#What You Need to Transfer an Alcohol License

[emptyheadgamer]

Im mad about gun laws again. this shit wouldnt be half the messy issue it is if they hadn't been so head up ass convoluted when coming up with definitions.

Say I have an Ar15 (or any other pistol/rifle)

according to current NFA regulations as interpreted by the ATF, if it has

a stock and a barrel >16": its a rifle

a stock and a barrel <16": its a SBR

a brace or nothing and no vertical foregrip: its a pistol

a brace or nothing, a vertical foregrip, and its <26" overall length: its an AOW

a brace or nothing, a vertical foregrip, and its >26" overall length: its an OF

a brace or nothing, a barrel >16", and it was manufactured with a stock that has been removed: Its a Rifle

a brace or nothing, a barrel <16", and it was manufactured with a stock that has been removed: its an SBR

Capable of fully automatic fire, was registered by 1986, and not a SBR: Its a machine gun

Capable of fully automatic fire, was registered by 1986, and is an SBR: Its both a machine gun and a SBR

Capable of fully automatic fire and not registered by 1986 or manufactured after 1986: Its a felony for any individual in the US to own this. Government entities such as the military and FFL businesses with a SOT can possess as orginizations.

NFA: National Firearms Act. The legislation responsible for most federal regulations on firearms, including the Hughes amendment which is what creats the bans on civilians from owning machine guns.

SBR: Short barreled rifle, requires $200 atf tax stamp to own

AOW: Any other weapon, requires $5 atf tax stamp to own

OF: Other Firearm, does not require tax stamp.

FFL: Federal firearms license, part of a business license that allows a business to sell firearms

SOT: Special Occupational Taxpayer, an additional license that allows a business to possess and transfer Class 3 items like machine guns

Fully Automatic: Detonates more than one cartridge per single activation of the trigger. Includes burst fire and multi barrel firearms that fire more than one barrel from a single trigger pull. Does NOT include bump stocks, binary triggers, forced reset triggers, and gatling cranks all of which work by various mechanical means to allow the shooter to perform single trigger activations more rapidly. Requires a $200 tax stamp of civilian legal ownership of pre 1986 registered ones.

Transferrable: Short hand for referring to a machine gun that was registered before the 1986 cut off and ownership can be transferred to a civilian who meets and follows the restrictions for class 3 NFA items, such as getting a tax stamp and not crossing state lines with it without receiving approval from the ATF.

Tax stamp: ATF paperwork saying your ID is on record and you have passed a background check, been fingerprinted, supplied the required proof of engraving, and the serial number has been added to their database. Can take up to a year to be approved by the ATF, sometimes even longer. Paperwork must be kept with the relevant gun or suppressor at all times. Required separately for each classification that causes the need for one, so a surpressed pre-86 full auto sbr would require 3, totalling $600 in paperwork fees to the atf completely separate from the cost of the gun

ATF: Government agency responsible for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Has a reputation for shooting peoples dogs due to their consistent use of no knock night raids when serving any kind of warrant causing them to become a statistical outlier for being attacked by startled pets.

bonus

Assault weapon:

Not a federal legal term or an ATF classification, defined by state laws and varies by state. Not synonymous with assault rifle, a classification used specifically only in terms of equipment for different military roles (and one of the first requirements for filling the assault rifle role is being a machine gun).

Most common features defining an assault weapon: folding stock, barrel threaded to accept a muzzle device such as brake, compensator, or supressor (even if no muzzle device attached), being equipped with a "high capacity" magazine (most commonly either >10 or >20 round capacity).

Some state and local governments are starting to name AR and AK pattern rifles as assault weapons regardless of weather they are in full compliance with all restrictions.

And that's just pistols/rifles. shotguns have an entirely different set of rules, as do flare launchers, explosives (which includes molotovs, and yes the atf does still require serial numbers for them), and just about anything else you can think of.

No matter how you feel about new gun control, i think everybody should be able to agree this is some unnecessarily convoluted nonsense

[alazyparallelworld]

SO YOU'RE IN A CRISIS

these resources are US centric. i don't know enough about overseas support, and this list is mostly complied from experienced hardship.

also, bc these are from my personal experiences, they pivot around my states of longterm residency. i've tried my best to provide general resources and use unspecific enough terminology. if you need help navigating resources (eligibility, applications, etc) in your state, my DMs are open and i would be happy to help.

eternal WIP. i am sure i've forgotten something. rbs are welcomed n appreciated. questions/corrections/etc should go in my DMs.

department of human services / department of social and health services | applicable to: low-income

housing (most applicable for eviction-notice crisis, NOT homeless or housed situations. there are still programs for unprovided/unsafe shelter emergencies, but they vary wildly. please DM me for more info.)

food (food stamps which bring a wide variety of benefits on their own, meal plans, etc)

cash (washington residents: if you qualify for SSI* you can receive cash assistance. other states: whether or not it is provided in your state, and the qualifier i.e needy families/food assistance, varies. please DM me for more info, whether or not you are a resident of washington.)

medical (public insurance, as well as other services i.e delivered meds, caregiving. please DM me for more caregiver-specific info.)

transportation (gas vouchers, necessary/medical transportation, discount on bus fare)

education: see etc below, as the most beneficial support will come from social workers.

child support: see etc below, as most beneficial support will come from social workers.

cellular (lifeline/ACP, a federal program in which you can acquire a fully paid smartphone or discount on wifi. you can transfer the wifi benefit to another internet provider)

etc: social workers are in-house, who can provide many services i.e housing situation, mental health support, job opportunities, applying for SSI, pretty much anything. if they cannot help you, they should transfer you to another worker who can, or provide you with another resource. through my social worker is how i got my housing paid. if you are on medicaid and/or food stamps, those benefits open a wide door to other benefits - this is how you qualify for lifeline/ACP, discounted amazon prime, etc.

*disability. to receive disability YOU CANNOT BE EMPLOYED FULLTIME. what follows is, almost always, automatic rejection. part-time is still susceptible to automatic rejection. do not turn to a lawyer for help; ask a social worker for help with the specifics of your situation. however, even if you are employed full/part-time, it is still beneficial to apply for SSI as this provides an earlier 'date of onset,' and is extremely helpful for a potential future claim. this is true in all states, AFAIK.

job corps | applicable to: low-income, 16-24 (24 maximum, unless in extraordinary circumstances)

housing (boarding rooms; roommate situation heavily varies)

food (3 meals a day, everyday, and vending machines)

medical (wellness center, staffed with nurses and doctor(s) - can provide medication and therapy)

transportation (drivers' license, will give rides to workplaces*)

education (GED, alternative HS diploma, training and certifications)

child support: dependent on center, alternative boarding for mothers* and their children

cellular: dependent on center, free 24/7 wifi is provided.

etc: there are significant drawbacks to job corps, which are very dependent on center-to-center. as it is federal property, no drugs or alcohol usage is permitted on campus. when arriving and returning to JC, campus security will administer a breathalyzer test. it is a 'ZT'/zero tolerance - you will be expelled if drug/alcohol usage is discovered. there's also a 'cash stipend,' but i don't know the exact amount or the frequency. when i went to JC ('17-'18) it was $20 biweekly, increased to $30 after ~12-16 months of enrollment. i was told that it has increased to $50, still biweekly. there is A Social Worker Lite upon graduation. they will check up with you, and for a time, will support you in finding stability. this includes housing and education. *IME, you cannot have a job and then enroll to job corps. but if you are employed while in job corps, they will provide transport. **IME, fathers/second parent/partners, cannot board with the mother or children. at my JC, the alternative boarding was only applicable to the biological parents - but in couples, the bio father would be boarded in the men's section.

community college / open admission colleges

near-universal acceptance rate, and some provide boarding. my CC provided holiday housing, including summertime. some CCs provide medication and therapy. there are opt-in meal plans, which are a part of your tuition. however, if you are under the age of 25 and applying for financial aid, you will need to have your parents' relevant tax records. even in extraordinary circumstances such as estrangement, the separation needs to be in legal documents and may be rejected anyway. and in the event that you are financially independent, some colleges will still require your parents' taxes.

food stamps and public insurance/medicaid

as mentioned before, these two are such qualifiers for OTHER benefits, they get their own separate piece. generally speaking, when filling an application for one resource on your state's website, there's an option to apply for others. TANF, medical caregiving, etc… save time and tick that option. if you're worried about 'fucking up' your application, see if your department has a social worker.

EBT discounts amazon prime, and your EBT card can be used in orders with EBT-eligible items. there's also a splinter called 'amazon fresh,' but that's only provided in some areas. if you receive EBT and/or medicaid, you qualify for lifeline/ACP. lifeline/ACP is a federal program, nationwide. sometimes other resources, i.e housing, transportation, and child support, can be locked behind receiving EBT and/or medicaid. wildly varies on state, situation, and the resource in question.

what medicaid covers… wildly varies on your state and situation. however, if you are need of an assistive device or treatment (a brace, cane, wheelchair, shower chair, physical therapy, medically necessary transportation, medical marijuana) ask your PCP for a prescription or referral. every time. avoid using money on what your PCP can provide - and these prescriptions are highly useful documents in SSI applications. your states' medicaid should cover most of these services - and talk to your routed insurance in the case of a denial. i'm aware this section is bulky and difficult to parse; please DM me if you need help understanding. this is a complex topic.

rent assistance

your local salvation army may pay for up to three months of rent. you can only ask for this assistance once a year. as aforementioned, your local housing authority / DSHS/DHS also can provide rent assistance. your state probably has its own program(s), which have different requirements, i.e income or age.

section 8/public housing | low-income, legally disabled/recipient of SSI

the application for section 8 is so daunting, i didn't do it independently. i had my social worker help me. i would heavily advise you do the same. section 8 housing is basically a waitlist for discounted/free housing, whether it be apartments or full houses. it is... extremely complicated. my advice is to apply for section 8, well before any significant financial changes. if your income goes up, you will have to reapply. i would suggest, if you are applying for SSI, to do both of these applications at the same time. there is a slim, but still possible, chance that you will get public housing before SSI.

