#best books for ssc

[abhijeetblogs]

Best book for SSC GD Constable 2024-25

You will find many books available in the market for SSC GD exam. Not everyone is able to pass the exam. The reason for this is that most people are unable to understand which ssc gd book will prove beneficial for them. 

Hard work of the candidate and selection of the right books are very important to pass any exam. 

SSC GD Constable Book 2024-25

Here we will write only about those books from which you can score maximum marks. Almost all the topics asked in the exam are described in these books. All these books are suggested by experts, so read these books first.

SSC GD Book Names for all subject

Below are the names of the SSC GD Constable book-

Verbal and Non Verbal reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal

General Knowledge by Lucent publication

Elementary and Advanced Mathematics by Kiran Publication

Adhunik Hindi vyakaran aur Rachna by Dr. Vashudevnandan Prasad

English Grammar Book by Wren and Martin

[sterlingeducationin]

Best SSC Coaching in Jaipur   – Sterling Education

To fulfill the dream of getting a government job, SSC exam is the best option that you need to crack. Visit Sterling Education and join the Best SSC Coaching in Jaipur. At our institute, our highly experienced faculty is available to make you expert and confident in every topic for SSC. We are offering the coaching for all type of SSC exams such as CGL, CHSL and CPO. You can choose the course which suits your need.

[eapublicationindia]

Importance of MCQ Pattern in Engineering Exam Preparation

Multiple Choice Questions play a crucial and important role in assessing the knowledge and understanding of students in different academic disciplines. When it comes to the field of Electrical Engineering and mechanical engineering MCQ question serve as an effective tool for evaluating the comprehension of important fundamental concepts, problem-solving skills, and the analytical thinking.  Students need to focus well on this pattern of questions for better scores.

Why MCQ pattern is important for electrical engineering students?

Some of the reasons why the paper pattern is generally inclined towards the MCQ pattern of questions for electrical engineering students are:

Comprehensive Coverage of the topics: MCQ pattern of questions allow examiners to cover a wide range of topics within the limited available time for an exam. This can include questions from diverse area such as circuit analysis, electromagnetism, power systems, control systems, electronics, and many more. This also ensures that students have a holistic understanding of the subject and topics.

Better Conceptual Understanding: MCQ for electrical engineering help assess students' conceptual understanding rather than mere memorization. These questions often require students to apply their knowledge to solve more problems or analyze the given scenarios. By answering the MCQ questions, students demonstrate their ability to apply theoretical concepts to practical situations, which is very crucial for real-world engineering applications.

Time Management: In exams, time management is a critical factor and MCQ questions are designed to be answered quickly, allowing students to cover more number of questions within a specified time frame. This aspect is important in engineering exams where time constraints mirror the demands of real-life engineering scenarios.

Objective Evaluation: MCQ for electrical engineering provide an objective assessment of student's performance. With clear and unambiguous options, they can eliminate subjectivity in the grading and minimize the possibility of examiner bias. This pattern of questions ensures fairness and transparency in evaluating students' knowledge and skills.

Another field of engineering studies where the MCQ pattern of questions comes handy in use for the students is the Mechanical Engineering. The importance of MCQ for mechanical engineering is:

MCQ pattern hold significant importance in the field of Mechanical Engineering when it comes to assessing students' understanding of problem-solving abilities, and their application of theoretical knowledge.

Breadth of Coverage: MCQ for Mechanical Engineering encompasses a vast range of topics, including mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, materials science, manufacturing processes, and more. MCQ question allows examiner to assess students' knowledge across the diverse areas effectively. This ensures that students can have a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Critical Thinking and better Problem Solving skills: MCQ for Mechanical engineering often requires student to apply their knowledge to solve complex problems. This fosters critical thinking and enhances problem-solving skills, which are crucial in the field of Mechanical Engineering.

Conclusion

MCQ questions play a vital role in assessing the knowledge and skills of students in both Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. They provide a comprehensive evaluation, foster critical thinking, and promote time management and makes Improvement in the aspirants.

[arihantpub]

Small Mistakes That Impact Big in SSC CGL Preparation

The official SSC CGL notification has been released by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) of India to recruit approximately 7,500 posts  in different departments of government of India.

As the SSC exams are going to be held in July, Candidates often face stress & pressure at the exam and make some of the blunders from which they lose their marks and unable to get a rank in SSC CGL exam.

What’s your status of preparation or are you going to start your preparation?

So, if you are appearing in the exam for the first time then you must take care of some mistakes made by the SSC CGL aspirants at the time of preparation as well as while attempting the paper.

Here we have listed out 6 mistakes that you should not make while preparing for the exams.

NOT UNDERSTANDING THE PATTERN COMPLETELY

A battle that is fought with half of the execution plan can never be won. Often times aspirants directly jump into preparation mode for the exam without even realizing or analyzing the exam pattern and syllabus. Exam format or pattern give aspirants a sense of direction for the preparation and provide a strong basis to make a plan.

PREPARING FOR VARIOUS EXAMS AT THE SAME TIME

Once a great man said, “Jack of all trades, master of none”. That is why it is always suggested to take baby steps at a time in order to reach your goal. There are number of sources that can confuse students because every source has its own language, difficulties levels and methods of solving the questions. This will result in wasting of time in comparing these methods and at the time of exam you will not able to figure out the correct way to answer quickly.

So, it is better to focus on single exam and prepare it well it.

IGNORING THE TECHNICAL FEATURES OF THE EXAM

Majority of the time students ignore the technical aspect of the online exam system, rather they often practice with pen & papers. Though it might give you clearer concepts and improve your speed but it creates difficulty for aspirants while facing online pattern of exam in the examinationa hall.

As a solution to it, candidates must practice the online Mock Tests and Solve Papers through online mode to get handy of online mode of exam.

NOT MAKING THE STRATEGY

If you see… you have hardly got three months to prepare. So now, it is even more important to make a strategy plan which must also include the last minute preparation practice and online assessment around giving a jam packed preparation strategy.

NOT GIVING IMPORTANCE TO ALL SUBJECTS

To some level it is agreed that some topic might carry less weightage in SSC CGL paper but even that all the sections, all the chapters and all the topics requires same level of dedication, attention and importance to understand and practice.

AVOIDING PROPER TIME MANAGEMENT DURING EXAM

Time is the key! Candidates preparing for SSC CGL must the complete idea of online exam paper pattern and they should be well versed with time distribution while solving every single question and should be able to manage time accordingly.

If you are really eager to excel in SSC CGL and want to score higher, avoiding the common and unsensible mistakes should always be on your priority list. So, By avoiding these common mistakes, candidates can improve their chances of success exam and score better in the SSC CGL 2023!

Save the Link - https://arihantbooks.com/shop/collections/cgl

Thank You.

[ujjwalsource]

Online Banking Exam Preparation | Ujjwal Source

Best Online banking exam preparation has become an essential aspect for individuals who aim to pursue a career in the Indian banking sector. The Indian banking system is one of the largest and most complex in the world, and as such, requires candidates to possess a solid understanding of its policies and practices. With the emergence of online platforms, the process of preparing for these exams has become easier and more accessible.

[vexwerewolf]

If we talk about the aesthetics of technology in Lancer, we can divide each of the Big 4 along lines of form and function.

IPS-N: Pure Function

IPS-N cares only what a mech does. It doesn't need to look good or pretty doing it - it only needs to be able to do that thing well. It's notable that the Raleigh, arguably the most form-oriented of the IPS-N frames, is also considered to be the company's biggest commercial failure - they strayed from their core design principles and got punished for it.

Harrison Armory: Form Follows Function

Harrison Armory still leans pretty heavily towards the functionality side of things, but it isn't satisfied with doing a good job alone. Yes, the mechs have to perform well, but they also have to look good doing it. There's no practical application for the Sherman's sleeveless coat or the Tokugawa's dainty little tassels, but they don't hinder combat functionality and they make the mechs look dashing. In comparison to IPS-N's coarse, industrial, almost unfinished look, HA mechs look stern, austere and imposing. There's a smoothness to them that you just don't get on IPS-N frames.

