#Hearing Aids Market Demand

[janetushar1]

Hearing Aids Market to Hit $13.26 Billion by 2032

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The global Hearing Aids Market was valued at USD 9.40 Billion in 2024 and it is estimated to garner USD 13.26 Billion by 2032 with a registered CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period 2024 to 2032.

Firstly, the Market report for Hearing Aids Market describes the current state of the companies and recommends where it is likely to go next. The report shows the production, revenue, price, market share, and growth rate of each type, mainly divided into Product Types and Product Applications etc.

Additionally, this market report focuses on offering key business measures such as real market moves, market size, qualities, and freedoms, as well as forecast opportunities. This Hearing Aids Market report also offers distinctive insights into wealthy regions such as Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

Get a Sample Copy of the Hearing Aids Market Report at: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/hearing-aids-market-1785/request-sample

Top Competitors:

Phonak, Benson Hearing, GN Store Nord A/S, Starkey, MED-EL, William Demant Holding A/S, Medtronic, Widex USA Inc., Sivantos Pte. Ltd., and others.

This market report has all the information you need to start or grow your business in the industry. It also includes market drivers, restraints, competitiveness, and geographic estimates, as well as a price and emerging market structure. It is a complete description of a company's business model, benchmarks, consumer preferences, value proposition, and net profit. This comprehensive Hearing Aids Market study also sheds light on key techniques that help companies truly assess their customers' buying behavior.

It represents global economic trends between 2024 and 2032. With the help of this market research, top companies can easily make smarter financial decisions. This market analysis is an excellent technique to help companies implement new products. It also includes critical data on major industry topics, including market expansions and evolving market conditions.

This well-researched Hearing Aids Market report describes the negative impact COVID-19 is having on various companies and offers companies recommendations on how to recover from the damage suffered by the outbreak as well as the nationwide quarantine. The plan analyzes the company's expectations and priorities, as well as the delivery of all crucial data.

You Can Buy This Report From Here: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/buy-now/hearing-aids-market-1785/0

This report analyzes key market segments by type, application, and geography. The geographic analysis section covers key regions such as Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.

This Hearing Aids Market report not only provides valuable data but outlines key goals, pricing strategies, and approaches to help market participants' recommendations in this report will make accelerating economic growth easy. It offers some specific tips and business-related data to help new competitors in the market grow their businesses and diversify their product lines. Companies in the industry should choose tactics that include new product launches, mergers, and partnerships to survive in the competitive marketplace and strengthen their position.

Regional Analysis

-North America [United States, Canada, Mexico]

-South America [Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Peru]

-Europe [Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Netherlands, Turkey, Switzerland]

-Middle East & Africa [GCC, North Africa, South Africa]

-Asia-Pacific [China, Southeast Asia, India, Japan, Korea, Western Asia]

The quantitative information in this Hearing Aids Market analysis helps predict future sales and market penetration. This type of information is based on statistics. The qualitative information provided here will greatly help the key players understand the buyer's opinion of your brand. Improving business goals becomes easy with the information provided in this report.

The industries can draw some conclusions about their original goals. In business. This Hearing Aids Market research helps you make assumptions about your competition, customers, and the market in order to make informed business decisions. Additionally, it forecasts the competition in the market for the estimated period of 2024-2032. Effective decision-making in companies leads to business growth and is made possible by this precise market study.

Read Full Research Report with [TOC] @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/hearing-aids-market-1785

Some of the Key Questions Answered in this Report:

Which are the five top players of the Hearing Aids Market?

How will the Hearing Aids Market change in the upcoming years?

Which product and application will take a share of the Hearing Aids Market?

What will be the CAGR and size of the Hearing Aids Market throughout the forecast period?

What are the drivers and restraints of the Hearing Aids Market?

Which regional market will show the highest growth?

What is the current industry size, what will the market size be in 2030 and what will the growth rate be?

Who are the major competitors and what is their strategy?

What are the challenges to grow in the industry?

What are the market opportunities and challenges faced by the key vendors?

What are the barriers to entry for new players in the Hearing Aids industry?

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[greatdenimbeast]

Diamond Castle au- introducing, Shadow, Muse of History, Astrology and Astronomy

Once a mortal in ancient Greece, moulded from clay by an inventor and brought to life by the blood of a god, he spent his years caring for his ill sister, Maria. Doing his best to assist his creator in finding a cure. Since the blood of god ran through his veins and, seeing that his existence was a miracle in of itself, it stood to reason that he could be the miracle that helped save her

Cuz he was quite literally born yesterday, his sister loved to tell him stories about historic events, tales of gods and heroes to teach him about the world and how it cane to be. She was a damn good storyteller too, always leaving Shadow craving for more.

His favourites were the ones related to the stars, the constellations, so much so that Gerald noticed and taught him how to properly chart them

Maria wasn’t allowed to leave the house, her grandfather fearing that the elements would be too much for her and that often made her sunny demeanour dull and, looking to cheer her up, he did his best to find ways to brighten her mood until found one that worked

He entertained his bed-ridden sister with tales of history, of old dead heroes, of gods, of prophecies, things that he had picked up from local traders and travellers when he was out running errands for Gerald.

Maria was enthralled by them, hanging off of his every word

“The island of Crete truly holds such a monster?”

“It’s travellers gossip, but who’s to truly say.”

He wasn’t as good of a storyteller as she was but he did keep record of every story he could, and Maria loved it so that was all that mattered

As Maria got worse, Shadow started praying and giving offerings to the god Asclepius and the god Apollo, he doubted they would come to his aid but if there was a chance they could help he wanted to be sure.

But it was getting harder to cure her, some of the medicinal herbs they needed grew far off and the merchants that brought them to the markets to sell them kept marking up the prices out of greed. So Shadow, who had been blessed with inhuman speed, was sent off to pick the herbs himself, allowing him the opportunity to venture and see more of the world and bring back more stories, even making a few of his own, slaying a few monsters on the the way

The soldiers for the nearby king didn’t make it easier, tormenting the people for laughs, outright stealing, sometimes outright killing people when they refused to cave to their demands. Gerald was always being pulled away from his work for a cure to craft machines and statues for the king, the only reason the soldiers were unable to harm him or Maria when he refused was because of Shadow being there to protect them.

This became an issue when the king decided that he wanted Shadow

Soldiers stormed the house and workshop, taking the inventor prisoner, dragging him away to the castle and as Shadow tries to get Maria to safety she pushes him out of the way of blade and gets stabbed through her stomach

Shadow blacks out.

When he comes back, his hands are covered in blood, the bodies of dead soldiers litter the floor, his ears are ringing.

The only other breathing Shadow could hear besides his own was the shaky, laboured breaths of his older sister

He rushed to her side and examined her, the wound was deep, too deep. He tried his beat to clean up the blood but he could barely see what he was doing past his own tears. As he did he prayed, to his other father, to Apollo, to any god that would listen, to please save his sister, to not let her die

Then Maria’s hand squeezing his stopped him

“Sh…Shadow… o-one more story…”

“Maria please, please, i have to treat this, I won’t let you die, i won’t let you, i can’t let you die!”

“One…one m-more… please?”

“…okay… okay, one more story.”

So he shakily told her a story, about the fabled diamond castle, the birthplace of music, home to the museum of music. He struggled to remember parts of the story but Maria shakily helped him fill in the blanks

Then as the story concluded, Apollo made his presence known and applauded the two on how exemplary their storytelling was. It turns out Shadow has gained Apollo’s attention for a while, ever since he started praying to him and he had an offer for him

He wanted him to be his muse, an inspiration, a god. Initially Shadow wanted to refuse until Maria winced and coughed in his arms, then he got an idea

“…Lord Apollo I will accept this honour on one condition, that you heal my sister of her wounds and her ailment so that she may live as freely as she wishes.”

Apollo accepted these terms and gave Shadow, ambrosia (the food of the gods). It burned away his mortality and left him a god

And Apollo fulfilled his part of the deal, healing his sister, and did Shadow one better by turning Maria immortal so that she may be Shadow’s attendant to assist him in his duties before whisking them both off to the diamond castle

50 years later Shadow meets the next muse

[rashomonss]

your Learning to Adapt hc was amazing, i loved it sm!!!

that being said, i need a dateables ver., i crave the sweet succulent angst (ㅅ´ ˘ `)♡

a/n: ahh thank you! I’m so glad you and so many others liked it omg!! I got a bunch of comments and asks for a pt 2, so due to popular demand here is a dateables + luke version of learning to adapt! hope you enjoy!

warnings: there will be some small spoilers concerning seasons 3 and 4 of the og! obey me, it’s nothing major though

readjusting | learning to adapt pt 1.

it’s not the same without you

Diavolo is left with remnants of you all around him. All the belongings you left at the Demon Lord's castle remain in the same spots they were placed in by you. None of them are touched, he can’t bring himself to.

A part of him feels as if he failed you somehow, he's supposed to be the demon prince yet he couldn’t even protect the person he cherished the most.

Whenever he eats dinner it always happens to be a human world dish. One of your favorites, for some odd reason he hasn’t wanted much Devildom food since you’ve left.

Diavolo goes through many stages of grief during this time.