emergency housing/unsheltered

some hotels/motels will offer temporary room, moreso if social worker requests it. you can google and find out what hotels/motels near you offer these services, and ask your social worker to contact them. your social worker may even provide transportation to the hotel/motel. i am Professional Enough that i was able to acquire a room for two strangers. (a small misunderstanding, as i was mistaken for a social worker. i rectified this mistake as soon as i realized - do not pretend to be a social worker. they will ask 'what company you're with,' and your name and contact information. lying is a very good way to get blacklisted.) this is an outlier, but if you're well-versed enough, you could do this yourself. get in contact with your local housing authority (what its called here) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. there is a massive waitlist for unsheltered people; it is easier and faster to acquire shelter when you're still in the eviction/about to be kicked out bubble. whether or not they can help you is usually, IME, more dependent on your age than your income. work fast, keep steady contact.

domestic violence

in certain states, survivors of DV can have their voter registration removed from public access. this 2020 PDF lists the eligibility for each state. AFAIK, when applying for your voter registration, this is not a mandated question. you will have ask the relevant programs for your address to be private.

most applications for food stamps/insurance/housing/etc will ask if you are a survivor of DV. this has an increase of your cases' 'priority,' especially for housing. this applies to both fleeing and survivor situations.

furniture, clothing, laundry vouchers, hygiene products, household necessities | low-income, new residents

contact your local charities and/or relevant local nonprofit organizations. while there are online sites (i.e freegeek for electronics) these are very hit-and-miss. your local charities are more likely to have stock. several nonprofits offer vouchers for off-site laundry units, and sometimes for children hygiene products. furniture and other household appliances tend to ship directly to your home. for clothes and household necessities, you'll probably have to go to the office for pick-up. IME, clothes can be picked up any time at community closets, while i've had to schedule appointments to pick up bleach, tissues, etc. hygiene products are high-demand, low-supply. diapers are the 'worst offender' for low stock.

animal support

online grants for vet payment/assistance either are very specific, or have very long waitlists. most of the time, these grants apply to service animal canines (not emotional support, nor felines, or other animals) and/or serious conditions that already have a diagnoses - they won't pay for preliminary visits, bloodwork, etc. if your animal needs to be fixed, there are coupons for the procedure. you will have to se what vet accepts that specific coupon or not. for food, i would recommend, if you are financially able, to have a chewy subscription. this saves a lot of money in the long run - amazon's subscribe & save is an alternative, but not as cost-effective for high-quality food, IMO. your local charities/nonprofits may provide animal food.

[oliverethan12]

Essential Steps For Selling a Business in New Orleans Successfully

When selling a business, you have to consider a lot of things. Where to sell it, how to sell it, what documents will be required, and what the rules and regulations are—all these aspects need attention. Even if you sell your company, you are still the actual founder, so somewhere deep down, you might feel that it would have been better if the business had gone to the right person.

That's why, in this blog, we will discuss how you can prepare for selling a business in New Orleans, the challenges that might come up in the process, and how to overcome them.

Step-by-Step Process For Selling a Business in New Orleans

Prepare Your Business

All the documents that need to be presented in front of the buyer must be prepared in advance. Financial records such as balance sheets, tax returns, and income statements for at least 3-5 years must be ready with you. Legal documents such as ownership structures, intellectual property rights, employee contracts, vendor agreements, and leases must be reviewed.

Valuation of Your Business

A very easy method to do this is by checking about the recent sale similar to your business and valuing it accordingly. 

However, there are a lot of things involved in this step, such as analyzing cash flows, profit margins, inventory, and more. Taking help from an accountant or a valuation expert will be required to determine the right valuation of your business in today’s market.

Find the Right Buyer

Websites such as Chisca Group Broker allow you to list your business for sale. This platform attracts a wide range of potential buyers, from local investors to national companies looking for acquisitions. 

You can also hire a broker from here that will help facilitate selling a business in New Orleans. If you know of potential buyers who may be interested in your business, consider reaching out directly. 

Negotiation

After you’ve reached the potential customers, the next step is negotiation. This is where a skilled business broker or M&A advisor can add value, ensuring that you get the best possible terms. It includes deciding the final price, financing options, and payment structure. The buyers often ask for signing a non-compete agreement to make sure you don’t take any competing steps towards the company.

Completing the Sale

Once negotiation and all the legal documentation are complete, it is time to transfer all the assets, such as trademarks and intellectual property, to the buyer. If required, you might also have to train the buyer about the business operations.

Challenges in Selling a Business New Orleans

Licencing

Every business operating in the region will require a business license issued from the City of New Orleans Department of Finance. This license is typically non-transferable, so the buyer will have to issue a new license after purchasing a business. However, it is important for the seller to ensure that all the taxes and fees should be settled before selling a business in New Orleans.

Special Use Permits

Special permits from the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) for alcohol businesses, licenses from the New Orleans Health Department for food businesses, and entertainment or special event permits from the New Orleans Office of Business and Cultural Economy. This is all non-transferable and requires a new issue upon business purchase. 

Zoning Laws

New Orleans, like many cities, has zoning regulations that govern how properties can be used and what types of businesses can operate in specific areas. These laws can impact both the transfer of property and the type of business that can operate there.

As you will be purchasing an established business, they are more likely to be aligned with the zoning laws. However, if you plan to change your business operations, then due diligence about zoning laws will be required.

Conditional Use Permits

Some businesses can still operate in the zones where respective operations are typically restricted, and this can be done under a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). After the sale of a business, if the buyer wants to continue the same operation in that zone, he/she will be required to reapply for the use of a permit.

Conclusion

Selling a business in New Orleans can be a rewarding process if approached with careful planning and awareness of the unique challenges in the area. Working with a local broker is a wise decision you can take during this process. Consider taking assistance from Chisca Group Brokers. They can help you in:

Selling Your Business

Analysing business valuation

Raise Fundings

Providing tools to sell your business yourself

Buying a business

Visit their website to learn more!

[dead-mermaidd]

Top Tips for Discovering Ontario's Best Online Casinos

Ontario has just opened its online gambling market, meaning that all licensed iGaming operators can legally offer their products and services to residents of the province. We want to know which are the best online casinos available, where you have an excellent choice of games from Rai88 top studios and a safe, reliable place to play. Keep these tips in mind, and you'll be well on your way to finding Ontario's top online gambling destinations.

1.Check for a Valid Gaming License

The first and most important thing is to check that the online casino has a valid license issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Before issuing a license, this provincial regulatory authority tests a provider's platform and ensures it meets certain standards regarding player protection, responsible gambling features, game fairness, and player privacy.

Sticking with AGCO-approved sites is the easiest way to ensure you are playing at a trustworthy, safe, and legal online casino. Licenses can be easily checked on the AGCO website.

2.Look for a Wide Variety of Games

As a top-rated BetMGM Online Casino, Ontario offers hundreds of slots, table games, live dealer games, and other options. The best operators feature dozens of tables and show you a preview of the decks used, the dealer in the box, and much more.

Look for games in the library with high RTPs (return-to-player percentages) to give yourself the best chance to win. Also, make sure the type of game you like to play the most in real money mode is offered, such as video poker, roulette, blackjack, or slots. Don’t be afraid to try new different types of games from what you usually play either.

3.Optimize Your User Experience

You’ll spend considerable time at your chosen online casino, so the overall user experience needs to be slick, intuitive, and fun. The best operators can make navigation, banking, bonuses, and games as easy to access on a desktop computer as on a mobile device.

Check for features like:

User-friendly interface and site navigation Mobile app with full functionality Easy, fast deposits and cashouts Responsively designed site that works on all devices Also, ensure that customer support is available 24/7 through email, live chat, and phone in the event of any issues.

4.Compare Bonuses and Promotions

Welcome bonuses, free spins, loyalty programs, and other promotions can help you get the most value from an online casino. When evaluating operators, compare the amounts, playthrough requirements, and terms and conditions associated with the incentives.

5.Review Payment and Withdrawal Methods

The convenience and speed of your banking transactions should be a priority, so make sure prospective casinos offer the following:

Interac e-Transfer Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) Online banking Prepaid vouchers (Flexepin) Ideally, you’ll have multiple options that suit your preferences. Remember to check withdrawal timeframes, too — top casinos process payouts in 1–3 days.

6.Research Site Reputation and Player Reviews

While AGCO makes sure to review the licenses, nothing speaks louder than the opinions of actual customers. You can find ratings on review pages and on forums as well. If a casino is mediocre at best, it’s not going to be open to many high ratings in the first place.

You can also check Google reviews or social media comments, but give the site a pass if there are enough complaints about slow payouts or poor customer service. However, take any isolated complaints with a grain of salt — some players are quick to blame a bad run of luck on an online casino's automated software rather than their own errors.

[sba-tax-consultants]

Apply for Food Stamps in Texas: A Step-by-Step Guide

Navigating the process of applying for food stamps in Texas can be a crucial lifeline for families and individuals facing financial hardships. Known formally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), food stamps help Texans access healthy food when money is tight. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you understand the application process, eligibility requirements, and benefits of the program.

1. Understanding SNAP in Texas

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides financial assistance for purchasing food to low-income households. In Texas, SNAP is managed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The benefits come in the form of an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card, which can be used at approved grocery stores, farmers' markets, and even some online retailers.

2. Eligibility Requirements

Before applying for food stamps in Texas, it's important to understand the eligibility requirements:

Income Limits: Your household income must be at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. The income threshold varies based on the number of people in your household.

Resources: You may qualify if your household has limited assets. Resources like savings accounts, property, and other assets are considered during the evaluation.

Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible, but certain members of mixed-status families may still receive benefits.

Work Requirements: Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) must meet specific work requirements to qualify.

3. How to Apply for Food Stamps in Texas

Applying for SNAP benefits in Texas is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can get started:

Step 1: Gather Necessary Documents Make sure you have the following documents ready:

Proof of identity (e.g., driver's license, state ID)

Social Security numbers for all household members

Proof of income (pay stubs, unemployment benefits)

Housing costs (rent/mortgage statements, utility bills)

Step 2: Apply Online, By Mail, or In Person You can apply for food stamps through one of the following methods:

Online: Visit the Your Texas Benefits website and create an account. This allows you to complete and submit the application electronically.

By Mail: Download the application form from the Your Texas Benefits website, fill it out, and mail it to the HHSC office.

In Person: Visit a local HHSC office to apply in person. The staff can assist you with the application process and answer any questions you may have.

Step 3: Attend an Interview After submitting your application, you will need to attend a phone or in-person interview with an HHSC representative. The interview verifies the information provided and ensures that you meet the eligibility requirements.

