#Best Distance Education Resources

[navkimsolutions]

Essential Resources for Distance Education in India: SCDL, AMITY, and LPU Solved Material

Distance education in India has undergone a major transformation in recent years. With the advancement of technology and the need for flexible learning, students are increasingly turning to online and correspondence courses. Institutions like SCDL (Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning), AMITY University, and Lovely Professional University (LPU) have emerged as leading names in the distance education sector.

These institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma courses. But to succeed in distance education, students must take a strategic approach. Resources like SCDL project reports, AMITY solved papers, and LPU solved papers can be game-changers when used effectively.

Understanding the Importance of SCDL Project Reports

One of the key academic requirements in SCDL courses is the submission of a project report. This is not just an academic formality — it is a practical evaluation tool. The project helps assess a student’s ability to apply theoretical concepts in real-life business or technical scenarios.

Why SCDL Projects Matter:

They contribute significantly to final grades.

They reflect a student's analytical, writing, and research abilities.

They prepare students for industry-oriented problem-solving.

Common Challenges:

Choosing a suitable topic aligned with your specialization.

Structuring the report according to academic standards.

Including valid data, graphs, and references.

Expert Tip: Always refer to previous SCDL project reports before starting your own. They can help you understand the format, expectations, and level of detail required. Ensure you follow the prescribed template provided by SCDL.

AMITY Solved Papers: Smart Preparation Tool

AMITY University is well-known for its flexible learning system. Its distance learning programs include assignments, exams, and regular assessments. For students, AMITY solved papers are highly valuable for scoring well in exams.

Why Use AMITY Solved Papers?

Help understand the exam format.

Highlight frequently asked topics.

Give clarity on how to write high-scoring answers.

In a 2023 survey by an Indian education portal, nearly 68% of distance learning students mentioned that referring to solved papers helped them feel more confident during exams.

In addition to that, solved papers also save time during revision. Instead of going through the entire syllabus, students can focus on topics that are most relevant or have been repeated in past exams.

LPU Solved Papers: A Reliable Guide for Exam Success

Lovely Professional University (LPU) also provides structured distance education programs across disciplines like Management, IT, Commerce, and Arts. The academic structure includes end-term exams and assignments. For exam preparation, LPU solved papers serve as a very helpful resource.

What Makes Them Effective?

They offer insight into question trends.

They help in self-assessment before exams.

They teach how to present answers neatly and effectively.

Experts recommend solving at least two to three years' worth of LPU solved papers before appearing in exams. This improves speed, accuracy, and overall understanding of the subject.

How These Resources Make a Difference

Many students underestimate the power of preparation aids like solved papers and model project reports. However, these materials bridge the gap between textbook knowledge and practical application.

Here’s how:

SCDL project reports help students learn research and documentation skills that are useful in professional life.

AMITY solved papers highlight commonly tested concepts and question patterns.

LPU solved papers teach time management and content prioritization.

These resources are not meant to replace textbooks or lectures but to complement them.

Real-World Relevance

Today’s job market is highly competitive. Employers are looking for candidates who are not only qualified but also skilled in problem-solving and application of knowledge. That’s where these academic tools help.

For example:

A well-written SCDL project can impress interviewers with your depth of understanding.

Scoring high using AMITY and LPU solved papers can boost your CGPA, increasing your chances of selection in competitive exams or job placements.

Final Thoughts

Distance education offers a second chance to thousands of working professionals, homemakers, and students living in remote areas. But success in these programs depends on self-discipline and smart strategies.

Using academic tools like SCDL project reports, AMITY solved papers, and LPU solved papers not only saves time but also ensures better academic outcomes. They guide you on what to study, how to study, and how to present your knowledge in exams and projects.

Whether you are new to distance education or already enrolled, using these expert resources can help you stay ahead in your academic journey.

[inaconstantstateofchange]

Halsin and Silvanus

In the course of my recent research on Bane for a lore request fill, I found myself coming across a lot of very interesting information, previously unknown to me, about the other gods of the Forgotten Realms — in particular Silvanus. There was enough there that it inspired me to direct some extra research hours into this writeup, exploring all the reasons why Halsin is a quintessential Silvanite.

If you would like any more information on anything included here, please feel free to drop a comment or an ask, as there is truly so much that I just don’t have the space to include. (I usually end up with about 12-13 pages of source quotes before I begin one of these meta posts.)

My usual note that, as ever, these writeups will align with current 5e lore, and draw from 3.5e for additional supporting information. On rarer occasions – and always noted – I will reference 1e and 2e, but with the caveats that there is much more in those editions that is tonally dissonant with the modern conception of the Forgotten Realms, and thus generally less applicable.

Silvanus is easily one of the most misunderstood gods of the Faerûnian pantheon. This is even pointed out directly within his section of the 3.5e Faiths & Pantheons (an incredible resource if you are looking for more detailed information on the gods of the Forgotten Realms!): 

Nevertheless, most outsiders view the church of Chauntea, as patrons of agriculture, as being favorably inclined toward the expansion of civilization, while the church of Silvanus is the implacable foe of those who would settle new lands. Neither impression is correct, yet the church of the Oak Father is often perceived as little different from those faiths that venerate the Deities of Fury.¹ [emphasis added]

Silvanus is most often perceived as strictly and impassively neutral, and intrinsically opposed to civilization in all its forms. While the former is something close to true – he is a very neutral-aligned deity, albeit not necessarily in a way that matches the popular conception of the term – the latter is certainly not. Humanity (if you’ll forgive the use of the term to designate in broad strokes the non-animal denizens of the Material Plane) is another facet of nature, one given equal consideration to the rest – plant, animal, and other – by Silvanus.²

While as a whole followers of Silvanus have a preference for the wilds and the deep forests, this is by no means a concrete rule. In fact, Silvanite clergy – those known as druids – are not uncommonly found in enclaves in larger cities of the Sword Coast and beyond, including Waterdeep.² Typically these druids will “create gardenlike walled areas of wild forest within the city limits.”¹ Wherever they may find themselves, Silvanite druids work to maintain the Balance of nature around them, through education and direct action both. 

Silvanus’s dogma has much to tell us about his philosophy, and that of his followers. I’ll be splitting notable excerpts and their relation to Halsin into sections below. 

Hold your distance and take in the total situation, rather than latching on to the popular idea of what is best.¹ 

Halsin was, from the first moment I met him in-game, so notable for his calm self-possession, and the clear forethought he gave to his actions and those of others. He does not feel bound by the expectations or approval of others – as noted in the dialogue he shares with the player if they compliment his choice of successor – but instead makes his own path following the direction of Silvanus’s wisdom and will. 

Resort to violence and open confrontation only when pressured by time or hostile action.¹

This is showcased numerous times throughout the game, but perhaps best evidenced by an in-game note, from an unlikely source: the Priestess Gut. The note that you can find from her, regarding Halsin’s capture, notes the following: 

Said he thinks there's somethin' rotten inside us. Inside me. Reckons he can help get rid of the rot. I told him we don't need any help from nobody. Never did. And especially not now the Absolute's taken a shine to us.³

Despite the immediacy of his capture at their hands, and the preceding attack already lodged against himself and Nettie⁴, Halsin’s primary impulse is to attempt diplomacy, and render aid. This only changes when his length of captivity has made it clear that there will be no changing the minds of the cultists, and they must be dissuaded by stronger means.

Banish disease wherever you find it¹

The way Halsin is first introduced to the player is as a healer – and not just any healer, but a masterful one, known throughout the region, who has the best chance of being able to assist with any manner of strange ailment. It is clear in all ways, as well as in the scenario referenced in the preceding section, that this is an aspect of Silvanus that Halsin strives to embody at all times. 

Seek out, serve, and befriend the dryads and learn their names.¹

Particularly if we understand the reference to dryads here to extend to all fey spirits of nature, this gives new depth to Halsin’s friendship and devotion to the nature spirit Thaniel. Halsin, as a druid generally, and as an Archdruid in particular, would have a solemn and divinely-ordained responsibility to redress the upheaval of the Balance within the Shadowcursed lands. For that reason alone, it is no surprise that it was his primary motivation and consideration for nigh on a century. 

However, even above and beyond that, Halsin had an additional motivator. Even before he became a druid, potentially before he was exposed to the teachings of Silvanus in anything but the most vague and general of terms, he was living them out by befriending the local nature spirit, learning his name, and seeking to understand, serve, and protect him. 

Make others see the balance and work against those that would disturb it. Watch, anticipate, and quietly manipulate.¹

The primary source text I am using to draw this connection was written neither by nor about Halsin, yet I believe it still clearly reflects on him, for reasons that will become clear. This text is from a logbook recording activities of the Emerald Grove during the year 1371, 121 years prior to the start of the game’s storyline, and some years before the defining events in the soon-to-be Shadowcursed Lands. 

6 Uktar: Sent two druids, some of the newer recruits, up north. Village there has had two years of failed crops and are unlikely to survive the next winter. 9 Uktar: A group from Baldur's Gate arrived. They've set up camp on the edge of the forest. Two bears and a fox came by. Their territory has been burned out. Half the fox's cubs died. Paying this new group a visit tomorrow. 10 Uktar: Visit did not go well. After telling me where to shove it, they said they'd cut down half the forest and burn out any wildlife that dared to stick around. Claimed they were going to 'farm the land and make a new city of their own.' Time to get creative. 12 Uktar: Mudslide did the trick. Buried half their farming equipment and made the rest useless. They won't be back any time soon. Got reports of a Red Wizard in the village south of here. Sending three rangers to investigate. If they catch even a whiff of a red cloak, I'm contacting the House of Silvanus.⁵

Given the timeline, while this is unlikely to have been written by Halsin himself, it seems like a strong possibility that it was written by his master, the previous Archdruid of the Emerald Grove, who perished in the fight against Ketheric Thorm. This is supported by the clear evidence that the author was an individual in a position to give direction and command to those around them, and to make the call for how to deal with various situations. Given too what we know of the druidic leadership structure, Halsin would have been the previous Archdruid’s Second, as Kagha was his.⁶ 

This man, then, would have greatly influenced Halsin as a druid of Silvanus and as a leader both. We can presume that this watchful duty and deliberation was one that Halsin himself took over, charged with doing his part to maintain the Balance of the region around the grove.  This last point especially becomes even more significant in light of the following information, which comes not from Silvanus’s dogma, but rather from a description of his followers and traditions of worship: 

Members of the clergy work to redirect development and control populations through covert sponsorship of brigands, breeding and selective placing of predators, and other means. It is essential that such work be as secretive as possible, so that most folk view the servants of Silvanus as essentially benign lovers of trees. Wildlife breeding, nursing sick animals, and replanting trees and wild shrubs are all work that should be done as publicly as possible to support this perception – and as necessary work to redress the slipping Balance, of course.¹ [emphasis added]

It is clear from all preceding evidence, and this excerpt in particular, that the druids as a whole put far more thought and strategy into every aspect of their appearance and the perception of them than they would ever want outsiders to become aware of. Halsin himself corroborates this in-game, noting that, while druids might not like politicking, that certainly does not mean they haven’t the skill for it when called upon. 

For the sake of… well. (I have been advised by my legal counsel not to use “brevity” here.) Regardless! For the sake of my sanity and your time, I will refrain from going into further detail on specific instances that show this to be true of Halsin. I will merely encourage you, the reader, to consider the value this brings to his character and druids as a whole, and hope to encourage new appreciation for their refreshing complexity. 

In closing, I leave you with one final quote: 

Superior patience, natural knowledge, and anticipation are the hallmarks of a worthy servant of Silvanus.¹

¹ Faiths and Pantheons. 2002. p. 63.

² Dragon Magazine #412. June 2012. pp. 22-3.

³ Rancid Note. In-Game Text. 

⁴ Halsin’s Journal, Vol I. In-Game Text. 

