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nienieniestuff-blog · 4 months ago

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Ukraine

I need to talk to a Russian, to a Russian I don't know. I speak into the void, but I know that there are people there who understand what I am saying. Your leader Putin is just destroying European civilization. I am reluctant to use such lofty words, the little ones like to help me more, because in times of propaganda battles they have less work to do and don't have to puff themselves up all the time. But high words are appropriate now, I need to make friends with them and with you too, but there is a certain obstacle that we cannot overcome at the moment. It seems that we are moving in different directions, but it should not happen in such a murderous way as it is happening now. You Russians, you who live in Russia, you are being deceived and lied to. And if you think you have to believe what you are being lied to by your leader's propaganda, you are no better than he is. I know that now in your country access to free information is very difficult and there is too little room to give you the right picture, to take you out of the full of lies framework where your political leader has put you, and to give you the true picture of what is happening. Already after the seizure of Crimea, which many of you welcomed as many welcomed in 1938 the seizure of Austria by Hitler's Germany: at some point they appreciated it differently, but it was too late. Then the Red Army was our savior.

Then the Red Army was our savior.

Eternal gratitude to it for that. The voice of reason was barely heard in those days, reason that objected to the annexation of a foreign country's territory as if it were nothing to its own. This jubilation is our historical guilt, which we must bear. I was not silent on the seizure of Crimea, but I didn't take a special part in it either, it was my fault. Although I was outraged, I did not express open solidarity. What do you call this beautifully? What can I do alone! But this time I can do something, I can tell you something.

+When I see brave women and men, mostly women, I see them demonstrating in the streets of Russian cities against the destruction in Ukraine, when I see these people ready to sacrifice their freedom, rising up against the destruction of a neighboring country under the pretext of its liberation, then I want to support you. Ukraine is opposed by a huge power, which despite its heroic resistance is thrown to destruction, this destruction, however, is officially presented as salvation and embellished in every possible way, at the very time when desperate Ukrainians are dying on their land.

I want to address to you, personally to each of you, but these are unpleasant truths that I utter. Unfortunately, I am not Ilya Ehrenburg (place of birth Kiev), who in his time passionately called for the murder of fascists. I am against murder, but it should be clear to you that the violence coming from your country is being lied to and lied about, blocked and censored in action, critical media sources dissolved and social media stifled so that Russian POWs and destroyed cities are never shown.

I have not rented the truth, I only pay rent for it, but I do have access to free information, which I wish you too. Until then, I can only say, if you believe me, that I am only a temporary fellow traveler and I have no weapons: protest, speak the truth. And your country will have to bleed. It is not nationalists or even neo-Nazis, as your leader claims, who are fighting in the Ukrainian military and all volunteers, many of whom are holding weapons for the first time. And there are many young men on your side who do not know what they are doing. The young recruits in your army thought they were called up for maneuvers, instead they had to shoot people. The Western powers are not using Ukraine, as you keep being led to believe, as a tool against your leader, who represents and defends one single power, namely their own. There can be no other next to it.

Such a great cultural nation as the Russian, whose literature I have always admired, should not be frozen in this clumsy lie, it should speak the truth. Just as your wonderful poetesses and poets, your writers and thinkers, who have thus become the heritage of humanity, have spoken the truth. Do not let yourself be excluded from this society, tell everyone who listens to you the truth that this war of conquest against such an independent state as Ukraine must be ended, this very minute. Your leader has the power to destroy us all with nuclear weapons, which he has already explicitly threatened to use. Then we will all fall into oblivion, from which there is no way back. Speak now! Speak if you can, in your name, in the name of the lives of all of us!

Julya Rabinowitch

Censorship gives birth to monsters

I know it's scary to see the truth. To speak it. To feel it. Especially when this truth is seen as a danger: by those who believe they have leased their own truth, and by those who sense and know that this truth of theirs is a real lie. But a lie that can cost you your life, your freedom, if you contradict it.

Russia is separating itself from the rest of the world. Is being cut off. Cut off like a piece of meat: from freedom of information, from freedom of demonstration, from freedom of choice. We know this, it was like this not so long ago, and we thought it would never happen again. The images of the city skeletons: we know them too. Torn bodies. Torn lives. Kyiv must not become Grozny. Russia must not become the USSR.

Censorship gives birth to monsters, and monsters have the unpleasant characteristic of becoming unpredictable. Everything is at stake, including the survival of humanity. I know that in the past, a joke was enough to get you sent to prison camp.I was blessed to be born late, none of this affected me.I don't live in Russia, I can write and say what I think without being deprived of my freedom.You, who live in Russia, don't have this luxury at the moment.I am painfully aware of that. And yet the fate of the world will also depend on how you react.What you believe.What you are prepared to question.I implore you: question.

Украина

Мне нужно говорить с русской, с русским, которых я не знаю. Я говорю в пустоту, но я знаю, что там есть люди, которые понимают, что я говорю. Ваш вождь Путин как раз разрушает европейскую цивилизацию. Я неохотно употребляю такие высокие слова, маленькие любят помогать мне больше, потому что во времена пропагандистских сражений у них меньше работы и они не должны всё время так пыжиться. Но сейчас уместны именно высокие слова, мне надо с ними подружиться и с Вами тоже, но тут есть некая преграда, которую нам в данный момент не преодолеть. Кажется, что мы движемся в разных направлениях, но это не должно происходить таким убийственным образом, как это происходит сейчас. Вы, русские, Вы, живущие в России, Вас обманывают и Вам лгут. И если Вы думаете, что должны верить в то, что Вам лжёт пропаганда Вашего вождя, то Вы не лучше его. Я знаю, что сейчас в Вашей стране доступ к свободной информации очень затруднён и здесь слишком мало места дать Вам правильную картину, вырвать Вас из полных вранья рамок, куда Вас вставил Ваш политический предводитель, и дать Вам истинную картину происходящего. Уже после захвата Крыма, который многие из Вас приветствовали так же, как многие приветствовали в 1938 году захват Австрии гитлеровской Германией: в какой-то момент они оценили это по другому, но было уже поздно. Тогда Красная Армия была нашей спасительницей. Вечная ей за это благод��рность. Голос разума был едва слышен в те времена, разума, который возражал присоединению территории чужого государства как ни в чём не бывало к своему. Это ликование - наша историческая вина, которую мы должны нести. На захват Крыма я не молчала, но и не принимала особенного участия, это моя вина. Хотя я была возмущена, но не высказала открытой солидарности. Как это красиво называется? Что я могу одна поделать! Но на этот раз я могу что-то сделать, я могу Вам кое что сказать.

Когда я вижу смелых женщин и мужчин, по большей части женщин, вижу, как они демонстрируют на улицах русских городов против разрушений на Украине, когда я вижу этих готовых пожертвовать своей свободой людей, восстающих против уничтожения соседней страны под предлогом её освобождения, тогда мне хочется Вас поддержать. Украине противостоит огромная мощь, которой она несмотря на своё героическое сопротивление брошена на погибель, это уничтожение однако официально представлено как спасение и всячески приукрашено, в то самое время, когда отчаивающиеся украинцы погибают на своей земле.

К Вам, лично к каждому я хочу обратиться, но это нелицеприятные истины, которые я произношу. К сожалению, я не Илья Эренбург (место родждения Киев), который в своё время страстно призывал к убийству фашистов. Я против убийства, но Вам должно быть ясно, что о насилии, исходящим от Вашей страны, Вам лгут и Вас обманывают, блокируют и цензура в действии, что критические источники массовой информации распущены и социальные сети задушены, чтобы ни в коем случае не были показаны русские военнопленные и разрушенные города. Может ли это действительно исходить от Вашего имени? Короче: то, что Вам показывают, неправда. Картины лгут, им не хватает слов. Я не арендовала истину, я только плачу квартплату за неё, но у меня есть доступ к свободной информации, чего я Вам тоже желаю. До этих пор я могу только сказать, если Вы мне верите, что я только временная попутчица и у меня нет никакого оружия: протестуйте, говорите правду. И Вашей стране придётся истекать кровью. Это не националисты или даже неонацисты, как утверждает Ваш вождь, которые воюют в войсках Украины и все добровольцы, многие из которых впервые держат оружие в руках. И на Вашей стороне много молодых людей, которые не знают, что они делают. Молодые новобранцы Вашей армии думали, что их призвали на манёвры, вместо этого они должны были стрелять в людей. Западные державы не используют Украину, как Вам всё время внушается, в качестве инструмента против Вашего вождя, который олицетворяет и защищает одну единственную власть, а именно свою собственную. Рядом с ней не может быть никакой другой.

Такой великий культурный народ, как русский, литературой которого я всегда восхищалась, не должен застыть в этой неуклюжей лжи, он должен говорить правду. Так же, как говорили правду Ваша замечательные поэтессы и поэты, Ваши писатели и мыслители, ставшие таким образом достоянием человечества. Не дайте исключить себя из этого общества, говорите каждому слушающему Вас правду о том, что эта захватническая война против такого независимого государства как Украина должна быть закончена, сию минуту. Ваш предводитель имеет власть при помощи ядерного оружия, которым он уже однозначно пригрозил, уничтожить нас всех. Тогда мы все окажемся в небытие, из которого даже нет попутки вернуться назад. Говорите сейчас! Говорите, если Вы можете, во имя Вашей, во имя жизни всех нас!

Джулайя Рабинович

Цензура рождает чудовищ

Я знаю, что это страшно - видеть правду. Говорить ее. Чувствовать ее. Особенно когда эта правда воспринимается как опасность: и теми, кто считает, что взял в аренду свою собственную правду, и теми, кто чувствует и знает, что эта их правда - настоящая ложь. Но ложь, которая может стоить вам жизни, вашей свободы, если вы ей противоречите.

Россия отделяется от остального мира. Отделяется. Отрезают, как кусок мяса: от свободы информации, от свободы демонстраций, от свободы выбора. Мы знаем это, так было не так давно, и мы думали, что это никогда не повторится. Изображения городских скелетов: они нам тоже знакомы. Разорванные тела. Разорванные жизни. Киев не должен стать Грозным. Россия не должна стать СССР.

Цензура рождает монстров, а монстры имеют неприятное свойство становиться непредсказуемыми. На карту поставлено все, включая выживание человечества. Я знаю, что в прошлом достаточно было пошутить, чтобы тебя отправили в лагерь. Мне повезло родиться поздно, меня это не коснулось. Я живу не в России, я могу писать и говорить то, что думаю, не будучи лишенным свободы. У вас, живущих в России, сейчас нет такой роскоши. Я с болью осознаю это. И все же судьба мира будет зависеть и от того, как вы отреагируете. Во что вы поверите. Что вы готовы подвергнуть сомнению. Я умоляю вас: подвергайте сомнению.

Ukraine

Ich soll zu einer Russin, einem Russen sprechen, die ich nicht kenne. Ich spreche ins Leere hinein, aber ich weiß, daß dort Menschen sind, die verstehen, was ich sage. Ihr Führer Putin ist dabei, die europäische Zivilisation zu zerstören. Ich verwende nicht gern so große Worte, die kleinen helfen mir auch lieber, weil sie in Zeiten der Propagandaschlachten weniger zu tun haben und sich nicht immer so aufplustern müssen. Aber hier sind große angebracht, ich muß mich mit ihnen anfreunden, und auch mit Ihnen täte ich das gerne, doch da ist eine Schranke, die wir derzeit nicht überwinden können. Wir scheinen in verschiedene Richtungen zu gehen, aber das sollte nicht auf diese mörderische Weise geschehen wie derzeit. Sie, Russen, die Sie in Rußland leben, werden belogen und betrogen. Und wenn Sie glauben, etwas glauben zu müssen, das die Propaganda Ihres Führers Ihnen vorlügt, dann sind Sie nicht besser als er. Ich weiß, daß freie Information in Ihrem Land derzeit schwer zu bekommen ist, und der Platz hier reicht nicht aus, Sie ins Bild zu setzen, Sie aus dem verlogenen Rahmen Ihres politischen Anführers herauszuschneiden und ins richtige Bild zu setzen. Schon nach der Annektion der Krim, die von vielen bei Ihnen begrüßt wurde, so wie viele 1938 die Annektion Österreichs durch Hitlerdeutschland begrüßt haben: Irgendwann wußten sie es besser, doch da war es zu spät. Damals war die Rote Armee unsere Retterin. Dafür gebührt ihr ewiger Dank. Man hat die Stimmen der Vernunft damals nur sehr leise gehört, einer Vernunft, die sich dagegen ausgesprochen hat, fremdes Staatsgebiet einfach ins eigene einzugliedern. Das bejubelt zu haben, ist unsere historische Schuld, die wir tragen müssen. Zur Annektion der Krim habe ich zwar nicht geschwiegen, mich aber auch nicht sonderlich engagiert, das ist meine Schuld. Ich war zwar empört, habe aber auch keine große öffentliche Solidarität gezeigt. Wie heißt es so schön? Was kann ich allein schon ausrichten! Doch diesmal habe ich Ihnen etwas auszurichten.

