#Clinic Vest Project

[knitmeapainting]

Hello friends! I have put together a small shop of my art. For now it will just hold those five listings, but as I get larger pieces done I will probably start paying for the shop and listing more stuff there. If there's ever a painting here that you want, know that:

1) You can message me through here, or email knit me a pony at gmail and I will list it for you, and

2) Half the proceeds go to Clinic Vest Project, a great cause. (The other half go to cat food, various bills, and more art supplies for future art.)

If you really love a piece but can't afford it, know that I also collect art and I'd be happy to work on a trade with you if you'd like to do that!

http://knitmeapony.bigcartel.com

[knitmeapony]

At The Empty Bottle in Chicago tonight, giving away notebooks and spells to support the Clinic Vest Project! Swing by if you are in town!

[beedreamscape]

I'm a true believer that before, uhm, the whole exploding the whole universe and becoming all-powerful thing, John was a colourful wardrobe guy. That before becoming obsessed with the cryo project he wanted to be an actual teacher, and he was confident he'd be the cool teacher™ (he would not) and his wardrobe had to reflect that.

I'm talking crazy sweaters, colorful jeans, multicolored sneakers, maybe even a vest, etc.

(Teacher John tangent. He thinks he'd be the cookie quirky teacher but he'd be the insane chaotic one that looks like he hasn't slept in three days and yet doesn't drink any coffee, he either hasn't fucked in two year or shagged five minutes before getting into class, divorced vibes yet he's never been married, is clearly in love with the bitchy biology teacher and the lame ass history teacher, he loves kahoot with candy prizes bc it brings the worst in his students, you know his abilities were made for rocket building but he insists on teaching the kids, tells everyone jokingly about his crazy ex who is actually clinically insane. Of course he teaches physics, almost all of his experiments end either with fire or some crazy witchcraft shit.)

But then, well, he became the necrolord prime, ransomer of death, yada yada, so he had a persona to uphold. He has to dress like he's eternally mourning and if we consider one day of morning for each person who died he'll need at least 500 thousand years of worth of black outfits and that's just torture.

[pranalip]

Aramid Fiber Market – Latest Scenario Report And Forecast 2024-2033 | Global Insight Services

Global Insight Services has recently updated its global market reports, now including the latest data for 2024 and projections through 2033.

The global Aramid Fiber market was valued at USD 2.8 Billion in 2022 and it is anticipated to grow up to USD 8.4 Billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 11.6% during the forecast period.

Aramid fiber is a type of synthetic fiber that is heat resistant and strong. It is used in a variety of applications, including bulletproof vests and tires. Aramid fiber is made from a class of polymers called aromatic polyamides. The most common type of aramid fiber is Kevlar.

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Market Trends and Drivers

Increasing demand for security & protective measures in various end-use industries such as military and construction is anticipated to boost the demand for aramid fibers over the forecast period. Aramid fiber is widely utilized in the making of protective clothing, equipment, and accessories owing to its excellent fiber, chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Protective clothing is specifically designed, treated, and fabricated to protect personnel from hazards that are caused by dangerous work environments and extreme environmental conditions. Some of the protective clothing is designed to protect workers from pollution or infection. Protective clothing is widely utilized in various end-use industries such as healthcare/medical, mining, oil & gas, manufacturing, building & construction, military, and others.

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Research Objectives

Estimates and forecast the overall market size for the total market, across product, service type, type, end-user, and region

Detailed information and key takeaways on qualitative and quantitative trends, dynamics, business framework, competitive landscape, and company profiling

Identify factors influencing market growth and challenges, opportunities, drivers and restraints

Identify factors that could limit company participation in identified international markets to help properly calibrate market share expectations and growth rates

Trace and evaluate key development strategies like acquisitions, product launches, mergers, collaborations, business expansions, agreements, partnerships, and R&D activities

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To thoroughly outline the competitive landscape within the market, including an assessment of business and corporate strategies, aimed at monitoring and dissecting competitive advancements.

Identify the primary market participants, based on their business objectives, regional footprint, product offerings, and strategic initiatives

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Global Aramid Fiber Market Segmentation

By Type

Para-aramid Fiber

Meta-aramid Fiber

By Application

Robot-Assisted Surgery

Clinical Trials

Hospital Workflow

Therapy Planning

Wearables

Virtual Assistants

Medical Imaging & Diagnosis

Others

Major Players in the Global Aramid Fiber Market

The overall competitive rivalry remains moderately high in the market studied. The growing presence of big players in the industry is expected to intensify competitive rivalry during the forecast period. The global Bioactive Ingredients Market report includes players such as  Rohtex GmbH (Germany), DuPont De Numerous, Inc. (US), Huvis Corporation (South Korea), Hyosung Corp. (South Korea), Kermel (France), Kolon Industries Inc. (South Korea), SRO Aramid (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd. (China), Teijin Ltd. (Japan), Toray Industries, Inc. (Japan), and Yantai Tayho Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. (China) among others.

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Research Scope

Scope – Highlights, Trends, Insights. Attractiveness, Forecast

Market Sizing – Product Type, End User, Offering Type, Technology, Region, Country, Others

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Business Framework – Case Studies, Regulatory Landscape, Pricing, Policies and Regulations, New Product Launches. M&As, Recent Developments

Competitive Landscape – Market Share Analysis, Market Leaders, Emerging Players, Vendor Benchmarking, Developmental Strategy Benchmarking, PESTLE Analysis, Value Chain Analysis

Company Profiles – Overview, Business Segments, Business Performance, Product Offering, Key Developmental Strategies, SWOT Analysis.

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Global Insight Services LLC 16192, Coastal Highway, Lewes DE 19958 E-mail: info@globalinsightservices.com Phone: +1-833-761-1700 Website: https://www.globalinsightservices.com/

About Global Insight Services:

lobal Insight Services (GIS) is a leading multi-industry market research firm headquartered in Delaware, US. We are committed to providing our clients with highest quality data, analysis, and tools to meet all their market research needs. With GIS, you can be assured of the quality of the deliverables, robust & transparent research methodology, and superior service.

[croservices]

Why CLINICAL RESEARCH ORGANIZATION Succeeds

1. Clinical research organizations are on the rise

The number of clinical research organizations (CROs) is on the rise. This is due to the fact that these organizations offer a number of advantages to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. First and foremost, CROs can help to reduce the cost of clinical trials. These organizations have the staff and the infrastructure in place to conduct clinical trials efficiently and effectively. In addition, CROs have access to a large pool of potential subjects, which can help to speed up the process of conducting clinical trials.

Another advantage of working with a CRO is that they can help to manage the regulatory process. Many CROs have staff who are experienced in dealing with the FDA and other regulatory bodies. This can be a valuable resource for companies who are new to the clinical trial process.

Finally, CROs can provide a number of other services, such as data management and analysis, that can be invaluable to companies conducting clinical trials.

There are a number of reasons why clinical research organizations are on the rise. These organizations offer a number of advantages that can be extremely helpful to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. If you are considering conducting a clinical trial, you should definitely consider working with a CRO.

2. Why clinical research organizations are succeeding

The clinical research industry is booming. In the United States alone, the industry is worth an estimated $60 billion. This is due in large part to the success of clinical research organizations (CROs).

CROs are third-party companies that contract with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to conduct clinical trials. These trials are essential for getting new drugs and treatments approved by the FDA.

The success of CROs is largely due to their expertise in conducting clinical trials. They have the staff and resources to manage all aspects of a trial, from recruiting patients to conducting the research to analyzing the data.

CROs also have a financial incentive to see trials succeed. They are typically paid based on the success of the trial, so they have a vested interest in making sure the trial goes as smoothly as possible.