SSC: Function Follows Form

SSC is where we start to plunge into aesthetics-forward mech design. The Death's Head isn't six-legged because it's a sniper - the Death's Head is a sniper because it's six-legged. SSC came up with a mech design and asked: "what would this do best?" A six-legged chassis provided a more stable firing platform for precision weaponry, so that was what it did. Shapes and appearances are invented, and then a use case is discovered for them.

HORUS: Pure Form

It might seem weird to classify HORUS as "pure form" when their mechs largely don't have a consistent visual identity outside of the examples in the book. However, if we look a little deeper at the definition of "form," the explanation becomes clear: in some ways, HORUS is in the business of making statements, not mechs.

For anyone who's actually played a HORUS mech in Lancer, you may have noticed how awkward they are to actually pilot. Their statlines are, on paper, often very poorly suited to the sort of work they have to do. The Gorgon is built to attract attention and draw fire but has no armor. The Manticore is meant to be a front-line fighter but is quite slow. The Minotaur is meant to be a tech platform but has a low sensor range. The Pegasus' one functional trait doesn't apply to any of the weapons in its equipment package!

This is because HORUS mechs are designed purely as a testament to a certain discipline of technology. I remember expressing irritation with a friend's NeoGeo-for-X-Box emulator once, that you couldn't reconfigure the controller mapping so that it was easier to play with the X-Box controller. He remarked that it was meant as a historical preservation tool that perfectly duplicated the functionality of the NeoGeo, and that the only reason you could even play games using it at all is because that was a function of NeoGeo arcade cabinets.

That's how HORUS mechs are - their usability as chassis is broadly a side-effect.

[bateapublications]

Best practice papers for SSC JE exam preparations

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Junior Engineer (JE) exam is a competitive examination conducted for recruitment to the post of Junior Engineers in various government organizations. Aspirants who are preparing for the SSC JE exam must have a strong grip on their syllabus, as well as a clear understanding of the examination pattern. One of the best ways to prepare for the SSC JE examination is by solving previous year's solved question papers.

For Civil Engineering aspirants, SSC JE Civil Engineering previous year solved papers can help to get a better understanding of the examination pattern and the types of questions that is asked. The solved papers give a clear idea of the difficulty level of the exam and the different topics that are frequently asked. Solving these papers can help aspirants to improve their speed and accuracy, and increase their chances of cracking the SSC JE Civil exam. Top SSC JE civil engineering previous year solved papers from EA publication covers all different ranges of civil engineering exam concepts.  Moreover, the SSC JE civil engineering previous year solved papers are useful and important for students from rural areas of the country. EA publication is a well trusted publication in India known to be serving quality education material to students from a long time. Students get the best SSC JE solved papers at a very cheap price from the EA publications.

Similarly, for Electrical Engineering aspirants, SSC JE Electrical Engineering previous year solved papers are an excellent resource to prepare for the examination. These papers help to familiarize aspirants with the types of questions that are mainly asked and the examination pattern. Solving these papers can help aspirants to identify their weak areas and work on them properly. By practicing these papers, aspirants can improve their time management skills and increase their chances of success in the SSC JE Electrical Engineering exam. Competitive exams are difficult to crack and require proper preparation from students to score well in the exam. Practice is an important key in deciding the final result and justifies all the efforts. More the practice is more the aspirant can get confident with the preparations. SSC JE electrical engineering previous year solved papers helps in making progress of an individual align with the actual exam conditions. Attempting more number of the SSC JE solved papers gives a clear idea regarding the frequently asked questions in the main Exam. Candidates are often required to have quick review of all practice sets to ensure better results in the exam. The books and the SSC JE electrical engineering previous year solved papers are well curated for students to help them clear all their doubts. EA publication from Engineers academy helps students by providing them best resources for SSC JE exam and the books are analyzed by the faculty of engineers academy themselves.

Mechanical Engineering aspirants can also benefit from SSC JE Mechanical Engineering previous year solved papers. These papers provide a clear understanding of the types of questions that are asked. By solving these papers, aspirants can get a feel for the difficulty level of the examination and improve their problem-solving skills. This can help them to perform better in the SSC JE Mechanical Engineering examination and increase their chances of success. Important SSC JE mechanical engineering previous year solved papers from The EA publication provides a collection of the SSC JE mechanical engineering previous year solved papers along with the required practice of MCQ questions. The notes and different course books from EA publications provides for the solution to students which help them achieve higher ranks.

Conclusion

In conclusion we can say solving previous year SSC JE solved papers is an essential part of the preparation for the SSC JE examination. These papers provide a clear understanding of the examination pattern and the types of questions that are asked. By solving these papers, aspirants can improve their problem-solving skills, speed, accuracy, and time management, and increase their chances of success in the SSC JE examination.

[babyhatesreality]

Nightlight

Pairing: Daddy!Stucky x Little!F!Reader

Warnings: DDLG (SSC), f! reader, reader is named but name scarcely used, language, pet names, angsty/anxious/insecure baby, a few tears, Stucky being the best daddies ever.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN MEDIA CONSUMPTION. THIS STORY IS SFW- THE REST OF MY BLOG IS NOT NECESSARILY SO. MINORS DNI. I DO NOT CONSENT FOR MY WORK TO BE STOLEN, COPIED, OR TRANSLATED ONTO ANY OTHER SITE BUT MY OWN. Likes, comments and reblogs are deeply appreciated.

"Alright love bug, time to get out," Steve said, smiling as he watched you play with your tub toys. He held out the small plastic basket to you. You tossed your toys one by one into it, cheering proudly each time like you'd made a half-court shot. Steve of course cheered right along with you. Once all your toys were put up, he hung the basket on the hooks on the tub wall to dry, and helped you out. He wrapped the big fluffy towel around you. "Gotta hug you dry!" he said, giving you a big squeeze and making you giggle. "I heard that kisses help you dry off too, isn't that right?" he added very seriously, before attacking your face with noisy smooches. You squealed and playfully twisted like you were trying to get away, but deep down you loved it.

You were still getting used to being so cared for and protected. You'd been with Steve and Bucky for about six weeks now. The bond between the three of you was incredible, and you felt so safe and happy, trusting them instantly and completely. It was still taking some time for you to believe that you were worthy of this much love and attention, but you were slowly getting there. As if you really had any other choice when you were constantly being showered with it.

Once you were dry, Steve helped you brush your teeth and combed out your hair, before carrying you, still wrapped in the huge fluffy towel, to Bucky. "What's it gonna be tonight, princess?" Papa asked. "Do you want to sleep in the big bed with us, or in your bed with your stuffies?"

Without really thinking about it, you answered quickly. "Stuffies please!" Daddy and Papa had just let you build two brand new teddies at Build-A-Bear today, and you were eager for them to get to know the rest of their new stuffy gang. The idea of cuddling two new stuffies plus Jellybean tonight was just too exciting to pass up.

"You got it, love," Papa said with a smile. He carried you out to Bucky, gently transferring you into his waiting arms. "She's sleeping with her new pals tonight," he explained. Bucky grinned, looking down on your excited face.

"What did you name your new teddies again, Trouble?" he asked, remembering full well what you had named them.

"Named 'em Cap and BuckBear!" you answered cheerfully.

"That's right you did," he said smugly to himself, as he carried into your room. He made quick work of putting your sleepytime lotion on, and dressing you in the pink and blue pjs you'd picked out earlier, all while you told him all about your new teddy bears. He nodded and followed along, subtly laying you down in bed before you really realized it. Once you caught on, however, you started squirming and trying to sit back up, but all it took was him tucking your new furry friends into your arms one at a time for you to lay back down with a contented sigh.

He and Steve each took their turn reading you a book that you picked out. As your eyelids were getting unbearably heavy, Bucky reached over and switched on the soft blue unicorn nightlight, before turning on the baby monitor. They finished the last story, tucked you in, gave you gentle kisses on the forehead, and tiptoed out the door.

You smiled, nuzzling into your new teddies' soft fur. Then, of course, you had to reach for Jellybean, not wanting her to feel left out. Then you needed to give some time to each new teddy so they knew they were loved too...and before you knew it, you were wide awake again, trying to make sure all the stuffies got equal love before you all went to sleep.

