#advantages of pan card

[livemintvideos]

Nirmala Sitharaman's proposal for PAN card holders | Mint Primer | Mint

While presenting the last full budget of the current central government, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed to use PAN card as a common identifier for all digital system at government agencies. The move is expected to simplify KYC process and make it simple for the Income Tax Department and other government agencies to manage documents of the PAN cardholders. Let's hear what the industry's best minds have to say about the consequences of this move.

[vinaydogra]

How to do PAN card KYC - Online/Offline Methods

In the digital age of today, your PAN card is not a simple piece of plastic, but it’s a bank account that presents you with numerous financial advantages! Whichever you are concerned with whether you invest, property loan Documents fill in taxes or apply for credit, then must have your verification (KYC) details updated. However, worries should be put to rest as we present how to successfully go through this PAN card KYC in both online and offline worlds.

[mell0wjello]

𝓣𝓦𝓢𝓣 !𝓝𝓢𝓕𝓦! 𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓬𝓪𝓷𝓸𝓷𝓼 !

~~~~~~

DNI If you’re uncomfortable with these topics !

𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓼𝓵𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓾𝓵 𝓿𝓮𝓻 !

~~~~~~

𝑅𝒾𝒹𝒹𝓁𝑒 𝑅𝑜𝓈𝑒𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓈

mommy kink

Tries his best to top, but ends up bottoming almost every time

The reason he’s bad at topping is because: 1, he’s very stiff, he’s too overwhelmed. 2, he literally tops by the book

Before his first time, he read a book on tips and bases everything he does on that

He is trying his best to get better though

Serious praise kink. Degradation will actually break his heart

Riddle has surprising stamina so he can go a decent number of rounds, although he doesn't last as long

He's prone to overstimulation, this is all very new to him

Mostly liquidy, and tastes ok. Somewhat sweet.

Kind of loud, but he tries to muffle most of it because he considers it "indecent"

𝒜𝒸𝑒 𝒯𝓇𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑜𝓁𝒶

Ass man

Eating ass, looking at ass, cumming in ass, fucking in ass. Completely ass drunk

Lots of foreplay for him. Even teasing can count as foreplay for him when he's in the mood, which is quite often

He's really mean. He'll deny you orgasms and will tease you the entire time about it.

He loves reverse cowgirl and doggy for obvious reasons aforementioned, but he likes seeing your spine arch as well

Personally I hc Ace specifically being either Bi or Pan. I feel like he'd also be open to poly relationships or simply bringing a 3rd person into the bedroom

A little bit of degradation on both ends will really get him going

Ace is a switch but prefers to be the one in control. He's super athletic, of course he'd have good stamina too.

Thicker consistency, and kind of sourish. A little harder to swallow.

So whiny and he curses so much

𝒟𝑒𝓊𝒸𝑒 𝒮𝓅𝒶𝒹𝑒

Deuce is very sweet and very gentle

Would never do anything to hurt you

It would be pretty chill with him, very sweet unless you propose something else

Deuce thinks of intimate time as a private thing between the both of you, so he takes it very seriously

Your pleasure above his. His priority is to make sure you feel good all throughout

This by consequence also brings about some of the sweetest aftercare. He’ll make sure you know how loved and appreciated you are <3

For that reason, I think he’d be very open to experiment with kinks and positions, as long as it doesn’t involve hurting you or potentially putting you in a dangerous situation

Seeing your blissed out expressions fuels him to keep going further

Sometimes a few curses slip up, but he tries to hold them back

Tastes as decent as cum can taste like. Not watery, but not super thick either, it’s not particularly difficult to swallow

Cuddles afterwards always. Or at least expect him to end up falling asleep cradling you in his arms

𝒞𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒟𝒾𝒶𝓂𝑜𝓃𝒹

He films the whole thing on his phone and has a whole album dedicated to it. And he’s sneaky about it too, you can hardly tell when he’s filming, unless he’s blatantly doing it which also adds to the excitement

Asked for nudes way too quickly

Sexting (shocking)

He’d have no reservations using his unique magic. Are both of his hands busy? No problem, he’ll use Split Card for another pair, sometimes several

Taking advantage of his unique magic, he’d try all sorts of things to push you over the brink.

I feel like he'd test to see how much stimuli you can stand with all his clones

He’d put your hair up if it’s long enough, and pull on it

Cater would also have an obscene amount of toys from the most popular ones to the most niche.

He’d also be down for pretty much anything, at least once

A little thicker, with a little more sour and salty taste.

𝒯𝓇𝑒𝓎 𝒞𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇

He'd definitely use doodle suit to make his and your cum taste like whipped cream

For this reason he loves eating you out and vice versa

Trey sucks on whatever he can. Your shoulder, your neck, your tits, your fingers. Treating them like sweet candy

He loves to have you clawing at his back and leaving scratch marks all over it, so he really likes missionary

He'll help you brush your teeth after giving him head

Best aftercare ever?? Like he'd whip up anything you'd like, run a hot bath for you, and tuck you in afterward, maybe even cuddle if you feel like it

Although Trey is very usually mild-mannered, this switches around with you. He can become quite rough as a way of stress relief if you give him permission. He'll slap you, yank on your hair, keep a sharp grasp on your hips and wrists

Trey is vocal, but not too loud.

He can make it taste and smell like anything, but it does have a thicker consistency

