#car image editing service

[uk-clippingpath]

Transform Your Automotive Marketing with Stunning Car Image Editing

In the competitive world of automotive marketing, high-quality car images are paramount. Car image editing services play a crucial role in this sector. A picture can truly be worth a thousand words when it comes to capturing the attention of potential buyers. Professionally edited car images not only highlight the beauty of the vehicles but also showcase their unique features and craftsmanship. If your car listings lack compelling photos, you risk losing valuable customers. This is where UK Clipping Path, a leader in car image editing, comes into play, offering tailored services to enhance your vehicle photos and drive success.

Why Choose UK Clipping Path for Car Image Editing?

UK Clipping Path is renowned for its expertise in professional image editing services, particularly in the automotive sector. Their services include background removal, color correction, retouching, shadow creation, and more—ensuring your car images are polished, consistent, and visually appealing.

Key Features of Their Car Image Editing Services:

Background Removal: Eliminates distractions and places the car on a clean, professional background.

Benefits: Keeps the focus on the car and improves presentation quality.

Color Correction: Adjusts colors for accuracy and vibrancy, ensuring the car’s true appearance is represented.

Benefits: Fixes lighting issues, enhances visual appeal, and ensures color fidelity.

Retouching and Enhancement: Removes imperfections like scratches or dents while refining details.

Benefits: Delivers flawless images that highlight the car’s features.

Reflection Removal: Eliminates unwanted reflections that distract from the car’s aesthetic.

Benefits: Ensures a clean, professional look.

Shadow Production: Adds depth and dimension, giving the car a realistic and eye-catching appearance.

Benefits: Enhances the car’s 3D look and overall image quality.

Image Resizing and Formatting: Ensures images are optimized for various platforms, including websites and social media.

Benefits: Maintains quality and consistency across all channels.

Photo Retouching Service

Professional photo retouching is a game-changer for automotive marketing. It enhances the visual appeal of car images by addressing imperfections and emphasizing unique features. UK Clipping Path’s retouching services refine details and elevate the overall quality of images, ensuring your cars stand out in the competitive marketplace.

The Importance of Professional Retouching:

Creates a Strong First Impression: High-quality images attract attention and convey professionalism.

Showcases Features: Highlights intricate design elements and craftsmanship.

Boosts Marketing Campaigns: Professionally retouched photos enhance the effectiveness of promotional materials.

Increases Sales: Compelling visuals drive buyer interest and conversion rates.

Benefits of Choosing UK Clipping Path

Expertise and Experience: With a skilled team of professionals, UK Clipping Path ensures precision and attention to detail.

Fast Turnaround Time: Their streamlined process delivers high-quality results quickly, even under tight deadlines.

Competitive Pricing: Affordable packages cater to businesses of all sizes.

High-Quality Results: Their commitment to excellence guarantees stunning visuals that captivate potential buyers.

Excellent Customer Support: A dedicated support team assists you throughout the editing process.

Steps to Use UK Clipping Path’s Services

Upload Your Images: Visit their website, go to the “Automotive Car Image Editing” section, and upload high-resolution car images.

Specify Your Needs: Provide detailed instructions for the edits required.

Choose a Package: Select a service package based on your editing needs and budget.

Review and Approve: Review the edited images and request changes if needed.

Download Final Images: Once approved, download your high-quality images for use across various platforms.

Free Trial

UK Clipping Path offers a free trial to help you experience their expertise firsthand. This allows you to assess the quality of their work before committing to a full package. By taking advantage of this offer, you can see how professional image editing transforms your car photos into powerful marketing assets.

Conclusion

Investing in professional car image editing services is essential for standing out in the crowded automotive market. With UK Clipping Path’s specialized services, you can ensure that your vehicles are presented in the most compelling way. Whether you are a dealership, an online marketplace, or a marketing agency, high-quality images can drive engagement, boost sales, and enhance your brand’s reputation. Start today with their free trial and elevate your car listings to new heights.

[mdishakrahman]

Give your Car photos a new life with our Car Photo Editing Service" Do you have car photos you would like to showcase on your social media?! Do you want to become a successful car dealership by advertising attractive car photos?! Do you own a car brand that you would like to get recognized?! Or how about you want to share the memory of a beloved car with your friends and family? If your car photos need some sprucing up, then you are in the right place! Our Car Photo Editing Service can meet all your car photo editing needs. After we are done, they will appear more attractive and natural to the eyes! Our Experts have the skills and knowledge to meet all your requirements. From Background Removal/Replacement to Realistic Shadow Effect or Color Changing/Correction to Spot Removal, our experts are well versed in all the car techniques in the book for Car Photo Editing! With a massive list of satisfied customers, we can confidently say that we are your service provider. So hurry up and place an order now, and you will be pleasantly surprised with the results!

[digi5studios-blog]

In today's highly digitalized landscape, businesses of all kinds require photo editing services more than ever before. From photographers to marketing firms, a robust photo editing portfolio is necessary to ensure their visuals stand out.

As we look ahead to the next year, here are the five must-have photo editing services your business should have in 2023.

[carphotocut]

Hiring the best car image editing service provider online isn’t that easy. Learn how you can find the best image editing company with this informative blog. https://carphotocut.blogspot.com/2023/04/how-to-choose-best-car-image-editing.html

[cutoutwizard]

Photo Retouching: Enhance Your Images for a Stronger Business Presence

Photo retouching is the process of editing and improving pictures to make them look better. This includes removing blemishes, adjusting colors, and adding special effects. Whether for websites, social media, or marketing materials, retouched photos help create a professional and polished look.

In today’s digital world, high-quality images are essential for businesses to stand out. Studies show that online content with great visuals gets 94% more views than content without. For businesses, photo retouching can boost trust, make products more appealing, and grab customer attention faster.

Looking ahead, photo retouching will only become more important. As more businesses move online, high-quality images will be a key factor in attracting and keeping customers. In the future, AI-powered tools will make retouching even easier and faster, but human creativity will still be needed for the best results.

For your business, investing in photo retouching is an important step. Well-edited photos help you look professional, stand out in a crowded market, and attract more customers. Whether you’re selling products or promoting services, retouched images can make a big difference in how your business is perceived.

cutoutwizard.com/

[jonathaneric1]

Who Is The Best Automotive Photographer?

In this comprehensive guide, we embark on a journey to uncover the qualities that define excellence in automotive photography and explore the pivotal role of Car Image Editing Services and specialized techniques like Silo Path Editing Services in achieving outstanding results.

Understanding Excellence in Automotive Photography

Excellence in automotive photography encompasses a blend of technical expertise, artistic vision, and a deep understanding of automotive aesthetics. The best automotive photographers possess a keen eye for composition, lighting, and perspective, allowing them to capture vehicles in ways that evoke emotion, tell stories, and showcase their unique features and characteristics. Whether it's capturing the sleek lines of a sports car, the rugged terrain of an off-road vehicle, or the elegance of a luxury sedan, automotive photographers must master the art of visual storytelling to create captivating imagery that resonates with viewers.

Qualities of the Best Automotive Photographer

Technical Proficiency: The best automotive photographers demonstrate mastery of photography techniques, including exposure, lighting, and composition. They understand how to leverage natural and artificial light to highlight the contours and details of vehicles, creating images that are both visually striking and technically flawless.

Creativity and Innovation: Exceptional automotive photographers possess a creative vision that sets them apart from their peers. They are not afraid to experiment with angles, perspectives, and post-processing techniques to push the boundaries of traditional automotive photography and create imagery that is both memorable and distinctive.

Attention to Detail: From the gleam of polished chrome to the reflections in glossy paintwork, the best automotive photographers pay meticulous attention to detail. They understand that it's the little things that make a big difference in automotive photography, and they strive for perfection in every aspect of their work.

Adaptability and Versatility: The automotive photography landscape is diverse, encompassing everything from studio shoots and commercial assignments to on-location shoots and editorial spreads. The best automotive photographers are adaptable and versatile, able to excel in a variety of settings and conditions, regardless of the challenges they may encounter.

The Role of Car Image Editing Services

Behind every stunning automotive photograph lies a team of skilled professionals who specialize in Car Image Editing Services. These services play a crucial role in enhancing the visual appeal and professionalism of automotive imagery, ensuring that each photo meets the highest standards of excellence. From color correction and exposure adjustments to background removal and composite editing, Car Image Editing Services employs advanced techniques and specialized tools to transform raw images into polished works of art.

Leveraging Silo Path Editing Services for Precision

Within the realm of Car Image Editing Services, techniques like Silo Path Editing play a pivotal role in achieving precision and accuracy. Silo Path Editing involves creating precise selections around vehicles and their components using vector-based paths. By meticulously tracing the contours of cars, wheels, and other elements, editors can isolate them from their backgrounds with unparalleled accuracy, allowing for seamless manipulation, adjustment, or replacement while maintaining the integrity of the subject and surrounding elements.

