#Extended continuing appropriations and other matters act

[govtshutdown]

Senate roll call for passage of HR 7463

[soapoet]

Your first time with them (18+)

like & rb if it resonates ♡

01.

Shufflemancy: Bad seed by Beach weather

Your first time with your person is like the reward of a good hunt, the prey finally caught, and the chase coming to an end to make room for the feast. It may have been an extended game of knowing looks and eyes burning with desire across the room. It may have not been appropriate then, and for some this could mark the end of a right person wrong time scenario. Either one of you may have ended a relationship the other was anticipating, knowing their door would be the first to be knocked on once these prior entanglements had been cut loose and moved on from. There really seems to be no surprise here, as you were already intimate through longing stares. Those wandering eyes frequently looking to catch glimpses of prized skin you knew was inevitable for you to claim.

Time seems to be a scarce currency after this dreadful wait, so none is wasted. The push and pull dynamic that was there all along finally expresses itself physically, with almost aggressive passion, as though the two of you are getting back at each other for the wait. You both want everything all at once but try to pace yourselves to the best of your abilities, hard though it seems, considering you both want to sink your teeth into each other. Clothes, another irritating barrier it seems, come off on the way down halls and over thresholds, desire and desperation painting the bedroom walls long before you finally collapse into the sheets to claim and to be claimed.

You are both active participants, and this is not an act that happens to one at the hands of the other, but a dynamic escapade leaving you both breathless. Movement crafted in perfect synchronicity as though your bodies were meant to partake in this dance together all along. This could go on for quite a while as you're making up for lost time, and the need to merge with each other fully, to make two become one, becomes all-consuming, and the pleasure intoxicating like the finest, most exquisite wine. This is truly all those illicit daydreams becoming realised at last, hands and eyes and lips and tongues demanding to find and imprint upon everything you could not before, back when it was forbidden or impossible to make true due to unfortunate and frustrating circumstances. This release of anticipation, the thrist quenched at last, lends so much stamina and passion, the desire to continue on and on and on, to dive back into the linens when your breaths are caught time after time, to again and again chase down pleasure and lay claim to the hills and valleys of flesh you've yearned for.

02.

Shufflemancy: Dress by Taylor Swift

The chemistry was undeniable for quite a while, wasn't it? Though it was thinly veiled in confusion and many doubts and what ifs, the both of you could see it all along. Just how perfectly you could fit like puzzle pieces together in an intricate web of art. It seemed to be but a matter of time before the sparks would cause everything to catch on fire. You may have spent a bit of time in mutual pining, and worse yet, the both of you were well aware, though doubts clouded your judgement. Certain you were deluding yourself, reading much too far into it, there always had to be some rational explanation, and yet, each and every time you two would meet, those doubts and their noise were nowhere to be seen. The only music playing which you knew for certain were the feelings you held for the other, and how every glance and word and the language spoken by their physical body told you that it was true. That the feeling was mutual.

Something that stands out to me is that there is next to no physical contact prior to the first time with your person. You spend quite a bit of time in each other's presence, though somewhat sparce, few and far in between, and when you do the air in the room seems ablaze as your minds mingle when you speak. But physically? You may sit or stand close enough, but there is almost like a barrier between you, a yellow tape saying do not cross, invisible to all but the two of you who seem so aware of this ravine without a suspension bridge. Once contact is made it is done in earnest. Pressure previously held back now boiling over in an overwhelming mess. It may be that both of you struggle to find the balance between rough and gentle. A desperate explosion of need once the leash has been let go of and you two may finally lunge at each other, tugging and pulling at fabric and limbs to quickly tie yourselves into a double knot.

For some of you this can occur first inside an official building of sorts, or where this display of affection and desire appears improper or ill-advised. An office, a classroom, dormitory, studio, somebody else's home, or any place where there are people not too far and the chance of getting caught is high and your actions considered very risky. There will be a pause and an interruption to these advances, mostly due to your own sensibilities. Nervous smiles and quiet sorry's exchanged for the sudden charge and uncontrolled eruption of passion, and even quieter arrangements made to continue this journey in a better location at a better time. Even then, once truly given privacy and freedom to explore each other, few articles of clothing make it off your bodies as you embrace, because the need has by then grown immeasurable and requires immediate release, and may be rather rough around the edges, with desperation leaving behind many marks across flushed skin.

03.

Shufflemancy: I'm with you by Vance Joy

How delightful and sweet it can be, the intimacy between two who have journeyed through life together for long enough to truly know and trust each other. This connection feels quite pure and quaint, but giddy and bright like a fizzy drink. There is a firm and stable foundation which the two of you stand upon, always able to lean on one another, with so many secrets to share and jokes no other could understand whispered, or simply relayed in knowing looks. For some, this is a lifelong friend, a bond built upon over many years, and for others this is one of those friends who you meet seemingly once in a lifetime, wherein two weeks is all it takes to feel as though you have spent decades side by side.

So what then, when those delicate feelings begin to grow and bud and bloom? For a while you may both hide those petals, certain that though they are so soft and delicate, they would cut and tear that which you have built together. It slowly but surely grows past any veils you try to hide them behind, and the two of you both notice, yet dare not say. This line right between friendship and something more, such a scary one to cross, a terrifying leap of faith to take when the concern is that something so precious could shatter upon impact and forever change and make strangers out of dear friends and could-be-loves who could not.

One of you will finally blurt it out. It may be a little sudden, even awkward in its delivery, yet so endearing in its honesty. The dynamic between the two of you at last called out for what it is, and what it has become over the past weeks or months, or how it perhaps always was but neither dared to rock the boat in fear of ruin. And it is met with such relief. Intimacy may not even happen right away, just a gentle hand finding its match and lips brushing against the other. So cautiously exploring uncharted territory. Intimacy itself will feel a little silly too, like the many barriers, buckles and zippers and hooks and all suddenly appear so complicated and in need of instruction manuals. Many giggles are shared as you fumble through it together. Your first time is very sweet and romantic, a little bit of a mess as you stumble through this sudden shift of what you have now become, but happy accidents nevertheless, and one which feels like a sigh of relief and gentle bliss as you spill and blend together like watercolour on paper.

04.

Shufflemancy: Don't delete the kisses by Wolf Alice

Oh my dear, you may feel quite nervous about the mere thought of letting someone close to you like this. To bare it all before another, such a frighteningly vulnerable position to put yourself in. You could have avoided this for a long time, some of you even wonder if there perhaps was something wrong with you, faulty wiring, or worse yet, feeling altogether broken beyond repair. You may have quite a few concerns for a variety of reasons. For some of you it could be a haunting past or terrible past lovers, and for others, excruciating insecurity and inability to relax and let the currents take you away, much too preoccupied with worries about how you look and sound to be in the moment at ease in your own skin. For a few, all the aforementioned reasons mixed into one.

A huge amount of trust is required before your defences ease up and you agree to lower the drawbridge to your castle. Your person could be your first, or at the very least the first to make you feel safe and allowed to have a say in the script. This could ultimately be your idea, a concept entirely new to you, as you are the one to pursue an intimate touch and allow the other in. Regardless which role you fall into, you feel more in control and it is less intimidating when you know that the reins are in your hands, with a lover who is so careful and gentle with you and knows you so truly, wishing you no harm.

Your first time with this person very much serves as a mark in your timeline as a huge leap of faith and overcoming fear and insecurity. They make you feel beautiful and safe, like a priceless figurine of glass, an heirloom meant to be handled with great and gentle care, respect, and devotion. Everything is slow and steady, and very sensual. Very much a feast to all the senses which will be firing all your nerves and make you feel weak and leave you trembling. It is as though time stops to make a bubble for just the two of you, to have no need to rush, to make sure the both of you are alright and enjoy every featherlight touch and sweet caress. A lot of eye contact is made, in particular when you make it over the hill and find that love has a face and it is right in front of you, and you're held close with such tender care you may shed a few tears.

05.

Shufflemancy: Take me to church by Hozier

Very peculiar energy, slightly confusing, much like the connection itself. You or your person may at the time be experiencing a very tumultuous period in life. Something is cruelly weighing heavy on you and you're feeling worried and hopeless and lost, and seeking any sort of lifeline to hold on to. And that lifeline quickly turns out to be the other person, akin to a buoy away from the shores, something to cling to in crashing waves when your body tires and feels unable to stay afloat and much less swim back to land. For some, it is possible that this stress is sourced from this person specifically due to the state of your connection at the time.

Feelings have grown but the roses around your heart carry thorns, so though they are striking in their beauty, they threaten to wound you more and faster and deeper when you are around them and they make your poor heart flutter. For some of you, this time may not even be the first time, instead the first time it feels special, carrying a purpose beyond mere pleasure. This could be a casual thing, the reunion with an ex, a friends with benefits scenario, something which was never supposed to be more than what was bargained for or supposedly left in the past. Yet somewhere, at some point in time, lines were crossed but no renegotiations took place, and for a time, which may have felt agonisingly long, you were left suspended in the air amongst the clouds of uncertainty and doubt.