Once you were satisfied, you snuggled in and closed your eyes. But...something was wrong. Something didn't sound right. You wiggled and fidgeted, not knowing what it was, but it was making you more and more anxious. Suddenly you realized that you hadn't slept alone for nearly three weeks. You were so used to hearing the gentle breathing of Papa and Daddy snuggled next to you, that the silence of your room was too loud. And then it was scary.

You opened your eyes, focusing on your unicorn nightlight. It was so lovely and pretty, but it just wasn't doing the job- it couldn't soothe you enough, or chase away enough of the creeping fear climbing up your spine. You desperately wanted to get out of bed and go find Papa and Daddy. But you shook your head and buried your face into Jellybean. Good girls stayed in bed. Good girls did what they were told. Otherwise, that meant they were bad and who wanted a bad little girl?

*************************************

Steve and Bucky were getting ready for bed in their room. "I almost don't know what to do with myself," Steve joked. "I'm so used to Katie being in here and going to bed with her that I've forgotten how to adult."

Bucky chortled quietly. "You want me to read you a story?" he teased, laughing when Steve tossed his wadded up teeshirt at his head. "Punk."

"Jerk."

"You wanna watch a movie?"

"I feel like I should say yes, but...."

"You only wanna watch a Disney movie, don't you?"

"...yes."

"...me too."

"I've gotten so addicted to them with her!"

"Right?! How the hell did they get that good over all these years?"

"Makes you glad were were both on ice for some of those in between ones, eh?"

"Tell me about it. Let's find one of the ones that might be too scary for her. We'll screen it and see if she can handle it."

"I love that idea."

"Well, I am the smart one."

"I still outrank you."

"Touche, punk. Gimme the remote."

They both climbed into bed, scrolling through the options. Before Bucky hit play though, he hesitated. "What is it?" Steve asked.

"Should we...should we go check on her? Just to make sure she's...you know...okay?" Bucky asked, trying to play it cool and failing miserably.

Steve smiled gently. "I'm missing her too," he said reassuringly. The bed felt somehow empty without your small frame wiggling around in it. "But we need to let her have her independence when she wants it. That's part of keeping her healthy and safe."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Bucky said, pouting. "But I don't have to like it."

Before Steve could agree, they heard something. Something come through the baby monitor. Something that made them both absolutely freeze.

You gave the tiniest sniff. Like...maybe like you were crying.

Steve and Bucky tore across the apartment so fast, it was a wonder there weren't skid marks on the carpet. They screeched to a halt by your door, not wanting to scare you, or even wake you up if you were, in fact, asleep. Steve cracked the door open the tiniest bit, just enough to get a look at you in your bed. You were definitely crying silently. Bucky let out a soft exhale of air, like he'd been punched in the stomach at the sight of your tears. You heard it and turned to them.

"Daddy? Papa?" you asked in the smallest, most heartbreaking voice they'd ever heard.

Instantly, you found yourself in Bucky's arms, and then both of you were in Steve's. You tried to subtly wipe your eyes, but of course they knew you'd been crying.

"What's wrong, baby girl?" Steve asked, his heart threatening to squeeze out his chest as he held both you and Bucky. "Did you get scared? Are you okay?"

"It's okay, you're safe, nothing can hurt you," Bucky added in a soothing tone. "We're here, my love. We're right here."

"I...sowwy."

"What?" Steve replied, completely surprised. "What are you sorry for honey? You didn't do anything wrong."

"S'posed to be 'sleep," you mumbled, the tears threatening again.

"Aw, that's okay Trouble," Bucky said with a soft smile. "Sometimes it takes me a long time to fall asleep too."

"Not....dat..." you whispered, before turning your ashamed face into Bucky's chest. They exchanged a quick look.

"What is it then, honey? You can tell us, it's okay," Steve said soothingly, rubbing circles on your back. "Daddy and I got you, okay? Can we please help you?"

You gulped, and looked up at them. They both seemed sincere, and you had no reason not to trust them...."I...I got scawed," you lisped out, your Rs turning into Ws the way they did when you were upset. "It's okay, Princess, Daddy and I will protect you from anything, okay? You know that, right?"

"Yeah...."

"Can you tell us what scared you?"

"No," you said, turning back into Bucky's chest.

"Why not baby?"

"Cause....'cause I don't wanna be bad...."

"You're not bad, Trouble. You're our good little girl. Please tell us what scared you. We won't be mad, we promise."

"Pwomise?"

"We promise," they said in unison. That was what finally broke you enough to tell them, the tears starting up again.

"I...I missed you and I wann'd to come back to the big bed but good giwls don't get outta bed and dey gotta be good and stay...."

You watched their faces closely as you confessed, just waiting for them to scold you. Instead, the softest smiles crossed their faces when they heard that you were missing them.

"Oh angel," Steve breathed, leaning in to rub his nose against yours. "How on earth could we be mad at you for missing us?"

"You...you not mad?"

"Not even a little bit, baby." "Cause guess what Trouble?" Bucky added, his voice hoarse with emotion.

"What?" you asked innocently, your wide, pleading eyes doing him in all over again.

"We were missing you too."

"You was?"

"Uh-huh. Big time."

"It's true, Baby. Daddy and I were talking about it before we heard you in the baby monitor."

"Was twying to be quiet and be good."

"And that was very sweet of you, lovebug, but listen to me, okay?" Papa said, scooting in even closer and putting a finger under your chin so you'd look him in the eye. "If you ever, and I mean ever, need me or Daddy, you can always, always, ALWAYS come to us. No matter what. Okay?"

You blinked up at him, astonished that you hadn't been the perfect little girl you were supposed to be....yet he still wanted you to come to him anyways? You knew you could trust your Papa....and he wouldn't lie to you....

"That's right, Baby Girl," Buck added, seeing your disbelief. "Doesn't matter if it's late at night, or early in the morning, or if you've just been put to bed- doesn't matter. Doesn't even matter if it's nowhere near bedtime. If you want us, you got us. Papa and I are here for you and want you to be the happiest baby in the world. So don't even think about it again- if you need me and Papa, you come get us. Understood?"

"I....I can come get you if I need you?"

"Of course you can, Trouble."

"Always," added Steve lovingly.

"Can I....can I...."

"Yes?"

"Can....I come....sweep with you tonight pwease?"

"Thought you'd never ask," Bucky teased, swinging you up in his arms suddenly and standing.

"Do you want to bring your new furry friends with you, baby?" Steve asked, already gathering them in anticipation of what he already knew you were going to say.

You couldn't even respond for a moment, you were so full of wonder and joy at their love and affirmation. At their care. They DID love you. They DID care for you. And you could make mistakes and they would still love you. No one had ever done that for you before. But maybe...just maybe...you had finally found it. The two bestest daddies in the entire world that genuinely loved and cared for you. Your heart was so full, it was amazing.

You nodded shyly at Steve, who grinned and carefully gathered Cap, BuckBear, and Jellybean. "I call cuddling with Baby and Cap," he said playfully as the three of you (well, the six of you counting the stuffies) made your way out of your bedroom.

"No fair!" Bucky said back in a theatrically wounded voice. "I wanna cuddle with Baby! And of course BuckBear. He is the handsomest, isn't he, Trouble?" When you gave your little giggle at their silliness, they both smiled those soft, special smiles at you again, making your heart warm and making you feel so loved all over again.

In no time at all, you were comfortably cuddled in the crook of Bucky's right arm while holding Steve's left forearm against your chest. After some more playful and gentle teasing, Cap was cuddled by Papa, BuckBear by Daddy, and Jellybean was squished up all cozy in between Papa's arm and you.

You sighed, feeling so loved and cared for. "Papa? Daddy?" you asked sleepily, as once more your eyelids became oh so heavy.

"What is it, baby?" Bucky asked in his deep, quiet tones.

"You are better dan a million nightlights," you said with a gentle smile.

They both leaned into you at that, giving you sweet goodnight kisses all over again. "You're the light of our lives, angel," Steve whispered. "We'll always be your nightlights."

[sephirthoughts]

Sephesis Week 2025

Day 4: Schism

@sephesisweek a little late but it's still the 4th where i am! i made it!! woohoo

Edit: i posted it without the title 😅

Seeing Red

“You’re bored,” Genesis said. 

Sephiroth shook his head. “I’m not.”

