Vote on My Next Hyperfixation Purchase

For the LRRP collection, I am between two airsoft guns. Eventually I would like to get both, but I don't know how long that will take, so I need to choose one or the other at the moment upon which to hyperfixate.

I am between:

the VFC XM16E1

Pros: Quintessential Vietnam rifle Extremely, extremely good replica Metal Gear Solid 3 Cons: Expensive Not especially sexy

Or the EMG XM177 / GAU-5/A

Pros: Complement to the XM177E1 and XM177E2 I already have Extremely good replica of a sexy and obscure variant with one important exception Cons: Why for the love of God is the serial number not stamped and why is it so white? Would I just live with it? Would I try to rub it off? Is it possible to remove that serial number and stamp a new one? Will there ever be another, superior replica of the GAU-5/A that doesn't make this baffling mistake??

of course you wear boots and read out letters phonetically.

black cat

pairing(s): kenshi, johnny, havik, kuai liang/scorpion x gn!reader (seperate) synopsis: you’re a thief — a riff raff amongst the scum of seido. yet somehow you’re on the wrong side of justice, serving outworld. notes: - out of my volition, this was inspired by batman and cat woman’s cute dynamic <3 - LIKE REMBER THAT SCENE… where selina touches bruce’s face ?!?! (from batman 2022!!)

KENSHI TAKAHASHI -> There were many things Kenshi expected from his visit to the Outworld. Meeting you was not one of them. From your first encounter, you captured his attention — as subtle and graceful as a feline, he would say, your presence startled him and the rest of his friends. “General Shao, how unwise of you to berate our guests at first notice!” Your lively manner relieves the suspense between Outworld’s militaria and Earthrealm’s protector. He could discern the disturbance from the man in question as General Shao crudely sneered. Liu Kang clears his throat and gives you a content nod. You are fast — he thinks, always swift to leeway into conversations that have gone bitter. Kenshi does not recall mention of you - but it didn't matter.

-> “This is none of your concern, ambassador,” Shao’s words were only meant for disdain and spite. You modestly give a lazy smile — like a Cheshire, not taking his insult seriously. “Oh, but my duties are to accompany Liu Kang’s champions. The Empress demands it.” Your indulgence prevails when the general fails to make another quip. In the crowd, Kenshi is impressed by your way of words. You were an intriguing person – he will give you that. But you did not seem a person particularly invested in politics. You were apathetic to your job. -> At dinner, you conveniently visit his table with a wine glass. Liu Kang seemingly welcomes you, taking the seat across from the swordsman. Conversations were comfortable with you. As a diplomatic envoy, you’re surprisingly judgemental - and not afraid to communicate the demands of other cities. Glimpses from the princesses as you proceed with a story about the rulers of Sun Do. Infuriating it was to comply with their city’s needs like a glorified servant. Kitana is quick to pick on your drunken pursuit and drag you to your quarters. By the time you left, Kenshi felt enamored by you and your stories. “They're quite the character.”   -> There were rumors about you he could not ignore. Everywhere in the palace were snakes, more willing to let him know of your past. They say you were once a thief, a lowly criminal in the capital. How you came to become the royal ambassador was appalling to others at court. You were born into the lowest class. And here in Edenia, it was deemed as dishonorable. You did not grow up with the same education or environmental conditions. It makes Kenshi question your motives for coming here. How did you end up at this high establishment? It was not from pity - he knew from that. Maybe you were a strong fighter. Who was stubborn and willing to do anything to achieve your goals.  -> Unbeknownst, as his interest in you escalated, you took notice of him. The swordsman with an unfortunate past, you held compassion for Kenshi. And as your relationship bloomed, your respect for each other was apparent. You both worked harmoniously together well. In unison with your devious yet insightful strategies and his keen and precise swordsmanship. You taught Kenshi the ins and outs of the city. Tried to teach him how to steal and work up to the market sellers to bid lower prices. You always kept him on his toes. And Kenshi loved that about you. To you, the ex-yakuza held you in check – of your duties. Although he enjoys your time fooling around together, it would put the swordsman much at ease if you took your job seriously. With the realm's tense position, he urges you to take control and compromise with the other cities for the coming battle. And hopefully, when the war is over, the two of you will reconcile your relationship and make it official. [ kenshi ]: how can i convince you to stop stealing? [ you ]: have you ever thought about asking nicely?

