#Innovative Automatic watches

[radioves]

its quite shrimple actually

[rosaacicularis]

which was more culturally significant, the renaissance or hermitgang

[amitgopal390]

Ghadi : समय के संवाहक के आविष्कार की कहानी

समय के संवाहक: घड़ी के आविष्कार की कहानी Ghadi – समय को मापने और प्रदर्शित करने के लिए उपयोगी उपकरण। यह एक सामान्य घरेलू उपकरण से लेकर विशेष और उन्नत घड़ियों तक कई रूपों में उपलब्ध है। इसके अलावा, आपको स्मार्टवॉच के रूप में भी उपयोगी फीचर्स और टेक्नोलॉजी देखने को मिलती ��ै। इस लेख में, हम घड़ी के आविष्कार, आविष्कारक, प्रकार, इतिहास, महंगी घड़ियों के बारे में रोचक जानकारी और समय को व्यवस्थित रखने…

[paused-waterfall]

I wanna make a bold claim: QSMP's greatest innovation as an international server wasn't the live translation, nor the cultural events, nor the multilingual eggs and NPCs.

It was fofoca.

The other tools in the translation toolkit were all crucial, and maybe novel for a Minecraft SMP, but they're not quite novel in the larger streaming space. But the gossip. The fofoca was something truly incredible.

Cause translations are always gonna have gaps. Automatic translations have many errors. Meticulous human-made subtitles can be misread by audience members who are trying to split focus between the subtitles and the rest of the visuals. And even if dialogue is completely dubbed over in another language, cultural context can be missed.

This all sets up a lot of hurdles for viewers who want to watch a streamer whose language they don't know. It's so easy for vital bits of information to bounce off the language barrier, and cause a viewer to lose the plot. And good luck figuring out what you missed from chat or wikis.

But on QSMP there was a glorious fallback for any viewer confusion, and that fallback was fofoca. At its peak, almost every QSMP stream involved one interlude where some other nosey islander would show up and pester the streamer for gossip. And much of the time, these gossip sessions were multilingual. This meant that viewers got regular summaries of important events that were actively tailored to be understandable across languages. Confusing or mistranslated concepts had immediate feedback, allowing for immediate clarification. And none of it felt like a forced concession to international viewers, because it happened in character.

Fofoca wasn't just a running joke, Fofoca was glue that kept the server together during quite a wild year.

[dgrailwar]

Round 10, Day 2 - Team Avenger vs. Team Gunner

There was a flare of magical energy, as a burning figure shot in through the shattered window of the industrial building.

With one smooth slash, the Avenger sent the Gunner careening out the window, the samurai spinning in the air before crashing on a rooftop. The Gunner stumbled up to his feet, before pulling out his shamisen.

"Avenger, huh? No reason to be stingy with ammo, then! Proto-Arahabaki, go!"

A barrage of gunshots erupted from the head of the instrument, the Avenger having to dodge and weave through them. A final beam, from a cannon manifesting next to the Gunner erupted in a violent blast, before the Gunner reached into his robes, pulling out a small bottle and lobbing it towards the Avenger, watching as it made contact.

Ice- a freezing agent sprayed out from it. Intense cold washed over the Count, as he waved his flaming sword, the frost instantly evaporating. He pointed the flame blade at the samurai, sneering.

"Gunner! We meet again! And this time, you have neither the cover of the forest, nor your mechanical army to assist you! Today, you face the might of the Avenger by yourself! As one man! I wish to see your resolve, gunman!"

"A lot of talk... 'one man'… don't you know who I am? Forget True Names, I'm a revolutionary! A nobleman like you stuck in the past, that thinks the whole world is his to command-- get with the times! The future is now! And the future will send you to Hell, Avenger!"

"Hahaha… Hahahaha-- KUHAHAHAHAHA!!"

"Imperial Edict. Wage war.": Boosts and demerits will be doubled for the upcoming round, as part of the Imperial Edict!

If someone wins with greater than 15%, they do double-damage!

The Count of Monte Cristo: 6 x 2 (12%)

Takasugi Shinsaku: 5 x 2 (10%)

SERVANT DETAILS:

The Count of Monte Cristo (AVENGER)

HP: 2/3

Avenger has a +3% boost to his skills as long as he's wounded!

Avenger has a permanent +2% boost against Alter-Ego thanks to his Class Trait!

Team Avenger has all 3 Command Spells remaining!

Determination of Steel (EX Rank) - If Avenger is about to take a fatal wound, if there's at least a 3% difference in their score and the victor above him, he may avoid damage. When facing a single-target (1-on-1), he will gain a +3% boost.

Monte Cristo Mythologie: The King of the Cavern (C Rank) - When battling enemies, his flames are like a poison. He reduces demerits against him by 3%, and when he is victorious against another, he inflicts a -2% demerit for their next round. This demerit increases by 2% by every 10% difference in scores.

Wisdom of Predicament (A Rank) - When engaged in a Free-for-All, gain a +3% boost. Additionally, if Avenger earns last place, both the victor and the 2nd place Servant gain a -2% demerit, rather than simply the 2nd place Servant.

Due to observing Alter-Ego's technique, he gains a +2% bonus against her!

Class-Traits:

AVENGER-CLASS Servants are vengeful by nature. The first time they are defeated by a Servant, they gain an automatic +2% bonus against that specific Servant, without needing to study them (but can in order to increase the bonus). They gain a permanent +3% bonus per wound they attain that will remain if the wound remains, but will disappear if the wound is healed.

Takasugi Shinsaku (GUNNER)

SERVANT DETAILS:

HP: 2/3

Team Gunner only has 1 Command Spell remaining!

Unconventional Child Prodigy (A Rank) - When fighting someone with a higher boost than Gunner, gain +2%.

Innovate - Armaments Reformation (B Rank) - Defeating a Servant once will net special 'components' from them. When at least 4 of those 'components' are gathered, a secondary Noble Phantasm will be unlocked. If 6 are gathered, then the utility and power of 'Kiheitai' will be upgraded.

Current Components: N/A

(Winning first place in a Free-for-All will count for gathering 2 components- one for each Servant beneath you).

Retaining the Japanese Spirit (A Rank) - When Gunner is about to take a fatal blow and the difference between scores is less than 5%, survive with one 'health' remaining. If this is triggered, replace the effect of this skill to instead grant him a persistent +2% bonus that cannot be reduced or removed.

Due to observing Alter-Ego's technique, he gains a +2% bonus against her!

Due to studying Foreigner's technique, you have a permanent +2% bonus against him!