“Why are you staring into space, like that?”

“Just thinking about life.” 

The two were sitting high up on the simulated Junon city walls, looking out over the holographic sea, at perpetual sunset. 

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Sephiroth asked.

Genesis closed his book. “I’m going to be a hero. So are you. That’s what we’re doing here. That’s the whole point.”

“I meant, apart from that. Isn’t there anything else you want for yourself?”

“What else is there?”

“I don’t know,” Sephiroth shrugged. “A family. A normal life.”

“Sephi, what you must understand, is that ours is a special existence. We’re not like the rest of those people, with their dull little humdrum lives, never doing anything important, or changing anything. We’re the ones who get to do that. We’re the ones who will make a mark on the world. Whose names will be remembered by history. So, who the hell wants that boring, domestic crap, with neighborhood associations and family dinners, and…lawn maintenance.”

“I’ve always wanted those things,” Sephiroth admitted. “I don’t think it sounds boring, at all.”

“You’re romanticizing it because you never had a normal life. Trust me, it’s not something to aspire to. It’s nothing but stifling drudgery.”

“You don’t even want a family?” 

“We’re sterile.”

“There’s adoption.”

“Either way, I don’t plan to have time for children. There’d be no point in me adopting some brats just for nannies to take care of them, while I’m out saving the world.”

“Oh,” Sephiroth said, looking down at his gloved hands.

“Worry not, my friend, you’ll be saving the world right along with me,” Genesis smiled, leaning over to bump their shoulders together. “You won’t have time for those domestic things, either, so it’s best to forget about it. Besides, who needs families, when we’ve got each other.”

Sephiroth looked up, and suddenly it seemed that their faces were very close together. 

“Gen,” he murmured.

“Sephi,” Genesis said, as he leaned even closer, letting his eyes flutter shut.

Sephiroth could feel his warm breath on his lips. He swallowed hard. “What are you…what are you doing?”

Genesis went stock still for a beat, then he pulled away hastily, golden-ivory cheeks blushing like ripe apples. “What are you doing! Why are you always pestering me when I’m reading, anyway! Leave me alone!”

“Wait, Gen, don’t—Gen come back!” Sephiroth called after him, as he ran away out the training room door. 

He planned to speak to Genesis the next day, after he’d cooled off, but he wasn’t at the briefing and he didn’t see him all morning. He was fretting so much, during lunch, that Angeal broke down and let it slip that Gen was taking a ‘mental health day’ i.e., pouting in his room. He shook his head and laughed as Sephiroth vanished, practically leaving a Sephiroth-shaped dust cloud behind.

“Gen, come on,” Sephiroth said, to the locked door. “Just let me in.”

“Go! Away!” Genesis’ muffled voice shouted back.

“Please? I really need to talk to you.”

“Anything you need to say you can say from out there!”

“Well…alright.” Sephiroth cleared his throat and raised his voice, to a volume at which he was certain to be heard clearly, through the door. “I’m sorry about yesterday! I wanted to kiss you!” Some passing SSCs looked over and began muttering amongst themselves. Sephiroth ignored them. “But, I wasn’t sure you wanted to kiss me. I didn’t want to presume and make a fool of myself so—”

The door banged open and Sephiroth was dragged bodily inside. 

“What the hell are you doing!” Genesis hissed. “Why are you shouting things like that, where everyone can hear!!”

“You told me to,” Sephiroth defended.

Genesis stuck his head out, peering up and down the hall, then pulled the door closed and locked it. “Are you attempting to drive me out of my mind, so that I’ll quit the program? Is that what it is? Are you that worried about me surpassing you and stealing your spotlight?”

“My spotlight?” Sephiroth asked, looking adorably confused—or, more accurately, he looked regular confused, but his hyperbolic attractiveness made everything he did look adorable.

Genesis sighed patiently. “The light used in a theater production, to call attention to the primary performer in a scene. An idiomatic way of saying that you’re the one everyone looks at. You’re Shinra’s famous war-hero.”

“Oh. I don’t want the spotlight, then. If someone would take it, I’d be happy.” 

“Hmph,” Genesis replied, tossing his head. “So you say, but you’ve never tried being out of the spotlight. Always playing second fiddle to the company’s golden boy, nothing more than a chorus girl at best.”

Sephiroth certainly would have been perplexed by that barrage of idioms, but he was staring at Genesis’ auburn hair, with his hands balled up into fists, because his fingers were itching to touch it. 

“You recall how they publicized my raid on that munitions factory last month as your heroic deed, correct?” Genesis was elaborating. “The raid for which you were not even present, let alone responsible?”

It looked like thin strands of that amber colored glass some pill bottles were made of. Would it be smooth and cool to the touch, like glass? Or would it be warm and soft, like a dog’s fur? (It must be noted that the only animal he had ever touched was a dog, making that his only context for comparison.)

“Sephiroth!” Genesis snapped, jolting him back to himself. 

Sephiroth blinked. “Hm?”

“Stop staring at me like that. You’re creeping me out.”

“Ah—apologies.”

“What are you looking at, anyway? Do I have a leaf or something?”

“Yes,” Sephiroth lied, decisively seizing the opportunity. “I’ll get it for you.”

Before Genesis could reply, he reached out and stuck his ungloved fingers into the fiery, copper hair. Ah-ha! It was silky and smooth, like glass! But it was also warm, like a dog’s fur. Interesting. His curiosity satisfied, Sephiroth drew his hand back, looking pleased with himself.

“Where’s the leaf? Did you get it?” Genesis prompted.

He then realized his mistake and fumbled for an excuse. “I was mistaken. It was nothing.”

Genesis scowled suspiciously at him and marched over to the small mirror, on the wall above his sink, to inspect his hair for any unauthorized objects. Nothing was amiss, but he kept fussing with it, for a minute.

Sephiroth returned to his purpose in coming here. “So, regarding yesterday.”

Genesis froze for a microsecond, but immediately regained his composure and went on adjusting his hair, in the mirror. “Hm? What about it?”

“I came to apologize. And…and to make sure all is well, between us.” 

Genesis, who was accustomed to Sephiroth’s stiff speech patterns, understood the gist, no matter how poorly expressed. He turned around to face him. “Did you really want to kiss me?” 

Sephiroth nodded. “I did.”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Yes! Why! I want to know why!”

Sephiroth was in a pickle, now. He had been educated by Shinra scientists, and they had not allowed him to waste time on anything they deemed unnecessary to his function as a weapon. Amongst the chief time wasters were such trifles as literature, poetry, art, music, and any but the most basic human psychology. Thus, he had no words for the things he felt. 

Instead, jumbled ideas like exciting, beautiful, warm, precious, vibrant, all bounced around in his head, pinging wildly off each other and making an utter hash of his thoughts. 

“I…I don’t know,” he said helplessly, at last.

“You don’t know?” Genesis sounded annoyed, so he knew he’d said the wrong thing. 

“I mean, I don’t know how to say it,” he attempted. “There are a lot of reasons.”

Genesis looked down and then back up at him. “Do you still want to?”

“Yes.”

“Have you kissed anyone, before?”

“No. Have you?”

“O—of course I have! Lots of times!” Genesis stammered, blushing to the ears. “I’m nineteen years old, after all. It would be embarrassing if I hadn’t.”

Sephiroth’s big, blue-green eyes lit up. “Then you can teach me. I was nervous, because I was sure to do it wrong, but it’ll be fine, if you know how.”

“Obviously I can teach you. There’s nothing to it, actually. You just press your lips together. And sometimes you, uh. You…you know. With your tongues.”

Sephiroth stepped closer. This used to put them eye-to-eye, but that was before he hit his second growth spurt at age eighteen, and shot up another half a foot. Genesis looked up at him, as he loomed over him. Sephiroth leaned down. They closed their eyes. 

“Wait!” Genesis gasped, just before their lips made contact. “I…I can’t do this.”

Sephiroth drew back to look at him, and found his brilliant blue eyes were rimmed with pink. “What’s wrong?”

“I lied! I’ve never kissed anyone, either! And I will not have my first kiss be like this! In a dorm room, at three o’clock in the afternoon, with no romantic ambience whatsoever!” 

“What should we do?”

