#Most Emerging Direct Selling Leader of the Year

[directsellingnow]

Breaking News Today: राघव साहू को मिला Most Emerging Direct Selling Leader award

Breaking News Today: 5वें डायरेक्ट सेलिंग लीडरशिप एक्सीलेंस अवार्ड (DSLEA-2024) का भव्य समारोह महाराजा अग्रसेन इंटरनेशनल कॉलेज रायपुर छत्तीसगढ़ में संपन्न हुआ। कार्यक्रम में बतौर मुख्यातिथि शामिल फेडरेशन ऑफ़ डायरेक्ट सेलिंग एसोसिएशन के जनरल सेक्रेटरी श्री किशोर वर्मा के साथ-साथ डायरेक्ट सेलिंग नाउ के फाउंडर श्री राहुल शर्मा और को-फाउंडर श्रीमती यामिनी शर्मा ��ासतौर पर मौजूद रहीं। Breaking News…

[keywestlou]

HE DIED BROKE

HE DIED BROKE - https://keywestlou.com/he-died-broke/Several years ago, I visited Washington, DC as a tourist. Previously, only as a lawyer who never had the time to visit our national monuments. I was especially interested in the Lincoln Memorial. Lincoln majestically seated. It was the Jefferson Memorial that affected me the most, however. A bronze Thomas Jefferson standing 19 feet tall. Atop a large granite block. Impressive! Overwhelming! Jefferson's public career was outstanding. Few political leaders have achieved the successes he did. Abraham Lincoln referred to Jefferson as ".....the most distinguished politician in our history." Some of Jefferson's accomplishments included being a Founding Father of our Nation, the author of the Declaration of Independence, President of the United States, Vice President before, a spokesperson for democracy, a member of the Continental Congress, Governor of Virginia, Minister to France, first Secretary of State, the Louisiana purchase, opposition to slavery (though he owned over 200 slaves), signed the law banning the importation of slaves to the United States, founded the University of Virginia, spoke five languages, designed the mansion at his 5,000 acre plantation Monticello, and authorized the funding and construction of West Point. A special person. A special President. His image sits on Mount Rushmore. Unfortunately, Jefferson died broke. Not a penny available for his family. His beloved Monticello sold to pay debts. Jefferson was born to wealth. His was a wealthy slave owning family. Wealth back then could be measured by the number of slaves one owned. Slaves were property and had a value. Jefferson had everything going for him from an economic perspective. His problem was he could not manage money. There was not a time when he did not have cash flow problems. He had difficulty balancing his check book. He always spent more than he took in. At the time of his death, Jefferson owed more than $1 million in today's money. His final days before his death were not spent in fond remembrances of the past. He was sickly and bed ridden. He spent most of his waking hours going over his finances and debts. In the end, there was no estate to pass on to heirs. His estate, possessions and slaves were sold at public auctions. His daughter was forced to sell Monticello. His final services did not befit a man of his stature. By choice. Jefferson had directed that no one be invited. His wishes were honored. The services were simple and quiet. His remains were carried by servants, family and friends to his Monticello grave site. Jefferson was distrustful of banks his entire life. Living on the edge of economic disaster, he developed what can only be described as a hatred for banks. He viewed banks in a fashion similar to how they are looked upon today. Regarding banks, Jefferson wrote the following. His prophecy relatively correct: "If the American people ever allow banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless.....I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies." Jefferson's was a sad ending to a brilliant career. Though of his own making, he was poorly treated in his later years. The Upper Keys have installed AED's. Emergency cardiac arrest boxes. Key West should do so. I have a heart condition. I put my money where my mouth is. I wear a Medical Alert System. Hangs around my neck. I press a button and within minutes the world is around me to help. Ambulance, emergency assistance, fire engine and police. The System costs $54.95 a month. Only needed it once in the 3 years I have had it. Fell down the stairs, fractured 2 vertebras. Couldn't get up. Two in the morning. Glad I had it! I can afford it. Not everyone can. Everyone should have some sort of protection. The AED boxes are a partial assistance to the second biggest killer in the U.S. Heart attacks. Key West pisses a lot of money away. AED is not a waste of tax dollars. It is a protection available all. The Front page of today's KeysNews carries an excellent article concerning the AED's. The La Concha Hotel is almost 100 years old. Opened to the public this date in 1925. The formal grand opening took place January 22, 1926. What follows are excerpts from page 2 of the Executive Summary to the January 6 Committee Report. The page overall testimony by certain insurrectionists. These persons openly acknowledging they had betrayed their country. Remier: "And I'm sorry to the people of this country for threatening the democracy that makes this country so great." Pert: "I know the peaceful transition of power is to ensure the common good for our nation and that it is critical in protecting our country's security needs." Markofski: "My actions put me on the other side of the line from my brothers in the Army. The wrong side. Had I lived in the area, I would have been called upon to defend the Capitol and restore order.....My actions brough dishonor to my beloved U.S. Army National Guard." Witcher: "Every member - every male member of my family has served in the military, in the Marine Corps, and most have saw combat. And I cast a shadow and cast embarrassment upon my family name and that legacy." Today a big one for Syracuse. We play in a bowl game for the first time in years. Against Minnesota in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Two pm. Busy day for me. A haircut with Lori. Then rush home to catch the game. Enjoy your day!

[winsoftech]

Elevating Security and Efficiency: WINSOFT's Locker Management System in Banking and Financial Solutions

Today the integration of cutting-edge technologies is imperative for staying ahead in finances. Winsoft Technologies has emerged as a leader, especially with its innovative Locker Management System. This has revolutionized the security and efficiency standards in financial institutions.

Locker Management Systems and Security Protocols

WINSOFT's Locker Management System has enhanced the security of valuable assets within the banking sector. The system ensures a robust and streamlined approach to managing lockers. This offers an unparalleled level of protection for both clients and financial institutions.

The beauty of WINSOFT's Locker Management System lies in its simplicity. Users experience a seamless process for accessing their lockers. This is further coupled with advanced security protocols that safeguard against unauthorized access. The intuitive interface simplifies locker operations. It also minimizes the risk of errors, naturally enhancing overall customer satisfaction.

Banking and Financial Solutions That Are Tailored for Success

WINSOFT's expertise extends beyond locker management. This encompasses a comprehensive suite of banking and financial solutions. Their commitment to digital transformation and 25+ years of industry expertise positions them as a trusted partner for financial institutions.

The integration of WINSOFT's solutions into banking operations ensures a streamlined and efficient workflow. Some of the products include Smart Asba, DeMatrix,SmartLocker, Smart Tax,Smart Sell and Smart Logistics. These products show simplified application processes, alongside for seamless management.  Winsoft caters to diverse needs of financial institutions. This adaptability allows banks to be agile and precise. 

Here is a breakdown of the functionalities of the products:

1. Smart ASBA:

   - Winsoft's Smart ASBA is a complete IPO processing platform for financial distributors, handling high-volume applications for IPO, FPO, DEBT/NCD, NFO, and Right Issue products, facilitating seamless processing until the final share allotment.

2. *DeMATrix:

   - DeMATrix, a web-based solution for CDSL & NSDL depository participants, manages 1Lakh+ DP transactions daily, ensuring efficient handling of depository processes.

3. SmartLocker Management System:

   - SmartLocker by Winsoft streamlines locker operations for banks and customers, simplifying requests, allocations, access, key issuance, blocking, unblocking, rent payments, and more.

4. Smart Tax:

   - Smart Tax offers a comprehensive solution for direct and indirect tax payments, empowering banks to process online/digital tax payments efficiently.

5. Smart Sell

   - Smart Sell is a B2B engagement strategy execution application, optimizing sales team efficiency through opportunity tracking for enhanced performance.

6. Smart Logistics

   - A dynamic solution empowering banks to efficiently manage cash pickup & delivery operations, ensuring streamlined collection and delivery processes.

What are the Features Required for Digital Locker Management Systems?

For an effective digital locker management system, certain features are paramount. These include User Authentication and Access Control primarily. Adding to the list we have: 

Locker Allocation and Availability

Key Issuance/Change

Reservation Management

Access Logs and Audit Trail

Waitlist

Notifications and Reminders

Billing and Payment Integration

Reporting and Analytics

These features collectively contribute to streamlined and secure locker operations.

Clients and Banks: What Do Locker Management Systems Mean To Them?

To clients, a Locker Management System is a digital solution that banks employ to efficiently manage and control safe deposit lockers. It replaces traditional manual processes with an automated approach. This improves security and convenience. But most importantly it really helps with operational efficiency. 

Customers can easily access and manage their lockers and check availability. Making reservations and receiving notifications are also efficient with the system. It ensures that only authorized individuals can access lockers through robust authentication mechanisms.

For banks, the system provides a centralized platform for locker allocation along with tracking usage. Maintaining detailed records is also easily navigated here. It offers real-time access logs, audit trails, and integration with security systems for heightened security. The system facilitates seamless billing and payment processes. It seamlessly generates invoices for locker rentals and integrates it with payment gateways for convenient transactions.

In essence, a Locker Management System simplifies the process, benefiting both customers and organizations by providing enhanced security and convenience. Efficient management of valuable belongings is made easier. 

The SmartLocker Advantage

SmartLocker is a key component of WINSOFT's Locker Management System. It unlocks a new level of efficiency for banks. It offers a digitized approach to managing locker-related operations. This eliminates manual processes and reduces the margin for human error.

In addition to heightened security, SmartLocker introduces convenience. Clients can access their lockers swiftly. This enhances the overall customer experience. The system also facilitates real-time monitoring and enables banks to track locker usage efficiently. They respond promptly to any anomalies and have some truly unique selling points to its advantage.

USP’s of a Smart Locker 

- Seamless locker onboarding

- E-sign agreements for a lasting impression

- Touchless access for a transformed customer journey

- Transparent locker assignment

- API-based architecture for seamless integration

- Modern cloud infrastructure for efficient hosting support

WINSOFT's 25+ Years in the Industry

The longevity in the industry is a testament to its commitment to excellence. Over the past 25 years, the company has continuously evolved to meet the demands of the banking and financial sector.

The success of WINSOFT can be attributed to its knack for anticipating industry trends. Not only is it aware, it proactively develops solutions that address emerging challenges. WINSOFT remains at the forefront, providing institutions with the tools needed to stand apart. 

Fortifying Future Success 

WINSOFT's Locker Management System redefines financial safety by going above and beyond conventional security procedures. The ground-breaking SmartLocker ushers in the next phase of operational efficiency while strengthening security. When taken as a whole, they signify a dramatic change in the way financial institutions protect assets and streamline customer interactions. This guarantees a future in which efficiency and security coexist together.

The Locker Management System redefines security standards and the SmartLocker ushers in a new time of efficiency. Embracing digital transformation, WINSOFT's legacy of innovation positions financial institutions for future success. By choosing WINSOFT, banks invest in state-of-the-art technology and secure a partner dedicated to their prosperity.

[zov911]

Manufacturing marketing can be a complex and often challenging task, but with the right strategies and tools, it can also be highly effective in reaching and engaging with your target audience. From creating compelling content to targeting the right channels, here are some tried-and-true strategies for revving up your manufacturing marketing and achieving success. 1. Start with Your Story One of the most important steps in creating a successful manufacturing marketing campaign is to develop a strong and compelling story that resonates with your target audience. Whether you are promoting a new product or service or showcasing your company's expertise in a particular area, your story should be authentic, compelling, and memorable. To create a powerful and engaging story, consider your core values, unique selling proposition, and target audience. Use these elements to craft a story that connects with your audience on an emotional level and demonstrates the value you can bring to their business. 2. Leverage Your Manufacturing Expertise As a manufacturing company, you have a wealth of expertise and knowledge to offer your customers. Whether it's tips for optimizing their manufacturing processes or insights into emerging trends in the industry, your expertise can be a powerful tool for attracting and engaging prospective customers. Consider creating a series of blog posts or other content pieces that focus on your expertise, with topics such as: - How to optimize your supply chain for maximum efficiency - The latest advances in technology for manufacturing - Tips for improving quality control in your manufacturing processes - Ways to reduce waste and improve sustainability in your supply chain By sharing your expertise on these topics and others, you can establish your company as a thought leader in the industry and build trust with your target audience. 3. Target the Right Channels Another key factor in successful manufacturing marketing is targeting the right channels to reach your audience. Depending on your target customer demographics and preferences, this may include everything from email marketing and social media advertising to direct mail and trade shows. To ensure that you are targeting the right channels, consider conducting market research and using customer data to understand where your target audience spends their time online and what types of marketing channels and messages resonate most with them. 4. Invest in Video Content Video content has become an increasingly important part of marketing in recent years, and for good reason. Video is a highly engaging and effective medium for storytelling and can be used in a variety of ways to promote your manufacturing company and products. Consider creating videos that showcase your facilities and processes, demonstrate the benefits of your products, or provide helpful tips and insights for your target audience. By incorporating video into your marketing approach, you can not only engage your audience more fully but also increase your reach and visibility across social media and other online channels. 5. Measure and Optimize Your Results As with any marketing campaign, it's important to regularly measure and optimize your results to ensure that you are achieving your goals and getting the best possible return on your investment. This can involve everything from tracking key performance metrics like website traffic and social media engagement to conducting regular surveys and customer feedback sessions. By measuring and optimizing your results on an ongoing basis, you can identify areas for improvement and continually refine your manufacturing marketing approach to achieve better results over time. In conclusion, revving up your manufacturing marketing requires a strategic approach that focuses on creating compelling content, leveraging your manufacturing expertise, targeting the right channels, investing in video content, and continuously measuring and optimizing your results.

