#Custom Sign Makers

[premier-graphics]

Custom Wraps and Decals for Commercial Vehicles - Richmond, BC

Commercial vehicle wraps and decals are applied to business vehicles to promote a company's brand and services. This type of mobile advertising transforms ordinary vehicles into a moving advertisement, catching the attention of potential customers wherever they go.

In a competitive market, standing out over the crowd is crucial. Commercial vehicle wraps and decals offers an advantage and effective ways to increase brand visibility and reach a wide range of audience without the recurring costs associated with other advertising forms. Whether you're a small business or a large corporation, vehicle wraps and decals can play an important role in your marketing strategy.

Compared to traditional advertising methods, vehicle signage is highly cost-effective. Once installed, it provides continuous exposure without recurring costs, making it a smart investment for long-term advertising. Unlike other forms of advertising, your vehicle signage works around the clock. Whether parked or in transit, your brand and message is always on display, providing continuous marketing for your business.

Service Metro Vancouver and beyond, Premier Graphics Inc. is a full-service signage and graphics production and installation company. They offer commercial vehicles as well as food trucks and trailer custom wraps and decals. From the design process and production, right through to the installation they prioritize the needs of your business. They are proud to have the largest 3M Preferred Install Team in Western Canada that offers custom signage and graphics solutions.

Check their website: https://www.premiergr.com/commercial-vehicle-decals-and-wraps/ for more information about their custom wraps and decals for commercial vehicles.

[vibrantsigns]

How Custom Blade Signs Can Boost Your Business Visibility in Miami, FL

If you’re looking to elevate your business’s visibility in Miami, FL, custom blade signs could be the game-changer you need. These sleek, attention-grabbing signs are designed to hang perpendicular to a building’s facade, providing a unique and effective way to advertise your business. Whether you’re located in the busy streets of downtown Miami or in a more suburban area, blade signs can significantly increase foot traffic and enhance brand awareness. Here’s why blade signs are the perfect solution for businesses in Miami.

What Are Blade Signs?

Blade signs, also known as projecting signs, are a type of sign that extends outward from a building or storefront. They’re typically mounted on brackets or poles and often hang perpendicular to the building’s wall. Blade signs offer high visibility, especially in areas with pedestrian traffic, as they are more noticeable from a distance than traditional flat signs. Their compact, double-sided design means they can catch the attention of people from both directions.

These signs can be customized in terms of size, shape, color, and material, making them versatile for a wide variety of business needs. From a café to a boutique or a law office, blade signs can be tailored to reflect your brand’s identity and message.

The Benefits of Blade Signs for Your Miami Business

Increased Visibility in Miami’s Busy Streets

Miami is a city where competition is fierce, and standing out is crucial. Blade signs provide an excellent opportunity to capture attention from pedestrians and drivers alike. When installed on the exterior of your building, they’re positioned to be seen from different angles and distances, making them ideal for businesses on crowded streets or in areas with heavy foot traffic. They are also highly effective in Miami’s urban setting, where traditional signs may not stand out as much.

Perfect for Businesses Located in High-Traffic Areas

Whether your business is near popular tourist destinations, busy shopping districts, or vibrant nightlife spots in Miami, a custom blade sign is an excellent way to attract attention. Blade signage can be seen by passersby who may not have noticed your business otherwise, whether they’re walking down the street, biking, or driving by. If you’re looking for a way to increase foot traffic, a strategically placed blade sign can be a powerful tool.

Maximizing Brand Exposure

Custom blade signs allow you to showcase your brand in a way that’s both creative and functional. The design options are endless, from bold colors to unique shapes and materials. Blade signs are not just functional; they’re also a form of advertising. They act as a constant visual reminder of your business, ensuring that your brand remains top of mind for anyone who passes by. With a blade sign, your business gets extra exposure, even from people who may not be specifically looking for it.

Cost-Effective Marketing Solution

In comparison to other forms of advertising, blade signs offer excellent value for money. Traditional ads like billboards, TV spots, or print advertisements can be costly and may have a limited impact. Blade signs, however, are a one-time investment that can continuously draw attention to your business. The visibility they offer makes them a long-term, cost-effective marketing solution, especially for businesses on a budget.

Why Choose Custom Blade Signs for Your Business?

Tailored to Your Brand’s Unique Identity

One of the major advantages of custom blade signs is that they can be fully tailored to your specific branding needs. You can choose the color palette, font style, materials, and even additional design features like lighting to ensure your blade sign aligns perfectly with your business’s aesthetic. Whether you want a modern, minimalist design or something more ornate and vintage, custom blade signs offer the flexibility to make your vision come to life.