Step 4: Receive Your EBT Card If your application is approved, you will receive an EBT card by mail. This card works like a debit card and can be used at participating grocery stores to buy eligible food items.

4. What Can You Buy with SNAP Benefits?

SNAP benefits can be used to purchase a variety of food items, including:

Fruits and vegetables

Meat, poultry, and fish

Dairy products

Bread and cereals

Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages

However, some items are not eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits, such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vitamins, and hot foods prepared for immediate consumption.

5. Maximizing Your SNAP Benefits

To get the most out of your SNAP benefits, consider the following tips:

Shop Sales and Use Coupons: Take advantage of sales and coupons to stretch your benefits further.

Buy in Bulk: Purchase non-perishable items in bulk to save money.

Meal Planning: Plan meals around items that are on sale or that you already have at home.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for SNAP benefits in Texas? It usually takes about 30 days to process an application. Emergency SNAP benefits can be provided within seven days for households with very low income or no resources.

Can I use my SNAP benefits outside Texas? Yes, your EBT card can be used in all 50 states. The SNAP program is a federal program, so benefits are transferable across states.

What if my application is denied? You have the right to appeal the decision if your application is denied. Follow the instructions on the denial notice to request a fair hearing.

Conclusion

Applying for food stamps in Texas is a valuable option for those facing financial difficulties. By understanding the eligibility requirements and following the application process, you can access the necessary resources to ensure you and your family have enough to eat. Don't hesitate to apply if you meet the criteria—SNAP is there to help you during tough times. For more tips, visit https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaorbZe5fM5Rx3Jp3z3R

[cricutdesignspace9]

How to Make Window Decals With Cricut: A Step-by-Step Guide

For the past few weeks, I have been attending driving classes and have never missed a single class. I got rejected multiple times due to small mistakes, but it was worth it. After making mistakes and learning many new things, the authority finally granted me the license. Right now, I am on top of the world, with lots of plans for long-haul drives running in my mind.

As per family tradition, my parents gave me their personal car and bought a new car for themselves. Now, I am going to modify my vehicle by renovating the color, seat cover, engine, and so much more. If you are also planning to make some changes to your four-wheeler, then check out this guide.

Here, you will learn about the main materials used in this project and the steps that are part of how to make window decals with Cricut.

What Cricut Materials Are Required to Create Window Decals?

You will agree that creating the ideal window decal is only possible with the correct Cricut crafting supplies. If you have too many options but need help to stick to any one of them, explore this section. It will introduce you to supplies that you need to buy before getting started with the crafting process:

Cricut cutting machine

Cricut account

Cricut StandardGrip mat

Permanent Vinyl

Transfer Tape

Scraper & Weeding tool

After adding all the crafting materials mentioned earlier to your art room, creating decals for your window will be a child’s play.

How to Make Window Decals With Cricut?

Inside this part of the blog, you will get to know the exact steps you need to take while creating a decal of any size & shape. Also, you need to be very careful while going through the below details:

Step 1: Upload an Image to Cricut Design Space

Get started with making decals on Cricut by turning on your PCs or mobile devices. After doing that, download and install the Cricut software and create your account. Now, open the search engine and look for the perfect image for your project. After finding the suitable image, right-click > tick the Save image and download the image on your device.

Following this, open the installed app, click New Project > Uploads > Upload Image, and drop your downloaded image on the next page. At this point, select the image type as Simple and choose the area that won’t be part of the final cut. After making the necessary changes, tap the Save as Cut Image option.

Next, go back to the Uploads page, select your image from the Recent Uploads section, and tick the Insert Image option. Conclude the first step of how to make window decals with Cricut by hitting the Make It option.

Step 2: Cut Your Decal on the Cricut Machine

In addition to the process, cross-check that the design has been placed properly on the mat and then tick the Continue option. Then, click the Browse All Materials option and select the material that you are going to use for his craft. After that, check the pressure and load the blades into your Clamp.

Following this, unbox your Cricut material and place it on your cutting mat. Afterward, turn on your cut-die machine and insert the mat into the machine. Now, turn on your craft plotter and let it complete the cutting process. Following this, turn off your cutting machine and unload the mat. With the completion of cutting the design, it’s time to move on and proceed toward preparing the design for the decal.

Step 3: Prepare & Apply the Decal on Your Car

At this point in how to make window decals with Cricut, remove the extra piece of vinyl from the mat using your weeding tool. Next, cut a portion of transfer tape and apply it to the top of your decal design. The transfer tape will keep your vinyl in its place without slipping or stretching.

Then, clean the area where you want to apply the decal with a glass cleaner. You can also use baby wipes or alcohol-free wipes to clean that particular area. If you still see dirt, debris, or extra grease on the glass, clean the window again using the same method.

Gently remove your vinyl backing paper to release the whole image from the sheet without any bubbles or space between the surfaces. Also, settle the vinyl in a rolling motion, covering the area. This method guarantees proper placement and fewer air bubbles compared to other methods.

Equally important, remove the leftover bubbles using the Cricut scraper tool and peel off the transfer tape from your design. Carry on with how to make window decals with Cricut method by cleaning the design with a dry towel. Now, leave it for a few seconds and praise yourself for redesigning your car.

See, it was so easy to create DIY window decals from a Cricut cutting machine. You can also give them as a present or sell them by putting your stall at any upcoming fair. Apart from that, they will look much better when created in big sizes, different shapes, and a variety of colors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Which Cricut Vinyl Should I Use While Designing Decals?

Answer: Cricut lovers can choose between two types of vinyl: removable and permanent. The most famous is permanent vinyl, which has a strong adhesive that makes it more sticky. It is ideal for outdoor uses and gives the surface extra shine. You shouldn’t get worried, as it can be removed very easily by peeling it from the corner of the design.

Question: Is It Safe to Wash Cricut Permanent Vinyl?

Answer: Yes, it is absolutely safe to wash Cricut permanent vinyl, as it is waterproof and long-lasting. You can certainly extend its life span by cleaning it via handwash rather than using a dishwasher or a carwash. Your permanent vinyl will remain on the surface for almost 50 washes or more than that if washed properly.

Question: Which Cricut Machine Can I Use to Make Window Decals?

Answer: Cricut machines that can help you make customized window decals are the Explore series, Maker series, Joy series, and Venture series. You will undoubtedly need to use different materials and cutting mats while making this DIY project out of any of these craft plotters.

Source :- https://cricutsetupprocess.wordpress.com/2024/05/07/how-to-make-window-decals-with-cricut-a-step-by-step-guide/

Cricut setup log in 

www.cricut.com setup login 

Cricut Maker machine

design.cricut.com/setup

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cricut explore 3 setup

[gardenofhera]

Policy - Tarot readings

My tarot practice focuses a lot on:

self-reflection

personal growth

meditation.

ETHICS AND BUSINESS POLICIES

1. I do tarot readings for people who are 18+ only.

2. I will hold space with anyone who seeks a session from me.  No matter your sexual orientation, gender identity, racial identity, ethnicity, cultural identity, religion, beliefs, ability, socioeconomic status, social class, etc

3. Your reading will be treated with the utmost respect for your confidentiality in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1998.

4. Your reading will be private. I will not share the contents of your reading with anyone (because you are a sovereign being with your own needs, rights, and energies). You have a right to privacy.

READING ETIQUETTE

Sessions are ~your time to connect~

You are welcome & encouraged to ask questions about how I am deciphering the current information within our allotted reading time. You are also welcome & encouraged to ask for more clarification should something be unclear.

I will be transparent, honest, and forthcoming about my abilities (e.g. I will tell you what I can & cannot sense or intuit for you). By agreeing to a reading, you acknowledge that the reading takes place in a sacred space of integrity and love.

I do not answer “quick follow-up questions” (or the like) after the reading has finished. Readings will be timed, and an alarm will sound at the end of the reading. Please be sure to ask me whatever you need during our session & respect my time as I respect yours. If you have follow-up questions, please consider booking a follow-up reading. Disrespectful, abusive, threatening & violent behaviour is not tolerated & will result in the instant termination of the reading without refund.

Please arrive at your appointment sober. If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Ruscello Holistic Health reserves the right to cancel the appointment.

ADVICE POLICY

The tarot process is about empowerment, reflection, and information. The cards may or may not advise you on certain courses of action to take, but it is up to you to action these or not. You are in charge of your life, and your choices are your responsibility. Therefore: I am not going to tell you what to do; your decisions are 100% your own.

If I have an opinion regarding the reading or your queries, I will only give it in the knowledge that it is a subjective opinion which in no way constitutes advice.

Examples of things you might want to ask about include relationships, career, friendships, family, finances, relaxation techniques, self-compassion techniques, and personal growth.

Things I will not read for include (but are not limited to):

lottery numbers;

readings about or on behalf of another person without their knowledge or permission;

predictions of death or illness.

It is a general policy of mine to not make predictions of the future. My tarot practice focuses on self-reflection, personal growth, and meditation.

If you are currently experiencing precarious circumstances regarding your basic needs and resources e.g. food, shelter, healthcare, personal safety, please seek professional assistance from relevant sources (see Disclaimer below).

CANCELLATION/RESCHEDULIING

Should you need to cancel or reschedule please give me 48-hour notice. If you need to cancel less than .48 hours in advance, you will be charged the full fee of the appointment.

​PAYMENTS

All readings and services require payment in advance of your appointment. Payments can be made with cash in person, or bank transfer.  Payment must be made prior to commencement of the session or the session will not proceed.

DISCLAIMER

By participating in my services/using website you acknowledge that I am not a licensed psychologist, lawyer, financial advisor doctor.  You further acknowledge that my services do not replace the care of lawyers, financial advisors, psychologists, doctors, or any other relevant trained professionals. Tarot and numerology are in no way to be construed or substituted as a replacement for any professional service, therapy or medical advice.

I will at all times exercise my best professional efforts, skills, and care. However, I cannot guarantee the outcome of reading efforts. I cannot make any guarantees other than to deliver the services purchased as described. All my readings are intended for entertainment purposes only.

[avlegal]

BEST LAWYERS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN DELHI

It was not possible to regulate motor vehicle incidents, accidents, or licenses before 1988. As a result of the passage of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, all laws pertaining to motor vehicles were consolidated into one act.

