#Gold Commodity Tips

[sharebazaar-intensifyresearch]

Gold Price Today: बजट के दिन सोना हुआ सस्ता, ये रहा 23 जुलाई को यूपी, बिहार, दिल्ली में गोल्ड रेट

अभी फॉर्म भरें - https://intensifyresearch.com/web/landingpage - और 3 दिन का डेमो प्राप्त करें - #SEBI Registered Research Analyst

[oxygenbefore1775]

ok, this was bound to appear on my blog - Zeke and misuse of regeneration

pairing: zeke x reader

tags: canonverse, postcoital aftermath (yet again, slightly nsfw)

cw: mentions of sex, zeke is not (very) nice plus loses patience quickly, blood, injuries, knife, it starts kinda wholesome though, the last 2k is just them playing chicken with each other, zeke's having his own table moment kinda

wc: 5,2 k

a/n: so i have this wip i'm writing in my mother-tongue and instead of writing it chapter for chapter, i write only the interesting bits and sometimes translate them for tumblr - thats why the premise and the whole oneshot might seem strange

꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷♡꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷꒦꒷

This time, you had to admit it. Last night, in a desperate need to satiate your hunger and fulfill desires, you were perhaps a bit too reckless. 

At that moment, something as trivial as consequences didn't concern you. Shapes melted into each other, disappearing in the darkness of his bedroom, just like your sense of judgment. With your patience running thin, waiting another second for the two of you to get into bed was something you just couldn’t bear with. Yes, you pushed him. The many cheap romance novels you’d read always seemed to portray this sort of action in a flirtatious if not seductive way, a testament to the ardency ignited by your lover’s mere proximity. The books were wrong, it turned out. That much you understood the moment a muffled hit sound reached your ear. Such a far cry from the scenes you used to read about so often. Nothing pretty about the way his brows knitted into a tight frown as he took a sharp breath through gritted teeth, that’s for sure. Your next clue should have been the ribbon of white smoke rising up from the back of his head, curling and winding as it dissipated into the darkness. Did it stop you for a second? Not at all. Quite the contrary - you rushed to join him, collapsing on top of him. Stupid, yet there was not a grain of mindfulness left in your head to produce a coherent let alone a logical thought.

But now, as you made your way towards the kitchen to raid the cabinets for any scarce treats, the pale morning light compelled your eyes to confront the consequences (and the cause, for that matter) of your frivolity. 

It was a relief that he sat at the table facing away from you. Normally he’d position himself right across the entrance, ready to meet your gaze the moment you’d walk in, robbing you of any opportunity to see him in an unfocused state. Strange. The treachery of the wooden floorboards creaking under your feet alerted him to your presence at once.

Reluctant to come off as sneaky, you broke the silence first. “Good morning.” It sounded more like a question than a pleasant greeting, but tolerable enough to lay the start to the conversation.

Zeke didn’t answer, his attention fully captured by the morning’s newspaper rather than by you. At least this behavior of his was not out of the ordinary. Without any further attempts to contribute to this incredibly one-sided chat, you reached for the coffee pot - it never hurts to treat yourself to a scarce commodity like this and not that he would mind anyway. Glancing at him over your shoulder as you poured yourself a hefty amount into a mug, your gaze almost drilled into the back of his head, as if he would sense this kind of impertinence coming from you and turn around to look at you. 

There, in the gold of his hair, a dark spot caught your eye. Blonde strands stuck together in a quite small yet still noticeable clump at the back of his head. It’s the same stain that you found on the wall near his bed in the early morning. The same place he hit his head on, courtesy of your behavior. The tips of your ears suddenly got consumed with heat. Now that you think about it, it's quite fortunate that Zeke was sitting with his back to you, otherwise he would have picked up on your embarrassment at the moment’s notice. Should he notice and your composure would not hold against his teasing, no matter how tame.

As you routinely took a little sip from the mug, you couldn’t help but to keep looking at Zeke from a safe distance. At that bloodied lock on the back of his head. 

He would have told you by now, making sure that you know the outcome of your recklessness. There was some sort of distorted glee for him in seeing you all flustered. Yet he stayed silent. And not that you remembered him having a shower in the morning or going into the bathroom for that matter. Could it be that he hasn’t noticed? Impossible. A bleeding wound at the back of your head wouldn’t be something that you just miss. 

Your gaze slid along the lines of his fingers, all too gingerly holding the paper, as if he was listening in on you right now and not paying any mind to today’s articles anymore. Appropriate or not, you still felt obligated to tell him. 

“You wouldn’t happen to have a comb?” a slight tremble to your voice, you glued your eyes to the mug in a desperate attempt to appear calm to him. 

Still, Zeke chuckled in response. The sparks of benevolence in that chuckle - usually he’d save them for the nights and that’s why you were surprised to hear them now. He must’ve hit his head really hard to warrant this kind of attitude. Well, again, you had no one but yourself to blame. 

Although seemingly intrigued by your out-of-place question, he still didn’t turn to you. 

“Why exactly?” A hint of mockery laced his thoughtful voice, the one you were so used to by now.

His form, soft and light in the rays of the morning sun, beckoned you as if there was no usual hesitation in disturbing or imposing your company on him. Without further ado, you closed the distance between the two of you by going behind him - an insolent attempt to approach him that didn’t escape his attention. There was no other way to explain the unexpected tension piercing through his body the moment you rested your hands atop the chair’s back. 

Of course he wasn’t fond of it. Any situation leaving him vulnerable to the likes of you (especially to the likes of you) didn’t find any favor with him. The reverse cases were much preferable where you were the one defenseless against and woefully ignorant of his next moves. 

Despite all of that, he let you. In all the time you stood there pondering, never once did he turn around, look at you with reproach, put you in your place with his single word - he froze in wait, if not silent anticipation. 

As alluring as it was, you held back a toothless taunt regarding his less-than-usual antics this morning. Chances are, he’d not let it slide so easily.

“It’s just-” you paused for a second, still unsure if you indeed wanted to tell. 

Rather than responding, your hand reflexively reached for his head, fingers sinking into the blonde strands at the back. A playful smile threatened to break through as you noted the unexpected softness to his hair which was peculiar only to children. The temptation to card your other hand through his hair almost overcame you but was quickly suppressed by the all-too-natural possibility of his discontent with that action of yours. Good thing you found that bloodied lock before another unexplainable urge entered into your head. 

As he continued to show surprising leniency toward your every action so far, you decided to delve into the clumped mess of hair, exposing the scalp beneath. Given the substantial amount of blood that emerged, it indicated a rather deep wound.

Your eyebrows furrowed as your fingers explored, expecting a rough scab beneath a blood-soaked strand. Instead, you felt smooth skin. Untouched, as if the hit from the last night causing the wound had never happened. The very same wound that had miraculously healed without a trace. The regeneration as an explanation completely escaped your mind. No wonder it did, though - sometimes you forgot about the abilities that distinguished Zeke from other Eldians at the zone. 

“Has a bout of compassion suddenly befallen you?” He inquired, taking notice of your bewilderment. “Leave it, I’ll take care of it myself.”

The detachment in his tone clashed with the ease with which he leaned into your touch.

Now would be the perfect moment for your stubborn disobedience (and all the other things you’d done on top of that to cause his discontent yet it failed to do so. As if coming to terms with this unexpected display of concern, he remained seated, unmoving and silent, inadvertently fueling your determination.

“I was only thinking of using a comb to split the strands into the smaller ones so that it would be easier for you to wash out the blood,” you tried to explain, absentmindedly twisting one of his soft blonde locks on your finger. “That’s all.”

Whether it was the hint of guilt in your voice that you sought to compensate for or the inherent allure of your proposition, it managed to fracture his indifferent facade, revealing his willingness to accept your ill-thought care. 

Finally, he turned his head to meet your gaze. The coldness in his eyes gave way to the unusual mellow - the one you’d never seen before but the one that beckoned you to him even more so. 

“Try looking by the washbasin,” he replied after a long pause.

As the comb's teeth sank into the thickness of his blonde hair, your mind relinquished its current consciousness, allowing muscle memory to guide your every movement from that moment on. With trained swiftness your fingers delicately unraveled the clumped strand, careful not to tug too hard and thus disturb him. Very soon dried blood flaked off his fair hair and dusted across the teeth of the comb and your fingertips, sticking to the sweat of your skin.

Somehow, you anticipated his patience would wear thin at any moment. The way he so often and persistently demanded your attention didn't exactly scream patience, prompting you to brace yourself to keep his head in place in case he felt like fidgeting in his chair. Only he never did that. 

How you longed for just a fleeting glimpse of his face in the morning silence. A mere glance to decipher the current emotion painting his features. Were his eyes open, his brows slightly furrowed in a barely palpable annoyance at your sluggishness? Or, on the contrary, did a gentle warmth conquer the coldness of his features, causing his eyelids to grow heavy with each stroke of the comb? You found yourself yearning for the latter, especially as his breathing deepened and slowed - only those on the verge of sleep breathed in such a manner. 

As much as you’d enjoy the endearing sight of him nodding off under the touch of your fingers, you didn’t wish to put him in an awkward position. And not that you particularly fancied the prospect of waking him up later. You couldn’t imagine this particular scenario happening between the two of you - you two weren’t there yet and probably would never be. Rather than carrying on with combing in silence, you decided to speak in an attempt to pry his mind away from sleeping. 

“Did it hurt?” you asked, your fingers casually tracing the healed spot on his head. 

A stupid question, if not painfully rhetorical. After all, you were there to witness his reaction to the hit so you should know better than to ask something like this. Yet you couldn’t help your impudent curiosity. And unease. Maybe. 

“Certainly,” Zeke assumed, as if he could only speculate on the correct answer. “A smashed head usually hurts.”

Again with the facetious remarks. And there you thought that you’d successfully managed to ease the tart-tongued captain into an idle chit-chat. Nevertheless, undeterred, you pressed on with the conversation. Anything to get your mind off of the metallic smell in the air going up your nose from all the combing. 

Memory came to your aid, offering a glimpse into the events of the previous night. As dismissive as you were of the injury, despite being the cause of it, he also didn’t excel at acknowledging the damage the hit brought him.

“Why didn’t you stop me then?” you didn’t mean to appear upset yet that’s how it came off sounding. “Why did you carry on as if nothing's happened?”

Now you remembered how brief his response to the pain was. Allowing himself not a moment longer, wincing curtly before the regeneration process seamlessly kicked in. Before he pulled you in, back down to him, in a hasty kiss. No words of blame directed at you nor the general disgruntlement with the situation.  

“I should ask you the same question.” Rightfully noted yet this evasive answer failed to satisfy you - a sentiment you conveyed through a subtle tug on a strand of his hair. Only then did he change his response. “Would you lay off of me if I say that I just wanted to fuck you so bad?”

So much bitterness to his cold tone - you could’ve easily mistaken it for aloofness were it not for the tension in his body. Instances when his words didn't align with his body language were moments of attempted deception. Even he was susceptible to a minor flaw like this. Normally it would be your sign to back off, stop trying to lure the answers from him yet your insolence blinded you to all the warnings. 

For a brief moment, you let him believe that he indeed had gotten away with his evasive answer. Engaging in the task of combing his hair, your fingers delicately navigated through the strands, sweeping away the last remnants of dried blood. The staining caught your attention, a single lock of his fair hair now tinted with a subtle reddish-brown hue. Cute, even if a bit gross.

Perhaps he was too used to blood to pay attention to the small amount now staining him. Strange that you didn’t come to this conclusion earlier. It was only logical, considering his occupation. 

Sometimes you’d forget you were fucking a Titan holder. You’d never been in a warzone to see him transform into one.