The success of CROs has led to a boom in the clinical research industry. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are increasingly relying on CROs to conduct their clinical trials. This is good news for patients, as it means that new treatments and cures are being developed at an accelerated pace.

3. The benefits of clinical research organization

A clinical research organization (CRO) is a service provider that contracts with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies to provide support for all phases of clinical research. A CRO may provide scientific, medical, and operational expertise to its clients. Services performed by a CRO may include laboratory services, project management, data management, site monitoring, and regulatory compliance.

The use of CROs has become increasingly popular as drug development costs have soared and the number of new drug approvals has declined. Pharmaceutical companies are under pressure to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in drug development. CROs can provide expertise and services that allow companies to outsource some or all of the clinical research process.

CROs can offer a number of benefits to pharmaceutical companies. They can provide access to a global network of investigators and sites, as well as expertise in a wide range of therapeutic areas. CROs can also help companies to optimize their clinical development programs and improve their chances of success.

CROs are an important part of the clinical research ecosystem and play a vital role in the development of new therapies Clinical Research Organization.

4. The future of clinical research organization

The clinical research organization (CRO) industry is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 8.6 percent from 2016 to 2021, according to a report by MarketandMarkets. The report cites several factors driving this growth, including an increase in the number of clinical trials being conducted globally, the outsourcing of clinical research by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and the need for cost-effective clinical trial management.

The future looks bright for CROs, but there are some challenges that need to be addressed in order to sustain this growth. One of the biggest challenges is the increasing complexity of clinical trials. As treatments become more personalized and targeted, clinical trials are becoming more complex, which can lead to higher costs and longer timelines. CROs need to find ways to streamline their operations and increase efficiencies in order to keep costs down and maintain their competitive edge.

In addition, the traditional business model of CROs is under pressure as pharmaceutical companies look for ways to cut costs. Many pharmaceutical companies are now establishing in-house clinical research capabilities, which could lead to a decline in the demand for CROs. CROs will need to adapt their business models to stay relevant in the changing marketplace.

Despite these challenges, the future looks bright for CROs. The industry is expected to continue to grow at a healthy clip in the coming years, driven by the increasing global demand for clinical research services. CROs that can adapt to the changing marketplace and address the challenges facing the industry will be well positioned for success in the years ahead.

[ledenews]

Presidential Update from West Liberty University

  March 2023 Our Hilltopper coaches, student-athletes and the Alumni Affairs team send special thanks to all our alumni who came out to support West Lib basketball at the Topper Takeover during the MEC Tournament at WesBanco Arena this past week! We look forward to seeing you again soon!   Enjoy the video profile above telling the story of Hilltopper Athletics! $500,000 Grant Supports New Healthcare Center Campbell Hall of Health Sciences plans to add a Healthcare Professional Training Center to its student services thanks to a recent $500,000 federal grant received due to the efforts of Sen. Joe Manchin to kickstart the project. More fundraising is now in the works to finish the space. $500,000 Grant Supports New Healthcare CenterWEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Feb. 28, 2023 — Thanks to a $500,000 federal grant, West Liberty University’s College of Sciences will be able to begin work on a new Healthcare Professional Training Center.“This award of $500,000 will support the beginnings of our Healthcare Professional Training Center, to be created on the fourth floor of Campbell Hall. We are so grateful to Senator Joe Manchin who secured these federal funds for us. It represents a critical investment to our mission of higher education for our region,” said Dr. Cathy Monteroso, interim WLU president. The award is one of the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) projects that were funded through the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus passed in December and signed into law by President Joe Biden on Dec. 29, 2022.“The Healthcare Professional Training Center will support the education of all health science and biomedical science programs, including undergraduate psychology, speech pathology and audiology, medical laboratory science, nursing, dental hygiene, and biology students, as well as graduate clinical psychology, speech-language pathology, biology, and physician assistant studies majors,” explained Dr. Karen Kettler, dean of the College of Sciences.Read More Thank You Health Plan WLU Foundation Director Betsy Delk thanks The Health Plan President and CEO Jeff Knight for his title sponsorship for Day of Giving 2023, coming up on April 5.Thank You Health PlanWEST LIBERTY, W.Va., March 2, 2023 — The West Liberty University Foundation has announced that The Health Plan will sponsor its seventh annual Topper Day of Giving. The 24-hour online giving event is set for Wednesday, April 5 and is expected to generate vital financial support for West Liberty University’s mission of higher education.“We are pleased to welcome The Health Plan as our Title Sponsor for Topper Day of Giving. With its support as a valued partner, we expect this year’s Day of Giving to be our most successful yet,” said Betsy Delk, executive director of the WLU Foundation.“Topper Day of Giving is one of the Foundation’s most important and successful fundraisers each year. Donations from alumni, faculty, and the community help grow scholarship opportunities for students and funding for programs across campus.”President and CEO of The Health Plan Jeff Knight acknowledged the importance of supporting educational opportunities in the Ohio Valley.“As one of the largest employers in Wheeling, The Health Plan has a vested interest in promoting West Liberty University and helping WLU students achieve their academic and career goals. It’s important for The Health Plan and all local employers to have a solid source of local talent,” he said.Read More BikeWestLib Begins From left, Kathleen Wack, Lou Karas and Kate Billings look over plans now developing for BikeWestLib. BikeWestLib BeginsWEST LIBERTY, W.Va., March 6, 2023 — Thanks to a $5,000 grant received from the Be Active West Virginia Grant Program, West Liberty University will add six bike racks to its campus this spring.“We are so grateful to the Be Active program and the West Virginia Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease, for the assistance in adding this much needed feature to our rural campus,” said Kathleen Wack, associate professor of Health and Physical Education.“This is just the first step in what we are calling ‘BikeWestLib.’ This continued initiative will grow to include mapping safe riding routes, designating bike lanes and adding signage,” added Lou Karas, the Director of WLU’s Center for Arts and Education.Both Wack and Karas were joined by Director of Student Activities Kate Billings in writing the grant and are overseeing the project.“We hope to cultivate a culture of cycling and add to the campus wellness and student intramural program in this manner,” Billings said. A bike-rental or lease program also is part of the long-term plan.Read More Hilltopper Athletics Newsflash President Dr. Cathy Monteroso & Head Men’s Basketball Head Coach Ben Howlett following the Hilltoppers MEC Championship victory on Sunday evening inside WesBanco arena.Hilltopper Athletics NewsflashWEST LIBERTY, W.Va. March 5, 2023 — The top-seeded West Liberty University men's basketball team put on a dominating performance Sunday evening, downing No. 2 Fairmont State, 112-82, to secure a second straight and fifth all-time Mountain East Conference Tournament title.The Hilltoppers become the first team in MEC history to win back-to-back tournament titles and the +30 margin is the largest victory in a championship game in tournament history.The Hilltoppers secured the MEC's automatic bid into the NCAA Division II National Tournament and play next in the Atlantic Region Tournament vs. University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown at 2:30 pm, Saturday, March 11.Wrestling has eight national qualifiers who will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the NCAA DII National Championships on March 10 and 11, after claiming its third straight team title at the NCAA Super Region 3 Championships.All spring sports are in full swing. Softball will play its home opener this week, Baseball is gearing up for its conference opener on March 18, both men’s and women’s tennis are on spring break trips competing in Florida and South Carolina. Outdoor track & field and men’s golf are both set to begin their spring seasons this month. Read the full article

[vroooom2]

Mudge and I think that Thermotrauma founders should pitch their product to Google ATAP to embed connectivity into the life saving fabric:

They can ask Halvar for help, his first start-up was acquired by Eric Schmidt, and he's now friend with Sundar Pichai.