-

Class-Trait:

GUNNER-Class Servants are quick to action and yet methodical with their attacks. When engaged in combat, gain a +3% boost. Additionally, if in last place during a Free-for-All, inflict a -4% demerit on the 1st place Servant.

[elysiansparadise]

Hello~~

I recently was going through your planet masterlist, specifically uranus, and I noticed you didn't have one for the 11th house.

So I was wondering if you could do a post on your thoughts on uranus in the 11th house?

Hello love! Sure, I can share my thoughts about this placement. 💙

Uranus in the 11th house

These natives are constantly thinking about the future, have a wide diversity of aspirations, and are very likely to be the kind of people with many different interests. These natives may find themselves constantly against those ideals rooted in the past, they are against concepts such as gender roles or the idea that if you are younger than someone you automatically have to respect and accept that they are right. From a very young age they work on developing their own criteria and mentality, it’s worth mentioning that they are people who do not easily get carried away by what their peers or people around them do. Ironically, they can even without realizing it be major influences on the lives of others and their lifestyles. They can become prominent and well-known either professionally or socially, so if they aspire to a career that involves contact with the public, it is likely that they will easily gain recognition. Although many of these people need their own space to enjoy their independence, they highly value friendship and give it a very important place in their lives. They are not the kind of people to desperately seek the company of others, but when they meet someone to call their friends, they are quite nice and encouraging towards them.

Since I mention the topic of friendship, here we find natives who will never try to exercise control over their friends, much less check what they do all the time. They are not consuming friends and enjoy watching their friends grow. In their social relationships, they are prudent and understanding. It is very likely that in environments such as school they could feel excluded, but this placement tells us about someone who can make friends both unexpectedly and in places or environments in which they did not imagine. Many of them are creative and inventive, their personality is authentic and they hate pretending to be someone they are not just to fit in. They can stand out for their way of thinking and their courage to speak their minds. They are very rational people while having a curious mind that loves to learn new things and different perspectives. They have a high amount of empathy and a strong sense of altruism, and it is not limited only to people they consider friends, as they like the idea of ​​helping people in need regardless of whether they know them or not. These people may have an interest in inventions, technology or electronic devices. Likewise, it is possible that they can forge very positive friendships on the internet. This placement increases the chances of success when it comes to working on things related to the internet.

Many of these people can easily introduce people to new ideas and concepts on a topic, they like to innovate when it comes to topics that they are passionate about. For many of them success is important, although they may have a different view of success compared to what other people see it as. Independence is a very important concept for them, they like to do things their own way and from a young age they will reject others placing expectations on them and, in turn, they will try to never expect things from people. They are not the type to want to change people, because if they don't want you as a friend they will only distance themselves from you. Once they define that they want you in their lives, they will appreciate you completely. Many of them probably take their time to open up emotionally to people, especially potential friends. This house also speaks of earnings through work; it is very likely that many of these natives aspire to jobs where they are their own bosses, jobs that are unusual or related to science, technology, or the internet. They may have diverse incomes, constantly change jobs or, if Uranus is making tense aspects, have somewhat unstable income.

-> Go back to the masterlist

[redmyeyes]

Hey Red! It's Tim's watch anon again! So, I think I've found it ahgairgairtgiart. I went down a hole and did a reverse image search on Google lmao. Prepare for some infodumping!

I really think it's either a Timex self-wind watch like this one https://cdn.watchcharts.com/listings/eb578671-c4fa-46e1-8d77-0ddfccfa4714.jpg or a Timex automatic watch like this one https://www.watchrepairtalk.com/uploads/monthly_2020_05/20200331_104721.jpg.f1f0b0e48234c80ce990c78230b6f557.jpg based on how the numbers alternate with the dashes. Apparently, the Timex watch was released in 1950. I'll bet Tim either treated himself to a new watch as a college graduation present in 1951/52 or it was gifted to him by his grandmother. Or his dad. (Unrelated, I really want to know about Tim's relationship with his dad.)

According to an article I found online (because I'm a fucking nerd), "the Timex watch would be the cheapest watch on the market, thanks to clever manufacturing practices and those wartime innovations". I really think this fits in with Tim's background because he wouldn't want some big, gaudy watch that looked good. He would want something that's practical and will last him a long time. (Also, the article says the Timex watch “takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” Is that not Tim?)

Also, in the article, which is here https://www.heddels.com/2019/08/cheap-tick-history-timex-watches/ in case you want to read it, there's a picture of a watch that's just like Hawk's. Imagine if they got to have matching watches if things had gone differently. Wow.

Which brings me to Hawk's watch! artgiartaoirtoart. Considering we saw it close up when he was practicing for the polygraph, it was an easy find. He had a Bulova military automatic watch https://www.ebay.com/itm/185976377415. Apparently, it wasn't the Most Expensive Brand™ but it supplied wristwatches as "official gear" to the American troops during World War 2. So. Specifically, it's called a "Hack" watch, which is a "reference to the hacking seconds function that permitted soldiers to synchronize their watches for coordinated timekeeping on missions." If that isn't Hawkins Fuller in a personal possession, I don't know what is.

Anyways, this was fun aortiotairotirot. I feel like I have a peace of mind knowing what their watches are? Lmao. I may need to go track down Tim's 70s watch. Watch this space.

anon, I LOVE YOU. and i am madly impressed with your research skills (coming from a research librarian, lol)

(re-posting the images here so everyone can see)

anon, you found it, it's perfect!!! and i love the self-wind option for tim, i think he would've loved the self-discipline of it. also really love the idea that it was a college graduation present. (something something tim wearing gifts from the people he loves). you're right though, it suits tim so well -- simple, elegant, functional, long-lasting.

and hawk's!

"Hawkins Fuller in a personal possession" lmao, you're so right. the costume/props department did such an amazing job on both of them!

-

"Imagine if they got to have matching watches if things had gone differently. Wow."

anon, this is my new headcanon. they lived every day of their lives together, and when tim's old watch finally broke, hawk persuaded Tim to let him buy them both matching new ones. more proof (without rings) that they belong to each other. <3

[timetrek24]

🇺🇲 Explore the Fascinating Fusion of Timekeeping and Communication: Unveiling the Pioneering Motorola and Timex Wristwatch-Pagers that Revolutionized Wearable Technology in the 1990s.

🤝 In 1990, Motorola Inc. made its first attempt to enter the market of electronic wristwatches with a built-in pager (similar devices at the same time were already produced by the Japanese companies Seiko and Casio). The device was called "Motorola Wrist Wach Pager". Since 1991, further production of the devices has been carried out jointly with the Timex Group Corporation under the name "The Timex Tracer Wrist Watch Pager".