Genesis drew himself up and lifted his chin, regally. “If you want to kiss me…you have to take me out on a date.” 

Sephiroth gravely contemplated what this could mean, but Genesis saw his wheels spinning, and came to his rescue. 

“A date is a romantic outing, usually involving a meal and an activity. I want you to take me to see Loveless, on Saturday night. And then to dinner. At a proper restaurant, mind you, with tablecloths and candles and a dress-code.”

“I see. And, once we’ve done those things, then we can kiss?” Sephiroth asked.

“That’s how it works. We go on the date, and if you play your cards right, you’ll get a kiss at the end.”

“I don’t know any card games. Hojo didn’t allow frivolous distractions.”

Genesis looked aggrieved. “But why didn’t he allow you to learn any idioms?”

“He always said that idiomatic speech was vulgar, and he wouldn’t have me using it.”

“Goddess alive. That man certainly is a piece of work, isn’t he.”

Sephiroth gave a mirthless little chuckle. “Quite.”

“About our date, you’ll have to get permission from Lazard. Sooner is better, since he’ll have to arrange security and everything.”

“I’ll go see him right now.”

“Good. Then…it’s a date.”

Sephiroth smiled. “It’s a date.”

“A date? Absolutely not.”

Sephiroth frowned. “Why not?”

“Do you know what kind of time and resources we’d have to put into vetting whatever girl you wanted to take out?” Lazard returned. “Not to mention the mountain of paperwork she and her entire family would have to sign. Which would mean the legal department would have to get involved, as well as the Turks. In terms of manpower and budget, it’d be akin to running a top-level recon op.”

“What if there is no girl to vet?”

“What do you mean if—oh, fuck me. Sephiroth, do not tell me you’re…” Lazard took off his glasses and sat on the edge of his desk, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Ok, listen to me. Whoever he is, if you care about him at all, you will never, ever see him again. If Shinra gets the slightest whiff of you being entangled with a man, they’ll do whatever they can to get rid of him. And you know firsthand what they can do.”

The silver brows furrowed deeper. “Why would my dating a man be any different from dating a woman?”

“It may not have occurred to you, because you’ve been so sheltered, but every aspect of your public image is carefully curated, based on market analysis, social media trends, and canvassing public opinion. Your number-one demographic is heterosexual women, between 19 and 45. No matter how you swing, personally, you must keep up a heterosexual façade, for your public. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t care who you date, but it’s not.”

“I see,” Sephiroth said dejectedly. “Genesis will be disappointed, but I suppose it’s not meant to happen.” 

“Genesis?”

“Mn. He wanted me to take him on a date, to see a show and to have dinner.”

Lazard held up a hand to stop him, as he turned to go. “Hold on a minute. That…you may be able to do.”

“But Genesis is a man.”

“True, but you and Genesis are colleagues who work closely together. There’s nothing the female public loves more than handsome, male celebrities having platonic fun together. It humanizes you and makes them feel closer to you. Most importantly, it makes you look single. If you can behave yourselves, we can sell it as wholesome, heterosexual male-bonding. But you’ll have to take Angeal with you. If one of you is missing, it’ll look like there’s a schism on the team. The gossip rags will go apeshit.”

Sephiroth appeared unconvinced. “So, in order to avoid appearing homosexual, the three of us should all go on a date, together?”

“Exactly.”

“If you say so, then…alright. I’ll ask Angeal.”

“A date? Absolutely not,” Angeal said, crossing his muscular arms on his barrel chest. “I mean, I’m flattered and all, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to mix our work and personal lives. That’s how things get messy.”

Sephiroth felt a headache coming on. “I’ve been so confused that I’ve explained the situation poorly and confused you, too. Let me start over. Genesis wants me to take him on a date. Lazard said we could only go, if all three of us go, together. That way we’ll avoid appearing homosexual.”

“I don’t know how me being there is gonna stop you and Gen looking homosexual,” Angeal smirked. “But, if that’s Lazard’s condition, then sure. I’m happy to help you guys out.”

“You don’t disapprove? I thought you said it wasn’t good to mix our work and personal lives.”

“Look, to be honest, I was just trying to let you down easy. Even if you were my type, I respect you too much, as a friend and colleague, to think of you that way.”

“I see,” Sephiroth replied solemnly. “Does the same go for Genesis?”

“Yeah, sure, I respect him too much, too,” Angeal snorted. “Seriously, though, me and Gen have known each other since we were little kids. If there was gonna be anything romantic between us, there would have, by now.”

“Hm.”

“Hm?”

“Well, now that I think of it, I’m having trouble envisioning what type of person you would be interested in, romantically.”

Angeal shrugged. “Dunno. I guess I like happy people. Cheerful, upbeat, outgoing. Also, down to earth and unpretentious. So, you know. Pretty much the opposite of you two motherfuckers.”

“A cheerful, down-to-earth person does sound right, for you,” Sephiroth smiled. “I hope you find someone like that, one day.”

“Thanks. By the way, what makes you want to go out with Gen? I mean, I get that he’s a top-tier piece of ass, but he’s so…weird.”

“I don’t mind that he’s weird. I suppose I just feel drawn to him.”

“Yeah, like a moth to a hell-firaga,” Angeal chuckled, slapping him companionably on the back. “Watch out you don’t get burned.”

“Angeal, since we’re on the general topic, may I ask you something personal?”

“Shoot.”

“Are you…have you ever…”

“You trying to ask if I’m a virgin?”

Sephiroth nodded sheepishly.

“Not since I was fourteen. Banora is a pretty place to visit, but it’s as dull as ditchwater to live in. Gen grew up on the hill, with his fancy toys and cars and a pool and all that shit, but most of us were dirt poor. There wasn’t a whole lot to do without spending money we didn’t have, so when we got bored of the swimming hole and stealing apples, we got up to fucking.”

“We?” Sephiroth asked, bewildered.

“Me and the other kids my age. We swapped around a lot. It wasn’t really serious between any of us, just teenagers being teenagers.”

“How…how many times have you done it?” 

“Times? I can’t count. I had three or four partners, back then. Nine or ten, if we’re also counting after I joined SOLDIER.”

Sephiroth was stunned. “But how do you even find so many people to do that, with?”

“Well, I fuck girls and boys, so I have twice as many options,” Angeal grinned.

“And how do you approach them? It all seems so…frightening.”

“I don’t have to approach anyone. They come to me.”

“Strangers come to you and offer to have sex with you?”

“Yep. Us Firsts are at the top of the food chain, Seph. Everyone wants a taste. You’ve had those kind of offers too, right?”

“No. Never.”

“Huh.” Angeal rubbed his goatee musingly. “I wonder why that is.” 

“I don’t know. I’m physically attractive, am I not?”

“According to Midgar Magazine, you’re the Sexiest Man on the Planet. People are probably just scared to approach you.”

“Mn. You may be right. I have been told I’m intimidating, due to my height, my lack of expression, and always being armed.” 

“If it makes you feel better, I’ve never been scared of you,” Angeal offered. “When I met you, you were still a scrawny little beanpole.”

“I wasn’t scrawny, I was lean,” Sephiroth contended. “I was within the normal weight range for my age and height.”

“Yeah, your height of five-foot-four.”

“You were only five-foot-eight.”

“Which is the average height for adult males.”

“I’m taller than you, now.”

“And getting even taller.” Angeal eyed him appraisingly, then frowned. “You’re still too thin, though. Have you been eating enough? Do I have to cook proper meals for you and make you eat them, again?”

“I’m not allowed to gain any weight. They’re photographing me for some kind of promotional campaign, next month. I have to be in peak condition.”

“Can you even put on fat, if you want to?”

“Not any significant amount. I wish I could, though,” Sephiroth sighed, looking fretfully down at his bare chest. “The marketing people say it’s visually appealing, but I dislike seeing my muscle fibers so clearly beneath my skin. It looks grotesque, to me.”

“Fucking bastards,” Angeal growled. “I hate that they make you stay at an unhealthy weight, just to parade you around in the press. As soon as we retire from SOLDIER, you’re gonna live with me. I’ll cook you three full meals a day and no one will make you work out. We can become fat old men, together.”