Durable and Weather-Resistant

Miami’s hot and humid climate can take a toll on exterior signage. The good news is that custom blade signs are designed to withstand the elements. Made from durable materials like metal, acrylic, and wood, blade signage is built to endure rain, wind, and intense sun exposure. This makes them an ideal choice for Miami businesses that need reliable outdoor signage that can last year-round.

Double-Sided Advertising

One of the unique features of blade signs is their double-sided design. This allows your message to be seen from both directions, maximizing the exposure of your business. Whether someone is walking past on one side of the street or driving from the other direction, your sign will be visible, increasing the likelihood of them noticing your business.

Finding Blade Signs Makers and Installers in Miami

When it comes to getting the best blade sign for your business, working with experienced blade signs makers and installers in Miami is essential. Local experts can help you choose the right design, material, and placement to ensure maximum impact. They also understand Miami’s local regulations and zoning laws, ensuring your blade sign is installed in compliance with the city’s rules.

Quality Craftsmanship and Expertise

By partnering with professional blade signs makers, you ensure that your signage is crafted with care and precision. These experts understand the intricacies of designing signs that are not only visually appealing but also effective in driving traffic to your business. Whether you’re looking for a classic look or something more modern, these specialists can create a blade sign that suits your needs.

Efficient Installation Process

Once you’ve chosen the perfect design for your custom blade sign, professional installers will ensure that it is mounted securely and positioned for maximum visibility. With their expertise, you can rest assured that the installation process will be smooth, quick, and done to the highest standards.

Where to Find Blade Signs Near Me in Miami

Searching for blade signs near me in Miami? Look no further than Vibrant Sign Studio, your trusted local provider of custom blade signs in Miami. Whether you’re located in the heart of downtown or in a quieter part of the city, they specialize in creating and installing high-quality blade signs that elevate your business’s visibility and branding.

Custom Blade Signs Tailored to Your Needs

With Vibrant Sign Studio, you get more than just a standard blade sign. You get a product designed to match your business’s unique personality. From the initial consultation to the final installation, the team at Vibrant Sign Studio ensures that every aspect of your blade sign reflects your brand and captures the attention of your target audience.

Conclusion: Boost Your Business with Blade Signs

Custom blade signs offer Miami businesses an excellent way to increase visibility, build brand recognition, and attract new customers. Whether you’re a restaurant, retail store, or service provider, investing in blade signage can significantly improve your business’s presence in the city’s bustling environment. From their high visibility to the ability to customize them to suit your brand, blade signs are an investment that pays off over time. If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, consider working with professional blade sign makers and installers in Miami to create a sign that’s as unique as your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are blade signs? Blade signs are perpendicular signs that extend out from a building’s facade, providing high visibility from both directions.

How do custom blade signs help my business? Custom blade signs increase visibility, attract foot traffic, and build brand recognition, helping your business stand out in a competitive market.

Are blade signs durable in Miami’s weather? Yes, custom blade signs are made from weather-resistant materials like metal and acrylic, ensuring durability in Miami’s hot and humid climate.

How can I find blade signs near me in Miami? You can find local blade sign makers and installers, such as Vibrant Sign Studio, by searching for "blade signs near me" online or asking for referrals.

Can I customize my blade sign? Absolutely! Custom blade signs can be designed to fit your brand’s colors, fonts, materials, and overall aesthetic.

[signsolutions]

Enhance Your Brand with Custom Vehicle Signs in Cayman - SignSolutions

If you're searching for custom vehicle signs near me in Cayman, look no further! At SignSolutions, we specialize in creating impactful vehicle signs that turn your vehicles into mobile advertising tools. Our expert sign makers near you in Cayman offer a full range of indoor signs, outdoor signs, and vehicle signs. With high-quality sign printing near me in Cayman, you can ensure your brand is always on display and driving business growth.

Visit on: https://www.signsolutions.ky/vehicle-signs-cayman-islands

[vitalsignsolutions]

Custom & Illuminated Pylon Signs in Houston - Vital Sign Solutions

Elevate your business with custom and illuminated pylon signs from Vital Sign Solutions in Houston. Our expert team creates high-quality tenant signs and business directory signs that stand out. Trust us for professional pylon sign solutions that enhance your visibility and attract customers. Get in touch with Vital Sign Solutions for your pylon signage needs!

[dlxadv]

🛣️🎨 Unleash Your Creativity with Custom Signs! 🎨🛣️

[neoniconsusa]

Visit neonicons.com for best Led neon signs

A home bar is more than simply a place to sip your favorite beverages; it also serves as a meeting space for friends and family and is a reflection of your own style. At Mondo Neon, we recognize the value of designing an individual and welcoming atmosphere.