“So it wasn’t that grave of an injury, huh?” your voice dripping with feigned adoration. You hoped that blatant flattery would help you get away with your not so subtle inquiries. “Good thing it wasn’t me hitting my head on the corner.”

Tears would undoubtedly have welled up in your eyes if you were in that situation. Such intense pain is beyond handling with a straight face, not to mention dealing with the aftermath of receiving such injury. You would lose much more blood though, considering the lack of regeneration that’d help with closing the wound up. 

You anticipated a chuckle or a shadow of laughter, any sign that he might entertain the idea of talking to you, but none came. 

The dynamics between the two of you were never defined by lively conversations, or any kind of conversations, for that matter. Silence and sporadic bickering were the hallmark of your shared moments. Considering the transactional nature of your relationship, there was little to complain about. Still, a chat never hurt, especially this morning when he seemed to lack his usual aversion to being nice to you. It was intriguing to hear about the honorary Marleyans - or, more precisely, the abilities that set them apart and distinguished them from the likes of you. It seemed like the perfect time to steer the conversation in that direction. The worst thing he could do was to stop talking.

Tension laced his body as he finally broke the silence. “Unlike you and the others, my injuries are of little significance as I’ve come to learn. It’d take much more for my body to be rendered beyond repair. Speaking from experience.”

The harshness to his voice that he oh-so ineptly tried to conceal with casualness. Too bad you couldn’t recognize it at the right moment. Yet another question was already falling off of your lips.

“What injury would suffice to label you beyond repair then?” The misplaced frolic as you fluffed his hair for the finishing touch, putting the comb down. “Would cutting your body in half do the trick? Or would they need to-” 

“Well aren’t you the one with the morbid interest for my regeneration?”

His sudden remark dripped with cloying endearment, yet the way he said it - oh-so quietly and without seeking to meet your gaze - made you come to a complete stop. The unsettling sight of his lips pursing into a bloodless thread lingered, even as your view remained limited from standing behind his back. You’d rather for it to be a smile or a pout or a grin - something, anything capable of possibly shedding light on his inner monologue.

Your nails dug into the flesh of your palms as you pondered an appropriate reaction to his words. Tacky. Must be the dried blood that clung to your skin during the combing process. His blood. Although you wouldn’t mind if it was your blood at this precise moment, despite knowing all too well that you didn’t have the strength nor the pain tolerance to puncture your own skin. 

As luck would have it, your head remained empty. All the more reason to feel unease.

“It would be quite insufficient if I were only to tell you about my body's abilities when I am perfectly capable of providing a demonstration.” Only then he deigned to cast a glance back at you, his blue eyes as cold as ice behind the lenses of his glasses. “Don’t you think?”  

With that, he gestured at the chair beside him. 

“I don’t know what you mean,” the treacherous tremble in your voice hovered, a dead giveaway of your inner unrest. Summoning every ounce of composure, you accepted his suggestion with a straight face and sank into the chair next to him. 

“You’ll see soon.” 

You hoped you wouldn't. You hoped that he would drop the act soon and return to his usual self. Only, he was already behaving normally, perhaps even more casually towards you at this very moment.

He kept his word; a couple of moments later, you noticed an army knife on the table. Had he brought it here, or was your mind too teemed with thoughts to notice? For a brief moment you let fear take over as you struggled to figure out a reason he’d need a blade now that didn’t include either of you getting hurt in the process. He must’ve noticed your glazed-over eyes hence the encouragement, very much unwelcomed, to his smooth voice.

“Not to worry,” As his warm fingers reached out to touch your palm, their gentle contact served as a very much unwelcome distraction from the enveloping unease. “I’m not allowed to harm civilians, only the military . 

His reassurance failed to provide any relief. If anything, it only made you even more suspicious of him considering his famously non-civilian status in the internment zone. Before you could utter a word - not that you could conceive an appropriate response for this entirely unfeasible predicament - he directed the knife toward you, the handle being the closest. 

“We use it to trigger transformation,” with that, he looked up at you as if pondering his next words. “I won’t transform today I promise.”

Your lips parted as you struggled to maintain composure in view of his insinuation. He arched an eyebrow at the sight of your understandable puzzlement, almost baffled by the fact that you couldn’t comprehend him.

“I thought you understood everything I’d said just a moment ago,” he didn’t mean to sound menacing, evident in the way he tilted his head, almost in an innocent and curious manner, but he did to you. 

On that, you had to agree with him. For a brief moment you contemplated feigning cluelessness, hoping it would spare you from the part he intended for you. Yet, there was little room for misinterpreting his words and he didn't deem you capable of such a fit to actually believe you. 

As quickly as your stiff body allowed, your finger tapped the blade, confirming its metallic nature. How many times must he have used it to draw blood? What difference would yet another cut bring? This time, however, it wasn't to trigger a transformation, as you assumed he regularly does in his position, but to impart a 'lesson' in excessive curiosity. Although “lesson” would be the wrong word to describe the impending punishment. Between the two of you, you still weren’t sure who would be the one getting punished here.

“Would you lay off me if I do it?” this time, you spent no effort trying to keep your voice steady. There was no more dread to your predicament worth harboring. 

He only nodded in response. An air of conceit emanated from him, almost palpable, as if he believed he was graciously presenting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to you. Well, who were you to deny yourself the pleasure of taking control? He should have answered when you asked first, without pushing you to the point of exasperation.

“Not a lot of concern coming from a person who’s about to be left at my mercy,” your lips curled into a grin as you sneered at him, unconvinced of his willingness to be put into such a compromising position, “And what if I decide to stab you?” 

Again, you failed to elicit any reaction out of him. “By all means, it’d be even more interesting. All the more spectacle for you to enjoy.”

His words prompted you to grab the knife more quickly, pulling the hand he offered closer to you. 

The blade hovered over the open palm of his hand as your troubled gaze scanned his skin in search of the best place to leave a cut. The one that would allow for the deepest wound. The one that would have the most vessels to slit for the blood to spill. The one that would be the most-

The knife twitched in your hand. 

"But it’ll be painful," you couldn’t help but indulge in your habit of glancing up at him, making your stalling painfully obvious. "Will it not?"

What nonsense you began to spew once push came to shove. Compassion is the wrong sentiment to hold at the moment, especially towards someone like him - not only he’d reject it but also tease you for its display. 

He didn’t feel the need to answer. The inquisitive look in his eyes carried enough challenge to make you feel embarrassed, prompting you to look back down at the blade. Among all people, Zeke was likely the last deserving of pity from you. The many years of his service to Marley stripped injuries of any significance other than their role in triggering the transformation, with the resulting pain being merely an unfortunate by-product of triggering the transformation, something one needed to learn to ignore. He was the one to suggest it in the first place, absolving you of any sense of guilt - that’s what you told yourself to uproot the hesitation plaguing your movements. Yet, it didn’t feel that way.

In an attempt to save face, you hastily rushed to press the knife against the palm of his hand. The blade sank into the soft flesh but did nothing to puncture the skin. 

Having observed your struggles, Zeke commented in a patronizing tone, “You do know that you also have to drag it across, right?”

“I know,” you shot back, your voice struggling to convey the sternness you so desperately wanted him to hear, “Shut up before I change my mind and lop off your tongue instead.”

He could only scoff at your empty threat. The likelihood of you following through was significantly undermined by your current inability to leave even a small nick on his body.

It felt awkward to hold a knife clearly not suited for the size of your hand. You realized just how unassuming it made you appear in his eyes and that's why he didn't seem threatened at all. His hand you were clutching so hard radiated pleasant warmth, soft skin in stark contrast to yours, cold and clammy with sweat. No point in trying to wipe it off - he already knew.

A slight drag of the blade, you mused to yourself, as your grip on the handle tightened. Maybe it’ll be painless yet deep enough for him to finally stop with the torment. 

“Right, this is going to take forever if it continues like this,” a murmur just above your ear unsettled you, and for all the right reasons.

The next thing you knew was the cold, sticky dread as you felt him pry the knife from your stiff fingers. 

“No-no-no,” was all you could mutter as you watched him bring the blade to the same spot on his palm you couldn’t bring yourself to injure, cutting short all of your attempts to snatch the knife from him. “Please, I’ll do it.” 

The urgency in your voice was as clear as it was sudden. In every sense, you should have welcomed the relief from such a burden, yet it only managed to deepen the fear within you. An instinct whispered that between the two of you, he would be the least inclined to show mercy to show hesitation.

He effortlessly shook off the weight of your hands tugging at his wrists. Witnessing a smile on his face, whether benevolent or wicked, would have offered more comfort than the serene facade he now wore. It was easier for you to provide suitable answers when you know precisely what plagues his mind.

As your lips moved in futile appeals for him to cease already, an audible sigh escaped them as soon as you watched the blade gliding across the flesh of his palm. Dropping to your knees to draw nearer, you clasped his arm - the one wielding the knife - almost cradling it close to your chest. You could almost deceive yourself, misinterpreting the gesture as one driven by tenderness.

“Please, stop,” you muttered, eyes fixed on his palm. Despite wanting to lock eyes and convey the urgency of your plea, the fear of witnessing his pain held you back. “I’m afraid of blood,” you lied, “I get nauseous the moment it comes into view.”

Unconvincing, painfully so, and he perceived it as such. 

“Probably should have thought about it before deciding to comb my hair earlier this morning,” the twofold meaning seared in his reproach as he pointed to your fingers, his blood caked beneath your nails. 

More words danced at the tip of his tongue, laden with sentiments threatening to spill forth. Bold inquiries forever bound to remain unspoken. It occurred too often for you not to pick up on it. Yet, in this moment, such awareness faded as your focus narrowed to the subtle sway of the knife as it lifted up delicately. The pressure from the blade left a slice in his skin, a pale crack tracing across his palm. No blood. Thankfully, you couldn't help but acknowledge it to yourself.

You had to speak before he had a chance to come up with another rebuke - or even worse, decide to deepen the cut. 

“I’ll do it if you want me to,” you had to assemble all the remnants of composition within you to sound even just a bit assertive as you were still kneeling beside him.

As your touch graced his right hand, his fingers eased into a state of relaxation. There was no doubt in your mind that he was more than willing to surrender the blade - out of the two of you, he wanted you to do the swing. A complacent expression lingered in the cold depths of his eyes, a silent conviction that he had successfully played you. In some sense, he indeed had.

As you resumed your place at the table, your hand reached out for his - the very one he had attempted to harm not too long ago. Your gaze fixed upon the cut, the many layers of skin ruptured and now exposed. While it might have been more sensible to complete the job, to add another slice and breach the blood vessels, your touch redirected to his finger. Precisely on the soft pad of his digit is where you chose to apply the blade. 

The resistance of the flesh intensified as you pressed the metal deeper, each push of the blade causing a nauseating churn in your stomach. The sensation heightened as you felt the skin give way under the blade. It was unfathomable to think that he could do this routinely, let alone in a much quicker and more mindless motion than yours.

You could only be glad that it lasted mere seconds. After tossing the knife onto the table, you observed as blood began to flow, scarlet beads collecting at the edges of the cut. Zeke watched on in silence through all of that, following your gaze. You assumed - and rightfully so - that he expected your tears to follow his blood yet your eyes held nothing but weariness and annoyance - sentiments you made sure to convey to him the moment your gazes met.

“So?” you proded, as you quirked your eyebrow in an inquisitive manner. 

You almost flinched at the sudden feeling of a drop hitting the back of your hand. Pulsing out of the wound and dripping down the curve of his finger, blood blossomed into a splatter upon contact with your skin. Were you not quick enough in putting your hand away, another couple of drops would have followed. Had you not been quick enough to withdraw your hand, a few more drops would have inevitably followed.