Thermotrauma life saving vest is the best device to collect body temperature data for:

For those who don't know: Googlers can spend 20% of their working time on developing any side projects they want. If you have a start-up, the key is to be introduced to one of them and get your way to achieve your goal.

Googlers are smart people, and it's always super interesting to work with them, as they're very fast thinkers and doers. They have the best reputation in the U.S., they're the cream of the crop of high skilled employees.

Bonus: the free catering is great (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks).

N.B.: this post isn't sponsored by Google, we just share our tip on how to have a big impact in the world, and grow revenue to create employment, with the best infrastructure for Thermotrauma, that will also secure their product. You can thank Halvar for Google security innovation, his acquired start-up led to Google Project Zero (& TAG - Threat Analysis Group), one of the best cybersecurity team in the world.

A product like Thermotrauma, shouldn't stay within the French borders, we all see the impact it can have around the world: armies, NGOs, hospitals, clinics, ocean lifeguards, firefighters, etc.

It just depends on the founders' ambition. Do they want to be useful for the societies?

If yes, they can't solely rely on the French market, Americans are the best to scale-up an idea/prototype to the rest of the world, look at their soft power, hard power, businesses, charities.

If no, the worst case scenario: an American will soon steal their idea, and make profit for their own benefits, instead of the founders' initial intention: the public interest.

Don't underestimate how the smallest decisions can compound into significant differences over a lifetime.

[bestreasonstowriterecordreviews]

Yea, we’re headed out with our wallets open in the wind this weekend too. But as we did previously in 2016 and 2015, we suggest, if you’re comfortable enough as a vagabond of the western world, please consider donating a fraction of this week’s discretionary income to one of the worthy organizations listed below…that way, when you scroll your uglies into Fuckin’ Record Reviews’ BEST REASONS TO WRITE FUCKIN’ RECORD REVIEWS IN 2017 and revisit BEST REASONS TO WRITE FUCKIN’ RECORD REVIEWS IN 2016, BEST REASONS TO WRITE FUCKIN’ RECORD REVIEWS IN 2015 and 2014 and 2013, you won’t feel as bad about yourself as you normally do. Someone, somewhere will give thanks.  Thanks!

Fuckin’ Record Reviews endorses the agendas of the following organizations, each of which includes localized links after the respective jump:

BATTLE FOR NET NEUTRALITY: Imagine you’d have to pay extra for access to Fuckin’ Record Reviews! Egads!!! “Net neutrality is the principle that Internet providers like Comcast & Verizon should not control what we see and do online. In 2015, startups, Internet freedom groups, and 3.7 million commenters won strong net neutrality rules from the US Federal Communication Commission (FCC). The rules prohibit Internet providers from blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization—"fast lanes" for sites that pay, and slow lanes for everyone else.”

SAVE DACA LIVES via HERE TO STAY:  “On September 5th, Donald Trump ended any renewals and new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, taking away work permits and deportation protection from almost 1 million immigrant youth. Congress must pass a clean Dream Act before going home in December! Tweet these stories to Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and demand a clean Dream Act by December 2017.

COALITION TO STOP GUN VIOLENCE: “CSGV’s guiding principle is simple. We believe that all Americans have a right to live in communities free from gun violence.”

SECULAR COALITION OF AMERICA: “Our mission is to increase the visibility of and respect for nontheistic viewpoints in the United States, and to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all.”

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS: “What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation’s leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an association of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations and volunteers who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.”

PLANNED PARENTHOOD: “In October 2016, Planned Parenthood turned 100 years strong. Planned Parenthood was founded on the revolutionary idea that women should have the information and care they need to live strong, healthy lives and fulfill their dreams — no ceilings, no limits. Learn more about how 100 years of care, education, and activism have changed everything. Today, Planned Parenthood is a trusted health care provider, an informed educator, a passionate advocate, and a global partner helping similar organizations around the world. Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide.”

CLINIC VEST PROJECT: “The mission of the Clinic Vest Project is to provide FREE clinic escort vests to groups that service facilities that support the full range of reproductive health options including safe and legal abortion.”

U.S. COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS (USCRI): “For over 100 years, we have advanced the rights and lives of those who have lost or left their homes. We believe we have a shared responsibility to clear obstacles and uncover opportunities for people everywhere. So, when lives are uprooted by force or by choice, we fight alongside those on the path to independence.”

THE TREVOR PROJECT: “The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.”

AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (ACLU): “The ACLU is non-profit and non-partisan. We do not receive any government funding. Member dues and contributions and grants from private foundations and individuals pay for the work we do. The ACLU, with headquarters in New York City, litigates across the nation and all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Our Washington, D.C., legislative office lobbies the U.S. Congress. We use strategic communications to educate the public about issues. And the ACLU has expanded its reach by applying international human rights standards in our complex Post 9/11 world. A number of national projects address specific civil liberties issues: AIDS, capital punishment, lesbian and gay rights, immigrants’ rights, prisoners’ rights, reproductive freedom, voting rights, women’s rights and workplace rights.”

NATIONAL ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ACTION LEAGUE (NARAL PRO-CHOICE AMERICA): “NARAL Pro-Choice America uses numerous tactics to lobby for liberalized access to abortion, both in the U.S. and elsewhere. It sponsors lawsuits against governments and hospitals, donates money to politicians supportive of abortion rights through its political action committee, and organizes its members to contact members of Congress and urge them to support NARAL’s positions.”

THE JEREMY WILSON FOUNDATION MUSICIANS’ EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE FUND: “…a safety net for musicians and their families when facing debilitating medical crisis. The JWF creates better access to resources and information to help improve the state of musicians’ health and healthcare, and, in turn, their careers and financial and overall well-being.”

SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER: “Your gift will help win justice on behalf of those who have no other champion, expose and fight the hate that thrives in our country, and provide tolerance education materials free of charge to schools across our nation.”

NATIONAL NETWORK OF ABORTION FUNDS: “The National Network of Abortion Funds works to make sure that all people can get the abortions they seek. If you are seeking help paying for an abortion, we are here today to help you get what you need. The local abortion funds in our organization help people pay for abortions they can’t otherwise afford.”

EMILY’S LIST: “We elect pro-choice Democratic women to office.”

BRADY CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE: “The mission of the Brady organization is to create a safer America for all of us that will lead to a dramatic reduction in gun deaths and injuries. Of the 32,000 people who die from gun violence in this country each year, how many could be saved? Brady has announced the bold goal to cut the number of U.S. gun deaths in half by 2025, based on an innovative and exciting strategy that centers on the idea of keeping guns out of the wrong hands through three impact-driven, broadly engaging campaigns: (1) a policy focus to “Finish the Job” so that life-saving Brady background checks are applied to all gun sales; (2) to “Stop ‘Bad Apple’ Gun Dealers” – the 5 percent of gun dealers that supply 90 percent of all crime guns; and (3) to lead a new national conversation and change social norms around the real dangers of guns in the home, to prevent the homicides, suicides, and unintentional shootings that happen every day as a result.”

WFMU: the premier “…listener-supported, non-commercial radio station broadcasting at 91.1 Mhz FM in Jersey City, NJ, right across the Hudson from lower Manhattan. It is currently the longest running freeform radio station in the United States.”

[knitmeapainting]

Please ignore the absolute train wreck of a desk and simply enjoy these little journals that I am making to give away in return for donations to the clinic vest project at a party this weekend! The party is called waking the witch so everything has 13 sheets/26 pages.

