#All Styles of Hedging Services | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

kremlin · 1 year ago

Text

i figure most human behaviour that, not only doesn’t occur in other animals but has zero connection to animal behavior is basically distantly rooted in the known fear of inevitable death. let me be clear. cats and shit don’t know they’re gonna die. we do. we have thoughts. we know it’s coming. we think we’re gonna be rich, bullshit like that, most humans believe in magic and most humans doubt that math is a universal or consistent thing. total nonsense right. but everyone knows their ass is gonna die. before you write me off as some dumbass reciting basic 101 level university lectures just Trust Me I’m An Engineer. anyways. being human and dying are somewhat one in the same.

“if i do nonhuman things i can cheat the reaper.” short and sweet. if i can beat zelda faster than anyone i can outrun the reaper. and you know what, fuck it, i’m scared shitless of dying. it’s gonna hurt really bad no doubt. what if the brain destroyal process makes time slow down in my perception and it’s not just like five seconds of bleeding out or fire ant bites or however you go. Scary. so i’ll play along:

i am an average american man and i enjoy bad game runescape. it’s a computer game. MMO. kill monster get loot. sell what i don’t want to other players for gold. spamming chat with “SELLING BOWSTRINGS 200gp” for an hour “sucks” so the devs add a grand exchange where you can post buy/sell orders for a given item+price to maximize gameplay efficiency and minimize social interaction.

like any other MMO you can pay some sketchy website real money for ingame gold farmer by chinese gold farmers. totally against the rules. remember this

so the first thing that comes to any male aged 23-27 mind is “buy low sell high” basic bitch shit. no good. there’s a 5% tax that’ll wipe out your profit margin intended to eliminate this behavior (you’re supposed to friggen kill monsters). but everyone thinks they’re a genius and can beat the system and that there is a secret george soros style illuminati group that is holding the secrets, blah blah blah, whatever, and this comes as a coping mechanism after losing your shirt after trying to beat the market (success rate of 0%).

here is where people mostly quit thinking: if you do the math, which takes about ten minutes and can be done on one side of a sheet of paper with the most basic calculator, it’s easy to figure out that the amount of gold you’d need to play dirty (buy out all the available Feathers or Fire Runes or whatever) in order to corner the market would be so high that there is no possible way for a character to hold that much without having spent IRL money for gold. you’d get autobanned.

SO..finally, go on the ol’ www.reddit.com, and make a really really professional-to-professional sounding post advertising a “service”. Saturate the fuck out of it with dense but very real financial jargon. the “service” (which needs to be obscured enough with plausible and relevant language) is a hedging service aimed at make-believe market players who are buying and selling such huge amounts of items and gold (usually in anticipation of a game update that will speculatively introduce a sudden, dramatic, and capitalizable price change for some item). you need it to be as alien-sounding and foreign as possible but with enough believability and clarity that a handful of reddit jackasses will figure out what the fuck your post is about. whenever pressed further, act totally puzzled and make it very clear that this is not a service relevant to “individual entertainment-motivated” players or some shit. no matter what amount of gold anyone quotes at you, just act puzzled and if that amount is 1/1000th the amount one of your “normal” clients deal with. you need to do all of this extremely artfully. and by “you”, i’ve been meaning to write “me”. really lay it on thick that whatever you’re “doing” is totally unavailable to them and that you want zero to do with them.

so now theyre still mostly totally confused but enough is made clear that their interest is piqued. got my hook in em. some guy will copy/paste wikipedia shit in an obnoxiously long and pseudointellectual, contemptible but characteristically reddit guy style what you’re “selling” actually is in the most exhausting, hand-holdingest way to his fellow reddit gamers. with complete tone of authority.

inevitably one of them will put on their sherlock holmes hat and go deep undercover, emailing me posing as an interested party. bingo. now i get to really lay on the WTF and go off the rails asking about vouchers from One Of The Big Seven, but oh no, you can’t get one of them to vouch for you, that’s fine, it makes sense, we’re the only firm that deals with unvouched, that’s our market, well, one of them at least. Just give me a rough rundown of your entry criteria, dwell time, risk tolerance, fuckin “Gamma Ratio”, you know, all the basic stuff, and i’ll have the team generate a .xlsx for you to plug your data into to get a rough feel for what the final contract might be like.

(lololol) But REMEMBER, that excel sheet is seeded, output is fuzzed and salted and if you share it or try and sell it to our competitors, it will be fuzzy enough to be worthless to them but obvious to us who leaked what. this is the only way we’re able to integrate unvouched clients without untenable premiums and while managing our risk levels

blah blah blah blah, i go on and on and on and the guy on the other end is developing a scab from constant head-scratching. and that’s about the maximum real-world harm i’m willing to inflict. i know this sounds like an elaborate as fuck confidence scam but it isn’t. that shit makes me sick. i’d literally slam my arms in a car door before taking a cent from all this. hell, i’ll go out of my way to guarantee i don’t even piss anyone off or offend them or anything.

your guess is as good as mine but i do stuff like this constantly for anything i know well enough and the example i gave above is just a pretty low quality one i made up on the spot. this is a public blog after all.

anyways, cheers, hoping this saves me from dying or whatever the hell i was talking about before that could have probably been cut out. Namaste. Mahala.

211 notes · View notes

allwaswell16 · 5 months ago

Text

[4 pics, 4 quotes, 4 iconic 1D fics]

Iconic fics by ...

- p h d m a m a -

[1]

“Mom, he’s the only man I’ve ever loved. I’m not sure I can love anyone else the way I loved him, and no one has ever loved me better, at least, not while it was good.”

“No one’s ever hurt you that badly either, Harry,” his mother reminds him gently.

“I know. But when it was good, it was really good. I know we were young, but it was true love, Mom. It was real. And maybe, it could be that way again.”

“Kintsugi,” says Greg from the doorway, where he’s holding the squirming puppy.

All three heads in the kitchen whip around to look at him.

“What?” asks Gemma, getting up to grab the pup and give him a kiss.

“Kintsugi, it’s a traditional Japanese art form. When a piece of pottery was broken, they’d repair it with gold, to make something beautiful out of the broken pieces.” He shrugs. “Sounds like what Harry’s talking about.”

[2]

“Manscaping, you bloom ‘em, we groom ‘em. How can I help you?”

“Oh, uh,” Harry stutters, caught completely off-guard. “Oh shit, sorry, I was expecting a voicemail.”

“Well, you caught me between clients, man. How can I help? Got some hedges running wild?”

Oh my. Harry hadn’t expected that the groomer would be quite so...straight forward, but he supposes that when you’re in the business, you become very comfortable with tackling things head on, as it were.

“Uh yeah, very unruly,” he says ruefully, picturing the disaster scene he’d scrubbed down that morning.

“Is this an emergency?” The voice asks, “Like, the in-laws coming tomorrow sort of thing?”

Harry frowns. “Oh no, nothing like that,” he says finally, wondering what sort of marital relationship this gentleman has. “I’m just, you know, getting back out on the scene, want everything to be nice and neat.”

“Of course,” the voice says approvingly, “Don’t we all.”

[3]

“That’s a beautiful wand, Harry,” Liam chimes in and Harry flushes.

He’d seen Liam’s wand earlier, and it’s as magnificent as Zayn’s, made of teak, Liam had mentioned, inlaid with a mother-of-pearl floral motif, and with a huge, grass-green, clear emerald at the tip. Harry fears his own serviceable carved oak pales in comparison, but smiles his thanks.

“It’s served me well over the years,” he says, “I got it all polished up for the trip.”

He hears Louis choke on his wine a little, who then says, “Oh, really? Got it all polished, nice and special?”

Harry frowns, “Yeah, there’s a guy in Harvard Square I go to, he always does a good job,” and when Louis snickers into his drink, Harry realizes what he’s insinuating.

“Really? Wand polishing jokes? What are you, twelve?” And with that, the entire table, minus Harry, bursts out laughing while Harry sulks into his wine.

[4]

He mindlessly clicks through, sending friend requests to Zayn’s dad and sister, Liam’s mom, Cal’s mom (who’s known him since he was in diapers), and Mrs. Anderson, his old music teacher from middle school. Then the profile of a guy named Ed Twist pops up. Louis frowns, staring at the ceiling, wondering who this is. He assumes they’ve got some sort of connection, otherwise Facebook wouldn’t have offered him to Louis, and with a name like that, he’s probably an old dude. Maybe he’s a friend of Mrs. Anderson? His profile is pretty locked down, when Louis goes to look, all his photos are on private. The guy’s profile picture is of a henna tattooed hand playing the guitar, his banner is a rainbow flag, and there are a few generic posts supporting liberal causes. Huh. So maybe he’s gay, maybe he’s into music, and apparently he’s a liberal. Louis likes all those things, being gay and making music and supporting liberal causes, so without overthinking it, he clicks the “send a friend request” button.

Answers below...

[1] Feels Like Coming Home

The last thing Harry Styles expects when he's hanging out at the Someday Cafe in Somerville one rainy October day is for his ex, Louis Tomlinson to walk through the door, but that's exactly what happens. After a spectacularly ugly break-up three years prior, Harry hasn't heard one word from Louis, and he's moved on. Gotten over him. But having Louis back in his life, not to mention working at the restaurant where he's a chef, isn't easy, and the feelings that Harry thought he'd left turn out to be not so easily forgotten.