“I would like that,” Sephiroth said, smiling wistfully at the thought of a peaceful retirement, with his best friend and a lot of good food, and all the time in the world, to enjoy both. “Genesis won’t want to get fat, though. He’s very particular about his silhouette.”

“He’s not invited, anyway,” Angeal declared. “He can go be a snob in his big mansion, with an army of paid lackeys to tell him how beautiful he is.”

Sephiroth didn’t like the bitter edge he sensed in Angeal’s remarks about Genesis, sometimes, so he just smiled placidly and changed the topic, thinking secretly that he’d never choose either of them over the other, so they’d just have accept that they were all going to be together forever, and learn to get along.

Lazard did his best not to let it get blown it out of proportion, but there was no way around it. Shinra’s PR people had to be informed that the SOLDIERs First Class were going on an outing in public, without proverbial adult supervision and so, of course, the entire thing turned into a circus. 

Obviously, Shinra couldn’t let just anybody have the honor of seeing a play in the same theatre as their precious SFCs, so the entire venue had to be bought out and the seats assigned to the right people. 

The result was that, leading up to the night of the show, there was a (metaphorical, thank the goddess) bloodbath among the press and the wealthy elites, alike, all climbing over one another to curry favor, in hopes of scoring an invitation.

The three young men who had caused all this commotion were largely unaware of it, but their lives were also in a general uproar. 

First, the PR team chose the most posh, exclusive, wildly expensive restaurant in Midgar, so all three young men had to be fitted for tuxedos. The Firsts couldn’t be seen to look like stodgy old men, though, so they were put in hipper, less formal versions of the standard black-tie wear, each wearing a cocktail jacket in what the team had decided was their signature color (white for Sephiroth, cranberry red for Genesis, and black for Angeal).

Second, they were taken off all their actual assignments, and made to sit in the briefing room all day, listening to the PR team drill them on how to conduct themselves properly in every possible eventuality, including but not limited to, natural disasters, man-made disasters, gotcha questions from the press, terrorist attacks, and encounters with overenthusiastic fans. 

By the time Saturday night rolled around, Sephiroth was exhausted, irritable, and didn’t want to hear another word about this cursed outing. He was seriously considering faking an injury and getting the entire thing called off, but then he thought about the potential reward for ‘playing his cards right’, and found the will to carry on. 

“Not exactly what I had in mind, for a first date,” Genesis remarked, as they climbed into the armored limo, in the Shinra Tower garage. 

“I know,” Sephiroth said miserably. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. Shinra can’t just let us enjoy anything.”

“Come on, cheer up, guys,” Angeal bluffly exhorted them. “We’re stuck doing this, now, so we may as well make the best of it. Try to have a good time.”

“Try to look like you’re having a good time, at least,” advised the PR coordinator, who was also climbing into the limo. 

“Who let you in here,” Genesis scowled. 

The woman ignored the comment and tapped at her data pad, looking very official. “There’s already a crowd at the venue, so remember: big smiles, wave to the cameras, stop to shake hands with no more than two fans each, and do not answer any questions, whatsoever. Got it?”

“Got it,” the three young men answered glumly, as the convoy of armored vehicles got underway.

Sephiroth’s trepidation increased, as they approached Loveless Avenue, but it really wasn’t that bad. Not if one ignored the mob of paparazzi with their disruptive shouts and flash-bulbs, the screaming fans that lined the streets behind the barricades, holding up signs made with markers and glitter paint, proclaiming ‘MARRY ME SEPHIROTH’ and ‘GENESIS IS MY GODDESS’ and ‘DADDY ANGEAL’, etc., and the army of Shinra troops and black-suited Turks, trying to maintain order.

After that night, Sephiroth found that he didn’t remember a single minute of the first half of the play. His hypervigilance was in full effect, and he was overstimulated to the point that he self-protectively detached his psyche and went numb, leaving his body on autopilot. 

What he did remember, was about halfway through the ordeal, when he felt a warm pressure and glanced down, to find Genesis surreptitiously squeezing his hand, in the little space between their seats. Sephiroth held tightly to that comforting hand, and made it through the rest of the play, without any more defensive dissociating.

Dinner was less grueling, since the restaurant didn’t allow press to come in, and the atmosphere inside was relaxing and intimate. He ate what Angeal ordered and didn’t taste a bite of it, but Genesis kept holding his hand, under the table (which was lit with candles and covered in a linen tablecloth, just as he’d wanted), so Sephiroth considered dinner a success.

When they returned to Shinra Tower, the three were still a little high on the excitement of the evening, and after they changed out of their suits, they met in the training room, to hang around on the giant, simulated Junon cannon, and enjoy the fake view, as was their habit. 

At least, they were supposed to. After Genesis and Sephiroth arrived, Angeal sent a text saying he was bushed, and wasn’t joining them. It was such an obvious ploy to give them privacy, that even socially oblivious Sephiroth understood it. 

“So, here we are again,” Genesis said awkwardly, tucking his hair behind his ear. 

He was wearing a loose, black sweater that hung off one shoulder, and his thermal leggings. Sephiroth, who rarely saw him in anything but his signature crimson, was stunned. The black set off the brilliant copper in his hair perfectly, and made his golden-ivory skin seem to glow. 

“You look so beautiful in black,” he blurted out, then looked away, embarrassed. “N—not that you don’t, usually. It’s only that…you look especially good. In…in that black sweater.”

Genesis arched an auburn brow. “We went out tonight, dressed up to the nines, tens, and elevens, and now that I’m at home, in my schlubby, laundry-day clothes, you finally want to compliment how I look?”

Sephiroth nodded earnestly. “I like this better. It’s more…you.”

“Well, I do have excellent taste in textiles,” Gensis sniffed. “This is handwoven cashmere, from the wool of Nibel mountain goats.”

“It’s so soft,” Sephiroth murmured, stroking the arm of the sweater. “Much softer than a dog.”

Genesis blinked. “A…a dog?”

“Hm? Oh, nothing. Nevermind. Shall we sit down?”

They made chit-chat about the play Sephiroth only partially remembered, for a while, but Genesis seemed to be getting increasingly agitated, and kept fidgeting and jumping up to pace around. Finally, he stood in front of Sephiroth, with his feet planted and his hands on his hips. 

“Sephi. My friend. I have been as patient as a man can be, but I can no longer persevere, and I must ask. Are you ever. Going. To GODDAMNED KISS ME??”

Sephiroth looked startled. “Was I meant to initiate it? I was afraid to seem too eager.”

Genesis lower lip trembled imperceptibly. “No. It’s fine. If you don’t want to now, it’s totally fine. It’s not like I’ve even care. I was just about to say I’m too tired, anyway. So. I—I’m leaving. Goodnight.”

As he turned to run away, he was caught by the arm and yanked back. Sephiroth used a touch too much force, though, and he slammed face-first into his ample chest.

“Ow,” said Genesis voice, muffled by Sephiroth’s uniform turtleneck (which for some reason, he only wore without the rest of the uniform, which in turn, he only wore without the sweater).

“Sorry. I’m not very good at modulating my strength.”

“Hmph,” Genesis replied, with his face still buried between Sephiroth’s absurd pectoral muscles.

“Gen.”

“Hm?”

“Have I played my cards sufficiently?”

Mako-blue eyes emerged from the cleft in his chest and peered up at him. “I guess.”

“Then, may I—”

Before the request was all the way out, his mouth was stopped by Genesis, who pressed his lips to Sephiroth’s like it was the opening move of a duel. They drew apart and looked at one another, wide-eyed, then pressed together again, this time more softly. 

They were both new to this, so it was clumsy and awkward, but they sort of got the hang of it. When their tongues touched, Sephiroth hummed low and soft, in his throat. A big arm tightly encircled Genesis’ waist, and a weapon-calloused hand worked into his hair, as the kiss deepened. 

When they finally drew apart, they were breathless and flushed with heat. Sephiroth’s slit pupils were blown big and round in his blue-green irises. Genesis’ hair was tousled, his eyes were watery and unfocused, and the tip of his nose was tinged with pink. 

He became self-conscious, under Sephiroth’s rapt gaze, thinking he must be a mess, but he had no idea that he’d never looked so logic-defyingly gorgeous, as he did at this moment, blushing and disordered from being kissed, for the first time. Sephiroth, in turn, also became self-conscious, in the face of such overwhelming loveliness.