By following these strategies and staying committed to your marketing goals, you can achieve success in promoting your manufacturing company and engaging with your target audience.

[cryptocoming]

Stay In the Know: Exploring the Latest Crypto and Bitcoin News

Cryptocurrency has transformed the world of finance, and its impact continues to be felt across various sectors. For investors, tech enthusiasts, and curious minds alike, staying updated with the latest crypto news, especially Bitcoin news, is more critical than ever. 

In this blog, we will dive into why you should pay attention to these developments and how they can benefit you. Plus, we'll introduce you to a reliable source for all things crypto.

The Fast-Paced World of Crypto

Cryptocurrency is renowned for its rapid evolution. It's a world where new tokens, technologies, and projects emerge almost daily. Understanding this ever-changing landscape can be challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Here's why staying informed about crypto and Bitcoin news is essential:

Investment Opportunities: Cryptocurrency isn't just digital play money; it represents real investment opportunities. Bitcoin, the pioneer of cryptocurrencies, has shown remarkable growth over the years. Other cryptocurrencies, known as altcoins, are also creating wealth for early adopters. Staying updated with crypto news can help you make informed investment decisions and potentially capitalize on market trends.

Technological Advancements: Beyond financial gains, the underlying blockchain technology has applications far beyond just cryptocurrencies. Projects are continuously pushing the boundaries of what's possible with blockchain. Whether it's decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), or blockchain-based solutions for supply chain management, staying informed about crypto news can expose you to cutting-edge technologies and innovations.

Market Trends: Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile. News, both positive and negative, can lead to rapid price fluctuations. Understanding these market trends and the factors that influence them is essential for anyone with a stake in the crypto space. Keeping an eye on the news can help you make timely decisions that align with your financial goals.

Regulatory Changes: Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are beginning to develop and enforce rules and regulations related to cryptocurrencies. Staying informed about these changes is crucial, as they can impact your ability to buy, sell, and use cryptocurrencies legally. Ignorance of these regulations can lead to unintended legal consequences.

The Significance of Bitcoin News

Bitcoin, often referred to as digital gold, deserves special attention. As the first cryptocurrency, it set the stage for the entire crypto ecosystem. Here's why you should follow Bitcoin news:

Market Leader: Bitcoin is the largest and most established cryptocurrency, making it a barometer for the entire crypto market. Its price movements often influence the direction of other cryptocurrencies. Understanding Bitcoin news is a valuable skill for predicting the market's broader trends.

Store of Value: Many investors view Bitcoin as a store of value, akin to gold. As a result, it's often used as a hedge against economic uncertainty. Bitcoin news can provide insights into macroeconomic factors that may impact its value, making it a valuable asset for your portfolio.

Adoption and Integration: The adoption of Bitcoin is steadily growing. Companies and financial institutions are incorporating it into their offerings, and some nations are even considering national cryptocurrencies. Staying updated with Bitcoin news can help you identify the latest developments in its integration into the traditional financial system.

Introducing CryptoIsComing

Now that you understand the importance of staying informed about crypto and Bitcoin news, you'll need a reliable source to keep you up to date. Enter CryptoIsComing, a platform dedicated to delivering the latest news and insights from the world of cryptocurrencies. Here's what you can expect from this trusted source:

Comprehensive Coverage: CryptoIsComing offers in-depth coverage of the entire crypto space, from market analysis to technological advancements.

Timely Updates: The cryptocurrency world never sleeps, and CryptoIsComing ensures you won't either by providing timely and accurate news updates.

Educational Resources: Whether you're new to crypto or a seasoned investor, CryptoIsComing offers educational resources to help you navigate the complexities of the cryptocurrency world.

Expert Opinions: Gain valuable insights from experts and thought leaders in the crypto and blockchain industry through articles and interviews.

Market Analysis: Stay ahead of the curve with market analysis, price predictions, and trend-spotting that can help you make informed investment decisions.

In conclusion, the world of cryptocurrencies is fast-paced and ever-evolving, making it crucial to stay informed about the latest crypto and Bitcoin news. This knowledge can provide you with investment opportunities, technological insights, awareness of market trends, and an understanding of regulatory changes. 

To start your journey into the world of Crypto news, visit CryptoIsComing, where you'll find all the information and resources you need to navigate this exciting and dynamic field.

To explore the world of crypto banking further, visit Cryptoiscoming, where you can find valuable insights and services to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.

[laocommunity]

Unlocking the Beauty Secret: The Surprising Rise of Supplements Market in 2023 with Top Players Elusyf, BIOVEA, Amway, and Murad U.K Ltd.

Unlocking the Beauty Secret: The Surprising Rise of Supplements Market in 2023 with Top Players Elusyf, BIOVEA, Amway, and Murad U.K Ltd. # Unlocking the Beauty Secret: The Surprising Rise of Supplements Market in 2023 with Top Players Elusyf, BIOVEA, Amway, and Murad U.K Ltd. # The beauty industry has always been one of the most dynamic and lucrative markets with a never-ending demand for new and innovative products that guarantee great results. From skincare to haircare, makeup, and more, beauty brands strive to provide their customers with the best products to enhance their natural beauty. However, in recent years, a new player has emerged in the beauty industry – supplements. The global beauty supplement market is set to rise significantly by 2023, with top players like Elusyf, BIOVEA, Amway, and Murad U.K Ltd. paving the way for its success. ## Introduction ## The beauty supplement market is growing at an unprecedented rate, and it is not hard to see why. Consumers are becoming more aware of the benefits of incorporating supplements into their daily routine to improve their overall wellbeing, making it an attractive market for brands looking to expand their offerings. According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global beauty supplements market is expected to reach $7.5 billion by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 8.0% during the forecast period. ## What are Beauty Supplements? ## Beauty supplements are ingestible products that promise to enhance the appearance of skin, hair, and nails from within. They contain a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails. The supplements are specifically formulated to meet the needs of people who do not get enough of these essential nutrients from their diets. ## Why Are Beauty Supplements So Popular? ## In recent years, consumers have become more health-conscious, and this has resulted in an increase in demand for products that promote wellness. Consumers are now more interested in taking control of their health and beauty from the inside out. The beauty supplement market has grown significantly as a result, and it is now one of the fastest-growing segments in the beauty industry. Consumers are attracted to these supplements because they are convenient, easy to use, and offer an alternative to traditional topical beauty products. ## The Big Players in the Beauty Supplement Market ## There are several big players in the beauty supplement market, including Elusyf, BIOVEA, Amway, and Murad U.K Ltd. These brands have established themselves as leaders in the market, offering high-quality supplements formulated using the latest scientific research and innovation. Here is a closer look at each of these top players in the beauty supplement market: ### Elusyf ### Elusyf is a health and wellness company that offers a wide range of products, including skincare, supplements, and devices. Their mission is to inspire people to take control of their health by offering innovative and effective solutions. Elusyf's beauty supplements are formulated using natural ingredients and backed by years of research. ### BIOVEA ### BIOVEA is a health and wellness company that offers a wide range of supplements, vitamins, and natural products. Their beauty supplements are designed to support healthy skin, hair, and nails. BIOVEA uses high-quality ingredients and rigorous testing to ensure the effectiveness of their products. ### Amway ### Amway is a direct selling company that offers a wide range of products, including supplements, skincare, and makeup. Their beauty supplements are formulated with natural ingredients that promote healthy skin, hair, and nails. Amway uses a combination of scientific research and innovation to develop effective products that are backed by customer reviews. ### Murad U.K Ltd. ### Murad U.K Ltd. is a skincare and wellness company that offers a range of products designed to promote healthy skin, hair, and nails. Their beauty supplements contain high-quality ingredients that are backed by research and scientific studies. Murad U.K Ltd. uses a holistic approach to beauty, emphasizing the importance of nourishing the body from within. ## Unlocking the Beauty Secret: The Surprising Rise of Supplements Market in 2023 ## The beauty supplement market is expected to continue its upward trajectory, with new players entering the market and established brands expanding their offerings. The demand for innovative, effective, and natural supplements is expected to drive the market's growth through 2023 and beyond. Consumers are looking for supplements that offer a holistic approach to beauty, promoting overall health and wellness. ## FAQs ## 1. What are some of the benefits of Beauty Supplements? Beauty supplements can support healthy hair, skin, and nails, improve skin hydration, prevent premature aging, and promote overall health and wellness. 2. Are Beauty Supplements Safe? Yes, most beauty supplements are safe when taken as recommended. However, it is essential to read the label and follow the instructions carefully. 3. How do I choose the right Beauty Supplement? Choose a supplement that is formulated for your specific needs, read reviews from other customers, and talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. 4. Can Beauty Supplements replace Skincare Products? No, beauty supplements are designed to work in conjunction with skincare products, not replace them. 5. How do I know if Beauty Supplements are working? The results of beauty supplements may take some time to show. It is essential to be patient and consistent with supplement use. 6. What are some natural sources of beauty-enhancing vitamins and minerals? Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and lean proteins are all excellent sources of vitamins and minerals that can enhance beauty from within. ## Conclusion ## The rise of the beauty supplement market is not surprising, considering the increasing popularity of health and wellness. With top players like Elusyf, BIOVEA, Amway, and Murad U.K Ltd. leading the charge, the market is poised for significant growth in the coming years. Beauty supplements offer a convenient and effective way to promote overall health and wellness while enhancing natural beauty from within. As always, it is essential to choose the right supplement and follow the recommended dosage. #NEWS Read the full article

[guillesiman]

A 20-Year Retrospective: Burberry

By the late 1990s, Burberry's iconic check pattern had become overused and overexposed, leading to brand dilution and the weakening of their 'luxury' status. At the same time, Burberry was suffering from a decline in revenue and plateaued growth. The case covers some of the strategies implemented by the CEO at the time, Marie Bravo, in attempting revitalize and transform the brand. This was nearly 20 years ago. So, what ended up happening, and what can we learn from Burberry's evolution?

The most important aspect is just how important an attitude of adaptability and constant reinvention can be. Even an iconic brand like Burberry can risk brand dilution and loss of relevance if it remains stagnant. This is particularly the case in fast-moving, ever-evolving markets, such as the fashion industry—especially the luxury segment—in the face of changing consumer preferences, industry trends, and the emergence of strong competitors.

Reinvention can be tough, however, when one of your key selling points is your distinctively British heritage. Burberry's challenge, then, was to somehow maintain its brand's identity while also incorporating modernity and contemporary design. With the benefit of hindsight, I'd say Burberry was ultimately successful in this respect: the onboarding of a new design team with Christopher Bailey as creative director (who went on to become Chief Creative Officer a few years later) was a pivotal moment in revitalizing the brand's collection, introducing new product lines, and ultimately creating an updated, compelling brand narrative.

Burberry's embracement of Digital also stands out. It began with Bravo's tenure, and continued to evolve under subsequent leaders (as those who took 15.900 Competitive Strategy will be keenly familiar with). A targeted focus on digital marketing, e-commerce, and new technologies (e.g. carefully curated Augmented Reality experiences in select flagship stores) played a significant role in connecting Burberry to younger, increasingly tech-savvy consumers.

To me, Bravo set a clear direction for a struggling brand. Since then, she was succeeded by Angela Ahrendts, Cristopher Bailey, Marco Gobbetti, and Jonathan Akeroyd. Riccardo Tisci and Daniel Lee have both been CCO's since Bailey's time. That's a lot of leadership changes in 20 years. Establishing and selling a compelling/clear vision from the get-go, then, was key to surviving these leadership changes. This ultimately underscores the need for long-term thinking, strategic planning, and—possibly toughest of all—consistency in execution, which relies on your successors believing in your vision in the first place.

[oneoftheprettynerds]

Welcome To The Darkside: Dark!Steve x Reader (Mob AU)

Chapter 1 in the Lipstick and Crayons Series

A/N: I just posted a story I know but I’m in love with this idea right now and this is my favourite fic right now. It’s going to be a three or four part fic I think and your support in any form: like, comment or reblog is appreciated greatly. Here is a piece of my heart right here.

Warning: Eventual Non-Con, Sickening Threats, Mob Themes, Violence, Death, Manipulation, sort of Blood Kink I think, Cheap Tricks later.

Genres + Characters: Mob AU, Single Parents AU, Steve Rogers x Reader.

Summary: Steve can't ever repay you for what you did. After meeting you, Steve believes his broken family is the missing piece in the puzzle of your own wrecked one. Indebting the crime lord to you has been the biggest mistake of your life, cause now you can't get rid of him, no matter what. Loyalty and favours go a long way in the mob.