Sure enough - just before needing to prompt him once more - a surge of warmth followed by a wispy ribbon of white smoke emerged from the cut. It would be dishonest of you to deny the sense of wonder that overcame you at the sight of the wound vanishing, its pink edges seamlessly melding back into his flesh. Although you couldn’t help but question if it was truly worth it, considering the sheer absurdity preceding it. 

Not a minute later and the cut was no more. Much like the unfounded worry you held for Zeke.  The emotions fueling your actions throughout the morning now condensed into pure exasperation. Perhaps, you mused, you should have reconsidered extending your help in the first place.

The scarlet stains on your hands suddenly felt revolting as you glanced at them one more time. The metallic stench returned, almost mocking you for the events of this morning. A strong inclination to leave seized you - you craved distance from the aftermath and his stupid remarks, should they follow. As well as the persistent urge to cleanse the sticky blood off your skin

“I’ll be away for a while,” you muttered under your breath, standing up and leaving the kitchen under the weight 

Even if he made an attempt to stop you, you would not pay any mind to his whims. It would require an extensive session of scrubbing before you would no longer see the maroon specks on your skin and the lingering scent of metal dissipate from the air.

[tradebrainsportalsblog]

The Role of Diversification in Mitigating Investment Risk

Investing is one of the most critical strategies you can use to minimize your investment risk and this is why diversity is essential. In other words, it means spreading your investments across various types of assets so that you do not suffer great losses due to poor performance in any one share or investment. This article focuses on how diversification can help reduce investment risks while giving practical tips on how to diversify portfolios effectively.

Understanding Diversification

You do not put all your baskets in one egg carton. Therefore, by investing in different assets like stocks, bonds, real estate and commodities, if one investment fails then it will save a lot from losing anything with a greater amount. The rationale behind this system is simple: different kinds of investments usually react differently to market conditions. For example when some are going down others may be growing hence ensuring an overall stable return.

Importance of Diversification

Mitigates risk: diversification helps spread the risks. Investing everything into a single share which collapses leads to losing mostly all one's money. However if he had a diversified portfolio such a situation would not have affected much on the entire portfolio since before there used to be good gains in some areas but now as compared it seems lesser than before.

Smooth Returns: A portfolio that has good diversification would experience lesser fluctuations. This implies that you will not experience vast changes in values brought about by investing in just one category of assets. By doing this, your profits are likely to be constant even as time passes.

The Possibility of Higher Returns: Even though the assumption of constant returns from different classes is not true, yet on average it leads to stability over all returns. If you have different kinds of financial tools some may perform well making other investments more profitable.

Conduct a proper market research and analysis like fundamental analysis, technical analysis etc. There are lot of websites which provides various tools to conduct analysis. One of the best websites for fundamental analysis is Trade Brains Portal. Trade Brains Portal has various tools like Portfolio analysis, Stock compare, Stock research reports and so on. Also the website provides fundamental details of all the stocks listed in Indian stock market.

How to Create Diversification

First Invest In Different Asset Classes: The initial stage of diversifying is distributing investments among diverse asset classes. You might include:

Shares: For instance invest into various sectors and industries which protects against any concentration risk.

Debts: Join corporate and state obligations that have various due terms.

Property: Purchase land or consider REITs which will go a long way in further diversity for the filling

Blacksmith’s tools: This allows one to hedge against stock price fluctuations since there are shares made from gold or liquid petroleum.

Asset Classes: Inside Each, Diversify More: Inside every asset class, further diversification should be encouraged. For instance, your stock portfolio may comprise both large, mid- and small-cap stocks pulled from various industries such as technology, health care or finance. Conversely, for fixed income investments you could consider both short- and long-term bonds from different issuers.

Geographic Diversification: Don’t confine your investments to just one country; consider allocating funds to global equities and debts so that you can ride on worldwide growth spurts at the same time lowering chances of going broke due to national downturns only.

Utilize Index Funds and ETFs: Index funds along with exchange-traded funds (ETFs) create fantastic platforms for diversification. Basically, these are investment vehicles which collect funds from numerous investors to buy a spectrum of stocks or bonds which automatically leads to diversification in the fund itself. As such; investing in index or ETF money market accounts results in an instantily diversified portfolio.

Strategic Diversification

Design Balanced Portfolios: A balanced portfolio will include stocks, bonds and other assets. The exact mix of these three categories depend on your risk appetite, investment objectives and time frame. For example; if you are young with an extended investment period ahead like 30 years or more, then perhaps you could have a greater percentage of equity shares. Conversely before retirement age it is likely that one would move towards more fixed income securities and other low-volatility options. Inorder to reduce the risk, one can invest in large cap companies or also investing in companies which has good dividends, bonus and splits can be a better choice.

1. Re Judiciously: With the passage of time, every investment’s worth may change thus creating an uneven portfolio. “Rebalance” refers to the act of bringing back into line one's desired proportions of investments as stocks, bonds or other such asset categories. This ensures that risk levels correspond with individual investment objectives.

2. Follow Up and Amending: Literacy needs one given fiscal policy to always differ and be changing as per preferences of that certain individual in the market at a particular time upon follow up from it regularly. Periodic adjustments may be required so as to keep an overall investment mix in balance hence giving opportunity for some time before buying any new ones.

Common Mistakes

Over Diversification: It is evident that although diversification matters; it can also harm your profit margins through excessive dilution. Avoid extensionalizing too thin your assets or choosing funds too far too many Aim for a balanced approach based on few investments.

Ignoring Asset Correlation: Diversification works well when these assets are not related closely. Investing in closely related assets ends up negating the effects on one’s portfolio during downturns and making this strategy less beneficial. All your assets ought to have different levels of risks as well as respond independently to different market conditions.

Minimizing Hazardous Behavior: Asset allocation must be aligned with your appetite for risk as well as your investment objectives. Don’t just diversify simply for the purpose of it. Ensure that your portfolio represents your comfort with risk and conforms to your financial aims.

Conclusion

A potent strategy for curtailing investment risks and obtaining more steady returns is diversification. When you spread out investments throughout various asset classes, industries and regions, the effect of bad performance on one specific investment will be reduced thus enhancing stability of the entire portfolio. Remember to diversify within asset classes, utilize index mutual funds along with ETFs then periodically check and adjust the mix in order to have an ideal level of diversification throughout your life cycle; this way you will be able to handle any changes in the marketplace hence working towards fulfilling all your dreams.

[kookieswan]

Of Blooms & Bounties - Petunia

Pirate!Jungkook x Explorer!Reader

Word Count: 1.5k

Genre: Pirate!AU, Magic!AU, Semi-Historical!AU, slightly fluffy, very silly.

Warnings: Alcohol consumption, mentions of prostitution, nothing too serious though!

Summary: Namjoon had wanted the gold, Jimin had wanted the fun, and Jungkook had wanted to lay low. All in all, you’d say that two out of three were successful.

Notes: Here we go, another look into their shenanigans lmao

This is from the Of Blooms & Bounties Series. Find it here!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“It’s a super simple but very effective plan; Minnie is going to pretend to be Petunia while Tae, Hobi, Jin, and Yoon escort him back to the boat so we can take him home. _____, JK, and myself are going to stay here to make sure nothing tips them off. Pose as customers at the tavern and keep a lookout for Minnie…”

And lookout you do; both you and Joon sitting in the corner of the tavern, eyes scanning the area for the bandits that have purchased Petunias time. It wouldn’t have been as big of a quest to return him home if the man wasn’t expecting customers at almost every hour, but apparently his services are a hot commodity and his boss is… Demanding, which means your options are very slim. The poor man wants wants to to be home with his family again, and since they paid you nicely, it’s the least you can do to help.

“Everything’s going to go to plan, we have the perfect set up.” Namjoon’s dressed down a bit, lacking his usual hat and numerous layers of clothes for a more simple shirt and pants combo. You’re wearing something similar to blend into the background, not wanting to stand out all that much. You don’t think you’ll be found out anyway, not with how intense the partying is tonight.

“I know it will Joon, I’m not worried.” The tavern’s in full swing, a large crowed covering most of the floor space and seemingly very drunk. Other pirates mostly, some prostitutes, even a few performers. The bards play music over the roaring crowed, fun songs you wiggle in your seat to, wishing you could get up and dance.

Min sits idly at the bar, legs daintily crossed in his finest leather pants. He looks dangerous but in the best of ways, his charms drawing in a number of patrons around the shady tavern. He dones a billowy white shirt as well as high laced leather boots, coal around his eyes and red on his lips, the exact look Petunia told his customers he’d be wearing. A little scandalous, a little saucy, a perfect trap.

Kookie had excused himself to hit the toilet a while ago, and so you scan the room to try and spot him in the chaos. It’s a few seconds before he stumbles around the corner, eyes doe like and head swiveling to watch out for your target. It’s a passing thought that he looks pretty, the true flower in your group as he spots you and smiles with his pretty bunny smile as he speeds toward the table.

“Oh, I think this little daffodil is the company we purchased.” You’re so focused on him that you miss the new faces; Jungkook is almost back to the table as he’s stopped, a small hand wrapped around his wrist. He looks down at the small woman as her voice booms out over the patrons, two more women that aren’t much taller by her side. Kookie dwarfs them by quite a bit, tall defined muscles towering over them like a shaking tree. You and Joon both tense, ready to fight this out if things go south.

“I- Huh? Me!?” His voice is frantic but quiet enough you almost miss it. You suppose they’re wearing somewhat similar outfits, but Jungkook has certainly never worn skintight leather pants in his life like Jimin. Trying to hide your giggles as you settle a bit, you swig down your beer and pretend not to notice Namjoon’s bugging eyes. Min watches from across the tavern with wide eyes, lips twitching up and down, clearly not sensing any danger.

“Yes you beautiful, you’re exceptionally stunning. Look at that tiny little waist under that pretty little shirt, I could just eat you up.” Well, things certainly aren’t going as planned… They’re going better. The woman places her hand on Jungkook’s chest, slowly trailing a finger down until she reaches the low-cut collar. It’s humorous how far she has to stretch her arm up, but you remain mostly quite as Namjoon gently pokes your leg, a code for ‘shut up’. Jungkook looks like he’s about to pass out: from the implication of him being a prostitute or from being touched so boldly, you’re not sure.

“Um, yes. Yes that’s right, I-I’m Petunia.” Even with the taverns light being dim, you can still see the pink hue that lights up Jungkook’s cheeks as you glance at him, maybe a little shy but also a little flattered. It’s enough to make you coo to yourself, Namjoon’s slowly lowering his forehead till his face is planted firmly against the table. Your poor captains plans just don’t seem to be owning our recently, a true pity but also a secret blessing. Seeing JK flustered is always a little treat, it makes you wanna melt into a puddle.

“Give us a little dance sweetheart, I’ve heard the way your hips move casts shame on the sea herself.” It’s tense as Namjoon raises his head just enough to watch, Jimin staring with intensity from the bar now. Jungkook clears his throat noisily a few times, then slowly starts to sway his hips to the tune of the bards song.

Perhaps he tends to be a little awkward, maybe a smidge outspoken, but he’s always been stunning. A captivating personality, a beautiful face, and now apparently hips that might be able to rival Jimin’s. The poet sways to the music almost sensually as the women cheer him on, rowdy as the sit at the table relatively close to yours, drinks in hand and eyes shining with glee. There’s a shout for him to “take it off”, and strangely enough, he starts to slip out of his shirt without a second though. Hm.

Glancing over at Jimin with a raised brow, he purses his lips and shrugs, clearly enjoying the show as Jungkook finally trips over his own feet. The crew of women don’t seem to mind though, cheering him on in their drunken state. Namjoon sighs noisily to your right, face defeated as he starts to stand up. It’s an unspoken rule; all damage control is in the hands of the captain.