⁵ Logbook XII: 1371. In-Game Text. 

⁶ Grove Annals. In-Game Text.

[astroa3h]

Asteroid (128) Nemesis Through The Houses ✨

Asteroid Nemesis, also known as 128 Nemesis, holds significant importance in astrology for indicating hidden enemies, revenge, and karmic justice. Named after the Greek goddess of retribution, Nemesis can reveal where someone might encounter opposition or betrayal through out their life.

For example, Laci Peterson, who was tragically murdered by her husband Scott Peterson, had Nemesis in her 7th house. This placement suggests hidden dangers within her marriage. Instead of a supportive relationship, she faced betrayal and harm from the one person who should have been her safe space.

Where does Nemesis live in your Natal Chart?

Find out via astro-seek.com ✨

1st House (Self-Image and Personal Identity): If Nemesis is chilling in your 1st house, darling, the enemy might be yourself. This placement can point to self-sabotage and identity crises. You might be your own worst critic, constantly battling inner demons about who you are or how you present yourself to the world.

2nd House (Values and Finances): In the 2nd house, Nemesis could indicate hidden foes related to money and possessions. Be wary of those who might envy your material wealth or values. There could also be an inner struggle with self-worth and value systems.

3rd House (Communication and Siblings): Nemesis here can mean frenemies in your immediate environment. Watch out for backstabbing siblings or neighbors. Communication could be a battlefield, so stay sharp in your interactions and don’t let gossip undermine you.

4th House (Home and Family): In the 4th house, the enemy is likely to be within your own family or household. There could be underlying tensions or unresolved issues from your past that haunt you. Family dynamics might need some serious attention and healing.

5th House (Creativity and Romance): Nemesis in the 5th house can bring hidden competition in creative projects or romantic endeavors. You might face jealousy or betrayal from those who should be cheering you on. Keep your eyes peeled for secret rivals in the love department.

6th House (Work and Health): When Nemesis lands in the 6th house, it’s all about those hidden foes at work or sneaky health issues. Coworkers might not have your best interests at heart, or there could be underlying health problems that need addressing. Stay vigilant about your daily routines.

7th House (Partnerships and Marriage): In the 7th house, Nemesis points to hidden enemies within close relationships. This could be a spouse, business partner, or even open enemies you can identify. Relationship dynamics might harbor resentment or unspoken conflicts, so keep communication clear.

8th House (Transformation and Shared Resources): With Nemesis in the 8th house, watch out for treachery related to shared finances, inheritances, or deep emotional bonds. There might be power struggles or deceit in intimate relationships. Transformative experiences could be tainted with hidden agendas.

9th House (Philosophy and Long-Distance Travel): Nemesis here can mean challenges related to your beliefs, education, or foreign connections. There might be hidden enemies in academic circles or during travels. Your philosophical outlook might be tested by those who oppose your views.

10th House (Career and Public Image): In the 10th house, Nemesis can bring hidden enemies in your professional life. Rivals might undermine your career or public image. It’s essential to stay aboveboard and keep an eye on those who might want to see you fall.

11th House (Friendships and Social Networks): Nemesis in the 11th house signals frenemies within your social circle or network. Be cautious of those who pretend to be allies but have ulterior motives. Group dynamics might conceal jealousies or hidden competition.

12th House (Subconscious and Secrets): Finally, Nemesis in the 12th house is like having a ghost in your subconscious closet. This placement suggests hidden enemies from past lives or deep-seated psychological issues. It’s a call to delve into your inner world and uncover any self-destructive patterns.

xoxo Astro Ash 🤍✨ Get your own reading: astroash.net

[stari-hun]

No Storm: Time Traveler AU

Isokania (and their horrible no good bad college situationship that forces them both to become separate people)

In my first Ramble, I mentioned how Kakania and Isolde grew up together in a boarding school. Both of their parents are historians, but the Dittarsdorfs have an actual connection to nobility and are still technically noble. Just like the original story, they met through Theopil during the time he was free to introduce the two, and just like the original story, they became instant best friends. Inevitably they were sent to the same catholic school boarding school together. The two of them were very isolated to one another too, as Kakania would struggle to make friends from her quick reputation as a troublemaker, and Isolde held no interest in others outside of Kakania. Since Isolde and her were already close, Kakania didn’t even notice the way she lacked other friends or human interaction. Later after they graduated, Kakania had already heard of the concepts of mental health resources from others, and decided to become a psychiatrist. From there, Kakania heard about Laplace’s education programs, and as an arcanist who would already have ties to the Foundation in the future, she decided to go to them. Isolde, who wanted to stay with Kakania, convinced Mr Dittarsdorf to send her as well for a degree in fine arts when Kakania got a scholarship. (After her first semester, Isolde was also given a full-ride scholarship for her talent).

✰.

Kakania began to struggle in college after seeing the community in Laplace between students and the staff. (Laplace has a separate building for college and the actual research center.) Kakania would struggle because she was friends with Isolde and only Isolde for years, and Isolde never held Kakania to the expectations of a healthy friendship. Isolde had been in love with Kakania since they first locked eyes, so she never held her to the same expectation of care or consideration that Isolde would show her. Isolde saw everything Kakania did under rose tinted glasses to the point that she didn’t care about her being pushy or careless with her. Meanwhile Kakania didn’t even know what area of the campus Isolde took classes in until she had offered to meet her so Kakania could do a mock therapy session for class. Kakania would remember people's birthdays, but she'd never ask about their hobbies or their experiences in life until it was something she was personally interested in. If Isolde got a cat, Kakania wouldn't know until she went into Isolde’s part of the house because she was doing an interview for her psych class. Despite living together, their friendship also matched the way it did when they were kids at opposite ends of the neighborhood. 

Kakania began to struggle more and more socially when people would cut her off from seemingly nowhere according to her. Meanwhile Isolde formed a small group of friends with Tooth Fairy, Jiu, and Windsong before she met Tooth Fairy’s juniors from the SPDM’s Guidance Program: Medicine Pocket and Mesmer Jr. Isolde would always keep a level of distance between them which Tooth Fairy would notice.

✰.

In their second year, Kakania and Isolde began to get closer than ever because of Kakania’s isolation in her program. No person in her classes or even program would consider Kakania a friend, and the inability to keep a friend began to wear on her. She was able to get through her first year while burying her head into her coursework, but by the start of the second it became too much. It all accumulated into the midterm of their first semester when Isolde suggested they celebrate passing midterms together with a platonic date night in their living room. After ordering takeout using Kakania’s accounts so Mr Dittarsdorf wouldn’t catch Isolde having junk foods, they end up making out. Isolde, who had known she was a lesbian since she was a child, was having her dream relationship with the girl she loved since they met at 15. Meanwhile Kakania, upon her first kiss being a woman, had to reevaluate her entire sexuality and outlook on life, or if she even loved Isolde. By the time the break between semesters was about to start, Kakania realized she didn’t love Isolde and decided to break it off before things got too serious. Naturally, Isolde melts down because unlike Kakania thought, she had loved her, and for a while she had resolved herself to simply be friends with Kakania until she could “fix” her. But after their kiss and dating for months before the semester ended, Isolde realized she couldn’t stay friends anymore. 

✰.

Kakania ended up moving into the student dorms while Isolde stayed with Tooth Fairy for a few weeks while ignoring everything from her phone. Her ignoring calls got to the point that Theopil visited her after class one day because she hadn’t contact anyone since the breakup. (He left only after giving her a gift box she later opened to see full of pounds for when she couldn’t use her credit card without Mr Dittarsdorf finding out). Isolde being forced to actually open up to others after showing up at Tooth Fairy’s apartment the evening of the breakup because she couldn’t go home to Kakania. Even though she’s still in a daze during her time at school, she has the talent to match her grades without trying. Isolde starts to form an outer circle of friends, and Tooth Fairy reassured her that people can be safe while helping her not just switch dependencies from Kakania to her. She starts becoming better friends with Jiu and Windsong, and even Mesmer Jr and Medicine Pocket now that she’s not masking over enjoyment whenever they meet. 

✰.

Kakania starts to feel the absence of Isolde in her life even more as she’s left alone. Now that she’s thinking about Isolde actively, she realizes all the unhealthy things she did with her while Kakania didn’t notice. She starts to reflect on the way that she was also dependent on Isolde as her rock to reassure her that her actions were right. Without her, and the way things were going in her social life, Kakania was at a total loss of how to move forward. 

Kakania started the new semester in a daze, but can’t keep up with schoolwork just off of groundbreaking talent. Eventually, her counselor meets with her to tell her how she’s in danger of losing her scholarship and it manages to snap her out of it just enough to go to a tutoring club. With her delusions of grandeur shattered, she meets Blonney, Horropedia, and An-An Lee. Three film majors with two as double majors for mechanical engineering and cultural studies. Kakania, who is quick to make friends but never keeps them, makes fast friends with the study group. But with Blonney, she started getting actual feedback about her treatment of others. Kakania is a lot of things, but she sees the way Blonney is never mean to anyone who hasn’t deserved it. So when Blonney starts checking her for the careless way she treats people, she has no choice but to listen. Even worse, Kakania starts to realize how little she knew about Isolde, despite the decade they knew one another, or the fact the entire campus thought they were the ideal couple during their 2 months of dating.

✰.

After their last semester starts, Kakania wants to see Isolde but realizes she didn’t know where her main classes would be. The only class she does know the location of was a prerequisite from a year ago. As Kakania starts spiraling farther, she realizes how much she didn't know about Isolde. But Tooth Fairy and Jiu are like Medicine Pocket, once they’ve made a friend they know need extra security, they’re a guard dog. Medicine Pocket is the type to bite on sight to harass someone to go away, but Tooth’s disappointment is like a knife to those who upset her. So to someone like Kakania who brushes off aggressive people as without sense meets their match with someone like Tooth Fairy. Kakania can brush off someone like Medicine Pocket even if they have good points purely off of being aggressive out of the gate, but for Tooth Fairy she can’t help but deflate while trying to ask about Isolde’s schedule to meet her. Tooth Fairy barely holding back a fist when she tells Kakania that she needs to reevaluate how good a friend she even was to Isolde because people like Kakania need to heal on their own through feedback from others, but people like Isolde need community support to assure her she isn’t alone in her struggle.

✰.

By the time they graduated, Kakania went back up to full honors, but she knew that while she was smart she had to get there from her own efforts instead of believing she was a genius. One of Kakania’s teacher gives her a recommendation letter for a counselor position in the SPDM, and she accepts. Meanwhile, Isolde was cutting off the Dittarsdorf name. After she opened up to others, one of the first things Windsong recommended was to change her home address to Tooth Fairy’s long before diplomas were sent out.

✰.

Kakania spends the next 5 years working as a counselor for the SPDM and learning how to work with the mental health of teens. While working together with Tooth Fairy for long enough to gain a friendly understanding with, she doesn’t learn about Isolde’s whereabouts even though she knows Blonney and Horropedia are friends with Tooth. Most of the time she gets to know Isolde is ok, and very rarely she’ll learn a tidbit about what she’s doing. When she sees of the Dittarsdorfs’ death in the newspapers, Kakania considers going, but she decides against it because Isolde had never reached out to her to reconnect. Luckily for her, Kakania stayed back just in time to receive a job offer from a famous institute for the research of mental health. 

Isolde was busy with her music and career as a singer. During her time in school she found she enjoyed jazz over opera, so she’d work gigs around town with both, and after Windsong showed her how she started uploading songs online too. 