He'd often incorporate real food, as a form of temperature play and sitophilia. He'd pour a chilled drink over your body to lick it all up or place something sweet between your legs to eat you out

~~~~~~

[anachronisims]

accountability update/Best Practice Preview

Making the charts and graphs to finally make it clear how ridiculous we all are is taking a bit more time than expected because there is a subset of users that both does and doesn't have pink flashing, and since all insights happen at the margins, I have to dig into this a bit more. Release now expected the first weekend in February.

But: as proof I'm moving along, here's a title card, and the simplest main takeaway from the survey:

IF YOU HAVE "uint LotSkirtIncrease" in your userstartup.cheat, you can safely delete it to help reduce pink flashing.

Explanation: "uint LotSkirtIncrease 36" is equivalent to the in-game "Lot View Distance Extra Large" setting. It was previously thought that it was needed to turn this up to 120 in order to see neighborhood horizons in lot view but is not true (or not true anymore). If your horizon is blinking in or out when your game camera moves, it is not from view distance, it is from graphical glitching - same as if you've ever noticed the reflections momentarily not lining up in Voeille's water when you change the angle.

Having a LotSkirtIncrease over 50 SUBSTANTIALLY burdens the game at a critical stress point: loading any lot. It also overrides your in-game setting so if you were under the impression your setting was Small, Medium, or Large (and some of you were), it was actually Extra-Extra-Extra-Large unless you manually changed it after entering the lot.

Corollary: THE BEST PRACTICE FOR LOT LOADING, i.e., the Lot View Settings Juggling Method (LVSJM)

If you are prone to pink flashing, you should always exit lots (including when you exit the game) with Lot View Distance set to "Small" and Neighbors turned "Off." You may want to save with the game camera zoomed in as far as possible.

When you load a lot and have ascertained it is stable (you can pan the camera without any hiccups/lag/crashing), after 30 seconds, you can turn neighbors back on. 30 seconds later, you can start incrementally turning up the Lot View Distance.

Credit for this tip goes to the users who gave a hot tip on the survey that they only turn Neighbors on for screenshots (they will be named in the final report). We are often prone to thinking of those settings as something static, that we set and forget, but if we treat them as dynamic we can definitely manipulate them to our advantage.

Remember, after playing the lot - OR WHEN YOUR SIMS TRAVEL FROM THE LOT - you should turn the Lot View settings back down and manually save BEFORE the game closes the lot.

IF YOU STILL HAVE PINK FLASHING ON FIRST LOT LOAD/HOOD EXIT, there is further help for you coming in the report, but I don't have time to write it all up now. It's not not complicated but I went from total pink every hood load to virtually none (though I am not immune to crashing) using a combination of all the best practices I will be recommending in the report, and other users saw improvement to overall play session quality and length as well.

[minefield-of-a-ninja]

Prompt from @stusbunker: Dean used to think he could never keep up with your exhibitionism. The Demon inside him calls your bluff.

Characters: Knight of Hell/Demon Dean Winchester x You, Sam Winchester

Tags/warnings: 18+ ONLY, dubious consent, exhibitionism, dirty talk, name-calling, threat of object insertion (yes, please, sir), misuse of a piano bench, pool table sex, you are a GD TROOPER for this heroic act

Words: 1,500

Author's notes: Stuie, you always give the best prompts. @brrose-apothecary and I had a lot of fun with this one!

This is the first fill for my 2024 Flashfic Festival.

Exhibition

“Dean Winchester,” you sing-song as you saunter into the backroom of the bar, where Dean’s been plucking at piano keys and downing Maker’s like water for hours.

You narrow and drag your deliberately licentious gaze over Dean’s frame, and he answers with a head tilt and a mirror of your attitude and glare. He greets you by name as he slowly rolls his shoulders back and turns away from the piano keys to face you. You pretend not to notice him setting aside his recent weapon of choice in favor of a glass filled with whiskey.

“What’s a nice boy like you doing in a place-” you pause and give the room a distasteful scan before returning your attention to Dean. “Like this?”

You come to a halt about three feet from Dean, closer than I’d allow if I could come out of the shadows, but we agreed to you going in alone. 

“Not so nice,” Dean replies, sipping from his glass as he swings one leg over the bench to straddle it. He watches you over the rim of his glass for a few beats before taking a long pull.

“Mmm, you Winchester boys really try playing the Bad Boy card.”

Dean shrugs as he stands up. You watch his body unfold, and a brief flash of uncertainty sparks in your eyes. 

“Guess ya haven’t talked to my baby brother in a while, huh?” Dean downs the remainder of what’s in his glass, as he strolls toward the bar, brushing past you, side-eye and all. 

“Tall, dark, and tight-ass? Not lately.” 

I roll my eyes at that one, but you’re playing your own cards right now and doing it well. You turn with Dean as he passes you, making sure to keep him in your sight and off your back. 

Dean scoffs at your remark as he reaches for the bottle of whiskey left out on the bar to refill his glass. “Yeah, Sammy’s always had a stick up his ass.”

He takes another long sip and feigns nonchalance, resting his elbow on the bartop, searching your eyes as you walk the ominous path to meet him toe-to-toe.

“Not you, though. I always wished we had more time together, for a little-” you sigh and bite your lip. “Remember that night in Chattanooga? I told you the coast was clear, but-” you shake your head, moving closer. “You were too worried someone’d walk in on us.”

You chuckle and roll your eyes like you aren’t baiting a Knight of Hell. Dean silently stares you down, his expression unreadable, until your combat boots kiss his loggers. 

“Think you wanted someone to walk in on us,” he grunts before taking another sip.

You shrug and play coy. “Maybe I liked an audience.”

There’s a sound of muffled voices entering the kitchen from the alley, pots and pans being utilized, and water is turned on. My heart rate kicks up a notch, but you remain composed. Dean studies your lack of reaction. 

“How ‘bout now?” he asks, throwing back the rest of his drink and setting the empty glass aside. He doesn’t take his eyes off you as he towers over you, clearly using his size and mass to rattle you.

You grin and Dean smirks. He shoves a hand up the back of your hair and squeezes. It has to sting, but you whimper and start to drool, gripping the lapels of his overshirt. He angles your head to his advantage, exposing your throat, and dips in to lick a line from your collarbone to your jaw.

“Didn’t answer my question,” he mutters, taking the hinge of your jaw between his teeth and rolling you to arch your back over the bar.

You stumble and huff a breath. Your eyes are wild and searching until they find mine, and you sigh with relief, letting your eyes fall closed. You relax into Dean’s forceful onslaught.

“Maybe I still like it,” you breathe, opening your eyes again, and showing me renewed conviction.

Dean chuckles again, darker this time with a cruel edge I’ve never heard from him. He kicks your feet apart, making your skirt ride up high, and tucks a knee between your thighs, brushing dangerously against your knee-high boots. 

He kisses you then, using the hold on your hair to keep you where he wants you, and tearing at the buttons of your blouse.

“This get you off? Knowin’ the kitchen staff’s back there? That they’re gonna hear when I make you scream?”

You wrench from his hold and push him. He laughs and stumbles backward, watching you stalk after him, dropping your jacket to the floor and removing your shredded top the rest of the way.

“Keep talking.” 

“You like an audience and you like me tellin’ you about it? Want me to tell you what a dirty girl you are too?”