“… I can’t believe it’s come to this, you all are very lucky I’m a nice captain. Slip out when you can _____, I’m sure Minnie will stick around as a watch out.” Apparently the charade has been going on much too long by Joonie’s standards when in reality, Jimin was supposed to lead them into the alleyway and knock them out. This, however, had been much more fun to watch. You continue to watch with an slightly open mouth as Namjoon swaggers up to Jungkook as he sways around with his shirt now mostly off, hands on his hips. He taps the younger man’s shoulder, Kookie turning and freezing like he’s been spotted by a walbear.

“Petunia! How COULD you!?!?” Namjoons voice is shrill over the music, some people turning to stare, others not caring at all. It takes everything in you not to cackle, and so you down the rest of your beer to keep quiet. If you thought Kookies acting was bad, well…

“W-what?” JK looks like he’s nearly about to cry, eyes big and watery as he stares up at Joonie. You can’t see the other man’s face, but something must silently cross between them because Kookie noticeably relaxes in the next few seconds.

“I can’t believe you’re dancing for other people again, you-you harlot! That’s it! I’m taking you home to our eight children!” … Eight? That’s quite a lot. Namjoon actually picks up poor Jungkook and runs out of the building with the smaller man over his shoulder, the three women who bought his time gaping like little fishies. Things could have went a lot worse if they weren’t such a lighthearted and very drunk crew…

Standing slowly from the table, you notice Jimin had departed from the bar at some point, now standing close to the entrance and watching you with expectant eyes. Grabbing your duster, you walk past the women and hide your grin as they mourn the loss of Petunia quite loudly. Jimin ushers you out of the tavern, leading you to the alleyway behind it where the two other men are waiting.

“Woooow JK, that was quite the performance love. Outshined me in every way.” Jungkook starts to sputter and hides his face as Jimin laughs at him, not cruelly but with clear intention to tease. Namjoon just sighs and pats the youngest man’s back, trying to comfort him as he attempts to get over the loss of his own dignity. You silently grab JKs hand, rubbing your thumb against his warm honey skin comfortingly as he glances at you with a shy smile.

“…The things I put up with for some gold. I’m about to walk my own planm”

[huntershowl]

What if they kissed? 😫🥺

IT STARTS WITH A CIGARETTE. MANY OF their interactions do; they always have. perhaps it isn't the healthiest method of bonding, but it's theirs.

the rooftop they share tonight is not their school's, but that of the apartment seph and orion share, alone, illegally. it's a rare thing for seph to have time outside of school and work to spend with shota. she has to seize it, make it last — and in truth, she really doesn't want this night to end. if only time were a commodity to be bargained with.

normally, when shota asks, seph just hands him the lighter when they're done with it. this time, she scoots closer, flicks it on herself, and hoods it with the other hand so that she can burn the tip of the tightly-rolled paper. a quick flash of orange-gold illuminates their faces under a near-midnight sky. this close, seph can see his eyelashes. she can see the bloodshot corners of his sclerae. she can hear the soft intake of breath.

the idea — impulsive, stupid — comes after a few moments of staring. without a word, seph reaches over and plucks the cigarette from his fingers into her own. it seems at first that that's all there is to it. a mischievous little action, done just to make him scowl. it certainly wouldn't be the first time. but in this moment, something strange and terrible seizes persephone's common sense and throws it across the city. she doesn't lean away. instead, heart pounding in her throat like she's just run a mile, she closes the distance and presses her lips to his.

a stolen moment, a bargain with time. a few seconds outside of reality where nothing else exists: just seph, shota, the gentle waft of smoke around their faces, and above them a sky full of glimmering stars.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

The multinational companies that industrialised the Amazon rainforest

Analysis shows handful of corporations extract tens of billions of dollars of raw materials a year – and their commitments to restoration vary greatly

A handful of global giants dominate the industrialisation of the Amazon rainforest, extracting tens of billions of dollars of raw materials every year, according to an analysis that highlights how much value is being sucked out of the region with relatively little going back in.

But even as the pace of deforestation hits record highs while standards of living in the Amazon are among the lowest in Brazil, the true scale of extraction remains unknown, with basic details about cattle ranching, logging and mining hard to establish despite efforts to ban commodities linked to its destruction.

From the world’s largest iron ore mine to a ranching industry that slaughters more than 6 million animals a year, the Guardian analysis – carried out as part of a joint project with Forbidden Stories to mark the anniversary of the killings of Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips – shows how the world’s most biodiverse land is now also a home to industrial powerhouses. The firms are sources of economic growth and employment for the communities and for the country. But they are operating in an environment – the world’s largest rainforest and a critical carbon sink – that presents unusual challenges.

These companies’ commitments to Amazon restoration vary enormously. If their operations can be consolidated and made more transparent and accountable, they have the financial power to be part of the solution for the rainforest, rather than the problem – as some have been until now. This is essential because the degradation of the Amazon is approaching a tipping point, after which the forest will start to dry up and lose its globally important function as a climate regulator.

Using company records, financial data and scientific studies, the Guardian has tried to establish the value of goods that are commonly extracted from the Brazilian Amazon, including through gold, iron ore and bauxite mining, cattle ranching, soy farming, pulp production and the logging industry.

Continue reading.

[artificialinsanity]

Hunting the Missing Link

Story Summary: When a mysterious individual crash-lands in the sleepy town of Starlight Edge, four unassuming individuals begin on a journey to find its origins, kickstarting a chain of events that would alter thier lives forever.

Chapter Summary: When Emily gets a new car, she takes them for a road trip to all thier favorite places, as a start to the most interesting day in the rest of thier lives.

[Next]

Story under the cut.

Just a few hours drive west from Empire City lies a small, sleepy town by the name of Starlight Edge, with a population in the low ten-thousands. Though small, the town is quite a hotspot for tourism due to the Starlight’s Edge of which the town is named after - a massive 100-foot cliff overlooking a series of 16 waterfalls flowing into a deep lake, known by the residents as Lake Selene.

A few miles away from Starlight Edge, on a street leading in from the town, lie 4 houses in a cul-de-sac, though only one has a vehicle parked outside - a yellow sports bike. Inside this house, a young hyena woman is tinkering with something while the 8am news plays in the background.

“In global news, Sonic the Hedgehog appears to have stopped the evil Doctor Robotnik yet again in the outskirts of Metropolis Zone,” reports the newscaster. “Sources say the Doctor, quote, ‘Didn't put up much of a fight.’”

“Why does this idiot keep trying these stunts!?” shouts the hyena to an audience of none. “By this point he should KNOW it’s not gonna work!”

Dressed in black with the proper safety equipment, the hyena is hard at work; soldering electronics together with a tutorial on her phone. Electronics lay all over her “garage”, from busted CD players, to old computer motherboards, to failed projects, parts and tools litter the place like they’re a rare commodity. Outside her work space, her living space isn’t much better, with clothes scattered all across her furniture, mainly centered around a single chair in the back corner.

Next to her TV is a slew of various SEGA video game consoles - Genesis, Saturn, and even Dreamcast - and next to those is a shelf full of video games, all of them about Sonic the Hedgehog. From the first one on Genesis to the last one on Dreamcast, she has them all. She even has the ones released after that, but those are on her PC, which lay just next to the shelf of video games.

With one final solder, the hyena raises her safety goggles to her forehead, eager to test out her contraption, when she hears a knock at the door. Steadily, she removes her safety gear, attaches her contraption to her wrists, and begins preparing herself.

This perky young hyena girl has big dreams, big ambitions, and a surprisingly ample bosom. Her fur is a creamy tan, like a warm latte, contrasting well with her clothes dark as night, much like the markings dotting her fur. She wore a light, yet tight black tank top with a cute yellow star adorned on its front, a black-and-purple tartan skirt with a purple waistband, some tight black sport shorts, purple combat boots that go up to her knees, and a crop top leather jacket with pins of some of her favorite musical acts - Neck Deep, State Champs, and All Time Low. Her eyes were a much darker shade of brown than her fur, much more akin to the trunk of an old and world weary oak tree. The contraptions she placed around her wrists were gold ring bracelets. Upon her hands, she also wore fingerless gloves, revealing the black tips of her fingers; and also had small purple glasses, which she wore on her nose. As for the girl’s name? It was-

“Stella!” barked a deep female voice from beyond the door. “You ready yet? I got something to show you!”

“Just a minute, Emily!” Stella yelled in response. Quickly turning off the TV, she rushed out the front door, eagerly awaiting what the day may bring.

“There you are, slowpoke!” said Emily. “What took you so long?”

“Sorry! I was fixing up my Light Bracelets.” Stella replied. “Why’d you call me out, exactly?”

“Come on! I got something to show you!” exclaimed Emily, clearly excited; which was rare for the porcupine, as she mostly stayed to herself. Her quills were a deep maroon, like autumn leaves, with her pupils a fiery red. She wore indigo boots with white stripes on them, jean shorts, and a pink tube tank top, with an indigo vest overtop. She was also one of the few members of this group to wear eyeshadow, hers being a striking lavender in color. She also had white gloves with spikes on them, as well as spiked bracelets around her wrists.

Emily took Stella two houses down, where a rounded object covered in abstract haphazard D.I.Y. canvas rest just out front, where it didn't just an hour ago.

"What's this?" questioned Stella, knowing full well what might be under the sheet, but feigning ignorance for pleasantries.

“Can’t say right now,” replied Emily. “Gotta wait for Lyla and Vicki first.”

Emily looked around.

“...Hey, where are Lyla and Vicki?”

Just then they noticed two figures racing down the street, one of them hovering just above the ground. As the figures got closer, Stella and Emily noticed it as a cheetah and a crow, rapidly approaching. As they got even closer, the cheetah slid to a stop just in front of the others, while the crow flew face first into a telephone pole. Everyone winced.

"Ooh, you okay, Vicki?" asked a concerned Stella.

"I- I'm fine!" said the timid crow, holding her head, dizzy. "Just a small bump, is all."

"I'll trust you on that, Victoria." Stella then replied.

Victoria is a shy, mild-mannered crow. Shorter than the rest, she wore a pristine white dress overtop her black feathers, though now its formerly spotless appearance has taken on dirt, grime, and a small bit of snow from the wintery ground. She doesn't seem to notice, or care, though. She's spacey - appropriately keeping her head in the clouds and rarely focusing on the situations at hand. Her hair feathers are always frazzled, despite her keeping them in a ponytail, and her boots are as black as her feathers, making them almost invisible unless you're focused on them. She also wore, on a chain around her neck, a small yellow heart-shaped gemstone, burning with a small flame to match, kept inside a small iron cage. Supposedly, in the time she’s owned it, Vicki has never seen the flame go out. 

"Probably shoulda warned ya about the pole, Vic. Sorry!" Said the cheetah in an oddly chipper tone.

"Yeah, maybe you should have, Lyla. She could have gotten seriously hurt!" Stella yelled

"Don't yell at her, Stella! I'm fine!" said Vicki in response.

Lyla is an upbeat, chipper cheetah with a heart of gold and balls of steel, despite being a girl. She will charge into any situation and will not stop until she either saves the day, or gets so hurt she has to retreat. She's impulsive, sporty, and VERY friendly, but has a fear of heights. She's also somewhat inattentive, often not realizing the true gravity of a situation. She wears a navy blue sports bra and sport shorts, as well as sneakers in the same color. Her short, manic hair is a rich, creamy brown, that falls overtop the rest of her bright yellow fur, and her eyes are a deep, rich blue that almost pierces into your very soul. She smiled, rubbing the back of her head in a bashful manner.

"You know I worry about you, Vicki," Stella said. "I just don't want you to-"

"I get it, mom. You don't have to lecture me, I'm fine," replied Vicki in response.

"Now's not the time for arguing, you three!" exclaimed Emily. "We can worry about this later - I have something to show you all."