👉 Since 1998, further development of the line of electronic watches with the participation of Motorola Inc. and Timex Group was associated with the high-tech "Timex Beepwear Datalink" series. These devices also continued the concept of wristwatch-pagers, but with the integration of the well-known Datalink data transmission platform, which integrates with desktop computer software.

➡️ The Datalink line was introduced in 1994 and was developed in conjunction with Microsoft Corporation as an alternative to conventional PDAs with added attributes such as water resistance and ease of programming. Taken together, all this made it possible to use the “Beepwear Datalink” watch as a full-fledged electronic organizer.

📟 The Beepwear Pager Watch epitomized the convergence of traditional wristwatches with cutting-edge communication capabilities. Introduced in the late 1990s, this innovative device redefined the concept of wearable tech, offering users unparalleled convenience and connectivity on the go.

📞 Equipped with pager functionality, the Beepwear Pager Watch allowed users to receive important notifications and messages directly on their wrist, eliminating the need for separate communication devices. With its sleek and compact design, it seamlessly integrated into everyday life, providing instant access to critical information wherever you went.

⌚️ Beyond its communication features, the Beepwear Pager Watch retained the timeless appeal of a classic timepiece, boasting a stylish and durable design that stood the test of time. With its reliable quartz movement and rugged construction, it was built to withstand the rigors of daily wear, ensuring longevity and reliability for its users.

⚙️ The "Beepware" series, as a joint product of the efforts of Timex Group and Motorola Inc. was patented, and the production of the devices was carried out by the newly created joint company "Beepwear Paging Products". The clock operated in the 900 MHz band. FLEX time was also used, which, if supported by the operator, could synchronize the clock time with the network time, and also automatically adjust to the owner's time zone.

🚀 The launch of the Timex Motorola Beepwear Pager Watch marked a significant milestone in the evolution of wearable technology, showcasing the potential for seamless integration of communication and timekeeping functions in a single device. As one of the pioneering products in this category, it paved the way for future innovations in the wearable tech industry, inspiring a new generation of smartwatches and wearable devices.

💔 However, already in 2002, Motorola Inc. was forced to carry out internal restructuring, including ceasing production and support of its own pagers.

💫 Today, the legacy of the Timex Motorola Beepwear Pager Watch lives on, remembered as a trailblazer in the realm of wearable technology. While newer devices may offer more advanced features, the Beepwear Pager Watch remains a symbol of innovation and ingenuity, reminding us of the transformative power of technology in shaping our lives.

[stricklandvintagewatches]

In 1927, Isidore Ditesheim invented a unique mechanism for the watch known as 'Non-Stop,' which wound the movement when the case was opened and closed, eliminating the need for manual winding. This innovation contributed to the Ermeto winning the grand prize at the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition. By 1930, Huguenin Frères had introduced another patent for an automatic strut that deployed when the case was opened.

This work of tactile art and horological history was available in various metal cases (platinum, gold, silver, vermeil, steel) with finishes like lacquer, niello, enamel, and guilloché enamel. Although the case shape remained consistent, the style of dials and hands evolved, helping to date specific pieces. It could be used with or without a chain and often featured a folding strut to serve as a travel clock.

Notable owners included Pope Pius XI, King Albert I of Belgium, King Edward VIII, Clara Bow, Andy Warhol (who owned at least six), and His Majesty King Charles III, whose Ermeto was stolen and later returned in 1994. It’s also said that an early model was presented to Albert Einstein. 

We’re pleased to offer this Movado Ermeto in exotic skin over steel; offered in its own custom-fitted, velvet-lined maple presentation box. Circa 1930s.

[starilicious]

mere haath mein (echo x gn!reader)

》 summary: reader and echo's love story from strangers to friends to lovers throughout the clone wars (a 4+1 type of story)

》 series masterlist: (please read the masterlist before continuing on!)

part 1 📍 (you are here!) | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 4.5.1 | part 4.5.2 | part +1

click here to read on AO3

》 part 1 word count: ~1.5k

》 part 1 warnings: none

》 part 1 spoilers: none

》 a/n: i really hope you enjoy! please let me know what you think ^_^

१ (1)

The first time you see him, you’re stationed with the 501st, responsible as the head engineer to manage your team and keep repairs going as fast as possible. As an engineer, you automatically hold a higher rank thanks to your formal education and experience in inventing. Mechanics are those who actually repair the machines you innovate. But you never liked delegating tasks and just watching–you much preferred working alongside your coworkers, getting down and dirty with grease on your face and sweat in your eyelashes. That’s where the real fun of engineering comes in anyway.

Currently, you’re trying to mend the high-pressure shaft of a turbofan engine. Space debris and well-timed blaster bolts during a rough battle completely tore apart the interior, forcing you to have to get inside the tight space of the engine in order to remove the old shaft and replace it with a new one.

Because the job is so complicated, you decide to lighten the load on your team–with the amount of treacherous missions Anakin and Ahsoka take the 501st on, it’s safe to say that you and your fellow mechanics have no shortage of work in repairing the shuttles and fighters they bring back smoking.

Granted, astroengineering isn’t your forte, but you would be damned if you didn’t give your team a break. You let them all retire to their rooms early this evening, forcing them to get some much needed rest despite their protests. But your favorite coworker refused to leave you alone, insisting he should stay to help you out. In actuality, you appreciate the help.

“Prauf! Hand me that plasma cutter, would you? This piece just will not come out,” you call out to your friend as you attempt to pry out a piece wedged into a corner. It’s annoying to have such little space to move–there’s only enough room for the upper half of your body to fit, leaving your legs hanging precariously out of the turbofan. Your hot breath from the exertion makes the ludicrously small space steamy and suffocating.

You grunt as you continue pulling, waiting for Prauf to hand you the piece, but it’s no use. Stupid thing won’t move!

“Prauf? Come on, I don’t have all day,” you holler as you grab a servodriver from your toolbelt, shoving it in a crack between the debris and the shaft. Maybe some torque will help?

But alas, the pesky little piece just won’t move. You sigh in frustration and move your legs around blindly, trying to kick the elder Abednedo lightly to bring his attention back to the present. Maker knows he loves to daydream. But you’re exhausted and don’t have the patience to spare.

“Stars Prauf, are you drooling over Sonia again? It might work better if you actually go up to her rather than just stare at her” you laugh as you continue trying to find him with your legs. But your smile dies away when you hear no response and can’t find purchase on his clothing with your feet. Even though you’re both bone-tired and about to drop dead from exhaustion, you know Prauf would answer you back.