At first he drowns himself in his responsibilities, so much so Barbatos questions if he is receiving enough rest.

However once you get him into bed he can never seem to get out, instead he stares at the pillow case next to him and sighs. Only a few months ago you were laying there next to him smiling as you both talked late into the night about anything and everything.

He loved talking to you. If anything he misses your voice the most. That reassuring voice always seemed to brighten his day as well as others around him. That lovely voice that would put him to sleep at night when he claimed to have trouble sleeping.

If Diavolo was honest he’d give anything to hear you call his name once again.

Barbatos finds himself lonely for one of the first times in his existence.

More often than not he’s gotten used to you being alongside him as he cooks or cleans around the castle. With that in mind he’ll turn over his shoulder to ask you something but then realize you're not there. Often times when this happens he’ll make a face then silently continue cleaning.

The numerous little D’s around the castle tend to worry for him because he’s always on edge lately. Especially after a certain trip to the market he made alone.

It was a morning like any other and Barbatos set off for one of his favorite outdoor markets. Diavolo requested a human realm dish and this place was the perfect place for acquiring human realm food.

You often went with him, explaining your favorite foods and what not to him when you got the chance. He loved leaning more about you at any given chance, especially if you were alone with him.

As he stepped into the market and gathered a few goods here and there he began to pay the shop owner and then man made a remark of him missing his other half. Barbatos knew that he was referring to you and with that he payed the shop owner quickly and then left.

Ever since then he’s stopping visiting that stall.

If he’s being honest he’s not fond of making your favorite dishes for Diavolo while you’re not here. However he’ll never mention that to anyone.

Simeon wishes to be an angel again, this was the first and only time he wished that.

If he was then…maybe he could possibly aid with your safe return. That’s what he tells himself anyway. Simeon can’t help but blame himself for whatever reason for your disappearance.

While you're gone he takes this time to comfort Luke as well as the brothers. If he’s able to keep a level head then it should make others less anxious.

He also takes up cleaning most of Purgatory Hall as well as the House of Lamentation when the brothers lock themselves away for certain periods of time.

Simeon tries his hardest to remain calm and distract himself with other hobbies he likes; however each little thing he does reminds him of you.

When he picks up a pen he thinks of how you adored his work, praised it even, as you laid on his bed while he told you numerous different story plots and tales he had for upcoming chapters. When he passes a store and sees only his reflection a pang is felt in his chest. Just a few months ago both of you shared a smiling reflection in a store window as you walked hand in hand with him.

He doesn't know how much more of this he can take, but he’ll never let anyone know that.

Luke bakes himself into exhaustion. Oftentimes he bakes recipes the two of you would make when you spent the night at Purgatory Hall. Recently however, Simeon has had to stop him because the countertops are overflowing with sweets as Luke puts a new cake into the oven.

Luke likes to carry out activities you both would do together, such as watching the same shows you liked to watch with him, or visiting the same places you would take him too when you weren’t with the brothers.

Luke misses you so much but he knows you're okay, Simeon told him so. Still that doesn’t calm his emotions any less. Because of this Luke continues to pray for your safety and will bless your belongings.

This has caused some issues with the brothers because they become unable to touch that item for a while.

Just like the others he sometimes will visit your room and just sit silently in there wishing and praying for your safe return.

Bonus characters

Mephisto finds himself ignoring the desk you use while you spent time in the newspaper club room.

Sure all of your belongings are there and in the same place as well as all the pictures of the brothers and your other friends. Even him. But he doesn’t care.

It’s not as if he dusts off your desk at the end of every week and does weekly checks on your camera to make sure it’s up to date and still has all of the saved pictures you took.

It’s not as if he hasn’t downloaded a copy of the photos on your camera to is own personal laptop and scrolls through the ones you took of you and him when he feels lonely.

Of course he doesn’t miss the human who invaded his club room and made it lively like they do to every part of the school they reside in.

He doesn’t even realize that he gets the same drink every afternoon from the vending machine. It’s not as if you brought it to him every time you showed up. He just drinks it because it’s good.

And no he doesn’t glance at the door every hour or so hoping you’d barge in. Thats ludicrous. But currently its only a hope in his mind.

Thirteen sighs as she looks across the Devildom. Usually you both would be sharing this beautiful sight together, however she’s alone today. Like always.

She deems it fine. But maybe company would be nice, maybe. She’s grown found of your voice, your company, and even the atmosphere you bring to a conversation. She could sit and listen to you for hours.

She still wears the friendship bracelet you made her. It’s never been taken off once. And since she’s had a bit of spare time while you’ve been away she made you a few. Maybe some to even wear in your next life.

Since she can’t give it to you currently she put it around the base of your candle, that she watches daily; hourly even.

For her favorite human to disappear out of the blue like this made her very protective of your soul. At times she finds herself blabbing to your candle when she’s had an interesting day, or if she has a new trap idea.

To her it’s nice talking to the candle, but she really wishes to talk to the owner of it more.

At first Raphael didn’t feel completely lonely like the others. He had a decent relationship with you but it wasn’t nearly as close as Simeon’s or Luke’s for that matter.

However a part of him can’t help but try to comfort the beings around him during this time. He does truly care for the brothers so he does whatever he can to help them as well as Simeon.

At the end of the day he does find himself missing you. The conversations you would have with him were interesting and he loved the sparkle your eye would hold when he talked about his days in the celestial realm when the brothers were still angels.

He promised to take you to the celestial realm a while ago and show off in depth how beautiful it was. You smiled at his promise and he always remember that.

Sighing to himself, he currently wished to walk with you through a celestial realm garden to ease his mind.

[syndrossi]

Bonus (tricky) treat

@textbookchoices played the mini-game from last poll and won an extra treat, which happens to be another chunk of Rescue AU!

x~x~x

Daemon woke to a shake of his shoulder.

“Father?”

He recognized the voice after a moment to be Jon’s, and opened his eyes to the sight of both sons peering over him with identical expressions of worry. Every limb felt heavy, even blinking requiring almost conscious effort, and thought moved slowly, as though through a sludge.

They are frightened.

The thought hung in his mind for several seconds before the corresponding response occurred to him, which was to lift a hand to their cheeks, but his wrists felt even heavier, the movement accompanied by a rattling sound. Chain dangled from them as he stroked his sons’ cheeks.

I am chained. Daemon stared at the shackles, confusion overriding all else. Why am I chained?

He was on a bed, he realized next, his sons standing to either side. It was a comfortable bed, its mattress well-filled, and he could hear the crackle of a hearth, but the ceiling was not one he recognized. They were not home, then. And he was chained.

“Here.”

Jon grabbed his arm, easing him into a sitting position, where he remained until the world stopped spinning around him. With his son’s aid, he made use of the nearby chamberpot, the slack on his chains quite generous. He was forced to sit then, freshly dizzy, mouth dry, and Rhaegar appeared with a cup of water, which he drank gladly.

Are we at Bloodstone Fort? He had woken up there twice after taking injuries on the battlefield, but— No, I would never take my sons anywhere near the Stepstones.

And he was chained.

“We are somewhere on the southeast of Massey’s Hook,” Rhaegar said, taking the cup from him to refill it. “A summer manse of House Massey, I think.”

His sons were not chained, Daemon noted with relief as he accepted the cup again.

“They killed its caretakers,” Jon added grimly.

Daemon frowned at his son so casually speaking of death, as though he had witnessed it, and something stirred in the depths of memory. A fire, the acrid scent of smoke, the bustle of a market.

Terror.

“Do you remember what happened?” Rhaegar asked, worry returning to his eyes.

Daemon kissed his temple, hoping to soothe it away, but his heart was beginning to beat more rapidly, thoughts wafting in and out of fog.

“They gave you more of that potion on the ship, the last time you woke,” Jon said.

Potion—? Daemon felt a glimmer of comprehension. The fuzziness, the haze—it was not unlike the few times he had been injured before and given milk of the poppy. He glanced down at himself, but found no obvious injury. He did spot flecks of dried blood beneath Jon’s fingernails, however, and caught his hands, concern rising in him.

“Are you hurt?” he demanded.

Jon shook his head. “I bit one of them. Then I stabbed him.”

“He is a vicious little shit, your son. I did warn them.”

The voice cut through the rest of the haze in Daemon’s mind, memory flooding back. The tavern, then walking through the markets of River Row, his sons looking pleased with themselves as they bade him turn away, the terror at realizing they were gone, a blade at his back, and that voice—

He turned toward it, finding that he had entirely failed to notice two armed men watching silently from the door. And at the door itself, a man in his mid-twenties perhaps, with wavy brown hair and a smile that set crooked on his face.

“Our sleeping prince awakes,” the man said, stepping into the room. Two more men entered behind him, lugging large pails of steaming water that they emptied into the tub near the window before leaving to fetch more, presumably.

The man who had spoken was in travel leathers that would not be out of place on any of the roads across the realm, but the other men wore multiple layers of looser, lighter clothing that tickled at his memory. Daemon stood on unsteady legs. “Who are you? What do you want?”

“Marten Crayne,” the man said with a mocking bow. “And for now, what I want is to ensure that you are all presentable for our esteemed guest, who I have been informed will be arriving shortly.”

