#Transition to Retirement Strategy

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Strategic Approach to Transitioning into Retirement | James Hayes 

A Transition to Retirement strategy can help you ease into retirement by allowing you to reduce working hours while still receiving an income from your superannuation. James Hayes, a trusted financial advisor in the Sutherland Shire, specializes in creating tailored strategies that maximize your retirement savings and minimize tax implications. With his expert advice, you can smoothly transition to retirement with financial security and peace of mind. Let James guide you through this important life stage with personalized, strategic planning.

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Guide Rank: Overwhelmed || Malleus Draconia

Being a high-ranked guide is tough—you’re basically a glorified babysitter for overpowered, emotionally constipated espers. But it gets harder when Malleus Draconia, the strongest esper in existence, asks you to guide him. And somehow, despite it all, you’re pretty sure Malleus is the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Or: Guideverse au!

Series Masterlist

The world is a nightmare. It used to be bad enough with things like taxes, slow WiFi, and that one sock disappearing in the wash. But now? Now you have random cosmic hellmouths opening up and vomiting out monsters that think humans are snack-sized protein bars.

They call them Gates. They pop up out of nowhere like your intrusive thoughts at 3 AM, and if no one deals with them, entire cities get turned into discount horror movie scenes.

The only reason people aren't living in a monster apocalypse is because of Espers—overpowered individuals who fight these creatures with sheer force, wild abilities, and a complete disregard for their own safety.

But there’s a tiny problem. Espers have the durability of a wet paper bag. They burn through their energy, go berserk, or outright implode if left alone for too long.

And that’s where Guides come in. Guides stabilize Espers, keep them from disintegrating mid-fight, and prevent them from making headlines as "Local Hero Explodes on Live TV."

And you? Congratulations! You are an SS-Class Guide, one of the absolute best. This should mean power, prestige, and maybe even free drinks. Instead, it means you are a walking, talking, highly sought-after life support machine, and every Esper on the planet wants a piece of you.

And not in a fun way.

You’ve spent your entire career dodging unhinged, desperate, overpowered individuals who think "force-bonding" is a reasonable dating strategy.

Some try to flirt their way into your schedule (bad idea). Some try to bribe you with things like gold, private yachts, and one guy who straight-up offered you a castle. And then there are the truly feral ones, who don’t understand the word “no” and think "What if I just grabbed them?" is a valid problem-solving technique.

One time, an S-Class Esper sent you 72 marriage proposals in a single day. Another time, a different one broke into your apartment and left a PowerPoint presentation on why you should bond with them. With transitions.

If you had a nickel for every time you had to physically dodge an Esper trying to latch onto you like a clingy octopus, you wouldn’t need this job anymore. You could retire to a nice, peaceful life in the mountains, away from all of this nonsense.

But no. You’re still here. Still dodging Espers who treat you like a Black Friday deal at 90% off.

Something has to change.

It’s another day at work. Another day of wading through a swamp of increasingly deranged requests for guiding, because apparently, every high-ranking Esper on the planet thinks you’re the Holy Grail of Stability™.

You take a deep breath, open your inbox, and immediately regret your life choices.

Request #1:

"O Supreme and Benevolent Guide, I have compiled a PowerPoint titled ‘Why You Should Guide Me and Not Those Other Losers.’ Please see attached. I am very persuasive. Also, I have snacks. Just saying."

Attached: A 657-slide PowerPoint presentation with bullet points like “I Only Go Almost Berserk Like Every Other Tuesday” and “Look At This Dog I Found, Do You Like Him?”

Request #2:

"Greatest and Most Esteemed Guide, I humbly request your guidance. I will literally pay you in gold. Actual, real gold. Or cash. Or—listen, name your price. My mental stability is at stake here. I am ONE bad day away from levitating into the stratosphere and exploding like a firework. PLEASE. I am BEGGING you. Sincerely, your most devoted, desperate, and slightly deranged fan."

Attached: A poorly photoshopped picture of you both standing in front of a sunset. You’ve never met this person in your life.

Request #3:

"GOD-TIER GUIDE, PLEASE, I WILL DO ANYTHING. I WILL FETCH YOUR GROCERIES. I WILL WALK YOUR PET. YOU DON’T HAVE A PET? I WILL GET YOU A PET. I WILL BECOME YOUR PET. PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, JUST GIVE ME 10 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME. MY LAST GUIDE QUIT ON ME AND MOVED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. I AM VERY STABLE. PLEASE."

Attached: A video of the sender crushing a monster’s skull with their bare hands while sobbing.

You pinch the bridge of your nose.

This is your life now.

And then—you see it.

A request.

A normal request.

No groveling. No bribery. No half-deranged monologue about why their existence is crumbling without you.

Just a plain, simple request for a guiding session. No attachments. No drama.

You do not even look at the name or the rank.

You just slam the approve button so hard your screen nearly cracks.

And you schedule them for today.

Whatever poor, normal, well-adjusted Esper just sent that request? You’re about to meet your new favorite person.

You hear a knock on your office door and, without looking up from your third coffee of the afternoon, you say, "Come in." You assume it's just another esper with an unhinged request or a government official trying to bribe you into a permanent bond arrangement (as if free coffee is enough to make up for dealing with an unstable murder machine forever).

But when you finally glance up, you’re met with Malleus fucking Draconia.

SSS-class esper. Only because the measuring device physically cannot display values above SSS. If it could, it would probably just scream in binary before shutting itself down out of fear.

And Malleus, the walking cataclysm, smiles at you. A polite, almost sweet smile that absolutely does not match the soul-crushing amount of raw, unstable power radiating off of him.

He thanks you, so genuinely, for agreeing to guide him, and suddenly, you feel like maybe—just maybe—the guy who sent you a PowerPoint presentation about why he’d be the perfect esper for you would’ve been a safer choice. Because in what world were you qualified to guide Malleus Draconia?

But you’re a professional. A highly trained SS-class Guide. You’ve dealt with terrifying espers before. (You survived guiding Leona Kingscholar, and that man once threatened to bite someone’s hand off for waking him up.) So you take a deep breath, paste on a practiced, reassuring smile, and gesture toward the couch. “Please, take a seat.”

Malleus does, settling in like a well-mannered prince, and when you take his hands, his power hits you like a truck.

No, scratch that. A truck would be merciful. This is like getting yeeted into the sun.

Because for all his outward composure, for all his eerie, elegant calm, his body is ripping itself apart from the sheer force of his own abilities. His energy is so volatile, so uncontained, that even just touching him feels like holding onto a live wire dipped in liquid magic.

You open your mouth, fully prepared to yell WHAT THE HELL, but instead, what comes out is a weak, strangled, “So… how long has it been since your last guiding?”

Malleus blinks, tilting his head slightly, as if the question is odd. “Ah,” he hums. “A rather long time, I suppose.”

You squint at him. "Define 'long.'"

There’s a pause. And then, with the same pleasant smile, he says, “Over a decade.”

…

…A decade.

You stare at him. Your soul leaves your body. Your hands are on him right now, guiding him, and no other guide has touched him for ten whole years??? You’ve guided espers who've almost lost their minds after three months without stabilization, and this man—no, this monster, this eldritch entity in the shape of a handsome Esper—has been raw-dogging reality for a full decade???

And the worst part is, you get it.

You’ve heard the stories. No guide is willing to risk their life guiding him. He’s too powerful, too unstable, too dangerous. But also??? He’s the reason those cowardly soy-latte-drinking guides even get to enjoy their caramel cream monstrosities without getting eaten by a Gate Beast. The least they could do is try.

So you do.

You take all that power, all that impossible, barely-contained force, and you stabilize it. As much as you can, at least, because Malleus is like an ocean, vast and endless, and you are one person desperately trying to keep the tide from sweeping away an entire city. But you manage. And when the strain starts to weigh on you, when exhaustion creeps in, Malleus—ever the gentleman—gently removes his hands from yours before you overextend yourself.

He looks at you like you’ve done something extraordinary. And in that soft, almost reverent voice, he murmurs, “Thank you.”

And when he asks if you’d accept his request again, how could you possibly say no?

You’ve seen Gates before. Too many, in fact. You’ve spent years standing at the edges of battlefields, waiting for Espers to stumble out after pushing themselves to their limits, ready to catch them before they crumbled into a pile of unstable, overpowered problems.

Usually, you’re waiting outside, stationed alongside other Guides, ready to stabilize the Espers who come stumbling out looking like they just did twelve rounds in a blender.

And today? No different.

The Gate suppressors finish their job, and as the shimmering tear in reality finally vanishes, a wave of exhausted Espers begins to stagger out.

Your fellow Guides immediately spring into action, swarming their assigned Espers like the world’s most exhausted yet underpaid nurses. You hear the usual litany of groaning, the occasional complaint about “why does guiding feel like drinking a warm glass of sadness,” and at least one voice yelling, “DON’T THROW UP ON ME, BRO.”

All in all, a standard post-Gate event.

But then—then.

Malleus Draconia walks out.

And the reaction is palpable.

Every Guide freezes. The air itself seems to shift, a held breath, a quiet hesitation, a collective someone else handle it.

Which, yeah. Fair. SSS-class esper. Walking apocalypse. If the world were a video game, he’d be the final boss, the secret bonus boss, and the eldritch horror you accidentally summon if you input the wrong cheat code.

But unlike every other high-class Esper, who would immediately demand a Guide’s attention like a toddler throwing a tantrum in a supermarket, Malleus just… looks around. Sees the other Espers getting help. And without a word, he simply starts walking away.

And something in you breaks.

It’s not just that your fellow Guides are scared of him. It’s the fact that he expects it. That he doesn’t even try. He just accepts that no one will come for him, and he leaves.

It’s one thing for a terrifying Esper to demand your attention, to expect you to fix them as if you’re a mechanic and they’re a car with the check engine light permanently on. But this? This quiet resignation? This acceptance of the fact that no one will help him?

Oh, absolutely not.

You push past the usual crowd of unstable, desperate, feral Espers who are trying to grab at your hands (“PLEASE, I WILL PAY YOU IN GOLD—OR FAVORS—WHICHEVER YOU PREFER”), and you march after him.

“Malleus,” you say, grabbing his arm before he can vanish into the night like a dramatic antihero.

He turns, blinking down at you in quiet surprise. “You’re here.”

“Of course I’m here,” you say, like he just told you the sky is blue. “I’m a Guide. This is my job.”

His expression flickers, the barest crack in his usual calm. “You would guide me?”

“Yes,” you say. “Now sit down.”

He actually listens. Thank the stars. You’re not sure what you would’ve done if he refused. Probably wrestled him to the ground, which would have been a terrible life choice, but whatever.

You sit across from him, take his hands, and—oh.

Oh.

Oh wow.

It's as bad, if not slightly better than the first time.

If guiding most Espers is like sifting through a river, guiding Malleus Draconia is like being pulled into the center of a supermassive black hole. It’s overwhelming, his power a heavy, crushing thing that hums under his skin like an unrelenting storm, pressing at the edges of your mind.