Dean bumps the piano bench and sits with his back to the piano, letting you climb astride his hips and push his shirt from his shoulders to the black and white keys. He grabs you by the hair again, and his other hand disappears under your skirt.

“Answer me,” he sneers.  

Your body jolts. I did not expect things to go this far—you’ve put yourself at grave risk, but you’re turned on, too. I’m not a voyeur, but I can’t take my eyes off you for even one second and leave you at his mercy.

“Fuck,” you whisper. “Yes. Tell me.”

Dean nods, licking his lips. 

“I’d bet-” he pauses and his shoulder rolls with whatever his hand’s doing under your skirt, and you choke on air, mimicking the grip he has in your hair. “That dishwasher back there’d love to walk out here and see you ridin’ my hand like a hot, little slut.” 

You gasp and yank his head back, but he resists enough to maintain eye contact with you. 

“Could lay ya out on the lid of this baby grand, spread you open, fuck that bottle of whiskey into this tight, slick hole for everybody to see and hear. Give ‘em all a little sip of this pussy.”

You whimper and drop your chin to your chest and your forehead to his.  

“Listen to how fuckin’ sloppy you are,” Dean mutters. “So easy. C’mon and come and I’ll bend you over the pool table and give ‘em a real show.” 

You roll your head to the side and your mouth falls open on a silent cry, one fist tightening in his hair and the other twisting the neck of his t-shirt.

“There it is,” Dean whispers.

He gives you about three seconds before standing and carrying you to the pool table. 

“Not even wearin’ panties. You came here down to fuck, didn’t ya, princess?”

He drops you on the edge of the table then traces the ridge of your collarbone and the straps of your bra before flicking the front open and letting it drop around your wrists. You toss it aside, so you aren’t hindered by it, while Dean unbuckles his belt and pushes you to lie back.

You lift your knees and hold yourself open by the backs of your thighs. Dean rests a hand over your breastbone before trailing his fingers from your sternum to your belly as he guides himself inside you, and you both groan. 

“Oh-ho-ho,” Dean huffs a laugh and wraps his fingers around your knees on top of yours. “I knew this pussy’d be good. The old me was too much of a softie to fuck ya rough and quick back in Chattanooga. Someone might’ve walked in!” He laughs, pressing over your belly as he sets a brutal pace. “Worth the fuckin’ wait, though, shit.”

He never shuts the fuck up, talking about what it looks like sinking into you, telling you how pretty you are stretched around his hammering cock, and calling you the best, dirtiest, little bitch he’s ever had. 

He’s so caught up in the moment, so amused by the sound of his own voice and satisfaction, that he doesn’t see you reach into the hidden compartments on the outside of each of your boots.

You’re lightning fast with the holy water and cuffs. Before I can even make my way out from the service hallway where I’d been hiding since 10 AM, Dean’s on his knees, smoke rolling from his skin with his hands bound.

“Nice work,” I huff a breath, stopping short to give you enough room to gather your things.

Dean snarls and snaps as you hop down from the table and smooth your skirt over your hips. 

“Thanks.” You reach for your bra and quickly slip into it before scooping up your jacket.

“You fucking bitch,” Dean growls, rolling to his back to refasten his pants. “You can’t hold me like this, and I will fucking kill you. Both of you.”

I watch you shrug into your jacket with wide eyes. You’re trembling as you sidle up next to me. “You sure this’s gonna work?” you whisper.

I nod and squeeze your hand in mine. “I’m sure.” 

I draw a deep breath and watch my brother smolder like a raging forest fire, dragging you closer to my side than to where he’s writhing at our feet.

“It has to.”

My Dean Winchester Fic | My Supernatural Fic | My Master List

[clonerightsagenda]

Since I'm w359posting this week apparently, I wanted to share something neat I learned from the AMAs about how the writers designed the characters.

Apparently, the original four crewmembers were plotted on two axes - human vs inhuman and order vs chaos. Eiffel and Minkowski were the chaos human and order human, and Hera and Hilbert were the chaos inhuman and order (metaphorical) inhuman. Lovelace upon her introduction was plotted at the dead center of both axes.

To really amp up everyone reflecting each other, when they started designing the SI5 characters, they took the original three humans' personalities and job titles and rotated them. So, they set up a commander, scientist, and technician, but gave the commander Hilbert's traits, the scientist Eiffel's traits, and the technician Minkowski's traits.

Obviously that was only a starting point, and all three characters grew into their own people very different from where they began. However, you can see traces of these influences. Least so with Jacobi, imo, but in the Rashomon episode where each person's account reflects their priorities and anxieties, he's striving to portray himself as a dedicated, safety-conscious professional frustrated that no one else takes his work seriously, which is something Minkowski can relate to. He's also Kepler's administrative officer, even if we don't see him doing paperwork very often.

Maxwell is clearer. She's the most friendly and social of her team and strikes up the closest connection with Hera. Also, as soon as she's gone, the rest of her team implodes, much as in "Pan Pan" the remaining crew is at each other's throats.

Finally, Kepler's alignment with Hilbert is obvious to me at least - they both are people with theoretically noble goals who are willing to do terrible things to achieve them, and Goddard takes advantage of that to get them to do terrible things full stop. Hilbert is just further along on the Goddard employee lifecycle of getting chewed up and discarded (he's had more of his legs eaten, to use the pig story's metaphor). They hate each other so much because they recognize each other.

... I am only thinking this now as I type it out, but I always wondered why Eiffel disliked Maxwell after only knowing her for a couple days, most of which he'd spent convalescing. I figured she was probably asking invasive questions about Hera, but if I'm suggesting Hilbert and Kepler hate each other because they recognize each other as card carrying members of the face-eating leopards party.... maybe Eiffel dislikes Maxwell because he sees something of himself in her.

[skye707]

Ok but which of the Riddlers would actually get along with their fem!selves? I feel like at least some of them would develop crushes, and the rest would develop rivalries

Oh, definitely lots of rivalries. But I think they'd accept it more if the loss is coming from a version of themselves in a way.

Unburied - Not even a rivalry, they're just friends. Probably get along the most of any of the Riddler pairings. Like a sibling relationship in a way where they can just about finish each other's sentences.

ZY - Rivalry. The most intense rivalry. Neither can handle the idea that there is another version of themselves that is actively trying to outdo them. Masc is doing it because that's just how he is with everyone, but Fem is doing it because she's so sick of dudes belittling her. Either will do whatever it takes to "win".

Dano - Actually very little interaction between these two. It's the same thing that happens when you put two extreme introverts in a room together: neither will speak unless absolutely necessary. If someone says something about Renewal in Gotham, then they'd become a dangerous duo, but if not, both are silently judging each other.

YJ - Goofballs who try to commit crimes together but end up tripping over each other's feet. So, when that doesn't pan out, they just stick to normal activities like seeing who can stack the highest card tower.

Gotham - They'd get along...at first. However, they would both quickly realize that they can't impress the other with fun facts, because they already know...and interrupt them. Aaaaand it would quickly devolve into an intense rivalry to prove the superior Riddler.