Suddenly awkward, they both looked away, dabbing their wet, kiss-bruised lips with the backs of their hands. Sephiroth kept stealing glances at Genesis. He wanted to kiss him again, but he didn’t dare.  His head was still spinning with euphoria, and he was afraid to do something stupid and spoil it all.

When Genesis reached out and he felt that warm, reassuring pressure, holding his hand, his chest ached and his stomach fluttered, with all the uncertainty and elation of the first bloom of young love. It felt like a beginning.

If only they’d had more time to be innocent children, together. To learn to love and be loved. Before what people called 'the schism in the SOLDIER top ranks.' Before they were driven apart by forces beyond their control.

But they had that one night. Sephiroth never forgot it. Not while he lived, at least. Though the flame of his life was to burn brightly and briefly. 

It was that night, in his mind, when he lay awake on his cot, in his steel-walled quarters, racked with anxiety and confusion, stomach twisted into knots, choking alternately on abject grief and bitter resentment, unable to even weep for his missing friends. Agonizing over why. Why they’d left him. Why they hadn’t asked him to go with them. Why they hadn’t even told him. 

It was that night on his mind, when he refused to be the one to hunt them down. When he kept up a strong and steady façade, for his subordinates, and went numbly about the motions of doing his job, because that was all he’d ever had. It was all he’d ever been. A SOLDIER. A weapon. A tool. 

It was that night, on his mind, when his young replacement teammate remarked that the three of them must have been close friends. He wasn’t so sure, anymore. Do friends pry open your shell and tear down your guard, only to abandon you, without so much as a goodbye? Do friends break your heart? 

He wanted to ask that young SOLDIER these questions, but his tongue wouldn’t form the words. He was too humiliated by his inability to understand why he’d been abandoned, yet again. He couldn’t bear to lower the mask, and let that hopeful and bright-eyed youth see that Shinra’s hero was nothing but a walking mass of hideous wounds, repeatedly shattered and shoddily patched back together. A coward and a failure. And soon, a monster. 

It was that night on his mind, when Genesis spoke those cruel words, blithely driving in the knife of betrayal, to the hilt. When, in pain and confusion and anger, he spoke what would turn out to be his last words, to his only remaining friend. After all, what did it matter? He was never really a friend. He was not even a human being. 

You will rot.

It was that night she purged first from his mind. As the strands of memory were severed, he felt himself become light, relieved of the burden of love and the pain of loss. Purified of human attachments.

Friendship was a gibberish term, with no useful definition. Hope and love were tools for manipulating lesser beings. Beauty and truth were alien concepts. 

All living things were reduced to their biological functions, and categorized in terms of usefulness. His eyes became a tool for analysis, without appreciation.

The only colors left to him were blue and gold. The blue in one specific pair of eyes. The gold of one specific head of hair. These, she was either unable or unwilling to erase. All the rest of the vast spectrum of visible light was reduced to efficient, uniform monochrome.

He couldn’t see the color of blood, anymore, though he could smell the chemical composition that would cause it to reflect that frequency of electromagnetic radiation. 

He paused. Hadn’t there used to be something that color? A long coat? A lock of warm and silky hair? A wall of billowing flames? But, no. That was all useless nonsense, from before.

He shook himself and returned to wiping the blood from his blade. The color that had been 'red' was gone, forever. He couldn’t remember what it had even looked like.

[changeling-rin]

Well, time for another episode of Send Changeling Down a Rabbit Hole!

This time, the Links end up in Lancer, a world where Mechas are the biggest and best weapons to have around! Luckily, the local Link is a pilot of such a mechanical marvel! Unfortunately, he's just starting out, and tye local Ganon seems to be piloting a highly advanced Horys model What happens?

P.S.: The Lore:tm: is dense. I do not blame you if this question gets lost.

Okay... from what my research tells me, Link starting out means that he's got one of the GMS models. Unfortunately I cannot seem to find consistent pictures of what any of the three GMS models look like? But based on what I found, a rookie is most likely to be assigned the GMS-SP1 Everest.

Ganon, on the other hand, has like... eight HORUS models to choose from? So I picked the one that looks most like his Beast form, which in my opinion is the Balor-PG model. (Based off OoT and the Downfall Timeline, mostly.)

Presumably, Ganon wins the first fight, both because he's got a better mecha and because he's an actually experienced pilot who knows what he's doing. Fortunately, this means the Local Link can retreat, lick his wounds, rebuild his mecha (ideally into something a bit less 'just getting started' - I'm not sure how all the different factions work but I think an SSC Metalmark or maybe a Black Witch would be neat choices for a swordsman-in-other-universes.) and go on a wacky adventure to become a better pilot and also stop Ganon's presumable reign of mecha-based terror along the way. I think he'd have recruited a small army of mecha-pilot mercenaries and such. He seems like the sort to do that.

And of course, the other Links invite themselves along for the ride, and generally take pages from Speck's book and take turns launching each other onto opposing mecha to Cause Problems On Purpose. Gee this circuitry looks important, hope slicing it in half won't do anything dangerous!

[lesterpubliclibrary]

Wisconsin Librarian of the Year! by Lester Public Library Via Flickr: Congratulations to Terry Ehle, Youth Coordinator, Lester Public LIbrary, Two Rivers, Wisconsin, for being selected as the 2024 Librarian of the Year by the Wisconsin Library Association! We are very proud of Terry! From WLA: Librarian of the Year – Terry Ehle, Lester Public Library, Two Rivers Terry Ehle has been with the Lester Public Library since 1998. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Western Illinois University, and after being named the 2014 SSCS Paralibrarian of the Year, attained her MLIS from UW-Milwaukee. Terry is an active member of the WLA Youth Services Section (YSS), serving as YSS Chair in 2017. She is also a member of the American Library Association, Association for Library Service to Children, and Young Adult Library Services Association. According to her colleagues, Ehle consistently raises the bar in materials selection and programming for infants to teens at her library: Ehle introduced, and is still helping widen the scope of, Reach Out and Read in Manitowoc County, a program that put 2,382 books in the hands of parents and their young children last year. Also in 2023, she submitted a successful grant application to promote early literacy and environmental awareness in partnership with Two Rivers Parks & Recreation and Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve. As a result, Storywalks® were erected on library grounds and at a local park, and a large part of the park was restored to wetland, with a raised boardwalk and natural play features added. The project will delight residents and visitors for years to come. During the pandemic, Ehle spearheaded story time, youth, and family to-go packs. The plan was to discontinue the program once the building reopened, but she made the decision to continue it due to the positive response. From its start in May 2020 through July 2024, packs have reached more than 25,000 users. Ehle has championed teen engagement in the community with TR Teen Nights, an after-hours library program that has expanded to include community partners, including the city’s parks & recreation department, the school district, Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve, and Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum. The partners invite teens into their spaces for safe, inexpensive, fun activities. The program provides enriching events and demonstrates that the community values teens and will find ways to encourage them. Through her efforts, the Rotary Club of Two Rivers awarded funds to implement a STEAM area in the library Ehle has formed a strong partnership with the Two Rivers School District. She meets regularly with administrators and educators and was a participant in community discussions to map out goals and strategies for a district three-year plan. She is president of the governance board of the Lighthouse Learning Academy, the district’s online charter school. Ehle is also dedicated to visiting district schools to do book talks. She brings library books to these visits for all students to check out, providing important access for children whose parents do not visit the library. This is no easy task - in the 2023-24 school year, she visited 32 classes monthly and checked out more than 1,600 books to students. Ehle is known as a well-versed advocate for best practices regarding the way children learn and shares this expertise with her community and her peers. Ehle leads the early literacy work group for the Investing Early Coalition of Healthiest Manitowoc County, a group which provides collaborative leadership to improve the well-being of the county. She has presented on youth programming and innovation in programming at past WLA conferences and has served as a panelist and presenter for webinars with both YSS and the WLA Outreach Services Roundtable. She recently co-wrote the article, “Practice the Practices: Kids Learn Big in Dramatic Play Areas,” for the fall 2024 issue of Children & Libraries, the journal of the Association for Library Service to Children. Due to the success of the local Reach Out & Read (ROR) partnership, Ehle serves on a Wisconsin ROR committee that is compiling a toolkit to maximize partnerships between libraries and clinics. Ehle is also an advocate for librarianship as a career, arranging behind-the-scenes tours, career days, and community service projects for area youth. She has twice participated in internship programs mentoring college students considering a library career. The Lester Public Library, Two Rivers and its surrounding communities, and the state of Wisconsin are the lucky beneficiaries of Ehle’s dedication, creativity, and vision in providing outstanding library services.