Chapter 1 : Welcome to The Darkside

The gunshots around you frightened you more than anything in your life ever had. The merry, joyful ambience of the carnival was ruined in an instant. Screams around you provoked your panic-stricken form to gather your wits and run or hide. It wasn’t just you caught up in this dreadful situation, there was also someone you’d protect at any cost.

Picking your daughter up and setting her on your hip, you looked around for the way out. Who would have thought that open grounds were hard to get out of? Another wave of terror ran through you when the gunshots audibly neared and the crowd ran in random directions.

You decided to go along the way you recognised the games and shops at. You ran as fast as you could, checking on Grace in between to find her looking curiously all around but still more intent on eating her cotton candy than inspecting. You couldn’t be more thankful for kids' oblivion than at that moment in time.

A bomb explosion up ahead in your path made you halt in your tracks because you knew some of the attackers were scouting there. Turning back wasn’t an option, neither was crying and you were sure you closer to the exit this way. Another blast behind you took away the option of you retracing your path. You weren’t considering it but it gave you little comfort to have your options open.

As the shrieks and screeches grew tenfold, your best bet was to hide, the assaulters had already surrounded the field, the chaos around you informed you. Jumping through innumerable dead bodies, of kids and adults that ached your heart, and dodging bullets while laying low, you went inside a photo booth to hide.

This will not be in vain; you’d protect Grace no matter what.

The curtain to the photo booth provided cover from predatory eyes while the rest of the metal booth was quite safe against bullets you concluded hopefully.

You were just looking for a weapon to prepare for any adversity that might come your way, when the sound of crunching of pebbles made their way to your ears.

Failing to find a weapon in few seconds you opted to attack the intruder yourself when a voice reached your ears, “Mama?”

You puzzled your eyebrows and lowered your defences by just a bit when a toddler stumbled inside the booth, blonde haired and blue eyed. You were definitely not this girl’s mama but you grabbed the kid’s forearm and pulled her inside, shushing her gently and seating her beside Grace on the sitting bench inside. You were thankful Grace entertained her by offering her the pink cloud of sweetness.

You peeked outside but failed to find anyone else in 20 metre radii of you, nobody resembling the wandering kid nor looking for one. You did not know what you would do with another kid in your hands in this dire situation nor was it a wise decision to bring her inside and take her under your wing but you did not have it in you to leave an unsuspecting child, a mere four or three-year-old at that, during a calamity so extreme.

Your maternal instincts governed your thought process, imagining Grace to be in her shoes, all alone and discarded while a possible terrorist attack was happening. The kids’ corpses lying outside gave you no doubt that these children’s fate would be the same if found by the attackers.

A small tug in your dress made you look back and you found the azure eyed kid at your feet, offering you the street food you bought earlier while hugging your leg and observing you. Grace munched in the back silently, still happily eating and unaware.

You kneeled and whispered, “What’s your name, honey?” Maybe the girl understood the urgency, maybe she was just mimicking you but even she murmured in a low voice, “Sarah.”

You nodded, “Sweetie, I need you to sit there quietly and make no sounds, okay? We are playing a staying quiet game.” That was a stupid thing to ask of a kid but you hoped, you really, really hoped she would comply.

Her eyes widened in recognition of something as she eagerly asked, still in a hushed mumble, “Like I does for Dada in meekings?”

“Yes, you smart kiddo. Exactly that.” You replied with what you hoped was a convincing smile and ruffled her hair while nudging her towards her former seat. With kids, you knew a little encouragement went a long way to get them to do things. She whispered an ‘okay Mama’ and went about and sat.

You didn’t get to enjoy her obedience as the thud of pebbles crunching met your ears again. Your breath hitched; your intuition told you that this was not another kid confusing you for its parent.

Your eyes found a discarded piece of metal rod from the booth’s wrecked framework. You grabbed and hoped for the best, to save both the kids at your ability’s mercy.

Steve only saw red. The moment the first shot sounded in the air, he knew whom the assailants were, whom they were coming for. Going out tonight was a bad idea, a really reckless one indeed but when his daughter started bawling seeing the carnival’s lights from the car and wanted to get up and close, he couldn’t say no. He really tried to though, he really did.

It hadn’t been even a year since his wife died, but the father-daughter duo was getting by. He knew his wife took his daughter to the carnival and bought her things, toys and teddies, on every birthday of her own. It was a ritual his wife started, spending her birthday with her little offspring during the daylight and going out for a romantic dinner at the end of the day with her dear spouse. If only things could still be that way, could still stay the same.

When his wife turned out to be an elaborate spy all along, he was baffled. His professional side was, dare he say, impressed by the commitment to character but his personal side was beyond disappointed, disheartened in the worst way because his daughter was his most precious asset in this cruel world and that gift was given by such a treacherous person.

She begged and pled for mercy, to let Sarah have her mother and swore on her life that she quit her espionage journey when she actually fell in love but Steve didn’t trust a single syllable out of her filthy, deceiving mouth, not anymore.

He didn’t kill her though, because Sarah was his first priority no matter what. Her assassination was the work of his rival mob, ‘The Vice Kings’ led by the bastard Rumlow. It was an open invitation for war in the city, for them money came first and useless people had to die. They killed two birds with a single stone, git rid of a useless former member and successfully made a statement.

Then began the still happening rivalry between those Vices and his mob, ‘The Avenging Cartel’. The wound from his wife’s assassination was still fresh, he didn’t miss her as much as he had taken the hit to his pride. There had been a peaceful agreement until the brutal maiming of his spouse and now he was working more than ever, barely able to make time for his princess and that was his only regret, missing her childhood.

And now he felt more futile, his palette of emotions ranging from hues of ire to shades of dread. He couldn’t believe his entourage of trained professionals failed to monitor a two-year-old. He had just stepped aside to take a call, leaving her with his latest driver and three bodyguards. How could he be that clueless to not realise the imposters infiltrating his ranks, standing right there and selling away his location?

As soon as the sound of the first firearm shooting reached his ears, he leapt towards his daughter only to find her missing. His little minx thankfully escaped for one of her little adventures and successfully evaded these cheats, whom he shot right in the middle of the eyes when he glanced at the grenades packing in the coats’ undersides.

His moment of gratitude evaporated in mere seconds as he realised that the Vices now surrounded the entire area, their mission being his daughter’s abduction. If they wanted to kill both of them, they would have already, considering Steve’s distraction gave them quite too many openings. They wanted him to surrender, because mobs worked that way; only when one leader signed off his territories did it become the other party’s possession. If they just cut one head, another would grow in its place, a new leader would succeed the predecessor.

He sent emergency signals to both Barnes and Wilson, the only ones he could trust right now, summoning them with back-ups. The screams of the crowd did not ease him at all, piling on his burden and stress as he prayed for the first time ever, that by some miracle he would reach his daughter first in this field and she would safely be in his arms by the end of the night, not become a victim to what his enemies were planning.

He did have a tracker in her pendant but this realisation hit him later than he’d like to admit, the frustration clawing away his wits. The ground was now quite empty, piles of bodies scattered across the field abruptly where people became victims to the grenades, any person who failed to protect themselves, died. As he was pulling his phone out again, his eyes caught sight a flower bead. The same bead he and his daughter used to make a bracelet a month ago. She wore that everywhere, to day-care, while bathing, to birthdays.

The bracelet was obviously broken now but it was almost like a trail that led to his treasure, like in the Hansel and Gretel’s fairy-tale that Sarah loved. He followed with quiet steps, the beads far apart and some resting under the debris but they sure did lead him somewhere, and when he found the even the pendant in his path, he knew he had only the few beads to rely on.

Some thumps and crashes made him alert, his pistol ready, and when he neared carefully to a distorted metal framework of sorts, his eyes widened.

A young woman had a body in front of her lying on the ground. In a pool of scarlet it rested, still and unmoving while her breathing quickened, her eyes shining with tears that she tried too damn hard to confine to her eyes. He knew how hard the first kill always was, but one grows numb with increase in body count.

Brave women were his type and he would have been turned on by her courage, her hands stained red with whatever weapon she attacked with. Her soft facial features and her curves in the dress she wore were a show stopper for sure, and he would’ve been flirting with her if it was not for the brutal severity of the situation, his daughter missing and in possible danger.

His vigilant senses, courtesy of the epinephrin, picked up two things; the butterfly bead that rested in the door of the booth the woman stood at and the creep shadowing her from behind, ready to attack with a baseball bat he might have found in one of the other game shops.

Steve used his position behind the neighbouring booth to make a bull’s eye shot, the bullet going just an inch above the female’s shoulder and going across the creep’s head. The logo on the corpse’s leather jacket showed Steve he picked the right side to defend.

The sheer suddenness of the move caught the woman off guard as she dropped her weapon and twisted back to find the soulless eyes of her possible attacker staring at her. She quickly armed herself with her attacking rod once again and tried to trace the bullet back from its shooter, her eyes wide and calculating.

Steve decided it was time to interrogate, to find Sarah.

The graze of the bullet above your shoulder alarmed you and you stood dumbfounded only for an instant though. You were sure the bullet was meant for you but the thud of a body behind you, seemingly preparing to attack you proved you wrong.

Calming yourself, you still stood on the ball, because someone killing your attacker didn’t necessarily mean you were safe. With just a pull of the trigger, your fate could very easily be the same. You had to play this smart.

“Lower your weapon. I won’t repeat myself.” A husky voice called out, laced with seriousness which left no room for argument.

You did as he said, knowing that shabby rod was no match against the gun. He stepped out from his hiding position and gave away his location, steps slightly treading towards you. Your hands trembled, heart thumping a bit too loud while blood and sweat coated your frame.

When moonlight lightened his face, you saw his blonde luscious locks, slightly overgrown, a neatly trimmed beard darker than his hair and the cerulean blue eyes that were clear as crystal but shadowed with proficiency.

“Good, now did you see a kid around here? Blonde and blue eyes?”

His question didn’t surprise you, the gun barrel trained on you did. The previous man you had killed, that laid dead ahead of you had asked the same question. You did not know why they were after the toddler nor did you have the time to dwell on it. Time was of the essence now and he was expecting an answer.

The fact that he saved an unsuspecting lady was a plus point, but you also had to consider that he was threatening you all the same. But if that was his kid, it was understood, the resemblance between them was uncanny but that wasn’t enough proof. However, as your flickered to the man you killed, you noticed the logo on his jacket was the same as the one on your possible murderer’s jacket. It still wasn’t enough evidence but you had no choice, the man had a gun and you had two kids relying on you. At least he wasn’t on the bombing side.

“Yes, what is she to you?” You tried to be brave but you were sure he saw right through you.

“You don’t ask the questions here but this one I’ll answer. She is my daughter. Now, where is she?”  

“How do I know you’re not lying? I can’t just and her over to you!”

“Her name is Sarah; she is my carbon copy. She is wearing a pink dress with white flowers; pink crocs and her hair is in a ponytail with a white scrunchy. She had two white clips in her hair beside the ponytail. Enough proof?”

No, you could be a creepy paedophile for all I know.

You were still contemplating when he spoke again, “She’s my daughter and I know she’s in that booth beside you. I appreciate you trying to protect her I think but she’ll respond to me calling her. Sarah?”

The little toddler poked her head out, her eyes brightening in recognition and you heaved a sigh of relief involuntarily. Your maternal instinct made you anxious for kids you barely even knew. She ran towards her father shouting ‘Dada’ and jumped into his arms while he hid his gun. You almost snorted at that, tons of dead bodies surrounding you and he was worried about the gun?

He propped her up, hugging her tightly, and with what you knew now, he was scared to death and rightfully so.

Grace poked her head out and ran towards you now, hugging you from behind your legs and silently peeking at the mysterious human. You held Grace’s hand now, intertwining your fingers and felt relief after long. Even though there was no knowing that the man would help you two but you gave yourself comfort you weren’t alone here, not anymore.

Sarah turned and met your eyes again and whispered lowly, “Oops Mama, I think the games over! Sowwy!”

Steve’s eyes widened at that and you laughed at her innocence, feeling light. You played along with the kid, “It’s alright.” You didn’t want to play ‘Mommy’ anymore after that thinking it would offend her father but even, he chuckled, his laugh beautiful and boisterous.

Suddenly men dressed in black and armed with weapons ran about, skidding and crossing you to survey the area out. You shielded Grace once again but the father ahead of you didn’t even flinch. Noticing your unease, he came closer and put a hand on you arm, “I’m Steve and don’t worry, these are my men, the good guys.”

You nodded, not agreeing with his idea of good and bad but since you hoped he did acknowledge that he owed you one, you hoped none of these men would attack you. You introduced yourself and he nodded.

With Sarah on his hip, he started following one of his men and you followed along hoping to get to the exit. He even asked to drop you home but you refused, just wanting to get to the parking and put all these guns out of your kid’s sight. He tsked over his shoulder and you knew he would insist again later but for now he listened intently to the man he addressed as Buck.  

This Buck eyed you several times, not so discreetly, while Steve renounced the whole incident of some spies and whatnot. You closed your eyes, not wanting to eavesdrop and just wanting to relax but you could do neither right now. They were after Sarah; you had presumed right.