“He was at the Gates of the Moon,” Jon said, eyes narrowed in a glare. “He was always watching us, there.”

“And here I am, watching you again,” Crayne said with amusement. “Do you promise to behave, Jon?” He strode over to Rhaegar and patted him on the head. “Your brother has such fine manners.”

Daemon reached for a hilt that was not there, fury rising. “You will take your hands off my son.”

“You’ll find that your commands amount to very little here, my prince.” Crayne clasped Rhaegar on the shoulder, as though to demonstrate, then released him with a light push that propelled him back toward Daemon, who caught him in his arms. “If you wish to remain with them, you too will need to be on your best behavior.”

Daemon reached for Jon, pulling him in close as well, fear further clogging his mind as he tried to grasp the situation. They were under guard, with someone arriving soon, and it was important that they be made presentable. For ransom? Did they mean to show that he and his sons were unharmed and treated well?

Show who?

He glanced between Crayne and the two armed men at the door, silently vigilant. How many more were there? The two who had gone, armed as well, while Crayne bore a sword at one hip and a dagger at the other. In his current condition, mind and body still heavy from milk of the poppy, Daemon was not sure he could manage even the three in the room. And he did not like the dark smile Crayne had flashed when delivering his threat.

Daemon closed his eyes, trying to gather himself, but when he opened them again, there were five men in the room and the bath had been completely filled. His arms tightened around his sons, still in his arms, as he fought a wave of dizziness.

“Who would like to go first?” Crayne asked, now standing between them and the tub. He shrugged at the stony silence that followed, then moved to grab Jon by the arm, pulling him roughly from Daemon to deposit at the edge of the tub, soap and a sponge within reach. “Scrub well.”

Jon’s eyes held pure scorn for Crayne as he shed his clothing and climbed in, and the outlaw turned back to Daemon. “As for you…” He gave him an appraising look. “You seem in need of a shave.”

[ironmandeficiency]

stupid goose

pairing: fíli / hobbit!reader

word count: 2953

summary: a goose followed fili into erebor and refused to leave

a/n: this has taken over my brain

no one knew where that damn demon bird came from. all anyone knew is that when fíli returned from the markets of dale one day, he was trailed by a goose. this goose demanded in very angry honks to be let into erebor right behind the golden prince, and despite every attempt made to shoo the thing outside, the goose remained.

it honked during council meetings, entertained some of the young pebbles that had returned to erebor with their families, and generally caused a disturbance everywhere it waddled. fíli took to naming his new pet trøbbel, and he grew to appreciate the feathered chaos harbinger.

thorin couldn’t stand the damn thing. it would flap and honk and nip at him at the most odd times, namely when he was scolding his nephews. the king under the mountain was halfway convinced that fíli trained it to behave so.

the days turned to weeks, weeks into months, and trøbbel stuck around through it all. he was a common companion, and a very proper one indeed. eventually he learned some semblance of patience; the standard amount of patience in geese was alarmingly similar to the patience of dwarves.

trøbbel definitely lived up to his name, so much so that when bilbo sent word that he was planning a springtime visit to the mountain in a few months’ time, multiple correspondents thought it fit to warn their burglar about the newest addition.

“dear bilbo,

the company is delighted to hear of your pending visit to the mountain! many things have changed for the better since uncle was crowned king (not his temper, unfortunately for us all). everyone is looking forward to seeing you again, though i do carry a warning with this letter.

you see, a few months ago i involuntarily acquired a wild goose as a companion. he made himself known to me after leaving dale one afternoon and rather violently refused to be parted from my side.

this goose is a mighty beast that honks and bites diplomats (dwalin never loved him more than when he nipped at thranduil upon first glance of the elf) and steals food from the plates of those not paying attention. i warn you because trøbbel is very suspicious of new people, and i don’t want you falling victim to his wiles if he finds that you don’t have snacks for him upon arrival.

see you soon,

prince fíli”

bilbo was baffled. he was confuddled, stupefied even. how in yavanna’s green gardens fíli ended up with a goose was beyond his reckoning. the last time he heard of a goose forcing its way into someone’s life in this manner was being told the story of how his parents met when he was a wee fauntling.

it was a somewhat rare phenomenon among hobbits to be found by a goose in such a way. they were said to guide hobbits to their soulmates, the other half of their soul as created by lady yavanna. the goddess had to create an animal stubborn enough to aid her hobbit children in finding their soulmates, one that could easily navigate the hills and rivers of their lands, and the goose was her solution.

even though erebor was no west farthing, bilbo could imagine that any goose worth its tail feathers would find a way to survive in the lonely mountain. and, based on the letter he just read, one has.

taking into consideration the thing’s audacity, that bird of fíli’s is definitely a soulmate goose, and a right bugger at that.

the first thing he now had to do was inform fortinbras of this development. as thain and cousin, bilbo was sure that he could find some sound advice there.

now, if bilbo could figure out how to explain that fíli has a hobbit for a soulmate without putting thorin and balin into their deathbeds, that would be just peachy.

“HONK! HONK HONK!”

“i cannot believe you, tansy!”

“HONK!”

“yeah you better run, you wretched thing!”

tansy the goose had to be the biggest pain in the backside you’ve ever met, and that’s saying something considering the run-ins you’ve had with the bracegirdles.

she followed you to the markets, when you went on walks among the meadows and fields, and even snuck into the washroom to be there when you bathed. in your opinion, it was all a bit too much.

your tansy gave the wizard gandalf a run for his money when it came to disturbing the peace. on days you went to the market, she would follow you and honk all the way at passersby and intimidate them off the dirt path you were on.

she also picked up a very peculiar habit of trying to (and sometimes succeeding to) snag fine jewelry from the booths of dwarrow traveling through from the blue mountains. every time you would turn and see a shiny glint of silver or gold hanging from her beak, your heart would drop to your feet in fear. thus far, the merchants you’ve encountered were very understanding of your feathery thief and harbored no ill will against you as you returned their wares to the tune of an angry goose.

while those situations were mortifying and anxiety-inducing, you’ve reached the end of your rope today. tansy has committed a grievous sin by brutalizing your blackberry patch to the point of there being almost nothing left worth eating and you’ve had it up to your ears with her.

you chased her with a wooden spoon as you ranted about her foul deed and resolved to talk to someone about what to do about tansy the chaos goose. maybe the thain would have some advice?

“uncle! we’ve got a reply from bilbo!” kíli waved the letter in the air excitedly as he barged into his uncle’s chambers.

fíli follows kíli in, rolling his eyes as he snatches the parchment from his brother’s hand. “no, i got a reply from bilbo.”

the golden prince makes no mention of the second page bilbo wrote to him with explicit instructions to keep it to himself. that morsel of information was for him and him alone - well, for him and trøbbel, of course.

“hurry up and read it!”

“i would if you’d stop flapping about like trøbbel!”

in response to being compared to kíli (or maybe just hearing his name), trøbbel honked indignantly.

“dearest fíli,

it pleases me greatly to know that erebor is flourishing under your uncle’s rule. i am most excited to see you all again, especially in the comforts of your home.

while i thank you for your warning, i have some news of my own to share. there will be a hobbitess accompanying me on my trip-“

thorin cut off his nephew, his bright mood upon receiving bilbo’s correspondence immediately clouding over. “he’s bringing a hobbit lass?” the king’s thoughts immediately sour with thoughts of his burglar introducing the company to a spouse wooed by his tales of adventure.

both brothers caught the sudden wave of melancholy that surged through their uncle. his feelings for bilbo were a poorly-kept secret among the company, but there were none who had the courage to call attention to it.

“you’re almost as bad as kee with interrupting me,” fíli chastised before clearing his throat to continue.

“-there will be a hobbitess accompanying me on my trip that shares in your feathered predicament. with the description you gave me of your trøbbel, i’d bet all of my fourteenth share that he’d get along swimmingly with her tansy. she’s a menace, that one.”

“see uncle, you can remove that frown! bilbo isn’t courting anyone back in the shire!” kíli interjected with a small smile and an elbow nudge, hoping to goad thorin back into a good mood.

fíli sighed the sigh of a long-suffering older brother. “this is exactly what i mean when i talk about you interrupting me, kee!”

“but he was sad!”

“and i’m annoyed!”

“boys!”

one word put the squabbling siblings back in line.

“sorry, uncle.”

“do continue, fíli.”

“i send this letter ahead of me from bree. i hope you receive it in proper time so you can prepare the mountain for the impending doom that will be brought upon by two geese occupying erebor.

if you note the bite marks in bottom right corner and the occasional blots of stray ink on the parchment, those are courtesy of tansy. she sends her well wishes along with mine.

your burglar,

bilbo baggins”

thorin looks at trøbbel where he’s squatted directly on top of thorin’s favorite bedpillow like the cruel beast he is. the smug bastard has a wicked gleam in his eye as if he knows he’ll soon have a partner in crime to terrorize the whole mountain alongside.

oh mahal, please watch over this mountain.

erebor was teeming with anticipation, both for the arrival of the famed dragonriddler and for the next act of war from trøbbel. for nigh on three weeks, the royal bird has been eerily well-behaved. this was so out of character that fíli carried his companion to óin in the hopes the healer could figure out what malady had struck his friend.

there was nothing obvious to blame for the sudden silence of the royal bird, so the healer told fíli to watch over his bird and take as good care of him as possible.

he didn’t know much of anything about geese, so he simply opted to treat his companion like kíli when he was sick.

a cozy new bed was constructed, fíli monitored his food, and things seemed to be getting better. trøbbel slowly came back to his regular gremlin self, causing chaos that was mildly tamer than before.

at least the mountain didn’t get too comfortable without his shenanigans, because when bilbo arrived with his companion and their goose, all hell broke loose.