In this post, we'll look at how our unique neon signs can turn your home bar into a chic retreat where cool neon lights command attention, boosting the mood and leaving a lasting impression on your visitors. Social media has coverd our lives in the recent digital era. It serves as more than simply a channel for communication; it also allows us to connect with people and express ourselves.

With this handmade, one-of-a-kind neon artwork, illuminate your house and make it pop. With your very own LED or Glass Neon sign, you can stand out, impress your friends, and make a statement. Our neon artworks are manufactured from your choice of LED or Glass Neon and are created with both companies and consumers in mind. Therefore, we can handle both inside and outdoor installation of your sign. Please take note that LED Neon is only suitable for indoor applications. Glass Neon is the best option since it is waterproof by nature, making it perfect for outdoor installation.

One of the most important days of your life is your wedding, and what better way to make it even more magical and unique than with neon signs? Any wedding location may become a wonderful place with neon signs by transforming it into a colorful and fashionable setting. It's critical to distinguish yourself from the competitors in the hectic world of restaurants by creating an atmosphere that guests will never forget.

Led neon signs have gained popularity as a preferred option among restaurant owners seeking to make a statement because of its alluring light and classic charm. Creativity and fashion are key components in designing a child's room. Custom neon lights are one striking and eye-catching feature that has been sweeping the interior design industry.

[kemsigns]

3D Signs Melbourne: Your One-Stop Shop for Custom 3D Signage in Melbourne

3D Signs Melbourne is the premier provider of custom 3D signage solutions in Melbourne. We offer a comprehensive range of services, from design and fabrication to installation and maintenance, to help you create the perfect 3D sign Melbourne for your business or organization.

Our team of experienced and knowledgeable sign experts will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and goals. We will then design a custom 3D sign that is tailored to your brand and messaging.

We use only the highest quality materials and cutting-edge technology to create our 3D signs. This ensures that your sign will be durable, long-lasting, and visually stunning.

In addition to our custom design services, we also offer a wide variety of pre-designed 3D signs. This means that you can find the perfect sign for your needs, even if you have a limited budget.

We are committed to providing our customers with exceptional service. We will work with you every step of the way to ensure that you are satisfied with your 3D sign.

[neonvibes3]

Custom Neon Sign Maker Kuwait | Neonvibeskw.com

Create the perfect neon sign for your business with Neonvibeskw.com! Our custom neon sign maker in Kuwait offers unique designs, quality craftsmanship, and fast delivery to make your vision come to life.

Custom Neon Sign Maker Kuwait

[ngssignsmithslondon]

Top 5 NGS copperplate script fonts

Our Famous Slant on Scripts Love Hate Social Club Notting Hill Gallery of hand crafted Copperplate Script sign writing works and inspiration. Fitzbillies of Cambridge Crazy Pig Covent Garden The George Tavern Stepney Soho inspiration Belgium Dutch style Sarf’ Lundun . Script or Cursive lettering is an art and a whole area of expertise that writers either have or not.  Luckily I always…

[environprint]

Beverage Labels | Custom Bottle Labels | Environprint

Creating a Bottle Label Maker is a crucial step in enhancing your brand's image, particularly when it comes to Custom Wine Labels and Custom Bottle labels. Neglecting the importance of professionally printed beverage labels can lead consumers to quest0ion the quality of your products. On the contrary, a thoughtfully designed label not only conveys reliability and trustworthiness but also sparks consumer curiosity, setting your bottles apart on the competitive retail shelves.

Know More: https://environprint.com/ep-beverage-labels-2.html 

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The one weird monopoly trick that gave us Walmart and Amazon and killed Main Street

I'm coming to BURNING MAN! On TUESDAY (Aug 27) at 1PM, I'm giving a talk called "DISENSHITTIFY OR DIE!" at PALENQUE NORTE (7&E). On WEDNESDAY (Aug 28) at NOON, I'm doing a "Talking Caterpillar" Q&A at LIMINAL LABS (830&C).

Walmart didn't just happen. The rise of Walmart – and Amazon, its online successor – was the result of a specific policy choice, the decision by the Reagan administration not to enforce a key antitrust law. Walmart may have been founded by Sam Walton, but its success (and the demise of the American Main Street) are down to Reaganomics.

The law that Reagan neutered? The Robinson-Patman Act, a very boring-sounding law that makes it illegal for powerful companies (like Walmart) to demand preferential pricing from their suppliers (farmers, packaged goods makers, meat producers, etc). The idea here is straightforward. A company like Walmart is a powerful buyer (a "monopsonist" – compare with "monopolist," a powerful seller). That means that they can demand deep discounts from suppliers. Smaller stores – the mom and pop store on your Main Street – don't have the clout to demand those discounts. Worse, because those buyers are weak, the sellers – packaged goods companies, agribusiness cartels, Big Meat – can actually charge them more to make up for the losses they're taking in selling below cost to Walmart.