Younger generations are increasingly breaking into traffic. As a result, there have been many more motor vehicle accidents. lawyers for motor vehicle accident in Delhi Motor accidents are not defined specifically by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, but are generally defined as car accidents, also referred to as traffic collisions or motor vehicle accidents, when an automobile collides with another vehicle, an object at rest, a pedestrian, or an animal.

There are some car accidents that result only in civil damage, while there are others that result in serious injuries or even fatalities. It is common for car accidents to have legal consequences due to a wide variety of factors. A person may be criminally liable for damages if they have caused severe damage in an accident. The law usually requires all automobile drivers to carry insurance in case they cause injury to others.

When it comes to motor vehicle accidents, what are the laws?

The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is a specified act relating to laws relating to motor vehicles. It regulates all aspects of road transportation such as car accidents, rickshaw accidents, licenses, age limit, etc. Aside from governing negligence and insurance, the Act also addresses automobile accidents, claim applications, and legal defences available to insurance companies when facing third party claims. Additionally, the act includes the right of recovery from the owner to the insurance company, the transfer of a vehicle, and the transfer of a driving license.

What are the benefits of hiring a motor accident lawyer?

In some cases, the Court must consult specialists due to the circumstances of the accident. An example would be that A purchased a car without valid papers. Under the influence of alcohol, he drove his car past a pedestrian signal in Delhi late at night after drinking a few drinks and almost killed the pedestrian. A was driving at high speed when traffic policeman C tried to stop him, resulting in severe injuries to C.

The court must take several factors into account here, as we can see. As specified in the Delhi Constitution, an individual can fight his own case, but having an Advocate to represent him will allow him to explain his situation more effectively. The Advocate has sought the Court’s expertise, knowledge, and know-how. When A is presented to the Court with his situation, she will be able to explain it better than he would.

What should you do if you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident?

An insurance policy for third parties covers damage to, injury to, or death caused to them by your actions. By following the below steps, you can seek compensation for third-party damage.

Make a police report at the nearest station.

Note down the names and contact information of any witnesses who can support your claim.

The accident site should be photographed and recorded in video.

Obtain the contact information for the third party. The third party details should also be noted, such as their policy information, vehicle number, name, and contact information.

Report the accident to your insurance company. After an accident, the company needs to be notified within 36–48 hours.

There will be a tribunal court hearing on your case

Why hire a lawyer through Avlegal Alliance?

AVlegal Alliance’s motor accident advocates delhi as well as insurance dispute lawyers can assist you in obtaining and recovering damages in a peaceful and legal manner. You can connect with the best lawyers in this field in Delhi with Avlegal Alliance, which happens to know the best.

Source:- https://avlegalalliance.com/view_blog.php?link=best-lawyers-for-motor-vehicle-accident-in-delhi

[nanjeyachtsdubai]

Yacht Rental Dubai FAQs

How Do I Book A Yacht in Dubai?

You can select the Book Now option for your desired yacht charter and provide the required details. Alternatively, you can call us and we will book the yacht. We are also available on WhatsApp, you can send your request

Do You Offer Any Special Offers for Yacht Rental Dubai?

We always have special offers for different important dates like Christmas or Ramadan. Best to visit our website for the latest information on any special offers we may have. We can also provide birthday or engagement packages upon request.

What Are the Modes of Payment?

Payments can be made online through a credit card, bank transfer, western union, payment links, and in cash.

How Far in Advance Would You Recommend Booking A Yacht?

We recommend booking early to ensure you get the widest range of yachts available. All of our yachts are subject to availability. That being said, we can accept last-minute bookings and will always do our best to satisfy our customers.

What Safety Precautions do you take?

Every member of our team is well trained in all safety procedures. Additionally, we provide safety vests and other necessary equipment.

What Recreational Facilities are there On-Board?

Our yachts offer a variety of recreational functions. From DJ facilities with top-of-the-line speaker systems to TV screens, performers, and water sports toys for special live events, everything can be arranged according to guests’ requirements. Televisions and speaker systems are provided with every charter, no separate request is required.

Will I be reminded before my trip?

Once your booking has been confirmed and full payment has been made, you will receive a confirmation email with contact details and location.

What if the weather turns bad?

We allow clients to reschedule for free if our experienced skippers deem the weather “unsafe to sail”. Subject to availability.

Are pets allowed on board?

Unfortunately, due to animal safety concerns and possible damage to the vessel, we do not allow pets on board our yachts.

Do I have privacy on board?

At Nanje Yachts, privacy is paramount. We strive to ensure complete privacy with every charter. Our experienced crew is trained to provide you with a comfortable journey. They are always by your side for all your needs and requests. If necessary, they will provide you with complete privacy throughout the journey.

Is smoking allowed on the cruise?

Smoking is permitted on our yachts. However, we strictly prohibit guests from smoking on board. Our staff will provide ashtrays and show you around the designated smoking areas.

Can I bring my own food and drink?

You are welcome to bring your own food and drink or opt for our catering service, and we also offer barbecues if required. Please let us know in advance so we can prepare before your arrival.

Is alcohol allowed on board?

If guests hold a valid alcohol license in the UAE, they are welcome to bring alcohol on board, but it must be consumed on board and not in the marina or any other public places.

What is the arrival time?

We recommend arriving at least ten minutes before the scheduled time. In the event of a large set or special request, it is recommended to arrive early to ensure you leave on time.

What documents should we carry with us?

Every guest should travel with a valid passport or Emirates ID.

Find the Best yacht rental Dubai

While there are many places to rent a yacht in Dubai, you can choose a yacht charter company with a location that suits you, Dubai’s marinas include Yacht Club Dubai Marina, Pier 7, Dubai Harbour, Dubai Marina Walk, Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, Marasi Marina, Bulgari Hotels & Resorts and Jumeirah. Dubai Marina is a popular choice for those looking to charter a yacht, but all of Dubai’s marinas offer stunning views of the city. Nanje Yachts! Premium Yacht Company in Yacht Rental Dubai Marina is located near Dubai Marina Walk.

[bayareaescrow-blog]

Are you looking for the Transferring a Business in San Fransicso, Walnut Creek and also in San Ramon in CA, USA? Bay Area Escrow has several escrow tools to help individuals and businesses navigate the aspects of a commercial escrow or purchasing a business. For more information check our online site today. 

[pearl-blue-musings]

Never Been Kissed: EraserMic

HI WELCOME TO SAD BOI HOURS

so i didn’t technically have an idea for them but yall know how the brain be sometimes....

This will be longer than some of the other ones because SAD and gets a little steamy at the end so I might make a smutty part to get better at writing smut who knows

Warnings: language, suggestive content, 18+ to be safe, also angst whoops

Pairing: EraserMic x fem!reader

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To say you were surprised is an understatement. You figured your two best friends wouldn’t be spending their New Years Eve with you in your lonely apartment eating pizza and watching crazy countdown shows.

And yet, here you were. Snuggled in between them with your head on the stoic and quiet dark haired man, laughing at whatever joke the loud blond squawked during a commercial break. To you, this was bliss; just a woman with her two male best friends.

Two best friends who were in love with each other and had been for awhile.

Two best friends that you were also in love with.

But you did as you normally do: squash them down into nothingness, trapping them in a locked box with no means of finding the key.

You had met the duo as a transfer student in your third year at U.A. Since Hizashi was better with English, he was your guide and helper for the first couple of weeks helping you get adjusted to life and catching you up on things you might’ve missed. You can never forget the way his eyes lit up at you upon first glance. His presence was overwhelming but nary in a bad way. He was overwhelmingly sweet and patient with you, despite his enormous personality. 

In time you met Aizawa, his counterpart, the Yin to his Yang. Where Hizashi was large, he was small. Where Aizawa would ponder his thoughts, the blond would blurt them out. They really were perfect together and somehow you had entered into their perfect world.

It was no wonder you had developed feelings and fast.

They welcomed you when no one would. Looked after you when you were stressed, the butt of a joke, or were missing home. They were always there, always by your side.

So why did it hurt so much when you found them together?

You hadn’t meant to arrive at his house early for your study session, but you were in such a good mood! Were you thinking of confessing? Maybe. But that all went away when you turned the corner too early. There they were, your two best friends kissing in the most passionate way imaginable.

And you just watched.

How had you not known? Of course you had known, they were perfect for each other. All you did was complicate the narrative of their life. You knew about the friend they had lost almost a year ago so you understood their close ties even more now. They found solace in each other. And who were you? Some new foreign transfer student stupidly and hopelessly in love with the two guys who gave you attention and the time of day?

You only watched seconds longer for them to break apart and then peck each other on the lips again. You hear Hizashi whisper, “Do you think we should tell her?”

Aizawa sigh’s, “Only if you want to. I know how much you care about her.”

You didn’t dare listen to the rest of their conversation as you turned heel and ran. Tears beginning to cloud your vision as you run back to your place. Once you got your breath and quirk under control, you had sent them both a text saying that something had come up. For now, it was enough for them and for you.

You began to avoid them for a few weeks, forcing yourself to move on and bury your feelings deeper. You had resided to being the third wheel, the one that’s always left out, the black sheep, the odd one out; as if that hadn’t been your life before so it wasn’t anything new. What had shocked you one day as the lunch bell rang, was a pale hand grabbing onto your uniform.

“Hizashi is worried about you.”

You couldn’t meet his gaze.

“I’m worried about you. You’ve been avoiding us.”

You conjure up a quick lie that doesn’t get past the observant student. “Sorry, I’ve been really try to focus more on school and graduation and trying to find my own identity. Having to make up internship time while getting a provisional license has taken up most of my time.”

Aizawa was unconvinced but played along. “I get it. Talk to us when you can, okay?”

You only nod and kept your head down to avoid his knowing gaze. You had walked away just in time for a tear to fall, and for you to run into the other person from the dynamic duo.

“You’re lying to us, princess,” Hizashi says surprisingly low. “What’s wrong?”

Soon you were joined by his partner and had both of them boring into you. Well it was better tell a half truth, not like they needed to know.

“Sorry you guys,” you mumble. “I’ve been really stressed with all i have to do to graduate with you all. I didn’t wanna burden you with that.”

And my unresolved feelings

“Is that all?! You had us worried sick! Don’t keep us out like that okay? Ya dig?”

You couldn’t help the smile that spread onto your lips at his usual language. “Yeah,” you giggle, “I’m sorry. I promise I’ll tell you two everything.”