Things really come to a head, as suddenly both internal and external circumstances add up to far too much to bear, and you simply crumble to pieces before them and they are fortunately quick to catch you and attempt holding together those shattered pieces. A confession through sobs, not even in the safety of a cozy bedroom but possibly in a car, a stranger's home, a storage room, or someplace else that makes this revelation of the roses blooming feel that much more misplaced and unsafe. Yet it is met with such grace and the aching heart taken in a protective embrace and the thorns pushed aside. Though the circumstance feels strange and the timing poor, it happens. One pair of hands desperate and in need of closing the gap between you, nails breaking skin whilst drowning and gasping for air like you're truly going to sink. The other pair gently but firmly taking command of your body and keeping you sane and there in the present, afloat and safe and breathing heavily, pinning you down with the weight of a body you'll come to see akin to a blanket made for anxiety, as now this person truly sees you and hears you and cares for you so deeply you might cry from a bittersweet mix of the relief of a survivor and the joy of victory.

06.

Shufflemancy: Break my heart by Dua Lipa

Quite a thorough person, eh? In all that they do, your person is meticulous and strives for perfection. Intimacy is no exception. This person is likely to be more traditional, and wine and dine you for a while at first and really take their time because they look for the perfect mate, a life partner. They wish not to make mistakes and choose poorly, because it would create such an unnecessary mess of heartbreak and wasted time and effort. Though they seem a little on the chillier side, they are romantic and have a taste for finer indulgences. And thus, intimacy with you is certainly a planned event well in advance with everything just right as if the occasion is an offering to a deity worth worship.

The wait, the slower pace of the connection itself, may be to you as new, refreshing and welcome as it is frustrating. You could've experienced previous encounters which burnt quick and fast but also faded just as swiftly, so the careful and by-the-book attentive diligence of this person is so promising and makes you feel quite special. Yet you feel the ever-increasing desire growing almost painful at the very core of your being. Nearly frightened by the power which the other holds over you. The almost urgent need for friction, for the warmth of the flame, only held back by the certainty of knowing they'd only deny you and your rushed advances because they want to take their time to fit you into their life and create the perfect step by step choreography to your romance.

Until finally, dimly lit rooms with cascading golden hues reflecting off of silks, soft tunes from the other room where a pair of empty glasses stand, as you fall into soft sheets and dainty petals. There, at last, devoured whole, consumed by desire and claimed by what you've yearned for so earnestly for so long you could've sworn you were going mad. Release, the green light to finally leap off the edge and let yourself be at the mercy of freefall. This person is observant, and determined to learn of every freckle, every nook, and send shivers skipping across your skin wherever they go on their quest to map you out like a tireless explorer on an adventure and in search of treasure. They communicate so clearly and seem so intuitive, as though they have a degree in your body language and are going for a doctorate through trial an error, and finding just the right pace and pressure to send you to the skies above to unite with the stars.

[an-idyllic-novelist]

rimuru tempest with fem!tanjiro!reader headcanons

Hey guys, welcome to another collaboration with @deathmetalunicorn1, though the credit on the concept of the pairing and these headcanons go to my dear friend. I really hope you will enjoy what we have written. If you'd like to see more content like this, or an extended version of these headcanons, please let us know!

So with that being said, sit back, relax, and enjoy! :)

Although Rimuru Tempest  knows his significant other and her little sister are strong, he will not stop worrying about Tanjiro!reader’s wellbeing, especially when she and Nezuko  leave Tempest on a mission, and he is unable to join them for whatever reason. His anxiety will increase tenfold when his relationship with the former Demon Slayer evolved from being friends who just happened to stumble upon each other’s paths as soon as he left Veldor’s cave to being lovers. 

It will be very hard for the demon lord to sleep for the first few nights when he is so used to curling up next to Tanjiro!reader and Nezuko, the latter sprawled out and almost always in her toddler form. However, when she does return, Tanjiro!reader will always bring back a souvenir from wherever she traveled to, normally a tasty treat or a cute little knick-knack she saw at a market. 

[To ease his lord’s worries, Diablo will mobilize a few of the Black Numbers to keep a discreet eye on the Kamado siblings, personally delivering periodical reports on their whereabouts to Rimuru when it was an appropriate time between meetings and inspections around the capital. After all, an excellent butler must be able to anticipate his lord’s every need and alleviate his concerns so that he may continue to focus on his duties in the land. If something does happen, Diablo will act immediately and make sure Tanjiro!reader and Nezuko return to Tempest safely.]

Tanjiro!reader unwinds from her journey with a big hug from Rimuru in both his slime and human form. Rimuru would receive affection from Nezuko if she isn’t sleeping in her box in the form of bone crushing hugs or his hair being ruffled by a clawed hand. If Rimuru hadn’t eaten, she would whip a simple home-cooked meal that is either a traditional recipe from the Kamado household, or one that Mitsuri, the Love Hashira, had taught her when they were alive back in her old world. 

Rimuru will definitely join in and help, even all she’ll allow him to do in the kitchen is wash the dishes. 

After he had been reincarnated in this world, he took the Japanese cuisine he had eaten for granted, even the microwaveable ramen noodle cups he’d heat up in the company break room when he had to work late at the office. Back then, Misaki Satoru didn’t care much about his health so much as worried about forever remaining a virgin because he couldn’t score a date with a cute girl. 

He honestly couldn’t have anything resembling his homeland’s cooking until his country was developed further, including the dwarves’ metal-working and the orcs’ infamous work ethic. He couldn’t remember how many times he had told Geld and the others to rest even when they insisted that they kept working. Now, he could share a meal and enjoy a hot bath with someone he loves very dearly.

Nezuko is, of course, welcomed to join them in the bath since she loves swimming around the large hot spring he had built in the back of his home. When she joined them, Rimuru reverted to being a slime to protect Nezuko’s innocence.  If he’s alone with Tanjiro!reader, he’ll either be a slime or his human form, depending on his mood. 

Speaking of which, Nezuko is the little sister everyone in Tempest adores and will be fiercely protected. Rimuru is her favorite person, but when Milim decides to stop by for a visit, she is Nezuko’s new favorite, no matter how much he bribes her with newest confections that were created or toys. But between these two….Nezuko will always pick Tanjiro!reader, if she’s an option. 

Rimuru’s love language includes quality time, words of affirmation, and gift-giving. But what he enjoys the most is having afternoon tea on the porch, him sitting in her lap as a slime and munching on sticks of mitarashi dango or different flavored onigiri.  

If anything happened to either Tanjiro!reader or Nezuko because an enemy nation was jealous of Tempest’s flourishing economy and thought it would be a brilliant idea to hold them hostage or try to hurt them….they had better be prepared to have another kingdom falling into ruins. 

Remember what happened to Falmuth?

Taglist

@sunnyblackbird

@abelheilonwife

@nunezs-stuff

[ceasarslegion]

ok now I want to know about hickory and Caroline

You are doing some cocomelon war flashbacks shit to me

So, I'm going to break this up into two sections, because both stories are very long. Hickory is someone who can just go to hell, but Caroline actually started as someone I was really close to and served as a mentor figure for only for her to backstab me so, choose which one to read first based on that.

Hickory:

Hickory was one of the founding members of our half life rp group. She was a 16 year old trans girl at the time who unfortunately played one of the best character concepts for an OC. We had to sacrifice Gerald who lived in the Black Mesa walls for this. Hickory was also uh... well, she was what terfs and sex negative people think trans women and kinksters are, to be frank. To prove that I am NOT fucking with you, I will be providing some screenshots that I just gathered from the members who were around when that went down.

Hickory started out as a socially awkward teenager who didn't really know how to talk to us. Which like, that's fine. She was 16, trans, and it was the middle of the covid lockdowns. Understandable, I guess. Except when she started getting extremely inappropriate extremely quickly with the adults in the server.

In the very first week, after meeting each other outside of our characters, we were talking about our dogs and the topic of leashes and collars came up, I don't remember how, but it was completely innocent. Hickory decided to run in with this:

(Nothing happened with that deleted user, it's just an old account from one of the other members)

She ended up double and then tripling down on this, and despite all of us asking her to stop, kept going until she started calling her boyfriend "master." We had JUST met, and this was in the general channel, and she was 16. We all told her to stop a lot more aggressively, and then she slinked away acting like we were just being sex-negative prudes who hated transfem sexuality. Worth noting that deleted user up there is also a trans woman herself and everyone else responding to Hickory is also some flavour of trans.

I was in class when this happened, and backread at work because I worked front desk night shift security at the time and had nothing better to do. I ended up extending an olive branch her way in DMs by giving her the benefit of the doubt and going "hey, I know it's awkward when you're coming into a sexuality that others deem abnormal, and you're desperate to connect with others like you when you're 16, but this isn't the way to go about it. There's much more healthy resources out there about sex ed for kinksters and age-appropriate ways to ask and talk about it, and I'd be happy to pass them on to you if you want."

She uh. She bit my head off.

GIRL WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT...

She continued to hop into the server to randomly tell us about her sexcapades in the open general chat, and then would retreat to the vent channels screaming and crying about how we hated her and wanted her dead and just hated trans women when we asked her to stop. Eventually, we started ignoring her entirely and letting her freak out in her tantrum hole, upon which she would throw another tantrum on top of the other one about how we all hated her and excluded her on purpose.

We have a rule in our server about how the vent channel is not your therapist, and to keep it to things you just want some comfort for. That rule exists because of what Hickory started doing next.