“How long has it been since your last session?” you ask, voice a little strained as you work to stabilize him.

Malleus tilts his head, thoughtful. “My last session was with you.”

Your grip tightens around his hands. “It's been 5 months.”

He hums. “No other Guide has been willing to take me on.”

That—that makes you want to throw something. Because sure, Malleus is terrifying. Sure, he’s a walking natural disaster. But he’s also the reason those Guides get to breathe.

You exhale sharply. “Well. That’s stupid.”

Malleus blinks. “Stupid?”

“Yes. Stupid.” You focus, pouring everything you have into stabilizing him, because you might not be able to guide him fully, but you sure as hell can make things better.

Malleus says nothing. He just… watches you.

And when you’re finally done—when you pull back, exhausted but satisfied—he tilts his head, voice soft.

“Allow me to escort you to your car.”

There’s a weight to the way he says it. A quiet intent.

You glance at the still-lingering crowd of Espers who have been waiting for their chance to pounce, and—ah.

That’s why.

Because Malleus walking with you means no one is about to harass you for an impromptu guiding session.

You glance back at him.

Malleus Draconia. The most powerful Esper alive. Unstable. Dangerous. Literally a walking storm.

“…Okay,” you say.

He walks you to your car, a steady presence at your side, and for the first time in years, you are not approached, begged, or proposed to on the way.

It’s peaceful.

Nice, even.

And as you slide into the driver’s seat, Malleus thanks you again, voice warm, quiet.

And impulsively—because your brain has fully given up on thinking before speaking—you blurt out, “Repay me by taking me out for coffee.”

There’s a pause.

A long one.

And then—Malleus smiles.

Not his usual polite, diplomatic smile. A real one.

And you realize, with sudden clarity, that you may have just changed the course of your entire life.

The next day, you step out of the Guidance Center, utterly exhausted.

You’ve spent all morning dealing with overworked Espers who don’t believe they need guiding until they start twitching like a broken lightbulb. One guy genuinely tried to convince you that he was “built different” and then proceeded to collapse mid-sentence.

So yeah. You’re tired. You just want to go home, take a nap, and not think about the absolute disaster that is your job.

And then you see him.

Malleus.

Waiting just outside the building, standing with the kind of stillness that makes him look more like a painting than a person.

But it’s not just him.

It’s the flowers.

A full bouquet, wrapped neatly, cradled in his hands like something precious.

And when he sees you, he smiles.

Your brain immediately blue-screens.

You walk up to him in a daze, already bracing yourself for the inevitable attention this is going to bring because, let’s be honest—Malleus Draconia standing outside your workplace holding flowers is about to start rumors.

(And by rumors, you mean your coworkers are never going to let you live this down.)

But when you reach him, he doesn’t do anything dramatic. Doesn’t say anything insane like “these flowers pale in comparison to your radiance” or “I will obliterate anyone who disrespects you.”

(You have, unfortunately, received both of those lines from unstable Espers before.)

Instead, he simply hands you the bouquet, his voice warm. “For you.”

And just like yesterday, you realize—this is different.

It’s not some desperate attempt to tie you to him, not an unstable Esper trying to own their Guide before anyone else can get to them.

He’s just… appreciative.

Grateful.

Your heart does something very annoying and fluttery at that realization.

You glance at the bouquet, then back up at him, and—oh.

He looks so pleased.

Like giving you flowers is the highlight of his week.

“…Are you free for that coffee now?” he asks, tilting his head slightly, expectant but unassuming.

And despite your exhaustion—despite knowing that this is probably the beginning of something huge and irreversible—you find yourself smiling.

“…Yeah,” you say, holding the flowers a little closer. “Yeah, I am.”

So far, this coffee date has been perfect.

You’re sitting across from Malleus, ranting about the absolute clowns you have to deal with daily.

“…And then this Esper looked me in the eyes and said, I will literally perish if you do not guide me this instant. Like. Sir.” You slap a hand on the table. “Sir. Please. This is a Starbucks.”

Malleus chuckles, eyes alight with amusement. “And what did you say to that?”

You sigh dramatically, tilting your head back. “I said, ‘Sounds fake, but okay.’”

He actually laughs at that—low and warm, and oh no, it’s really nice.

Before you can spiral about that, your drinks are ready. Malleus, being the gentleman he is, gets up to retrieve them.

And that’s when you feel it.

That unmistakable feeling of being watched.

Your instincts immediately go on high alert. Slowly, casually, you glance at the table next to you, expecting to see some shady esper trying to worm their way into your life.

What you actually see is so much better.

Sitting at the table next to you are three of the most suspicious individuals you have ever seen in your entire life.

The first one is a tiny man drowning in a trench coat three sizes too big, like a detective in a noir film gone wrong. He has an obviously fake mustache that is slightly peeling off his face, and he is watching you intensely.

Next to him, there is a guy wearing a tragically ugly pink wig.

He is asleep on the table.

Just. Fully unconscious. Like someone just unplugged him.

And finally—

A tall guy in fake glasses with an even faker nose, aggressively shoveling cake into his mouth while glaring at you like you just stole his firstborn child.

It’s silent.

You blink.

They blink.

And you immediately have to slap a hand over your mouth to keep from bursting out laughing.

Malleus returns, setting your drink in front of you, and you immediately point at the disaster trio sitting next to you.

“…Do you know them?” you ask, barely holding it together.

Malleus follows your gaze.

Sees the absolute circus happening at the next table.

And sighs.

A long, suffering sigh. The sigh of a man who has seen some things and has just realized he is doomed to see them for the rest of his life.

“Yes,” he says, like the words physically pain him. “Unfortunately.”

And that’s all you need to hear.

You immediately wave them over.

Because honestly?

Why not.

They look hilarious.

And you were right—Lilia (who introduces himself with a flourish and an actual theatrical bow) is an absolute riot. Silver, despite the crime against fashion sitting on his head, is actually very nice. And Sebek—who is still burning holes into you with his eyes—is begrudgingly polite, only because you’ve been guiding Malleus.

It turns into a full-blown sitcom.

At one point, Lilia pulls out a picture of an egg and tries to convince you that it's a baby picture of Malleus. You're not sure if he was serious. Sebek is still glaring at you, but it’s now 30% hostility, 70% begrudging respect. Silver almost faceplants into his drink.

Malleus, across from you, looks like he’s actively questioning all of his life choices.

It’s beautiful.

Eventually, when it’s time to leave, Malleus insists on walking you to your car.

And that’s when you notice it.

He’s pouting.

Not a dramatic pout. But his lips are slightly pressed together, his brows furrowed, like a cat that just got denied a seat on the kitchen counter.

You immediately find it endearing.

“What’s up?” you ask, amused.

Malleus exhales, glancing away. “…I was hoping for this to be a time where we could get to know each other.”

Oh.

Oh, that’s adorable.

You grin.

And before you can second-guess yourself, you lean in and press a quick kiss to his cheek.

Malleus freezes.

His eyes go wide. His breath catches. He looks like you’ve just blue-screened his brain.

You step back, grinning. “I'll see you around.”

And before he can respond, you slip into your car.

But as you drive away, you catch a glimpse of him in your mirror—

Standing there, hand pressed to his cheek, smiling like you just gave him the greatest gift in the world.

You hate Gates.

You hate that they can just open whenever they want, completely ignoring normal human schedules like some kind of otherworldly chaos entities (which, to be fair, they are).

But mostly, you hate that they always seem to open in the middle of the night.

Like, is there some kind of Gate Union that collectively decided on this? Do they hold meetings where they specifically vote to screw over guides by opening at the most inconvenient times?

And in the dead of winter, no less.

Truly, suffering knows no bounds.

Still, you drag yourself out of bed, slap on as many layers as physically possible (to the point where you briefly resemble a sentient pile of laundry), and head to the Gate’s location. On the way, you stop by an all-night café, because if you’re going to be miserable, you might as well be miserable with hot chocolate.

You even get two cups.

Not because you always do this for espers (you don’t—they can suffer like the rest of you), but because he is different.

Malleus.

The most powerful esper on the field tonight. The one who singlehandedly keeps half the Gates from turning into full-scale disasters. The one who always acts like he’s completely fine no matter what comes out of them.

And, most importantly—

The one esper you have a ridiculous, stupid, undeniably massive soft spot for.

So, you wait.

And wait.

And wait.

You’re perched on a bench, holding your hot chocolates, trying not to think about how this is starting to feel like some kind of romantic drama scene, when you finally see him step out of the swirling remnants of the Gate.

Even exhausted, he still looks ridiculously elegant. His coat is dusted with frost, his dark horns curved like the wings of a dragon at rest. His presence—so big, so vast—immediately settles over the field, even as other espers struggle to regain their balance.

His expression is neutral, as always. Composed. Untouchable.

Until—

He spots you.

He blinks, as if surprised to see you.

And his face softens.

He doesn’t react right away, like he’s making sure he’s seeing correctly. But then, when it clicks, his lips part just slightly—an unspoken question, a faintly surprised blink—before they curve into the warmest, most gentle smile.

And wow. Wow.

Maybe the cold is getting to you, because you suddenly feel a little too warm.

You lift a hand and wave.

Malleus immediately starts walking toward you, his movements slow but steady. His eyes stay locked on yours, like he’s drawn to you without realizing it.

“You’re here,” he says, voice carrying that soft rumble that’s way too nice to listen to at this ungodly hour.

You roll your eyes. “Yeah, well, Gates don’t believe in work-life balance, apparently.” You hold up the second cup of hot chocolate. “Here. Thought you could use something warm.”

“For me?” he asks, sounding so genuinely touched that your heart does something stupid.

“No, for the other giant dragon esper who just walked out of that Gate,” you deadpan.

Malleus huffs out a soft laugh, the kind that makes you think he doesn’t do it nearly enough. He takes the cup from your hands, fingers brushing against yours, and you don’t miss the way he lingers there for just a second too long.

“You should let me guide you,” you say, reaching for his free hand.

Malleus makes a vague sound of protest. “That isn’t necessary.”

You stare at him.

He stares back.

And then, before he can argue further, you unleash your most powerful technique.

“Please?”

Malleus Draconia—the Apex Esper, the one who holds dominion over storms and shadows, the one who can level an entire battlefield with one command—

Folds like a house of cards.

“…Very well,” he murmurs, looking a little defeated, a little amused.

You beam and take his hand, immediately pressing your energy into his.

And wow, yeah, he definitely needed this.

His presence, which is usually so steady, flickers faintly at the edges. He must have been holding himself together through sheer force of will, because the second you start guiding him, his shoulders finally relax.

Not that he’d ever admit it, of course.

You feel his weight lean into you ever so slightly, just enough that you know he’s letting you support him. His energy curls around yours, vast and dark but gentle, like the hush of a midnight storm.

For a while, neither of you speak.