Sarah made grabby hands from over Steve’s shoulder while Grace slept soundly in your arms, maybe jealous of her. She pouted and then slowly began her lower lip began to tremble. A whine escaped her mouth as she started bawling. Steve stopped to shush her but she continued screeching, “I miss Mama!” and tried to get away from Steve and jump into your arms. Buck looked surprised while Steve’s eyes pleaded yours and you nodded and gave Grace to her and took Sarah in your arms, gently shushing her and patting her back. She drooled in the crook of your neck but that was nothing new and quietened down. You didn’t want to give Grace away but you couldn’t see another child so miserable, not when you had one of your own.

Steve and ‘Buck’ observed you, not saying anything so you broke the silence. “I’m sorry she confuses me with her mother, I hope she doesn’t get offended by this.”

“She’s no more.” Steve looked down and you cursed yourself for breaking the silence, make the situation more awkward and unbearable.

“I’m sorry.” Well that was better than joking about how Grace didn’t have a father either.

“Don’t be, she deserved what she got.” Steve mumbled and continued walking with ‘Buck’, lightly patting Grace and kissing her forehead.

The peck should have bothered you but you were too engrossed by his words to eavesdrop further or check on Grace. What did he mean she deserved it? You didn’t even want to think of the probability of him killing her. With all the soldiers that surrounded you, you suddenly realised he was capable of more than you thought and you felt stupid for feeling safe with him when you did. He was a leader of sorts, a person with unimaginable power and you had dived headfirst in the kind of things you should avoid at all costs. Even though you hadn't crossed him or weren't on his bad side, getting involved was a mistake.

You learnt this lesson the hard way soon enough.

[deannaroxannewrites]

Tropetember Day 12 - Getting together / Love confession / First kiss / Break-up/Make-up / Fix-it

Limp away with me

Pairing: Armitage Hux x GN!Reader

Fandom: Star Wars

Rating: Teen and up

TW: Injuries, implications of rough childhood

AN: Day 12 of @tropetember. So, this is quite rough and holds a lot of potential for fleshing out into a proper story, whether that's just a longer one or a multi-chapter. Is that something anyone would be interested in? Fix-it fic cos they did General Hugs dirty

Allegiant General Pryde has shot General Hux. Lucky you're the Surgeon General really.

Find this story on Ao3 here.

Word Count: 1.6k

“Allegiant General Pryde just shot General Hux.”

Your breath catches and you allow yourself a moment to close your eyes. Next moment, you’ve grabbed your bag and are focused back on task.

“Collect the body,” you direct them, “and bring it to the medbay autopsy lab. Carefully.”

You and Armitage had prepared for this eventuality. One of the advantages of having a partner in the medical core was that the chances of surviving treason were much higher.

Whilst neither of you had entered First Order service willingly (no matter what Hux said, you had both been forced into it), Armitage had quickly excelled and embraced his duties in an effort to outshine his father. To try and prove himself as worthy. You, on the other hand, had enacted the only act of rebellion against your family that you would be able to survive. You had chosen to enrol in the medical core rather than aiming for command. If you had to be a part of this monstrous cause, you would try to save as many as you could.

You’d worked your way quickly up to the rank of Surgeon General and had been stationed on the Supremacy for a number of years. Thankfully, you’d survived the reign of Snoke and, so far, had survived Ren’s reign of terror. It had been a blessing that Hux had been reassigned to the vessel from the Finaliser. You enjoyed each other’s company and it was helpful to be able to train on your self-defence with someone who wasn’t trying to beat the stuffing out of you to make a point. He was a good outlet for a lot of energy in other ways too.

You glance up from checking you have all your equipment when you realise the orderlies haven’t moved. You turn your most piercing stare on them.

“Did I stutter?”

They look at each other until one of them pulls up their big boy panties and says “he was shot for being a spy.”

You laugh. Mostly at the fact that one looks like he wants to cry and the other like he’s about to collapse. They don’t need to know that though.

“Yes, by Allegient General Pryde who is well known for being a thorough and competent leader. Oh wait. No, he’s not. He’s had a grudge against Hux since he reappeared from whatever hell hole he had been hiding in. I said go fetch me the body! Now!”

They scarper out and you take another deep breath to centre yourself before busying yourself again with grabbing supplies and the emergency make-a-break-for-it kit you stored in your office. You then straighten your uniform, brace yourself and head out into the chaos of the medical bay.

---------------

Armitage is deathly pale when he finally is brought down to you but you swiftly move into action, infusing blood and bacta and checking the depth of the wound. You’d both known that, were he to be discovered, the weapon he was likely to be shot with would pierce the thin body armour he wore beneath his uniform. Unfortunately, it was the maximum thickness he could get away with before it became noticeable but you had both agreed that some bleeding would sell the ruse. You just didn’t like it.

Checking out the wound, you sigh out a quick breath of relief when you realise it is not too deep and hasn’t damaged any of the major blood vessels or organs. Though gruesome to witness, it was mostly superficial.

You lose yourself in your efforts, remaining undisturbed in the autopsy room, until you’re happy that he’s stable for travel. It’s at that point that you revive him, despite the fact he’s going to be in a world of pain.

He slowly blinks into reality with a scowl and a hiss of pain. You try to soothe him as best you can but there isn’t much you can do right now. You need him mobile to get to the shuttle and someone would notice you carrying him.

Gently running your hand through his hair you tell him “come on sweetheart. I know it hurts but we’ve got to move.”

Despite the pain, he seems alert and nods, letting out a grunt of agreement as he allows you to help him sit up and then stand. You gather the spare stormtrooper armour you’d pilfered a few months ago and quickly get him dressed up in it before leading the way swiftly to the small landing bay where Armitage’s private shuttle was stored.

You whisper a thanks to whatever Gods there are that the chaos on board the vessel means that there is noone around and you manage to get the pair of you on board with little drama. In fact, the whole escape into hyperspace is amazingly smooth and once you’re away with your course set, you sag a little in relief.

Or at least, you do until you see Armitage’s slumped frame and quickly grab him and get him moved to the small bedroom to continue his care and knock him back out while he heals.

You’re just about to inject the sedative when he grabs your hand, making you look at him.

“You know you are my world, don’t you?” he asks quietly.

You smile softly and lean forward to press a gentle kiss on his lips. You smile again as you feel him smile against you.

“I do, I wouldn’t have committed treason for anything less.”

He rolls his eyes before pressing another gentle peck to your lips and releasing you to get back your work. You take the opportunity to knock him out for now. It’s how he’ll be most comfortable.

And if you’re grinning so hard your face hurts, noone in deep space can see it. They can’t see you internally debating whether it’s ethical to dope someone up to get soppy confessions from them in the future either.

---------

It wasn’t often that General Dameron of the Resistance found himself in the Outer Rim.

Even 3 years after the end of the war, he was still mostly stuck to the core planets and mid-rim in efforts to support the Senate and help guard the peace which had settled upon the galaxy.

He’d been on a training mission with a few new recruits for Green Squadron when they’d been ambushed and they’d all received some pretty injuries despite eventually winning the battle. Injuries that required attention sooner than they would be able to if they headed back to base.

After a quick argument with Finn via the comms, the squad set course for a local med facility that was gaining a reputation for it’s high quality care.

Poe made sure all his squad were checked out before himself and he was happy that they were all being looked after so well. It was strange. The lead Doctor seemed familiar.

It wasn’t until you met his eyes that he realised.

You calmly continued his consultation, gently palpitating the wounds and collecting dressings, something you appeared to be doing more quickly than he was able to collect his thoughts.

“You!”

You snort. You can’t help it.

“Yes, me General Dameron.” You gently dab some bacta on some of the smaller cuts. “Did that break heal up correctly?”

He nods a bit dumbly. You’d been responsible for his care after Ren and a couple of the Stormtroopers had tortured him. You’d been a welcome relief, if he were honest. In fact, apart from the fact you’d worked for the First Order, he wasn’t aware of any accusations against you.

“I’m glad.” You finish wrapping his wrist and nod. “All done. Your pilots should be ready to go in around 2hrs, just to allow any drowsiness to wear off. I have some spare rooms if you need to stay on planet tonight?”

He thanks you profusely but explains that they are expected back tonight as you head back into the main waiting area. You shake his hand before leaving him and approaching a tall red-head across the room who instantly wraps his arm around your waist and drops a quick kiss on your head. You whisper to him for a few seconds and blue-green eyes suddenly lock with Poe’s before his face breaks out in a smile.

“General Dameron” Armitage says, approaching slowly and holding out a hand to a shell-shocked looking Dameron. “I’m glad you won. You and your squadrons are welcome to drop in here for treatment if you ever require it and are close by. Free of charge”

Poe, for his part, has a LOT of thoughts at this moment. Part of him wants to jump up and arrest him immediately whilst another screams that he was a spy and was seriously harmed because of it. It’s neither of these things that eventually seals his reaction though. It’s the loving glance Armitage throws your way as you offer them both coffee, the expression rendering him almost unrecognisable when juxtaposed against the version he used to know.

“Thank you.” He finally chokes out. “I’m assuming you’re not known by your old names?” Given the whole living in peace and not being turned into the authorities and all that?”

Hux just laughs.

“You would be correct. We’re both going by Y/N’s mother’s maiden name.”

“Oh?”

“Yes” Armitage says, looking far too amused. “We’re Armitage and Y/N Organa.”

Poe’s jaw drops to the flood. How on EARTH was he going to explain any of this?

Turns out, after it became the top recommended med centre by all members of the Resistance, he didn’t have to. He just had to keep pretending he didn’t know Hux had survived and not let Finn anywhere near. Poe was good at keeping his mouth shut.

Strange galaxy you live in really. And you couldn’t be happier

[writingletterstothefire]

She Loves Me

Chapter 1

A/N: Hi guys. It’s been a minute. Here is the long awaited (by no one) She Loves Me AU. I’m putting chapter 1 out here in the hopes that people waiting for updates will spark some creativity in me again. I’m sorry it’s short. If you enjoy, let me know

Word Count: 1703

Warnings: not proof read.

The sun was blazing down on you as you scurried down the busy New York sidewalk. The summer had decided to be blazing hot this wonderful morning, and you had decided to be extraordinarily late for work. Well, perhaps ‘decided’ isn’t the right word— you’d overslept on account of staying up extra late to finish a letter to your Special Friend.

There was no shame in using a dating service, you knew that, yet for some reason the very thought of joining one was something that you had scoffed at for so many years. “I want to meet someone organically,” you’d complain to your friends, “those services are full of strangers who have the weirdest quirks.” To be fair, that had been true in your brief experience using a dating service in college. It was definitely an odd time, figuring out exactly what ‘watersports’ meant. Needless to say, it had taken one single date for you to decide to withdraw your application and swear off dating services.

But you were getting older. And men seemed to just get more and more picky, the older they got. So, when you stumbled across an advertisement in your Sunday newspaper for a matchmaking service called ‘Special Friends’, you jumped at the opportunity. The directions were simple; you filled out the survey in the paper, mailed it to the listed address, and then your answers were compared with other submissions to find the best match for you. Once you received your match, you were to write a letter to them introducing yourself and signing off under the title of ‘Special Friend’. The two of you were given a specific P.O. box to drop your letters off to, provided by the matchmaking service. The only real rules were that the letter had to be handwritten, and you were only allowed to give real names if both parties agreed on it.

Your Special Friend was a true kindred spirit. It had been six months of trading letters back and forth, and the two of you spoke about everything, from your childhoods to your favorite books, from dream destinations to worst fears. About three months into this correspondence, you knew that, whoever this Special Friend was, you loved them. You stayed up until all hours of the night writing draft after draft until you formed the perfect letter. Because of this, you were often late for work in the morning.

Late. That’s right. You were very late. You willed your feet to move you as fast as they possibly could, cursing yourself for choosing this morning to wear heels. Finally, you managed to burst through the door just minutes before opening, scurrying to the back to drop off your bag. You made a mental note to yourself to start carrying flats in your purse, in case of emergency.

You’d just finished touching up your makeup in the small staff room mirror, when you felt someone sidle up beside you. You didn’t have to turn your head to know who it was. The smug energy emanating from his every pore was enough to confirm your suspicions of who was next to you. Santiago Garcia. Your worst nightmare in human form.

“Can I help you with something, Mr. Garcia?” You didn’t even spare him a glance as you finger-combed your hair, which was now windswept from your impromptu jog.

“Not at all, Miss Y/L/N,” Santiago flashed you a smile that, in any other circumstance, would have been charming. You, however, knew that pure contempt lurked behind those pearly white teeth. “I was just marveling at the rare sight of you, here, on time!”

“And why would that be something to marvel at, Mr. Garcia?” you scowled.

“Well, simply because it’s never happened before!” Santiago leaned against the wall, charming smile morphing into the smirk that often adorned his chiseled face. “You know, Miss Y/L/N, you may want to stop frowning so adamantly. At your age, those frown lines tend to stick around.”

“At my age?!” you nearly shrieked at him. “Mr. Garcia, need I remind you that you are older than I am!”