Wenn ich die tapferen Frauen und Männer, hauptsächlich Frauen, sehe, die auf den Straßen der russischen Städte gegen die Zerstörungen in der Ukraine demonstrieren, wenn ich also diese Menschen sehe, die sich, unter Einsatz ihrer eigenen Freiheit, gegen die Vernichtung eines Nachbarlandes und seiner Bewohner unter dem Vorwand der Befreiung stemmen, dann möchte ich mich Ihnen gern zur Seite stellen. Die Ukraine steht einer gewaltigen Übermacht gegenüber, der sie trotz tapferer Gegenwehr ausgeliefert ist. Diese Vernichtung aber wird offiziell als Rettung ausgegeben und beschönigt, während die verzweifelten Ukrainer im Boden ihres eigenen Landes zugrundegehen. Sie, jeden einzelnen von Ihnen möchte ich ansprechen, doch es sind keine ansprechenden Wahrheiten, die ich ausspreche. Ich bin leider kein Ilja Ehrenburg (geb. in Kiew), der einst leidenschaftlich zum Töten der Faschisten aufgerufen hat. Ich bin gegen das Töten, aber es muß Ihnen klar sein, daß Sie über die Gewalt, die von Ihrem Land ausgeht, belogen werden, betrogen, daß zensiert und blockiert wird, daß kritische Medien aufgelöst und soziale Medien erdrosselt werden, damit nur ja keine russischen Gefangenen und zerschossene Städte gezeigt werden. Kann, darf das wirklich in Ihrem Namen geschehen? Klar gesagt: Was Ihnen gezeigt wird, stimmt nicht. Die Bilder lügen, es fehlen ihnen die Worte. Ich habe die Wahrheit nicht gepachtet, ich zahle nur Miete für sie, aber ich kann mich frei informieren, dasselbe wünsche ich mir auch für Sie. Bis dahin kann ich nur sagen, falls Sie mir glauben, ich bin ja nur eine gelegentliche Mitfahrerin, und Waffen habe ich auch keine: Protestieren Sie, sprechen Sie die Wahrheit aus. Auch Ihr Land wird bluten müssen. Es sind keine Nationalisten oder gar Neonazis, wie Ihr Führer behauptet, die in der Armee der Ukraine und mit all den Freiwilligen kämpfen, von denen viele zum ersten Mal ein Gewehr in der Hand halten. Und auch auf Ihrer Seite sind es auch oft junge Männer, die selbst nicht wissen, was sie da tun. Junge Rekruten Ihrer Armee haben geglaubt, ins Manöver zu ziehen, stattdessen mußten sie auf Menschen schießen. Westliche Mächte, wie Ihnen die ganze Zeit.eingeredet wird, verfügen über die Ukraine keineswegs als Werkzeug gegen Ihren Führer, der eine einzige Macht verkörpert und verteidigt, nämlich seine eigene. Eine andre darf es daneben nicht geben. Ein großes Kulturvolk wie das russische, dessen Literatur ich immer bewundert habe, darf nicht in diesen plumpen Unwahrheiten erstarren, es muß die Wahrheit sprechen. So wie Ihre wunderbaren Dichterinnen und Dichter, Ihre Schriftsteller und Denker, die Wahrheit gesagt haben und damit zum Eigentum der Menschheit geworden sind. Lassen Sie sich aus dieser Gemeinschaft nicht ausschließen, sagen auch Sie jedem die Wahrheit, der Ihnen zuhört, daß dieser Angriffskrieg gegen einen souveränen Staat wie die Ukraine beendet werden muß, sofort. Ihr Anführer hat die Macht, mit einem nuklearen Krieg, mit dem er schon unmissverständlich gedroht hat, uns alle auszulöschen. Dann landen wir alle im Nichts, und von dort gibts nicht mal Mitfahrgelegenheiten zurück. Sprechen Sie jetzt! Sprechen Sie um Ihr, um unser aller Leben, wenn Sie können!

Julya Rabinowitch

Zensur gebiert Monster

Ich weiß, dass es Angst macht, die Wahrheit zu sehen. Sie auszusprechen. Sie zu fühlen. Vor allem dann, wenn diese Wahrheit als Gefahr betrachtet wird: von denen, die glauben, ihre eigene Wahrheit gepachtet zu haben, und von denen, die spüren und wissen, dass diese eigene Wahrheit eine ureigentliche Lüge ist. Aber eine Lüge, der zu widersprechen das Leben kosten kann, die Freiheit.

Russland trennt sich gerade ab vom Rest der Welt. Wird abgetrennt. Abgeschnitten wie ein Stück Fleisch: von Informationsfreiheit, von Demonstrationsfreiheit, von Entscheidungsfreiheit. Wir kennen das, es war vor nicht allzu langer Zeit schon einmal so, und wir dachten, das würde niemals wiederkehren. Die Bilder der Stadtgerippe: wir kennen auch diese. Zerrissene Körper. Zerrissene Leben. Kyiw darf nicht Grosny werden. Russland nicht die UdSSR. Zensur gebiert Monster, und Monster haben die unangenehme Eigenart, unberechenbar zu werden. Es steht alles auf dem Spiel, auch das Überleben der Menschheit. Ich weiß, dass früher ein Witz ausreichte, um im Straflager zu verschwinden. Ich bin gesegnet durch späte Geburt, mich betraf das alles nicht mehr. Ich lebe nicht in Russland, ich kann schreiben und sagen, was ich denke, ohne dass man mir dafür meine Freiheit nehmen will. Sie, die Sie in Russland leben, haben derzeit diesen Luxus nicht. Das ist mir schmerzlich bewusst. Und doch wird das Schicksal der Welt auch davon abhängen, wie Sie reagieren. Was Sie glauben. Was Sie bereit sind zu hinterfragen. Ich bitte Sie inständig: hinterfragen Sie.

These texts and (many) more were published and can be read here:

https://original.elfriedejelinek.com

#elfriede jelinek #Julya rabinowitch #russia #ukraine #Украина #Джулайя Рабинович #Цензура рождает чудовищ #war #us politics #democracy #russian politics

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gardenexpertsnz · 1 month ago

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The Ultimate Guide to Hiring Garden Experts for Clean-Up Services in Auckland | Garden Experts

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bombaysurgical · 1 month ago

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Your Guide to Reliable Medical Equipment

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If you’re setting up a clinic or upgrading your healthcare facility, partnering with the right medical manufacturer can help you source everything from basic surgical tools to specialized equipment like the ULTRASONIC NEBULISER 402AI.

Finding a Surgical Instruments Shop Near Me

Typing best surgical instruments shop near me into your search engine is a great start, but what should you look for? A good surgical instruments shop near me should offer a wide range of sterile, precision-crafted tools essential for surgeries, wound care, and patient monitoring.

Many leading surgical instruments shop near me options also stock modern devices like the ULTRASONIC NEBULISER 402AI, which has become a trusted solution for respiratory care.

The Role of Hospital Instrument in Everyday Healthcare

Every hospital instrument plays a vital role in diagnosis, treatment, and patient comfort. From forceps and scissors to suction machines and thermometers, each hospital instrument must be reliable and efficient.

High-quality hospital instrument sets are best sourced from either a certified medical manufacturer or a well-stocked surgical instruments shop near me. Investing in the right hospital instrument setup ensures smoother operations and better patient outcomes.

Oxygen Concentrator on Rent: An Accessible Life-Saver

With respiratory conditions on the rise, many families are now searching for oxygen concentrator on rent services. Renting is a cost-effective way to manage temporary health issues without the financial burden of buying.

A reliable medical manufacturer often partners with rental providers to ensure that the oxygen concentrator on rent you receive is safe, calibrated, and ready for use. Whether it's a short-term requirement post-surgery or part of home-based elderly care, getting an oxygen concentrator on rent can be a life-saving decision.

Why the ULTRASONIC NEBULISER 402AI is in High Demand

For patients with asthma, bronchitis, or other respiratory conditions, the ULTRASONIC NEBULISER 402AI is a game-changer. This advanced nebuliser turns liquid medication into a fine mist, allowing deep lung penetration and quick relief.

Available at any leading surgical instruments shop near me or directly from a medical manufacturer, the ULTRASONIC NEBULISER 402AI is known for its quiet operation, high efficiency, and ease of use. Whether for home care or hospital use, the ULTRASONIC NEBULISER 402AI stands out as one of the most reliable respiratory aids in the market.

Conclusion

From searching for a trusted medical manufacturer to locating the most efficient surgical instruments shop near me, every decision matters in healthcare. Whether it’s sourcing a basic hospital instrument, getting an oxygen concentrator on rent, or investing in devices like the ULTRASONIC NEBULISER 402AI, quality and reliability should never be compromised.

Choose wisely. Choose health. And ensure you’re always equipped with the best.

#medical manufacturer #surgical instruments shop near me #hospital instruments #oxygen concentrator on rent

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carlhofelina · 2 months ago

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Don't Hire, Outsource: The Future of SaaS Development

For a new business aiming for strong growth, especially one offering Software as a Service (SaaS), a smart move is getting help from outside experts to build your software. Your core team has great ideas about what customers need and how to get them, but building the software can take a lot of their time.

By working with experienced software builders, you get their skills quickly, making the process faster and ensuring your software is well-made and can handle many users. This can also save money compared to hiring a big team yourself, letting you focus on understanding your customers and growing your business. Think of it as adding skilled helpers so your main team can focus on what's most important for your startup's success.

What Is Saas Development & How Is It Important?

SaaS development is the process of creating software applications hosted online (in the "cloud"), and you access them through the internet, usually via a web browser or a mobile app. Think of it like renting software instead of buying it outright. You typically pay a recurring fee (monthly or yearly) to use the software.

For your small business, embracing SaaS – either by using existing SaaS tools or by developing your own – offers significant advantages:

Lower Upfront Costs: Unlike traditional software that requires a big one-time purchase, most SaaS solutions have subscription models. This means you can start using powerful tools without a large initial investment, freeing up your precious capital for other needs.

Accessibility from Anywhere: You and your team can access SaaS applications from any device with an internet connection – be it your office computer, your laptop at home, or even your smartphone while on the go. This flexibility supports remote work and keeps everyone connected.

Automatic Updates and Maintenance: Forget about manual software updates and the hassle of IT maintenance. SaaS providers handle all of this automatically, ensuring you always have the latest features and security patches without any disruption to your work.

Integration with Other Tools: Many SaaS applications are designed to work well with other online tools, streamlining your workflows and improving efficiency for your business operations.

Access to Advanced Features (Including Potential for Machine Learning): Depending on your needs, you can access sophisticated features, and if your SaaS startup ideas involve cutting-edge technologies like machine learning, building a SaaS platform can be the most effective way to deliver those capabilities to your users.

Benefits of Outsourcing Saas Development

Launch Your SaaS Startup Ideas Faster: By tapping into readily available external experts, you can significantly speed up your development process. This means you can get your innovative software to market quicker and start generating revenue sooner, without the delays of building an in-house team from scratch.

Manage Your Budget Wisely for Startup Growth Strategies: For your small business, every peso counts. Outsourcing gives you access to specialized skills at a more predictable and often lower cost than hiring a full-time team. This frees up crucial capital that you can then invest in essential startup growth strategies like marketing and reaching your target customers.

Access the Latest Tech for Your SaaS Startup Ideas: The tech world moves fast. When you outsource, you gain access to professionals with experience in diverse and cutting-edge technologies. This is especially beneficial if your SaaS startup ideas involve advanced features, perhaps even elements of a machine learning startup, ensuring your platform is built with modern tools and best practices.

Focus Your Energy on Your Core Business and Startup Growth Strategies: You have a vision for your SaaS business. Let external experts handle the complexities of software development so you can concentrate on what you do best: understanding your customers, refining your business model, and implementing effective startup growth strategies to capture your market.

Scale Your Operations Flexibly as Your SaaS Startup Ideas Evolve: As your small business grows and your SaaS startup ideas take shape, you'll need flexibility. Outsourcing partners can often adjust their teams to match your changing needs, providing the scalability you require without the long-term commitments of permanent hires.

Reduce Development Risks for Your SaaS Startup: Building software can be challenging. Experienced outsourcing teams often have established processes and quality control measures, which can help you mitigate potential development risks and ensure a more stable and reliable product for your users.

Find the Right Expertise for Your Specific SaaS Startup Needs (Including Machine Learning): Whether your SaaS startup requires expertise in a particular programming language, platform, or even specialized areas like machine learning for a niche market, outsourcing connects you with professionals who have the exact skills you need.

Gain a Broader Perspective for Your Startup Growth Strategies: Working with international outsourcing partners can expose your small business to global best practices and innovative approaches, potentially informing your startup growth strategies and helping you think beyond your initial target market for future expansion.

Are You Ready For An Upgrade?

Outsourcing your SaaS development is both a wise and smart move as this provides your small business with access to specialized skills and faster development, allowing you to launch your innovative software solutions more quickly and cost-effectively.

Visit our Best Virtual Specialist to know more about our skilled virtual specialists who are ready to help your small business upgrade it to the next level.

References:

https://www.yansmedia.com/blog/in-house-animation-vs-outsourcing-cost-comparison

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nine-hertz-india-pvt-ltd-_saas-application-development-types-benefits-activity-7321435207176265728-mVKK

#Outsourcing Saas development #Saas startup ideas #machine learning startup #startup growth strategies

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most-informational-blogs · 8 months ago

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How to Start a Home Staging Business Without Investing in Furniture

In the current real estate market, owning a home staging business is a wise decision. It has been proven over and over again that home staging sells homes quicker and for more money than non-staged homes. The problem is that lots of people wanting to get into staging hesitate or simply can not afford to invest so much money upfront in staging furniture.