"I take it it's underneath that car-shaped cloth?" Stella pointed.

"I told you not to peek, you jerk," Emily teased.

"Oh yeah, sure, I'll just NOT look at the biggest thing on the street right now. Sure. That sounds reasonable." Stella jokingly replied.

"Alright, I get it!" Emily jeered. "You've made your point."

"Alright, so what's under the cloth? Better be something good," Stella asked. "If I find out you bought a damn mom car, I'm going to be most displeased-"

"Don't worry, princess," Emily teased, "I know your taste in cars is very exquisite."

"It's a symbol of EXPRESSION!" Stella yelled.

"So you've told me a thousand times," Emily responded, rolling her eyes so hard they could drive down the mile street to Starlight Edge and back. "Don't worry - I picked out my favorite. And it should be one you'd enjoy."

Emily grabbed the cloth, said "I present to you:", and yanked it off with force, revealing a red Mitsubishi Eclipse sedan, with a vanity plate reading "VELS"

"VELS?" questioned Stella.

"It's our initials," responded Emily. "Vicki, Emily, Lyla, Stella. V, E, L, S."

"Chaos, why didn't I pick a name with a better initial?" joshed Stella, snickering. "Like Andromeda, or Aurora?"

"Oh yeah, because 'VEAL' is SO much better-" Emily teased.

"At least it's a real word!" yelled Stella in response.

"Whatever," brushed Emily. "So, you guys wanna go to the shops, and take this puppy for a spin?" She said, twirling a keychain on her index finger.

"YEAH!" Lyla, Stella, and Vicki all cheered in unison.

"Great! Let's go!" Emily exclaimed, excited.

Emily hit a button on her keychain revealing possibly the coolest thing about her new car - It was a convertible.

Everyone's eyes lit up brighter than the moon.

"Wait," Stella puzzled, "would putting the top down really be a good idea? It's January."

"Well, it's not snowing right now, is it?" Emily responded.

"Hmm, fair enough."

They all jumped into seats - Emily took the driver's side, as she's the only one legally allowed to drive; Stella took the passenger's side; Lyla sat behind Emily; and Vicki sat behind Stella. With everyone seated, Emily put the key in the ignition, turned it, and sped off down Parker Street into Starlight Edge.

It was a cold January day in Starlight Edge - the town had just been hit with 6 inches of snow just a few days before, and the town itself lit up brighter than ever before with the reflective snow on the ground. The small town adores its winters, having wonderful celebrations with each one. Just in from Parker St. is the shopping district, starting with Saturn Blvd., the biggest street in shopping in Starlight Edge by far, with stores, fast food restaurants, and even the Hogpine Mall, still kicking despite the decline in malls all over the world. Stella likes dropping in from time to time to pick up a CD or 2. After the shopping district is the residential district, where the citizens of Starlight Edge, well, reside. There's a few small shops in here - small mom and pop shops, convenience stores, bars, and some more fast food joints, but most of the space is taken up by housing. And just beyond the residential district is where the tourism takes charge - on the far East edge of town lies a renowned observatory, public pools, springs, parks, forms of entertainment like sporting fields, amusement parks and arcades, and beyond even ALL OF THAT lies the ever famous Starlight's Edge. Though that's MILES away from the town for the safety of its citizens, of course.

As the red Mitsubishi Eclipse pulls into town, the question arises among its passengers: Where to first?

"First things first, I should REALLY pick up Vimu," Stella said first. "I wanna have him with me, and make sure he's okay!"

"Then I wanna go to the bar!" Vicki yelled.

"Are you even old enough to drink?" Lyla asked, half joking.

"Oh, I'm not interested in alcohol!" Vicki responded. "I wanna swindle some suckers at darts and billiards! It'll be fun!"

"After that I wanna go to RCS Field on the East End," said Lyla. "My 1200 meter record is 25:58, and I wanna see if I can beat it!"

"Good luck with that!" scoffed Emily. "The only person who can run 1200 meters faster than 25 seconds is Sonic himself!"

"You don't know that!" yelled Lyla in response.

"Okay, but before you do that, I wanna buy CDs at the Hogpine Mall!" Stella butted in. "RCS Field is on the other side of town! It'd be a long drive there and back!"

"Stella, it'd be far quicker to get your CDs on the way back," Emily said. "If we're going to the far side of town anyways, better to get it out of the way as early as possible."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Stella said. "After, then."

"And then after all that we can get some fast food and go home," said Emily. "Sound good to you guys?

The car said "Yeah!" in unison.

"Great, then that's our day. Hope you're all ready!"

"I know I am!" said Stella.

"In it to win it!" said Lyla.

"I'm ready!" Vicki chimed in.

And with that, thier day had truly begun.

- - -

Thier first destination was Clysedale Care Clinic on Stellar St., the street Stella got her name from. The clinic takes care of all manner of creatures, from Chao, to Wisp. They're very trustworthy, with plenty of glowing reviews, which is why Stella has enlisted thier services for a while now.

Emily pulls the Eclipse up front, and Stella gets out.

"Wait here, guys," Stella said. "I'll go in alone."

She walked in the door, and the bell rang to signal her presence. Upon walking up to the counter, she was greeted by one of the Clysedale siblings - Ezrieal.

"Welcome to Clysedale Care Clinic!" They say in that customer service tone. "What can I do for you today?"

"Hi, Ez!" says Stella. "Is Theo in today? I'm here to pick up Vimu."

"Ah, of course! Let me call them out!" Ez says, before disappearing into the back. After a few seconds of muffled shouting Stella couldn't understand, a tall figure emerged from the back. They had glasses and brown hair, and just kind of looked tired all the time. His eyes quickly looked to Stella, seeming to know exactly what she was thinking.

"You're here to pick up your Chao, yes?" They said in a sleepy tone.

"Y- Yes, sir." Stella stammered, slightly intimidated. Dr. Theo always gave her a weird feeling.

"Let me get him for you then," He replied, disappearing into the back.

After a few seconds, they re-emerged with a white robotic chao with a screen for a face.

"Vimu!" Stella shouted, and gave him a big hug. "Oh, I'm glad to see you're okay!" Vimu made a cute little chime in response.

"Your Chao was a tad bit… unorthodox for us," Dr. Theo said, "But he appears to be perfectly healthy. No slowdown, no clutter, no viruses. One of the healthiest we've ever seen."

"Thank you for your services, Dr. Theo!" Stella exclaimed. "How much do I owe you?"

"The standard fee, my dear," Dr. Theo replied. "30 Rings an hour."

She paid the fee - 2,160 Rings. The price was steep, but it was her own fault for not coming to get her Chao sooner.

Theo did some counting, gave a satisfactory nod, and put the rings in the register on the front desk. "Once again, it has been a pleasure doing business with you, Miss Stella."

"I'm just glad the work you do here is so sublime!" Stella said. "Thank you!"

"Any time, my dear. Do come back if you require our services again."

"Of course! You guys are the best in town! Have a good day!"

"You too, Miss Stella."

With Vimu in hand, Stella walked out of the clinic, and got back into the car. Lyla and Vicki immediately greeted Vimu with pets and treats.

"Weird group of folks, those guys," Emily made an off-handed remark.

"Yeah, but they do good work, though," Stella replied. "They're not hurting anyone, so I don't judge."

"They've got some odd vibes about them, though," Emily said.

"Oh, I'm sure it's nothing, Emily," Stella assured as Emily pulled out from the clinic and got back on the road. "Where to next?"

"Mighty Bar & Grill," Emily said. "Vicki's request."

Vicki pumped her fist in response.

That would take a trip to the residential district, which, like most things in this town, was relatively uneventful. After arriving at Mighty Bar & Grill, on the corner of Calmac St. and Griffith Rd., the band of four went in. Lyla, Stella, and Emily sat at the bar - Vicki had other plans.

"Don't you think it's a bit early to get sloshed, ladies?" the barkeep, a British mouse with the nametag Carrie queried.

"We're not here for alcohol," Emily responded. "These 2 are underage, and I'm driving these idiots."

"What? I'm 21!" Stella interjected. "I just personally abstain."

"Fair enough," replied Carrie, pulling out a glass. "What'll it be?"

"You got any sports drinks?" said Lyla.

"I'll take a sparkling water," said Stella.

"Orange juice for me," said Emily.

"Very well," Carrie responded. "It should be ready in a few minutes. In the meantime, have some fun!"

Which is what Vicki was already in the process of doing. She was haggling as many patrons as you could ask for at 10 in the morning to play her at various games, claiming she could beat them with her eyes closed. She'd even take bets - sometimes up to 500 Rings! Her strategy was foolproof - deliberately missing the first few shots, but then cleaning house after turn 3 or so. Darts was easy - with a steady aim, and enough precision, she could hit the bullseye or triple 20 every time. Pool was a bit more difficult, requiring a bit more skill to be able to handily win without sight. But Vicki's been at this for years - she's studied the slight variances in every pool ball, being able to pinpoint each ball without even knowing what color they are. Sure, for every 5 wins at pool, she had at least one loss. But that was the thrill of the game to her.

After getting thier drinks, Stella, Lyla, and Emily all went off to do thier own separate things. Stella perused the various arcade games at the bar, playing Sega classics like Hang-On, and House of the Dead with Lyla joining in. And when she wasn't playing with Stella, Lyla was indulging in some of the other games at the bar, namely the basketball hoop. She missed nearly all her shots, but she had fun at least. Emily, however, just sat at the bar, drinking her orange juice and scrolling social media on her phone. She didn't want to get too involved into anything, because she had to drive these dorks across town when this was over.

By noon, Stella and Lyla had gotten bored of the activities, and Vicki was finishing up her escapades, beating some poor sucker at Darts 501 for the fifth time in a row. He wasn't even drunk.

"Come ON!" he said, agitated. "There's no WAY this is legit! You HAVE to be cheating!"

"Maybe it's just a skill issue, Charles," Vicki said to the patron, spinning a dart on her finger. "I'll be taking those 50 Rings you wagered now."

"NOT till I have proof you ain't cheatin'!" Charles yelled in response.

"Forget it, man!" another patron yelled from across the bar. "She's legit. Just give her the money."

Charles, reluctantly, reached into his pockets and gave Vicki 50 Rings.

"Thanks for being such a good sport, Charlie," Vicki said smugly. Charles just glared in response.

"Yo, Vic!" Lyla said to her. "You almost finished yet? We've been here almost 2 hours now!"

"Yeah, I'm done," replied Vicki. "Let's go, then! Don't keep me waiting, slowpokes!"

As they went to leave the bar and reenter the car, they had a small conversation.

"What's got you so cocky?" Stella asked.

"Feeling like I'm on top of the world with all those victories!" Vicki responded.

Vicki accidentally walked into the door on her way out, causing the rest of the group to wince, though Stella winced the hardest.

As they got out of the bar, Stella asked Vicki "You okay?"

"I'm fine!" Vicki retorted. "That was all part of my scheme, anyways…"

"So how much did you make out with this time?" Emily inquisited.

"Meh, only around 850," Vicki responded, disappointed. "We gotta come back here after 8pm when everyone's sloshed - I'll make out with plenty for sure!"

Vicki giggled to herself, and everyone else smiled and joined in, laughing and giggling all the way to the car, where they then headed to RCS Field on the East side of town.

RCS Field was a hybrid football and track field, where the local football teams regularly practiced. While physically large, the field itself drew few visitors, namely due to the small size of the town, and the fact that the only games that really took place here were local anyways.

Lyla didn't really care much about the local football team - she was banned for being too violent as a kid anyways. What she cared most about was the track.

Olympic sized at 400 total meters around, Lyla practices her speed here many times a month to ensure she's in top shape, still trying to beat her best time - A little over 25 seconds for 3 laps around. She's tied it 3 times since she set it, but never passed it. She's hoping today she can break it wide open, though at this point, even a millisecond faster would be enough for her.