Then Isolde received news of her father and mother’s death and the date for the funeral alongside it. After talking with her friends she decided to go if only to see Theopil again. She arrived a month before the funeral began to help and sort her business with the house. The month went by quickly as the funeral proceeded with Theopil alongside a few close family friends (Mr Karl barred from entering). Theopil was driving her to the train station home before the crash happened, and Isolde had another funeral to plan. As the last person with the Dittarsdorf name along with being in an accident, Isolde was forced to stay even longer, and with the legal rights to the house she stayed in her childhood home. After Theopil’s funeral ended Isolde still stayed in the house to figure out what to do with it, and before she knew it a year had passed. By then she had sold everything in the house that wasn’t of sentimental value or furniture before turning it over to the city as a historical museum following the Dittarsdorf line. Despite her hiatus from singing in person consistently, Isolde got an invitation to the US to become a singer in a well-respected jazz club, so she decided to begin her story of tomorrow in the States.

✰.

Over the next decade, Kakania worked her way up the corporate ladder in the research institute in the same way Isolde worked her way up to be a household name. While working at the research institute, as people try to get to know her, Kakania begins to have gender and sexuality crisis number two when they try to set her up with other people. Kakania never knew about Isolde’s shift into jazz because she couldn’t bear listening to her songs after realizing how much she had hurt her alongside how she realized she had loved her all this time. By the time she had turned 32, Kakania decided to focus more on children's mental health so that someone like Isolde would never go without help again. She especially focused on getting rid of the stigma that therapy meant there was a problem in order to have more children of affluent families sent to therapy. Before she knew it, Kakania was 35 and considered one of the top therapists in Europe for teens. Then she was invited to a national summit for her expertise in New York planned for right after her 36th birthday.

✰.

When she arrived for the week long convention, Kakania couldn't help but feel homesick. Despite not going home to Vienna for years, there was a difference between being a day’s trip away and being an entire ocean away. After hearing about the chance to find different cultures she could find in New York, she asked around if anyone had heard of a place to get Viennese food. From there she found out about a certain jazz bar nearby that had a live band during dinners, food from all over Austria, and a live singer on weekends who was supposedly the reason many people stayed in the hotel in the first place. The first time Kakania goes she ends up crying the first time she has dinner there after her conference panels from a mix of stress building up and homesickness. Kakania begins to eat there every day for the entire week the summit lasts, even ordering lunch from the bar when she has the chance between meetings. She even decided to stay later in the US, and catch a Saturday morning flight instead of pushing herself by leaving the second the convention ended. As she was enjoying dinner the lights went off as the stage crew announced the jazz club’s performer would be coming on shortly, and as Kakania readied herself to see her first performance in America, she saw someone she never stopped thinking about for the first time in years.

✰.

Fun Facts about them in the story:

Kakania got through the first year and a half of college through her good memory, but she learned in her last semester while struggling that it only works when she’s tuned in. If she doesn’t pay attention to someone’s words, her good memory with them means nothing.

Tooth is in college in order to get another certification, her degree only took 2 years because she was only a part time student in order to continue working at the SPDM.

The entire Dittarsdorf family showed up to Isolde’s graduation, but Evangeline praised her as Trista in front of Windsong and Vila, and Mr Dittarsdorf quickly left early to escort Evangeline out. Theopil stayed for an hour meeting her friends before handing her another chunk of cash “just in case.”

Isolde spent 2 months out of the year she spent back home transcribing Trista and Theopil’s lullaby into music sheets and online recordings of it so they could be played in the house even though they had passed.

Kakania’s therapist scolds her frequently for ignoring her own signs of stress, and the way she pushes herself too far to help others.

[sapphic-agent]

You wanna know who the #1 beneficiary of the tech power creep is in this series? Momo. One thing this mech suit shows is that Momo totally wasted her time trying to beat people with sticks. The idea of trying to create items in a battle as a form of problem solving is stupid, or at best, should be done as a last resort. Her power was always meant for technology. That's the true power in this world. She should have been trying to be Ironman. You know how All Might spent his fortune on the suit, and that was meant to be a limiting factor as to why this tech can't be widely used? Well, guess who has the ability to generate materials with no cost. Even the idea of her inventions requiring studying to make things more complex stops holding water when you look at the torture device she tried to strap Midoriya into during Class A vs Deku. She made that in an instant and it posed an immediate threat. What could she make if she wasn't trying to do it during stressful battles with enemies right in front of her? So, her limiting factor really is her ability to study advanced concepts and have people explain them to her, and most importantly, what an author is willing to let her do. The path forward for her was always to pay people smarter and more educated than her to invent things and then she can have them explain it to her so she can recreate it. If her family had paid the cost to design that Iron Might suit, then she'd pay it. Once. And then be able to use the schematics to create as many of them as she wants. Or better yet, make killer robots except use the tech inside of the suit. Create an entire army of them so she never has to be in any sort of danger at all. Control them remotely. UA has been shown to have advanced AI robots who have personalities. Said bots have enough restraint to never kill any of the kids in the sports festival or entrance exam. This could be used for hero work. This also gets into what a valuable resource Mei Hatsume is and how if you wanted Momo to be a god, you could just have them meet in middle school. Mei just has to design a working device, once, and then Momo can study it and forever use it. What could she come up with, if the idea was that Momo would hide somewhere, perhaps in an APC, while she uses drones and robots to fight at a distance? Energy/food costs for her also aren't a concern. She's clearly able to output more energy than she takes in, given she can create cannons and things that weigh more than her. So she could use up all of her lipids creating a dead meat cube that contains as many calories as she's capable of packing into an object, then eat it. And repeat this process as needed.

This is definitely interesting.

Momo absolutely has the potential to be the most OP in the series. Horikoshi originally wanted to give her quirk to a pro but recognized that someone experienced would nerf the entire story.

I don't necessarily think that making things for problem-solving is the issue; I think it's way more that Horikoshi just didn't have the creativity for it. Like you said the entrapment device she made during 1A vs Izuku was maybe her most effective creation. Instead of disinfectant, imagine she made poison gas and simply knocked Kendo and the other 1B students out (not sure if she can create chemical reactions, but she could theoretically cause one by using components right).

I doubt she would be comfortable doing next to nothing as a hero. I do wish we knew her motivations, but relying purely on her money while doing minimal work doesn't paint a great picture for her. I like that in canon she doesn't rely on her status or wealth for hero work, she relies on her intelligence.

Momo should be an underground hero. She could be the equivalent of Batman (no this isn't my love for Batman over Iron-Man talking), strategizing and having any gadget she needs at her disposal. I would love to see more tech incorporated into her work as a hero. I also wouldn't mind the bo staff if she was allowed to actually use it like a bo staff (seriously she barely does anything with it what's the point of giving it to her. Nah give my girl a sword and let her cut people)

[princessjojo-x]

Taurus Mars

💝 his natural ability to remain patient & quiet evokes mixed reactions from others. some perceive him as pleasant, comforting & reliable. others read him as apathetic, intimidating & dispassionate. others struggle to read what’s going on beneath the surface bc his emotional responses are subtle & understated. eople may struggle to interpret his silence—is he indifferent, deep in thought, or simply unbothered? he internalizes his feelings, allowing them to settle before showing any outward response. he’s innately a tranquil & grounded individual. stillness is so engrained in him that any other reaction during distress feels superficial to him. he definitely processes emotions at a slower rate compared to air & water signs.

💝 he retains a very long fuse & most things don’t faze him. if anyone irritates him he’ll keep it classy & keep a distance. he resists in indulging in displays of volatilities due to his preference of peace & his desire for stability. he takes time to understand his feelings & others feelings before responding. it takes a great deal to push him to retaliation due to his tolerant & stoical nature.

💝 however, this doesn’t imply his anger is weakened whatsoever. he automatically suppresses anger inside his body & allows it to ferment for years. wherever taurus falls in your chart highlights the parts of yourself that move at a slower pace & the things you have a harder time letting go of. therefore, when taurus falls into mars it produces a man who is tremendously slow to anger & even slower to let go of anger.

💝 perhaps this explains why abuse is almost always assigned to the taurus-scorpio axis & many abusive public figures happen to have a taurus mars (adulf hitler, osama ben ladin, michael jackson, jimmy savile & so on). mars doesn’t operate at its best capability when in taurus & mars becomes unmoving when in taurus. therefore, he struggles to find viable ways of channeling his slow burn energy. this can manifest as him eventually expressing his martian energy in a bad way (rape, violence, homicide).

💝 despite him being one of the least abrasive & aggressive signs, his relentless persistence makes him a formidable opponent. he approaches conflict with a slow & steady strategy, rather than quick & aggressive motions. his diligent & methodical approach ensures a carefully planned retaliation. although others are the ones to start fights with him, he is always the one to finish the fights. he excels at outlasting his opponents & has very poor conflict resolution. he holds onto things & won’t let them go, to avoid losing control of protecting itself.

💝 he may move through life quite slowly bc he finds comfort in taking his time. he likely had to work harder than most in regards to education & career since he’s such a slow learner/starter. he adopts the steady, calculative & enduring pace of mother earth. he exhibits a measured & persistent pace instead of hurried & impulsive actions. nobody ever needs to remind him to think things through bc that's his default move. he always assesses the situation carefully before taking action. he possesses a good sense of forethought & thinking before action, with the ability to tune in to not-so-seen aspects in individuals & situations. however, he lacks the ability to take swift & decisive action, which leads to plenty of procrastination, missed opportunities & stagnation. some may perceive him as lethargic & attempt to pressure him to move at their pace but he will stubbornly dig his heals into the ground. offering him external motivation or the possibility of an award can help encourage him. he’s extremely selective in his pursuits & he’s willing to wait. he will impose action only when he is ready, not when he is told. the plan has to be in order before hand, the resources must already be accumulated & a strong foundation must already be built. his motto is “slow & steady wins the race”. despite being slow to start & doing a lot of growndwork before hand, once the wheels start turning, he will see things through to the end & it’s actually hard to make him stop. when he makes a decision, best believe it’s final & he won’t budge without good reason. he can easily slip into a "point of no return" mentality so its important he leaves room for a change of plans. despite not being fast or adaptable, he holds immense perseverance & strength. he resembles a rock standing still even when a tsunami comes. his resilience, patience, commitment, stamina & consistency are his biggest strengths. he puts so much time/effort into the process that failure completely devastates him!

💝 he often enforces rules & repercussions so he’s labelled as controlling. when others get close to him, they assume they're immune to these expectations & get comfortable breaking his rules. but it’s shaking up his comfort that makes them his enemy. others don't even realise or give him enough credit for how much patience & leniency he gives before he eventually puts his foot down.

💝 since taurus is detriment in mars, issues with self-worth & self-destruction may be a side-effect for him. he may take on todays encounters with repressed & recycled memories which are decades old. despite him seeming calm on the outside, his old wounds are freshly bleeding & his invisible scars can inflame at any moment. sometimes his resentment flows with such volatility & unpredictability that you wonder if it will ever stop or where it came from. it may express itself as harbouring self-contempt for his choices, his life, his body, or everything at once. its a poisonous self-hatred, self-punishment, self-denial, self-malignant or a lack of conviction that he deserves anything worthwhile. he may self-destruct by over-consuming pleasure until it becomes poison or giving into impulsive urges that promise short-term relief at the cost of long term comfort (spending his rent money, drinking until he’s physically ill, etc). however, he may self-destruct via the opposite route, by severely self-restricting in order change something within himself or punish himself further after failure (compulsive measuring of every dose, forcing harsh lifestyle regimes on himself). however, he has tremendous stoicism & prefers to keep his worries to himself. he is the strong & silent type, constantly enduring his deepest struggles completely alone.

💝 when he’s attracted to someone he’ll take his time to get to know her. it may take him awhile to come around but once he does, he’s easy & simple to read, meaning she’ll never be left confused or have to question where she stands with him.

💝 in regards to his love life, he struggles to let go & move on. however, this attachment is not emotionally driven, it’s stubbornness & resistance.

💝 amongst all the mars signs, he is definitely the most sensual. however, in many cases to finally liberate this side of him, it took many inner battles & heroic victories, that became stories he has never spoken about.