BTAA - Very similar to Gotham, these two start off friendly but neither can stand the fact that they're both intelligent. There is never any actual confrontation, more like sly comments and passive aggressiveness. They're both adults, so they can refrain from childish behavior, right?

Arkham - Reluctant friends. They both tell themselves they don't need help with their projects, but the other is right there and no one else knows how to properly wire the joints of the robot so that the reaction time is flawless. So, only an idiot wouldn't take advantage of that opportunity, or that's what they tell themselves.

BTAS - Literally parents. If Masc BTAS is a mom friend, then Fem is an actual mom. Someone asks BTAS if they can do something, he says ask her. What did she say? She said to ask you. Everyone except them notices this strange relationship.

Telltale - Best friends. Both of them have thick skin so the barbed comments don't bother each other, and it is so refreshing to be able to be themselves around each other. If someone says something about the two of them, they can expect their life to become a living hell courtesy of the local grandparents.

[grem-archive]

Pspsps may we ask for some romerica headcanons/thoughts? 👀👀

A great majority of these are between the esteemed @temtamtom and me! I think I accidentally converted you to Romericism Tem, so I apologize. I hope you heal soon :facedowncrying: also I am sorry in advance that there are so many. There are just as many more that I’m not including.

Romano is a respectful short king at 165 cm/5’5” next to Alfred’s 188 cm/6’2”. Poor Roma is also in an entirely different weight class; 55 kg compared to 102 kg.

“Romano dates what he can’t have (fat ass and big titties).”

“If you don’t love me like Hadrian loved Antinous it’s not worth it.”

This is 100% a Zoomer BF & Boomer BF situation. Alfred had to teach Romano how to use Zoom and FaceTime and always uses strange magic Gen Z words that leave Romano bewildered. Alfred’s “she eb on my nezer til I Scrooge” to Romano’s “look at this funny minion meme I found” (it’s 8 years outdated).

Romano loves paired dances and Alfred has a fair bit of energy. They adore swing dance and jive! When determined they’ll clear the room to listen to their old records and swing.

Related to this, they love to dance together in general and sing. They’ve made a playlist for doing their home chores when together and it’s chock full of songs both know by heart; both in English and Italian. And the amount of dancing they do to distract themselves? Immense. We’re talking a disco outbreak in the hall, Alfred starting to do the hand jive and Romano joining. They have fun.

They love watching westerns together. And I do mean love. We call Romerica “Spaghetti Western” in this house! And we’re not saying Romano has a cowboy kink, but he’s got a cowboy kink. Will find any excuse to get Alfred into some version of western wear (he’s usually pretty willing, it’s really not that hard).

Alfred lets Romano dress him up like a Ken Doll. He's just happy to be spending time with Roma, who, let's be real, has a much better fashion sense. Romano also has a history of patching up Alfred's clothes and uniforms, sometimes hiding hidden stitched hearts on the former.

They cook for each other a lot. The way to both their hearts are through their stomachs and it’s very obvious at times. Food driven to the core.

“Your cooking is going to make me fat.” Romano complains. “Y’know you don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to.” Alfred replies. Romano scrunches his nose, “Don’t tell me what to do.” He then takes another bite.

When Romano first arrived in New York, he knew very little English. On the other hand, Alfred knew very little Italian, if any. Communication was a very glaring issue in the beginning. They figured out that they both knew Spanish and could communicate that way until they taught each other more of their respective languages.

We’re not calling Alfred Romano’s sugar daddy, but hey, it doesn’t hurt when your beefcake boyfriend has a shiny credit card and makes a wonderful bag carrier :shrugs:

Romano’s common household weapons: the wooden spoon (the only actual weapon), the rolling pin (threat only), a comically large frying pan (threat only unless they’re getting up to Tom & Jerry shenanigans), and a comically long pizza paddle (for long range ass-smacking). However, Alfred has started learning to declaw the rolling pin threats by responding with “That’s so hot,” or some equivalent. Romano is having to rethink some of his battle plans.

Both are serial cuddlers when they’re together, but Romano is more confident in bolder displays of PDA and touchier overall. A hand on Alfred’s back or waist as he passes by, a kiss to the shoulder. Alfred, taking advantage of his height, loves hugging Romano from behind and resting his chin on Romano’s head.

Alfred loves to carry Romano and pick him up. Romano complains but never actually means it. In fact, he loves it but is simply a stubborn fool.

Alfred has beef with Romano’s pet rooster, Ugo. Ugo is the only force that could make Alfred F. Jones, the United States of America, run for his life. Fear the peck!

Romano is the bedtime enforcer in this relationship. Alfred’s sleep schedule is pretty shit and Romano loves his sleep (and his cuddles). When they visit each other, he often has to physically drag Alfred to bed. They also nap together, though often it’s just Romano that ends up sleeping.

Alfred is constantly fascinated with Romano’s stories from childhood or at least the Nation equivalent of such. The number of things Romano and Veneziano can remember from times far before Alfred or frequent guest Ludwig ever existed blows his mind. He’s always asking for more. It’s both his natural wonder and curiosity, but also the archaeologist in him.

Alfred F. “Hey Romano babe can I bench press you? I wanna hold you but I gotta get my workout in.” Jones. Does squats with Romano on his back. Will be doing sit-ups with Romano sitting on him so he can give him smooches on the up. Romano complains about the sweat but doesn’t actually make any moves to get up or leave.

Both are romantics in their own way, but in this dynamic, Romano is the one who typically initiates the moment. Alfred is usually the one who ruins the moment with a joke but in the most affectionate way possible. He’s embarrassing, but he’s Romano’s.

Alfred and Ludwig have made their own joint study of the way Romano and Veneziano use their hands when they speak. I wish I had their notes.

Over time they’ve learned each other’s old full names and use them. Not that they have much of an effect, it’s more a silly than anything. But it is still a jumpscare. Alfred Fly-from-Fornication Kirkland versus Publius Romilius Romanus Regillus. Who wins?

If they encounter some bullshit together in public, Romano is the “I’m going to kick your ass.” Alfred is the “And I’m about to hand him the chair.” That, or he’s picking Romano up and carrying him away.

[bellatrixnightshade]

i wanna hear more of your midas and rufius headcanons sss😭A

Thanks for the ask!

I feel like Rufius would make his own lunches, but try to make some for his friends too. They would take advantage of his kindness, of course, and some would be obsessively asking about recipes.

In a modern context, maybe his family owns a restaurant and after school he helps out-- whether with kitchen, register, dishes-- anything that needs to be done.

Also for some reason I hc that Rufius had a grandmother he loved and who inspired his baking passion! But she died sometime before his entrance into school.

I picture Rufius with a French accent, and maybe in a modern high school setting some sort of French exchange student, or a student from Canada? (Quebec)

Rufius had to get new glasses at least once after breaking a pair, and contacts make him uncomfortable.

For fundraising, Rufius would bake and sell!

He probably caters too in his free time.

Midas... let's see.

He looks like that one kid who'd actually excel if he was in a flexible homeschool setting. He probably would wish he had a home education.