“Speaking of truths,” Aizawa interrupts, “there’s something we’ve been meaning to tell you.”

“You’re dating, I know. I wanted to give you two space so...”

Lime green eyes widen and his jaw dropped. “You knew?! Is it that obvious??”

You full on laughed at that. “It kinda is. You two are perfect for each other.”

Ever since the unveiling of particular truths the three of you were always close. You didn’t always feel like a third wheel to their relationship but all of you were open books to each other. Except about your feelings; that is a secret you are willing to take to your grave.

It was only ten minutes until midnight and the drinks had finally slowed from their free flowing. The three of you enjoyed a couple drinking games of watching the different countdowns and by this point, you were drunk. You had noticed the time and lifted your head from Shouta’s shoulder and began to get up.

“Hey you, why are you moving?”

You had paused and were halfway standing when those almond eyes bore into yours. “Oh, well it’s, it’s almost midnight. Ion wanna get in the way of your kiss so I’ll, I will move.”

The couple exchange a glance, a look on their faces one you had never seen before then back to you. You don’t pick up on it and continue to stand. 

“(Y/n)...it’s a stupid thing it doesn’t-”

“I’ll get the champagne. Sham. Pain. Sham pahgney. Wait there.”

The two men on the floor remain in their same spots. Hizashi trying not to chortle too much at your pronouncing of champagne and Aizawa trying to figure your mood. He never thought anything was awkward between the three of you, but lately it had begun to be. He’d find himself wondering what you were doing or how it would be nice to cuddle you in his sleeping bag. Even Hizashi doesn’t get sleeping bag rights.

And Hizashi can act aloof and unaware, but he’s been having urges for you in a way that he thought he had gotten rid of. He had told Shouta back in U.A. but the first time he saw you he wanted to believe in love at first sight but he was already with him by then. Why? He already loved someone, why did he still feel incomplete? 

As much as they loved you showering them in compliments that they were perfect for each other, the couple had always felt empty. But that feeling would change when you were around. How were they to tell you how they really felt? It should be obvious how much they care and love you, they each cancelled their radio show and patrol for the evening to be with you. Why couldn’t you see?

You had returned with three champagne flutes filled with the golden bubbly drink. You frown a little that they hadn’t moved, so you sat down and handed them their drinks. The only sound that was heard between the trio was the announcement of the final five minutes of the year. You rested your head against the couch and deeply exhaled.

“(Y/n),” Shouta starts, “are you okay?”

“Yeah dove! It looks like you were crying! Talk to us!”

Your head quickly snaps up and you take your empty hand to touch your face. Fuck, you had been crying. When did that happen?

“Oh you two,” you sniffle out while wiping your face. “It’s nothing, nothing! I was remembering my, uh, ex and how we were supposed to kiss at midnight and I guess I got sad. It’s nothing.”

“He wasn’t worth your time, ya dig? You’re beautiful!”

“You can do better. He didn’t treat you right.”

It seems that they both spoke at the same time, making the three of you break into laughter. But once you take in their words, you begin to sober up slightly. Did they really mean it? There’s no way, you need to keep those feelings locked up. Suddenly the flood works were opened.

Hizashi is the first to wrap an arm around you. “(Y/n) princess. Talk to us.”

Lock it up, bury it deeper.

“Like I said, my ex. I was finally going to get my New Years kiss but it’s not gonna happen.”

Throw away the key.

“Dumb right? I’ve never had a New Years kiss and that’s what’s got me so upset.”

They can never know.

And now there’s only 30 seconds left of the year and you’ve already come up with a resolution. Let them go. Let go of your feelings for your two best friends. You had started that resolution earlier in the year with a new boyfriend but he had dumped you at the beginning of December. He claimed that your heart wasn’t in it and that you didn’t love him. You did, you just happened to love two other men too. That’s how it is.

“It’s not dumb, Kitten. You have a right to be sad.”

The timer began to dwindle from 10. You hadn’t realized how your tears were being wiped away from both sides of your face. All three of you had abandoned your drinks in exchange for this moment. Your cheeks were warm but not from the alcohol. You began to smell two distinct scents overcoming you as you began to feel them come closer into your space.

Don’t let them know, and let them go.

“Happy New Year!” 

You had barely heard the announcer say those words when you felt two sets of lips on your cheeks. This is all you had ever wanted but you couldn’t stop crying when they didn’t stop touching and caressing you.

“Please stop,” you whimper out as you feel yourself being pulled in one direction.

You meet lime green irises as he holds your chin. “No, we won’t. Fuck, can’t you see how much we love you?” The blond silences your rebuttal by kissing your lips in a way you had only dreamed of. A different set of hands had rested themselves underneath you sweater and was feeling all of your skin, reaching the front of your bra. 

When you part for air panting, your eyebrows furrow. “I don’t, I don’t understand. Please don’t hurt me anymore. I, I mean... How long have you known?”

You’re turned around to face Shouta and his dilated pupils. “We’ve always known about our feelings for you. We were waiting for you to see how much we love you.” He pecks your lips lightly.

“You love me?”

Their words and actions are incredible to you right now. But you can’t think clearly as Aizawa cups your face to clear it of more tears as he affectionately places his lips on yours, kissing some of your tears and hurt away.

Aizawa nods into your kiss and pulls back, noticing a string of saliva connecting your plump lips to his. “We have, for a while now.”

“We realized our feelings for you a year after we had all graduated,” Hizashi intercepts. He takes the two of you up onto the couch and places you in his lap comfortably. “Well, I knew I liked you from the moment I met you! And I think for Shou it was when you didn’t speak to us for a few weeks. But then,” he stops to kiss your cheek and then trail down to the corner of your lips, “after you had gotten hurt as a sidekick and were severely injured,” his hand draws circles on your thigh, “we realized we didn’t know what to do if you weren’t around, ya know?” He finishes with a kiss.

You pull away, “But that was five years ago?” You feel the couch dip behind you as Aizawa takes your free hand and interlocks it with his, giving you comforting rubs. But he also takes your hands closer to his crotch. He’s hard? “You kept dating shitty guys.”

“Yeah! To try to get over you!” You cover your face in your hands as you begin to remember the people you had dated and how they didn’t compare to the two men beside you right now. You didn’t want to admit it, but you were starting to get the feeling that they had some more plans in mind for your new year start, considering one was already hard and the other hadn’t stopped touching you. The touches went from friendly to lust filled in mere seconds.

“Listener, baby girl I gotta know. Why did you really stop talking to us back then?” the blond pinches your thigh and moves his hand closer and closer to your heat making your heart beat race.

“I, hah, I caught you two.”

The pair stops and looks to you.

“Kissing. Before one of our study sessions. I was heartbroken. I overheard part of the conversation but I ran away crying.”

Aizawa catches your neck and you end up meeting his lips again, as another pair trail up and down your neck. “Kitten, if you had staid longer you would have heard us talk about maybe opening it up to you. It was his idea since he caught feels first.”

The man at your neck whines and bites down, eliciting a moan from you as he pouts at his lover. “Don’t put this on me! You wanted to include her too but you were too chicken to admit your feelings.”

“Guys...”

Aizawa runs his hand down to your ass and gives it a tight squeeze. Your lips involuntarily open and he prods his tongue inside your mouth. Your hands find purchase in his shirt, finding some sort of stability. From how this was going, you weren’t going to be able to walk tomorrow.

Both men look up to you with love in their eyes and hearts and you smile fondly at them both.

“(Y/n),” Hizashi breathes, “we love you so much.”

“I love you guys too.”

Aizawa grunts and mumbles out,

“Let us show you how much we love you, okay Kitten?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@cupcake-rogue

[ultramarcypan]

I love LOVE your black bulls collage stories and I need more of this au- can you share some of your thoughts and hcs please and thank you in advance!

I'm glad you enjoyed the AU! Honestly, it was really fun to write and mostly self-indulgent, so the fact that someone else got enjoyment from it is a big bonus.

You didn’t specify if you wanted any specific kinds of headcanons or for specific characters, so I’m just going to ramble a bit about whatever comes to my head first, but if you want something specific anon just send me another ask and I’ll see what I got!

Rogue does in fact exist in this verse, and she’s a stray tortoiseshell cat that Vanessa found and took in.  She’s the unofficially mascot of the Bulls Boarding House and when she’s not hanging around Vanessa, she’s sleeping with Henry of cuddling up with Nacht, who has a big soft spot for her which he’ll deny to his grave.

The only Bulls that have their license are Nacht, Magna, Gauche, and Gordon.  The others either don’t have a car, don’t have the desire to get one, or should never legally be allowed to drive.

Gordon is a certified tutor for the college’s Academic Success Center.  He’s actually really good at the job and does a good job clearing things up for his tutees...the few that stick with him, after getting over his appearance that is.

Noelle transferred from a private institute that’s in the Clover District; it’s a school that her siblings all went to, but seeing as how they don’t get along, her transferring is an act of rebellion and her way of trying to stand on her own two feet.

Yami and Nacht both have internships/placements at local schools as part of their Special Education program; they work at separate schools, but they share a lot of their work and problems with each other and help each other work through it.

Marie is also in the AU; due to Gauche’s history of problems with law enforcement and young age/full course load, he’s been deemed an unfit guardian by the courts.  Marie is staying at a foster home that’s tied to the Clover Church system, but he’s still got visitation rights and everything.  Almost always one of the Bulls tags along with him despite his despair over this because, hey, a little sister of Gauche’s is a little sister of theirs, and that’s only fair.

Luck’s on the school’s soccer team (on a scholarship to boot).  The squad has not missed an SINGLE home game since Luck moved in.  Magna leads their cheers, Charmy packs the group lunch and snacks for the team as well, and Noelle, Nacht, and Vanessa sit under a big ass umbrella and watch their idiots while judging the other team HARD.

By the time all the Bull’s are moved in, several of them are of drinking age: Yami, Nacht, Vanessa, Gordon, Gauche, and Finral bringing up at rear of that group.  Alcohol is allowed in the house with the strict rule that minors don’t drink and you ask before you take someone else’s booze.  For the most part, it’s only Yami and Vanessa drinking anyhow.  Gordon and Gauche would rather spend money on other things, Finral doesn’t like the taste, and Nacht hasn’t drank at all since the accident with Morgen.