This is a story about love and the power of forgiveness, and how the hard choices we make define us, and change our lives.

[2] On the Go

From this post because I could not resist:

ok so i saw a truck today and i thought it said MANSCAPE but it actually said MAINSCAPE and it was a landscaping company. but then i thought LARRY AU. where louis owns a landscaping company called MANSCAPE and harry thinks it’s some sort of in-home pubic hair grooming company, so he calls to make an appointment, there’s some discussion of whether he wants his bushes trimmed as well, and then when it’s time for the appointment, harry’s like half-naked waiting around in a robe or something and louis shows up with lawnmowers.

[3] It's a Better Place (Since You Came Along)

When Harry Styles, a mid-level talent, Finder, and small business owner, sets off on the vacation of a lifetime with his best friend, Niall Horan, he has no idea the changes his life will undergo over the next nine days. He's got it all planned - there's going to be shore excursions, lounging by the pool on the deck of the luxurious cruise ship, not to mention margaritas. What he does not plan for are the new friends, new bonds, or the mystery from his past that comes back to haunt him, and he certainly hasn't planned for Louis.

[4] Friend Request

This was written for Kassio as a pinch hit for the HL Summer Exchange, from the prompt: " Louis is bored on Facebook and in the “People you may know” suggestions, he sees the name Harry Styles. The profile picture doesn't show the person. He thinks it's an old family friend who he misses – maybe a middle-aged or elderly former neighbor or babysitter who he was fond of as a child - and sends a friend request. Turns out it's not old man Harry from their old neighborhood, it's hot young Harry (who he's never met before) who accepts his friend request..."

#ficrec #phdmama #happy birthday L!#1dsquad #1dficlibrary #1dficvillage #Larry fic #Larry fanfiction #authorrec

50 notes · View notes

rainsandrains · 29 days ago

Text

Sometimes I think about what a (naturalistic) pagan monastery would be like…

Since I was a kid I've been drawn to the extremes of religion, despite not wanting to go there myself, and I remember returning frequently to an image of some young Buddhist monks sitting in rows to meditate, with their saffron robes and bald heads. Sometimes when I'm stressed I watch documentaries about monks and nuns, my imagination wandering to that life of routine, purpose, dedication, and simplicity.

And yet in my own life, I don't believe in anything supernatural, I don't like things to be the same all the time, and it goes against my paganism to deny the flesh anything that isn't harmful to it (though admittedly I'm asexual so at least one aspect of deprivation wouldn't be a hardship) - nourishing the body with food is good, and enjoyment and pleasure are good.

I return to the dream of a monastery far away from the world, anyway. So it seems worth asking myself: what aspects of it appeal to me? And what might a pagan monastery look like, for my form of naturalistic paganism?

(I have a Pinterest board for this, because I'm that sort of person)

I think the

main reason why the idea appeals to me is that a monastery is an intentional community, dedicated to one purpose, where all the members have core values and purpose in common, and everything is set up to enable that purpose to be carried out. Another reason is the simplicity: simple living, lack of decision fatigue (because so much has been decided for you - what you wear, when you eat, what time you get up, etc) and the ethical and environmental aspects of that simplicity. Incidentally, that's why Quakerism appeals to me even though my atheism precludes me from actually becoming a Quaker.

A lot of pagans would hate things to be so prescribed, and while obviously this is my own imaginative rambling and thus no one else's opinions need matter, I do also think that the nature of paganism is to be more free-flowing, intuition-led, and variable than the stricter forms of Christianity that you'd find in a monastery or convent.

So what would a pagan monastery be like? Here are some thoughts:

Sustainability - food gardens, chickens for eggs, solar panels and other forms of renewable energy (depending on local climate), rainwater collection and filtering, beeswax candles (and beehives outdoors!)…

There would be a focus on being of "service" to the local community, including supporting local activism for wider causes. Though "service" is the wrong word, really - more like being in reciprocal relation with the local community, and with the earth itself, and with humanity.

Clothes - if there was going to be any restriction, it would be about the fabric - natural fibres that do not release microplastics. It feel very un-pagan to litigate people's personal styles any further than that! I do imagine what feels right to me for that setting: loose comfortable clothing, probably linen in the summer and cotton and wool in the winter. Naturally-dyed fabrics tend to have earthier colours, and while they can be very bright they aren't neon bright in the way artificial dyes can be, so (to me) they're easier on the eyes.

Two communal altars, one indoors and one outdoors, decorated seasonally and used for rituals. The rooms would be comfortable, with a variety of seating options and big windows to let in as much natural light as possible. The communal altars would probably be fairly simple by default, so that people can add to them with more specific items for their rituals.

Smaller altars dotted around, especially outside, similarly simple but each with a slight enclosure around them (eg tucked in a corner of a garden with a hedge obscuring the individual from view), so that people have places to go and meditate, perform small individual rituals, etc.

(I think the image on the left is by @/ca.sa.tierra on instagram, but I'm not 100% sure. The right image is by Dominc Alves on flickr)

The structure would be communal, based on anarchist principles as I understand them - non-hierarchical, with major decisions made by majority consensus (with a lot of weight put on the advice of experts, where appropriate) - of course people could have individual roles and responsibilities, and preferences and limitations (eg disabilities) would be taken into account - say for example there might be a cooking rota, or there might be just a couple of people who love cooking and everyone is happy with them taking on that responsibility. Anyone could lead rituals, and the "official" seasonal ones would be designed communally (and if a leader was necessary, that would be subject to a vote too)…

The space! This is the most fun bit to imagine… a mixture of big rooms with lots of natural light and smaller cosier rooms, small individual bedrooms with total freedom for personalisation so long as the core values of the group were respected (simplicity and environmental considerations, mainly), a mix of gardens cultivated for food or to support the local ecosystem in particular ways or for sitting and meditating in and also outside areas left wild and untamed.

(all images unless otherwise stated can be found on the above linked pinterest board - the original sources can usually be found that way)

#paganism #naturalistic paganism #naturalistic pagan #pagan #atheist pagan #mine

17 notes · View notes

lovelyyandereaddictionpoint · 2 years ago

Note

A reader in TW with character and Power abilities from Chinsaw Man? I think she will fit well into this universeXD

Chainsaw Man Reader | Yandere Twisted Wonderland

You most certainly are an odd one, even without the little chainsaw tug hanging from your chest. When you gain the favor of your harem newfound friends and they raise alarm to the minimalistic crappy style of life. Nonetheless, you're still smiling and happily eating the rations you’ve been ‘gifted’. And while the smallest things mean the most to you nobody expected your face to turn into this chainsaw demon when Crowley asked you to clear out some trees

“What? You asked me to clear it out didn’t you?”

Trey Clover

“O-oh my–huh?”

Dude is bewildered beyond belief

But ultimately he doesn’t mind your power

Because you’re still dependent on him

You’re always sticking close to him

“Oh, Angel of all things delicious! Do you have anything for me to eat!”

“Not right now..but I’m going to make something now if you want?”

“Yeeessss!”

He loves how happy you are to eat his food

Subsequently loving him since he feeds you for free

He’s acutely aware of your disparity with emotions

But he doesn’t care

Especially when you’re so willing to do anything for it

“So all I have to do is just not talk to them and I’ll get sweets forever?”

“Yeah…you also can’t tell them why okay?”

Azul Ashengrotto

“Wait wait so if you want me to enlist your services you just want…”

“A place to stay!”

“Yes and…”

“Meals and that I get to touch some nipples!”

“...yeah…just anybody’s will do?”

“Yup!”

Please let it be his

He sees how easily you’re willing to stray despite your massive power

“I can’t let them go…they may be able to do that but they don’t understand this world. They don’t understand anything so it's only right that I keep—take them in.”

In a way, he does think of you like a dog, only in your brain though

You wonderfully don’t have much morale other than comfortability

“That’s perfect! So we have a deal then.”

Dire Crowley

“AAAAA I’m sorry for not giving you a bigger budget! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

He’s probably the most shaken

Suddenly he’s worried his generosity isn’t enough

Despite suddenly giving more and encouraging students to house you while he revamps Ramshackle

But once he calms down and he sees you genuinely hold no resentment

Specifically, after he offered you some takeout

With a sweat drop, he suddenly starts showing up around you more often

Praising you and letting you take breaks

And eventually, a proposal is made to send you to someone who will experiment on you for your condition

Granted Crowley has…cleaned up quite a few messes himself

But once he does he realizes this will never stop

But who are they to take his baby bird from him…even if you turn into a chainsaw creature on occasion

Nonetheless, he’s decided you cannot be seen, touched, or otherwise

Where safer than in his own little nest

It’ll take some time to get it ready, but he’ll be generous with his creation so that you can be comfy when he makes the move

“No worries (Y/n) I’ve already begun preparing the nest for you to stay in!”

“Ewww I wouldn’t want to live in a nest. That’d be cramped and scratchy.”

“No no *ahem* it’s a house or room rather…”

“Oh! Will there be food?”

“...uh…yes, yes there will be is.”

“Yay!”

Ace Trappola

“Oi oi could you do the hedges for the Heartslabyul hedges? Sure’d save me loads of time.”

