten a lot better in recent years, from most NAS players), that's done easily. So, for example, you can share your NAS-resident music or file collection, or common-access work files, across a network, but lock down the financial stuff or personal files in private folders. The process of accessing the NAS drive is usually akin to adding a hard drive to your own computer; it’s just another drive that shows up alongside the rest, even though it’s connected through the network.

These days, NAS drives are designed to make media streaming, i.e. viewing or playing content without downloading it, super-simple, too. Music is no challenge for a modern NAS unit, nor video up to 1080p. Streaming very big video files these days, though, requires a bit of discernment. For example, with certain appropriately equipped NAS devices, you can stream a 4K video from the NAS to your tablet or phone via your home network, with the NAS performing some on-the-fly processing to make the file palatable to your device. This might be impossible, otherwise, due to the storage and bandwidth limitations of a mobile device. But that's where NAS nuances (and following from that, we) come in.

NAS: Don't Call It Backup (Most of the Time)

Another prime feature of NAS drives—redundancy between drives, for an element of data protection—is an option on models that have more than one drive or drive bay inside. Every NAS drive we’ve tested with more than one drive bay gives you the option of putting the drives into a mirrored RAID array, so that everything written to the first drive gets copied to the second, as well. (RAID stands for "Redundant Array of Independent Disks.") An alternative to that is striping, a speed-up technique that spreads your data across multiple physical drives to make data access faster (because the NAS can spin up multiple drives at one time). Striping by itself isn't secure, though; if one drive in the striped set fails, you can lose access to all your data.

With that in mind, more complex arrangements than mirroring and striping are possible with NAS drives with more bays; in some, data can be striped or spread across two or more drives with just enough redundancy among them to allow for restoration of the whole data set if one drive fails (also called "striping plus mirroring"). If there’s ever a failure under a mirrored scheme, it’s not noticeable except to the NAS administrator, who will get pinged; the unit just switches to the backup drive or drives seamlessly.

The only downside to a purely mirrored setup is the cost, as it requires two identical-capacity drives to make the redundancy possible. So, for example, two 4TB hard drives in a mirrored arrangement yield just 4TB of effective, usable capacity. But this kind of arrangement provides what is called in enterprise scenarios "fault tolerance"—insurance against one of the drives physically failing and taking your data down with it.

Don't confuse this, though, with truly bulletproof backup. To be sure, you can use a NAS drive as backup, copying data that lives locally on your networked PCs in duplicate on the NAS, either automatically or manually. This creates a backup copy in the event your system drive dies or gets corrupted—a good idea. But real backup proofs your data against localized events that can take out your whole data store in one shot: a fire, a break-in, a massive power surge, a flood. All of these can wipe out your primary data and your backup if your NAS and your system are near each other and both suffer the same fate. To prevent this, some NAS units provide a way for you to back them up to another, offsite NAS. (We know, this is getting complicated.)

The short version: Backing up to a NAS is good practice—and plenty of NAS drives come with good backup software or make such apps available. But don't confuse it with a foolproof data-protection plan if all your data physically resides in close proximity.

NAS Drives: The Buying Basics

The bottom line is, if you’re in a home or office where multiple people need to share files, or you’re looking for a simple way to back up important data, a NAS device is the easiest way to do it, unless the amount of data is small enough to make stowing it in the cloud feasible. And like any computer peripheral, the features offered by the various NAS units vary greatly to meet the demands of different households, offices, and environments. So you’ll need to understand the terms and features before you go shopping.

These are your primary shopping concerns.

ONE, TWO, OR FOUR BAYS? Since a NAS device is at the simplest level just a container for a hard drive or drives, the No. 1 spec for any NAS unit is its potential storage capacity, determined by the number of drive bays it includes. Most consumer-grade and home-office NAS units have one or two bays, while models designed for the office have four or more. But that's not an absolute guideline.

We don't generally recommend NAS drives with just a single bay, unless they are to be used strictly for backing up data that will also reside on computers on the network. That's because of the lack of redundancy out-of-the-box. (Some single-bay NAS drives will allow you to attach a second NAS device or an external hard drive to that end.) You don't want the only copy of your data residing on just one drive on the network. Also, the drives in these single-bay devices tend not to be user-accessible, if the NAS ships with a drive installed.

For most home users who aren't video-file hoarders, a two-bay NAS should be sufficient, provided that you buy big enough drives from the outset if you'll be mirroring them. Err on the high side of capacity, though; it'll cost more now, but you don't want to have to rebuy two hard drives for your NAS to get a higher effective mirrored capacity. Remember: Mirroring takes two physical drives.