She started treating it like a suicide hotline.

Like, she would tell us all in detail about her plans to off herself and how much she wanted to do it, and then when we gave her actual advice to go to therapy or call AN ACTUAL HOTLINE, she would scream at us about how we all hated her and didn't support her living "the way she chose to," which was, honest to god, tradwife and suicidal. No matter what we did or said, if we weren't total yes men who said she should do it, she considered us ontological enemies. So we all started ignoring her when she did that too. And then she started screaming and crying about how we wanted her to die after all.

My favourite was when she pulled this trick about how HER BOYFRIEND ABUSED AND CHEATED ON HER AFTER SHE TOLD ME "I WANT TO BE ABUSED"

Eventually, we started ignoring her every time she spoke, no matter what it was about.

And then she pulled this, and my now-boyfriend, and life partner, whom I now live with, sent this back

and Hickory left the server instantly. My boyfriend straight up killed her. Sniped her from orbit. She tried to complain to the woman who was "deleted user" up there, and she told her to fuck off and that she brought this on herself. There is some insane irony behind the fact that the other trans woman in the group was the one who first officially said "do you guys wanna cut that bitch off entirely" and we all said "PLEASE GOD CAN WE"

Caroline:

Caroline was a 15 year old lesbian from a hyper-religious evangelical ultra-conservative family in Idaho, who played our Gordon Freeman and glados at the time. When I say her family was crazy, I mean that she was 15 and totally homeschooled and didn't know what basic human anatomy was. I mean that she was 15 and her dad didn't let her play half life 1 because "it was too violent," and her youth pastor protested against Disney+ for "turning kids gay."

Being a teenage lesbian in this environment was not great for her, and she started off as a kid who was confused and hurt. I ended up taking her under my wing because no one else in her life would, and SOMEONE had to give her proper education that wasn't seeped in christian bullshit. And hey, I worked nights, I could give her the time in between my rounds and camera checks.

So I spent many nights unpacking and unraveling the cult personality that had been instilled in her from birth. Giving her sources outside of the church and picking apart her original sin complex piece by piece, while directing her to actual sex ed resources about how her body worked tailored to lesbians and answering all her questions as best as I could in an age-appropriate way.

This was our relationship for over a year. And this is why I will never take on a mentorship role like that again unless nobody else can do it and they REALLY need it.

She did what a lot of cult survivors do when they accept that their reality is a lie: she pivoted hard in the opposite direction. She wasn't really sure what she believed anymore, or if she believed in a god at all. That was fine, but it was concerning when she started doubling down on things like being anti-evolution, despite claiming that she wanted to be a scientist. She had a phase where she was completely anti-religion at the same time as this so, kind of a scrambled egg brain worldview.

She made a lot of progress over a long period of time. She started by telling me she "didn't want me to go to hell" when I said I was an atheist and then started to backtrack on that statement. She also started by claiming that "god made you female for a reason" and then backtracked on that later on too.

She even convinced her parents to let her go to in-person school with other kids. It was a religious school, but it was a start.

And then her favourite teacher was fired. Conveniently after telling her students in bumfuck nowhere conservative christian Idaho that queer people belonged in heaven.

And then all hell broke loose.

She completely backtracked on all the progress she had made and doubled back down on the cult she was raised in, going full on "I suffer from same-sex attraction" and "if you don't stop slandering god by saying 'jesus christ' around me, im going to block you."

This did not go well in a server full of queers and minorities.

I was the one who initially confronted her about her recent behavior shift because I was the one who had this mentorship role in her life so I thought it was my responsibility to yank her back on the tracks. She responded by bastardizing what I had taught her about setting boundaries with her parents and finding her own paths and beliefs in life by sending us all an essay about how we were suddenly disrespecting her boundaries by pointing out her regressive behavior after all the progress she had made, and then left our group chat with no warning before we could respond. My boyfriend was extremely pissed off about her talking to me that way and ended up DMing her telling her to get her head out of her ass and learn what boundaries actually are.

She went dark.

And then started talking in the main server as if none of this ever happened.

Me, being the person I am, confronted her about that by telling the others what happened and how she can't just act like nothing ever happened with the people she claimed were her friends, who she had claimed helped her so much over the time we knew her.

She blew up on everyone, yelled about how we were all god-haters who were gonna burn in hell, and we all blocked her, banned her from the server, and broke all her emergency join links.

Rome wasn't built in a day, but it did fall in a day, eh?

She then proceeded to make this tantrummy-ass post on one of her rp blogs where she twisted the whole situation to make it look like she was some white knight standing up for what was right against the wave of satanic atheists oooohh~!

awww, did we huwt yow feewings?

In response to her shit, I bought God is Not Great the next day and her characters were snatched up by the others within hours. And she was an absolutely dogshit writer to be frank so we don't really miss her. Rping with her felt like talking to yourself with her single-sentence responses to huge paragraphs.

[newjeanstokki222]

newjeans @/jeanzforfree on instagram update.

translation: Hello. This is Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein. Through the media, we have confirmed that ADOR has filed a "lawsuit to confirm the validity of the exclusive contract" against us, as well as applied for an "injunction to prohibit actions such as acting as a representative of the agency and signing advertising contracts." A few days ago, we were served with the complaint and the injunction application, and we have appointed Shin & Kim LLC as our legal representative. Given that ADOR and HYBE have appointed Kim & Chang Law Office as their representative, we believed it was necessary to appoint a law firm capable of responding to this. To address the rapidly progressing injunction, we thought Shin & Kim, which is already aware of HYBE and ADOR's faults and issues, would be the most appropriate choice. HYBE and ADOR have failed in their duty as agencies to protect and support their artists. Throughout our activities, we faced numerous obstacles, both big and small. They essentially abandoned us and attempted to replace us, using terms like "extended vacation" to disguise their intent to "suspend our entertainment careers." Even after our exclusive contract was lawfully terminated, baseless criticisms against us have been spread through the media and YouTube leak channels—information that could only have been disclosed by ADOR and HYBE. All evidence points to ADOR and HYBE being at the center of this situation. While publicly urging us to return, ADOR and HYBE have continued to harass and attack us in ways unseen by the public. Recently, they even secretly met with some of our parents to persuade or sow discord among us. We sincerely hope they would stop resorting to such cowardly methods, attempting to defame and divide us, and spreading false narratives to manipulate the media. Instead, we wish for them to face the truth and handle matters fairly and transparently. We state firmly: the five of us have absolutely no intention of returning to HYBE or ADOR, where even the minimal level of trust cannot be expected. Even after the termination of the exclusive contract, we wished to amicably complete our remaining schedules and agreements without causing disputes or harm to the people involved. However, seeing how ADOR and HYBE refused to cooperate with this sentiment and instead caused damage to us and others through improper actions, we have decided to no longer remain silent. Through legal procedures, we will clearly expose ADOR and HYBE's wrongdoings and reveal the truth. We are determined to fight confidently in court. To our fans who have cherished and supported us, we deeply apologize for causing concern. However, we will stand firm and fight righteously so that we can freely share our music with you again as soon as possible. We sincerely ask for your support. Thank you.

[seldaryne]

haven't finished the durge pt yet (idc about spoiling anything though that has 0 impact on me enjoying the game fdgh) but i've been thinking Thoughts.

edit okay as i was writing this i went ahead and just read up on the backstory so i could continue my thoughts in a coherent manner lmfao

(lots of info here, apparently ive gotten Very attached to her in the last uh. three weeks give or take. kinda sorta chronological?? idk it makes sense to me lmao)

--

velrith probably definitely only settled on that name in act 2. prior that she was just called whatever people drifted to if they needed her attention. & she didn't really care, having a void for memories will do that to a bitch, but it can make introductions awkward or give them a weird 'im too good to even give you my identity' energy. not super great when paired with someone who doesn't really emote or put a ton of effort into masking tonal inflections. she pointedly allowed other people to do more of the talking as a result for a while & would get roped into conversations that way.

i'd like to go ahead and tie in astarion's frequent use of pet names here to this too. he's got a goal here, and can't just drop a 'hey you' every time he's angling for something. it's easier to fill in the blanks that way & make sure it doesn't come across as cold and calculated as the seduction actually is for a time. of course, the mental gymnastics weren't necessary here. aside from the fact that she's extremely intense about her oath & therefore is legally obligated to send cazador straight to hell on sight, he'd also have the same luck with a low-effort, straightforward 'do you want to have sex?' the lines are... usually fine, never actually crossing boundaries, but she does find a lot of them to be really goddamn weird & unnecessary when the point could be made in less than 10 words.

picture a distraught-looking sighthound & you have the general idea of the face she makes when he lays it on thick. she's giving her best shot at a socially appropriate expression. it's not working.

also on names, she can't say for sure if that's who she was before or if she just pieced together syllables that sounded like Something from memory. again, doesn't really matter either way, since she's not in any hurry to reclaim her former self. it's fine.

ketheric felt straightforward. a tragic figure who she did extend an olive branch towards, but ultimately felt nothing when it came time to bring her blade down (besides, isobel seemed like she knew what she was talking about when velrith confessed [suddenly coming back into her room just to point-blank tell her about the desire to spill her blood] certain thoughts of violence towards the cleric, and it felt like the sort of assurance she should be trusting, right? more than any of her own emotions, anyway.)