He definitely becomes nicer over time, as long as he remains independent.

Midas gives me the impression of eating something toxic by accident and yet nothing really happens?

He'd have a bunch of snakes and lizards, maybe turtles too.

Midas always has killer shoes; everyone envies him. He uses his dad's credit card, though. (Modern AU)

He is the master of emotional manipulation.

He seems like a person who would enjoy Austen and other period novels. Anything with manners, elegance, country, and manors. (Word play unintended.)

I imagine he can speak Spanish for some reason.

Midas hates new places and unfamiliar faces and will stick around with those he knows or likes, if not by himself.

If Midas is in a good mood, he can be really classy and elegant. It puts Rafal and Rhian, even, to shame.

Midas probably dislikes most children. (Pan, ahem.) Or only tolerates his friends' kids.

Only child and dead mom vibes!!

He probably resembles that dead mom. I bet it's the eyes.

Thank you so much for this ask. I LOVED answering it. Don't be afraid to ask for more hcs of them and in any situation.

[straxxberrypunki]

|| The bears and their flaws / issues head-cannons ||

NOTE: These are some of my head cannons of the three brothers! And also my very first post — I’ll be posting more often, and I’ll be happy to receive any ask’s! I’ve looked back at some we bare bear blogs, and it’s been YEARS, so I hope to bring this fandom back to life! So please, don’t be afraid to start writing up again :)

┌──═━┈━═──┐

🐻 Grizz

└──═━┈━═──┘

• Attachment issues — this especially goes to things that brings him back to that comforting feeling he felt when he was a little cub. This causes him to have a possessive part of him. Which also makes him protected of him brothers, and can get a bit bossy and controlling whenever his brothers do something that he doesn’t think is ‘safe’

W/ panda: this behavior especially goes towards panda, since he’s the smallest of the three, ‘can’t handle things himself’, and not to mention that he’s clumsy. Why wouldn’t his big bro Grizz want to help him! Definitely not controlling, just trying to be a good brother, nothing else!

“Pan-Pa! , why would you want to go there? Its so much better here- no no no, big bro knows best!”

W/ Ice Bear: the same things applies to Ice. Grizz using the ‘im the big brother’ card. Although with ice bears resistance, it gets a bit hard to try and get him to do what he says. Ice bear can most definitely protect himself, but lets Grizz think he has the power.

“Don’t be so stubborn little bro. As the big brother.. I know what good for you and not!”

┌──═━┈━═──┐

🐼 Panda

└──═━┈━═──┘

• Stubborn — panda can be very stubborn, and whiney, somewhat even selfish. Always trying to get what he wants with him being the ‘baby’ of the house, even though he’s the middle child. He takes advantage of that, and won’t hesitate to use emotional manipulation to get to what he wants.

W/ Grizz: Since Grizz is a bit full of himself, and impulsive, it can be easy to use his ‘baby’ pass to get what he wants with Grizz, even though he makes it difficult. He would know his way around that, Grizz of course feels sorry for him, and would do anything for his brothers!

“Grizzz! You know I like these kind of things, why would you want to take it away from me?”

W/ icebear: He isn’t as blind like Grizz, he knows when panda is just acting , or not. Although he can be very sympathetic so, even if he can see right thought him, he’ll either allow him to get what he wants or decide not to give him it.

“Please! You don’t understand-.. fine! I don’t need you anyways!”

┌──═━┈━═──┐

🐻‍❄️ Ice bear

└──═━┈━═──┘

• narcissistic — I got this head cannon idea from another blog I’ve been reading! But anywho, I do feel as if ice bear can get narcissistic , and a bit care-free, not in a grizz way, more like in a ‘I don’t care’ way, he can come off as cold, since he is ICE bear. Often time being distant aswell. He can sometimes hurt his brothers feelings without even realizing until the effects hit.

W/ Grizz: This can lead to a bit of issues, and sometimes come down as arguments. Grizz might even get defensive about it aswell, knowing that ice bear won’t even care.

“.. ice bear is the best bear, not Grizz”

W/ panda: This also leads to arguments, and since panda is stubborn, he’ll try to get back at him, pretending he doesn’t care about him, and such like that.

“Ice bear.. knows panda is a fake.”

[aita-blorbos]

AITA for not wanting to die?

Let me explain. I (22 m) got kidnapped on my way to work the other day and i woke up in a weird dark room with a chalkboard. Some lady (30 f) covered in fondue showed me percentages of mine and a bunch of other people’s survival rates for some sort of death game…and mine was 0.0% meaning I was DOOMED TO DIE no matter what. The one with the highest percentage out of 16 people (17 f) had 15.5%, so she’s surely a master manipulator taking advantage of everyone to kill us all and win, right? Anyways I stood strong. I was determined to live somehow, so I took on the name of my late best friend (I don’t know his age) to disguise my identity, cause clearly my enemy had seen these papers too right?

When the death game began I was civil to her! I was nice. We investigated floor one together. I let her keep a GUN even though she could probably KILL someone with it. Because I’m NICE. But then after some teacher guy (30 m) died in a vote (I was one of the ones who voted for him but he was suspicious and I didn’t know he’d die okay!) I was poking around this hidden room, and I showed her a computer I found, but then she left soon after to keep looking around because the teacher’s former student or whatever ran off or something. I found out that the girl with the highest percentage.. her LAST NAME was the password to the computer!! And I read through a bunch of emails proving that she’s involved with this death game somehow!!! But then I got hit in the head with a frying pan and when the main game did roll around NOBODY BELIEVED ME and I told everyone that she was dangerous and the emails were PROOF!!! But NOBODY BELIEVED ME!! A very punk lesbian is now really mad at me for “emotionally manipulating a 14-year-old into working with me” too but she doesn’t have any of the context for that. She teamed up with me willingly, I just happened to use some of the elements of the death game to help convince her. The only *bad* thing I did didn’t even affect (15.5)!! I just placed a card fhat just happened to have lead to her friend’s(17 m) death where he would find it, that’s not my fault! And also some furry kid called me a LONER.Currently sitting in my room on the next floor typing this into my voting tablet and once again everyone’s siding with poor poor (15.5) ohh poor (15.5) her best friend is dead oh boo hoo, and calling me a loner and ‘untrustworthy’ and other insults and treating me like I’M the asshole like she’s not gonna kill us all!!

So, I ask you. Am I, a doomed man who just wants to live, the asshole?

[theeternalwombtarot]

In depth love reading (pick a pile/pick a card) 💋 w/ channeled messages 💌

💋 pile one:

I see someone in a relationship here or in a connection that may be very hard to maintain or may really cause them a lot of stress and emotional distress. Pile three you could be someone who may have been brought up in a way or may have found within yourself the idea that you have to struggle for love or love isn’t supposed to be easy I’m hearing. There could also be many of you who may cling to things that bring you great pain that you use as a sense of stability as you may not be used to anything else. I see you rewarding someone who brings you pain or rewarding people and relationships that bring you pain with more chances, with forgiveness, with unconditional love, with patience and tenderness. Someone could come from a long line of feminine or maternal energies whom have similar patterns or choices in men and relationships, women who struggle with self love, self worth, or making good choices (not only in love but in other areas of their lives) there could be a lot of secrets and a lot of withdrawal or silence within one of your connections, in many connections you’ve been in the past as well. There something here I’m getting about you not trusting your intuition, not trusting your gut, not putting yourself first, or continuing to stay in a connection or connections that bring you down, make you feel about yourself, or bring you pain.