POPULATED OR DISKLESS? Some NAS drives are sold pre-populated with disks, oftentimes already formatted for use in a particular RAID configuration, while others come “diskless.” Each NAS vendor has its own tendencies in that regard. But surprise, surprise: The NAS-device makers who are also manufacturers of hard drives (Seagate, Western Digital) favor pre-populated NAS drives for obvious reasons—they lock in a sale of their own hard drives when they sell a NAS. (Not an insidious motive, mind you, just good business.) The "indie" NAS makers (for lack of a better term) that aren’t drive manufacturers, such as Synology and QNAP, are more likely to sell their NAS devices diskless, though they (or more accurately, their resellers) may also offer units pre-populated and configured with drives for shoppers' convenience.

If a given NAS is offered in both pre-populated and diskless form, we suggest checking out the cost difference and making sure that the drives that are provided in the populated model work out to a good value. With pre-populated-only NAS drives from Seagate and WD, the cost of the internal drives tends to be harder to distinguish from the cost of the NAS unit.

NAS-optimized Seagate IronWolf hard drive...

WHICH DRIVES TO USE? NAS makers that sell diskless NAS drives recommend certain drive models or families that have been tested for use with their NAS drives. This might coincide with the hard drives they actually manufacture, or not. Take a look at these drive-compatibility lists before you buy. If you already own a bank of hard drives you intend to install, you'll want to look for such validation. If yours are not on the list, it doesn't mean they won't work, but if you're buying drives new, it's best to stick with the NAS maker's recommendations. Most “NAS certified” hard drives have been tested to run 24/7/365, which is a bit much for regular, consumer-level drives. Seagate and Western Digital are the two drive makers that specifically offer drives meant for NAS use by homes and businesses.

The designations for these drives have changed a bit in the last year. Seagate has rolled out fresh branding for some of its bare drives, and Western Digital has simplified the "colors" that distinguish the drives in its line. The drives you'll likely want to be using in an always-on NAS unit are the ones designated for NAS use, or for "surveillance" use, if you'll be using your NAS as a recorder for home cameras. (Surveillance-class drives are expected to be churning constantly, recording data from networked cameras, oftentimes to a NAS device.)

...and Western Digital's equivalent, the WD Red

If you are looking at Seagate drives, the NAS-class drives are called the "IronWolf" and "IronWolf Pro" lines, while the surveillance drives (available in capacities from 1TB to 10TB) are the "SkyHawk" drive series. Straight IronWolf drives are what you're after for outfitting a NAS drive in a home or SOHO scenario; they come in 1TB to 10TB capacities, as well. IronWolf Pro drives are rated for service in enterprise or commercial situations.

On the Western Digital side, the NAS-specific drives are the "WD Red" (at this writing, available in 2TB to 8TB sizes), with the "WD Red Pro" series meant for enterprise use. The surveillance-minded designs are the "WD Purple" drives, which come in 1TB to 8TB sizes.

REDUNDANCY OR NO? As we mentioned earlier, NAS units that have more than one drive are built to offer the option for redundancy, so in two- and four-drive configurations the extra disks can simply mirror the contents of the other drive. Example: A two-bay unit with two 4TB drives would offer only 4TB of usable storage if you leave it in mirror mode, as the other drive is “invisible,” copying all the files from the other drive in the background.

Usually, the user has the option to reconfigure the drives in order to gain the capacity of the second drive, if desired. But since the data will span both drives (if configured in striping-only mode), if either disk fails all the data will be lost, so we don’t recommend this approach. It essentially doubles the failure risk. Many NAS units also support a JBOD mode ("Just a Bunch of Disks"), which lets you address each drive as a separate drive letter and save data to discrete drives within the NAS box. This is marginally safer than just basic striping, but any data you save to a given drive is still vulnerable to the failure of that specific mechanism.

NAS OPERATING SYSTEMS. Since all NAS units use roughly similar hard drives and enclosures, what really differentiates them is the operating system that controls everything.

This OS ships with the drive, and is generally accessed via a Web browser when you set everything up. Most NAS OSs are Linux-based, and are vendor-specific. For example, Synology's consumer/SOHO NAS units use what it calls "DiskStation Manager" (DSM), which gets periodic updates. Likewise, NAS maker Thecus employs ThecusOS, QNAP employs its own software environment ("QTS"), and so on.