Perhaps he is just getting you the tool you requested? But then he would have said he was getting it…

Fatigued, you wiggle your way out of the turbofan, accidentally banging your head hard against the durasteel of the fan. A sounding hum vibrates its way through the rest of the metal of the fan as you groan in pain.

“Owww,” you mutter, holding your head in your hands as you finally shimmy out into the open space of the hanger and drop down a good five feet to the ground when your feet miss the ladder. I am going to kill Prauf.

“Did it hurt?”

You look up to see two clones standing over you, the one on the left with a blue hand painted on his armor looking worried while the other with a ‘5’ tattooed on his temple looking amused. Prauf is nowhere to be seen.

Your head is still throbbing and now your ass is killing you because of your fall. Not to mention the pain in your legs from landing on the ground so hard. “Pardon?”

“Did it hurt?” ‘5’ repeats, a slight smirk on his face as he holds out a hand to help you up. You accept it, your other hand still holding your head as you stumble upright. The sleep deprivation is really starting to catch up to you, you realize, as you process what the clone says after.

“When you fell from heaven?”

You stare at him for a few seconds in shock. ‘5’ doesn’t let up with his smile and you burst out laughing, doubling over from the complete surprise at the fact that this man actually used the cheesiest pick-up line you have ever heard in your life.

‘5’ and ‘Blue Hand’ look at each other in slight confusion, clearly not expecting your reaction. ‘Blue Hand’ looks a bit concerned.

“I-I’m sorry,” you choke out, pain dulling in light of your heavy laughter as you try to breathe. “It’s not even that funny but I really just cannot believe you said that out loud.”

‘Blue Hand’ snickers, elbowing ‘5’ who looks a bit offended. But he humors you anyway.

“Well, what can I say, my mind short circuits when I see a beautiful person like you,” he grins and you shake your head fondly as your pulsating pain fades a bit. You can’t tell if the use of an engineering pick-up line is better or worse.

“I’m going to take your word for that,” you say instead, biting back a smile. ‘Blue Hand’ shakes his head in response.

“Trust me, that’s a bad idea. If Fives gets any encouragement, he’s gonna stick to you like glue,” he teases and Fives lightly punches his friend’s arm in retaliation. Fives. So that’s his name. It makes sense–he literally has the number 5 on him. (Your brain is really not working at full capacity at the moment.)

“But on a more serious note: are you hurt? You had quite the tumble there,” ‘Blue Hand’ continues, reaching out and placing a hand on your arm to steady you as you almost trip over your overturned box of tools on the ground.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine, thanks. Everything is sore from pain and I’m running on six cups of caf, but it’s nothing I can’t handle,” you shrug as you bend down to pick up your things. In truth, your face is flaming with heat, embarrassed at your clumsiness. Prauf truly picked the worst time to leave you alone. Being half way to loopytown with pain and no sleep is hitting you much harder than you thought it would.

Both men crouch down with you, setting their helmets aside as they help you gather the various tools.

“Six cups? Sounds like you need some rest, trooper,” Fives jokes and you can’t help but chuckle.

“What can I say, anything for the Republic! I’m fighting my own war here against the machines,” you beam, pretending to punch the air with the shears and spanner currently in your hands.

The clones laugh as you start sorting through the tools you’ll need to take up with you back into that damned shaft.

“Do you need some help? I know it’s two standard hours past midnight, but Echo and I have some time to kill before we have to head to the barracks,” Fives offers, once again holding out a hand to help you up. You pick up on Fives’ underlying message as you register the other’s name. Echo. Hm, interesting. You vaguely wonder how he got the name.

You glance at both of them, observing them closely. Despite the caring smiles on their faces, you know exhaustion when you see it. Hell, you’re very much feeling it yourself right now. Their help is a tempting proposal.

“Thanks boys, but I think I’ll pass. I’ve got to get this done fast before the mission tomorrow. Can’t rest when duty calls!” you say with a tired smile as you set up your fallen ladder, making sure it’s secured so it doesn’t tip over again. You doubt your body can handle another fall like that.

“You sure? We don’t mind. I promise we know more about engineering than we let on,” Echo responds kindly and with humor, gazing at you as you begin climbing.

“I don't doubt that, but I'm sure. The mission reports today were pretty intense. You guys did a lot of work out there–you should get some shuteye,” you affirm warmly when you reach the top.

The men look at each other again, an unspoken message being passed in between them. Do they have some sort of secret brother language?

“Alright then, we’ll go. Remember to dream of me!” Fives calls out, winking. Echo slaps his arm and waves to you. You roll your eyes, but wave back anyway, watching their backs retreat from the area. Your heart pangs in… something. You elect to ignore the surfacing emotion, squashing it back down when Prauf (the little kriffer) finally decides to grace you with his presence.

“Astro! I did it! I got a date with her!”

---

part 1 📍 (you are here!) | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 4.5.1 | part 4.5.2 | part +1

please consider reblogging! it really helps me and is super encouraging ^_^

[star-light-shadows]

Okay, so I'm watching Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright, right? I'm only just barely past the point where the multi-witness mechanics are starting to get fleshed out.

Assuming the rest of the game has similar theming to what I'm seeing so far, is it just me, or. . .

Is this game literally just Spirit of Justice but 1000 times better?

Phoenix and Maya are back, but Maya isn't forced into the narrative after a random 8-year hiatus, and Phoenix isn't post-character-assassination. The two already have some of the better writing I've seen from them in the games.

And then once we get to court in Labrynthia, we have a whole foreign society who, put bluntly, is fucking nuts and will put people to hang without a 2nd thought, treating the accused as automatically guilty and defenders as either insane or evil by association.

And additionally, this world literally functions by its own unique ruleset, while also missing many of the technological innovations that investigations in the AA universe have always relied upon, making the setting all that more unique and functionally dynamic.

But on top of that, there's a big deal being made (that I really REALLY hope is continued for the rest of the game) about how the witnesses are getting themselves riled up and warping their own memories of the events because they WANT the accused to burn, highlighting the insane mob mentality going on in this place.

This game is literally everything Spirit of Justice WISHES it was.