You could be someone who is compassionate, who is caring or expresses their emotions very passionately or is known for being emotional or emotionally driven. You could even stick to people who are troubled or try to give people the benefit of the doubt or try to be the one person who sticks it out for them although they aren’t in the position to do the same for you. I hear “I need to take care of others.” “I take care of others.” The word need is very emphasized here or this direct dead pan tone when I hear this. This may have a lot to do with personal trauma, your parents, your family, the desire for someone to take care of you and you trying to mimic that energy or subconsciously mimicking that energy even when people don’t need to be taken care of by you or have proved themselves unworthy of your care or your forgiveness or forgiving nature.

There’s someone in your life pile one who does not do as they say they would, who may manipulate you with words, who may appeal to a love language or even a weakness you have to listen to them speak and tell you what it is they are going to do though they know they have no intentions of doing so. Someone weaponizes the weight they hold in your life or the love and care you have for them or takes your kindness for weakness or takes advantage of you here pile one. I see someone leaving you alone or withdrawing from you, or creating some sort of silence when you’re in need of their support. There’s a lack of peace in this connection pile one. Fire signs may be significant you or this person may be a fire sign (sag, Leo, Aries) this person isn’t in alignment with you and I see spirit having to put this person in front of you or in your life so you will learn to love yourself better, to be independent or heal deep wounds you may have picked up in your home or from other feminine energies in your life. You may be someone who has to fall a couple of times to learn a lesson or takes a while to understand or has to learn the hard way.

As much pain as your in spirit is telling you or is trying to tell you that life is what you make it and you repeatedly continue to enable this person or put yourself in this position in the name of love but this love is not true and genuine. All of this traces back to what it is that you feel about yourself, How you love yourself, who you perceive yourself to be, etc. someone needs to be the person their inner child would’ve felt safe around or loved by. You could reminisce a lot about childhood or find yourself idolizing younger versions of yourself or looking through pictures or memories of who you were many years ago. This keeps coming up because your inner child is reminding you, he/she is telling you that she is waiting for you to do better, to put him/her first, to love her/him as she/he needed to be loved in order for you to be happy pile one.

Queen of wands reversed talks of self love, self respect, self confidence, and reestablishing yourself and this is such a heavy energy within this reading. It’s time you validate and acknowledge your fear, your pain, your instincts, your struggles, and the history of this relationship that you’ve chosen to ignore or sweep under the rug or try to suppress to stay in it for longer. It’s time for you to tune in, trust yourself, trust your intuition, listen to yourself NOW. Allow it all to come up and feel it all, experience it all.

Messages from your person 💌:

“I don’t want to see you with anybody but me.”

You may even find something like this attractive but really what this says to me is that this person doesn’t want you to be free from them, they don’t want you to be happy with someone else who will treat you better.

“You’ve changed my life.” 

“I should’ve never chose them over you the grass wasn’t greener on the other side.”

“I’m scared someone will take you from me.”

lol see? Yuck.

“You were my first love.”

“I regret the way I treated you.”

“Let me explain.”

“Every song reminds me of you.”

“I want to sleep next to you.”

“Come over”

From the confession jar 🫙:

“ I didn’t think this would happen.”

“I hope that one day I’ll be ready enough for us to be together.”

“I can’t give you what you deserve what you need.”

“Pretending I don’t care is the most effective way to keep your distance, a detachable me without causing both of us more discomfort.”

Warnings from spirit ⚠️:

“ someone’s in trouble or someone’s going to jail soon.” 

[lunasohma]

part iii: French butter cookies

[ a twist of lemon / bakery au tag ]

[ << interlude / chapter list ]

[ ao3 / ff.net ]

Shuuichi takes a chance and is rewarded for his efforts.

Shuuichi can't believe he’s forgotten all about Seiji’s chicken-scratch recipe cards. Granted, it's probably a minor trauma response.

“Will you not?”

The boy perched on the counter swings his legs, a sharp grin in place as he eyes Shuuichi. Nyanko-sensei’s facsimile of Takashi’s likeness.

“You brat, and here I was going to help you out.”

He probably would have some good advice, though Shuuichi doesn't like to admit it. Nyanko-sensei is in the kitchen with Seiji more often than he is not. Here at Le Petit Chaton or even at home.

Shuuichi was surprised, to say the least.

“Sensei’s very clean. Nothing to worry about.” Seiji is forever blinded by his love of cats. And even more surprisingly, Nyanko-sensei doesn't take advantage of the fact. It's always a sight to see the lucky cat hold out his feet for the paw wipes that Seiji’s invested in.

Sensei shakes off the glamour, returning to his four feet.

“Less work for me.” He drags a paw over his ear. Then, with a gleaming relish: “Guess I'll just watch you fail.”

The challenge set forth, Shuuichi rolls up his sleeves.

—

Well, that arrow leads to—

Beat what into the—

And what does that say?

Nyanko-sensei has since fallen asleep on the windowsill under his catnip plant.

For the limited amount of ingredients, Seiji has filled up the recipe card with alterations and variations over the years. Pen, pencil, and ink show a timeline of recipe development for one of Seiji’s favorite cookies.

Seiji knows it all by heart, but that doesn't help Shuuichi right now.

He guiltily pulls out his laptop.

—

“This is absolutely awful!” Nyanko-sensei cackles, kneading at Shuuichi’s shoulder.

Shuuichi has to agree, scrolling away. How much longer can a sob story go on?

There was no ‘jump to recipe’ button.

Aikawa-san may be a sadist, but her recipe must be good, if the ratings are anything to go by.

Shuuichi perseveres.

—

Nyanko-sensei had leapt out the window with a to-go bag of Shuuichi’s efforts. He doesn't want to be around for the fallout.

Seiji looks exhausted but happy. A baking convention will do that and he is usually full of creative, restless energy for days on end afterwards. He sets bags full of samples, tools, and pans down by the door.

“I'm back.”

“Welcome back.”

—

By Shuuichi’s luck, he had left the last resort of the printout out on the counter.

“Aikawa-san, hm?” Seiji casually swipes the pages up, scanning through them as he bites into one of Shuuichi’s cookies. “Let’s see.”

He beckons Shuuichi over, then pulls him in close. His mouth tastes of sugar.

“Too much salt, Shuuichi.”

Shuuichi can take the critique, but still—

“I thought it was pretty sweet.”

Seiji’s eyes dance.

“Care for another taste?”

[msmeregin]

A guide to enhance your business growth      

Running a business is akin to navigating a complex maze, and every entrepreneur dreams of not just surviving but thriving. In the Indian business landscape, the government has laid out a golden path for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through a simple yet powerful tool – MSME registration. In this guide, let's explore how this seemingly mundane registration process can be your ticket to unparalleled business growth.

Understanding the MSME Advantage

 The Heartbeat of the Economy:

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises collectively form the heartbeat of the Indian economy. From local grocery stores to innovative startups, these businesses contribute not only to economic development but also to job creation, fostering a robust and inclusive growth environment.

Unlocking Financial Avenues:

One of the immediate perks of MSME registration is the access to financial assistance and credit facilities. Financial institutions offer tailored loans at favorable terms, recognizing the importance of these enterprises in driving economic progress.

The MSME Registration Journey

A Simpler Path Than You Think:

Contrary to popular belief, the MSME registration process is not a bureaucratic labyrinth. It's a straightforward journey that involves providing essential details about your business, such as PAN, Aadhaar, and other relevant information. Whether you choose the online portal or opt for the traditional route at District Industries Centres, the process is designed to be accessible.

Documents: Your Passport to Opportunities:

The importance of documentation in the registration process cannot be overstated. Your Aadhaar card, PAN card, business address proof, and details of your plant and machinery are the keys that unlock the door to a myriad of government schemes and subsidies.

The MSME Advantage Unveiled

Market Access and Procurement Preferences:

Once you've acquired your MSME registration, you find yourself in a prime position in government procurement. MSMEs are often given preference in government tenders, providing a golden opportunity to secure contracts and expand your market reach.

Technology Upgradation and Subsidies:

In the rapidly evolving business landscape, technology is the differentiator. MSME registration brings with it the chance to upgrade your technology with subsidies for adopting new and advanced processes. This not only boosts efficiency but also enhances your competitiveness.

Navigating the Schemes and Subsidies Landscape

Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS):

At the forefront of government schemes is CLCSS, a game-changer for technology upgradation. It provides capital subsidies to MSMEs, facilitating access to credit for purchasing new machinery and equipment.

Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP):

For those looking to embark on the entrepreneurial journey, PMEGP is the beacon. This credit-linked subsidy program promotes self-employment, creating not just businesses but livelihoods.

Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGMSE):

The fear of collateral is a common hurdle for many small businesses. CGMSE eliminates this barrier by offering collateral-free credit facilities, making it easier for MSMEs to access the capital needed for growth.

Tailoring Your Approach

District Industries Centres (DIC) and National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC):

Think of DIC and NSIC as your business allies. DIC, as a local agency, offers guidance and support, while NSIC provides a range of services from marketing assistance to credit facilitation. Engaging with these institutions can significantly enhance your MSME journey.

Tech and Quality Upgradation Support:

The government's emphasis on quality is evident through schemes like Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme (LMCS) and Quality Management Standards & Quality Technology Tools (QMS/QTT). These initiatives not only boost competitiveness but also position your business as a paragon of quality in the market.

Export Promotion and Market Development:

Venturing into global markets can seem daunting, but the Market Development Assistance Scheme for MSMEs is a trustworthy companion. It provides financial support for participating in international trade fairs, opening doors to new business horizons.

Overcoming Challenges for Seamless Growth

Lack of Awareness:

One of the challenges MSMEs often face is the lack of awareness about available schemes. Entrepreneurs can overcome this by actively seeking information through government portals, industry associations, and local MSME support cells.

Complex Application Processes:

Cumbersome application procedures can be discouraging, but persistence pays off. Simplifying the application process and seeking assistance from dedicated facilitation services or MSME support agencies can make the journey smoother.

Continuous Evaluation and Adaptation

Performance and Credit Rating Scheme:

Enhancing your creditworthiness is an ongoing process. The Performance and Credit Rating Scheme allows MSMEs to undergo assessments, showcasing financial stability to potential investors and lenders.

Embracing Continuous Improvement:

The business landscape is dynamic, and your approach should be too. Regularly assess the impact of government schemes on your operations, adapt to changes, and stay informed about updates to maximize benefits continually.

Conclusion: Your Journey to Unprecedented Growth

In conclusion, MSME registration in India is not just a formality; it's your gateway to a realm of opportunities. By understanding the classifications, embracing government schemes, and overcoming challenges, you position your business for sustainable growth. The government's commitment to fostering MSMEs is a testament to the integral role these enterprises play in shaping the nation's economic future. So, don't just register – embark on a journey of growth, innovation, and success. The path is laid; it's time to walk it.

Learn more at : https://msme-registration.in/

[sailoreuterpe]

I'm not doing well. I'm spiralling because I'm having difficulty finding a job, even though No OnE wAnTs To WoRk AnYmOrE. Although I understand intellectually that I won't ever be homeless (due to living with my retired parents who get enough in Social Security to keep us all housed), being unemployed is triggering me. I've been poor my entire life; although some periods were more stable than others, I've never been comfortable. This period of job hunting is also unfortunately reminiscent of when I was unemployed in 2013, when I was in danger of becoming homeless.

I was recovering from the debt and trauma of that time for years and now, due to foolishly keeping my brother afloat, I'm in critical debt again. I was debt free in 2020 except for our shared car note on a car that I don't have any access to any longer. I closed my 401K (and had to pay the resulting fees and taxes) in 2017 to buy a car so that he wouldn't lose his job, even though I didn't get my own license until 2023. That car wasn't for my benefit at all, no matter how he tried to spin it or how hard I ignored the truth. That fucking car has been a constant financial drain and stressor, even after he promised to pay the note himself since I didn't have access any longer. This is after I managed to get out from the debt in 2018 that I incurred getting the car out of delinquency--delinquency that he hid from me for months rather than just tell me that he couldn't pay the monthly note. I only found out about the car's impending impounding due to the bank finally calling me after he ignored their calls for months. I cleaned out my entire bank account paying fees and penalties because he was too fucking "ashamed" and prideful to just fucking gut up and admit that he needed help--help that I could have provided without incurring fees!

Then, rather than use his stimuluses in 2020 to pay down the car, he went on trips, paid other bills, and bought weed and energy drinks. Because he refuses to get a job that's "beneath" him and he can't find consistent work as a construction worker, he's chronically behind on his bills and the car is always always always the one that he ignores because, "well, Nikki will take care of it!" He won't get a part-time job in between construction work; he won't get a temporary job to get caught up on his bills; he won't even do remote work like Text Broker. Nope; he just whines about how broke he is while smoking weed, playing video games, and drinking enough energy drinks to destroy his liver.