The night is quiet, save for the distant sounds of other guides working, of espers coming down from battle-highs.

You steal a glance at Malleus. His eyes are half-lidded, his breath even, his fingers curled loosely around yours.

“…You do this often?” he asks suddenly.

“What, guide tired espers?” you shrug. “Yeah. Someone’s gotta be here to catch them before they crash.”

Malleus hums, a thoughtful sound.

“…No,” he says. “I meant… this.”

You blink. “This?”

“Wait for me.”

Oh.

Oh.

Your grip tightens slightly, a flicker of warmth creeping up your neck.

“I—” You hesitate, then exhale through your nose. “No. Not really.”

Malleus watches you closely. You can feel his gaze on you even as you pointedly avoid meeting it.

“…Then why?” he asks, and his voice is so quiet, so genuine, that you feel yourself falter.

You take a deep breath.

And then, before you can overthink it, you grin.

“Well, you always push yourself too hard,” you say, squeezing his hand once for emphasis. “Someone’s gotta make sure you don’t keel over from exhaustion.”

Malleus huffs, clearly amused. “I assure you, I would not—”

“Uh-huh. Sure.”

He laughs, quiet but real, and your heart skips a very concerning beat.

“…You are quite peculiar,” he muses, gazing at you like you’re some kind of strange, fascinating mystery.

“Yeah, yeah, I get that a lot,” you say, waving a hand. “Now, if you really wanna thank me, take me out for coffee again later.”

Malleus pauses.

You watch, in real-time, as your words settle.

And then—

Slowly, slowly, he smiles.

“…I would like that,” he says, his voice quiet, but so very certain.

And suddenly, the cold doesn’t feel quite so biting anymore.

It was late. Too late. So late that if anyone dared to bother you right now, you would simply keel over and die on the spot out of sheer spite. You had finished your work, logged everything, and were seconds away from clocking out and going home to live as a blanket cryptid when someone grabbed your wrist.

That was already mistake number one.

You turned around, tired and mildly homicidal, to see one of your fellow high-ranking guides standing there. You recognized them—someone competent, someone respected, someone you had never spoken to outside of required work matters.

And yet, here they were, gripping your wrist like you were about to reveal the secrets of the universe to them.

"You got a second?" they asked, eyes shining with something too intense for this ungodly hour.

No. You did not have a second. You barely had the energy to stand upright, let alone entertain whatever nonsense this was about to be. But before you could tell them that, they were already pulling you off to the side, lowering their voice like they were about to ask you for classified information.

"How’d you do it?"

Your brain, already running on fumes, barely processed the question. "Do what?"

"Don't play dumb," they said, looking equal parts exasperated and impressed. "How'd you bewitch Malleus Draconia?"

Your mind, previously sluggish and exhausted, full stopped.

The sheer audacity of the question short-circuited your ability to respond. You just blinked at them, waiting for them to explain whatever the fuck they were talking about.

They misinterpreted your silence as playing coy because they leaned in conspiratorially and hissed, "Don't gatekeep. We want a bite too."

It was at that moment you considered committing actual murder.

"I'm sorry. A bite?" you echoed, voice dangerously calm.

"You got Malleus Draconia—Malleus Draconia—to let you guide him, regularly," they stressed, looking half in awe and half like they wanted to shake you for answers. "No one else has ever gotten close enough to work with him like that. If we knew he was harmless, we would’ve stepped in ages ago. But we weren’t going to take the risk."

You could physically feel something in your brain snap.

So that was it. That was why. It wasn’t that they hadn’t had the opportunity to guide him—it was that they had actively chosen not to. They had taken one look at Malleus, decided it wasn’t worth the effort to risk handling someone as powerful as him, and just left him alone.

And now, because you had proven he wasn’t some terrifying force of destruction, they suddenly wanted in? They suddenly thought they deserved him?

Like he was some exclusive club they wanted membership to?

Your hand twitched. You ripped yourself free from their grip, scowling. "Screw this."

Their eyes widened slightly, clearly not expecting that reaction. "Wait—"

But you were already storming off, anger burning through your exhaustion. You didn’t even realize where you were going until you stepped outside—

And saw Malleus standing there.

Waiting.

For you.

His sharp eyes flickered with concern the second they landed on your face.

"Are you alright?"

Your rage didn't cool, but it twisted into something tighter, something that made your throat close up for an entirely different reason.

You didn’t answer. Instead, you reached out, grabbed his hand, and started dragging him down the street.

Malleus didn’t resist. He simply followed, letting you pull him along like this was perfectly normal behavior.

The café door chimed as you shoved it open with more force than necessary, still stewing over the conversation from earlier. Malleus, utterly unbothered, stepped around you to order both of your usual drinks without hesitation.

The fact that he had memorized your order without ever asking, without making a big deal of it, without using it as some kind of flex, made something in your chest ache.

You sat down at the table, staring blankly at the surface as you tried to untangle your emotions.

Why were you this angry?

Was it because they had ignored him? Because they treated him like some kind of trophy instead of a person? Because they had assumed the worst of him and only changed their minds when it was convenient?

Yes. Absolutely.

But then—why did you also feel like crying?

Your fingers curled into fists on the table.

And that’s when it hit you.

Oh. Oh, fuck.

You liked him.

Like like liked him.

Like the kind of like that made you want to scream into your hands and never recover. The kind of like that made you want to turn back time and stop this from happening before it was too late. The kind of like that meant your life was now ruined beyond repair.

Your whole body tensed, brain going into full meltdown mode.

And then—just to make everything infinitely worse—

A cup slid into view.

You looked up, and there he was.

Malleus.

Standing in front of you, holding out your drink.

His eyes were gentle, studying you carefully, like he could see every single thought racing through your head. "Are you alright?" he asked again, voice quiet, sincere.

And in that moment, you realized you had two options:

• Stay here, drink your drink like a normal person, and accept the horrifying truth of your newfound feelings.

• Launch yourself out of the nearest window and never be seen again.

Option two was looking real tempting right now.

Another night, another gate opening at the worst possible time.

You were so tired. Bone-deep, soul-weary, existentially exhausted. The universe seemed determined to ensure that you never got a full night’s sleep, and you were starting to take it personally.

Still, you were here, bundled up against the cold, sipping a hot drink as you waited for Malleus.

The gate was a high-level one tonight. You knew it had to have been difficult—he was strong, but no one walked out of those things completely unscathed. So you were already standing up, ready to meet him halfway, when—

That guide.

The one who had all but interrogated you last time.

They stepped in before you could move, approaching Malleus with their best professional smile, like they hadn’t spent years pretending he didn’t exist.

"Do you need guidance?" they asked smoothly, their voice dripping with the absolute audacity.

Malleus blinked at them, clearly surprised. Because why wouldn’t he be? No one else but you had ever offered before.

And your chest burned.

Of course he’d pick them.

They were higher-ranked than you. More experienced. More respected. Malleus, despite everything, was still an outsider to most of the guide network, and it would make perfect sense to accept help from someone with more prestige.

You braced yourself, swallowing the bitter feeling threatening to rise—

But then—

He looked past them.

His eyes landed on you.

And then he smiled.

"I must decline," he said simply, voice polite but final.

And then—much to their visible horror—he walked right past them and straight to you.

The sheer triumph that surged through you was immeasurable.

You barely stopped yourself from cackling, but as you took his hand, guiding him like always, the urge to turn back and stick your tongue out at that seething guide was so strong.

Malleus, oblivious to your inner gloating, watched you with a softness that made your heart ache.

And then, suddenly, it all just—

Hit you.

The sheer depth of your feelings, the way your chest tightened at the sight of him, the way everything in you just settled when he was near—

You broke.

You grabbed him, yanking him forward, and before he could even react—

You kissed him.

Malleus let out a surprised sound against your lips, but after only a second of hesitation—

He kissed you back.

It was warm, steady, and when you finally pulled away, he was glowing, his expression soft in a way that made your breath catch.

"I like you, Malleus," you confessed, your voice quieter than you expected.

And his smile—

It was like you had given him the world.

He cupped your face so gently, kissed your forehead like he was sealing the moment into reality.

"I have feelings for you too," he murmured.

You melted.

You leaned against his chest, warmth seeping into you despite the cold night air.

And as his arms wrapped around you, as you felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, you couldn’t help but be so glad you had accepted his guidance request all that time ago.

(And okay, maybe you were also smug as hell about it. Because when you glanced back at that other guide—

They looked ready to throw hands.)

You had been waiting.

Patiently. Lovingly. For months.

Malleus loved you. You loved him. You were in a relationship, you slept in the same bed, you guided him, he refused to let anyone else even offer—so what the hell was taking him so long?

Why wouldn’t he just ask?

It was infuriating. It was agonizing. It was the most painfully obvious conclusion to your relationship, and yet—

Malleus refused to bond with you.

And frankly? You were at your limit.

So tonight, as you lay wrapped around each other in bed, his arms comfortably encircling your waist, you finally decided to just ask him.

"Malleus," you said, looking up at him, voice soft but firm. "Why haven’t you asked me to bond yet?"

He stiffened. Just slightly. His fingers twitched where they rested on your back.

And then—

He gave you that look. The sad, gentle smile. The one that made your heart clench because it meant he was about to say something infuriatingly self-sacrificial.

"If you ever regret me," he murmured, "you won’t be able to guide anyone else." His thumb traced circles on your back, soothing even as his words infuriated you. "I don’t want that for you."

You froze.

You stared at him.

And in that moment, you were torn between laughing at his stupidity or crying because how could someone so powerful be so utterly dumb?

So you did neither.

Instead—

You kissed him.

You kissed him until he was breathless, until his arms tightened around you, until his body melted into yours and he let out the softest, neediest little sound against your lips.

When you pulled away, his pupils were blown wide, his expression dazed, and you felt the way his heartbeat had turned erratic beneath your palm.

"You," you whispered, pressing your forehead to his, "are the only thing I've ever been sure of in my life."

Malleus let out a shaky breath.

And then you kissed him again.

You pressed him into the bed, slotting yourself against him, feeling his hands grasp at you like he was afraid you might disappear.

But you wouldn’t.

Because you were here. You chose him.

And that night, you finally bonded—just as you always should have.

Malleus had always been powerful. From the moment he was born, strength had been woven into his very being.

His draconic lineage alone made him stronger than most, but when his Esper abilities awakened, it had set him apart even further. Too far apart.

The strongest being in the world.

And because of that, people had feared him.

It had been that way for as long as he could remember. Even other Espers, who should have understood, kept their distance. Some whispered about him behind closed doors, about how a being as powerful as him didn't need guidance in the first place.

It had been Lilia who had guided him for most of his life, a steady presence who never flinched, never wavered, never treated him as if he were something to be afraid of. But when Lilia lost his guiding abilities, that stability was suddenly gone, leaving Malleus untethered.

For years, he had gone without. And then, one day, he heard about you.