Clearance scrapbooking cardstock for the outside, thrift store resume paper for the inside, and a simple five hole pamphlet stitch. Plus I got to play with my new window making punch and corner rounder.

[pyramultimuse]

Jack's gaze towards the holo-monitor projecting from his hightech desk was like steel, but his two-toned eyes were filled with rage as he watched the recruit take a beating. When he himself was an intern, a young tech guy, this same thing happened if he outshined any of his coworkers that were above him. An incredibly toxic work environment. But now, he was at the top.

"What am I doing?" He glanced over to Rhys. "I'm standing up for the little guy, that's what heros do." Jack reassured the intern and started typing after the footage was done and brought up live cameras to find where Russel and the other two were currently. A microphone came out from a compartment of his desk and he grabbed it so he could talk to them over the speaker.

"Hey you, in the ugly green vest. Russel is it? This is your boss Handsome Jack. Did you think you'd get away with beating up the intern that did what none of you could do? He is a very important asset to Hyperion, unlike you three." He spoke into the microphone and pressed another button, on the other end Russel could be heard pleading for forgiveness to whatever Jack had activated. "I just wanted to let you know personally that this behavior will not be tolerated and that your fired."

As soon as he finished his sentence, the loader bots he had sent to Russel's location open fired on the three men. He smirked and quickly cut the feed so his guest wouldn't have to listen to the blood curdling screams of the dying men. The microphone dropped back into the desk and Jack's attention went back to the young man trying to hide his shame from how he had been unable to defend himself in the fight.

"It's okay Rhys, not everyone is a natural fighter. You just need some upgrades." Jack sat back and clapped his hands together. "Looks like there's a new position open in your department! Its all yours if you want, after you take a medical leave to heal up of course. I'll have my personal doctors take care of you, those guys down in the clinic are quacks. Now that's all taken care of, we can get to why I invited you to my office in the first place."

The CEO got up from his desk and came over to sit beside Rhys. "You are a very smart young man. Incredible potential! I would very much like to take you under my wing, be my underling to mentor. Once in a lifetime opportunity, kiddo. But thats just what I want. I still need to reward you for what you've done for this company and me personally. Just between you and me: this eridum you acquired is going to save my daughter's life. You're my hero Rhys." Jack said with a genuine and charming smile towards the young man at his side. "So what do you want? Anything at all, you just name it and I'll make it happen."

Never in Rhys' wildest dreams did he ever picture Handsome Jack praising him like this, especially not when he looked like absolute hell. The further he walks in, the more Jack keeps talking, and by the time Rhys is standing directly in front of him, he's not sure whether to play it cool or act as smugly as he's sure any other Hyperion stooge would.

Fortunately, the decision becomes unimportant in the end, because it ends up more pressing to ask a confused, "'Take care' of them?"

Rhys is obedient, as any good employee is, as he's led to sit down. Even as Jack moves around to pull up security footage, Rhys stays rooted to the spot, the ice pack still pressed to his eye and his head tilted in question.

"I'm grateful for the recognition, sir. I mean, I'm happy doing anything for the company, and for you especially. But what're you doing--"

He hears the voice of his supposed work mentor over the speakers, and the sound of it makes him blink once. The audio feed from the video Jack's currently playing is a little garbled from the static, but nevertheless familiar. Rhys' mentor, a weaselly bastard named Russell, says something along the lines of I heard what you did on Pandora. And Rhys remembers what he said in turn, hears it from the video-- I was hoping you would, he'd said, cheeky as ever, you proud of me, sir?-- and hears Russell's answering laugh and his request for Rhys to follow him.

"Jack? You don't have to watch this." Rhys laughs. "C'mon..."

Because it all plays out exactly as expected. In the video, Rhys is led to a conference room, where Russell and two others from the department start beating down on him, berating him all the while for cutting a deal without them and "disrespecting authority". It's humiliating listening to it happen; Rhys wonders if Jack can see how he'd tried to fight back and failed to land a punch, anyway. Each time he was knocked over, Rhys had tried to get up, but then he'd either been shoved, kicked, or punched back down. Sure, he hadn't cowered even once, hadn't even curled up into a ball, but it doesn't stop shame from filling him at how useless he'd been.

With a sigh, Rhys presses his ice pack to both his eyes to shield them from Jack's gaze.

[impyssadobsessions]

The rain was pouring down heavily, making it impossible to see more than a few feet in front of you. Gotham being eerily silent as the raging storm drowned any life from the dark city. A man tugged at the red hooded vest he worse, trying to make it cover his head better. Wind was threatening to blow it down. Rain dripped off his arms as he stepped quietly through the soaked ally. He stopped and knelt down at the two bodies laying face down on the ground. Obviously they had tried and failed to mug someone, the water around the knife one of them held was a little too dark in color. He checked their pulse, snorting. Whoever kicked their asses should have done it harder. Eyes masked by a white lens domino mask, caught movement in the distance. Red Hood stood back up, cautiously. He waited a moment. Something told him the figure didn't go far. In fact, they were hiding. Slowly he stepped past the two men on the ground, making sure to step on them once or twice.

He stopped when he was certain he heard a muffled cursed. Green lights reflecting in the puddles of the ally, dark smears on the trash cans. He could barely see the shape of the figure in the reflection of the water. His fist clenched as there was no mistaking the small frame and the bright eyes on the boy's face. This was a kid. Teenager. A badly injured one. Red Hood crouched, though still prepared to move if need be. “Hey, kid. I know yer there. I'm not here to hurt ya.” Watching the reflection, the eyes seemed to narrow in suspicion. They stayed deathly quiet.

Fair. Red Hood didn't have the best reputation, and even if they didn't know who he was.. he was sure the outfit didn't help make him look like a guardian angel either.

“Here, I'm going to take out my first aid. Okay? Grab what you need.” Hood slowly unhook the pocket from his belt that contained the first aid. It wasn't much, but for knife wounds it should be plenty. Luckily it doesn't look like the kid was bleeding to death, but they seemed pretty tired. He tossed the pocket close to the kid's hiding spot, keeping his distance. The pocket disrupted the puddle making it hard to see the kid, but the movement was recognizable. The kid had flinched away from it. Hood blew air from his lips to keep his anger down. Seeing the teen so hurt and skittish boiled his blood, but not keeping himself in control would only make it harder to help the kid. After a silent moment, the kid wasn't moving.. but Hood could see his reflection again. He wasn't slumped over either, but curled into himself. Then.. it hit him. The kid was watching his reflection back. Red Hood raised his hands and slowly stood up. “Just take whatever you need from it, then go to the clinic down the street-” “Don't move.” The voice of the kid was firm, if it didn't sound young Hood might have thought it was a threat. Red Hood waited as a hand reached out for the pouch. It flicked the pouch pocket open, making sure the opening faced away from him when he did so. The caution and wariness of even opening a pocket, made him frown under his mask. Kid was not just some random teen in wrong place wrong time.. He's been fucked over more than once to be paranoid enough to suspect gas trap.