Now I'm nearly $3,000 in credit card debt with absolutely no money to my name. He already owes me $1,000 for the movers that I hired when we stopped living together because he was working out-of-town. I didn't see any of that extra money, by the way. No; I spent the weeks leading up to us moving out packing his stuff in between working forty hours a week and trying to find a place to live myself. He was fine and dandy, living with his then-girlfriend and making bank--and then he had the absolute gall to guilt-trip me when that didn't pan out and I'd already found a place to live. To him, I was the easy backup. I was the "always there."

This isn't unique to him. I do this with all of the men in my life and I JUST FUCKING LET THEM TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME. Because I'm afraid to lose them, because I'm afraid of their anger, because God forbid I protect my boundaries. Because that's what I'm for: to be the bank and the nanny and the therapist.

Now I'm in massive debt with no money. I'm applying to jobs that will kill me, either emotionally or spiritually, because I actually pay my debts. I'm about to apply to the slaughterhouse, even though I will genuinely lose my mind if I work there, because it's something and I can't be in debt any more. I can't, I can't, I won't.

I don't know what to do. No one will hire me. My credit score is rapidly tanking from the credit card debt. I owe my dad $300+ because I used his money in my bank account to pay the car payment this month. I keep saying, "I'll let the bill default. I'll let the bank take the car. I won't keep letting him treat me this way." And then I don't change anything. He keeps pulling me down and I keep letting him because it's my credit on the line. I just need a job. I would love to be a lazy bastard who just sleeps in and plays video games and gets to be all high-and-mighty about politics and regularly asks for mutual aid but hasn't donated to a cause in years, as far as I'm aware. However, I need to pay my bills. I need to pay my debt. I need to take care of the house. I fucking applied to Walmart. I swore that I'd never work in a department store again. Working at Target genuinely drove me insane: daily screaming anxiety attacks in the walk-in coolers were a feature. Too bad about that; someone has to keep this fucking family alive. None of my older siblings can or will and my younger brother (rightfully) refuses to drown with everyone else. I don't blame him; this family is a cesspit. I just want a job. I don't want to work my ass off for shitheels and shitty pay and no benefits but them's the breaks. And even the fucking entry-level jobs that hire literal children won't hire me. "Now Hiring!" What a crock of shit.

I hate being poor. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. I hate the cold and the dirt and the fear and the heat and the stress. I hate not being able to buy my friends' art or donate to charity or give money to my family or take people out to dinner. I had plans! I had so many plans and I can't do any of them without money! I just want to have nice drinks in my fridge for guests and not have to worry about the cost. I just want to be able to shrug off ten dollars on a grocery error and not have a panic attack because that's ten whole dollars. I just want, for just fucking once, to actually have enough money without incurring more debt through credit cards or fines or loans. I just want to be able to do nice things for people without constantly freaking out about every penny. I just don't want any more nightmares about living in dank, dripping filth or losing all of my possessions or working to the bone. I'm not doing well.

[devils-pirate-crew]

The trio continue through the Cove, heading for the different side of the docks than Jersey Devil is moored at. Juraj keeps Dawson close to his side, arm still over his shoulder, while Arber pointedly keeps his head up ahead of them, cutting a path through the assorted pirates and settlers of the pirate haven, one hand pointedly resting on the hilt of the cutlass on his waist, a clear try me evident in his position. Nobody tries him, instead opting to get out of the way.

It's not much longer before they walk onto the docks, Dawson looking up to take in the awe-inspiring sight that is Santé in all her glory. He's heard stories of this ship, how she's older than anyone alive, how history lives in her hull, but it's a different thing entirely to see her in person. The ship is probably at least twice as large as Jersey Devil, with four masts and all the livery in red, blue, and white to match. It smells of victory, of conquest at sea. "Wow," he mumbles, absentmindedly scratching at the spots on his left hand, which is already abraded to where small beads of blood are poking out of his skin.

Juraj dips his own hand to move Dawson's forearm, preventing him from making it worse. "She's really something, huh?" he asks, smiling.

"Yeah," Dawson agrees, nodding. "Beautiful..."

As they step on the ship, the Voice's words ring in his ears. You can trust them. They don't lie.

At least, they don't lie on purpose.

"Just about everyone fucked off to the city," Arber grunts, opening up the hatch and blinking down the dark stairs that lead into the belly of Santé. "I think we have this ship to ourselves."

"Nobody's going to steal her?" Dawson asks, furrowing his brow. "If nobody's on?"

Arber merely chuckles, descending by twos. "You need at least, like, thirty sailors to get her out of port. I don't think you could steal her if you wanted to." He shrugs. Juraj finally lets Dawson go, nodding for him to follow Arber; the pilot's mate goes down the stairs, Juraj following.

The first doorway on the left is opened, the distinctive aroma of a ship's canteen hitting Dawson. Arber takes a seat on a bench close to the kitchen area, patting the spot next to him for Dawson, who perches awkwardly, fidgeting with his sleeve. Juraj slips into the kitchen, the loud banging of pots and pans following him.

"Uh, sorry again," Dawson mumbles as Juraj comes out a few minutes later with a bowl of warm soup. He sets it down in front of Dawson as he sits across from the two, then reaches into his side-bag and pulls out a small, fresh loaf of bread, also putting it on the table. "You really don't have to - "

"Kid," Arber smirks, leaning over to ruffle Dawson's hair, "Slaf would probably rather starve than not help someone who needs it. Eat up."

The pilot's mate obediently reaches for the bread, tearing off a small piece of it and dipping it into his soup. "I didn't need - "

This time, he's cut off by Juraj clearing his throat. He looks up to the most deadly glare he's ever seen - even worse than the one Pally had fixed on the gunners when he'd learned they'd shirked their duties to play cards. "You needed it," Juraj states decisively. When Dawson nods in agreement, every speck of discontentment is erased immediately from Juraj's expression, back to sunshine and rainbows. The complete one-eighties are almost terrifying. But the Voices said they're safe. The Voices said they're to be trusted. He can trust them. He is safe.

"So, uh..." Dawson dips another piece of bread in his soup. It's soft and still warm, a luxury at sea. God, he feels even worse about taking advantage of these two like this. "How is it here?"

Arber leans back, resting his hands behind his head, elbows out. "It's great," he admits, smiling. "Captain Suzu's good to us, and there's rarely a trip we make where we don't come out with a profit. Slaf's a great cook, too," he accentuates this with a wink in Juraj's direction.

The cook rolls his eyes good-naturedly, then snaps his attention back to Dawson. "Arber, we should go grab some bandages and salves for his injuries." As Arber opens his mouth, Juraj adds, "Together."

"Don't do anything you might regret," Arber instructs Dawson, standing to follow Juraj, who's already half out the door. "Trust me." He ducks out, footsteps fast to catch his friend in the hallway.

So Dawson's alone, on an unfamiliar ship, with only half a bowl of soup and some fresh bread. He closes his eyes, trying to listen for any Voices that might know what to do or want to know anything. They swirl around him, whispering to each other, probably laughing at how miserable he must look. Dawson reaches up to scratch at his left cheek again, picking at the scabs already beginning to form.