[dorokora]

Chapter 15 Episode 6 Part 3

We start with narration about Bael and King Solomon. Bael was once called Baal. A higher being of the former world of Canaan. However, Canaan was destroyed by an attack from Eden, and Baal fell into Gehenna and became known as the demon Bael. Eventually he was summoned to Tokyo. Above the stars, to heights that no one else can reach, he can feel the respect for the person who reached there, King Solomon. He is just a human who Bael serves. A man who was told by his Lord to ``make any wish come true,'' and instead of seeking gold, power, or love, he sought omniscience. In honor of this, the Lord gave him a sacred artifact through Michael, who succeeded his brother as the highest angel. With the knowledge entrusted to him along with the wisdom of Kabbalah, he created a great mechanism made up of 72 familiars. King Solomon's true value lies in his excellence and innovation as a designer of the world system. It is a system that thoroughly reuses those who have fallen from the outside "mechanism" and incorporates them into itself. Furthermore, his reign developed automatically by creating a pecking order based on the dual hierarchy of a good and evil system and making them compete. One of the familiars asked him how he was able to accomplish such a great feat. He simply answered, “Because I saw the future as I was meant to see it.” As the king of men, Solomon rose to a height that no one else could reach. However, no one could explain the king's actions. They had no idea why he was doing it. The people thought that there was no way anyone lower down could understand someone who saw the future and acted based on the results. However, the system worked well. His reign was even compared to the Millennium Kingdom. However, as a man, Solomon was not eternal. He will grow old and the time will come for his body and spirit to perish. The last thing Solomon to complete his role as a human was to went on a journey through memory. He entrusted his "memories" to the vessel of another human being. He let go of his sword and gave it to Arsalan. One by one, he entrusted everything he had to each place he went. And then, Solomon's "memories" as a human, along with the last ring he left behind, flowed to the far reaches of the east. So he entrusted the rest to a part of his tribe, the Mononobe clan, which means ``those who carry things'' and who are the bearers of the records of the Stars. It is said that the Urabe clan (Furufumi’s family), a branch family of the Mononobe, have continued to watch the stars falling from the sky from the ground. Solomon now exists only as a "memory". However, as long as the system he created remains, it will be immortal. As long as the system remains up-to-date and useful, the world will never forget his name. He has entrusted his ``role'' to the descendants of the Mononobe clan, and I have continued to watch the radiance fall.

Back to the present, The Nyarl duo showed up to timeleap MC and Oscar out of the lab. MC was able to reunite with Toji and Maria. Maria says that everyone is rescuing the captured humans with Sanzo in the lead. Thanks to the Nyarl clones multiple people did the same thing as MC. By using the same space jump to jump to the enemy's center and immediately escape repeatedly. There are more than 10 or 20 Nyarlathoteps who came from all over Tokyo. We cut to Sanzo and others as Sanzo used his sacred artifact to release everyone from the future memory brainwashing. While Toji used his saved artifact to free transients from future memories. They still haven’t found Shiro, Kengo, or Ryota yet. The damage from the future transplant rejection seems to be severe but with some rest they should fine.

We cut Uzume as Amaterasu enters the room. Amaterasu ask Uzume if she’s okay. Uzume says she did something unnecessary. Amaterasu tells her it’s fine, even if she did nothing the Entertainers still would’ve gotten involved. Losing the locals was unexpected but fine since they were used as bait to lure MC. We then cut to Bael entering the center after he received instructions from Amaterasu. Bael knows Michael’s group have control over the Rule Makers but that doesn’t mean they’re strong. Michael is a person who guides the people he considers good. However, he believes that it is only natural that those who disobey ``God'' be punished. Amaterasu would also accept sacrifices if it was the best solution overall. Onyankopon is known for his unparalleled love for humans. The rule of this Tokyo ``game'' is that the minority has no place to lead the rules. The only reason they can move the other Rule Makers executives and soldiers like this is because they are in the majority. However, if you do anything that harms the local people, you will lose Onyankopon's support. That's why Michael and Amaterasu can't hurt the locals directly, especially in front of Onyankopon's subordinate who also loves human (Baphomet). Back to Michael, Michael knows that Baphomet works for Onyankopon and can’t use rough methods against Kokopelli who is human in front of them. Kokopelli points his gun at the ceiling and fires and hits a key point. Kokopelli says the will place will collapse soon. If Michael survive, he’ll see him again.

We cut elsewhere to Onyankopon and Daikoku. Daikoku is trying fish for info that will help his revenge. Elsewhere eleswhere, we see Oscar and Raven. Raven knows that Oscar was the one who leak info to Daikoku. Raven knows Daikoku’s plan is to break up the Rule Makers using their memory implants against them. We cut to Bael as he and some others confront the Alliance. He announce himself which shocks some of the other Ars Goetia demons. He says the old "mechanism" is about to disappear and a new "God" will be born to be replace it. Yoshito and Yasuyori are back to fight the Nobumichi and Masashi again this time switching opponents. Battle start.

After battle, we see Yoshito whispering he knows everything about Nobumichi. A simple way of life that always follows the will of the majority. Therefore, he has dedicated himself to being the strongest. But is it okay to live without a purpose, Nobumichi? We cut to Marchosias vs Bael. Bael says he knows about Marchosias. How he’s concerned about his former position as an angel. Marchosias sided with Shaytan during the rebellion and fell to Gahenna along with him. Marchosias says after coming to Tokyo he started to investigate the underworld. He learns that behind the scenes of Tokyo's game is an old organization called "Laboratory", which is said to have disappeared. It is said that they performed many experiments on the local people in Tokyo, including body modification. The former operation of the Prototype Death Game, which pitted the locals against each other using the Sacred Artifact without a "mechanism" for rewinding. It is said that the old management was destroyed by the members of the Otemachi Guild. So Kokopelli, the human half, is also from that same Cult School that Arc is from. But did they really become completely extinct? There are still survivors of the "Laboratory" in the upper floors of that Babel Tower. Just then the Exters rain down on the Future City setting it ablaze.

[utilitycaster]

I do not know a thing abt burrow's end but I must admit I am intrigued by what is up with burrow's end that you are voluntarily writing up a whole 5pg thing abt it

To be fair the piece is about both Burrow's End and Neverafter, and is more generally about how D20's genre experimentation has notably struggled this past year. And, more specifically, my chance to be deservedly salty about how Polygon specifically thinks everything D20 does is untouchably perfect and innovative without asking "does every actual play show need to be innovative" and "is this even innovative, or are we simply dazzled by the Stoned College Student With iMovie-esque editing choices and impossibly labyrinthine and dense lore, much as a baby is when you shake keys in their face," and "hey, is this even good and enjoyable to watch, or do we just see anything Brennan or Aabria do* and hit the Talented Brilliant Incredible Amazing Show Stopping Spectacular Never The Same Totally Unique button automatically, to the point that we have an article claiming the longform actual play podcast Worlds Beyond Number, which to be clear is very good, is innovative, for doing literally what The Adventure Zone, Rusty Quill Gaming, and Not Another D&D Podcast, to name a just few of the heavy hitters in Actual Play Podcasting, have been up to for between five and nine years."