Reagan ordered his antitrust cops to stop enforcing Robinson-Patman, which was a huge giveaway to big business. Of course, that's not how Reagan framed it: He called Robinson-Patman a declaration of "war on low prices," because it prevented big companies from using their buying power to squeeze huge discounts. Reagan's court sorcerers/economists asserted that if Walmart could get goods at lower prices, they would sell goods at lower prices.

Which was true…up to a point. Because preferential discounting (offering better discounts to bigger customers) creates a structural advantage over smaller businesses, it meant that big box stores would eventually eliminate virtually all of their smaller competitors. That's exactly what happened: downtowns withered, suburban big boxes grew. Spending that would have formerly stayed in the community was whisked away to corporate headquarters. These corporate HQs were inevitably located in "onshore-offshore" tax haven states, meaning they were barely taxed at the state level. That left plenty of money in these big companies' coffers to spend on funny accountants who'd help them avoid federal taxes, too. That's another structural advantage the big box stores had over the mom-and-pops: not only did they get their inventory at below-cost discounts, they didn't have to pay tax on the profits, either.

MBA programs actually teach this as a strategy to pursue: they usually refer to Amazon's "flywheel" where lower prices bring in more customers which allows them to demand even lower prices:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaSwWYemLek

You might have heard about rural and inner-city "food deserts," where all the independent grocery stores have shuttered, leaving behind nothing but dollar stores? These are the direct product of the decision not to enforce Robinson-Patman. Dollar stores target working class neighborhoods with functional, beloved local grocers. They open multiple dollar stores nearby (nearly all the dollar stores you see are owned by one of two conglomerates, no matter what the sign over the door says). They price goods below cost and pay for high levels of staffing, draining business off the community grocery store until it collapses. Then, all the dollar stores except one close and the remaining store fires most of its staff (working at a dollar store is incredibly dangerous, thanks to low staffing levels that make them easy targets for armed robbers). Then, they jack up prices, selling goods in "cheater" sizes that are smaller than the normal retail packaging, and which are only made available to large dollar store conglomerates:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/03/27/walmarts-jackals/#cheater-sizes

Writing in The American Prospect, Max M Miller and Bryce Tuttle1 – a current and a former staffer for FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya – write about the long shadow cast by Reagan's decision to put Robinson-Patman in mothballs:

https://prospect.org/economy/2024-08-13-stopping-excessive-market-power-monopoly/

They tell the story of Robinson-Patman's origins in 1936, when A&P was using preferential discounts to destroy the independent grocery sector and endanger the American food system. A&P didn't just demand preferential discounts from its suppliers; it also charged them a fortune to be displayed on its shelves, an early version of Amazon's $38b/year payola system:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/#relentless-payola

They point out that Robinson-Patman didn't really need to be enacted; America already had an antitrust law that banned this conduct: section 2 of the the Clayton Act, which was passed in 1914. But for decades, the US courts refused to interpret the Clayton Act according to its plain meaning, with judges tying themselves in knots to insist that the law couldn't possibly mean what it said. Robinson-Patman was one of a series of antitrust laws that Congress passed in a bid to explain in words so small even federal judges could understand them that the purpose of American antitrust law was to keep corporations weak:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/14/aiming-at-dollars/#not-men

Both the Clayton Act and Robinson-Patman reject the argument that it's OK to let monopolies form and come to dominate critical sectors of the American economy based on the theoretical possibility that this will lead to lower prices. They reject this idea first as a legal matter. We don't let giant corporations victimize small businesses and their suppliers just because that might help someone else.

Beyond this, there's the realpolitik of monopoly. Yes, companies could pass lower costs on to customers, but will they? Look at Amazon: the company takes $0.45-$0.51 out of every dollar that its sellers earn, and requires them to offer their lowest price on Amazon. No one has a 45-51% margin, so every seller jacks up their prices on Amazon, but you don't notice it, because Amazon forces them to jack up prices everywhere else:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/01/managerial-discretion/#junk-fees

The Robinson-Patman Act did important work, and its absence led to many of the horribles we're living through today. This week on his Peoples & Things podcast, Lee Vinsel talked with Benjamin Waterhouse about his new book, One Day I’ll Work for Myself: The Dream and Delusion That Conquered America:

https://athenaeum.vt.domains/peoplesandthings/2024/08/12/78-benjamin-c-waterhouse-on-one-day-ill-work-for-myself-the-dream-and-delusion-that-conquered-america/

Towards the end of the discussion, Vinsel and Waterhouse turn to Robinson-Patman, its author, Wright Patman, and the politics of small business in America. They point out – correctly – that Wright Patman was something of a creep, a "Dixiecrat" (southern Democrat) who was either an ideological segregationist or someone who didn't mind supporting segregation irrespective of his beliefs.