gortash gives her the ick. like, there's no other way to describe that one. he actually probably still would even without all the history (and the fact that he needed to repent for what he'd done to karlach), but the slimy over-familiarity was really the nail in the coffin there. velrith isn't smooth nor particularly socially gifted, but she has a certain air of formal pride she carries herself with. acting like you know her better than she does herself (even if it may very well be the truth!) is so beyond an overstep of what she's able to function with. stripping away everything else, if he even tried to touch her casually on the shoulder, he would have been liable to lose that hand.

orin troubles her. for the obvious reasons, but she also just... pities her. almost. pre-tadpole, velrith was honestly relatively similar compared to her current personality. colder and more able to justify slaughter, sure, but still staunchly refusing to compromise her own feelings for social games. she understood how the game pieces moved when she watched other people, even when she was younger, but if asked to copy the same techniques, she was only ever able to bludgeon straight through in a line. consequently, people don't really care how strange you are if you're just that good at your job. orin made a one-sided rivalry out of someone who otherwise just regarded her as a peer in the same arena, and now sees her as someone who wouldn't have been able to take the chance at redemption even if it had been on the table. she was too far gone, unable to stand on her own or cope with the fact that she would always be lesser than someone who genuinely could not have cared less about standings. maybe if velrith had feigned some interest, there wouldn't have been so much hatred. or maybe there would have.

either way, she sees orin in a depressing light. someone who had nothing and no one but the prospect of power, and who crumbled as soon as that chance at power was taken away. to let her live would have been to co-sign on her projecting those emotions outwards. velrith isn't stupid and knows there's a good chance she might have gone the same way if she hadn't been lucky enough to receive her parasite. in another life, she thinks that maybe she could have found a connection, and they might have saved each other (either genuinely or in a twisted version of the word). this isn't a thought she shares with anyone. she thinks about that death and their interactions for a long time afterwards.

her 'normal' childhood sometimes comes to her in fleeting memories that disappear out of her periphery if she focuses too hard. she thinks she liked her parents, and they seemed like nice people from what she can semi-recall. but she can also tell that there's always just been something wrong with her if she compares herself to other people. many of these snippets feature her looking anywhere but at her parents' faces, unable to express herself verbally in a way they could understand (the words were right, they way she used them was... her own, shall we say?). something flipped at some point, and all of the sudden she would stare too much at them, not blinking or looking away at the right moments. they'd seemed to squirm a bit under this. they always seemed a bit sad when they looked at her, as if they'd loved her but she was never quite as they hoped she would be.

she had to be taught what to do during a hug as an older child instead of leaving her arms limp at her sides. she knows that.

she doesn't remember killing them. she doesn't remember how it would have felt to receive her first order or how she was unable to do anything but listen to the violent urges.

there's more guilt for not feeling much towards them than there is for the killing.

the staring hasn't shifted again. she knows she looks at people too hard and/or too long, looks at them dead in the eyes and studies their faces, but she can't help it. one, it's good to be aware and alert. two, looking away doesn't seem to be the answer either. at least this way they know she's paying attention, right?

she thinks she shouldn't care about these things, that it's so ridiculous coming from her blood-soaked past, laughable that she'd wonder what it meant to have people relax in your presence instead of becoming more visibly anxious. but she wants to be good, she really, really does. she wants to be able to join a group like everyone else, slipping seamlessly into their words and laughing how they laugh instead of her own (the faintest of smiles and a soft rush of air running past her lips, blink-and-you'll-miss-it laughter that may as well not exist outside of her head). she doesn't hate herself for these things, because she doesn't know how else to be, but she does wonder. she wants to know what it's like for these things to be easy. bhaal's favourite hadn't been blessed with charisma, apparently.

consequently, she has a very hard time now figuring out how to actually connect with anyone, or what it should feel like to have friends.

it made her somewhat uncomfortable in the beginning to be asked questions by these people on a regular basis. not even personal questions, just things to signal that she existed to them in some capacity. gale remembers when she'd wrinkled her nose at a certain seasoning, and leaves it off her plate when he makes dinner going forward. lae'zel likes how she fights and asks her questions on technique, asking to spar so she could better understand the answers. shadowheart thinks they're alike with similar holes in their memories, and seeks out her company because of it. she doesn't understand, and for a while she even feels a bit suffocated by it. exposure therapy is really the only remedy here.

initially there are some reasonable assumptions on whether she just dislikes them all that much, or if she thinks she's better than them, or some other nasty reason. it takes approximately two conversations with her for everyone to understand that's not the case. it's like speaking to someone who only every studied social behaviour from an incomplete textbook and was visibly struggling to fill in the gaps in real-time. is she scary? yes, a bit. does she stare at you Way too much when you're speaking to her (at her, really, because you will be carrying that conversation until she's gotten her footing)? also yes. but she's really earnestly trying to sort herself out for the sake of the people around her, brain twisting around itself to learn things that were as easy as breathing to most. and it's sort of sweet, in its own way.

over time, she stops simply caring about these people based on her code of ethics. she starts to remember things about them too, her love language starts to show itself through gift-giving at an absolutely glacial pace, but it's noticeable to literally everyone despite that. a small trinket picked up at the market matching shadowheart's usual taste is pressed into her hand with only a nod before velrith is turning on her heel and almost running away. a tome is thrust at wyll with such startling intensity that the kindness actually comes off as a bit of a threat, but she looks visibly relieved when he takes it with a smile. so on and so forth. every incident like this, every blunt display of 'i notice you. i think you would like this. i thought of you today,' is accompanied by a hasty exit. task accomplished, but now the script has run out, so she's doing the same. she also finds it hard to look at people once the exchange has taken place, and is pretty sure this is an affliction only she suffers from.

she's going to push through it anyway, even if it makes her skin feel like its trying to recoil off her bones.

it also comes out in the protection. again, it's expected as a paladin of devotion, but no one is quite prepared for the molten fury that burns in her eyes or the weight of her voice whenever ghosts from the past arise. not only has she sworn her protection to those suffering from harm (and names like orin, gortash, cazador, viconia & more absolutely qualify as those who cause harm), but it feels personal. acting as shield and guillotine is when velrith is truly in her element, standing tall and embodying the virtues laid out in her tenets.

she is fighting internally just as much as externally, pushing back against base instincts to continue her sworn oath. driving her sword through the flesh of the emperor is just as much about defeating him as it is proving to herself that she is still capable of goodness. if she falls here, she can at least die knowing she was dedicated to rebellion until her very last breath.

this does not mean that she actually registers it when people like her, though. in fact, once she pieces together what her true nature is (she hadn't wanted to kick that poor animal, or make a spectacle of that nice bard's corpse, or try to rip out astarion's throat as he slept--but she had done those things, and more, and what's worse, some of them don't even to her like they would anyone else) she's pretty sure that the unanimous, logical choice would be to put her at a distance.

so she braces, prepares, makes peace with returning to the status quo & starts pulling away before staging her little ted talk. jaheira catches her first, though, and it gets to her. she's not spoken much to the woman, but she's... incredibly understanding, actually. so much so that it leaves velrith with a profound ache in her chest when she rolls over and tries to sleep again (jaheira's insistence, and her promise to stand watch all night in case she lost control again). being around jaheira hurts like hell, but she still seeks her out after that incident. she looks at her kindly but doesn't treat her with any more fragility than before. she's good-humoured when answering question after question about bhaalspawn, and stays honest the whole time too. she seeks her out when she isolates as much as she can on the outside of camp, dropping a sack of potatoes at velrith's feet and sitting beside her so that they can peel them in easy silence.

she likes that the most. sometimes it feels like velrith's head is too full; not from the parasite or the echoes of a murderous god, but from--she's not sure, actually, but it makes thinking hard, and speech tends to take a temporary leave as well. no amount of coaxing makes a difference, it'll return when it decides to. that's the bad sort of silence, the type that other people feel like they should fix so that everyone can be comfortable again. except jaheira, who apparently can figure out what she needs before velrith can even process that question. and sometimes, she just needs to peel some potatoes for a bit.

standing before everyone else, she prepares for the logical choice of rejection again. instead, she's greeted with shrugs, support, sympathy, but overall--not much of a change. that's the part that sends her off, only pausing just long enough to take a breath before excusing herself to the surrounding woods. it hurts so damn much, being loved like this. she wonders if any technicalities in her oath actually require her to slay herself at this point, just based on the implications alone. they should be appalled. fearful. cold. and she'd wound herself up so much inside determining this to already be the only end to her confession. bare your soul, lose what you'd only started to ease into, return to your duty.

the other shoe never does drop, though. it's gone so catastrophically well that she can't even make the tears flow properly (she's only done it once before that she remembers, but that should be adequate). instead, her sobs are muffled gasps against her hands, choking on her own confusion as she sinks to the ground, shaking.