Inside Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) UI

A lot of NAS drives come out of the box with just basic functionality but allow you to install any number of add-on programs that expand the functionality of the device in ways you might never have conceived of. For example, you might install software that records a data stream from a video camera for surveillance directly to the NAS over your network, or make the NAS a PHP MySQL server or mail server. Every OS that we’ve seen included with a consumer or small-business NAS these days allows the end user to install various "packages" and add-ons (in the form of NAS-OS “apps”) that add new functionality.

App selection within Synology's DiskStation Manager OS.

The apps available for a NAS’s OS vary wildly according to which company is selling it, with some NASes focusing more on media streaming, and others more on server-type add-ons. So be sure to research the available apps and add-ons before you make your purchase. What appears to be a simple NAS unit might indeed be able to morph into something much handier. Conversely, a NAS with scant app/package support might be limited in what you can do with it besides the basic.

MEDIA-STREAMING SUBTLETIES. Before you go thinking that a NAS drive will let you stream any type of media you have to any device or TV, keep in mind certain devices will only play certain types of files, and you’ll need to get software and hardware to work together to make this happen.

For example, that, ahem, sweet DVD rip you have of Titanic in AVI format will not open on an iPhone without some jiggering. (It needs to be in MP4 format to be recognized.) Software can get around that problem, such as the ever-useful VLC media player utility, and some NAS units work with Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, Android phones/tablets, and other types of hardware. It can be complicated, though, guaranteeing that a specific file or file type will play on a given device, so look at the specs of the NAS closely to determine its capabilities.

Two-bay NAS geared toward 4K playback: Synology DiskStation DS716+

A late development is NAS circles is special kinds of support for streaming 4K video, and the spec sheet is your friend in these cases. Some NASes with 4K acceleration will convert this high-resolution video on the fly to formats better suited to the bit rates of devices that are requesting it, such as smartphones. This is an esoteric need at the moment, but recognize that some NAS makers will charge a premium for some of these features.

USB-drive copy port on QNAP's TS-469L.

USB PORTS. Most NAS drives have one or two USB ports that you can use to connect a printer or external storage drives, letting you add those to your network. Once they are plugged in, just like everything else on the NAS, they can be shared with all the connected users. A frequent arrangement: A NAS drive will have one USB 2.0 port that is usually used for printer sharing, and a USB 3.0 port that can be used for external storage. (USB 2.0 is much, much slower than USB 3.0, but a printer doesn’t need the fast pipe, so a USB 2.0 port is just fine.)

Some NAS units also have a “copy” button on the front panel designed to make copying the contents of an external drive, such as a flash drive, to the NAS a one-button-press affair. You just connect the drive and tap the button, and everything on the external drive is safely copied to the NAS to a pre-designated location.

REMOTE ACCESS/"PERSONAL CLOUD" FEATURES. We discussed the concept of the "personal cloud" earlier. In addition to the above sharing features, most NAS drives let you send Web links to people to allow them to access remotely certain files or folders located on your NAS, making your NAS serve like your own Dropbox or Google Drive, but with way more storage capacity—and no monthly bill. Many NAS makers tout this.

With this functionality, you can also connect to the NAS itself from any Internet connection, so you can download files you need on the road, or stream a movie or music files resident on your home NAS to your laptop in a hotel across the country or the world, network bandwidth permitting. Most, but not all, NAS drives offer this kind of feature, so be sure to do your research before you pull the trigger if it’s a must-have. (Ourselves? We wouldn’t get a NAS without it.)

TIME MACHINE SUPPORT. Got Mac users on your network? Look for this. Support for the Apple spec is almost universal across NAS drives these days, but it's best to make it a checklist item in your buy. NAS units from Synology, QNAP, Netgear, WD, and Seagate all support it, but it’s something you should specifically look for if you’re buying any NAS, as there might be specific requirements for it to work.

Ready for Our Recommendations?

So, above are the basic features to keep in mind when evaluating a NAS. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best NAS units we’ve tested and reviewed of late. These models range from small-business-oriented units with four bays to some consumer/SMB bridging models that have two.