That's a valid critique of Wright Patman, but it's got little bearing on the substance and history of the law that bears his name, the Robinson-Patman Act. Vinsel and Waterhouse get into that as well, and while they made some good points that I wholeheartedly agreed with, I fiercely disagree with the conclusion they drew from these points.

Vinsel and Waterhouse point out (again, correctly) that small businesses have a long history of supporting reactionary causes and attacking workers' rights – associations of small businesses, small women-owned business, and small minority-owned businesses were all in on opposition to minimum wages and other key labor causes.

But while this is all true, that doesn't make Robinson-Patman a reactionary law, or bad for workers. The point of protecting small businesses from the predatory practices of large firms is to maintain an American economy where business can't trump workers or government. Large companies are literally ungovernable: they have gigantic war-chests they can spend lobbying governments and corrupting the political process, and concentrated sectors find it comparatively easy to come together to decide on a single lobbying position and then make it reality.

As Vinsel and Waterhouse discuss, US big business has traditionally hated small business. They recount a notorious and telling anaecdote about the editor of the Chamber of Commerce magazine asking his boss if he could include coverage of small businesses, given the many small business owners who belonged to the Chamber, only to be told, "Over my dead body." Why did – why does – big business hate small business so much? Because small businesses wreck the game. If they are included in hearings, notices of inquiry, or just given a vote on what the Chamber of Commerce will lobby for with their membership dollars, they will ask for things that break with the big business lobbying consensus.

That's why we should like small business. Not because small business owners are incapable of being petty tyrants, but because whatever else, they will be petty. They won't be able to hire million-dollar-a-month union-busting law-firms, they won't be able to bribe Congress to pass favorable laws, they can't capture their regulators with juicy offers of sweet jobs after their government service ends.

Vinsel and Waterhouse point out that many large firms emerged during the era in which Robinson-Patman was in force, but that misunderstands the purpose of Robinson-Patman: it wasn't designed to prevent any large businesses from emerging. There are some capital-intensive sectors (say, chip fabrication) where the minimum size for doing anything is pretty damned big.

As Miller and Tuttle write:

The goal of RPA was not to create a permanent Jeffersonian agrarian republic of exclusively small businesses. It was to preserve a diverse economy of big and small businesses. Congress recognized that the needs of communities and people—whether in their role as consumers, business owners, or workers—are varied and diverse. A handful of large chains would never be able to meet all those needs in every community, especially if they are granted pricing power.

The fight against monopoly is only secondarily a fight between small businesses and giant ones. It's foundationally a fight about whether corporations should have so much power that they are too big to fail, too big to jail, and too big to care.

Community voting for SXSW is live! If you wanna hear RIDA QADRI and me talk about how GIG WORKERS can DISENSHITTIFY their jobs with INTEROPERABILITY, VOTE FOR THIS ONE!

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/08/14/the-price-is-wright/#enforcement-priorities

[birbgalaxy]

Hey. You there. Do you not want to be mistaken for a bot, but you've also grown attached to the default icon you got when you signed up? Great news! Worry no longer because now you can customize your very own icon!

Examples:

Usage notes: (1) Due to how the website works, it will struggle in mobile portrait mode. Try viewing the page in landscape or stick to desktop. (2) Use the cube option + the color selector to change the shape of your icon. (3) I think legally this counts as fanart, so remember that Tumblr, and all other referential items, belong to their respective creators and very much not me! Non-commercial only.

Thank you so much to the fine folks at @meikerio! Without their platform, this wouldn't be possible!

[signsolutions]

Get the Best Custom Building Signs in Cayman - Sign Solutions

Enhance the experience of your customers and employees on the inside and gain maximum visibility on the outside with a creative mix of business signs. Sign Solutions has pioneered many innovative concepts in the Cayman Islands business signs and has helped hundreds of businesses reinforce their identity. For the services of building, vehicle, indoor, outdoor, and Custom Building signs in Cayman feel free to contact us.