The track was in pretty good shape, as the architects had the foresight to put a glass roof overtop the field, so that the players would be unaffected by the weather, though Lyla did have to brush a small bit of snow off the track, as it had started snowing by this point in the day..

Lyla lined up at the starting area, with Stella on stopwatch duty, and Emily and Vicki on the sidelines for moral support. Stella was just glad she wasn't the one running.

"What are you gonna do when you beat it?" asked Stella. "You'd need some kind of a celebration."

"Think I might load up on lasagna and pig out for a bit." Lyla replied. "But that's IF it's possible."

"Alrighty then," Stella said. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

"GO!" Stella shouted as she started the timer. And with that, Lyla was off to the races, literally. She had a bit of a rough start, as she typically does, but after a few minutes, she put her arms at her sides with her fists in front, and ran as fast as she could, completing 3 laps in 31 seconds.

Lyla was a bit upset, but she didn’t let it get to her - her first run wasn’t going to beat her record anyways. So she lined back up at the start, and ran the track again, and again, and again, over and over, slowly but surely closing the gap. 30 seconds. Then 29. 28 seconds. 27…

While Lyla was running, Stella began shivering. It was the middle of winter, and the thickest jacket she packed was a leather jacket that didn’t even fully cover her torso.

“Brrr! Is anyone else feeling a bit chilly?” She said to the rest of the group. Vimu huddled up next to her to try and warm her up.

“Maybe you should have packed for the weather, then,” Emily said, pulling out a puffy jacket.

“I don’t feel cold!” shouted Vicki.

“Here, take this then.” Emily threw a wool blanket at Stella. Stella nodded as thanks.

Lyla kept running, over and over running 3 laps around the track, closing the gap ever further, down to a 26:01, then 25:98.

“Just a little bit more!” Lyla exclaimed. “I think I can do this!”

Lyla lined back up at the start, determined to run as fast as she ever had. Stella yelled “Go!”, and Lyla was off, running at speeds she hadn't reached before. However, halfway through her second lap, she tripped on her feet, falling to the ground. However, making a miraculous recovery, she rolled into a ball, got back up, and finished the rest of her laps, finishing with a final time of…

“25:5…9.” Stella read off the stopwatch.

“59!?” yelled Lyla. “I tripped and fell, and was able to miss my record by a single millisecond!?”

“Well, this rounds up to 2 places, and milliseconds are counted in thousandths,” replied Stella, “So it could be anywhere from 1 to 10 milliseconds.”

“So? I missed my record by 10 milliseconds! By tripping and falling!” Lyla screamed. “Can I get a redo on that? Please?”

“Sorry,” Emily butted in. “You’re out of time for today. It’s 3 pm - The sun’s almost setting.”

“Damn it!” Lyla yelled. “But I’m coming back to tackle this tomorrow! I know I can do it!”

“Yeah, but we have other things to do today,” Emily replied. “Sorry.”

Everyone slowly walked back to the car, Lyla upset, but regaining her composure shortly after. Getting back in the car, they realized it was snowing harder than before. Not snowstorm levels, but definitely more than the light sprinkle of earlier in the day.

Emily drove the car back to the west side of town, but stopped at a grocery store instead of the Hogpine Mall.

“You didn’t clear this destination by us beforehand,” Stella said. “We cleared our destinations with you.”

“I know,” said Emily. “I just need to pick up a few things real quick. I’ll only be a second, I promise.”

And with that, she got out of the car and went inside. Stella, Lyla, and Vicki were left in the car to do whatever they wanted, though for some reason, Emily left the top down on the car. After 20 minutes, Emily still wasn’t back yet, so everyone was just doing their own thing. Lyla was playing a Game Boy Advance, Vicki was reading a book, and Stella was listening to music. Suddenly though, something caught Stella’s eye - someone shivering in a back alley. With the snow, Stella knew they wouldn’t last long out here, and considering the person was shivering in an alley, they likely didn’t have any place to go. Stella looked around for some way she could help, and noticed a taco truck on the other side of the street. After quickly instructing Vimu to stay put, Stella began to hop over the car door, when Lyla took notice of her.

“Where are you going?” she questioned.

“I’m just going to do something real quick,” Stella responded. “I’ll be right back.”

And with that, she hopped out of the car, and ran to the taco truck.

“Ahh, if it isn’t my favorite customer!” the truck owner said to her. “How many will it be, Stella?”

“Five, please, Donnie!” Stella replied.

“And I take it 3 more for your friends?” Donnie joked.

“No, just 5,” Stella said with a giggle.

“Coming right up!” Donnie said. “They’ll be done in just a minute, so don’t go anywhere!”

“OK!” Stella responded. In the wait she was able to get a longer look at the stranger in the alleyway - They appeared to be a female wolf with black, matted fur. She was covered in dirt and snow, and shivering from the cold. Her clothes; a red flannel, black jean shorts and combat boots, and white fingerless gloves, were tattered and torn, not nearly in enough shape to survive the winter. She had a gray muzzle and yellow eyes, and looked clearly distraught, almost on the verge of tears. Stella felt really bad for this woman.

“OK, kiddo!” Donnie said, startling Stella. “Here’s your tacos!”

“I’m, uh, still 21 years old, but thank you!” she said in response.

“Just because you’re 21 doesn’t mean you’re not a ‘kiddo’, kiddo,” responded Donnie. “25 rings please!”

Stella paid the 25 rings, and proceeded to move to the other side of the street, slowly. Lyla caught a glimpse of Stella, and noticed her going into the alleyway.

What are you doing, Stella? Lyla thought to herself.

Stella approached the mystery girl slowly, so as not to startle her. She was whimpering, rubbing her hands together next to a small fire for warmth. As Stella got close enough to the girl, she began to take notice of her, at which point Stella outstretched her hand and offered a taco.

“Here,” Stella said. “Take this.”

The girl did not. Instead she growled, bit Stella’s hand, and sprinted away on all fours, behind the store and out of sight of Stella.

Weird girl, Stella thought to herself, as she walked back to the car.

“So what happened?” Lyla asked Stella as she hopped back into the Eclipse.

“Not much,” Stella lied. “I bought tacos though!”

“Sick!” Lyla responded.

“Your hand!” Vicki pointed out, noticing the bite mark. “What happened?”

“I saw a homeless girl in the alley, and offered her a taco, but she bit me and ran away,” Stella answered.

“You gotta be more careful around strange girls, Stella,” Emily responded, exiting the store. “Is it infected? Do I need to take you to the hospital?”

“I’ll probably be fine,” Stella responded. “Just gotta wash it and bandage it.”

“Nuh-uh. Not good enough for me,” Emily responded. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“Alright, fine,” Stella responded. “I bought you a taco!”

“Sick” Emily said as she took it, and began the drive to the hospital.

- - -

“See, Em? I’m fine!” Stella said as they left the hospital on the east side of the residential district It was just about sunset now after everything that had happened throughout the day.

“Better to know for sure than to assume,” Emily retorted.

“But I’m going to be fine,” Stella said, pointing finger guns at Emily with her newly bandaged hand.

“Be more careful next time,” Emily scolded with a sigh.

“Whatever,” Stella says in response. Vimu made a happy noise.

Emily looked up into the sky. “It’s getting late,” She said.

“Maybe we should be heading home?” Vicki added.

“Good idea! My legs could use a break from all this walking!” Lyla chimed in, stretching.

“Were we out all day?” Stella questioned. “Maybe we should make tomorrow a bit more low-key.”

“Good idea, ladies,” Emily chimed, pulling her car keys from her pocket, pleasant with how the day went on. “Get in. Let’s go home.”

The drive home was less talkative and less chaotic than the rest of the day had been. Everyone was mostly just talking about some of the things that happened today, and new interests of thiers - but softly so as not to disturb Vicki, who had fallen asleep in the back seat. Suddenly, the topic turned to sports, and Stella tuned out, looking out the side of the convertible car that still had its top down. She began looking at her bandaged up hand in the fading sunlight, and for a brief second thought she caught a faint glimpse of the mystery girl again, but when she turned to look again, the girl was gone, almost as if she was never there.

“You okay, Stel’?” Emily asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Stella sheepishly said in response. “Must be a bit tired, is all.”

“I feel you there,” said Emily.

By the time they had arrived home, the sun had fully set. Checking her phone, Stella noticed it was 5pm, which made sense, as it was late January. Everyone had gotten out of the car, and was about to head inside and turn in for the night, when Stella looked up and noticed something.

A meteor shower! Here! The Starlight’s Edge would probably be a better place to view it, but nobody wanted to miss a single second. Light shows like this were a rare occurrence, especially meteor showers and shooting stars! Everyone began “ooh”ing and “ahh”ing at the pretty lights and colors, and quickly began pointing out pretty stars. Stella even pulled out her telescope, The Constellation as she called it, to get a better view.

“I like that one!” Lyla said, pointing to a star that was shooting especially fast.

“That one’s very pretty!” Stella said, pointing at one of the brighter stars in the sky.

“I think that one’s pretty cool,” Emily said pointing at a large star.

“That one’s not even moving!” Stella responded.

“Should we wake Vicki up?” Lyla inquired.

“No, let her sleep,” Stella replied.

“Uh, guys?” Emily asked, slightly concerned and pointing at a particularly large star.

“Yeah, we get it, Em. You like the large one,” retorted Lyla.

“No, I think she’s onto something,” Stella said, now worried. “Is it getting bigger?”

“Hit the deck!” Emily yelled, causing everyone to scatter into different directions. Which was a good call, as the “star” crash landed in front of the Eclipse, tearing open the pavement and waking Vicki with the noise.

“What’s going on?” Vicki slurred, bleary eyed.

“We don’t know!” Stella yelled.

“Stay calm, Stella!” Emily commanded.

“Looks like… a person?” Lyla noticed.

To which she appeared to be right - as what has just crashed into the pavement is no ordinary debris or meteor. Sure, it LOOKED almost otherworldly, as it sparked on its way down, but what remained in the crash site looked far too…

…Mobian…

To Be Continued...

[galactia]

art credit.

BIO: Zhongli is a mysterious but amiable man that came to live in Pelican Town fairly recently. Despite the short length of his residence, somehow it feels as if he's always been there.

A man knowledgeable in nearly all things, he works as an assistant curator and librarian at the Museum. Though a man of seemingly modest means, he never seems to lack for what he desires.

The people pf Pelican Town regard him as an oddly sage man, almost too wise for his age, whose good will and ability has taken great strides in expanding their Museum's collections.

HISTORY: Zhongli is a man of unknown origins. If asked where he came from, he'd explain he's from ZuZu City, and detail a brief history of his tenure as a professor of historic art. His deep, soothing baritone would lull nearly any resident to sleep as he rambled off onto the topic of canvas restoration.... all the while his amber eyes staid sharp and focused.

In reality? He is one of the last surviving members of an ancient species - the dragons.

Shifted into a human form for the peace of the humans and for his own survival, he is the final earth dragon in existence in the modern age. While most, if not all, the citizens in Pelican Town would claim that dragons are a myth, a legend, they would only be partially right.

In this current time, yes, dragons are only stories, but there was a bygone era were dragons lived, thrived, and ruled. To this day, their bones can still be found in deep caverns and on high mountains. Their teeth are used as rare commodities in the modern world, and even in ancient times, their pelts were sometimes hunted by the most preeminent of elven and dwarven trackers.

APPEARANCE:

art credit/full aesthetic

Physical: Athletic, lean muscular, tall. Orange eyes, long brown hair with orange tips.

Additional: Sleeve tattoos in black and gold that run up both arms. They bear foreign symbols no one in Pelican Town would know. Glases. Pierced ears.