However, you do not have to spend an arm and leg buying high-ticket furniture items in order to begin your staging company. This actionable guide will walk you through how to start a staging business successfully on day one without buying any furniture.

Research and Plan Your Business

Research and planning are very important for any business to start. Home staging is no exception. Firstly, do some homework on the local real estate market and research the demand for staging.

Know whether it is real estate agents, homeowners, or property developers you are targeting to be your clients. Would you serve luxury, mid-tiered, or vacation homes? Is there a good buyer’s market in your area for staged properties?

Once you know your market, get to work on a well-formed business plan. Depending on where you are with your business, it may make sense for you to map out all of your services, also potentially a pricing structure and possible marketing strategies. The catch is to uncover a way to begin your staging business without first having the expensive costs of purchasing furniture.

For example, renting staging furniture provides a malleable answer to stage every home without holding onto inventory. Thorough market research supported by your business plan is the key to building a house staging company on solid footing, which prevents you from investing too much too soon.

Build a Network with Furniture Rental Companies

A frequent question of people who may consider a home staging business is, “Where do home stagers get their furniture? The silver lining is that you do not have to buy all the furniture for staging separately ahead of time.

Building strong relationships with local furniture rental companies can give you access to a large selection of modern, high-quality furniture. Most rental companies offer special home staging packages.

Through these packages, you can rent items that suit the style, size, and target market of your property. Renting is budget-friendly and allows you to trade out styles based on the property you are staging.

Whether your property is a modern condominium or a quaint family home, you can put together a display that attracts the most likely buyers. From a financial standpoint, renting staging furniture costs a fraction of what you would spend compared to storing or purchasing inventory outright.

The cost of renting home furniture for staging depends on the scope of the project, but many rental companies offer affordable monthly rates, making it a sustainable option when starting a home staging business. By partnering with companies like HolmeStage, you can access a wide selection of furniture while focusing on the creative and marketing side of your business.

Utilize Virtual Staging

As technology advances, so does the home staging industry. Virtual staging has become a powerful tool for home stagers, especially when dealing with properties that are either vacant or difficult to stage physically.

Virtual staging allows you to add digital furniture to photos of empty rooms, transforming them into beautifully staged spaces without ever moving a piece of furniture. Virtual staging offers several benefits when you’re starting out. First, it’s cost-effective. You don’t have to spend money on renting or purchasing furniture.

Additionally, it allows for quicker turnaround times, meaning you can stage more properties in a shorter period. For homes that don’t have any furniture or for clients who want to see various design options, virtual staging provides an easy way to show a space’s full potential.

One thing to keep in mind is that virtual staging requires high-quality images and sophisticated design software. Many professional stagers either collaborate with virtual staging companies or invest in software to create realistic and appealing designs.

Another benefit of virtual staging is that it allows you to be on the cutting edge of home staging technologies and be at the forefront of what’s trending. This allows you to capture a market that may be more inclined towards smart homes or homes heavy with technology.

Offer Consultations and DIY Staging Guidance

With how to start a staging company, another way to build your business without a heavy upfront investment in furniture is by offering home staging consultations and DIY guidance to homeowners.

Not every homeowner is looking to stage their home with rental furniture fully, but they may still need professional advice on how to present their space to potential buyers.

Consultation services involve visiting the home, assessing its strengths and weaknesses, and providing homeowners with actionable advice on how to arrange their existing furniture, declutter, and make minor upgrades.

With a well-trained eye, you can make a significant impact by simply guiding homeowners through a DIY staging process, maximizing their home’s appeal without requiring new furniture. You can also offer virtual consultations, in which clients send you photos or video tours of their homes and you provide them with a detailed action plan.

This service allows you to help clients even if they are outside your local area, expanding your reach and portfolio. HolmeStage can support you by providing the tools and guidance needed to streamline the consultation process and deliver effective results for your clients.

Build a Portfolio and Market Your Business

In the early stages of your house staging business, building a strong portfolio is crucial. You don’t need dozens of properties to start; focus on quality over quantity. Document the transformations of the homes you stage, taking high-quality before-and-after photos.

If you’re utilizing virtual staging, include those photos in your portfolio as well. Showcase your work on your website, social media platforms, and real estate staging networks.

Marketing your home staging business requires consistency and creativity. Use platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to reach homeowners and real estate agents. Create a visually appealing brand that highlights your unique services, whether it’s furniture staging or virtual staging.

Networking with local real estate agents can also be a powerful tool for growing your business. Agents often need reliable stagers to help sell properties faster, and having connections in the industry can provide a steady stream of clients.

HolmeStage can assist in getting your business noticed by providing marketing support, including tips on social media strategies and building an online presence that reflects your expertise.

Consider Purchasing Staging Furniture Gradually

While renting house staging furniture is a great way to start your business without significant upfront investment, there may come a time when purchasing your own staging furniture becomes a cost-effective option. As your business grows and you secure more clients, owning your furniture can help reduce ongoing rental costs.

Start small by purchasing versatile pieces that can be used across multiple properties. Focus on neutral furniture and décor that can appeal to a wide range of buyers and fit various styles of homes. Over time, you can expand your collection to include more specialized pieces, allowing you to stage multiple homes simultaneously.

The decision to buy staging furniture should be made after evaluating your cash flow and client demand. Renting gives you flexibility when you’re just starting out, but ownership might make sense as your business scales.

HolmeStage offers rental packages for businesses at all stages, so whether you choose to rent or purchase, you have access to the furniture you need to create stunning spaces.

Ready to Launch Your Home Staging Business? Start Transforming Spaces Without the Upfront Costs!

Starting a home staging business without investing in furniture is not only possible but can be a strategic and cost-effective way to enter the market. By partnering with furniture rental companies, utilizing virtual staging, offering consultations, and gradually building your portfolio, you can create a thriving home staging business with minimal upfront investment.

HolmeStage is here to support you every step of the way, offering a range of staging solutions that can help you deliver impeccable results for your clients.

Whether you’re just starting a home staging business or looking to expand your services, there are endless possibilities for creating beautiful, sellable spaces without owning a warehouse full of furniture.

Take advantage of rental partnerships, explore new technologies like virtual staging, and grow your business step by step. With the right approach, you’ll be able to transform homes and help clients sell properties quickly and profitably—without needing to invest heavily in home staging furniture from the start.

If you want to get started, call us at HolmeStage today to learn more and get started with launching your home staging business. Your home staging empire awaits!

Source link: https://holmestage.com/start-a-home-staging-business-without-investing-furniture/

#homestaging

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uscollectionservice · 8 months ago

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Landlord Debt Collection Becomes Easy with US Collections

Are you a landlord and finding it difficult to recover your due amount from a tenant who has gone absconding? This is really a disastrous situation and could shake up any one’s financial pillars to great extent. Though there is an option to take a DIY approach to recovering the due amount, not every time this gives desired results. This is when choosing professional landlord debt collection services becomes necessary. These services are of great importance as they leave no stone unturned to turn things in your favor. Let’s get to know more about them below.

Renters don't always keep it into mind when they stop giving the rent, either by running away from the place in the middle of a lease or living in the home rent-free until you expel them. A landlord debt collection agency can help, but it's necessary to have the right documentation from the renters from the beginning.

Take your rental agreement that is contracted by your renters. The agreement must feature signature, name, Social Security number and phone number of every person living in the rental property. Give more exposure to the sections that explain when rent is due and the consequences for non-payment to make the concernedparts stand out to your collection agency.

Try to procure the rent on your own. Record any dates, times, and details of any phone calls, including whether you spoke with the tenant, left a message, or tried to call a disconnected number. Create and send a certified letter requesting payment to the tenant's rental address and any other contact information you have on file. All correspondence with the renter, including copies of letters and return receipts, should be kept in writing. If a bank account asset search company can prove you've already tried collection, they will have a stronger case. In this manner, the tenants are unable to claim that they were unaware of their outstanding rent.

Provide the judgement collection agency with the rental agreement, documents of your communication and collection efforts, and a cessation of the number of months the tenants are past due. Furnish the agency all contact information for the renters and orientations, if the renters given any. Make sure to include the renters' Social Security numbers and copies of their driver's licenses if you have them. Collection agencies often possess search tools that may not beavailable to you but can help them find renters through their new rental agreements, car buying, jobs or submitted address changes.

Hire a collection company that specializes in collecting rent. Discuss the details of your contract with the agency. Others don't require payment in advance, but they charge a significant commission on the money they bring in. These companies, which focus on bank account search and landlord debt collection, are widely available on the market. All you have to do is locate a reputable and knowledgeable organisation that can pinpoint your exact requirements and provide the desired assistance in the most outstanding fashion.

#landlord debt collection

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joehomebuyer · 11 months ago

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How to Sell My House Fast Moreno Valley

Selling a house quickly in Moreno Valley can seem like a daunting task, especially if you're unsure of where to start. Whether you need to relocate for a job, downsize, or simply want to move on, selling your home efficiently is likely at the top of your list. Here's a guide on how to sell your house fast in Moreno Valley, answering some common real estate questions and providing actionable tips.

What Are the Best Strategies for Selling My House Fast in Moreno Valley?

To sell your house quickly in Moreno Valley, you need to make your property appealing to potential buyers. Here are some effective strategies:

Price It Right: One of the most crucial steps in selling your house quickly is setting the right price. Overpricing can drive potential buyers away, while underpricing might leave you with less profit. Research the market, understand the value of similar homes in your area, and price your house competitively.

Enhance Curb Appeal: First impressions matter. The exterior of your home is the first thing buyers see, so make sure it’s in top shape. Simple improvements like landscaping, painting the front door, and cleaning the driveway can make a significant difference.

Declutter and Stage Your Home: A clutter-free, well-staged home allows potential buyers to envision themselves living there. Remove personal items, clean every room thoroughly, and consider hiring a professional stager to highlight your home’s best features.

Market Aggressively: To reach the right audience, you need a robust marketing strategy. Use high-quality photos, virtual tours, and list your home on popular real estate platforms. Additionally, social media and word of mouth can also be powerful tools in getting the word out.

Be Flexible with Showings: The more accessible your home is for showings, the faster it will sell. Be flexible with your schedule to accommodate potential buyers. Weekend and evening showings can often attract more interested parties.

What Are the Benefits of Selling My House to a Cash Buyer in Moreno Valley?

Selling your house to a cash buyer can significantly speed up the selling process. Here’s why:

Quick Closings: Cash buyers are often investors who can close deals quickly, sometimes in as little as a week. This is ideal if you need to move fast or avoid foreclosure.

No Need for Repairs: Cash buyers typically purchase homes "as-is," meaning you won't have to spend time or money on repairs or renovations.

Fewer Contingencies: Traditional home sales often include contingencies like financing or inspection, which can slow down the process. Cash buyers usually skip these, making the sale faster and more straightforward.

Certainty of Sale: With a cash buyer, the sale is more likely to go through without issues related to financing, reducing the risk of the deal falling through at the last minute.

How Can I Attract Cash Buyers in Moreno Valley?

To attract cash buyers, you need to make your property appealing to investors:

Highlight Potential: Cash buyers are often looking for properties they can either rent out or flip for a profit. Highlight the investment potential of your home, whether it’s a good rental market, low property taxes, or potential for renovation.

Advertise "As-Is" Condition: Many cash buyers are looking for properties that they can buy quickly and renovate themselves. Emphasizing that you’re selling "as-is" can attract these types of buyers.

Work with a Cash Buyer Specialist: Consider working with a real estate agent who specializes in cash sales. They often have connections with local investors and can help you navigate the process more efficiently.

Is Selling My House Fast in Moreno Valley Without an Agent Possible?

Yes, selling your house fast without an agent is possible, but it requires more effort on your part. Here’s how you can do it:

List on FSBO Websites: Websites like Zillow and FSBO.com allow you to list your property without the help of an agent. This can save you money on commission fees.

Hire a Real Estate Attorney: While you may not need an agent, a real estate attorney can help you with the legal aspects of selling your home, ensuring all paperwork is in order.

Handle Marketing Yourself: You’ll need to take on the responsibility of marketing your home. This includes creating a compelling listing, taking professional photos, and spreading the word through social media and other channels.

Negotiate Directly with Buyers: Without an agent, you’ll be responsible for negotiating with buyers. Be prepared to handle offers, counteroffers, and any contingencies that may arise.

What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling My House Fast in Moreno Valley?

When aiming to sell your house quickly, it's essential to avoid common pitfalls:

Overpricing the Home: Setting the price too high can lead to your home sitting on the market for too long, making it less attractive to buyers.

Neglecting Minor Repairs: Even small issues can turn off potential buyers. Address any minor repairs before listing your home to ensure it’s in the best possible condition.

Skipping Professional Photos: High-quality photos are crucial for online listings. Professional photos can make your home stand out and attract more buyers.

Ignoring the Importance of Staging: A well-staged home can make a big difference in how quickly it sells. Don’t underestimate the power of professional staging.

Limiting Showings: Being inflexible with showing times can deter potential buyers. The more available you are, the more likely you are to sell your home quickly.