[criminalamnesia]

Not a request but NEW TRAITOR CHAP WHEN??? prioritize urself no rush Pookie just the ppl gotta know

part 7 is here 🙏

ALL PARTS CAN BE FOUND HERE

it was pouring rain as you slid from the taxi, the driver attempting to yell at you to shut the door as thunder rumbled overhead.

you paid him no heed; boots splashed in murky puddles as you pushed the door closed and moved towards the yellow cab’s trunk.

you could barely hear yourself think. the rain was battering the ground as if locked in a viscous war with the cracked pavement— puddles forming as the asphalt resisted with all its might. it wasn’t enough, water seeping into the ground and muddying the grass nearby, drowning it mercilessly.

you grabbed your bag, slinging it over your shoulder before shutting the trunk. you’d barely stepped back from the car before it was speeding off, kicking up water and splashing your legs.

you didn’t mind— you were soaked through to the bone, anyways. besides, you didn’t mind the storm. it was comfort— a distraction from what lay ahead.

your new team. a small, covert operations group made up of the best of the best. two sergeants, a lieutenant, a captain— and they wanted one more soldier.

the opening couldn’t have come at a better time. you’d run your course with your old squad. they’d been fine— until they weren’t. carelessness and ignorance from teammates almost resulted in your untimely death, and laswell hadn’t questioned your transfer request after hearing the tale.

in fact, she’d recommended the one-four-one to you.

you thought you’d be meeting them on base, but the captain had requested you meet them here, instead. a run-down old diner, with its bright, neon pink sign blinking down at you through the rain.

you inhaled, then exhaled. clenched your fists, then unclenched them. it was a habit you’d had since you were a child. it forced you to slow down and think, to overcome the emotions you were lost in.

you blinked. rain ran down your face, creating false tears as it streamed from the corners of your eyes. you were sure you looked a sight.

another inhale, another exhale, and then you moved towards the diner’s door. you pushed it open, stepping inside and wiping your boots on the mat in front of the door.

“I think you’re gonna need to do more than that to dry off, sweetheart” a woman’s voice calls to you, causing you to look up towards the counter. she’s grimacing, looking you up and down. no doubt she’ll be following your path through the building with a mop in hand.

“sorry,” you tell her, trying to brush some water from your jacket. “forgot my umbrella.”

the woman gave a huff, waving her hand before turning and attending to an ancient-looking coffee maker.

you take the time to glance around the diner then, noting the substantial lack of customers. only two booths were occupied, one containing a young couple tangled in each other’s arms, and the other containing a man wearing a baseball cap with the UK flag patched on it.

he looked up from his phone as you approached, seemingly unsurprised based on the grin he gave you.

“glad to see you got here in one piece,” he says as you shrug off your bag, placing it on the floor as you slide into the seat across from him.

“one drenched piece,” you say, and he gives a small chuckle.

“im kyle,” the man tells you. “don’t know what laswell told you,” he clicks off his phone and places it on the table. “but im one of the sergeants.”

you nod. “callsign ‘gaz,’ right?”

he gives a nod of his own. his phone buzzes, the screen lighting up. his eyes glance down, scan the message, then meet yours once more.

“rest of the team got held up. price is in a meeting. johnny and ghost are on assignment, but they’re due back any day now.”

“so you’re the welcome committee by default, huh?” you say, and he laughs.

“guess i am. have i scared you off yet?”

“dunno,” you tell him. “but laswell sings your praises. the captain’s, especially.”

“she sings yours, too.” kyle says.

you give a small nod, your mind racing at what laswell may have told the task force. you weren’t bad at your job— you were great at it. a great shot, a reliable solider, a tireless sentry.

your emotions got the better of you at times, that was all. attachments and bonds that formed, linking you and your fellow soldiers together in the web of warfare. tying you around the wrist and dragging you along, for better or worse. little siblings or lovers evolving from what once had been just another set of boots on the ground.

this job was all you had. you found family where you had too, and it made you all the more loyal. but when you were spurned? when the fire leapt from the pit and scorched your skin?

you weren’t quick to forgive, and you found that reasonable in this line of work. mistakes by teammates could get you killed. who could blame you for holding a grudge against an ally who had almost cost you your life?

it’s why you were here now. a new start with a new team— a team of the best, you included.

kyle’s phone buzzes again. he picks it up, the screen illuminating his face as the lights flicker overhead. the storm wasn’t letting up.

“cap’s on his way— says he’ll be here in less than 30.”

“price, right?” you recall his name. kyle nods.

“don’t tell him I told you,” he leans in, a mischievous look in his eyes, “but he’s been lookin’ forward to meeting you. maybe even more than johnny has.”

“why’s that?”