The kid emptied the pocket, before tossing it back Hood's way. The teen aiming it specifically so it didn't disrupt the puddle, but bounced and skidded next to Hood's feet. Watching the teen's reflection, he saw how quick the kid was trying to bandage up his wounds. “Shi-” Red Hood raised a brow under his mask, shifting forward out of instinct to help the kid. “I said don't move.” The voice hissed, almost covering the waver in his voice. Almost. Red Hood could see blue eyes glaring at his direction. He stayed still to please the kid, keeping keen of his own surroundings. The kid stayed frozen for a moment to make certain he kept his word, before going back to wrap his wound. This time, the teen was wrapping himself slowly. His eyes staying on the puddle, until it was time to rip the bandage. “How ya doing now, kid?” Hood asked after a moment of silence. The teen didn't respond. “Look, I don't have time for this. If you don't want to be caught, that's fine. I'm the last person to judge, but if your bleeding, we need to get you to a medic.” Red Hood gritted his teeth. “I'm fine.” Red Hood clicked his teeth, aggravated. “Maybe now-” “Thanks, but I'll take my chances.” Red Hood quickly stood up as the teen had taken one of the ointments that fell out of the pocket and tossed it into the puddle. He shielded his face from the water, then move to run over where the boy was. The boy was gone. He didn't even make a sound. Where could he have-Red Hood stepped out of the street to see if he could catch a trace of him. Nothing. Dammit! Red Hood kicked the trash can, watching it as it rolled over the thugs that were still knocked out cold. He stood fist clenched as the rain poured harder down on him. He had to hope the kid was true to his word. Still for him to disappear like that-wait. Red Hood narrowed his eyes at the ground, as he replayed the scene. His back turned on where the black-hair teen used to be. He glanced back at the spot. The vigilante walked over to tie up the thugs. A gnawing feeling still itching on his back. He took out his grappling hook, and shot up at the rooftop. Out of sight. --- The black-hair teen sighed in relief after waiting twenty minutes. His body popping back into existence. His hand over his gut as he stared at the vigilante's handy work. “That was close.-argh!” The teen hissed as he curled in pain. This wasn't looking good. A knife wound like that should have been healed by now. “Done it now Danny. Tch.” Danny shook his head as he used the wall to push himself back on his feet. He needed to get out of there.. He would fly, but with how long its taking to heal this gash in his side, he doubt that would end well. Ever since entering this city, something weird was going on with his powers. He can only hope its not permanent. Now, which way to get back to base? Danny's blue eyes dimly glowing through the heavy rain. Without anyway to tell, Danny blindly ran right once out of the ally way. He hoped to at least find somewhere dry to stay the night. One good thing going for him. Just one. That's all he was asking. Unaware that he was being watched. Red Hood clicked off the zoom feature on his mask, giving a heavy frown. He knew there must have been something strange about the kid. “A meta too.” Now he absolutely had to track this kid down. At least before Batman and the others, and possibly whoever this kid was avoiding being caught by.

[drakonfire12]

Ways to help Ukraine...

This is part of my larger post on the war where you can find various posts and sources on various topics. [Table of Contents here] 

Quick List:

Songs whose YouTube revenue goes to Ukraine 

Together with Ukraine - songs whose revenue goes to Ukraine

Though MS Rewards or Give with Bing [see my post for how-to]

Donate to the United24 initiative - various fundraising projects

“Project Ukraine” Historytube YT revenues that goes to humanitarian aid to Ukraine through the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Centre

Come Back Alive / Повернись живим (helps the army)

Serhiy Prytula / Сергій Притула’s charity foundation (2 choices: military or humanitarian aid)

Donate to help rebuild Irpin (for example their Paypal: dobrorad.irpin@gmail.com)

Ukraine-helpers (various purposes)

forPEACE (local and a range of activities)

UhelpUkraine [Canada] - humanitarian aid drop locations, but also doing a crowdfund for a Bayraktar drone

Repair Together (volunteers helping restore damage done to communities) (Paypal: repairukraine@gmail.com) (their links)

Longer List:

(1a) How to help:

United24 (UA gov’t)

NEST - temporary mobile homes for Ukrainians

YouTube Revenue of Songs that goes to Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine (with helpful replies) [my post with additions replies] [my spreadsheet]

Someone’s earlier post of ways to donate to Roma refugees from Ukraine

Charities listed by Miraculers for Ukraine with more information [list of posts]

Defend Ukraine - verified ways to donate. With help of HIGHGATE with the support of the Ukrainian diaspora in the US, EU and UK.

Ukraine-helpers (various purposes)

Repair Together (volunteers helping restore damage done to communities) (Paypal: repairukraine@gmail.com) (their links)

how to help women list of charities [link]

helping queer people from the three countries [link]

list of ways to support the LGBT+ [link to list]

Diaspora Organizations [my post]

(1b) How to Help (for convenience, organization links are taken from the above posts):

Various purposes:

United24

Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal [Canada-based]. Latest one is for Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital.

Music Saves UA: Ukrainian Association of Music Events to provide immediate humanitarian help

Fight for Rights: Ukrainian People With Disabilities in Crisis [Ukraine-based]

Unite With Ukraine (diaspora organization helps with medical and army supplies)

Razom for Ukraine (US-based. Medical supplies)

Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center &   Memory Foundation “Babyn Yar" (humanitarian aid and evacuations of people and cultural artifacts).

Choven/Lifeboat - “ provides bulletproof vests, tourniquets and other equipment to hot spots”

Rocky Mountain Aid - tourniquets, psychological help...

NGO Heroiam Slava - for Ukrainian soldiers, drones, and humanitarian aid.

KHARPP - rebuilds homes, generators, Starlink.....

Soldiers/Army:

Come Back Alive / Повернись живим (helps the army) [eng]

Blue/Yellow for Ukraine (Lithuania. “Aid is provided to the soldiers, volunteers and territorial defense.”)

Dzyja’s Paws - radios, drones, mine probes, Starlink terminals...

Wild hornets - drones (& PayPal: donate@svoboda-ukrainy.com)

Zemliachka / Землячки - supplies for female soldiers: shoes, underwear, hygiene products... (& PayPal: zemlyachky@gmail.com)

DrukArmiia /3D Print Army - 3D printing parts for the army (includes suggestions for printer and educational resources. Site languages: Ukrainian, English, Polish and German). PayPal: paypal@drukarmy.org.ua

Medical Aid:

Leleka Foundation (medical aid)

Hospitallers - volunteer paramedics.

The Center of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery at Lviv Regional Clinical Hospital  

Superhuman Centre - rehab, surgeries, prosthetics...

UNBROKEN - rehab, prosthetics

Okhmatdyt’s fund for Rare Diseases - for their children’s hospital. (Yes the one that got bombed)

Força Foundation - training for Ukrainian medical staff [x][Instagram][Linktree]

EveryoneCan - helps disabled people, the elderly, and hospitals

ГО "Життя Переможе"/ GoLifeGo - hemostatic bandages

Humanitarian aid:

World Central Kitchen (humanitarian aid to refugees)  

Help Ukraine Center [Poland-based]

Together with Ukraine - songs whose revenue goes to Ukraine [goes to Ukrainian Red Cross Society]

Starenki - help for elderly people

Help for Journalists:

24.02 Fund - supporting: Journalism Emergency Fund for Ukraine

Help for refugees:

Допомога українським біженцям в Болгарії/Помощ за украинските бежанци    

Hire for Ukraine (posting jobs for Ukrainian refugees, Ukrainians post their qualifications...)

Animal Rescue:

UAnimals (humanitarian aid to animals)

NOR DOG Animal Rescue - help animals on frontlines.

“Domivka” animal shelter in L’viv. 

(1c) People raising money:

Serhiy Prytula / Сергій Притула’s charity foundation (can choose either military or humanitarian aid). Check his Insta or Fb to see some of what he’s already done.