#how to sell my house fast Moreno Valley #sell my house fast Moreno Valley #we buy houses for cash Moreno Valley #sell my house fast in Moreno Valley with cash buyers #sell my house fast Moreno Valley sell my house for cash

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catgirltoofies · 3 years ago

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how to wash your witch: a step by step guide

step 1: identify your witch's type

this is relatively easy. witches fall into a number of different types, but there are a few things to watch out for.

the most important is open flame. in many cases, if a witch has an open flame, it's important to maintain it, so you can't, for example, submerge her.

witches with electricity are similarly dangerous around water, and generally have to be washed either alone or alongside other electric witches.

also important are witches with multiple bodies - sometimes you need special methods if she either has multiple forms (in the case of charlotte) or multiple connected bodies (in the case of ophelia)

step 2: identify your witch's size

witches come in a number of size categories. there are four primary size categories to work with.

first, the smallest size category, these are the witches that are roughly smaller than a person, for example Charlotte in her doll form, or candeloro.

second, and next largest, are the witches that are roughly person sized.

third, another size up, are the witches substantially larger than a person, roughly the size of a house. oktavia von seckendorff is a good example.

and finally, the largest category, are the excessively large witches, that could be described as mountainous.

step 3: select your cleaner

different witches require different cleaning fluids. for most witches, clean water and plain hand soap will work fine. witches with hard carapaces or thick hides might need stronger soaps, while particularly thin or fragile witches might need gentler soaps. of particular note, witches with particularly cloth-like bodies will need very gentle soap.

as mentioned earlier, witch types incompatible with water will need alternative cleansers. sand is an excellent alternative, especially for the electrical witches. fire extinguisher foam works wonders, but that's for the very narrow category of witches that can't be cleaned with water and don't have an open flame to contend with.

step 4: set up a schedule

witches are creatures of habit. when you want to clean your witch, make sure you and she agree on a consistent schedule for the cleaning. for some witches, a daily bath is the best, while for others, particularly the larger ones, the cleanings need to be spread out further. in any case, make sure you stick to the schedule. a missed bathtime can upset a witch greatly.

step 5: tools of the trade

while discussing the schedule with your witch, you should bring up the tools you want to use. your witch needs to agree with the tools you want to use, while you need to make clear that if she wants a very small tool, that she can't leave the bath until you're finished cleaning her.

for especially small witches, a toothbrush or natural sponge is incredible. for slightly larger witches, a loofah works great.

for large witches, a queen- or king-sized mattress works surprisingly well as a makeshift sponge.

for especially large witches, you just have to put the time in.

step 6: washing your witch

this is the part you've been waiting for. using everything you've learned and gathered, carefully and gently wash your witch. get her into a designated washing area - a sink, a bathtub, a pool, a backyard, wherever you think best. just ensure you wash in the same place every time you can, so don't go renting a public pool for yourself if you can't afford it consistently.

step 7: cleanup

often overlooked, but extremely important. dispose of the waste water safely, dry or brush your witch, and clean your tools thoroughly. ensure that next time, everything will go smoothly, especially if things weren't perfectly smooth this time. then begin preparations for the next washing well before it's scheduled.

and that's how you clean your witches!

#pmmm #domestic witches #kinda?#how to wash your witch #never ever under any circumstances use the washing machine

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missmentelle · 4 years ago

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Tips for Living With ADHD (From Someone Who Actually Has It)

There is a lot of advice floating around online for how to manage the symptoms of ADHD.

Most of it is bad.

A lot of the advice available for coping with ADHD has been written by people who don’t actually have it. Much of it is either aimed at parents raising ADHD children, or it simply amounts to “just try harder and figure out how to remember things better”. It’s hard for people who don’t have ADHD to understand that there’s more to it than “being easily distracted”, and the advice they give for managing the disorder is sometimes woefully out of touch.

Luckily, I have ADHD, and I’ve had to deal with it all my life. ADHD has not prevented me from getting a master’s degree, writing a novel, keeping my apartment clean or advancing in my career, because I’ve figured out some coping strategies like:

Train yourself to do the “keys, phone, wallet” dance. Misplacing things sucks, and it happens a lot with ADHD. To keep at least the important things from going missing, I have taught myself to physically tap my keys, wallet and phone before I leave any location. Getting into this habit took a few weeks, but now it’s muscle memory - and it’s saved me a lot of headaches over the years.

Start a Bullet Journal or find a good day planner. My bullet journal is my life. For those of you who aren’t familiar with them, bullet journals are basically grid notebooks written with a special system that lets you quickly keep track of and organize all the things you need to remember. Their customizability lets you organize things in a way that makes sense to your brain (and there’s no need to make them as fancy as the ones on Instagram). Plus, the fact that it’s not an app or online tool helps me avoid distraction.

Do a daily 15-minute sweep of your apartment. Household chores can quickly get away from you, until your apartment is so overwhelmingly gross that you don’t even know where to start. Keep things to a dull roar with a fifteen-minute daily sweep - bag up garbage, move the dishes to the kitchen, throw laundry into a hamper, wipe up obvious spills. When your space is less overwhelming, it’s easier to tackle bigger chores when you need to.

Set reminders to reply to emails and messages. If I don’t answer a message immediately, under normal circumstances, there’s a 50/50 chance I’ll never remember to answer it. If I know I need to reply to a message, I’ll set a quick reminder in my phone to respond - Siri can set reminders for me instantly, and it helps a lot with communication.

Prioritize tasks and do the most important ones first. My brain has a limited ability to concentrate on tasks that I’m not hyper-fixated on. Attention is a finite resource for me - once I start to get tired or burnt out, the odds of me completing a task I’m not interested in drops to almost nothing. Order your tasks by importance, not difficulty; sometimes I’m only able to do 1-2 very simple things in a day, and it’s important to make sure those are the things that most needed to get done.

Use the Pomodoro method for getting things done. I need pressure and deadlines to get things done, which is sort of difficult to replicate after college - the only person who cares if I work on my art or write a novel is me. So I use the Pomodoro method - this is basically where you set a timer for 25 minutes, work until it goes off, set a time for 5 minutes, relax until it goes off, and so on. There are even apps like “Focus To-Do” that automatically use Pomodoro timers and can even track how many you do on each task per day.

Put reminders of daily tasks in places where you can see them. I have several houseplants, and the only reason those houseplants are alive is because they have brightly-coloured sticky notes on them that say WATER ME EVERY FRIDAY. Putting up visual reminders might seem tacky or childish, but if that’s what works for you, then that’s what you need to do. Putting a chore chart for yourself on the fridge is way less embarrassing than getting a pest problem because you lost track of chores.

Tackle chores and cleaning in stages. Deep-cleaning my whole apartment in one day is simply not going to happen. It’s just not. So when it’s time to deep-clean, I spread it out in stages - one day is the day to tackle the fridge, the next day is the bathrooms, the day after that is closet organization, etc. Breaking things into manageable chunks is how I’ve tackled everything from my graduate thesis to moving - I accept that I need to spread big tasks out across more days than other people do, and adapt accordingly.

Audiobooks and podcasts are your friend. If I’m doing a task that doesn’t require a lot of concentration - like mopping, or dishes, or walking the dog - my mind wanders... and it often wanders to another task I could be doing, causing me to abandon what I’m working on. I’ve found that the best way to prevent that is to keep my mind occupied. Throwing on some headphones and listening to an audiobook (which I rent from the Libby app for free!) has been a win-win situation for me; it helps me stay on-task, and it helps me reach my reading goal every year.

ADHD can make it difficult to thrive in a world that wasn’t built for our brains. But when you find the right strategies, it’s possible to accomplish your dreams and navigate the world in your own way.

#askmissmentelle #missmentelle #adhd #living with adhd #mental health #mental illness #adhd inattentive #adhd post #strategies & tips

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superhero--imagines · 4 years ago

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Etsy Store Here l Ko-Fi l Commission Info

Part 2 Here!/ Part 3 Here! / Playlist Here!

* Sorry guys but this mans been living in my head rent free

* So the first time you see Satoru it’s with those black specs he likes to wear and you get a glance at those GORGEOUS eyes

* He meets your eyes for a second before looking away, it’s the briefest of interactions

* But your heart is racing and you can feel the familiar heat of attraction starting to lap at your face

* ‘He looks just like a prince’ you think

* You find out pretty fast the ‘prince’ similarities stop at appearance

* “Ah it’s not my fault you’re so weak~” You hear him say with the princely smile as he teases Utahime

* It looks like he’s held something so high she can’t reach it

* “Try your best, if you drink plenty of milk I’m sure you’ll be tall enough one day~” he says before laughing with that same princely face

* “You shouldn’t pick on those that are weaker than you” Geto intervenes, somehow making the entire situation worse

* You watch as Gojo laughs

* You’re starting to think he might be the real curse you need to exorcise

* You continue watching him as Utahime tries to kick him in the crotch

* “You silly girl, did you forget there’s an infinity between us?” Cue Gojo’s “A-hahahahaha” laugh

* Yeah, he’s definitely a demon

* You keep your distance, Gojo’s beautiful and all, but you’re not dumb, you’ve heard about the Satoru clan.

* “Hey Geto-Kun, who do you think would win in a fight me or a lion?”

* Besides that guy is way too reckless, you’d rather not get all mixed up in that if you can help it

* You watch as Satoru takes his shirt off, his well defined chest glistening

* Still, you’re grateful for the show

* Little do you know the famous Gojo Satoru has taken note of you as well

* Naturally given his ability he notices everyone, but he especially takes note of you

* It’s not because you stand out, quite the opposite

* You blend into the background easily, supporting others when needed

* But not to the degree where you unable to defend yourself, or you’re sacrificing your own life for someone else

* He grins

* Looks like he found something interesting

* You’re at the vending machine eyes racking over the drink selection

* But there’s another thirst quenching sight right next to you, their hand resting on the vending machine, that princely smile aimed right at you-

* “So what do you say?” Satoru asks, and you start to wonder if that princely smile seems just a bit wolfish “Do you want to be my lover?”

* You’re kind of annoyed

* What an impetuous question, you can count on one hand how many times you’ve spoken to each other, and you only need both hands to count the words said in each of those encounters

* “No”

* You turn your attention back to your drink choices, it’s pleasant weather so you don’t want anything hot.

* Anything carbonated is out of the-

* Gojo moves closer, peering into your face with that grin

* Ugh does he have to stand so close

* “Why ‘no’? I know you think I’m attractive”

* “I also think you’re a womanizer with a god complex”

* And really why shouldn’t he be?

* He’s probably the most beautiful man you’ve ever seen in your life, not to add the sheer power he contains in that body of his

* But just as he has the right to be a womanizer with a god complex, you have the right not to take part in that narrative

* He backs away, leaning back against the wall

* So he’s not going to deny it

* Well, at least he’s somewhat self aware

* Those clear blue eyes catch yours again, and you have to fight against every human instinct from showing any human reaction

* You turn back to the vending machine making your selection when a smile lilts onto his mouth

* “Friends then”

* “Just colleagues” you reply, grabbing your drink

* But as you walk by you push a canned beverage into his chest.

* It’s a can of green tea

* It’s his favorite drink

* He looks to you seeing a bottle glinting in your hand

* So you didn’t sacrifice your own thirst, but you also didn’t ignore his needs

* He feels that same wolffish grin curl onto his mouth

* “What an entertaining person”

* After that if you’re anywhere within a 50 feet radius of him he’ll go out of his way to get your attention

* “Oh wow, looking especially radiant this morning (Y/N/N)” he’ll say with a playful seductive wink

* When you don’t respond he tries annoying you instead

* “Ah you can’t reach that? Here let me-” and then he’ll proceed to hold it even further out of your reach

* He’s expecting you to jump up and down, or at least give some sort of response but you just walk away

* Well that wasn’t what he expected

* He feels that grin spread across his face again

* Very interesting

* His attraction to you is pretty shallow

* He’s interested you because you’re entertaining

* And you’re entertaining because you aren’t interested

* Which only makes him that much more interested in you

* Its a paradox

* You watch him flounder around, annoying Utahime for a giggle

* Well it doesn’t matter anyway, you know how he is, he’ll get bored soon enough and lose all interest in you

* He’s not the strongest {f*ckboy} for nothing

* You see him turn to meet your gaze, offering a boyish smile and a wink

* You make sure not to give any reaction, turning to listen to something Shoko is telling you

* You hope he can’t sense the twinge of heat you feel on your face

* You’d be lying if you said you didn’t find the attention a little flattering

* I think for the most part you’re right, Satoru is mostly playing around-

* At least at first.