💝 he has a ravenous sexual appetite & indulges in intimacy as a comfort measure. a positive & ongoing sex life is very important to him. if his sexual needs aren’t fulfilled his overall mindset will be negative, withdrawn & stubborn. to him, sex is like breathing air, he can’t live without it. he’s very comfortable with his body & his sexual desires. sex could potentially become his dirty little secret, which develops into him living a double life. he believes good sex equals a good rxship. consequently, his rxships are highly based on sexual & intimate compatibility. however, he still has a strong need to pleasure himself even in committed rxships (taurus is all abt self-reliance & self-sustainment).

💝 all earth signs mars have a natural tendency to separate love & sex but taurus mars is most prone to this. he tends to have difficulty abstaining from sex so if there’s no one in his life who matters to him, he is still going to look for sexual partners. sexual involvement with him does not necessarily mean that a rxship with him is underway. in this sense, more gentle types could find him too careless & direct.

💝 sex with him is slow & prolonged. he’s patient & slow to turn on, like an oven instead of a microwave. his sexual stamina is long-lasting & steady, usually taking awhile to reach climax. he has a pretty good notion abt what it takes to bring pleasure to others since he’s so in tune with his senses. however, he can be lazy in bed, expecting her to do most of the work.

💝 he may have a complicated rxship with food & food may be connected to his trauma in some way: an eating disorder, strict parents, limited finances, etc. if he wasn’t able to indulge in food during his childhood, he may use food as a source of healing in adulthood. he likely eats the same foods bc he finds security in what he knows & loves.

Turn On’s & Off’s:

💝 he craves a full sensory experience - whether it’s the feel of her skin, the taste of her lips, or the intoxicating scent of her presence. therefore, attempt to please his senses: touch, smell, hearing & taste. this can be achieved through blindfolds, candles, feathers, warmth, silk sheets, sensual sounds, etc.

💝 physical touch is especially important to him: massages, foot rubs, tender kisses, cuddles, stroking, caressing & body worship. if you deny him affection or sex for too long he will be offended asf.

💝 remember… his neck is his erogenous zone! kiss & squeeze his neck. talk into his neck. gifts him a necklace.

💝 he enjoys lovemaking on a full stomach or involving food in the bedroom (whipped cream).

💝 he’s attracted to earthy types who are stable & patient. ensure to match his calm energy & steady pace. if you‘re going to be rough or surprising ensure it’s gradual & prepare him first.

💝 typically, he’s physically attracted to older or dominant women with dark features & curvy bodies.

💝 he has a hunger to devour & be devoured.

💝 arrive baring gifts & kind words.

💝 he maybe into bum play, gigolo roleplay & mutual oral.

💝 all earth signs mars want to be comfortable with you before they sleep with you.

💝 he dislikes his lover failing to show appreciation, being incompetent & criticising him.

💝 a dirty bedroom or lack of after care can ruin the experience for him too.

💝 people who complain a lot & don’t appreciate the small simple things, people who tell them what to do, being rushed, passive aggressiveness, bad manners, disloyalty, sneakiness, bragging, lying.

Compatibility:

[villiedoom]

I love koties so much, they have a very benevolent aura to them. I think the landscapes you illustrate them in plays a part in it, they're very serene yet mysterious and hostile to survive in. It plays into the mystic of these sophonts. I wonder, have you posted about some of their cultures or thought about how it may be? I'd be so interested to see

Thank you, I'm glad that you like them <3

Unfortunately I haven't made any detailed posts about their culture, only some basic info on my ToyHouse. I keep most of the details a secret because their story and world develop very slowly and I don't want to give a lot of information to such a large audience knowing that later I will most likely change or correct something, or get questions that I'm not ready to answer yet :')

But in general, their culture is built around the so-called Towers, magical structures that can be seen in some of my art as obelisks and pyramids. The Towers create a kind of networks over fairly large areas, and are used as an energy resource, a means of long-distance communication, and information storage. Most likely different Kotie "countries" are associated with different Towers, which size and boundaries depend on the strength and size of the Tower.

The northern Koties are known to me as more "wild" ones, having their cultural characteristics associated with hunting, and their Tower is the White Mother:

Those who belong to the White Tower (White "Castle"), are known to me as the most civilized and the most difficult to understand actually, striving for some order and unity and having a council of judges. The White Tower is also considered a sort of capital of the Kotie world, having a huge data archive (a kind of mental library), keeping the history of their world and providing the best education.

Desert Koties are associated with the Red Tower, living in perhaps one of the most surreal places known to me. There is a lot of metal in their area, so perhaps the active use of metals is also one of their characteristics; they are often seen with metal jewelry and mechanisms.

Also, all the Koties use the so-called Moonstones, most likely having slightly different associations with them, but you will find them everywhere. Moonstones are used as portable "batteries" for energy or mental information (they require special processing) and are also used in Kotie's technology and mechanisms. Most likely, they or their energy also have the role of money and currency, internationally for all “countries”. Surprisingly, they likely do not come from geological formations, but from the bodies of living beings, including the Koties themselves.

I hope this sheds some light on their world ~

[bakawitch]

Miraculous Twinflame

A war between ancient rivals, two strange trees filled with primordial beings, and two innocent bystanders coerced to return balance to the world.

Lore drop below cut:

Characters:

Kisu Yoko: The protagonist of Miraculous Twinflame, Yoko is an upbeat guy who always has the right attitude! He is the chosen champion of King Oberon and the bearer of Seel, the Painted Cat of Formation, a Kwami from the Seelie Tree. In his daily life he attends Yosei High and works part time at Cafe Fair, but whenever there's a Fae attack in Sen City, he transforms into the magical hero Kintsugi to defend the town! He partnered up with another hero known as Jam who he considers his best friend.

Jiki Juju: The deutragonist of Miraculous Twinflame, Juju is a withdrawn cynical girl who would much rather be anywhere else than where she is at all times. She is the bearer of Uuse, the Achromic Cat of Absolution, a Kwami from the Unseelie Tree. She attends Yosei High during the day and works as an intern at Opal Inc. during afternoons. Whenever a new Fae surfaces in Sen City, Juju somewhat reluctantly becomes a hero in roller skates who goes by Jam. She works in a partnership with Kintsugi under false pretenses, ready to betray him at every turn if it gets her closer to snatching his Kwami away.

King Oberon: Once a powerful Fairy King, Oberon has been reduced to a human form after losing his wife Titania in war. Trapped in the mortal world, he now guards the Seelie Tree and operates Cafe Fair under the alias of Yoshi Orio. He mentors Yoko, but keeps his distance from Jam since she is an Unseelie Kwami user.

Queen Mab: Mab is a powerful Fairy Queen and the known killer of Titania, wife of Oberon and her own sister. After conquering the entire Fairy Realm, she set her sights on locating Oberon and the Seelie Tree and followed him to the Mortal Realm. She took on the identity Mariya Opal and became the head of Opal Inc., using her resources to open gateways to the Fairy Realm and bring through Fae creatures to draw out Oberon and his Seelie Kwamis.

Seelie and Unseelie Kwamis: Magical creatures born inside unique fairy trees. They hold power over a concept unique to them and they are each tied to a piece of Miraculous Jewellery.

Locations:

The Mortal Realm: Earth, the plane of humans.

Sen City: A semi rural city in Japan where Miraculous Twinflame takes place. It's located between dense forests and hills, which makes it somewhat difficult to access and a very unlikely travel destination. The people populating it are very loyal to the city and tend to dislike the idea of outsiders. They're never outright hostile, but they will most likely avoid people with no ties to Sen City. Younger people are usually more open minded, but it's more often than not just an act of rebellion against the older generation than genuine acceptance.

Yosei High: One of the two high schools in Sen City. Yosei High's curriculum focuses more on humanities so it tends to be less popular with ambitious students interested in furthering their education in science.

Chairo High: The other high school in Sen City with more focus on science and getting students into big league universities.

Cafe Fair: A cozy hole in the wall cafe owned and run by Yoshi Orio. The amazing drinks are rumored to lift the soul itself. Despite everyone who wants to stop by for a drink knowing where it is, the cafe sometimes is really hard to find.

Opal Inc.: A company famous for their ready made meals. Despite primarily dealing with food, they also branch out into agriculture and scientific research. The CEO, Mariya Opal, decided to oversee a smaller location tucked away inside Sen City for some reason.

Moya Forest: A foggy, thick forest with mystical qualities.

The Fairy Realm: The realm of fairies, where all the fairies, fae and Kwamis originate from.

Misc.:

The Seelie Tree: A fairy tree that houses the 12 Seelie Kwamis. Presently only four remain inside the tree. Seven are unaccounted for and one has been given out to Kisu Yoko. Located inside the hidden glasshouse in Cafe Fair.

The Unseelie Tree: A fairy tree that houses the 12 Unseelie Kwamis. Presently only six remain inside the tree. Five are unaccounted for and one has been given out to Jiki Juju. Located inside the basement of Opal Inc.

Gateways: Gates between realms.

Fairies: Intellectual fairy creatures. Some really powerful ones can ascend to Kinghood/Queenhood.

Fae: Fairy beasts, animals, can be intelligent but usually listen more to instinct.

Pixie: The distant cousins of Kwamis, much easier and common to come by, but less powerful.

Changeling: A creature ment to replicate humans grown by fairies.

[lynxindisguise]

Obviously Project 2025 and the attack on women and members of the LGBTQ+ community is absolutely horrifying and very much real, no matter how much Trump has tried to distance himself from it.

But I want to talk about what's in the Republican Party's actual plan, because these are probably the things that will happen first, and it may also be helpful in terms of speaking to conservative relatives (especially the ones who are not fully gone far-right MAGA worshippers and are, instead, confused as to why everyone is so upset) about what exactly they voted for.

Mass deportations. This is the main platform he ran on. On a human level, this is horrifying, and it's going to cause unthinkable and unconscionable suffering. Maybe it'd be helpful to discuss how immigrants (including privileged white legal immigrants) pay taxes, can't vote, don't have access to benefits, and cannot risk committing even minor crimes for fear of deportation. Maybe it wouldn't. So. On an inhuman level, this is very expensive and a massive waste of resources. If you can't get people to give a shit about other human beings, you can at the very least ask how these deportations are not going to detract resources and attention away from the 'American needs' they keep harping on about.

Getting rid of all environmental regulations and AI regulations and amping up use of coal and oil. This is devastating for the entire world in the fight against climate change. I think this is how Trump means to reduce inflation, though his entire 'reduce taxes and reduce inflation' plan is so incredibly vague. At best, it's more trickle down theory bullshit.

Reducing American involvement in foreign conflicts. This sounds really great, actually. And yet. No foreign conflicts are specified—except for strengthening support to Israel. So. It would seem that the US is becoming even more involved in genocide, and most likely less involved in aiding Ukraine.

Improving the American education system. Hilariously, Trump's solution to a failing education system is to get rid of the Department of Education and leave everything up to the states? When you read on, it becomes clear that this is so schools can teach exclusively American history—and a very specific, propagandized version of it at that.

He mentions wanting to build a DOME MISSILE DEFENSE SHIELD around the US? Why is no one talking about this? This is formally written down. What the fuck does that mean?

He also talks about REDUCING censorship and protecting freedom of speech. In the coming years, I would ask your conservative relatives to hold him to that.

They also promised affordable housing, college, and healthcare. There's no plan for how the fuck they're going to do this while decreasing taxes, but I'd tell your conservative relatives to hold him to that as well.

The whole plan is here if you feel like reading the word 'great' 800 times. If you don't want propaganized idiots telling you you've fallen for the 'leftist propaganda,' come armed with indisputable facts of what the Republican Party has said they will do.

[spirit-lanterns]

Hi, I’m Bilal from Gaza 🇵🇸🍉.