“hmm,” bilbo hummed to himself as he observed tansy sitting demurely on her designated pillow. she’d been oddly calm today, as if she knew where her company was going.

when bilbo explained the significance of tansy’s appearance in your life, you were flabbergasted. the idea of true soulmates was a sweet one yet painfully unrealistic in your eyes, something you read in bedtime stories. but with both bilbo and thain fortinbras’s confirmation that you received a soulmate goose from yavanna, you couldn’t deny it any longer.

then bilbo claimed he knew your soulmate and had fought alongside him against trolls and goblins and orcs and a dragon. he told you that he was rather fond of the dwarves of erebor, and that they were rambunctious and honorable.

but when he spoke of king thorin, the uncle of your soulmate, something was decidedly different from how he spoke of the rest of the company he kept. you could see the way his body visibly relaxed, how his eyes were softer and the appearance of pink on the tips of his ears.

your friend clearly held something more than respect for the dwarf king.

one night around the campfire, you told tansy about your suspicions. for a hooligan goose, she was a rather good conversationalist.

“i think bilbo loves that king of his, tansy.”

“HONK!”

“exactly! that’s what i was thinking!”

tansy honks back in response. living among hobbits, she seemed to pick up on some social etiquettes and right now, it was as if you were pleasantly chatting over afternoon tea.

you pondered what to do about this new development. bilbo was always seen as a bachelor, someone unattainable by shire standards. but just maybe, by the grace of yavanna, he’ll find his love in the heart of a king.

“say tansy,” a soft honk of acknowledgement came from your goose, “when you’re done leading me to my soulmate, can you help bilbo find his?”

in years to come, you will swear by the fact tansy nodded at you that evening by the fire.

“they’re here!”

“bilbo!”

“our burglar has returned!”

in the distance, they could see bilbo making his way towards the front entrance of erebor and unbridled joy swept through the company. how they’ve all missed their burglar in his absence from the mountain.

bard was walking alongside bilbo, who had dismounted from his pony when he entered dale and was guiding him along by the reins. at bilbo’s other side was another hobbit, presumably the lass he mentioned in his letter, and waddling with pride beside them was a goose wearing a red ribbon tied into a neat bow.

fíli made a break for the front gates as soon as the horn announcing bilbo’s arrival echoed through the crisp air. he genuinely missed bilbo and was plenty excited to meet the goose (and the hobbitess) described in his letters.

trøbbel dutifully followed behind his dwarf, waddling just fast enough to keep pace. at first. but in the distance, the royal goose of erebor heard a honk that resonated so deeply in him that he couldn’t dawdle with fíli, he had to go immediately.

his orange webbed feet pitter-pattered on the stone floors with the intensity of oliphaunts and the speed of rhosgobel rabbits, honking all the way. members of the company hollered after the speeding goose but trøbbel paid them no heed, far too focused on his destination.

“oi! trøbbel you mangy beast, get back here!”

“you ain’t beatin’ us to our burglar!”

the dwarves stood no chance at catching him, only following behind him like goslings in a rather lopsided row. apparently, trøbbel was going to beat them.

tansy was going to turn you grey long before your time if she had anything to say about it.

that wild beast of a bird strutted into dale with the attitude of the most pretentious hobbits in the west farthing, catching all sorts of strange looks from the big folk who never beheld such a human-acting animal. she honked and nodded to the growing crowd in greeting. you sighed at her antics but carried on, watching as bilbo’s entire countenance changed the closer he got to his dwarrow.

watching the entrance to the dwarven kingdom grow ever closer, you felt strangely lighter, almost as if you were coming home.

before you knew it, there was a stampede of dwarrow emerging from the front gates headed straight towards you and bilbo, led by a goose. logic told you that they were his friends from the journey, that they missed him more than you could imagine missing anyone.

but then tansy let out a screeching honk unlike anything you’ve ever heard in all your days. she immediately bolted for the feathered line leader, not even the slightest bit worried about being trampled by the pounding feet of dwarrow.

“tansy! tansy! oh you reckless fiend, you’re lucky i didn’t cook you on the way here!”

chasing after her was a terrible idea. instead, you elected to watch from beside your pony and hope for the best.

recalling bilbo’s stories, you could point out a few of his companions. bombur with his braided beard that weaves into itself, nori with the star points atop his head, thorin with his raven-colored hair…

the king of erebor was running like a hooligan towards bilbo at full speed, a wide smile on his face that bilbo led you to believe was a nigh impossible feat.

you nudge your friend with a smile, wondering why his feet weren’t going a mile a minute to reunite with his dwarf. “go to him,” you whispered. this seemed to spur him into action, bilbo making a mad dash for his king.

when thorin caught bilbo in a leaping embrace, their laughter was infectious. even tansy was honking joyously with them, echoed by another bit of loud honking you couldn’t place.

looking over, your tansy was nuzzling with the ereborian goose. they were waddling around each other inquisitively at first, then plopped down to the side of the path to watch the joyous reunion of king and burglar.

within moments, you realized what this meant: your soulmate was on his way. oh green gardens, you weren’t ready!

meeting your prince soulmate now, after a ragged journey across middle earth while covered in yavanna-knows-what, had your nerves vibrating with tension. your hands were clammy, eyes flitting around to spot him based on bilbo’s descriptions.

“trøbbel! oi you bugger, how dare you run ahead!”

you heard one voice clearly through the thicket of joyous bustling, and the entire world came to a screeching halt.

your soulmate wore a smile that could have blinded you, and his laughter put you in a tailspin. in the golden light of morning, his hair shone like the wheat fields you grew up playing in.

you had to be closer to him without another moment’s delay.

without your permission, your feet began to carry you into the growing crowd of dwarrow towards fíli. part of you wanted to dig your heels into the dirt because you didn’t know what to say to him! how did one even begin to introduce themselves to the person that the gods made to be their other half?

turns out you didn’t have to answer that question on your own.

in the time he spent on the road with bilbo, fíli learned quite a few pieces of important information about hobbits. they valued their food and their gardens, and placed great importance on flowers and their meanings. so when presented with his hobbit soulmate, he knew exactly how to make a good first impression.

presenting you a few sprigs of purple lilacs, he approached his one with a charming smile. “i imagine you’re starving from the trip here, love. would you like me to fetch you a warm meal straight from the royal kitchens?”

[avensthetic]

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐌𝐄, 𝐓𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔

𝐆𝐄𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐀 (wotaku)

i'm sorry i deceived you i'm sorry i couldn't tell you and this is so sad but suffering is our only bond

𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙜𝙚𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙖

━━ ╸between wanting to live or die, i didn’t know which side to pick. death…i've come close to it plenty of times, closer than I'd like to admit.

“welcome home."

so simple, yet somehow, it makes me want to see another day. i'll crawl back from death’s grasp, just to hear you say it again, just to know you'll never stop waiting for me. so keep waiting…

i’ll come back to you, always.

love, kakavasha

the stench of antiseptic clung to aventurine's skin, a jarring mix with the lingering scent of blood — someone else's this time. another close call, another deal gone sideways, another life thrown to death’s doors. the same damn routine with a different front. another enemy. another target. 

he tossed his jacket over the back of the sofa, the weight of its designer label a bitter joke reminder to how, no matter how much luxury he's covered in, his market value will always be worth 60 tanba. this penthouse, the suits, the smiles – all part of the intricate dance he played, one where a misstep usually meant a bullet in his head.

every step towards the liquor cabinet felt like agony. his injured leg throbbed with a dull, insistent ache. he swore under his breath, downing a shot with a wince. the burn was a welcome distraction, numbing the not only the physical wounds.

a soft gasp made him turn. you were there, silhouetted against the kitchen doorway, eyes wide and filled with a familiar blend of fear and worry.

"shouldn't you be in bed?" aventurine tried for a smirk, but it came out as a ragged grimace. 

he saw the flash of hurt in your eyes before you moved forward, quick and quiet. you didn't lecture, didn't demand answers. instead, your hands were gentle as you helped him towards a chair, fetching first aid. wordlessly, you cleaned and dressed the gash on his thigh.

he watched you, memorizing the way your lips frowned and your brows knitted together. it was always you, waiting in the dark stillness after the adrenaline faded. a constant amidst the chaos. his throat tightened. if he had a shred of self-preservation, he'd walk away and cut his losses, just to spare you this worry, this fear.

“aventurine," your voice was soft, breaking his spiral of grim thoughts, "thank you for coming back to me."

the simple words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. a flicker of disbelief softened aventurine's expression. the exhaustion etched on his face, the physical wounds he carried – they were a constant reminder of the life he chose, a life he can’t easily abandon. but with you here, the carefully constructed facade crumbled a little. he stole a glance at your face, the worry etched there a stark contrast to your usual smile.

mother goddess knows aventurine would crawl back to you if he has to, every single time. you were his reason, the rekindling of a thirst to live, crawl, survive. "doll, if you keep waiting for me like this so earnestly, i'm afraid i'm left with no other choice but to come back."