* You’re just something new and fun no one knows about, and wildly entertaining since you never respond the way he thinks you will

* You’re kind, but not at the expense of yourself, and he likes that

* Besides you’ve got this quite sort of consideration for others-

* It’s not flashy, it’s so subtle most people hardly notice

* It’s in the way you bring an extra snack for Utahime when she’s running herself ragged training

* “They were having a two for one special”

* Or the way you’ll get your teacher a plushie you saw at a shop at the station because you know he needs more

* “I just thought it was cute, but I haven’t got any room for another one”

* You’re quiet, someone who hears things and she’s things, but never says anything about them

* A wallflower

* But you’re not weak

* There’s something about those two things put together in the same person that entertains him to no end. Like a paradox or a puzzle he can’t seem to solve no matter how hard he tries

* Satoru’s had at least a hundred lovers, and a great many of them had provided him with their own brand of kindness and consideration

* But he’s never felt something as warm as when he see’s a lunch box in his dorm after he hobbles back from a mission that lasted a little longer than expected

* He peers at the note attached, it’s not even signed but he knows it’s from you

* “I know you think you’re god or whatever, but even gods have to eat”

* He doesn’t know why, but he’s overcome with the urge to cry

* He gulps hard- it’s not like this a lunch you made by hand or anything, it’s just something from the convenience store

* And it’s not like this note is particularly affectionate or special either, he’s gotten entire love letters from his previous lovers

* So he’s not sure why he saves your note, placing it behind a picture frame where only he’ll know it is , or why he thinks that convenience store lunchbox is the most delicious thing he’s ever had

* Even though he knows he cares about you, and that he’s grown quite fond of you -

* I don’t think it clicks for him

* And part of that is because well, he’s Gojo Satoru

* He collects lovers like some people collect photographs or memories

* They serve their purpose, and he lets himself be entertained by pretending all the feelings are real, and then he moves on to the next one

* It’s just what he’s used to

* And this whole paradox you two have going on could go on for a few years until something finally shifts

* He went a little too far with one his half-flirting-half-tormenting pranks

* And for the first time you give him a reaction, it’s only for a second, but annoyance and anger mar you face

* And then just like that, it’s gone and you turn and walk off in the other direction

* Sh*t.

* He went too far didn’t he?

* It should be fine right? You’re not too mad at him right? You’ll get over it-

* Right?

* But for the next few days you don’t speak to him, and you don’t make eye contact

* It bothers him more than it should

* Normally he would be annoyed that his toy would have the gall to blatantly ignore him like this-

* But this is different than that.

* He’s-

* He’s feeling regret

* He shouldn’t have acted that way to you, maybe if he had just done something differently, or said something differently-

* It’s not like the way things were between you two was ideal or anything,

* But at least then you would at least speak to him

* ... and every once in while he would get to see you smile

* It’s never at him, it’s mostly when you’re with Shoko or Utahime

* Occasionally when you’re with Nanami or Geto, who you’ve been talking to more recently

* He’s pretty sure you three are talking about him, just one day away from forming a “down with Gojo Satoru” club

* Still that smile when you laugh-

* The way you look so carefree and young and so full of life is worth all the slander in the world to him

* He needs to see that smile, to know something that wholesome and kind exists somewhere in this cruel world

* Satoru’s thinking about how to go about apologizing to you

* He’s caught between buying you a Lamborghini or buying you a special grade tool when he ends up running into you

* “Ah, could you help me with something?”

* He would quite literally give you the clothes on his back right now if you asked

* You stand up on a a chair holding a glass of water

* “Apparently this is supposed to help with concentration or something” You say pressing the glass full of water to the ceiling

* “Can you hold this broom?” You ask and Satoru nods, holding the broom handle steady as you make sure it’s pushed against the glass holding it steady

* You nod approvingly down at him

* The rest happens pretty fast, you’re off the chair, carrying it away

* “The broom is actually a special grade tool, so cursed energy won’t work on it”

* You grin

* “Have fun figuring how to get out of that Baka Prince!” You say with a laugh

* And Satoru is dumbfounded

* But not because you just pranked him into a holding up a glass of water with a broom

* But because as you were rushing away, you showed him your teasing grin

* It’s the first time you smiled at him

* And as he looks up at the glass of water, a smile slowly spreads across his face

* It’s not the wolffish smile he usually has when he’s around you, or the princely smile he uses when he’s trying to get something

* It’s a genuine smile

* Ah, so that’s it

* He’s fallen in love with you

* If you’re not the one entertaining him, then he’s just not interested

* Ah geez

* He was so focused on trying to get you to fall in love with him that he really didn’t see this coming

* Well he’ll have to start being serious about pursuing you now-

* Though for you to pull off something like this on him tells him you’re his ideal match without a doubt

* A wallflower with a mischievous streak, he likes that.

* He scratches his head with his free hand

* “I wonder how I’m supposed to get out of this?” He muses looking up at the glass full of water

#jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen imagine #jujutsu kaisen reader insert #satoru gojō x reader #gojo satoru #satoru gojo #satoru Gojo imagine #satoru gojo x you #gojo satoru x reader #Gojo satoru imagine #Gojo satoru headcanons #satoru Gojo headcanons #jujutsu kaisen headcanons #superhero—imagines

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mostlysignssomeportents · 4 years ago

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Facebook shouldn't be in charge of how you use Facebook

The Facebook whistleblower’s testimony was refreshing and frightening by turns, revealing the company’s awful internal culture, where product design decisions that benefited its users were sidelined if they were bad for its shareholders.

The big question now is, what do we do about it? The whistleblower, Frances Haugen rejected the idea that Facebook’s power should be diminished; rather, she argued that it should be harnessed — put under the supervision of a new digital regulator.

Regulating tech is a great idea (assuming the regulations are thoughtful and productive, of course), but even if we can agree on what rules tech should follow, there’s still a huge debate over how the tech sector should be structured.

Like, should we leave monopolies intact so that we only have to keep track of a few companies to make sure they’re following the rules? Or should we smash them up — through breakups, unwinding anticompetitive mergers, and scrutinizing future mergers?

For me, the answer is self-evident: if we don’t make Big Tech weak, we’ll never bring them to heel. Giant companies can extract “monopoly rents” — huge profits — and cartels can agree on how to spend those profits to subvert regulation.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/08/starve-beast-monopoly-power-and-political-corruption

We need to fix the internet, not the tech giants. The problem isn’t just that Zuck is really bad at being the unelected pope-emperor of the digital lives of 3,000,000,000 people — it’s that the job of “pope-emperor of 3,000,000,000 people” should be abolished.

I believe that people who rely on digital tools should have the final say in how those tools serve them. That’s the proposition at the core of the “nothing about us without us” movement for accessible tech, and the ethos of Free Software.

Technologists should take every reasonable step to make their products and services suitable for users, and regulators should step in to ban certain design choices: for example, algorithms that result in racial discrimination in housing, finance and beyond.

The law should step in when sites or apps are deceptive or fraudulent or otherwise harmful; people hurt by negligent security and other choices should have remedies in law, both as private individuals and through their law enforcement officials.

But even if we did all that — and to be clear, we don’t — it wouldn’t be enough to deliver technological self-determination, the right to decide how the technology you use works.

For example, when the W3C was standardizing EME — a shameful incident in which they created a standard for video DRM — there was a lot of work put into accessibility, including safeguarding closed captions and audio description tracks.

But even the most inclusive design process can’t contemplate all of the ways in which users will need to adapt their tools. My friend Jennifer has photosensitive epilepsy and was hospitalized after a strobe effect in a Netflix stream triggered a series of grand mal seizures.

EME could have accommodated that use-case by implementing a lookahead algorithm that checked for upcoming strobes and skipped past them or altered their gamma curves so that they didn’t flash. The committee rejected this proposal, though.

But that wasn’t all they did. They also rejected a proposal to extract a promise from the companies involved in EME’s creation to refrain from threatening toolsmiths who added this feature on their own, either to help themselves or on behalf of other users.

The reason such a promise was necessary is DRM enjoys special legal protection: distributing a tool that bypasses DRM — even to prevent grand mal seizures — can be prosecuted as a felony under Sec 1201 of the DMCA, with 5 years in prison and a $500k fine for a first offense.

The companies making browser DRM said that they didn’t need to promise not to destroy the lives of toolsmiths who added accessibility features to their product because they would add every necessary accessibility feature themselves.

Except they wouldn’t. They blocked an anti-seizure tool, and Dan Kaminski’s proposal to shift color palettes to compensate for color-blindness, and a proposal for automated captioning tools to bypass DRM to ingest videos and run multiple rounds of text-to-speech analysis.

And even if they had accepted all of these measures, it wouldn’t have been enough. No one can anticipate all the ways that people need to adapt their tools. “Nothing about us without us” can’t just mean, “Some people with disabilities helped design this.”

It also has to mean, “I, a person using this tool, get a veto over how it works. When my interests conflict with the manufacturer’s choices, I win. It’s my tool. Nothing about me without me.” That’s the soul of technological self-determination.

Not only is Zuck a bad custodian of 3b lives, but every company is a bad custodian — or at least, an imperfect one — when it comes to its users’ lives. Companies often do good things for their users, but when user interests conflict with shareholder priorities, users lose.

Companies should try to do good things, and we should have minimum standards, and also we should have ways to further adapt their tools to suit their own needs, first, because companies can’t anticipate all those needs, and second, because they have conflicts of interest.

In response to the whistleblower’s testimony, Slate Future Tense has an article by Louis Barclay describing his misadventures with a Facebook add-on he created called “Unfollow Everything” — a tool that helped people use Facebook less and enjoy it more.

https://slate.com/technology/2021/10/facebook-unfollow-everything-cease-desist.html

Unfollow Everything unfollowed all the friends, groups and pages you followed on Facebook. This eliminated Facebook’s News Feed entirely, and then users could either manually check in on friends (unfollowing isn’t the same as unfriending) or selectively follow them again.

Users who tried Unfollow Everything really liked it. They found themselves spending less time on Facebook, but enjoying the time they spent there a lot more. Both Barclay and his users felt “addicted” to Facebook and this helped them “control the addiction.”

I’m not a fan of analogizing the habitual use of digital tools to “addiction,” but that’s not the point here — before Unfollow Everything, these users didn’t like Facebook but kept returning to it, and after, they kept using it, and liked it more.

It would be really interesting to understand this phenomenon better. After all, Facebook has spent a lot of money on internal experiments where social scientists and designers collaborated to increase the time users spend on Facebook (AKA “engagement”).

In his spittle-flecked rebuttal to the WSJ’s Facebook Files, Mark Zuckerberg insisted that the point of this research was to increase user satisfaction, and the extra ad revenue from additional pageviews were just a coincidence.

https://mashable.com/article/mark-zuckerberg-refutal-whistleblower

I don’t think this is true. But it’s a claim we can empirically investigate, and Unfollow Everything would be a great tool for such an investigation. That’s why a group of academics at Switzerland’s University of Neuchâtel sought a collaboration with Barclay for a study.

That study never happened and probably never will, because Facebook had Unfollow Everything deleted from the Chrome store, kicked Barclay off the service and threatened to rain legal hell upon Barclay’s head if he ever made any Facebook tools, ever again.

Like the companies that standardized DRM at the W3C, Facebook says its users’ wellbeing and satisfaction are primary factors in its product design and demands a veto over any modifications so it can deliver the best product to those users.

And like those companies, Facebook actively opposes — and wields its legal might against — toolsmiths who adapt its products and services to reflect the needs of users when those needs conflict with its shareholders’ interests.

Time and again, Facebook demonstrates that it cannot be trusted to wield a veto over how we use Facebook. Think of how the company is attacking Ad Obervatory, an academic project that recruits volunteer Facebook users to track paid political disinformation on the platform.

Facebook falsely claimed that Ad Observatory compromised users’ privacy, and directed researchers to its own tools for analyzing content on the platform — tools that are riddled with errors and omissions and flat-out misleading distortions:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/08/06/get-you-coming-and-going/#potemkin-research-program

(To be fair, Facebook did once have a reliable research tool, Crowdtangle, which produced accurate and thus unflattering data about FB, so Facebook neutered the tool, disbanded the team that worked on it, and forced the founder out of the company)

https://pluralistic.net/2021/07/15/three-wise-zucks-in-a-trenchcoat/#inconvenient-truth

As part of its smear campaign against Ad Observatory, Facebook argued that it has to shut down this kind of activity, because that’s how it defends us from privacy-invading scumbags like Cambridge Analytica.

It’s true that Cambridge Analytica did “research” on FB that compromised millions of users’ privacy, but Facebook has already disqualified itself from defending us from Cambridge Analytica by failing to defend us from Cambridge Analytica.

If the specter of platform abuse — racial discrimination, harassment, infringement, malware, fraud, privacy invasion — grants Facebook a veto over independent modifications of its products, FB will fail to protect us, and will kill the tools that can protect us (from Facebook — and other bad actors).

And yet, Facebook really is used in ways that harm its users. Sometimes, the abuse comes from third parties that create plugins, bots, scrapers or other interoperable tools that modify Facebook. But you know what? Many of these abuses come from Facebook itself.

That’s why Facebook can’t be in charge of the Facebook Cops. That’s why Facebook can’t have the final say over how we modify Facebook (and why no tech company should have the final say over how its users adapt the things they buy and use).

Which brings me back to the whistleblower and her call for regulating Facebook. Yeah, we need to do that. We need to have things like a federal privacy law with a private right of action, robust protections against harassment, vigorous enforcement of anti-fraud rules.

That’s how you distinguish between good mods and bad mods — by passing democratically accountable laws that tell us what we are and are not entitled to. Not by letting Facebook (or Apple, or Google, or Netflix) decide what is and isn’t acceptable.

This is the thesis of “Privacy Without Monopoly,” the EFF white paper Bennett Cyphers and I wrote on how to balance interoperability and privacy: we do need privacy protections, and we can’t rely on monopolists to decide what those should be.

https://www.eff.org/wp/interoperability-and-privacy

As I said at the start, a digital regulator isn’t a bad idea, assuming the rules are good ones. We don’t have to wait for the creation of a new regulatory agency to get partway there, either. The FTC can use antitrust settlements to impose conditions on Big Tech.