of course, this comes out after the "incident", in the underdark, which means astarion has already seen her cry precisely once of something that seemed to her a similar scale. he's got a better handle on it, he'd like to believe, and he can sense that he's being silently volunteered for the 'fetch our bhaalspawn' quest. she's not hard to find either, an ice-white tiefling amongst the greenery with her head hidden in her arms, folded in on herself like she's not worth the weight of her own bones. it's sad, and a little annoying, actually, because if she was to insist that he possessed worth like it was the most obvious fact in the world, like he was strange for not feeling the same way, why shouldn't that same sentiment extend in her direction.

of course, there's little he can say to soothe in a way that matters, he's not going to make that mistake again, but he's at least able to bring her up for air. yes my love, perhaps it is foolish and unwise for any of us to stay around something so dangerous, but that argument can be made in many directions, not just yours. you would be the first among us to dismiss those very notions if they were coming from someone else, and have done so--multiple times, may i add--as bhaalspawn. if there's upset about the reveal, i'm confident that it's more to do with how you feel than anything else.

and really, what's she supposed to do with that aside from break even more (from relief, maybe? tension and fear of rejection that she hadn't known how to recognize, hadn't known she was holding onto? the understanding that this is not just from him, but on behalf of everyone else too?) and crumble into him.

against all odds, she is worthy of loving. despite her bloodline and her personal shortcomings, she is worthy of that much.

nothing in half-measures, as most paladins tend to be. does she remember when or why or even how she took the oath? not even a bit. but it's the only thing in her head when she wakes up on the mind flayer ship, the sole thing she's sure of, the only guiding direction she has. it should be enough to understand right and wrong, but it isn't for her. following the oath is a choice, something she can steady herself on when nothing else makes sense. devotion to her cause of protection, restoring some of the balance in the world that she lost before orin killed her. maybe that was why she lived; something needed her to right some of her sins before death arrived. or maybe a divine power was looking for someone who wouldn't be missed if they were lost in stopping the ithilids.

whatever it is, she does everything in her power to stick to it. until, of course, life happens (as it tends to) and she does something in the underdark. what did she do? she doesn't know, because she thought she was helping--that myconid was going to betray the colony that took him in when he lost all others. she raised her sword when it was clear a scolding wouldn't change his mind. and then... the sinking feeling that something was wrong.

something was missing. the only part of her that felt like it was anything was gone, and for the first time (maybe ever?) she gets emotional. there's no anchor anymore, no calming guide of tenets to follow.

the oathbreaker knight will find her later, she knows. at camp, she's distraught, and the little bit she dared interact goes out the window entirely. there's nothing anyone could actually say that would help, anyway. this does not stop astarion from trying.

glib as ever, were she in a more normal headspace she would have seen the dismissive comment for the hand-waving attempt at comfort it was. he probably knows there's nothing he can actually say to bring her down, but surely a joke (meant to reassure that she would be fine regardless, whether the oath stayed broken or was re-taken, she was competent on the field and he at least trusted her that much) would be alright?

it was not.

for all that he carried, he could not--did not--understand. of course he could be cavalier about it; despite all that was taken from him, he still had his own gods-damned name. he knew who he was, wasn't scrambling to put together fragments of his own ghost just to make some unimpressive small talk like she was. she has not yet chosen her name at this point, and that oath is where she begins & ends as a person.

he's silent when she snaps, unexpected. like a cornered animal about to tear its own leg out of a trap, daring anyone to come closer to 'help' so that they too can be maimed. a total loss for words, even when she stalks off to keep herself from acting out even further (who knows how prone she would be to violence now? not her!), raising her voice for the first time at him in pure grief.

he doesn't really get it, but he understand more in the middle of all that. the pieces click together in his mind, working themselves out during the berating. the gods never answered his cries, and so his outlook remained fairly bleak on the whole pantheon. paladins occupied a space at the opposite end of the spectrum, and he'd assumed that her more uptight habits were an offshoot from that (it's not like she gave him a ton to work with, either. he did his best from what he was allowed to see). for her, there may as well have been no gods involved in any capacity. it was simply the thing that kept her from fracturing entirely, now gone thanks to a misunderstood line in the agreement.

she still refuses to speak to him, even after she's begged for the oath back--she'll be good this time, really, she'll be good, she promises, it won't happen again, please--and received it successfully. she's not talking much to anyone, feeling both too exhausted and over-sensitive to even contemplate that. his apology isn't... good, exactly. but it's honest and that's really all she gives a shit about. things are still weird and cold for a bit, manifesting in a physical distance & reinforcing just how off his initial read on her was. but it's her first real brush with interpersonal conflict, so learning curves are expected. time and circumstance eventually help things settle, with there being bigger things to worry about.

she's quiet during sex. responsive and hyper-aware of her body, definitely, but still restrained. she enjoys the act, however, despite the lack of volume, and this shows through a readiness to explore and feel things. the ability to feel physical pleasure is something that at least seems to be something she has in common with most people. but she's overly permissive too, sometimes uncomfortably so; she's simply not attached enough to her body to have real concerns or strong preferences. at first glance, this seems to be deference, the need to be agreeable in every situation lest she tip the scales too much in her own direction.

he puts his finger on that after the third encounter, and finds himself taking a break from her for a while after as a result (once again, an act that she's absolutely fine with--god, has the thought of challenging him ever even crossed her mind in this department?). Further observation, however, reveals something else. her actions are exploratory. experimental. there's no frame of reference, she needs to establish preferences all over again for this version of herself. in fact, he sees that this extends to other tasks people ask of her as well. every action or accompaniment is met with the same reserved curiosity, considering what's being asked of her before ultimately deciding to try something new. perhaps that was why he felt like he was being intensely studied if he squints.

there's no doubt that she does see him. but she only sees enough to know that she lacks the connections to actually do anything with that. an unbalanced, vexing sort of safety net. (still, there was probably no one better for him to glue himself to than a paladin, and he tells himself that's why he spends so long trying to figure her out. because surely, her motivations can't be as obviously honest as they come across--can they?)

it's only after she tells him on the name she's privately decided to give herself (private for now, since everyone else will be informed in the morning) that he starts to realize just how much he enjoys kissing her. she's not nearly as practiced as he is, but gods, there's such a single-mindedness to the kisses it actually leaves him dizzy. her focus is so all-encompassing, the world around them may as well have been unravelling at its seams and she still wouldn't break contact. chasing pleasure but holding back just enough to keep her head above the water, prolonging the act as much as she can. he's been kissed before. many times, actually, but not like this.

there is... so much disappointment when rejecting bhaal doesn't actually change anything fundamental in her. on one hand, that really does mean that it's been her personality the entire time. that the good choices she made were hers, and they were worth fighting for.

on the other hand, fostering even that small seed of hope that she might become less of herself and more like other people had been a dangerous game. the distance remains, along with the lack of understanding and knowledge that some things would always be more hard-won for her, while others would simply be entirely beyond her reach. knowing this logically is one thing. accepting it is... entirely different. it will take time, and she will at least allow herself as much so as to properly grieve a version of herself whose body knew how to laugh freely.

she'll be okay.

[birbleafs]

[ficlet] unconventionally, ever after

Series: Genshin Impact Characters/Pairing: Kavetham Rating: T Summary: Al-Haitham and Kaveh cogitate over the benefits of a consensual staged union. No strings attached, of course—they're divorced, not married, thank you very much. A/N: Based on Liz's tweet-prompt "Al-Haitham stages a Fake Relationship AU with Kaveh ('for the tax benefits') because he'd read it in a novel once" + my own self-challenge to write an entire scene just using dialogues alone, with little to no action tag or descriptive prose. Each dialogue line needs to be distinctive enough so that it's obvious who the speaker is, even without being named. This was a pretty fun challenge and I think I sort of managed? I love writing dialogues for these two lol. Can also be read on AO3. ※※※ “For ‘tax benefits’...? Huh! Bold of you to desecrate the sanctity of marriage for your own convenience with such frivolity. Wouldn’t this just be considered illegal anyway?” “It’s not illegal if it’s willingly consensual between appropriately informed adults. What a married pair—or a married polycule, in some cases—does within the confines of their home and with each other is no one’s business but their own. You’ve already told everyone we live together, after all.” There's a drumming of fingers, a wearisome sigh after a tensed pause; and then— “All right, fair enough… N-No, wait, wait! That’s not the same thing! Did you really think I would agree to fake-marry you just for the benefits?! What do you take me for!” “Well, I still do retain the additional staff benefits that I received while I was the Acting Grand Sage. Benefits which, coincidentally, extend to the spouse and immediate family members, and which also provides a stipend for travel and meal allowances, even for personal matters outside the purview of the Akademiya.” “You mean… I would be able to claim allowances for all the desert expeditions and work assignments I take on?” “Within the approved budget limit, of course.” “Huh, that would be convenient. Ugh! I loathe that I’m even considering this. I’m appalled, Haitham—how dare you dangle all these enticing benefits to my face like one would dangle Harra fruits before a famished Sumpter Beast! At least have the decency to offer it with a proper fake-proposal! Even if this is doomed to remain a false relationship, did you think I would be as uncouth about romance as you? Hmph…. W-Wait, stop, what are you doing? W-Why are you kneeling down right now?!” A tilt of the head, a questioning but unwavering teal gaze.  “Hm? You said you wanted a fake-proposal. So, would it feel more authentic to you if I propose everything I said earlier while being down on one knee now? Frankly, I don’t really see the point since my intent remains true and the same regardless, whether I’m standing or kneeling. But if you still insist…” “……..” “?? Kaveh, why are you dragging me out the door? I haven’t finished proposing yet.” “We’re going to the Sanctuary of Surasthana to find Lesser Lord Kusanali, and we’re going to request her assistance to officiate this marriage right this instance.” “I see.” “For the record, you’re still the least romantic person I know. It’s almost disgusting how much I put up with you.” “Ohh? But I’ve never strived to be perceived as such. So, really, that’s more on you.” “S-Shut up. Stop talking already!” Kaveh doesn’t glance back as he continues to drag his roommate down the street after him, missing the ghost of a smile, the hint of unvoiced affection that flits across Al-Haitham’s expression now. —End— _______ End notes: - This was first drafted in early December in script-form. But I decided it reads better as proper dialogues and editing the scene for posting here.