Anastasiia Lapatina’s mom, Iryna (PayPal: lapatina2702@gmail.com) brings humanitarian aid (clothes, food, medicine) to soldiers, kids, elderly, animals. [Tweet thread]

Timur Aliev and team - evacuations, humanitarian aid in Kharkiv (PayPal: Timuraliev988998@gmail.com) 

ZSUAngel on Twitter - helps army (PayPal: eurodekor7144773@ukr.net)

Brandon Mitchell - paramedic essentially (PayPal ukrainetbic@gmail.com)

Other options: Ukrainian YouTubers constantly running fundraisers (usually for the army)

BIHUS.info (journalists)

Farid Hovoryt’ (also TV newscaster and has a YouTube channel)

BAKAI

Geek Journal (now in the army)

Real’na istoriia 

Serhii Peichev

[aschlindartroom]

Three Photo Tag Game

Thank you for the tag @tryingtimi! Love stuff like this.

Rules: Find 3 photos/images (they can be anything at all, memes, vintage photographs, quotes, anything) that you feel describe your wip. If you want, you can tell a little bit your story, too. You can do it with or without the context.

Second Serpent: Bird & Fish

Small excerpt below the cut.

In the darkness, a familiar, metallic scent stung at her senses. Blood. Old.

A tunnel walled from top to bottom in tile stood before them. Clinical white surfaces now held the grey pallor of dust, the mark of years resting over long-dried streaks of blood and decay. Bodies, now skeletons, were scattered along the corridor. Clothes clung to the bones—the sterile suits of doctors, the flimsy dressing gowns of the sick. Some wore protective vests, Schmidt & Foster issue, heavy and falling off of what remained of them. No cannon residue, no marks from knives or other melee weaponry, no holes where fabric or armor may have been punctured. The ones who carried guns had not drawn them.

Seung stepped lightly over the ground, moving to catch up to Rhen and Antoni. The two were not surprised, moving through the corridor.

“What happened here?” Seung asked. She noted the patterns of crimson, high arcs of arterial spray, flecks against the ceiling.

Rhen avoided Seung’s eyes. Antoni looked back at her with an odd smile. “Project Bloom happened,” he said. He pushed a gurney out of their path. The skeleton splayed on top of it hit the wall and rattled. Seung had never found the need to respect the dead—no dead man but her father, anyway—and didn’t start now. But she noted Antoni’s brazen countenance, coupled with Rhen’s quiet, and filed it away.

The tunnel was long—at least a mile, by Seung’s estimate. It sloped downward, crawling deeper into the earth. A pressure that was not just altitude began to build, a disquiet that felt both familiar and new, growing with each step. Seung slowed to a stop. Rhen and Antoni turned to look at her, halting their progress. Rhen’s ever-present smile was gone, replaced with cold resignation.

What she wouldn’t give, at times, to have Ehren’s insight.

“You haven’t brought me here for the view,” Seung said, gesturing to the bodies at their feet. Their numbers increased the farther down they went. Whatever had ended these people, it had taken advantage of the natural bottleneck. No way out but up.

[...]

“What is this place?” Seung asked.

“A very old Schmidt & Foster facility,” Rhen replied. “We think it predates the Spacebelt Catastrophe. It was abandoned. Project Bloom repurposed it and the resources left behind.”

“Project Bloom?”

Antoni stepped forward to cut them off. Rhen raised her hand, halting him. She did not look away from Seung. “An experimental trial in cast oil exposure, funded and sourced by the Liberation. Anecdotal evidence supported the hypothesis that cast oil exposure in certain quantities to certain people caused valuable mutations—the next step in evolutionary development.”

They weren’t her words—too practiced and concise. How many times had she rehearsed this explanation? How many times had she rattled off the words in broken mirrors, or heard them spoken in her presence?

Seung nodded further down the hall, where the door to a freight elevator loomed ominously. “Why was it blocked off?”

“A leak of cast oil aerosolized,” Rhen said. “The facility residents were already exposed, but they closed off the area to minimize the damage to the rest of New London.”

“How long?”

“Four years ago.”

Seung looked down at one of the skeletons by their feet, draped a patient’s gown covered in blood but long since dried. Empty eye sockets. She remembered H, the eruption of blood as his eyeballs had burst—the fat, pulsing worms that had pushed them out.

“These people didn’t just die of exposure.”

“Not just,” Rhen agreed. She took another step forward, careful. Seung stood her ground. “The airborne cast oil initiated a space-time anomaly. A crack into the void opened.” Rhen hesitated, considering her next words carefully. “Something came through.”

“Something,” Seung huffed.

“Part of something,” Rhen amended.

[catty-words]

“there was this moment last term where i thought maybe you liked me...”: an examination of maeve’s understanding of her relationship with otis

part two: nightmare nancy drew, checking up on her heart // part one: “i’m not inviting you in,” said the liar

though it could certainly be explained away given the basis for their relationship is a sex clinic and they both appreciate a good theme, the fact remains that we pick up maeve and otis’ relationship with a charged exchange of erotic images in episode four. having settled into friendship, the two of them now seem to be flirting with the possibility of something more.

the episode itself encourages this read, given we follow up with otis’ best friend accusing him of being in love with maeve and with maeve having some especially heated sex with jackson - the implication being that the exchange of pornographic images with otis has left her riled up.

and, if it wasn’t already clear by this point, the following scene where jackson approaches otis with his proposition throws into sharp relief the conflict each member of the love triangle will be grappling with for the episode: namely the way maeve’s relationship with jackson is sexually fulfilling but devoid of emotional intimacy, while otis is currently her closest friend but not someone with whom she has a sexual relationship. but while the episode centers on the boys’ desire for a more complete connection with maeve, this essay is about maeve’s pov, not theirs.

with that in mind, what i find most interesting about the first half of the episode is this pair of subtle moments, as they do a lot of work establishing the headspace in which maeve finds herself.

though she’s kicking the kissing couple out of her way and stealing in these two scenes, she still takes a beat to find the intimacy between both the student couple and cynthia and jeffrey charming. i don’t think it’s a stretch to claim that this open craving for and appreciation of romance is a result of otis’ recent entrance into her life. on top of having a lucrative project to focus on because of and with him, she’s rendered just as cupcake-y as he is by their texting. they’re both a little giddy with their newfound closeness.

still, we’ve established how the closeness does not translate to a physical relationship, which is what maeve’s yearning for here. for this reason, and possibly because he’s trying so hard to show an interest in the things she likes to talk about anyway, maeve turns to jackson for conversation instead of otis. though, at this point, she’s still not interested in the possibility of a committed relationship, she is interested in testing the boundaries of their current dynamic, hoping to determine if she can she have a stimulating friendship with jackson in addition to a thriving sexual relationship. the conclusion she reaches appears to be an affirmative one.

this leaves her with one reservation where jackson’s concerned: the fact that she doesn’t want a boyfriend. and when aimee pushes maeve to elaborate, maeve deflects. her question of “what’s so good about [having a boyfriend]?” effectively distracts aimee with talk of kyle.

otis, on the other hand, is not so easily put off the line of questioning - both because he has a much more vested interest in the answer than aimee and because he’s generally a bit sharper than her and therefore better suited to being the friend that can needle confidences out of maeve and her steely exterior.

and needle he does, first uncovering the general admission that boyfriends are “just someone else to let you down” in maeve’s eyes, and then the more jackson-specific answer that she feels the difference in their status acutely - which we, the audience, should have already picked up on given that she’s brought up the fact that jackson wanted to keep their hooking up a secret twice now - once at aimee’s party and again at the beginning of this episode. her exact words, in fact, are “jackson, i’m not offended that you wanna keep this a secret.” the doth protest too much energy could not be more evident.

while confessing this, it’s interesting to note that, just as maeve was experimenting with adding the missing element to her relationship with jackson earlier, she’s - consciously or not - testing the bounds of a physical relationship with otis.