“Eh?! I don’t want Riddle to yell at me…”

“I'll let you touch my balls.”

“YES SIR! Those hedges will be cut! “

“Just trim them, make shapes if you wanna. I don’t care.”

Leans into your carnal desires the most

Dangling food and sex to get what he wants from you

He loves it though

In private he blushes like crazy

totally taking advantage of your eagerness

He gets off on just about everything you do

But part of the fun is pretending he’s just this cool unbothered love interest

“Hehehe look at you sucking like that~like a dog.”

Now while you may be the one with chainsaws

He’s the one who actually sets you on them

Or decides to do something about the ones who want to do the same

“They might have said they’ll do anything but I’m letting you know now they will not be. Especially since you’re not going to be able to ask.”

454 notes · View notes

solarpunknow · 1 year ago

Text

Solarpunk work day

So I've spent the last two days pulling out invasive species! Which, honestly, is very tiring. I'm really glad we have a four-day work week, but even so, I'll be glad to get home and relax. I'm working with Wren and Bobi on this site which, before the mass migrations north, was someone's second (third?) home, and there had been some attempts to incorporate native plants into the landscaping, which is awesome. Unfortunately, who ever had been taking care of this land didn't recognize that Spruge Laurel (Daphne laureola, not a spurge and not a laurel, but a stinky, poisonous daphne) was an invasive species and had actually set up irrigation for some of them.

Now, of course, it's part of the climate immigrant resettlement housing network, and the land around the house is being transformed to be better habitat and to grow food. It's steep, shady, near saltwater (on a fucking cliff in fact, why did rich people think it was such a good idea to build on these crumbling cliff sides anyway? It still has about 30 meters until it gets to the house, but still), with native soils, so it's not a great option for so-called western-style agriculture, but it will grow our native plants quite well.

Pulling out the spurge laurel, and the Himalayan blackberry, and the english ivy, and the vinca, cutting down the english holly, and digging out the italian arum is only the first step. We need to help a healthier ecosystem re-establish. Fortunately, there's already beaked hazelnut, salal, service berries, dewberries, and evergreen huckleberries that are surviving despite the carpet of invasives... and the particular pruning choices made in the past. Who thinks it's a good idea to hedge prune a hazelnut???? As we pull out the ivy and others, we'll be replanting the native woodland strawberry, riceroot, springbank clover, native oxalis, western bleeding heart and western lily of the valley, which in addition to holding the soil in place with either be food for native animals or us. Or, as is the ideal case, both. There's a lot of culturally relevant foods in that paragraph, and it brings me joy to see them becoming a bigger part of the people's diets again. If you want to learn more about them, I suggest reading up on the ethnobotany of the Salish peoples. It's really interesting!

On Thursday we'll be renting a truck and trailer, and taking all the invasive species that we've pulled out to the folks who specialize in composting invasive species. Eventually all this stinky daphne will be a really nice compost for someone's vegetable garden. Which is a welcome and encouraging thought.

That's just this year of course- going forward for quite sometime will be regular invasive species removal, along with harvesting of nuts, berries, and roots, and pruning of the berry bushes. Can't do a controlled burn so close to housing, and it wouldn't work on the English ivy anyway. So manual pulling it is.

#solarpunk fiction #solarpunk writing #be gentle I'm new

19 notes · View notes

alanshee-keeper-of-realms · 8 months ago

Text

Off the Animation Table a Modern Who Framed Roger Rabbit AU: Similaritys

Miklos and Mickey Mouse share one just ONE similarity, their love and protection of children. Especially when the kids is the child of the Mouse who he suddenly forgot how to parent and just happened to forgot entirely that he brought her to the parks in the first place.

Yuki hated being surrounded by crowds, and her father was a magnet for them. At 8 years old she'd been dragged to the parks once again and again her father laughed as people instantly came up and asked for photos, he seemingly didn't notice his own daughter being forcibly shoved away,

She squeaked as she shuffled her way out of the group that had completely engulfed him, staring at the wall of people, she felt actually kind of frightened looking around she went on all fours and darted away, dodging people as she just went anywhere,

Tucking herself in a secluded area she started to cry, tail tucking itself around her as she was terrified. Not noticing a tiny head in the bushes near, nor the rustle as the toon took off,

“Stupid Dad, any other kid would want to be his child.” She sniffed, ears drooping,

“Well yeah being Mickeys kids great until you get to deal with the crowds and have to share your own parent with the World,” a voice made her jump and turn fangs baring,

A toon with a hood on only snorted, arms crossed in front of them, a smirk visible despite the sunglasses even obscuring their eyes,

“Some fangs you got there kiddo,” they reached up and pulled it off, she instantly was confused as it was..... her Dad?

“Oh great I've been dragged into one of your plays of I'm the damsel,” She huffed brows furrowing, turning away,

“Wha- ohhhhh nope!” He flopped down taking the sunglasses off and placing them on his head, as a mouse pup appeared and scurried up placing their paws on his lap as he scratched them between the ears,”I'm Miklos the accident of Disney, I look like your daddy but I ain't the Grey fur tell ya how I was made?”

Her head turned, eyes scanning over him, she huffed rolling them before tucking her knees to her chest. Unbelievable that her dad thought she would play along,

“Let me guess story is this time that you were a toon created by mixing up colors,”

“Again kid I'm not your Father,” he spat and she flinched, his own eyes rolling and motioned towards the hedges that surrounded them,

She crawled over to the edge as he pulled the bushes apart. There was her Dad signing autographs laughing and shaking people's hands, shock ran through her as she vollied between the Toons, looking back at the mouse beside her eyes widening, as he shrugged,”But the stories right on the money,”

“Woah,” he snickered as she tried comprehending such, she'd never even heard of an accident at the company, but it did make sense,

“Yep! Miklos the Grey Mouse at your service." He sat back down as the mouse pup batted at his pockets,

"Alright lil shit, you knew I'm carrying cheese on me," he playfully teased the child as he reached in and pulled out the familar orange cube, the pup grabbing it, scampering off as he called"Mooch!"

She snickered as the kid stopped, standing bipedal turning stuck their tongue out before stuffing their cheek and continuing to run off,

He himself laughed as he elbowed her, motioning to her dad still in the middle of the terrace sucking up the attention,

"Wanna play, let's see how long it takes yer pops to realize you're gone?”

She instantly felt conflicted. Her mother would be furious, but then she realized that her mother would not be angry at her. Getting a grin on her face, feeling a bit malicious towards her Dad as the group began moving towards Fantasyland,

“More like how long it takes to also make my mother pissed at him because I'm missing,” Miklos let out a laugh, eyes twinkling with mischievous intent,

“I like your style kid! Now come on everyone's at the parades and with Mickey in the Parks they will be distracted, I bet your hungry,” She did feel a bit peckish, so she stood, as he placed a pair of sunglasses back on and tossing his hood back up,

She followed curious of this toon, and honestly if she ended up in trouble it would just get his dad in trouble more, however her eyebrows raised further as he lead her towards the Villains housing, this felt like forbidden territory, but spotted Maleficent conversing with Tremaine and Medusa at a table, Miklos just striding up,

“Hello Mal, Tremaine if Minerva comes screeching how her kids lost” he pointed with a thum over his shoulder,

The ladies looked as she waved, not sure how they'd react, however Medusa laughing was not what she was expecting,

“Oh my Michael is going to be in the Apartments for this!” She cackled, the Elder sorceress cracking a smile as she brought a cup of tea to her lips

“Indeed, do not worry Yuki” She looked to the younger Mouse toon,”I shall alert your Mother when she comes looking where you are.”

“your not gonna tell her now?” she was confused as the Fae laughed with the other two,

“And spoil what is most likely going to be the most entertaining evening we've had in months?”

“Let alone we are not his babysitters, we are here to encourage bad behavior,” she turned as Ursula in her Vanessa form strode over and sat down across from Medusa,

“And some children are just wanderers, it's his fault for not paying attention,” Tremaine smoothly said as a waiter came to collect their orders,

“Have fun dear, Miklos has plenty of abandoned Pups for you to run around with.”

Yuki blinked as the women went back to talking to each other, Miklos snorted as he headed inside,

Several amazing smells of the restaurant greeted her nose. Patrons were sparse in this area despite a menu with prices showing, it felt almost parisian in feel and appearance,

“Hey Chef Louis! You think you could whip up something for the kid. Michael up and let her get lost and we are playing how long till Minerva finds out an explodes,”

The French chef poked his head out grinning,

“Of course! Poor dearie, he used to care so much more, but we have you little one!” he shrugged as he used his toon abilities to quickly move through the kitchen as Miklos sat them down at a table,

Yuki couldn't help but look around as several pups appeared sitting next to Miklos who pulled a paper out and pulled his hood off and placed the glasses on his head,

“Uhhh Miklos?” She stared as more pups appeared,

“Hm?” He looked up then grinned at the sight of well over 50 of the tiny toons standing bipedal,”Oh! These guys just want their food, come on kiddos line up like we practiced you know the rules,”

To her surprised she watched in an orderly fashion they shuffled one by one stopping holding their paws out he dropped a piece of cheese into them she was even more surprised at the tiny

“Thank you!” From some before they scampered out,

“Mickey won't take care of the kids he fathered I will,” he quipped at the last happily skittering off, even Louis looked amused as they dodged his feet as he came to deliver two plates of food

#mickey mouse #disney #miklos the grey mouse #mickmin #disney next gen #Yuki Mouse #disney villains

2 notes · View notes

oh-my-hubris · 8 months ago

Text

Loyalty Of Angels 2: A Legacy Of Service

Jhonny is forced to address a past he doesn't really have.