You were a Guide who accepted nearly every request. You had guided Espers with overwhelming abilities, those who were labeled as difficult or too much to handle. You had never turned anyone away. And so, despite knowing the likelihood of rejection, Malleus sent a request.

He had expected nothing to come of it. But instead, he got you.

You had seemed nervous when you first met him, but it wasn’t the type of nervousness he was used to. There was no fear in your eyes, only cautious curiosity—an instinctive wariness, perhaps, but not rejection. And despite whatever initial hesitation you had, your hand had reached for his without trembling. You had guided him.

For the first time in over a decade, Malleus had felt light.

And then, the first time you guided him outside a Gate—

That had been a key moment in his life.

He had stepped out, battle-worn, expecting emptiness. And instead—you had waved at him.

You had smiled at him.

He had thought, at first, that perhaps you had simply been assigned to check on him. That maybe it was some unspoken duty, a requirement of your role. But then, as if that warmth weren’t enough, you had asked him to coffee.

He had expected a quiet outing, a moment to rest and speak with you in a more peaceful setting. Instead, Lilia, Sebek, and Silver had shown up, disguises both laughable and obvious, as if the flimsy mustaches and oversized trench coats could fool anyone. He had braced himself for your irritation, for exasperation or a resigned sigh.

But instead—you had laughed.

And then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, you had welcomed them to join you.

That had been the moment he first thought, perhaps, he liked you.

The first time you had brought him hot chocolate would forever be etched into Malleus’ memory.

It had been a bitterly cold night, the kind where the air cut through even the thickest of coats, where breath curled in the air like mist, and the sky was so crisp and clear that it felt endless.

The battle had left him drained, his energy worn thin in a way he had long since grown accustomed to. He hadn’t expected you to be there. There had been no reason for you to wait for him—you could have guided someone else, finished your duties quickly, and gone home to rest.

But instead, there you were.

Sitting on a bench, bundled in layers, your arms crossed to hold in whatever warmth you could, with two cups of hot chocolate in your hands. You had waved at him like it was the most normal thing in the world, like of course you were waiting for him. Like of course you had brought him something warm to drink.

He had been so startled by the sight that for a moment, he simply stood there, staring, trying to commit every detail to memory. The way the streetlights cast a soft glow against your skin, the way your breath curled in the cold, the way your fingers tapped against the side of the cup as you held it out to him.

He had taken it without a word, still dazed, still trying to process why you had done this. And then, as if you hadn’t just shaken the very foundation of his existence, you had grinned and asked him to take you out for coffee again.

Malleus had never known such warmth, even in the frigid winter.

Then there was the day he had waited for you.

He had been standing outside the guidance center, patiently waiting for you to finish your duties. It had been something of a habit by then—he always waited for you when he could, just as you waited for him. He enjoyed the way your eyes lit up when you spotted him, the way you always greeted him like you had been expecting to see him there.

But that day, when you finally stepped outside, there was no warm smile, no familiar greeting. Instead, you stormed out, eyes blazing, frustration radiating off you in waves. Malleus had barely opened his mouth to ask what was wrong before you grabbed his wrist and started dragging him down the street.

He followed without hesitation, allowing you to pull him along, his mind still catching up to what was happening. You had led him straight to your usual café, barely stopping to take a breath as you shoved the door open and beelined for your favorite spot. Malleus sat across from you, watching with quiet curiosity as you fumed, hands clenched around your menu, your foot tapping aggressively against the floor.

And then, as the tension in your shoulders refused to ease, as you let out a frustrated huff and glared at your drink like it had personally offended you, you had finally told him what had made you so upset.

They had questioned you. They had asked how you had bewitched him, of all people. Like he was some trophy, some untouchable relic that no one had dared lay claim to until you had somehow managed to crack the code. They had assumed that if he were harmless enough to guide, then they would have taken him for themselves. They had spoken about him like he was something to be owned.

Malleus had expected you to be upset. What he hadn’t expected was for you to be so furious on his behalf.

And he shouldn’t have liked it—shouldn’t have felt anything beyond quiet gratitude for your defense of him. But there was something ugly in his chest, something selfish and dark that thrived off the way your anger was so fiercely his.

For so long, people had feared him, had rejected him, had kept him at a distance out of self-preservation. And yet, here you were, not just standing by his side, but fighting for him, defending him, choosing him.

And he wanted that.

He wanted the way you almost stormed into battle for him. He wanted the way your voice shook with anger because you cared about how he was treated. He wanted the way you grabbed his wrist without hesitation, the way you dragged him to this café because he was the person you sought out in your frustration.

He wanted you.

And as you finally sighed, your anger fading just enough for you to take a sip of your drink, Malleus came to a quiet realization.

He had liked you before. But now?

Now, he was falling.

Malleus had never expected to be offered guidance by anyone else.

It had never once crossed his mind as a possibility—he had long since grown used to being avoided, used to the way others hesitated to even meet his eyes, let alone reach out to him. The moment he stepped out of the Gate, still feeling the lingering exhaustion of battle, he had been prepared to find you, as he always did.

And yet, instead of you, there was someone else.

A guide—one he recognized, one who had been among those who had always turned away from him before. And now, suddenly, they were standing before him, offering their assistance as if it were something he needed, as if he should be grateful.

Malleus didn’t even consider it.

How could he? How could anyone else fill the space that was meant for you? How could he even entertain the thought of accepting someone else’s hand when your hand was the only one he ever wanted to hold?

So he simply stepped past them, not bothering to spare them a second glance, not wasting a single breath on an answer. Because they were irrelevant.

Because you were there.

And the moment he spotted you, standing just a few steps away with that bright, warm expression that was meant only for him, he felt something in his chest ease. Like everything had shifted back into place, like the air had cleared, like he was where he was supposed to be.

And when you laughed, really laughed, like this was all some great joke only the two of you were in on, he thought it might be his favorite sound in the world.

And then you took his hand, and the moment your fingers intertwined with his, he knew with absolute certainty—there was no one else for him. There never could be.

And then you kissed him.

For all his years, for all his strength, for all his wisdom, Malleus Draconia had never once been prepared for this.

You had grabbed him, pulled him in, and pressed your lips to his, and Malleus had let out an embarrassingly surprised sound before his instincts took over, before his hands found their way to your waist, before he was kissing you back like he had been waiting for this moment for centuries.

And maybe he had been.

Because when you pulled back, just far enough to whisper, “I like you, Malleus,” he felt like the world had stopped spinning, like time itself had come to a halt just to give him this moment, just to let him have this.

And when he smiled, it was because it felt like you had just handed him the world.

So he kissed your forehead, let his lips linger against your skin, and whispered against you, “I have feelings for you too.”

And when you leaned against him, when you let yourself rest against his chest, Malleus felt something settle in his soul.

He was home.

Then you asked him to bond.

And Malleus hesitated.

Not because he didn’t love you—he did. He had never loved anything the way he loved you.

But because he was afraid.

Because bonding with him meant forever. It meant you would be tied to him, it meant you would never be able to guide anyone else, it meant that if one day you woke up and realized you regretted him—realized you wanted something else, something more, something that wasn’t him—then you would be trapped.

And he could not, would not, allow that to happen to you.

So he had told you no. Not because he didn’t want you, not because he didn’t ache for you in ways he could never put into words, but because he would die before he let you shackle yourself to him forever.

And then you had kissed him.

Hard.

You had pressed him into the bed, breathless and unyielding, your lips against his like you were trying to prove something.

And maybe you were.

Because when you finally pulled back, when your fingers threaded through his hair and your forehead rested against his, you whispered, “You’re the best decision I’ve ever made.”

And Malleus—Malleus, who had spent his entire life waiting to be chosen, waiting to be wanted—felt his walls crumble.

So he let himself believe you.

He let himself hope.

And when he kissed you again, when he let his hands roam over your skin and let himself take you, it wasn’t just an acceptance of your love.

It was a promise.

A promise that no matter what, no matter where life took you, no matter how much time passed—he would always be yours.

And as the bond settled between you, as he felt the pull of your soul entwining with his, Malleus let himself hope for more.

He hoped you would be with him forever.

You woke up feeling warm.

Not just from the blankets wrapped around you, or the way the room was still dim from the early morning light, but from the way Malleus was wrapped around you.

His arms held you firm but gentle, his breath soft against your forehead, his body curled protectively around yours. It was comfort in its purest form.

You smiled, still basking in the afterglow of your bond, and tilted your head up to kiss him.

Malleus stirred, letting out a sleepy hum as his lips curved into a small, contented smile against yours. His eyes fluttered open, still hazy with sleep, and you both just… looked at each other.

The love in his gaze was overwhelming.

So, naturally, you asked the most important question of your life.

"Was the egg picture that Lilia showed me actually you?"

Malleus blinked.

Then blinked again.

And then, to your absolute delight, he looked flabbergasted.

"You—" He stopped, as if trying to process the sheer absurdity of your first words after bonding. "That is the first thing you wish to ask me?"

You nodded, completely serious. "I've been meaning to ask for a while."

And then—

Malleus laughed.

Laughed and laughed.

Deep and rich, his chest vibrating against yours as his entire body shook with amusement.

You pouted and waited for him to get it together, only for him to kiss your forehead, still grinning.

"Yes," he admitted, eyes twinkling. "That was me."

You gasped. Vindication.

Finally.

The mystery that had plagued you for months was solved.

With a triumphant little noise, you snuggled back into him, pressing your face against his chest as sleep threatened to claim you again.

Malleus chuckled, tucking you closer, and as he rested his chin atop your head, he couldn’t help but think—

Despite your eccentricities, he had never been happier than being yours.

Masterlist

[hoe4hotchner]

Red to Blue | [A.H]

Pairing: F1 driver!Hotch x fem!reader | WC: 0.7k | CW: Sweat?

A/N: I’ll give you this in celebration of me finishing the Lego F1 cars I bought 🤭

The paddock buzzed with anticipation as the 2025 Formula 1 season was about to kick off under the bright Australian sun at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne.

The air was filled with the familiar scent of high-octane fuel and burnt rubber.

Amidst the grandeur of top teams like Ferrari and Red Bull, a renewed energy emanated from the Williams garage—a team historically rich in legacy, now attempting to reclaim its stature.

At the helm stood Aaron Hotchner, he was the newly appointed team principal of Williams. Years had passed since his celebrated tenure as a driver for Ferrari, where he had clinched multiple wins and a few world championships before an unexpected mid-season retirement.

His departure had been shrouded in speculation, but those close to him knew he sought a life beyond the circuits, a life with you.

Williams had approached him several times during his retirement, trying to reel him in, but only as you'd gotten a great job opportunity in the UK, had he agreed.

Now, with the same determination that had defined his driving career, Hotch was poised to steer Williams back to its former glory.

Beside him, you observed the meticulous dance of engineers and mechanics moving around the garage, their movements were a testament to the countless hours of preparation that the first race had foregone.