Seagate Personal Cloud (3TB)  $146.88  Amazon  SEE IT  Rated 4 / 5 Stars       Our Verdict: This small, budget-minded NAS device provides good bang for the buck, packing ease of use and comprehensive media-streaming and backup apps. Just recognize the no-redundancy risk posed by any single-drive NAS. Read Our Review

Synology DiskStation DS216j $149.99  Amazon  SEE IT Rated 4 / 5 Stars

Our Verdict: The dual-bay DS216j is an affordable, good-value entry-level NAS. Only its heavy OS, possibly intimidating to newcomers, keeps it from an Editors' Choice pick. Read Our Review

Synology DiskStation DS716 +Best Price Amazon SEE IT  Rated 4 / 5 Stars 

Our Verdict: The DS716+ is a “made for 4K” NAS with plenty of power and advanced features, but its price limits it to 4K video hounds. Read Our Review

WD My Cloud EX2100  $559.99  Dell  SEE IT  Rated 4 / 5 Stars

Our Verdict: Western Digital presents a speedy, simple way for accessing your data remotely. A few quirks of its extraordinarily simple UI are sticking points (as is the noise when you turn it on), but they're not deal-breakers. Read Our Review

Synology DiskStation DS416slim  $289.99  Amazon  SEE IT  Rated 3.5 / 5 Stars 

Our Verdict: The DS416slim is a solid four-bay NAS that trades maximum performance and capacity for a tiny footprint, making it great for offsite backups, cluttered work environments, or locking up at night. Read Our Review

Netgear ReadyNAS 212  $281.74  Amazon  SEE IT  Rated 3.5 / 5 Stars  

Our Verdict: The ReadyNAS 212 is a highly evolved NAS with excellent performance and a ton of advanced features. Tweakers will like the latter, but most casual users won't leverage many of these extras. Read Our Review

Promise Technology Apollo (4TB)  $239.00  Amazon SEE IT  Rated 3 / 5 Stars   Our Verdict: Promise Technology's first try at a network drive is a Mac-centric single-drive solution with a unique approach that defaults to privacy. The software and pricing need some tweaks, however. Read Our Review

TerraMaster F2-220  $189.95  Amazon  SEE IT  Rated 3 / 5 Stars            

Our Verdict: The F2-220 is a reasonable-value dual-bay NAS if you're tech-savvy, but network newbies should opt for a model geared more toward ease of use.  Read Our Review

Thecus N2810   $203.03  Amazon  SEE IT  Rated 2.5 / 5 Stars            

Our Verdict: The N2810 offers speedy performance and a deep feature set for the money, but it feels like a beta product with an OS too advanced for all but NAS aficions. Read Our Review

https://www.computershopper.com/feature/2017-guide-the-best-nas-drives-for-homes-and-small-offices