- In the original script-form, the final line is basically just written as " Al-Haitham: :) " lmao.

[chinalawyerxu]

When can you sue for patent infringement in China?

As an intellectual property lawyer with twenty years of experience practicing in China, I will provide a detailed overview of the relevant matters related to suing for patent infringement in China. This article will discuss when you can sue for patent infringement in China, the statute of limitations for patent infringement, and the expertise of Michael Xu's legal team in this field.

I. When Can You Sue for Patent Infringement in China?

Discovering Infringement

Direct Infringement: If you find that someone is manufacturing, using, selling, offering to sell, or importing your patented product without permission, or using your patented method and selling, offering to sell, using, or importing the product directly obtained from that method, you can consider it direct infringement and take legal action immediately.

Indirect Infringement: If someone assists or induces others to commit patent infringement, such as providing production equipment or materials for infringing products, it can also be considered infringement, and you can sue.

Sufficient Evidence

Evidence Collection: Before deciding to sue, you need to collect sufficient evidence, including samples of infringing products, purchase records, sales records, advertisements, etc. Ensuring the evidence is solid can support your infringement claims.

After Administrative Procedures

Administrative Enforcement Results: In some cases, you may first file a complaint with the China National Intellectual Property Administration or local IP offices through administrative channels. Once the administrative procedures are completed and the results support your infringement claims, you can further file a lawsuit in court to seek compensation.

II. Statute of Limitations for Patent Infringement

General Statute of Limitations

Two-Year Limitation: According to the Chinese Patent Law, the statute of limitations for patent infringement lawsuits is two years from the date when the patentee or an interested party knew or should have known about the infringement. Therefore, after discovering the infringement, you should take legal action promptly to avoid missing the limitation period.

Extension of Limitation Period

Continuous Infringement: If the infringement is ongoing, the statute of limitations starts from the date of the last infringing act.

Other Special Circumstances: In certain special cases, such as concealed infringement where the patentee genuinely could not have discovered it in time, the statute of limitations may be appropriately extended.

III. Professional Services of Michael Xu's Legal Team

Michael Xu's legal team has over 15 years of extensive experience in patent infringement legal services in China. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive patent protection and enforcement solutions to help clients effectively safeguard their patent rights in the Chinese market.

Team Background

Michael Xu's legal team comprises experienced lawyers and patent experts specializing in patent infringement legal services for 15 years, accumulating extensive experience.

We have accumulated rich experience in handling patent infringement cases for well-known domestic and international companies, providing clients with the best legal solutions.

Professional Expertise

We stay abreast of the latest developments in patent protection laws and practices both domestically and internationally to provide clients with cutting-edge legal advice.

We excel at handling complex patent infringement investigations and claims, ensuring maximum protection of our clients' legal rights.

Success Stories

We have successfully managed numerous patent infringement cases for well-known domestic and international companies, effectively safeguarding their intellectual property.

Our professional services and outstanding results have earned unanimous recognition and high praise from our clients.

Through our professional services, foreign companies can ensure their patents are fully protected in China and receive the most professional legal support and solutions when facing patent infringement issues.

[trump-executive-orders]

Pausing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Enforcement to Further American Economic and National Security

Issued February 10, 2025.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose and Policy. Since its enactment in 1977, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 78dd-1 et seq.) (FCPA) has been systematically, and to a steadily increasing degree, stretched beyond proper bounds and abused in a manner that harms the interests of the United States. Current FCPA enforcement impedes the United States' foreign policy objectives and therefore implicates the President's Article II authority over foreign affairs.

The President's foreign policy authority is inextricably linked with the global economic competitiveness of American companies. American national security depends in substantial part on the United States and its companies gaining strategic business advantages whether in critical minerals, deep-water ports, or other key infrastructure or assets.

But overexpensive and unpredictable FCPA enforcement against American citizens and businesses -- by our own Government -- for routine business practices in other nations not only wastes limited prosecutorial resources that could be dedicated to preserving American freedoms, but actively harms American economic competitiveness and, therefore, national security.

It is therefore the policy of my Administration to preserve the Presidential authority to conduct foreign affairs and advance American economic and national security by eliminating excessive barriers to American commerce abroad.

Sec. 2. Policy of Enforcement Discretion. (a) For a period of 180 days following the date of this order, the Attorney General shall review guidelines and policies governing investigations and enforcement actions under the FCPA. During the review period, the Attorney General shall:

(i) cease initiation of any new FCPA investigations or enforcement actions, unless the Attorney General determines that an individual exception should be made;

(ii) review in detail all existing FCPA investigations or enforcement actions and take appropriate action with respect to such matters to restore proper bounds on FCPA enforcement and preserve Presidential foreign policy prerogatives; and

(iii) issue updated guidelines or policies, as appropriate, to adequately promote the President's Article II authority to conduct foreign affairs and prioritize American interests. American economic competitiveness with respect to other nations, and the efficient use of Federal law enforcement resources.

(b) The Attorney General may extend such review period for an additional 180 days as the Attorney General determines appropriate.

(c) FCPA investigations and enforcement actions initiated or continued after the revised guidelines or policies are issued under subsection (a) of this section:

(i) shall be governed by such guidelines or policies; and

(ii) must be specifically authorized by the Attorney General.

(d) After the revised guidelines or policies are issued under subsection (a) of this section, the Attorney General shall determine whether additional actions, including remedial measures with respect to inappropriate past FCPA investigations and enforcement actions, are warranted and shall take any such appropriate actions or, if Presidential action is required, recommend such actions to the President.

Sec. 3. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

[govtshutdown]

Here's the CR, extending all FY2024 spending for six months into FY2025, until March 28th. Additionally:

(1) additional funding to the Department of Defense (DOD) for the Virginia Class Submarine program, and

(2) emergency funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Disaster Relief Fund.

(3) the SAVE Act

and extends

the National Flood Insurance Program,

the Department of Agriculture's Livestock Mandatory Reporting program,

the DOD's authority to use funds for certain military construction projects, and

the authority for states to use timber sale revenues received under Good Neighbor Agreements. 

[abudhabilawyers]

What are the ethical standards expected from lawyers in Dubai?

Ethical Standards Expected from Lawyers in Dubai

In Dubai, lawyers are held to rigorous ethical standards that uphold the integrity and credibility of the legal profession. These standards, enforced by regulatory bodies and professional associations, govern the conduct of lawyers and ensure that they act in the best interests of their clients and the public. Law firms in Dubai play a pivotal role in promoting adherence to these ethical principles. Here are the key ethical standards expected from lawyers in Dubai:

1. Integrity and Honesty: Lawyers in Dubai are expected to demonstrate unwavering integrity and honesty in all aspects of their practice. They must uphold the truth and act with transparency and honesty in their interactions with clients, colleagues, courts, and all other parties involved in legal matters.

2. Confidentiality: Maintaining client confidentiality is a cornerstone of the legal profession in Dubai. Lawyers are bound by strict confidentiality obligations and must safeguard the privacy of information shared by clients. This duty extends to all communications and transactions, ensuring that clients can trust their lawyers with sensitive and privileged information.

3. Competence and Diligence: Lawyers in Dubai are expected to possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and competence to provide effective legal representation. They must continually update their legal knowledge and diligently pursue the interests of their clients. Competence and diligence are essential for ensuring quality legal services and upholding the trust placed in lawyers by their clients.

4. Conflict of Interest: Lawyers must avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise their ability to represent clients impartially and effectively. Law firms in Dubai are tasked with identifying and managing potential conflicts of interest to ensure that clients receive unbiased legal advice and representation. Transparency and disclosure are key to addressing conflicts of interest appropriately.

5. Professionalism and Courtesy: Professionalism and courtesy are fundamental principles expected from lawyers in Dubai. They must conduct themselves with dignity, respect, and civility in their interactions with clients, colleagues, adversaries, and the judiciary. Professional conduct enhances the reputation of law firms in Dubai and fosters trust within the legal community.

6. Compliance with Legal and Regulatory Obligations: Lawyers in Dubai are obligated to comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and professional rules governing the practice of law. Law firms in Dubai ensure that their lawyers adhere to ethical standards and fulfill their legal and regulatory obligations. Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements is essential for maintaining the integrity and credibility of the legal profession in Dubai.

In conclusion, lawyers in Dubai are expected to uphold ethical standards of integrity, honesty, confidentiality, competence, professionalism, and compliance with legal obligations. Law firms in Dubai play a critical role in promoting adherence to these ethical principles and ensuring the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the legal profession.