The team’s driver lineup had undergone a significant transformation: Carlos Sainz, formerly of Ferrari, brought a wealth of experience and a burning desire to prove himself even further.

It was an irony not lost on anyone—Carlos had been the one to take Hotch’s vacant Ferrari seat years ago. And Hotch had been the first to grab him for the team once made available.

Now, under Hotch’s leadership, their paths intertwined in an entirely different dynamic.

Alongside Carlos was Alex, whose resilience and adaptability had ensured him to continue in his seat at Williams. This pairing, although unusual, was a blend of seasoned expertise and tenacious spirit.

It had already begun to show promise in the early stages of the season.

As the cars lined up on the grid, the atmosphere was electric. The front row was dominated by the usual powerhouses, but Carlos had secured a P5 in qualifying, with Albon close behind in P7.

Hotch's gaze was fixed on the monitors, analyzing real-time data, his mind orchestrating potential strategies. His headset only covered one ear, as he stayed aware of his surroundings with the other.

"Nervous?" you teased, nudging him gently.

He offered a rare smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Always. But it's a good kind of nervous."

The formation lap commenced, engines roaring to life. Hotch’s voice, calm and authoritative, crackled over the team radio. "Stay focused. Remember our strategy. Trust the car, and trust yourselves."

As the lights went out, the race erupted into a blur of speed and tactical maneuvers. Carlos made an aggressive start, skillfully navigating through the pack to challenge for a podium position. Albon, displaying his characteristic finesse, defended his position while seeking opportunities to advance.

Hotch’s leadership was noticeable. He seamlessly coordinated with his engineers, making split-second decisions on tire strategies and pit stops. His transition from driver to team principal had endowed him with a unique perspective; he understood the car’s language and the driver’s psyche, allowing him to bridge the gap between the cockpit and the pit wall.

Mid-race, a sudden safety car deployment and added an element of unpredictability. Hotch’s experience shone through as he swiftly called for a double-stack pit stop, a bold decision that catapulted Carlos into P3. The Williams garage erupted in cautious optimism, the possibility of a podium finish within reach for the first time in years.

As the checkered flag loomed, Carlos defended his position against Lando, crossing the line to secure third place. Albon finished strong in P6, earning valuable points for the team. The Williams garage was a whirlwind of elation, the podium finish a testament to their collective effort and Hotch’s strategic insight.

Before entering the cooldown room, Carlos approached Hotch, his race suit drenched in sweat but his face alight with triumph. "Couldn’t have done it without your call."

Hotch clasped his shoulder, pride evident in his eyes. "It was all you out there. This is just the beginning."

As the national anthem played and the podium celebrations commenced, you stood amidst the team, Hotch's arm wrapped around your frame, pulling you close to him, your heart swelling with pride.

Hotch’s journey had come full circle—from a champion driver to a visionary leader, reigniting the spirit of a storied team. And through it all, you had been by his side, sharing in the highs, the lows, and now, the resurgence of a legacy.

[mariacallous]

In 2025, we will see a fundamental transformation in the language of climate politics. We’re going to hear a lot less about “reducing emissions” from scientists and policymakers and a lot more about “phasing out fossil fuels” or “ending coal, oil, and methane gas.” This is a good thing. Although it is scientifically accurate, the phrase “reducing emissions” is too easily used for greenwashing by the fossil-energy industry and its advocates. The expression “ending coal, oil, and methane gas,” on the other hand, keeps the focus on the action that will do most to resolve the climate crisis.

This discourse shift has been initiated by the latest report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The world’s climate scientists say that already existing fossil-energy infrastructure is projected to emit the total carbon budget for halting global heating at 2 degrees Celsius over preindustrial temperatures. This statement means two things. It means that the world cannot develop any more coal, oil, or gas, if we want our planet to remain relatively livable. And it means that even some already developed fossil-fuel deposits will need to be retired before the end of their lifetime, since we need to leave space in the carbon budget for essential activities like agriculture.

The international community has already integrated this new science into its global climate governance. The 28th Conference of the Parties—the annual conference of the world’s nations party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—called for every country to contribute to “transitioning away from fossil fuels.” Never before in the history of international climate negotiations had the main cause of global heating been clearly named and specifically targeted. The United Nations itself now calls for the phaseout of coal, oil, and methane gas.

This new climate language will become mainstream in 2025. In her policy plans for her second term aspPresident of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen pledged not to work to lower EU emissions, but to “continue to bring down energy prices by moving further away from fossil fuels.” The new UK government promised in its manifesto that it will withhold licenses for new coal and for oil exploration—and states outright that it will “ban fracking for good.” And in France, Macron has explicitly vowed to end fossil-fuel use entirely.

Climate politics in the US will also evolve in the wake of Donald Trump’s reelection for president. Republicans will continue to embrace a “drill, baby, drill” climate agenda, denying the danger or sometimes even the reality of climate change while advocating for expanding domestic crude and methane-gas production. They may try to greenwash their policies by claiming they embrace an “all of the above” energy strategy, but this messaging will have limited effects. Due to political polarization the association of Trump with coal, oil, and gas will raise Democratic support for phasing out fossil fuels. Before the 2024 election, 59 percent of Democrats said climate change should be the Federal government’s top priority, but only 48 percent said they supported a phaseout. In 2025 majorities of Democrats will begin to support fossil-fuel phaseout, especially if climate advocates revive science-based climate messaging, continue to emphasize that clean-energy deployment is job creation, and frame choosing to phase out fossil fuels as a form of freedom that upholds our right to a livable future.

Given that Democrats won many down-ballot races, and cities and states are still pledging to pass climate policies, this shift in the Democratic majority will keep the US on the map in international climate negotiations, whether or not Trump withdraws the US from the Paris Agreement, creating new local alliances with the UK, the EU, and global south nations calling for international fossil-fuel phaseout targets. This bloc can counter the power of petrostates in international climate negotiations. At the very least, the mainstreaming of the language of fossil-fuel phaseout will help undermine the greenwashing strategy of current oil and gas company PR, which falsely advertises industry as pursuing technologies at scale to help “reduce emissions” even as they continue their upstream investments.

Of course the petrostates, along with India and China, will push back against the rhetoric of fossil fuel phaseout. But India can be helped to turn away from its domestic coal stores by clean-energy financing at close to cost along with the international aid and technology transfers already pledged at previous climate conferences. And although its rhetoric may not align with that of the West, China should not be imagined as opposed to climate action. China has enacted the most comprehensive climate policy on the planet, in service of its goal to peak emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2060. If their climate messaging remains focused on “emissions,” in light of their plan to keep using fossil fuels past 2030, they are preparing for next decade’s pivot away from fossil fuels by building out clean energy at a truly extraordinary rate.

In 2025 climate discourse will recenter on the message that halting global heating requires the phaseout of coal, oil, and gas. This new consensus will shift the politics of climate change and help motivate an urgent sprint to a clean-energy, ecologically integrated economy—the only economy that ensures a livable future.

[heshmylover]

· · ──────────── ꒰ঌ·Cole J. Turner·໒꒱ ─────────────── · ·

✦ COLE "Jackal" TURNER

✦ RANK: Lieutenant ✦ D.O.B: March 17th, 1996 ✦ AGE: 31 (as of 2027) ✦ BIRTHPLACE: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA ✦ AFFILIATION: United States Army | Ghosts ✦ SERVICE STATUS: Active Duty ✦ PRONOUNS: he/him ✦ MBTI: ENTJ — “The Commander” ✦ ALIGNMENT: Lawful Neutral (with rebellious leanings) ✦ ROLE: Tactical Operations Lead, High-Stakes Engagement Strategy ✦ SKILLS: Strategic command, combat leadership, psychological warfare, adaptive CQB (Close Quarters Battle)

⟡ Personality: (Pls lemme glaze)

Cole is the kind of man who walks into a room and commands it. Charismatic, sharp, and hard to ignore — a born leader with a fire that doesn’t flicker. He thrives on structure but bends rules when necessary, always prioritizing outcome over protocol.He carries a mix of confidence and earned cynicism — someone hardened by choices, loyal to few, but unshakably loyal once trust is earned.

He’s not without warmth, though it’s guarded and rarely sentimental. He jokes with a bite, leads with conviction, and holds himself — and others — to impossible standards. While Venus is quiet precision, Cole is commanding presence. He's calculated, ambitious, and brutally efficient in the field. Despite his intensity, there's a wounded humanity beneath the armor — a man raised to be steel, still grappling with the weight of responsibility, legacy, and choices he can’t undo.

⟡ Appearance:

Standing at 188 cm (6'2"), Cole carries the same broad shoulders and sharp-cut features as his sister, but with a more weathered edge. His light-brown hair, often kept short, is starting to show streaks of silver at the temples — not from age, but from pressure. His eyes are piercing black, often unreadable, but capable of showing flashes of fire or familiarity. His jaw is always clenched just slightly too tight. A thin scar runs from his jawline to the side of his neck — a reminder of a mission that didn’t go as planned.

Faceclaim: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Niko please do not see this)

⟡ Backstory: (Shh chat lemme glaze again😡😡)

Born 6 years before Venus, Cole Turner was the prototype of John Turner’s stern but loving fatherhood. Their mother’s death marked Cole’s transition from son to protector, a role he took on quietly but fiercely. From a young age, Cole was expected to lead — and he did, though not always willingly. While Venus internalized her grief into quiet drive, Cole sharpened his into iron will and an intense desire to control the chaos life dealt him.

He enlisted at 18 in 2014, driven by a cocktail of duty, legacy, and unspoken guilt. He rose fast through the ranks, not just because of skill, but because of sheer force of will. Known for making hard calls and taking responsibility for them, Cole made his mark leading black ops raids and strategizing battlefield decisions that saved lives — and took many.

His promotion to the Ghosts came after a classified mission in Mexico, where he extracted an endangered diplomat at the cost of half his squad. Since then, he's been a commanding force within the unit, respected — and sometimes feared — by those who serve under him.

✦ RELATIONSHIPS

✦ Venus M. Turner (Younger Sister)

Relationship: Protective, occasionally contentious, deeply respectful

Cole loves Venus in the only way he knows how: by pushing her to be stronger than the world expects. Their bond is forged in shared grief and discipline, though their methods differ. He often underrates how capable she already is, which causes tension, but his intentions are pure — he wants her prepared for the worst.

He critiques her out of care, not condescension.

He knows that, if he ever falls, Venus would carry the mission — and his memory — forward with absolute clarity.

✦ John Turner (Father, Retired Officer)

Relationship: Complex, strained, built on expectations and unspoken respect

Cole was raised to mirror John’s standards — perfection, discipline, stoicism. As the eldest, he became the emotional lightning rod in the household after their mother died, absorbing his father’s grief as pressure. Their relationship is often silent rather than warm, a legacy of a household where emotion was considered vulnerability.