by Shahjahan R

It was 1996. It was two years since I resigned my job in a publishing concern, undertook various works for a living, and lastly started a desktop publishing unit (DTP – typing and layout desining of books). I purchased a computer, but, to be frank, I have never touched a computer earlier! In the company where I worked earlier as a manager, there were a few systems. Computer operators used to operate them, but I have never touched one. I have seen the backside of the monitor through the small windows in railway booking / bank counters. Those were the days when people used to believe that computers must be kept in AC room, otherwise they will heat up… If you press any wrong key by mistake everything will be lost… The computer which I purchased for my DTP unit was a 386 model, i.e. IBM 386. IBM means not a branded one, but an assembled one, with an Intel i386 microprocessor. One of my friend’s friend’s friend was running a computer assembling company in Munirka, and he brought the system and fixed it in our office. People who read this story today may not be aware what is a 386. Before 386, there was another version called 286. Even before that, there were systems without hard disks. Anyway, let me come to my system. The system had 260 MB hard disk, Windows 3.0 version, Page Mager 4. UPS were not common then, and so I had opted for a power stabiliser which weighed about 8 Kg, and costed 6500 rupees. A 14″ monochrome monitor. I had already purchased a Laser Printer – HP Laserjet 4Plus – with the help of Nakkeeran Gopal. That was the best printer HP ever produced. My Computer had 4 MB RAM (YES, not 4 GB, just 4 MB)! If you are surprised about 4 MB RAM, I will narrate another story. After a few months, I wanted to increase the RAM, as my system was slow. Through one of my friends I got another 4 MB RAM – i.e. 4 chips of 1 MB each – for 800 rupees. So, all the 8 slots of RAM in the motherboard were full ! Those were the days when we used to type in MS-DOS. Even formatting of typed text could be done in DOS – i.e. Disk Operating System. For copying, deleting of files, we used DOS commands. Completed works were saved in floppy disks. There were two kinds of floppys – one was 5.25″ and another 3.5″. Microsoft Word was yet to come. The office space I selected for my unit was in Indrapuri, a congested area populated by working class Tamil people. I got a computer, but not an operator. Then came a lady for interview. She was about 5 feet tall, slim, and her fingers were thin and lengthy – just like my fingers. Her husband too accompanied her. Already I have installed a Tamil software – fonts as well as typing tool. I gave her a few pages to type in Tamil. Her fingers moved over the keyboard as if a dancer’s feet moving on the stage. She did not look at the keyboard at all. The Tamil software which I had installed could not cope up with her typing speed, and letters appeared on the screen only after about 15-20 seconds after she typed. Her name was Mythili. No need to say that Mythili Sankaran was appointed. In the last twenty years or so, I have purchased a few more computers / laptops. A few more operators came and went. But, she was the only one who became a member of our family, my trustworthy right hand in my works. Even if I had to go to south on holidays, she will manage alone. During my young age, after finishing high school education, it was a norm in those days that one has to learn typewriting – if an institute was available. And, typing institutes were there in almost all towns. It was a place for young lovers too. I too joined in one of the institutes and went there daily carrying a few white sheets, rolled in my hand. I too learnt English typing, typewriter mechanism, etc., but forget everything in the next 30 years. Now I have to start to learn typing a…s…d…f…g…f… from Mythili again. She also taught me how to operate the system. She was my First Teacher. Then came Windows 3.1…, 3.1.1, … 95, 98, … to XP. Page Maker 5.0, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0. We both learnt a lot as the systems and the softwares were improving. We both learnt to type in Inscript keyboard. Her typing speed was amazing. She was an expert in creating shortcuts using autocorrect to type lengthy words in MS Word, thus she can just type three / four alphabets for a 15-20 letter words. As there was a need for working in other designing softwares, I learnt Corel Draw, Photoshop etc., in which she could not excel, yet she also worked on them. She used to say, “Sir, you have excelled your guru – guruvukku minjiya shishyan!” Even now her words reverberate in my years. Her typing method was different. She would sit on the chair with her legs folded – as if sitting in floor. A copyholder will be kept on the left side of the monitor where manuscript will be kept. Her eyes will move only on the script, she won’t look at the monitor. She will type one para / page, then press Control+S, then go through the typed matter, correct any spelling mistake visible, then press Control+S again. Even today I have a few books which she has typed, but still pending for my layout designing. Whenever I see or open those files, I can visulalise her sitting and typing. * * * Phone will ring. It may be a call from her brother Raghavan. Their dialogue will go on in a typical Tamil Brahminical language. Phone will ring again, and it may be a client. Her language will be purely official – either in Hindi or in Tamil. She knew almost all my clients and almost all of them were happy with her behaviour. * * * Occasionally we had some interesting conversations. — Sir, why almost all the poets behave like fools? — What, fools? Whom you are talking about? — I am talking about Bharathi. Chellamma borrows rice from here and there for making food and this Bharathi throw the rice to crows and birds! Was he nuts? What was there in his head – brain or something else? This happened when she was typing Bharathi’s biography. — What would be the age of Thiruvalluvar when he died? About 300? — Why are you asking like this? — See, If I start to write a letter to my dad, it takes about a week to complete. This man, Thiruvalluvar, has written almost all matters that too in a crisp manner. That means he should be having a lot of experience. That experience could not be gained in a single life time like us. This conversation happened when she was typing Thirukkural. — Wah … wah… Got a manuscript written by …………………… Ha!, for a few days it wont be difficult for typing. She said this when a new manuscript arrived, and the translator’s handwriting was so good that it would look like printed matter. — Oh my….! I have got this ………………………… manuscript!!! If he comes here, we should teach him how to write – like a teacher beat his hand with a stick. She will say this when a manuscript with a poor handwriting comes to her. (Whom she referred here is also here in Facebook. He has also read this.) — I am surprised how this man was able to understand what is in a woman’s mind! This comment was about Aadhavan, a short story writer. * * * How she could make everyone as her friend was a mystery for me. People known to me, my clients, my friends, relatives – she could talk with everyone with ease. Every year, on my birthday, first b’day wish will come from her. (Normally I don’t remember my birthday.) Once she came with a bag. I asked her what was that. “Yesterday I went to the market. Purchased a t-shirt.” “T-shirt?! For whom?” “For our Jaya.” “Jaya? Who Jaya?” “Our Jayakuamar Sir! Today is his birthday.” Jayakumar was a young man from Tirunelveli, who came to Delhi in search of a job, and was with me for a few years. He became one of my family members. Mythili had a great memory power. She never failed to wish people known to me on their birthdays or marriage days. … Do you remember this day? This is the day when I joined. … Today is Jai Shankar’s birthday. Have to wish him. … Ten years back you shifted to this place on the same day. … Have you wished your sister’s daughter? Today is her marriage day. … Last year, on this day, we all went to India Gate, do you remember? * * * Her first child was a daughter, Dharini. Second one was a son, Manikandan. After the second delivery, she was diagnosed with diabetes. Subsequently, both the kidneys were affected. Yet, both were functioning on 50% of their capacity and she could manage with a little medication and a strict diet. After a few years, health problems came up. By that time, modem has come into use, and typed files could be sent by e-mail. So, I gave her a computer to work from her home. Manuscript will be given to her, and she will type and send mails. Her husband Sankaran will take / bring manuscripts. Occasionally I will also visit her home to service the computer. By 2010, complications increased. She had to go for dialysis. Because of her health, she had to opt for peritoneal dialysis – done at home. As a chain reaction, problems also came up – getting medicine in time, infection, getting service of a nurse occasinally for changing the tubes fitted with her body. Yet, she was working until August 2010. By the end of the month of October 2010, I had to go to Tamil Nadu on some personal work. Before leaving for south I called her and informed about my trip. “Please visit me before you leave Sir,” she requested. “I am sorry, I have heavy load of works to finish before I leave. If I come there, whole day will be gone. Don’t worry, I will visit immediately on my return,” I said. One 1st November, I was sitting in a browsing centre in Tiruppur, to write an article for All India Radio, which was to be broadcast next day. For about 20 years, I used present a programme on sports for AIR. I had to send it by mail. As I was browsing and taking notes about sports events, my cellphone rang, and it was a call from Sankaran. Mythili was unwell and she had to be admitted in a nearby hospital, he said. This was not new, because earlier too she had been admitted into the same hospital and she will go back home with a smile after a two-days stay. This time too she will be alright, I convinced him. I thought it was an infection problem, and she will be back home. But she betrayed me. I could not see her again. Seven years have gone. Mythili who had stored in her memory a lot of dates has become a date. My First Teacher lives in my memory as a date – 2 November. * I wrote this piece in 2012 in Tamil. Mythili’s daughter Dharini asked me to write this in English for her friends. I am sorry that it took almost five years for me to fulfill her request. * P.S.: November 14 is observed as World Diabetes Day and the Theme for this year is “Women and diabetes – our right to a healthy future”. Why importance on women? According to International Diabetes Federation : 1 in 10 women live with diabetes. 1 in 7 births is affected by gestational diabetes (GDM). Approximately half of women with a history of GDM go on to develop type 2 diabetes within five to ten years after delivery. But, Up to 70% of cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. Many do not have access to educatin, treatment and care. Protect the health of mother and child by improving access to screening, care and education.