After 150 days of suffering in Gaza, some of my family and I were forced to flee to Egypt in search of safety. In Gaza, we were living under the weight of constant wars and lack of resources, and fear was our constant companion. Life there was full of daily challenges; from bombing to insecurity, it made staying in those conditions unbearable.

When we arrived in Egypt, we realized that the challenges were not over. We live here without official residency, which makes life even more difficult. Rents are high, and with no residency available, we had to face more burdens, such as the need for private education, which increases the financial pressure on us.

Most of my family members are still in Gaza, which adds to the feeling of alienation and distance. Despite all these difficulties, I set myself a short-term goal, which is to raise £6,000 to ease the financial pressure. Fortunately, I have less than £400 left to achieve this goal, and I hope to be able to achieve it soon.

If you would like to help, you can donate via this link: https://gofund.me/ba5b76e9

Life here is not easy, but with every step, I feel like I am getting closer to achieving some stability.

Once again, even if you cannot donate, just sharing the links is enough to help! Thank you for spreading the word, and I pray for the best for you and everyone else <3

[teaberrii]

Chapter 12: Eyes Everywhere

After ending a five-year relationship, you pour all your energy into work. Your latest assignment? Staying at a popular bed-and-breakfast to gather information. It should be a piece of cake... If only the owner isn't the man you scolded on the street.

Jing Yuan/You

Notes:

Cross-posted on Ao3

Female reader

Chapter index at the end of chapter one

You’re spending the rest of the afternoon doing research in the city. You manage to score an interview with some businessmen, and the responses of one of them have you see a silver lining.

“There are a lot of great business opportunities here besides hospitality. I mean… it truly is a great place if people here can get it up and running. It may be small, but they should take advantage of the island's natural resources. That can seriously boost its economy! I already know people who want to get factories up and running… but they’ve been and still are facing a lot of obstacles.

"Take this off the record, but I think the people here are too protective of themselves. Maybe it’s because of what happened to that owner that everyone sees outside influences as a threat.”

“Owner?” you ask.

“Yeah. Caelus… I think that was his name. He owned a boutique hotel”—the man points somewhere in the distance—” somewhere in that area on the next street over. I kind of knew his old man as my wife and I stayed there when it was just getting off the ground. It’s quite a shame. Their ideas were very unique, and I heard they were doing well before the awful news…”

“Have they said anything about their business running into some sort of trouble?”

“God, it was so long ago… but I remember a fight. Don’t know the man who was arguing with them but my wife was a local here. She’d never seen him before either, so it might’ve been an irritated customer since it was pretty clear he wanted to make a scene.”

You show him a picture of Caelus’s uncle. “Was this him?”

“Yeah! Pretty sure.”

So, that meant Caelus’s uncle mainly or had always stayed in the city. Was he already trying to sabotage the hotel before the Star Rails project with Jing Yuan's ex? Did the resentment go that far?

You thank the man for his time. Then, as he walks away, you quickly turn around. Perhaps you’re paranoid, but you swear you sense someone looking at you. But all you see are people and tourists walking around. Nothing out of the ordinary.

“Well, well, if it isn’t everyone’s favourite mother.”

You recognize that voice anywhere. You turn around, and your guess is right. “Didn’t think I’d see our athlete superstar walking the streets alone.”

“Yeah, well, not everyone gets the special opportunity to spend time with the one and only,” Dan Feng says with an amused grin. “You’re lucky.” You give him a deadpan look but start walking with him nonetheless. “So, how was the date? Did Jing Yuan treat you like the queen you are?”

“Flattery will get you nowhere, son.”

“Oof. You got me.”

“But, since you asked... I had a lot of fun. It was wonderful."

“Wonderful? Really? You’re too young to be sounding so old, Mom.” You raise a fist, and Dan Feng quickly raises the bag of groceries he’s holding to protect himself. “Just kidding!” You face forward just as he asks, “So, are you two official?”

You don’t know what to tell him. The less people know, the better. However, Jing Yuan already messaged you about Yanqing's mistake. And there’s also the project. You may be digging up dirt on Star Rails, but you’re still partly responsible for this project's success. Perhaps it’s best to wait until this is all over to announce the news.

“All right, I get it,” Dan Feng says. “I think I know why you want to keep it hush-hush for now.” He winks at you. “I’ll keep your secret, Mom. Don’t worry. But… Did you know his ex is back?”

“Who did you hear that from?”

“No one. I saw her myself. If I were to take an educated guess, she was going to pick up Yanqing.”

“Have you met her before?”

“Twice. Once when she and Jing Yuan were dating. The next was on their wedding day.”

“...Ah.”

Dan Feng gently nudges you. “Hey, don’t be getting jealous. They’re done for.”

You want to say you’re not jealous. It doesn’t bother you at all. And, maybe you’d really feel that way if you’d never seen her. But now that you’ve seen and met her in person… it feels more real.

You clear your throat. “Where’s your brother?”

“He’s been worried about Jingliu, so they’re out on a little date. I wanted to go, but he insisted on going alone.”

“Someone sure sounds disappointed.”

“Just between you and me, I think he has a thing for her.”

“Don’t tell me you’re jealous.”

“Me?” Dan Feng scoffs. “Oh, please. It’s Jingliu. It’d take someone really special to sweep her off her feet.”

“You don’t think Dan Heng meets those standards?”

��Do you think he does?”

“Sir, why are you asking me?”

“Well, you and Jingliu are kind of alike… You’re both women.”

“Very well spotted, thanks.”

“Honestly, I don’t think there’s a man or woman who exists that can match Jingliu. She’s unmatched.”

You and Dan Feng are almost at the bed and breakfast when the conversation turns to his training for the Global Games next year.

“It’ll probably be my last competition.”

“...Are you thinking about retiring?”

Dan Feng smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah. I don’t think I have much of a choice.”

There’s more to the story, but you don’t get to ask when you reach the stone villa. You see March and Welt sitting on the couch inside, and Pom is anxiously looking upstairs. Knowing exactly where it leads, you glance up. You hear faint conversation but not enough to know what’s going on, but you’re sure that the voices belong to Jing Yuan and his ex.

“What’s going on?” Dan Feng asks, pushing open the door. “Why are you all just sitting here?”

March sighs. “Because there’s a war going on upstairs.”

“Where’s Yanqing?” you ask.

“Upstairs with Jing Yuan and… his ex,” Welt says.

Pom puts some glasses on the table. “Let’s calm down, everyone.”

You take out your phone and see the last text from Jing Yuan.

She found out through Yanqing.

You’re sitting next to Welt when Pom puts a glass of water in front of you. “Everything will be okay,” he reassures.

“Why is Yanqing up there?” Dan Feng asks. “Why are they up there, anyway?”

“She wanted a place ‘to talk’,” Pom says. “Neither of them wanted to go to his place."

“Wait. How do you know this?”

“I… sorta overheard a little bit of their conversation when they got back. They came in, and Jing Yuan said they’ll be using the balcony upstairs.”

March leans back. “God, why’d she have to show up?”

You don’t know if you’ll get a response, but you text Jing Yuan anyway.

I’m downstairs. Is everything okay?

Just then, everyone hears footsteps, and the first person to appear is Jing Yuan. He’s carrying Yanqing who's resting his head on Jing Yuan’s shoulder. The poor kid looks exhausted. Behind Jing Yuan is his ex.

When Yanqing sees you, he lifts his head, and Jing Yuan puts him down. You stand and meet them halfway. Yanqing hugs your knees, and you affectionately pat his head.

“Is he okay?” you ask Jing Yuan.

There's a tired but stern look in Jing Yuan’s eyes. “He’s fine."

Then, his ex walks up to you, ignoring the stares of the others. “Let’s have dinner together.” She crosses her arms. “I have the information that you want, and I’ll give it to you on one condition.” Where is she getting this confidence from? “So, since we’re both here, let’s use the time to get to know each other. Just the two—”

“Enough.” Jing Yuan’s interruption makes the room go completely silent. Then, he shoots his ex a cold look. “Yanqing gave you his answer.”

“This is between me and her.”

“No, it’s not. You’re using other ways to try to get what you want without any consideration for your son.”

“Stop.” Yanqing’s muffled voice sounds desperate. “Stop fighting… Please…”

His ex turns to you, looking a little rattled. “So, we’ll have dinner tonight. Just me and you.”

You clench your fists, but you hold your tongue for Yanqing’s sake. As soon as she walks out the door, March lets out a breath. You still have a comforting hand around Yanqing’s head when she walks over.

“Geezus, what happened up—”

Dan Feng’s nudge makes her stop. He nods at Yanqing who’s still hugging your legs.

“I wanna go home,” Yanqing says, his voice still muffled.

You crouch and put your hands on his cheeks. “Then, let’s go home.”

The car ride back to Jing Yuan’s house is a quiet one. Before you get there, Jing Yuan reaches over and gives your hand a little squeeze. You turn to him, and you can see it in his eyes. He’ll tell you what happened but not with Yanqing in the car.

A short while later, Jing Yuan is making Yanqing a snack in the kitchen. You and Yanqing are in the living room, playing a game of chess, but you can tell from the tired and sad look in his eyes that he’s focused on something else.

“...I made a mistake.” At first, you think he’s talking about the game. “When Dad was driving me to school, he told me beforehand that I shouldn’t call you Mom while she’s here. I forgot, and…”

“Hey…” You sit next to him. “Don’t tell me you’re blaming yourself.”

“Maybe if I didn’t make that mistake, they wouldn’t have fought and…”

Jing Yuan puts a plate of healthy, homemade snacks on the table, and you and Yanqing look up at him. Then, Jing Yuan crouches and puts a hand around his son’s head. “It’s not your fault, Yanqing.”

“But… She got so mad.”

Jing Yuan glances at you. “Do you think calling her Mom is something you shouldn’t do?”

Yanqing looks at you. “Well, if she doesn’t mind…”

You kiss his head. “Of course I don’t.”

Jing Yuan affectionately ruffles his son's hair. "That means it's okay, and you didn't do anything wrong." Yanqing manages a small smile and Jing Yuan affectionately ruffles his hair. “Why don’t you take your snacks and watch some TV while Mom and I have a little talk?”

Yanqing looks from Jing Yuan to you and back to Jing Yuan. Then, he picks up his plate and walks over to the couch. You and Jing Yuan end up in the kitchen where he also prepared you a little something. But food is the last thing on your mind.

“I’ve never seen him so quiet,” you say. “What in the world happened?”

Jing Yuan sighs. “She wants you to leave Yanqing alone. If you do, she'll tell you what you want to know."

It takes a moment for his words to sink in.

“Yanqing never said you were seeing anyone,” his ex said, glaring at Jing Yuan.

"It's not something he should have to tell you."

“I don’t care what kind of relationship she has with you, but she’s not taking Yanqing away from me.” Then, she crouched and put her hand on Yanqing's shoulders. He was sitting on the couch, trying to disassociate from all of this negativity. Jing Yuan never wanted him here, but his ex refused to let him leave as she also wanted to set things straight with him. “Yanqing, Mom will give you a much better life in the city. We recently moved into a bigger house, and a new private school just opened—”

“...I don’t want to go.”

“Why? You can still see your dad, and—”

“It’s not just because of Dad,” Yanqing interrupted quietly. “I like it here, and it’s not like Dad isn't letting me see you. I still visit, but I don’t want to stay there… forever.”

“Yanqing, you’re still too young to understand, but—”

“You say he’s too young," Jing Yuan interrupted, "but at least he knows what he wants." She stood upright, and Yanqing ran over to Jing Yuan. "That might change when he gets older, but stop pressuring him into doing something he doesn’t want.”

“Pressuring him? I’m not! I’m reasoning with him.” His ex scoffed and crossed her arms. “It’s also because of her, isn’t it?”