*Work they have done on Critical Role does not apply, possibly because Critical Role does not give them special access; way less droolingly obsequious in their coverage about The Ravening War for that matter while we're at it, which, while not perfect, did not make me sink my head into my hands as I side-eyed my board certification in despair which I think is a pretty low bar to clear.

[blakesuga]

Little Things #2: A Place Further Than the Universe

A short series that I would like to analyze is an anime titled A Place Further Than the Universe. The anime is about a high-school girl named Mari "Kimari" Tamaki who wishes to step outside of her comfort zone and embark on at least one unplanned adventure during her high school years. She later comes across an upperclassman named Shirase who has a hard goal of traveling to Antarctica to find her missing mother who was separated from her expedition crew during a blizzard. On a whim, Shirase asks Kimari if she would like to travel to Antarctica and help her search for her mother. However, she soon discredits the idea after she sees Kimari being reluctant with her answer and eventually turns away. When Kimari is alone she realizes that it is in her best interest to join Shirase on her journey since it is just the sort of opportunity that would finally push her to go out and embark on her “unplanned” journey. With two more girls that they made friends with during the process of going to Antarctica, the four girls were finally able to arrive at their destination and learn of the importance of having a good support system and the courage to defy the impossible.

As an honest critique of the anime, I believed at first that Kimari was foolish for randomly going on a trip with an unknown girl to Antarctica without telling her parents and that Shirase was also delusional for thinking that her mom was still alive in Antarctica after the failed expedition that happened about three or more years ago. I still hold my previous thoughts after watching the anime, but I will say that I admire Kimari’s and Shirase’s ambition and drive to prove their nay-sayers wrong and achieve the unthinkable. In today’s society, people who are like these girls who also have unrealistic dreams are always discouraged from reaching them by the general public because in our eyes we see that it is a waste of time trying to do something unknown. Something new. There are so many risks involved in trying new things and it is inherent to prefer comfort and security. We automatically refuse novel ideals that counter our normal routine in life and ridicule those who claim to be the ones to defy the odds. I feel as though this anime is attempting to teach us that we shouldn’t be scared to face the unknown in pursuit of our goals and that we should live life to the fullest. We shouldn’t be confined within the pre-defined molds of society and instead redefine what an innovative and cultured society should be (albeit let’s also encourage realism in our goals, it will be a shame to waste our lives away on an impractical dream).

[spookyspaghettisundae]

None the Wiser

With walls so white that fluorescent lights made them blinding, Chloe Grant soon started seeing bright spots everywhere. Ghostly echoes danced about her field of vision, around her own reflection in the bulletproof glass surface. Instead of bars, clear windows separated visitors from the inmates in their cells, with thick glass plates reaching from floor to ceiling, and tiny breathing holes that wouldn’t even permit anybody to poke as much as a finger through.

Automatic lights turned on everywhere they wandered. Stern-faced and square-jawed guards kept close watch, sporting glossy body armor, and electric stun batons hooked onto their belts. Doors here never opened to traditional keys, their magnetic locks only yielded to plastic cards with RFID chips. Electric buzzing came muted and quiet from those devices, with tiny red lights turning green, and dim touchscreen interfaces flanking the sides of every cell.

Low ceilings swallowed all echoes and suggested floors upon floors of other tracts, and the overall oppressive atmosphere made it less inviting to say anything than in a church during a sermon.

Though security here was as high as it got, this whole place felt less like a prison, and more like a strange sanitarium, transported from a dark past into an even weirder future.

On the way in, Chloe Grant had half-expected to see a real-life Hannibal Lecter standing inside one of the bright chambers, bound in a straitjacket, goading them to step closer.

Instead, Singh paced back and forth inside his cell. Dark rings underlined his haunted eyes, and every joke the thin man cracked to lighten the mood felt forced.

Grant recognized this brand of despair. Their former colleague was on the brink of a nervous breakdown.

“I’d love to tell you more,” said Doctor Solomon. The corners of his lips twitched with a hint of a smile, like a child who could barely contain himself. “But I believe everything we say here is recorded and gathered, and for the sake of our continued paychecks, I must keep our upcoming innovations confidential.”

The eccentric doctor and lead engineer in their company was doing his best to cheer up Rida Singh. It wasn’t working. Still, Singh’s face featured a brief flash of recognition over Solomon’s noble effort.

Ruiz scratched his five o’clock shadow and nodded. They all knew what Solomon was trying, so Ruiz offered his best attempt towards the same end.

“Can we get you anything in here? Everybody’s being sketchy about visiting times, and rules, and the likes.”

Singh shook his head and coughed.

“No. This place is only temporary anyway. Lawyer said, uh, I’m being transferred to some other facility next. Before the trial, yeah?”

Grant hedged so many unspoken questions for Singh. Why he had pulled the move he had to land himself here, what he had hoped to accomplish, and if he realized that his stunt had effectively gotten Carter killed.

It wasn’t the time nor place. She held her tongue.

She had almost expected Ruiz to pose those questions, anyway given he seemed to have been closer to Carter and Singh and a spy for… another agency? Company? Who knew? Bennett was still digging.

Ruiz was playing it cool. Playing the concerned colleague all the way.

Or maybe he wasn’t even playing at all.

The most convincing liars rarely lied. They drew their confidence from the naked truth, letting deceptions fall unnoticed through the cracks.

She had been watching him for the past days. She had noticed the shake in his hand. At Carter’s funeral, Ruiz had tried to hide the shaking. Not even smoking could do it.

And the man’s eyes had welled with tears at the funeral. His loss appeared profound and honest. Carter and Ruiz had been working closely together for over a year.

Grant’s inner monologue drowned out whatever superficial things the three men were talking about now.

Singh’s eyes wandered her way and she felt pressured to say something again. So she did.

“Whatever you do, don’t say anything without Spencer’s legion of lawyers to sand it down.”

He smirked. Scoffed.

“Man, I am really,” Singh started. Pausing, he ran a hand through his frazzled hair and sighed. “I don’t know, I’m just really disappointed in Spencer. He’s leavin’ me hanging here, man.”

Grant sympathized. With both Singh and Spencer.

The CEO needed to keep the ship running. The lights on, the bills paid, the progress made.