For example, a settlement with FB could require it to seek permission from a “special master” before it could threaten to sue an interoperator like Ad Observatory, Unfollow Everything, Friendly Browser, GBWhatsApp, or any of the many other independent tools FB has pursued.

The special master could determine whether FB was engaged in privacywashing (or securitywashing, or safetywashing, etc) in a bid to make harming its users to help its shareholders seem legitimate.

Users don’t always make wise choices about how to use their tools, but tech giants can’t be trusted to distinguish between “preventing harms to users” and “preventing harms to the bottom line.”

That should be obvious, but if there’s any doubt, surely the Unfollow Everything scandal settles the matter.

#pluralistic

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tsaritza-mika · 4 years ago

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The Main Six LI’s as YouTubers!! Because why the hell not!?

Nadia

Nadia has a few things on her channel, and it keeps her image very intriguing to her subscribers

MAKEUP TUTORIALS!!!

This woman can work with any skin type and tone in the damn rainbow, and she proves it every damn day!

Often has Asra and Portia over to demonstrate different skin tones and types

Nail art anyone?

Videos on current fashion trends and making your old clothes work for newer fashions. It’s very frugal for those who may be tight on cash

Also well known complex puzzle solver! Subscribers and professional puzzle builders send her things to try and solve. Her favorite ones usually take many varying methods to figure out a single phase before unlocking the next

Will also do time lapse videos of her own mechanical creations!

She waited until after gifting Portia a three-foot music box to post the reaction video

Asra

Anybody watch Snake Discovery? Because Asra would be that!

Loves that special time of year when all the new clutches are ready to hatch and he and Faust can welcome them into the world!

Tips on proper housing, feeding, and reptile care

Explanations on the hows and whys of snakes and various other lizards he’s come to know on his own, and with Faust’s help!

Bo-Ho pottery? Jewelry and homemade clothes? Damn tootin’!!

Time Lapse and ASMR vids of him making his own stuff to sell on his Etsy!! Rent won’t pay itself

TRAVEL BLOG VIDS!!!

Cool places he’s traveling now, where he’s been, souvenirs with stories, and how time consuming it is to get through customs

FOOD REVIEWS!!! From the weird to the fashionable, from the savory to the salty and even to the sweet, Asra’s got your international foodie hookups, and you’re not gonna want to miss a second!

Julian

Honestly, he’s probably done it all, but he has his staples

A new vid every week where he watches a new episode of whatever medical show he’s working thru/random movies with a lot of medical references and corrects the bad medical shit they have on tv/movies

Are you fascinated by weird medical history? Well you came to the right place!

Dating Sims and how to unlock every character and special ending

SURGEON SIMULATOR!!!

Anyone for a dance video? The man has the moves and will put his money where his mouth is! Wanna learn how he does those fancy moves? Just catch his instructional video at the end of the week with surprise guests! Who will it be? Depends on the moves! Stay tuned!

Living with a Corvid and how to properly care for the little shit!

Has videos reviewing pretty much every drink at Starbucks and which he would recommend for the season

LINDSEY STERLING LEVELS OF MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT!!!

This man will pull out all the stops for his music videos! Originals, covers, there’s nothing he won’t play! Be sure to check out his album this September, available on iTunes, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Amazon! Move quick and get the special signed editions with limited copies!

Muriel

Ever see those videos of the guys who literally wander off into the wilderness and build mansions out of nothing but dirt and palm fronds? Yeah, that’s Muriel

He doesn’t talk in them, he just turns dirt and mud into cool 1-2 person dwellings, often with a small pool and running water

Wood carving time lapse videos and what tools are best for different levels of detail

Leather working for long-term wear and weather protection

Foraging and making meals from scratch

INANNA CAM!!! WATCH HER SHE’S WONDERFUL!!!

Deep forest w/ fireplace ASMR and sleep and meditation sounds

Protective charms w/ Asra and how to make them so they work against goats... or whatever else might be bothering you!

Portia

My GOD the things Portia has done for her channel! Hers is definitely the most eclectic of the group, but they’re all just so her!

Want some supernatural stuff? Portia’s got it, and she’s ready to get spooky! She’ll read from either her own story collection, Creepy-pastas, or viewer recs. Three times a month join her for some Tarot readings, divination, or classic Ouija board spooks in a collab with Asra!

Remember the beginning of Tangled? Yeah, Portia does all of that! And there’s a video for all of it!!

Cleaning and gardening tips, candle making, games of all kinds!

Ways to tame that crazy, curly mane and other cool hairstyle collab vids with Nadia!!

Cottage core ASMR w/ purring sounds provided by Pepi!

Anyone for some classic Nevivon cooking? Portia’s got you covered, and she’s making a new dish every week with special appearances by everyone’s favorite salty Grandmother, Mazelinka!

Lucio

Lucio’s unboxing vids are the envy of the internet~! What doesn’t he get in the mail to unbox? It’s like X-mas every day when you get a new box of cool mystery swag!

Makeup and fashion collabs with Nadia

Dance and musical collabs with Julian

His most surprising hobby? Gold-leaf, duh! He’s got surprisingly fancy handwriting, and besides, there’s never enough gold!

Do you love dogs? Of course you do! You’d have to be crazy to not love M&M! Dog park and play cams!

Hell, why not! You just love animals? Every week take a walk with Vesuvia’s biggest collection of albino animals and meet a new one in every video!

Spirographs? ....yeah, spirographs. They’re easy, they’re fun, and just look at all the colors!! We’ll add more gold though. There’s never enough anyway.

Your favorite Count demands cookies!! Collabs with Portia trying to teach this disaster how to make his favorite snacks and sweets! Special appearances by his new best friend, the STOVE SALAMANDER~!!!

#the arcana #the arcana game #the arcana asra #the arcana julian #the arcana portia #the arcana nadia #the arcana muriel #the arcana lucio #asra alnazar #julian devorak #portia devorak #muriel of the kokhuri #nadia satrinava #lucio morgasson #count lucio

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alarawriting · 5 years ago

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Writeober 2020 #21: Dragon

How to Care For Your Pet Human

Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to adopt a human. Humans are excellent pets – intelligent, loyal, longer-lived than most other pet animals, and hypoallergenic, producing far less dander than the average mammal or bird. But they can be a challenging pet to care for as well. Here’s what you need to know to keep your human healthy and happy!

Committing To A Human

Like any pet, a human wants a forever home it can stay in for its entire life. Unlike most pets, a human can live for close to a century, if well cared for. It’s a big commitment! Make sure you’re ready for it.

Humans are incredibly intelligent, and if you do not provide sufficient enrichment, they will find it… one way or another. Everyone’s heard a story about a dragon who left their human alone in their lair, only to find the human gone after they returned. There are very few predators that are dangerous to a human, so if you don’t smell that another dragon has invaded your lair, and your human is missing… they found a way to escape whatever enclosure you had them in, and they may never return. Don’t let this happen to your human!

Humans are also incredibly social. If you’re not willing to take on more than one human, you must find a petsitter when you nap. The isolation of being alone while you’re asleep for a year or two may kill your human – and, of course, humans need food and fresh water every day, so you’ll need to make arrangements for them to be fed while you’re sleeping. We also recommend strongly that if you cannot care for more than one human, you frequently bring your human for play dates to a friend with a human, or a human rescue center.

Most breeders and rescue centers will be able to tell you if your human has the trait of “introversion.” Such humans are valuable and may cost significantly more, because introversion allows a human to be left alone for much, much longer than the average human. An introverted human can get all of their social interaction from you, as long as you provide enrichment for them to entertain themselves. You’ll still need a pet sitter when you sleep, but you don’t have to take them on frequent play dates. Other humans without the trait will be stressed by the lack of human companionship even if you interact with them frequently. We strongly recommend that in general, if your human is not introverted, they will be happiest with a human companion or two. Because they’re low-allergenic and they’re (for the most part) very clean animals, and because they enjoy socially sharing food, most dragons find that it’s easier to care for multiple humans than it is for just one!

Human Nutrition

Some dragons claim that humans can live on a purely carnivorous diet. While this is technically true, humans are obligate omnivores – they must consume vegetable matter to get all the nutrients they need – and they will die much younger on a purely carnivorous diet. So no, you cannot feed your human nothing but scraps from your kills.

We don’t recommend human chow. It’s well balanced for human nutrition, but firstly, most humans crave variety in their diets, and if you don’t provide it to them, they’ll go hunting for it… which may result in them being accidentally poisoned! Secondly, one of the most entertaining parts of keeping a human is watching them handle flame to process their meals into something they find easier or more palatable.

Yes, we did say flame. Alone of all animals, humans are adept at managing fire! Of course, they’re just as vulnerable to it as any other animal, and they can’t breathe it, but if you breathe a spark onto some charcoal or wood for them, the majority of humans will be able to maintain the flame, and will use it to prepare their food.

Remember what we said about variety? Humans can eat many foods that no other animal will touch, or that only insects and other invertebrates care for, because they can use fire to make some foods edible to them. There are tools you can purchase and provide to your human to make it easier for them to do this.

The healthiest diet for most humans is approximately a third meat, with the remainder being grains and vegetables. Give a human a haunch of pig, and watch them roast it slowly over the flame you gave them! They may even share their food with you – humans enjoy providing food to anyone they love and trust.

Your human probably loves fruit. Give it to them occasionally as a special treat, but don’t let them have access to too much of it. Humans who gorge on fruit usually suffer digestive problems as a result. And while they usually keep themselves clean, humans who’ve consumed too much fruit may have accidents. Do not punish your human for such accidents; firstly, it’s probably your fault, because you let them eat something they shouldn’t have, and secondly, your human already feels shame over their accident and will try to avoid having them if they can.

Humans and the Outdoors

Human lack of fur, except on the top of their heads and a few other specific places where they concentrate pheromones, helps to make them distinctive in appearance and gives them a great deal of heat resistance. But there’s a price they pay; they’re more vulnerable to ultraviolet burns from sunlight than creatures with more covering. You may be tempted to keep your human inside your lair all the time, safe from ultraviolet light, but most humans actually require a certain amount of sunlight to maintain their happy, energetic dispositions!

Pale humans are more vulnerable to sunlight than darker humans, but any human can suffer ultraviolet burns. Your local pet store or apothecary can provide you a compound to put on your human to protect them… because humans enjoy being outside, and will stay outside to play much longer than they should. Humans’ delicate paws, with dexterous opposable thumbs, are usually better at applying the compound fully, so if the human doesn’t spontaneously put the compound on, you may do it once or twice. After that, let your human apply it to themselves.

If your lair is close to water, be careful with your humans and supervise them outdoors! Unlike most non-aquatic animals, most humans enjoy playing in water, and their layers of fat make them buoyant… but they don’t usually know how to swim, unless they were born at a reputable breeder that allows them to spend at least twelve years learning from their mothers. You may consider paying for swimming lessons for your human, but even an experienced swimmer may be taken by surprise by an undercurrent, so supervise them.

In fact, in general, your human is very curious and will explore its territory as far as you allow it to… so supervision outdoors is always a good idea. While a full-grown adult human isn’t in danger from most predators, there are some – large cats, bears, wolves – that present a serious threat to them.

The greatest threat to your pet human may be a wild human. Wild humans roam in packs, and they will usually either kill a pet human, or steal it. Either way, if wild humans get too close to your pet, you will never see your human again.

Treat your human as part of your hoard; don’t let it out of your sight when you’re outdoors.

Should I Leash My Human?

In a word, no. Humans dislike being leashed, and with their extreme intelligence and dexterity, they will find a way out of the leash.

If you do choose to leash your human, always use a harness, not a collar! Humans’ evolutionary adaptations for the wide variety of sounds they can make result in them having weak and vulnerable necks. It’s very easy for a human to choke, and a human leashed by the collar will die if they fall any significant distance while on the leash; it will break their necks.

Nothing can substitute for supervision!

But what if you’re too busy – or too sleepy – to supervise your human as often as they need outdoor enrichment? No worries, there are several strategies to help you out!

Enclosures are not one of them. No matter how cleverly designed your human enclosure is, a sufficiently determined human will find a way out of it. It’s going to require giving up a lot of your time or a little bit of your hoard to make sure your human gets sufficient outdoor enrichment in a safe way.

- Human care centers: In a human care center, your human will get social interaction with other humans, constant supervision, and all the enrichment it needs, including outdoor time.

- Pet sitters: Most pet sitters are experienced adults, but even an adolescent dragon can usually be trusted to supervise a human, and many of them are looking to add a little bit to their hoard.

- A supervisor human. Yes! You can rent a human to supervise your human! Supervisor humans are trained especially to keep watch over other humans and keep them out of danger. Many supervisor humans can even provide first aid for an injured human!

Occasionally you will encounter a human that is very content to stay in one place, or even one that doesn’t like going outdoors. If your human doesn’t like going outdoors, make sure it has sufficient indoor enrichment, including activities they can engage in to get exercise. Get your human some play equipment. They love climbing, swinging, sliding, exploring tunnels, swimming or bathing in safely enclosed pools, and throwing things, especially things that bounce. If you give your human a bouncing ball, they may get hours of entertainment from it… and if you have more than one human, expect to see them play together, and even make up contests with rules!