[helmierproduct]

Why Heat And Moisture Exchanger Filters Matter

A ventilator or tracheostomy becomes a crucial lifeline for many individuals facing respiratory challenges. These medical interventions provide essential support but can also introduce discomfort and potential health risks. This is where a seemingly simple component – the heat and moisture exchanger (HME) filter – is vital in ensuring patient comfort and well-being.

Understanding The Respiratory System's Delicate Balance

Our respiratory system is a marvel of nature, efficiently taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. However, this process relies on a delicate balance of moisture and temperature. The lining of our airways, known as the mucosa, naturally produces a thin layer of mucus. This mucus serves a critical dual purpose: trapping dust, pollen, and other airborne particles and keeping the airways moist.

However, when an artificial airway bypasses the natural upper respiratory tract, as with ventilators and tracheostomies, problems can arise. The incoming air, often supplied from pressurized sources, can be dry and cool. This disrupts the natural balance in the airways, leading to a cascade of potential issues.

The Benefits Of Using A Heat And Moisture Exchanger Filter

This is where the HME filter acts as an invisible guardian for the patient's respiratory health. Here's how these small yet mighty filters contribute to a more comfortable and secure breathing experience:

Combating Dryness And Irritation

Dry air strips away moisture from the delicate mucosal lining, leading to dryness, irritation, and even nosebleeds. HMEs capture the moisture exhaled by the patient and return it with the incoming air stream. This creates a humidified environment that mimics the natural state of the airways, preventing dryness and promoting comfort.

Maintaining Optimal Temperature

HMEs, through their design, capture the heat from exhaled air. This pre-warms the incoming air, delivering it at a more comfortable temperature, improving patient comfort and reducing the risk of hypothermia.

Providing A Line Of Defense Against Infection

The constant air exchange between the patient and the environment through a ventilator or tracheostomy can increase the risk of infection. Luckily, some HME filters incorporate an additional layer of protection. They come equipped with a special filter media that helps trap bacteria and viruses, acting as a barrier against pathogens in the incoming air.

Choosing The Right HME Filter For Optimal Care

With the understanding of their benefits, the importance of using HME filters becomes clear. However, with various types of filters available, choosing the right one is crucial for optimal patient care. Here are some factors to consider when selecting an HME filter:

Patient Condition

The specific needs of the patient play a key role. For instance, some patients might require a filter with a higher filtration efficiency for enhanced protection against pathogens.

Type Of Ventilation

The ventilation system being used, whether continuous or intermittent, can influence the HME filter choice. Consult with healthcare professionals regarding the most suitable option.

Climate

Environmental factors like humidity can affect the performance of HME filters. A filter with a higher moisture retention capability might be necessary in dry climates.

Ultimately, working closely with healthcare providers helps ensure the selection of the most appropriate HME filter for each patient's individual needs and circumstances.

Beyond Comfort: The Impact On Patient Outcomes

The benefits of HME filters extend beyond just patient comfort. Studies have shown that using HMEs can contribute to improved patient outcomes. Here's how:

Reduced Risk Of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

VAP is a serious infection that can develop in patients on ventilators. By providing a barrier against pathogens and maintaining a moist environment in the airways, HMEs can help reduce the risk of VAP, leading to shorter hospital stays and improved overall health.

Enhanced Patient Tolerance

The increased comfort and reduced irritation resulting from using HMEs can lead to greater patient tolerance of ventilator therapy. This can be particularly crucial for long-term ventilator-dependent individuals.

Improved Recovery

By promoting a healthier respiratory environment, heat and moisture exchanger filters potentially contribute to a faster recovery process for patients with compromised respiratory function.

Final Thoughts

the seemingly simple HME filter plays a critical role in respiratory care. By addressing dryness, discomfort, and the risk of infection, these filters contribute significantly to patient comfort and well-being. Furthermore, their potential impact on reducing complications and improving recovery times highlights their importance in optimizing patient outcomes.

[metausa23]

Introduction

Educational interpreter services are instrumental in bridging communication gaps between students who are Deaf or hard of hearing and their peers, teachers, and other school staff. These services ensure that all students have equal opportunities to participate in classroom activities, engage with instructional materials, and fully benefit from their educational��experiences.

What Are Educational Interpreter Services?

Educational interpreter services involve the provision of skilled professionals who facilitate communication between individuals who use sign language and those who do not. These services are utilized in various educational settings, including primary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

Benefits of Educational Interpreter Services

Improved Communication

One of the primary benefits of educational interpreter services is the facilitation of clear and accurate communication. By having a trained interpreter present, students who are Deaf or hard of hearing can fully understand classroom discussions, lectures, and instructions.

Enhanced Learning Experience

Educational interpreters contribute to a more inclusive learning environment by ensuring that students who are Deaf or hard of hearing have access to the same information as their hearing peers. This inclusivity promotes diversity and enriches the educational experience for all students.

Access to Education for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

Educational interpreter services are essential for ensuring that students who are Deaf or hard of hearing have equal access to education. By providing interpretation services, educational institutions can accommodate the diverse needs of all students and foster an environment of equity and inclusion.

Facilitation of Inclusive Environments

Educational interpreter services promote inclusivity by breaking down barriers to communication and fostering a sense of belonging for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing. This inclusivity extends beyond the classroom and contributes to the overall culture of the educational institution.

How Educational Interpreter Services Work

Educational interpreters undergo specialized training to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively facilitate communication in educational settings. They are proficient in sign language and have a deep understanding of the subject matter being interpreted.

Challenges and Solutions

While educational interpreter services offer numerous benefits, they also present challenges, such as addressing language barriers and ensuring cultural competency. However, these challenges can be overcome through ongoing training and professional development for interpreters.

Impact on Student Success

Research has shown that access to educational interpreter services positively impacts student success, both academically and socially. Students who receive appropriate support through interpretation services are more likely to achieve their academic goals and develop strong social and emotional skills.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Educational interpreter services are governed by laws and regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which mandates that students with disabilities, including those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, receive appropriate accommodations to ensure equal access to education.

Cost-Effectiveness of Educational Interpreter Services

While there are costs associated with providing educational interpreter services, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment. By investing in these services, educational institutions can promote student success, foster inclusivity, and comply with legal requirements.

Future Trends

As technology continues to advance, the field of educational interpreting is evolving to incorporate new tools and techniques. Additionally, there is growing recognition of the importance of these services, leading to increased demand and support for educational interpreters.

Conclusion

Educational interpreter services play a vital role in ensuring that students who are Deaf or hard of hearing have equal access to education. By facilitating clear communication and fostering inclusive environments, these services contribute to student success and promote diversity within educational institutions.

[lawyerlist]

Guide For California Domestic Violence Laws In 2023 – FAQs

Domestic violence is a universal and terrible matter in California and around the globe as well. It is characterized by an assortment of violent acts used by one partner to exert power over the other person. It involves financial exploitation, emotional abuse, physiological distress, and sexual harassment. Sadly, irrespective of all of this, the matter continues, with dozens of domestic abuse charges filed in California each year. As a result, victims must be aware of possibilities if they want to get adequate support on occasions like this. This Frequently Asked Questions section will educate you on every detail you’re entitled to know concerning those amenities.

What is California domestic violence laws?

Domestic violence is often referred to as the “DVPA” (The California Domestic Abuse Prevention Act) in California. This act is one of the most important in the state for governing domestic abuse situations. Domestic violence is regarded as mistreatment commanded at someone with whom the abuser has a current or former close relationship. Current and former roommates, domestic partners, and spouses are all eligible. Domestic abuse victims’ legal rights and remedies are also defined by the domestic violence protection order in California. One of them is the ability to get an extended banning action.

What is the California domestic violence statute of limitations?

Before the introduction of SB 273, suspected victims of domestic violence required three years to file an offense of felony domestic violence lawsuit and one year to pursue non-felony domestic violence charges. This statute of limitations has been raised to five years by new legislation.

How are cases of domestic violence handled in California?

Typically, California’s criminal court system handles domestic abuse matters. Domestic violence incidents undergo inquiries by law enforcers as soon as they get reported to authorities. They will decide if it’s appropriate to arrest based on whatever proof is available. Any arrests will be forwarded to the state attorney’s desk, which is going to determine whether to bring criminal charges. If penalties are brought, the claims will be addressed in a criminal court of domestic violence laws California. A jury or court of justice will next determine if or not the offender is guilty.

What indicates domestic violence in its early stages?

Since abusers frequently utilize covert methods of preserving control and influence over their victims, recognizing the initial indications of domestic violence can be challenging. Fortunately, there are five common red signals to be aware of:

Possession and Jealousy

Verbal Neglect

Financial Management

Physical Abuse

Violent Threats

How long can someone spend in prison under domestic violence laws in California?

Domestic violence victims in California may face prison time based on the crime and whether the victim suffers serious injuries. For instance, if the abuser only resulted in minor injuries, they may just be punished with a few days in jail.  Nevertheless, if the individual being assaulted was gravely hurt or if their abuser has previous convictions of acts of domestic violence, they might get a long prison term.