Yuno does exist in this verse!  He and Asta’s backstory still remains pretty unchanged--left on the doorsteps of a Church as infants, grew up in an orphanage run by them/nuns.  Yuno also goes to university, but his grades were stellar enough for him to get a full ride on scholarship that includes dorm fees, which is why he and Asta aren’t living together/didn’t rent a place together.

The verse is obviously a College AU, but all the different kingdoms are now districts and the college/university itself is at the center of them and has the reputation as thus of being a ‘neutral ground.’  People from all the different districts can and do attend the school and it’s graduates have a reputation of being successful--think of it like a blend of the military force of the Spade Kingdom and Diamond Kingdom, the Magic Knights of Clover, and the Guardians of the Heart Kingdom.

I could come up with more but I’m going to stop here before it becomes a whole manifesto lmao.  Oh, but if anyone cares or is interested, I do have like, a whole Google Doc with everyone's majors, their year/role in the college, and generally their GPA and study habits, and that’s for just about everyone not only the Bulls if y’all want me to post it.

[thenexusofsouls]

Muse: Marie Sebastian

[Bio and other information below the cut!]

Type of Character & Fandom/Source Material: Canon character from the 2013 American remake of the Korean movie Oldboy

FC: Elizabeth Olsen as Marie

Race: Human

Age: 23-24ish usually, after the events of Oldboy, unless we wanna go back in her timeline

Occupation: Nursing student, licensed nurse practitioner (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and/or volunteer nurse, depending on her age. She studied to be a LPN and then went on to get her Associates’ Degree and become an RN. From there she was employed at a local clinic near her home and also volunteered at a mobile clinic, both of which specialized in homeless and domestic violence shelter care.

Family: Adoptive father (deceased); adoptive mother (deceased); biological father (alive but permanently imprisoned and she never knew he was her father); ex-boyfriend, Tom Melby

Potentially Triggering Material in Threads: Incest, torture (These are things involving her father that she was never made aware of in canon… I guess these themes could potentially come to light depending on if any canon muses ever interact with her, but honestly it’s really not likely at all, I just wanted to warn people); drug abuse and attempted sexual assault (These themes are a bit more likely to come up since these things actually pertain to her, if she should happen to want to discuss them with your muse); homelessness; cancer; and medical supplies and techniques.

Negative Personality Traits: Being a former drug addict, Marie can have an addictive personality with regard to smoking, wanting to use drugs again during times of stress, and eating junk food, and she is also incredibly hard on herself in just about every way and takes every bad thing that happens or downturn of her patients’ health as a personal failing on her part. She’s also really, really stubborn, heh.

Positive Personality Traits: She is hard-working, determined, selfless, kind, once she sees someone in need she really can’t turn away from them, and she has a compulsion to help “the little guy” and “lost causes.“

Background: (This is all as far as she knows, since there was a lot going on behind the scenes that was never revealed to her. So this is what happened from her point of view only. If it becomes necessary to get further into the controversial plot of the movie, or if you want to ask about it, feel free to hmu in messages.)

Marie was adopted at age three by loving parents, and she never known any other parents. Her father died when she was ten of pancreatic cancer, but he had been sick for a long time. Marie’s mother was not able to deal with this very well, and so Marie at a very young age had to do a lot for her dad. Her mother became an alcoholic, and Marie came out of it wanting to take care of people and ease their pain like she did for her dad.

She’s very smart and was a good student, but her mother’s alcoholism took a toll on her. By the time she was eighteen, she moved out and was addicted to heroin. For a couple years, she was a functional addict, even starting nursing school while still maintaining her habit. While in school she met a resident named Tom Melby, who eventually became her boyfriend. He did a lot for her, including getting her to rehab and helping her stay clean, but his patronizing tone with her and constant insinuations that she would go back to using really got on Marie’s nerves and she broke up with him. They are still friends, and work together at the mobile clinic she volunteers at. He is still in love with her, but she is definitely done with him romantically and sexually. He’s forever friend-zoned, heh.

During the events of Oldboy, Marie helped an older man named Joseph Doucett clear his name and locate his kidnapped daughter, whom he had not seen in 20 years due to being imprisoned by someone with a vendetta against him. Marie helped him figure out who the man was who imprisoned him and why, and Joe was supposed to go meet this man and recover his daughter. During their investigation, Marie and Joe fell in love and even slept together.

But then… he never came back after supposedly meeting with this man they had researched. All she got was a disturbing phone call in which she heard a man she didn’t know and Joe begging for something on the other end, but no one answered her and the call ended. Besides that, Joe sent her a little gift, a cute trinket from one of those carts in Chinatown that sell little squeaking Buddha statues, heh… and a letter. In short, it said that he had done something unforgivable and needed to be punished for it, and that he was out of her life forever. He thanked her for making him happy for one brief time in his life, and hoped that she would find someone to be with who would treat her well and be a good man, not one like him. Marie was heartbroken and confused, but she still has the Buddha on the dash of her van…

Because of the dangerous people Joe had fought against and an attempted kidnapping and assault on Marie that took place in her own house, she decides to move away, packing everything she owned into her van and starting over in another city.

Potential Starter Ideas:

She could be moving to your muse’s town or city.

Your muse could need medical help that she can provide as a nurse.

There is always a casual meeting in a bar, on the street, or while out for a walk scenario, heh.

If you want to get dark, Marie could need help hiding from some of the people associated with Joe, or could already be hurt by them and in need of medical help herself.

Marvel Verse: In the MCU, Marie was still adopted by the same parents, but is not Joe Doucett’s biological daughter. So this detaches her from his story, but keeps her background, personality, drug addiction, history with Tom, and occupation as a nurse intact. She is a third Maximoff sibling, four minutes older than Pietro and sixteen minutes older than Wanda. She’s identical to Wanda, but Pietro is fraternal.

Like Wanda, Marie is a natural born witch, and her magic manifests in similar ways to Wanda’s, except that hers is golden orange. Her powers involve supernatural healing of others (healing outright with no negative effects to her, much like how Wanda healed Vision but instead of just sealing wounds, Marie can actually heal them fully); healing by “acceptance” (taking wounds or illnesses onto herself to save someone else, which is much quicker but more dangerous for her); offensive magic via “transference” (the wounds and illnesses she takes from her patients she can turn back around and give to others as a way of attacking them or just defending herself, including the pain and all associated symptoms); soothing of negative or overwhelming emotions; memory recovery from injury or illness.

Marie was raised a devout Christian, and when she was little and first began displaying her magic, her mother told her they were “witch’s gifts from Satan” and that she should never ever use them. Marie took this very seriously, but still didn’t understand how healing could be bad, so she sometimes still heals when no one is looking, especially when lives are at stake. For the most part, though, she hides her powers, thinking they are wrong and that there’s something evil about her.

Most often, I imagine that Marie would be found by Pietro, Wanda, Vision, or someone else looking for her after discovering files that mention the twins were actually triplets. Marya and Django (or whichever set of parents we use for the twins), simply could not afford three children and had to make the painful decision to give up one of them, when Marie was three. She was adopted by an American couple after spending time in an orphanage in Transia.

Fun facts: Marie likes to garden in her spare time, she loves animals, and she’s very good at crossword puzzles!

[babi-correia]

Finding Fire (Part 2)

Words: 1548 Warnings: None Pairing: TBD

(Not my gif)

The next shift the work, you're already there when they arrive, sitting at your office surrounded by paperwork, your left arm on a sling, and deep dark circles under your eyes; but they only notice you're there when you go to get coffee at the mess room.

"Lieutenant!" Espino calls out, nearly jumping out of his seat. "How were you cleared to come back?" 

"Pinky swearing to the doctors that I wouldn't be physically involved in firefighting." You hum, adding sugar to your coffee and stirring. "Plus, paperwork has to be done. So much paperwork."

You entertain a small chat with everyone, occasionally sipping your coffee as it went on. Eventually, you excuse yourself and sneak back into your office, sitting in the chair and nibbling on a cookie you had brought from home. 

You are so absorbed by what you're doing that a knock on the door startles you enough to jolt on your chair. Your heart is racing when you turn around to face the door and find Casey standing on the other side, holding a paper bag and a cup of coffee.

"You wouldn't know why these were in my office, would you?" He questions, leaning against the door frame. 

"You don't want it?" You quip, going back to your paperwork.

"I do, but there was no need."

"If you do, then eat it and get it over with." 

Casey just stares at you, bewildered, and lets out a chuckle. You raise an eyebrow at him, pulling a cold pad from a bag under your desk and setting it against your hurt shoulder. 

"I was also taking this as an opportunity to check in on how you're doing, considering what happened last shift and how you're already back."

"I'm not 100% back, you know. But I'm fine, thanks for the concern."

"Are you sure?" He presses. Your phone interrupts what he was going to say, starting to buzz. You see a call from an unknown number and disconnect the call. "Chief can send you home if you're not ok."

"I'm fine Captain. Once again, thank you for the concern."

He leaves to go to his office, and you stare at your phone. The unknown calls have been regular and were starting to annoy you. You shake your head and go to check out your truck, to see if it's well-stocked. 

You circle the truck, running a finger through the side and collecting dust. From the corner of your eye, you see the 4 members of your crew peering and whispering to each other. 

"Guys. Why is there dirt on the truck?" You muse, and they stiffen. "Are the nozzles clean?"

"I- uhm-" Waine starts, and you cut him off.

"Clean what has to be cleaned and restock what needs to be restocked." You say curtly, shooting them a glare. "I thought we were past the time when I have to boss you around with the upkeep of the truck."

-------

Shift ends and you go back by your office to grab your temperature packs for your shoulder when you notice Casey's office's light still on. Before you process what you're doing, you're in front of his door and knocking on his door. 

"Whatthefuckamidoing?!" You mutter under your breath, ready to turn tail and run out. Maybe he had just forgotten his light on? 

But of course, no such luck. He opens his door and catches you looking like a deer in headlights, hand still half-raised from knocking on his door. 

"I was just checking if you hadn't forgotten your light on." You say, giving him a half-assed smile. To say he looked disheveled would be an understatement, maybe it was because of the last call? "Everything ok Captain?"

"Uh, yeah, I was just going through some paperwork and fell asleep on it, I guess. I don't know how you can do paperwork all day."