i mean, look at her exhibiting the same dreamy pleasure that she did over witnessing other couples’ affection both when jackson texts her back and when she’s struck with the idea to push otis into the pool. whether or not she’s realized her intentions or true feelings on the matter for herself, she has positioned otis against jackson as a potential love interest and spends the episode weighing them against each other.

however, where she gets a conclusive answer to whether or not her and jackson can carry on a friendship (skewed though the results may be by otis’ unfortunate interference), she's left only with otis’ compelling oddness for an answer as to whether they have any kind of physical compatibility. she gets out of the pool still interested by her own admission, but with her curiosity unsatisfied.

and i think it’s especially important to note the exact way otis reacts to her getting more romantically physical than ever before with him.

while the audience has the context for this panic-stricken response, maeve has no idea that otis has a mental-block when it comes to wanking and therefore becomes severely uncomfortable whenever he has an erection. as far as she can tell, he just said “ow” and pulled away from physical contact with her for no more reason than it was physical contact with her.

anyway, it’s with maeve’s confirmation that her and jackson could have more than just transcendental sex and her lack of any conclusive proof that her and otis are compatible as more than just friends that we enter the final act of this episode. and that might have been enough on its own to get maeve to respond positively to jackson’s grand gesture. but it’s this moment here that really sets up maeve accepting jackson’s final request that she be his girlfriend.

as she said to otis, maeve’s primary hang-up when it comes to dating jackson is the fact that he made it clear at the start that he was ashamed of their hooking up. and since his grand gesture amounts to school-wide acknowledgement that he has feelings for her and doesn’t care what anyone might say about it, maeve’s left with no readily available reason to turn down jackson. so she doesn’t. she doesn’t wholeheartedly agree, either, but she finds herself open to the idea that seeing where things go with jackson is worth it for the chance at the intimacy her friendship with otis has made her more comfortable admitting she craves.

except we open episode five with the revelation that a month has passed and maeve’s still fighting that very intimacy with jackson, as evidenced by her resistance to meeting his parents and the jokey frustration behind his line “cool. we’ll just have sex in the back of my car forever.” still, jackson’s concerning tendency to push past the boundaries maeve tries to establish rears its ugly head, and she’s dragged along into this serious relationship milestone.

though it seemed like the show was endorsing the Grand Gesture as romantic even after ruthlessly mocking it in episode four, it chooses to shine a light on the emptiness of the trope in episode five by carrying over the issue with maeve and jackson’s differences in social status. his public acknowledgement of his feelings for her felt good in the moment, but it did nothing to fix their deeper incompatibility. because, while episode four sells us on the lie that the discrepancy in social standing was a problem because jackson made it one, episode five makes it clear that it was self-shame on maeve’s part all along. jackson wanting to keep their hookups a secret certainly didn’t help, but the heart of the matter is that maeve that cannot handle the way jackson’s nice, clean house and doting parents make her feel like “grotty, stinky cock biter who lives in a caravan.” she fears that’s all she’ll ever be and is, therefore, not good enough for someone who’s more.

with these insecurities at the front of her mind and given the chance to save someone else from an unflattering sexual reputation, maeve jumps on the clinic business with a one-track intensity that speaks to just how badly she wants to feel worthy of something better. and the fact that she chooses otis as her companion in this quest speaks to the way she doesn’t feel pressure to be anything but herself around him. he’s all at once understanding of how trapped she feels and the person who supports her in her effort to be more. i mean, consider this moment here.

we’ve been tracking maeve’s willingness to open up and it doesn’t get any more nakedly vulnerable than this beat, which follows a speech in which her anger and hurt over the reputation that casts a pall over everything she does is seeping out of her every pore.

anyway, the bottom line is, despite having committed to jackson in episode four, maeve is back to avoiding true intimacy and vulnerability with him while leaning on otis for the very same. and though otis misinterprets it a little, he’s clearly picked up on this pattern.

his implication that she only wants him around for clinic stuff (and therefore, money) or to avoid jackson misses the fact that it’s not about jackson at all for her (and definitely not about the money in this case, since they’re not making any). as she tells him, maeve wants otis around because he’s her friend. she’s naturally inclined to enjoy his company and feels most comfortable being herself when she’s around him.

and then there’s this moment.

(yes, it’s about eyebrows, okay, let me live my best life) up until this moment, maeve maintains some plausible deniability about whether or not she recognizes how deep her feelings for otis have become. but his challenging the assertion that they’re friends catches her off guard, and she looks like her heart just stopped over the possibility that he’s forcing the conversation about how much more than friends they act.

since the following scene they share together includes maeve flirtily challenging otis to steal and her peering in on ola and him sharing a moment with obvious jealousy, i don’t think my read of the above moment as a turning point for her is without in-text support.

which brings us to the all-important bridge scene. having just acknowledged out loud that she’s not expecting jackson to forgive her for running away, she experiences a moment with otis wherein he initiates a bit of physical contact - pretty much for the first time in their relationship. and almost immediately in response, maeve’s body language turns coveting of a kiss.

so when otis aborts his lean in rather abruptly, jerking away from her, it’s no wonder that maeve looks confused and hurt.

though it’d be easy to read her reaction as simple disappointment with otis’ confession - especially since it casts a strange light on their joint venture - it’s important to remember that this marks the second occasion where he’s reacted with panic to physical contact with her. and, once again, while we know exactly why otis is psyching himself out, maeve lacks similar context.

which is probably why, having just succeeded in her mission to save ruby from a similar Cock Biter fate and having just gathered some pretty damning evidence that otis doesn’t want to take their relationship outside the realm of friendship, maeve feels compelled to return to jackson. operating under the assumption that otis is no longer a potential romantic interest, maeve submits to the true intimacy jackson’s been after for a while by showing him where she lives and communicating her anxieties about their respective statuses. they share a genuinely nice moment where they both come to understand the other better, and their relationship becomes richer for it.

of course, we’re only just more than halfway through the season, and maeve’s affections are anything but settled, even if her attachment to jackson has reached new depths. after all, “you can’t choose who you’re attracted to. you can’t engineer a relationship.” and maeve’s about to learn these lessons the hard way.

[tailorvizsla]

You didn't think I wouldn't ask for some Boba Fett though now did you? (Of course not, he is the new shiny for me iuwhei) ✨ HC Of my Choice... What about having your first kiss with Boba and he doesn't #know it is your first one till part-way through or after? Am I projecting? Yes, yes I am.

Title: HC – Boba Fett and First Kiss Pairing: Gender neutral Reader x Boba Fett Word Count: ~1700 Rating: PG-13 Warnings: Boba Fett is a grumpy bastard, but you hold your own against him. Boba also gets injured, but there aren’t any graphic descriptions of the injuries. Author’s Notes: Okay, my Angle, I’ve been thinking about this one for as long as it’s been sitting in my inbox. I’m not familiar with Boba Fett’s character, so I wanted to make sure this was good for you. So, without further ado, here we go with the Big Green Grumpy Jerk who has somehow inexplicably charmed his way into my heart with a few gruff comments.

Tagging @princessbatears because chaos? :>

📚 My Master List 📚

Boba Fett isn’t a man of many words. It’s not that he’s shy or anything – he just doesn’t like talking to people beyond what is necessary. He has worked alone his entire life, so the sound of others’ voices just sort of grates on him. He especially does not like being crowded by people.

So, one day, while doing his thing, he ends up injured. It’s not even due to combat. His jetpack just…sputters out. His beskar’gam turns what should have been a fatal fall into a very painful one. He knows he has broken a lot of bones, but Boba refuses to die like this. He crawls his way back to his bike, calls for medical aid, and prays to the Maker that someone in town will come help him.