1322

Jhonny had read the letter so many times that when he fell over onto his thin mattress with the candle blown out he was reading it behind his eyelids. He didn't get letters. This was the first one he'd ever had in memory.

So, naturally, it was a doozy.

My Friend, I’m a researcher for the Queen’s archives, and I have recently uncovered some information regarding your parents. I thought you might want to see it. I would prefer to discuss the details in person, so if you will meet me at the palace gardens at Divinity’s Reach, I’ll share them with you. To prove I am what I say, I have enclosed half of an amulet, which I believe will match a broken one you’ve owned since you were born—something my research led me to uncover. I look forward to meeting you face-to-face. Sincerely, A friend.

In his fist, Jhonnen held his half of the amulet, the hardwood and inlaid mithril digging into his skin. The only clue to a mystery he had never believed would be solved. Who he was. Where he was from.

His first memories were of Queen's Heart Orphanage. Sometimes he could almost remember someone carrying him, but it slipped away before he could determine anything about that person. Even if they were real.

He had his name, but only his first name, and it might have been given to him by the Priestess of Kormir who raised him—though she denied it—and he had the amulet. Putting the two pieces together revealed the face of a lion and a weathered inscription reading, As true as the sky, as sure as the sword.

Even with the amulet in his hand, clenched in a fist, the leather thong remained around his neck as it always had.

He'd thought about throwing it away a million times. It was a question that wouldn't be answered and a tie to a past that wasn't really his. It was good hardwood, the mithril could have fetched an okay price.

But he'd never sold it. He had tried telling himself that he didn’t care. That if it had mattered who his parents were he wouldn’t have spent nineteen years not knowing. Someone would have come for him. He wouldn’t have grown up as unwanted as he had.

But the rest of him… needed to know. Who were they? Why did they leave him? If they were dead or not. How they had died.

The broken heart of a child, begging to be loved.

The amulet, for all that he wanted it to mean nothing, was the only proof that someone other than Priestess Isabeau had loved him.

The only enemy he really had was dead and hadn’t known about the amulet anyway, certainly not well enough to fake something like this. It wasn't Pete's style, anyway. The only person who’d seen him naked was Alice, and she’d accepted that everyone had their secrets.

Quinn was dead.

So he’d go. He had to go.

The next morning, Jhonny dressed and headed down to the bar, kissing Petra on the cheek to see her blush and turning to Andrew to tell him that he had business up in the palace gardens, but he’d be back to work in the evening.

Andrew had mostly forgiven him for the Pete-thing, the bar had been found in pristine condition because Thackeray had dealt with the blood and body after, apparently, carrying Jhonny up to the Temple of Six to deal with the whole ‘stabbed’ thing.

And Jhonny had paid for the beer, and that helped.

He headed up to the Palace Gardens and waited anxiously to be recognized. He tried to pretend like he was admiring the intricate hedges, but knew he looked every inch as impatient as he felt. Hedges weren't wildly interesting on the best of days, much less when you were waiting for fundamental answers to your existence.

“Jhonnen Jackson?” asked a man, coming up behind him. A hand settled on his shoulder.

“I recognize the first—” Jhonny moved quickly, jerking his elbow back when he felt the press of something sharp against his back, right above the kidney. He spun around, face to face with the man with the knife.

“Can I fucking help you?” he snapped. Was he being mugged in the royal gardens? Did people mug each other in the royal gardens? He’d never mugged anyone in the royal gardens

He was not an idiot.

…

He was less of an idiot, generally.

“Don’t be like that,” sneered the assassin. “I’m here to reunite you with your parents.”

Jhonny never went unarmed, a habit from the bad old days. In a flash he had his own knife in his hand.

The assassin whistled and suddenly Jhonny was surrounded, his back pressed to one of the hedges. He clenched the fist that didn’t have the knife and summoned Betty to him, turning the odds to two against… a lot.

So still not great.

But better, and that was enough to work with. It was rare for things to be much better than better anyway.

“Hold fast, stranger!” shouted a deep clear voice. “The Shining Blade is here!”

Jhonnen did not take his eyes off the assassin with the knife, because the moment he did he was dead, but he did wonder what the Queen’s personal guard was doing here.

Random do-gooding? Wasn't that supposed to generally be a Seraph thing?

At least it evened the odds a bit.

It had been a while since Jhonny had fought with a blade. The nickname ‘Little Knife’ referred to his penchant for swinging a greatsword around, but he knew the trick to knife fighting. The trick was getting in quick and accepting that you were gonna get cut.

The minute the two Shining Blade exemplars threw themselves into the fray, Jhonny had Betty run a path down the middle. Jhonny followed swiping with his knife and throwing knees and elbows. It was a quick and brutal fight, but at the end of it, a friendly, gauntleted hand picked Jhonny back up to standing.

The woman smiled at him, not a happy smile, but a stern, battle hardened smile. “When you’ve caught your breath, we should talk.”

“We can talk now,” Jhonny said, panting. He looked at the bodies. One of them had known something.

Jackson.

His last name… was it Jackson? Did it mean something? It apparently meant enough that someone had tried to assassinate him over it. He was a nobody. Less than a nobody.

So who were they after?

“Excellent work handling those foul cultists,” she said. “May they know Grenth’s justice. I’m Exemplar Sahlia of the Shining Blade. This is Exemplar Mehid.”

“Awesome,” said Jhonny. “I’m Jhonny.” Jhonny Jackson. Jhonnen Jackson. “What’s this about cultists?”

“White Mantle, to be exact,” said Mehid.

Jhonny looked at him skeptically. “I was pretty sure the White Mantle had been stomped out. And why bother attacking me?”

“They often target defenders of Kryta and its Queen,” said Mehid.

Jhonny looked at him skeptically again. He’d been involved with stopping Pete’s attack on the water supply and he’d told Thackeray (his buddy Logan, har har) that he’d step in again if needed. But he was hardly a stalwart defender of the crown.

He'd helped Thackeray with a mugging like… last week? Just because he was around.

Was that enough for the White Mantle to try and murder him?

Frowning, Jhonny took the amulet out of his shirt and the second piece out of his pocket. “They sent me the other piece of that amulet to lure me out here.” It might be relevant to whatever was going on, but he felt weird showing it.

The amulet was private.

“Judging from the symbol on that amulet, I’d say your family has been very loyal to the kingdom. For… a long time.”

Jhonny pursed his lips in question.

Sahlia peered over. “A mark of the king’s favor? That’s interesting. Probably from Queen Jennah’s father, if I had to guess.”

Mehid shook his head. “Isn't that…”

Sahlia shook her head harshly, ending the argument.

None of this made any sense. And that meant that there was something they weren't telling him. He hated it but arguing with people who made secrets their business was probably fruitless. Jhonny tucked the amulet away, half down his shirt and half into a pocket.

Sahlia nudged one of the bodies with her foot. “We’re about to raid a White Mantle hideout we found recently. A hunting lodge near Beetletun. It’ll be dangerous, but the cultists there may know more.”

“I think I know that lodge,” Jhonny said, bringing up a map of Queensdale in his head. The gang used to deliver stolen spirits out there. Jhonny himself had never gone, but he could find it. “I won’t take no for an answer, I’m more useful in a fight than this made me look and they… they might know more about my parents.”

Admitting it was galling. His unknown past was a private injury. One to be licked in private.

He shouldn’t care. It had been easier not to care. But the Shining Blade knew something.

Which meant that there was something to be known.

The Exemplars nodded their agreement and Sahlia headed off to inform the Seraph about the bodies. Jhonny stood there, numb with shock, as Captain Thackeray arrived with a couple of troops to haul the White Mantle corpses away.

“Why is it that when I find Kryta’s enemies in a pile, you’re standing nearby?” Thackeray asked, trying to make light.

Despite himself, Jhonny smiled a little bit. “I’m a lucky guy.” He gave a tiny shrug. “I'm also pretty quick with a knife.”

“You’re bleeding.” Thackeray pointed to the blood on Jhonny’s sleeve.

Jhonny sighed. “This is why I used to wear black. No one can tell you’re bleeding when you wear black.”

“That a big issue in your line of work?”

“Previous line of work. I’m currently a law abiding bar back. And, yeah, they see you bleed, they realize you’re not invulnerable, they get ideas. Surely you of all people know how it works. If you present an impenetrable wall…”

Thackeray nodded with a small smile off his own. “Eventually even your enemies will believe it.”

------

Jhonny reached the hunting lodge a little bit after Sahlia and Mehid, and was grateful that they had waited for him to start the assault.

Jhonny summoned a shade from thin air and ripped Betty out of the ground. “Backup,” he said out of the corner of his mouth, trying to quiet his nerves.

He was used to lowlives and street thugs. An injury or two was usually enough to end a confrontation and nobody had any real training. These were cultists, driven by fanaticism and probably trained to kill.