His smirk only widened. “Yes, but you seem to forget that one of us is ageing with grace, Miss Y/L/N.”

Your scowl deepened, and you shoved past him, making your way to the front of the store. You never did understand why Santiago didn’t like you. From the first moment you stepped into the department store, it seemed like he was trying to usher you out. Sure, when he thought you were a customer, he was the most charming man you’d ever spoken to. But once he had realized that you were trying to apply for the new salesperson position, he wanted nothing to do with you. He had insisted that there were no positions available, but Frankie Morales, his friend and co-worker, was quick to usher you to the owner’s office. Mr. Bailey had been a hard man to charm, but when you made your first sale to a woman who was insistent that she was just browsing, he hired you on the spot. After all, you’d gotten her to buy not one, not two, but five jars of various creams and lotions. None of Mr. Bailey’s workers had ever managed to sell that much in one go, not even his prized Mr. Garcia.

Making your way to the front of the store, you said hello and gave a kiss on the cheek to Frankie and each of the Miller brothers, Will and Benny. All three of the boys were quick to welcome you, despite Santi being the unspoken leader of the pack. They quickly became your protective band of brothers, something you’d long wished for as a young child.

“Good morning Frankie! How’s Elisa doing this morning?” You asked Frankie, your tone surprisingly chipper after dealing with Santi in the staff room.

“Round as ever!” Frankie exclaimed, a wide grin on his face. “The doctors estimate that the baby will be here in about a month, and Mr. Bailey’s been so kind as to let me have a month off after the baby arrives. I know it’s going to take a toll on Elisa, and I want to be there for her as much as I can.”

Sometimes, Frankie just melted your heart. It was so plain to see how much he loved his wife and their incoming baby. Their little family was everything you wanted. You only hoped that one day someone would love you just as much as Frankie and Elisa loved each other.

It was beginning to seem as though your Special Friend was never going to reveal himself to you. You had offered to meet for dinner on a few occasions, and each time he insisted that he had prior appointments. You didn’t want to assume anything, of course, but you were getting worried. Surely he wouldn’t lie to you about having a prior engagement, would he? But then, if he was so eager to meet you, as he claimed to be, then why did he never offer an alternative date?

On your way home from work, you stopped at the P.O. box. Your Special Friend had forgotten— or, well, neglected, you supposed— to write you the past two days, but you were adamant about writing at least every other day. You knew how much the letters meant to you, and if they brought him even half as much joy, you wanted to be sure he got it. Perhaps, if you hadn’t been so caught up in your own head, you would have looked up and seen the figure walking away from the wall of P.O. boxes.

To your surprise and delight, there was a letter waiting for you in the box when you finally opened it. If you hadn’t been so excited to read it, perhaps you’d have noticed the flash of a coat turning the corner as they walked away from the wall of boxes.

You hurried to open the letter.

Dear Friend,

I am so sorry to have not been able to write these past few days. Work has been an absolute train wreck, what with the most irritating co-worker constantly fumbling about. Somehow, the boss claims it’s my fault. Could you believe it? My fault that my imbecile of a co-worker is incapable of doing the simplest task that doesn’t involve talking a mile per minute?

But enough about that mess. I am supposed to be apologizing to you, my dear, sweet friend.

I know that you have been wanting to meet me. I am so sorry that I haven’t been able to make any of our appointments. As I’ve told you before, I was once in the army. An experience in war is one that I don’t wish on anyone. It takes a toll on you, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Because of my experience, I’ve decided to counsel other veterans and help them through their traumatic memories. On the nights you had wished to meet me, I’d had previously arranged counseling sessions, as well as one doctors appointment, a check up to see how I am recovering after all of my surgeries that I’ve told you about.

All of this to say, dear friend, that I’ve cleared my schedule for the night of the 27th. If you are available, I would love to meet you at the Ambrosia Garden down on the corner of 12th Avenue. I’ve made a reservation for two under the name Elizabeth Bennett, after you expressed how much you loved Jane Austen’s ‘Pride & Prejudice’. If you show, I will be wearing a purple rose on my lapel. I will look for you, where you will be holding a copy of ‘Pride & Prejudice’, with a purple rose tucked between the pages.

I sincerely hope to see you on the 27the, dear friend. I’ve been longing to meet you since we first exchanged letters, so many months ago.

Sincerely,

Your Special Friend

You had to meet him. You would get to the Ambrosia Garden on the 27th, no matter the cost. You’d find out who your Special Friend was if it was the last thing you did.

[directsellingnow]

Breaking News Today: Most Emerging Direct Selling Leader Award के विनर बने अजय साहू

Breaking News Today: 5वें डायरेक्ट सेलिंग लीडरशिप एक्सीलेंस अवार्ड (DSLEA-2024) का भव्य समारोह महाराजा अग्रसेन इंटरनेशनल कॉलेज रायपुर छत्तीसगढ़ में संपन्न हुआ। कार्यक्रम में बतौर मुख्यातिथि शामिल फेडरेशन ऑफ़ डायरेक्ट सेलिंग एसोसिएशन के जनरल सेक्रेटरी श्री किशोर वर्मा के साथ-साथ डायरेक्ट सेलिंग नाउ के फाउंडर श्री राहुल शर्मा और को-फाउंडर श्रीमती यामिनी शर्मा खासतौर पर मौजूद रहीं। Breaking News…

[beyond-crusading]

Saladin: a tolerant knight opposing fanatical Christians ?

Saladin achieved amazing political and military success: from a humble Kurdish officer in Nur ed-Din's army, he became the Sultan of Egypt, Mosul and Damas. In 1187, he crushed the Frankish army in Hattin and took back Jerusalem. Surprisingly, his fame in the Muslim world was short-lived: in the 14th century, the great historian Ibn Khaldun only mentions him in passing in his universal history...

In the West, in the contrary, Saladin was not forgotten. But he was not remembered - as we may except - as the faithless conqueror who had committed the awful crime of depriving Christians of Jerusalem. Even though his conquests were known, medieval authors started as soon as the early 13th century to present Saladin in a very positive light: Saladin was brave, chivalrous, courteous. As time went on, he started to be depicted as a perfect knight, whose only flaw was not being Christian.

This very positive perception of Saladin as an honorable and knightly enemy was transmitted to us in almost direct line since the early 1230s. The epics of the 13th-14th century and the "romans de chevalerie" of the 15th century made him into an honorable pagan, earning him the right to appear in limbos next to Homer and Socrates in Dante's Divine Comedy. The Enlightenment philosophers then saw Saladin as an ideal of tolerance. 20th and 21th century movies generally represent him by mixing these two traditions. For example, Kingdom of Heaven (2005) by Ridley Scott presents Saladin as an honorable enemy, tolerant of all faiths, wanting nothing more than to live peacefully with the Christians.

Saladin’s mercy in Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

This narrative, however, has been challenged by historians ! So I'd like to correct a few common misconceptions about him and the events of 1187:

1) Saladin wanted to live in peace with the Christians.

One thing you need to understand about Saladin is that he SEVERELY lacked legitimacy. He was a Kurdish general leading Turkish troops ruling over Arabs, and seized power in the Muslim world by revolting against his former lord, Nur ed-Din. Until the end of the 1180s, he waged an relentless war against the unarguably legitimate heirs of Nur ed-Din.

So how did he justify his conquests ? Like Nur ed-Din had done before him, he tried to be seen as a devout Muslim ruler. Maybe he wasn't the legitimate heir, but he would be the pious leader the world needed, who would defeat both heretics and crusaders.

The first act of his political career was to depose the Shiite Fatimid Caliphate of Egypt: he used this to boast his legitimacy by presenting himself as the defender of Sunni Islam.

But this wasn't enough. He needed to convince the Muslim world to support his rebellion against the Zengids aka the most powerful Muslim dynasty that had emerged for a hundred years. So Saladin turned to djihad.

Djihad was the religious belief that Muslims should expand the Dar al-islam (the territory ruled by Muslim rulers) by military conquest. Since the time he became Sultan of Egypt, Saladin based his legitimacy on the idea that he would be the one to retake Syria from the Christians.

But Saladin had to assert his power in the Muslim world first. This led to him to a situation where he had to fight the Zengids at home (in order to stay in power) and the Crusaders States in Syria (to bolster the legitimacy he needed to win against the Zengids, and to avoid being accused of hypocrisy).

He did the logical thing: take care of the Zengids first, while trying to limit wars with the Crusaders, and then attack the Crusaders, with all the resources of the former Zengid empire at his disposal.

A plan which eventually worked !

So suggesting Saladin wanted to live in peace with the Christians would be absurd: considering his lack of legitimacy, it would have been a sort of political suicide.

Also, we have no reason to doubt that he was a sincere believer in djihad, and saw it as an important religious obligation for any Muslim leader in a capacity to do so.

2) Saladin was courteous and merciful.

It's undeniable that Saladin had a certain... humanitarian side to his personality. He seems to have been ready to free prisoners and show mercy in some occasions.

HOWEVER his most famous acts of personal generosity - the ones accomplished during his campaign of 1187-1188 - were in his best interest, as they were part of a policy to encourage Christian lords to surrender their towns and castles to him. This would allow him to quickly conquer Syria, before the arrival of reinforcements from the West.

His generosity was not devoid of political calculations.

The courteous deeds of Saladin are reported with great praise in many of our Christian sources. The traditional understanding of the events of 1187 is mostly based on The Old French Continuations of William of Tyre, an extremely valuable primary source, but strongly aligned with the ideological and political interests of the Latin States ruling elite. This encouraged the autor(s) to emphasise Saladin's generosity, for three reasons:

- The idea of the "honorable pagan enemy" was very popular in medieval epics and romans

- The greater the enemy, the more acceptable the defeat

- Writing about Saladin's great courtesy helped justify the actions of the lords who had given over their cities to Saladin without much - or any ! - fighting.

Not only Saladin had a reason to be merciful, the chroniclers aligned with Holy Land lords had every interest to report it.

Thankfully other sources allow us to understand how Saladin was perceived by other contemporaries, who were not members of the ruling class:

- The Libellus de Expugnatione Terrae Sanctae, written by a mere soldier who fought at the siege of Jerusalem, expresses a deep feeling of betrayal against Balian of Ibelin and the other Christians who had chosen to "sell the city of God" to a Pagan King.

- The letters sent at the time (my research topic for this year !) give us a sense of the shock and horror that seized the contemporaries. There was certainly no admiration of Saladin's virtues there, nor any discussion of his great deeds.

A not very positive depiction of Saladin in a Latin manuscript

3. Reynald of Châtillon and Gerard of Ridefort were fanatics and idiots

Gerard (master of the Templars) and Reynald (lord of Kerak) were both highly experienced military commanders who knew exactly what they were doing. They were part of the faction which favored quick action against Saladin, before the unification of his empire. This was very sound strategical reasoning. Looking back, we see that Saladin's situation was precarious: if he suffered too much defeats at the hands of the Crusaders, and if he had to fight on two fronts at once, he would probably have lost. The truces favored by the other faction, led by Raymond of Tripoli, allowed him the time to strengthen his control on the Muslim empire.

When Reynald launched his famous raid on the Red Sea - threatening the Hedjaz, the birthplace of Islam, and raiding close to Medina, where the Prophet was buried - he dealt a devastating blow to Saladin: even if no long term teritorial gain was made, Saladin's legitimacy was badly damaged. How could he call himself the protector of faith, if he couldn't even protect the pilgrims on the road to Mecca, and the Holy city of Medina ! A few of these blows and Saladin could very well have lost his grasp on the Muslim world...

The incident that led to the campaign of 1187 and the defeat at Hattin - the raid launched by Reynald on a caravan despite the truce signed between Saladin and the King of Jerusalem - was another very calculated move. His goal was to force another war between the King and the Sultan, at a time when King Guy didn't want to go to war against Saladin. In Reynald's eyes, any delay would only give Saladin more time to unify his empire and prepare his troops.

So, were they fanatics ? Maybe. Were they idiots ? Certainly not.

A pretty unsubtle representation of Reynald and Gerard’s position in Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

(If you read this far I'm very grateful ! This took a long time to write !)

[antoine-roquentin]

The clear subtext of the last half-decade of political upheaval has been rising impatience with how difficult it has become to enjoy things once considered the basics of life. Young people leave school saddled in debt, consider themselves lucky if they get health insurance, and are usually so far from being able to imagine owning their own homes or having real professional security that marriage or children seem like absurd, unattainable luxuries.

For older people further along in life, the logistical challenges of mere living have become so outrageous that many have committed to Dickensian work regimes, only to discover that in America, even working overtime costs money. You take a second job to pay for the child care necessitated by the first, and the little ancillary costs that seemed not so serious once — from DMV fees to getting a stove repaired to parking — now trigger a pucker factor just to consider. That’s without even taking into account all the various near-automatically bankrupting endgames built into the American experience that most people try as much as possible not to think about: serious illness, an elderly relative forced into care, divorce, surprise legal problems, etc.