JOHNNY CAGE -> He’s the one to catch you first. Johnny had clear suspicions of you during the first night of the tournament. When you spoke with officials and the royal family, it was too noticeable to miss. You were hiding something - Johnny wanted to get to the bottom of it. He finds your kindness to the princesses overbearing. Because why would a constable be affiliated with the royal family more than themselves? And the movie star had to open his mouth at dinner, eyeing you down with an arched brow. -> “Uh Liu Kang, I don’t mean to be rude but,” Both your eyes make contact – he quickly reverts his view to the god in question, “I think that person’s kinda shady, don’t you think?” His remark makes the rest of the Earth’s champions freeze, and the tightness of the air becomes far too evident. Liu Kang pauses, setting his teacup down, and looks to where you stand. From the far corner, you were chatting with Li Mei, arms crossed. You were enjoying your discussion until you sensed Liu Kang’s stare to tilt your head and give a playful wave. The First Constable thought nothing of your actions, how accustomed she is to how you acted around Earthrealmers, always telling them outlandish lies about Outworld. And constantly pretending to commit some heinous crime against the royal family. Something you would never do. -> “Fear not, Johnny Cage. They are no threat.” The Fire God’s words relieved the tension in the air. As everyone’s shoulders relax, Johnny probes on. He knows what trouble looks like – his mother was a cop! However, Kenshi waves his bickering off and waves them off as dull excuses. Nothing to worry about? You could be doing something behind the Empress and Constable's back. Maybe it was the way you carried yourself that got his attention. Or the comments his mentor sarcastically made about the dangers of Outworld. It was unlike Johnny to feel this paranoid. He had to figure out who you were. -> The movie star believed that once he caught you in an act, it would prove to his friends and Liu Kang that he was right about you. When he, Kung Lao, and Kenshi snuck into Shang Tsung's laboratory, surprisingly not, you were there alongside Rain, Tanya, and Princess Mileana on a medical chair. Just when Shang Tsung slowly approached the princess with a syringe with Tarkart's blood, they attacked. The movie star willingly stepped in your direction as if he caught you red-handed. “I knew it! You were behind all of this!” -> Everything turned bitter when Kenshi lost his eyesight to Mileana’s outbreak. It leaves a foul taste in Johnny's mouth once the situation is to be the treatment for the princess’s prolonged illness. When the royal guards come, you turn to face the Earthrealmers. “Did you truly think I would go against the royal family?” There was a flash of fury to scorn. “You Earthrealmers know nothing about Outworld business.” Johnny could only accept his wrongdoings, face facing down to the floor in shame and guilt. While what Liu Kang suspected of Shang Tsung was true – his assumptions of you weren’t. And for that, the movie star genuinely feels like he has misjudged you entirely. -> It takes time for him to reconcile with you. Escaping from Shang Tsung’s laboratory with his friends, he doesn’t meet you again. But when Earthrealm compromises with Outworld, you reappear alongside Li Mei and the royal family. In a different light, you’re easy on the eyes. Johnny desperately tries to make it up to you, always finding ways to warm up to your bitterness. Though much like a cat, you’re persistent and glares in his direction. Soon after, he learns of your past and is suddenly guilt-ridden even more.

-> Your relationship is a slow and rocky one. The two of you did not see eye to eye at the start. Johnny was wary of you, and you only made it worse by indulging in it. You two were at odds with each other. However, Johnny was somehow smitten with you. You were cunning and sly in all the ways a constable shouldn’t be. It was one of the ways he got your attention – suggesting all kinds of schemes against his friends. Your past never bothered him. Stead, it’s something he’s proud of you for. “I mean, thief turned cop? Now that’s a story I can get behind.” It brings a sort of middle ground and closure to both of you. [  johnny ]: look i know i misjudged you pretty harshly, how can i make it up to you? [ you ]: you can start by loaning me some money.