The Search for the Best Automotive Photographer

When searching for the best automotive photographer, there are several factors to automobile Photo Editing Service consider:

Portfolio and Body of Work: Reviewing a photographer's portfolio and body of work is essential to gauge their style, creativity, and technical proficiency. Look for photographers whose work resonates with your aesthetic preferences and showcases a diverse range of automotive subjects and settings.

Client Testimonials and Reviews: Client testimonials and reviews provide valuable insights into a photographer's professionalism, reliability, and the quality of their work. Take the time to read reviews from past clients to ensure that the photographer has a track record of delivering exceptional results and providing excellent customer service.

Industry Recognition and Awards: Awards and industry recognition can serve as indicators of a photographer's talent and expertise. Look for photographers who have been recognized by reputable organizations and publications within the automotive photography community, as this can attest to their skill and credibility.

Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration are essential for a successful photography project. Choose a photographer who listens to your needs, communicates clearly, and collaborates with you to bring your vision to life, ensuring a positive and productive experience from start to finish.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the quest to find the best automotive photographer is a journey fueled by creativity, expertise, and a passion for excellence. Whether it's capturing the sleek lines of a supercar, the rugged terrain of an off-road vehicle, or the elegance of a classic automobile, the best automotive photographers possess a unique blend of technical proficiency, artistic vision, and attention to detail. By leveraging specialized services like Car Image Editing Services and advanced techniques like Silo Path Editing, they elevate their imagery to new heights, creating captivating photographs that leave a lasting impression. As you embark on your search for the best automotive photographer, keep in mind the qualities that define excellence and the role that specialized services play in achieving outstanding results. With the right photographer and a collaborative approach, you can bring your automotive vision to life with stunning imagery that captivates and inspires.

[kittykattropicanna]

Okay new Simon Riley AU but i need everyone to stick TF with me here

Retired!Reddit!Simon anyone????? NO BC HEAR ME OUT I PROMISE

Imagine Retired!Simon. his served for decades, in that time he meets reader, gets married, had kids, ect, ect, ect.

After he retires, his completely lost and out of his element. he cant work anymore due to his chronic back pain from year of service and integrating back into society permanently turns out is a lot harder then he originally anticipated.

he starts getting really, really depressed. Days start blending into each other and his three sons start to notice their dads is doing it really tough.

SOOOO they decided to make a reddit account for him. they make him join a bunch on military sub-reddits, maybe askreddit and things alike just so he can have something to do that isn't watching the football all day

he actually turns our to really, really like it. he can post all about this crazy military carrier, maybe even a little about this childhood (which he feels comfortable with because its all anonymous) and maybe even shares a little about his wife (reader) and three boys.

i can imagine after a while he starts gaining A LOT of popularity because holy shit his stories are so interesting and his lived such a crazy and inspiring life.

it becomes his way to connect with people that aren't just his wife and kids and he starts getting so much support from other people it really starts to boost his mood again.

i also imagine people start asking for dating advice and stuff from him because his always boasting about reader on his reddit. he kinda becomes an internet dad in some way 😭😭😭😭 like people genuinely trust him with their LIVES and i'm imaging some of his response are so fucking funny 😭😭😭😭😭

Maybe take it a step further and his sons create a youtube channel for him that he can make videos about this interests such as guns, car repairs, motorbikes, ect and the internet EATS THAT UP AS WELL bc absolutely massive hot ex SAS DILF that is obsessed with his wife and kids wearing a skin tight black tshirt and a balaclava while talking about this interests 😭😭 everyone loves him sm

like imagine his boys showing him tiktok edits of him and poor Si is so confused bc why is he watching himself get thirst trapped over on some strange app he had never heard of before 😭😭😭😭😭😭 his like 50 leave him ALONEEEEE

if this goes forward i plan to write a big chuck of it in a reddit sort of format almost like you were scrolling through the app and seeing him post. Readers would be Si's wife, so even though you would be reading the text in the third person, every time Si would mention his wife, he would be referring to you if that makes sense???????

idk please tell me if this is a little to niche 😭😭😭😭😭 am i cooked or a creative genius???? ill let you decided

[digi5studios-blog]

Choosing the right b2b photo editing services company for your project is an important decision. By researching your options and being clear about your requirements, you can ensure that you select the best provider for your specific needs. For more information visit here: https://www.digi5studios.com/blog/photo-editing-services

[respectthepetty]

GMMTV 2024 Part 1 - Hot Tops

I did this last year, so I guess I'll do it this year too even though I'm salty like the Great Lakes in Utah about not getting JoongDunk, release dates for the remaining 2023 shows, nor Midnight Museum 2. Even though I have questions like if High School Fremeny is gonna be queer and why GMMTV is determined to make Earth seem old (Ossan's Love, really?!), there was a lot that I liked about this lineup like . . .

#1 - ON SALE Peaceful Property

I don't know if this show is a BL or not or what its name is, but I don't care. I'm gonna watch the hell out of it regardless. After enjoying New in The Warp Effect act wild, then Tay in Midnight Museum (thug tears!) be unhinged, I'm excited to see them play to those strengths in the Thai edition of one of my favorite shows, Los Espookys, because we have the rich kid who needs the help of the poor ghost hunters. It looks like a funny (and heartwarming) take on los espookys, so I'll be scared, but it has color coding which makes it a HOT TOP for me. - For the Heart

#2 - Wandee Goodday

Great was queer in Manner of Death. It was canon to me, so I followed him to Catch Me Baby where he clearly wasn't queer, but NetJames as the support were, so it was a win. So I'll be damn sure to follow this fine man on this wild adventure with Inn where he is playing an actual queer. Like he knows "he is queer and is already having casual sex with a guy" queer. It also features THOR, DRAKE and POND, while being directed by GOLF with the possibility of color coding, so who am I to argue with perfection. - For the Kinks

#3 - My Golden Blood

I don't like vampires, but I love camp, and nothing gets campier than this pilot trailer even if was unintentional. I laughed so many times during it that I'm going to treat this as a comedy whether it is or not. It had Neo and Mond while also saving some space for potential "older" vampires to show up (Papang anyone?). Fluke Gawin continues to take one for the team, yet stays winning, so thank this babygirl for his service, while Joss serves body. Amen. - For the Laughs

#4 - The Trainee

Everyone looks miserable in corporate America Thailand, which is realistic because it is soul-sucking and never-ending, but OffGun are getting to play adults AGAIN, and like I wrote last year - They are Kelly Clarkson. Even at their worst, they are better than every one else, performance-wise, and they have View, Piploy, and Sea with his beautiful side profile as supports. Because it is an office BL, I'm already rooting for it, and it features Gun crying which is only rivaled by Khaotung tearing up, meaning it's marvelous. - For the Adults

#5 - Kidnap

Both Ohms are in it with Title and a newbie, but I'm only showing up 42% for them and 58% for PAPANG! That's it! That's the reason. - For the PAPANG!

Honorable Mention - Pluto

It's really shitty of me to put a picture of the bully, played by THOR (again!), as the image for this when it is a GL, but the entire reason it isn't even ranked is because . . .

WHAT WAS IT ABOUT?!

There are twins? One gets in a car accident with her husband right after the wedding or on the way to the wedding? The other twins takes her place to figure out what happened? But falls back in love with her bestie? Or were they already in love? Or did the chick actually love the other twin? Make it make sense, Mary! All I truly understood was Thor & Baseball Bat. Everything else was confetti. - For the ???

Everything Else

As usual, I'm showing up for everything queer, so even if I'm not looking forward to them I'll watch them.

But Ossans' Love . . . really, GMMTV? *eye roll for making me sit through it again in another language*

[carphotocut]

Did you know outsourcing car photo editing services is a better choice for dealers? Read this blog to learn the perks of outsourcing car photo editing services.

[whatavery]

Ordained Defiance Ch. 1

Finally, after weeks of buildup, finally I can start posting this very special story. Of all the characters in Lackadaisy, I really wanted to create some Abelard content, because I love him.

So what better way to do so than to write a little fanfiction featuring him, his family and my OC? A slow-burn story set in the small town of Defiance, Missouri...

EDIT (February 3rd, 2025): The rest of the story will be available on AO3, alongside more art.

For the first chapter, I present you with an image of my new OC alongside Abelard!

This lovely piece here was drawn by the amazing @mergestucs1!

-----

With the sweeping, green hills, the freshly sprouting leaves on the trees and the mostly clear, blue sky, Defiance was beautiful in spring. The air was getting warmer, but the breeze still had a sharpness to it whenever it graced Abelard’s face. It was a Thursday morning like any other as he made his way into town on foot, the apricot-furred cat enjoying the spring weather. Abelard's shoes dug into the dirt road that led the way through the small town that was Defiance. Granted, it really wasn't much of a town (it was closer to a village, if anything) given how small it was, and how much distance there was between the homes here.