Cole resents his father’s emotional distance but strives to earn his respect. John sees Cole as a “good soldier,” but rarely expresses pride outright. Their shared guilt over the past (especially involving Venus’s early childhood) is never spoken of, but always present. They understand each other in code — nods, glances, expectations — but seldom in words. Still, John respects Cole more than anyone, even if he shows it with critique instead of praise.

✦ Elias Walker

Relationship: Mentor-like figure, ideological tension

Elias is one of the few men Cole respects without question, though they often butt heads. Cole admires Elias’s steadiness and resolve but disagrees with his tendency to lead with heart instead of cold strategy sometimes especially with his boys.

Elias once pulled Cole back from a near-suicidal mission, citing “a soldier’s value isn’t in how much he can bleed.” Cole never forgot it — or entirely forgave it. Their conversations are often half-casual, half-tactics. Cole would die for Elias. He just won’t always agree with him.

✦ Merrick

Relationship: Mutual respect, competitive edge

Merrick and Cole are cut from similar cloth: hardened, commanding, goal-oriented. Their relationship is somewhere between friendly rivalry and reluctant alliance. Cole respects Merrick’s command experience. In the field, their synergy is lethal — they anticipate each other’s moves without needing words. Off the field, they often debate strategy — Cole favoring risk, Merrick favoring control. Despite their differences, they’ll back each other without hesitation. They may never be “friends,” but they’re battlefield brothers through and through.

✦ Keegan P. Russ 

Relationship: Cautiously respectful, tactical admiration

Keegan is quiet, calculated, and unshakably cool — the type Cole initially underestimated. Over time, though, Cole realized that beneath Keegan’s silence lies lethal precision and razor intelligence. They rarely speak unless it’s mission-relevant — but when they do, it’s purposeful. Keegan grounds Cole when he gets too fiery; Cole pushes Keegan to act when things stall. Cole respects Keegan’s clarity under pressure, and though they rarely connect personally, their bond is one of silent loyalty.

✦ Logan Walker

Relationship: Protective, quietly approving

Logan reminds Cole of a younger version of himself — focused, driven, perhaps too silent for his own good. Cole watches over Logan more than the younger man realizes, sometimes offering subtle mentorship through field actions rather than words. He occasionally barks orders at Logan to test his resolve. He respects Logan’s instincts, especially his capacity for survival under impossible odds. He feels a subtle obligation to guide Logan, the way he wished someone had guided him. Cole doesn’t say it aloud, but Logan is the kind of soldier he’d bet the future of the Ghosts on.

✦ David “Hesh” Walker

Relationship: Brother-like banter, ironclad loyalty

If Cole has anything close to a friend in the Ghosts, it’s Hesh. Their personalities contrast — Hesh being more emotionally expressive, sarcastic, and impulsive — but that creates a balance that helps Cole stay human. They often bicker like brothers, especially over field tactics. In return, Cole covers Hesh in the field like blood. Hesh has seen Cole crack — once — and never told a soul. That kind of trust means everything to Cole, even if he’ll never say it aloud. "Oh man great story can't wait to bring it up to your sister tonight" WHAT IM PLAYING

✦ Gabriel Rorke

Relationship: Disillusionment, betrayal, strategic fascination

Cole never served directly under Rorke — but he studied his tactics, admired his battlefield efficiency, and once considered him a blueprint for leadership. Rorke was the name whispered in training rooms — the gold standard of Ghost command. When Rorke turned, something in Cole fractured. To Cole, Rorke wasn’t just a traitor — he was proof that greatness can rot. He obsesses over Rorke’s tactics in private, not out of admiration anymore, but as a form of mental warfare — understanding your enemy better than he understands himself. There’s a quiet fear in Cole that he shares Rorke’s intensity — and that if he ever loses his moral center, he might fall the same way.

“You don’t become a ghost like Rorke. You become one despite him.” Rorke haunts Cole like a future he refuses to let happen.

✦ Ajax Relationship: Mutual respect, emotional distance, unresolved guilt

Cole and Ajax weren’t close. They were teammates, nothing more — Cole respected Ajax’s precision and toughness. Cole didn’t grieve publicly — but he was the one who recovered part of Ajax’s gear from the field. He carries a silent guilt for not noticing the cracks sooner — for not acting. He occasionally revisits Ajax’s mission logs when planning raids, as if trying to learn from what was lost. Ajax's death didn’t break Cole — but it hardened him. Another lesson in leadership: You can’t save everyone. But you can damn well try.

✦ Kick

Relationship: Sharp camaraderie, functional bond

Kick and Cole aren’t friends — but they work well together, like opposite cogs in the same machine. Kick is all about tech, signals, rapid deployment intel. Cole, meanwhile, trusts boots on the ground and instinct first. Still, when Kick talks, Cole listens. Kick finds Cole intense and overbearing at times. Cole occasionally underestimates Kick’s insight — but has learned not to dismiss his intel. Their banter is dry, laced with tension but never disrespectful.

Kick: “You know, if you used 10% of your ego to check the satellite feed, we might not walk into traps.”

Cole: “And if you used 10% of your sarcasm to shut up, I might.” They bicker, but there's mutual purpose. And Cole would never admit it, but he’s come to depend on Kick’s voice in his ear more than most.

✦ Positive Traits

1. Commanding Presence Cole exudes natural leadership. He doesn't need to shout — people follow him because he makes decisions with confidence and clarity, even under fire.

2. Strategic Thinker Always playing five moves ahead. Cole assesses battlefield dynamics with laser precision, often anticipating enemy maneuvers before they unfold.

3. Loyal (to the core) He might be hard to read, but once someone earns Cole’s trust, he’ll move mountains to protect them. His loyalty is absolute, even if it’s not always affectionate.

4. Decisive Under Pressure While others hesitate, Cole acts. This makes him invaluable during high-stakes missions where timing means survival.

5. Resilient Whether it’s grief, betrayal, or combat loss, Cole endures. He absorbs damage, recalibrates, and keeps moving — no matter what it costs him.

6. Inspires Confidence Even those who disagree with him tend to trust his ability to lead. His clarity of purpose and fearless demeanor galvanize teams in chaotic situations.

7. High Standards (for himself and others) While demanding, his expectations are never hypocritical. He leads by example and works twice as hard as he asks others to.

✦ Negative Traits

1. Emotionally Guarded Cole locks his emotions behind a wall of steel. This makes him difficult to connect with personally, even for those closest to him (like Venus).

2. Ruthlessly Critical He doesn’t sugarcoat feedback — which can make him harsh, intimidating, and difficult to please. His perfectionism can alienate allies.

3. Overbearing Leadership Cole can sometimes steamroll over others' opinions, believing his way is the most efficient. He struggles with collaborative leadership styles.

4. Struggles with Vulnerability He sees vulnerability as weakness — in himself and in others — and often pushes people to “toughen up” rather than process emotions.

5. Carries Guilt Silently Cole internalizes failure, whether it’s the death of a squadmate or a tactical misstep. He never discusses it — but it quietly corrodes him over time.

6. Risk-Prone When Pushed In high-emotion situations, especially when loved ones are threatened, Cole can abandon calculated caution for sheer force, which sometimes leads to reckless decisions.

7. Control-Fixated He hates unpredictability — and tries to control situations, people, and outcomes more than is always healthy. This can cause friction with freer-spirited teammates.

════════════════════════════════════════════

[sjerzgirl]

If you're a little confused about what Musk is trying to achieve with DOGE, here's the breakdown:

Elon Musk and Peter Thiel cofounded a company that became PayPal.

Other executives at PayPal went on to found or lead other huge tech companies including YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, Affirm, and many VC firms.

This group became known as the PayPal mafia because they exerted an outsized influence on Silicon Valley.

Peter Thiel mentored a young JD Vance and helped him get set up in his first VC firm.

Peter Thiel and the PayPal mafia funded JD Vance's successful Senate run. Amazing because he had absolutely zero political experience.

Thiel and Musk all but forced Trump to choose JD Vance as VP in exchange for funding his presidential campaign.

The three of them, plus a lot of other tech billionaires subscribe to an ideology called the Dark Enlightenment espoused by this super weird, creepy dude: Curtis Yarvin aka Mencius Moldbug.

Yarvin preaches that the media and academia represent "The Cathedral" that secretly controls power and must be dismantled.

He advocates for a corporate run, monarchy, led by a CEO-Dictator.

Says that Democracy is an "outdated software" and openly opposes it and that:

- Government agencies should be dismantled and The U.S. should be broken up into "patchworks" controlled by tech oligarchs.

- That the elite tech billionaires should rule because they have the intelligence to "fix" society

- That the "masses are asses" too dumb to govern themselves.

The strategy is to gut the government via R.A.G.E - Retire All Govt Employees to make government incapable of operating.

Then to replace government with private corporations.

To eliminate elections because they are "obsolete"

To use distraction and chaos to prevent public resistance.

Trump is their useful tool to be disposed of as soon as they can wrest control.

This is why Elon wears a black MAGA hat. They are not Trump supporters, they are "Dark MAGA"

This isn't a hypothetical. The plan is already in motion:

- Musk, Thiel, and their network are actively dismantling democratic institutions.

- JD Vance, the “MAGA heir,” is being positioned to help implement this transition.

- The public is too distracted to realize what’s happening.

- If successful, democracy in America will be permanently replaced by a corporate-run authoritarian state.

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

That's it. Now that you understand that you can see how everything that's happening fits within that lens.

Now the only question is what do we do about it?

[simslegacy5083]

Today's (10/17/2024) Episode: Tough Decisions

When Luigi got home from the stadium, he had the unenviable job of telling his wife what Doc had said.

Noemi eyed the wrist brace he’d slipped on as soon as he arrived suspiciously while he began with the good news of his victory. Her expression darkened as he moved on to recounting the trainer’s suspicions and his flimsy justifications for ignoring everyone’s warnings and advice to rest his hand.

"Lu… your job is not as important as your health!" she eventually berated him. “I can’t believe I have to babysit you, but you’ll make the same dumb choices about your next tournament and Rainy Day’s inevitable request for DLC and updates to Watcher Tales if I don’t keep an eye on you…!" 

Given the way he was feeling just then, Luigi couldn't even argue with her. He'd achieved those all-important professional goals, but at what cost?

The price for his hubris was revealed at Luigi’s appointment with the hand specialist. With a few tests Dr. Cody confirmed Doc Leonard’s suspicion that Luigi had sustained some permanent nerve damage and echoed the trainer's assessment that surgery was the best option for his long-term recovery. 

"I’m definitely not interested in surgery“ Luigi told her right away, prompting Noemi to question "Lu, what could it hurt to learn more about…”

He fired back unusually gruffly: "No! absolutely not" before asking the Dr. “What else can you offer me, because surgery isn't happening."

They finally settled on trying steroid injections.

“The effectiveness varies patient to patient and the benefits are only temporary” the provider told them “but they should offer you some relief. I also strongly recommend you change your lifestyle and minimize activities that aggravate your condition. That includes intensive computer work." 