The fact that a year ago, anyone thought it made sense to tell the millions of people forced daily to navigate all this stupidity that they needed to focus on a labyrinthine political controversy in Ukraine — and to blast them for deficits of “sobriety and clarity” when they didn’t — told you everything you needed to know about the cluelessness of the people who run this country.

Then the pandemic happened.

No conspiracy theories are necessary to point out that all of the institutions Americans were in the process of rejecting just a year ago have since increased their power and influence. Be it opportunism or coincidence, the international emergency has written a dramatic heel turn into our history.

A sweeping Fed-based rescue program resulted in enormous booms in asset values, allowing America’s wealthiest to increase their net worth by nearly a trillion dollars since the start of the pandemic (in mid-summer, American billionaires were collectively earning $42 billion per week). The disease pummeled people who actually had to travel to work, while empowering conglomerates like Amazon, which tripled its profits in the third quarter alone. Most of our lives are online now, an ironic reward to intelligence services that went unpunished after illegal surveillance programs were disclosed in the Obama years.

After all that upheaval, the White House is about to be re-occupied by a political fossil from the eighties, surrounded by a zombie cabinet of Iraq War supporters, drone assassination proponents, corporate lawyers, lobbyists, and neoliberal economists, coming from places like Amazon, DuPont, and Raytheon (the Pentagon appointment of the current Henry Kissinger Chair from the Center from Strategic and International Studies was a nice homage to the unchangingly vile character of America’s royal court). How bad any of this is in comparison with the chaotic presidency of Donald Trump is arguable, but it surely represents the triumph of Sameness, a powerful reminder that in America, you ultimately can’t beat City Hall. Or can you?

The news in recent years often reads like accounts of America before the Sixties upheavals. That was also a time when long-held myths were rapidly losing force and people were beginning to question the palette of life choices celebrated in places like the Book of the Month Club and Life magazine. Men wondered why they were being sent around the world to kill poor people, only to come home to what Paul Goodman described as a “style of life dictated by Personnel… to work to pay installments on a useless refrigerator.”

Women had it worse, consigned to tend house and give themselves nightly as a reward for men who’d completed their “covenant of murder” in places like Vietnam. Spirituality in much of Jim Crow America was a superficial weekly injunction to conformity at archaic churches and temples, while our real religion, consumerism, became a constant devotional exercise, bolstered by a thousand dazzling commercials for products that people began to realize fulfilled every conceivable need, but the most important.

We’re in such a similar place, and though America’s political leaders learned a great deal from those times — the list of absurd Woke Headlines run here a few days ago chronicles the extremely clever effort to commoditize and sell the desire for political action that had no permissible outlet in the sixties — the reality is, if you keep giving people nothing but crappy choices, they’ll eventually write their own story, even if they can’t do it through voting.

Americans are tired. The rancorous politics they’ve been sold as bread-and-circus diversions are tiring, not laughing is tiring, having too much work and too little money is tiring, being stuck inside now is tiring, even being sexually frustrated is tiring (look at the stats on that one sometime, if you want insight into why so many Americans seemed a tad touchy in recent years). The most exhausting part is the mandate to take it all seriously. Unfortunately for America’s leaders, that’s the easiest part to change, which is why 2021 feels like such a good candidate to be the year things finally begin turning in a happier direction.

Distortions on CNN or in the New York Times drive people crazy, but that’s only because they remember trusting those sources. They’ll forget soon and learn to walk right past mass media blather as if it were just amusingly terrible wallpaper, the way Soviets eventually did with Pravda and Izvestia. Student debt is crushing and college is an overpriced scam, but a reckoning of sorts is coming when people stop being ashamed of vocational school. Facebook and Instagram turbocharged the impact of fear-based “ring around the collar”-style marketing, but what happens when the pandemic recedes and going offline is possible again? Throwing off worries about likes and rediscovering real-life interaction feels destined to become a fashionable dissident statement, in the same way tuning in, turning on, and “dropping out” was an obvious response to the stultifying conformity of the fifties.

[archaneanscribe]

Eight Days

I tried my hand at expanding on and reimagining the detail's of Julian and Lena's first meeting. Part of the Archanea Chronicles.

The heavy iron door of the cell slammed shut with a dreadful clatter, but Julian could barely hear it over the ringing in his ears.

Hissing in pain, he rolled over onto his back on the cold, hard floor, the relief he felt at no longer lying down on his broken arm negligible at best. This is what happens when you betrayed the Soothsires, after all. You get beaten until you're black and blue, and are thrown away to rot.

"Bastards..." he growled under his breath once he had heard his former-allies-turned-captor's footsteps retreat a good distance, "I knew they were a bunch of animals, but they didn't even have the decency to kill me..."

"Are you in need of healing?"

If he were in better shape, Julian might have jumped out of skin at the sudden realization he wasn't alone. Seeing that he wasn't, he just twitched at the voice coming from his right, lolling his head in that direction with considerable effort. He couldn't get a great look at his cellmate due to the sideways angle and probable concussion he had, but he could make out a staff in their hand.

"Yeah, but why bother?" he replied, letting out a huff of air that was supposed to be a sigh, but was more of a pitiful shudder, "They'll just beat me again tomorrow."

"And I will heal you again tomorrow."

He diverted all his energy to focusing his vision in order to really see his companion. Red hair, white clothes, a staff... it was that girl! The girl who was the reason he was here in the first place.

She seemed tired of waiting for an answer, because a flash of light illuminated the grimy cell as a warm feeling washed over him. As a bandit, he was rarely on the receiving end of healing magic, so he silently marveled at the feeling of bone reconnecting and flesh pulling back together. It wasn't painful, but it was definitely... odd.

As quick as it began, it was over, and he was good as new.

Well, he felt more gently used instead of on the verge of death, which was good enough. He still ached, but he was able to sit up now. After doing that, he scooted backwards until his back rested against the wall. Feeling more human, he was finally able to see her properly. Despite having been in here for a week longer than him, the only things that seemed to be wrong with her were impressively dirty robes, and tired, tired eyes.

At the same time, she was appraising him as well, but with medical curiosity, "Are you feeling better?"

"Much," a beat, "Aren't you worried about what they'll do to you? They might be idiots, but it'd take more than an idiot to not figure out what happened here."

She shook her head, brushing some hair aside to reveal a small cut, "When this happened, your leader was quite angry with the man who did it. I am more..." her expression, which had previously been impassive, grew bitter, "...valuable, if I am undamaged."

Yeah. He knew exactly what she meant there.

"That's probably true. Never scuff up the merchandise," he said the last word with venom, "That used to just mean jewels and trinkets, not people."

Setting her staff aside, she cautiously moved closer to him, stopping an arm's length away, "Kidnapping women is not something you did before?"

"No!" he shouted defensively, forcefully snapping his jaw shut to regulate his volume, "No. We did plenty of unsavory things- we stole and we killed, sure, but we had our limits. But then Hyman took over. Bastard has been pushing those boundaries day by day. But he finally crossed the line when he," he gestured towards her, "You know."

She nodded, "Is that why you are here? You objected to your leaders actions?"

"I just couldn't let it continue. It'd have been bad enough as it is, but you're not just any woman," he pointed to her staff, "You're a cleric! A holy woman! A healer!"

Her face softened into a smile, and it softened his heart, to see something so beautiful in this setting. She closed that final distance between them, laying a hand on his forearm- her hands were small, but the skin was rougher than he expected, "You have a good heart."

While she had been on the money before, now she was as wrong as could be.

His shoulder was still tender, but he shrugged her off, "You don't know what I've done. Not being alright with selling people isn't anything special."

"You chose to stand up for what you believe in. Most sit back and watch, no matter how much they object."

"Look, lady-"

"Lena."

He looked at her like she had grown an extra arm, but her smile only grew, like a flower emerging from a crack in the cobblestone, "My name is Lena. What is your name?"

More than a little lost at the direction this interaction was headed, all he could do was blink numbly as he replied, "Uh, Julian. I'm Julian."

"Well, Julian, there is something you need to know. The other staff I have is Warp. It is very rare and valuable, worth much more than my life."

"Why-"

"If you are truly so blackhearted, you will call for one of your associates and tell them this. I'm sure they would let you go free if you did."

His eyes drifted over to where she had been sitting before, and true enough, he saw a staff that was much more ornate than what she had used on him. From there, his gaze moved back to her, a serene smile still gracing her face (which he was increasingly noticing was quite lovely).

"Why are you telling me this?"

"You stood against your comrades for my sake. I believe I owe you the honesty."

What a strange woman.

Seeming content that she had accomplished whatever her goals were, Lena moved back to the side of the cell she was originally in, sitting all too calmly for someone in her situation.

If she noticed him staring at her in bewilderment, she said nothing.

---

When their guard arrived later that night, he beat Julian within an inch of his life once more. True to her word, Lena healed him again.

He didn't utter a peep about her staff.

---

Julian really couldn't tell you why Hyman didn't decide enough was enough and just kill him properly, even as the days ticked by. Maybe he just lost interest. Maybe he thought that being in a cell next to a beautiful woman, unable to do anything with her was punishment enough (he would think that, the pig).

Or maybe, just maybe, he was smarter than Julian gave him credit for, and knew that his former subordinate was growing more attached to the cleric the longer they were imprisoned together, which would make her eventual fate hurt him worse than any torture.

It would be tough not to notice.

They never brought any food or water just for him, but Lena always offered him some of hers. He had turned her down.

On day three, his stomach had triumphed over his mind.

After that, he let the arrangement slide, so long as she agreed to eat more of it than she gave him. He was used to being hungry, after all.

On day five, they started to talk. The time before hadn't been entirely silent, but that had been most out of necessity, like asking for privacy when relieving themselves. It was the fifth day that she, almost speaking more to herself than him, began to recount her life story. The granddaughter of a nobleman who gave away all his time and money to help those who needed it, she chose to follow in his footsteps, renouncing her title and leading the life of your average cleric.

That was selling her short, actually. She walked paths hardened warriors refused to tread, such as traversing the Ghoul's Teeth to treat those who lived in the border villages, those who everyone else had abandoned as fools or unable to be saved.

"I am simply doing what I must as a cleric. I am no better than any of my sisters of the cloth."

He couldn't help but see her as much, much more than that.

So moved he was, that when she asked about him, he was more honest than he ever was to himself. He told her about his father, who on his deathbed had tried to impart good values on his boy. Telling him to protect those who need it, to be kind and fair to everyone around him.

He also told her how he, an angry sixteen year old boy at the time, had disregarded those teachings when a tough looking older man had taught him how to pick locks. There was no remorse in his voice when it came to him stealing to survive, nor was there any judgement in her eyes.

The regret came later.

It came in the times when he had stolen from those who had less than he had. When he has participated in raiding the nearby villages. The nights when he heard young boys cry out for their fathers amidst the flame and he didn't sleep.

On day five, he cried. As the tears came, she placed a soothing hand on his shoulder and let it linger.

---

On day six, he asked her if she could absolve him, as a holy woman.

"You can only find absolution through your own actions, Julian. Your soul is in your own hands."

---

On day seven, he asked how exactly the Warp staff worked. She said it couldn't take the wielder with it.

Later that night, they overheard their guard mention to another brigand that they finally found a buyer for their "prized merchandise".

---

On day eight, he leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "We're getting out of here, together."

On day eight, she smiled.•

[newstfionline]

Saturday, August 21, 2021

Landlords look for an exit amid federal eviction moratorium (AP) When Ryan David bought three rental properties back in 2017, he expected the $1,000-a-month he was pocketing after expenses would be regular sources of income well into his retirement years. But then the pandemic hit and federal and state authorities imposed moratoriums on evictions. The unpaid rent began to mount. Then, just when he thought the worst was over, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a new moratorium, lasting until Oct. 3. David, the father of a 2 1/2-year-old who is expecting another child, fears the $2,000 he’s owed in back rent will quickly climb to thousands more. The latest moratorium “was the final gut punch,” said the 39-year-old, adding that he now plans to sell the apartments. Most evictions for unpaid rent have been halted since the early days of the pandemic and there are now more than 15 million people living in households that owe as much as $20 billion in back rent, according to the Aspen Institute. A majority of single-family rental home owners have been impacted, according to a survey from the National Rental Home Council, and 50% say they have tenants who have missed rent during the pandemic. Landlords, big and small, are most angry about the moratoriums, which they consider illegal. Many believe some tenants could have paid rent, if not for the moratorium. And the $47 billion in federal rental assistance that was supposed to make landlords whole has been slow to materialize. By July, only $3 billion of the first tranche of $25 billion had been distributed.

Student loans (WSJ) The Biden administration announced it will wipe out $5.8 billion in student loans held by 323,000 people who are permanently disabled. This means the Education Department will discharge loans for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities per Social Security Administration records. Currently there is $1.6 trillion held in student loan debt, much of which could be eliminated through executive action.