The lean reverend took long, fast strides, walking with purpose. His morning strolls generally took him all over Defiance. He started at home and took the scenic route out to Defiance General, going through the small community and finally ending by the church.

He'd left the store just minutes prior, having stopped by the outskirts of town to see the shop owner. It was usually his first stop these days. Most days Mr. Weaver was up and working early, despite his age. Abelard always did make sure to purchase something when he visited, often in the form of cigarettes or other small items, usually something edible. Sometimes he brought home bigger items such as potatoes and the like.

And Abelard would, of course, gladly take on Mr. Weaver in a round of chess when time allowed it. Reverend Arbogast usually wasn't one to turn down an opportunity to spend time with the locals. It was part of his daily routine, making sure to visit with members of their little community. Though he didn’t personally visit each and every inhabitant of the small town, he made sure to at least greet them whenever possible, whether by the church or around town.

The man running Defiance General was one of the few that Abelard regularly visited personally. As reverend, Abelard saw it as part of his job to maintain a good relationship with said community; it was what the reverend before him had done. And it was what he’d taught Abelard; it was any reverend’s job to spread the word of the Lord and maintain good relations to those who believed, and even those who didn’t. After all, it was how a man of faith might help others see the light.

And as village minister Abelard didn’t just do services in the church on Sundays. Of course, that was part of the job; he took care to preach to his fellow man, woman, and child. Though it had been a while since the last time, he had also done confessions, and he’d heard quite a number of things. But as was his sworn duty, he’d never disclosed this to anyone; it was for him, the Lord, and the sinner to know.

He’d been doing this job for decades at this point, and everyone in Defiance, and the nearby townships, which were part of his congregation, knew him. He'd established a good trust and good relations with the community, but it had taken time.

The township of Defiance primarily consisted of a small collection of farm buildings and barns around a main road that stretched through the small town. Defiance General was the primary place to do shopping for those who didn’t wish to travel further away by car, where they had more options. St. Louis was about forty miles away and Abelard himself hadn't made the trip there in quite some time. He was content in this small town where he'd grown up.

The town itself had a few things of note, despite its small size. For one, there was a local mechanic, though it wasn’t really a proper business, just a farmer who knew how to manage cars and other machinery. It wasn't so unusual to see him taking a look at someone’s vehicle, just as he was today. The farmhouse he lived in with his family was one of the larger ones on the side of the road that Abelard walked on. The barn door was open, and the tuxedo cat could be seen fiddling with the engine of one of his neighbors’ cars.

As Abelard passed, he was spotted by the mechanic, who wore messy overalls over his clothes. He waved to Abelard as he passed. “Good morning, Father Arbogast. How do you do?”

“I’m quite well, thank you,” the lean cat called back in a proper tone. Abelard waved back as well, and offered him the slightest of smiles. Abelard was clad in all black from top to toe; black shoes, black pants, black jacket, black hat. The only article of clothing Abelard wore that wasn't black was his white button-up shirt under his jacket. “I hope you are as well.”

Though not a man who smiled much, nor a man to whom smiling came naturally, Abelard still did his best to be personable with the locals. At least for the most part. That wasn't to say he was all-smiles around them all the time, far from it. Father Arbogast, as he was most often called, had quite a reputation for being a man not to cross. It wasn't often, but he’d had to tell local children off more than a few times, using the colorful language he had become rather infamous for. And for the most part, it worked. He’d even had to tell off their parents on occasion.

Children as well as their parents knew to respect him and that was how Abelard liked things to work. Abelard was never one to shy away from doing such things if someone were to do or say something morally apprehensive.

Abelard didn’t linger around too much as he continued down the road.

The houses around the main road were generally large, quaint farmhouses, many of them quite old with a fair bit of distance between each one. Defiance had never had a large population. Abelard knew they currently didn’t even amount to a hundred. The entire community could fit inside the church during services, even despite how small the church was. In the open area of Defiance, they had a few small businesses, such as a post office, an inn, and a carpenter who also did metalwork on occasion. There was also a single bookshop and of course, further away there was a train station with its depot.

The businesses were mainly being run out of people’s homes, further adding to the feeling of a small, tight-knit community amongst the locals.

The area all around was wide and open with small groves and a forested area nearby fencing in the majority of Defiance. The rolling hills and fields all around offered space for farmland, like the cornfields near Abelard's home.

The cornfields had gone from being harvested for food to also being harvested for more unsavory reasons in recent years. He'd been there for it all, as the changing political landscape of America had ushered in changes to his life. Not just his life either; Abelard also knew the unspoken truth that farmers both in Defiance, and all over the country, were doing the very same thing.

Abelard had spent most of his life in Defiance, as had many of its inhabitants. He'd traveled to visit nearby towns and cities, but home was always here. For better and for worse. But the small town of Defiance needed him. The Lord’s work was never finished until the day of reckoning and Abelard intended on continuing to spread the word of the Lord until his last breath.

He knew that there was no such thing as a one-man army when it came to his job. Abelard wasn't entirely alone; he spread the Lord’s word, he preached to warn of sins and temptations in the hopes that his congregation would help spread the same message. It was the point of preaching at all to begin with, to spread the word of the Lord, to help enlighten and to save as many souls as he could.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil… That part of the Lord’s Prayer had taken on a new significance to Abelard just a few short years ago. The nation-wide prohibition on alcohol had changed so much for so many people, again for better and for worse.

For Abelard? To him the very idea of stripping away a source of temptation in such a way was an affront. It had never been something that sat right with him; Abelard knew so many who saw it as removing the very option of giving in to sin from their lives, but Abelard privately saw it as a disruption to the natural order of things.

If anything, it seemed to have inadvertently added a whole new caliber of trappings into the lives of many. Abelard knew as much, being an initially reluctant participant in the illicit alcohol business.

But alas, here he was; illegal liquor had paid for much of the maintenance around the church and the town. Abelard knew that the cursed liquid would go on to add temptation back into the realm of the living – of the souls who would eventually need saving. Abelard knew that the very allure of the illicit only made sin all the sweeter to the ones who chose to give in to it.

But in the end, he knew that the genuinely good people would make the right choices, even with temptation in their lives. God would forgive sins, and Abelard too would do his part to make sure people would not be led into the many pitfalls in life. That said, he knew these complexities to be a necessary evil to separate the righteous from the wicked.

But Abelard kept these views to himself and a very select few close to him.

Passing more homes on his way, Abelard spotted more people who were getting their days started; a woman looking after the small garden around their front-porch where her small children were playing; a young couple leaving their driveway together in a car. Once more Abelard offered waves on his way, even if the children seemed rather frightened of him. He didn’t mind, of course. There was a fine line between fear and respect, and Abelard hoped they would learn to walk that line well.

If nothing else, Abelard hoped the younger generations would be given the chance to grow up with all of life’s complexities; the good, the bad, and the tempting, all ever present. Their parents (and he to some extent) would need to arm them to face the many trappings of life, and never stray from the righteous path. Whether they'd succeed or not was ultimately in their own hands.

All he could do was hope for the best… And hope that they may never get involved in unsavory business like his family.

Being in the liquor business had proven to have more downsides than upsides to Abelard. He resisted the urge to spit on the ground, to curse the names of those he'd had to deal with, as he continued on his way. Lackadaisy, Marigold, they were both the same to him; bands of immoral, cutthroat criminals that needed him and his kin for liquor and nothing else.

Though Abelard had no qualms with partaking in the making and smuggling of the liquor, dealing with others in the business had been less than pleasant. All the trouble that had come with it… It had cost him an organ player as well. Little Defiance had been the scene of some gruesome acts of violence, which Abelard still found unsettling to think about.

And that was despite all he'd seen and heard in his fifty-two years on this Earth.

Leaving the main residential area, Abelard passed the single inn that the town had. It was a small, family-owned place, a decently popular location that Abelard had visited many times. It was a two-story farmhouse where the family lived on the upper floor and the inn itself was located down below. The inn was one of the popular places for members of Abelard's congregation to end up after service on Sundays.

After passing the road that would take him towards the Arbogast Funeral Home, Abelard made his way past a tree line and out to another open area. The wide, open space was fenced in by trees from all sides, and the nearest farmhouses could look right up to the white church with its single tower and tall spire that pointed straight to the Heavens. It was a relatively new church; Abelard recalled in his youth that his parents had remembered the time when it was still newly constructed. Since it had been finished, it had been the church his family would visit for services every Sunday morning, and eventually the one that he himself would be the reverend of.

It wasn’t large and grand, but it was beautiful. All-white exterior, the church had two small steps leading up to the two tall doors out front with one short, wide transom above it. Further above the window as part of the tower was a clock, a relatively new installation. On either side of the large doors was a window, each larger than the one above the door, with a grid-like frame holding many small panes of glass. Each side of the church had four similar windows lining the walls, always making sure plenty of light could shine inside. The dark roof was angled upwards, the front merging into the small tower. The tower itself wasn’t that much taller than the roof, a small platform housing a thin, eight-sided spire that reached higher than the roof, ending up in a sharp point.