The bastard assassins in the gardens certainly had been.

He was used to being outclassed, but he did generally hate it.

Jhonnen marched on the doorguard, all five foot five and full of fire, he held his ground as he was surrounded and then whistled for Betty. What he lacked in training he made up for with inventive enthusiasm, using the greatsword to clear space and then pulling the knife when they got close enough. He followed Sahlia and Mehid’s lead as they ransacked the inn, murdering cultists and freeing the few non-Mantle guests.

A new initiate, trembling and terrified on her knees, gave them the location of the Confessor—down in the basement.

Jhonny had mixed feelings about what to with her but Salhia had decapitated her before he could get a word out.

That was handled, one way or another, and realistically probably the best the new cultist was going to get from the Shining Blade.

The Confessor, Jhonny figured, was the idiot in charge and that they’d have the answers he was seeking. And if they didn't they had joints that could be broken until they told him who did.

The Confessor was a pretty young woman with a silly had and a very large rifle. She was outnumbered, however, and being pressed on all sides, making the gun less of an asset.

“I need information,” Mehid said sternly.

The Confessor held her chin up defiantly, jerked the barrel under it, and went out with a literal bang.

Blood spurted up and rained down on the floor and some of the papers.

Gruesome and uninformative, but Jhonny refused to give up hope. He started looking through the desk she’d been standing at and then moved onto the bookcases. Tearing through bits of paper desperate for some reason the Mantle had been after him and some clue as to who his parents had been.

They were probably the same thing.

“You killed the Confessor,” said Exemplar Salia. “This is a true victory for Krtya.”

“Yes, great, whatever,” Jhonny muttered, still leafing through the papers. The Confessor had killed herself, he'd just been closest at the moment she pulled the trigger, and she'd been responding to Mehid.

Eventually he found a list of names. Logan Thackeray; protector of the Queen, Countess Anise; advisor to the Queen, Jhonnen Jackson; child of the Queen’s spies, the list went on and on. He showed it to Mehid and Salia.

The Queen's spies.

Mehid and Sahlia had said the amulet was from the King.

“Grenth’s Teeth,” swore Mehid. “It’s a list of targets! Every name on here is one of the queen’s allies. If they managed to take out all of these people—”

“They won’t,” Jhonny interrupted, and not just because his name was among them for some reason. “But first, I have to… warn Captain Thackeray.” It felt like the words were coming out of someone else’s mouth, but it was true. Thackeray would have warned him. He had to warn Thackeray.

His buddy Logan.

He looked at the Exemplars. “Thackeray deserves to know he’s a target and he might have a thought or two on dealing with this.”

Sahlia frowned and then sighed. “You’re right. Anise won’t like us sharing information so recklessly, but this is an emergency. We’ll meet you at Captain Thackeray’s office.”

Countess Anise wouldn’t be happy about telling a man who was on a list of targets about the list of targets. Even when that man was Logan Godsdamn Thackeray.

Countess Anise needed to get her priorities straight.

“Stay safe,” said Exemplar Sahlia, heading into the night. “We’ll draw less attention if we travel separately.”

Jhonny chuckled to himself, like he had to be told how to avoid unfriendly eyes. He had been the Little Knife, terror of Divinity’s Reach. He knew how to stay off the radar.

Hell, technically he'd never been caught. Technically.

He made his way back to Divinity’s Reach and headed immediately for the palace district, aware of how bedraggled he looked. The bruises from the fight were starting to stand out on his pale skin, his clothing was torn where blades had barely missed him.

At least he looked the part. Thackeray would probably take him seriously.

He was shown into the office and Thackeray took stock of him. “You look like you’ve been in a fight.”

“Happens after a fight,” Jhonny shrugged. “We’d better wait for the Exemplars to show up or you’ll have to listen to the same information twice.” He slumped into a chair. “Hair looks nice by the way.”

Thackeray smiled a little but rolled his eyes. “Thanks, Jhonnen.”

Fondly exasperated was a good look on the Captain. Made him seem like a person.

“That’s what I’m here for, spontaneous compliments and bad news.” He looked up as the door opened and Sahlia and Mehid entered the office with Countess Anise in the middle of scolding them for involving a civilian.

“Especially this civilian.”

Jhonny narrowed his eyes at the Countess, wondering what she was hiding from him. He looked away and smiled at Logan. “There’s the bad news I mentioned.”

Thackeray looked from Jhonny to the Shining Blade Exemplars and back. “More White Mantle?”

“More White Mantle,” Jhonny said, picking himself up out of the chair. “I’ll let them explain.”

He listened intently as the exemplars explained about the hideout and the lists. Thackeray’s scowl deepened with every word.

“We can’t let these roaches continue to spread,” he said at last. “I’ll mobilize the Seraph and burn this cult to the ground!”

“Logan, no,” said Anise calmly. “You’ve been fighting centaurs for too long. The White Mantle are cunning, treacherous foes. They will predict your moves, outmaneuver you.” She gestured to Salia and Mehid. “The Shining Blade has been fighting them for a long time. We know the best way to deal with the Mantle: stealth and cunning.”

“We need to move quickly,” said Mehid. “They probably know we’re coming either way. Our friend has been invaluable so far. Perhaps Jhonnen can offer some insight here.”

Jhonny’s eyes went wide as everyone looked to him. He was uncomfortable being the center of attention. Particularly with people who by all rights should have been arresting him.

Or should have arrested him a few years ago. He'd been remarkably well behaved recently.

“Agreed,” said Thackeray. “So, my friend, the choice is yours. Stealth or strength?”

There was a lot to unpack in what had just happened and Jhonny took a moment to do so under the guise of thinking very hard. Firstly, these sorts of decisions shouldn’t be left up to him, the only leadership experience he had was crime-based.

Then again, that gave him some insight into how the White Mantle was forced to operate, didn’t it? They couldn’t operate inside the laws of Kryta.

Which meant they needed to come at the cult sideways and then hit them hard. So a stealthy approach was probably the best plan.

None of this, however, accounted for Thackeray calling him his friend.

It might have been--and probably was--just a matter of speech. But there was a friendliness inherent in how Thackeray said it.

Jhonny had had precious few friends over his short span on Tyria, and all of them were dead. Because all of them had been Quinn. And he had failed to keep Quinn safe.

Logan—not Thackeray, not now—was loyal and brave and… actually pretty funny. He wasn’t as self-centered as he’d been made out to be.

If he wanted to be friends, if he was extending that olive branch, Jhonny had no choice but to accept. And accept… gladly. He and Logan had had a couple of run-ins since the poisoning incident. Mostly minor things, but they, surprisingly, got along. He had a better sense of humor and was more down to earth than Jhonny had expected.

Wow, he was going to need to drink later.

But possibly not by himself.

He cleared his throat. “If they act like a gang does, you’ll have to come at them sideways or they’ll scatter. If they go to ground, we stand less of a chance of actually dealing with them. So… we're going to have to go in stealthy and then hit them as hard as we can to make sure none get out.”

He looked up at Logan, mostly to see what he thought about Johnny disagreeing with him.

Logan looked thoughtful for a moment and then nodded. “Makes sense,” he conceded.

They, mostly the Countess, laid out a plan to meet at a Seraph outpost in Kessex fields. Jhonny lingered after Anise, Mehid and Sahlia had left to prepare. He looked up at Logan and forced his posture to relax. “When this is over, you want to get another beer?”

Logan looked at him and smiled a little bit. “Yeah, I’d like that. Assuming you're buying.”

It felt like a tease.

And that was nice.

Jhonny grinned. “Thackeray, does something about this get up make me look made of money?” He rolled his eyes. “But, I can.”

Logan laughed. “How much do you think I make, Jhonnen?”

“Jhonny,” Jhonny corrected. “And more than I do as a bar back.”

“I'll get the drinks next time.”

Jhonny gave a short shrug and a smile. “Works for me.”

-------

They met on a hill in the swamp to hear Countess Anise’s sneaky plan, but it was Logan who actually seemed to have one.

This seemed to surprise Countess Anise in a way that was probably insulting and definitely funny.

“Get into position, everyone,” he ordered. “I’ll approach, and when they make their move, you all rush in a spring the trap.”

The Countess laughed a little, covering it daintily behind the back of one gloved hand. “You, Captain? No offense, but the Shining Blade and the White Mantle have a long history. Don’t you think I would make a more tempting lure.”

Logan shrugged. “No doubt. But wouldn’t that seem a little suspicious? You out walking alone, the queen nowhere in sight… At least I move about on my own regularly.”

Jhonny nodded. It was true. Logan did things like patrol and chat with ruffian bar backs. Apparently he made plans to get beers with them.

“That’s a good point,” said Exemplar Salia. “Where you do want us then, Captain? Anywhere is fine so long as we’re close to the action.”

Jhonny looked around and pointed to the ruins. “Those ruins are where I would lie in wait if I were waiting here, which I guess I am. Good elevation, walls to hide behind. We’ll be able to see and hear everything.”

“Sounds perfect,” Logan said. “Just be ready to move quickly when things turn ugly.”

Jhonny reached out and touched Logan’s elbow cob and gave him a thin-lipped smile. “I’ve lost one friend this year, not looking to lose two.”