“said the one-four-one is overdue for someone else who can kick johnny’s ass. wants you to knock him down a few more pegs.”

you laugh at that, giving a small shake of your head. kyle’s lips curl into a smile. “nah, he’s just happy to have some more hands on deck. always helps to have another person that’ll watch your back.”

as kyle starts talking again, you find your nerves settling.

maybe this team could be your new family.

you looked down at your hands, noting the slight shake of them. you don’t think they’d been steady since before everything happened.

your eyes glance to the ugly, scarred stump of the finger you’d lost. simon hadn’t chopped it off prettily, and it’d been stitched up hastily. you couldn’t blame the doctor, there had been more pressing injuries to attend to.

such as the bone-deep cut to one leg, growing infected from your time spent in the chair. the scar was long, stretching from the top of your thigh to your knee. it was still pink, a sign of your body still trying to put itself back together.

your torso wasn’t much better. jagged scars and puckered knots of skin marred your image. both from before and from after.

your eyes met your own in the mirror. you barely recognized yourself. the anger within you still burned, but its flame had reduced to a simmer. exhaustion, apathy, and shame had taken its place.

perhaps that was a good thing. it saved you the energy of fighting the men you inevitably saw every day. despite your numerous pleas and demands for them to simply leave you alone, they seemed to have a hard time listening. it made you want to scream. to hurt them, digging your fingers into skin until they understood the pain behind your words.

a knock sounded at the door. you didn’t move.

a knock again. you could hear the shuffle of feet outside the door. you wished whoever it was would leave you be.

another knock, accompanied by the soft timbre of kyle’s voice.

“love, you alright in there?” he was saying. you still stood before the mirror.

things had been different since you attacked the doctor. it had only been a few days, but word spread quickly through base. if people had avoided you before, you were like the plague now.

and the shame you felt was insurmountable. the pain and regret and fury were building like a tidal wave in your stomach, rising and choking the air from your lungs.

you wanted to leave this place. get away from the men you once called family, the one you once called yours.

but leaving meant the end of your career. you just had to hold out until kate arranged your transfer, that’s all. just a few more days, right?

and then this place and these people wouldn’t be a constant reminder of what had happened to you. of what it had done to you, physically and mentally.

“go, kyle,” you called out to him, breaking from your trance as you reached for the scratchy robe johnny had gifted you one christmas.

“not until i see you breathin’, love.”

you sigh, tying the robe shut and hugging the material to your body. you moved to the door, turning the lock before inching it open.

“breathing,” you tell him, watching as his eyes flick away from yours. god, it made you want to strangle him.

to yell at him, to yell at all of them— "you did this, and you should be able to look me in the eyes and see it.”

“now go.”

he looks at you again, eyebrows furrowed in worry. “will you let me in?” he asks, and you scoff as you move to slam the door.

“fuck off, kyle.”

but he’s quick, and his hand shoots out, grasping the door’s wooden edge and keeping it from closing.

“we need to talk.”

“whatever you need to say, you can say it from there,” you tell him, and he pauses for a minute before he nods.

“doc is asking about you again. she’s up and runnin’ around. said she wants to see you.”

your lips press into a thin line. you didn’t deserve that woman’s kindness, not after what you’d done to her.

you hadn’t been in your right mind, but that didn’t excuse it. you had bloodied your fists; harmed an innocent in the war between you and your own mind.

you didn’t want to see her still worrying about you when you had assured her you were fine. you had left her supervision, and then you’d attacked her. and you hadn’t stopped until simon had pulled you away.

you would’ve killed her, you know that in your heart. you would’ve killed her, thinking she was one of the men who had wanted to kill you.

“tell her im fine,” you said, your hand tightening around the door’s knob.

“i think she’d rather see that for herself,” he says.

“im fine,” you repeat. “i’ll be out of everyone’s hair in a few days, anyways.”

kyle’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “you’re leaving?”

he knew this, they all did. perhaps they just didn’t truly believe it. all of them, every single one, still thought you’d turn around and run back into their arms.

bastards.

“as soon as laswell gives the word,” you reply. “should be soon.”

kyle doesn’t speak. he’s obviously biting his tongue— you’d seen the expression that was on his face enough to know when he was holding back, but you didn’t prod like you would’ve before.

let him keep his secrets, lies, promises, and sorries. you didn’t need them anymore.

“don’t bother me again,” you said before shutting the door in his face.

you hear him sigh on the other side of the wood, then hear the retreat of his steps. you turn back to the mirror, snarl, and grab the alarm clock from your nightstand.

you throw it into the glass, shattering it to pieces. seven years of bad luck, you think.

well, it couldn’t get much worse, could it?

kyle sighs, staring at your door for a second longer before turning away. simon looks down at him from where he was leaning against the wall, hidden from your view, his muscled arms crossed over his chest.

“surprised?” simon asks as the two of them retreat down the hallway. he makes sure they’re far enough from your door before speaking, so that you won’t hear his voice.