HAVIK -> He longs for you. Havik is too cruel and adamant to tell you, but he misses you. Many years before you left Seido, you were happily thriving as a criminal. He recalls his younger years, you and him pillaging villages. Stealing all you can to survive in the cruel world they decided to reject you from. Back then, you were free – out of touch with humanity and the rest of the Outworld. You didn’t care for his plans to run Seido to the ground and bring chaos. You didn’t understand it – you were merely teenagers, children. -> Before long, you slipped out of Havik's hand. The life you two endured was not living. Every day, you struggle to find food and shelter to stay by. It did not help for your kleptomaniac habits, mugging passing citizens of whatever they had on. Eventually, it had caught up to you, Havik deciphers. Because why else would you leave him? Unlike him, you left clues for the military to track you. You loved the thrill of leading them to nowhere. -> But now, the thought of you brings turmoil into his heart. He sees you in the distance when Quan Chi is interrupted by a former ally. There you were, he stands almost in shock and petrification. Havik was furious. All he could focus on was the plan to allow time to release Quan Chi’s creation, Ermac. He never considered where you would be until now that you were on the opposite side of justice. Why? -> “How could you,” Your name runs down his tongue like a pack of needles. It’s difficult to pronounce your name after many years of separation. Whatever he felt for you was long diminished in the fire he created when he left Seido. “After so many years, this was where you were.” He didn’t expect less from you when you curtly accepted his words. Yes, you said – it’s so bitter against him. What happened to you? When did you become so weak against the hierarchy? Where were you when he set ablaze to the city and joined forces with Darius? -> “What we had would have never worked,” You say this truthfully, getting into a defensive position. It hurts - how easily you dismiss it. Havik never thought of himself as a sentimental man – but the thought of you returning to him was a constant in his mind. From days to years to his study of sorcery and alliance with Quan Chi, Havik has destroyed more cities than he can count. Leaving you was a blessing in disguise. Because of his misfortunes, Havik retained powers that could destroy civilization. It drove him mad. -> Even with you against him, he was more than willing to suggest an act of mercy – if you were inclined to break a few bones. [ havik ]: look how weak you've become. have you not forgotten where you came from? [ you ]: i remember it clearly. you are the one who has gone too far!

KUAI LIANG/SCORPION -> Kuai Liang met you more than once during his time in Outworld. He merely appears when Lord Liu Kang intends to be present with business with the Empress. Years prior, it was the Emperor. But with the reign of Sindel, peace and prosperity had become a failing occurrence between both realms. Outworld claims to be growing more powerful – to overpower Earthrealm for the upcoming tournament. It makes Kuai Liang question his integrity and place at the palace when the Fire God asks for his presence instead of his brother. Bi-Han is the grandmaster of Lin Kuei, “Shouldn’t Bi-Han be the better option to accompany you?” -> “I do not want to provoke the Empress,” Liu Kang explains, looking at him from the portal. The pyromancer had confidence in his protector, nodding. His plain response was all it took to understand the weight of their appearance in Outworld. Though Bi-Han would be the rightful companion, it is Kuai Liang – the younger and more compliant brother who could ease into any circumstance. But his nerves are jaded. Kuai Liang is nervous, not knowing what the occasion was for. There could be many reasons for their requested presence. Yet he could not think of one that involved Lin Kuei.  -> Scorpion’s mindset eases when you surprise him. Guests are presumably guided by the First Constable, Li Mei, to the courtyard leading to the royal palace. Your head pops out from a bush, smiling in all your glory. “Lord Liu Kang, what a pleasant surprise!” The fire user's heart pounces every time you do this. It would be wrong not to expect you to greet Outworld guests in such an unconventional manner. Your name comes easily to the Fire God, with a sense of familiarity. “How nice of you to see us first,” Even Liu Kang takes joy in you. Unlike the many faces of the royal court, you are much more tolerable and pleasant to converse with. Even Kuai Liang thinks highly of you. -> Nodding your hair flows in such an elegant way. The Empress dotted you – but your loyalties lay with General Shao. Your go-lucky personality was in defiance of your rank as a lieutenant general. Yes, Kuai Liang recalled the previous tournaments and how distant Lin Kuei was from the Outworld’s military. They do not see eye to eye in handling foreign threats and commoners. It is your chief's distaste for Earthrealm, always speaking out of malice. But you were not like General Shao or Reiko. You never showed hatred towards Lin Kuei or Earthrealm. -> Kuai Liang feels restful chatting with you. He sat in the conference room with the Fire God as the rest of the court minded their seats. In such a large establishment, it holds divinity and high status, not even Kuai Liang is used to. Empress Sindel, alongside General Shao, you and Reiko arrive and take your respective seats. You are a few seats left of him and warmly nod in Scorpion's direction. He flushes at how a casual gesture from you can incite him. -> Ordinarily, matters began. The pyromancer had no desire to speak amongst the crowd, only per Liu Kang’s permission. Yet, a disagreement broke the two sides of the table in half. “Why should we allow Earthrealmers to roam unworldly like children while our cities burn?” General Shao and his recurring rants about Earthrealm. No one could convince him otherwise, not even the Empress. He then directly sneers at Liu Kang. Kuai Liang darts a stern look until he hears your voice in the corner, standing firm from all the voices that cower over you. There is a hint of softness out of the goodness of your heart addressing your superior. Compared to life in Earthrealm, life is precious, a tangent between innocence and purity, something Outworld is indifferent to.