Meanwhile, Singh had only been doing his job, and if things had worked out, he might have been celebrated for his actions. Instead, Carter was dead, the US government’s team had killed the T-Rex and taken its remains, and Singh, their former head of IT, now sat in federal prison, awaiting a trial that could put him in a cell for life.

“Yeah,” she replied. Sighed. She hated that this was the best she could muster in response. “Wish we could do more.”

Singh cracked another feeble smile. He appreciated her own miserable attempt at giving him any shred of courage.

He continued pacing back and forth in his cell.

“Don’t worry old chap,” Doctor Solomon told his junior colleague. Despite the oppressive gloom of this brightly-lit prison, the elderly man beamed. “Chin up. Spencer’s a cold fish when you shine a light on him, but he rewards your loyalty when you least expect it. And speaking of fish, Bernie’s taken care of—I have him in my lab and he’s only being fed the best money could buy.”

Solomon tapped the window between them twice and gave Singh a reassuring nod.

Singh exhaled sharply and he smiled the first honest smile since their arrival.

“Thanks. Owe you one, Doc. Just, uh, don’t do anything funny with Bernie, okay?”

“I would never dream of it,” said Solomon. Then he tilted his head. “Unless you give me consent to experiment on him? See, his species would make him a good specimen for tests relating to the Devonian—”

“No. N. O,” Singh said, spelling out his denial and emitting a nervous chuckle.

None of them were sure when Solomon said things like that.

“In all seriousness,” Ruiz said, “I bet you, Spencer got Bennett and whoever else diggin’ on what really happened out over in Midland. You’ll be out in no time, then the first drink’s on me, amigo.”

Grant wasn’t convinced.

How much did Ruiz know? How much of it was in his hands? Could something he knew set Singh free?

She flashed Singh a smile so feeble that they may as well have been looking into a mirror, rather than through a glass window.

“Stay frosty and see you soon,” she said. A deep breath, and part of her composure returned. She winked at him. “And don’t bite too hard when you get any cake, might just be a file hidden in there.”

His smile widened, replete with warmth.

The three visitors remained quiet on their way out. Down the claustrophobic corridors, past the tiny blinking lights, and doors that only guards could open with their mag-lock keycards. Before long, the trio found themselves back out on the parking lot of the Carrington Federal Correctional Institute.

High fences topped with razor wire surrounded them. Only few other vehicles stood parked on the visitor’s lot.

The shadows of visors concealed the watchful eyes of prison guards, all observing their every move as the trio shuffled about on the parking lot.

The three stopped and stood in silence, all grappling with what to say next, before they inevitably scattered in the winds.

Uncomfortable in this environment, Solomon was first to speak and first to leave. He straightened the collar of his gray jacket. “Oh, well, don’t let any of this eat at you. I’m confident Spencer can pull some strings and get Singh released soon enough. He’ll be back to annoying you on comms before you know it. On a lighter note, I’m excited to share with you the details on our newest achievement. Not here, of course. I’ll see you two back at the office. Bring beverages, the briefing might take a while.”

The head engineer disappeared into his old blue Charger and drove off, leaving Ruiz and Grant behind.

Ruiz was smoking a cigarette, leaning against his motorcycle. Grant hadn’t even noticed him light up his cancer stick.

His eyes narrowed, studying one of the fence’s watchtowers. Like a sharpshooter, observing his mark, staring back at a guard up there. When he spoke, it almost looked like he was talking to the faraway guard, but the words were aimed at Grant.

“Why did you come here, anyway?”

Her heart started pounding like a huge drum. It wasn’t even like she felt caught—the question offended her somehow.

“Excuse me?”

Ruiz took a long drag from his cigarette. “You’re still pretty new to FP. I never figured you and Singh to have been close.”

This left her speechless. He must have known how his words would hit. But why? And why now?

He answered unspoken questions, answering for his offense unprompted. “Sorry. Just curious. Trying to get to know you better. You know what, though? I ain’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. ‘Preciate you’ve been here—been to Carter’s funeral, now, this—good having you… havin’ you on the team.”

Ruiz’s gaze wandered from the watchtower to Grant, locking onto her eyes with a burning stare. He took another drag. His eyes glittered something strange. His model shape looked stunning in this sunlight.

She swept her hair back, stewing on his speech, looking for the right words to counter it with.

“Don’t mention it. Least I can do.” She bit her lip. Maybe the easiest way to keep tabs on him would be to… “I know you offered Singh a drink when he’s out, but how about you offer me one sometime?”

She got into her car while he stood there, staring after her, smoking.

“Careful,” he said. Every syllable billowed out like smoke. “Don’t wanna get us into hot water for fraternizing too closely outside of work.”

Ruiz nodded, as if agreeing with himself on what he had just said. He stood still where he leaned against his motorcycle, posed like the languid statue of a post-modern deity, rivaling famous underwear models in his attractive poise.

She shot back. “Hold them horses cowboy, it’s a just a drink or two.”

His lips curled into a smile. He performed a mock salute with two fingers.

She took off, pulling the car around and driving away.

Grant shot furtive glances in her rearview mirror as she left the prison’s parking lot behind. Ruiz continued staring after her as she drove away. Then he stamped out his cigarette on the Tarmac, mounted his bike, and slipped the black helmet over his head, visor flapped down.

Then, as Grant’s car trailed around the curving road, lines of tall trees swallowed Ruiz and the prison whole.

She had a lot to think about, and she had a long drive ahead of her. Visiting Singh here was quite out of the way, and he would be transferred even farther for the trial.

Things weren’t looking good for Singh, and she wondered if she could get him off the hook… if only she gathered enough evidence on Ruiz’s espionage, and the mystery redhead he worked with—that suspicious suit he had been meeting at the café in Austin.

He had met with that redhead more than once since Grant started following him around. Grant had been stalking Ruiz, always careful not to tip him off to his tail.

She used rentals, taxis, and even set up in any inconspicuous locales where she could watch the roads he frequented throughout the city.

Grant even knew where Ruiz lived now. Downtown, fifth story of an old building that looked fit for gentrification in the near future. She wondered what his place looked like inside.

Endless minutes later, her phone buzzed, piercing the mind fog. Danielle Bennett was calling.

Grant plugged in an earbud and tapped her phone to take the call.

“What’s up, Danielle?” she asked Bennett.

“Where are you? Driving?”

“Mhm. On my way back from visiting Singh in Carrington.”

“Did he—you know what, tell me later. You’ll have to step on the gas, we got another incursion to deal with. The operative C2A is about to go out any minute now.”

Grant clicked her tongue. “Where?”