[abhijeetblogs]

Top 5 Best Book for SSC CGL Exam recommended by Experts

There are many books available in the market for SSC CGL exam, but candidates need some best books in which they can get all the relevant topics for the preparation of the exam. Here we are giving top 5 best books which will be beneficial for the candidates.

If you want to score maximum marks and achieve good results in your life, we have listed the top 5 SSC CGL books. You can also check their reviews on Amazon and Google. 

Quantitative aptitude for competitive examinations by R.S Aggarwal

Objective General English by S.P Bakshi

Analytical reasoning by MK Pandey

NCERT , Class – 6 TO 12 Book Set by NCERT

Manorama year book 2025

[pbandjesse]

I am feeling good after leading a really excellent workshop. But I am also just so glad this week at camp is over. Camp isn't supposed to feel like this. And the bad is starting to bleed into my art program and I absolutely can not have that. Art is supposed to be a happy place. And thankfully for the most part it was today. But it didn't make the hard stuff any easier.

I had a lot of fun with James last night. We watched cabaret and laughed and talked and I would sleep really well. But waking up felt terrible. I would wake up at 5 when James's alarm went off but fell back asleep until 7. Getting up was bad but I struggled through. And James has a hashbrown ready for me. Still warm on the stove. They're the best.

It wasn't a terrible drive. My phone is doing the thing where it won't stay connected again. Very annoying. But it was fine. I got to camp a few minutes after 8 and went and parked at arts and crafts. I was already set up and things were fine. I was feeling better not having to think about the schedule anymore. So once I felt set up I got my book and hung out in my hammock to read.

It was surprisingly chilly. I would wear my fleece for a lot of the day. It was nice not feeling like I was sweating and wet all day.

A lot of the stockade boys would say good morning to me and show me the bracelets they made. Had me tie them to their wrists. It was very sweet.

And I had a lot of fun with my groups. The girls were great this morning. And I had a few SSC kids helping me with posters and organizing string. One was a little more hard working and focused then the other but things were rolling and it was a good day.

I also got to talk about my knitting with the kids and show them the blanket I made for my dad last year. It was just really fun and while I was tired I was in a good mood. I think it helped that the girls were hilarious. Some highlights : "if you truly want to embrace your inner Jake from State farm to have to memorize the logo" ,"if I don't touch a soccer ball soon I'm gonna crack out", After making an American flag with no stars and not enough stripes "okay guys what states are we cutting. The Virginias? Together. The Carolinas? Squish em. The Dakotas?? You don't even want to know. It's my flag I make the rules now. All theme park states can stay ", After finding a sort of giraffe shape piece of scrap paper "anyone want this giraffe? It's a rescue",To the tune of Alexander Hamilton "I am alligator snapping turtle. I am alligator snapping turtle. And there's a million things I haven't ate. But just you wait...just you wait..". It was so great and I'm glad I documented them in the moment.

Lunch was chicken tenders and Mac and cheese. Which was good. I also had some lettuce. But then I also gained a teenager.

The chef, JB's, daughter Angel was here today to visit and she asked if she could come hang at art and I was like of course. And so after lunch I would go hang in the hammocks and she would come find me.

My first group after lunch tried to come 15 minutes early and I shot that down. They went to play Gaga but would come back after s but. Angel was excellent and very fun to talk to for being a teenager. I was happy to have her. And we would chat and hang out the rest of the day. I would encourage her to talk to the teens her age and she would too. It was fun.

And my day campers were great. We did have a small incident where a child has a little bit of a meltdown and as I was trying to help, being calm, talking in a measured way, a went to pick up their paper that had fallen to thr ground and they kicked the rocks and dirt and it almost hit me in the face and I was shocked. I had to use every strong teacher voice. "Hey. You kicked rocks in my face. I understand you are upset but that was not safe. You need to regulate your emotional responses. Because we both need to have safe bodies and that was not okay." He calmed down and he seemed to understand that I was on his side and was there to help. And we were cool after that.

I keep telling people I have basically infinite patience for one child. That's why I only plan on having one child. I find it serves me well to speak strongly but not yell. I just sound like a baby the few times I have yelled. It doesn't really help much to fix the behaviors around anyway.

After my last day camp groups I expected tipis. But they didn't come. The schedule mistakes had finally gotten me. And I didn't realize. Ugh. I had them scheduled for 230 and 330. They only had 330. Oops. So they were working on camp award stuff. Me and Angel would go down to the feild to find them and see if any of them wanted to come up for extended art. And some did. The rest would join us later on.

We would work on shields and painting and symbols and it was a lot of fun. I always love talking to them. I'll admit I was pretty anxious because I know I needed to leave at 4 for my workshop tonight. And I let everyone know that. And Angel was so sweet and made sure I knew when it was 4. But man was I on edge.

Angel would ask if she could give me a hug before I left and I said of course and good luck on her move and with her art. I left Blanche in charge. Asked her to turn off the lights and close the door. I have so much faith in her.

Right before I left I got a text about some missing steel and flints. I had put them at the Adirondack but apparently they were gone. I would call Heather to discuss and express my worry but hopefully they can figure it out. I didn't have time to go searching I had to go.

It didn't help that I was hungry. And the traffic made that worse so there wasn't time to get something before I went home.

So when I got home at 450 I was a bit on edge. The mailman knocked on my door and he had my new sandals and I was thrilled about that was still upset about food. We didn't have any quick food in the freezer except for chicken nuggets and I didn't want them. And then James was home and they tried to see me feel better but it's hard. We would have to leave pretty quickly. Just enough time to open the mail, and then we were off.

I yelled when we got outside because the wind caught some of my paper James was carrying and it went flying and I was already upset that I didn't have enough print outs. And of course it would be fine but it didn't feel fine in the moment.

James would like separately so they could stop and get us slives of pizza. This would help. I got a really good parking spot and carried my materials inside.

And it would end up being such a wonderful night. I had 10 sign ups, including James. But it would be slow to start. It was more like a pop up then a traditional class in the end. I started with 3 people (including James) and I would go through my talk and explain the steps and got them rolling. But then more and more people joined. And my one one hour workshop because a 2.5 hour drop in and it was honestly great. Had some families. Some single people and some groups of friends. I was having so much fun. The stress and worry was gone. Parker had printed more of my packets. James helped me set out all the spots. I had my pizza and drew out the board. And it was such a fun night.

I would make a little print too and chatted about music and art. I loved having James there. And it was just a really good time.

Once the workshop was winding down I was slowly cleaning up while people were still hanging out and printing. But soon everyone was done and it was time to go. We chatted with Parker and his partner and let their dog. He gave us two free workshop tickets. Amazing. I gotta pick something good.

We went home after that. James biked. I drove. They beat me by a minute. They would help me bring everything inside. We would sit and talk at the kitchen island. But eventually I would go and take a bath and start to get ready for bed.

And I am ready for bed. I am very sleepy. I decided to take off from the market tomorrow because we have Paul and Sam's 10th wedding event in the afternoon. Its not that I'm not looking forward to it, I just really wish I had a day where I had nothing to do but that's not in the cards right now. Just busy busy busy.

So I will spend the morning working on a new enclosure for Crabcake. And then getting James before we go to the wedding event. And it will be a good day.

I hope you all have a good day too. I love you all. Good night!

[eapublicationindia]

Best Previous Years Questions for SSC-JE Exam 2023

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[arihantpub]

Level up your preparation with Arihant's best books for SSC CGL Exam 2023. The book "SSC CGL- Master Guide" has been prepared in a manner to fully support SSC aspirants with complete study & Practice material. Moreover, the inclusion of the Current Affairs & Previous Years' Papers section makes this book an all-inclusive package to ace SSC CGL Exam.

[ujjwalsource]

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