-> In response, a repulsed look forms on Shao’s face. “You dare defend Liu Kang's wishes? You have no right!” In truth, you knew you could never quench his thirst to repress Earthrealm. But to try to diminish his outrageous outburst for another day is good enough. Curses and insults were spat from all sides, even directed towards you. You and your kind would not understand. You come from the slums of Seido. Do not forget your place, soldier. The court is a spoiled place even Kuai Liang wishes never to be a part of. Tonight was apparent why. You, who only spoke of the truth and fairness, were brought down by your general. It was unacceptable.   -> In the late hours at the palace, Scorpion resides in the guest room, where he fails to find peace. Liu Kang had bid him to rest to prepare for the following days to the other cities they must visit. But the second brother of Lin Kuei failed to do so. The palace was too foreign to the cold tundra of his home. Eventually, he chose to take a walk across the courtyard. The moon was bright and shadowed all the land. The murky ponds had unbloomed lotuses. They were not in season yet. He could still make out the premature colors from their early forms. The ripples of water were tranquil, featherlike. And of the reason why he did not notice your presence before. -> His body freezes when you tap his shoulder. His breath comes short before choking out your name. “Must you always frighten your guests?” You laugh, seeing how startled he has become. “My apologies, Scorpion. I could not resist,” Nights like these with you were ideal. Prevalent to his previous visits, the two of you would do all sorts of activities. You would invite him everywhere, across the palace and into the city. Wherever you went, he would follow willingly. A heartwarming meal by the port. Or even now, a peaceful walk through the gardens. With you, nothing is dull. -> However, when you are not running around, you are predictable. Such as now, as you both rest at a stone bench. Across, the pond was luminescent of the reflection of the night sky. If you were to look, it would be like looking in a mirror, the water clear as crystal. “I’m assuming you leave at first light?” Tragic how your relationship is. You and Kuai Liang reunite with each other like strangers, never touching. In another, you were like twin flames, never leaving. A small part of Kuai Liang feels regret for every time you depart on missions. He will never see you again for some time. “General Shao was furious! It was his way of punishing me for talking out of turn.” He has no right, is what Kuai Liang wanted to say. But with how things were, he said nothing. -> But you look beautiful like this, under the moonlight wake. Without the garments that shield your figure, you are relaxed. The days that turn to months are cruel - but willing to linger for you. Fortunately, a few moments of silence allowed you to rise, brushing the nonexistent dusk from your pants. You had nothing else to say to Kuai Liang. Was he expecting something? He follows your pursuit and looks at you promptly. Without the mask, he is handsome. “Maybe under different circumstances, we would have more time,” Your heart skips as you slyly glance at him. Placing a hand on his jaw, “Maybe next time…” You see his eyes trail from your fingers to your lips. It was not right - you both knew that. [ scorpion ]: the general's mistreatment of you is unacceptable. [ you ]: (laugh) fortunately that is how things work in outworld.

A Nightgaunt, for my dreamlands war militaria project. It wound up being made up of spider monkey, fruit bat, and emaciated buddha statue, with some insect notes for flavour.

Hi everyone, just opened my etsy to try and scrounge up some extra income; if you're a reenactor or historical militaria collector, check it out. Might have just the thing you need! https://www.etsy.com/shop/3dReenactmentModels

I was thinking about getting something from varusteleka :( whats a better place to get military surplus?