Bennett’s fingers hammered away at a keyboard with incredible speed.

“Kentucky. Appalachian mountains.”

Grant sighed. “Guess my book needs to wait. Again. I’m on my way.”

Her finger hovered near the button to hang up. More words from Danielle followed, stopping her from pressing it.

“What are you… you know what? Tell me later? Uhm,” Bennett paused for a long beat. More click-clacking at her keyboard followed. “I didn’t just call about the incursion, I, uhm, I got more on… you-know-who.”

She sounded as mousy as she usually looked. Grant knew exactly who Bennett meant.

The redhead Ruiz had been holding his clandestine meetings with.

Grant kept her eyes on the road. Traffic on the highway drifted in slow motion despite her car accelerating. “You sure this is the right channel to talk about it? The walls have ears, and all that?”

Bennett gasped. A frustrated gasp. Grant immediately regretted posing that question.

“Hey, I’m no newbie here. If I don’t want to be seen or heard, then I won’t be seen or heard.”

Grant smiled, stifling a laugh. “Okay, okay. I know. Just… we gotta be careful, okay?”

They still hadn’t informed anybody yet. As far as Grant knew, nobody knew that she and Bennett knew about Ruiz’s espionage on Spencer’s boardroom meeting. Or about the redhead.

“Do you wanna hear it, or not?” Bennett asked.

“Sure thang. Hit me.”

Bennett simmered in another long pause. The furious typing at her keyboard stayed absent for several beats, for so long that Grant almost asked if everything was alright, just before Bennett started hacking away again.

“Her name is Loretta Corsino. She is in no shape or form affiliated with the American government. She’s a consultant in the private sector. Harvard, attorney, squeaky-clean record, can’t find dirt on her anywhere.”

Grant snorted. This surprised her. Another private firm, butting into FP’s business?

It made enough sense. For now. Still, some pieces of the puzzle were missing. Frustratingly so.

“Huh.”

“She works part-time in cybersecurity at a US branch of a British company named Celava Semi-Conductors.”

“Huh,” Grant said again. “So they’re IT?”

“A little bit more than that. Get a load of this,” Bennett said. “They’re kind of a pioneer in the field of high-energy physics, developing new forms of semi-conductors, shielding, and other components for use in nuclear reactors, particle accelerators, and other high-tech projects.”

Grant’s heart started racing again. Celava sounded like competition. A rival for Future Proof. This wasn’t good.

They knew. The had to know what Future Proof was dealing in.

“The plot thickens…”

“No kidding! CEO’s a guy named Malcolm Wright, a real Conan the Barbarian-looking guy in a suit,” Bennett’s typing ceased. Her syllables drawled out as she was reading something off a screen before continuing. “Celava used to be trumpeted by the British government as an example of how their national industry was ‘moving into the future’, but then Wright caused a rift between the government and his company.”

Now, Grant was intrigued. She said nothing. Bennett continued uninterrupted.

“A year ago, there was an accident at Celava’s main research facility. Two scientists died. According to official accounts, there was some kind of explosion of super-heated steam when a faulty valve blew. The families of the two dead scientists there were given generous compensation—and, curiously, made to sign an agreement that both funerals would be held immediately, with closed coffins and no viewing of the bodies.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah. You thinking what I’m thinking? This also sound very cover-uppy to you?”

“Yeah.” They knew. The Anomalies, the dinosaurs from the past, the mutants from the future, and the secret operations to keep these things from the public. “Yeah, they sure as hell know.”

“Good, glad we’re on the same page. You gotta be careful, okay? No telling how deep this rabbit hole really goes. It’s a whole other can of worms if the spy’s working for someone else in the private sector.”

“I know, I—”

“I mean it. I know you know. I know you’re going to tell me that this is the kind of rabbit hole where people disappear and wind up dead, or in closed coffins with no viewing of the bodies. I know you want to tell me to be careful, too. I know.”

“Okay. Yeah, let’s just,” Grant took a deep breath. “Let’s just play it cool, keep our cool. Keep working like we’re none the wiser. I’m starting to think we need to go to Spencer about all this, sooner than later. We, uhm. Speak soon, Danielle, I’m stopping at home before hitting the HQ for airlift. I’ll be a few minutes late.”

“You… call me Dan.”

Grant smiled.

“Okay, Dan. See you soon.”

They hung up.

Half an hour later, Grant pulled into her new driveway. Gravel crunched underneath her sneakers on the short way from the garage to her front door. The fresh coat of paint looked good.

It was a nice place.

Even with all the cardboard boxes inside, cluttering the entrance foyer, and the living room, and the kitchen, and the—

The doorbell rang. It startled her. She froze, heart racing again, in the middle of packing a bag to exchange her laundry at Future Proof’s city HQ. Just as she zipped up her duffel bag, the doorbell rang a second time.

A shadow awaited her outside. Still, calm, and looming, the tiny windows obscured everything about her visitor but the shadow.

She opened the front door.

The shadow turned out to have been Ruiz. He was standing out there.

Ruiz thumbed his lip as their gazes met.

How did he know where she lived?

“Hey,” he said. Husky, smoky, and stern. “I needed to see you. Speak to you. It’s urgent.”

What? About what? How—

She almost voiced her doubts unfiltered, then found her cool, thinking back to what she had told Danielle earlier—to keep their cool. “Is this about the incursion, or about the drink?”

Ruiz smirked. His eyes glittered something strange again. Flashing with something seductive.

“No. Getting to HQ for the job needs to wait, too. I need to speak to you. Alone.”

Taken off-guard, Grant rubbed the back of her neck, and considered her options.

He gave her no space to think.

“Can I come inside? Talk in there?”

“It’s… quite a mess. I’m still moving in,” she fired back.

“I ain’t fussy,” he said. His eyes flashed again. Narrowed. Drilling into her, scanning her up and down.

Did he know? Did he know what they knew?

“Okay, sure. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya. Let’s chat.” She stepped aside and invited him in with a sweeping gesture.

He stepped inside, swerving past the stacks of cardboard boxes, looking for a place to talk.

Grant licked her lips.

Her gun was upstairs.

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

In The Style, Blue!

SH presented two watches of the same brand at Nobleman's photo shoot, one of which matched the colour well. The watch chosen to match her blue jacket is a MONOBALANCIER HURACAN STERRATO inspired by a Lamborghini from the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer. The colourful piece was launched simultaneously with the new supercar of the same name.

Although SH's trousers have no hems, his stylist did not pay attention to the unfinished edge of the trousers.

Styling @mrmontyjackson

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