There was always something to be done around the church, always something new to worry about, surprisingly so for such a small town. The illicit, ill-gained money helped keep the church in pristine order, and while they were currently out of a steady organ player, Abelard had other things to worry about. Their groundskeeper was looking to retire. He was old, and he had been looking after the grounds since before Abelard became the village minister. Just looking for a new groundskeeper would be a mild challenge in the small community. Just something new for Abelard to figure out in the near future. Hopefully, the current groundskeeper would stick around long enough to find a replacement, so they wouldn’t leave the grounds unattended.

As a brisk morning breeze ruffled his facial fur, Abelard arrived by the entrance to the church grounds. The church was right by a crossroad; corn fields to one side, open stretch of grassland with graves on the other. The cemetery had expanded since the church’s founding, of course. Being framed in by the farmland, there was only so much space that could be used for graves; further away more grave sites had since been established.

No one was around at this time of day and as Abelard made it up the small steps to the large doors, he removed his hat and stepped into the Lord’s House.

It wasn't a very spacious interior, being a small church, but the space available had been optimally used. Stepping onto the wooden floor, Abelard walked up the aisle by himself. On each side of him were pews that could house the entirety of Defiance’s population during services, and there was even room for more people from neighboring townships. And in part owing to the small size of the church, Abelard had mastered utilizing the building’s acoustics to let his voice carry from the altar to the very back of the church, for all to hear.

Behind the last pew on the right side of the church, a small spiral staircase led up to a small landing above the entrance. This was where the organ was located, overlooking the small church’s interior. Abelard admittedly didn’t spend much time up there, nor did anyone else these days. The landing was close to the ceiling, which was painted blue like the sky outside, but even a man as tall as Abelard could comfortably stand up there without bumping his head on the ceiling.

Abelard made a mental note to attempt to send for a potential organ player in the nearby townships. He might even have to send for someone living further away, such as over in St. Louis…

The wooden pews that stood in rows on either side of the aisle were painted white, like the walls surrounding them. There were two windows up ahead flanking the altar, right across from each of the windows on either side of the door. Perfectly symmetrical. Along with the four windows on each of the church’s longer sides, plenty of light always poured in through these in the daytime hours. The same went for the circular stained-glass window up above the altar close to the rounded ceiling. And of course, once it was dark, the multiple bronze candelabras on the walls, and the large ornate chandelier hanging from the ceiling in front of the altar, would help keep the building illuminated.

Abelard stopped before the altar, right below the chandelier and closed his eyes for a moment, just enjoying the peace and quiet that the church offered him at times like this. The tall, lean cat had a white podium off to his left, where he would stand to preach and speak during services, facing the congregation.

Leaving the altar, Abelard slowly made his way back outside again, casting a glance out at the woods in the distance that served as the natural fence for this part of Defiance. Leaves were sprouting from the branches and the grass all around was starting to look as green as could be, it was a beautiful sight indeed.

The dirt road leading to the left from Abelard's vantage point led up towards where a small part of the cemetery was located. Further away down the road that ran along the side of the church was the Arbogast Funeral Home. It hadn't always been a funeral home, as it was these days; it had also been Abelard's childhood home where he’d grown up. He’d inherited the place from his parents, and now it was also where he conducted his other ventures, including more unholy business.

Glancing up the path towards the cemetery, Abelard put his hat back on. The nearby funeral home would prepare the dead for burial, the church would hold a funeral service, and the dead would be buried in the nearby cemetery. It truly was an efficient, albeit morbid, little system.

Abelard’s own parents laid buried there as well, as did other past inhabitants of Defiance and the nearby area. Growing up so close to not only the church, but also the cemetery had made Abelard’s skin crawl as a young boy, but these days the thought didn’t bother him at all.

The area outside and around the church was beautifully maintained, the grass kept short, the nearby trees kept healthy, and the paths kept clear and clean. The morning sun’s rays casting a brilliant light over the trees’ fresh leaves, and the blades of grass, only added to the place’s natural beauty.

It was going to be a tall order to find someone new who cared about looking after the grounds this much. But Abelard had no doubt in his mind that he’d find the right person for the job, as was his responsibility. Odds were someone in town would be willing to do it – it would be easier and more efficient to not have to call in someone from out of town. Abelard knew he shouldn’t keep putting it off.

After enjoying a bit of time to himself, Abelard let out a content sigh. But he knew he ought to go about his business once more.

Turning back towards the church, however, Abelard spotted a single figure lingering by the white brick wall to the left of the church doors. He squinted slightly. He didn’t recognize the stranger at a glance, in part due to them facing away from him, apparently glancing out over the cornfields nearby.

The stranger turned their head as Abelard got closer, and already Abelard didn’t get the best first impression of them, noticing the way they were leaning on the church wall. They were practically lounging, like the church was their private property.

“Ah, hello… Reverend Arbogast, is it?” The stranger sounded uncertain as he spoke in a surprisingly soft voice. The Turkish Angora stood just a couple inches shorter than Abelard, his fur a grayish off-white color all over. His ears were particularly fluffy, though his fur overall was short, yet fuzzy. He had bangs reaching down to his eyebrows and the tips of his ears had white tufts on them. Very unusual.

Behind him, he had a particularly fluffy tail that drooped ever so slightly. He wore a dark gray sweater with a thick, folded collar and a pair of blue denim pants. The right knee of his pants was torn open, his white fur showing through.

“Yes, how can I help you?” Abelard asked, his blue eyes taking in the stranger before him. Abelard's tone was polite, but slightly stiff. He didn’t recognize him, and yet there was something familiar about him at the same time. Abelard guessed he was likely from out of town – he made it a point to know everyone in Defiance, after all.

The stranger left the wall and approached Abelard, his fluffy tail fur swaying in the wind. Eyes met, sky blue and minty green, and Abelard noticed the younger cat had a face with soft, rounded, almost slightly… feminine features. The stranger held out his white-furred hand. “Well… I was just looking around a bit. I haven't seen this place in a long time…”

“You’ve been here before?” Abelard asked in surprise as they shook hands briefly. He squinted slightly at the white cat. Again, he got the sense that they’d met before…

“Oh, I lived here a decade ago, before I- Well, I moved out a long time ago.” The stranger’s verbal stumbling didn’t go unnoticed by Abelard, but he was more so intrigued, though perhaps a touch suspicious as well…

Abelard still fixed the stranger with some amount of dislike, which based on the look on the younger man’s face didn’t go unnoticed. “Hmmm, I don’t recognize you… I know everyone in Defiance. What’s your name, young man?”

“My name’s Cainan – Cainan… Wirth.” Once more Abelard couldn’t help but feel as though something was wrong. The stranger seemed hesitant to give his name, which only made Abelard all the more suspicious of him. However, his name did stir something in Abelard – that sense of familiarity.

“Wirth? With an ‘i’?” Cainan nodded at this, though he didn’t meet Abelard's eyes when he did. “I see… Well, I might have known your parents in that case. Harold and Gabriela Wirth, correct?”

Abelard could see Cainan's face tightening at this, but the younger cat nodded. “Yup, them’s the ones. I was planning on visiting them after I’m done here, actually.”

At this Abelard raised an eyebrow as their eyes finally met again. He wasn't sure what Cainan's situation was, but this was… curious. For a number of reasons. The least of which being: “Well, they moved away a few years ago, if I’m not mistaken. They have not called Defiance home for a while.”

Cainan blinked up at Abelard with those pale green eyes. “… Oh.”

Was that disappointment Abelard heard in his voice? Or was it relief? Abelard genuinely couldn’t tell. The older reverend frowned down at the white cat. “You didn’t know…?”

The younger cat didn’t answer right away. Abelard could tell he was thinking hard about what to say. What was he up to exactly? He hadn't immediately struck Abelard as a troublemaker, though the way he hung around outside a church did seem suspicious. Abelard cast a glance over Cainan's shoulder towards the area beside the white building, which seemed to be quite untouched. When he glanced back at Cainan, the younger cat seemed ready to speak.

“Well, to tell you the truth, Reverend, no, I didn’t realize they'd moved. You know where to?” he asked. Again, Abelard found it curious how he spoke with the tone of someone just asking for the time; not with the tone of someone urgently needing to know the whereabouts of their parents.

“Hm, well, I don’t recall, I’m afraid,” Abelard told him calmly, though he watched Cainan closely, his gaze fixated upon the younger cat to wait for a reaction. Abelard had his suspicions, but he wanted to see just how Cainan might react to this information. To his surprise, the younger cat barely seemed to react at all – he just nodded slowly.

“Ah, that’s alright. Guess I’ll try to ask around town,” was the response Abelard got, a surprisingly casual one. Now he was certain something wasn't right here.

“Were you hoping to run into them here?” The longer he spent in Cainan's company, the more Abelard could start to see some family resemblance. While he couldn’t say he'd been close with the Wirths, he still partially remembered what they looked like. He could see aspects of both Cainan's parents as he remembered them, when he gazed upon the younger cat before him.