Logan huffed something that was probably a laugh, just a burst of air from his nose and a small twist of his mouth in acknowledgement.

Jhonny nodded, trusting that that would be enough. Then he followed the others up the hill.

“Logan,” Countess Anise said, shaking her head. “Playing the part of the helpless victim. This should be… interesting.”

“Yeah,” Jhonny agreed. “He doesn’t strike me as an actor.”

The Countess gave Jhonny a cryptic smile that he automatically hated, and directed his attention to the scene below, where a woman in white and red robes and several armed men had stopped Logan in his tracks.

They were too far away for Jhonny to make out the woman’s dialogue but Logan…

Logan was showboating.

“Oh dear!” he said loudly, sounding almost theatrically bored. “Oh Mercy! The White Mantle is upon me. Woe! Lamentation! Is this the end for poor Logan?”

Jhonny covered his mouth to hide the smile and stifle the laugh.

Logan raised his arm and shouted, “Now!”

Jhonny slid down the muddy hill with his greatsword drawn, Betty charging at his side. The cultists’ surprise granted them a few seconds of advantage and Jhonny savored every one. A few cultists singled him out as the weak link: he was unarmored and not Countess Anise. When he was surrounded he pulled the mists around him, sinking half into Grenth’s domain to siphon the life from several bodies at once.

He and Logan made a pretty good team, actually. Logan’s shield giving Jhonny the defense he lacked and Jhonny’s greatsword extended past Logan’s reach.

Eventually the White Mantle lay defeated and Jhonny sank his greatsword into the mud to lean on it, completely disrespecting the blade.

The blade was pitted and chipped anyway. It was fine. “At least that’s over.”

Countess Anise sniffed disdainfully. “I think we were too easy on them, personally. After multiple attempted murders and abusing the memory of your parents, they got off light.”

“They are lying face down leaking red into the mud,” Jhonny pointed out, the reminder about his parents stinging.

Nineteen years of trying not to think about them made it second nature. But now he had remembered and it… hurt. His parents had been people. Enough that the evil fairytale cult from Kryta’s past was trying to murder him over it.

A gauntleted hand came down on his shoulder. “Will you be alright?”

Jhonny closed his eyes and tried to focus on how weird it was that Logan Godsdamn Thackeray was asking after his well-being instead of on the empty ache of a past he didn't know.

“I… yeah,” he said. “I’ll be alright.”

He didn't feel like he'd be alright, but there also wasn't another choice. Life would go on. He hadn't had parents a week ago and he wouldn't have parents a week in the future. He was an adult.

Exemplar Mehid cleared his throat and looked to Countess Anise for permission, receiving a short nod, before opening his mouth to speak. “Speaking of your parents… With this phase of the operation complete, I can tell you that Sahlia and I have located your parents’ last known residence.”

Jhonny’s jaw dropped open but even in his elation, and confusion, and anger, and hurt, he couldn’t shake the knowledge that he was only being told because Countess Anise permitted it.

He hated her.

“Where is it?”

“We can take you there,” Sahlia said. “The house is south of the Delanian Foothills, and if there’s anything worth finding, we’ll find it.”

Logan gave him a smile. “We’ll have that beer when you get back.”

“Right,” Jhonny said, feeling very surreal. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

-----------------

The trip to the Delanian Foothills was reasonably short, and yet still long enough for Jhonny to drive himself mad with ruminations. He felt like this was the furthest he'd been from the city, but if this was where he was from… then it wasn't. And that felt… weird. He stared at the abandoned homestead, the dilapidated buildings and broken fences, hoping something, anything would trigger a memory.

There were wisps, mostly forgotten hazes of have I been here? But how much was remembering and how much was wishful thinking was anyone's guess.

Someone had taken him to Divinity's Reach. Someone had given the priestess only his first name. Someone had left him with half an amulet and a lifetime of questions, resentment, and bitterness. Why wasn't he worth keeping? If it had been the White Mantle’s fault they probably would have just slit his throat then. Baby killing didn’t seem outside the realm of possibility for the cult.

Salia gave him an apologetic look. “Countess Anise asked us not to say more than necessary, as this is technically a royal matter, but… I think you deserve what truth we can give you. Your parents… a lot of your family going back… were Shining Blade. They helped track and destroy White Mantle cells, saving many lives in the process.”

“So you knew this was their house?” He hated Countess Anise.

Mehid nodded. “Yes. The last message on file from your parents states that they feared White Mantle cultists had discovered their secret. They were planning to flee.”

Salia’s apologetic look deepened. “The Shining Blade lost contact with them after that. Either they fled to safety or…”

“For my own sake, I have to believe they didn’t flee and leave me behind,” Jhonny said. It felt awful, hoping his parents were dead rather than had abandoned him, but he couldn't help it. He couldn't face the truth of being that unwanted. Discarded on purpose.

“I’m sure if they did they had a very good reason,” said Mehid, trying to be helpful.

What good reason was there for leaving your son completely in the dark? For throwing him aside? He’d grown up with an amulet and an unreliable friend. Until Andrew had taken a chance on him one person had been genuinely kind to him and that was the Priestess who raised him. He’d turned to crime and violence to survive.

Jhonny just turned his attention to the run down house. Whatever answers existed, if they existed, existed inside.

The house itself had been looted and squatted in, what furniture remained was busted or disintegrating, or both. Pressing forward, Jhonny found a door in a place where there shouldn't have been a door, only noticeable because the cabinet in front of it was mostly just lumber now. It opened to a small cave, and there, Jhonny found the answers he had been looking for. Magic fire burned blue to illuminate two small graves, like it was trying to keep the light even here. The tombstones were modest, simple slabs accounting for a husband and wife who had died for the country they loved. Trying to make a better world for their son, Jhonnen.

Jhonny curled to his knees in front of and between the two markers and buried his face in his hands, horrid, wretched sobs jerking his chest and shoulders.

Mehid and Salia did Jhonny the courtesy of turning away while he wept.

Knowing they were dead was one thing. Having it confirmed was… was quite another. Knowing they had loved him was almost unbearable.

He had hated them for so long. Hated them, tried to forget that he hadn't spontaneously come to exist within Queen's Heart.

When he finished he dried his eyes and drew himself to standing, turning back to the exemplars. “Do we know who set these gravestones?”

They both shook their heads, but Mehid… hesitated for a moment before he did.

They knew something.

“Friends?” Offered Sahlia, “Fellow agents? Whomever it was was likely the same person as took you to Divinity’s Reach, to safety.”

Jhonny nodded, he was used to questions that would never have answers and he wasn't going to get anything out of The Shining Blade that Countess Anise didn't want him to have.

“Look, I know you probably know, and if you don't, Countess Anise certainly does. Just … thank them for me.”

Salia nodded, silently confirming that she knew, and also that they weren't going to tell him.

------------------

Logan showed up at the tavern out of his armor and settled on one of the bar stools. Jhonny spotted him while hauling a tub full of dirty dishes. Without a word he put the dishes by the sink and moved to take the seat beside Logan.

Andrew looked confused but served two flagons of ale that the two men took and put to their lips in silence.

“Sorry about your parents,” Logan said, after a drink. He lowered his flagon and turned his head to look at Jhonny. “Are you—”

Jhonny shrugged, interrupting. “I already knew they were dead. It just makes me… it makes me think.” He took another drink of his ale. It was bitter, grounding. He filled his lungs with air. “Maybe I should take after them.” He never would have dreamed about going fully legitimate, but it felt like the only thing he could do to honor the parents who had loved him and the mysterious Shining Blade who had saved him.

It was also, selfishly, his best chance to get answers.

Logan cocked an eyebrow. “The Seraph could use you.”

“I’d rather work for you than Countess Anise anyway.” Jhonny managed a smile. “Steel is still not my color though.”

Logan snorted a little laugh. “I did see you first, she’ll have to recruit on her own.”

“Is that how it works, whoever saw the candidate first gets to recruit them?”

“If it gets you in a Seraph uniform and not a Shining Blade one? Then yes,” Logan took another drink. “Yes it does.”

“I'm not wearing the armor.”

Logan smiled. “We can work around it.”

#gw2 fanfic #Gw2 OC #logan thackeray #Countess Anise #OC: Jhonny

2 notes · View notes

hologramslime · 2 years ago

Text

This was a writing promt that I spun into a story. The promt was: A hairdresser receives a shocking confession from a customer.

Feel free to give me suggestions, feedback, or even more writing prompts!

I don't really have a title but here's the story!

The sun softly sprinkled the decorative hedges tightly hugging the small building . A deteriorating sign ended up saying salon. A gentle breeze tickled the paint and little flakes floated away.

The tranquil environment was suddenly disturbed as the dull thud of footsteps approached. A shadow loomed infront of the building. The door jingled loudly.

"I'll be one second." A voice called from somewhere inside the building.

No response.

A tall man emerged from a back room. His style clashed with the environment outside His outfit ticked like a wind-up clock. Little gears shifted around a large device on his arm. He seemed to have an acute understanding of hair and how to manipulate it. He smiled cheerily at the customer before speaking.

"Welcome to the place where time stands still. How may I help you?" His courteous light voice didn't match his character either.