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐕 - 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 - 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓

[beyondspaceandstars]

Hey babes, can you do a Mando x reader where the reader is a bounty hunter and leaves the ship to complete a mission and is only supposed to be gone a few hours but they’re gone all night and Din starts to panic and the next morning they show up slightly injured sand Din completely loses it and he was so scared then feels guilty? (fluff and ANGST) (sorry this is long!)

Safe With You

Relationship: Din Djarin x Reader

Warnings: fluff and angst, as ordered

Word Count: 1.7k

A/N: Thank you so so much for requesting!! I haven’t written for the Mandalorian in so long, it feels so great to do again. And the new season was wonderful, I loved the ending so much, so thank you for requesting this fluffy, angsty thing! (P.S. I am very aware of the fact that we just learned the mandalorian’s first name is not actually his first name however, I am a woman who is set in her ways and this was written before finding that fact out. He’s "Din" throughout this, I’m sorry.)

Masterlist

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

"You’re sure you’re going to be okay?" He asked you for what felt like the millionth time. You had to force yourself to stop rolling your eyes as you finished packing your supplies.

When you came back to the make-shift base you two had set up and told Din you picked up an easy job while in town, you had expected him to maybe ask a couple of questions, just so he knew where you’d be. What you hadn’t expected was for him to practically pester you. Not to mention, he’d already offered to come with about a dozen times now.

"Honey, I was working alone way before I ever met you," you replied, "I think I’m going to be able to handle myself."

He sighed. "I know, but this planet… Can you at least tell me what the job is?"

You shook your head. "I was paid extra for my discretion and the last thing we need is to lose a couple of credits, right? Besides, there’s worse in the galaxy, I’m sure of it. It’ll be fine, I’ll be back before you know it."

Din peaked up at the dimming sky. It would be getting dark soon.

"This still doesn’t feel right to me. Can you be back before nightfall?" He asked.

You shrugged. "Maybe." You felt his hard stare from behind his helmet. You sighed. "I’ll try."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

****

When you two make promises, you kept them. There were no if ands or buts about it. You both had demanding, dangerous lives, and promises were a foundation you thrived on. It kept you whole, loyal.

So, when night fell on the planet and the only thing he could make out was the fluttering nocturnal bugs, Din grew worried beyond belief. The night was ticking on and he was still alone. You had promised. He shouldn’t have this worry in him right now. He should be holding you tight, hearing you give a recap of the job while you two lay snuggled up, slowly drifting off to sleep.

He should be listening to your dream about what you’d want to use the credits for. Realistically, you always put it toward food and medical aid, but he knew you liked to save just some to the side for when you two found little markets throughout your journeys. You liked buying textiles for crafts in your downtime, jewelry from the local women…

Din was losing his mind. His head spun with thoughts and worries about you. Unable to do much else, he grabbed some supplies and made his way back into town, hoping on the off chance he’d be able to find whoever offered you the job. He decided he’d do whatever was necessary to get them to tell him where you were. He didn’t care what it would take or who he’d have to hurt.

This was you. His other half. His adorable, fearless, bright, charming, funny, caring significant other. And now you were gone…

Well, everyone was gone. In the pitch black of the night, just the faint hint of stars now guiding his path, Din found the town to be completely closed up for the night. It was a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the afternoon. It was like everyone just up and left but he knew better than that.

Most of the dusty buildings were used as shops, he remembered, but the flickering glow from some windows on the taller buildings points him toward some of the residents.

Din didn’t hesitate to knock on some doors. It would’ve been more powerful had it ended up working. He pounded on them. Kicked. Yelled. But all of his fits fell on deaf ears. He had half the mind to start breaking in through windows and backdoors but he had to reel himself back. It would do neither of you any good if he was restrained.

When it was growing more and more evident no one in the town would cater to him, Din forced himself to give up. He had to put some faith in you, he knew that. You were incredibly skilled—almost as much as him—and if you weren’t worried about something, he should be trusting of that.

And yet, he couldn’t help himself. Worry and defeat overcame him as he made his way back to where you two were staying. Din decided he’d make himself comfortable and then just wait for you to come back. Surely, that wouldn’t be so bad. He could keep himself awake. You’d probably be back any minute, he tried telling himself. It’d be fine. It’d be easy, right?

Nope. Wrong. So very wrong. Din only realized how foolish he had been when he felt a hint of warmth on his body and light trying to break through the visor of his helmet. Slowly, he blinked his eyes open, forcing himself awake.

It was morning. The next day. It was the morning of the next day…and he was alone. The realization hit Din like a ton of bricks. He shot up from his slouched position, and a new kind of worry came over him. Not only had he fallen asleep, but he had also done so without you, and it still didn’t appear like you were here. Worry shifted into guilty. He thought was going to be sick—

"Over here, darling." Your voice rang out in a scratchy tone from behind Din. He whipped his head around and your slumped, exhausted form came into focus. You were sitting in just your undergarments next to the nearby, splashing water over what appeared to be fresh wounds. A stack of wraps and aid supplies sat next to you. Most of your clothes were tossed to the side and turning brown from dried blood. Din felt every part of him seize up.

"Cyra’ika, what…" Din’s throat felt like it was on fire as he slowly stepped toward you. He knew he should’ve rushed to your side, gave you all the attention and care you absolutely needed, but he had never seen you in this state before. "What happened?"

You shrugged. "Mission was a little bit rougher than anticipate but don’t worry, I finished it and we were paid."

You had the nerve to flash a smirk at him. Din thought he was about to lose it all over again, maybe even worse, as he had the previous night.

"I’m not worried about the funds," he snapped. His sudden and typically unusual harsh tone made you flinch but he didn’t seem to care. "You’re… You’re bleeding. You’re pale. Oh my… You need— We need—,"

"To calm down," you snapped back. "We need to calm down. Honey, I’m okay, really. It was just a bit more difficult than the employer had made it out to be. That was probably my fault, I guess I didn’t ask the right questions, but it’s alright. Brought them in warm and everything. It just took slightly longer than anticipated."

Din groaned. "You said you’d be back by nightfall."

"Well, that didn’t happen."

"I’m very aware that that didn’t happen."

You rolled your eyes and turned your attention back onto your injuries. You patted one of the wounds dry and began trying to wrap it gently but firmly. Every movement made you flinch. "

"I don’t understand what the big fuss is about," you muttered. "I still returned and the mission was complete. What’s the big deal?"

"The big deal is I thought you were dead," Din replied harshly.

"Well, I’m not!" You yelled back, your own fuse nearly at its end. But losing your temper wasn’t the smartest idea you realized as a sharp pain tore through your side. You let out a frightened yelp. You had expected bruises but the one that covered more torso was a ridiculous one.

"Cyra’ika…" Din sighed as he rushed to kneel at your side. He inspected the bruised skin you were gripping. "You need to rest. Let me bandage the rest."

"No, I’m fine," you gritted. Your anger still simmered within you despite Din’s gentle words.

"No, you’re not," he replied. "And… And I’m sorry for being upset with you instead of helping." He pulled at the wrap you were holding in your hands. You forced yourself to give in. You leaned into his touch as he finished drying your wounds and began bandaging them.

"I tried coming back by nightfall," you murmured. "I really did but it was harder than I intended."

"I don’t doubt that for a second," Din said. "You promised and we try to keep our promises but I was… I was so scared." His helmet-distorted voice cracked slightly and that was more painful than any wound some bounty could ever inflict upon you.

"I was scared, too," you admitted, "but I didn’t want to make a big deal of it because I’m finally back here, safe, with you. That’s all that matters." Slowly, you raised a bruised hand to his helmet. You wanted nothing more than to cup his face and promise him you were okay but you knew this was as close as you were going to get.

"You’re right," he agreed, "and that’s what I’m trying to remind myself as I wrap your injuries."

You shook your head. "They’re not that bad, really. I’m sure you’ve had worse."

"This isn’t about me."

"Okay," you sighed. "But the next time you come back all bruised and beaten, I get to reprimand you."

Din hummed. "Maybe we should just start taking jobs together."

"Yeah?" You chuckled. "Wanna be my partner in crime?"

"I think I just want to be wherever you are."

"Good because I want you there with me," you said with a wide smile creeping up on your face. You knew if you saw Din’s face he would be blushing. "Hey, do you think one day we’ll be able to leave all this behind and just live a…normal life together?"

Din’s focus stayed on the bandages. "Is that what you would want?"

"Of course," you replied with no hesitation.

"Then, yes." Din nodded. "I’ll make sure of it."

A good kind of warmth spread throughout your face and down your body. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Din responded. "Always."

[metalphoenix]

Thinking about Gotham Public Schools again.

You have to wonder if just Gotham generally being Gotham impacts what students learn in school.

Are students taught from a young age how to solve riddles in english class? We always had like warm ups we had to do in english class like a prompt to write about or something. Do Gotham kids have to solve riddles every day to practice?