Mental Enrichment

Humans, as mentioned, are very, very smart. You must provide your human mental enrichment. But what kind of enrichment is best for them varies widely, depending on the human. Some humans enjoy having a pet of their own – dogs and cats are popular, and they will eat your scraps. Some like to use dyes and paints to create pictures on stone tablets; some like to use clay to make shapes. Some use their amazing vocal talents to sing, or mimic sounds they hear. And many humans enjoy watching other humans – provide them a crystal ball that connects to one viewing other humans, and most humans will be mesmerized.

Your human will also probably spend a great deal of time stimulating its genitals. This is normal. Humans are actually constantly in a mild form of heat or rut, and are almost always ready to mate. This produces a great deal of physical tension, which they alleviate with their hands. If you have more than one human, they will probably mate. This is true no matter what genders of humans in what combination you have.

Should I Have My Human Fixed?

That depends a great deal on your human, and what you hope to get out of them. Castrating a male human may produce a lot of behavioral changes, some of which you may not enjoy – an energetic and active male may become sedentary, for example.

There are multiple strategies to fix a female human. To fix your human without changing her hormonal balance and potentially disrupting her behavior, you can have her ovaries disconnected from her uterus (the mammalian organ she uses to gestate her live young). Or you can have her ovaries removed, which will end a painful bleeding cycle she undergoes approximately every moon cycle, but will also radically change her hormone balance. Your vet will be able to advise you on what might be best for your human.

If all of your humans are the same gender, we recommend not fixing them. They’ll satisfy each other’s mating urges, but they won’t breed.

If you do, in fact, want to breed a human, you should read our companion manual, “Breeding Humans.” Breeding a human is a very difficult and dangerous process that will change your humans’ lives forever. If you’re thinking that you may at some point breed your female human, but you aren’t sure whether you’re ready to support her through such a complicated process, you can get a medication from your vet that you can provide to her in her food, or train her to voluntarily take, and she will be able to mate with male humans without having young.

Fur Trimming

In most varieties of human, the fur on top of their heads needs to be trimmed occasionally, or it will become matted and unmanageable. For the males, the same is true of the facial fur.

Humans have difficulties trimming their head fur, and if you have only one, you will need to bring it to a groomer occasionally. If you have multiple humans, they will usually trim each other’s head fur, if you supply them the necessary tools.

A young male human will need to be exposed to an older male human to receive training in managing his facial hair for himself.

Training Your Human

Humans are incredibly trainable! They have a language of their own (several, in fact, just like dragons do!), and, if you breed a female human and end up with a human child, the child may very well learn to mimic some of your language or even learn to almost fully understand you! You can also purchase older humans who already have that trait.

Humans can be trained by being allowed to watch other humans performing a task. They can be trained by allowing a human who speaks their language to tell them about the task. And they can be trained in the same way as other animals, but are generally much faster to figure out what you want them to do.

In fact, every single human you have ever interacted with was trained by other humans. Humans have defective infants who lack most basic instincts, but do have the ability to mimic sound and learn language. A baby human must be cared for by an adult human; do not try to provide care to a baby human yourself, without a human who is experienced in caring for children present! Dragons have successfully taken care of baby humans as young as three, but doing so makes the child behave as if it thinks it’s a dragon, and makes it nearly impossible to mate the human or have another human train your human. Don’t do it. No matter how cute they are, you should never adopt a human younger than 12 unless you have humans who have cared for children in your possession.

By the way, both male and female humans can care for children – they are like birds in this way. An infant human must be cared for by a lactating human female, or, you must provide the human caring for them with human milk substitute and specialized bottles to feed the baby. But male humans are just as capable of caring for children who are eating solid food as female humans are. If you have somehow acquired a child who is too young to be without care from a human, you can often rent a human child carer to provide the care, or a couple of them. Couples are better, because caring for human children is stressful, and it’s easier when two of them are working together to do it. Be aware that if you do this, you’ll need to rent them until the child is twelve, and longer in some cases.

Why Twelve?

There are many specialized tasks that a human can perform for another human which are difficult for a dragon to do, from preparing and mending the artificial coats they must wear in most climates, to using fire to prepare food. Humans must learn almost everything they do, and there’s a lot to learn!

Twelve is generally the youngest age at which the child is prepared to do the things humans must do to survive and thrive. In fact, many humans benefit from being allowed to remain with their parents for longer, and are usually happiest when adopted after they are fully grown adults… but children are adorable. We confess we’ve adopted our fair share of human children, just because they are so cute!

If you have an adult human or two already, you can adopt a young human without doing them much harm. Most adult humans are happy to train younger humans in any number of skills humans enjoy learning. In fact, if the human or humans you already have are experienced with children, you may be able to adopt a very young child, but be careful. Most humans will bond to some degree with any child, and most humans who are experienced with children are very good with them… but some just won’t bond to a young child to the degree that child needs for optimal care, and some bond, but are not careful or responsible enough to leave a young child in their care.

What If My Human Won’t Learn What I Want From Them?

Occasionally you’ll encounter a human who just can’t seem to learn a particular skill. This can happen for several reasons:

- The human you found to train your human doesn’t speak the same language

- You are very bad at demonstrating to your human what you want them to do

- The task is one that that particular human finds very hard, often for physical reasons

- The human knows how to do it perfectly well and is just stubborn and doesn’t want to

A qualified vet can usually diagnose the reason why your human is having difficulty.

Some dragons believe that if they limit enrichment to the tasks they want the human to learn, it will facilitate their training. Nothing could be further from the truth! If you have arbitrarily limited the tasks you will allow your human to perform, and prevented them from performing ones they enjoy, they will become resentful and angry, and often will start refusing to perform for you. Always leave your human plenty of free time to play and engage in the activities they choose, even if you are training your human as a service or performance animal!

What Do Humans Need?

Here’s the basic, minimum amount of stuff you need to care for a human.

- Water dispenser and hand-held human water cups. Humans don’t lap water from bowls; their heads are poorly designed for it. Give them a dispenser that provides them clean, fresh water whenever they like, and water cups to pour the water in. They’ll drink from the cup, holding it in their paws.

- Food bowl or plate: Humans are very prone to diseases from food contamination, so provide them with many of these or wash them constantly. You can train a human to wash their food bowl or plate themselves.

- Bed: Humans’ bipedal stance causes back problems as they age, and almost all humans prefer to sleep on something soft that cushions them – children prefer it because it makes them feel safe, and adults prefer it because a stone or dirt floor is hard on their bodies. Don’t expect your human to sleep on the floor like you do. Get it a bed.

- Clothing: Unless where you live is very warm, humans require artificial coats to replace the ones they don’t have. Speak to a vet, a pet store employee, or a dedicated human clothier to find out what kind of clothing your human needs for your climate.

- Shelter: Most dragons need this too, and a lair usually provides shelter from the elements that is perfectly adequate for a human. But if your lair is exposed – for instance, if you den outside in a desert – you will need a separate enclosure to shelter your human. They don’t have scales, or even feathers or fur, so the sand in the wind will harm them.

- A plan for letting them have access to other humans they can play with. Humans have excellent memories, almost as good as dragons, and they form strong attachments. For most humans, you’re better off giving them a small but stable number of other humans they have opportunities to play with than to constantly expose them to new humans (although some humans do enjoy that!)

Enrichment is vital for humans, but some of you have lairs that already provide all the enrichment a human could want, with plenty of climbable handholds, tunnels to explore, underground lakes, etc. Others may need to purchase toys and other enrichment equipment. Make sure what you get is age-appropriate; a twelve-year-old will love a climbing frame, but if you’ve adopted a fifty-year-old from a rescue shelter, it will not enjoy that nearly so much. Older humans tend to have already learned a set of tasks they greatly enjoy performing for fun, and a reputable rescue will be able to tell you what your new mature-years human’s favorite activities are.

Your hoard can be a form of enrichment. Hide items from your hoard, and if the human brings them to you, praise them and give them treats. Because they can go into smaller and deeper tunnels than you can, at their small size, humans may find gems or ore in underground caves, and if you’ve trained them to bring your hoard back to you, they’ll bring you whatever they find.

Tools to prepare their own food are also a form of enrichment. Some humans prefer not to do this and will eat human chow. Don’t try to force a human who’s uncomfortable with food preparation to do it; they may not have been trained in it, or they may have been burned at a young age and are afraid of fire. But if your human makes use of a firepit and a stake or spit for holding food above it, they will probably enjoy other food preparation tools as well!

Your Friend For A Lifetime

Treat your human well, give it the enrichment, social interaction, and food variety it needs, show it attention and care, and your human will be a truly loyal pet until the day it dies.

Make sure only to get your humans from reputable breeders or rescue shelters. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to capture and tame a wild human! This has occasionally resulted in packs of wild humans with sharp metal tools descending on a dragon’s lair, injuring or even killing the dragon! If you don’t interfere with the wild humans, they will leave you alone, but attempting to take one as a pet can bring the whole swarm of them down on you.

(At this point, generally someone brings up the legends of wild humans leaving adolescent females out for dragons to take. This does happen sometimes. No one knows why the humans reject certain females, but the behavior of leaving adolescent females usually happens when dragons encroach too closely on wild human territories, and seems to be an attempt to bait dragons away from the dwelling spaces of the rest of the humans. These females are typically traumatized and do not make good pets if they have not been rehabilitated. Take such a female to a rescue, and stop foraging for food near the wild humans; the next step, if their sacrifices of adolescent females don’t lead you away from their territory, may be to try to swarm and kill you!)

While there are definitely challenges to caring for them, humans do make wonderful pets who will bring joy to the lair of any dragon who adopts one. You and your human will make an amazing journey together, and sometimes, your human may even teach you things you didn’t know about yourself.

Enjoy your new human, and take care!

#writeober 2020 #alara's october 2020 prompt fics #humans are weird

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dumbass-mha-simp · 5 years ago

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Hawks x Reader: Bad Idea

Another self indulgent Hawks fic that I've literally had in my notes for months. He lives in my head rent free along with my other 22 fake boyfriend's because I'm ✨mentally unstable.✨ It is a song fic tho, Bad Idea ft. Shiloh Dynasty https://youtu.be/kH9hJnT7KkE

youtube

Tw: food, depression, Hawks is honestly just feeling it bro- same dude,

Word count: almost 2k? I think

Requests are open! Honestly I'm probably terrible but the only things I can think to write are those imaginary situations I put myself in

(Y/L/N)- your last name

(Y/N)- your name

Thoughts or emphasized talk are in italics

Also idk why but I imagine he removes his feathers to shower since they probably need different cleaning conditions and also they just seem like a hassle in showers.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Here he was, the number two prohero. Everyone assumed his life was perfect, anything he wanted served on a gold platter. He felt the guilt creep up into him.

I should be thankful. The thoughts ate away at his mind in the rare seconds he got alone. You shouldn't be so selfish. So annoying. So insufferable.

Takami pushed these thoughts back. "No one needs to know how you think, Keigo." He whispers out to himself in his office.

He scrawled at paper work, trying to not let the self depreciating thoughts feast away on his mind. Unfortunately for him, different thoughts came up.

His best friend, Rumi had this friend. (Y/L/N). Smart, attractive, sometimes a little rough around the edges, but amazing. He found his mind wandering to them all too often.

They were mostly unknown, despite their insanely strong quirk. They preferred to stay out of the lime-light, through that irritable exterior sat overwhelming anxiety and shyness. But they always denied it.

He stopped himself as he realized he's spent 10 minutes only thinking of them, a friend. Yeah right.

He lazily walked out of the office waving to all his employees as he made his way outside. His eyes slowly dragged to the darkly faded blue sky, dusted in clouds. Cold, tired, aching. Just how he felt.

He took a slow brisk flight to his house, feeling the wind bash his face and the air flow through his feathers. He gently placed a foot on the metal railing of his balcony, taking a deep step to the ground and opening the door.

The emptiness rung through his apartment like a blaring siren. You have everything. How can you still want more?

The voices in his head screamed and clawed their way out. You're nobody. No one ever loved you. You're so alone. You're nothing but a tool to the commission. You're actual character is useless.

He shed his coat, boots, and pants. Looking to himself in the mirror as he removed most of his feathers. He looked exhausted as he stumbled into the shower, numbly.

The next ten minutes seemed to elude him when he wondered how much time has gone by of him staring at the shower wall blankly.

He dried off a bit then looked around his kitchen for something to eat. Have I eaten today? The buzz and light of his phone on the counter startled him.

"Hey, Hawks." A single, simple message from (Y/L/N). Okay don't panic.

"What's up?" He replied swiftly.

"I had this feeling something was wrong and wanted to check up on you."

"Why would you think that?" He tried to play it off like it wasn't true without actually lying.

"I'm not sure. Do you maybe wanna join me?" You asked.

"Where?"

"Well, every once in awhile when I need a break I go and stargaze with a night picnic. It helps me relax, and if you think it might help I'd want to. I can tell something's off." You were always so convincing. It felt like you weren't too nosy or snoopy but you understood.

"Text me where to be and when?" He let out a gentle smile at his phone.

"The dollar store on 4th in 10 minutes? So we can choose some snacks together?"

"I'll be there."

Did Takami think any problems where going to be solved with some food in the dark? No. But would he skip the opportunity to be with you, to find out how he really felt when it was just you two? Absolutely not.

He landed down on the broken pavement outside of the old dollar store, scanning around to see you.

"Boo!" A bump from behind had him flinching to see the sound as you stood behind him giggling. "Got ya."