New England preps for 1st hurricane in 30 years with Henri (AP) New Englanders bracing for their first direct hit by a hurricane in 30 years began hauling boats out of the water and taking other precautions Friday as Tropical Storm Henri barreled toward the Northeast coast. Henri was expected to intensify into a hurricane by Saturday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Impacts could be felt in New England states by Sunday, including on Cape Cod, which is teeming with tens of thousands of summer tourists. “This storm is extremely worrisome,” said Michael Finkelstein, police chief and emergency management director in East Lyme, Connecticut. “We haven’t been down this road in quite a while and there’s no doubt that we and the rest of New England would have some real difficulties with a direct hit from a hurricane.”

Booming Colo. town asks, ‘Where will water come from?’ (AP) “Go West, young man,″ Horace Greeley famously urged. The problem for the northern Colorado town that bears the 19th-century newspaper editor’s name: Too many people have heeded his advice. By the tens of thousands newcomers have been streaming into Greeley—so much so that the city and surrounding Weld County grew by more than 30% from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, making it one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. And it’s not just Greeley. Figures released this month show that population growth continues unabated in the South and West, even as temperatures rise and droughts become more common. That in turn has set off a scramble of growing intensity in places like Greeley to find water for the current population, let alone those expected to arrive in coming years. “Everybody looks at the population growth and says, ‘Where is the water going to come from?’” [one local professor] said.

Everything’s Getting Bigger In Texas (AP, CNBC, Forbes) Texas has long been a popular destination for newcomers, thanks to cheaper land and housing, more job opportunities, lower taxes, and fewer regulations. There’s also the great weather, food, schools, and medical facilities, the abundant resources and year-round recreation and outdoor activities, artistic and cultural events, fairs, festivals, music venues, and the diverse and friendly people—you know, just to name a few. Texas has always been a business-friendly environment, which has certainly not been lost on tech and financial companies headquartered in strictly-regulated and high-priced states like California and New York. There are 237 corporate relocation and expansion projects in the works in Texas just since the pandemic hit. Tech giant Oracle moved its headquarters to Austin in late 2020; Tesla is building its new Gigafactory there, and Apple will have its second-largest campus there as well. Both Google and Facebook have satellite offices in Austin, and the file hosting services company Dropbox will be leaving San Francisco for Austin. Recently, the global real estate services firm CBRE and multinational financial services behemoth Charles Schwab moved their headquarters from California to the Dallas area. Hewlett Packard’s cofounders were two of the original grandfathers of Silicon Valley, who started their company in a Palo Alto garage in 1939. Now, the corporation is moving its headquarters from San Jose to Houston. And the number of mega-wealthy individuals who’ve moved to Texas are too numerous to mention. It’s not just big cities like Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio that are seeing an influx of people—bedroom communities are growing by leaps and bounds as well—places like New Braunfels, located in the Texas Hill Country, Conroe, 40 miles north of Houston, and McKinney, just 30 minutes up U.S. 75 from Dallas.

‘Bracing for the worst’ in Florida’s COVID-19 hot zone (AP) As quickly as one COVID patient is discharged, another waits for a bed in northeast Florida, the hot zone of the state’s latest surge. But the patients at Baptist Health’s five hospitals across Jacksonville are younger and getting sick from the virus faster than people did last summer. Baptist has over 500 COVID patients, more than twice the number they had at the peak of Florida’s July 2020 surge, and the onslaught isn’t letting up. Hospital officials are anxiously monitoring 10 forecast models, converting empty spaces, adding over 100 beds and “bracing for the worst,” said Dr. Timothy Groover, the hospitals’ interim chief medical officer.

Grace heads for a second hurricane hit on Mexican coast (AP) Hurricane Grace—temporarily knocked back to tropical storm force—headed Friday for a second landfall in Mexico, this time taking aim at the mainland’s Gulf coast after crashing through the country’s main tourist strip. The storm lost punch as it zipped across the Yucatan Peninsula, but it emerged late Thursday over the relatively warm Gulf of Mexico and was gaining energy. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Grace’s winds were back up to 70 mph (110 kph) early Friday and were expected to soon regain hurricane force. It was centered about 265 miles (425 kilometers) east of Tuxpan and was heading west at 16 mph (26 kph). The forecast track would take it toward a coastal region of small fishing towns and beach resorts between Tuxpan and Veracruz, likely Friday night or early Saturday, then over a mountain range toward the heart of the country and the greater Mexico City region. Forecasters said it could drop 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) of rain, with more in a few isolated areas—bringing the threat of flash floods, mudslide and urban flooding.

“Self-determination 1, Human Rights 0” (Foreign Policy) Most Latin American governments offered little official support to the U.S. War in Afghanistan when it began in 2001. At the time, Venezuela put forward a blistering critique of meeting “terror with more terror,” and then-Cuban leader Fidel Castro said U.S. opponents’ irregular warfare abilities could draw out the conflict for 20 years. Over the weekend, as the Afghan government collapsed and chaos engulfed Kabul’s airport, today’s leaders of Cuba and Venezuela echoed their critiques while foreign ministers of other Latin American countries diplomatically issued statements of concern about Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs. Chile and Mexico made plans to accept Afghan refugees, and several countries signed on to a joint international statement protecting Afghan women’s rights. To many in Latin America’s diplomatic and foreign-policy communities, the dark events in Afghanistan confirmed the importance of the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. The extended U.S. presence in Afghanistan was “the same mistake as always: trying to build democratic states through the use of force,” Colombian political scientist Sandra Guzmán wrote in El Tiempo. Many Latin Americans stressed that methods other than military interventions should be used to work toward human rights, even as they acknowledged how challenging it can be to make progress. “Self-determination 1, human rights 0 #Afghanistan,” tweeted Uruguayan political scientist Andrés Malamud after Kabul fell.

Afghanistan war unpopular amid chaotic pullout (AP) A significant majority of Americans doubt that the war in Afghanistan was worthwhile, even as the United States is more divided over President Joe Biden’s handling of foreign policy and national security, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Roughly two-thirds said they did not think America’s longest war was worth fighting, the poll shows. Meanwhile, 47% approve of Biden’s management of international affairs, while 52% approve of Biden on national security. The poll was conducted Aug. 12-16 as the two-decade war in Afghanistan ended with the Taliban returning to power and capturing the capital of Kabul. Biden has faced bipartisan condemnation in Washington for sparking a humanitarian crisis by being ill-prepared for the speed of the Taliban’s advance.

The U.S. Blew Billions in Afghanistan (Bloomberg) The rapid collapse of Afghanistan’s government to the Taliban fueled fears of a humanitarian disaster, sparked a political crisis for President Joe Biden and caused scenes of desperation at Kabul’s airport. It’s also raised questions about what happened to more than $1 trillion the U.S. spent trying to bring peace and stability to a country wracked by decades of war. While most of that money went to the U.S. military, billions of dollars got wasted along the way, in some cases aggravating efforts to build ties with the Afghan people Americans meant to be helping. A special watchdog set up by Congress spent the past 13 years documenting the successes and failures of America’s efforts in Afghanistan. While wars are always wasteful, the misspent American funds stand out because the U.S. had 20 years to shift course.

Western groups desperate to save Afghan workers left behind (AP) The Italian charity Pangea helped tens of thousands of Afghan women become self-supporting in the last 20 years. Now, dozens of its staff in Afghanistan are in hiding with their families amid reports that Taliban are going door-to-door in search of citizens who worked with Westerners. Pangea founder Luca Lo Presti has asked that 30 Afghan charity workers and their families be included on Italian flights that have carried 500 people to safety this week, but the requests were flatly refused. On Thursday, the military coordinator told him: “Not today.” Dozens of flights already have brought hundreds of Western nationals and Afghan workers to safety in Europe since the Taliban captured the capital of Kabul. Those lucky enough to be rescued from feared reprisals have mostly been Afghans who worked directly with foreign missions, along with their families. European countries also have pledged to evacuate people at special risk from the Taliban—feminists, political activists and journalists—but it is unclear exactly where the line is being drawn and how many Afghan nationals Western nations will be able to evacuate.

[devnicolee]

The Sweetest Thing (1)

A/N: This exists because I know how to start new stories but not finish my current ones LOL Hope y’all enjoy! :) 

M’Baku x OC 

Word Count: 3,891

Warnings: None - just some good old, happy M’Baku fluff

The light chime of the front door tore Amara out of her deep meditation as she kneaded the soft dough on her counter to prepare a new batch of pastries. Her kitchen was her personal sanctuary and peace so her head always floated to the clouds once she got in the zone. She sighed in frustration, resigned to the fact that she would never actually finish any of her special orders while the shop was open. 

"Be there in a sec," she called brightly, wiping her flour covered hands quickly on a towel nearby. The kitchen area of her quaint bakery did not allow for a clear view of the entrance or counter so she was unable to see which of her regulars stopped by, she knew basically everyone in Gorilla City. 

Amara was exhausted, her family bakery was a two person shop. Just her and Eshe, her cousin and best friend who helped run the counter and manage orders. Unfortunately, Eshe came down with a bug over the weekend, leaving Amara to handle the baking and management alone. 

Despite her shop being small, it was one of the most popular bakeries in Jabariland, the most popular in Gorilla City. Amara inherited it from her mother, who created every recipe and taught Amara each one. Amara took pride in every pastry, cake, or piece of bread she created. Her mother taught her the importance of pouring passion and love into every dessert she made, which quickly made her shop a tribe staple. 

She emerged from the back, staring down at her hands as she tried to wipe more of the flour off, saying, "I am so sorry for the wait. What can I do for you t-today?" her voice trailing off in surprise as she came face to face with the Wakandan Royal Family… or at least, a portion of them. Her eyes widened as her eyes went from Princess Shuri to King T'Challa to Prince Erik? No, Killmonger. No? N’Jadaka? Um, well, Amara didn't quite know what the usurper-turned-forgiven-royal's title was these days.

Annnnnd this is why we never associated with lowlanders before, she thought to herself. 

And they were accompanied by Chief M'Baku and his little sister. "O-oh Hanuman," she whispered under her breath. "Um, King T'Challa, Princess Shuri, Prince Erik... Lord M'Baku, Lady Malaika," she said politely, greeting the row of Royals standing patiently on the other side of her long pastry display case. She offered them a tentative Wakandan salute, as was proper when addressing the Royal Family. Amara was usually far more confident than this but she had not expected for damn near every royal in Wakanda to stumble into her shop the one week she was drowning.  

It did not help that she knew she did not look appropriate enough to be in front of any of them. Her old tattered and stained black apron, the flour dusting her black clothes and caked on her face. She hadn’t bothered to do much with her long curly hair that morning, pulling it into a mess top puff that took five seconds. She had only gotten a couple glimpses of herself since starting to bake early that morning, trying to keep up with the increase of orders in preparation for the holiday on Friday. But even in passing glances, she knew she did not look well enough for a visit from the Royal Family or the Chief. 

"These look amazing," Shuri moaned, her eyes examining all the beautiful pastries and cakes just behind the glass. "Can I have one of everything?" 

"Absolutely not. Mama would murder me in my sleep. Pick a couple of things, Shuri and one thing to bring to her." 

"Fine, you bore. He hates me," she whispered in Amara's direction though she was still loud enough for her brother to hear. Her lips curled into a smile but she stifled the rising laughter, unsure if she should actually laugh at the King's expense. "What is your most popular thing?" she asked, directing her attention back to Amara who was still stuck and shocked to find them all in her small bakery. Amara blinked a few times, taking a moment to officially catch her stride after being thrown off course.  

"Um, the mandazis are delicious, those usually sell pretty quickly," she started to list, sliding back into her usual confident self as she pointed at a display of golden brown puff pastries coated in powdered sugar. "The cookies are really popular,” she pointed at a dish of gorilla-shaped cookies. “The lime cake is pretty popular and of course, the universal staples are tribe favorites," her nails tapped the intricate glass cake stand that held a tall 4 layer chocolate cake. 

This interaction went on for a few more minutes as Shuri asked about every pastry available. 

"My apologies Lord M'Baku and Miss?" T'Challa examined her expectantly with a soft smile. 

"O-oh Amara, your highness. Just Amara.” She straightened up instinctively, a more serious look on her face as she addressed the King. She had never actually seen him in person before. She, of course, heard about the incident that brought his almost-dead body to Jabariland months prior but she was far removed from the issues of royalty. Having only stories and gossip to inform her about him, she noted that one thing was clearly true: he was quite handsome.

"Yes. Amara. My apologies. Lord M'Baku was gracious enough to take us on a tour of the shops and markets and my sister here... has a persistent sweet tooth. She can sniff out a bakery from miles away," T'Challa explained as he watched Shuri patiently. His words signaled slight annoyance at his sister's antics but none of that showed in his face, just the love of an older sibling. 

"She greedy... that's the problem," Erik mumbled, loud enough for all to hear. His American accent was jarring to Amara, who had never heard one outside of movies and television shows. His snide remarks earned him some eye rolls from the rest of the group. Amara was surprised at his sense of humor, expecting the man who tried to murder the king to be more uptight. He was relaxed, perched in one of the chairs at a high table, casually scrolling on what looked like a small tablet.  

"It is no trouble at all. We are all happy to have you all in Jabariland," Amara responded politely as she boxed up Shuri's choices and placed them in a bag. 

"What is your role in the tribe? Your family?" the King asked, as he looked around the bakery walls, which were covered in family photos. 