How can the attorneys from your law firm help me with my domestic violence case?

Attorneys at our law firm are here to assist you. Our attorneys for domestic violence harassment will guide and assist you at every stage of confronting the consequences of a domestic violence incident as we understand how difficult it can be. We would love to help you in dealing with the legal system and gathering the justice you want. Scheduled a meeting with us to discuss your case with our experts.

Contact Criminal Defense Attorney Riverside the Law Offices of Kareem A. Ramadan at (888)-506-6519 for a free review of your case. 

[howaboutcastiel-personal]

We went to Arden to see Ethan and Julia for lunch before she goes to New Orleans and honestly… it was uneventful. I got car sick but that was to be expected, but the food was really good even if I was nauseated the whole way through eating it. I got a pot pie so I’m very pleased with that.

The thing is that I don’t particularly care or not care about Ethan and Julia anymore. I know that being in her wedding is going to be a lot for me to handle and I know she will only have me in her wedding because I’m his sister. And because she tried to be nice. I wish I was better at trying to be nice? I don’t really have a reason to dislike her beyond the standard things. I’m just indifferent until I have to interact for an extended period with her I guess. The trip was good and bad. She was trying to help and she has the anger issues that everyone else in the family has.

Ethan on the other hand… I feel like he’s beyond the point of no return. With the Andrew Tate stuff I mean. I can’t even bring myself to find it funny, it’s just scary. I don’t like that he’s ended up like that, I just hope he doesn’t hurt Julia and I hope she knows better than to stay if he tries.

Still haven’t talked to Ryder and Lon. I wasn’t planning on talking to Lon, to be fair, and she doesn’t seem too upset by my absence so I think that could work itself out in theory. But I do miss Ryder and I will continue to miss them. They don’t really seem to want to see me anymore and I understand that. It just hurts and I wish it didn’t have to be this way. Maybe I will go and see Katie. I probably need Katie, it will do me good to see her. I just know it will be an ordeal to go and see her and be there and get back here and everything else.

Am I really autistic? I think that I’m a type of sensitive that isn’t redeemable sometimes. I don’t mean it in an ableist way I just mean, do I have the right to use autism as an explanation or god forbid a justification? It seems so much easier to just call myself lazy and sensitive and dumb, right? It seems foolish to try to explain it with something else because at the end of the day it doesn’t matter.

And my foot hurts. I swear that crutches aren’t supposed to be quite this difficult. Are they? Am I being the appropriate amount of needy for someone with a sprained ankle? I can’t tell if my parents hate helping me or if that part is in my head. I can’t tell if a lot of things are in my head lately. And I’m having nightmares almost every night now. I’ve been having bad dreams, sure. But these are nightmares. The kind that go a step further than the familiarity of sleep paralysis. The kind I have to pry myself from and then deal with the fight or flight, the terror of being alone and awake in the dark and dead of night. You know, normal parts of the human experience that once again I’m just too sensitive to handle.

Anyway, the trip went much better than I had expected it to go, and I can call that a win. I played the sims for a little while. I wish I could daydream about Din or even just straight up dream about him, but my brain isn’t able to do things like that right now. I’m not giving it much help, to be fair. And I am sleeping too much, at the wrong hours. I’m not sure of the best way to fix that.

Maybe I should try again. Try to be a teacher I mean. Maybe I should go back to school? I don’t know. If everyone else can do these things then surely I can, they just feel so soul crushingly impossible. It feels like I am way too stupid to be able to do these things. And I know that I could try to blame that on the folks, but at the end of the day it’s me that’s acting this way. Why do I feel so stupid—maybe it’s because I am. Why do I feel guilty for laying in bed—maybe because I’m lazy and unhelpful. I get that all I’m doing is wallowing. I get that. And I understand that no matter what, I’m the only one that can get me out. I just wish this time around that I actually believed it. That someone else actually believed it. I wish it seemed worth it.

But I like to draw. I like to paint. I like to write and sing and play the piano. Sometimes I like to play with legos. I can cook. Sometimes I like to cook. Sometimes I like to clean when it doesn’t feel like I’ve been set up to fail. Sometimes I like being helpful when I’m not scared I’m making it all worse. I have to be brave but it’s hard to be brave. Everyone else is being brave in their own way, right? I’m not being brave about a damn thing. I’m just doing what I can stand to.

I think one day it will be different. It will have to be different one day, right? Because change always happens. Something will have to give I guess. Not sure which thing will give. At the very least this ankle will get better.

How dumb for me to feel this way. About an ankle. It’s like I’m scared of moving, and like I can’t find enough things to blame. The house is messy. The stairs are broken. The door is too heavy. The rug is slippery. I take ibuprofen but I don’t drink enough water. I eat what I’m offered because what else is there to do.

I think maybe I need to go somewhere in my head where it doesn’t matter. Because other people are fine. I’m the only reason that I’m not fine. I just have to convince myself I guess. Fake it until I make it, whatever it means to do that. Someone out there did it just like me so I should find their way.

And I have to find Din again in my head. I have to find Marc and Steven. And for whatever reason, I have to find Joel. Just for 5 more chapters, I need to see Joel. I can go back to Din. I can spend the next little while with Din if only I can get my brain to help me through it. After that I don’t know, but it doesn’t particularly matter that much. It doesn’t have to matter that much anyway.

Now if only my stomach will stop aching.

[ahmuseme]

Octavia's suggestion to walk in the gardens immediately captured his interest. Despite only having been at the party briefly, Anders was already weary of the bustling crowd and the ceaseless brown-nosing. Pausing momentarily, he glanced at Edmure, his attentive manservant, who astutely interpreted his unspoken request and hastily vanished, only to reappear a few minutes later in the company of an older female servant from the household. While Edmure could act as a suitable chaperone, tradition dictated that a female presence was more appropriate for such an outing, and the Duke was determined to protect his future wife from the eyes on them.

Listening as she shared her hobbies, he led her to the terrace that offered a breathtaking view of the lush garden. The entire area was adorned with strategically placed lights, casting an enchanting and almost surreal glow around the garden. A gentle breeze danced through the foliage, causing the leaves to rustle softly and carrying a delicate fragrance from the blooming flowers. The ambiance was further enriched by the soft chatter of couples and the soothing music in the background, creating a serene and idyllic atmosphere. As they approached the stairs leading to the garden paths, Anders untangled himself from Octavia's arm so Edmure could assist him, not entirely confident that the petite woman could handle the task. The descent down the stairs was a struggle. Supported by his loyal manservant, the Duke was forced to hop down each step due to his unyielding leg brace - a scene that drew the attention of curious onlookers.

Anders finally reached the base of the stairs, where he paused to take a deep breath and gather his composure. Embarrassed about his inability to walk unaided and the show it took for him to get down the stairs, it took another moment for his confidence to return before thanking Edmure and looking toward Octavia as she descended the last few steps. He offered his gloved hand to help her, then tucked her hand into the crook of his arm before walking down a path, casting a menacing glance as they passed a couple who had been watching them. "You don't have to speak about your mother that way - in the past tense," Anders finally spoke in a gentle but firm tone once the other couple was far behind them. "I don't make it a habit to get involved with women's business, but I met with your parents and listened when our mothers spoke. Even in your father's presence, she seemed genuinely concerned for you. I'm sure she would come if you extended an invitation to her. Your father, on the other hand, is a bastard, acting as though he has never sullied anyone's reputation before. I wouldn't want to break bread with him, but alas, he is your father, and I will unless he continues to disparage my wife. Then I'll have to take matters into my own hands." A few steps passed in silence before he asked, "Do you even want them in your life anymore?"

Octavia felt her face flush at that. Despite it coming across as an apology, she felt the compliment that came with it too. Would he have chosen to dance with her at a ball before he was injured? She was more determined than ever to think of ways to have him enjoy things he thought he could no longer enjoy. At his nudging, she started walking, keeping her pace slow and willingly helping him when he unintentionally leaned on her, "Perhaps we could walk in the gardens?" she suggested when he commented on the guest list, "He could chaperone," she added after a moment, turning and smiling at his manservant as he lingered to support his master. Some time alone, away from his mother's watchful eye, but not completely alone. She needed to avoid another scandal, even if she would be married to him.

Her face lighting up, Octavia found herself leaning toward him, though not into him so as not to exacerbate his injuries, "I love horses," she said, smiling, "Then I hope we get to ride together one day," she added when she heard about the horse master's training. She squeezed his arm gently when he mentioned rumours. She had heard them too, perhaps even believed them for a moment when her father sold her off to him for marriage as if it were a punishment. She did not believe them at all now though, "I can't say I've ever fished though, I don't imagine it would be considered very ladylike," she admitted but was intrigued to know that he enjoyed it. She thought for a moment. Octavia loved life's finer things but did not say this out loud. Those things would likely come with her new life and title anyway so there was no need, "I have always liked painting," she stated, "Though I've never been very good," she added with a sheepish smile, "And gardening. My mother and I, we used to..." she trailed off, her smile suddenly faltering. She wondered if her mother would ever speak to her again, ever come and visit her in her new life and garden with her. Octavia had disappointed her so much... She pushed the smile back on her face, "Most people can't picture me having much a green thumb but it's nice to see such beautiful things grow from hard work with your own hands."