You are the only person who does come to help him. Most other people are too afraid of the Imperial remnants to work with a Mandalorian. Others are too afraid of Mandalorians to work with a Mandalorian. You? You are not afraid of much. He is not sure if you are brave or stupid. After splinting the worst of the damage, you get him onto the bike and get him back into town. It is at this point that Boba finds himself leaning toward thinking you are stupidly caring and trusting.

You inject him with bacta – the good kind that makes him giggly, sleepy, and numb – and get to work. When he wakes up, he’s wrapped in an annoying number of casts and splints, but at least he’s still alive. However, you then give him the bad news: the fall has damaged many of the delicate nerves in his back. If he fails to undergo physical therapy, there is a real chance he may never walk again. He’s no medical expert, but when he looks at the scans you took, he knows you aren’t lying.

So, Boba resigns himself to having to deal with you on a regular basis. The first physical therapy exercises are simple, yet they exhaust him to the point where he just passes out. As the days go by, he starts putting up the walls to keep you out. (Spoiler alert: you manage to find your way through the cracks in the wall, annoying him with barely any effort on your behalf.)

Now, under ideal circumstances, this shitshow would end with Boba Fett getting back on his feet, paying you handsomely for the amount of time you have spent getting him put together, and going back to bounty hunting, never to think of you again. But of course, the universe throws an even bigger wrench into his carefully thought-out plans. Someone finds out that you’re taking care of him and a whole bunch of angry townspeople converge on your little clinic. He grabs you and the two of you run. The last thing you see is your clinic going up in flames. (Boba can’t believe the shortsightedness of these people – they’ve driven off their only competent medical professional. What are they going to do next? Kill their only competent mechanic? Di’kute, every last one of them.)

And so, the two of you go off on a merry adventure, annoying the absolute shit out of each other on a regular basis. Boba especially is concerned at how easily you have managed to find every single weak point in his defenses – physical, mental, and emotional. You are a fair shot with your blaster, so when he got fresh with you that one time, telling you that your ass looked downright edible in the trousers you had borrowed from him, you drew your blaster and fired a shot off at his feet. He laughed so hard his bucket nearly fell off. (You are not sure if you are disturbed that he finds being shot at amusing. He does scold you a bit, but you do notice that he does not talk about your ass anymore.)

With your knife? You’re lethal, and he learns that the hard way when he fails to announce his presence behind you. One moment Boba is reaching to touch your shoulder and the next moment, he’s got your elbow in his face and your penknife embedded in his flak vest. Fortunately, the blade’s too short to cause serious damage, but he does not let you forget that you kriffing stabbed him when he was only trying to ask you what you wanted for dinner.

Even though Boba would rather cover himself in tiingilar sauce and crawl back into the sarlacc pit headfirst than ever admit it, the two of you make a damn good team. He goes off to hunt bounties, you stay in town to provide your medical services for a fair fee. Sometimes, when your services are not needed, you’ll hang back at the ship and do some basic accounting to keep him within his budget.

Boba grumbles when you ask to accompany him on a hunt, but he figures you really do need to learn how to defend yourself if anything should happen to him. When the two of you were surrounded by goons, you naturally fell into place behind him, your back to his, covering his shebs while he provides the heavy firepower. When the numbers are thinned to something more manageable, he sets you loose on them, letting you practice your knife skills. And by the Maker, he is impressed with how much you have improved since the last time you stabbed him.

Between hunts, you get his shebs back into fighting shape. Hell, he thinks he’s even better than he was before. The exercises you insist on forcing on him have made him more flexible than he was before, and his bones no longer creak first thing in the morning. One particularly hot, muggy day, you try to make him drink that vile green vegetable concoction you call a smoothie. Smooth his shebs, there are chunks in that liquefied animal feed. Sometimes he wonders if you’re trying to kill him on purpose.

(You don’t know this, but Boba has already arranged for everything in his possession, ships and banking accounts included, to be transferred to you in the event of his death. Hell, he has even started negotiating with a friendly Tribe to make sure you have a home to go to and your pick of their warriors for marriage, should you be interested. Boba justifies it this way: the last time his jetpack mutinied, he ended up several hundred thousand credits in debt to you by his estimation. By ensuring you have a safe place to go, and a family ready to welcome you, he can offset the immeasurable debt he owes you. It hurts to think of this, but Boba genuinely cannot bear the thought of you being alone in this cruel galaxy, the same way he had been when he was a child. So, if he ever does piss you off to the point where you off him in his sleep, you’ll be fine.)

You keep pushing and pushing, insisting that he needs B-vitamins or some other bantha-shit he’s sure you’ve made up for the sole purpose of annoying him. When you start going on about macronutrients and essential vitamins, Boba loses it. He tosses his cutlery down and goes stomping off toward the cockpit. You follow him, blathering on and on about the last blood panel you had pulled – HDLs, LDLs, and a whole slew of acronyms later, he loses it. Rather than snap at you, he shuts you up the only way his poor sleep-deprived brain can come up with.

Boba pushes you up against the wall, gently to avoid hurting you. You don’t seem at all phased. In fact, you start waving the paper at him as you try to draw his attention to his sodium levels. Boba leans in and presses his lips to yours. You finally stop talking, your entire body going stiff in response. He takes a moment to nibble along your lower lip before parting your lips with his, tongue probing a bit deeper in, and you still aren’t responding. Boba draws back and stares down at you. You’re wide-eyed and clearly in shock.

He leans in again. This time you respond clumsily, your hands clutching at that stupid piece of paper. He gently wrestles it out of your grasp and crumples it up. Then he tosses it over his shoulder, not caring where it lands. He cups the back of your head and deepens the kiss. Still, you’re not responding the way he wants, so he draws back.

“What, never been kissed before?” he asks.

Before he can say anything else, he realizes that that was your first kiss. While Boba has never wanted to be anyone’s First Anything, he realizes that he wants to make an exception for you. There’s no one in this entire galaxy who can annoy the shit out of him in one breath and then worry about his health in the next. You are his little baar’ur. After you have wormed your way under his plating and so selfishly made yourself a fixture in his life without his permission? Oh, no, no, you are not going anywhere.

He cuts off your stammering with another kiss. He takes this one slow, moving your hands to where he wants you to touch him – one at his nape, the other at the small of his back, right over that spot that makes his knees weak.

This time, you respond. Slowly, hesitantly, but as you grow more confident, your hands begin to stray. You worm your fingers up the back of his shirt and dig your nails into the sensitive skin there, making him gasp in pleasure. Then you dig your fingers into his long hair and tug lightly, earning a low growl from him. You freeze and stare up at him with wide eyes until he leans back in.

Fortunately, your big smart science brain learns his likes and dislikes very quickly. When he finally pulls away, he finds that he really likes what he sees – your shirt’s rumpled, your hair is sticking up, and your lips are red and swollen from his kisses. Then and there, he makes a vow to make sure you always look like a mess.

(Spoiler alert: quite a few more of your firsts happen right here in the cockpit.)

[knitmeapony]

Thank you to the person at WisCon who was the first to ever buy one of my abortion in media paintings! Proceeds will go to the clinic vest project, a wonderful organization that provides training and materials to abortion clinic escorts across the world!

I received a lot of nice comments as well which was a great encouragement. I'm hoping to have a dozen or more of these available at some fundraisers for Clinic Vest project later this year, and I'm always happy to mail these to anyone who sends me a receipt for their donation directly to the project!

Sarah Manning, Orphan Black, episode aired June 20th 2014 and August 11th 2017

Interesting note, the only character that I have found that has decided once to have an abortion and once to have the baby.