"Stop saying it's because of her." Jing Yuan glared at her. "Because it's not. You're not respecting him."

She walked up until she was close enough to lower her voice so Yanqing couldn't hear. "I know she's looking for some information. She wouldn't come to me if it was easy to get." She returned his glare with one of her down. "I want her out of Yanqing's life."

“I’m not going to let Yanqing see her anymore." Jing Yuan puts his hands on the counter behind him. "Not alone, at least.”

You scoff. “I’m also not going to give her what she wants.”

A short silence passes where both of you are mulling over your thoughts about what to do with this crazy woman until…

“...But I'll still have dinner with her.” Jing Yuan looks up and sees you leaning against the wall. “She knows that you’ll definitely tell me what happened on the balcony. And, knowing that, I’m not going to run away.”

“If you made up your mind, I have an idea.”

“I’m all ears, General.”

◆◆◆

Jing Yuan drops you off at a nearby restaurant later that evening. As soon as you enter, you see his ex already at a table near the window. Taking a small breath, you walk over. You know she sees you but she’s still looking out the window. You slip off your coat and drape it over the back of the chair. Then, you casually put your phone face down on the table. When you sit down, she finally acknowledges you.

“How long have you been seeing Jing Yuan?”

“I thought we were here to talk about your deal, not my relationship with Jing Yuan.”

She pours herself some wine. “It’s related.”

“What’s your condition?”

She scoffs. “I feel like I’m looking into a mirror.”

You force a smile. "Let's not waste time.”

“Didn’t Jing Yuan tell you? I want you out of Yanqing’s life.”

“That’s impossible.”

“Then, no deal.”

You cross one leg over the other. “Regardless of who Jing Yuan dates, that person will be part of Yanqing’s life. Are you going to refuse whoever comes into their lives? Or, is it because it’s me, someone who happens to work at Star Rails?” A pause as you pour yourself some wine. “I also have other ways of getting what I need.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“Of course not. What would I gain from doing that?” You calmly look her in the eyes. “I’m giving you a chance to clear your name. Everyone thinks Star Rails has something to do with Caelus’s death. You were part of that project. It’s natural that people suspect you.”

“A chance to clear my name? Don’t make me laugh. I don’t have anything to hide.”

“Caelus’s uncle was a stakeholder in that project. You handled everything. It’s impossible not to have met him at least once. That time, you and Jing Yuan were still together and you knew that Caelus was his friend.”

“...What are you getting at?”

"Caelus and his uncle didn't have a good relationship. He even caused a scene at his hotel before meeting you. He must have known long before that Caelus wouldn't accept the offer from Star Rails. So, to succeed, you tried convincing Jing Yuan to convince Caelus to go through with the project. But, that failed. And somehow Caelus ends up dead."

“I didn’t have anything to do with that!” The sudden outburst turns a few heads. Then, she exhales sharply. “Why would his uncle want him to partner with Star Rails in the first place?”

Do you have the right answer? You have no idea. But the one you can think of is the only one that makes the most sense.

“Money. Caelus’s uncle wasn’t happy that his brother left Caelus with everything, including the hotel. Partnering with Star Rails is one way for him to get some kind of control over the hotel. There’d also be potential money under the table.”

“And what would I gain from that, hm? Yes, I wanted the project to succeed, but why would I help him?”

“He knew a guy.”

“I was talking to one of my business partners today, and… he mentioned Caelus’s uncle,” Jing Yuan said. “Not knowing that I know him.”

“What did they say?”

“He was recommending him as a potential partner as he’s supposedly a great businessman and friend. And he also has connections.”

“Wait a minute… Don’t tell me…”

Jing Yuan nodded. “He said Caelus’s uncle has been on good terms with senior management at Star Rails for a long time.”

“Senior management, huh?”

“He could put in a good word for you and help you climb the ranks,” you say.

“That doesn't guarantee I'll get anything. You’re going to have to try harder than that, Honey.”

"Then, why didn't you file the project reports? There wasn't anything suspicious about it other than Caelus's uncle being listed as a stakeholder. If you really don't have anything to hide, why don't you give a clear explanation?"

She’s looking off to the side when she says, “I just forgot.”

You almost scoff, but you don’t hide the disappointment on your face. You thought she would’ve come up with a better excuse than that.

“I have proof that you didn’t just forget.”

You think she’d ask for it, but instead, there's a pause before she says, “...He approached me first.”

Jing Yuan’s ex walked into a restaurant that evening. A stakeholder had invited her to a business dinner, and she'd thought others involved in the project would attend. But when she arrived, there was only one person. He was still dressed in the same outfit from the meeting earlier today.

“Ah, you’re here.”

She sat across from him, thinking whether she should stay or make an excuse to leave. “I thought there would be others joining us.”

He filled his glass and then hers with wine. “Let’s get right to it, shall we?” He picked up his glass and gestured for her to pick up hers. She reluctantly did so.

Clink!

“I’ve heard a lot of great things about your performance," he said, "and this project is apparently a make or break for a big promotion.”

“...Um, yes. That’s right. Does this have anything to do with—”

“My nephew is the owner of the boutique hotel.”

It took a moment for those words to sink in. She shouldn’t be so surprised as they have the same last name, but it was so common that she didn’t think twice.

“Let me tell you now that you won’t have any luck trying to convince him. This project is just an idea… a vision of what could happen. But, it’s not going to work.”

“If you have such strong concerns about it, why didn’t you raise them during the meeting?”

He extends his arms to the side. “Because if I did, the project wouldn’t be a success.”

“What… What are you saying?”

“My nephew won’t partner with Star Rails because our vision doesn’t align with his. Regardless of what happens, he wants to remain independent, and he won’t change his mind. Unless…”

“Are we ready to order?”

You almost frown when you hear the young waiter interrupt Jing Yuan’s ex. When you look at him, his innocent smile almost makes you sigh. After the waiter leaves, you turn back and see Jing Yuan’s ex calmly sipping her wine.

“...You were saying?” you ask.

She puts her wine glass on the table. “There’s nothing else to say.”

There is. You can feel it.

“...Did he have something to do with Caelus’s death?”

“You’re asking the wrong person.”

Are you, really?

“But, I had nothing to do with it."

After a brief silence, you say, “...You asked how long I was seeing Jing Yuan. What about you and your fiancé? How did you two meet?”

She slightly narrows her eyes. “Why are you asking?”

“He told me today that I had no idea what you went through. It just made me curious is all.”

“...Why would he tell you that?”

You look her in the eyes. “You tell me. It sounded like it had something to do with Caelus.”

“Let’s not get off topic. I told you what you wanted to know. Now, it’s my turn. Stay away from Yanqing.”

“This isn’t about me. Have you considered what he wants?”

“He’s too young to understand.”

“About what? You say he’s too young, but even I don’t understand why you want him to stay away from me."

"I don't need another person to be a bad influence on him. I'm already trying to get him out of this godforsaken town." She gives you a cold look. "Convincing Jing Yuan is hard enough. I don't need another person in my way."

"Godforsaken town? Why do you hate this place so much?"

She scoffs. "You haven't noticed? They aren't exactly the friendliest people to outsiders who want to do business here. They're too narrow-minded. I only want what's best for my son."

“Having me stay away from him isn’t going to help your case. It’s a short-term solution to a long-term problem. He may be young, but you should at least respect him.”

“Sorry for the wait!”

You don’t bother looking at the waiter as he sets your food in front of you. You give a nod of thanks just before he leaves. When you turn back, Jing Yuan’s ex is looking at you with a composed expression unlike before.

She looks as if she has something to say, but her phone goes off. After a glance, she says, “So, I take you aren’t going to do it.”

Perhaps you're paranoid, but you turn around. You sense you're being watched. But nothing seems out of the ordinary.

When you turn back, Jing Yuan's ex is already standing and putting on her coat. "Then, we have nothing else to discuss." She calls the waiter over, and there's confusion on his face but he does as he's told. He walks over, glances at you, and packs away her food.

You watch as they walk away. When you glance out the window, you see her cross the street and get into a car. You pick up your phone and turn off the recording that's been going on ever since you sat down. After texting Jing Yuan and knowing he’s on his way, you go to pay for your food. You step out into the cold, scrolling through your phone as you think about what you’ve learned.

You're sure Caelus's uncle has something to do with Caelus's death, and you also have a hunch that Jing Yuan's ex knows something about it if her fiancé's words are anything to go by. Was it the guilt of knowing and not doing anything? Or was it guilt—

Your eyes widen when a hand swiftly covers your nose and mouth. Your phone drops to the ground. Your hands are in a bind behind you. Despite your struggles, your attacker drags you into an alleyway, leaving your phone with an incoming call from Jing Yuan on the cold cement.

Chapter 13

Tag list: @suoshiii @lordbugs @lxry-chxn @seirenspinel @immahuman @queencybow @nqctre @grimreapersscythe @winterpein @asakenajustexistshere

[kevin33james-blog]

The Best Tips for Shipping Your Car Without Worry

New drivers face many challenges on the road, but safety should always come first. Searching a reliable nationwide car transport, offers you peace of mind throughout the shipping process.

This guide offers useful tips to help new drivers navigate the complexities of car transport safely. By following these simple tips, you can protect yourself and your vehicle while ensuring a smooth journey.

Safety Tips for New Drivers

Safe driving is the life-line of road safety, especially when you have just started driving on San Jose's roads. Research shows seat belts cut serious crash-related injuries and deaths in half. Drivers and front-seat passengers can reduce their risk of fatal injury by 60% in SUVs and 45% in cars by using lap and shoulder belts.

Why Seat Belt Matters:

Reduces Risk of Ejection During Crashes by 75%

Saves Nearly 15,000 Lives Annually

Works Best When Properly Fitted Across Chest and Hips

Required by Law in California for All Drivers

Distracted driving remains one of the most important risks on San Jose roads. Distracted driving took 3,308 lives in 2022. Drivers between ages 25-34 caused the highest percentage of fatal crashes.

Texting while driving is extremely dangerous. Reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds - like driving the length of a football field at 55 mph with closed eyes.

Your vehicle's regular maintenance helps keep you safe on the road. Key Maintenance Requirements:

Check Wiper Blades Periodically and Replace Annually

Monitor Fluid Levels Monthly

Follow Manufacturer's Oil Change Schedule

Test All Lights Regularly

Maintain Proper Tire Pressure

Safe vehicle operation depends on using proper restraints, staying focused, and maintaining your vehicle. Teens who have involved parents are twice as likely to wear seat belts consistently. On top of that, it helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and keeps your vehicle running at its best when you maintain it properly.

Simple Tips for New Drivers in San Jose

San Jose provides detailed resources to help new drivers become skilled at road safety and vehicle operation. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) serves residents through multiple channels.

Their self-service kiosks handle registration services and driver records efficiently.

DMV Service Accessibility

The San Jose Field Office accepts various payment methods including cash, credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets. Drivers can use self-service kiosks for:

Registration Renewal and Sticker Printing

License Replacement

Vehicle Record Requests

Insurance Verification

California Highway Patrol's Start Smart program helps teenage drivers ages 15-19. They offer free two-hour classes that teach collision avoidance and safe driving practices. The program covers important topics like:

Collision Prevention Techniques

Speed Management

Drunk Driving (DUI) Awareness

Distracted Driving Prevention

Bay Area Driving Academy, a California DMV licensed school (E2019), delivers detailed driver education. San Jose Public Library's partnership with Driving-Tests.org helps students. Their practice tests boost passing rates by 73% compared to studying the DMV manual alone.

Community Support Programs: The Impact Teen Drivers (ITD) program emphasizes:

Teen Driver Education

Distraction Awareness

GDL Requirements Explanation

Family Involvement

Santa Clara Valley supports special needs drivers through qualified professionals who provide adaptive driving services. These programs build driver confidence and develop the core skills needed for safe vehicle operation.