"Erm... Hi, this IS a salon right?" The dark figure asked timidly eyeing the oddly placed bookshelves. A cuckoo clock overlooked a rather large pumpkin.

"Oh, indeed! But no ordinary salon. Time has no meaning here. So you have infinite time to choose your style and it can be done in an instant!" The man cryptically explained.He handed the figure a mirror reflecting hundreds of styles. "Take your time, you have forever to choose!" From out of nowhere, he pulled out a laptop, expertly navigating the windows, until he found an even bigger library of hairstyles in all colours. It synced perfectly to the mirror, allowing his customer to view their options before settling on a style.

The figure silently scrolled through the options, occasionally backspacing to compare styles. After what may have been an eternity, the figure finally decided on a style.

"Ah, fine choice!" The man quickly stood up. The ticking growing louder, as he prepared his hairdressing gadgets. He smiled warmly. "Now sit still, and I shall get to work."

The figure suddenly broke the silence. "This is the hair my mother always wore. I still miss her even tho it's been so long."

"How lovely, that you are now able to honour her memory. May I ask what happened?" His warm smile slowly changed to a look of concern.

"A marksman aimed at me. Missed. She slumped over. He ran. I was plunged into poverty."

"I...I don't know what to think right now. I am sorry for your loss. It may not be much but I put a big deduction on your bill. I also hope my services give you some peace in this cruel world." The ticking clocks began to sound more like a heartbeat as the man spoke these words

#short story #stories #time manipulation #hairdresser #fantasy

2 notes · View notes

bertynljdb · 1 day ago

Text

From Trees to Lights: Comprehensive Landscape Installation Solutions for Your New Jersey Home

Introduction

Creating an unified outside room is no little feat, especially in a diverse state fresh Jersey, where the appeal of nature can be enhanced by advanced landscape style and setup services. The change from trees to lights encapsulates the significance of what contemporary landscape design offers-- an integration of natural elements with imaginative improvements that transform your home into a paradise. Whether you're thinking about hardscaping functions, growing vivid bushes, or brightening your outdoor room for evening gatherings, comprehending the numerous elements of landscape installation solutions can substantially impact your home's appearances and functionality.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll dig deep into the various facets of landscape setup solutions offered in New Jacket. We'll talk about whatever from plant selection and hardscape layouts to lighting options that take a breath life into your outdoor settings. So, whether you're a home owner looking to overhaul your garden or a person planning brand-new building and construction, this article will serve as your best resource.

https://www.stonecreekbackyards.com/useful-helpful-landscape-information/2025/3/8/best-practices-for-tree-and-shrub-planting-in-northern-nj Understanding Landscape Setup Services in NJ What Are Landscape Installment Services?

Landscape installation solutions encompass a wide variety of tasks targeted at improving outdoor rooms. These services usually consist of:

Design Consultation: Teaming up with designers to develop a natural plan. Planting Trees and Shrubs: Choosing ideal vegetation for the regional climate. Hardscaping: Mounting outdoor patios, walkways, wall surfaces, and various other non-plant elements. Lighting Solutions: Implementing outdoor illumination for appearances and safety.

These solutions are necessary for any person looking to create a welcoming outdoor area that enhances their home while showing personal style.

Why Select Professional Landscape Installation?

While do it yourself jobs can be meeting, professional landscape setup supplies various advantages:

Expert Knowledge: Specialists understand neighborhood climates and dirt conditions. Time Efficiency: Skilled groups function swiftly and effectively. Quality Assurance: Experts provide guarantees on their work. Creative Solutions: Designers bring ingenious concepts customized to your space.

Opting for specialist aid makes sure that every component works harmoniously together-- not simply visually yet additionally practically.

Planning Your Landscape Design in New Jersey Assessing Your Space

Before diving into specifics like hedge planting or lighting setups, it's essential to examine your existing landscape. Considerations must include:

The size of the area Sunlight direct exposure throughout the day Drainage patterns Existing structures or all-natural features

A thorough assessment assists in producing a customized landscape layout that meets both functional requirements and visual desires.

Setting Objectives for Your Landscape

What do you want from your landscape? Here are some common objectives

0 notes

timelesssummonerminotaur · 1 day ago

Text

Hardscape Satisfies Softscape: Raise Your NJ Building with Specialist Landscape Design and Illumination Solutions

Introduction

In the lively globe of landscape style, the interaction between hardscape and softscape creates a harmonious setting that enhances both aesthetic charm and residential or commercial property worth. For homeowners in New Jersey (NJ), comprehending exactly how to successfully blend these two aspects can be transformative. Whether you're taking into consideration a new outdoor job or looking to revamp your existing area, specialist landscape design and illumination remedies can raise your building to new elevations. In this detailed guide, we will check out the subtleties of hardscape and softscape, the benefits of expert solutions, and exactly how critical planning can cause an exterior oasis.

Hardscape Fulfills Softscape: Elevate Your NJ Residential Or Commercial Property with Expert Landscaping and Lights Solutions Understanding Hardscape in Landscaping

Hardscaping refers to the non-plant aspects of landscape style. This includes patio areas, walkways, walls, and various other structures that offer performance and framework to a landscape.

Types of Hardscape Features Patios: Great for amusing and delighting in outdoor spaces. Walkways: Guide site visitors with your backyard while including charm. Retaining Walls: Useful for handling sloped terrains. Driveways: Aesthetic improvements that also supply utility. Benefits of Hardscaping Durability: Hardscape attributes are built to last. Low Maintenance: Unlike planting plans that need regular care, hardscapes need marginal upkeep. Utility: They develop functional areas for relaxation or gatherings. Exploring Softscape Elements

Softscaping refers to the living elements of landscape layout-- plants, trees, hedges, flowers, and soil.

Importance of Planting Design

Choosing the right plants is crucial in softscaping. Indigenous plants grow far better in neighborhood environments and need less maintenance.

Key Plant Selections for NJ Landscapes Evergreens: Give year-round greenery. Perennials: Return each period with lovely blooms. Shrubs: Produce borders or focal points in the garden. landscaping and installation Creating Equilibrium Between Hardscape and Softscape

The trick is finding a balance where hardscaping provides framework however does not subdue the all-natural charm used by softscaping.

The Function of Specialist Landscaping Services

Professional landscape design services play a crucial function in guaranteeing that both hardscape and softscape elements enhance each other effectively.

What Do Landscape Designers Offer? Consultation Services: Discuss layout concepts tailored to your needs. Site Analysis: Evaluate dirt types, sun exposure, drainage concerns, etc. Design Plans: Develop blueprints describing plant placements together with hard surfaces. Why Pick Specialists for Installation?

0 notes

brocoffeeengineer · 3 days ago

Text

Hidden Career Opportunities for CFA Charterholders You Haven’t Considered

When one imagines a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charterholder, they would invariably picture investment banking, hedge funds, portfolio management, and the like. Yet the truth is that a CFA charter can fuel various careers nowhere near these more traditional routes. The CFA, indeed, offers a broad and varied career landscape, and skills as well as knowledge new and novel acquired through the CFA course in Boston can mold professionals into multifaceted individuals excelling in just about any sector. We're going to shed light on some of the less considered careers for CFA charterholders in this blog-styled revelation.

Fintech and Blockchain Innovations

Fintech and blockchain are the game-changers of modern times for financial services. Many CFA charterholders are ditching their previous careers for this attractive growth field. With concentrating on financial analysis, risk management, and strategy, a CFA charterholder approaches innovation with analysis as his practice in cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance (DeFi), and blockchain technology advances.

Take smart contracts and tokenized assets in blockchain applications in finance. These innovations require professionals who have knowledge of financial principles as well as latest technology. Most fintech companies really appreciate CFA charterholders because of their long-term assessment of these innovations' financial viability and regulatory implications.

Corporate Strategy and Development

The next treasure-trove for CFA charterholders is in corporate strategy. Involving most of them analyzing minute details of investments and portfolio management, there is also such a thing as strategic planning within corporations for CFA finance graduates. The CFA can be quite useful for the teams engaged by diverse industries in strategic planning to see their long-term growth strategy, assess M&A possibilities, and take business risk into consideration.

All these professionals have a major role in upholding a potential investment opportunity in mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures. They also participate in making high-level decisions through analysis and other avenues, given the industry trends and financial forecasts. A CFA's knowledge in financial modeling, valuation, and market analysis are treasured in teams dedicated to corporate strategy.

Private Equity and Venture Capital

Private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) might be compatible with the image of the "exclusive citadels," but the reality is that they are just as well-fitted to CFA charterholders-the CFAs rigorous training in financial analysis, extensive due diligence, and deal structuring creates the perfect match for identifying high-potential investments, negotiating complex deals, and ensuring strong financial performance in PE and VC firms.

The CFA charterholder's ability to assess a company deep within its financial health, growth vectors, and risk is priceless in this industry. They can be key players in judging prospective funding for startups or established businesses, making them highly desirable for companies that are considering coming up with well-calculated high-yield investments.

Non-Financial Sector Risk Management

CFA charterholders are considered the best in risk management, an equally important discipline in industries beyond finance. Companies involved in industries like healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and technology rely on risk management professionals to identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks that could become detrimental to their operations.