“I suppose, yeah,” Cainan replied, his tone carrying that same casual carelessness as he spoke. Cainan seemed to hesitate for a moment, clearly thinking about… Honestly Abelard wasn't sure what was going through the young stranger’s mind. “I suppose I really just did come looking for you.”

“I guessed as much,” Abelard admitted, nodding slightly as he crossed his arms. The way Cainan had greeted him had indeed made it seem like he’d been waiting for him. Whatever this young cat could possibly want from him, Abelard didn’t know, but he was willing to hear him out. “So once more I ask you, how can I help you, child?”

Cainan’s left ear gave a small flick, possibly out of annoyance, though his facial expression didn’t show any signs of it. Abelard didn’t think calling him a child was unfair; he was young, clearly, though Abelard didn’t know quite how young. Perhaps he was older than his youthful face made him seem. “Well, I decided to return to town and, well, I’d like to do some work while I’m here. I’d like to… stick around for a li’l while.”

This was certainly a surprise to be sure. It wasn't at all what Abelard had expected of the young stranger, the reverend frowning slightly. He sighed. “Hm… And why didn’t you simply head into town and ask around? And why weren't you just honest from the beginning, young man?”

“I’m sorry, well, I figured this way was easier – I heard you were the village minister, so I figured… Actually, maybe this was a dumb idea.” Cainan suddenly seemed to change his mind mid-sentence. The younger cat shook his head and made to leave. “Sorry to waste your time, I should just drive-”

“Now hold it just a minute…!” Abelard put a hand on Cainan's shoulder to stop him in his tracks, gripping him firmly with his slender fingers. Cainan turned to look up at him, apparently surprised, his white eyebrows raised. “Slow down and explain yourself. I can’t figure out where to put you if I don’t know where you came from.”

“So, you will help me…?” the Turkish Angora asked hopefully, his ears perking up immediately. Abelard let go of Cainan's shoulder and stared at him in disbelief. Had he been hoping for this kind of reaction…?

“I asked you to explain yourself. We shall see if we can find a solution to your predicament once I know everything… And I do mean everything.” Abelard had a feeling Cainan just might be a troublemaker, but of a different sort than the kind he had encountered before. He gestured towards the church with some apprehension. “We can step inside and talk, if you'd please.”

Cainan turned towards the church with an equal amount of apprehension of his own. He bit his lower lip and seemed to consider this for quite a little while. He hovered awkwardly around where he stood, though he didn’t step towards the church. “Uh… maybe we could talk out here? Or we could go for a walk? It was a long drive here; I’d like to just stretch my legs a little.”

Abelard thought it curious that he'd mentioned a long car ride, seeing as there wasn't a car around to be seen nearby. He looked at the younger cat, eyebrow raised in suspicion.

“Oh, I drove into town, but I walked here,” the white cat hastily added, apparently not ignorant to the doubt written all over Abelard's face. The white cat offered a would-be innocent smile, but given the hasty way Cainan had offered up a rather flimsy explanation, it didn’t make Abelard trust him anymore. “And besides… I haven't really been in Defiance for years. You could show me around… Please…?”

Abelard scowled at the shorter cat, crossing his arms again. Cainan continued looking at him with that would-be innocent smile of his, but Abelard saw right through it. Whatever he was playing at, Abelard wasn't going to let him win. He knew for sure he didn’t want to participate in his little games. But if he wanted to stick around and work in the town he grew up in… Abelard supposed it wasn’t the worst thing to want, even if he was being deceptive about it. Still, something wasn't right about Cainan…

“Very well, we can walk together,” Abelard finally agreed, though he still scowled at the younger cat. Cainan on the other hand seemed perfectly pleased with this compromise. It indeed seemed like this was the outcome the younger man had desired.

As the two of them left the church grounds and walked up to where the two roads outside the church crossed, Abelard couldn’t help but feel like this was all an elaborate rouse. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Cainan was trying to manipulate him in some way. His intentions sounded innocent enough on paper, but the way he went about everything didn’t sit right with Abelard. “Now, young Mr. Wirth-”

“Ugh, no… Just call me Cainan… uhm… please. Reverend.”

“Well, Cainan… If you wish for me to… potentially assist you with your plight, I must ask you a few things. And I ask that you return the favor by answering my questions honestly.” Abelard turned his blue-eyed gaze upon the other and fixated him with a scrutinizing look. “Do I have your word?”

“Of course, I’ll be… honest.” The hesitation made Abelard scoff and offer Cainan a side-eye as the two walked down the dirt road together. “No, sorry, I mean it. I’ll be honest – I swear.”

Abelard still scowled, but he ultimately nodded, breaking eye contact to look ahead. The two walked along the road that ran parallel to the church’s front door. They moved in silence for a few seconds as Abelard gathered his thoughts. He still wasn't at all sure what to make of Cainan. He didn’t appear very trustworthy; the way he spoke, his closed off body language, the way he slouched and the way he shrugged so often. Abelard very much felt that the answers he got from the white cat would prove whether he was to be trusted or not.

“So, tell me: when did you move away? And how come your parents didn’t contact you to let you know that they'd moved themselves?” Abelard decided to go for two big questions back-to-back. When he looked over to Cainan on his left, the younger cat did indeed seem taken aback by the questions. Abelard simply hoped he'd honor his promise and tell him the truth.

“Ah… Well, those are very good questions…” Cainan replied hesitantly, looking away at the cornfield they walked past. Abelard could tell he was stalling to answer, and he was starting to feel rather annoyed with Cainan already. Though the scowl on his face didn’t go away, Abelard calmed himself the best he could, and just waited. “Well, to answer the first one, I left town when I was… I think fourteen. Thirteen? Around that time at least.”

“Really now? And how come you decided to leave Defiance then?” Abelard wondered aloud, and he couldn’t help but privately wonder if Cainan had run away. It seemed unusual to travel away alone at such an early age. But all the same it seemed so unlikely; from what Abelard remembered of the Wirth family, they were a respectable sort, a good family with good values. They were people of faith and everyone in town seemed to like and admire them.

At least if Abelard's memory served him correctly…

“Oh, I needed a change of scenery.” Once more, Cainan appeared so casual. He stuck his hands into his pants pockets, looking completely unbothered. He still slouched a bit, whereas Abelard took proper strides, back straight as a board. “Small towns like this are nice, but I wanted to see more of what the world had to offer.”

Abelard had to admit, the younger cat’s answer had surprised him. Assuming it was the truth, he couldn’t help but find it almost admirable to want to experience things like that at such a young age. Perhaps that was how his parents had raised him?

Of course, being out in the world meant temptation. How old was Cainan now? Abelard wasn't sure, but if he left about ten years ago, perhaps… Ten years was a long time… Who knew, maybe Cainan was older than he seemed at a glance. “And where did the road take you then?”

“Oh, here… there… all over the place.” Cainan offered up another casual shrug, Abelard feeling a twinge of annoyance shooting through him at the sight. “I started going from town to town. I traveled down south for a bit, then over east to St. Louis for a while. Never really out of state, though.”

“And now you’ve returned home.” Cainan glanced on over at Abelard in a manner that told Abelard all he needed to know. The look told him far more than the young cat likely meant for it to; he didn’t like the idea of referring to Defiance as ‘home.’ Although he said nothing, it was written all over his face. “And what did you do while you were away exactly? I take it you must have done some kind of work to get by, have you not?”

Cainan nodded as they approached the tree line that bordered the fields near the church. Past the tree line there would be yet more farmland with more houses and more of what Defiance had to offer. “I did a couple different things. Factory work, courier work, personal driver, everything in-between, really.”

It was of course a very vague list, but Abelard supposed if he truly was that versatile and had gotten a lot of experiences in his time away from Defiance, he might just fit in after all. It shouldn’t be too hard to find something for him to do at least; Abelard was sure he (or at least the locals) might be able to find a niche for the Turkish Angora to occupy. But of course, that was all up to the community and how well he got himself reintegrated with them.

Defiance was a small, small town, but there should be room enough for one more – it might even help that he grew up there. Abelard wasn't sure if anyone would remember the white cat, but perhaps if they did, that might ease the transition.

As the two of them reached and passed the tree line, they also reached a more densely populated area. This was of course relatively speaking as the buildings scattered here still had a considerable amount of distance between them. Cainan glanced around with considerably more interest than he’d shown up until that point, his green eyes taking everything in. “Ah yeah, I do remember this place… a little. It hasn't changed that much from what I remember…”

“Suppose there’s not too much of a point in showing you around then. Hm, let’s see… If you left some ten years ago, I suppose you may not have seen that we have a bookstore now, have you?” Abelard asked as they approached the nearest building. He didn’t remember exactly when the bookstore had been opened, but he was fairly sure it must have been after Cainan left home.