Shahjahan R

My First Teacher by Shahjahan R It was 1996. It was two years since I resigned my job in a publishing concern, undertook various works for a living, and lastly started a desktop publishing unit (DTP - typing and layout desining of books).

really  LONG  CHARACTER  SURVEY.     RULES.  repost ,   don’t  reblog  !    tag  10  ! good  luck  !     TAGGED.  @vrepit-sa     TAGGING. @shurimanisms, @flareforged, @greenestxpaladin and tbh i can’t be arsed to tag more after all th a t

BASICS.

FULL  NAME :  Katie Holt / Pidge Gunderson NICKNAME :   Katie / Pidge AGE :  fourteen BIRTHDAY :   unknown ETHNIC  GROUP :  caucasian (the holts are probably some complete disaster of lineage lbrh) NATIONALITY :   american. LANGUAGE / S : english, morse, binary if she thought about it, a scattering of several different programming languages (nothing low-level like assembly languages though), a smattering of altean quite literally scared into her SEXUAL  ORIENTATION :  asexual. ROMANTIC  ORIENTATION :  might be aro? tbh she’d be happy with just someone to sit and do tech/geek things with so yeah, aro makes perfect sense. RELATIONSHIP  STATUS :   nope HOME  TOWN / AREA :  is central northern america a thing because that’s the feeling i got from the little we saw of the holt’s plae. CURRENT  HOME :   the castle of lions PROFESSION :  general technologist? of the paladins, stealth and infiltration

PHYSICAL.