Clothing: One. Two. Only wears a suit when he is at work. Typically prefers to wear a turtle neck and a coat or jacket, or just a turtle neck. Sharp, pressed, immaculate clothes.

PREFERENCES:

Loves:

Earth Crystal.

Jade.

Pumpkin Soup.

Green Tea.

Likes:

All Minerals.

Roasted Hazelnuts.

Ginger Ale.

Cranberry Sauce.

Blueberry Tart.

Pancakes.

Honey.

Wine

Crocus.

Blue Jazz.

Dislikes:

All Fish.

Maki Roll.

Fish Stew.

Squid Ink Ravioli.

Beer.

Caviar.

Aged Roe.

Void Mayonnaise.

Hate:

Eel.

Fried Eel.

Spicy Eel.

Sashimi.

Shrimp Cocktail.

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS:

A Chinese-style cottage set back from the Museum, on the hill just above. It is in need of renovations, which Zhongli is slowly personally seeing to and commissioning Robin to complete.

[infinity-trading]

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[royallisgold]

Gold as an Investment

Before jumping on the gold bandwagon, let us first put a damper on the enthusiasm around gold and examine some reasons why investing in gold poses some fundamental issues.

The main problem with gold is that, unlike other commodities such as oil or wheat, it does not get used up or consumed. Once gold is mined, it stays in the world. A barrel of oil, on the other hand, is turned into gas and other products that are expended in your car's gas tank or an airplane's jet engines. Grains are consumed in the food we and our animals eat. Gold, on the other hand, is turned into jewelry, used in art, stored in ingots locked away in vaults, and put to a variety of other uses. Regardless of gold's final destination, its chemical composition is such that the precious metal cannot be used up—it is permanent.

Because of this, the supply-demand argument that can be made for commodities such as oil and grains doesn't hold so well for gold. In other words, the supply will only go up over time, even if demand for the metal dries up.

History Overcomes the Supply Problem

Like no other commodity, gold has held the fascination of human societies since the beginning of recorded time. Empires and kingdoms were built and destroyed over gold and mercantilism. As societies developed, gold was universally accepted as a satisfactory form of payment. In short, history has given gold a power surpassing that of any other commodity on the planet, and that power has never really disappeared.

The U.S. monetary system was based on a gold standard until the 1970s.

1

Proponents of this standard argue that such a monetary system effectively controls the expansion of credit and enforces discipline on lending standards because the amount of credit created is linked to a physical supply of gold. It's hard to argue with that line of thinking after nearly three decades of a credit explosion in the U.S. led to the financial meltdown in the fall of 2008.

From a fundamental perspective, gold is generally viewed as a favorable hedge against inflation. Gold functions as a good store of value against a declining currency.

2

Investing in Gold

The easiest way to gain exposure to gold is through the stock market, via which you can invest in the shares of gold-mining companies. Investing in gold bullion won't offer the leverage you would get from investing in gold-mining stocks. As the price of gold goes up, miners' higher profit margins can boost earnings exponentially. Suppose a mining company has a profit margin of $200 when the price of gold is $1,000. If the price rises 10%, to $1,100 an ounce, the operating margin of the gold miner goes up to $300—a 50% increase.

Of course, there are other issues to consider with gold-mining stocks, namely political risk (because many operate in developing nations) and the difficulty of maintaining gold production levels.

The most common way to invest in physical gold is through an exchange-traded fund (ETF) like the SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), which simply holds gold.

When investing in ETFs, pay attention to net asset value (NAV), as the purchase price can at times exceed NAV by a wide margin, especially when the markets are optimistic.

A list of gold-mining companies includes Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX.TO), Newmont Corp. (NEM), and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (AEM), among others. Passive investors who want great exposure to the gold miners may consider the VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX), which includes investments in all the major miners.

Alternative Investment Considerations

While gold is a good bet on inflation, it's certainly not the only one. Commodities in general benefit from inflation because they have pricing power. The key consideration when investing in commodity-based businesses is to go for low-cost producers. More conservative investors would also do well to consider inflation-protected securities like Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, or TIPS. The one thing you don't want is to be sitting idle—in cash, thinking you're doing well—while inflation is eroding the value of your dollar.

Gold Price Performance

The price of gold depends on a complex array of factors. Because gold is priced in dollars, the value of the U.S. currency can have a significant impact on the performance of the precious metal. A strong dollar makes gold more expensive for buyers in other countries, potentially leading to lower gold prices. On the other hand, a weaker dollar makes gold more affordable for international purchasers and may bring increased prices. Since gold is seen as a hedge against inflation, the decline in value of fiat currencies and the market's expectations surrounding inflation can also affect gold prices.

3

These factors seem to be evident in the yellow metal's recent price history. Throughout most of 2022, despite soaring levels of inflation, gold prices actually dipped, likely driven lower by sustained strength in the dollar against other currencies. More recently, with inflation remaining stubbornly persistent despite the Federal Reserve's attempts to bring it under control, gold prices have recovered to more than $1,875 per ounce in January 2023, from around $1,656 per ounce in September 2022.

3

What's to Come

You can't ignore the effect of human psychology when it comes to investing in gold. The precious metal has always been a go-to investment during times of fear and uncertainty, which tend to go hand in hand with economic recessions and depressions.

In the articles that follow, we examine how and why gold gets its fundamental value, how it's used as a form of money, and which factors subsequently influence its price on the market—from miners to speculators to central banks. We will look at the fundamentals of trading gold and what types of securities or instruments are commonly used to gain exposure to gold investments. We'll look at using gold both as a long-term component of a diversified portfolio and as a short-term day trading asset. We'll look at the benefits of gold but also examine the risks and pitfalls and see if it lives up to the "gold standard."

What Makes Gold Valuable?

Aside from its literal shine and the symbolic relationship with wealth that has lasted throughout human civilization, gold plays an important role as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Unlike other commodities, gold does not get used up or consumed, imbuing the precious metal with a sense of everlasting value. Gold serves as a hedge against the declining value of currencies through inflation, which leads many investors to consider gold an alternative asset and a way of safeguarding their wealth.

What Is the Gold Standard?

Under the gold standard, the value of a currency is pegged to the value of gold. The Bretton Woods Agreement, which formed the framework for global currency markets starting at the end of World War II, established that the U.S. dollar was convertible to gold at a fixed rate of $35 per ounce, with other world currencies valued in relation to the dollar.

4

President Nixon ended the convertibility of the dollar to gold in 1971, signaling the end of the gold standard.

How Can I Invest in Gold?

There is a wide variety of options for investors who want exposure to gold. It's possible to invest directly in gold bullion, although the costs of storing and insuring physical gold can be significant. Investors also can turn to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that hold the precious metal or purchase shares of mining companies whose stock prices are correlated to gold's price performance.

The Bottom Line

Gold has held a special place in the human imagination since the beginning of recorded time. From an investment perspective, gold is attractive because of its potential to remain strong in difficult financial environments and to hedge against inflationary declines in the value of fiat currencies.

Although the U.S. dollar and other world currencies are no longer pegged to gold—as was the case when many countries operated under the gold standard—the precious metal continues to play an important role in the global economy.

ARTICLE SOURCES

PART OF

Investing in Gold

Investing in Gold1 of 30

Why Gold Matters: Everything You Need to Know2 of 30

Why Has Gold Always Been Valuable?3 of 30

What Drives the Price of Gold?4 of 30

What Moves Gold Prices?5 of 30

Gold Standard: Definition, How It Works, and Example6 of 30

Gold: The Other Currency7 of 30

How to Invest in Gold: An Investor’s Guide8 of 30

Gold Bug9 of 30

8 Good Reasons to Own Gold10 of 30

4 Ways to Buy Gold11 of 30

Does It Still Pay to Invest in Gold?12 of 30

The Best Ways To Invest In Gold Without Holding It13 of 30

How to Buy Gold Bars14 of 30

The Best Strategy for Gold Investors15 of 30

The Most Affordable Way to Buy Gold: Physical Gold or ETFs?16 of 30

The Better Inflation Hedge: Gold or Treasuries?17 of 30

Has Gold Been a Good Investment Over the Long Term?18 of 30

Trading the Gold-Silver Ratio19 of 30

How to Trade Gold in 4 Steps20 of 30

Gold Option21 of 30

How To Buy Gold Options22 of 30

Using Technical Analysis in Gold Miner ETFs23 of 30

Day-Trading Gold ETFs: Top Tips24 of 30

Gold ETFs vs. Gold Futures: What's the Difference?25 of 30

Should You Get a Gold IRA?26 of 30

How to Buy Gold With Your 401(k)27 of 30

Gold IRA Definition28 of 30

When and Why Do Gold Prices Plummet?29 of 30

The Effect of Fed Funds Rate Hikes on Gold30 of 30

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Related Terms

Gold IRA Definition

A gold IRA is a retirement investment vehicle used by individuals who hold gold bullion, coins, or other approved precious metals. more

Troy Ounce: Definition, History, and Conversion Table

A troy ounce is a unit of measurement for precious metal weight that dates to the Middle Ages. One troy ounce is equal to 31.10 grams. more

Gold Bug

A “gold bug” is somebody who is especially bullish on gold. more

Dollar Bear

A dollar bear is an investor who is pessimistic, or "bearish," about the prospects of the U.S. dollar (USD). They are the opposite of a dollar bull. more

Gold Standard: Definition, How It Works, and Example

The gold standard is a system in which a country's government allows its currency to be freely converted into fixed amounts of gold. more

Precious Metals: Definition, How to Invest, and Example

Precious metals are rare metals that have a high economic value, such as gold, silver, and platinum.

Invest with us today with Royallis Gold.

[australianopaldirect64]

Chancing That Special and Unique Wedding Ring For Men

When it comes to chancing a special and unique opal engagement rings for men, there are several factors to consider. Then are some tips to help you find the perfect ring Consider the Essence Men's marriage rings come in a variety of essence, including gold, tableware, platinum, and titanium. Consider the continuity and conservation conditions of each essence before making your decision. suppose About the Style Opal Bracelets come in a range of styles, from classic and simple to bold and ornate. Consider the philanthropist's particular style and preferences when choosing a ring. Add Personalization Bodying a ring with an drawing can make it indeed more special and unique. Consider adding the marriage date, initials, or a meaningful quotation to the ring. Consider Indispensable Accoutrements If you are looking for commodity truly unique, consider indispensable accoutrements similar as wood, ceramic, or carbon fiber. Protect Around Do not be hysterical to shop around and compare prices and styles at different jewelers. You may find the perfect opal rings at a lower price or with further options for customization. Flash back, the most important thing is that the opal rings reflects the philanthropist's particular style and preferences and serves as a symbol of your love and commitment.