"Well, shift's over and most of the others are going to Molly's. You look like you could use a drink, maybe join them?" 

"How come you never hang out with everyone outside the firehouse?"

"...I've come to learn to separate my work life and my social life. Attachments make the job even more difficult than it already is." 

"They also make life easier to live. I'll go to Molly's, under the condition that you come too." He smirks, and you start stuttering.

"Oh, no no no, I'm already about to call an Uber to go home."

"You have anyone waiting for you at home?" His question is answered by silence. "Why not come, then?"

He stares you down until you cave, slouching against the wall on your good shoulder. 

"You better hurry up and change then." You mutter. 

"And don't call the Uber, I'll give you a ride." He calls out, heading to the locker room. You wait for him in the mess room, staring daggers at the hallway to the lockers until he comes out and the two of you set off to the bar.

When you get to Molly's he goes in first and a wave of cheers erupts, a beer getting shoved into his hand.

"Look who I managed to bring!" He laughs, stepping aside and letting the rest see you. You fear for your eardrums as they shout at you finally coming out with them. You politely decline a colorful liquid that's pushed your way.

"Guys, I'm on painkillers, I can't exactly drink alcohol." You say, smiling apologetically. Casey's hand finds the middle of your shoulders, directing you to a booth with 2 men. 

"You should meet the last group that works in collaboration with us." He says, stopping in front of the table. "Hey guys, this is the new Lieutenant at 51." 

You curse Casey out internally but manage to keep a smile and greet them. 

"Hi, I'm (Y/N) (Y/L/N), Lieutenant of Truck 21." You introduce yourself. The oldest man at the table shakes your hand.

"I'm Hank Voight, I lead the Intelligence unit at 21st precinct." He says, voice raspy. He sounds like the kind of man whose life story would make a best seller. The younger man shakes your hand, smiling brightly. 

"I'm Jay Halstead. The surname may sound familiar, seeing your arm. My brother works at Med." He says, the smile never faltering. 

"Oh, yeah, Doctor Will Halstead. I thought the name was familiar." You chuckle. Jay's small talk is strangely engaging and you hang around with him and Voight, explaining why you've been transferred to 51 and listening as they tell you about some cases they've solved with the help of your colleagues. 

At some point in the conversation, Casey steps out to go back to the firefighters, but you're so immersed that you barely register. 

You excuse yourself from the conversation and get up to go to the bathroom, passing by the window and noticing a dark sedan outside that wasn't there when you arrived, and no one else had entered Molly's. It spikes your suspicion when you notice the lack of license plates and that it's still running, the driver obscured by the dark-tinted windows. 

You open the door and step outside, and at that same moment, the sedan peels off down the street. You forget the trip to the bathroom and sit at the counter next to the rest of the firehouse, just kinda mingling.

Not very long after Casey notices you quietly sipping a soda and staring at your phone, not really talking to anyone anymore. 

"Wanna go home?" He asks, catching you off guard. 

"Yea, I was checking for any Ubers around actually." You mutter back, chewing on the plastic straw on your glass.

"I'll drive you home." He offers, getting up. "I was the one to make you come here after all."

You hop off the stool, straightening up and cracking your back, waving as you and Casey say your goodbyes. You open the door, watching the street, and looking for any signs of the black sedan.

"You ok?" Casey asks, turning to you as he unlocks his truck. 

"Yea, I'm fine, it's just- I'm fine." You cut yourself off, not wanting to sound paranoid. 

The drive to your house is quiet, with the radio as background noise and you quietly giving Casey directions on how to get there. He turns the last corner and you spot it: the same black sedan parked a few ways down your street. 

"Pull over and turn off the car." You mutter quickly, Casey giving you a weird look. "Do it, please."

He does it, staring at you as you stare at the sedan. Casey follows your stare, not seeing anything weird about the car.

"What's going on?"

"I know it sounds crazy, but I know for a fact that that black sedan isn't from here. I've lived here for a couple of years, it has never been here, and no one has gotten a new car." You rasp out, swallowing dry. "It was outside Molly's earlier, it drove off when I went outside to check it out, and it doesn't have any tags."

"Maybe it's just freaky coincidence?" You could tell from the tone in his voice that not even he believed that. 

"It's not." You pause, opening your door quietly. "The door to my house is wide open."

[dubaiyachtbookingae]

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[solynaceawrites]

Wires [7]: Gebunden

Rating: Mature Archive Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death Categories: F/F, F/M Fandom: Devil May Cry Relationships: Dante/Original Female Character(s), Implied Nero/Kyrie, Implied Vergil/Original Female Character(s), Implied Lady/Trish, Dante/Lirael Thorne, Dante/Lir Characters: Dante, Morrison, Nero, Original Female Character(s), Lirael Thorne, Lir Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Detectives, Violence, Gore, Dark, Horror, Supernatural Elements, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Serial Killers, Angst, Eventual Romance, Eventual Smut Summary: In Red Grave City, a serial killer stalks the streets. Lirael Thorne, recently transferred from Fortuna and looking for an escape from her past, winds up on his trail. Hunting him with her veteran partner, Dante Redgrave, they try to piece together the wires that bind the three of them together. In a race to catch him before he leaves more victims in his wake, the things thought buried will come to the surface, tearing lives and comfort apart.

»»————-　⚜　————-««

“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” —Jane Austen

»»————-　⚜　————-««

The diner Dante takes her to is the standard cop hangout. Every city has at least one, with an interior that hasn’t been updated since the 1950s, a cook who knows everyone by name, and food and coffee that are remarkably good considering the otherwise outdated, somewhat grungy appearance the place has. Sitting in one of the corner booths that overlooks the busy street outside, Lir picks at her omelette, only half-interested in it and the crisp hashbrowns accompanying it. Some sort of jazz plays from a jukebox by the door, soft enough that conversations can be held easily yet loud enough that eavesdropping would be difficult. It reminds her of Sunday afternoons when her father was alive, how he and her mother would dance on the worn living room rug to Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday or Duke Ellington, but that leads her back to her dream the night before, which is quite effective at dampening her already non-existent appetite.

In a lull while the record switches, Dante sets down his fork and reaches for his coffee, studying her over the rim. “Hate to say it, but you look like hell. Rough night?”

“Something like that,” she replies. When he opens his mouth, she shakes her head. “I don’t want to get into it. Just bad dreams, nothing more than that.”

He gives an idle shrug. “Suit yourself. You gonna eat that?”

With a grimace, she pushes her plate over to him, and he swaps it for his own empty one before setting in on the omelette, which he slathers with ketchup. It makes her wince, but to each their own is what she tries to tell herself, taking a sip from her own coffee. Both of them have been beating around the bush since he picked her up—Miller, her behavior yesterday—and she decides to put an end to it. “How much shit am I in?”

Dante chews thoughtfully for a moment before swallowing. “With Morrison? No more than you should be. Job’s safe, and he’s not looking to put any marks on your record. Apparently the D.A. said that, even without the confession, there’s enough evidence to nail Miller.” He pauses, then gives her a grin. “Honestly, I think Morrison’s glad someone ripped into that sorry sack of shit.”

“You think?” She tries to picture the gruff Chief being pleased about anything and finds that she can’t.

“Sure. Hell, he did himself when he was a detective, from what I heard.” He chuckles. “Might not seem like it now, but he used to be pretty wild, back in the day. Didn’t really settle until he started climbing the ranks, and that’s probably only because you can’t let those higher-up pricks get under your skin.”

She supposes that it makes sense. Relaxing, Lir leans back in her seat, watching as he devours the rest of their breakfast at a speed that leaves her surprised he doesn’t choke on it. “Thanks.”

“Huh?”

“For sticking up for me. I appreciate it.”

He looks a bit embarrassed as he rubs the tip of his nose. “Ah, no thanks needed. We’re partners, right? Gotta look out for each other. Besides, I wanted to throttle the guy myself. Your tongue-lashing just beat me to it.” She smiles, but the expression fades when he asks, “You do that in Fortuna?”

“No,” she says shortly.

Dante gives her a curious look. “You know, I never did ask what led you to comin’ here.” At her frown, he adds, “Don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I’m just askin’.”

Lir mulls over the best way to answer, trying to figure out the short version of her life. “My dad was a cop. Never really made it higher than a beat cop, but he liked his job and what he did. It got him killed eventually.”

“Shit, Lir, I’m sorry.”

She waves it off. “Guess that’s what drove me to join the force, too. Thought I could make a difference, you know?” He nods. “Anyway, Fortuna was nice. But there was a lot of whispering about how a woman made detective, a lot of insinuations, a lot of . . . I dunno. It’s a pretty old-school place. Women raise families, men work. I wanted to get out before I wound up dead-locked with people I couldn’t stand.”

“Why Red Grave?” 

“My father was here a long time ago. We moved to Fortuna when I was . . . I must have been around six, I think.” Lir toys with her coffee mug. “Other than that, I don’t have a real reason other than I liked the look of it the most.” Looking up at him, she asks, “What about you?”

“Me? Been here my whole life, born and raised.” He smiles, but it seems a little haunted, a little bitter. “My ol’ man was a real piece of shit. Joined the force to stop people like him.”

She opens her mouth to ask him how awful his father was. Wife beater? Drunk? Absent? Then she realizes that it’s, quite frankly, not her place, particularly as he’d done her the courtesy of not prying into her past, and she swallows the questions, feeling them burning in the back of her throat. “I’m sorry,” she murmurs.

Like her, he waves it off. “Doesn’t matter now. ‘Bout the only thing I got from him was my good looks, anyway.” Lir huffs a laugh without meaning to, and he winks at her before sobering up. “Anyway, Miller might be taken care of, but we’re still at a dead-end on Marsons. Got any ideas?”

“Did we get anything from the DMV?”

“No, and it’s not lookin’ like we will. You know about their feud with the police?” She shakes her head. “Ah, well. Lotta immigrants go there to get a license or permit or anythin’ that helps ‘em out, especially the ones who didn’t go through legal channels. DMV wanted law enforcement to agree not to send info to the feds, our city’s commissioner wouldn’t agree, now we’re stuck.”

Lir swears loudly enough that a nearby table gives her disgruntled glares. “Perfect. Guess we need to set up a tip line.”

“Yeah.”