“Oh, I don’t think so, no. I might have to stop by later,” the younger cat said. Abelard thought it might be the first time Cainan said something genuine. At the very least it seemed more genuine than anything else he had said up until that point.

Out here, there was more open grassland, less of it dedicated to farmland, more of it just simple grassy, green hills that rolled along the beautiful landscape. While there was distance between the homes here, they were closer in proximity than some the farms around the church. Cainan looked around curiously as the two of them continued along the dirt road. “Ah, I recognize some of the buildings.”

“So, where are you staying exactly? I take it you’re not staying in your parents’ old home. Are you renting a room at the inn?” Abelard inquired as they neared the very same inn on their stroll. Although it was one of the larger buildings in town, they only had two rooms they rented out, since Defiance didn’t see many visitors, usually. It had a seating area inside for guests to sit and dine as well.

“Oh, no, I’m not. I’ve already got a bed with my name on it,” Cainan replied vaguely. As the two of them passed the inn and approached other houses, a few people took notice of the strange duo.

Abelard would nod in greeting to them, but he could tell people were curious. “And where might that be? If you’re planning to work here, I think we ought to make sure you don’t have to commute back and forth…”

“Ah. Well, I’m staying on over in Cottleville, it’s not too far.” Abelard watched Cainan closely, trying to see if he was being honest. He had a difficult time with this young, white cat; he was easy to read at times, yet other times, such as now, Abelard hadn't the faintest idea what he was thinking. His face was neutral, blank like a fresh new canvas, not showing a single discerning emotion.

“I see. I suppose that isn't too bad as far as distance is concerned,” Abelard reluctantly agreed as they continued on their way. He fell silent for a bit, the older cat needing a moment to think things through. They passed by the post office on their way.

It was another business that had initially had its start in someone’s home, albeit a house considerably smaller than most of the others. It was a single-story house where the very front had been converted into the post office where letters were sent and received daily.

Abelard privately thought that if anyone had kept in touch with the Wirths, Cainan may be able to get their new address and send for them… if that was even something he wanted at all. Abelard had gotten the distinct feeling that perhaps there was some unpleasant history between Cainan and his parents.

“So, say if you were to stay here, what work would you be willing to do?” Abelard finally asked after a brief silence. He fixated the white cat with a scrutinizing stare once more. He supposed this too might reveal a bit more about Cainan's current situation, as well as his character.

“Oh, anything and everything,” the young cat said almost lazily. “I did do food service for a while, but I don’t know if the inn would need to hire any help. I don’t know what else there would be around here. But I suppose I’ll just have to find out.”

Anything and everything was a very wide spectrum, and Abelard wasn't entirely sure what to make of it. It could mean one of two things to Abelard; either Cainan truly was incredibly versatile and not at all fussy; or he was desperate. Abelard supposed that regardless, it shouldn’t be too hard to find something for him to do.

“I really ain’t too fuzzy about it. Maybe I’ll just stick around for a few days and see what happens.” Cainan cast an inquisitive glance back over his shoulder towards the post office. It was one of the first buildings one would encounter when entering Defiance from the direction they were going. “Hm…”

“What is it?” Abelard looked towards the building as well, then looked back at Cainan. He raised an eyebrow curiously.

“Oh, nothing, nothing. Just considering my options,” the younger cat replied with a shrug. Cainan pulled his hands out of his pockets and cracked his knuckles rather loudly, before resuming his slouching posture. “So, hm… anything else you want to know about me?”

Abelard could tell Cainan was hesitant and odds were he was only asking to be polite; it was clear to Abelard that Cainan was being secretive on purpose. Whatever it was, the younger cat did indeed seem to hide something, though perhaps he just simply didn’t enjoy sharing. Abelard supposed he couldn’t blame him there.

“So, if you’re staying somewhere over in Cottleville, are you a permanent resident there? Or what is your living situation? I’m trying my best to understand here…” Abelard had a feeling he knew the answer, but he needed to be sure. That was assuming Cainan chose to answer truthfully, of course.

“I’m… more or less homeless at the moment,” Cainan admitted, looking up at Abelard. Their eyes locked again, and Cainan just gave a small smile when he saw the look on Abelard's face. “It’s alright, I’m managing just fine for now.”

Abelard watched the younger cat for a moment as they continued on their way. He wasn't so sure; being a young man without a job and a home didn’t seem like ‘managing’ to him. He supposed if he had money saved up that was one thing, but he also didn’t know for sure. Abelard's eyes drifted down to the torn knee of Cainan's denim pants. That seemed like something he could and would have fixed if he’d had the funds for it.

Although Abelard didn’t want to give Cainan too much just yet (in case he was the type to take an arm, when offered a hand) he couldn’t help but feel as though he ought to do something for him. As untrustworthy as he’d been acting up until this point, Abelard thought that perhaps he was making light of his own situation to make it seem less severe. Perhaps a coping mechanism of some kind.

Nevertheless, the two of them continued along the road. They didn’t speak too much outside of Abelard explaining which buildings were from after Cainan had left town, which seemed to be a good number of them. Even with Defiance’s small population, there ought to be quite a few unfamiliar faces amongst them now, at least for Cainan who had been gone for so long.

The two had made it all the way to the road sign that would first greet those arriving in Defiance, at which point they turned back. They’d ended up further from the residential area and closer to Defiance General.

The post office was the first building of significance they reached on their way back. A decently sized building with just one floor, a quite scenic one given the open field behind it. Abelard knew a local artist had once painted a beautiful piece featuring the post office and its backdrop. It was, in fact, iconic to the residents.

Glancing through the main window as they passed, Abelard offered a wave to the local postman, Mr. Lang, who was working inside. The gray tabby offered a wave back, though he cast a curious glance at Cainan, who seemed to be glancing the complete opposite way. He almost seemed to willfully try to ignore the post office’s existence.

“Would you like to go inside? Perhaps we can ask if there’s work to be done in the post office.” Cainan turned towards Abelard again and looked apprehensive at best.

“Oh, uh… Yeah, we can head inside,” the younger cat replied, speaking with a similarly apprehensive tone, his eyes not meeting Abelard's. Abelard raised an eyebrow curiously. For someone who said they’d take on anything and everything, this was a curious reaction, when the very prospect of a potential job was brought up.

What are we going to do with you? Abelard privately wondered as he stepped up to the post office’s door, looking sideways at the younger cat. Abelard knew next to nothing about him at this point, maybe Cainan truly was doing better than he appeared to be.

He was an enigma, this one…

[emma-m-black]

Soul Mate Magic - Chapter Nine

Rupert Giles x OC (FanFiction) - MATURE 18+

A new magical transfer comes to Sunnydale High, and ends up discovering a magical connection with our favorite Watcher.

OC is 19+ (Not a Minor), Age Gap, Slow Burn-ish (with a little preview thrown in there during the Bandy Candy Episode).

This will be a multi chapter story I don't know how spicy it will get yet, but I'll rate it Mature just to be safe.

Author Master List

Read: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Chapter Seven, Chapter Eight,

p.s. So I just finished writing and editing Chapter 13 & 14 and I love them so much, I cannot wait to post them! It is taking everything in me to not just go on a posting spree just to get there lol.

Chapter Nine:

It was only three days into the holiday break, and Rose felt as though she were teetering on the brink of madness. The book Anya had instructed her to fetch lay on the hardwood desk in the corner of Rose’s dimly lit bedroom. Its ominous presence seemed to pulse with a life of its own, a constant reminder of the unsettling information the ex-demon had relayed.

Rose had hardly slept over the past two nights. Every time she closed her eyes, images of Giles and the strange bond between their magic danced in her mind, blending into a whirlpool of anxiety and confusion. She grappled with the disconcerting thought: was she obsessing over Giles because of a supernatural compulsion, or was she merely succumbing to her own paranoia? The uncertainty gnawed at her, making sleep elusive. The bond she feared might be pulling them together seemed to mock her indecision, and the more she pondered, the more elusive clarity became.

She knew she couldn’t decipher the cryptic text on her own. Giles was essential to understanding whether Anya’s claims had any validity. Fortunately, the holiday season provided her with a perfect escape. Her Aunt Selena’s endless stream of Christmas parties offered the perfect cover. With the constant social bustle, Rose could slip away without raising suspicion. The demand for her aunt’s fortune-telling services was at its peak, leaving Rose with an opportunity to sneak out unnoticed. Regardless, she hadn’t seen her Aunt in the past few weeks. Rose couldn’t remember when she last saw her Aunt, between her classes and homework and Selena being gone to the shop.

Now, sitting in her car, Rose’s gaze was fixed on the imposing complex where Giles lived. The book rested on the passenger seat, its cover a silent testament to the weight of her dilemma. She had no means to call him and inquire whether her visit would be welcome. What if he had gone out? What if he had company? The nagging doubts began to erode her resolve. Her mind raced with the possibilities of making a fool of herself, and she began to second-guess her decision. Was this venture a colossal mistake?