90% of my acquisitions have been things i’ve found irl, exclusively in antique stores or vintage shops because even if you can find a brick and mortar surplus store it’s simply not worth your time. Football season is over; it’s not that surplus is drying up like you hear people say, the wells have been empty for years now. Places like Varusteleka, American Pipedream, and Kommando Store still receive the odd shipment of miscellanea now and again, but warehouses full of the articles that are most prototypical of what people want from milsurp (N-1 deck jackets, M43s, M65s, fishtail parkas, strichtarn coats, bomber jackets, etc) are an anachronism in the 21st century. You can see it written all over the marketing of the popular milsurp retailers; it’s not possible to keep a business afloat with used tableware from the Italian Airforce or a random smattering of SADF web gear, so they’ve pivoted to structuring their brands around niche internet demographics that they can outsource new-production commodities to cater towards. It can’t feasibly be just about the militaria anymore, so they have to build up a recognizable brand around themselves hence all the shop specific t-shirts and paraphernalia. The new wave is far flung from the ad-hoc bargain basement nature of Army Navy stores of yore. Like with everything post the rise of e-consumerism the market has been rationalized, the prices standardized, and everyone is a collector now. To actually answer your question though, I recommend just getting an idea of what you want and then getting it from ebay or an equivalent, or finding a dedicated curated vintage shop nearby. The prices won’t be dirt cheap, but I think it’s more worthwhile to just get a quality garment where you know you can find it instead of wasting an indeterminate amount of time in vain trying to salvage from thrift stores.

Inert Claymore mine

hey, being blunt it feels super disrespectful to make a tsp fic about world war 2 of all things. making the narrator a nazi and giving stanley a name like "stanislav" is extremely weird. world war 2 wasnt a silly thing to make au fanfiction out of.

I used WW2 as a timestamp because of inspiration in Polish history - we had actual Enigma code breakers and this work is me giving honour to that.

Stanisław is a Polish form of the name Stanley and I can't understand why localisation of an actual name would be weird.

Narrator is German (who right at the start of the work runs away from the road to the battlefield as he was forced to go in there against his will) and not Polish because the reader, just like him, is supposed to for the first time explore the Poland of the times. Enigma code was also used by N*zi Germany militaria to encode their messages so the full work is him actively working against it by trying to break the code.

I said in the tags that there isn't actual fighting - I care about people of the time, about the history of Polish Underground. I wanted, as a Polish person, to write about an important part of my country's history.

History fiction existed, exists and will exist. I respect history and want to show a part of it, a part of human life at a very hard and damaging time, showing people more of actual Polish history.

Witnessed:

Culdesac desert irrealis, subjunctive, waiting for influence, the breath of aspiration. Dormant life groomed like a teacup poodle, manicured like food made for instagram. The final enemy of this people who have stolen peace from the earth by wading in blood is each other, eyes wide thru narrow slits, venetian blinds plied by soft fingers, breath catching rough / And stupid little hands on smart little phones, awaiting only a state of emergency, for / Armed goons to make lazy circles over combed lawns etherdrunk-like, guided by voices; answering the call, harassing children, the unruly, men in uniform. Trafficking always in stolen valor, always in human bondage. Here and there a head tonsure-like and horseshoe high in cosplay militaria / Darling it's enough to make you wish for hellfire, the missile or the referent, take your pick, and either way concrete raining from the sky, large adult son of a cadillac bullet / I tell you they could tell you how much one weighs just by looking at it, could rattle off nomenclature and justification in the eyes of what pervert law they purport at answering after / And after and after and after. They've been making a treaty and they're carving up the moon. Long learned to survive without air / Like poison beetles all dissolving into greige lacquer, drowning in drink & opulence is a form of death & opulence is a form of death & opulence is a form of death & opulence is a form of death /

Arc-en-ciel, rainbow creature, flashing iridescent life, beautiful accident fallen from the hand of God, here: I tell you what I have seen and I would not believe it either if it hadn't been with my own eyes, half-shut, bored

of waiting for Messiah or the revolution, only wondering which person I love dies next while these rough beasts slouch towards the highway to eat and drink and fuck and grow old, and resent it all, and opulence - I saw, arc-en-ciel, I saw myself - and opulence is a form of death

[Older refrence for my [Prototype] character Conor. He is just another Gentek innovation in attempt to make stop to Mercer disease. As further action points roll it seems like they made themselves a new problem]

[Conor was introduced to Specialist. Robert Cross was tasked to teach Conor how to read people interaction right (since Conor seem to understand all militaria basis but he cannot read emotions well). That's make Conor firstly introduced in Prototype1]

[Yada yada]

It Begins!