[starseedfxofficial]

Israel's Ceasefire "Gift" for Trump and FX Moves Hidden Beneath the Surface The Market Moves We Didn't See Coming Picture this: You're sipping your coffee, scrolling through the news, when bam—you stumble upon a headline that makes you do a double take. It's like thinking you've bagged an absolute bargain at an online sale, only to realize it's a mistake after checkout. That's what trading news can sometimes feel like—unexpected, unpredictable, and occasionally, downright weird. If you’ve been following the latest geopolitical drama, you've noticed that Israel, Trump, and Hezbollah are all making waves again—the kind that has the market murmuring, traders shifting strategies, and a few high rollers quietly readjusting their portfolios. Here’s what you missed, and what it could mean for us in the FX world. A Gift for Trump, but What Does It Mean for Traders? Israel's rumored "ceasefire plan" as a "gift" to US President-elect Trump might sound like a diplomatic gesture, but it's as calculated as a currency trader's stop-loss. Israeli officials are suggesting Iran's restraint might be connected to Trump's election win, making it a moment where politics and financial sentiment collide—just like when your favorite currency pair suddenly spikes because a central bank decided to throw a surprise party. Let's talk market sentiment. Any ceasefire talk in Lebanon will send ripples across the geopolitical waters, and savvy traders know that political stability (or the illusion of it) can act as a catapult or an anchor for a currency—depending on how it’s spun. We’re looking at opportunities here, folks, but not the obvious kind. Shells, Strikes, and Subtle Market Twitches Hezbollah made headlines (again) with their rocket barrage targeting Israeli forces in Sa'saa and an alleged strike on Israeli Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tel Aviv. Rocket barrages in Upper Galilee and retaliatory attacks in Beirut's southern suburbs—it sounds like something straight out of a late-night thriller. But traders know it’s these very moments that stir markets just enough to create a flutter on the USD/JPY or EUR/CHF pairs. This is where the emotion comes in. Markets are a lot like people—they react emotionally to news. When conflict heats up, the fear-based currencies (think JPY) suddenly look like a comfy blanket on a cold day. Meanwhile, the more adventurous traders might be eyeing the emerging markets with a spark of interest, wondering if there's a gap to exploit amidst the chaos. The Contrarian Play: Middle Eastern Unrest as a Market Trigger While the world holds its breath over Hezbollah’s next move and Israel’s response, contrarian traders are quietly eyeing opportunities. Here's a tip: when markets are fearful, there’s always an undervalued asset hiding somewhere—you just need to be willing to look where others aren't. Remember when everyone else was rushing to gold during the last bout of geopolitical tension? Well, sometimes it's the unexpected assets that have the most room to grow. Iran, European Powers, and the UN Resolution Drama According to Reuters, European powers are pushing for a new resolution to pressure Tehran over its poor cooperation. This isn’t just political noise—it could be a key that unlocks the next major move in oil and commodity-linked currencies. And while we're at it, let’s not forget that the market isn’t only about economic reports and data—it's about understanding sentiment. Traders, don’t be afraid to play the underdog card. When everyone's running scared or panicking over "uncertainty," it’s your chance to get in there and make a move that’ll pay off when stability returns. But here’s where the real magic happens—you’ve got to be careful, because while risk can pay off, it can also take you to the cleaners if you're not managing it right. Closing the Loop: Opportunities Amid Uncertainty Geopolitical tensions aren’t new. But for a trader armed with knowledge, there’s always an angle to explore. Perhaps it's the Japanese yen as a safe haven or a contrarian bet on an emerging market currency that could appreciate if fears subside. Remember: news is only as good as the strategy you build from it. While others react, you plan. While they fear, you prepare. Markets thrive on the stories we tell ourselves, and the truth is, most traders miss the hidden opportunities buried in complex news cycles. Here’s your takeaway Don’t ignore the news, but don't take it at face value, either. Approach it with the curiosity of someone looking for hidden gems—because they’re always there, ready for those who know how to look beyond the headlines. —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated   Read the full article

[minnaahblogs]

Best Gold Buyers in Bangalore- Sell pledged Gold for Cash

Are you looking for a way to sell your gold for cash? Maybe you have some old gold jewelry that you no longer wear, or you’ve inherited some gold coins and want to turn them into cash. Whatever your reason for wanting to sell your gold, there are plenty of options available in Bangalore.

Gold is a valuable commodity that has been treasured for centuries. It’s a versatile metal used in jewelry, electronics, and even the medical industry. Selling gold items that you no longer want or need can be a great way to earn extra cash.

However, with so many Gold Buyers in Bangalore, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips to help you find the best gold buyers in Bangalore, sell your gold for cash, and even find pledged gold buyers in Bangalore.

Finding the Best Gold Buyers in Bangalore

One of the first things you should do when looking for a Gold Buyer in Bangalore is to do some research. Look online for reviews and ratings of gold buyers in the city. You can also ask friends or family members if they have any recommendations. The more information you can gather, the better equipped you will be to make an informed decision.

When researching gold buyers in Bangalore, make sure to look for ones that are certified and licensed. This ensures that they are legitimate and follow proper procedures when buying gold. It also helps protect you from fraudulent activity.

Another thing to consider when choosing a gold buyer is their reputation. Look for buyers that have a good reputation and positive reviews from past customers. This will give you an idea of what to expect when selling your gold to them.

Sell Gold for Cash in Bangalore

Once you have found a reputable gold buyer in Bangalore, it’s time to sell your gold for cash. Before you do, however, you should understand how the gold-selling process works.

First, you will need to have your gold appraised. The buyer will examine your gold and determine its purity and weight. Based on this information, they will offer you a price for your gold.

It’s important to note that the price offered by the buyer may not be the same as the current market price of gold. The buyer needs to make a profit, so they will offer you a slightly lower price than the market rate. However, a reputable gold buyer will offer you a fair price for your gold.

If you agree to the price offered by the gold buyer, you will then need to provide some form of identification, such as a passport or driver’s license. The buyer will also need to record your contact information and the details of the gold transaction.

Once the transaction is complete, you will receive cash for your gold items. It’s important to count the cash carefully to ensure that you have received the correct amount.

Pledged Gold Buyers in Bangalore

If you have pledged gold items, such as gold jewelry or coins, you may be wondering if you can still sell them for cash. The answer is yes, but the process is slightly different.

When you pledge gold, you are essentially using it as collateral for a loan. If you default on the loan, the gold becomes the property of the lender. However, if you repay the loan, you can reclaim your pledged gold items.

If you want to sell your pledged gold items for cash, you will first need to repay the loan. Once the loan is repaid, you can then reclaim your gold items and sell them to a gold buyer for cash.

Conclusion:

Selling your gold for cash in Bangalore can be a profitable venture if you follow these tips. Research gold buyers, choose a reputable and certified buyer, and understand the gold selling process. Remember to count your cash carefully and keep all necessary documents and records of the transaction.

If you have pledged gold items, be sure to repay the loan before selling your gold for cash. With these tips in mind, you can find the Best Gold Buyers in Bangalore, sell your gold for cash, and even find pledged gold buyers in Bangalore.

At the end of the day, selling your gold for cash can provide you with a much-needed financial boost. So, whether you have old gold jewelry, coins, or other items, don’t hesitate to sell them for cash. With the right gold buyer, you can get a fair price for your gold and walk away with cash in hand.

[imgworks]

Sell Your Gold for Cash in Bangalore: Tips and Tricks

Are you looking for a way to sell your gold for cash? Maybe you have some old gold jewelry lying around that you no longer wear, or you’ve inherited some gold coins and want to turn them into cash. Whatever your reason for wanting to sell your gold, there are plenty of options available in Bangalore.

Gold is a valuable commodity that has been treasured for centuries. It’s a versatile metal that is used in jewelry, electronics, and even in the medical industry. If you have gold items that you no longer want or need, selling them can be a great way to get some extra cash.

However, with so many gold buyers in Bangalore, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips to help you find the best gold buyers in Bangalore, sell your gold for cash, and even find pledged gold buyers in Bangalore.

Finding the Best Gold Buyers in Bangalore

One of the first things you should do when looking for a gold buyer in Bangalore is to do some research. Look online for reviews and ratings of gold buyers in the city. You can also ask friends or family members if they have any recommendations. The more information you can gather, the better equipped you will be to make an informed decision.

When researching gold buyers in Bangalore, make sure to look for ones that are certified and licensed. This ensures that they are legitimate and follow proper procedures when buying gold. It also helps protect you from fraudulent activity.

Another thing to consider when choosing a gold buyer in Bangalore is their reputation. Look for buyers that have a good reputation and positive reviews from past customers. This will give you an idea of what to expect when selling your gold to them.

Sell Gold for Cash in Bangalore

Once you have found a reputable gold buyer in Bangalore, it’s time to sell your gold for cash. Before you do, however, you should understand how the gold selling process works.

First, you will need to have your gold appraised. The buyer will examine your gold and determine its purity and weight. Based on this information, they will offer you a price for your gold.

It’s important to note that the price offered by the buyer may not be the same as the current market price of gold. The buyer needs to make a profit, so they will offer you a slightly lower price than the market rate. However, a reputable gold buyer will offer you a fair price for your gold.

If you agree to the price offered by the gold buyer, you will then need to provide some form of identification, such as a passport or driver’s license. The buyer will also need to record your contact information and the details of the gold transaction.

Once the transaction is complete, you will receive cash for your gold items. It’s important to count the cash carefully to ensure that you have received the correct amount.

Pledged Gold Buyers in Bangalore

If you have pledged gold items, such as gold jewelry or coins, you may be wondering if you can still sell them for cash. The answer is yes, but the process is slightly different.

When you pledge gold, you are essentially using it as collateral for a loan. If you default on the loan, the gold becomes the property of the lender. However, if you repay the loan, you can reclaim your pledged gold items.

If you want to sell your pledged gold items for cash, you will first need to repay the loan. Once the loan is repaid, you can then reclaim your gold items and sell them to a gold buyer for cash.

[startrade1]

What is Online Trading?

Online trading is the buying and selling of financial instruments such as stocks, forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies via the internet. It has democratized access to financial markets, allowing anyone with internet access to trade from anywhere in the world.

Types of Online Trading You Should Know About

Stock Trading – Buying and selling shares of companies.

Forex Trading – Trading currency pairs like EUR/USD.

Cryptocurrency Trading – Trading digital assets like Bitcoin.

Commodities Trading – Investing in raw materials like gold or oil.

CFD Trading – Speculating on asset price movements without ownership.

Each type comes with unique opportunities and risks. The choice depends on your risk tolerance, investment goals, and market understanding.

Online Trading Platforms: What to Look For

When selecting a trading platform, consider:

User Interface: Is it easy to navigate?

Fees and Commissions: Are they competitive?

Available Markets: Does it offer the assets you’re interested in?

Security: Does it have strong security protocols?

Educational Resources: Does it provide support for beginners?

A Beginner’s Guide to Online Trading Steps

Choose a Trading Platform – Select a reputable and regulated broker.

Learn the Basics – Familiarize yourself with key trading terms like pips, spreads, and leverage.

Develop a Trading Plan – Set your goals, risk tolerance, and strategies.

Practice with a Demo Account – Many platforms offer virtual accounts to practice trading.

Start Small – Begin with a small investment and gradually increase as you gain experience.

Popular Online Trading Strategies

Online trading isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Here are some strategies traders use:

Day Trading: Buying and selling within the same day.

Swing Trading: Holding positions for several days to capture short-term trends.

Scalping: Making multiple small trades throughout the day to accumulate profits.

Position Trading: Long-term strategy based on market fundamentals.

Choose a strategy that aligns with your risk tolerance and lifestyle.

Success Stories and Case Studies

Real-life success stories offer inspiration and lessons. Here are two examples:

Jane Doe: A beginner who made consistent gains by following a disciplined swing trading strategy.

John Smith: Leveraged his background in finance to specialize in forex trading, achieving success by focusing on economic indicators.

Expert Tips for Successful Online Trading

Stay Informed: Track financial news and market trends.

Use Stop-Loss Orders: Protect your investments by limiting potential losses.

Control Your Emotions: Avoid impulsive trading based on fear or greed.

Diversify Your Portfolio: Spread investments across multiple assets to reduce risk.

FAQs on Online Trading

Q: Is online trading safe? A: Yes, with reputable brokers and sound risk management, online trading can be safe.

Q: How much money do I need to start? A: Many platforms allow you to start with as little as $50 or $100.

Q: Can I trade full-time? A: Yes, many people become full-time traders, but it requires dedication, knowledge, and experience.

Conclusion: Getting Started in Online Trading

Online trading opens doors to financial markets, but success requires patience, strategy, and continuous learning. Start with a demo account, develop a trading plan, and always prioritize risk management.