“Fuck.” She slumps down. It’s a necessary step to take, and Lir knows that it is, but tip lines are the bane of almost all investigations. Once they’re open, everyone calls in, some with information that’s actually relevant, some who just want to nose around, some who want their fifteen seconds of fame, others with nothing more to offer than a conspiracy theory or a completely fabricated story that winds up wasting precious time and resources. Add in the sheer manpower needed to run them,  and they move from being a hassle to a nuisance. “Guess I’ll bring it up to Morrison when we go in.”

»»————-　⚜　————-««

Having to wear a suit ranks fairly high on Lir’s list of uncomfortable experiences. Even tailored well—which hers is, something that had cost her a pretty penny due to her short stature—it is stiff, itchy, and the tie at her throat feels choking. Her only solace is that Dante looks equally put out, though she’s got a suspicion that it has more to do with the cameras, as she’s never seen him in casual clothes. At the podium is Morrison, telling the city that there is a killer, that caution must be exercised in all things, and that they are opening up a tip line for anyone who might have seen something or knows someone who has. Lir had insisted that they not ask for people who saw the perpetrator; it’s too hard, she had argued, for someone to view their neighbor as a potential murderer. But a witness? They could spin that story all day, and they were more likely to get relevant information from it.

“In short,” Morrison says, “we have found ourselves, in the wake of this tragedy, seeking any information that will aid us. Please call the number at the bottom of your screens if you think that you know something, no matter how big or small it might be.” He takes a deep breath. “We’ll take your questions now.”

A reporter at the front sticks up his hand. “Does this have any relation to the Devil’s Knight case?”

Dante tenses, and Lir looks at him curiously as Morrison replies, “We’ve found nothing to lead us to believe so, no.”

“But wasn’t there religious paraphernalia found with the victim?” the reporter persists.

“I’m afraid I can’t answer that.” When the reporter opens his mouth again, Morrison smiles thinly. “The Devil’s Knight case, as you called it, occurred twenty years ago, and the perpetrator of those crimes died while incarcerated. We can’t rule out a copycat, if that’s what you’re implying, but we’ve found no evidence to support that theory.”

A woman lifts her arm. “I have a question for Detective Thorne.” Lir blinks, but steps up to the podium when Morrison beckons her forward, a dull wariness throbbing behind her temples. “Detective, witnesses saw you chasing a man across Fifth Street and Broad Avenue. Is he a suspect in this case?”

Lir clears her throat. “It’s possible, yes.”

“Are any efforts being made to find him?”

“As Chief Morrison explained, we—”

“Because it seems to me,” the woman continues, “as though the Red Grave police have no leads, no evidence, no suspects, and no hope of finding Sophie Marsons’ killer before he strikes again.”

Anger throbs behind her temples, yet Lir does her best to keep her face and voice neutral. “The perpetrator in this crime was meticulous, but it doesn’t mean he’s infallible. Someone out there knows him, or has seen him, or can help us build a better picture of Marsons’ life. That’s why we’re asking for your help.” 

(“Make it personal,” Morrison says, lighting a cigar. “They’ll single you out, Thorne, because you’re a woman. When they do, you keep the focus on Marsons. You plead for information. Make them want to help.”)

Lir takes a deep breath. “What happened to Sophie was a tragedy,” she declares. “It was senseless, it was violent, it was deplorable. She was, from what little we know of her, a bright, friendly young woman with her entire life ahead of her, someone who liked frozen margaritas with salt on the rim, who was interested in law. And all of that was brutally taken away.” Morrison touches her elbow, a sign to close her statement. “We . . . No, I want to catch the one who did this. I don’t want to see another victim. So, please, if you knew Sophie, if you saw her that night, call us. Or come in to speak with us. Thank you.”

She steps away, ignoring the clamoring of the press as she returns to her original spot next to Dante. As Morrison brings the press conference to a close, Dante leans closer to murmur, “Good speech.”

“Thanks,” she mutters back.

By the time the press has dispersed and she’s been allowed to change back into more comfortable clothing, the phones in the precinct are ringing off the hook. Dante spots her coming out of the locker room and grimaces, one pressed to his ear. Simmons is fumbling reassurances to someone on a different line. Everywhere, cops are speaking, passing notes, scrawling hurriedly to catch whatever information they can before moving on to the next tip. Lir takes in the chaos and the undercurrent of tension in the air, and then she heads to her desk, on which the phone rings shrilly. She answers, cradling the headset against her shoulder as she hunts for a pad of paper and a pen. “Detective Thorne.”

“Did you enjoy the spotlight, Detective?” 

The voice, distorted as it is by some sort of device, sends a shiver down her spine. Her heart pounds in her chest as she stares blankly into a drawer, the bitter taste of fear coating her throat. She doesn’t know how, but she knows without a shadow of a doubt that this is their killer, that he, like so many others, now wants to make himself known. She grabs blindly and tosses what turns out to be a pack of staples at Dante, who startles and glares at her, only for his eyes to widen when she gestures to the phone and mouths wordlessly, it’s him.

“You seemed . . . uncomfortable,” the man on the other end of the line continues. “Quite unlike your father. He loved the spotlight.”

Dante rushes into Morrison’s office, and the two emerge after a quick conversation, Morrison gesturing for everyone else to stop talking. An eerie silence descends over the precinct as Lir asks, “My father?”

Morrison presses the speaker button, and that garbled voice fills the room. “Yes,” he replies. “I knew him, though, perhaps, not as well as you.” There’s a pause, and then a grisly noise: wet and visceral, it sounds not unlike a butcher carving meat from a bone, and there’s a hopeless sort of despair in her that she sees on Dante’s face, along with fury, because it is the sound of another victim being claimed. “Tick tock, Detective,” the man intones, and then the line clicks and the phone goes dead in her hand.

»»————-　⚜　————-««

Morrison sends her home with an escort that remains parked on the curb outside of her apartment. Having someone babysit her is irritating at best and infuriating at worst—Dante is also equally at risk, but no one is batting an eye over his safety—but Lir understands the need for it. The killer had called her, had mentioned knowing her father, and her face had just been broadcast on live television. So, the idea that he might choose to come after her next isn't entirely unfounded. Still, as she opens the curtains and peers out, watching one of the officers lean on the door of his cruiser and smoke, she wishes that she had some true peace.

Yet she doesn't want to be alone, either.

Moving to her sofa, she grabs her phone from a cushion and scrolls through her scarce contact list. Joan's number sits comfortable below Dante's and above Morrison's, and Lir dials it, listening to the beeping and waiting for an answer. It comes just before the call would have gone to voicemail. "Hello?"

"Hi. Joan?" Lir clears her throat. "This is Detective Thorne."

There's a pause. Then, "I remember you! You came in asking about Sophie. Sorry, sugar, as pretty as your face is, I've seen a lot since then. What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if your offer for company still stands?" She winces as the words leave her mouth. They're too stilted, too formal, and she's too out of practice for this.

To her relief, Joan's reply this time is immediate. "Of course! Are you comin' to the bar?"

"No, I, uh . . ." She glances at the window. "I'm under surveillance right now. Because of the press conference. But I can give you my address?"

"Sure. Just let me find a pen."

Lir waits for the go ahead to rattle it off, along with instructions for which buzzer to press and what to say to the officers if they try to stop her. With that done, she calls the officers next, letting them know she has a guest coming over and what Joan looks like, agreeing when they tell her they'll still have to check her I.D. and frisk her as a precaution. Then there is nothing else to do but wait.

She tidies up her apartment, washing her few dishes and sweeping and making the bed, and she finds two bottles of wine and the meat and cheese tray the department had given her as a house-warming present a few days ago. Lir has just gotten the cellophane off when her buzzer goes off, and she hurries to let Joan inside.

The bartender arrives dressed like a knock-out, which is strange considering how casual her clothes are. From her dark turtle-neck sweater to her lightly distressed jeans, they imply comfort, but on her they look better than they ever would on the runway. Lir stumbles over her greeting as Joan hangs up her coat, and her nerves don't lessen until Joan leans over and gives her a kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad you called," she says, smiling warmly. "I was starting to think you never would."

"I'm sorry. Between work and unpacking . . ." Lir starts to say, but Joan merely shakes her head, so she changes the topic. "I have wine. Why don't you settle in and I'll get us glasses? Do you prefer red or white?"

"White, please." Joan sits on the couch while Lir heads to the kitchen, looking around curiously. "Gotta say, this is the first apartment I've been in that belongs to a detective. It's nice."

"Thanks."

Lir locates the corkscrew hiding in one of the drawers and carries the bottle of moscato and two glasses to Joan. She takes one, holding it out as Lir fills it, and while Lir prepares her own, she says, "I saw the conference. The press are some miserable bastards, huh?"

"I suppose so," Lir agrees.

"And to bring up the Devil’s Knight case," Joan continues. "It's like they want the whole city on edge. Probably do, now that I think about it. How else will they sell papers?"

"What was that case, anyway?"

Joan gives her a look of pure surprise. "You mean you don't know?"

"I mean, I've heard of it, I think, but . . ."

"Well." Joan takes a long drink of her wine. "Where to begin? You have to understand, I was a kid when it all went down, so you'll have to find the file to know more, but there was this guy who thought he was the modern day Jack the Ripper. Went around murdering women, leaving them in alleys like trash. Usually there'd be some sort of . . . Bible verse or somethin' similar with the bodies when they were found."

"That's horrible," Lir murmurs.

Joan nods her agreement. "It was. Women didn't go anywhere alone, 'cause he wasn't picky, other than them all being blondes. I think. Anyway, eventually he got caught and went to jail, where I guess he died. It's sort of become this . . . trademark of Red Grave, I guess. Not on any tours, but people still talk, and there's a vigil held every year for the victims."

"What was his name?" Lir leans forward, propping her head on the back of the couch. "The guy."

"I dunno. He had surviving family, so the name was kept outta the papers, even during the trial. Kids, I think."

"Mm." Lir closes her eyes, her brows pinched. Something about this feels familiar, but she can't put her finger on why. Had someone said something to her during her academy days? Or had she simply read about it at some point and tucked it away with all of the other things she doesn't need?

A hand on her thigh breaks her from her thoughts, and she blinks her eyes open to see Joan leaning towards her, her lips curled in a little smile. "But I say enough about murderers. Let's talk about us."

"Us?" Lir asks.

Then Joan kisses her, her mouth warm and tasting wine-sweet, and Lir lets thoughts of the case slip from her mind.