What about Chemistry class? Do they learn the chemical composition of fear toxin/joker venom/bane venom/etc and how to neutralize or make an antidote? Do they learn how to test water and chemically and biologically filter it to make it drinkable in a pinch? Do they learn how to filter air and make an on the fly gas mask?

Are they taught self defense in PE class? Do they start in kindergarten and is it their longest unit?

Do they learn how to defuse a bomb in engineering class?

Is there a whole unit in biology about Ivy's plants and pollens?

Is half their health class just dedicated to basic first aid? Do they learn more complicated stuff like how to give stitches or fix a bullet wound?

Is criminal psychology or forensic the highest demanded elective at the high school?

Do they learn about the the black market and underground economy in Econ class? Do they talk about the basic monopoly Wayne Enterprises has on Gotham? Do they talk about the historic causes of poverty?

Are they taught about crime lords influence in politics?

Do they learn about vigilantes and rogues in their history class?

Is the "what jobs do your family have" assignment never used because honestly who wants to hear about your uncle or parent or cousin working for Joker or Penguin or Black Mask?

IDK just like what do Gotham students learn that freak out anyone else when they hear it?

[hadesoftheladies]

palestine is a wake up call to all the people in the global south and all countries and peoples that have experienced colonialism by western empires. especially following the western world's response to ukraine.

when you're flooded with footage of children starving, their bodies shredded by missiles, shrapnel and collapsed buildings, when you see once vibrant, beautiful lands reduced in seconds to rubble . . . you realize how easy it is to provoke a white man. all you have to do is a be a person of colour on your land with all its natural resources. that's it. all you have to do is exist on the same soil as your ancestors. and if a white man says you're in the way of his expansion, it doesn't matter what moral ethics you think white people have. it really doesn't matter what you expect of a human being. what conscience you think they have.

you will die. no one will rescue you. they will murder you. torture you. they will justify it. they will make jokes about it. and years later, when it's not too inconvenient for their people to feel guilt, they will feel sorry and still make what they did to you about them. about their "human complexity" and their "nuance." your people will be dead for thousands of years before they "apologize" (not to you but) to their descendants. and even then they'll lie. they'll blame the "internal conflicts of the region." conveniently leaving out who supplies the guns and military gangs. why. what they get in return.

what's happening in congo, tigray, palestine, haiti, iran, afghanistan, etc is not an isolated event. you cannot afford to think so. it's literally what they did from the 17th-20th centuries. the exact same tactics. the exact same propaganda. these are millions of people dying and set up to die within this year alone.

white man sees resource, white man cuts a bloody path toward it. he is superior, so it's his right. it's that simple.

if you are self-righteous about politics (especially toward western empires like france, britain, russia, canada and the u.s., etc.) please understand that the only thing between your "peaceful" or stable country and all-out war is how agreeable you are to the demands of these empires. please don't think these people have evolved or will consider you in any way. they will nuke you, too, if you resist. that isn't peace. we don't have peace with them. they aren't peaceful. complying under threat of war isn't peace. coercion is not consent.

if these insane people can hear from the mouths of their own scientists that their wars are killing their own people and accelerating the death of life on this planet, i don't know why you'd think they have a shred of humanity left in them. that there's anyone in this life they could possibly care for.

reject that lie. that you can appeal to their humanity. how many fucking "peace talks" have we had since hitler? for fucks sake. begin to build your community and focus your aid and efforts on each other. be aware, but also think smaller. focus on local businesses and markets rather than imports. let's change the way we consume (this is hugely important). wherever you are, whichever people concern you, take care of your own communities. give back. even if you're part of the diaspora. just find a way to give back and strengthen your communities. don't let "the drain" empty out in the west. i'm not claiming its simple work, or that i have all the answers. i'm just saying increase your awareness of how these empires and their propaganda function and don't give into them however you can afford to. you know what you can do. you know your own communities and countries better than i do. and we all know that one of the prime ways the empires keep us weak is by destroying or own intracommunity solidarity.

because there is no UN we can appeal to. there is no western "mediator" we can rely on.

they'd kill us all if it wouldn't tank their economy.

internalize that. don't ever let them coax any trust out of you. there is no "international unity" we can have with them because their prosperity will always require our suffering. resist, at least, by reclaiming your mind from them. see them outside of how they have conditioned you to see them. every time your president shakes one of their hands, see the blood smearing them.

don't trust a single word out of their dirty, lying mouths.

[militantinremission]

American Geopolitics: Corporations over Citizens

So 'Jim Crow Joe' Biden signed a $95.3B Foreign Aid Bill for Ukraine, Israel, & Taiwan. Most Americans think that Border Security is a higher priority, but as expected, Congressional Democrats were in lock step w/ Biden's Warmonger Agenda. Members of the CBC & Progressive Party played a major role, providing overwhelming support for this measure. $1B in Military Aid is slated to go to Ukraine WITHIN HOURS of signing this Bill, but a Military Package estimated at $300M was secretly shipped and was already being used last Week. The $61B 'Foreign Aid Package' for Ukraine includes:

$23.2B slated to replenish U.S. Defense stockpiles

$11.3B for current Ukrainian Defense operations

$13.8B for future Ukrainian Defense measures

This is on top of the $113B in American Aid already sent. The Package also includes $26B for Israeli Defense, w/ $1B set aside for 'Aid Relief' in Gaza, & $8B going to Taiwan. This sounds like a good thing for Defense Contractors, Lobbyists, & Commercial Banks (The Industrial Military Complex), but there is No Mention of funding for America's porous Southern Border.

Volodomyr Zelenskyy's Government has received over $300B in Global Aid for his War, but all he has to show for it are 500,000+ slain Ukrainian Soldiers, devasted Cities, & Tens of Millions of displaced Citizens. Accounts of WHERE these resources have gone are murky at best. Reports of American Weapons & Relief Materials appearing on the Ukrainian Black Market have persisted since shipments began. It's apparent that the situation is Critical. Ukraine has recently issued a Draft, calling ALL Ukrainian Men of fighting age to return Home to join the Theater of Battle; failure to do so, will lead to being labeled a 'Draft Dodger'. Meanwhile, rumors have circulated that 1,000- 2,000 French Infantrymen (possibly French Foreign Legionaries) have joined Ukrainian Soldiers on the Battlefield; discarding their French Uniforms & donning Ukrainian ones.

Taking ALL of these factors into account, why is The Biden Administration throwing more Money at Ukraine? Why isn't NATO trying to negotiate a Truce between Putin & Zelenskyy (i.e. Istanbul Summit Communique)? A recent Summit in Switzerland showed that Volodomyr Zelenskyy is sticking to his guns. He is demanding the Same Terms that he offered at the Beginning of the Conflict. Vladimir Putin obviously has momentum, so why is NATO & Ukraine refusing to hear his Terms? The effort by Western Powers & the WEF to humiliate Putin publicly & topple his government has been a dismal failure. The Sanctions placed on Russia have not worked; in fact, it has galvanized the Russian Public & made Vladimir Putin something of a Super Star in the Global South.

Despite U.S. imposed Sanctions, Russia continues to have robust trade w/ several Western European Nations. Germany & France alone have spent Billions on Russian Fertilizer & Timber. Billions more in Natural Resources like Coal, Cobalt, Copper, Tungsten, & Zinc are also being sold throughout Europe. China & North Korea are purchasing the Natural Gas & Oil that once flowed through the Nord Stream Pipeline, & Global South Nations are purchasing Russian Armaments. To be clear, Russia isn't starving. In fact, The Russian Ruble is stronger than it was Last Year. Julius Malema recently stated that Russia's & South Afrika's Gold & Platinum wealth will be the backbone of a BRICS Currency. Saudi Arabia has already began accepting Rubles over American Petrodollars. All of this may explain The Biden Administration's determination to press on in Ukraine.

Military Minds like Scott Ritter & Col. Douglas MacGregor have been talking about Russian dominance over NATO in Ukraine since The War began. They both point out how the diplomatic moves being made by Vladimir Putin are well thought out, & Geopolitical Minds like John Mearsheimer agree. Putin is playing a Long Game, & his actions have aroused 'Russian Patriots'. Since the 'Special Operation' in Ukraine began, the Russian Army has grown from 900,000 Soldiers to over 1.4 Million. Even Men over 40 are seeking Enlistment. Roughly 1,400 Men/Day are volunteering to join the Battle in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Soldiers are SERIOUSLY depleted, & American Armed Forces Enlistment numbers are down; THIS may explain the number of Young Male Illegal Immigrants being allowed into the Country. The Roman Empire also faced an Enlistment problem; They hired Visigoth Mercenaries to beef up their numbers. History shows how THAT worked out for the Romans.

The Role of Multinational Corporations in all of this has to be considered. Black Rock is buying up large tracts of land in Ukraine, while Defense Contractors rake in 10s of Billions from U.S. Military Aid Packages. The Pentagon says that We have to replenish the stocks that are being shipped to Ukraine & Israel, but neither Front has an 'End Game'. Volodomyr Zelenskyy is fighting a losing battle. He doesn't have enough Soldiers to confront a growing Russian Army; he doesn't even have enough Experienced Soldiers to operate the equipment that Biden intends to ship. As for Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu has been very successful in devastating the Gaza Strip, but he hasn't done any real damage to Hamas. Meanwhile, Hezbollah is forcing Israeli Settlers South, & the Houthis have hurt Israel economically... Now Iran has SERVED NOTICE on Israel that their vaunted Air/ Missle Defense Systems (& America's) cannot stop a [bonafide] Iranian assault.