After much back and forth and some support from friends on Discord, I have finally decided to start posting my writing here on Tumblr.

This particular blog will be focused on what started off as a world building exercise (and quickly evolved into a full story).

Where the Poppies Blow is a tale set in a world where The Great War does not with an armistice in November, instead ends similarly to as it began, the last throes of Summer, shattered by the guns of August and the end of all things.

In early 1918 the Trench Flu spread faster than anyone could have imagined, mankind was ravaged to near extinction and scattered bands of diverse survivors carve out a meagre existence among the ruins of the old Western Front, the battered remnants of a dozen Armies.

This Wasteland, known as the Great Scar, is a lawless frontier, infested with Bandits, Outlaws and Pirates, a savage place, and yet the goodness of everyday folk endures.

In this series, I hope to tell a series of vignettes in a semi-regular, serialised format, chapter by chapter. The first of these will follow a down-on-her-luck bounty hunter experiencing the highs and lows of life as a hired gun in the Wasteland.

Finally, some quick housekeeping, this is purely a hobby, I will be the first to admit that I am an amateur writer, you may find my prose and writing style to be painfully pedestrian.

I'm happy to take constructive criticism but if you've got nothing nice to say, I wont hesitate to block you.

Feel free to make suggestions in DMs or Asks.

If you are looking for a story that focuses on the minutia of militaria, weapons and war machines, your mileage may vary.

(This story will feature "the gays" ™️, don't like, don't read, simple)

My aim is to tell a compelling story first and foremost, with a lived in world and interesting characters.

The first chapter will be up shortly, so hold tight!

(~Gassed by John Singer Sargent)

Patriot Performance Materials Y Popup Pouch Prototype - Old School!

Patriot Performance Materials, a now defunct military gear manufacturer of the early to mid 2000s, was at a time a relatively popular brand in the early GWOT years, producing PPE like chest rigs, plate carriers, and pouches. Nowadays their designs are of course seriously outdated in methodology with that iconic overbuilt bulkiness of early GWOT gear, featuring heavy use of 1000D cordura. At the time of writing, this brand of gear still floats around in the militaria market, and I was able to obtain this pouch from a vendor selling items that were obtained at the Patriot Performance factory in North Carolina as it was closing down. Several of these items were prototype pouches, labeled as "Y" pouches. This is one example of a pop flare pouch prototype - being used to hold a Broco Jimmy Prybar on my plate carrier back panel.

Full Album Here.

Genossingrimm’s Introduction ⚘

𓇗 Hello! My name is Grimm but you can also call me Genossin, and I also go by Edelweissie

I am artist from hell (USA), ontop of being an artist I am also a seamstress, militaria collector and reenactor.

𓇗 My pronouns are She/They but I’m more than happy to not be referred to at all :)

𓇗 my interests include:

•Das Boot (1981)

•WW2

•Cold War/USSR/Eastern Bloc

•Art

•Sewing

•Vintage fashion

•collecting

BYF/DNI

𓇗 BYF:

There are some things on this account you must note before following my blog:

I will often reblog Soviet and Third Reich related posts, and anything else history related, my art may also be somewhat sensitive to some people as it centers itself around WW2 (specifically Germany and USSR), there may also be slightly suggestive art as well as blood too.

Please note I do not support the action of the NSDAP, and or romanticize it.

𓇗 DNI:

•proshippers/comshippers/whatever the hell they go by

•Neo-n4zis (this ones obvious)

•Reichblr (HEAVY on this one, literally get out)

•racists,transphobes, homophobes

•under 13 (why are you here?)

•Wehraboos

•f3tish accounts

𓇗𓇗

Thank you for reading and have a wonderful stay :)

Part two of my Dreamlands militaria project.