Luigi was glad to see some improvement after his first injection. He also finally accepted the fact that something had to give in his professional life. In the end that decision was a simple one, even if it broke his heart a little to do what he felt he had to do.

A few days after his championship win Luigi was seated in the press room with Rainy Day’s E-Sports coaching staff.

"From the time I was a teenager I knew I wanted to play SimScuffle professionally" he began “As many of you know I got my start on Foxbury’s collegiate team, and when that amazing journey ended, I was lucky enough to be recruited by Rainy Day.” He paused and took a deep breath.

“Today I’m here to announce that I am officially retiring from competitive play.”

The teams head coach took over then “Luigi’s mentorship abilities and strategic insights have elevated our team’s profile and performance immensely. We are excited to transition him into a permanent role as our new director of strategy and recruitment. We’re looking forward to what the future holds.”

As he focused his attention on the press and prepared to answer questions Luigi reflected that, while this was not the way he’d wanted his E-Sports career to end, he was eager to tackle this new challenge in the days and weeks to come.

View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here

[thailandimmigration]

 5-Year Retirement Visa

Thailand offers a 5-Year Retirement Visa (officially known as the Non-Immigrant O-A Long Stay Visa) for foreign nationals aged 50+ seeking extended residency. Unlike the standard 1-year retirement extension, this visa provides pre-approved multi-year validity, reducing annual renewal hassles. However, strict financial, insurance, and compliance requirements apply.

Key Features:

✔ Pre-approved 5-year stay (no yearly extensions needed) ✔ Multiple entries permitted (no re-entry permit required) ✔ Must maintain health insurance (Thai or international) ✔ Financial proof required upfront (no monthly income option)

2. Eligibility & Financial Requirements

A. Basic Qualifications

Age 50+ (no exceptions)

No criminal record (police clearance from home country)

Health insurance (min. THB 400,000 inpatient / THB 40,000 outpatient coverage)

Note: Unlike the 1-year retirement extension, the 5-year visa does NOT allow monthly income proof (e.g., THB 65K/month)—only lump-sum deposits or fixed investments qualify.

3. Step-by-Step Application Process

Option 1: Applying from Abroad (Recommended)

Gather Documents:

Passport (valid 18+ months)

Bank statement (showing THB 3M for 12+ months)

Medical certificate (no leprosy, TB, drug addiction)

Police clearance (FBI check for Americans, etc.)

Health insurance (approved by Thai General Insurance Association)

Submit at a Thai Embassy/Consulate (e.g., Los Angeles, London)

Receive 5-Year Visa (sticker affixed in passport)

Option 2: Converting from a Tourist Visa (Inside Thailand)

Must first obtain a 90-day Non-O Visa (based on retirement)

Then apply for 5-Year O-A Visa at Immigration Bureau (Chaeng Watthana)

Processing time: 4–6 week

4. Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

A. Insurance Policy Rejections

Problem: Many international insurers aren’t approved by Thai authorities.

Solution: Use Thai insurers (e.g., LMG, Pacific Cross) or verify your provider’s eligibility.

B. Bank Deposit Timing Errors

Problem: Funds not seasoned 12+ months before applying.

Solution: Plan 1+ year ahead—transfer funds early.

C. Overstaying Risks

Problem: Lapsing insurance = visa cancellation.

Solution: Set auto-renewal reminders for insurance.

5. Long-Term Strategy: Beyond the 5-Year Visa

A. Transitioning to Permanent Residency (PR)

After 3+ consecutive years on a retirement visa, PR becomes possible.

Requires THB 1.8M+ income, Thai language test, and clean record.

B. Elite Visa Alternative

If financial proof is an issue, Thailand Elite (5–20 year visas) offer easier terms (but higher cost).

C. Leaving & Re-Entering

The 5-Year O-A Visa allows unlimited exits/re-entries—unlike 1-year extensions.

6. Expert Recommendations

For Maximum Stability:

✔ Use the THB 3M fixed deposit (easiest to prove) ✔ Buy Thai health insurance (no approval risks)

For Frequent Travelers:

✔ The 5-Year O-A Visa is ideal (no re-entry permits needed)

For Lower Financial Commitment:

✔ Stick with the 1-year extension (THB 800K option)

7. Conclusion: Is the 5-Year Visa Right for You?

Best Suited For:

High-net-worth retirees who can lock away THB 3M

Expats who travel often (multi-entry advantage)

Those who despise annual immigration visits

Not Recommended For:

Expats relying on monthly income (only lump sums qualify)

People who may need to withdraw savings

Final Advice: Consult a Thai visa specialist to assess whether the 5-Year O-A Visa, 1-year extension, or Elite Visa aligns best with your financial and lifestyle needs.

[animesavior]

"Hold on, before we start: If you think you can beat me, think again. Cause I'm gonna beat the stuffing out of you, with my fists." Mash Burnedead, Mashle (Ep. 08)

This is the Toonami Trending Rundown for the month of January 2025. Toonami begins its 13th year back on Adult Swim as the block is in a “transitional period” of sorts with Invincible Fight Girl presently rerunning after completing its first season and Toonami Rewind being “merged back” into the block at the rear half of the lineup.

The first scheduled Toonami of the year, January 4-5, was a holiday marathon night of Uzumaki, so no trends were spotted during the 4-episode marathon. For the night of January 11-12, #Toonami trended in the USA on Twitter alongside Mashle, Invincible Fight Girl, and Blue Exorcist. On the night of January 18-19, only Toonami would trend. And for the night of January 25-26, #Toonami would trend alongside Mashle and Blue Exorcist.

The feature for the January 4-5 edition of Toonami featured a new Toonami ID titled “Laser TOM.” You can check it out below:

January 11-12’s feature was a game review for Squirrel with a Gun, an indie action-adventure game developed by Dee Dee Creations and published by Maximum Entertainment. It received a 7.5 out of 10 score.

The developers of Squirrel with a Gun, were quite happy about the Toonami bump on Twitter.

January 18-19 saw another new Toonami ID, titled “Strange Ritual.”

And the feature for January 25-26 was supposed to be a game review for the newest Indiana Jones video game by Bethesda, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Game. I say supposed to as the Cartoon Network broadcast control accidentally showcased a promo for Barney’s World, the newest animated series in the Barney franchise, which was probably meant to be showcased during the Cartoonito early morning hours rather than on Adult Swim/Toonami. Nonetheless, it received a score of 9/10 and you can check out that game review below.

Unfortunately, Adult Swim has decided to pull the plug on Toonami Rewind in the new year as the Friday afternoon throwback lineup was retired by the end of the year, with said timeslots being given back to Checkered Past. No official reason was given why Toonami Rewind was canceled. Alongside potential issues with Toonami bringing in additional programming for Rewind, it is likely that Adult Swim is seeing a change in strategy with the network inking a deal with Disney to bring Family Guy back to the late-night programming block for the first time since 2021. It’s not all lost, however, as the Rewind lineup would be “merged back” into the Saturday night Toonami lineup, with Naruto starting over from the beginning starting January 11th, while Sailor Moon returning on January 25th.

Mike McFarland, voice actor and ADR Director whom has lent his talents to many Toonami shows over the years including Dragon Ball, Full Metal Alchemist and Attack on Titan, was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor after originally dealing with symptoms of an ear infection. Fortunately, Mike underwent emergency surgery to successfully remove the tumor and is presently recovering. Our thoughts go out to Mike as he recovers, and if you wish to help Mike in a philanthropic way, feel free to donate to his GoFundMe set up by his colleagues.

Studio MAPPA on Friday has released new info and a key visual for Shinichiro Watanabe’s new series Lazarus. The season will be 13 episodes in length and will be airing in Japan on TV Tokyo this April 2025. Adult Swim has also announced on Instagram that Lazarus will also be airing on Toonami stateside in April with a concrete premiere date TBA. We’ll keep you posted.

Finally, The Pillows, the band best known among anime fans for creating the theme music for FLCL, has just announced that they have disbanded after 35 years following their January 31st concert in Yokohama. The band members plan on continuing their respective careers individually. All I can say is, Thank you, our twilights, and Ride on Shooting Star.

Until next time, hope you have a Happy Black History month, congratulations to the Ohio State Buckeyes for winning the National Championship, and of course, our thoughts go out to all those affected by the Southern California Wildfires. While the major fires have been fully contained after weeks of effort from first responders, at least 29 people have lost their lives; and thousands of residents, including voice actors Amanda Winn Lee and Melissa Fahn, have lost their homes. If you wish to help in a philanthropic way, make sure to donate to a reputable organization, including the Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles, the California Community Foundation, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, The Los Angeles Police Foundation, and gofundme (including one for Melissa Fahn. Amanda herself, in lieu of donations, has requested donators to purchase something from her Amazon Registry for her.)

Legend: The shows listed are ordered based on their appearance on the schedule. Show trends are listed in bold. The number next to the listed trend represents the highest it trended on the list (not counting the promoted trend), judging only by the images placed in the rundown. For the Twitter tweet counts, the listed number of tweets are also sorely based on the highest number shown based on the images on the rundown.

January 11-12, 2025 Trends

United States Trends:

#Toonami [#6]

#Mashle [#14]

#InvincibleFightGirl [Trended with #Toonami and #BlueExorcist]

#BlueExorcist [#13]

Tweet Counts:

#Toonami [2,505 tweets]

#Mashle [1,379 tweets]

#BlueExorcist [1,825 tweets]

January 18-19, 2025 Trends

United States Trends:

#Toonami [#27]

Tweet Counts:

#Toonami [2,224 tweets]

January 25-26, 2025 Trends

United States Trends:

#Toonami [#4]

#Mashle [Trended with #Toonami]

#BlueExorcist [Trended with #Toonami]

Tweet Counts:

#Toonami [2,445 tweets]

Tumblr Trends:

#one piece [#7]

If you wish to send me a tip for the work on the trending rundown, donations can be sent to PayPal.Me/DanielLimjoco.

It’s not the year, SARA. It’s the mileage. Only Toonami on [adult swim] on Cartoon Network.

[mbta-unofficial]

A tough thing about capitalism is that it seems to be an emergent property of certain kinds of human behavior and technology. The same way that the T doing an oil hedge is “just good business sense,” every company doing an oil hedge is a recipe for vertical integration, what makes Zara, Ikea, and Rockefeller’s Standard Oil untouchable. By implementing strategies that control the supply of raw materials, a company can sieze the wheels of their own supply and demand curve, allowing them to reduce the supply for their competitors to zero. Every business wants this, because it enables them to set prices arbitrarily without fear of competition underselling them.

Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean that prices will be set as high as possible, or even as high as people could pay. Henry Ford’s vertical integration of the car manufacturing supply chain was essential to his business strategy. However, his goal was not to make infinite money in the short term, but rather to make the car so cheap that nobody would ever travel any other way. He was sued by his own investors for this, because a group of them argued that he was selling cars below market and therefore costing them as shareholders money, in order to pursue the strategy he pursued that tried to kill all public transit in America. Now, had Ford succeeded, his ability to sell cars to everyone forever would have resulted in greater long term profits, but it was a risk the investors didn’t want to take because they wanted their money then and now. It’s hard to say whether capitalism won or lost in this lawsuit: it established as law that companies cannot pursue any other goal besides investor interest, aka “fiduciary duty to shareholders.” However, in theory this limits the actions of companies only to those outcomes that are directly financial: a company could not, say, take over a sovereign nation just because they wanted to, they would have to prove to their shareholders that it was in the financial interest of the company (see united fruit in hawaii, mesoamerica). If it had gone the other way, though, we might live in a world where retirement savings functionally didn’t exist, because virtually all retirement savings are invested and fiduciary duty protects retirees from using that capital in corporate wars over market share.

[chiangmailawyer]

Thailand Visa

Thailand's visa framework operates under a three-tier authorization system established by the Immigration Act (1979) and subsequent amendments:

A. Entry Permission (Visa Proper)

Issued by Thai embassies/consulates abroad

Determines initial duration and purpose of stay

Classified as:

Transit (TS)

Tourist (TR)

Non-Immigrant (12 subcategories)

Diplomatic/Official

B. Extension of Stay

Granted by Immigration Bureau within Thailand

Converts temporary entry into long-term residence

Requires specific qualifying conditions (e.g., marriage, retirement)

C. Re-Entry Permits

Maintains status during international travel

Single (THB 1,000) vs. Multiple (THB 3,800) options

2. Non-Immigrant Visa Subtypes: Operational Nuances

A. Business Visa (Non-B)

Approval Mechanics

Standard Path: Thai employer sponsorship + work permit

BOI Fast Track: 15-day processing for promoted companies

Treaty Routes: US Amity or ASEAN agreements

B. Retirement Visa (Non-O-A)

Financial Verification Protocols

Bank Deposit Method:

THB 800K seasoning: 2 months pre-application

Post-approval minimum: THB 400K maintained

Audit Trail: Must show foreign origin of funds

Income Method:

Embassy letters no longer sufficient alone

Requires 12-month Thai bank statements showing transfers

Exchange Rate Risk: Fluctuations may disqualify applicants

C. Education Visa (Non-ED)

Compliance Enforcement

Attendance Tracking:

Biometric check-ins at accredited institutions

Minimum 80% attendance rate enforced

Program Limitations:

Language schools: Max 5 years continuous stay

University programs: Duration of degree + 1 year

3. Special Economic Visas: Technical Specifications

Smart Visa Program

Sector-Specific Requirements

CategoryMinimum SalaryQualification ProofTalent (T)THB 200K/monthPatent filings or PhDStartup (S)N/ASeries A funding or BOI backingInvestor (I)N/ATHB 20M liquid investment

Privileges Matrix

Work permit exemption (Categories T/S)

90-day reporting waiver

Dependent work rights

4. Immigration Enforcement Technologies

Biometric Systems

Facial Recognition: Deployed at major entry points

Fingerprint Database: Linked to Interpol records

Blockchain Verification: Pilot for document authentication

Risk Assessment Algorithms

Visa Run Detection:

Pattern analysis of border crossings

Flagging of "out-in" same-day movements

Financial Scrutiny:

Bank statement anomaly detection

Seasoning period algorithmic validation

5. Judicial Recourse Pathways

Administrative Appeals Process

First Appeal: To originating immigration office (30 days)

Second Appeal: Immigration Commission (60 days)

Judicial Review: Administrative Court (6-18 months)

Precedent-Setting Cases

2018 Supreme Court Ruling: Overturned arbitrary visa denials

2021 Case #4562: Established due process for Elite Visa revocations

6. Emerging Policy Shifts

Digital Nomad Visa (2025 Pilot)

Technical Requirements:

Minimum $80K annual income

Health insurance with $50K coverage

Remote employment verification

ASEAN Harmonization

Single Visa Proposal: Pending implementation

Labor Mobility Framework: Skilled worker exchange

7. Strategic Compliance Planning

Documentation Lifecycle Management

Retention Periods:

Bank statements: 3 years

Tax records: 5 years

Entry/exit stamps: 10 years

Risk Mitigation Framework

Parallel Status Maintenance (e.g., Elite + work permit)

Buffer Capitalization (20% above minimums)

Pre-emptive Legal Opinions for complex cases

8. Expert Advisory

For Corporate Applicants

BOI pre-approval reduces processing by 60%

Treaty structures optimize ownership flexibility

For Individual Investors

Elite + Property Purchase creates residency backup

Multi-entry Non-O provides interim flexibility

For Families

Education visa + Dependent extensions ensure continuity

Interlocking applications prevent status gaps

9. Conclusion: Mastering the System

Thailand's visa regime requires technical precision rather than generic approaches. Successful navigation demands:

Sector-specific strategy alignment

Documentation forensics preparation

Contingency layering for policy shifts

[jameshayesfp]

Transition to Retirement Strategies – James Hayes

In Australia, the TTR strategy is particularly useful for those aged 55 and above, as it allows them to access a portion of their superannuation without needing to retire completely. The idea is to help smooth the financial and psychological transition to retirement. Read More:https://empireadda.com/transition-to-retirement-strategies-james-hayes/

[aviaposter]

Airbus A300-600 ASL Airlines Ireland

Registration: EI-LDC Type: A300F4-605R Engines: 2 × GE CF6-80C2A5F Serial Number: 857 First flight: Aug 20, 2004

ASL Airlines Ireland was originally founded as Air Bridge and began operations in 1972 at the East Midlands Airport in the UK. In September 1992, the company rebranded as Hunting Cargo Airlines, and by 1997, all operations were relocated to Ireland. Over the following years, the airline underwent several name changes, with one of its most well-known identities being Air Contractors, before adopting its current name—ASL Airlines Ireland—in 2015. By then, it had become part of ASL Aviation Holdings. The acronym ASL (Airlines, Support, and Leasing) reflects the group’s three core areas of activity: air transport, maintenance, and leasing.

The fleet of ASL Airlines Ireland is relatively small but highly functional. It includes cargo aircraft such as the Boeing 737-800BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter), ATR 72-600F, and the star of our poster—the Airbus A300-600F.

Historically, the airline began operating the Airbus A300 back when it was still known as Air Contractors. In 2009, the company introduced the Airbus A300B4 into service. Thirteen aircraft of this type were deployed for the international express cargo delivery company DHL in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa). Later, the focus shifted to more modern models like the A300-600F, which offer improved performance, greater payload capacity, and a longer range (over 4,000 nautical miles), making them ideal for regional cargo routes across Europe.

In 2024, the airline’s fleet expanded with the addition of five Airbus A300-600F aircraft, previously operated by Air Hong Kong (a subsidiary of Cathay Pacific). These planes were retired from service due to the discontinuation of technical support for this type in Asia, prompted by a shrinking number of A300 operators in the region.

Notably, back in 2012, ASL Airlines Ireland began operating the A300-600F for cargo services on behalf of Air Hong Kong, with bases in Hong Kong and Penang. This demonstrates the company’s prior experience with this aircraft type well before its full integration into the European fleet. The transition to the A300-600F in Europe, starting in 2023, was part of DHL’s strategy to relocate its A300 aircraft from Asia to Europe. ASL Airlines Ireland emerged as one of the operators taking on this role.

Poster for Aviators aviaposter.com

[waffliesinyoface]

everyone always talks about how so and so character needs therapy, and im always like. but do they though

i had a therapist in high school. his main method of "counseling" me was to talk while we played chess, his response to me wanting to transition was to do nothing about it, and he eventually went "I'm gonna retire from this job and go teach at university. but you seem fine though, so we don't really need any more sessions." any coping strategies i have are ones I came up with, and any issues i have, i worked through them myself.

"this setting really needs therapists, the characters are all so messed up" okay but do they though. would they actually do anything to help this situation. because im pretty sure thats a big fat "no", dude.

[tomorrowusa]

I've been a big fan of Mallory McMorrow ever since she demolished a blathering MAGA zombie on the floor of the Michigan State Senate a few years ago.

She is now running for US Senate to succeed Democratic Sen. Gary Peters who is retiring.

Now, with the retirements of Democratic Senators Gary Peters, 66, in Michigan and Dick Durbin, 80, in Illinois, the Democratic Party may be nearing a generational transition, at least in this neck of the woods. And McMorrow is not the only relatively youthful female candidate on the Democratic side. Also vying for the nomination is Haley Stevens, 41, a fourth-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Compared to McMorrow, Stevens is a centrist and an experienced Washington veteran. Filling the progressive lane are McMorrow, in her second, four-year term in the state capital of Lansing, and Abdul El-Sayed, 40, a former Wayne County health director and TNR contributor, who ran for governor in 2018. A fourth possibility might be Joe Tate, 44, an African American who served as the speaker in the Michigan House before Republicans took the majority last year.

So it's probably going to be a crowded primary next year. But she strikes me as the best person to take on MAGA in Michigan.

Although less experienced than some primary rivals, McMorrow may be the most dynamic presence, both in person and before television cameras. She speaks with confidence and passion in a controlled tone that varies in the low register and in volume but does not scold, as some Democrats are accused of doing. In some ways, McMorrow’s style resembles that of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, in terms of her relative youth, her make-no-apologies speaking style, and her view of Trump. McMorrow has long, red hair that she usually wears down, over her shoulders. Her skinny-fit physique is that of a dedicated runner who trains three to five miles every day to run in half-marathons. (She also goes on women’s yoga retreats.)

She shared this critique of recent Democratic strategy.

"We’ve kind of micro-targeted ourselves to death. So, if you’re a woman, you must care about abortion. If you’re Latino, you must care about immigration." Her party, she said, tried to "patchwork all these policy ideas together, and it didn’t have an overarching vision" in last year’s campaign. "The Democratic Party, too often, treats people like you need it more than it needs you. The MAGA movement is successful because it treats people like it needs them. I want to get back to a place where we're not patronizing to people."

Yep, we need to quit stereotyping people and treating them as components of groups, sub-groups, or sub-sub-groups. When you focus too much on groups, people outside those groups feel you're ignoring them.

She is no slacktivist and understands that winning elections starts with turning off your phone and engaging in person with people in your community and doing more listening than talking to them.

Reflecting on Trump’s executive orders and other shock waves emanating from the White House, McMorrow said the best way to fight back is not to complain to each other in social media silos but rather to get out, organize, and work. “For too long, too many of us took for granted that the framework of the country and the Constitution itself would protect it,” she said. “But they are just words on paper. If we don’t actively participate, we’ve seen it (the Constitution) is not going to protect itself.”

We can't all be full time activists, but everybody can make some occasional IRL contribution to preserving democracy.

To win elections, we can't wait until 8 to 10 weeks before Election Day to get involved. The groundwork for successful campaigns begins now.

[ems-sharemarketclasses]

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