"O-oh my father is a woodsmith, my king. He owns a shop a bit further into the market." 

"Not just any woodsmith, the tribe's best,” Malaika interjected. “D'Kar makes and carves most of our knobkerries. He carved brother's and mine. Brother, we should take them by there to meet him,” Malaika grinned at Amara’s surprised expression, “I am in training with your younger sister, Neema. She is quite nice, I fought her today. She is very good, I enjoy spending time with her at the training center." 

"Ah of course, Yes. She speaks highly of you as well," Amara responded with a smile. Malaika and Neema were quite a lot alike. She could see a world in which they would be best friends, if her sister was not such an introverted girl. Unlike her older sister, who was the social butterfly when she was in training and school, Neema struggled to make friends. It seemed to bother Amara more than Neema who quite enjoyed being alone.

"Brother, can I get one?" Malaika asked sweetly, looking up at the stoic giant who had yet to utter a word or crack a smile since walking in. 

"One," he whispered in his deep baritone. She honestly forgot the chief was even in the room, as he stood quietly in the back. She offered him a smile as their eyes met, it was not returned. But that was not surprising. While M’Baku was a respected and good leader, he was not known for his kindness. She continued to feel his eyes on her as she turned to prepare his sister’s slice of cake. Despite being a Jabari, she only ever saw M'Baku from a distance or at official events. She was a few years younger than him so they missed each other in training and school. 

Silence fell over the group as she started to box up her sister's cake. She almost felt exposed, like there were lasers on her as she worked. But  she would soon realize why. 

"Damn, nigga. Can you stare at her any harder?" Amara thanked Bast that her face was turned away from them so they could not see the way it twisted in embarrassment. She could hear Shuri and T’Challa’s quiet reprimands, though they were clearly trying to whisper. She pulled her face back into a smile and turned around, catching the tail end of a deathly glare between M’Baku and Erik. She busied herself by handing Malaika her box. 

"How much?" M'Baku muttered. Amara couldn’t tell but it almost seemed like he was embarrassed, the way he now actively avoided looking at her directly. 

"No need," she waved him away. "It is merely an honor to have you all here. Princess Shuri, if you are back in Jabariland, perhaps you will let me know what you thought?" 

Shuri looked up, her mouth coated in sugar and pushed out, "I definitely will be back! These are better than any bakery in the city. Do you deliver?” 

Amara's smile could have lit the mountains as she got high praise from a new customer. She was used to hearing nice things from her regulars in the tribe. She rarely got a new customer anymore since there were never new people, except children, in Jabariland. It just reaffirmed her craft and abilities to hear it from someone new.. "No, not yet, unfortunately. Sorry,” she offered, laughing lightly at the despondent expression on her face. 

“Let us go, Shuri. We have taken up more than enough of M’Baku and Malaika’s time. Thank you again, Miss Amara,” King T’Challa’s arms raised in a salute, which she mimicked with ease. 

“You all have a great rest of your tour." She smiled as they filed out of the door, M'Baku holding it open. However, he did not exit after Erik, instead he turned to face her again. 

"You said your name was Amara?" he asked, his body stradling the threshold of the door. 

"Yes, Chief M’Baku." 

He nodded softly with a small smile on his lips, before saying, "Good to know." 

Amara stared at the door as it slid shut, as confused as ever. What in Hanuman’s name just happened? 

****

“Baba!” Amara yelled as she let herself into her father’s cottage. “Neema?” She slid off her snow-covered boots and jacket before heading directly to the family kitchen. Despite her mother being gone for over five years, her father had not changed one thing. The house looked exactly the same, a time capsule from when her mother was living and taking care of everything. She was surprised at her father’s ability to keep the place this pristine, especially with his long work hours. But she knew he did it partially to honor her mother, who was strict about keeping things a certain way. She placed the fresh loaves of bread on the counter and meandered back to her father’s workshop. She inhaled the savory smells of fresh vegetable soup on the stove, made by her sister, she knew. Her father could maintain a house but he was a lousy cook.  

Despite being home from work, it was not a shocker to find D’Kar still in his home workshop carving after hours. He would carve nonstop if his aging hands allowed it. This older age did limit how long he could carve but it did not diminish the quality. Only he and few other men in the tribe had his level of skill with Jabari wood, skill that took many years to practice. 

“Baba,” she called softly, a smile on her face as she leaned against the door frame and watched him work.

“My girl!” He finished the last Jabari symbol on a walking staff before standing to wrap his eldest daughter in a tight hug. “How was your day?” He studied her closely, noting the exhaustion on her face. D’Kar was proud of his daughter but he felt she worked too much, worked too hard for someone her age. 

“Busy, Eshe is out sick so I am pulling double duty for the next couple days,” she waved away his concerns before sitting on a stool across from him so he could continue working. 

“Ah, I am sure the day was made all the more busy with a visit from the Chief and the Royal Family.” 

“They came by your shop too?” she asked. 

“Yep! The young one, Shuri? She mentioned that they had stopped at your bakery. Couldn’t stop talking about it. Asked me to convince you to pack up and open up shop in the Golden City.” 

Amara laughed, “And leave Jabariland? Leave you?” she asked, sitting down on one of the stools across from him. “I could never, baba.” 

D’Kar halted his carving for a moment, looking up from the walking staff to his daughter. “The Golden City wouldn’t be so bad. Now with the tribes reunited, maybe a change of scenery would be good for you, eh?” 

“Good for me?” Amara’s nose wrinkled up in confusion. “Where is this coming from? You hate the lowlanders?” 

“Yes, I do. But that does not mean you have to. You are young, Amara. Shouldn’t waste your years taking care of your sister and I. You should be living your life, having fun. It is what I want for you, what Neema wants for you… what she would want for you too.” 

Amara turned her head away from her father, the back of her eyes stinging lightly at the mention of her mother. Her death… her absence was still a sore subject in this house. “I-I’m gonna check on Neema, yes? Things will calm down next week and I-I can cook a few nights a week again so Neema isn’t doing everything. I’ll swing back by before I leave. I put some fresh loaves on the counter by the way.” She slid off the high stool and exited her father’s workshop quickly, barely looking at him as she went. She shook her head, as if that would rid it of all the negative thoughts swirling around, and headed upstairs to her sister’s bed room. 

Her sister’s long braids covered her face as she jotted down something in a small notebook. Amara watched Neema write with intensity. For her, writing was like baking, it took her to another world. 

Amara flopped down on her sister’s bed, earning her attention and an annoyed look. “How is the world’s greatest future author doing?” She inquired as she stretched out across the bed. 

“She is tired and trying to finish this with no distractions,” Neema responded, tapping her pen against her sister’s forehead gently. Amara’s eyes scrunched up as she laughed. 

“Fine, fine.” She pushed herself to a seated position and moved to the edge of the bed. “It is late anyway so I am not staying long. Just told baba I would check in on you. How was training?” 

“Painful as usual… fought against Lady Malaika today. She is good, left a few bruises. But we both won once so we got high marks.” She lifted her light sweatshirt to show a darkening bruise along her side. Amara whistled, she certainly did not miss her training days. 

“That is going to be worse tomorrow. You need to put ice on it. Also, why don’t you hang out with Lady Malaika? She seems nice, spoke very highly of you.” She poked her clearly annoyed sister in her unbruised side as she spoke. 

“When did you talk to her?” she questioned, her voice filled with speculation and a hint of anxiety, that also showed through her fidgeting with the corner of her notebook paper. 

“She came into the shop with the Royals and her brother. She said you were nice and she liked training with you. She is a sweetheart…. You should hang out with her, she seems like she could be a new friend if you just put yourself out there.” Amara stood up and started to walk toward the door. 

“We all can’t be you, Amara.” 

“No, you can be better.” She winked before turning to head out the door and back to her own home for the night. “Ice your side and start a damn fire in here, I mean for Hanuman’s sake.. It is freezing in here and getting sick will not get you out of training.” Amara ducked as a pillow came wheezing toward her head. “Night Neema.” The two childishly stuck their tongues out at each other before she bounded down the stairs to say goodnight to her baba and head home. 

*****

High up on Gorilla Mountain, another Jabari was fulfilling his big brother duties, training with his sister before bed. 

“Harder Malaika! What is up with you today?” M’Baku demanded, straightening his strong and long legs out of his battle stance to address his sister, who looked like she was moments away from the Ancestral Cliffs. 

“Sorry, brother. You know that woman at the bakery? I fought her sister today. She fought almost as hard as you do. I actually lost a battle to her,” she said, tone as if she still couldn’t believe it even hours later. “She is really nice, off the training mats, at least. Can we just call it a night? I am tired.” She quickly turned on her puppy dog eyes, the one thing she knew her overprotective brother simply could not say no to. 

He rolled his eyes, “You know you cannot stop fighting in battle simply because something hurts eh? You fight until there is nothing left in you.” 

“Is there a war coming tomorrow that I don’t know about??” she asked sarcastically, looking from left to right as if an entire army was going to swarm the Lodge’s training center. “I think I will be ok if I cut one training session short, Lord Tyrant.” 

M’Baku rolled his eyes at her, deciding to just let it go and let her get some rest. Despite having guards whose sole purpose was to escort his rambunctious sister around Jabariland, he always walked her back from their nightly training sessions. It was their only time to bond with no distractions.  

“That baker from today? You liked her?” Malaika asked quietly as they walked, their guards, or shadows as she called them, quietly trailing behind them. 

M’Baku’s barking laugh filled the quiet dark halls of the Lodge, “Like her? I hardly spoke to her. I don’t even remember her name.” 

A mischievous smile crossed his sister’s face. Oh this is going to be fun. “Well, that is true. She was quite nice though. And Anika is a beautiful name.” 

“It was Amara,” he corrected her immediately, already forgetting the lie he told 5 seconds prior. Maliaka immediately burst into laughter. M’Baku could also hear a few snickers behind him as their guards overheard their conversation. One pointed glare and those laughs ended abruptly. 

“You are such a bad liar. You like her, just admit it. You thought she was pretty.” 

“Eh and what of it?” 

“For a chief, you are pretty stupid sometimes, you know that right? Maybe they should make me chief? I am clearly the brains behind this operation. Ask her out. Court her. She is gorgeous, accomplished, her family is well-respected in the city. She is perfect for you.” 

M’Baku shook his head. His sister raised some good points, as she always did, even if they were marred with insults. He hadn’t stopped thinking about her since they left that bakery. He had plans to go back there tomorrow just to see her again, but he would never tell Malaika that. “I do not have time to date. I only have room for one lady in my life these days.” His elbow nudged her gently as they rounded the corner and stopped in front of her room. 

Malaika rolled her eyes as she opened the door to her private chambers. She leaned against the frame as she looked at her brother, the man who gave up most of his young adult years to be chief and take care of her. Her joking tone melted away as the feelings of guilt seeped in. She tried to shake it off, the guilt of being a burden that she felt… well always. “Well, this lady thinks you have more than enough time for a girlfriend. The Council is trying to push any woman with a pulse into your arms. Might as well try with someone you actually like. I am just saying,” she threw her hands up in surrender, “There is more than enough room for two ladies in this palace. Goodnight, brother.” The two hugged before she retreated into her room and raced over to her side table. 

She pulled out a couple pieces of paper and jotted down two quick letters. Malaika read over them quickly before nodding in satisfaction. 

“Jahari!” she called, her shadow immediately poking his head into her room. 

“My lady?” 

“I need a big favor,” she said sweetly, turning on her youthful charm to get the guard to break a few protocol rules for her. “Can you deliver these to the night guards and see to it that they were delivered by the morning?” 

Jahari sighed, “My lady, you know I am not allowed to leave your door until morning. This cannot wait?” 

“The future of Jabariland… the life of your chief is at stake. Surely that outweighs any silly rules my overprotective brother gave right?” At Jahari’s raised eyebrow, she tried a new tactic. “Look, if anyone sees you gone and gives you a hard time, I will just tell them I felt ill and you went to fetch me medicine. How about that? Please, please please please pleaseeeeee?” she begged. 

“Fine, fine. But if I lose my head, I will be forced to haunt you,” he warned. “Can I ask you why these are so important?” 

“One is for Femi, the Lodge event planner and the second is for my dressmaker. Just need some last minute things before the Winter Festival Ball on Saturday.” 

Jahari snorted, “Yea right. Whatever mischief you are planning, I want to be as far away from it as possible.” 

Malaika laughed, “Oh I think everyone around here will enjoy this bout of mischief. Trust me.” 

“Lock the door behind me and do not open it for anyone. I will knock three times to let you know when I return. Deal?” Jahari was not a rule breaker but Maliaka reminded him so much of his own sister so he gave her as much leeway as he could. 

“Thank you!” she followed him to the door, immediately locking it behind him. She slumped against it, a content smile on her face. Let the fun begin. 

****

Tags: @muse-of-mbaku @jellybean531 @destinio1 @skysynclair19 @ashanti-notthesinger @gloriousgam3r @archivistofwakanda @leahnicole1219 @mygirlrenee @dramaqueeenamby @dawva