Don’t just drive—drive smart! Safety driving is important for every driver. Remember to stay focused, obey traffic rules, and always wear your seat belt. Avoid distractions and keep a safe distance from other vehicles.

Are you putting your car’s safety at risk during transport? Imagine the peace of mind knowing your car is safe during transport. When searching professional car carrier to transport your car safely, A reliable guide is your first step on finding a trusted car shipping service like San Jose auto transport services.

By following these steps, you trust that your car is in good hands and make your car transport experience smooth and stress-free. Remember, a well-prepared driver is a confident driver. Start planning your journey today for a hassle-free car shipping experience.

Drive smart and stay safe on the road. Take this knowledge with you, and drive confidently. Stay safe out there!

[kiki-de-la-petite-flaque]

«There seems to be a general assumption that brilliant people cannot stand routine; that they need a varied, exciting life in order to do their best. It is also assumed that dull people are particularly suited for dull work. We are told that the reason the present-day young protest so loudly against the dullness of factory jobs is that they are better educated and brighter than the young of the past.

Actually, there is no evidence that people who achieve much crave for, let alone live, eventful lives. The opposite is nearer the truth. One thinks of Amos the sheepherder, Socrates the stonemason, Omar the tentmaker. Jesus probably had his first revelations while doing humdrum carpentry work. Einstein worked out his theory of relativity while serving as a clerk in a Swiss patent office. Machiavelli wrote The Prince and the Discourses while immersed in the dull life of a small country town where the only excitement he knew was playing cards with muleteers at the inn. Immanuel Kant’s daily life was an unalterable routine. The housewives of Konigsberg set their clocks when they saw him pass on his way to the university. He took the same walk each morning, rain or shine.. The greatest distance Kant ever traveled was sixty miles from Konigsberg. (Hebrew, Greek, Persian, Christian, German, Italian, German figures)

The outstanding characteristic of man’s creativeness is the ability to transmute trivial impulses into momentous consequences. The greatness of man is in what he can do with petty grievances and joys, and with common physiological pressures and hungers. “When I have a little vexation,” wrote Keats, “it grows in five minutes into a theme for Sophocles.” To a creative individual all experience is seminal --- all events are 9equidistant from new ideas and insights --- and his inordinate humanness shows itself in the ability to make the trivial and common reach an enormous way. (English, Greek figures)

An eventful life exhausts rather than stimulates. Milton, who in 1640 was a poet of great promise, spent twenty sterile years in the eventful atmosphere of the Puritan revolution. He fulfilled his great promise when the revolution was, dead, and he in solitary disgrace. Cellini’s exciting life kept him from becoming the great artist he could have been. It is legitimate to doubt whether Machiavelli would have written his great books had he been allowed to continue in the diplomatic service of Florence and had he gone on interesting missions. It is usually the mediocre poets, writers, etc., who go in search of stimulating events to release their creative flow. (English, Italian figures)

It may be true that work on the assembly line dulls the faculties and empties the mind, the cure only being fewer hours of work at higher pay. But during fifty years as a workingman, I have found dull routine compatible with an active mind. I can still savor the joy I used to derive from the fact that while doing dull, repetitive work on the waterfront, I could talk with my partners and compose sentences: in the back of my mind, all at the same time. Life seemed glorious. Chances are that had my work been of absorbing interest I could not have done any thinking and composing on the company’s time or even on my own time after returning from work.

People who find dull jobs unendurable are often dull people who do not know what to do with themselves when at leisure. Children and mature people thrive on dull routine, while the adolescent, who has lost the child’s capacity for concentration and is without the inner resources of the mature, needs excitement and novelty to save off boredom.»

Eric Hoffer, I Savor the Joy of Dull Work

[divinadeath]

wait till you hear about this next nominee: byun junho, born on the 15th of february, 1997 and bears a striking resemblance to cha eunwoo. they’re a first year bachelor of law student and started a charitable foundation focused on providing educational resources for underprivileged kids — impressed yet? rumor has it they’re hoping to be the ceo of his family's motel chain, but personally, i think they should aim a little higher — something like the king’s club, for one. now, that suits them a little more, don’t you think? guess we’ll just have to see if they’ve got the talent for it in our upcoming recruitment round. 

hello, guys! i'm tina (23, she/her) and i'm really looking forward to writing with you all! my mind is a little… feverish right now since i'm kinda sick, but i'll try to make sense here. if you want to plot something for our muses, hmu or like this, and i'll be in your dms. more about my angsty boy junho can be found under the read more.

UNTIL 2016

coming from a new money family, junho never took anything he had for granted. as a kid, he was always seen as kind and loved by all his family's employees for being so down to earth.

he always had this dream of helping people with his family's money since the whole lavish lifestyle never really suited him (even though his parents protested). you'd often see him giving away his toys and clothes to random kids he met.

even though he was passionate about it, his parents never took it seriously. to them, it was just a silly kid's dream, and they figured he'd eventually forget about it and start hanging out with more influential people.

that actually happened when they enrolled him in a prestigious school, and junho quickly realized he could be much more helpful if he was on the good side of these kids' families.

he started to dress and talk more like them, but deep down, he knew that even with his best efforts, he could never be like them since his family and their scandalous empire were never taken seriously.

sometime around high school, he decided to focus on other things instead, like becoming an exemplary student and giving another shot at trying to help people with a charity he planned himself and that was enough to him to ended up in snu.

being recruited for the club wasn't something he expected; it caught him by surprise. but all that determination and hunger for acceptance came rushing back, and he started giving his best to get in—even though he knew beating hyungseo would be almost impossible.

then the impossible happened—hyungseo died. he was actually happy that the competition was gone, and he could finally enjoy being part of something important.

UNTIL 2024

during his time in uni, he made good use of his connections, using them to distance himself from his family's brand and build a career of his own in law.

by the time he graduated, he had the best opportunities laid out for him and started working at one of the biggest law firms in the country, using the silent power of the club to reach even higher.

he was almost certain he could just take the money from the family, build a respectable legacy, and live among the other wealthy without being looked down.

but then, of course, his dad had to ruin everything and died… leaving junho very mad about it and with a legacy he wasn’t looking for.

now he was trapped again by his family name and the chain he hated so much, this time with no escape route since all the money came from it.

he doesn’t really know how to run a business and is struggling a lot with it, which adds insult to injury. but again, he’s determined to make good use of it and maybe a rebrand in the future so people forget about his father legacy.

PERSONALITY

junho is incredibly driven, always pushing himself to prove he’s more than just his family’s reputation. he genuinely cares about others and wants to make a difference, even though this is kinda forgotten in him. he feels a lot of pressure to fit into the elite world.

he often struggles with self-doubt and frustration, especially when balancing his values with what’s expected of him.

despite the challenges—like managing his family’s business and climbing the social ladder—he stays resilient and adaptable. junho is smart and strategic, using his connections and opportunities to his advantage.

although he’s constantly seeking approval and dealing with insecurities, his charm and natural charisma help him build influential relationships.

ambitious as ever, junho is determined to surpass his family’s success and leave his own mark.

glimpses of his conflicted self are hard for others to see, but they're there. somewhere inside, he’s still that kid who just wanted to be a good guy, but it’s hard now when he’s trying not to be a joke.

CONNECTIONS

i don't have anything in particular and would love to brainstorm something unique for our muses, or maybe fit in some connection you already have in mind!

[elefinofficial]

Speaking Out Against Dog Worship: Why It Matters to Challenge Today's Over-the-Top Canine Culture

In recent years, dog worship has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. Dogs are cherished, pampered, and often treated as superior to humans. While loving pets is natural, the extreme adoration of dogs can lead to unhealthy societal trends. Speaking up against this culture, despite inevitable backlash, is crucial for fostering balanced perspectives and respectful coexistence. Here’s why it’s important to challenge today’s over-the-top dog worship culture. The Rise of Dog Worship Dogs have long been considered man’s best friend. Their perceived loyalty, companionship, and unconditional love make them beloved pets for some. However, the current dog-worshipping culture of today goes beyond appreciation. It places dogs on a pedestal, often at the expense of human relationships and responsibilities. From dog-friendly restaurants and exclusive pet spas to extravagant dog parties, the societal shift towards canine adulation is evident. While it’s wonderful to care for pets, this trend can overshadow important human connections and community values. Impact on Human Relationships One of the most concerning aspects of extreme dog worship is its potential to undermine human relationships. In many cases, people prioritize their dogs over friends, family, and even romantic partners. This imbalance can lead to strained relationships and social isolation. For instance, declining invitations or avoiding social gatherings because of pet obligations can create distance between individuals. Or saying things like "I won't stop my dog from jumping on guests when they come over because this is his (the dog's) home." Prioritizing pets over people diminishes the importance of human interactions, which are essential for emotional well-being and societal harmony. Environmental and Ethical Concerns The dog-worship culture also raises significant environmental and ethical issues. The production of pet food, particularly meat-based products, has a substantial ecological footprint. The carbon emissions and resources required for pet food production contribute to environmental degradation. Dogs litter the earth with their toxic waste (poo & pee) that not only ruins humans' ability to freely roam in grassy areas as they fear stepping in a hot steaming pile of poo, but their urine also literally causes the grass to die and turn an unhealthy yellow color. Moreover, the fashion of owning specific breeds often leads to unethical breeding practices. Puppy mills and irresponsible breeding contribute to overpopulation and the suffering of countless dogs as they are forced to live their life in kennels. Speaking out against these practices encourages responsible pet ownership and supports animal welfare. Financial Implications The financial burden of extreme dog pampering cannot be overlooked. Americans spend billions annually on their pets, often on non-essential luxury items. This expenditure reflects a cultural shift where dogs receive more attention and resources than necessary, potentially diverting funds from more critical areas like education, healthcare, and community development. While it’s essential to provide for pets, the extravagant spending on canine luxuries exemplifies societal excess. Promoting a balanced approach to pet care ensures that resources are allocated more responsibly and equitably. Encouraging a Balanced Perspective Challenging dog worship is not about diminishing the value of pets but promoting a balanced perspective. Pets are a wonderful part of life, but they should not overshadow human needs and relationships. Encouraging a healthy balance helps maintain societal harmony and individual well-being. When speaking up against over-the-top dog worship, it's important to emphasize the benefits of a balanced approach. Highlighting the value of human connections, responsible pet ownership, and mindful spending fosters a more holistic view of pet care and societal values. Facing the Backlash Undoubtedly, speaking out against extreme dog worship will attract criticism. Dog enthusiasts may perceive this stance as an attack on their love for their pets. However, constructive dialogue is crucial. It’s about addressing the cultural excess and advocating for balanced, responsible pet ownership. Facing backlash is part of advocating for change. Staying firm and presenting well-reasoned arguments can shift perspectives over time. Encourage open discussions and listen to opposing views to foster understanding and mutual respect. Conclusion: Advocating for Balanced Pet Appreciation Challenging today’s over-the-top dog worship culture is essential for promoting balanced perspectives, ethical practices, and societal well-being. By advocating for responsible pet ownership, prioritizing human relationships, and addressing environmental and financial concerns, we can foster a culture that values both pets and people appropriately. Embrace the challenge and continue speaking up. Your voice matters in shaping a more balanced and thoughtful society, where the love for pets coexists harmoniously with human connections and broader societal responsibilities. Read the full article

[enterpris]

An Education in Attraction, Chapter 9

Pairing: Reader x Gojo

Summary: It's spring when you start your Master's degree. As the flowers and leaves unfold, so too do your feeling for Gojo

Warnings: mild swearing, kissing, making out, heavy petting, grinding

Previous Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Ao3: PlaidSparrow

The relief is overwhelming that editing is all you have left to do on the project. Since your last meeting a couple weeks ago, you had each managed to type up the remaining citations and examples into the draft individually. With the end of the term in sight, free time to get together has been in short supply. 