A sharp knock on the car window jolted her from her thoughts. “FUCK!” Rose gasped, her heart leaping into her throat. She clutched the steering wheel with white-knuckled desperation, her breath hitching as adrenaline surged through her veins. Slowly, she turned her head, half-expecting to see an intimidating stranger—but instead, Giles’s familiar face appeared outside the glass.

The sight of him, dressed in a dark grey hoodie and sweatpants, struck Rose as unexpectedly mundane. He must have been out for a run. The ordinary appearance of Giles contrasted sharply with the extraordinary nature of their predicament, adding a surreal quality to the moment.

Giles took a step back, allowing her the space to open the door and exit the vehicle. Rose gathered herself, gripping the book tightly as she approached him.

“Rose?” Giles’s voice was tinged with surprise and curiosity.

“I’m sorry,” she stammered, her voice betraying her nervousness. “I didn’t know how to reach you, but I was hoping we could talk.”

“About what?” Giles inquired, a note of concern in his tone.

“About what’s happening with us—our magic. I might have a book that can help, but I can’t read it to verify what I’ve been told.” Rose extended the book toward him. Giles took it, examining the cover with a thoughtful frown.

“Come in,” he said, gesturing toward the building. “I’ll make tea.”

“Any chance you have some really strong coffee?” Rose asked, her voice tinged with fatigue. “I haven’t… I haven’t been sleeping well the last few nights. I’m basically running on extreme guilt and caffeine.”

Giles’s smile was tinged with sadness as he nodded, leading her into the complex. The tension between them was palpable, and every step toward his front door felt like traversing a tightrope of unspoken emotions. As Giles unlocked the door and ushered her inside, Rose’s heart raced with a mix of anticipation and apprehension.

Once inside, Giles quietly closed the door behind them, the soft click resonating in the otherwise silent house. He set the book down on his desk with a deliberate slowness, his hands lingering on the leather cover for a moment longer than necessary. Without meeting Rose’s eyes, he turned toward the kitchen, leaving her standing in the living area, awkward and exposed.

Rose wrapped her arms around herself as though to shield against the chill of uncertainty that settled between them. She watched him move, each step a quiet echo, and felt the weight of the unspoken words hanging in the air. Her heart beat faster, the distance between them suddenly feeling like a chasm.

“It was in my aunt’s shop,” she began, her voice trembling as if the words themselves were fragile. “By chance, someone pointed it out to me and read a passage, but I can’t confirm what she told me. I was hoping you could help translate.”

Giles busied himself with the coffeemaker, his back to her as he grabbed the canteen of coffee grounds. Rose’s focus stayed locked on him. She found herself drawn to the broad set of his shoulders, the way his hands moved—steady and capable, even when his mind must be reeling. There was a comfort in the familiar sight of him, but that same comfort was now tinged with a dangerous, electric charge.

“I’m not well-versed in Old Croatian,” he said, his tone more measured than his earlier actions, “but I do have many volumes that can aid in translation.”

Rose nodded, though he couldn’t see her, her thoughts racing faster than she could gather them. “She… she said something about a magical bond. Something ancient. I didn’t really understand at first, but then she showed me the text.” She hesitated, her throat tightening. “She said we might be magical soul mates.”

At those words, Giles’s hands stilled. The coffeemaker whirred softly, but everything else in the room seemed to freeze. Slowly, he turned, his eyes searching hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch. His face was a mixture of shock and something else—something deeper that Rose couldn’t quite name. His gaze dropped to her lips for the briefest moment before he caught himself, quickly refocusing on her eyes.

“It’s… not what it sounds like,” she added quickly, her cheeks flushing. “But it means our magic is connected. And if we—if we fully connect…” She swallowed hard. “Things could get dangerous.”

Giles inhaled sharply, his jaw tightening as he crossed the room toward her. He stopped just short of touching her, their proximity enough to make her pulse race but far enough to keep the tension taut. His hand hovered near hers, almost as if he wanted to reach out but held back at the last second.

“How dangerous?” he asked quietly, his concern palpable, his voice lower than usual.

“Anya said… if we connect and then get separated, it could—” Her voice faltered. His closeness was overwhelming, the warmth of him drawing her in. “It could kill us.”

The air between them grew thicker, charged with the weight of what they weren’t saying. Her gaze dropped to his hand, so close to hers that she could almost feel the heat radiating from his skin. If she just shifted slightly, her fingers could graze his. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, a mix of fear and something far more dangerous.

They stood like that, unmoving, the tension coiling tighter with every second. Rose’s lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. Instead, she watched as Giles’s hand twitched, his fingers curling ever so slightly toward her. It was nothing more than a whisper of movement, but it sent a thrill through her, the kind that left her breathless.

“But it can’t be true,” she forced herself to say, her voice quieter now. “That’s why I need your help to verify what this book says.”

Giles nodded, though the intensity in his eyes hadn’t lessened. His mouth opened as if he wanted to say something, but then he closed it again, rubbing the back of his neck instead. It was an old, familiar gesture of his, one that made Rose ache with the knowledge of how well she knew him—too well, perhaps.

“What did she mean by ‘connect’?” Giles asked, his voice a rasp, and this time when he spoke, he didn’t move away. If anything, he seemed to lean in just the tiniest bit, enough to make Rose’s breath catch.

She felt a blush creep up her neck. “I think you know what I mean, Rupert.” The sound of his name on her lips sent a spark through the air between them, something raw and unspoken hanging in the space left by her words.

“Bloody hell,” he muttered, the words barely audible as he turned away, breaking the moment. His hand brushed her arm lightly as he moved past her, a fleeting touch that burned like fire. Rose flinched, but not from pain—something else entirely, something that made her long for more. She bit her lip, her body still humming from the contact.

“It could always be worse, I suppose,” Rose added, her voice shaking, “The last pair she met, were burned at the stake.”

Giles gave a strained chuckle, his attempt at humor doing little to break the tension that pulsed between them. “Perhaps I should have made the coffee stronger,” he murmured, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

“I’ll be back in a moment,” he said, his voice tight. “Feel free to make yourself at home.”

“No rush, take your time,” Rose replied, attempting a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Her voice wavered, betraying the anxiety gnawing at her insides.

“Cream is in the fridge and sugar on the counter, cups—”

“I know where the cups are,” Rose interrupted, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. The laughter felt hollow, more a release of nervous energy than genuine amusement.

Giles gave her a brief, uncertain look before he turned to head upstairs. The echo of his footsteps faded, leaving Rose alone in the quiet, the tension between them lingering like the weight of unspoken fears. The stillness was thick, oppressive, and Rose exhaled slowly, trying to steady her shaking hands.

The scent of brewing coffee filled the room, offering a small comfort against the rising tide of her thoughts. She clung to the mundane task of preparing her drink, but her mind was elsewhere—spiraling with dread. What if they found proof? What if the bond was as dangerous as Anya suggested? Her chest tightened as panic took hold, her breath catching in her throat.

Her fingers trembled as she reached for a mug. She poured the dark liquid with more force than intended, the coffee splashing onto the counter. She cursed under her breath, quickly wiping it away. The bitterness of the coffee matched the turmoil roiling inside her, and as she took a sip, the flavor did little to settle her nerves.

The quiet of Giles’s home surrounded her, normally a refuge, but now it felt alien, as though it belonged to a different life. The warmth of old leather and books, once comforting, felt distant. She tried to focus on the simple task of drinking her coffee, but every second seemed to stretch into an eternity as her anxiety churned.

Footsteps creaked down the stairs, drawing her attention. Giles returned, now dressed in casual jeans and a dark grey sweater, his arms laden with books. The tension etched into his features mirrored her own.

“Sorry about the wait,” he said softly, his voice a little lighter than before. “I brought a few texts that might help with the translation.”

Rose offered a tight-lipped smile. “It’s all good.”

He set the books down on the coffee table and gestured toward the couch. “Shall we begin?”

Nodding, Rose followed him. She settled into the cushions, feeling the awkwardness close in around them again like a fog. Giles handed her a thick, ancient-looking book, and as their hands brushed during the exchange, an unexpected spark shot through her, making her heart skip. She quickly averted her gaze, pretending to focus on the text, but the warmth of his fingers lingered.

“So… who was it that told you about this book?” Giles asked, breaking the silence as he sat beside her.

“An ex-demon,” Rose replied after a pause, glancing up to meet his gaze, their proximity unsettling in a way that made her hyper-aware of every slight movement.

He raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Oh? Hang around with a lot of those, do you?”

The teasing lilt in his voice caught her off guard, and despite everything, a small, genuine smile formed on her lips. “More than you might think,” she said, feeling the faintest ease in the tension. But her heart beat faster when his knee bumped against hers—casual, unintentional, but enough to send a wave of heat through her. She shifted slightly but stayed where she was.