SKIN:  very pale, easy to sunburn but still a healthy shade despite how much time she spends indoors/out of sunlight EYES :   highkey amber, gold in the sunlight and almost brown along the inner edges. FACE :  it’s round and soft, but also thinly lined, easy enough for her to be mistaken as a boy (and used very well against the Garrison) LIPS :   they’re the kind that don’t reveal their curves until she grins, cheshire in manner in that they don’t draw attention away from her face. they’re thin but not to the point of not existing. COMPLEXION :  surprisingly, given her age and habits, pidge’s face remains pretty clean and clear. BLEMISHES :   any birthmarks she has are tiny and hard to notice unless you’re looking for them. for the longest time, she’d had one on the arch of her foot, but it faded away at some point during her childhood and almost none of her others have. SCARS :  she’s got a couple fine lines on her hands (old motherboards were notorious for having sharp solder points on the underside and pidge has torn her hands up on quite a few during disassembly). from taking apart tech on earth. she’s thus far managed to avoid collecting new ones since becoming the green paladin. TATTOOS :  n/a. HEIGHT :   5′2 ? i think WEIGHT :   she probably weighs 110lbs soaking wet. BUILD :   her build is slim, very nondescript. the curve to her waist and hips are easily hidden in clothing and any curve to her upper body disappears once she’s geared up. FEATURES :   glasses. round ones that perch on the tip of her nose and manage to serve as a way she can look severely at someone without being blind. ALLERGIES :   greening the cube doesn’t give any details, but i imagine pidge deals with quite a few allergies to outdoors environments; pollen from multiple sources, making it difficult, if not impossible, for there to be a season that affects her less than normal USUAL  HAIR  STYLE :  she brushes her hair, but otherwise leaves it be, letting it be a slightly messy mop that hangs around her face. USUAL  FACE  LOOK :   n/a USUAL  CLOTHING :   if not in her armor, pidge prefers loosely fitting clothing for ease of movement, but doesn’t have much preference for the colors of such.

PSYCHOLOGY.

FEAR / S :   she doesn’t have specific fears, mostly, but at this point in time, she’s scared to death of not being able to find her father and brother. scared of finding out that they died. scared of not being able to put her family together. scared of losing the family she’s made in the castle. ASPIRATION / S :   she wants to find her father and brother, yes, she wants to go home, but... she also wants to see the universe. she wants to explore. she wants to see what’s out there. POSITIVE  TRAITS :   intelligent | excitable | quick-witted NEGATIVE  TRAITS :   stubborn | irritable | insensitive MBTI :   Logician (INTP-A) ZODIAC :   gemini? i think? it fits, anyway, so i’ll keep it for now TEMPEREMENT :   melancholic. SOUL  TYPE / S :   thinkier | hunter | helper ANIMALS :   beaver. VICE  HABIT / S :    picking her fingernails, chewing on the ends of pens while thinking, absently picking at scabs or new calluses. FAITH :  theistic but not ascribing to a religion? GHOSTS ? :   until there’s proof, nope AFTERLIFE ? :   ^ see above. REINCARNATION ? :   maybe there is, maybe there isn’t, no one knows yet ALIENS ? :   voltron is literally an alien weapon piloted by five. POLITICAL  ALIGNMENT :  not the galran empire. EDUCATION  LEVEL :    probably took some college level courses for kicks and grins before getting into the garrison. probably lied about her age for the garrison; definitely dealt with college level classes there.

FAMILY.

FATHER :   samuel holt MOTHER :   colleen holt SIBLINGS :   matt holt EXTENDED  FAMILY :   unknown NAME  MEANING / S :    katie is diminutive of kate/katherine, most commonly means pure. holt comes from wold/wald, and means a small forest or forested upland. pidge is likely a borrowed slang word short for “pigeon hole”, a place for messages to be left for later/a home for a pigeon. gunderson is a patronymic name derived from several different sources, but “son of "gondri" or "gundric", a once common old French personal name from the germanic elements "gund", battle and "ric", poser” is the commonly accepted meaning. HISTORICAL  CONNECTION ? :   old english for katie holt, norwegian/german/french for gunderson

FAVORITES.