Your Learning Theories class has a massive test at the end of the term, but your number one priority is finishing strong with the Curriculum project. The hours of research and collaboration have made for a dense, but very strong paper. 

Last night after your class at the Eikaiwa school, you’d texted Gojo about finding time to complete the edits, and he’d quickly answered that he would be free today. You both agreed that given how busy you’ve been that it will be best to knock out the revisions in one fell swoop. 

Time isn’t the only scarce resource either- since the end of term is approaching for the entire college, the library and study spaces on and around campus have been packed lately. Since you're living in a small student dorm on campus, Satoru offered his apartment for the job. 

His address is in one of the ritzier parts of town and you decide to take a short ride on the metro there. You board and admire the city as the train speeds away. 

This part of the city is new to you- you admire the elegant stretch of buildings here. There’s plenty of foot traffic despite the heat too- families pushing strollers and children playing in groups. The train stops and you check the directions on your phone to walk the short distance to Gojo’s place. 

He meets you outside his luxe apartment building and scans a card in the elevator to reach the proper floor. Gojo seems as breezy and easygoing as ever, dressed down with thin rimmed shades. 

Since he’s seen where you live, you can’t deny your curiosity to see his apartment. There’s only a couple other units on this floor, all dark wood and sleek chrome finishes. Gojo walks halfway down the hall and unlocks his door, letting you enter first.  

His accommodations are simple but welcoming. The blinds are drawn over the windows, leaving the interior softly lit. You step in, slip off your shoes, and take in the rest of his space. The walls are blank except for a tv on the far wall, but there's an upholstered loveseat with some soft looking blankets folded over the back. The kitchen stands to the right and there's a hallway to the rest of the apartment on the left. It doesn't look terribly lived in, but you suppose that's to be expected if the owner is traveling and working often.  

"Take a seat, I'm gonna grab my computer," Gojo locks the front door then calls as he heads down the hall. 

You debate for a moment whether to sit on the couch or at his dining table, but you know polishing the paper will take a while, and the couch looks worlds more comfortable. You pull out your computer and bring up the paper as Gojo returns and settles next to you. You glance up at him, about to ask where he’d like to start, but you freeze when you see his face. 

His eyes, rather. The sunglasses are off and his eyes are sparkling with amusement as he watches your reaction. You haven’t seen his eyes since the first day of classes and you weren’t nearly this close to him last time. You’re struck again by how beautiful they are and you lose your train of thought.  

“See somethin you like?” he asks.

You're staring. Again. Your face is warm but you aim for nonchalant when you respond. 

"I'd like to get this project done." You snap your eyes to your computer screen and pointedly ignore him until he sets up his own laptop beside you. 

"Yeah, yeah. We both know the paper is great. We shouldn’t need to do much editing."

It is a great paper. The two of you have woven together your teaching subjects artfully, finding unexpected parallels in the fields. It’s comfortable to fall into the working rhythm you’ve established, and Gojo is right. The changes you’ve made along the way and the way you’ve aligned the subject matter means there aren’t any glaring problems, you can just read through the material with fresh eyes and talk through polishing where the piece can use it.  

In a comfortable silence while you’re proofreading, you glance over at Gojo. Sitting side by side, you admire his side profile. It’s nice to see his face unobstructed. You clear your throat.

“So… why do you usually wear sunglasses?”

“I was wondering when you were gonna ask me. My eyes are just sensitive. It’s hard to concentrate when the sun is blinding me.”

You recall when he shut the blinds the first time you met him in the library and how dim his apartment seems. 

“I would have chosen less bright study spots if I had known.” You murmur, and Gojo smiles at you. It’s softer than the grin he usually flashes. 

Hours pass in the blink of an eye as you edit the phrasing and nitpick sentences. You're proud of the writing you’ve done together, and eager to receive feedback on the project. The course has covered tons of material and considerations for building a proper curriculum, and your professor’s responses on smaller assignments have been illuminating and constructive. It’s extremely satisfying to see the full paper before you. 

When you reach the conclusion, Gojo pushes the computer from his lap onto the coffee table and leans back to recline on the couch, giving you a crooked grin. 

"We're just about done." 

"Finally.” You sigh. “I don't think I can write a single more word about the proper workload for high school students." You shut your laptop.

"I think this calls for some celebration." 

Before you can respond, Gojo is on his way into the kitchen and returns with a box of anko daifuku. He pops one of the sweets in his mouth and puts the rest onto the coffee table. 

He slides back on to the loveseat- near enough that you can feel the heat of his arm nearly brushing yours, much closer than he had been when he left. While you were working together, it hadn’t felt uncomfortable, but you’re hyper aware of the space between your bodies now.. You swallow and shift so that you're facing him, giving yourself a little room to breathe. 

Gojo leans toward you and you look up into his face. His expression is soft, and his face is uncharacteristically open. You're pinned by his eyes staring into yours. 

You can see the different shades of blue and his thick white lashes. Your heart is hammering and you can barely breathe as he stops millimeters from you. You feel like you're caught in a whirlpool, in a black hole, headed straight for the center.

His eyes glance down to your lips and your heart stops. When he looks back up into your eyes, he smiles gently, and the corners of his eyes crinkle. He comes closer to you. 

"Wow," his breath ghosts across your face, lips almost touching yours, "you do like me."

Before you can respond, his lips are on yours. The first kiss is gentle, his warm lips brushing softly with yours. You’re shocked into stillness at first, but after a moment your eyes flutter shut and you softly move your lips against his.

You feel electric, mouth buzzing from the sugar on his lips. Blood is rushing in your ears and as he kisses you again you sigh into his mouth. The times you’d covertly admired him or thought about the possibility of something more than a professional academic relationship are immediately rekindled. You can hardly believe this is happening. 

Gojo slots his lips against yours and expertly teases you. His mouth is soft and pliant, and you find he is as good a partner in kissing as he is academically. You are wrapped in the scent of his cologne and your body feels overly sensitive, every pass of his lips experienced tenfold. 

He deepens the kiss, tilting his head as one of his hands moves to cradle the back of your head. You open your lips and his tongue slides into your mouth, twining with your own and setting fire to your blood. 

Then he's pulling back to give you some air and suddenly your hands are balled in his shirt, yanking yourself closer. It's all you can do to keep him near, to keep tasting him. You pull his face to yours and kiss his full lips as your hands roam up his lean chest and shoulders.

You run your hands through his fine white hair and he groans into your mouth. Between his hands roaming your waist and Gojo’s moan, you’re feeling intoxicatingly aroused. You can't tell if it's his idea or yours to shift you into his lap, but now you're straddling him and overwhelmed by him- his lips moving across your jawline and down your neck, his length pressing against your center, the heat of his hands sinking into your thigh and the small of your back. 

God, his hands are huge and you want to melt in them, feel them all over your body. Just imagining what his skilled hands could do to you makes you feel desperate for more. 

"Fuck," you mutter.

"Very eloquent."

You can feel him smiling into your skin and if you were any less turned on you'd quip back at him. As it is, his lips have reached the junction where your throat meets your neck and it's difficult to think about anything else. He leaves an open mouthed kiss on the tender spot and then sucks hard. Your head lolls back and you can't help but whine his name. 

“Satoru.” His lips brush your neck as he speaks. 

“What?” You don’t really want to concentrate on anything that isn’t his body.

“Call me Satoru.” he murmurs in your ear. Your heart stutters and your chest feels warm. 

He meets your eyes again and this time they're simmering. His pupils are blown, nearly eclipsing the ring of blue that surrounds them. You wonder how you ever could have thought him stoic, you see his desire and warmth plainly. 

His hands descend to your hips and his grip tightens, pulling you impossibly closer. You're both panting and you feel him hard beneath you. Everything else in the universe has evaporated- nothing matters but the man before you and his hands on your body. 

You lean forward and roll your hips onto his erection.  His eyes flutter shut and he moans at the contact, head lolling onto the back of the couch. Your whole body feels hot. You grind onto him again and sigh at the pressure on your core.

"Satoru." Your whisper is tender and needy. 

One hand palms your ass and the other creeps up under the back of your shirt. Your skin is burning as he caresses the skin on your back, and you wonder if you should remove your top altogether. 

Satoru leans forward and brings your mouths together once again, your breath mingling together between open mouthed kisses. You rock onto his length and this time his hands move with you, increasing the pressure and giving just enough stimulation to your clit through your clothes. 

You find a rhythm together, rolling your hips while Gojo urges your hips faster, harder. The kisses become messier as he pants and moans, as swept up in the sensations as you are. 

You capture his lips again, wrapping your arms around his shoulders and neck when you feel a vibration coming from his pocket. 

You pull away from the kiss. For a moment you just look at each other. His cool demeanor is cracked- his cheeks are flushed and his hair is a mess. You’re sure you don’t look any better, you feel disheveled and you’re still breathing hard. You seem to come to your senses first and start to shift off of his lap. 

"Sorry, uhh, you can get that." 

He stays still, looking at you, and his phone stops ringing. He opens his mouth to say something but is interrupted by the phone going off again. 

"Shit. Just give me a second." He helps you off of him then walks down the hallway and answers the phone brusquely. You bring a hand to your swollen lips and wonder dazedly what his call is about. And whether he might want to resume what you had been doing before the call came through. Your brain feels hazy.

Your heart is still racing, so you take a deep breath and a gulp of water to calm yourself down. You don’t want to look desperate or rumpled when he comes back. Focusing on slowing your breathing, a couple minutes pass before Satoru returns. Whatever the call was, he looks a bit harried, his languid smile replaced by one that's more brittle.

He walks back over to the couch.  "Sorry bout that. I'm wanted at a conference on quantum mechanics in a couple weeks. Gotta get travel plans figured."

"That's alright, I know your time is in high demand." You give him a small smile. While you knew it wasn’t likely after the interruption, you were hoping he would come back into the room eager to pick up where you had left off. 

Instead, he places himself on the opposite side of the couch and sighs. “Yea, it’s hard being so popular.”

The moment is over. 

“Well, I should probably give you some time to plan everything then.” Your hands and voice are steady as you begin to pack up your things, even though your thoughts and heart are still racing.  

“I’ll get things worked out. Just some minor edits in the conclusion and then we’ll be done.” Satoru stands up and watches you zip up your bag. 

“Yea, just let me know when works for you, ok?”

You reach the front door and turn back to look at him as you say your farwell. As he leans against the jamb, his hair falls into his face, obscuring most of his expression. What you can see is carefully blank, obviously absorbed in the details of his now upcoming trip. Even as a so-called special case, balancing travel, presentations, school assignments and attendance is a lot to manage. You don’t want to intrude or add additional pressure to his busy schedule.   

“For sure. I’ll see you later.” He gives you one last grin as you walk out the door.  

You slowly walk down the stairs of his apartment complex and meander down the street to the metro station, lost in thought. The summer night is warm, but the station is nearly empty. As you board the train home, you replay everything that happened. 

His low voice as he’d asked you to call him his given name echoes in your mind. The warmth that had bloomed in your stomach as he was kissing and caressing you. The way that he had pulled you in for kiss after kiss. 

Until he had kissed you, you didn’t even realize how strongly you felt for Gojo. Satoru. 

Although your partnership had had a rough start, you’d been able to work through his cockiness and earn his respect. It’s clear that you both have a passion for teaching and helping to better the future generation.  

You don’t know where the two of you stand now. 

It’s a bit unmooring. For months the meetings with Gojo have been a regular part of your schedule, and the easy friendship starting to grow between you has been a welcome addition to your community in Japan.

After what had happened at his apartment, your relationship will surely change. The possibility for more intimacy, more touches and kisses and more of him makes your stomach flutter. But the chance that he might pull away leaves you feeling surprisingly bereft. You can only hope that he feels the same way you do, and that this won’t be the end of your blooming connection.