Back in America, Detroit, Flint, & Jackson Ms. STILL need clean drinking water! The Gulf States STILL suffer from the effects of Hurricane Katrina, & Our Roads, Bridges, & Tunnels continue to deteriorate. $200B would go a long way to solving some of these Home Grown problems. Corporations can make their money HERE; improving Trade Routes & increasing the incomes of American Workers. Why isn't this a priority? 'Jim Crow Joe' likes to tout Job Growth numbers, but these are mostly 'Gig Economy' Jobs, or Jobs that offer 30hrs/ Week, w/ NO BENEFITS. Then there's the Border Crisis. Improving the Southern Border IS a National Security Issue, but it's been put on the back burner- Why is that? Why are MILLIONS of unvetted Young Men not just being allowed into America, but also being subsidized?

Why are struggling Black Communities being forced to compete w/ these Men for resources meant for Us? Why are Black Politicians ignoring their Constituents & lending their support to these people, along w/ 2 Wars that have NOTHING to do w/ Us? The 'Fix' is obviously In, but We WILL have the Last Laugh on Election Day.

-Best believe That!

[lya-dustin]

All is bliss

Chapter 27

Cw: depression, teen pregnancy

Taglist: @mercedesdecorazon @watercolorskyy @darylandbethfanforever9 @ewanmitchellcrumbs @sweethoneyblossom1 @aemondx

Gif @nina-zcnik

It is known that while Queen Aemma never came to have more than some fondness for her first husband, her closeness with his younger brother ---and eventual second husband--- gave birth to many sordid rumors.

The greatest one being him seducing her with his brother’s knowing consent after his bout of smallpox left him sterile and siring Prince Aenys in the weeks before the untimely deaths of their father and sister.

The rumor, according to Septon Eustace ---who was their confessor--- was slander spread by gossips who envied the young queen's position in court especially after her pregnancy saved her and the Blacks from the executioner’s block.

Prince Aenys had been conceived in Aegon the Usurper’s monthly couplings with his wife ---Grand Maester Orwyle, Mushroom and Eustace coincide in this--- as demanded by their marriage contract and aided by fertility tonics the princess bought at the markets from Summer Island apothecaries.

That then Prince Aemond was often found in her company ---going over the rulings of the realm and new books says Orwyle and Eustace, conspiring to kill Aegon and wed once and for all says Mushroom--- and in her rooms was merely coincidence.

The fool, Mushroom, while fond of the most salacious stories of his time in court, was never found to speak any ill of the young queen.

Princess Aemma had been a sweet and dutiful child with a head full of dreams and as docile as her dragon until you provoked her, but never dared to flirt with impropriety for fear of being branded a whore like her mother. The fool reminds his readers the young queen grew up hearing all sorts of things about her mother and the paternity of her brothers no matter what her family did to shield her from it.

On the rumors of the affair between the princess and her half-uncle, he claims the young queen had been wooed by her second husband even before the late King Viserys tried to call for an annulment before his murder.

He claims the prince gave her a sapphire cut to resemble his false eye before they departed Kingslanding and grew flustered whenever her friends and Septa asked about it.

The One-Eye knew the great prize she was and wasted no effort to make her love him and see him as the Jaehaerys to her Alysanne, and he succeeded, the fool had said.

Septon Eustace writes that then Prince Regent had confessed to improper feelings for his brother’s wife stemming from the neglect she suffered at the hands of her lord husband, but other than that there is no record of either confessing to an affair.

The princess had on some occasion confessed to similar feelings and having, in a moment of anger with her first husband, told Prince Aegon she wished his brother had been the one wed to her on more than one occasion.

There were rumors and gossip even in the first six moons of her ill-fated marriage to Aegon the Usurper, however.

The source of those rumors seemed to have been started by the Master of Laws’ fourth wife, Lady Jena Wylde.

Lady Jena Wylde was once heard by Septon Eustace saying such slander and was put in her place by the princess and from then on came to defend her from all who would insult her.

Why did that happen? No one seems to care enough to know.

“After Princess Aemma striped her, Lady Wylde became her most steadfast supporter. Perhaps the lady wished to test her mettle and prepare her for the harshness of court.” The Septon had written in his memoirs.

But even then, this supposed affair and cuckolding that is the subject of scandalous novels and mummeries was as fabricated as Prince Aemond calling his late sister ‘the old whore’.

---Archmaester Gyldayn, Fire & Blood, Being a History of the Targaryen Kings of Westeros

He kissed her wrists even though the manacles have been off for a while now.

Once that gesture would have melted her.

Nothing stirs her anymore.

Not even the fear of being discovered by her new handmaids does anything to her.

She had become the voiceless doll to be paraded about as a cautioning tale.

Aemma had kneeled before Alicent, mute and demure to the point the court itself was silent as well when the Queen forgave her of her crimes and announced to all that the child in her womb would be what heals the rifts between them.

She wasn’t given her rights as queen, though.

Alicent would rather die than lose her power, this war showed as much.

Aemma was given a good room in Maegor’s Holdfast, but not the Queen’s rooms that connected to Aegon’s. She was given servants that were well-trained, but reported to her goodmother, all sharp objects were taken away, the mirrors only brought in when needed and only given a week to retreat from society.

“I can stay with you tonight; I know you don’t like sleeping alone.” Aemond said softly as he helped her bathe. Treats her with great care, as if she might shatter if he touches her too firmly.

They are in her bath, him doing everything he could to remind her she has someone to live for and reminding her that he meant it when he said he loved her.

Aemond has been made regent, wears the crown better than Aegon and if it had not happened at cost of nearly a thousand people, she would given him a sign that she found his words amusing.

Orwyle has seen to her, said her humors has become even more unbalanced and yet shot down any talk of leeching the black bile in her blood.

Hot baths, a special diet that limited animal meats and exercise were ordered to balance her humors and treat her melancholia.

This was added to all the new care given to her to ensure she has a healthy child.

As healthy as a child can be born to a family famous for its inbreeding, mind you.

All nobles practice it, even Otto Hightower himself married his first cousin on his mother’s side.

Only House Targaryen seems to get the nasty looks over it because they don’t draw the line at closely related cousins and uncles or aunts.

“Once he is dead, all this will be over.” Aemond promised her as if it would make it all better.

All she has done these days is cry. She would like to stop crying and be herself again, but the thing is, she doesn’t know how.

Because every moment reminds her that over three thousand people have died because of her.

And many more will.

News of her and her court being paraded about in chains has fueled the bold instead of making them bend their knees in submission.

Daemon refuses to stand down, as does the North and some of the minor lords.

House Blackwood and Bracken had put aside their differences, if the rumors were to be believed. Dalton Greyjoy said he’d kill Aegon himself and take the Silver Queen as his rock wife as he drank his victory at Faircastle. Alan Tarly in the Reach had begun amassing hedge knights and sellswords in her name. House Frey had begun to charge all known Green Lords double for crossing their bridge citing the smallfolk of the crownlands migrating to the Riverlands en mass.

Too many people willing to die and kill for her.

There is only one way to end this.

Aemma must kill Aegon and end it once and for all.

[naoa-ao3]

Surrounded by Silence

Clint sat alone outside watching a storm front move in. he could feel every now and then when a clap of thunder sounded, the roof under him would shake but he couldn't hear it. He sat silently, the others were below in the tower but he'd gone up to the roof to sit alone. He wasn't in a bad mood or upset about anything in particular. He just wanted to watch the sky.

They had finished a mission and he was tired and worn out. He'd showered, changed and headed up to the roof. He'd taken out his hearing aids and after hours of wearing them he felt strange and oppressed by the silence around him. Still, his ears hurt if he wore them for too long and he needed a break. He sat still and watched the dark clouds move towards the city in the distance. As a kid he'd been able to count the distance between thunder and lightning but the storm wasn't close enough to truly feel the vibrations and he wasn't able to hear it. He tried a few times before giving up.

He sat still and silent, letting the wind lift his hair. Feeling it but not hearing it. He wondered if it had sound. He felt it against his cheek and almost thought he could hear the absence of sound. He sat still, letting it ripple his shirt and send goose bumps down his arms. It wasn't really cold but the wind had an edge to it that was enjoyable. The humidity was high and the air was sticky. As always when he took his hearing aids out he felt alert and on edge. Somehow he always felt strained when he engulfed himself in silence.

He sighed and felt the air leave his lungs, felt his chest expand and his rib cage move but did not hear the whisper of breath that accompanied it. It had been strange losing his hearing all over again. It had taken him some time to get back into the groove of things. He hated wearing hearing aids again. They made his ears hurt and he hated the white noise that came with them. Tony had seized the chance to make a pair of what he called "the Greatest Hearing Aids on Earth" Clint had said that was a dumb name but Tony had been off. He'd gone on to say if they worked well enough he'd market a line. Condense the name to "Stark-Aids". Clint said if he called them that he would never wear them again. But the truth was that Tony had done a magnificent job and he was incredibly grateful but sometimes he didn't want to wear them. They weren't perfect and they didn't make everything clear. He still had trouble hearing and understanding what he was hearing. That was another problem. But they were the best he had ever had and he was glad of that.