In the industries mentioned, CFA charterholders will work toward creating structured and coherent risk management frameworks considering all exposures from supply chain vulnerabilities to cybersecurity threats. The adaptability in understanding both financial and operational, as well as strategic, risks, makes CFA charterholders particularly useful and valued in these non-financial sectors.

Sustainability and ESG Investing

ESG investing is one of a few arenas that have featured prominently in recent years, with CFA charterholders having great input in it. With an increase in demand by investors for the socially responsible and environmentally sustainable investment option, CFA charterholders are leading the charge for the management of ESG portfolios.

CFA charterholders can take the key role in the analysis of the ESG data, assessing the actual impact of sustainability initiatives on long-term value, and helping corporates in the rising demand for socially responsible investment options. Of course, this merger of ESG factors with financial analysis is an area tailor-made for CFA professionals, whose future growth is assured.

Real Estate Investment and Development

The real estate investment industry is one in which CFA charterholders can shine. From residential to commercial and industrial properties, financial acumen is needed to assess properties, analyze market trends, and determine investment potential.

CFA charterholders can operate as real estate investment managers, asset managers, or even in real estate development firms wherein their skills in financial analysis, risk management, and valuation will be applied. They can assess the financial viability of real estate deals, help source funding, and ensure their investments give solid returns over a period of time.

The Regulatory and Compliance Roles

A significant area of operational concern nowadays in the finance industry is regulatory compliance, particularly with the growing number of requirements being imposed on financial transactions, corporate governance, and reporting by governments and regulators. Deep knowledge of financial laws, reporting standards, and ethical issues makes CFA charterholders well-suited for jobs in financial regulation and compliance.

An alternative, relatively rewarding career path for aspiring public policy and financial regulatory professionals is compliance officer or working in regulatory bodies. CFA charterholders are very handy assets in maintaining industry standards and best practices, primarily due to their strength in interpreting financial data and ensuring the same has been carried out correctly.

Economic Consulting

From unexpected positions to others, these being economic consulting positions may be a unique career option for CFA charterholders. In essence, these professionals apply their finance skills in providing advisory services to businesses, governments, and nonprofit organizations. The spectrum in which these professionals may be involved includes appraising the market situation, assessing public policy's financial impact, or providing the economic forecasts affecting business strategy.

CFA charterholders working in this branch generally do work in consulting firms and governmental organizations, applying their analytical skills to analyze complex data and give guidance to their clients on major economic decisions.

Final thoughts

CFA charterholders are not confined to typical financial roles. These include fintech and blockchain opportunities in corporate strategy, risk management, and sustainability. As financial hubs will continue to develop and change, there will be an increase in demand for CFA-trained professionals, thereby opening up career portals for even greater dynamism and impact. If someone is ready to take the next step in their finance career, enroll in a CFA training program in Boston to position yourself well for your bright future.

#cfa course #cfa course in boston

0 notes

lease-a-leaf · 9 days ago

Text

What Are the Benefits of Outdoor Plant Hire Over Buying Plants?

Outdoor plant hire is a convenient service where you rent plants for short-term use instead of buying them outright. It’s perfect for people who want beautiful greenery for events, seasonal styling, or temporary business setups—without the cost or effort of owning and maintaining plants.

Whether it’s a wedding, a storefront promotion, a corporate launch, or a styled courtyard for a pop-up café, plant hire gives you access to high-quality outdoor plants with no hassle. Instead of spending time and money buying and caring for plants, you get ready-to-go arrangements that are delivered, installed, and collected once your event or rental period is over.

Why more people are turning to plant rental services

In busy cities and growing suburbs, space and time are limited. That’s why Outdoor plant hire is growing in popularity, especially in urban areas where permanent landscaping isn’t always possible. Businesses love it because it’s fast and flexible. Homeowners and stylists love it because it instantly boosts curb appeal and ambience. Whether you need greenery for one day or several weeks, plant hire makes it easy to enhance outdoor spaces with minimal effort.

How Does Temporary Plant Hire Save Time and Effort?

Low effort, high impact

When you choose Temporary plant hire, you skip all the hard work that comes with owning plants. You don’t have to water them, trim them, or check for pests. The plants arrive in perfect condition—already cleaned, potted, and styled. You simply enjoy them while they’re there, then hand them back when you're done.

This is especially helpful for events or fast-paced business settings, where plant care isn’t on anyone’s to-do list. Everything is handled for you—delivery, setup, and collection—so there’s nothing to stress about. Even if you need plants last minute, many services can deliver quickly and help with placement.

Great for short-term or one-off needs

Temporary plant hire is ideal for occasions where plants are only needed for a short time. Think of it like renting furniture for a display—practical, affordable, and completely stress-free. Whether it’s a weekend event, a few days of property staging, or a limited-time activation, plant hire lets you create a fresh, green atmosphere without a long-term commitment.

Is It Cheaper to Hire Outdoor Planters Than to Buy?

Save money without sacrificing style

Buying plants can be expensive—especially if you want mature or decorative species. Add in pots, planters, soil, fertiliser, and transport, and the costs start to add up quickly. With Outdoor plant hire, you avoid all of that. You simply pay for the rental period, and everything is included in one easy price.

There’s also no risk of plants dying before the big day or during your hire. If a plant isn’t looking its best, your hire company can swap it out. That kind of peace of mind is hard to put a price on.

Ideal for seasonal or rotating displays

For temporary displays or events, it rarely makes sense to invest in plants you’ll only use once. Services that let you hire outdoor planters make it easy to refresh your space without cluttering it later. Plus, seasonal rental packages can be more cost-effective than buying and replacing plants every few months. You even have access to premium options—like the ability to hire Buxus microphylla japonica, a formal evergreen that’s perfect for creating polished, symmetrical entrances without the need for permanent landscaping.

Can You Get More Variety with Outdoor Plant Hire?

More plant styles, less commitment

One of the biggest benefits of Outdoor plant hire is the wide selection of greenery available at your fingertips. From leafy ferns and tropical palms to flowering pots and sculpted hedges, you can choose plants to match the style of your event or space without having to buy them all.

Whether you’re styling a garden party or setting up an outdoor café, it’s easy to pick plants that create the right mood—whether it’s natural, formal, or seasonal. And if you’re planning a high-end setup, you can even hire Buxus microphylla japonica, a popular plant known for its neat appearance and classic shape. It’s often used to create borders, focal points, or elegant walkways.

Flexibility to change things up

With hired plants, you're not stuck with the same look for years. Want a lush, tropical vibe this week and a minimalist setup next month? No problem. Many hire services let you update or rotate your plant selection, giving you fresh style every time. It’s a great way to keep things visually interesting—especially in commercial or hospitality settings where first impressions count.

Who Takes Care of the Plants During the Hire Period?

Let the pros handle the maintenance

Another great advantage of Outdoor plant hire is that you don’t need a green thumb. The plant hire team handles everything—watering, pruning, feeding, and even swapping out plants that don’t look their best. For events or shorter hires, care may not be necessary at all. The plants are delivered in peak condition and stay fresh throughout your event.

If you’re hiring for a longer period, some services include scheduled maintenance visits to check in and keep your greenery looking vibrant. That’s a huge time-saver, especially for busy businesses or event planners who want things to stay perfect with no effort on their end.

Peace of mind for busy spaces

Knowing that someone else is looking after your plants takes a lot of pressure off. You get all the visual benefits without worrying about the mess or upkeep. Whether it’s a few Temporary plant arrangements or a full outdoor display, it’s one less thing to manage on your to-do list.

Is Outdoor Plant Hire Better for Temporary or Pop-Up Spaces?

The perfect fit for short-term use

Outdoor plant hire is ideal for temporary spaces like pop-up shops, seasonal cafés, weekend markets, or even short-term exhibitions. These setups don’t need permanent landscaping—but they still need to look professional, welcoming, and stylish. Hiring plants is the easiest way to transform a blank space into something beautiful and inviting.

It also allows you to scale your display up or down based on your budget, space, or how long you’ll be in the location. If you’re testing a new store layout or trying out a one-month retail setup, there’s no reason to invest in full-time greenery when you can rent exactly what you need.

Good for you—and good for the planet

Temporary plant hire also reduces waste. Instead of buying plants that may be thrown away after a single use, you're using greenery that will be reused across different clients and projects. That makes it a more sustainable choice for eco-conscious businesses and event planners.

Should You Buy or Hire? A Quick Decision Guide

Deciding what works best for your needs

Not sure whether to buy or hire your plants? If you’re planning an event, staging a property, or setting up a short-term space, Outdoor plant hire is likely the smarter, easier option. It’s cost-effective, low-maintenance, and flexible. You get professional help, premium plants, and zero ongoing care.

If you're looking for something long-term and love plant care, buying may be worthwhile. But if you want to keep things simple, stylish, and stress-free, plant hire is the way to go.

When hiring makes the most sense

You should consider hiring if:

You need greenery for a short time (days or weeks)

You want plants but not the upkeep

You’re decorating a temporary or flexible space

You want to hire outdoor planters that change with the season

You're after premium styling like when you hire Buxus microphylla japonica

No matter your goal, plant hire gives you a fresh look without long-term strings attached.

#indoor plants #outdoor plants #plant care #plant for hire #plants

1 note · View note