"Very funny (Y/L/N) the most amazing trick yet." He rolled his eyes with a slight smile.

"C'mon let's go grab a bunch of terrible snacks and call it a picnic, bird brain."

You two walked into the store and walked a large circle around it, choosing chips and candy and drinks at your leisure. Once you got to the counter, he fights you to his wallet.

"It's my picnic."

"And I'm the very special guest who was so generously invited. I'm paying." He grins as you pout at him.

Grabbing the bags you placed them in the back seat as you offered passenger side to him.

"I don't like cars."

"Why not?"

"Cramps my wings."

You look at him with the biggest puppy eyes you can manage. "You already agreed to keep me company and pay for the snacks, let me do something for you?"

"Fine, but only cause you're pouting kid."

He gently sits in your passenger seat as you strap yourself in and turn the car on. The car hums and the music playing softly on the radio are the only things heard. The peace feeling too good to break.

Once you pull your car up into the parking lot of a small park and grab your bags, you begin leading him to your usual place.

"Hold these." You hand him the bags as you jump and climb up on top of a big metal container. You peer over the side with big eyes and a smile as you say to him, "now hand me the bags and do what I did!"

He looks at you with a wide smirk before simply flying up to join you. "Or you can do it the cheater's way." You pouted and bumped his shoulder.

"It's not cheating, it's using my resources." He says with a triumphant smirk.

"Your cheating resources." You pull out your gummy candies and started eating as you leaned back till you were laying down.

"Do you like the stars, Hawks?" You say like your sleep talking, staring into the night sky.

"Keigo." He shifts to lay down about a foot away from you. "You can call me, Keigo. And... I don't think I've ever taken time to look at the stars."

"No sneaking out away from parents to sit on vans and stargaze? Or watching the sunrise with a partner while eating fast food?"

"What kinda date is sitting in a car for hours staring at the sky and eating?" He laughs.

"Ah one that never really happened, he just said he would. But never mind that repressed shit." A sad laugh forces itself out as you stare between the stars.

"Was he cute?" He tried to sound funny but it came out more sympathetic.

"Sometimes," you laugh with him. "But he had really nice hands."

"Hands? That's an odd thing to find attractive." He turned his head over to look at you as your eyes seemed to burn holes in the dark milky blue sky.

He continued laughing with you about this guy but couldn't help an overwhelming feeling of jealousy. Who was he? Did he look anything like him? Was this recent?

"Keigo?" A voice snapped at his train or thought, "Yes, (Y/L/N)?" He replied rushed.

"Do you want your mini cookies?" You ask looking to him with the bag.

"Oh, yeah. Thanks." He mentions grabbing the bag from your finger tips.

He ate his cookies and thought as you seemed either lost in your head, or lost in the stars.

Loving you would be selfish. As such a high ranking hero, he's made a target for himself and anyone around him. He's broken down, can't feel. You obviously have other people on your mind. Someone like you wouldn't be single long.

"When did he leave?" He blurts out without thinking. Maybe it's a sore subject-

"Long ago." You look lost, your eyes searching and wandering but never grabbing hold of exactly where you should be. "Why?" Well I guess if I'm gonna start prying might as well go all the way.

"He thought that maybe he could love me. But now that's just ridiculous," you laugh coldly. "Who would love me?"

"Falling in love with you seems like a really bad idea. But not on your part." He whispers into the wind, hoping it'll carry his words away from you.

"What do you mean?" You look completely confused, almost scattered.

"You're quiet, and I'm someone who puts a spotlight on practically anyone around me. You'd constantly be put in danger. Plus I'm arrogant and cocky, nothing at all like you." He acted like he could see the stars as you could. He stared into them finding any way he could to avoid your eyes.

"You could get hurt or I could annoy you." He whispers.

"I had no idea you felt that way, Keigo." You whisper back, shock keeping your voice quiet.

His eyes burned holes into the night sky, he felt he shouldn't look at you. The mental image of you already wouldn't go away.

"You wanna know something, Keigo? I can read people like books, I can read stars like stories, and I can read in-between lines like they were in bold font. But, you always catch me off guard. Reading you is like a mystery novel. Sometimes intense, sometimes peaceful, but always keeping me wondering." You smile into the stars, you can tell he desperately doesn't want to see your eyes. "You're always leaving everyone on the edge of their seat, and when you leave you can't stop thinking of the next time you'll come. What you'll bring."

"I....I don't think I understand (Y/L/N)-" Keigo's soon cut off.

"(Y/N)"

"Well, (Y/N)- I don't think I understand." He tries to sit up and look at you.

"You catch me off guard, something about you speaks to me in ways I know you never actually would. I can see it, the way you stumble or hesitate. I can tell somethings scared you into silence." You've never had much chance to talk about the ways you analyze people, you wanted to tell him how you could tell the way he acted wasn't always good.

"I think you might be reading too much into this, kid." He tries to intervene.

"I get if you don't want to tell me." You stared up at the stars, waiting for him to do the same. "You see there?" You pointed to a star. "That's a constellation."

"They just look like stars." He seemed a bit disappointed that he couldn't see stars the way you did, with such knowledge and wonder in your eyes.

"That's cause they are," you giggled to him, "it's not like I can actually see the pictures either."

"You.. you can't?" He looked to you confused but slightly hopeful, how could they look at them but not see too?

"That's the whole point, Keigo. It's being able to see what's not really there. Sometimes I stare into the sky hoping to see any semblance of hope, but that's not how it is. You have to teach yourself to look at what could be there." He stared to you, a small content smile graced your face. You were beautiful.

"(Y/N)?"

"Yes?"

"Maybe, loving you isn't such a bad idea.." he looked remorseful, staring into the stars. Maybe he could see it too one day.

"What do you mean?" You glace to him.

"You see so much, you can read and see the things I want to see. I want to learn, (Y/N). I want to see how you do."

The smile on your face spread.

"I'd love to show you."

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whimsywispsblog · 4 years ago

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ALL’s Not Fair in Love and War (edited)

A/N: Hey Wispies! Here’s the edited version of chapter 1. So, there’s not much of a change in the plot. It stays the same. Hope y’all like this one!

CHAPTER 1- PAIN

2 Days Before Leaving for West Berlin

21th February, 1981

"I cannot believe you Russ! How could you!" Rei shouted. This was the nth fight she was having with her husband. Adler sat on the sofa, frustrated, his hand in his hair. "A fucking child! You're tormenting a fucking child, Russ!" Her face was red, she looked livid. She had always been against using the MK-ULTRA program on anyone, but now, they wanted to use it on a 16-year-old kid. What annoyed her more was Adler treating the kid like a tool- a loose end that needs to be tied up once they've achieved whatever they need. "That kid should be out there with other children, enjoying and partying- not in a lab getting fried and then getting killed!" She screamed, her body shaking from anger.

The same fight on the same topic, just like the last two weeks ever since Adler had saved a kid from a near-death situation in Trabzon in Turkey- not just any random kid, no. But this kid was one of the few members of the inner circle of men Perseus trusted. Damn, he was one hell of a kid with a burning determination to survive. And to not give in to any amount of torture and interrogation thrown at him.

As a last resort, when Hudson finally lost the last drop of patience he had left for answers he "ordered" Adler to perform Mk-Ultra on the kid, which Adler could have easily denied to do, just like how he killed Qasim, despite Hudson's 'orders' to bring the man back alive.

As she kept shouting, Adler finally lost his cool. "Damn it Rei! Every fucking day- do you have to throw this shit at me?" Adler stood up. Adler ran his fingers through his hair, frustration and anger written all over his face. "You have fucking changed so much over the last few days- what is wrong with you?" Adler was never the kind to let his anger take over. He would always put on his calm facade, but today, he lost all his patience. A part of Rei wanted to back down- she knew she pushed all his buttons. But she didn't, she was just as adamant as Adler, if not, more.

"That fucking kid is a spy! He worked for Perseus-" Rei chuckled darkly, crossing her arms over her chest. "Perseus, yes. The only person you've been obsessed with. Wow, Adler!" Adler walked closer to Rei. He towered over her 5'2'' petite frame. "You fucking know why." He growled, deeply. "And from when did you start caring about a random kid so much?" Tears had already started streaming down her face. Her once beautifully painted eyeliner smudged and running down her cheeks. "Really? You don't know why I care so much?" The hiccups kept swallowing her words. "Adler that is a fucking 16 year old child! You are going to torture a child! What if this boy was someone like Ril-" Before she could complete her sentence, Adler slammed his hand on the table, earning a soft gasp from her.

Why is Perseus so important to Adler, you ask? Well, for one, it's the era of the Cold War: the legendary glaring competition between the United States and the Sovient Union. Second, the United States was hardly united on anything. Sadly, for Clandestine Special Officer of the CIA, Russell Adler, it was his job to make sure that with the current situation, Perseus should get NOT A SINGLE CHANCE to shift the balance of the Cold War, unless he wanted to be a part of the grand cremation of the West, sponsored by the USSR.

"Riley is fucking dead, Rei! Get the fuck over it" Adler shook Rei's shoulders vigorously. But once he saw her flinch after his sudden outburst, he knew that he messed up. She looked pale, like a small petrified cat. Her lips quivering and her eyes wide open. She stared at Adler, deep into his eyes- the anger in it now turned to regret and sorrow.She shook her head lightly, in disbelief. "You're an asshole, Adler."

She pushed Adler off her. Taking her jacket, she left the cosy warm house into the biting cold streets. The house was a mess. Papers and files everywhere, clothes thrown on the floor and a hell lot of bags. With a frustrated sigh, Adler went to the kitchen to get a drink. "Fucking hell." He muttered, pulling out a bottle.

Hours passed since Rei stormed out. Adler had dozed off on the couch after finishing an entire bottle of Bourbon. The room was dark, with only a small ray of streetlight illuminating the room. He groggily woke up to the telephone rininging. Cursing under his breath after tripping over a chair on the way, he finally made it to the phone. "Hello?"

"Adler, it's time. West Berlin, by tomorrow night." It was Hudson. It was time for them to start off.

"Rei." No answer. "Rei?" Adler called out for her softly. Still no answer. His muscles tensed and heartbeat rising.

He walked into their bedroom. Opening her closets, there were only a few clothes that belonged to her. Papers- divorce papers. And a letter. 'Sign the papers. I will take the rest of my belongings after the mission.'

Letting out a deep sigh, Adler crumpled the letter and threw it away, after reading it. It was from Rei. Lighting a cigarette, he walked to his balcony. A lone tear fell off his eye as he looked out to the bright stars of the night sky. He missed her and he wanted her back.

"Are you sure that's all you have?" Park asked Rei once more, before leaving for the airport. "Positive."

"Alright then."

When Rei left the house, she ran into Park at a little Café. Lucky for them, the plan was that Rei and Park travel together first, where they meet up with Lazar and Sims at the safehouse, while Adler join the team with Bell.

Special Officer Helen Park, from the MI6, personally recruited by Russell Adler for the hunt. It was one fine morning in London, one of the few days when sunshine actually seeped through the windows of her apartment that she got a call from Adler for the mission. It was easy for Adler to pull strings of Park, she being one of MI6 best assets especially in international assignments and biological warfare and because of their prior business.

Park and Rei's friendship goes long before both of their entry to the world of Intelligence, war and espionage. They were in the same college, Oxford. Although Park dropped out earlier after the death of her brother, they maintained their friendship through the years.

"Rei, I know you're against the whole idea of Mk-Ultra on Bell. But...now we know quite a lot about Perseus."

"It's not just about performing the programme on him, Helen. It's the whole idea of what happens after. For now he trusts us, and just like how he was betrayed by Arash, he'll face it again with us once we're done. Neither the CIA nor Adler will let him live." Park glanced briefly at Rei. Her eyes were swollen from crying.

"I know they won't. But since we made Bell a spy from Mi6, I think I can pull him out slowly." Rei smiled lightly, hoping that it would be possible. "Besides, the boy knows a great deal about Perseus. I'm sure he'll be of some use to MI6, with Perseus and his brilliant cryptography skills and multilingualism."

Adler was not the type to ignore an order unless he was convinced that there is either another way round or that the order might have adverse consequences. In this case, a very complicated case, Adler's stance was understandable, but Bell does deserve the benefit of doubt, doesn't he? Maybe Park and MI6 could pull him out of the sticky situation.

The rest of the ride went quietly. The airport was not crowded, much to Rei's happiness. A crowded airport was an unbearable one. Too many people, too much noise and too sweaty. Now all they had to do was finish their formalities, rest in a lounge and then go to Germany, finally to the safehouse that included two helicopter rides. "Ugh what a pain." Rei muttered, a scowl on her face.

"That wasn't so bad." Park chuckled nervously at a highly sleep-deprived and hungry Rei getting off the helicopter, walking towards their rented car. They had just finished their exhausting long journey. Airplanes and anything that flies- Rei hated them with a burning passion. Ironically, the girl loves to travel to different countries. Right now she was like a zombie. Rei just groaned. "Can we at least get some food before going to the safehouse?" She wailed softly. Park smiled at the girl, shaking her head lightly. "Alright. We'll get some take-out and go to the apartment first, freshen up and change and then head to the safehouse."

"Great!" Rei hopped towards her car, taking the driver's seat.

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#spilled thoughts #russell adler x oc #russell adler #cod bo cold war #cod #call of duty black ops cold war #call of duty #helen park

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