Giles chuckled softly, and for the first time that day, the air between them felt a little lighter. They turned their attention back to the text, falling into a rhythm as they worked through the material, side by side but lost in their own thoughts.

At one point, Rose reached for the notebook at the same time as Giles did. Their fingers brushed once again, and this time, the touch felt heavier, more deliberate. They both withdrew quickly, Giles mumbling an awkward apology under his breath, and Rose nodding, her throat suddenly dry.

Hours passed unnoticed; the room growing dim as the daylight outside faded. The coffee pot, once full of warmth and promise, sat cold and empty on the counter. The scent of the coffee had long since dissipated, leaving behind only the quiet of their study.

Rose found herself glancing at Giles from time to time, watching the way his brow furrowed in concentration. His glasses slipped down his nose as he read, and he absently pushed them back into place with a familiar gesture. There was a calmness about him now that hadn’t been there before, as if the act of working through the problem together had given him focus.

She, too, had relaxed into the couch, her legs tucked beneath her. Despite the weight of the ancient book in her lap, her mind began to wander, slipping from the details of the text to the man beside her. There was something almost intimate about this—sitting here, the silence between them more comfortable than it had any right to be. It was as though the very air between them had shifted, no longer fraught with fear, but something else entirely—something unspoken, yet palpable.

Eventually, Giles closed the book in his hands with a soft thud. His eyes, tired but contemplative, met Rose’s. “I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite so…” He trailed off, searching for the right word.

“Depressing,” Rose finished for him, her smile more resigned this time.

“I was going to say disheartening, but yes, depressing fits,” he replied with a sigh, leaning back against the couch and removing his glasses. As he did, his arm brushed hers—whether by accident or on purpose, Rose wasn’t sure—but the brief contact sent a shiver down her spine. He didn’t seem to notice, though, too absorbed in the weight of their situation.

Rose let out a frustrated breath, slapping her book shut. “I don’t understand. If this bond is some kind of magical match, why does it come at such a steep price? Why is it all or nothing?” Her voice was rising, the frustration bubbling to the surface. “Magic isn’t supposed to work like this. There’s always balance.”

“It does seem rather strange,” Giles agreed quietly. He set his glasses on the table and leaned forward, his hands clasped as he stared at the books in front of them. “Perhaps this is the price we pay to wield such powerful magic.”

Rose shook her head, chewing on her lip. “But… what does ‘apart’ mean? How far is too far? There’s no clarity. It feels like something you’d say to scare children into behaving.”

Giles’s eyes darkened with thought. “You did mention that a pair had been burned at the stake.”

“Yeah, but that could have been just because they had magic?” Rose’s voice was filled with disbelief. “We need more information.”

“Unless…” Giles hesitated, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “Unless it’s not a bond. But a curse.”

The word hit Rose like a slap, cold and sharp. A curse. Her heart began to pound. If it was a curse, it could be broken. But the thought brought little comfort. A curse carried its own dangers, its own consequences. Rose’s breath quickened, and she met Giles’s eyes, searching for answers, for reassurance.

Giles reached out, placing his hand over hers on the closed book. His touch was gentle, but the warmth of his palm against her skin sent a jolt through her, grounding her in the moment. For a brief second, she couldn’t think—only feel. His thumb brushed her knuckles as if by accident, but the sensation lingered, igniting something she hadn’t anticipated.

His gaze was steady, but there was sadness there, a resignation that mirrored her own. Giles didn’t pull his hand away, his skin resting lightly on hers, as though he was offering her silent comfort—both of them grasping at the same fragile thread of hope.

“We’ll figure this out,” Giles said softly, his voice filled with quiet determination. His hand remained on hers for a moment longer, a tether keeping them connected in the uncertainty that surrounded them. The world around them seemed to narrow, shrinking down to just the two of them and the warmth where their hands touched.

Rose’s breath hitched. She could feel the tension crackling in the space between them, something unspoken but potent swirling in the air. The exhaustion and fear that had weighed on her began to fade, replaced by an electric awareness of him—of the way his thumb brushed against her skin, the way his breathing seemed to have slowed.

She looked up, her eyes meeting his, and for a moment, time stilled. Giles was closer than she realized, their faces only inches apart. The weight of everything they hadn’t said—everything they hadn’t dared acknowledge—hung heavy in the silence. His eyes flicked down to her lips for just a heartbeat, and her breath caught in her throat. She felt herself lean in, just a fraction, pulled toward him by something she couldn’t control.

Giles’s gaze darkened, his hand shifting ever so slightly as though he might close the remaining distance between them. Rose could almost feel the ghost of his breath on her skin, the tantalizing thought of his lips just a breath away—

And then the knock came.

The sound shattered the fragile moment, sending them both flinching apart as though waking from a dream. Giles pulled his hand back, clearing his throat, while Rose sat frozen, her heart pounding in her chest. The spell between them was broken, but the lingering heat of it remained, burning under her skin.

Chapter Ten

[identifying-guns-in-posts]

welcome!

i'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to guns, and thought randomly at some point that it'd be fun to start this gimmick blog and try to identify guns in various posts. however I do still kind of consider myself to be in the dunning-kruger valley, and gun identification is a bit more complex than car identification due to just how many variants of individual gun patterns there are, and how much easier it is to do modifications of them...

(ask / submission rules and other guidelines are further down in this post)

I'll try to at least identify the general pattern of the gun or any recognizable parts and cross reference with images and articles to make a decision. If your post or submission is from a particular piece of media, it's extremely likely for it to already be documented on the Internet Movie Firearms Database wiki website, so some answers will probably be pulled straight from there.

For example, the wiki clearly outlines that, in the above blog header, which is from the anime/manga Lycoris Recoil (IMFDB link here), Chisato (left) canonically uses a Detonics CombatMaster (variant of Colt 1911 pattern, chambered in .45 ACP), specifically one that incorporates elements of the Tokyo Marui Strike Warrior Airsoft replica (notable in the strike face compensator and modified rear sight). Takina (right) meanwhile uses a somewhat generic Smith and Wesson M&P9 PRO, chambered in 9x19mm, with the extended 5" barrel.

To make up for how garbage I am at getting specifics right, I may also offer some bits of trivia about the gun(s) in question and/or their implementation. For example, although Chisato's gun seems based off of the Tokyo Marui design, it notably has three port holes at the top of the compensator as compared to the single port in the original; it might be a bit more effective as a real compensator than the very-Airsoft cosmetic fixing of the TM replica. It also lacks the accessory rail in the anime. Additionally, Takina's signature sidearm, the M&P9, is extremely common in modern law enforcement (you might even recognize the handle of it in the "(A) Steal Officer's Service Weapon" meme), so it's a bit of a "cop gun" in a sense; which possibly matches how Takina essentially serves as the by-the-numbers half of the pseudo-buddycop pairing formed by her and Chisato. Interestingly enough, all other Lycoris agents are seen wielding Glock 17s instead...

asks

I'm always open to asks if you want to ask me anything, but if you want me to identify something, you should probably make it a submission!

submissions/tags

Only submit requests for identification of guns OR fictional gun reviews (more on that in another section)! Preferably memes and posts. You can also submit things from media like video games and anime, but you could probably get a faster answer through IMFDB than me >~>

If your submission or tag is for a "cursed gun" then some special rules apply. If it's a real life picture of some effed up monstrosity, I will do my best to identify it with a real, pre-built gun; otherwise, I'll try to identify parts that may have been used for it. If it's clearly an edited picture or some other form of drawing, concept, or very clearly fictional gun, this will be treated as a "Fictional Gun Review" instead.

Generally speaking I'm looking at "small arms" guns; I'm not super well-versed on artillery pieces and aircraft weapons and the like. I know a handful of rocket launchers and might be able to pick out a couple but those are also pretty hard for me.

Fictional Gun Reviews

I'm also a bit of a hobbyist game designer and like creating weapon designs myself! I can take a look at strictly fictional weapon designs and give some cursory criticism on whether or not the gun would actually function in the configuration it's in (checking things like barrel/bolt/magazine alignment, etc.), what parts of it I recognize from real guns, and an overall subjective rating.

about me

i'm a 21+ trans woman (she/her) and pansexual/biromantic disaster married to a hot butch wife. i'm also an independent game developer and secretly a streamer on another alias of mine. i like guns! i like the history of guns and the engineering of guns. personal favorites are sniper rifles, particularly the L96A1, the first military-specification sniper rifle made by Accuracy International, which served as the prototype of the Arctic Warfare line of rifles, popularized by Counter Strike's AWP (though the classification of "AWP" is incorrect for the particular weapon featured in the series, it's actually an AWM .338). favorite pistol is probably the Beretta 93R, a 3 round burst fire pistol with a similar pattern to the iconic M9 pistol. i also like the MP7 PDW (obvious half life 2 fan is obvious), the MAC10 (by far the coolest machine pistol to fire in akimbo lol), and the G36C (one of the first guns I ever decided to look up more information about many years ago after picking it up in Garry's Mod of all places).