BOOK :  she can’t just pick one. pidge had a library of books she left behind at home. it’s a combination of scifi, fantasy, and textbooks. she has a handful of in-depth guides for common linux/unix distros and for android in general. MOVIE :   again, she can’t just pick one. while her movies are as varied in interest as her books, katie didn’t keep nearly as much of a collection. 5  SONGS :  considering her music library spans several tens of gb, there’s no way to pick five to be favorites. it varies from month to month DEITY :   n/a. HOLIDAY :   she’s always loved christmas. snow outside, the windows frosted over, hot chocolate in hands. she and matt deep in concentration over some project or another MONTH :   december SEASON :   if she had to pick, she didn’t mind fall and early spring. her allergies kicked up a mighty fuss, but the weather was nice. PLACE :    green’s hangar. WEATHER :   even though pidge didn’t mind typical fall/spring weather, she much prefers the dark clouds and heavy rains. it’s soothing to ear the rain pouring down while she curls up with her newest project. SOUND :   rain on the roof over her head, the gentle hum of a computer well functioning, that single solitary bios confirmation beep. SCENT / S :    you know that smell when you first open a package of electronics? it’s crisp and almost burns the nose, but not quite, and quickly fades as you maneuver it into a system. a book freshly opened after being on a shelf for years, the dust, aging paper, and ink. petrichor. TASTE / S :    fresh strawberries, just red and not quite overly sweet yet, milk chocolate FEEL / S :   smooth and cold, machined metals emblazoned with coppers and plastics, faint vibrations under fingertips as a fan whirls to speed or a motor settles into a steady rotation. ANIMAL / S :    cats. felines in general. NUMBER :  she likes too many numbers, but to fall back on anything would be ones and zeros. COLORS :   golds and greens, dusk meeting a forest as the sky fades from orange to dark blue-violet. the stars shining in the sky.

EXTRA.

TALENTS :  hand to hand combat, computers and their defenses, stealth, understanding the gist of unfamiliar systems in moments. BAD  AT :  being sensitive of other people’s feelings, being tactful. TURN  ONS :  lmao what TURN  OFFS :   see above HOBBIES :    writing programs, modifying green, dissecting altean and galra tech to find out how they work, find out if she can make them work for her, and reassembling them to find out if she can make them work again TROPES :   deadpan snarker, hollywood hacking (something i’ll try not to overboard on bc i actually Hate it), motor mouth, military brat, teen genius QUOTES :     “I know.”, “That’s me.”, “Nice work, Tailor.”, “I got him! [beat] I don’t got him!”

MUN QUESTIONS.

Q1 :   if  you  could  write  your  character  your  way  in  their  own movie ,   what  would  it  be  called ,  what  style  would  it  be filmed  in ,  and  what  would  it  be  about ?           A1 :  honestly? it wouldn’t be chronological. it’d be bits of life, scenes you’d see in passing. moments of bonding between her and her teammates, moments of family time, little background things. i love just seeing a peek into lives. not the whole life, just.... bits and pieces, parts of the whole that make the whole easier to understand. Q2 :   what  would  their  soundtrack / score  sound  like ?           A2 :   it probably wouldn’t make much sense put together. a mishmash of anything and everything under the sun, from enigma to icon for hire to linkin park i guess Q3 :   why  did  you  start  writing  this  character ?           A3 :   i got hooked on voltron. binged the first season. binged the second the day it came out. started rewatching it with the bf, decided to take the plunge Q4 :   what  first  attracted  you  to  this  character ?           A4 :   a tech geek. a tech geek that was, yes, still somewhat stereotypical but not made fun of. mostly just a tech geek. and then the girl bomb right as i decided ‘ok so pidge is a really girly looking guy’ and that was it  it was over i was caught Q5 :   describe  the  biggest  thing  you  dislike  about  your  muse.           A5 :   i actually.... like pidge just fine the way she is Q6 :   what  do  you  have  in  common  with  your  muse ?           A6 :   too much. though she’s probably smarter than i am (i can bs a lot of her basic knowledge though..... soon. ) Q7 :   how  does  your  muse  feel  about  you ?           A7 :    ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Q8 :   what  characters  does  your  muse  have  interesting  interactions  with ?         A8 :    almost any character. pidge will run her mouth if talking with fellow tech geeks, probably still will with people who aren’t tech geeks, tends to ask too many questions even of people she probably shouldn’t be too friendly with (sendak). Q9 :   what  gives  you  inspiration  to  write  your  muse ?         A9 :   right now? everything. engima’s ‘the gate’ is what kickstarted it all, so there’s a lot of that in her specific writing playlist. Q10 :   how  long  did  this  take  you  to  complete ?           A10 :   two hours lm a o i get easily sidetracked.