“we knew it was happening, price said as much after that whole thing with johnny,” kyle replies, shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants. “just thought this might change things.”

“change ‘em how?” simon says. “if anythin’, this speeds it up. they’re a liability now.”

“they’re hurt, ghost,” kyle retorts, his eyes meeting his superior’s. “that’s ptsd. not everyone’s as forgiving as the doc. they attack someone outside and that’s a fucking felony.”

“that’s not our problem, sergeant,” comes simon’s baritone reply, and kyle stops.

“you’re a fuckin’ case yourself, y’know that, LT?” he says, and simon stops. “we all played a part,” kyle continues. “but you? you would’ve killed ‘em if we never knew the truth. i know you would’ve. i’ve seen you do it.”

the men stare at each other. simon’s expression is hidden underneath his balaclava, but kyle knows it’s unreadable regardless.

mean, old ghost. heartless bastard, loyal to the mission only. that’s what the others around base whispered to each other.

kyle had seen proof to the contrary. yes, simon was loyal to the mission. but he was also loyal to his team, his family. you.

he was loyal to you.

“watch yourself, sergeant,” simon speaks, his voice a dangerous rumble.

kyle scoffs and walks off, shaking his head.

simon watches him go, his breath steady.

kyle didn’t understand him, not really. not the way you had begun to. and that was his own fault, he knows it. forever holding those close to him at arms length for fear of the worst.

he’d let you in— let you invade that space he enforced so ruthlessly. and the worst had happened.

kyle doesn’t know this is tearing him in half; none of the team does. they don’t understand that simon wants you to stay because you’re you, but he wants you gone because he can see how this is killing you.

even when he’s the villain in your story, he’s still trying to look out for you— in his own, twisted way.

he doesn’t regret it. that is cemented in his mind. but as he grapples with his own emotions, his mind in its own turmoil, he knows he wants you to be okay.

“im sorry,” he had spoken to deaf ears.

sorry for the ripping apart of your life, but not sorry for what he had done.

deep down, he knew you would never forgive them. he knew that leaving this team would be the best thing for you.

he knew, he knew, he knew.

knowing and accepting are two different things.

hope this was worth the wait! i think the next part will be the end, unless my idea changes 👀

[flamingpudding]

Danny, the 'twig' Bouncer

The job was just a temporary solution. It was a means to an end. To help him handle his obsession until things were better. Until it was safe to be out again. Until he could roam around freely without fear. Until he no longer needed to lay low or be on the run. Until he could return to being Phantom.

This job helped keep his obsession somewhat sedated. Sure, it was a shady bar, but it beat working out in the open in some other way or becoming a non-ghost vigilante and risking his human persona too.

Besides people tented to underestimate him because he was a 'twig' in their eyes. The bar owner nearly didn't hire him until he easily flipped a human truck over his shoulder and threw the guy out the back door on his interview day.

But again this was just meant to be temporary. He got to fight the trouble makers and protect customers from the rowdy crowd.

At some point, the people even started cheering whenever Danny was on the clock, his coworkers even leaving the heavy hitters to him. It was kind of fun always seeing the sound looks of the big guys that didn't think Danny could throw them out the door with one hand. The owner had said something about getting more customers ever since Danny started working for him.

Danny even recognized regulars now. Tho there was this one guy with a red helmet that gave him a weird feeling. But the guy wasn't making trouble so Danny left him alone.

Besides the Bar Owner always pet his shoulder after he threw someone out. That meant he did a good job right?

Though Danny did wonder how long this temporary job would last.

.

.

.

Yea his Fenton luck struck again. Danny didn't know faces. The bar was a shady place but neutral zone according to the owner but there was the golden rule of not messing with Joker. Danny had agreed even tho he didn't know who that guy was.

Soo the day came a clown made trouble in the bar and no one else appeared to want to do something. So what did Danny do? His job. He punched the guy, knocked him out and threw him right out the door a little too hard into a brick wall. He might have broken a couple of that clown guys bones. Hello trauma, Freakshow greets you.

The bar was dead silent right after, everyone staring at him like he had just signed a death sentence. The owner had then pushed him out the door and muttered something about sending Danny on vacation and to return in a month if he was still alive by then.

Did that mean he was fired or got a weird kind of promotion?

Why was that guy in a furry suit staring him down now?

Also why was the red helmet regular suddenly trying to hire him for his gang?

Really Danny just wanted a simple job that sedated his obsession, this was not what he expected to happen for a job well done.

[dlxadv]

Finding Your Way: A Fun Guide to Choosing the Perfect Sign Maker! 🎉

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