The others had picked up some sign language for him. Tony learned it over night and of course Natasha had been able to communicate from the beginning. She never ceased to amaze him. Bruce had been a quick learner too although Clint hadn't demanded that they learn. If anything he was a little touched by their willingness.

Tony had asked him if he wanted cochlear implants and he'd thought about it. If anyone could come up with a perfect design it was Tony but in the end he opted not to. He wasn't insulted by Tony asking him. It was a valid question but his hearing had come back once, he was holding out for hope that it would again and if it did he didn't want to mess with anything serious. Tony hadn't understood but then he hadn't expected him to. Tony was a guy who believed with enough time tech could fix everything. It wasn't a personal or deep misunderstanding. It was just Tony. He wasn't bothered.

Steve had been a little slower in learning sign language and maybe because of that he'd gone the extra mile. In some ways it was a little too much, everyone being accommodating and going out of their way but he was grateful.

A crash of thunder he could feel in the air and he almost imagined he could hear it. He thought maybe he was hearing a memory. That was a good chance. It was strange to know it should have sound but didn't. Strange to know what that sound was and to wait for it but not hear it. That was another thing. He always felt like he was waiting.

A shadow fell to his left and he studied it. It was Natasha, it had to be. He held still, wanting her to know that he knew she was there. She came up behind him and touched his shoulder gently. She said something and he just gave her a simple frown and shook his head. She nodded and brushed a hand through his hair, leaning her head on his shoulder. He sometimes had trouble reading her lips. She didn't move her moth a lot when she talked. She was too in control. Still she came and sat down next to him. He thought maybe she was indulging in silence. He could respect that. Hearing took work for him now. Sometimes it was just easier not to hear. He sat still, her body against his. He could feel her heart beat in her chest. He wondered if he had his hearing if he might be able to feel it. He could remember what it sounded like. He tried to focus on the sound in his head. Pretend he could really feel it.

Sometimes he felt alone. Alone without the comfort of sound. Like he was missing things and that always frustrated him. People already thought he was a bit dim. But how could you compete with people like Bruce and Tony? When he missed things he felt dumb. Nobody ever commented but he thought that maybe he was hindering them. That if he asked them to repeat a joke it wasn't as funny. Still no one complained and maybe it was all in his head.

He touched Natasha's hair and she looked up at him. He shrugged to say that there was nothing to say and she looked back out across the city. He followed her gaze to the clouds moving in. he didn't like to think of the heroes still out there. They would be caught in the rain. He knew Daredevil never took a night off. Guy was human but liked to forget. Clint wasn't like that. Maybe he lacked the discipline. Maybe it came from being on a team with people who weren't human. He was reminded every day.

He clenched and unclenched his fist, cracking the knuckles silently. Well, not really but to him they were silent. He worked on one, not sure if it had really popped until his finger hurt. Natasha took his fingers and rubbed them, squeezing them affectionately before rising to her feet. She signed that she was going in and he said aloud that he would stay up for a little bit. He wondered how his voice sounded. Wondered if it sounded different or the same. How loud it was. If anything was off she didn't show and with a smile she turned and went.

He looked out, the storm was nearer. The air was getting colder. He shivered a little, feeling the spark of electric life that hit when he was cold or hungry. A shock that ran down his spine and into his feet. So strange to be surrounded by silence. Four walls of it. A room and a ceiling. Oppressive and heavy, just like the air was.

He clapped his hands and sighed when he could only hear the memory of the sound. Sometimes that was worse because he couldn't be sure and he wanted to believe. The memory teased him. He swiped at the air and made an incoherent noise. Just a sound. The odd feeling of feeling his vocal cords work and of feeling his chest push air out and the sound pass his lips but not hearing it. He wondered if it hung in the air in front of him. He could imagine it. He could imagine the sound even if he couldn't hear it.

When the wind picked up and the first few drops of water began to fall he went inside. Tony and Steve were bickering in the kitchen. He was glad he couldn't hear that. He could see them arguing but gratefully couldn't hear them. When he was sure one of them was calling out to him he pretended he hadn't noticed and hurried by before they made a more direct approach at getting him in.

He passed Bruce on the couch who signed asking him if it was raining. He nodded. That was the funny thing. He could talk to them but they couldn't speak to him. He seldom thought about it though. It didn't seem important and was just the way things were. Bruce frowned and glanced out the window, squinting, trying to see the sprinkling rain.

Clint sat down and turned on the tv. Volume on mute and captions on. He watched the forecast and groaned. Rain all week.

He glanced at the kitchen. Weather didn't matter to Cap. The day needed saving and wet weather wasn't going to stop them. He hated working in the rain. He glanced at Bruce who was watching the television too. "Great weather." He muttered.

Bruce rolled his eyes in agreement with a "what can you do?" expression.

Natasha re entered the living room and without asking switched the channel to a program she wanted. Clint didn't mind, he was done with the tv anyway.

Outside the thunder cracked and the rain began to pour in earnest and Clint missed the sound of the rain. But for now, as in most days, it didn't matter. He had Natasha resting against his shoulder and an interesting program on tv and for once he didn't have to listen to the bickering in the kitchen. He smiled a little at the thought and put his arm around her.

[valeriefauxnom]

i just caught up to your post canon dragalia fic in one day and hollyy shit dude. i am on the edge of my seat!!!! its so enjoying and well versed and i cannot wait for the next chapter

Ahhh! I always am ecstatic to hear reviews or even just random thoughts of any kind regarding my work, but hearing people like my work on Scaling enough to binge it is even crazier! I will forever be more and more amazed people have done that as the length increases, like don't they say an average novel is like about 50k words?? That would mean you've just binged 3 novels of my crazy assortment of thoughts on a possible post game scenario for a dead game in 1 day, which is nuts!

With Scaling in particular having such long chapters I worry sometimes that I'm getting a bit too lost in all my thoughts for it and getting too wordy, so it's always nice to see people are still enjoying it after it has grown increasingly complex, even if we are starting to get closer to a more definitive break in the case, were it a proper mystery novel.

You're the first person to send anything on Tumblr about it (or anything in general really), too, so this message is precious in another way! I'm always glad to field questions (though of course would shy away from spoiling my own works) or explain more about why x decision was made because boy I think I should just make 'overthinking' my hallmark at this point!

As a treat for how much this makes my week, here's a little snippet of a dragalia fic in progress that will probably be a long time in the making yet if it ever does see the light of day on AO3 properly, (so I don't get distracted by yet another thing instead of working on Scaling and/or finishing Control). It's a tentative collection solely based around the concept of the siblings finding out just how weird the Halidom is, especially Leonidas and Chelle since he was in charge of it for all that time and she's always poking about for info.

---

But when he looked back up to the expenses log, all the expenses listed were sky-high as well. The food expense, dragon expenses, aid expense, equipment expense, everything was all exceedingly high for such a small nation (as they should be, given what he knew about Euden’s governance). But to still draw a profit if expenses weren’t being understated meant an even more ridiculous income. 

Sure enough, the few categories under income were even more egregious. Tax revenue was relatively moderate, but other revenue sources like ‘precious gems/mining products’, ‘gifts’ and ‘tourism income’ were far, far beyond what was rational in a kingdom engaged in war for its entire history. 

Just as he was about to start demanding explanations for the inflated income, he spotted yet another egregious, incomprehensible bit to the income column. “Pipple?” He said, almost hostile, “What exactly is a pipple, and why is it on the income statement, let alone for such riches it is supposedly bringing in? No, no, I think I understand now.” Not waiting for an answer, Leonidas began to speculate. He’d never heard of anything sounding like ‘pipple’ before, and Leonidas boasted quite the vocabulary as crown prince. He was expected to have a suitably verbose and eloquent bank of words with which to communicate with foreign heads of state and domestic nobility alike. That meant this was likely something of a new invention in language.

A new invention, and something that brings in exorbitant funds…something very well hidden, if Chelle did not report on its trade or presence in a service business when we made joint moves on the Halidom, and it’s that sizable of an industry in New Alberia…Ah. 

Quite devious of you, brother. I never expected for you to become so involved with such a shady industry, but it explains a great deal of their surprising shadow wealth.

There was only one thing this ‘Pipple’ could be: some sort of newfangled illicit drug his brother was putting to market as a supplier, raking in rupies hand over fist as people learned the effects of whatever potent cocktail this Pipple was composed of.

Desperate times called for desperate measures, and a new nation in war against a vastly more powerful, established land was desperate indeed.

---

So yeah, thank you again for your message! Not to toot my own horn too much, but if you're eager for maybe a bit more dragalia fic from me as you wait, I've got another fic up on AO3, though it's not connected with Scaling or even canon in general as a bad-end au what if! It's also likely not quite as polished, being written in like 2 days, but hey I'm just too happy about the two artworks my best friend made for it and now am legally obligated to try and show the art off at any given moment!